§ 1302f — Stormwater Infrastructure Technology

(a) In this section: (1) The term “center” means a center of excellence for stormwater control infrastructure established under subsection (b)(1). (2) The term “eligible entity” means— (A) a State, Tribal, or local government; or (B) a local, regional, or other public entity that manages stormwater or wastewater resources or other related water infrastructure. (3) The term “eligible institution” means an institution of higher education, a research institution, or a nonprofit organization— (A) that has demonstrated excellence in researching and developing new and emerging stormwater control infrastructure technologies; and (B) with respect to a nonprofit organization, the core mission of which includes water management, as determined by the Administrator. (A) Subject to the availability of appropriations, the Administrator shall provide grants, on a competitive basis, to eligible institutions to establish and maintain not less than 3, and not more than 5, centers of excellence for new and emerging stormwater control infrastructure technologies, to be located in various regions throughout the United States. (B) Each center shall— (i) conduct research on new and emerging stormwater control infrastructure technologies that are relevant to the geographical region in which the center is located, including stormwater and sewer overflow reduction, other approaches to water resource enhancement, alternative funding approaches, and other environmental, economic, and social benefits, with the goal of improving the effectiveness, cost efficiency, and protection of public safety and water quality; (ii) maintain a listing of— (I) stormwater control infrastructure needs; and (II) an analysis of new and emerging stormwater control infrastructure technologies that are available; (iii) analyze whether additional financial programs for the implementation of new and emerging, but proven, stormwater control infrastructure technologies would be useful; (iv) provide information regarding research conducted under clause (i) to the national electronic clearinghouse center for publication on the Internet website established under paragraph (3)(B)(i) to provide to the Federal Government and State, Tribal, and local governments and the private sector information regarding new and emerging, but proven, stormwater control infrastructure technologies; (v) provide technical assistance to State, Tribal, and local governments to assist with the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of stormwater control infrastructure projects that use innovative technologies; (vi) collaborate with institutions of higher education and private and public organizations, including community-based public-private partnerships and other stakeholders, in the geographical region in which the center is located; and (vii) coordinate with the other centers to avoid duplication of efforts. (2) To be eligible to receive a grant under this subsection, an eligible institution shall prepare and submit to the Administrator an application at such time, in such form, and containing such information as the Administrator may require. (3) Of the centers established under paragraph (1)(A), 1 shall— (A) be designated as the “national electronic clearinghouse center”; and (B) in addition to the other functions of that center— (i) develop, operate, and maintain an Internet website and a public database that contains information relating to new and emerging, but proven, stormwater control infrastructure technologies; and (ii) post to the website information from all centers. (A) There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subsection $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026. (B) Of the amounts made available for grants under subparagraph (A), not more than 2 percent may be used to pay the administrative costs of the Administrator. (1) Subject to the availability of appropriations, the Administrator shall provide grants, on a competitive basis, to eligible entities to carry out stormwater control infrastructure projects that incorporate new and emerging, but proven, stormwater control technologies in accordance with this subsection. (A) The Administrator may make planning and development grants under this subsection for the following projects: (i) Planning and designing stormwater control infrastructure projects that incorporate new and emerging, but proven, stormwater control technologies, including engineering surveys, landscape plans, maps, long-term operations and maintenance plans, and implementation plans. (ii) Identifying and developing standards necessary to accommodate stormwater control infrastructure projects, including those projects that incorporate new and emerging, but proven, stormwater control technologies. (iii) Identifying and developing fee structures to provide financial support for design, installation, and operations and maintenance of stormwater control infrastructure, including new and emerging, but proven, stormwater control infrastructure technologies. (iv) Developing approaches for community-based public-private partnerships for the financing and construction of stormwater control infrastructure technologies, including feasibility studies, stakeholder outreach, and needs assessments. (v) Developing and delivering training and educational materials regarding new and emerging, but proven, stormwater control infrastructure technologies for distribution to— (I) individuals and entities with applicable technical knowledge; and (II) the public. (B) The Administrator may make implementation grants under this subsection for the following projects: (i) Installing new and emerging, but proven, stormwater control infrastructure technologies. (ii) Protecting or restoring interconnected networks of natural areas that protect water quality. (iii) Monitoring and evaluating the environmental, economic, or social benefits of stormwater control infrastructure technologies that incorporate new and emerging, but proven, stormwater control technology. (iv) Implementing a best practices standard for stormwater control infrastructure programs. (3) Except as otherwise provided in this section, to be eligible to receive a grant under this subsection, an eligible entity shall prepare and submit to the Administrator an application at such time, in such form, and containing such information as the Administrator may require, including, as applicable— (A) a description of the stormwater control infrastructure project that incorporates new and emerging, but proven, technologies; (B) a plan for monitoring the impacts and pollutant load reductions associated with the stormwater control infrastructure project on the water quality and quantity; (C) an evaluation of other environmental, economic, and social benefits of the stormwater control infrastructure project; and (D) a plan for the long-term operation and maintenance of the stormwater control infrastructure project and a tracking system, such as asset management practices. (4) In making grants under this subsection, the Administrator shall give priority to applications submitted on behalf of— (A) a community that— (i) has municipal combined storm and sanitary sewers in the collection system of the community; or (ii) is a small, rural, or disadvantaged community, as determined by the Administrator; or (B) an eligible entity that will use not less than 15 percent of the grant to provide service to a small, rural, or disadvantaged community, as determined by the Administrator. (i) The amount of a single planning and development grant provided under this subsection shall be not more than $200,000. (ii) The total amount of all planning and development grants provided under this subsection for a fiscal year shall be not more than ⅓ of the total amount made available to carry out this subsection. (i) The amount of a single implementation grant provided under this subsection shall be not more than $2,000,000. (ii) The total amount of all implementation grants provided under this subsection for a fiscal year shall be not more than ⅔ of the total amount made available to carry out this subsection. (A) Except as provided in subparagraph (C), the Federal share of a grant provided under this subsection shall not exceed 80 percent of the total project cost. (B) The Administrator shall credit toward the non-Federal share of the cost of an implementation project carried out under this subsection the cost of planning, design, and construction work completed for the project using funds other than funds provided under this section. (C) The Administrator may waive the Federal share limitation under subparagraph (A) for an eligible entity that has adequately demonstrated financial need. (d) Not later than 2 years after the date on which the Administrator first awards a grant under this section, the Administrator shall submit to Congress a report that includes, with respect to the period covered by the report— (1) a description of all grants provided under this section; (2) a detailed description of— (A) the projects supported by those grants; and (B) the outcomes of those projects; (3) a description of the improvements in technology, environmental benefits, resources conserved, efficiencies, and other benefits of the projects funded under this section; (4) recommendations for improvements to promote and support new and emerging, but proven, stormwater control infrastructure, including research into new and emerging technologies, for the centers, grants, and activities under this section; and (5) a description of existing challenges concerning the use of new and emerging, but proven, stormwater control infrastructure. (1) There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section (except for subsection (b)) $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026. (2) Of the amounts made available for grants under paragraph (1), not more than 2 percent may be used to pay the administrative costs of the Administrator.