Of the nearly $6 billion in more funding for water infrastructure projecs announced Tuesday by the Biden administration, Oklahoma will receive a reported $33,407,000.
Allocations from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will go to all 50 states, bringing the total awarded for water infrastructure projects to $22 billion reported the Associated Press.
Oklahoma’s share would amount to 1.45% of the total, according to the EPA. Texas is to receive $183,256,000, Kansas will get $25,634,000, Arkansas will be funded $27,520,000, New Mexico $22,985,000 and Missouri $37,421,000.
California will get the highest amount at $247,974,000 or 10.79% of the funding. Where’s the money coming from? The $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure law that President Joe Biden signed into law during his first year in office, according to the White House.
According to the White House, the funding includes $3.2 billion for the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund to finance improvements to water treatment plants, lead pipe replacement and upgrading water distribution and piping systems.
Vice President Kamala Harris helped make the announcement, saying she and the President believe every person in the country should have a right to clearn water.
“Today, I am proud to announce more than $5.8 billion from our Investing in America agenda for states, Tribes, and territories to upgrade water infrastructure in communities across our nation. With this investment, we are continuing our urgent work to remove every lead pipe in the country and ensure that every American has access to safe and reliable drinking water.”
EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan joined her for the announcement.
“With $50 billion in total, the largest investment in water infrastructure in our nation’s history, EPA will enable communities across the nation to ensure safer drinking water for their residents and rebuild vital clean water infrastructure to protect public health for decades to come.”