(AGENPARL) – mar 20 febbraio 2024 Issued: Feb 20, 2024 (3:46pm EST)
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Biden-Harris Administration announces over $20 million for Commonwealth of the
Northern Mariana Islands 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 Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands
SAN FRANCISCO, CA– Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
announced over $20 million ($20,022,000) from President Biden’s Investing in
America agenda for Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI)
drinking water and clean water infrastructure upgrades. This historic funding
is part of over $50 billion in water infrastructure upgrade investments from
President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law – the largest investment
in American history. Almost half of this funding will be available as grants
or principal forgiveness loans, ensuring funds reach disadvantaged and
underserved communities most in need of investments in water infrastructure.
This vital funding will support essential water infrastructure that protects
public health and treasured water bodies across CNMI.
“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.”
“All people deserve the peace of mind that the water they drink, swim and
bathe in, and use to feed their families is safe, readily available, and
clean,” said EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator Martha Guzman.
“Thanks to President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, EPA is making this
a reality for tens of millions of Americans throughout the Pacific Southwest,
especially those that need it the most. In partnership with communities and
state leaders, we’re investing in cutting-edge technology, infrastructure, and
nature-based solutions to provide sustainable, clean water that will improve
the health and quality of life for communities and the environment.”
Communities across the country are facing urgent water infrastructure
challenges. Many cities and towns have aging water infrastructure – old,
broken, or lead pipes carrying drinking water and wastewater treatment plants
needing major upgrades. Some communities struggle to maintain adequate
stormwater infrastructure to manage flood impacts from climate change
effectively; others need to upgrade their water treatment to address emerging
contaminants like PFAS.
The funding EPA announced for CNMI 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 CNMI-run, low-interest loan programs to address critical
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 CNMI
Since 2022, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has injected nearly $63 million
($62,750,000) into water infrastructure projects across CNMI, protecting
public health, preserving water resources, and creating jobs.
To view some stories about how Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has impacted
communities across the country, access the Investing in America’s Water
Infrastructure Storymap here. For additional projects, see this Quarterly
Report.
Background
The Drinking Water State Revolving Funds and the Clean Water State Revolving
Funds have been the foundation of water infrastructure investments for over 30
years, providing low-cost financing for local projects across America. SRF
programs are critically important for investing in the nation’s water
infrastructure. They are designed to generate significant sustainable water
quality and public health benefits nationwide. The inherent structure of
revolving loans amplifies their growth by making the payment of principal and
interest on loans available to address future needs.
For more information, including state-by-state allocation of 2024 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.
Learn more about EPA’s Pacific Southwest Region. Connect with us
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