Agricultural News
EPA Announces $6.5 Billion in New Funding for Water Infrastructure Projects
Tue, 27 Apr 2021 14:50:44 CDT
Today, at an address to water associations, utilities, and their workers to mark Water Week, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael S. Regan announced the 2021 notice of funding availability under the agency's Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) program and state infrastructure financing authority WIFIA (SWIFIA) program. These lending programs accelerate investment in critical water infrastructure through innovative and flexible financing that can support a wide range of projects in both large and small communities.
"EPA's $6.5 billion in water infrastructure funding will provide more than $13 billion in water infrastructure projects while creating more than 40,000 jobs," said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. "Today's announcement illustrates the multiple benefits of investing in water infrastructure-better public health and environmental protection, job creation, and economic development. These benefits would be taken to new heights under President Biden's American Jobs Plan."
EPA's WIFIA loan program has become one of the most effective tools used to upgrade our nation's infrastructure. To date, EPA's 49 WIFIA loans are providing over $9.3 billion in credit assistance to help finance nearly $20 billion for water infrastructure while creating approximately 49,000 jobs and saving ratepayers over $4 billion. This round of WIFIA funding will provide up to $5.5 billion to support $11 billion in water infrastructure projects and prioritizes five areas:
· Supporting economically stressed communities.
· Protecting water infrastructure against the impacts of climate change.
· Reducing exposure to lead and addressing emerging contaminants.
· Updating aging infrastructure.
· Implementing new or innovative approaches including cybersecurity and green infrastructure.
EPA is also announcing funding under SWIFIA
This program, which was authorized by Congress as part of the America's Water Infrastructure Act (AWIA) of 2018, offers low-interest loans to state water infrastructure programs that then help finance needed water infrastructure projects in local communities. This round of funding will provide SWIFIA borrowers up to $1 billion to support $2 billion in water infrastructure projects.
EPA will evaluate proposed projects described in the letters of interest using WIFIA's statutory and regulatory criteria as described in the notice of funding availability. Through this competitive process, EPA will select projects that it intends to fund and invite them to apply. EPA will accept letters of interest from prospective WIFIA borrowers until July 23, 2021. EPA will accept letters of interest from state water infrastructure programs until June 25, 2021.
For more information about WIFIA and this funding announcement, visit: https://www.epa.gov/wifia
WebReadyTM Powered by WireReady® NSI
Top Agricultural News
More Headlines...
