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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Mike Carroll |
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Carroll, Musto announce $9.2 million state loan for Pittston sewer project
HARRISBURG, April 21 – State Rep. Mike Carroll, D-Luzerne/Monroe, and state Sen. Ray Musto, D-Luzerne, announced today that $9.2 million in state financing has been approved for a sewer project in Pittston.
On Monday, Pennvest – the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority – approved a $9.2 million low-interest loan for the city of Pittston to replace existing combined sewers with 10,000 linear feet of storm sewers and 11,500 linear feet of sanitary sewers.
Musto, minority chairman of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, said the project will address problems caused by old combined storm sewers on Broad Street in Pittston that have been failing, causing the ground to wash away and creating pollution and damage to buildings.
"This investment in our clean water infrastructure is desperately needed," Musto said. "The deterioration of combined sewer overflows and the lack of funding to fix old water systems pose a major water pollution concern that must be dealt with immediately."
"I’m very pleased the city of Pittston, with financial support from Pennvest, will embark on a comprehensive solution to the city’s aged sewer system by constructing a new system in the Broad Street area," Carroll said. "While much work throughout the city needs to be completed, this area demands immediate action and I applaud city leaders for their foresight in this effort."
Carroll added that many of Pennsylvania’s water and sewer systems are aging and in need of funds to fix their problems. In addition to funding through Pennvest, Pennsylvania is addressing the problem through $223.8 million in federal stimulus funds now available for water and sewer system upgrades.
The state will also utilize another $800 million in gaming revenues for water and sewer system rehabilitation. When the gaming funds are combined with proceeds from last year’s infrastructure bond initiative, $1.2 billion will be spent over the next several years to fix ailing water and sewer systems statewide.
"The bond funds were approved overwhelmingly by voters through referendum last November," Musto said. "This investment will not only improve our environment, but will also create and support thousands of jobs, which are the foundation of our economy."
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