Yaz Emrani, M.S., P.E., Vice President of Carollo Engineers, Inc., and Co-chair of the OC Infrastructure Report Card Executive Committee, discussed the results of the Report Card and the ‘C+’ average grade awarded based on the 12 categories: Aviation (A-); Electric Power (C-); Flood Control and Levees (C-); Ground Transportation (C); Natural Gas (B-); Oil (B-); Parks, Recreation, and Environment (C+); School Facilities (C); Solid Waste (B); Surface Water Quality (D+); Wastewater (B); and Water Supply (B).
Swim Drink Fish's submission on Preserving and Protecting our Environment for...LOWaterkeeper
This submission outlines Swim Drink Fish's six recommendations to the Government of Ontario for its provincial environment plan and a model sewage-alert policy.
Presentation made at the 7th High Level Session (HLS) Ministerial Forum of the Global Water Partnership-Caribbean (GWP-C).
Presentation by Mr. Glenn A. Khan, Deputy Executive Director of the Regulated Industries Commission (RIC).
Yaz Emrani, M.S., P.E., Vice President of Carollo Engineers, Inc., and Co-chair of the OC Infrastructure Report Card Executive Committee, discussed the results of the Report Card and the ‘C+’ average grade awarded based on the 12 categories: Aviation (A-); Electric Power (C-); Flood Control and Levees (C-); Ground Transportation (C); Natural Gas (B-); Oil (B-); Parks, Recreation, and Environment (C+); School Facilities (C); Solid Waste (B); Surface Water Quality (D+); Wastewater (B); and Water Supply (B).
Swim Drink Fish's submission on Preserving and Protecting our Environment for...LOWaterkeeper
This submission outlines Swim Drink Fish's six recommendations to the Government of Ontario for its provincial environment plan and a model sewage-alert policy.
Presentation made at the 7th High Level Session (HLS) Ministerial Forum of the Global Water Partnership-Caribbean (GWP-C).
Presentation by Mr. Glenn A. Khan, Deputy Executive Director of the Regulated Industries Commission (RIC).
Desalination projects face several challenges in the US marketplace. In the first case, they share the same challenges as other long-term infrastructure projects. They involve complex construction and long-term considerations of demand, operations and maintenance. Demand for the water produced by the projects must be identified and the demand risk must be accepted, transferred or shared by the parties involved. Regulatory risks abound. Increased regulation of existing water sources may benefit desalination projects but environmental regulations pose challenges. Large seawater desalination plants are a relatively new phenomenon and many public sector entities are unfamiliar with the issues surrounding them. Energy costs for these projects are very high, typically representing 33-55 percent of operating costs. Water supplied by desalination typically is more expensive than traditional water sources.
The risk to water supply and quality is increasing along with the rapid growth in both public and private demand for its use. Severe weather events such as storms and flooding combined with aging infrastructure, faulty handling of waste, and inadequate system design among other factors contribute to increased liability exposure for insurers.
By Camelia Dewan, Marie-Charlotte Buisson and Aditi Mukherji
Revitalizing the Ganges Coastal Zone Conference
21-23 October 2014, Dhaka, Bangladesh
http://waterandfood.org/ganges-conference/
Present an overview of water infrastructure market in Latin America:
- Infrastructure spending as a catalytic tool to overcome the financial-economic crisis
-Structuring the process “getting it right!”
-Strengthening the Water Sector: Confronting The Challenges
Discuss the role/participation of private sector:
- Finance projects in distressed markets
- Emerging new opportunities
The Lincoln Institue - 10 Ways to Regenerate America's Legacy CitiesCassidy Swanson
Urban renaissance has touched many cities across America in the last two decades, but there are many others – typically what we call “legacy cities” that are still trying to find their footing a generation or two after experiencing drastic manufacturing loss and population decline.
Desalination projects face several challenges in the US marketplace. In the first case, they share the same challenges as other long-term infrastructure projects. They involve complex construction and long-term considerations of demand, operations and maintenance. Demand for the water produced by the projects must be identified and the demand risk must be accepted, transferred or shared by the parties involved. Regulatory risks abound. Increased regulation of existing water sources may benefit desalination projects but environmental regulations pose challenges. Large seawater desalination plants are a relatively new phenomenon and many public sector entities are unfamiliar with the issues surrounding them. Energy costs for these projects are very high, typically representing 33-55 percent of operating costs. Water supplied by desalination typically is more expensive than traditional water sources.
The risk to water supply and quality is increasing along with the rapid growth in both public and private demand for its use. Severe weather events such as storms and flooding combined with aging infrastructure, faulty handling of waste, and inadequate system design among other factors contribute to increased liability exposure for insurers.
By Camelia Dewan, Marie-Charlotte Buisson and Aditi Mukherji
Revitalizing the Ganges Coastal Zone Conference
21-23 October 2014, Dhaka, Bangladesh
http://waterandfood.org/ganges-conference/
Present an overview of water infrastructure market in Latin America:
- Infrastructure spending as a catalytic tool to overcome the financial-economic crisis
-Structuring the process “getting it right!”
-Strengthening the Water Sector: Confronting The Challenges
Discuss the role/participation of private sector:
- Finance projects in distressed markets
- Emerging new opportunities
The Lincoln Institue - 10 Ways to Regenerate America's Legacy CitiesCassidy Swanson
Urban renaissance has touched many cities across America in the last two decades, but there are many others – typically what we call “legacy cities” that are still trying to find their footing a generation or two after experiencing drastic manufacturing loss and population decline.
Een onderwijskundige verkenning van het duaal lerenBert Van Cauteren
In deze nota verkennen we vanuit een onderwijskundig standpunt het duaal leren. We beschrijven het duaal leren niet als een intensieve vorm van werkplekleren, maar wel als een radicale opleidingsstrategie die haar meerwaarde enkel realiseert indien alle 'processen, variabelen en actoren' afgestemd zijn op haar concept.
