[미국] EPA, 플린트 상수도 인프라 개선에 1억 달러 지원

미국 환경보호청(Environmental Protection Agency, 이하 EPA)은 미시간주 플린트(Flint) 지역의 상수도 인프라 개선을 위해 미시간 환경부(Michigan Department of Environmental Quality)에 1억 달러를 지원했다.

플린트는 이 자금을 이용하여 지역의 물 기반 시설을 재정비하고 납 서비스 라인을 대체하는 등 중요한 인프라 개선을 위한 업무를 가속화하고 확장해나갈 방침이다.

플린트 시장 카렌 위버(Flaren Mayor)는 "현재 FAST Start 파이프 교체 프로그램의 다음 단계를 시작하려는 준비단계에 있으며 올해까지 약 6천 개의 파이프를 교체할 계획"이라고 말하며 EPA와 연방정부의 지속적인 지원을 호소했다. 

지난 수년간 EPA는 식수의 주내 순환을 위한 기금(Drinking Water State Revolving Fund)을 통해 인프라 개선을 위해 주에 325억 달러 이상을 지원해왔다. 교부금에 대한 자세한 내용은 www.epa.gov/flint에서 확인할 수 있다. 

[원문보기] 

EPA awards $100M to Flint for water infrastructure upgrades

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today awarded a $100 million grant to the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality to fund drinking water infrastructure upgrades in Flint, Mich. The funding, provided by the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act of 2016, or WIIN, enables Flint to accelerate and expand its work to replace lead service lines and make other critical infrastructure improvements.   

"The people of Flint and all Americans deserve a more responsive federal government," said EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt. "EPA will especially focus on helping Michigan improve Flint’s water infrastructure as part of our larger goal of improving America’s water infrastructure."

"I appreciate the EPA approving this funding to assist with Flint’s recovery," Michigan Governor Rick Snyder said. "Combined with the nearly $250 million in state funding already allocated, this will help keep Flint on a solid path forward. It's great to see federal, state and local partners continuing to work together to help with infrastructure upgrades and pipe replacements for the people of Flint."

"We are excited and very grateful to receive these much needed funds," said Flint Mayor Karen Weaver. "The City of Flint being awarded a grant of this magnitude in such a critical time of need will be a huge benefit. As we prepare to start the next phase of the FAST Start pipe replacement program, these funds will give us what we need to reach our goal of replacing 6,000 pipes this year and make other needed infrastructure improvements. We look forward to the continued support of the EPA and federal government."

The WIIN funding supplements EPA's Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (SRF), a federal-state partnership. In addition to the federal funds announced today, the State of Michigan is providing the required 20% match of $20 million. Over the years, EPA has provided more than $32.5 billion to states for infrastructure upgrades through the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund.

Under President Trump's budget blueprint SRF remains fully funded, and the proposal provides robust funding for the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) program to finance critical drinking and wastewater infrastructure. For more information on the grant, visit www.epa.gov/flint.

[출처 = Water World(www.waterworld.com)  / 2017년 3월 17일]

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