Abstract |
2009 was a year of challenge and accomplishment for the DWSRF. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) directed a special supplemental appropriation of $2 billion to the DWSRF to create and save jobs while addressing urgently-needed drinking water infrastructure investment needs. ARRA recognized the exceptional record of the DWSRF program as a vehicle for accomplishing effective drinking water infrastructure investment and called upon the program to meet new and urgent challenges. ARRA created a number of important special conditions for these $2 billion in funds. States were required to provide at least 50 percent of the funds as subsidy in the form of principal forgiveness, negative interest loans or grants. Furthermore, at least 20 percent of each States ARRA allotment was to be directed to green projects, including green infrastructure, energy or water efficiency, and environmentally innovative activities. Most significantly, the statute required that all ARRA funds be secured within projects that would be under construction or under contract for construction by February 17, 2010, one year after ARRAs enactment. Unlike the base program, States were not required to provide the standard 20 percent match. |