Практичне заняття у 8-9 класах по створенню комп'ютерної гри "Вгадай число" (консольна версія) мовою Python. Проводять: тьютор - учень 10 класу; вчитель інформатики.
Why Cloud? First of all, we need to ask ourselves..... Are we looking for an innovative way of doing business? Is an existing system/ apps supporting with BOTH lower cost AND faster time to the market? If your answers are yes and no (subsequently), then maybe its time for cloud!
Samad Oraee - Best Exercises for Chronic Pain SuffersSamad Oraee
If you suffer from chronic pain, daily exercise may be one of the best remedies to consider. This presentation looks at some of the benefits of exercise as well as the best exercises to try out.
Vertical Booking enterprise Chain Hotel solutionErik Muñoz
Vertical Booking enterprise hotel Chain solution - the most flexible and highly-adaptable hotel online distribution solution in the market. Trusted by 4,700+ hotels in 101 countries.
#MTC2017: Mobile AdWords i Analytics - Krzysztof Marzec Mobile Trends
10 praktycznych analiz zachowań użytkowników z segmentów mobile/tablet vs. urządzenia stacjonarne pozwalające ich lepiej zrozumieć i ulepszyć własny przekaz i stronę. Prelekcja wygłoszona podczas Mobile Trends Conference, 8-10 marca 2017 r. w Krakowie.
Bill Cesanek, co-chair of the APA Water and Planning Network, discusses the value of land use planning in achieving improved water efficiency for the 2020 Central Texas Water Conservation Symposium hosted by the Texas Living Waters Project.
Presentation slides from the April 9, 2020 webinar featuring state and private sector leaders discuss shovel-ready infrastructure opportunities that can create jobs and stimulate economic growth in the short-term in the U.S.
Learn more: https://www.wri.org/events/2020/04/webinar-build-back-better-shaping-us-stimulus-package
The State of Nebraska's Water Quality 2019 Katie Pekarek
This powerpoint was used with the Crop Production Clinics of 2020 and presents the state of Nebraska's water quality. This includes information from the 2018 Water Quality Integrated Report and the 2019 Quality-Assessed Agrichemical Contaminant Database for Nebraska Groundwater. Both reports will be revised for 2020.
For more information contact kpekarek2@unl.edu
e
2019 Women in Ag - What happens wihen a state agency wins a farming competitoin?Katie Pekarek
2019 Women in Ag - Nitrate, TAPs, Drinking Water, Health
The Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality won a farming competition in Nebraska in 2019. How did this happen? what happens next? What does this mean for water quality?
2018 Nebraska Pond and Lake Management WorkshopKatie Pekarek
These are the slides used on March 21 at the Nebraska Pond and Lake Management Workshop. Contact Katie Pekarek, University of Nebraska with any questions at kpekarek2@unl.edu or (402) 413-1166
The overall goal of this project was to develop an implementation framework for an offsite BMP program
to maximize the environmental and economic effectiveness with which the City of Wichita meets its
NPDES stormwater permitting requirements to ultimately improve water quality in the Little Ark and
Arkansas Rivers. This program aims to integrate watershed stakholders across sociopolitical bounds and
provide a sustainable funding mechanism to implement and maintain water quality practices in the rural
landscape, a critical need as watershed managers struggle to meet water quality targets (e.g., TMDLs).
Based on dialogue between stakeholders representing the watershed’s agricultural (represented by the
Little Ark Watershed Restoration And Protection Strategy program, or WRAPS) and urban (represented by
the City of Wichita’s Stormwater Advisory Board and City officials) communities and the Kansas
Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), which administers TMDLs and water quality permits, the
program works to optimize the placement of BMPs within the watershed for maximum water quality
benefit of the integrated system. Rural management practices tend to be less costly, thereby enabling
greater pollutant load reduction per dollar spent on BMPs in rural versus urban areas. For this reason, net
costs to urban developments participating in the offsite program should be significantly less than if
traditional urban water quality control practices were installed and maintained. A program framework was
developed in which a “sediment credit” fee is paid annually by urban developments participating in the
program to finance implementation and maintenance of offsite BMPs as facilitated through the Little
Arkansas WRAPS program. Adoption of this offsite program is anticipated to lead to greater reductions in
sediment (and other pollutant) loads leaving the watershed than could be achieved through conventional
implementation of BMPs within urban bounds to meet MS4 permit requirements. The program is currently
in its first year of implementation.
Pond and Lake Management Workshop slides presented by Katie Pekarek, Nebraska Extension; Jeff Blaser, Nebraska Game and Parks; and Mike Archer, Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality. Presented to the public at large during 4 meetings throughout Nebraska
UNDERSTANDING WHAT GREEN WASHING IS!.pdfJulietMogola
Many companies today use green washing to lure the public into thinking they are conserving the environment but in real sense they are doing more harm. There have been such several cases from very big companies here in Kenya and also globally. This ranges from various sectors from manufacturing and goes to consumer products. Educating people on greenwashing will enable people to make better choices based on their analysis and not on what they see on marketing sites.
Natural farming @ Dr. Siddhartha S. Jena.pptxsidjena70
A brief about organic farming/ Natural farming/ Zero budget natural farming/ Subash Palekar Natural farming which keeps us and environment safe and healthy. Next gen Agricultural practices of chemical free farming.
Willie Nelson Net Worth: A Journey Through Music, Movies, and Business Venturesgreendigital
Willie Nelson is a name that resonates within the world of music and entertainment. Known for his unique voice, and masterful guitar skills. and an extraordinary career spanning several decades. Nelson has become a legend in the country music scene. But, his influence extends far beyond the realm of music. with ventures in acting, writing, activism, and business. This comprehensive article delves into Willie Nelson net worth. exploring the various facets of his career that have contributed to his large fortune.
