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House and Senate leaders today reached an agreement on two fiscal year 2020 federal spending packages, one of which includes funding secured by Rep. Cartwright to offset the costs of improving stormwater infrastructure in Northeastern Pennsylvania.

This increased funding doubles the money available for sediment removal grants and programs to control polluted stormwater runoff in the Chesapeake Bay watershed region, which includes parts of Pennsylvania’s Eighth Congressional District. It will help cities and municipalities in Northeastern Pennsylvania meet a federal mandate to restore the Chesapeake Bay while requiring fewer local funds. This will help reduce stormwater fees paid by residents on their sewer bills.

As a member of the Appropriations Committee, Rep. Cartwright fought successfully for these funds to be included in the fiscal year 2020 Interior, Environment and Related Agencies budget bill, which passed the House in June. He then worked to guarantee that the funds remained in the final spending deal as his House colleagues negotiated with the U.S. Senate.

“Northeastern Pennsylvanians work hard to make a living and provide for their families. The Federal Government needs to help pay for major projects like this,” said Rep. Cartwright. “These new resources will help bring down stormwater fees over time and reduce the burden on working people. I was proud to fight hard for this funding so that Eighth District residents can keep more of their hard-earned savings.”

Specifically, Rep. Cartwright doubled the total money available for grants that can go to communities in Northeastern Pennsylvania, from $12 million in fiscal year 2019 to $24 million for fiscal year 2020.

This federal money will help clean up our region's waterways so our kids have safe, clean water to drink. Local governments can use these grants to address pollution problems or aging and faulty sewer and stormwater systems. In the past, cities such as Wilkes-Barre have used these grants to improve stormwater management and reduce pollution released into the Susquehanna River.