Board of Public Works approves funding for clean water and the Chesapeake Bay
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Samantha Kappalman
samantha.kappalman@maryland.gov
Jay Apperson
jay.apperson@maryland.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS APPROVES FUNDING FOR CLEAN WATER AND THE CHESAPEAKE BAY
Grants and loans will reduce pollution, improve wastewater infrastructure, reduce greenhouse gas emissions
BALTIMORE, MD (April 16, 2014) – The Maryland Board of Public Works approved more than $64 million in funding today for projects to reduce greenhouse gas emissions at a large wastewater treatment plant and upgrade sewage systems. The Board is composed of Governor Martin O’Malley, Treasurer Nancy K. Kopp and Comptroller Peter Franchot. Lieutenant Governor Anthony G. Brown represented Governor O’Malley at today’s meeting
“Projects such as these are an important part of our effort to improve Maryland waterways, including the Chesapeake Bay, and address the impacts of climate change” said Lieutenant Governor Brown. “These projects reduce pollution and protect the environment and public health while creating jobs for more Marylanders.”
The following funding was approved today:
High Level Sewershed Sanitary Sewer Improvements project – Baltimore City
Grant and loan funding of $27,979,000 – a $1,500,000 grant in the form of loan forgiveness from the Water Quality State Revolving Loan Fund and a $26,479,000 Water Quality State Revolving Loan Fund loan – to Baltimore City will help fund improvements to the existing sanitary sewer infrastructure in the High Level Sewershed, relief lines that enable diversion of wastewater to protect against sewer overflows. The project consists of the planning, design and construction of supplemental sewers, replacement and rehabilitation of sewers and improvements to pumping stations. The project is required under the 2002 Consent Decree among Baltimore City, MDE and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to meet Clean Water Act requirements.
Greenmount, Hampden, Bolton Hill Sanitary Sewers project – Baltimore City
A $16,334,000 Water Quality State Revolving Loan Fund loan to Baltimore City will help fund improvements to the existing sanitary sewer infrastructure in the Greenmount, Hampden, Bolton Hill area. The project consists of the planning, design and construction of supplemental sewers, replacement and rehabilitation of sewers and improvements to pumping stations. The project is required under the 2002 Consent Decree among Baltimore City, MDE and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to meet Clean Water Act requirements.
Blue Plains Wastewater Treatment Plant New Digestion Facilities – Combined Heat and Power project – Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission
A $15,000,000 Water Quality State Revolving Loan Fund Green Loan to the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission will help fund the design and construction of the Combined Heat and Power System with the New Digestion Facilities at the 370 million gallons per day Blue Plains Wastewater Treatment Plant. The combined Heat and Power System will generate electricity from the digester gas for plant usage and produce steam to heat the new digestion process, leading to reduced greenhouse gas emissions by capturing methane gas from the sludge digester. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, methane gas is the second most prevalent greenhouse gas emitted in the United States from human activities.
High Level Interceptor Cleaning project – Baltimore County
Grant and loan funding of $3,610,000 – a $1,500,000 Chesapeake Bay Water Quality Project Funds Supplemental Assistance Program grant a $2,110,000 Water Quality State Revolving Loan Fund loan – to Baltimore City will help fund the cleaning of the wastewater collection and conveyance system in the High Level Sewershed, relief lines that enable diversion of wastewater to protect against sewer overflows. This work will prevent sanitary sewer overflows, address capacity problems and improve the overall condition of the aging sewer system. The project is required under the 2002 Consent Decree among Baltimore City, MDE and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to meet Clean Water Act requirements.
Combined Sewer Overflow Elimination Phase VII-B2 Paul Street project – City of Frostburg
Grant and loan funding of $1,361,961 – a $1,267,841 Chesapeake Bay Water Quality Project Funds Supplemental Assistance Program grant and a $94,120 Water Quality State Revolving Loan Fund loan – to the City of Frostburg will help fund planning, design and construction for the separation of the combined sewer system and related improvements to the City’s wastewater collection system. The project consists of the construction of new sewer and stormwater lines and the replacement and rehabilitation of the existing system to prevent sewer overflows.
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