Lofgren Proudly Announces $25 Million in Federal Funds for Santa Clara County to Clean Up Perchlorat

Media Contact: Kyra Jennings, 202.225.3072, kyra.jennings@mail.house.gov

Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-San Jose) today proudly announced the passage of S. 203 in the House, containing a measure that provides $25 million in federal funds to alleviate perchlorate groundwater contamination in Santa Clara County.

“I am pleased that my colleagues in the House recognized the need to clean up our county’s groundwater contaminated by perchlorate,” said Rep. Lofgren. “Santa Clara County residents, especially those in the most heavily impacted South County area, have relayed to me over the years their concern about perchlorate contamination. I hope that this funding, which will flow to the Santa Clara County Water District for remediation efforts, will help move us towards a solution to the contamination problem.”

Today the House amended the Senate-passed National Heritage Areas Act (S. 203) to include additional provisions, including assistance for California in the cleanup of contamination in groundwater caused by perchlorate. This measure establishes the California Basins Groundwater Remediation Fund to provide up to $25 million in federal funds to alleviate perchlorate groundwater contamination in Santa Clara County. The Interior Department will use funds in the account and interest to provide grants to the Santa Clara Valley Water District for the federal share of projects to restore groundwater quality.