Philadelphia Signs Agreement With EPA To Fund Green Infrastructure Plans
By Cherri Gregg
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The City of Philadelphia and the US Environmental Protection Agency signed an agreement today that signed an agreement Tuesday that represents a $2 billion dollar investment in the city's green infrastructure.
It's been nearly forty years since Congress passed the Clean Water Act, yet drinking water is still threatened due to aging infrastructure. That's why Mayor Michael Nutter says Philadelphia is leading the nation by partnering with the EPA to install new green technology to protect the city's water ways from pollution.
"We will transform a third of our paved surfaces, like streets, parking lots and sidewalks, with green areas that will capture rain water and allow for higher capacity from our existing systems."
Over the next 25 years, Nutter says the Green City, Clean Waters partnership will also install porous pavement and help transform the city's three water department treatment plants so that they can treat more storm water.
"It's my hope that our plan will become a national model for other cities."
EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson says the investment will help the city save on energy costs and will create new jobs and green spaces.
