The Water Environment Federation (WEF) hosted the second of two webcasts March 23 to help members and the water quality community learn how to secure economic stimulus funding for wastewater projects. Passed last month, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) includes more than $7 billion for drinking water and wastewater infrastructure. The first webcast, held in January, provided information about project eligibility, application requirements and the expected timing of the stimulus funding.
Organized with support from WEF’s Government Affairs Committee, “Breaking Ground on Infrastructure Stimulus Funding” highlighted the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) recently issued ARRA guidance, including Clean Water and Drinking Water SRF funds and programs; oversight and accountability requirements for use of the funds; an overview of U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) rural water and waste grants and loans; and using set aside funds for green infrastructure, energy efficiency and water efficiency projects.
A panel of experts presented an overview of the issue and answered questions from participants listening in from 362 sites across the country. Speakers included:
• James Hanlon, director of EPA’s Office of Wastewater Management;
• Matthew Millea, acting president, New York State Environmental Facilities Corp., representing the Council of Infrastructure Financing Authorities;
• Katherine Baer, senior director of clean water programs, American Rivers;
• Jackqueline Ponti-Lazaruk, assistant administrator for water and environmental programs, USDA; and
• Moderator: Bob Matthews, senior vice president, Camp, Dresser & McKee; and chair of WEF’s Government Affairs Committee.
Webcast materials may be downloaded here. A recording of the webcast will soon be available at no charge to WEF members and for $195 to non-members. Visit www.wef.org for more details.
Source: WEF
