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Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management 235 Promenade Street | Providence, RI 02908 | 401. 222. 4700 | www. dem. ri. gov | @RhodeIslandDEM CONTACT: Mike Healey, 401-258-0787 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: ‍ ‍ ‍ ‍ ‍ ‍ ‍ ‍ ‍ ‍ ‍ ‍ ‍ ‍ ‍ ‍ ‍ ‍ ‍ ‍ ‍ ‍ ‍ ‍ ‍ ‍ ‍ ‍ ‍ ‍ ‍ ‍ ‍ ‍ ‍
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:105%"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D"><img width="83" height="119" style="width:.8645in;height:1.2395in" id="Picture_x0020_2" src="cid:image001.png@01D960D8.B3714E50" alt="DEM-logo-small"></span><span style="font-size:11.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p style="margin:0in;line-height:105%"><span style="font-size:18.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Impact",sans-serif;color:#00457A">Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:105%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#00457A">235 Promenade Street | Providence, RI 02908 | 401.222.4700 |</span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0070C0">
</span><a href="http://www.dem.ri.gov"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF">www.dem.ri.gov</span></a><span style="font-size:10.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:blue">
</span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#00457A">| @RhodeIslandDEM</span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#1F497D"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p style="margin:0in"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0070C0"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">CONTACT:</span></b><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif"> Mike Healey, 401-258-0787
<b>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:<o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="mailto:Michael.Healey@dem.ri.gov"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF">Michael.Healey@dem.ri.gov</span></a><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">
Tuesday, March 28, 2023</span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="color:windowtext"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#0066FF"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<b><span style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#201F1E;letter-spacing:-.05pt;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">DEM, RI INFRASTRUCTURE BANK SOLICIT COMMUNITIES TO APPLY<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
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<b><span style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#201F1E;letter-spacing:-.05pt;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR WATER IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
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</v:shape><![endif]--><![if !vml]><img width="448" height="336" style="width:4.6666in;height:3.5in" src="cid:image003.jpg@01D9621D.637AB4E0" align="right" hspace="12" alt="A picture containing grass, outdoor
Description automatically generated" v:shapes="Picture_x0020_3"><![endif]><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#201F1E;letter-spacing:-.05pt;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">PROVIDENCE,
RI – T</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#201F1E;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">he Department of Environmental Management (DEM) and Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank (RIIB) are encouraging Rhode Island
communities that have identified needed water quality improvement projects to submit them for inclusion on DEM’s fiscal year 2024 project priority list (PPL). The DEM Office of Water Resources is reminding the public that such projects must be submitted by
Friday, March 31, to be considered for favorable Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) financing within the next 24 months. DEM maintains the PPL and
</span><span style="color:black"><a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://riib.org/__;!!KKphUJtCzQ!LkOw2nKJV5NzmzfrC5ZcfSf8pewHDUxrabaIPazW_oHTYKbt7mwOuJJxH1HAR5wMckuT2jTB5Xp4hny1_kZFRGGYGCivTtjFVhns$"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">RIIB</span> [riib.org]</a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#201F1E;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">,
which administers the CWSRF, uses the PPL to make its financing decisions.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="xmsonormal" style="margin-right:2.7pt;background:white"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#201F1E;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoCaption"><b><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:windowtext">Caption: The Town of Narragansett obtained a matching, $650,000 resilience grant in 2020 to fortify the Scarborough wastewater treatment plant against more intense
coastal storms.</span></b><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:windowtext;letter-spacing:-.05pt;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="xmsonormal" style="margin-right:2.7pt;background:white"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#201F1E;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoCommentText"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#201F1E;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">Enacted in November of 2021, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (AKA, the Bipartisan Infrastructure
Law) delivered historic funding levels to repair and update the nation’s water infrastructure. Included in the overall $50 billion investment were identical $11.7 billion authorizations for drinking water and wastewater state revolving fund (SRF) programs.
M</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">illions of dollars of principal forgiveness are available for disadvantaged communities where affordability is an issue.
<span style="color:#201F1E;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">Projects that treat emerging contaminants, such as PFAS (perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances), also are eligible for 100% principal forgiveness. For RI officials, the message is
clear: Now is the time for municipalities to invest in improving clean water infrastructure and the health of waterbodies.
