(AGENPARL) - Roma, 21 Febbraio 2024 - (AGENPARL) – mer 21 febbraio 2024 Issued: Feb 20, 2024 (10:41pm EST)
If you wish to unsubscribe please do so
here: http://url6130.epa.mediaroom.com/ls/click?upn=-2BroytcZInNRyuFbAvAoN5aMEQDHIx2RtQl0jT-2FwLgZHafJKm-2F7NYrsKNAZH88rhd98aG2o5sSGIX8iVgGgXwOczi8WNFU0a7GLvUAvQ8R0RGX5bAZ9mjh1NYnKAGekGpvDA4_mLoYh0p4AWg4foFr5HgrZ1QioQ33bLwdnQ-2BsYGKFX9mApcfdQmv0-2Bvkdf9kq-2BlYj0VON9ZmwO2x1b3QDBNNmY11nX-2BE9K7i3fK2-2FbsjnZCarQQ-2FPt4pePwDO5Fu20k5BbN6MpWUfyZH5LEGGzolYlqhd9wUbQxvLBPVaiWuSBPWzHdN6Qas31fMqe2NcOpKF3cNraqPJ2lk-2Fg-2BuTp1pGHg5HSQLAIcFa5Kajh8-2Bv2NdfuBjHRMVvh3TomdnPXYwUJtjYhRd5o9zxQj6XAQVlpw-3D-3D
Biden-Harris Administration announces over $42M for Montana water
infrastructure upgrades
Unprecedented funding from Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is transforming
communities across the state
HELENA, Mont. (Feb. 20, 2024) – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) announced $42,956,000 from President Biden’s Investing in
America agenda for Montana drinking water and clean water infrastructure
upgrades.  
This 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.
“Over the past three years, EPA has invested nearly $175 million for new and
upgraded wastewater and drinking water services in Montana communities through
the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law,” said EPA Regional Administrator KC
Becker.  “These projects are building new treatment and delivery systems,
creating jobs, and securing healthy watersheds and safe drinking water across
the state.” 
“Water is life, plain and simple – especially in rural areas, farms, and
ranches and so many parts of Montana where folks are on their own when it
comes to water management,” said Senator Jon Tester. “I’m proud to
have secured this funding through my bipartisan infrastructure law – the
largest investment in water infrastructure in our nation’s history – and I
will continue to make sure these funds are distributed efficiently to ensure
safer drinking water for generations of Montanans to come.” 
“Aging water infrastructure impacts Montana communities and upgrade costs
can be challenging. Investment through grants and loan forgiveness helps our
communities protect access to safe, clean drinking water,” said Lindsey
Krywaruchka, administrator of the Water Quality Division at the Montana
Department of Environmental Quality. 
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 Montana 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 Montana  
Since 2022, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has injected over $175 million
into water infrastructure projects across the state protecting public health,
preserving water resources, and creating jobs. These funds are provided to
state revolving funds managed by the Montana Department of Environmental
Quality, which identifies priority projects across the state.  
These projects are underway in communities like Fort Benton, where $2.6
million in BIL funding is constructing a new 980,000-gallon water tank and
transmission main to serve the community. In Kalispell, $11 million in BIL
funds are being used to install an elevated water storage tank, new well
houses, and disinfection systems and controls. These are just examples of
dozens of water infrastructure projects underway and to be completed across
Montana. 
These investments are unprecedented and transformational. View stories about
how the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has impacted communities across the
country in the Investing in America’s Water Infrastructure Storymap.
Additional projects are available in the State Revolving Fund 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 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 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. 
To unsubscribe or change your settings click here:
http://url6130.epa.mediaroom.com/ls/click?upn=-2BroytcZInNRyuFbAvAoN5aMEQDHIx2RtQl0jT-2FwLgZFdW2WYdzQmaasDKJ3YChU3dm63aOxg4PmDnRAlWG9172Qfd6QxC5IH217NsBw9c7OD2049OM4Ga-2BqP-2Fd6336EI7qXZ-2Ff99CtyAcwJhMQFRwA-3D-3DYLsc_mLoYh0p4AWg4foFr5HgrZ1QioQ33bLwdnQ-2BsYGKFX9mApcfdQmv0-2Bvkdf9kq-2BlYj0VON9ZmwO2x1b3QDBNNmY11nX-2BE9K7i3fK2-2FbsjnZCYYx1JGVBNGFWRO838wcz2xvZP0a0cllJDTTbjr82KybqkUNUfS9s2qaBxIjC5OaKvMi1xZBtgmeBt7IYrujCzJKFncAZmIZ5JVynFaWAt6Gdzz79O0Pps-2FPKSaLp8ejyG3AoxL2i5dr2bIu6bYqYvhXQbe-2FvR8DEnnhuvlE3hVcw-3D-3D