[미국] EPA, 피츠버그 상하수도국에 5천200만 달러 WIFIA 대출 발표

라디카 폭스(Radhika Fox) EPA 수자원 부국장은 서머 리(Summer Lee) 미 하원의원과 에드 게이니(Ed Gainey) 피츠버긋 시장 및 지역 지도자들이 참석한 가운데 피츠버그 상하수도국(PWSA)에 5천200만 달러 규모의 「물인프라 금융 및 혁신법(WIFIA)」 기금 대출을 발표했다. 이 대출은 노후한 물인프라를 업그레이드하고 교체하여 주민과 기업이 안전한 식수에 의존할 수 있도록 지원할 것이다. 

라디카 폭스 EPA 수자원 부국장은 "이곳 피츠버그에서는 수십 년 된 물인프라가 건강한 주민들과 번창하는 지역 사회에 필수적인 식수를 위협하고 있다"면서 "EPA의 5천200만 달러 규모의 WIFIA 대출과 주 회전 기금(SRF)의 투자는 도시가 장기적인 물 복원력을 달성하는 데 도움이 되는 중요한 인프라 업그레이드를 지원할 것이다. 바이든 대통령의 '미국 투자' 의제에 따라 EPA는 SRF와 물 보조금 프로그램을 지원하기 위해 「초당적인프라법」에 따라 500억 달러를 추가로 마련해 전국의 지역사회에서 물인프라를 강화하고 일자리를 창출하고 있다"고 말했다.

바이든 대통령의 '미국 투자' 의제는 인프라를 재건하고 미국의 경쟁력을 높이는 동시에 보수가 좋은 일자리를 창출하는 것이다. EPA의 WIFIA 대출은 브루켄 펌프 스테이션 업그레이드, 두 개의 수도 본관 교체, 하이랜드 II 저수지 라이너 및 덮개 복구를 포함하여 피츠버그의 식수 분배 인프라를 현대화하는 데 도움이 될 것이다.

이러한 프로젝트는 처리된 물이 도시 전체에 분배되기 전에 저장되는 115년 된 도시의 맑은 우물을 궁극적으로 대체하는 데도 중요하다. 클리어웰 교체 프로젝트는 식수 공급 시스템의 신뢰성과 중복성을 개선하고, 규제 요건 준수를 지원하며, 수질을 개선할 것이다.

EPA의 5천200만 달러 WIFIA 대출 외에도 PWSA는 펜실베이니아 주 회전 기금을 통해 이 프로젝트를 위한 9천300만 달러를 확보했다. 이러한 저글미의 대출 프로그램을 통해 PWSA는 물의 경제성 목표를 지원하면서 중요한 인프라 투자를 할 수 있다.

[원문보기] 

EPA Announces $52 Million WIFIA loan to Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority

 

Water infrastructure projects slated to create 500 jobs in Pittsburgh; When combined with other funding sources, the WIFIA program has supported more than $38 billion for America’s water infrastructure

Today in Pittsburgh, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Assistant Administrator for Water Radhika Fox, joined by U.S. Representative Summer Lee, Mayor Ed Gainey and local leaders announced a $52 million Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) loan to the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority (PWSA). This investment will help upgrade and replace aging water infrastructure to ensure that residents and businesses can rely on safe drinking water. When combined with other funding sources, the WIFIA program has supported more than $38 billion for America’s water infrastructure. EPA estimates that associated infrastructure projects will create 500 jobs.

“Here in Pittsburgh, decades-old water infrastructure threatens drinking water that is essential to healthy residents and thriving communities,” said EPA Assistant Administrator for Water Radhika Fox. “EPA’s $52 million WIFIA loan alongside an investment from the state revolving fund (SRF) will support critical infrastructure upgrades to help the city achieve long-term water resilience. Under President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, EPA is strengthening water infrastructure and creating jobs in communities across the country through an additional $50 billion under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to support the SRFs and water grant programs.”

President Biden’s Investing in America agenda is rebuilding infrastructure and boosting U.S. competitiveness while creating good-paying jobs. EPA’s WIFIA loan will help modernize Pittsburgh’s drinking water distribution infrastructure, including upgrading the Bruecken Pump Station, replacing two water mains, and rehabilitating the Highland II Reservoir liner and cover.

These projects are also critical for the eventual replacement of the city’s 115-year-old clearwell that stores treated water before it is distributed throughout the city. The Clearwell Replacement Project will improve the reliability and redundancy of the drinking water supply system, support compliance with regulatory requirements, and improve water quality.

“Every Pennsylvanian has the right to clean, safe water,” said U.S. Senator Bob Casey (PA). “This major federal investment in Pittsburgh’s water infrastructure will upgrade or replace aging water mains, water storage facilities, and more to expand access to clean drinking water for children and families across the city—and create jobs while doing it.”

“This federal funding will help Pittsburgh provide clean and safe water to residents and businesses across the region,” said U.S. Senator John Fetterman (PA). “We’ve got to do everything we can to make sure our communities everywhere, no matter how rural, urban, or suburban, have clean drinking water. This critical investment, combined with unprecedented funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, will upgrade aging infrastructure and help get us there.”

“I’m proud to help deliver a $52 million WIFIA funding award to Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority to make sure every household has clean water and to modernize the drinking water infrastructure in the city,” said U.S. Representative Summer Lee (PA-12). “A few months ago, we celebrated a significant milestone, the replacement of 10,000 lead service lines in Pittsburgh, which is a testament to accountability, action, and the acknowledgment of past wrongs. This funding represents a monumental effort in partnership across all levels of government, demonstrating our commitment to righting an injustice and ensuring clean and safe water for every single household and every one of our communities.”

In addition to EPA’s $52 million WIFIA loan, PWSA secured $93 million for this project through the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (also known as the state revolving fund). These low-cost funding programs allow PWSA to make critical infrastructure investments while supporting water affordability goals. EPA’s WIFIA loan itself will save the city approximately $20 million.

“Every Pennsylvanian has a constitutional right to clean air and pure water, and the Shapiro Administration is working with our federal partners to safeguard this right all across the Commonwealth,” said Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Acting Secretary Rich Negrin. “This WIFIA loan will allow Pittsburgh to protect its water infrastructure and deliver clean water to residents and business owners while saving taxpayer money.  We’re grateful for the EPA’s critical investment in the Pittsburgh community and look forward to working together to improve infrastructure across the Commonwealth as we ensure every Pennsylvanian has access to a clean water supply.”

“We thank the EPA for recognizing the importance of our infrastructure investments and supporting the series of large-scale upgrades to Pittsburgh’s water system in the coming years,” said CEO for Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority Will Pickering. “Pursuing alternative funding methods for system improvements is crucial for water utilities to make needed investments while saving ratepayers money. This funding will allow us to move from a reactive mode to a proactive one, ensuring safe and reliable water service for future generations.”

[출처 = EPA(http://https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-announces-52-million-wifia-loan-pittsburgh-water-and-sewer-authority) / 2023년 6월 9일]