Westmoreland Review

Rep. Jill Cooper has announced that the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST) will provide low-interest loans to support three infrastructure projects in the 55th Legislative District. These projects aim to enhance water and wastewater systems without imposing financial burdens on local residents.

Cooper emphasized the importance of these upgrades, stating, “Repairs and upgrades to our water and wastewater systems are necessary but also really expensive. This assistance from PENNVEST will make sure these projects can occur without digging into ratepayers’ wallets.”

The Municipal Authority of Lower Burrell will receive a $9.5 million loan to replace the Chartiers Pump Station and add a new above-ground equalization tank with blowers. In Murrysville, the Franklin Township Municipal Sanitary Authority is set to use a $7.6 million loan for replacing media in nitrification towers, conducting repairs, and updating equipment.

Additionally, the Municipal Authority of the City of New Kensington has been granted a $3.9 million loan for replacing significant lengths of waterline along streets prone to leaks.

PENNVEST's funding sources include state funds, federal grants from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and recycled repayments from previous loans. Cooper highlighted PENNVEST’s role in facilitating essential public utility projects: “In the case of public utilities, where delivering clean water at a reasonable cost is at stake, having access to PENNVEST loans can be the difference between a project being completed or never getting off the drawing board.”

These investments are seen as crucial developments for communities within Cooper’s district.