(a) Engineering planning advance. A municipality or a combination of two or more municipalities desiring an advance of funds for engineering and land use 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. Not more than 25 percent of funds awarded to a municipality as a planning advance pursuant to this subsection may be utilized to evaluate land use implications of facilities, including impacts on the State Planning Goals as set forth in section 4302 of this title, availability of housing, and economic development.(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.(d) Technical assistance from Regional Planning Commission. Any municipality may contract with the Regional Planning Commission established under section 4341 of this title to assist in administration and management of the planning advance and coordination of engineering services and to evaluate land use implications. Costs associated with these services from the Regional Planning Commission shall be eligible for reimbursement under an engineering planning advance described in subsection (a) of this section.Amended by 2021 , No. 50, § 29, eff. 6/1/2021.Added 2015, No. 103 (Adj. Sess.), § 33, eff. 5/12/2016; amended 2017, No. 185 (Adj. Sess.) , § 13, eff. 5/28/2018.