E.P.A. Declares $31 Million in Recovery Act Funds for Water Infrastructure Plans in Oklahoma to Boost Economy, Create Jobs and Protect Public Health

(Dallas, Texas - July 14, 2009) In a move that stands to create jobs, boost local economies, enhance aging water infrastructure and protect human health and the environment for the people in the State of Oklahoma, the E.P.A. (EPA) has awarded over $31 million to the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality. 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 enhancements to water plans that are essential to protecting public health and the environment across the state.

"Investing in the economy and the environment is a win-win," said E.P.A. Acting Regional Administrator Lawrence E. Starfield. "These funds will not only help our economic recovery, but they will help provide safe, clean drinking water for communities throughout Oklahoma."

The Recovery Act funds will go to the state's Drinking Water State Revolving Fund program. The Drinking Water State Revolving Fund plan provides low-interest loans for drinking water systems to finance infrastructure improvements. The plan also emphasizes providing funds to small and disadvantaged communities and to programs that encourage pollution prevention as a tool for ensuring safe drinking water. An unprecedented $2 billion dollars will be awarded to fund drinking water infrastructure plans across the country under the Recovery Act in the form of low-interest loans, principal forgiveness and grants. At least 20% of the funds provided under the Recovery Act are to be used for green infrastructure, water and energy efficiency enhancements and other environmentally innovative projects.

Since the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund plan began in 1997, E.P.A. has awarded in excess of
$8 billion in grants, which states have turned into $15 billion of financial assistance to fund drinking water projects. The revolving nature of the plan ensures drinking water plans 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.

Information on EPA's implementation of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 in Oklahoma, visit http://www.epa.gov/region6/

Information on the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund program, visit http://www.epa.gov/safewater/dwsrf/

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