Gov. Tom Corbett Wednesday announced the investment of $91 million in 22 non-point source, drinking water and wastewater projects in 20 counties through the PA Infrastructure Investment Authority.

“The improvements to our environment and Pennsylvania’s economy that are created by the projects approved by the Board today help fulfill the fundamental purposes of PennVEST and my administration,” Corbett said. “We have made significant progress in both of these areas for more than two years now and, with efforts such as this, we will continue to add to these accomplishments and further the realization of these twin goals.’’

Of the $91 million total awards, $84 million is for low-interest loans and $7 million is offered as grants.

The awards range from a $314,490 loan/grant combination to control storm water surges by partnering with the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ TreeVitalize program to plant 500 trees in a Bucks County municipality, to an $11 million loan to a Cumberland County community that has to upgrade its wastewater treatment plant in order to eliminate wet weather discharges into the Susquehanna River and also to meet its nutrient discharge limitations.

The funding comes from a combination of state funds approved by voters, federal grants to PennVEST from the Environmental Protection Agency and recycled loan repayments from previous PennVEST funding awards. Funds for the projects are disbursed after bills for work are paid and receipts are submitted to PennVEST.

A list of projects approved is available online.

4/29/2013