Chicago, IL (March 08, 2022) – Earlier today, US EPA released new details on how money from the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law should be used by states via the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds (SRFs). In response, Alliance for the Great Lakes Vice President for Policy & Strategic Engagement Crystal M.C. Davis released the following statement:
“We applaud the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for directing states to invest nearly half of new water infrastructure funding in historically disadvantaged communities with their new memo on how money from the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is to be used via the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds (SRFs).
“The Great Lakes region is home to seven of the ten states with the greatest number of toxic lead pipes still in use, with Illinois, Ohio and Michigan at the top of the list. Historically, SRF money has not always reached communities with the most need. We hope that EPA’s new implementation memo will ensure that funds from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, particularly the $15 billion in dedicated funding for lead pipe removal, will be equitably deployed.
“Today’s memo — with its focus on ensuring increased investment in disadvantaged communities, the need for rapid progress on full lead service line replacement, and flexibility to address local water needs — is an important step in beginning to counteract historic environmental injustices. We look forward to continuing our work with the U.S. EPA and the states, which will implement these infrastructure investment programs to ensure all communities have equal access to clean, affordable drinking water.”
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Media Contact: Jennifer Caddick, jcaddick@acastlegreatlakes-org