Danielle Goshen testimony on water infrastructure funding in Texas

Danielle Goshen, Policy Specialist/Counsel, Texas Coast and Water Program, National Wildlife Federation spoke to the Texas Senate Committee on Water, Agriculture & Rural Affairs on May 10, 2022.
Goshen emphasized the state’s water infrastructure can be updated and upgraded by investing in resilient infrastructure, including green and nature-based projects. Green and nature-based infrastructure include resilient solutions that provide multiple benefits for communities. In face of increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather due to climate change, these solutions will be essential in ensuring reliable water infrastructure.
Goshen also reiterated that infrastructure must be updated by prioritizing projects in disadvantaged and rural communities. Opportunities for 100% grants for upgrades and updates to water infrastructure for the most disadvantaged communities will ensure communities that are not able to pay back loans will have access to clean, affordable, and reliable water infrastructure. Technical assistance will also be needed for these communities to not only identify projects but to also complete lengthy application processes.
Luckily, many of these investments can be supported with Drinking Water and Clean Water State Revolving Funds. Texas must ensure that it can draw down the nearly $3 billion historic investment in the SRF in Texas under the Infrastructure Investments and Jobs Act (IIJA) by putting up the cost share.
Read more about how Texas needs to seize the historic opportunity to rebuild its fragile water infrastructure here: texaslivingwaters.org/texas-l...