RCC Holdings Corp fka RCCH

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My morning routine: Coffee, cig and The Wall Street Journal. Below is an article that caught my eye regarding legislation being introduced in The House of Representatives, by Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D., Ore.) at approximately 2pm today with the title: Water Protection and Reinvestment Act. What was interesting is that The Wall Street Journal felt that the pending legislation was important enough to dedicate space to the legislation on page A4. In summary, the legislation is intended to tax industry for water usage, in an attempt to create a trust fund as there has been a gap between the amount of money required to maintain the US water and sewage treatment and what is actually required, and this gap is estimated to be in the billions of dollars, per year. Below is The Wall Street Journal article, followed by some dd.

JMO

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Taxes Sought to Fix Aged Infrastructure
The Wall Street Journal
PG A4
U.S. NEWS JULY 15, 2009
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124761944347442547.html#mod=todays_us_page_one

By JAKE SHERMAN
WASHINGTON—A bipartisan group of lawmakers is proposing to raise about $10 billion a year to fix aging water and sewer systems by taxing the biggest users.

The legislation, which has sparked significant opposition from industry, is expected to be unveiled Wednesday at a news conference on Capitol Hill.

The bill calls for a 0.15% tax on any corporation earning a profit of more than $4 million a year. Manufacturers of any water-based beverages, excluding alcohol, would see a four-cent tax per container. Soaps, detergents, toiletries, toilet tissue, water softeners and cooking oils would face a 3% tax on wholesale prices. Pharmaceuticals would be taxed at 0.5% of the wholesale price.

Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D., Ore.), the main sponsor of the Water Protection and Reinvestment Act, said he believed the bill was necessary to repair an aging system used by all Americans. The taxes, he said, would target some of the biggest users of water and companies that have the biggest stake in the efficiency of the system. He called the fees modest and fair.

The federal government has paid an average of $2.3 billion each year since 2000 to help maintain the water system. A spokeswoman for Mr. Blumenauer said the trust fund created under the bill would bring in about $10 billion a year.

Concerns about the safety and integrity of water systems is a perennial concern, particularly in older cities. Recent water-main breaks in New York City have disrupted traffic and transit.

A U.S. Chamber of Commerce representative, Janet Kavinoky, said: "Anytime there's a broad base of general taxes being used to fund infrastructure, the chamber is going to take a close look at how that affects our members."

The chamber also has concerns that a federal subsidy for infrastructure repair could send a signal to local municipalities that they don't need to charge the real cost of providing water.

Representatives of the industries that would be hardest hit by the proposed fees said they feel unfairly targeted.

Joe Doss, president and chief executive of the International Bottled Water Association, said the proposal singled out one product category, while other water users wouldn't see tax increases.

Kevin Keane, senior vice president of the American Beverage Association, said beverage companies would almost certainly raise their prices to help compensate for the tax. This is just another example of "raising taxes on the middle class," Mr. Keane said. [It] would just add to the burden of taxpayers at a time they are already facing economic struggles," he said.

A representative from the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America said they have not yet developed an opinion on the legislation.

Mr. Blumenauer is set to testify on the legislation Wednesday in front of a panel of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

Write to Jake Sherman at [e-mail]
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Water Protection and Reinvestment Act -From what I can determine, the bill is to be introduced today at 2 pm.
At the present, I'm unable to locate the exact bill number. In summary, as the WSJ article explained, if you
use water you will be taxed in order to create a trust fund. There has been roughly a 78% drop in government
expenditures on water and sewage since 1978, and the shortfall in what is required to maintain an adequate
system and what we presently have is estimated to be in the billions. Below is a quick dd summary of the bill.
What was interesting to me, is that the Wall Street Journal felt that the bill which has yet to be introduced
was so important to provide an article on page A4 and actually dedicated space to it.


