EPA accelerating Prez' water initiative

DALLAS – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has accelerated investment in the nation’s aging water infrastructure, which was highlighted in President Trump’s State of the Union address and his infrastructure initiative. EPA has jump-started infrastructure projects to enhance environmental protections and economies, says EPA’s Acting Administrator Andrew Wheeler. EPA has issued seven Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) loans to help finance over $4B in water infrastructure projects in Region 6, which includes Louisiana, and clearly define federal jurisdiction. EPA’s proposed Waters of the U.S. definition will provide states and the private sector with regulatory certainty to streamline projects. “Through EPA’s state revolving loan funds, we can help cities and towns of all sizes improve their water systems,” says Region 6 Regional Administrator Anne Idsal, and “increase capacity and reliability.” In 2017, EPA invited two projects located in Region 4 to apply for a WIFIA loan and 12 additional projects in 2018. These projects are located in five different states, including the Gulf Coastal states of Alabama, Florida and Mississippi. (Source: EPA 02/07/19)