Go Green: Muni Bond Financing for Distributed Water Infrastructure Earth Economics’ primer for water leaders on how to debt-finance distributed infrastructure projects and consumer rebates.

University of North Carolina Environmental Finance Center The center works with communities to implement strategies that help answer the basic “how will we pay?” questions at the heart of successful environmental protection. Their website offers access to databases, networking opportunities, educational events, and more.

The EPA has published a webinar and accompanying report which identifies innovative and financing opportunities, primarily within state revolving funds.

GI Financing Guide Most large-scale green infrastructure installations are financed through bonds and non-subsidized loans. Financing can be achieved in these 3 easy steps:

1. Investigate subsidized loans

2. Investigate municipal bonds and non-subsidized loans

3. Consider P3’s

GI Funding Guide What funding mechanisms can fill gaps and support an integrated infrastructure program?

1. Look into utility rates and fees

2. Investigate available grants

3. Supplement with general funds

4. Tax increment financing

Green Bond Decision Flow Follow a simple guide by answering yes or no questions, to discover when a green bond is a good option to pursue.

Stormwater Utility

Colorado Springs created a stormwater utility in July of 2018 to fund erosion and flooding reduction work. The utility and associated fee, passed by voters in 2017, is estimated to raised approximately $20 million per year.

Public-private partnership

Chester, Pennsylvania used a public-private partnership to make federally mandated fixes to the sewer system. The city partnered with Corvias to implement a stormwater fee and use proceeds from that fee to fund 350 acres of green infrastructure. The P3 aims to not only improve stormwater infrastructure, but create jobs as well. The majority of contractors hired by Corvias to complete the work were local residents.

Environmental impact bond

Washington DC issued an environmental impact bond in 2016, the first of its kind in the US. The bond paid for $25 million in rain gardens and permeable pavement installations to capture stormwater. The performance of these installations will be monitored closely by third party assessors. If the installation does not meet performance benchmarks this city will have a reduced payment obligation on the bond. 

Regulatory Assets (GASB 62)

Los Angeles Department of Water and Power has financed hundreds of millions of green infrastructure installations, including turf buyback programs, high efficiency fixture rebates, and large -cale investments in upstream water capture infrastructure.

Taxes

Since 2004, voters in the greater Atlanta area have passed numerous proposed measures for land conservation and infrastructure financing by way of bonds and dedicated sales taxes to fund greenway improvements, greenspace acquisition, green stormwater infrastructure, and recreation.