Below is some dd:

Gov Track US. Track legislation:
http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billsearch.xpd?PostFormID=billsearch&session=111&q=Water+Protection+and+Reinvestment+Act&sponsor=400033&cosponsor=&chamber=&status=&sort=

Clean Water Resotration Act (S. 787)
Sewage Overflow Community Right-to-Know Act (S. 937)

Clean Water Network
http://www.cleanwaternetwork.org/

The Water Protection and Reinvestment Act of 2009:
http://www.cleanwaternetwork.org//issues/sewage/sewagenews/displaycontent.cfm?ContentID=799&ContentTypeID=1&PageFormat=DisplayContent&ConfigID=127


Clean Water Trust Factsheet from Rep. Blumenauer's Office
http://www.cleanwaternetwork.org/files/Clean%20Water%20Trust%20Factsheet%20from%20Blumenauer's%20Office.pdf

Clean Water Trust GAO Report
http://www.cleanwaternetwork.org/files/Clean%20Water%20Trust%20GAO%20Report%20to%20Congressional%20Requesters.pdf

CWN position on the Clean Water Trust Fund
http://www.cleanwaternetwork.org/files/CWNpositionstatementCWTF.doc

Dereth Glance's T&I Subcommittee Testimony on Clean Water Trust
http://www.cleanwaternetwork.org/files/Dereth%20Glance%20Testimony.doc

Water Protection and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Draft Copy)
http://www.cleanwaternetwork.org/files/Water%20Protection%20and%20Reinvestment%20Act%20Text.pdf

Opinions on compromise Clean Water Restoration Act
CWRA Opinions
http://www.cleanwaternetwork.org/files/CWRA%20Opinion%20Pieces.doc

EPA’s Reanalysis Of Perchlorate Data To Show New Methodology, New Numbers
http://www.amwa.net/cs/news/mmb
AMWA is an association of the largest publicly owned drinking water systems in the U.S. AMWA is a voice on critical national issues involving legislation, regulation and security, and provides resources for utility management and leadership
July 13, 2009
http://www.amwa.net/galleries/mmb/MMB%207-13-09.pdf


The National Association of Clean Water Agencies
NACWA represents the interests of the nation's public wastewater agencies and organizations dedicated to protecting public health and the environment.
http://www.nacwa.org/

NACWA on Twitter:
http://twitter.com/NACWA



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Congressman Blumenaer's website:
http://www.blumenauer.house.gov/

Water infrastructure also requires investment
http://blumenauer.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=347&Itemid=215#water

"Congressman Blumenauer has advocated increased spending on wastewater and drinking water infrastructure. He has been the keynote speaker to a number of water infrastructure organizations. In May, he addressed the National Clean Water Policy Forum, put on by the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA). In September, he addressed NACWA’s Clean Water America Awards Gala, celebrating the 35th anniversary of the Clean Water Act and expressing support for a trust fund. In October, he spoke at a press conference to release a report written by the organization Food and Waterwatch highlighting the need for investment in water infrastructure and particularly a Clean Water Trust Fund. He has also convened a broad spectrum of stakeholders, experts, and organizations involved in wastewater and drinking water, water resources, and financing to focus on financing options for increased spending on water infrastructure.

In March, Congressman Blumenauer offered a successful amendment to the Water Quality Financing Act (which reauthorized the Clean Water State Revolving Funds) to prioritize funding towards existing water infrastructure needs. In October, the House passed Blumenauer’s resolution recognizing the 35th Anniversary of the Clean Water Act and committing Congress to, among other things, working towards “a sustainable, long-term solution to address the Nation's decaying water infrastructure.”


There are 72,000 miles of sewer and water pipe that are over 80 years old.
The EPA estimates that the funding gap for water infrastructure is $400 billion, but even so, the federal contribution to clean water spending shrank from 78% of total spending in 1978 to 3% today."

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The following is somewhat unrelated to the topic of the water bill being introduced, but interesting...


EPA Announces WaterSense Certification System
http://www.epa.gov/watersense/specs/homes_certification.htm
EPA is pleased to announce the release of the WaterSense new home certification system, a vital step for building the infrastructure necessary for the upcoming WaterSense New Homes program.

