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In a move that stands to create jobs, boost local economies, improve aging water infrastructure and protect human health and the environment for people in Maine, EPA has awarded over $30M to the Maine Dept. of Environmental Protection.

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.

"These funds will help both our communities and the environment," said Ira W. Leighton, acting regional administrator of EPA's New England office. "Clean, safe water is one of the bedrock foundations of communities and an economy that can grow and thrive. This money is an important start to upgrade our aging infrastructure, while creating well-paid, ‘green' jobs."

The Recovery Act funds will go to the state's Clean Water State Revolving Fund program, which provides low interest loans for water quality protection projects for wastewater treatment, non-point source pollution control, and watershed and estuary management.

Nationwide, an unprecedented $4B 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 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 Clean Water State Revolving Fund program began in 1987, EPA has awarded more than $26B in grants, which states have turned into $69B 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. To that end, the American people can see how every dollar is being invested at Recovery.gov.

SOURCE: EPA