Montrose Environmental Group’s Post

Update from the LDEQ Brownfields Program: They're Hitting the Pause Button! Currently, they're juggling over 40 environmental assessment projects, 5 cleanups, and 10 Planning Activity grants. The momentum is real! Two sites are already enrolled in KSU TAB’s Technical Assistance Program, and they're gearing up for the next Louisiana Brownfield Conference tentatively scheduled for early June - what an incredible feat! They'll be back in action, ready to accept new TBA sites in April 2024 and Planning Activity requests in the Fall. In the meantime, if you're eager to dive into assessments, reach out to US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for their Targeted Brownfield Assessment Program. Email Roxanne Welch (Welch.Roxanne@epa.gov) and cc Althea Foster (Foster.Althea@epa.gov) for application details. Need help with Brownfield Planning Activities? Scott Nightingale from KSU TAB is your go-to: scottnight@ksu.edu / (785) 532-6028. Also, if you’re a government or nonprofit entity, now is a great time to start thinking about applying for your own Brownfield grant! Check out last year’s guidelines to get started: https://lnkd.in/dWhu7et. And review LDEQ’s Grant Writing Workshops for tips and tricks for a successful application (note that this series was presented prior to the new guidelines coming out so some changes may have been made but they’re a good starting point): Part 1: https://lnkd.in/e7ND4-4H Passcode: %w8dSOXT   Part 2: https://lnkd.in/emd_EuJa Passcode: zY=3afj0   Part 3: https://lnkd.in/eee7e5UB Passcode: 3?NT@M6$ With the LDEQ pausing, you could apply for your own program or reach out to the Jefferson Parish Economic Development Commission (JEDCO), RPC, or other programs that still have funding. If you have any questions regarding Brownfields, you're more than welcome to reach out to us at info@leaaf.com and we will gladly assist you. #BrownfieldRedevelopment #CommunityDevelopment #Update

Investing in water infrastructure is crucial for ensuring sustainable water supply, improving public health, and supporting economic growth. It addresses the challenges of water scarcity, aging infrastructure, and climate change impacts.

🌊 [WEBINAR] Thames Water: What Could Investors Have Known Beforehand? What investors in Thames Water could have leaned about the risk and market value of their investment? Join us for an engaging webinar, where explore the findings from our recent research paper, "Low Tide" (find it here: https://lnkd.in/epFCVJWM). We will review the red flags that investors could have spotted in the data prior to investing in Thames Water. As we address the importance of using the right discount rate in cash-flow-driven investments, we will also describe how the discount rate can be estimated as a combination of systematic (private infrastructure market) components and various adjustments that are made by investors to reflect their views. REGISTER NOW to secure your spot and gain valuable insights: https://lnkd.in/eWC9ZQKU

What is a PEL approach and are the benefits worth considering? Join Theresa Maahs, PE as she discusses how local governments can take advantage of no additional cost project acceleration at the Stantec sponsored North Dakota #Transportation Conference. To learn more about our projects and services, go to: https://lnkd.in/gNWyP_8B #PELapproach #PELLite #northdakota

We're thrilled to have collaborated with Natural Infrastructure on the Canadian Prairies on their latest report, "Financing for Natural Infrastructure Projects", which provides insights on how private capital can help finance natural infrastructure to meet water needs. The report dives into: 📈 Why investors are starting to view natural infrastructure as a less risky investment 💬 Expertise shared from multiple interviewed experts from asset management organizations, insurance companies, and investment firms 🏛 How government support and partnerships can incentivize and better facilitate private financing 🚰 And more on scaling up investments in the natural infrastructure sector 🔍 Read the full report here: https://lnkd.in/gfHHae2F Written and researched by: Marina Puzyreva, Edoardo Carlucci, David Uzsoki, Josée Méthot from International Institute for Sustainable Development #naturalinfrastructure #blueinfrastructure #NbS #naturebasedsolutions #naturefinance #financing #projectfinance #blendedfinance #sustainableinvestment #greeninvestment #greenfinance

