SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCE $16 MILLION EPA WATER INFRASTRUCTURE LOAN FOR THE CITY OF CORTLAND
U.S. Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, member of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works (EPW), today announced a $16 million Water Infrastructure Loan allocated through the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA). This funding will support sewer rehabilitation and water main replacement projects to provide safe drinking water and dependable wastewater services for Cortland, New York.
“New Yorkers deserve clean drinking water and safe wastewater systems. In addition to creating good-paying jobs, this federal funding promotes both public health and economic development,” said Senator Schumer. “I’m proud to deliver this federal support for more dependable water services for Cortland.”
“New Yorkers deserve wastewater systems they can depend on and safe drinking water they can trust,” said Senator Gillibrand. “This funding is great news for Cortland and will allow the city to enhance vital water infrastructure, while promoting workforce development. I will always fight for the resources we need to provide our communities with safe and reliable access to water.”
The WIFIA loan program is a key component to financing water infrastructure projects across the nation. According to EPA statistics, the agency has issued 20 WIFIA loans totaling $4.2 billion in credit assistance to help finance $9.4 billion for water infrastructure projects. Additionally, the WIFIA supports communities both large and small, and has created 19,000 jobs across the country. Specifically, this WIFIA loan will save an estimated $3.5 million and create 120 jobs for the city of Cortland.
Throughout his career, Leader Schumer has fought for programs that ensure New Yorkers have access to clean water. In the last set of appropriations bills, Schumer delivered over $4 billion for State and Tribal Assistance Grants, which support crucial programs like the Clean Water State Revolving Fund, Drinking Water Revolving Fund, and Beach Act Grant Program.
As a member of the EPW Committee, Senator Gillibrand has supported federal funding to address our aging water infrastructure. She has fought in the Senate to ensure robust funding is provided for the Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund through the annual appropriations process. Recently, Senator Gillibrand announced the inclusion of key provisions for New York’s water resources in the 2020 Water Resources Development Act and Drinking Water Infrastructure Act of 2020.
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