Senator Hassan Joins NH Delegation in Welcoming Over $72M to NH to Support Water Infrastructure

December 02, 2021

(Washington, DC) - U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and Representatives Annie Kuster (NH-02) and Chris Pappas (NH-01) today welcomed the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) announcement that New Hampshire will receive $72,644,000 to address drinking water and wastewater systems. This funding comes from the bipartisan infrastructure deal that Shaheen led bipartisan negotiations around and was signed into law last month. In addition to addressing wastewater and drinking water systems, this funding will be used to remediate PFAS and lead in Granite State water supplies.

As a core negotiator, Shaheen spearheaded the water infrastructure provisions with Senator Mitt Romney (R-UT) and secured $10 billion to address per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination - an issue she's long led action around in the Senate. Senator Hassan also secured a provision in the legislation to better ensure that New Hampshire towns would be eligible for an advanced technology grant program that could be used to remove PFAS from drinking water.

Today's announcement marks the first official round of funding for New Hampshire from the bipartisan infrastructure law.

"It's past time we invest in our water infrastructure to ensure every American has clean water running from their taps. That's why I led bipartisan negotiations with Senator Romney to deliver the largest single investment in water ever made by the federal government," said Senator Shaheen. "I'm thrilled New Hampshire will receive $72 million to address our water infrastructure - combating PFAS and lead contamination, updating outdated water and wastewater systems and more. And this is only for the first year of funding - we'll have four more years of funding and opportunities to build on these investments. After late nights and early mornings hammering out the details of the bipartisan infrastructure law, I'm excited this funding is officially heading to New Hampshire to build innovative and efficient water systems for our state."

"I'm very pleased to announce critical water infrastructure funding coming to New Hampshire from our bipartisan infrastructure law," said Senator Hassan. "We developed this bill to make a real difference for New Hampshire and today, just weeks after it was signed into law, we're seeing direct investments that will help update our state's water infrastructure, make sure that our kids have clean drinking water, improve the removal of PFAS and other toxins, and invest in improved wastewater systems for our cities and towns."

"It is essential that every Granite Stater has access to safe, clean drinking water, and I am thrilled to see $72 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Package heading to our state to make that a reality," said Rep. Kuster. "Some of our New Hampshire towns and municipalities have water infrastructure that is more than 100 years old, putting residents at risk of PFAS contamination and lead poisoning. This historic investment will bring long-overdue upgrades to our state to keep families healthy and drinking water clean. I was proud to help get this transformative legislation over the finish line and look forward to seeing the positive impact of these federal dollars on our communities."

"Providing clean, safe water is one of the most basic responsibilities of our government. Too many New Hampshire families worry about PFAS and other contamination in their water, and our aging water infrastructure puts our pipes at risk of failing. We can't wait to address these urgent needs, and I'm glad that these federal funds are being delivered to New Hampshire now so our communities can quickly take action to clean up our water and make critical water infrastructure upgrades," said Rep. Pappas.

Shaheen was a lead negotiator on provisions of the historic bill that address water infrastructure and broadband. In June, Shaheen joined President Biden and a bipartisan group of Senators to announce the framework of the package. Shaheen joined members of the bipartisan group on the Senate floor to unveil bill text of the legislation in August. Shaheen recently visited Pennichuck's Merrimack River Interconnection Project to underscore how the bipartisan infrastructure package will support PFAS remediation and a fix to the Contribution-in-Aid of Construction (CIAC) tax issue, which arose after congressional Republicans and the Trump administration reinstated the tax in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. This tax has resulted in at least $1.15 million in new federal taxes for water infrastructure projects in Southern New Hampshire. Shaheen led bipartisan legislation in the Senate to fix this issue by reducing the burden on taxpayers and encouraging water and wastewater utilities to invest in water infrastructure projects and community development.

###

Public link

Please use the above public link if you want to share this noodl on another website.