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Bipartisan Infrastructure investment brings $30 Million+ in EPA funding to territory

Cong. Uifaatali Amata

Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata welcomed this paast Friday’s announcement by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of millions in investment in American Samoa from this year’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, recently passed by Congress and signed by President Biden on November 15, 2021.

The highlight of the announcement is nearly $31 million ($30,885,000) in 2022 EPA State Revolving Funds (SFR) for American Samoa, which is American Samoa’s share of over $110 million for the territories, as part of a nationwide total of $7.4 billion for this program. This is the first of five years of planned investment through this program toward water and wastewater efforts nationwide.

The EPA is hailing this funding by Congress as a historic investment in the nation’s healthy water supply and water infrastructure. EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan said the funds will support job creation, including construction, and that EPA emphasized projects for underserved communities.

The program prioritizes disadvantaged communities and the need for providing lead-free water. American Samoa’s $30,885,000 compares to Guam’s $26,522,000; CNMI’s $20,794,000; and USVI’s $31,883,000; while Puerto Rico’s allotment is $78,404,000.

“These Infrastructure Act funds can make lasting improvements for our safe and healthy drinking water for years, with announcements to come over the next five years,” said Congresswoman Amata. “Congratulations to Governor Lemanu Mauga, Lt. Governor Talauega E.V. Ale, Director Fa'amao Asalele, and our American Samoa EPA on this important investment in our water systems. Thank you to EPA Administrator Regan for ensuring American Samoa’s appropriate share in these funds from the Infrastructure Act, along with EPA Region 9 as they work with American Samoa Government.”

(Source: Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata’s D.C. staff)