Davis WILKES-BARRE — U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Scranton, this week announced that the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST) approved $207,618,615 worth of projects across the Commonwealth that will help communities access clean, safe drinking water; remove or replace hazardous contaminated pipes; and collect and treat wastewater.
All of the selected projects are receiving full or partial funding from the Drinking Water State Revolving Funds (DWSRF), Clean Water State Revolving Funds (CWSRF), or the Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act (IIJA).
“Pennsylvania’s state constitution affords the right to safe, pure water for every community in our Commonwealth, but for too long Pennsylvania communities lacked the funding to guarantee that right,” Casey said. “Thanks to the infrastructure law we’re making investments to stop water contamination and ensure that homes and businesses have clean, safe drinking water.”
Included in this round of funding is more than $112.6 million for drinking water projects including removing and replacing hazardous contaminated lead pipes and addressing Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) contamination.
The funding also supports more than $93.8 million in wastewater projects and more than $1.1 million for non-point source decontamination projects.
The funding will serve 11 counties across the Commonwealth.
In April, Casey announced the selection of $73 million worth of IIJA-funded projects to make Pennsylvania’s drinking water safer by removing lead water lines, upgrading wastewater facilities, replacing water pump stations, and remediating PFAS contamination in communities.
In January, Casey announced $78 million in IIJA funding for drinking water and wastewater projects.
In April 2023, Casey touted $266 million in funding from IIJA to remove contaminants — like PFAS — from Pennsylvania’s water supply and improve water infrastructure by replacing lead pipes.
In September 2022, Casey championed $240 million in federal funding to repair aging pipes, collect and treat wastewater, and build resiliency in the face of extreme weather events.
Rep. Cabell announces PENNVEST grant for farm improvement project
Rep. Mike Cabell, R-Butler Township, this week announced a PENNVEST grant award of more than $1.1 million to the Luzerne Conservation District for a construction project on a Luzerne County farm.
Cabell played a key role in securing the funding.
Specifically, the project on the Chris Maylath cattle farm in Sugarloaf Township calls for the installation of a roofed heavy-use area and adjacent manure storage, two diversions, rolled stone heavy-access areas, roof gutters, underground outlets, access roads, fencing and animal walkways. The farm currently has an uncovered animal concentration area and lacks a manure storage area.
“This project will allow the Maylaths to operate the farm more efficiently, and also helps to protect our environment by ensuring proper waste management,” said Cabell. “It is a worthwhile investment in our agricultural infrastructure, the local economy and the health of the ecosystem.”
The project will result in an anticipated reduction of 2,688 pounds per year in nitrogen, 1,075 pounds per year in phosphorus and 3,938 pounds per year in sediment that impact a tributary to Nescopeck Creek and outlets into the Susquehanna River.
Established by Act 16 of 1988, PENNVEST is an independent agency of the Commonwealth providing financial assistance to fund construction of drinking water, sewer and storm water projects in communities statewide.
Lt. Gov. Davis highlights budget’s investments for safer communities
Lt. Gov. Austin Davis this week joined state and local leaders in Montgomery County to highlight how the newly signed bipartisan state budget will make Pennsylvania communities safer, through more investments in violence intervention and prevention programs that are working, funding for after-school programming and funding for an additional 400 state troopers.
“Gun violence isn’t simply a Philadelphia or Pittsburgh problem — it’s a statewide problem, including here in Montgomery County,” said Lt. Gov. Davis, who chairs the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD). “That’s why the Shapiro-Davis Administration proposed and secured investments in our state police, funding for after-school programs to create safe spaces for our kids, and more resources for the programs that we know are working to reduce violence. We can’t thrive as a Commonwealth if we aren’t delivering on the basic need for public safety in every neighborhood and in every community.”
Last week Gov. Josh Shapiro signed the 2024-25 state budget, which:
• Invests $45 million in proven community-based programs to reduce violence through PCCD, including a $5 million increase for the successful Violence Intervention and Prevention (VIP) program, which supports a wide range of models focused on reducing community violence and relies on community groups that are most in tune with specific local needs.
• Invests $11.5 million to create a statewide Building Opportunity through Out of School Time (BOOST) program through PCCD, which will aim to reduce community violence by providing more after-school learning opportunities for young people.
• Includes a $5 million increase for the Nonprofit Security Grant Fund at PCCD, which provides resources for places of worship, community centers, and other entities to equip themselves with security measures.
• Increases funding for domestic violence services by an additional $2.5 million through the PA Department of Human Services (DHS).
In addition, the Shapiro-Davis Administration will bring together law enforcement, gun violence advocates and community members to stand up Pennsylvania’s Office of Gun Violence Prevention within PCCD.
While policymakers often focus on interpersonal violence when discussing gun safety, suicides are a major problem, as well. The majority of firearm deaths in Pennsylvania are suicides.
In contrast to what is seen for gun violence, firearm suicides are more prevalent in rural counties than urban areas.
VFW Service Officers available to help veterans at Sen Baker’s offices in August
State Sen. Lisa Baker, R-Lehman Township, invites veterans to schedule an appointment to meet with a VFW Service Officer at her local offices.
Appointments with a Service Officer are available at no charge on the second Friday of every month.
Sen. Baker encourages veterans of all ages and from all service eras to utilize the Pennsylvania Veterans of Foreign Wars Service Officer network, to receive free information and assistance for government benefits. This assistance may include VA healthcare, compensation, pension, education and dependent benefits.
Surviving spouses can also use these Service Officers at no charge to learn about their eligibility for VA benefits.
“Veterans are the heart and soul of America and we appreciate their many sacrifices to make this nation a beacon of freedom and hope,” Sen. Baker said. “During challenging economic times, many veterans continue to need our assistance. I encourage any veteran or spouse with questions regarding benefits, to schedule a time to meet with a Service Officer.”
The VFW Service Officer will be available for scheduled appointments on Friday, Aug. 9, at Sen. Baker’s office, 22 Dallas Shopping Center, Memorial Highway, Dallas.
All veterans, not just VFW members, can request appointments between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. To schedule an appointment at this location, call 570-675-3931.
Disability advocate available at Sen. Baker’s Dallas Office on Friday Aug. 30
A representative from MyCIL (Northeast PA Center for Independent Living) will be at Sen. Baker’s Dallas office, 22 Dallas Shopping Center, Memorial Highway, from 10 a.m. to noon Friday Aug. 30.
Information and resources will be offered to people with disabilities and their families to help them obtain home and community-based services, transportation, housing and other assistance to promote greater independence in the community.
“It is imperative that we provide education on available benefits to ensure individuals with disabilities can strengthen and maintain their self-sufficiency,” said Senator Baker.”
To schedule an appointment, contact Sen. Baker’s Dallas office at 570-675-3931.
VFW Service Officer available to help veterans at Sen. Baker’s Nanticoke office on Aug. 21
Sen. Lisa Baker also invites veterans to schedule an appointment to meet with a VFW Service Officer at her Nanticoke office location.
Appointments with a Service Officer are available at no charge on the third Wednesday of every month.
Senator Baker encourages veterans of all ages and from all service eras to utilize the Pennsylvania Veterans of Foreign Wars Service Officer Network, to receive free information and assistance for government benefits. This assistance may include VA healthcare, compensation, pension, education and dependent benefits. Surviving spouses can also use these Service Officers at no charge to learn about their eligibility for VA benefits.
On Wednesday, Aug. 21, the VFW service officer will be available for scheduled appointments at Sen. Baker’s office, 50 N. Walnut St., Suite105, Nanticoke.
All veterans, not just VFW members, can request appointments between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. To schedule an appointment at this location, call 570-740-2432.
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