ANR reports $190M-plus in ARPA allocations, says $5.8M remains unencumbered
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Summary
Agency of Natural Resources officials told the House Appropriations Committee they have expended or encumbered about 97% of more than $190 million in ARPA funds for water, wastewater and stormwater work, with about $5.8 million unencumbered as of Dec. 15; staff said they are prioritizing ARPA funds before tapping other sources and will provide further project-level breakdowns.
Agency of Natural Resources officials told the House Appropriations Committee on Jan. 13 that the agency has been allocated more than $190 million in ARPA funds for water, wastewater and stormwater projects and has expended or encumbered about 97 percent of those dollars.
Julie Moore said about $5.8 million remained unencumbered or unexpended as of Dec. 15. She and staff explained that roughly $3.2 million reflected general-fund swaps and that about $2.6 million remained in ARPA-specific unobligated balances; the agency said those balances are expected to be redeployed to cover cost overruns on other projects in accordance with Treasury guidance and program policy.
Moore described several program-area highlights: combined sewer overflow work backed by approximately $40 million in federal funds, the Healthy Homes program (the agency said it has helped more than 6,000 Vermonters, representing about 800 households, and that final awards expected this month will reach roughly 150 additional households), and various drinking-water and wastewater grants. Committee members asked whether the agency is prioritizing ARPA funds before tapping other fund sources; ANR said it is prioritizing ARPA where required by timing and award conditions.
ANR staff said they are preparing a more detailed, project-level breakout of ARPA initiatives for committee review and will provide white papers or fact sheets for each initiative. The committee thanked agency staff and scheduled follow-up budget review in coming weeks.
