MARTINSBURG – As a part of a visit on Monday, Sen. Shelley Moore Capito and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael Regan came to Bunker Hill and Martinsburg to discuss the need related to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law with local leaders.
“There is a lot of money that is flowing from the Infrastructure Bill, and I am proud to have played an integral part of the development of it,” Capito said.
The first stop for the senator and administrator was the Runnymeade Road water facility in Bunker Hill.
“We have been working with Senator Capito to try to find some funding to replace that facility, which is antiquated as technology has long since expired. The capacity is limited, and we are trying to do all of these things so we can continue to provide the public health and safety while expanding our economic opportunities,” said Jim Ouellet, executive director of Berkeley County Public Service Water District.
The facility has large updates taking place, which are hopefully to go to bid in the spring.
“I think in various pockets of the state, we have antiquated systems; we have systems that are leaking water or, in some instances, have lead. In some instances on the wastewater side, people are still working with septic tanks that are very aging, that are very environmentally dangerous in a lot of ways,” Capito said. “This is a rare opportunity to not just remedy the problems but fix them for the future.”
While at the facility, Capito and Regan were briefed on the Berkeley County Water Plant and Berkeley County infrastructure needs and given a tour of the facility.
“There is a lot of excitement, whether it is in West Virginia or all across the country, about the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the resources that are available there. This is the first time in history where these rural communities are put in a competitive position to not only have good quality drinking water but to improve the economic development opportunities as well,” Regan said. “We feel very confident that the small, rural utilities will be poised for success.”
After the visit to the water facility in Bunker Hill, Capito and Regan went to the Berkeley County Development Authority to talk with local leadership and officials in a roundtable discussion about the infrastructure needs in the county as associated with the bill.
In attendance were representatives from Rep. Alex Mooney’s office as well as Sen. Joe Manchin’s office. Additionally, Senate President Craig Blair, representatives and leadership from the City of Martinsburg, Berkeley County, Morgan County, Jefferson County, Berkeley County Public Service Sewer District and the Environmental Protection Agency were in attendance for the roundtable.
Sandy Hamilton, executive director of the Berkeley County Development Authority, discussed the issue of water throughout the area being a deterrent for some large businesses—not having the capacity to give the water needed.
“There are a number of very large manufacturing projects that are interested in being in Berkeley County, in the Panhandle and throughout West Virginia, but particularly in Berkeley County, we don’t have the water capacity currently to be able to supply their need. We find ourselves frequently turning away very good jobs and good companies,” said Hamilton.
Regan said that there is $90 million coming to West Virginia just this year alone that will aid the state in fixing some of the major water issues.
“Over a five-year period, if you multiply that, it is a large investment opportunity not only to improve the drinking water quality for every community but position the infrastructure to be resilient for climate impact,” he added. “The third piece is the economic development opportunity. I think that from a job standpoint, a water quality standpoint and a safety standpoint, everyday citizens in the state of West Virginia will feel the benefits of this law.”
He said he is working heavily with the states, figuring out how to work as co-regulators together to ensure that those who need these resources the most get the resources.
“I believe that the governors, the mayors and the county commissioners know their constituency much better than the federal government ever could, so it is important that we partner with them,” Regan said. “We are providing technical assistance immediately to help the smaller utilities in rural communities be competitive. We hope by the fall, they will see these federal funds and can begin to distribute them.”
Capito touched on the fact that with this law, there is a focus on resiliency—using materials that last while taking on the projects that will come.
While discussing what is most important for the public to know about the law and what is to come, both Regan and Capito noted the idea that this law is for everyone.
“It is important for people to know—people think of Washington as being broken, and this is a historic investment, a once-in-a-generation investment in broadband, water, infrastructure, climate resiliency,” Regan said. “People all over the state of West Virginia and all over the country will see the benefits of this investment, from a water quality standpoint, a job creation standpoint and a safety standpoint. I think it is important for people to know that we are working very hard on their behalf.”
Capito stressed the idea that the law will help everybody.
“I think it is important for everybody to know that this is for them. This is for everybody,” she said.