Pa. Gov. Rendell announces $67 million investment to help protect state's waterways, public health

• Effort promotes community revitalization efforts.

HARRISBURG, PA, Jan. 23, 2007 -- Governor Edward G. Rendell said communities will continue to be revitalized and water resources will become cleaner with the $67 million investment made today by the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority, or PENNVEST.

"The low-interest loans and grants provided today by PENNVEST continue my commitment to protect our environment, revitalize our communities and promote economic development in all parts of the commonwealth," Governor Rendell said.

Most of the money awarded today, $62.9 million, is in the form of low- interest loans. Combined with $3.8 million in grants, PENNVEST will fund 11 clean water projects in nine counties.

The awards approved by PENNVEST range from a $382,950 loan to replace an old, leaking water line for a community in Allegheny County to a $15-million loan to expand the capacity of a wastewater treatment plant for the Sharon, Mercer County.

Among other large projects are:
-- For brownfields redevelopment, Canus Corp., in Philadelphia County, received a $7,601,250 loan to remediate a former scrap yard where water sources are contaminated by lead and other chemicals. This will allow the site to be converted to residential and industrial uses.
-- For drinking water, Coraopolis Water & Sewer Authority, near Pittsburgh, received an $8,659,020 loan to replace two water storage tanks and over two miles of deteriorated distribution lines in various areas of the authority's system.
-- For clean water, Washington County's California Borough received a $6,891,070 loan to construct a new pump station and over three miles of sewer collection lines to serve households in the Granville and Malden Road areas of the borough, where wildcat sewers are discharging untreated waste directly into Pike Run.

Funds for the projects are disbursed after bills for work are paid and the receipts are submitted to PENNVEST for reimbursement.

For more information about PENNVEST, visit: www.pennvest.state.pa.us/pennvest/site/

The Rendell Administration (www.governor.state.pa.us) is committed to creating a first-rate public education system, protecting our most vulnerable citizens and continuing economic investment to support our communities and businesses.

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Also see:
-- "Gov. Rendell says landfill methane collection, reuse again earning Pennsylvania national recognition: EPA honors state's Advanced Energy Initiative for second consecutive year"
-- "Major businesses, environmental leaders unite to call for swift action on global climate change: U.S. Climate Action Partnership (USCAP) includes 10 major corporations and Environmental Defense, Natural Resources Defense Council, Pew Center on Global Climate Change and World Resources Institute"
-- "Pa. DEP accepting applications for watershed restoration, protection grants until April 13"
-- "Call for papers issued for 2007 Pa. Stormwater Management Symposium: Villanova University hosting Oct. 17-18 event"

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