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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: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Evan LaCross, 401-799-0100 Monday, March 4, 2024 Dem. communications@ dem. ri. gov
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Impact",sans-serif;color:#00457A">Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#00457A">235 Promenade Street | Providence, RI 02908 | 401.222.4700 |</span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0070C0">
</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="http://www.dem.ri.gov"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF">www.dem.ri.gov</span></a></span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0070C0">
</span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#00457A">| @RhodeIslandDEM</span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#1F497D"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">CONTACT:</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">
<b>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:</b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">Evan LaCross, 401-799-0100 Monday, March 4, 2024<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="mailto:Dem.communications@dem.ri.gov"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#3366FF">Dem.communications@dem.ri.gov</span></a></span><u><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#3366FF">
</span></u><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b><span style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">DEM, RI INFRASTRUCTURE BANK SOLICIT COMMUNITIES TO APPLY FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR WATER IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
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Description automatically generated" v:shapes="Picture_x0020_1"><![endif]><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">PROVIDENCE,
RI – </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#201F1E;letter-spacing:-.05pt;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">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 the </span><span style="color:black"><a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://riib.org/__;!!KKphUJtCzQ!I7juayWKFt7o9p0uXEbydiwVhYD9TOBTRvnA79cFX2aG0F5QpZjStes19Wfiyu-ZkDNaLIcOKG0siTZWLUr8unjrDcR0z31TQ1md$"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">Rhode Island Infrastructure
Bank</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"> (RIIB) are encouraging Rhode Island communities that have identified needed water quality improvement projects
to submit them for inclusion on DEM’s fiscal year 2025 project priority list (PPL). DEM’s
</span><span style="color:black"><a href="https://dem.ri.gov/environmental-protection-bureau/water-resources"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">Office of Water Resources</span></a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#201F1E;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">
(OWR) is reminding the public that such projects must be submitted by Friday, April 5, 2024 at 4 PM to be considered for favorable
</span><span style="color:black"><a href="https://dem.ri.gov/environmental-protection-bureau/water-resources/financial-assistance/clean-water-state-revolving"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">Clean
Water State Revolving Fund</span></a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#201F1E;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in"> (CWSRF) financing within the next 18 months. DEM maintains this list and RIIB, which administers
the program, uses it to make its financing decisions.<br>
<br>
</span><b><i><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#201F1E;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">The Town of Narragansett obtained a matching, $650,000 resilience grant in 2020 to fortify the Scarborough wastewater treatment
plant against more intense coastal storms.</span></i></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#201F1E;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:2.7pt;background:white"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#201F1E;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:2.7pt;background:white"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#201F1E;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">Enacted in November of 2021, the
</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black"><a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/3684__;!!KKphUJtCzQ!I7juayWKFt7o9p0uXEbydiwVhYD9TOBTRvnA79cFX2aG0F5QpZjStes19Wfiyu-ZkDNaLIcOKG0siTZWLUr8unjrDcR0z6WE2dp9$"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">Infrastructure
Investment and Jobs Act</span> [congress.gov]</a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#201F1E;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in"> (AKA, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law) delivered historic funding levels to repair and
update the nation’s water infrastructure. Last week, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black"><a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/biden-harris-administration-announces-over-47-million-rhode-island-drinking-water__;!!KKphUJtCzQ!I7juayWKFt7o9p0uXEbydiwVhYD9TOBTRvnA79cFX2aG0F5QpZjStes19Wfiyu-ZkDNaLIcOKG0siTZWLUr8unjrDcR0z4AvRIko$"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">announced
nearly $47.5 million<b> </b> for Rhode Island drinking water and clean water infrastructure upgrades</span> [epa.gov]</a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#201F1E;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">, part of a </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black"><a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/biden-harris-administration-announces-58-billion-president-bidens-investing-america__;!!KKphUJtCzQ!I7juayWKFt7o9p0uXEbydiwVhYD9TOBTRvnA79cFX2aG0F5QpZjStes19Wfiyu-ZkDNaLIcOKG0siTZWLUr8unjrDcR0z1iQbgXe$"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">$5.8
billion investment</span> [epa.gov]</a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#201F1E;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in"> through the CWSRF.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" 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" 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">“Clean water infrastructure helps maintain the health of our local
waters that are central to our environment, way of life, and economy here in the Ocean State,” said Governor Dan McKee. “Our state's future will be shaped by the infrastructure choices we make today, and Rhode Island is grateful for the funding from the Bipartisan
Infrastructure Law that will be invested in a range of projects that will help keep our waters clean.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" 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" style="mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:2.7pt;margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:0in;background:white">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#201F1E;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">“We tend to take clean water for granted, but we can't afford to take our water infrastructure for granted. We must strategically invest
in upkeep and new projects to ensure Rhode Islanders have access to clean, safe, reliable drinking water and modern, effective wastewater collection and treatment facilities. This is a smart investment in public health and the health of our economy. Whether
it's from a tap, shower, or toilet, our water system is essential and we must ensure it works properly and reliably for all Rhode Islanders, both now and in the future," said Senator Reed, a senior member of the Appropriations Committee.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" 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">"Safe drinking and wastewater systems are essential to good health
and the wellbeing of our environment," said Senator Whitehouse. "Rhode Island is able to make these kinds of generational investments in water infrastructure because of our Bipartisan Infrastructure Law."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" 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" 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">"Everyone deserves access to clean water," said Congressman Seth Magaziner.
