Press Release - Tuesday, June 06, 2006
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Gov. Blagojevich announces $744,722 Opportunity Returns funding for Sanitary District of Decatur
SPRINGFIELD --- Governor Rod R. Blagojevich announced today that the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency has approved $744,722 from the Water Revolving Fund, which will enable the Sanitary District of Decatur to eliminate odors emitted from the plant.
The project consists of the construction of non-corrosive structures to cover and contain the equipment, as well as supporting structural elements. It also includes modification to the new head works area, primary clarifiers, primary effluent channels, grit chambers, and Parshall Flume areas. Air handling units will be installed to move the collected foul air to the air treatment units, but will not be included in the funding from the Illinois EPA.
The changes are being initiated in response to citizen complaints regarding an odor. The new covers and additional changes are being initiated in areas that were determined to be the primary causes of the odor. The total project cost is $794,772, the remainder of which is comprised of $50,000 of local funding to pay for District staff engineering costs. The new air treatment units will be leased, and the service agreements will be part of the District's annual operating costs.
The funding for the project is being provided in part through federal funding and in part through the Illinois EPA as part of Opportunity Returns, the governor's comprehensive, pro-active economic development plan for the Central region.
"Opportunity Returns is critical to our state's economic future, and funding infrastructure improvements are an integral part of the program," said Gov. Blagojevich. "With these loans, communities can provide necessary services to citizens, as well as to existing and potentially new businesses. By working together, we will help Decatur and the Central region reach its economic potential."
The loan from the Illinois EPA is part of the Agency's Revolving Loan Program that utilizes federal and state funding to provide loans for eligible drinking water and wastewater treatment projects at half the market interest rate. Interest and principle paid on the 20-year loans is returned to the fund to support other low interest loans.
"It is through this state and federal partnership that we are able to address the infrastructure needs of our communities," said Illinois EPA Director Doug Scott. "I am appreciative of the efforts of Illinois' congressional delegation for proposing enhanced funding for the State Revolving Fund and for new grant funding."
"The Sanitary District of Decatur appreciates all the continued support and hard work of the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency to make this project possible," said David Anderson, Director of Administration for the Sanitary District of Decatur. "The treatment plant process Odor Control Covers Project allows the District to successfully co-exist, in a neighborhood setting, while maintaining operations of its advanced treatment facility."
Due to Illinois' critical need for safe drinking water and effective treatment systems, Gov. Blagojevich has demanded that the federal government fully subsidize the State Revolving Fund, which is 80 percent federally-funded. Since the Clean Water Act was passed more than 30 years ago, the federal government's funding for clean water infrastructure has decreased by 70 percent. This year's federal budget proposal would leave many local communities without the resources to complete the necessary infrastructure improvements necessary to protect public health and promote economic development.
During his administration, Gov. Blagojevich has been committed to improving the environment for Illinois citizens. As part of his 2006 State of the State address, the governor proposed a plan to drastically reduce mercury emissions from power plants by 90 percent by June 30, 2009. This ambitious plan to protect Illinois families from harmful mercury emissions will provide tougher standards than those proposed by the federal government. And in an effort to protect the environment and simultaneously reduce pain at the pump for Illinois consumers, the governor also proposed giving consumers a $500 tax rebate for purchasing fuel-efficient vehicles.
Gov. Blagojevich's Opportunity Returns regional economic development strategy is the most aggressive, comprehensive approach to creating jobs in Illinois' history. Since a one-size-fits-all approach to economic development just doesn't work, the governor has divided the state into 10 regions - each with a regional team that is empowered and expected to rapidly respond to opportunities and challenges. Opportunity Returns is about tangible, specific actions to make each region more accessible, more marketable, more entrepreneurial and more attractive to businesses. It is about upgrading the skills of the local workforce, increasing the access to capital, opening new markets, improving infrastructure, and creating and retaining jobs. Opportunity Returns is about successfully partnering with companies and communities, both large and small, to help all of Illinois reach its economic potential.
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