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Introduction
Willie Nelson net worth is a testament to his enduring influence and success in many fields. Born on April 29, 1933, in Abbott, Texas. Nelson's journey from a humble beginning to becoming one of the most iconic figures in American music is nothing short of inspirational. His net worth, which estimated to be around $25 million as of 2024. reflects a career that is as diverse as it is prolific.
Early Life and Musical Beginnings
Humble Origins
Willie Hugh Nelson was born during the Great Depression. a time of significant economic hardship in the United States. Raised by his grandparents. Nelson found solace and inspiration in music from an early age. His grandmother taught him to play the guitar. setting the stage for what would become an illustrious career.
First Steps in Music
Nelson's initial foray into the music industry was fraught with challenges. He moved to Nashville, Tennessee, to pursue his dreams, but success did not come . Working as a songwriter, Nelson penned hits for other artists. which helped him gain a foothold in the competitive music scene. His songwriting skills contributed to his early earnings. laying the foundation for his net worth.
Rise to Stardom
Breakthrough Albums
The 1970s marked a turning point in Willie Nelson's career. His albums "Shotgun Willie" (1973), "Red Headed Stranger" (1975). and "Stardust" (1978) received critical acclaim and commercial success. These albums not only solidified his position in the country music genre. but also introduced his music to a broader audience. The success of these albums played a crucial role in boosting Willie Nelson net worth.
Iconic Songs
Willie Nelson net worth is also attributed to his extensive catalog of hit songs. Tracks like "Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain," "On the Road Again," and "Always on My Mind" have become timeless classics. These songs have not only earned Nelson large royalties but have also ensured his continued relevance in the music industry.
Acting and Film Career
Hollywood Ventures
In addition to his music career, Willie Nelson has also made a mark in Hollywood. His distinctive personality and on-screen presence have landed him roles in several films and television shows. Notable appearances include roles in "The Electric Horseman" (1979), "Honeysuckle Rose" (1980), and "Barbarosa" (1982). These acting gigs have added a significant amount to Willie Nelson net worth.
Television Appearances
Nelson's char
"Understanding the Carbon Cycle: Processes, Human Impacts, and Strategies for...MMariSelvam4
The carbon cycle is a critical component of Earth's environmental system, governing the movement and transformation of carbon through various reservoirs, including the atmosphere, oceans, soil, and living organisms. This complex cycle involves several key processes such as photosynthesis, respiration, decomposition, and carbon sequestration, each contributing to the regulation of carbon levels on the planet.
Human activities, particularly fossil fuel combustion and deforestation, have significantly altered the natural carbon cycle, leading to increased atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations and driving climate change. Understanding the intricacies of the carbon cycle is essential for assessing the impacts of these changes and developing effective mitigation strategies.
By studying the carbon cycle, scientists can identify carbon sources and sinks, measure carbon fluxes, and predict future trends. This knowledge is crucial for crafting policies aimed at reducing carbon emissions, enhancing carbon storage, and promoting sustainable practices. The carbon cycle's interplay with climate systems, ecosystems, and human activities underscores its importance in maintaining a stable and healthy planet.
In-depth exploration of the carbon cycle reveals the delicate balance required to sustain life and the urgent need to address anthropogenic influences. Through research, education, and policy, we can work towards restoring equilibrium in the carbon cycle and ensuring a sustainable future for generations to come.
Characterization and the Kinetics of drying at the drying oven and with micro...Open Access Research Paper
The objective of this work is to contribute to valorization de Nephelium lappaceum by the characterization of kinetics of drying of seeds of Nephelium lappaceum. The seeds were dehydrated until a constant mass respectively in a drying oven and a microwawe oven. The temperatures and the powers of drying are respectively: 50, 60 and 70°C and 140, 280 and 420 W. The results show that the curves of drying of seeds of Nephelium lappaceum do not present a phase of constant kinetics. The coefficients of diffusion vary between 2.09.10-8 to 2.98. 10-8m-2/s in the interval of 50°C at 70°C and between 4.83×10-07 at 9.04×10-07 m-8/s for the powers going of 140 W with 420 W the relation between Arrhenius and a value of energy of activation of 16.49 kJ. mol-1 expressed the effect of the temperature on effective diffusivity.
Artificial Reefs by Kuddle Life Foundation - May 2024punit537210
Situated in Pondicherry, India, Kuddle Life Foundation is a charitable, non-profit and non-governmental organization (NGO) dedicated to improving the living standards of coastal communities and simultaneously placing a strong emphasis on the protection of marine ecosystems.
One of the key areas we work in is Artificial Reefs. This presentation captures our journey so far and our learnings. We hope you get as excited about marine conservation and artificial reefs as we are.
