Green Project Reserve (GPR) of the “American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009” What does it mean for PA?

What is the purpose of ARRA? Create jobs and provide economic recovery; Assist those impacted by the recession; Spur technology advances; Invest in aging infrastructure; and Stabilize state and local budgets.

What is PA receiving for water and water quality projects? The Commonwealth's allocation of funding is: $65 million for the Drinking Water State Water Revolving Fund; and $155 million for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund. A total of $220 million for water enhancements!!!

How will the funding be provided? Funding will be a mix of grants and loans and will be handled through PENNVEST’s existing DWSRF and CWSRF program. Projects will be reviewed and awarded at the April and July PENNVEST Board Meeting. –Focus on “Green Infrastructure Projects in July.

Timing is CRITICAL As defined by ARRA “under contract or under construction by February 17,2010” PA’s approach is to have projects under contract or under construction by October 1, 2009.

What is the Green Project Reserve (GPR)? GPR is a subset of ARRA and it is stated that “at least 20 % of the funds shall be used for projects that address green infrastructure, water or water efficiency improvements or other environmentally innovative activities” For PA that is approximately $44 million and it is anticipated that the funding will be provided via grants. $220 million * 20% = $44 million

What kind of projects are eligible? Water Efficiency Energy Efficiency Green Infrastructure Environmentally Innovative

Water Efficiency CWSRF The use of improved technologies and practices to deliver equal or better services with less water. Examples of projects include, but are not limited to: –Installation of water meters. –Retrofit or replacement of water using fixtures, fittings, equipment or appliances. –Efficient landscape or irrigation equipment. –Systems to recycle gray water. –Reclamation, recycling, and reuse of existing rainwater, condensate, degraded water, stormwater, and/or wastewater streams. –Collection system leak detection equipment. DWSRF The use of improved technologies and practices to deliver equal or better services with less water. Examples of projects include, but are not limited to: –Installation of water meters or automated meter reading systems. –Retrofit or replacement of water using fixtures, fittings, equipment or appliances (can include rebate programs). –Distribution system leak detection equipment. –Replacement or rehabilitation of distribution lines. (Note, eligibility will require documentation of exceptional technologies and practices to qualify.)

Energy Efficiency CWSRF The use of improved technologies and practices to reduce the energy consumption of water quality projects, including projects to reduce energy consumption or produce clean energy used by a treatment works defined in Section 212. Examples of projects include, but are not limited to: –Energy efficient retrofits and upgrades to pumps and treatment processes. –Leak detection equipment for treatment works. –Production of clean power for use on- site (wind, solar, hydroelectric, geothermal, biogas powered combined heat and power). DWSRF Includes capital projects that reduce the energy consumption of eligible drinking water infrastructure projects. Examples of projects include, but are not limited to: –Energy efficient retrofits and upgrades to pumps and treatment processes. (Note, eligibility will require documentation of exceptional technologies and practices to qualify.) –Leak detection equipment. –Production of clean power for use on- site (wind, solar, hydroelectric, geothermal, biogas powered combined heat and power). –Replacement or rehabilitation of distribution lines (Note, eligibility will require documentation of exceptional technologies and practices to qualify.)

Green Infrastructure CWSRF Includes a wide array of practices at multiple scales that manage and treat stormwater and that maintain and restore natural hydrology by infiltrating, evapotranspiring and capturing and using stormwater. On a regional scale, green infrastructure is the preservation and restoration of natural landscape features, such as forests, floodplains and wetlands, coupled with policies such as infill and redevelopment that reduce overall imperviousness in a watershed. On the local scale green infrastructure consists of site- and neighborhood- specific practices, such as bioretention, trees, green roofs, porous pavements and cisterns. DWSRF Includes a wide array of practices that manage wet weather to maintain and restore natural hydrology by infiltrating, evapotranspiring and capturing and using stormwater. In the context of the DWSRF, green infrastructure consists of site-specific practices, such as green roofs and porous pavement at drinking water utility facilities. In addition to managing rainfall, these green infrastructure technologies can simultaneously provide other benefits such as reducing energy demands.

Environmentally Innovative CWSRF Projects demonstrate new and/or innovative approaches to managing water resources in a more sustainable way, including projects that achieve pollution prevention or pollutant removal with reduced costs and projects that foster adaptation of water protection programs and practices that address climate change. DWSRF Projects would include those that are: (1) consistent with the underlying project eligibilities of the DWSRF program; and (2) consistent with the timelines and objectives of the ARRA; and (3) that demonstrate new and/or innovative approaches to delivering service and/or managing water resources in a more sustainable way, including projects that achieve public health protection and environmental protection objectives at the least life-cycle costs.

Who can apply for GPR funding? CWSRF Projects Eligible applicants must meet one of the following or obtain a sponsor that meets one of the criteria: –Watershed organizations recognized by DEP who promote local watershed conservation efforts (organization must be incorporated); –Counties and Municipalities (boroughs, townships, etc); –County Conservation Districts; –Council of Governments; or –Other authorized organizations involved in research, restoration, rehabilitation, planning, acquisition, development, education or other activities which further the protection, enhancement, conservation, preservation or enjoyment of the Commonwealth’s environmental, conservation, recreation or similar resources. Applicants must own or operate the facility to be constructed. Operations may be contracted to others. DWSRF Projects Eligible applicants must be: –A publicly or privately-owned Public Water Systems. Applicants must own or operate the facility to be constructed. Operations may be contracted to others.

How do you apply? See with link to PennVest webpage (starting April 6) Or go directly to PennVest webpage at

Special requirements for ARRA funding? Solicit Disadvantaged Business Enterprise firms for work. Comply with environmental review and assessment requirements Incorporate the Davis-Bacon act (wage rates). Use products produced in the United States.

How will GPR projects be awarded? Projects will be ranked by DEP based on information included in the technical component of the application. Final rankings and recommendations will be sent to PENNVEST where additional factors will be considered: –Job creation –Local level of unemployment –Financial resources of the applicant PENNVEST Board will make the final selection at the July Board meeting.

What is the timeline for the GPR? Applications will be accepted April 6, 2009 – May 18, April 14 – Public Meeting April Webinar Awards will be announced at the July PENNVEST Board Meeting. Applications will be accepted that will be under contract or under construction by October 1, 2009.

What can you do? Begin packaging projects for consideration; Contact your organization members to explain objectives and timing for GPR; Provide assistance to members; Contact DEP and PENNVEST with concerns and questions.

Where to go for more information? Detailed information will be available at: and will include a link to the electronic application.

Questions We will take questions until the end of the meeting (12pm). –If we have not gotten to your question(s) please fill out a note card, that will be available as you leave, and we will contact you with a response. A Frequently Asked Question Document is being developed. This will be posted on the website. Any other questions (after today’s meeting) can be directed to Mr. Lee Murphy at , or Ms. Ann Smith at ,