Issued: Feb 24, 2023 (4:27pm EST)
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Biden-Harris Administration Announces $256,106,000 for Clean Water Infrastructure Upgrades Through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in New York
New York (February 24, 2023) – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced over $256,106,000 to New York from President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure through this year's Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF). The funding will support New York 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."
"This major investment, awarded through the groundbreaking Bipartisan Infrastructure Law translates into replacing or repairing aging wastewater infrastructure, implementing water reuse and recycling, addressing stormwater and addressing the risks from emerging contaminants," said EPA Regional Administrator Lisa F. Garcia. " EPA is committed to getting these critical water resources to underserved and disadvantaged communities."
Governor Kathy Hochul said, "Thanks to the Biden-Harris administration and our Congressional delegation, Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding is already creating jobs and helping communities upgrade crucial water infrastructure. I applaud this new and significant investment of more than $256 million that will bolster the record investments we are making in clean water, particularly in disadvantaged communities, to improve our health, environment and economy."
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos said, "I applaud President Biden, New York's Congressional delegation, and EPA Administrator Regan for the ongoing partnership that is helping our communities upgrade and enhance water quality infrastructure throughout the state. Under Governor Hochul's leadership, New York prioritizes clean water and the benefits it brings to our environment, public health, and economy, and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law continues to be a transformative resource to help us reach our water infrastructure objectives."
New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC) President and CEO Maureen A. Coleman said, "As the administrator of the State Revolving Funds, EFC celebrates with EPA today the second wave of federal funding awarded to New York State for clean water infrastructure from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Funding from the first wave is already making a difference by modernizing and upgrading critical water systems in Albany, Newburgh, Liberty and beyond. EFC is steadfast in its commitment to ensuring these funds are awarded to the communities and projects that need it most. Under the leadership of Governor Hochul, targeted outreach is underway to help small, rural, and disadvantaged communities access this funding. EFC thanks President Biden, Administrator Michael Regan, and the New York Congressional delegation for this significant investment and the continued partnership."
"New York has some of the oldest sewer and wastewater systems in the country, but thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure and Jobs Law that I led to passage, a whopping $256+ million in new federal funding – a more than a $50 million increase over last year – will flow to make critical upgrades to our aging clean water infrastructure – from storm water overflows to decentralized wastewater treatment systems," said U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. "This federal funding will keep storm and sewer water out of our rivers and lakes, which means a flood of good-paying jobs, better public health, and a cleaner environment. I will continue to fight tooth and nail to keep our clean water systems flowing, jobs growing, and keep New Yorkers safe and healthy."
"This funding will help communities across New York State invest in essential water infrastructure," said Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. "I'm proud to have worked to pass the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to help secure these funds and will keep fighting to make sure every New Yorker has access to clean, safe water."
Congressman Andrew Garbarino said, "On Long Island, upgrades to our sewers are desperately needed in order to support main street growth, preserve access to clean water, and protect our natural resources like the Great South Bay. The age and density of our sewer systems cannot sustain the rate of growth we have seen in our population and economy. I am pleased to see federal funding coming to our community for needed upgrades to wastewater and stormwater infrastructure and I am proud to have helped delivered these funds for my constituents with my vote for the bipartisan infrastructure bill."
"The funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will continue to help upgrade our water and stormwater infrastructure and will benefit communities in New York that have experienced multiple climate and flood-related challenges in recent years," said Congressman Gregory Meeks (NY-05). "Investing in our water infrastructure is critical for the advancement of our communities, especially for our residents living in underserved areas. I am extremely proud to have worked to pass this historic legislation with my colleagues in Congress and commend President Biden for continuing to fulfill his promise to strengthen and rebuild our country's aging water infrastructure to meet modernization standards."
"The over $256 million in funds announced today for New York State will support much needed updates to our state's water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure," said Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez. "The low-cost financing supplied by the Clean Water State Revolving Fund will boost the public health of our communities by improving water systems while also creating good paying jobs. This generational investment in improving our nation's water infrastructure was only possible through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Act, which I was a proud supporter of."
"Thanks to the passage of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we can make a significant down payment on the much-needed investments in water infrastructure within our communities. Clean water is a human right. For far too long, the needs of disadvantaged communities have been ignored, jeopardizing public health with outdated water systems and deteriorating infrastructure," said Congresswoman Yvette Clarke (NY-09) "That is why I am pleased to see this historic investment help strengthen our water systems and make water cleaner and more accessible to many communities. As the climate crisis continues to devastate our water systems, along with PFAS chemicals and lead, it is critical investments like this that will help safeguard our water infrastructure."
