(a) Engineering planning advance. A municipality or a combination of two or more municipalities desiring an advance of funds for engineering planning for public water supply systems, as defined in subdivision 4752(9) of this title, or improvements, or for clean water projects or improvements, may apply to the Department for an advance under this chapter. As used in this subsection, "engineering planning" may include source exploration, surveys, reports, designs, plans, specifications, or other engineering services necessary in preparation for construction of the types of systems or facilities referred to in this section.

(b) Regional engineering planning. The Department, with the approval of the Secretary, may use up to ten percent of the total capital appropriation for construction grants to undertake regional engineering planning and process research. Funds approved for regional engineering planning may be awarded directly to a lead municipality and administered in accordance with this chapter.

(c) Funding. In each fiscal year, the Department may use up to 30 percent of the total capital appropriation for construction grants provided under 10 V.S.A. chapter 55 to award engineering planning advances. (Added 2015, No. 103 (Adj. Sess.), § 33, eff. May 12, 2016; amended 2017, No. 185 (Adj. Sess.), § 13, eff. May 28, 2018.)