Rep. Cleaver Applauds Federal Government's Modification to Kansas City's Sewer Overflow Consent Decree

(Kansas City, MO) – Today, United States Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) applauds the renegotiation of the combined sewer overflow Consent Decree between the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Department of Justice (DOJ), and the city of Kansas City, Missouri.

Since reaching a consent decree with the EPA in 2010, Kansas City has worked with the agency to develop a sewer overflow control program to meet regulatory requirements and reduce overflows from the sewer systems that often place cost differentials on the city's residents through increased rates. The magnitude, complexity, and cost of the program led to both Johnson County, Kansas, as well as the City of Liberty, MO, leaving the regional water and sewer system.

In 2018, Congressman Cleaver led with other Missouri lawmakers in calling for modifications to the 2010 consent decree that would alleviate the increasing economic burden and the loss of regional partners. The changes sought to shift focus toward mitigating the cost of the overflow control program on city residents, preventing the loss of regional partners, and bolstering the city's environmental goals.

On January 19, 2021, the EPA announced the renegotiation of the 2010 consent decree. Modifications to the consent decree include the incorporation of an adaptive management process in place to allow the City flexibility to propose revised or alternative projects as a means of maximizing available revenues, construction schedules, technologies, and more cost-effective control measures. The proposed modification also extends the final compliance date from December 31, 2035 to 2040.

"I am thrilled to hear the news of proposed modifications to the combined sewer overflow Consent Decree," saidCongressmanCleaver. "The proposed modification comes at a moment when many Kansas Citians are collectively working to navigate the financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic and looking for relief. And while ensuring the City maintains clean water standards is vital and necessary, we must do so in a way that also ensures the costs of meeting and maintaining compliance does not become a burden Kansas City residents cannot bear. Under this renegotiated deal, I'm hopeful both of these important issues are properly addressed. Kansas City residents will feel the alleviated costs, and our drinking water will continue to uphold the highest standards of cleanliness."

You can find the official letter from Congressman Cleaver, Senator Roy Blunt (R-MO) and former Senator Claire McCaskill to the EPA and DOJ here.

Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri's Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee's Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Blue Springs, Grain Valley, Oak Grove, North Kansas City, Gladstone,Claycomo, and all of Ray, Lafayette, and Saline Counties. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee; Chairman of the House Subcommittee on National Security, International Development, and Monetary Policy; member of the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress; member of the Committee on Homeland Security; and a Senior Whip of the Democratic Caucus. For more information, please contactHaydinBradyat 202-538-4326or Haydin.Brady@mail.house.gov