EPA announces nearly $180 million to upgrade clean water infrastructure in Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas.
Nearly half of state, tribal, and territory funding comes in the form of grants and grants for critical water infrastructure projects that will benefit low-income communities across the country.
DALLAS, TX (March 9th2023) –The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced $176,868,000 from President Biden’s bipartisan State Infrastructure Act; Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas for this year’s Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF). The funding will help communities upgrade essential water, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure that protects public health and valuable water bodies across the region. Almost half of this funding will be available in the form of grants or forgiveness loans, helping low-income communities across America invest in water infrastructure while creating well-paying jobs.
“President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Act provides unprecedented investment in America that will revitalize key water and sanitation infrastructure across the country,” said EPA administrator Michael S. Regan. “These funds will not only expand access to clean water and protect the environment, but will also provide access to more underserved communities that have been left out for far too long.”
“This announcement is not only an achievement for the EPA, but an achievement for all communities,” said District 6 administrator Dr. Earthy Nancy. “To ensure our growth at the national and state levels, water quality must be maintained at a high level. As climate change continues to impact vulnerable communities, it is critical that the Environmental Protection Agency continue to fund critical water infrastructure to protect public health and improve public well-being.”
The $2.4 billion announced today is the second wave of funding made possible by the bipartisan infrastructure bill and builds on the Biden-Harris administration’s commitment to invest in America. In May 2022, the EPA announced an initial $1.9 billion disbursement under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Act to the States, Tribes, and Territories through the CWSRF. This money supports hundreds of critical water infrastructure projects across the country.
Below is a breakdown of funding by state:
• Arkansas will receive $15,178,000.
• Louisiana will receive $25,506,000.
• New Mexico will receive $11,390,000.
• Oklahoma will receive $18,745,000.
• Texas will receive $106,049,000.
President Biden’s bipartisan Infrastructure Act allocates more than $50 billion to improve water and sanitation infrastructure across the country between fiscal year 2022 and 2026. The EPA is committed to ensuring that every community has access to these historic investments and centrally increases investment in disadvantaged communities as part of its implementation. These investments in water infrastructure are creating jobs while addressing key challenges, including climate change and emerging pollutants such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Implementation of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Act requires close collaboration, and the Environmental Protection Agency continues to work in partnership with states, tribes, and territories to ensure that communities see the full benefits of this investment.
In addition to today’s announcement, appropriations and updates to the State Drinking Water Revolving Fund program for 2023 are expected, pending the publication of the Seventh Drinking Water Infrastructure Review and Needs Assessment. The EPA expects to release information in the coming weeks.
CWSRFs have been the backbone of water infrastructure investment for over 30 years, providing low-cost funding for local projects across America. For more information, including a breakdown of 2023 funding by state and a breakdown of EPA CWSRF funding available under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Act, visit the following web page.
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