Epa, States Weigh Easing Water Srf Rules To Speed Stimulus Spending

摘要

EPA officials at the request of states are discussing possible changes to its usual clean water and drinking water state revolving fund (SRF) loan program rules so that the likely large injection of funding in the upcoming stimulus bill could be spent quickly, without running into bureaucratic hurdles many say are common to the program. Sources say the agency is discussing the possibility of distributing the funds through the SRF as grants, not loans, thereby eliminating provisions requiring state and local governments to provide a 20 percent match for any federal funds they usually receive. Officials are also discussing giving states broad discretion to decide on spending priorities and eliminate some paperwork requirements.