Stimulus money could be coming to a water project near you.
HF1756, sponsored by Rep. Kory Kath (DFL-Owatonna), would provide for the use of federal stimulus funds for clean water and drinking water purposes. It would also amend current laws governing Public Facilities Authority loans from the clean water revolving fund and the drinking water revolving fund.
The clean water fund is expecting $82.56 million and the drinking water fund is expecting $24.57 million in federal stimulus money.
According to the bill:
• 50 percent of the funds must be provided as grants;
• at least 20 percent of the funds must be used for projects that address “green” infrastructure, energy and water efficiency improvements or other environmentally innovative activities;
• 50 percent of funds must be under contract for construction within 120 days, with all funds under contract within 12 months;
• projects must be listed on Pollution Control Agency wastewater/stormwater or Department of Health drinking water project priority lists; and
• funds will be awarded to eligible projects in the order they are certified by the PCA/MDH and submit as-bid costs to the PFA.
Approved by the House Cultural and Outdoor Resources Finance Division March 18, the bill awaits action by the House Finance Committee. A companion, SF1329, sponsored by Sen. Dennis Frederickson (R-New Ulm), awaits action by the Senate Finance Committee.
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