On behalf of the members of Jersey Water Works, a letter has been drafted (see the link below) to Governor Murphy, Senate President Sweeney, and Speaker of the Assembly Coughlin urging them to allocate a significant portion of the state’s available American Rescue Plan Act “State Fiscal Recovery Fund” (SFRF) monies to support a generational investment to modernize New Jersey’s critical water infrastructure. These funds would benefit communities across the state. To redress historic and ongoing inequities, these investments should prioritize disadvantaged communities (including funds provided as grants rather than loans).

This letter is open to signature by all members of Jersey Water Works. To sign on, please fill out the form below with your name and affiliation by December 9, 2021. Questions should be directed to Paula Figueroa-Vega (pfigueroa@njfuture.org). To learn how to become a member of Jersey Water Works, visit the website (https://www.jerseywaterworks.org/about-the-collaborative/become-a-member/). Joining is free and just takes a minute.

Although each of the signatories is a member of Jersey Water Works, Jersey Water Works does not take a position on this matter, and each of the signatories is signing on their own behalf.

______________________________________________________________________________________
December [XX], 2021

Re: Allocation of American Rescue Plan Act funds for water infrastructure investments

Dear Gov. Murphy, Senate President Sweeney, and Speaker of the Assembly Coughlin,

On behalf of the [insert #] organizations listed below—including [list types of orgs]—we write to urge you to use a significant portion of the state’s available American Rescue Plan Act “State Fiscal Recovery Fund” (SFRF) monies to support a generational investment in modernizing New Jersey’s critical water infrastructure. These funds would benefit communities across New Jersey. To redress historic and ongoing inequities, these investments should prioritize disadvantaged communities (including funds provided as grants rather than loans).

As you know, our state has massive, unmet needs for investment in water and wastewater infrastructure, which is vital to the health and economic well-being of all New Jerseyans. The urgent needs include funding for removal of all lead service lines (as required by legislation enacted this year); reduction of sewage overflows (as required by state-issued permits); treatment of so-called “emerging contaminants,”  PFOA and PFOS (as required by state regulations); stormwater management and flood mitigation; ensuring systems are climate-resilient; making water and sewer service affordable for all households, regardless of income; and providing technical assistance to disadvantaged communities to ensure they can access available funds.  

Although federal funds from the recently enacted Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will provide a critical infusion of money for water, New Jersey’s share will only address a fraction of the state’s challenges. New Jersey should join more than 18 states that are using a portion of their SFRF funds (in some cases well over $1 billion) for water infrastructure investments and household water affordability assistance.

As you determine how to allocate the billions of dollars in remaining SFRF funds, we urge you not to pass up this historic opportunity.

Sincerely,

[signatories]

CC: Kevin Drennan
Matt Peterson
Mark Magyar
Skip Cimino
Catherine Tung
Hannah Thonet
Dennis Zeveloff
Jane Cohen
Shawn Latourette
Katie Angarone
Jane Rosenblatt
Pat Gardner
David Zimmer
Joe Fiordaliso
Bob Brabston
Thomas Koenig