"Where's the money..." Bluefield clients have been asking our team of water experts in reference to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (#IIJA). At the request of our #clients expressing concerns about the pace at which federal funds are being disbursed to states and utilities, we just released, "Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act: Tracking the Spending, Q1 2024": https://lnkd.in/eKRvfTuY As we approach the midway point of the 2022–2026 appropriations timeline, Bluefield Research’s team has evaluated the progress of project funding across 10 discrete programs and subprograms administered by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Protection Agency and the Bureau of Reclamation. A couple quick takeaways from the analysis: // To date, Bluefield has identified awards totaling US$3.1 billion for the 10 programs analyzed. The analysis tracks the progress of US$51.3 billion from FY 2022–2026— 84.7% of which is funneled through SRF programs. // The slow pace of funding outlays is demonstrated by the fact that only 8% and 3% of total Clean Water State Revolving Funds (#CWSRF) and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (#DWSRF) appropriations have been paid out, respectively. // The speed at which state agencies mobilize to secure obligations is an indication of where utility-level projects are likely to mature quickest. In January 2024, Bluefield mapped 16 states that were on track for payments, headlined by Texas, Ohio, and New York. // Collectively, the four non-SRF programs tracked by our team have awarded US$1.3 billion, or roughly 4% to 27% of total available dollars per program. To learn how Bluefield Research supports a growing roster of Corporate Subscription Clients with data-backed insights such as these: https://lnkd.in/e3YZDJdA #waterinfrastructure #wastewater #staterevolvingfunds#drinkingwater #cleanwater Charlie Suse Isabel Kezman Ethan Cardi #bluefieldrunsondata

📢 Legal action launched 📢 In April, Mid & East Antrim Borough Council’s decision to grant planning permission for the Cloghan Point oil terminal expansion left the Whitehead community in shock.  ⚖ Now, the Stop Whitehead Oil Terminal (SWOT) campaign is taking legal action & demanding answers to vital public interest questions.  Questions like: ❓ how can this project move forward when NI’s Climate Change Act contains a clear net zero commitment?  ❓ And why are local communities forced to take action, while ministerial powers to scrutinise the planning decision are left unused?  Backed by The PILS Project's support services, SWOT have lodged applications with the High Court, requesting permission to judicially review Mid & East Antrim Borough Council and the Department for Infrastructure. The next step in the process is for the High Court to respond to SWOT’s applications and let them know if their request has been granted. Stay tuned for updates... 🔗 https://lnkd.in/eSx2tqez #ClimateAction #PublicInterestLitigation #NetZero

[WEBINAR] Thames Water: What Could Investors Have Known Beforehand? Join us for this insightful webinar where we'll explore what investors in Thames Water could have leaned about the risk and market value of their investment had they compared its characteristics to market and peer group data. Delving into the findings from our recent research paper “Low Tide”(https://lnkd.in/epFCVJWM), we will review the red flags that investors could have seen in the data before investing in Thames Water. We will address the importance of using the right discount rate in cash-flow-driven investments and describe how the discount rate can be estimated as a combination of systematic (private infrastructure market) components and various adjustments that are made by investors to reflect their views. REGISTER HERE: https://lnkd.in/esiaYAKZ

Unfortunately, there is no silver bullet when it comes to finding sufficient capital to invest in our nation’s deteriorating water infrastructure. While public capital may offer a lower rate, the need for investment far outstrips the availability of public capital, according to Pew Research. As an independent advisory, Water Capital Partners (WCP) leverages both private and public capital sources to obtain the needed funds at a reasonable rate. WCP sources private capital from a carefully curated selection of global, boutique and minority business enterprise (MBE) investment firms. WCP also works with clients to identify and apply for public funding including from the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA). Read about our approach to using both private and public capital to revitalize America’s water and wastewater infrastructure. https://bit.ly/WCPproccess

What is a PEL approach and are the benefits worth considering? Join Theresa Maahs, PE as she discusses how local governments can take advantage of no additional cost project acceleration at the Stantec sponsored North Dakota #Transportation Conference. To learn more about our projects and services, go to: https://lnkd.in/gUnutuDh