Our Programs

How do you pay for it? Do program fees cover the costs of providing service in a fair and equitable manner? What is the best way to get capital financing to pay for environmental infrastructure? Are environmental programs managed as efficiently as possible? These are questions that are the focus of the work carried out by the Environmental Finance Center at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill.

Drinking Water and Wastewater

The EFC's work promotes smart management and resilient business models for drinking water and wastewater utilities. Through applied financial research on customer level billing data, partnerships with utilities across the country and work with private, local and state government water organizations the EFC develops modeled and tested strategies that can lead to financial health in the water industry.

Stormwater and Green Infrastructure

The EFC works with organizations, governments and tribes to promote sustainable finance for stormwater utilities, wetlands, and watersheds. Past work included conducting surveys, developing a stormwater model ordinance, developing a stormwater fees dashboard and organizing a stormwater implementation group. Trainings publications and other resources developed by the EFC assist in administering and financing stormwater programs.

Clean Energy

The EFC helps communities use pricing and financial incentives to reduce energy use and increase clean energy sources. The EFC designs and evaluates energy finance systems involving partnerships between public, nonprofit, and finance sectors.

Utility Financial Sustainability and Rates Dashboards

These free, interactive Rates Dashboards are designed to assist utility managers and local officials to compare and analyze water and wastewater rates against multiple characteristics.