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JFAC approves DEQ funding package including Triumph mine remediation and ARPA reimbursements
Summary
The committee approved multiple Department of Environmental Quality enhancements including targeted pay to reduce turnover, a transfer to remediation funds, funding for Triumph mine remediation, ARPA state fiscal recovery reimbursements, and appropriations to support drinking water and wastewater infrastructure grants.
The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee approved a multi‑part FY2026 funding package for the Department of Environmental Quality that includes personnel pay adjustments, remediation funding for the Triumph mine, ARPA reimbursements for infrastructure grantees and a transfer to the Environmental Remediation Fund.
Janet Jessup, budget and policy analyst, summarized the department’s enhancements. Enhancement 1 provides targeted pay increases aimed at retaining permitting staff and supervisors where the agency has experienced turnover and longer permit processing times. Enhancement 2 transfers $1.5 million from the Water Pollution Control Fund to the Environmental Remediation Fund to support Superfund cleanup projects. Enhancement 3 funds remediation work at the Triumph mine ($1,030,000). Enhancement 4 moves ARPA State Fiscal Recovery funds forward to reimburse infrastructure grantees more quickly (the committee discussed timetable and reimbursement scheduling). Enhancement 5 was a CEC and benefits fund shift.
Senator Woodward emphasized that the targeted pay is intended to reduce permit turnaround times by retaining experienced supervisors and permit reviewers and cited increased turnaround intervals. Representative Manwaring seconded the DEQ motion. The package included an additional $10,000,000 from the general fund to transfer to the Water Pollution Control Fund for drinking water and wastewater infrastructure grants. On roll call the combined committee totals were 16 ayes, 3 nays and 1 absent/excused; the chair announced the motion passed and will carry a due‑pass recommendation.
Committee members also adopted accompanying language re‑appropriating ARPA capital project funds and added conditions and reporting tied to the grants and transfers. The committee later approved a short FY2025 exemption for DEQ indirect cost accounting changes linked to a new controller system; that unanimous unanimous consent request also passed.
Ending: The DEQ will receive the approved appropriations and transfers and must comply with the reporting and condition language; targeted pay adjustments aim to reduce permit processing delays and remediation funds will support identified cleanup and infrastructure projects.