Please visit our website: https://kuddlelife.org
Our Instagram channel:
@kuddlelifefoundation
Our Linkedin Page:
https://www.linkedin.com/company/kuddlelifefoundation/
and write to us if you have any questions:
info@kuddlelife.org
Stormwater and Water Quality Trading from 10,000 Feet
1. Stormwater and WQT from
10,000 Feet
Outlook on Stormwater Policies, Investment Needs, Water Quality Trading,
and Market-Based Instruments
NEFSMA Spring Stormwater Symposium
March 8, 2017
Seth Brown, PE
Founder/Principal | Storm and Stream Solutions, LLC
2. Overview
•National View
•Policy / Legal Rulings
•Funding/Investment Needs in Stormwater
•Innovations in Funding/Financing
•Background on Water Quality Trading
(WQT)
•Examples of WQT
•Considerations regarding WQT
•WQT and Stormwater/MS4s
4. National Policy Issues
•“Alternative” Stormwater Facts
•Policy and Legal Rulings of Note
•Funding/Investments Needs in
Stormwater
•Innovations in Funding/Financing
6. The Rise of Nonpoint Pollution
Source: William Ruckelshaus, A New Shade of Green, The Wall Street Journal, April 17, 2010
Point Source vs. Nonpoint Source
Water Quality Impairments
1970 2010
8. Challenge of Stormwater
Source
(Annual
Volume)
BOD5
(mg/l)
TSS
(mg/l)
Fecal Coliform
(colonies/100ml)
Treated
Wastewater
(11,425 BG)
30a 30a <200a
Stormwater
(10,068 BG)
0.4-370 0.5-4,800 1-5,230,000
CSO
(850 BG)
3.9-696 1-4,420 3-40,000,000
SSOb
(10 BG)
6-413 10-348 500,000c
Pollutant Concentrations in Municipal Discharges
aTypical limit for wastewater receiving secondary treatment/limit for disinfected wastewater
bConcentration in wet weather SSOs
cMedian concentration (WDNR 2001)
Source: Report to Congress on the Impacts and Control of CSOs and SSO (EPA 2004)
9. Stormwater cannot be fired…
It’s too good of a deal for economy
It’s too big of a problem for the environment
It’s too promising of a value
“YOU’RE FIRED,
STORMWATER!”
10. What the Boss Has Said…
•He means what he says…literally
•$1 trillion in infrastructure investment
• Public and private partnerships
• Private financing through tax incentives – offset by repatriation
revenues
• Considering dubious by many…
• “use…money to fix America’s water and environmental
infrastructure”
• Triple the State Revolving Fund programs
• Focus on “urban renewal”
• Signaled an immediate 10% cut to EPA’s $8.2B budget
(half of which is passed on to the states)
11. What the Boss Has Done…
• Proposed budget cuts EPA by 25%
• Reduces EPA funding down to lowest level since 1991
• Reduces EPA staff from 15,000 to 12,000
• Reduce Chesapeake Bay funding by 95%
• Administrator Pruitt has stressed the importance of SRF and state
grants – and that “this is the beginning of the process”
• Republican senators have said this budget is “DOA” and that cuts
in EPA are “too severe”
• Likely outcome – will move back to 10% (more about
direction that outcome…)
• BOTTOM LINE – will likely place a financial burden on
states, who already are strained financially (ECOS)
• States may need to address funding/investment gap
• States likely to be expected to play a stronger role in regulatory
enforcement
12. Compelling Driver for Change!
photo credit James Thomas, from Cleveland Press Collection, Cleveland State University Library
14. “Only Major Growing Source of
Water Pollution” – U.S. EPA
NRDC, 2013
Boston Globe, 2013
Forestsforwatersheds.org,2014
Wri.org,2014
Water Quality
Impairments
Flooding
Combined
Sewer
Overflows
Ecological /
Public Health
Impacts
?????
Urban Stormwater
Runoff
15. Clean Water Act
•1972 Amendments to Federal Water Pollution
Control Act (Clean Water Act)
• To restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological
integrity of the nation’s waters
• Two goals established:
• Zero discharge of pollutants by 1985
• Water quality that is both “fishable” and “swimmable” by mid-1983
• 1987 CWA Amendments created the MS4 program
• Promulgated in 1990 as Phase I program, updated/expanded in
2000 to Phase II program
• Attempted establishment of national standard from 2010-2014 –
deferred
• Still a very young sector, relative to others
16. Investment Pays Off
Investment in Wastewater Sector – Why Not Stormwater?
1972 = 16% raw and 3% tertiary
1978 = 0.6% raw sewage (gone by ‘96) and 19% tertiary
ShiftU.S.EPA,2000
17. Clean Water SRF
• Started in 1989 – grew out of Construction Grants program
• Revolving funds meant to generate revenues as well as sub-
market loans
• Each $1M of SRF funding generates:
• $930,000 in tax revenues ($100B = $93B in tax revenues)
• 16.5 jobs ($100B = 1.65 million jobs)
• $2.95M in economic input ($100B = $295B)
• Stormwater/green infrastructure IS ELLIGIBLE
• 2014 WRRDA bill clarified this
• $48M green infrastructure SRF loan in Maryland – to
a private entity in a P3 arrangement
20. Then Why Hasn’t It Just “Happened”?
NAHB Top 5 List
1. Regulators lack of necessary
experience or knowledge
2. Regulatory approval process
limits flexibility
3. Green Infrastructure/LID
project cost more (real or
perceived)
4. Lack of home buyer demand
for GI
5. Lack of standardized
protocols and specs across
jurisdictions
21. Sustainable Practices: Green Infrastructure
Source: Mulvaney, Lanyon,
Source: ASLA
Infiltration Planter
Source: City of Portland, OR
Green City Metric (U.N., 2010) –
9 m2 (96.8 ft2) per inhabitant for
“proper urban sustainability”
City – Actual (Green City Metric Rate)
Chicago – 39,000 ac (GCM ~ 6,000 ac)
NYC – 22,000 ac (GCM ~ 18,680 ac)
DC – 22,000 ac (GCM ~ 1,500 ac)
Atlanta – 13,500 ac (GCM ~ 995 ac)
L.A. – 16,700 ac (GCM ~ 8,600 ac)
22. The Rise of the Millennials!
VETERANS (1920-43, 67+ YEARS
OLD)
50 million – Greatest /Silent Generation
Family-Oriented, Loyal, Hard
Working, Stable, Reliable
BOOMERS (1944-62, 55-71 YEARS OLD)
76 million-Me Generation
Personal Growth, Optimistic, Driven,
Determined
GEN X (1962-79, 36-53 YEARS OLD)
65 million-Slacker Generation
Entrepreneurial, Creative,
Technology-adept
MILLENNIALS (1980-2000, 15-35
YEARS OLD)
83 million-Generation Next
Networked, Sociable +Sophisticated,
Achievers
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
2005 2010 2015 2020
Generations in the
Workplace
Veterans Boomers Gen X Millennials iGen
iGen (Generation Z) (2000+
<15 YEARS OLD)
79 million
Yet to be known….
