E.P.A. Declares $43 Million in Recovery Act Funds for Wastewater Infrastructure Plans in Louisiana to Boost Economy, Create Jobs and Protect the Environment

(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 Louisiana, the E.P.A. (EPA) has awarded over $43 million to the Louisiana 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 wastewater plans that are essential to protecting public health and the environment across the state.

"These Recovery Act dollars will help provide long-term economic and environmental benefits for Louisiana," said E.P.A. Acting Regional Administrator Lawrence E. Starfield. "By making an investment in these cost-effective and green projects, we are creating jobs today and assuring good water quality for this generation and the next."

The Recovery Act funds will go to the state's Clean Water State Revolving Fund program. The Clean Water State Revolving Fund plan provides low interest loans for water quality protection plans for wastewater treatment, non-point source pollution control, and watershed and estuary management. An unprecedented
$4 billion dollars will be awarded to fund wastewater 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 Clean Water State Revolving Fund plan began in 1987, E.P.A. has awarded in excess of $26 billion in grants, which states have turned into $69 billion of financial assistance for water quality projects. The revolving nature of the plan ensures water quality 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 Louisiana, visit http://www.epa.gov/region6/

Information on the Clean Water State Revolving Fund program, visit http://www.epa.gov/owm/cwfinance/cwsrf/

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