ASA Promotes Water Conservation
Association Initiative Introduced in Congress
After several meetings by American Supply Association President Joe Poehling with members of Congress, on April 2 a key ASA initiative was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Congressman Mike Coffman (R-CO) and Congressman Ron Kind (D-WI). The Bill is H.R. 1908, the Water Accountability Tax Efficiency Reinvestment Act of 2009, or W.A.T.E.R for short. Shortages of water have become an increasing dilemma for many communities struggling with drought conditions. Congress is recognizing that conservation is one key component to preserving our nation’s liquid assets.
The bill will provide tax credits to residential and commercial property owners who install water conserving products. In its current form, the bill allows for a tax credit of up to $1,500 on fixtures purchased by December 31, 2010, that display the EPA WaterSense logo. ASA is seeking to broaden the credit on large commercial and multi-unit facilities as well as extending the date beyond the 2010 deadline. The EPA estimates that if a family of 4 installs WaterSense faucets and toilets, they could save 17,000 gallons of water each year
ASA is working on gaining a Senate sponsor.
“This is the first time that ASA has been responsible for introducing legislation that can benefit our industry. The idea came out of a meeting that ASA President Joe Poehling had with his Congressman, Ron Kind,” said ASA Executive Vice President Mike Adelizzi. “We had talked about the residential energy tax credit and how it will impact energy use in the country. We pushed the idea about conserving our nation’s water resources by implementing the same type of credit on water conserving products as well. Today, we have an ASA-backed bill that makes sense and can benefit our industry during a tough time, and beyond,” Adelizzi concluded.
“This legislation will help conserve one of our most precious resources by providing a tax incentive to reward water conservation. Water conservation must be a key component of an overall strategy for meeting the increased demands for water across our country,” said U.S. Rep. Mike Coffman (R-Colorado).
“Americans today use 300 percent more water each day than they did 50 years ago, putting tremendous strain on our water supply and environment,” said U.S. Rep. Ron Kind (D-Wisconsin). “The 2009 Water Accountability Tax Efficiency Reinvestment Act seeks to ease that stress by giving individuals and businesses the incentive to conserve water and lead a greener lifestyle. Supporting this legislation means we are taking the necessary steps to protect our environment for future generations. I am pleased to be part of it.”
For more information on ASA’s other legislative initiatives, please visit the Advocacy section of www.asa.net.
After several meetings by American Supply Association President Joe Poehling with members of Congress, on April 2 a key ASA initiative was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Congressman Mike Coffman (R-CO) and Congressman Ron Kind (D-WI). The Bill is H.R. 1908, the Water Accountability Tax Efficiency Reinvestment Act of 2009, or W.A.T.E.R for short. Shortages of water have become an increasing dilemma for many communities struggling with drought conditions. Congress is recognizing that conservation is one key component to preserving our nation’s liquid assets.
The bill will provide tax credits to residential and commercial property owners who install water conserving products. In its current form, the bill allows for a tax credit of up to $1,500 on fixtures purchased by December 31, 2010, that display the EPA WaterSense logo. ASA is seeking to broaden the credit on large commercial and multi-unit facilities as well as extending the date beyond the 2010 deadline. The EPA estimates that if a family of 4 installs WaterSense faucets and toilets, they could save 17,000 gallons of water each year
ASA is working on gaining a Senate sponsor.
“This is the first time that ASA has been responsible for introducing legislation that can benefit our industry. The idea came out of a meeting that ASA President Joe Poehling had with his Congressman, Ron Kind,” said ASA Executive Vice President Mike Adelizzi. “We had talked about the residential energy tax credit and how it will impact energy use in the country. We pushed the idea about conserving our nation’s water resources by implementing the same type of credit on water conserving products as well. Today, we have an ASA-backed bill that makes sense and can benefit our industry during a tough time, and beyond,” Adelizzi concluded.
“This legislation will help conserve one of our most precious resources by providing a tax incentive to reward water conservation. Water conservation must be a key component of an overall strategy for meeting the increased demands for water across our country,” said U.S. Rep. Mike Coffman (R-Colorado).
“Americans today use 300 percent more water each day than they did 50 years ago, putting tremendous strain on our water supply and environment,” said U.S. Rep. Ron Kind (D-Wisconsin). “The 2009 Water Accountability Tax Efficiency Reinvestment Act seeks to ease that stress by giving individuals and businesses the incentive to conserve water and lead a greener lifestyle. Supporting this legislation means we are taking the necessary steps to protect our environment for future generations. I am pleased to be part of it.”
For more information on ASA’s other legislative initiatives, please visit the Advocacy section of www.asa.net.
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