June 26, 1976
Page 20863
MAINE CLEAN WATER SUCCESS STORY TOLD
Mr. MUSKIE. Mr. President, since Congress enacted the Clean Water Act of 1972, many have followed its progress with great interest. We have heard of difficulties encountered in implementing that act; we have suffered the problem of impoundment of money; we have heard industry complain of unreasonable requirements; and we have been told that the act created a paperwork burden of overwhelming proportions.
Against these criticisms I would like to call attention to the real life success story in the State of Maine.
Maine is a State which does not have a large water pollution control agency, yet it has not been overwhelmed with paperwork; it is a State which does not have a major engineering department in each city, yet at the same time Maine has performed well in its sewage treatment plants construction program. But more important, Maine's industry will comply with the standards of the 1972 act without even threats of plant closure or work force reduction.
In fact, Maine is a State which has benefited greatly from the provisions of the Clean Water Act. The funds that have been made available for construction grants have stimulated employment in a depressed construction industry. The requirement that industry meet basic national standards is consistent with Maine law which existed prior to the passage of the Clean Water Act.
The Clean Water Act insures the pulp and paper plants and other industrial facilities in other States will have to meet requirements similar to those in an environmentally conscious State like Maine are required to meet.
I am proud of Maine and the following specific accomplishments show why:
All the 26 major pulp and paper producing facilities in the State of Maine will be in compliance with the Federal 1977 requirements. Most will be in compliance with the Maine requirements of best practicable treatment by 1976. None of these paper mills has been forced to close or has moved due to the requirements of the 1972 act.
Those companies have spent $83.15 million on pollution control. There are no reliable figures on the jobs created, but one undeniable fact emerges: that money was spent in Maine, and did not jeopardize the industry's expansion during that period.
Under the provisions of the Clean Water Act, Maine had been allotted $153,097,200 in construction grant funds. Of that $153 million allotment, 87 percent or $130,234,111 has been obligated for construction to specific projects throughout the State. Of that obligated money, $104,231,014 is actually under construction or has completed construction. That is 79 percent of the total funds obligated under construction.
That $131.2 million investment has resulted in the creation of approximately 6,550 jobs in Maine during a time in which the economy was recessed.
The success of the State of Maine under this program gives a clear indication that the objectives of the act can be achieved and have been achieved.
It is common now, and easy, to criticize the effort that government is making. The success of this program in achieving declared national objectives belies the criticism so often made of Federal programs. Maine's success is a positive statement of the ability of the Federal and State government to join together to solve serious national problems.
A letter from the head of the Maine construction grants program to a member of my staff gives the facts to amply demonstrate this point. I ask unanimous consent that it be printed at this point in the RECORD.
There being no objection, the material war ordered to be printed in the RECORD, as follows:
STATE OF MAINE,
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION,
June 9, 1976.
Re: Public Law 92-500 construction projects.
Mr. JOHN FRESHMAN.
Subcommittee on Environmental Pollution,
Dirksen Senate Office Building,
Washington, D.C.
DEAR MR. FRESHMAN: As discussed by telephone today, this letter will show where our construction grant program is in relation to the total funds received by Maine under PL 92-500.
PL 92-500 allotted $153,097,200 to the State of Maine for pollution abatement projects. As of April 30, 1976, we had obligated $131,234,111.
The following communities either have or have had projects under construction with PL 92-500 funds:
[List of communities omitted]
Percentage of Obligated Funds under Construction: 79%.
Percentage of Allotted Funds under Construction: 68%.
Bids have been received but contracts have not been awarded:
If you add the projects that have been bid but contracts not awarded, the percentage of obligated funds is 94% and the percentage of allotted funds is 80%.
If you add all three categories together, the percentage of obligated funds is 98% and the percentage of allotted funds is 84%.
The 46% figure that was given you from OMB baffles me.
Very truly yours,
DENNIS A. PURINGTON,
Chief, Division of Municipal Services,
Bureau of Water Quality Control.