The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced $57,760,000 from this year’s Clean Water State Revolving Funds to go towards the states of Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, New Mexico and Texas for water infrastructure improvements. The funding will help communities upgrade essential wastewater and stormwater systems to protect public health and treasured water bodies across the nation. Nearly half of this funding will be available as grants or principal forgiveness loans, which will help underserved communities across America invest in water infrastructure while creating good-paying jobs
"Too many communities across the country are facing challenges with water infrastructure – from climate impacts like drought vulnerability, to a lack of basic wastewater services that everyone deserves," said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. "President Biden's Investing in America Agenda is getting unprecedented investments in clean water to communities that need them most. This funding paired with this historic funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will support local economies while advancing projects in communities to help ensure clean, safe water for residents."
“The EPA is committed to ensuring universal access to water and wastewater infrastructure, and I am proud to announce this historic level of infrastructure funding for all of the Region 6 states,” said Regional Administrator Dr. Earthea Nance. “I would like to thank this Administration for continuing to deliver on the promise of safeguarding public health and for ensuring our nation maintains a healthy environment.”
The EPA has announced the following:
- Arkansas will receive $4,957,000
- Louisiana will receive $8,329,000
- New Mexico will receive $3,720,000
- Oklahoma will receive $6,122,000
- Texas will receive $34,632,000
Today’s announcement builds on the second wave of $2.4 billion the EPA announced for clean water infrastructure upgrades through President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in February. Over $3.2 billion will be provided to the CWSRF when combined with Fiscal Year 2023 funding available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. This investment reflects the Biden Administration’s commitment to strengthening the nation’s wastewater and stormwater systems, while providing significant resources for mitigating nonpoint source pollution and improving energy and water efficiency. It also addresses key challenges, including climate change and emerging contaminants like per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).
See the state-by-state allocation of 2023 CWSRF funding.
See a breakdown of EPA CWSRF funding available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
Background
The CWSRFs have been the foundation of water infrastructure investments for more than 30 years, providing low-cost financing for local projects across America. Under the Clean Water programs, the EPA provides funding to all 50 states and Puerto Rico to capitalize on SRF loan programs. For the base programs, the states and Puerto Rico contribute an additional 20 percent to match the federal grants. The 51 SRF programs function like infrastructure banks by providing low-interest loans to eligible recipients for clean water infrastructure projects. As the loan principal and interest are repaid over time, it allows the state’s CWSRF to be recycled or “revolve.” As money is returned to the state’s revolving loan fund, the state makes new loans to other eligible recipients. These funds can also be combined with Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding and the EPA’s Water Infrastructure and Finance Innovation Act (WIFIA) loans to create a powerful, innovative financing solution for major infrastructure projects.
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Original source can be found here.