(AGENPARL) – mar 20 febbraio 2024 Issued: Feb 20, 2024 (3:57pm EST)
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Biden-Harris Administration announces more than $200 Million for Pennsylvania
drinking water, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure upgrades as part of
President Biden’s Investing in America agenda
Unprecedented funding from Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is transforming
communities across the state
PHILADELPHIA (Feb. 20, 2024) – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) announced over $200 million from President Biden’s Investing in
America agenda for Pennsylvania drinking water and clean water infrastructure
upgrades. The funding is part of the over $50 billion investment in water
infrastructure upgrades from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law
– the largest such investment in American history. Today’s announcement
will support essential water infrastructure that protects public health and
treasured water bodies across the state. Almost half of this funding will be
available as grants or principal forgiveness loans, ensuring funds reach
underserved communities most in need of investments in water
infrastructure.  
“President Biden’s Investing in America agenda continues to transform
communities for the better with this latest infusion of funds for critical
water infrastructure projects,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan.
“With $50 billion in total, the largest investment in water infrastructure
in our nation’s history, EPA will enable communities across the nation to
ensure safer drinking water for their residents and rebuild vital clean water
infrastructure to protect public health for decades to come.” 
“Since 2022, funding provided by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has
enabled EPA to distribute more than $2 billion across the mid-Atlantic region
to spur new and necessary investments in water quality,” said EPA
Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator Adam Ortiz. “Thanks to this historic
funding, more communities will receive the clean and safe drinking water that
every American deserves.” 
“Across our Commonwealth, too many communities are struggling to fix leaking
pipes and aging infrastructure that stand in the way of bringing clean water
to Pennsylvania families,” said Governor Josh Shapiro. “With this funding
from the Biden Administration, we will be able to continue making critical
investments in our infrastructure in order to build a better future for our
communities. Together, we can ensure access to clean water and uphold
Pennsylvanians’ Constitutional right to clean air, pure water, and a healthy
environment.” 
“Upwards of 37 public schools in Western Pennsylvania have lead contamination
in their water. I came to Congress to represent the Black, brown, and poor
communities that have been deemed as “sacrifice zones” for polluters. 
Generations of folks in communities like mine have grown up in and are now
raising children in zip codes that have water funneled through lead pipes next
to rivers and streams too polluted to swim in. That’s why earlier this year,
we secured $84.5 million to remove lead water lines, and are continuing to
fight for environmental justice” said Rep. Summer Lee (PA-12). “I’m
proud to work with the Biden Administration to bring home an additional $99
million for clean water and $75 million for clean drinking water from the
Environmental Protection Agency to Pennsylvania–which will mean less kids
getting sick and more families having the security of knowing their
environment isn’t posing an imminent threat to their health.” 
“Exposure to any level of lead puts everyone, especially kids, at risk,”
said Rep. Chris Deluzio (PA-17). “I am so glad I can help deliver millions
from President Biden’s Infrastructure Law funding for communities in Western
Pennsylvania like Millvale to remove dangerous lead pipes and ensure folks
have clean and safe drinking water.” 
“The investment to the Perkasie Regional Authority through the Clean Water
and Drinking Water State Resolving Funds (CWSRF & DWSRF) to upgrade their
water infrastructure is critical to the region and I am pleased to report that
the project is nearing its completion,” said Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-1).
“Access to clean drinking water is an essential for healthy living, and we
in Congress must do everything we can to continue funding these vital
programs.” 
Communities across the country are facing water infrastructure challenges.
Many cities and towns have aging water infrastructure – old, broken or lead
pipes carrying drinking water and wastewater treatment plants in need of major
upgrades.  Some communities struggle to maintain adequate stormwater
infrastructure to effectively manage flood impacts from climate change and
others need to upgrade their water treatment to address emerging contaminants
like PFAS.  
The funding EPA announced for Pennsylvania is part of a $5.8 billion
investment through the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds
(SRF), one of EPA’s signature water investment programs. This
multi-billion-dollar investment will fund state-run, low-interest loan
programs to address key challenges, with $2.6 billion going to the Clean Water
SRF for wastewater and stormwater infrastructure and $3.2 billion going to the
Drinking Water SRF for drinking water infrastructure nationwide. Today’s
announcement includes allotments for Bipartisan Infrastructure Law General
Supplemental funds and Emerging Contaminant funds for SRF programs for fiscal
year 2024. EPA anticipates announcing allocations for billions of dollars in
additional resources for the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Lead Service Line
Replacement fund later this Spring.  
Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in Action in Pennsylvania 
Since 2022, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has injected $782,982,000 into
water infrastructure projects across the state protecting public health,
preserving water resources, and creating jobs. These investments are
unprecedented and transformational. To view stories about how the unpreceded
investments from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law are transforming
communities across the country, visit EPA’s new Investing in America’s
Water Infrastructure Storymap. To read more about some additional projects
that are underway, see EPA’s recently released Quarterly Report on
Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Funded Clean Water and Drinking Water SRF
projects.     
Background  
The Drinking Water State Revolving Funds and the Clean Water State Revolving
Funds have been the foundation of water infrastructure investments for more
than 30 years, providing low-cost financing for local projects across America.
SRF programs are critically important programs for investing in the nation’s
water infrastructure. They are designed to generate significant and
sustainable water quality and public health benefits across the country. Their
impact is amplified by the growth inherent in a revolving loan structure –
payment of principal and interest on loans made are available to address
future needs. 
For more information, including state-by-state allocation of 2023 funding, and
a breakdown of EPA State Revolving Fund funding available through the
Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, please visit the Drinking Water State Revolving
Fund website and the Clean Water State Revolving Fund website. 
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