Boomers
Millennials
Gen Xers
23. Millennials
Characteristics
• Politically independent
• Favor “sustainability” over “environmentalist”
• More likely to favor alternative/clean energy
• More likely to believe that humans are responsible for
climate change
• More likely to be “car-less” or “car-free”
• Prefer urban core areas
• Prefer walkable areas near mass transit
24. Value of Green Infrastructure
Economics/Financing/Funding Issues
• More experience on cost-effectiveness
• More interest in large-scale green investments
• We’re finding better ways to pay for it…
• Lots of social and other investments interest/capital
• Vehicle for urban blight and addressing vacant
properties and brownfield sites
26. Policy and Legal Rulings
• MS4 Phase II Remand
• 2003 ruling (affirmed in 2014) stated that public comment/review
process for permits is too limiting in general permit process
• Three options:
1. Write all permit conditions at state level (“traditional”) and receive
public input then
2. Write some conditions at state, and some at local level (“procedural”)
with a requirement for some public input at local level
3. Hybrid of Options 1 and 2 (“states choice”) – chosen option
• Some concerned chosen option looks too much like “status
quo”, so appeal by enviro groups is anticipated
• Des Moines Drinking Water Case
• Nutrients from tile drains causing more expensive drinking water
treatment downstream
• Des Moines Water Works lost the case – drainage districts have specific
service to drain lands for farming
27. Policy and Legal Rulings
• Flow-Based Permits/TMDLs
• Accotink Creek, VA flow-based TMDL – EPA lost lawsuit, no appeal
• Others have jumped on this ruling
• Buckely Airforce Base
• West TN Home Builders
• Tennessee permit with retention standard repealed by state legislation
• Massachusetts Phase II permit has retention standard - lawsuits
• Recent EPA document on the impact of flow on downstream waters
• Construction General Permit
• No major changes from 2011 permit
• Homebuilders concerned with transference of permit for multiple
property owners (with temporal implications).
28. Policy and Legal Rulings
• Residual Designated Authority
• Filed in EPA Regions 1, 3, 9 for categorical application
in 2014 by enviro groups – dismissed by all regions
• Enviro groups have just re-filed – pending action from
EPA now
• Railroad Industry Push-Back on SWUs
• Norfolk Southern pushed to get railroad infrastructure
waived from stormwater utility payments in VA
• Others jumping on board in other states
30. We’re Paying A Premium
for a Legacy of
Outdated, Failing
Infrastructure!!
Water
Infrastructure
Grade = D
$700 Billion +
Loss
For
Businesses
COSTS
OVER
$ 150
Billion
“The heavily engineered,
capital intensive, facility-
construction solutions
that dominated 20th
century approaches to
water management are no
longer sufficient.”
America 2050: An Infrastructure Vision for 21st 12
Century America
31. The Regulatory Context:
Stormwater/Wet Weather
• Regulated Entities
• 7,500 communities regulated municipal
separate storm sewer systems (MS4s) in
the U.S.
• 772 combined sewer systems in the U.S.
• Growing interest and public demand
for green stormwater infrastructure
• Due to expanded urbanized acres &
increased localized flooding
Clean Watershed Needs Survey
• ~$150B* in wet weather/stormwater needs
*Extrapolated from information provided
32. Infastructure Investment
Needs
• Clean Watershed Needs Survey (CWNS) EPA (2008)
• $100B for CSOs / stormwater (60% / 40%)
• 67% growth in stormwater from ’04 to ’08
• $25.4B in ‘04 to $42.3B in ’08 – largest growth sector
• 7 states reported 85% of needs
• NJ ($15.6B), PA ($6B), CA ($3.8B), MD ($3.8B), TX ($3.1B), FL ($2.5B), NY
($1.1B) – what about others?
• Other states cited lack of time/budget to document needs or
documentation difficulties
• CWNS 2012
• $48B for CSOs (with projections for GI increasing)
• $19.2B for stormwater (only represents 20% MS4s) ~ $100B?
• Perhaps total need of ~$150B in wet weather/stormwater
33. Value of Green on the
Rise
• GI being seen as a investment potential
• GI showing economic bottom-line
value (and bi-partisan – what?!)
36. Public Funding Options
Stormwater Utilities
• Becoming increasingly
prevalent/common
• 1,500 today out of 7,500 total
• But still only covers 20-25% of
regulated universe
• Stormwater programs often
still under-funded…
• Provides a critical dedicated
revenue source that can be
leveraged for expanded
investment and low-cost
financing 18
From Minneapolis-St. Paul Area
National average ~ $4/month
37. Public Financing
Options
• State Revolving Funds
• Lowest public financing
available in most instances
• Municipal Bonds
• Most common form of
infrastructure investment in
U.S.
