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Patrick-Murray Administration Awards Nearly $400 Million in Loans to Fund Wastewater and Drinking Water Infrastructure Projects BOSTON - The Patrick-Murray Administration announced today that 88 municipal projects across the Commonwealth are eligible for 2 percent loans to fund projects to improve water quality, upgrade or replace aging wastewater and water supply infrastructure, and cut municipal energy use and costs. "The State Revolving Fund provides critical assistance to communities for improving our water resources infrastructure," said Lt. Governor Timothy Murray. "This round of funding will help to protect our environment and the public health, and raise the quality of life for all citizens." "Clean drinking water and proper wastewater treatment are fundamental quality-of- life issues," said Treasurer Steven Grossman, who serves as Chairman of the Massachusetts Water Pollution Abatement Trust. "This funding will ensure that a host of communities across the Commonwealth have continued access to clean and safe water resources." This funding round includes financing for 23 projects worth more than $64 million for green infrastructure projects or components of projects. Those projects would involve energy efficiency upgrades to treatment plants and the on-site installation of renewable energy technologies for solar and wind power. Energy use at wastewater and drinking water facilities is a major contributor to overall energy consumption for many cities and towns, with communities statewide spending approximately $150 million per year on electricity to treat 662 billion gallons of wastewater and drinking water. Approximately 30 percent of municipal energy use derives from water treatment. "These treatment system investments not only protect water quality and public health, but support energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy that make delivery of these essential services smarter and more affordable," said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Richard Sullivan. This funding round also provides nearly $18 million in loan principle forgiveness for 21 construction projects in 15 municipalities, which are considered Environmental Justice (EJ) communities with below average Median Household Income levels. EJ areas are home to lower-income people and communities of color who may experience a disproportionate share of environmental burdens and often lack environmental assets in their neighborhood. "SRF projects help to solve bacteria and nutrient problems, but by targeting green infrastructure, treatment plants can also become more energy efficient, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and saving communities money," said Commissioner Kenneth Kimmell of the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP). "These loan funds are crucial to municipalities across the Commonwealth looking to finance important water infrastructure projects," said Senator Marc R. Pacheco, Senate Chairman of the Joint Committee on the Environment, Natural Resources, and Agriculture. "I am pleased that we were able to assist the City of Taunton in utilizing this funding opportunity to assist with the next two phases of the sewer system evaluation survey as well as a pump station upgrade." "It is the responsibility of the Commonwealth to ensure that all Massachusetts citizens have a clean and safe source of water," said State Representative Anne Gobi, who co-Chairs the Legislature's Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture. "These funds allow us to be proactive in maintaining and improving the infrastructure that our residents depend on." Massachusetts awards infrastructure financing under the SRF, which is administered by the Massachusetts Water Pollution Abatement Trust - a joint effort of the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP), the Executive Office of Administration and Finance and the State Treasurer's Office. To be eligible for Clean Water or Drinking Water SRF loans, municipalities, wastewater districts, and water suppliers filed applications with MassDEP last year demonstrating that proposed projects offer significant public health or drinking water quality benefits, have local funding authorization, and that there is a commitment on the borrower's part to file a timely loan application. The 88 projects on the 2011 Intended Use List must now file loan applications and receive MassDEP approval to obtain funding. The Clean Water Projects funded for 2011 are listed in Table 1 on 4th page of the following document: The 2011 Final CWSRF Intended Use Plan/Project Priority lists recommended by MassDEP for financing through the Water Pollution Abatement Trust. April 2011 The Drinking Water Projects funded for 2011 are listed in Table 1 on 4th page of the following document: 2011 Final Drinking Water Intended Use Plans The 2011 Final DWSRF Intended Use Plan/Project Priority lists recommended by MassDEP for financing through the Water Pollution Abatement Trust. April 2011 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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