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Patrick-Murray Administration Announces Nearly $6.5 Million in Loan Forgiveness to Taunton, Brockton and Fall River for Environmental Projects BOSTON - Thursday, June 30, 2011 - The Patrick-Murray Administration today announced nearly $6.5 million in principal forgiveness on State Revolving Fund (SRF) loans to the cities of Taunton, Brockton and Fall River, reducing the communities' costs to construct major water and sewer projects that will protect the environment and the public health. The loan forgiveness amounts were announced by Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) Commissioner Kenneth L. Kimmell during an event held near the Taunton water supply tank construction site. In total, 15 Massachusetts municipalities that have been designated as Environmental Justice (EJ) communities will receive nearly $18 million in principal forgiveness through the Clean Water ($10.3 million) and Drinking Water ($7.6 million) SRF. The principal forgiveness program targeted the 2010 list of SRF projects, which had low-interest loans enhanced by millions of dollars in federal Recovery Act funds backed by Congress and the Obama Administration. "These investments ensure construction of these vital water and sewer projects can move forward, making clean water and upgraded sewer systems available to 15 more communities across the Commonwealth," said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Richard K. Sullivan Jr. "Now, with these projects well underway, we are able to use this funding to help ratepayers save millions of dollars." "Using the State Revolving Fund to target Gateway Cities directs water and sewer funds to key population centers," said Treasurer Steven Grossman, who serves as the Chairman of the Massachusetts Water Pollution Abatement Trust. "Giving these communities the tools they need to meet their infrastructure goals is a down payment on ensuring the continued vibrancy of our urban neighborhoods." Twelve other communities will join Taunton, Brockton and Fall River in receiving principal forgiveness for their projects - Cambridge, Chicopee, Framingham, Haverhill, Holyoke, Lynn, Malden, Methuen, Northampton, Revere, Springfield and Worcester. "Today's announcement from the Patrick-Murray Administration is a tall drink of clean, safe water as 15 communities across the Commonwealth will now be able to support the construction of new sewer and wastewater systems," said Congressman Edward J. Markey. "With updated water infrastructure in our cities and towns, we can ensure protection of our environment and improvement in overall public health." "Funding for clean water issues is incredibly important in the Commonwealth," said Congressman James McGovern. "I'm particularly pleased that Fall River and Worcester are included in this round of funding." "This is great news for Holyoke. Many communities across the state have invested enormous resources to comply with the Clean Water Act," said Congressman John Olver. "These improvements are crucial to protecting the environment and ensuring that wastewater is properly managed." "The principal forgiveness on these SRF loans will help deliver clean water services to Haverhill and Methuen residents and the Patrick Administration should be applauded for making these federal funds available to our communities," said Congresswoman Niki Tsongas. "I applaud the Commonwealth's decision to provide forgiveness of SRF loans for 15 Massachusetts communities, which have a high population of historically disadvantaged 'environmental justice' citizens," said Curt Spalding, regional administrator of the U.S. EPA's New England office. "This will help communities across Massachusetts keep moving forward to provide clean, healthy water for all their citizens, and the assistance helps ensure a solid foundation for continued economic growth in these communities." "Environmental Justice communities need safe and clean drinking water, and sewer systems that work properly, but they often have difficulty affording these major projects," said MassDEP Commissioner Kimmell. "These communities will not only save millions in financing, but their projects will also protect water supplies, install new water meters, halt leaking sewer pipes, and improve wastewater treatment." "I am pleased that I was able to play a leadership role along with my colleagues in the legislature in making these funds available for meeting current and future needs of municipalities across the Commonwealth," said State Senator Marc R. Pacheco, Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture. "Water and waste water issues have always been a top priority to me; they are key components of cities and towns infrastructure, as well as major public health issues. I would like to thank the Patrick-Murray Administration and the Commissioner of MassDEP for these much needed resources." MassDEP also delivered $2,323,652 in principal forgiveness for a drinking water project ongoing in Brockton. The project will install a citywide automatic water meter reading system, including the replacement of all residential and large commercial and industrial water meters. The new system will transmit water meter readings via radio transmission to a central computer system. Accurate meters allow the city to properly bill customers for water and wastewater service, help detect leaks within the system that need repairs, and reduce water consumption. MassDEP also delivered $1,095,767 in principal forgiveness for a drinking water project ongoing in Fall River. The project involves the replacement of unlined cast iron water main and lead service pipes that are more than 100 years old, as well as the replacement of a deteriorating water storage tank located off Chicago Street. The new tank will protect the quality of the finished storage water, and the work will improve water pressure within the distribution system. "I want to personally thank the Patrick- Murray Administration for this grant to the City of Fall River," said Fall River Mayor William A. Flanagan. "It is vital that we continue to partner with our elected officials at the state level to improve our infrastructure and our quality of life." "I am very enthusiastic about this announcement. As the economic climate improves, this money could not have come at a better time for our city," said State Senator Michael Rodrigues. "The money will allow for much-needed improvements in our currently out-dated water utility equipment." "We worked hard with MassDEP and the administration," said State Representative David B. Sullivan. "I'm very pleased that we could accomplish this. As a delegation, we will continue to try and bring relief to our communities in any way we can." Across the Commonwealth, $10,362,715 in principal forgiveness has been awarded to sewer and wastewater projects that are on the 2010 SRF list. The following communities join Taunton in receiving principal forgiveness under the Clean Water SRF program:
The Lynn Water and Sewer Commission also will receive $687,325. Lynn received a two-fold share of principal forgiveness as the city qualified as an EJ community, but their wind turbine project also qualified under the renewable energy generation category. Across the Commonwealth, $7,590,900 in principal forgiveness has been awarded for drinking water projects that are on the 2010 SRF list. The following communities join Taunton, Brockton and Fall River in receiving principal forgiveness under the DW SRF program:
MassDEP is responsible for ensuring clean air and water, safe management and recycling of solid and hazardous wastes, timely cleanup of hazardous waste sites and spills, and the preservation of wetlands and coastal resources. ### |
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