• Bond ratings can be enhanced
through fee securitization
• Over 70% of communities
have a bond rating lower than
“Aaa”
38. Public Financing
Options
State Revolving Funds
• Many still consider GSI not eligible
• Over 95% in EPA Region 3 has gone to
wastewater – similar across the country
• SRF assistance can:
• Reduce costs through enhanced bond
rating
• Expand investment potential over 10x
through leveraging
• Generate an additional $6 to $28 billion
for GSI investments nationally
• Go to private parties
39. Innovative Financing
Options
• Water Infrastructure Investment Act (WIFIA)
• Based off of TIFIA
• Just launched – can greatly leverage investments
• Administered by EPA
• Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE)
• Form of tax-increment financing
• Water infrastructure can be integrated into Clean Energy
projects as well
• DC PACE includes stormwater, specifically
40. Private Financing
Options
•Private Bank Loans
• Good for short-term financing
•Equity
• Not common source of funding
for municipal infrastructure
projects
• Can be helpful in investments
in new and emerging
technologies
41. Private Financing
Options
Socially Responsible
Financing
• Green Bonds
• There is no discernable pricing advantage
for green bond designation
• “Green” certification can needlessly add
costs
• Social Impact Bonds
• Not a traditional bond (most of the time)
• Normally associated with “Pay-For-Success”
or “Pay-For-Performance” approach
43. Pay-For-Success Model
Characteristics
• Utilizes “Social Impact Bonds”
(SIBs)
• Usually focus on “social
infrastructure”
• Examples: reducing homelessness,
reducing asthma-related illnesses,
etc.
Millennial Action Project, 2014
44. Pay-For-Success Model
Structure / Applications
• Premise = level of payment
based upon level of “success”
• Driven by “Impact Investors”
• First project in 2012 to reduce
recidivism in NYC
• Discontinued in 2015 due to lack of performance
• Only water application is DC Water to use GI to
retrofit 20 acres of impervious cover for $25M
• Issued “Environmental Impact Bonds” (EIBs),
Yves Blein, 2017
45. Pay-For-Success Model
Criticisms
• “Success” may be:
• Difficult to define
• The tail wagging the dog
• Example: NYC recidivism project
• High project risks may drive high ROIs
• Some have suggested ROIs above 20% (DC Water project near
market rate)
• Dubious for high ROIs for social/environmental good
• More about financing than project delivery
• No/little concern with reducing overall costs – just meet
“success” and ROI
Penn State, 2017
46. Municipality
CBP3 Entity
Private Entity
Design/Build Operate/Maintain
Traditional P3 Advantages
• Reduced project costs
• Project delivery time
• Transfer of risk
• Long term O&M
• Shared economic and social goals
• Alternative financing
Additional CBP3 Advantages
• Community is priority
• Mixed public/private financing can reduce
financing costs
• Municipality has high degree of
control/input
• Reinvestment into project
• Aligned interests
• Fixed-fee; Performance goals
• Integrates program services
• Lowers delivery costs
• Incentivizes private sector
• Lowers procurement barriers
• Supports local DBEs
• Drives local entry-level jobs
Ownership and Control
retained by the public partner
Provides surety of execution and Adopts shared
goals managed through performance metrics
Community Based P3
47. CBP3 Program Platform
Characteristics
• NOT a traditional P3!!
• CBP3 Starts with Community
NOT Financing
• Adaptable, scalable, flexible
• Holistic
• Not just a project – it’s a program
• Long-term commitment
EPA, 2016
48. CBP3 Program Platform
Elements
• Enhanced Procurement
• Public Control and Target Setting
• Co-Permittee/Co-Operator
• Design-Build-Operate-Maintain Project Delivery
Framework
• Fixed-Fee and Performance-Based Contracting
• Focus on Operations and Maintenance
• Funding/Financing/Guarantees
49. CBP3 – Current Programs
Prince George’s County, Maryland
• CBP3 entity (Clean Water Partnership) established in early 2015
• Focus on integrated green stormwater infrastructure
• $100M/2,000 impervious acres for initial phase
• Total of 15,000 impervious acres to address
• Significant cost reductions realized already
• Received $48M in SRF financing
• Over 2,000 acres in design/development
• Pilots in other communities ongoing
52. Background on WQT
• Premise of Pollutant/Emissions Trading
• Classic view of pollutant trading = “Cap-and-Trade”
• Requires:
• The establishment of a “cap” or a “baseline” of pollutant emission/level
• That transaction cost + purchase cost < upgrade cost
• That regulators approve of transaction
Firm A Firm B
Unused Allowance
Exceeded Allowance
Firm A sells “credits” of
unused capacity to Firm B
if cost of purchasing credits
< cost of upgrading facility
Pollutant “Cap”
53. Background on WQT
• First emissions trading program was 1974 air quality
related (VOCs, MO, SO2, NOx, particulates)
• Early WQT programs include:
• Fox River (Wisconsin) point-point program
• Dillon Reservoir (Colorado) point-nonpoint
• Limited activity, but led to lower cost outcomes
• Interest in WQT stems from success of Air Quality Trading
associated with 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments
• Generated $2 trillion in benefits and $65 billion in costs – 30:1 B/C ratio
• Estimated to prevent 230,000 early deaths annually by 2020
• Official start by EPA in 1996 with publication of WQT
policy document
• Several states developed rules following this (MI, etc.)
54. Background on WQT
• EPA updated official WQT policy in 2003
• Outlines provisions for credible WQT programs
• Identifies purpose, objects and limitations of programs
• Allows for states to develop their own programs
• Identifies restrictions on watershed-based trading:
• Which pollutants are “tradable”
• Must be able to meet local water quality standards
• How baselines are determined
• How to remain in compliance w CWA
• Other elements
• Trading ratios, etc.
