ATLANTA, GA, June 8, 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 State of Georgia, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded $66,261,000 million to Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority. This new infusion of money provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 will help the state and local governments finance many of the overdue improvements to wastewater projects that are essential to protecting public health and the environment across the state.
"This significant award marks another investment of EPA Recovery Act funds to Georgia from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act," said Stan Meiburg, EPA Acting Regional Administrator in Atlanta. "This investment will provide additional resources to address water infrastructure projects while creating green jobs."
The Recovery Act funds will go to the state's Clean Water State Revolving Fund program. The Clean Water State Revolving Fund program provides low interest loans for water quality protection projects for wastewater treatment, non-point source pollution control, and watershed and estuary management. An unprecedented $4 billion dollars will be awarded to fund wastewater infrastructure projects across the country under the Recovery Act in the form of low interest loans, principal forgiveness and grants. At least 20% 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 Clean Water State Revolving Fund program began in 1987, EPA has awarded more than $26 billion in grants, which states have turned into $69 billion of financial assistance for water quality projects. The revolving nature of the program ensures water quality projects will be funded for generations to come.
President Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) on February 17, 2009 and has directed that the Recovery Act be implemented with unprecedented transparency and accountability.
>> See how every dollar of the Recovery Act is being invested
>> Information on EPA's implementation of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 in EPA Region 4
>> Information on the Clean Water State Revolving Fund program
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