In the single largest grant in its history, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded more than $430 million to the State of New York for wastewater infrastructure projects that will create thousands of jobs, jumpstart local economies and protect human health and the environment across the state.
“EPA is committed to being part of the solution in this economic downturn. By keeping the waterways clean and healthy, we’re bringing new jobs and new opportunities to local communities,” said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson. “Protecting human health and the environment is a great way to put people to work and stimulate our economy.”
“New York State is committed to innovative approaches to building environmentally sustainable and energy efficient wastewater treatment technologies. This funding will help protect our environment and will support thousands of jobs across the State at a time when we need it most,” said New York Governor David Paterson. “I thank President Obama, New York’s Congressional delegation, EPA Administrator Jackson and Commissioner Grannis for all of their hard work and continued support as we work together towards a path of full economy recovery and environmental protection.”
This grant is a portion of the unprecedented $4 billion dollars that will be awarded to fund wastewater infrastructure projects across the country under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The state will use the Recovery Act grant to provide money to municipal and county governments and wastewater utilities for projects to protect lakes, ponds and streams in communities across New York.
New York State will also provide at least 20%, or at least $86 million, of its Recovery Act funds to “green” projects, those that involve green infrastructure, improve energy or water efficiency or that have other environmentally innovative aspects. New York’s program also provides funding to communities facing financial hardships.
The grant will be awarded to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and implemented by the New York State Environmental Facilities Corp., a state-run organization that helps public and private entities comply with federal and state environmental requirements.
The Recovery Act will also fund a similar program for improving drinking water systems.
For more information on EPA’s implementation of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 in New York, visit www.epa.gov/region02/eparecovery/. For more information on the Clean Water State Revolving Fund program, visit http://www.epa.gov/owm/cwfinance/cwsrf/.
Source: EPA