Look for the Label
http://www.epa.gov/watersense/pubs/label.htm
The WaterSense label appeared first on professional certification programs for landscape irrigation professionals. These WaterSense labeled programs verify professional proficiency in water-efficient irrigation system design, installation/maintenance, and auditing. The program will allow homeowners to ask for professionals who partner with the WaterSense program.

WaterSense will also make the label available for water-efficient products in the home, beginning with toilets. As defined by EPA's WaterSense specification, high-efficiency toilets (HETs) use less than 1.3 gallons per flush. Find the most up-to-date list of labeled products and programs

This certification system includes the general procedures for builders to apply for the WaterSense label once the final new homes specification is released later this year and the process and requirements for parties involved in training, home inspection, certification, and issuance of the WaterSense label.



EPA invites organizations qualified and interested in administering the program for WaterSense to apply. For more information on the requirements and application process for program administrators, or to find out more about the WaterSense new home certification system, please visit the WaterSense Web site. If you have any questions, please contact the WaterSense Helpline at (866) WTR-SENS (987-7367) or [e-mail].

http://www.epa.gov/watersense/specs/homes_certification.htm

Certification System for WaterSense Labeled New Homes
EPA requires all products bearing the WaterSense label to be independently certified. This certification provides consumers with confidence in both the water efficiency and performance of WaterSense labeled products.

The Certification System for WaterSense Labeled New Homes is meant to supplement the WaterSense Program Guidelines and specifically outlines the process for certification and labeling of new homes in compliance with the Water-Efficient Single-Family New Home Specification, including the general procedures for builder application and receipt of the certificate containing the WaterSense label for new homes. The certification system also describes the general application procedures and requirements for those parties involved in training, home inspection, certification, and issuance of the WaterSense label.

To ensure that WaterSense labeled new homes meet specific efficiency and performance criteria, EPA has released its final WaterSense new home certification system (PDF) (26 pp, 153K, About PDF).

Program Administrator
EPA has opened up the application process for all program administrators interested in providing services for WaterSense. Any program administrator meeting the final application and approval criteria may apply at any time.

To apply, please submit an application letter to the WaterSense Helpline, as described in the WaterSense new home certification system (PDF) (26 pp, 153K, About PDF).

Technical Information
Are you a home builder or other party interested in finding out more about the development of the final WaterSense new home certification system? To learn more about the certification process, including the proposed draft certification system, public comments on the draft requirements, and EPA's response to the public comments, please see:

•Final WaterSense New Home Certification System (PDF) (26 pp, 153K, About PDF)
http://www.epa.gov/watersense/docs/final_certification_system508.pdf
•Response to Comments on the Draft New Home Certification System (PDF) (10 pp, 55K, About PDF)
http://www.epa.gov/watersense/docs/new_home_comment_response508.pdf
•Comments on the December 2008 Draft Inspection and
Certification Systems for New Homes (PDF) (32 pp, 157K, About PDF)
http://www.epa.gov/watersense/docs/home_comments_certificationsystem508.pdf
•Draft WaterSense New Home Certification System (PDF) (22 pp, 131K, About PDF)
http://www.epa.gov/watersense/docs/home_certification_system508.pdf

Partners:
http://www.epa.gov/watersense/partners/partners.htm

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Go Green Expo
http://www.gogreenexpo.com/
Cobb Galleria Centre, Atlanta Ga
September 2-3

Go Green Expo
June 26-28, 2009 (6/26 B2B only)
Business-to-Business & Business-to-Consumer Expo
For everyone interested in learning about environmentally friendly goods & services for use in modern everyday living. At the Cobb Galleria Centre.


Green Business Works Expo 2009
http://www.greenbusinessworksexpo.net/
Cobb Galleria Centre, Atlanta Ga
September 2-3

Green Business Works Expo
September 2-3, 2009
For corporations, Communities, and Local Governments seeking to develop or enhance Sustainable Business Practices

Clean Water and Water Conservation

Sessions will cover specific strategies focused on new technologies targeting both mitigation and adaptation from xeriscaping to rain harvesting to grey water usage. Facility managers can learn first-hand the phases of conducting water audits, including analyzing your facility’s water and cost-savings potential.