Regan Highlights Water Infrastructure Funding Requests in Senate Appropriations Hearing

June 9, 2021 Wendi Wilkes

Drinking Water Headlines, DWSRF, Legislative

Administrator Regan highlighted several components of water infrastructure funding during today’s Senate Appropriations’ Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies hearing on Fiscal Year 2022 Budget Request for The Environmental Protection Agency. Regan testified on President Biden’s EPA budget request which includes:

$122 million ($10 million increase above the FY21 enacted level) for Public Water Supply Supervision (PWSS) Grants
$1.358 billion ($232 million increase above the FY21 enacted level) for Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (SRF)
$1.871 billion ($232 million increase above the FY21 enacted level) for Clean Water SRF
$3.8 million to improve cybersecurity and resiliency at water systems
$75 million for PFAS research and Federal action

Regan, bringing his state experience in North Carolina to his position, touted the strong funding for states programs through the State and Tribal Assistance Grants (STAG), accounting for nearly 50% of the President’s 2022 budget for EPA. There was also a good discussion with Senator Murkowski (R -AK) and Senator Heinrich (D -NM) on the challenges of requiring matching funds for communities and states to access infrastructure funds, particularly for disadvantaged communities. Regan also highlighted the Administration plans to address environmental justice through the Justice40 initiative (Biden’s goal of ensuring 40 percent of the overall benefits of federal infrastructure funds flow to disadvantaged communities), stating, “data shows clearly that there are communities that disproportionately bear the brunt of many types of air and water quality pollution.” He went on to say that it’s EPA’s responsibility to address and remedy these issues in the community and ensure that current actions do not create environmental justice issues in the future. You can watch a recording of the hearing here: https://www.appropriations.senate.gov/hearings/fiscal-year-2022-budget-request-for-the-environmental-protection-agency.