• Early estimates by EPA cited potential cost-savings of $900 million
due to WQT across the U.S. (more recent estimates cite this at $140-
$235M annually (Newburn and Woodward, 2012))
55. Background on WQT
•Considerations in a WQT Program:
•Credit life
•Baseline
•Banking
•Limits of Transaction
•Verification
•Transaction Costs
56. WQT Programs
of Note
• Long Island Sound Nitrogen Trading Program
• CT DEP provided authorization to use/sell credits
• Point-to-point in nature
• Has become a model for point-to-point program
• Saved an estimated $200M over command-and-control
• Great Miami Watershed Nutrient Trading Program (Ohio)
• Ag BMPs estimated to be 30 times cheaper than point sources
• No baseline for ag practices (anything above status quo)
• Trading ratios associated with points sources joining program prior to
finalization of program regulations
• Excess credits from late-comes used as insurance
• Considered successful program (100 trades, <800K lbs of nutrients
• Used a reverse-auction process
• Encouraged innovation (allowed multiple types of ag BMPs)
57. WQT Programs
of Note
• Ohio River Watershed Nutrient Trading Program
• Multi-state partnership – largest WQT program in the world
• Complex watershed modeling allows for customized trading ratios
between buyers/sellers
• Only “stewardship” credits available (for corporate sustainability,
not regulatory compliance) – may change in future
• Focus on “stacking” for ecosystem services as well
• Tualatin Creek Thermal Trading Program
• Located in Medford, OR
• POTWs effluent is thermally loaded – require reduction
• Permit allows for riparian restoration and optimized reservoir
releases to offset thermal impacts
• 2:1 trading ratios – 35 miles of shade enhancement
• Costs have saved an estimated $50M
58. WQT Programs
of Note
• Tar-Pimlico Basin
• Point-nonpoint nutrient credit program
• Point sources pay the state based upon collective amount pollutant load
exceeded
• State uses collected funds to implement ag practices – no trading actually
required
• Chesapeake Bay Region
• Driven by Chesapeake Bay Nutrient/Sediment TMDL
• Since 2001, four Ches Bay states developed nutrient trading programs (WV,
VA, MD, PA)
• 89 of 92 river segments in Bay are impaired – trading cannot result in a
violation of TMDL for any segments – constraining
• Most have been limited to point-to-point trading
• Some states have entered into point-to-nonpoint trading
• Nutrient management plans for ag sector driving interest
• Purchasing nutrient credits allowed for some land development projects
• Critics point out the limited potential for trading due to heavy ag loads
59. Concerns on WQT
•Three Major Challenges of WQT Program
• Cited by Tracy Mehan, Former EPA Office of Water
Director
1. Ensure trades create environmentally equivalent
pollutant load reductions
2. Trading avoids the development of “hot spots”
3. Programs used reliable modeling techniques for
calculation of nonpoint source load reductions
•Additional concerns include:
• Minimize transaction costs
• Program enforcement to ensure environmental
benefits
60. Has WQT Delivered?
•Mixed opinions on success of WQT:
• Programs have “resulted in only limited success” (Newburn and
Woodward, 2012)
• Point-to-point has been successful, but not point-to-nonpoint
source
• WQT is not a “market-based” approach at all (Shabman et al, 2013)
• WQT has fulfilled it’s promise, with over 70 WQT programs that
have existed in the U.S. (Kaiser and Feng, 2005)
• Of the WQT programs existing in 2008, 1/3 did not have
any trades at all, with others having limited transaction
(EPA, 2008)
61. What Has Limited WQT
(Compared to AQT)?
• Water is more local than air
• Limits the pool of potential buyers/sellers
• Is more prone to creating “hot spots”
• Includes nonpoint sources, which is more challenging
• Transaction Costs – complex arrangements are costly
• Trading Ratios – very high ratios due to uncertainty may limit cost
efficiency
• Regulations - uneven regulatory pressures compared to point source
• Verification - more costly to verify and model (this is changing…)
• Lack of Cost Heterogeneity - practices can be 65 times less costly than point
sources (Bacon, 2005) – without ag, missing major factor for cost
heterogeneity
• TMDL Process – highly litigious, requires credibility of performance, so
may limit demand
62. Legal Challenges to WQT
• Food and Water Watch lawsuit on WQT in Ches Bay in 2013
• Claimed that WQT violated the Clean Water Act
• Dismissed due to lack of standing
• EPA hadn’t approved of any trades in Ches Bay states
• Mississippi River Basin TMDL/WQT
• MRB TMDL seen as a gateway to WQT in MRB
• EPA petitioned by enviro groups to develop MRB TMDL for nutrients in
2008
• EPA dismissed the petition in 2011 on the grounds that states are working
on the issue
• Lawsuit filed in 2012 by enviro groups against EPA
• Ruling in December, 2016 that sided with EPA
• Judge left the door open
• “The time may come when EPA no longer reasonably can let states
remain in the lead.”
64. Stormwater WQT &
Market-Based Approaches
• The Promise of Stormwater in WQT
• Stormwater Trading
• Cost-Based Grants
• Incentive Programs
65. Why Stormwater Is Ripe for WQT
WRI,2010
Storm-
water
Retrofits
Greenfield
Stormwater
Management
Practices
WWTP
Upgrades
(high-end)
Enhanced
Nutrient
Management
Plans
WWTP
Upgrades
(average)
Native Oyster
Aquaculture
Algal Turf
Scrubbing
Cover
Crops
Conservation
Tillage
Grassed
Buffers
Restored or
Constructed
Wetlands
Stormwater
WWTP
Agricultural
New Practices
$200+
$92.40
$47.40
$21.90
$15.80
$7.00 $6.60 $4.70 $3.20
$1.50$3.20
Dollars per pound of annual nitrogen reduction
66. Potential Cost Savings in
Chesapeake Bay
RTI, 2012
No Trading
In-Basin-In-State Trading
In-State Trading
In-Basin Trading
Watershed-Wide Trading
,2012
Total Point
Source
Nutrient
Control Costs
Total
Agricultural
BMP Costs
Total Urban
BMP Costs
Potential Cost
Savings from
Trading
Millions of Dollars per Year
Cost of Achieving Significant Point source and Regulated Urban Stormwater
Load Reduction Targets and Potential Cost Savings from Nutrient (In-Basin-
State Trading)
0 200 400 600 800 1,000 1,200 1,400 1,600
79%
79%
81%
82%
67. MS4s in WQT
• Virginia has adopted legislation to allow MS4s to
purchase credits for MS4 compliance
• Virginia DOT purchased $1M of credits for MS4 compliance
through forest preservation/protection
• Estimated that VDOT could reduce MS4 compliance costs
by 50% through WQT
• Maryland developing policies in the same context
• MS4s would be limited to purchasing nutrients credits for
only 50% of obligations
68. Market-Based Stormwater
Frameworks
Willamette Partnership White Paper
• WQT and MS4s
• Can drive onsite adoption of GI private properties
• Stormwater fee reduction
• Stormwater trading
• Stormwater banking
• Offsets
• In-lieu fees
69. Stormwater Trading:
Washington, D.C.
