Infrastructure law has sent more than $800 million to Pennsylvania for clean drinking water upgrades
Funding will enable PA to remove ‘forever chemicals’ like PFAS from drinking water
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Bob Casey (D-PA) and John Fetterman (D-PA) and U.S. Representatives Dwight Evans (D-PA-3), Madeleine Dean (D-PA-4), and Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA-6) delivered $37,543,000 from the Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act to make Pennsylvania’s drinking water safer and cleaner. The funding from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will remove contaminants—like Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) from drinking water in Pennsylvania communities hit hard by these ‘forever chemicals.’
“Thanks to the infrastructure law, Pennsylvania is finally able to tackle the scourge of ‘forever chemicals’ in our drinking water,” said Senator Casey. “This investment brings us one step closer to realizing the promise of our state constitution: that all Pennsylvanians have a right to pure water.”
“This landmark funding will help us tackle water contamination head-on in Pennsylvania by implementing vital testing projects to identify and rectify PFAS and other harmful substances from breaching Pennsylvania households,” said Senator Fetterman. “Everyone deserves access to safe and clean water. We have to make sure no community is left behind. This isn't just about infrastructure, it's about equity and environmental justice. Together with Senator Casey, we're securing resources to protect our public water systems, particularly in small and disadvantaged communities across the commonwealth. "
“This federal funding will be helpful in meeting the new federal standards on clean water and PFAS, and I’m pleased to see the Biden Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act that I voted for once again delivering tens of millions of dollars in federal funding for Pennsylvania,” said Congressman Evans.
“The Pennsylvania Constitution guarantees our right to clean water, and as lawmakers, we have an obligation to fulfill that promise across our commonwealth—that includes combatting PFAS,” Rep. Dean said. “For too long ‘forever chemicals’ have harmed communities in Pennsylvania, like mine. The historic Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is a major step in environmental justice and in protecting the health and safety of Pennsylvanians.”
In February 2023, Senators Casey and Fetterman announced over $75 million from the Environmental Protection Agency for testing and treatment to address contaminants like PFAS in Pennsylvania’s drinking water. In April of that year, Casey and Fetterman secured $266 million from the Environmental Protection Agency and the Infrastructure Investment and Job Act to remove contaminants like PFAS from Pennsylvania’s water supply and upgrade Pennsylvania’s water infrastructure. In July, the senators introduced the Veterans Exposed to Toxic (VET) PFAS Act to provide health care services and disability benefits to veterans exposed to these chemicals at military installations. In the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2024, Casey and Fetterman included multiple provisions to advance a path towards remediation of toxic exposure to PFAS.
In January, the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST) approved $78 million worth of projects across Pennsylvania, funded by the infrastructure law. In April, PENNVEST approved $73 million for additional projects to make drinking water safer and cleaner across the Commonwealth.
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