Congressman Dan Goldman (NY-10) said, "Clean air and water should be considered a fundamental right for every American and I am thrilled that $250 million is coming to our state from President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. This money will fund critical upgrades to water infrastructure in underserved communities across New York, protect public health, and provide good-paying jobs in the process. This is just the beginning of what I hope will be ongoing, robust, and much-needed investment in New York's water infrastructure."
"It's critical and a matter of survival that New York City and State upgrade its infrastructure to ensure we are replacing lead pipes in our schools and public housing, removing any contaminants from drinking water, and protecting our communities from heavy rainwater and storm surge that have historically crippled neighborhoods along our shoreline with flooding and severe property damage," Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11) said. "Hurricane Sandy showed that infrastructure, like adequate sewer systems and stormwater drainage projects, are necessary to protect our constituents and their properties. We look forward to seeing more of these projects taking place in Staten Island and Southern Brooklyn as a result of this funding."
"I'm proud to have fought to deliver nearly $430 million in President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure and Jobs Act for critical upgrades to our aging drinking water and wastewater infrastructure in New York," said Representative Jerrold Nadler (NY-12). "The EPA's announcement of over $256,106,000 to New York through this year's Clean Water State Revolving Fund will improve our water infrastructure and ensure New Yorkers are provided safe drinking water free of toxic contaminants."
"I am delighted by the EPA's announcement of over $256,106,000 in funding to New York State as part of President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure plan. This is a result of an ongoing effort by the Biden Administration to uplift underserved communities across America by investing in climate justice, while creating good-paying green jobs," said Congressman Adriano Espaillat (NY-13).
"The funding will support New York communities in upgrading essential water infrastructure and by ensuring the protection of public health and treasured water bodies. I look forward to continuing to work with House Democrats to partner with President Biden to build a brighter and more sustainable future that leaves no community behind."
"Clean water that is safe and healthy to drink is essential to our collective public health and environment," said Representative Ritchie Torres. "This funding through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund will help communities in New York — including long underserved communities — upgrade critical water infrastructure while creating good-paying jobs here at home. It's just another example of why I was proud to cast my vote in support of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which continues to deliver historic investments and results for the American people."
"We need to modernize our outdated water infrastructure, so that no young child in Orange County, senior in Ulster County, or small business in Dutchess County ever has to worry about access to clean water," said Representative Pat Ryan. "This funding presents a real opportunity to deliver on that promise, and you can bet I am fighting like hell to make sure that money comes right here to the Hudson Valley."
"For decades, communities have struggled to invest in water treatment facilities and keep our precious waterways clean," Congressman Paul Tonko said. "It is long past time that the federal government step up and support our local partners, and I am proud that the funding provided by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is doing just that. I look forward to working alongside the EPA and New York State to ensure this vital investment quickly reaches critical infrastructure projects in our communities that need it most."
"My district includes 100 miles of Lake Ontario shoreline encompassing bays, rivers, and streams directly impacted by the lake's water quality," said Congressman Joe Morelle. "I'm proud to have delivered funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Act to improve Lake Ontario by upgrading and modernizing our wastewater treatment facilities. I appreciate the Biden Administration for making water quality a priority, and I am grateful for their dedication to protecting our natural resources."
"Bordering Lake Erie and Lake Ontario, Western New York is home to some of our most important fresh water resources," said Congressman Brian Higgins. "As a member of the Great Lakes Task Force I have worked hard to make long-term investments in our lakes and rivers that improve community health, drive economic development, and create good-paying jobs. Thanks to the historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, this investment made through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) will build on the progress we have made to improve our fresh water resources and the infrastructure that delivers it."
One example in New York involves modifications and improvements to the City of Newburgh's combined sewer overflow system, which will allow Newburgh to address the untreated sewage that gets discharged into the Hudson every time it rains. This project received more than $6.1 million in federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funds in November 2022. This phase of the work involves the construction of 8,500 feet of new interceptor sewer ranging in size between 18 and 48 inches in diameter.
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.
The CWSRFs have been the foundation of water infrastructure investments for more than 30 years, providing low-cost financing for local projects across America. For more information, including state-by-state allocation of 2023 funding, and a breakdown of EPA CWSRF funding available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, please visit: http://www.epa.gov/cwsrf .
Follow EPA Region 2 on Twitter and visit our Facebook page. For more information about EPA Region 2, visit our website.
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