# EPA Launches New Strategy to Promote Use of Green Infrastructure for Environmental and Economic Benefits

- Link: https://greenlivingguy.com/2011/05/epa-launches-new-strategy-to-promote-use-of-green-infrastructure-for-environmental-and-economic-benefits/
- Published: 2011-05-03T02:21:39-04:00
- Author: greenlivingguy

Source: US Environmental Protection Agency

Green advocates on Tuesday rallied to pass legislation that would allow homeowners
to pay for energy efficiency improvements through charges on fuel bills.

The proposal for what’s known as on-bill financing has been introduced in both the
Assembly and the Senate, potentially leading to a new wave of energy efficient projects
by easing and simplifying payment.

Supporters rallied in Merrick for the passage of the bill, arguing it will help 
lower energy bills, generate construction jobs and give a boost to the home performance
industry, one of the state’s fastest growing, if little noted, sectors. Only contractors
who obtain certifications accepted by the state would qualify.

The legislation would essentially end the need to pay for energy efficiency upfront
or through separate installments by creating a mechanism for utilities to collect
money on behalf of lenders through energy bills.

“If we save you 50 percent on energy efficiency and your bills are down, we can 
space the term of the project over five, 10 or 15 years,” said Dan Kartzman, co-
chairman of Efficiency First, an energy efficiency trade group, and president of
Powersmith Home Energy Solutions, in Bayshore. “Instead of it being tied to your
house and normal credit, it could be tied to your energy bill. It becomes easier
for people to understand and handle.”

The legislation, which would let people pay off projects through energy bills, follows
the New York State Energy Research Development Authority’s earlier launch of a Green
Jobs-Green New York program, which set aside $114 million to boost energy efficiency.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is launching a new strategy to promote
the use of green infrastructure by cities and towns to reduce stormwater runoff 
that pollutes our nation’s streams, creeks, rivers, lakes and coastal waters. Green
infrastructure decreases pollution to local waterways by treating rain where it 
falls and keeping polluted stormwater from entering sewer systems. In addition to
protecting Americans’ health by decreasing water pollution, green infrastructure
provides many community benefits including increased economic activity and neighborhood
revitalization, job creation,[ energy](https://greenlivingguy.com/2022/08/10-largest-wind-project-development-2022/)
savings and increased recreational and green space. 

“Through this agenda, we’ll help cities and towns across the nation clean up their
waters and strengthen their communities by supporting and expanding green infrastructure,”
said Deputy Administrator Bob Perciasepe, who announced the agenda at a [Green Street](https://greenlivingguy.com/2010/09/when-you-have-one-green-street-what-else-is-there/),
Green Jobs conference focused on fostering green infrastructure in the Washington,
DC metropolitan area. “Green infrastructure changes improve the health of our waters
while creating local jobs, saving communities money and making them healthier and
more prosperous places to raise a family and start a business.”

Stormwater is one of the most widespread challenges to water quality in the nation.
Large volumes of polluted stormwater degrade our nation’s rivers, lakes and aquatic
habitats and contribute to downstream flooding. Green infrastructure captures and
filters pollutants by passing stormwater through soils and retaining it on site.
Effective green infrastructure tools and techniques include green roofs, permeable
materials, alternative designs for streets and buildings, trees, rain gardens and
rain harvesting systems.

As part of the strategy, EPA will work with partners including local governments,
watershed groups, tribes and others in 10 cities that have utilized green infrastructure
and have plans for additional projects. EPA will encourage and support expanded 
use of green infrastructure in these cities and highlight them as models for other
municipalities around the country. The 10 cities are: Austin, Texas; Boston, Mass.;
Cleveland, Ohio; Denver, Colo.; Jacksonville, Fla.; Kansas City, Mo.; Los Angeles,
Calif.; Puyallup, Wash.; Syracuse, N.Y.; and Washington, DC and neighboring Anacostia
Watershed communities.

Energy savings is one of the greatest benefits of green infrastructure. On and around
buildings, green infrastructure can reduce heating and cooling costs. For example,
green roofs reduce a building’s energy costs by 10 to 15 percent, and an additional
10 percent of urban tree canopy can provide 5 to 10 percent energy savings from 
shading and windblocking. Green infrastructure also conserves energy by reducing
the amount of stormwater entering combined collection and treatment systems, which
reduces the amount of wastewater processed at treatment plants.

EPA will continue to work with other federal agencies, state and local governments,
tribes, municipalities, and the private sector to identify opportunities for using
green infrastructure and provide assistance to communities implementing green approaches
to control stormwater. EPA will also provide additional tools to help states and
communities leverage green infrastructure opportunities within other innovative 
environmental projects.