"This federal funding will modernize our state's water infrastructure, protecting the health of children and families while reducing pollution entering our rivers, ending up on our beaches, and flowing into Narragansett Bay."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" 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" 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">"Every Rhode Islander deserves access to safe, clean water," said Congressman
Gabe Amo. "I'm grateful for the Biden Administration's work to implement the historic bipartisan infrastructure law that invests these vital federal resources in our drinking and wastewater systems. Repairing and investing in our state's water systems will
protect our public health and support our economy. Our neighbors should applaud this tremendous news for the Ocean State."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" 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" 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">“We are in a period of historic levels of investment towards improving
clean water infrastructure,” said DEM Director Terry Gray. “Rhode Island’s </span>
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black"><a href="https://dem.ri.gov/environmental-protection-bureau/water-resources/financial-assistance/clean-water-state-revolving"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">Clean
Water State Revolving Fund</span></a></span><u><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">
</span></u><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#201F1E;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">program provides financing for priority water quality projects that help protect our waterways, the health of our families,
and supports our economy. The clean water infrastructure that will be enabled by this critical funding will help build Rhode Island’s resilience for projected increases in storm intensities, rainfall amounts, and rising seas from climate change.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" 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-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#201F1E;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">“</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">Due to the impacts of climate change,
Rhode Island is seeing more frequent and more severe rain and flooding events,<span style="color:#201F1E;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">”
</span>said Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank Executive Director William Fazioli. <span style="color:#201F1E;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">
“</span>That's why Clean Water State Revolving Fund investments in stormwater management and processing systems are so critical to our communities and to our economy. We're encouraging all of our municipal partners to think big and to be creative in their
</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="https://dem.ri.gov/environmental-protection-bureau/water-resources/financial-assistance/clean-water-state-revolving"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">Clean
Water State Revolving Fund</span></a></span><u><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">
</span></u><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">applications.<span style="color:#201F1E;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in"> ”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" 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 project priority list 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="MsoNormal" 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" 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
</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black"><a href="https://dem.ri.gov/environmental-protection-bureau/water-resources/financial-assistance/clean-water-state-revolving"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">Clean
Water State Revolving Fund</span></a></span><u><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">
</span></u><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#201F1E;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">program funds a wide array of water pollution abatement and water quality improvement sustainability projects. Eligible types
of projects include:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" 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="MsoNormal" style="color:#201F1E;margin-right:2.7pt;mso-list:l1 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, including projects related to sewers, pump stations, and treatment facilities for publicly owned treatment works (POTW)<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="color:#201F1E;margin-right:2.7pt;mso-list:l1 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="MsoNormal" style="color:#201F1E;margin-right:2.7pt;mso-list:l1 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="MsoNormal" style="color:#201F1E;margin-right:2.7pt;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo3;background:white">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">Stormwater mitigation projects, particularly green stormwater infrastructure<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="color:#201F1E;margin-right:2.7pt;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo3;background:white">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">Capital equipment needed to maintain green stormwater infrastructure
<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="color:#201F1E;margin-right:2.7pt;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo3;background:white">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">Riverbank and estuarine restoration projects including wetland, floodplain, riparian buffer, and salt marsh restoration<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="color:#201F1E;margin-right:2.7pt;mso-list:l1 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="MsoNormal" style="color:#201F1E;margin-right:2.7pt;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo3;background:white">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">Alternative energy and energy efficiency projects that benefit a water pollution treatment facility<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="color:#201F1E;margin-right:2.7pt;mso-list:l1 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="MsoNormal" style="color:#201F1E;margin-right:2.7pt;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo3;background:white">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">Water efficiency improvements (methods that reduce water consumption at publicly owned treatment works<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="color:#201F1E;margin-right:2.7pt;mso-list:l1 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 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="MsoNormal" 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" 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 encourages applicants to include potential projects on the PPL
even if they don’t intend to apply for </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black"><a href="https://dem.ri.gov/environmental-protection-bureau/water-resources/financial-assistance/clean-water-state-revolving"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">Clean
Water State Revolving Fund</span></a></span><u><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">
</span></u><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#201F1E;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">in FY25. In addition to wastewater infrastructure projects, DEM is interested in increasing participation by entities planning
projects related to stormwater pollution abatement, green infrastructure, non-point source pollution abatement, and climate resiliency, as well as projects that benefit disadvantaged communities.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" 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" 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 project priority list, project descriptions must
be submitted on forms provided by DEM. Each project must be described separately on an individual 2025 PPL Request Form. Applicants should feel free to submit any supporting information to further describe their project(s). 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="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black"><a href="https://rules.sos.ri.gov/regulations/part/250-150-20-2"><span style="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="MsoNormal" 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" 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">Please note that the 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 eligibility to seek financial assistance via CWSRF for that project at the appropriate time. DEM will rate and rank all submitted projects and formulate the PPL.
