by Jbs022009g3 — February 23, 2009—The economic recovery plan signed by President Obama will create three million to four million high-quality, sustainable jobs, with many protecting public health and the environment, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 specifically includes $7.22 billion for projects and programs administered by EPA. These programs will protect and promote both green jobs and a healthier environment, says EPA. These environmental areas include:
- Clean Water State Revolving Fund and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund: $4 billion for assistance to help communities with water quality and wastewater infrastructure needs and $2 billion for drinking water infrastructure needs. A portion of the funding will be targeted toward green infrastructure, water and energy efficiency, and environmentally innovative projects;
- Brownfields: $100 million for competitive grants to evaluate and clean up former industrial and commercial sites;
- Diesel Emissions Reduction: $300 million for grants and loans for projects that reduce diesel emissions;
- Superfund Hazardous Waste Cleanup: $600 million for the cleanup of hazardous sites; and
- Leaking Underground Storage Tanks: $200 million for cleanup of petroleum leaks from underground storage tanks.
The new law is geared for performance and unprecedented transparency: preference will be given to projects that can be started and completed expeditiously, and EPA intends to move designated funds to states as quickly as possible. All funding will be monitored by EPA’s Inspector General.
