NJ S4426

Appropriates federal fiscal year 2025 capitalization grants from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund to the Department of Environmental Protection for zero-interest and principal forgiveness loans to local governments and public water utilities for environmental infrastructure projects

Authorizes up to $1.28 billion in clean water project loans (151 projects) and $488.8 million in drinking water project loans (59 projects), plus $15.3 million for Pinelands infrastructure projects, with varying levels of principal forgiveness based on project type and community affordability status

Provides principal forgiveness allocations including: $27 million for emerging contaminant projects, $68 million for lead service line replacements, $18 million each for combined sewer overflow projects in standard and disadvantaged communities, and $19 million for clean water projects meeting affordability criteria

Authorizes up to $300 million in Sandy financing loans for clean water projects to communities affected by Storm Sandy and projects reducing flood damage risk or enhancing resiliency to natural disasters

Permits the department to utilize up to $60 million for principal forgiveness grants (up to $2 million per applicant) to disadvantaged communities in the technical assistance program, and up to $60 million for planning and design grants to disadvantaged communities