ATLANTA, GA, Apr. 9, 2009 -- In a move that stands to create jobs, boost local economies, improve aging water infrastructure and protect human health and the environment for the people in the Commonwealth of Kentucky, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded $20,450,000 to the Kentucky Infrastructure Authority. This new infusion of money will help the state and local governments finance many of the overdue improvements to drinking water systems that are essential for protecting public health and the environment across the state.
"This funding is the second investment of EPA Stimulus funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to Kentucky," said Stan Meiburg, EPA Acting Regional Administrator in Atlanta. "It will provide a boost to Kentucky's efforts to address its aging water infrastructure, while providing much needed green collar jobs."
The funds provided by the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act of 2009, will go to the state's Drinking Water State Revolving Fund program. The Drinking Water State Revolving Fund program provides low-interest loans for drinking water systems to finance infrastructure improvements. The program also emphasizes providing funds to small and disadvantaged communities and to programs that encourage pollution prevention as a tool for ensuring safe drinking water. An unprecedented $2 billion dollars will be awarded to fund drinking water infrastructure projects across the country under the Recovery Act in the form of low-interest loans, principal forgiveness and grants. At least 20 percent of the funds provided under the Recovery Act are to be used for green infrastructure, water and energy efficiency improvements and other environmentally innovative projects.
Since the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund program began in 1997, EPA has awarded more than $8 billion in grants, which states have turned into $15 billion of financial assistance to fund drinking water projects. The revolving nature of the program ensures drinking water projects will be funded for generations to come.
President Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 on Feb. 17, 2009, and has directed that the Recovery Act be implemented with unprecedented transparency and accountability. To that end, the American people can see how every dollar is being invested at Recovery.gov.
>>More information on EPA's implementation of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
>> Information on EPA's Drinking Water State Revolving Fund program
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