Stormwater Retention Credit (SRC)
Program
• Not subject to EPA 2003 WQT Policy
• 1.2” retention standard (90th percentile storm)
• Half on-site required, rest can be purchased through
credits or in-lieu fee
• Credit buyers in urban core, credit generators in
outlying urban districts
• Exported retention could lead to social and
environmental benefits and economic efficiencies
• Other communities interested in this approach
• Chattanooga, San Diego, etc.
70. Stormwater Trading:
Washington, D.C.
Creation & Certification of SRCs
• Generation of SRCs through retention in excess
of regulatory requirements or existing retention
SRC Ceiling
Stormwater
Retention
Credit
SWRv on Site
Site without SMPs
1.7” storm
1.2” storm
(0.8” for substantial
improvement projects)
Unregulated Retrofit Sites
SRC Ceiling
Stormwater
Retention
Credit
Existing Site
Retention
1.7” storm
Regulated Sites Exceeding SWRv
71. Stormwater Trading:
Washington, D.C.
Comparing Stormwater Retention
• A:
Single 1.2” Storm Retention = 7,739 gal.
Annual Retention (’09 rain data) = 280,280 gal.
• B:
Single 1.2” Storm Retention = 7,739 gal.
Annual Retention (’09 rain data) = 440,605 gal.
1.2” retention on site 1
(0.25 ac impervious)
0.60” retention
on site 1
0.60” retention
on site 2
+57%
72. Stormwater Trading:
Washington, D.C.
Flexibility for Regulated Sites
*Annual volume retained, based on 2009 rainfall data.
**Retention on Site 1 is $3.25/gallon and on Site 2 is $0.65 per gallon. (Based on analysis of the incremental
cost to achieve retention, compared to existing District regulations, by Industrial Economics, Inc.)
Hypothetical Comparison of Cost Savings from
Scenario A vs. Scenario B
Scenario
A: On Site
Only
Scenario B:
Trading
% Change
via
Trading
Estimated
Retention
Cost**
$25,152 $15,087 -40%
Annual Vol.
Retained*
280,280
gal.
440,605 gal. +57%
73. • Anacostia watershed market size $3B
• District of Columbia, Prince George’s
County, Montgomery County
• Region is focus for innovation in
financing/funding for stormwater/wet
weather
• D.C. SRC Market
• Prince George’s County, MD Community Based
Public-Private Partnership (CBP3)
• Montgomery County considering CBP3
• DC Water Green Bonds and Pay-For-Success
Inter-Entity Trading:
Scale Up to Anacostia Watershed?
74. Cost-Based Grants
Big Stick / Big Carrot
• 10,000 impervious acres to “green” – CSO consent decree
• PWD raised stormwater fees on many non-residential property
owners
• Credit/rebate of up to 80% provided for onsite retention
provided
• Findings show ROI is challenging
• Project aggregation may help
• Stormwater Management Incentive Program (SMIP) and
Greened Acres Retrofit Program (GARP) programs launched
• Fund retrofits <$100K (SMIP), <$90K and >10 ac (GARP) –
Millions in dollars for grants already awarded!!
75. Stormwater Banking
• Similar to other mitigation banking
• Public or private parties can engage
• Can help attract economic/development
activity
• Reducing costs associated with stormwater
management
• Eliminates the risks associated with meeting
regulatory obligations
• Examples:
• Grand Rapids, MI considering this
• Wilmington, DE stormwater wetland park
76. Incentives and Other
Options
• Incentive = change behavior
• Need more stormwater infrastructure on private properties
• Often cheaper option, more area available, etc
• Cost avoidance
• Reduction of stormwater fees
• Financial gain
• Credits through trading
• In-lieu fees
• Puts risk on the public sector – less efficient approach
• Offset
• Determination of equivalent projects can be challenges
77. Why Stormwater Might Be
Challenging for WQT
• Requires numeric limits
• Differing pollutants of interest
(as trading currency)
• Is a break from status quo
• Exports co-benefits outside of
area
• Is abstract/difficult to
understand and quantify
• Regulatory uncertainty
logestonelogic, 2015
78. In the Future…
•Awareness of stormwater/wet weather issues will
continue
•Regulatory pressures will continue as well
•Needs will grow in stormwater/green
infrastructure
•Funding gap will continue
•Innovation in addressing stormwater/wet
weather needs will grow…likely to include WQT
79. Info on NMSA
•National Municipal Stormwater Alliance (NMSA)
•New 501.c.3 focusing on MS4 issues at the national
level
•Coalition of state/regional MS4 groups
•NEFSMA is a member currently
•Total of 12 members covering 7 of 10 EPA regions
•MOU with Water Environment Federation (WEF)
•www.nationalstormwateralliance.org for more
information
80. Stormwater and WQT
from 10,000 Feet
Outlook on Stormwater Policies, Investment Needs, Water Quality Trading,
and Market-Based Instruments
NEFSMA Spring Stormwater Symposium
March 8, 2017
Seth Brown, PE
Founder/Principal | Storm and Stream Solutions, LLC