Ohio EPA Announces 2016 Water Pollution Control Loan Fund Management Plan
Washington, D.C. – December 28, 2015 – (RealEstateRama) — Ohio EPA has issued the final 2016 Program Management Plan and Project Priority List for the Water Pollution Control Loan Fund (WPCLF). The fund provides financial and technical assistance for a variety of projects, addressing the quality of Ohio’s rivers, streams, lakes and other water bodies.
Changes to the program for 2016 include:
Ohio EPA will offer a maximum of $23.5 million principal forgiveness, which includes $13.3 million to be awarded to 57 local health districts that requested funds for home sewage improvements.
In 2015, Ohio EPA offered $100 million in no-interest loans for projects that include equipment and facilities to reduce phosphorus and other pollutants. In 2016, an additional $100 million in loans will be offered at 0 percent to continue this initiative.
Loans will be made available at 0 percent for equipment and facilities for back-up power at wastewater treatment plants, as well as for loans for specialized planning activities, such as energy audits, asset management and emergency preparedness.
Except for planning and nutrient reduction discounted loans, all projects eligible to receive 2016 funding must have been nominated by Aug. 31, 2015.
The primary sources of WPCLF assistance are proceeds from bond issues, available loan repayments and federal capitalization grants. Ohio EPA may issue revenue bonds to help meet the coming year’s funding requests.
Copies of the final 2016 program management plan are available on the web or by contacting epa.defamail (at) epa.ohio (dot) gov, or calling (614) 644-2798.
This issuance can be appealed to the Ohio Environmental Review Appeals Commission (ERAC). Appeals generally must be filed within 30 days of issuing a final action; therefore, anyone considering filing an appeal should contact ERAC at (614) 466-8950 for more information.
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The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency was created in 1972 to consolidate efforts to protect and improve air quality, water quality and waste management in Ohio. Since then, air pollutants dropped by as much as 90 percent; large rivers meeting standards improved from 21 percent to 89 percent; and hundreds of polluting, open dumps were replaced with engineered landfills and an increased emphasis on waste reduction and recycling.
PUBLIC INTEREST CENTER, (614) 644-2160
MEDIA CONTACT: Dina Pierce