After all submissions have been rated, a 30-day </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">public notice
</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
</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black"><a href="https://dem.ri.gov/environmental-protection-bureau/water-resources/financial-assistance/clean-water-state-revolving"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">DEM’s
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"> with the opportunity for public comment. Revisions may be made based upon comments received. The final PPL
will also be posted on DEM’s </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black"><a href="http://www.dem.ri.gov/programs/water/finance/state-revolving-fund.php"><span style="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-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#201F1E;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">If you have any questions, please email
</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><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><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#201F1E;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">,</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">
<span style="color:#201F1E;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">401-537-4260.<a name="_Hlk97043993"> For more information on DEM programs and services, visit
</a></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk97043993"></span><a href="http://www.dem.ri.gov"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk97043993"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;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 style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#201F1E;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">.
Follow DEM on Twitter (@RhodeIslandDEM),</span></span><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk97043993"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#323130">
</span></span><a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.facebook.com/RhodeIslandDEM__;!!KKphUJtCzQ!I7juayWKFt7o9p0uXEbydiwVhYD9TOBTRvnA79cFX2aG0F5QpZjStes19Wfiyu-ZkDNaLIcOKG0siTZWLUr8unjrDcR0z9s633ZP$"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk97043993"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;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 style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#201F1E;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">,
or </span></span><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk97043993"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#323130">Instagram</span></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#323130">
</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#201F1E;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">(@RhodeIslandDEM).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">###<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Cambria",serif;color:#1F4E79;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual"><br>
Evan LaCross, MPA</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Cambria",serif;color:#1F4E79"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Cambria",serif;color:#1F4E79;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual">Programming Services Officer, Public Affairs<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:"Cambria",serif;color:#004678;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual">Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Century Gothic",sans-serif;color:#767171;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual">235 Promenade Street, Providence RI 02908</span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic",sans-serif;color:#767171;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Century Gothic",sans-serif;color:#767171;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual">401-799-0100 (c)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ligatures:standardcontextual"><a href="mailto:evan.lacross@dem.ri.gov"><span style="font-family:"Century Gothic",sans-serif">evan.lacross@dem.ri.gov</span></a></span><span style="font-family:"Century Gothic",sans-serif;color:gray;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual">
</span><span style="font-family:"Century Gothic",sans-serif;color:#767171;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual">(E);
</span><span style="mso-ligatures:standardcontextual"><a href="http://www.dem.ri.gov/"><span style="font-family:"Century Gothic",sans-serif;color:#767171">www.dem.ri.gov</span></a></span><span style="font-family:"Century Gothic",sans-serif;color:#767171;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual">
(W)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic",sans-serif;color:#0096D2;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual">Follow DEM on
</span></i><span style="mso-ligatures:standardcontextual"><a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.facebook.com/RhodeIslandDEM/?fref=ts__;!!KKphUJtCzQ!I7juayWKFt7o9p0uXEbydiwVhYD9TOBTRvnA79cFX2aG0F5QpZjStes19Wfiyu-ZkDNaLIcOKG0siTZWLUr8unjrDcR0z6d3paiO$"><i><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic",sans-serif;color:#004678">Facebook</span></i> [facebook.com]</a></span><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual">,<i><span style="color:#0096D2">
</span><span style="color:#00B0F0">on</span> </i></span><span style="mso-ligatures:standardcontextual"><a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.instagram.com/rhodeisland.dem/__;!!KKphUJtCzQ!I7juayWKFt7o9p0uXEbydiwVhYD9TOBTRvnA79cFX2aG0F5QpZjStes19Wfiyu-ZkDNaLIcOKG0siTZWLUr8unjrDcR0z7z-vCxM$"><i><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic",sans-serif;color:#002060">Instagram</span></i> [instagram.com]</a></span><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic",sans-serif;color:#002060;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual">,</span><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual">
<span style="color:#00B0F0">and</span> <i><span style="color:#0096D2">on </span></i></span><span style="mso-ligatures:standardcontextual"><a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://twitter.com/RhodeIslandDEM__;!!KKphUJtCzQ!I7juayWKFt7o9p0uXEbydiwVhYD9TOBTRvnA79cFX2aG0F5QpZjStes19Wfiyu-ZkDNaLIcOKG0siTZWLUr8unjrDcR0z5p9desm$"><i><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic",sans-serif;color:#004678">Twitter</span></i> [twitter.com]</a></span><i><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic",sans-serif;color:#0096D2;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual">.</span></i><span style="mso-ligatures:standardcontextual"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:105%"><img border="0" width="152" height="76" style="width:1.5833in;height:.7916in" id="Picture_x0020_1" src="cid:image004.jpg@01DA6E14.56562B60" alt="Logo
Description automatically generated"><span style="mso-ligatures:standardcontextual"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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