October 21, 2020

Manchin Applauds New Clean Air, Water Achievements In West Virginia

Washington, DC – Today, following announcements by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV), Ranking Member of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, and member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, applauded new achievements on clean air and clean water in West Virginia.

The EPA announced West Virginia has met the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for the first time since 1978. Additionally, the EPA announced $24.7 million in funding towards West Virginia’s Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) to assist in water and wastewater infrastructure upgrades across the state. The CWSRF is an important, flexible financing program that provides communities across the state of West Virginia with a permanent, independent source of low-cost financing for water quality infrastructure projects and upgrades to water systems. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senator Manchin has prioritized funding for clean drinking water and helped secure $1.689 billion for the overall CWSRF program for FY20.

“Every West Virginian and every American wants and deserves to breathe clean air and drink clean water, and today’s announcements by the EPA show that when we are given the right tools and our workers are put front and center in tackling pollution, we can achieve excellent results,” said Senator Manchin. “The equipment used to reduce SOx, NOx and particulates at power plants and other sources over the past thirty years have relied on smart business investments, the advice of public health officials, science-based innovation and technology development and the talents and hard work of people throughout the electric, water and other vital sectors of our state’s economy. The EPA also announced a $24.7 million investment into our infrastructure to help communities in need through West Virginia’s CWSRF, bringing clean water to West Virginians across the state. Today’s achievements show us what can be done and that we can show other states how to use all of our natural resources wisely, protect our clean air and water, and invest in high quality jobs for our workers.”