The New Hampshire Senate convened on April 25, 2025, to discuss the Senate Capital Budget, focusing on critical funding requirements for clean water initiatives and environmental remediation projects. The meeting highlighted the need for increased state matching funds to leverage federal resources effectively.

The session began with a discussion on the clean water funding, specifically addressing the match requirement for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) and the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF). The committee noted that the federal Infrastructure Act has significantly increased available funds, but this comes with a heightened match requirement—20% compared to the previous 10%. This adjustment is crucial as it marks the final year of supplemental funding under the current federal fiscal year.

Next, the committee reviewed the Superfund match requirement for the New Hampshire Plating Company in Merrimack. An additional $829,000 is needed to meet the match requirement for this project, which aims to address contamination issues, including chlorinated volatile organic compounds and PFAS. The proposed match would leverage approximately $12.6 million in federal funds, underscoring the importance of securing this state funding.

The discussion then shifted to the Winnipesaukee River Basin projects, which are funded by member communities. The committee outlined the need for nearly $20 million to replace wastewater infrastructure and upgrade facilities in Belmont, Guilford, and Laconia.

Throughout the meeting, committee members sought clarification on priorities and the potential for additional funding requests. It was confirmed that the current budget reflects the maximum federal funds that could be leveraged, and no projects were left unfunded that could have utilized additional appropriations.

In conclusion, the meeting underscored the urgency of securing state matching funds to maximize federal investments in water infrastructure and environmental cleanup. The committee expressed a commitment to exploring further funding opportunities for water projects not included in the current budget, indicating ongoing efforts to address New Hampshire's critical infrastructure needs.