Amata Hails $24.4 Million in 2025 EPA Investment from Bipartisan Infrastructure Law
Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is hailing Wednesday’s announcement by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for a total of $24.4 million in fiscal year 2025 investment in American Samoa from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law(BIL), which Amata backed publicly throughout the bill’s debate and passage in 2021. The official name of the BIL is the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA).
Congresswoman Amata with our Veterans in Honolulu
“I supported the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in 2021, and since then I’ve been repeatedly pleased to see it result directly in numerous funding projects for American Samoa over these several years,” said Congresswoman Aumua Amata. “These funds, already appropriated to EPA by Congress, make lasting improvements for our safe and healthy drinking water for years to come.”
“Thank you to EPA Administrator Regan for the attention to American Samoa’s appropriate share in these funds from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Act,” continued Congresswoman Amata. “Thank you to the EPA Pacific Southwest Region (Region 9) in working with American Samoa Government and our American Samoa EPA on planning for much-needed water projects. Congratulations to ASEPA Director Fa'amao Asalele, and special appreciation to all who work on these efforts.”
The $24.4 million includes $17,219,000, announced Wednesday, and $7,181,000 notified recently on October 8, both from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. American Samoa’s total under the two notifications is the most of any of the four insular areas, totaling slightly more than Guam and several million more than CNMI and USVI.
Wednesday’s notification of over $17.2 million includes two areas of funding: Drinking Water State Revolving Funds (DWSRF) of $2,204,000, which emphasizes lead removal, andClean Water State Revolving Funds (CWSRF) of $15,015,000. Within that $15 million from CWSRF, the further breakdown is $13,820,000 in general allotment, and $1,195,000 in emerging contaminants program.
These 2025 EPA funds are part of a five-year planned investment in water infrastructure upgrades, and the nationwide total of these two October notices is $6.2 billion in BIL water quality and safety projects.
In EPA announcements following passage of the BIL, the EPA hailed the congressional investment as a historic impact in the nation’s healthy water supply and water infrastructure, and Administrator Regan noted the funds support job creation, construction, and emphasized projects for underserved communities. The SRF programs are designed to generate significant and sustainable water quality and public health benefits across the country.
EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan said, “Water keeps us healthy, sustains vibrant communities and dynamic ecosystems, and supports economic opportunity. When our water infrastructure fails, it threatens people’s health, peace of mind, and the environment. With the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s historic investment in water, EPA is working with states and local partners to upgrade infrastructure and address local challenges—from lead in drinking water, to PFAS, to water main breaks, to sewer overflows and climate resilience. Together, we are creating good-paying jobs while ensuring that all people can rely on clean and safe water.”
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