Water Infrastructure:
Why Congressional Action is Urgently Needed

July 28, 2008
U.S. Chamber of Commerce

On July 28, 2008, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the National Chamber Foundation hosted a briefing on water infrastructure and the need for urgent congressional action.

This important forum brought together members of Congress and their staff, senior industry representatives, and the media to explore our deteriorating water infrastructure and its impact on the U.S. economy. The discussion focused on the consequences of inaction on the issue, and ultimately forecasted what the future may hold for this vital industry – which will drastically impact U.S. competitiveness in the global marketplace.

The goal of the event was to highlight the need for new sources of revenue to repair the aging infrastructure and to educate law-makers and the general public of the necessity to remove any barriers that might prevent this from happening.

Speakers included:

• Janine Benner, Legislative Director, Office of Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR)
• David Chavern, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, U.S. Chamber of Commerce
• Dan Coody, Mayor, Fayetteville, Arkansas and Co-Chair, Mayors Water Council, U.S. Conference of Mayors
• Benjamin H. Grumbles, Assistant Administrator for Water, Environmental Protection Agency
• F. Henry “Hank” Habicht II, Vice Chairman, Global Environmental and Technology Foundation and Managing Partner, SAIL Venture Partners
• Jerry N. Johnson, General Manager, District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority (WASA)
• Janet F. Kavinoky, Director, Transportation Infrastructure, U.S. Chamber of Commerce

 Henry “Hank” Habicht, Vice Chairman, Global Environmental
and Technology Foundation and Managing Partner, SAIL Venture Partners at the
podium with Janet Kavinoky, Director, Transportation
Infrastructure, U.S. Chamber of Commerce

Click here to access Dan Coody’s presentation.

Click here to access Henry Habicht’s presentation.

Click here to access Jerry Johnson’s presentation.

Click here to view the agenda.

Water Infrastructure – Fact Sheet.

Click here to watch the CSPAN recording of the briefing.

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