</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="xmsonormal" style="margin-right:2.7pt;background:white"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#201F1E;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">“Thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act, Rhode Island will be receiving hundreds of millions of dollars in funding over the next four years for our
Clean and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds, and other water related programs,” said Jeffrey Diehl, CEO of Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank. “A portion of these funds will also be available for principal forgiveness for projects located in disadvantaged
communities. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to make major investments in our state’s clean and drinking water infrastructure, and we look forward to partnering with our municipalities and quasi-public partners to put these funds to work.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="xmsonormal" style="margin-right:2.7pt;background:white"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#202124;background:white">“The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#040C28">provides
the basis for SRF programs through September 30, 2026</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#202124;background:white">,” but this time will go by quickly,” said DEM Supervising Environmental Planner Jenny Paquet.
“For this reason, we are encouraging municipalities to think broadly about their needs, plan for multiyear investments, and submit their projects to the priority list. Projects must be on the PPL to be considered for principal forgiveness and generous financing
terms.”</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#040C28"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="xmsonormal" style="margin-right:2.7pt;background:white"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#201F1E;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="xmsonormal" style="margin-right:2.7pt;background:white"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#201F1E;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">The CWSRF program funds a wide array of water pollution abatement
and water quality improvement projects. Eligible types of projects include:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="xmsonormal" style="margin-right:2.7pt;background:white"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#201F1E;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<ul style="margin-top:0in" type="circle">
<li class="xmsonormal" style="color:#201F1E;margin-right:2.7pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3;background:white">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">Projects to treat emerging contaminants, such as PFAS, microplastics, and pharmaceuticals in wastewater, stormwater, and nonpoint source pollution<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="xmsonormal" style="color:#201F1E;margin-right:2.7pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3;background:white">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">Wastewater infrastructure improvements including projects related to aging sewers, pump stations, and treatment facilities; projects that increase
security at wastewater treatment facilities; and projects that extend sewers to polluted neighborhoods with failing septic systems<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="xmsonormal" style="color:#201F1E;margin-right:2.7pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3;background:white">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">Combined sewer overflow abatement<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="xmsonormal" style="color:#201F1E;margin-right:2.7pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3;background:white">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">Community on-site wastewater treatment system repair programs<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="xmsonormal" style="color:#201F1E;margin-right:2.7pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3;background:white">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">Holistic stormwater mitigation projects, particularly green stormwater infrastructure and nature-based solutions that restore natural hydrology and
treat polluted runoff<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="xmsonormal" style="color:#201F1E;margin-right:2.7pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3;background:white">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">Restoration of degraded riverbanks, wetlands, floodplains, riparian buffers, or salt marshes
<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="xmsonormal" style="color:#201F1E;margin-right:2.7pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3;background:white">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">Landfill closures<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="xmsonormal" style="color:#201F1E;margin-right:2.7pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3;background:white">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">Dam removal and stream connectivity restoration<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="xmsonormal" style="color:#201F1E;margin-right:2.7pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3;background:white">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">Projects that reduce the energy consumption needs of a wastewater facility via renewable energy and energy efficiency projects
<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="xmsonormal" style="color:#201F1E;margin-right:2.7pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3;background:white">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">Projects that make wastewater infrastructure more resilient to the effects of climate change<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="xmsonormal" style="color:#201F1E;margin-right:2.7pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3;background:white">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">Planning and design for stormwater pollution abatement or wastewater capital projects (must be a reasonable expectation that the project will result
in a viable capital project)<o:p></o:p></span></li></ul>
<p class="xmsonormal" style="margin-right:2.7pt;background:white"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#201F1E;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="xmsonormal" style="margin-right:2.7pt;background:white"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#201F1E;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">DEM is interested in increasing participation by entities planning
projects related to stormwater pollution abatement, green infrastructure, non-point source pollution abatement, emerging contaminants, climate resiliency of water infrastructure, and particularly projects that benefit disadvantaged communities. DEM also is
interested in wastewater infrastructure projects that systematically replace the oldest sections that are most vulnerable to failures.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="xmsonormal" style="margin-right:2.7pt;background:white"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#201F1E;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="xmsonormal" style="margin-right:2.7pt;background:white"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#201F1E;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">To be included in the PPL, project descriptions must be submitted
on a form provided by DEM. All projects will be rated and ranked according to criteria contained in the Rules and Regulations for the Priority Determination System for Federal and State Assistance for Construction of Water Pollution Abatement Projects (</span><span style="color:black"><a href="https://rules.sos.ri.gov/regulations/part/250-150-20-2"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">250-RICR-150-20-2</span></a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#201F1E;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">).
