State Water Board Finishes Awarding $590 Million In Federal Stimulus Funds Projects estimated to create or retain 4,264 jobs Published on Nov 17, 2009 - 11:43:45 AM
SACRAMENTO November 17, 2009 - In record time, the State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board) has completed awarding its full allotment of $270.5 million in federal stimulus funds for clean water projects that protect public health and the environment, and create jobs for Californians.
The money, for 112 projects, has been awarded in the form of grants and ultra-low interest (primarily zero and one percent) loans. The projects include wastewater treatment plant construction, upgrade and sewer infrastructure improvements, as well as "green projects" such as wastewater recycling and energy efficiency, and low impact development.
"The State Water Board staff has done a tremendous job of increasing, by more than two-fold, the amount of money it normally grants and loans to projects in California through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund," said Charlie Hoppin, Chair of the State Water Board. "In addition, they have done it in half the time it normally takes. Our staff has been ahead of the curve from the start, by working in advance with local governments and others to ensure that all projects have been shovel-ready and have met federal American Recovery Act funding requirements."
The State Water Board received the stimulus money on May 20, 2009 and made its first award under the program on the same day.
Projects awarded funding cross California, from Del Norte County in the north to San Diego County in the south and from the Pacific shore to the Nevada state line. The State Water Board has made stimulus money available for projects in some communities that normally would not have been able to afford a Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) loan.
By the end of October, the State Water Board executed 112 agreements for approximately $590 million dollars of which $263 million dollars came from federal stimulus funds and $327 million came from Clean Water State Revolving Funds. (The Water Board is reserving several million in ARRA funds in case of unexpected changes in the cost of contracts. The money will eventually go to qualifying projects.CWSRF typically funds about 30 projects for approximately $300 million per year.)
Approximately $180 million has been provided as grants to disadvantaged communities for public wastewater projects and urban storm water/non-point source pollution projects. Sixty million dollars has been provided in 0 percent loans for green (wastewater recycling or energy efficiency projects,) which has exceeded the State Water Board's 20% goal for "green" projects. The remaining funds have been provided as ultra-low 1.0 or 2.5 percent loans.
Note that the right-hand column lists only those jobs directly related to the projects. Other estimates use a federal formula which includes those positions indirectly attributed to the economic activity generated by the project.
The State Water Board assists local communities in preventing and cleaning up water pollution. The Clean State Water Revolving Fund (CWSRF) financial assistance concentrates on public wastewater (sewer) projects and treatment plants.
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