Infrastructure Investment And Jobs Act To Provide Pennsylvania With $3B In Needed Resilience, Water Equity And Infrastructure Assistance

Pennsylvania will see $3B in water infrastructure, resiliency and water equity funding as part of the historic Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the largest long-term investment in U.S. infrastructure in nearly a century.

“For decades, water infrastructure in Pennsylvania has suffered from a systemic lack of investment,” said Mayor Joe Schember of Erie, Pennsylvania. “The American Society of Civil Engineers gave Pennsylvania a C- grade on its infrastructure report card and this historic infrastructure package will make life better for millions of Pennsylvania residents, create a generation of good-paying union jobs and economic growth, and position the United States to win the 21st century.”

Specifically, in Pennsylvania the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will:

• Clean drinking water and lead service lines/pipes removal -- Based on the traditional state revolving fund formula, Pennsylvania will expect to receive $1.4B over five years to improve water infrastructure across the state and ensure that clean, safe drinking water is a right in all communities.
• Repair and rebuild bridges -- In Pennsylvania there are 3,353 bridges in poor condition. Based on formula funding alone, Pennsylvania would expect to receive $1.6B for bridge replacement and repairs over five years. Pennsylvania can also compete for the $12.5B Bridge Investment Program for economically significant bridges and nearly $16B of national funding in the bill dedicated for major projects that will deliver substantial economic benefits to communities.
• Prepare against cyber-attacks and weather events -- From 2010 to 2020, Pennsylvania has experienced 37 extreme weather events. Based on historical formula funding levels, Pennsylvania will expect to receive $49M over five years to protect against wildfires and $26M to protect against cyberattacks. Pennsylvanians will also benefit from the bill’s historic $3.5B national investment in weatherization which will reduce energy costs for families.

“This critical funding comes not a moment too soon,” continued Schember. “In July, 2021 Great Lakes mayors released survey findings showing that coastal damages from climate change will cost Pennsylvania at least $56M over the next five years, with our shoreline communities having already spent $15M over the past two years. These figures only represent a fraction of the true need as not all shoreline jurisdictions are reflected in this figure.”

About The Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative
The Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative is a binational coalition of over 135 U.S. and Canadian mayors and local officials working to advance the protection and restoration of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River. The Cities Initiative and local officials integrate environmental, economic and social agendas to sustain a resource that represents approximately 80% of North America’s surface freshwater supply, provides drinking water for 40 million people, and is the foundation upon which a strong regional economy is based.