NACA Lauds Passage of ‘America’s Water Infrastructure Act’ with Two-Year WRDA Reauthorization

Washington, D.C. – The North American Concrete Alliance (NACA) praised the passage of the America’s Water Infrastructure Act, which continues the cycle of passing a Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) every two years.  Passage of vital water infrastructure and resource programs every two years means Congress is ensuring America can build and maintain 21^st Century infrastructure, while supporting the 600,000 jobs across the cement and concrete industries.

“America’s water infrastructure, from waterways to drinking water systems, will remain strong thanks to Congress,” said PCA President and CEO Michael Ireland. “Concrete is a central component in many of these projects, where resiliency and life-cycle cost are huge assets. PCA is grateful Congress has adopted many of the provisions supported by the cement and concrete industry and we urge President Trump to sign the bill into law.”

“This bill is a major achievement for Congress, NACA and its members,” American Concrete Pressure Pipe Association President & CEO Richard Mueller said.  “NACA has been working to educate lawmakers about America’s massive water infrastructure needs and the benefits of using cement and concrete to build for the long-term.  Those messages clearly resonated and the result is one of the most important pieces of water infrastructure legislation in a quarter century.”    

Elements of the legislation most widely supported by the industry include:

• increasing infrastructure investment in waterway and flood control, including $6.1 billion for 12 new Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) projects;
• reauthorizing water infrastructure construction programs like the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund and Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act, and
• measures encouraging resilient and durable construction techniques using concrete.

“We are pleased that WRDA Reauthorization encourages resilient techniques by the Corps to ensure extreme weather mitigation and to provide a return on investment by encouraging resilient construction techniques,” said Danielle Kleinhans, President and CEO of the Concrete Reinforcing Steel Institute.

NACA will continue working with Congress as other vital large-scale infrastructure bills are considered, because these investments ensure our country is well-positioned for the future. Formed in 2004, NACA is a coalition of 12 concrete- and cement-related associations dedicated to addressing industry-wide priorities in the areas of research, safety, education and government affairs.

For more information: Holly Arthur harthur[at]cement[dot]org 202-719-1979.

About NACA: Formed in 2004, The North American Concrete Alliance (NACA) is a coalition of 12 concrete and cement-related associations dedicated to addressing industry-wide priorities in the areas of research, safety, education and government affairs.  The cement and concrete industry directly or indirectly employs 600,000 people and contributes approximately $100 billion annually to the U.S. economy. NACA is comprised of the following groups: The American Concrete Pavement Association, American Concrete Pipe Association, American Concrete Pumping Association, American Concrete Pressure Pipe Association, Concrete Foundations Association, Concrete Reinforcing Steel Institute, National Concrete Masonry Association, National Precast Concrete Association, Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute, Portland Cement Association, National Ready Mixed Concrete Association, Tilt-Up Concrete Association.