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="xmsonormal" style="margin-right:2.7pt;background:white"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#201F1E;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="xmsonormal" style="margin-right:2.7pt;background:white"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#201F1E;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">Submission of a project for rating, ranking, and listing on the PPL
does not obligate the applicant to go forward with the project but does ensure the ability to seek financial assistance via the CWSRF for that project at the appropriate time. DEM will rate and rank all submitted projects and formulate the PPL. A 30-day
</span><span style="color:black"><a href="http://www.dem.ri.gov/programs/benviron/water/finance/srf/pdfs/ppl-announcement.pdf"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">public
notice</span></a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">
</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#201F1E;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">regarding the PPL will be posted on the DEM’s website with the opportunity for public comment. Revisions may be made based upon
comments received. The final PPL will also be posted on the DEM’s </span><span style="color:black"><a href="http://www.dem.ri.gov/programs/water/finance/state-revolving-fund.php"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">website</span></a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#201F1E;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="xeop"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#201F1E;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">If you have any questions, please email
</span></span><a href="mailto:jenny.paquet@dem.ri.gov"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">Jenny Paquet</span></a><span class="xeop"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#201F1E;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">,</span></span><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">
<span class="xeop"><span style="color:#201F1E;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">401-222-4700, ext. 277-7263.<a name="_Hlk97043993"> For more information on DEM programs and services, visit
</a></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk97043993"></span><a href="http://www.dem.ri.gov"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk97043993"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">www.dem.ri.gov</span></span><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk97043993"></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk97043993"><span class="xeop"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#201F1E;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">.
Follow DEM on Twitter (@RhodeIslandDEM),</span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk97043993"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#323130">
</span></span><a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.facebook.com/RhodeIslandDEM__;!!KKphUJtCzQ!LkOw2nKJV5NzmzfrC5ZcfSf8pewHDUxrabaIPazW_oHTYKbt7mwOuJJxH1HAR5wMckuT2jTB5Xp4hny1_kZFRGGYGCivTn2pfdLX$"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk97043993"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">Facebook</span></span><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk97043993"></span> [facebook.com]</a><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk97043993"><span class="xeop"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#201F1E;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">,
or </span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk97043993"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#323130">Instagram</span></span><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#323130">
</span><span class="xeop"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#201F1E;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">(@RhodeIslandDEM).</span><span style="color:#201F1E;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">###</span></b><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="xxxxydpe3ecabc6yiv8679005185ydp7f4f0b45yiv2173515244xxxmsonormal" style="margin:0in">
<b><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#0066FF">Michael J. Healey | Chief Public Affairs Officer</span></b><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="xxxxydpe3ecabc6yiv8679005185ydp7f4f0b45yiv2173515244xxxmsonormal" style="margin:0in">
<b><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#212121">Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management</span></b><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="xxxxydpe3ecabc6yiv8679005185ydp7f4f0b45yiv2173515244xxxmsonormal" style="margin:0in">
<span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#212121">235 Promenade Street, Providence RI 02908</span><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="xxxxydpe3ecabc6yiv8679005185ydp7f4f0b45yiv2173515244xxxmsonormal" style="margin:0in">
<span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#212121">401-222-4700, X277-7273</span><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="xxxxydpe3ecabc6yiv8679005185ydp7f4f0b45yiv2173515244xxxmsonormal" style="margin:0in">
<span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#212121">Email: </span><a href="mailto:michael.healey@dem.ri.gov" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#0066FF">michael.healey@dem.ri.gov</span></a><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="xxxxydpe3ecabc6yiv8679005185ydp7f4f0b45yiv2173515244xmsonormal" style="margin:0in">
<span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#212121">Web: </span><a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__http:/www.dem.gov__;!!KKphUJtCzQ!JTan8GFpr31dz0axLZC-y-wGNcw1msmDMbDiMRiDsdSguslA8VuLG4ZstXozPoLcLmecg9NNx54sgvHaiJ8xNg$" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#0066FF">www.dem.gov
[dem.gov]</span></a><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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