NC
NC H376: Water/Wastewater Affordability & Capacity Act
North Carolina House Bill 376, the Water/Wastewater Affordability & Capacity Act, has passed the legislature and been presented to the Governor. The bill addresses the affordability of water and wastewater services and the capacity of related infrastructure across the state. Its provisions aim to shape how water and sewer utilities are funded, managed, and kept accessible to residents.
✓ REASONS TO SUPPORT
- Residents who struggle to pay water and sewer bills could see stronger protections or assistance, making basic utilities more accessible.
- Investing in water and wastewater capacity can help communities grow and attract jobs by ensuring infrastructure can handle increased demand.
- Statewide standards for affordability and capacity could create more consistency in how utilities serve customers across different regions of North Carolina.
- Proactive infrastructure planning may reduce costly emergency repairs and service disruptions for households and businesses in the future.
✕ REASONS TO OPPOSE
- New affordability requirements could increase operating costs for utilities, which may be passed on to ratepayers through higher bills over time.
- State-level mandates on local utilities could limit the flexibility of local governments and utility boards to manage systems according to their communities' specific needs.
- Expanding water and wastewater capacity could encourage faster development in areas where some residents prefer to manage growth more slowly.
- Depending on how the bill is funded, taxpayers or utility customers may bear significant upfront costs before long-term savings are realized.
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