Upcoming Events
SAVE THE DATE for the 2008 Syracuse CoE Symposium
Creating Resilience in Sustainable Communities, Sept. 29 & 30
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EFC Contact Information:
Mark Lichtenstein
Region 2 EFC Director
621 Skytop Road
Syracuse NY 13244
mlichtenstein@syracusecoe.org
315-443-5678
Sara Pesek
Region 2 EFC Associate Director
621 Skytop Road
Syracuse NY 13244
spesek@syracusecoe.org
315-443-8488
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Our EFC News-A New form of Communication
Welcome to the new EFC E-newsletter. We are excited to launch this new form of communication which we will use to let you know of upcoming events and new tools.
We are aiming to send this newsletter out about once a month to keep everyone apprised of events, but not swamped with too much in their inbox.
We are still growing our database of email users, so please feel free to send this on to colleagues who may be interested in receiving the e-newsletter.
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New!! Field Guide for Building "Green" in New York State
The Environmental Finance Center (EFC) has just published an essential, practical, and easy-to-use tool for New York State local governments and schools who are looking to fund sustainable and environmentally friendly capital projects. This guide will be particularly useful for those applying for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification. LEED is the green building certification process as established by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). For more information about USGBC and LEED, please see their website at www.usgbc.org.
The building and design worlds are in the middle of a "green revolution," but local governments are often faced with the challenge of financing "green" capital projects. Thus, the "Field Guide of Financial Support for Sustainable Capital Projects" presents a list of financial and technical assistance resources that governments can use to implement and finance green building projects.
The Field Guide presents resources in a user-friendly fashion, using icons to represent the LEED principals each assistance program references, the type of assistance offered (grant, matching grant, or loan/loan subsidy), and the anticipated time commitment involved for applying for each funding source.
The guide was prepared by Syracuse University Maxwell School MPA Students as part of their Masters capstone project, under the direction of Prof. David Popp and the sponsorship of the US Green Building Council New York Upstate Chapter, the EFC, and the Maxwell School of Syracuse University.
We at the EFC envision the Field Guide as a useful starting point for local governments on their way to successfully completing "green" capital projects and helping to transform New York into a global leader in sustainable living.
To request copies of the Field Guide--which is printed on 100% post-consumer waste paper--contact Region 2 EFC at efc@syracusecoe.org. A downloadable PDF version will be available very soon on a revamped Region 2 EFC website: efc.syracusecoe.org.
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New EFC Website
Pretty soon you will no longer see an "Under Construction" message on our website.
We are currently developing a new outreach plan, which includes a new EFC website. It should go live in the early part of the August. We will send an announcement out to our partners and friends when the site is up.
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Minnowbrook Conference
In April, a group of technical assistance providers and
community representatives met at Syracuse University's Minnowbrook lodge at Blue Mountain Lake in the Adirondacks. This multi-day event titled "Planning for the Long Term Viability of Our Community Systems" focused on providing tools to municipal leaders to assist them as they deal with a range of planning issues, from day-to-day community concerns to long term strategic planning.
The event focused principally on three areas: Sustainable Operations, Sustainable Financing, and Sustainable Communities. Speakers from a variety of agencies presented, including Matt Millea of the NYS Environmental Facilities Corporation, Teresa Boepple of NYS DOH, as well as others from NYS DOS, RCAP Solutions and NYSERDA, among others. Each session was designed to have an emphasis on interaction and discussion and to provide participants practical tools. For a copy of the full agenda, please contact Sara Pesek, spesek@syracusecoe.org. |
Asset Management Tool for Small Systems
The EPA has rolled out an important
management tool for small drinking water and wastewater systems. This user-friendly computer-based program assists owners and operators in developing and using plans for maintaining their systems and providing service to their customers.
"Through effective and efficient management, small utilities are
supporting the lifeblood of their communities - their water," said EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson. "CUPSS will assist our partnrs by giving them a tool to better preserve and enhance America's precious water resources."
Administrator Johnson emphasized that CUPSS, with the support of our partners, will make a difference and help bridge the growing financial gap faced by small drinking water and wastewater systems as they repair, and replace infrastructure.
The program uses information provided on the system's assets, operation and maintenance activities and financial status to produce a prioritized asset inventory, financial reports and a customized asset management plan. Asset management programs support informed budget discussions, boost efficiency of the utility, and improve customer service by ensuring clean and safe water at competitive prices.
CUPSS was developed by the Office of Water as part of the agency's Sustainable Infrastructure Initiative. The effort received input from a large stakeholder workgroup, including representatives from several states, the National Rural Water Association, the Rural Community Assistance Partnership, and Environmental Finance Centers.
For more information on CUPSS, including program downloads and ordering information, visit http://www.epa.gov/cupss
EPA's newly updated web site for small public water systems is available at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/smallsystems.
(Source: EPA Headquarters News)
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Serving our Community Through Outreach and Education
Feel free to pass on our news and events to colleagues and friends.
and don't hesitate to let us know how we can better serve our community of Technical Assistance Providers and Community Leaders.
Sincerely,
Mark Lichtenstein, Region 2 EFC Director
Sara Pesek, Associate Director
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