Stacey Isaac Berahzer led a panel entitled "Financing Green Infrastructure: Taking (Low Interest) Loans for Granted?" at the 2013 SRF National Workshop. 

Green infrastructure projects are mushrooming across many states. However, for purposes of the SRF program, the single-site larger green project still seems to be more dominant. The wetland project which is directly connected to the wastewater treatment plant is still easier to digest, especially in terms of a repayment plan. This session looked at how some states are approaching the more “distributed” types of green infrastructure projects such as rain gardens or permeable pavement. In particular, the session considered how one state has married a distributed green infrastructure loan program to its redevelopment efforts. At the local level, the grant vs. debt debate for getting the green light on green infrastructure projects was explored.

Stacey Isaac Berahzer – Environmental Finance Center at The University of North Carolina

Sue Farmer – Ohio Water Development Authority

Cliff Aichinger, Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed District (RWMWD)