CNMI getting $17M more for water service lines replacement
The Commonwealth is receiving $17 million from U.S. President Joseph Biden’s Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act for replacement of water service lines, according to Delegate Gregorio Kilili C. Sablan (D-MP) over the weekend.
Sablan in his e-kilili newsletter also thanked U.S. Department of the Interior Secretary Deb Haaland for Biden’s DOI 2025 budget’s requested $1-million increase for insular area capital improvement projects.
On additional funding for water lines, the delegate said with the U.S. Environmental Protection’s announcement on Thursday of the CNMI getting $17,050,000 more from Biden Infrastructure Investment Jobs Act, U. S. Public Law 117-58, this brings to $55.8 million in total funding to date for the Marianas water system.
He said water line funding from the landmark infrastructure law began in fiscal year 2022 and will continue—and increase—for two more years.
EPA said in its announcement that the $17 million from Biden’s Investing in America agenda will help the CNMI identify and replace lead service lines, preventing exposure to lead in drinking water.
EPA said lead can cause a range of severe health impacts, including irreversible harm to brain development in children.
Biden has committed to replacing ever lead pipe in the country to protect children and families.
EPA Pacific Southwest regional administrator Martha Guzman said every single person living in the CNMI deserves access to clean, safe drinking water and a guarantee that they and their loved ones will be protected from lead contamination.
Acting Commonwealth Utilities Corp. executive director Betty G. Terlaje said the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Lead Service Line Replacement funding is crucial to ensuring CNMI has safe and reliable drinking water, resilient to tropical weather and climate change impacts.
On the $1-million increase for insular area capital improvement projects, Haaland testified at a hearing on Biden’s FY 2025 budget request for DOI before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Natural Resources on Wednesday.
Sablan commended Haaland at the hearing for Biden’s recommendation to increase or maintain funding levels for programs important for the Marianas, including Coral Reef Initiative, Technical Assistance Program, and Energizing Insular Communities grants.
Sablan said having a president who recognizes the needs of the insular areas helps tremendously in their efforts to bring more federal resources to the Marinas.
Gregorio Kilili C. Sablan
