Solutions to Water, Sewer and Broadband Infrastructure Challenges Discussed at Interagency Working Group Webinar

The Interagency Working Group on Coal and Power Plant Communities and Economic Revitalization (Energy Communities IWG) today hosted the second and final webinar in its series highlighting federal funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that support the improvement and revitalization of critical infrastructure in energy communities.

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law includes historic investments to create economic opportunities and diversify and grow workforces in energy communities across the country. Building and repairing infrastructure plays a major role in the success of a community’s economic and energy transition and can create jobs for displaced workers.

“Through direct engagement with energy community leaders, one of the most common challenges we hear about is aging infrastructure. It’s a barrier to economic success for many communities,” said Executive Director Brian Anderson, Ph.D. “The programs discussed today, many of which were supported by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, can provide communities with the funding needed to upgrade existing water, sewer and broadband infrastructure or construct new systems.”

Today’s webinar focused on water, sewer and broadband infrastructure programs and resources from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Department of Commerce and U.S. Department of Agriculture. Dr. Anderson also moderated a fireside chat with senior administration officials including White House Assistant to the President and National Climate Advisor Ali Zaidi, Appalachian Regional Commission Federal Co-Chair Gayle Manchin and U.S. Department of Agriculture Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development Farah Ahmad.

Other federal officials on the webinar include Doug Lynott, Director of Economic Development Integration at the U.S. Economic Development Administration; Courtney Dozier, National Telecommunications and Information Administration; Ellen Tarquinio, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; and Ryan Thorn, State Director for West Virginia, U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development; and Laurel Leverrier, Assistant Administrator, Telecommunications Programs, U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development.

Energy communities can access Bipartisan Infrastructure Law programs on the Energy Communities IWG funding clearinghouse. For additional information on Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding, please check out the White House’s guidebook.

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Established by an Executive Order during President Biden’s first week in office, the Energy Communities IWG is pursuing a whole-of-government approach to create good-paying union jobs, spur economic revitalization, remediate environmental degradation and support energy workers in coal, oil and gas, and power plant communities across the country. The Energy Communities IWG supports the Administration’s goals of a carbon emission-free electricity sector by 2035 and economy-wide net-zero emissions by 2050.