Assembly approves Rooney bills backing clean water projects

$22 million will fund water infrastructure improvements in his legislative district

TRENTON, N.J. – Assemblyman Kevin J. Rooney sponsored two bills recently approved by the Assembly authorizing more than $655 million for environmental infrastructure projects next year. The funding will provide low interest loans for clean water and drinking water improvements, including $22 million for four projects in the Assemblyman’s legislative district.

“The low interest loans available from the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank facilitate construction that is vital to the health and well-being of state residents,” said Rooney (R-Bergen). “Clean water is a necessity, and these projects are especially appreciated in densely populated Bergen County. This investment saves money for property taxpayers and helps complete improvements that otherwise would not have been possible.”

Rooney’s bills, passed on June 20, authorize (A5456) and appropriate (A5457) funding for 117 new environmental projects and continued work on one clean water project.

In District 40, the funding includes three loans worth $14 million to the Northwest Bergen County Utility Authority for improvements to a wastewater pump station and wastewater treatment plant and the purchase and rehabilitation of equipment, and $8 million to Rockaway Valley Regional Sewer Authority to replace a sewer line.

The NJ Infrastructure Bank assists local governments and municipal, county and regional authorities, and small water companies with low-interest financing.  The money represents an aggregate of federal and state funds.

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