The University of Maryland was one of nine educational institutions selected by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Tuesday to receive a six-year grant to support its Environmental Finance Center, which helps communities find financing for environmental activities.
The grants will run from 2016 to 2021. The grant amounts are dependent on congressional budgets, but the president has requested $2 million for 2016 to be shared amongst the awardees.
Initial grants for the Environmental Finance Centers were issued in 2009 and will expire in 2016.
The centers work with a variety of organizations and agencies, including state, local and tribal governments and utilities, to assist with financing for projects such as green jobs and businesses, capacity building for public water and environmental infrastructure systems, and training on environmental equity and justice, amongst many others.
“EPA is committed to working closely with communities to meet environmental goals that benefit public health and support local economies,” EPA Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator Shawn M. Garvin said. “The Environmental Finance Center at the University of Maryland serves as an important regional hub to support states and tribes in finding creative solutions for financing environmental activities, such as upgrading water infrastructure, establishing public-private partnerships and increasing energy efficiency and sustainability.”