Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced $11,390,000 to Vermont from President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure through this year's Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF). The funding will support Vermont communities in upgrading essential water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure that protects public health and treasured water bodies. Nearly half of this funding will be available as grants or principal forgiveness loans helping underserved communities across America invest in water infrastructure, while creating good-paying jobs.
"President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is delivering an unprecedented investment in America that will revitalize essential water and wastewater infrastructure across the country," said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. "Not only will these funds expand access to clean water and safeguard the environment, but more underserved communities that have been left behind for far too long will be able to access them."
"The historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is funding critical water infrastructure projects across New England, especially in places that have been historically underserved," said EPA New England Regional Administrator David W. Cash. "Every community should know that their wastewater services are keeping the environment healthy and supporting the lives of people living nearby. We are proud to work with states, Tribes, and communities in making these unprecedented investments."
"This new funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provides an essential tool for local governments to improve water infrastructure, collect and treat wastewater, provide clean drinking water, and more," said U.S. Senator Peter Welch. "With this support, Vermont will not only be able to perform needed repairs to the existing state water infrastructure, but also invest in fortifying these systems for years to come. This funding will have a direct, positive impact on communities throughout the state, and I'm grateful for the Biden-Harris Administration's work to bring these funds to Vermont."
"Access to clean and safe water is essential," said U.S. Congresswoman Becca Balint. "The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will be transformational for Vermont and so many communities across the country in need of renewed water infrastructure."
"We are grateful for Federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law support for Vermont's Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Loan funds. These transformational investments in water infrastructure will improve wastewater treatment, expand stormwater management, and help rid our drinking water supplies of pollutants like lead and forever chemicals like PFAS. Perhaps most importantly, these funds help the Agency better support disadvantaged and underserved communities in addressing what have been prohibitively costly repairs to their infrastructure," said Julie Moore, Secretary of the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources.
This new influx of funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) will increase monies available for communities to undertake wastewater infrastructure upgrades in Vermont. Project awards are made by state evaluators to ensure they are targeted to the most needed areas.
Today's announcement is part of the $2.4 billion announced as part of the second wave of funding made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and builds on the Biden-Harris Administration's commitment to invest in America. In May 2022, EPA announced the initial allotment of $1.9 billion from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to states, Tribes and territories through the CWSRF. That money is supporting hundreds of critical water infrastructure projects around the country.
President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law makes over $50 billion available for water and wastewater infrastructure improvements across the country between FY2022 and FY2026. EPA is committed to ensuring every community has access to this historic investment and has centralized increasing investment in disadvantaged communities within its implementation. This investment in water infrastructure is creating jobs while addressing key challenges, including climate change and emerging contaminants like per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The implementation of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law calls for strong collaboration, and EPA continues to work in partnership with states, Tribes, and territories to ensure that communities see the full benefits of this investment.
In addition to today's announcement, the 2023 Drinking Water State Revolving Fund allocations and program updates are forthcoming, pending the release of the seventh Drinking Water Infrastructure Needs Survey and Assessment. EPA anticipates releasing the information in the coming weeks.
More information:
The CWSRFs have been the foundation of water infrastructure investments for more than 30 years, providing low-cost financing for local projects across America. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law presents the largest ever funding opportunity for investing in water infrastructure. Find state-by-state allocation of 2023 funding, and a breakdown of EPA CWSRF funding available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law at: https://www.epa.gov/cwsrf.
The Bipartisan Infrastructure law provides EPA with more than $60 billion over five years for a wide range of environmental programs that will bring much-needed funding to America's water infrastructure, environmental cleanups, and clean air protections, while also advancing environmental justice and combatting climate change. Find out more about Bipartisan Infrastructure Law programs and how EPA is working with communities at https://www.epa.gov/infrastructure.
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