EPA announces $337 million for Hurricane Helene recovery
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced $337 million in aid given to North Carolina for Hurricane Helene recovery. Under Title VI of the Clean Water Act $276 million is allocated to improve water infrastructure resiliency. As well as $61 million through the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) for Hurricane Helene recovery.
Additional fund were awarded through the State Revolving Fund (SRF). They are low-interest loans with principal forgiveness toward the cost of planning, design and construction of eligible projects. Qualified projects aim to increase resiliency to natural disasters. As well as improve drinking water facilities and wastewater treatment works. Investing in hurricane resilience in towns further away from the ocean is becoming increasingly necessary. This can be seen in Asheville which faced devastating destruction from Helene, is an estimated 300 miles from the Atlantic.
“These funds are critical to North Carolina as they continue to recover and look to the future to build stronger and more resilient water systems that can withstand severe weather,”said EPA Regional Administrator Kevin McOmber. “As the first anniversary of Hurricane Helene approaches, we are reminded how critical access to safe, clean water is, especially in the most difficult of times.”
