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Witnesses urge WIFIA and SRF tweaks to help small and rural systems access financing
Summary
Panelists recommended wider use of WIFIA master agreements, SRF programmatic financing, subsidized WIFIA rates for small systems, and expanded state technical assistance to reduce application burdens on small and rural utilities.
Multiple witnesses told the subcommittee that WIFIA and SRF can be improved to better reach small and rural utilities. Jeff Walker and others said the WIFIA program often favors larger, sophisticated borrowers because of up‑front costs and matching requirements.
Walker said small systems ‘‘just can't afford’’ the upfront burdens. He noted a nonrefundable WIFIA application fee, consulting costs for EPA participation, and the program’s usual limit of financing up to 49%…
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