Next steps in the development of EPA’s Water Infrastructure and Resiliency Finance Center became clearer at the May meeting of the agency’s Environmental Finance Advisory Board (EFAB) when staff advised the group on plans to stand up the new center. Announced in January as part of the Obama administration’s Build America infrastructure investment initiative, the Center has three main objectives: to encourage effective use of current federal water infrastructure funding programs, such as the State Revolving Funds; to give communities, particularly small communities, technical assistance to help explore various infrastructure funding options; and to work with private sector stakeholders to build partnerships and increase investment in water infrastructure.
EPA has asked EFAB to establish a working group to address questions on how the Center can best support communities: to develop revenue for stormwater and green infrastructure projects; to explore public private partnerships for infrastructure projects; and to finance predevelopment activities of water infrastructure projects. The working group would also help identify a role for the Center in addressing water sector affordability challenges.
EPA plans to kick off Center programs with a series of regional financial forums across the country, with the first tentatively planned for late summer or early fall in Texas. The forums are intended to broaden knowledge about water infrastructure financing options among local utility officials and will include representatives of both public and private funding sources. EPA envisions the Center serving as a repository for water infrastructure financing information.
Additional information is online at http://water.epa.gov/infrastructure/waterfinancecenter.cfm.