Stiumulus Plan Includes $7.22B for EPA Programs

Feb. 20 - The $787 billion economic recovery plan signed by President Obama Feb. 17 includes $7.22 billion for projects and programs administered by the EPA.

The Obama administration estimates the entire package will create 3 million to 4 million jobs with many protecting public health and the environment.

"Through the president´s stimulus package, green initiatives will play a significant role in powering economic recovery," EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson said.

The stimulus bill includes funding for the following EPA-administered programs:

-- The Clean Water State Revolving Fund and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund will receive $4 billion to help communities with water quality and wastewater infrastructure needs and $2 billion for drinking water infrastructure needs.

-- The Brownfields program will receive $100 million for competitive grants to evaluate and clean up former industrial and commercial sites

-- Diesel emissions reduction efforts will receive $300 million for grants and loans to help regional, state and local governments, tribal agencies, and non-profit organizations with projects that reduce diesel emissions

-- The Superfund hazardous waste cleanup program gets $600 million

-- The Leaking Underground Storage Tank program gets $200 million for the cleanup of petroleum leaks.

The EPA intends to move designated funds to the states as quickly as possible, according to the agency. All funding will be monitored by the EPA Inspector General´s Office, which will receive $20 million for oversight and review.

The EPA will post announcements of grants on the Web to ensure transparency. The state-by-state distributions for clean water and drinking water state revolving funds will also be available on the Web at www.epa.gov/recovery.

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Source: "Waste & Recycling News", Feb. 20th, 2009