HARRISBURG – Gov. Edward G. Rendell said Wednesday that communities will continue to be revitalized and water resources will become cleaner with the nearly $76 million investment made today by the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority, or PENNVEST.
In Clearfield County, Clearfield Borough received a $5.5 million loan to replace almost five miles of sewage collection lines in order to eliminate the discharge of untreated sewage into the West Branch of the Susquehanna River when heavy rain overloads the combined sewer system currently in place.
“Clean water and economic opportunity are both critical to the future prosperity of Pennsylvania and its citizens,” Rendell said. “Today’s actions by the PENNVEST board address these twin goals and help fulfill the commitment of my administration to a healthy and prosperous future for us and for our children.”
Most of the money approved today, $72.1 million, is in the form of low-interest loans. Combined with $3.7 million in grants, PENNVEST will fund 10 clean water projects in 9 counties.
The awards approved by PENNVEST range from a $3.2 million loan to upgrade a sewage collection system and help create new jobs in Schuylkill County to an $11 million loan and grant combination that will eliminate the contamination of a local stream by wildcat sewers in two Westmoreland County communities.
Funds for the projects are disbursed after bills for work are paid and the receipts are submitted to PENNVEST for reimbursement.
