Last week, Gov. Roy Cooper proposed a major jump in state spending to reduce water pollution and support clean drinking water, using part of the $5.7 billion in federal funds North Carolina is receiving from the American Rescue Plan (ARP) proposed by President Biden and passed by Congress earlier this year.

In addition to major new investments in affordable broadband access and a sound, basic education, Cooper proposes “$800 million to support clean drinking water and reduce water pollution by fixing North Carolina’s water and wastewater systems. More than a hundred communities in the state have aging water systems they can’t afford to fix, many of which are getting some funds directly from the federal government. North Carolina has a plan to match state and local American Rescue Plan funds to rebuild these systems in a smart, regional way so families can have clean water and these small communities can attract more economic growth. In the recommendations outlined, $440 million is reserved for water, sewer, and stormwater projects for distressed and at-risk water and wastewater units and $360 million is available for all units statewide.”

“This pandemic brought us a once-in-a-generation challenge. And these funds have brought us a once-in-a-generation opportunity,” said Cooper. “North Carolina’s funding from the American Rescue Plan positions our state for a shared recovery and allows us to create a North Carolina that works for all.”

Now the ball is in the General Assembly’s court. They will likely have their own ideas about how to spend this money, though Congress put limits on how certain buckets of money can be spent.

Legislators are also still crafting their own regular budget. Tell them to pass Gov. Cooper’s strong investments in environmental protection and climate action!