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In this Update:
$10 Million in PENNVEST Funding Approved for Water Project in Armstrong & Westmoreland Counties
The Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST) has awarded $10,000,000 in grant support and a low-interest loan for the Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County’s Lead Service Line Replacement Project. Clean, safe and reliable water is vital for the well-being of our communities. I’m pleased this substantial state support will help so many individuals and families in Westmoreland and Armstrong Counties. This PENNVEST funding will certainly go a long way to assist with the critical improvements being undertaken by the authority, to help protect public health and support infrastructure advancements. The Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County has identified lead service lines in its system which will be removed and replaced to address potential health concerns and updated to comply with the Environmental Protection Agency’s Lead and Copper Rule. The existing system serves 116,000 residential customers with a population of 261,687. The authority anticipates that approximately 1,000 lead service lines will be replaced as a result of this project in the Boroughs of Vandergrift, East Vandergrift, Hyde Park, and West Leechburg in Westmoreland County. Lead service lines will also be replaced in the Boroughs of Apollo, Leechburg, and North Apollo, and Parks Township in Armstrong County. The total project cost is $11 million. The approved PENNVEST funding includes a grant in the amount of $4,556,036 and a low-interest loan in the amount of $5,443,964. Indiana Conservation District Launches Online Permit Tool
Permitting reforms are vital for job creation and economic growth. I’m pleased to have worked with my colleagues in the Senate to improve Pennsylvania’s permitting process by reducing wait times to make the Commonwealth more competitive for businesses. It’s great to see Indiana County Conservation District now has an online process for submitting of permits to their office for review. Those who need to obtain a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit or need a review of an erosion and sedimentation control plan in Indiana County are now required to use the district’s online permit submittal tool. The goal with the new online tool is to enhance the permit submission process to improve the completeness of submitted permits by reducing cost, review times, and paper waste. Find out more information here. Statewide Row Officers Begin Serving PA
Congratulations to new PA Attorney General Dave Sunday and reelected PA Treasurer Stacy Garrity and PA Auditor General Tim DeFoor on their inaugurations on Tuesday. My colleagues and I stand ready to work together to move our commonwealth forward. As the state’s top law enforcement official, the attorney general works to protect and serve citizens and agencies of the commonwealth. The position is served by several hundred prosecutors, attorneys, investigators, agents and support staff. The Treasury Department is the custodian of more than $160 billion in state funds and oversees all withdrawals and deposits from state agencies. It also administers programs, including the PA 529 college and career savings plan, that help families prepare for the future. In her first term, Garrity returned record amounts of unclaimed property and reduced fees multiple times for PA 529 and PA ABLE, which is a program that gives individuals with qualifying disabilities a tax-advantaged way to save without impacting their government benefits. The auditor general is the state’s fiscal watchdog. The role is tasked with ensuring state government lives within its means and every taxpayer dollar is spent wisely. In addition to completing nearly 4,000 legally required audits per year, DeFoor also conducted several high-profile performance audits during his first four years in office. The audits determine how state government programs are working and ensure tax dollars are being spent appropriately. Free Webinar on Jan. 30 to Provide Helpful Financial Aid Info
The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) is holding a free virtual webinar to assist college-bound students and their families with navigating the financial aid process. It will be held on Thursday, Jan. 30, from 6:30-7:30 p.m. During the webinar, a PHEAA expert will present information about the financial aid application process, the types of aid available and strategies about affordability to consider before applying for postsecondary school admission. A question-and-answer session will be held following the hour-long presentation. Register to attend the webinar, which is open to all ages. Assistance Available for Local Historic Preservation
The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission is now accepting applications from nonprofit organizations and local governments for the Keystone Historic Preservation Grant Program. The grants support projects that identify, preserve, promote and protect historic and archaeological resources in Pennsylvania for the benefit of public and community revitalization. Two categories of grants – construction and planning – are available for historic resources in Pennsylvania that are listed, or eligible for listing, in the National Register of Historic Places. Applicants may apply for only one type of grant. Learn more and apply online by March 3. Winter Emergency Travel Kit Tips
Winter travel can bring extended traffic stops. You can ensure your safety and comfort by packing an emergency travel kit. Be sure to include a blanket, ice scraper, flashlight, warm clothing and gloves, sand, jumper cables, cellphone charger, small shovel, first aid kit, water and nonperishable food. A printable winter emergency kit list from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation is available here. Your winter emergency kit should also include the personal items you need to accommodate the family members who travel with you, such as special medication, baby supplies and pet food. January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month
Human trafficking often goes hand in hand with violence and social issues. If you suspect someone is being trafficked, call the National Human Trafficking Resource Center Hotline at 1-888-373-7888. Technology, the desire for connection and lack of financial stability all play key roles in the most common ways human trafficking begins. By looking out for those around us, we can help to prevent exploitation before it happens. While the new legislative session just began, Senate Republicans passed multiple bills last session to help people who were victims of human trafficking. One law ensures that sexually exploited children who are human trafficking victims always have full access to appropriate services and support. Another subjects individuals convicted of certain human trafficking offenses to the same reporting and evaluation requirements as any other sexual offender.
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