The PA Infrastructure Investment Authority and the Department of Environmental Protection are inviting public comments on the Federal Fiscal Year FY 2018 Intended Use Plans for the Clean Water and Drinking Water Revolving Funds. (formal notice)

These IUPs include a list of drinking water, wastewater treatment, nonpoint source and pollution abatement projects to be considered for a design and engineering or construction loan or grant from federal funds the Commonwealth expects to receive.

The Drinking Water Revolving Fund will be capitalized with an approximated maximum of $34 million of Federal funds and $6.8 million of State funds.

Approximately $9.6 million of these funds will be set aside for technical assistance to small systems, operator training and certification, and source water assessment and protection as authorized under the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act.

The IUP also includes a narrative work plan that describes how these set-aside funds will be used.

PennVEST is also allocating an additional $1.4 million for administrative purposes.  An additional $6.8 million must be set-aside for additional subsidization to disadvantaged communities.

The FY 2018 Drinking Water Fund grant does not have a requirement to set-aside funding for green infrastructure projects. However, the Commonwealth will continue to promote them. These projects can fall into one of four categories: (1) water efficiency; (2) energy efficiency; (3) environmentally innovative; and (4) green stormwater infrastructure and meet the EPA criteria for green infrastructure.

The Clean Water Revolving Fund will be capitalized with an approximated maximum of $64.2 million of Federal funds and approximately $12.8 million of State funds.

$1 million dollars will be set aside for program administration costs. An approximated maximum of $19 million may be set-aside for additional subsidization to disadvantaged communities and approximately $6.3 million must be set-aside for green infrastructure projects that fall into one or more of the following categories: (1) water efficiency; (2) energy efficiency; (3) environmentally innovative; and (4) green stormwater infrastructure and meet the EPA criteria for green infrastructure.

The Intended Use Plans and proposed projects lists are subject to public review every year.

Public Meeting

A public meeting will be held on July 12 in the 2nd Floor Auditorium of the Rachel Carson Building, 400 Market Street in Harrisburg starting at 2:00 p.m. to receive comments from the public on the IUPs.

Comments can also be submitted through DEP’s eComment webpage until July 30.  Copies of the IUPs will be posted on the eComment page and DEP’s State Revolving Fund Intended Use Plan webpage.

Read the formal notice in the June 30 PA Bulletin for all the details.

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[Posted: June 29, 2018]

7/2/2018