In a hopeful signal that the federal government is serious about getting funding from the recent Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework (BIF) to work, EPA put out a notice yesterday to all states to be prepared to advance water infrastructure projects and urges them to begin prioritizing now and encourages states to leverage the new Lead Service Line Replacement funding sources, including ARPA (“Recovery Act”) money. UTCA is also pushing for the State to use its discretion to apply upwards of $900M of “Recovery Act” funding for priority water infrastructure projects.
The EPA communication includes breakdown of state allotments of the BIB money that will go through SRFs. NJ first-year allotment of SRF funds is $168,949,000 with additional funds for Lead Service Line Replacement and Emerging Contaminants. This will bring the first year total to over $200M, a 250% increase from the last FY. This funding will be leveraged several fold by the NJ Infrastructure Bank. As a reminder, funding will increase every year for the next 5 years under the BIF.
Please know that the staff at the UTCA along with Robert Briant Jr, CEO are already working with the Governors Office, DEP, NJDOT, NJ Transit and others to be sure we get projects shovel ready as we anticipate the much needed funding for NJ Infrastructure.
As a reminder here is the breakdown of the $13.5 Billion designated for New Jersey over the next five years:
$6.8 Billion for highways
$1.1 Billion for bridges
$1 Billion for lead water line replacement
$4.1 Billion for Mass Transit
$272 Million for Airport improvements
$100 Million for broadband expansion
Billions for the Gateway Tunnel
If you have any questions please contact the UTCA Office 732-292-4300 or email Dave Rible or Dan Kennedy with any questions.