Center for
Environmental Finance
Newsletter
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Office of the Chief Financial Officer
EFAB Undergoes Membership Transition
The Environmental Financial Advisory Board (EFAB),
went through a major membership transition this past
spring. The EFAB Chair, A. James Barnes, Designated
Federal Official (DFO), Stan Meiburg, and several other
members completed their tenure on the Board.
Under the leadership and direction of Jim and Stan, EFAB
produced 31 reports over the past ten years for the
Agency's consideration, ranging from public and private
drinking water and wastewater financing mechanisms to
solid waste financial assurance tools to air pollution reduc-
tion financing innovations. EPA has considered and imple-
mented many of the Board's recommendations. Recently,
the Agency incorporated concepts from the 2008 EFAB
report, "Innovative Finance Programs for Air Pollution
Reduction" into a Request for Proposals for a $3.4 million
grant solicitation to establish innovative finance projects as
part of the SmartWay Clean Diesel Program.
We thank Jim and Stan for their leadership, time, and en-
ergy that they generously devoted to EFAB's work, and we
wish them continued personal and professional success.
We are pleased to announce EFAB's new DFO, Michael
Shapiro. Mr. Shapiro has been the Deputy Assistant Ad-
ministrator for EPA's Office of Water since November
2002. Prior to this, he held several i
other positions at the Agency includ-
ing Principal Deputy Assistant Ad-
ministrator and Director of Solid
Waste in the Office of Solid Waste |
and Emergency Response, Deputy
Assistant Administrator and Acting |
Assistant Administrator in the Office I
of Air & Radiation; and positions in
the Office of Chemical Safety & Pol-
lution Prevention.
Michael Shapiro, DFO
EFAB also welcomes its new Chair, Bradley Abelow. Mr.
Abelow is a founding Partner of New World Capital Group,
a private equity firm providing growth capital to companies
and projects focusing in environmental opportunities.
September 2010
Volume 1 Issue 2
Mr. Abelow spent sixteen years at
Goldman Sachs where he was Part-
ner and Managing Director respon-
sible for the global processing and
corporate services functions of the
firm as well as a variety of other
senior leadership positions. He also
served as Treasurer of the State of
New Jersey and Chief of Staff to
Governor Jon Corzine.
Bradley Abelow, Chair
Through a careful and selective
search of candidates who represent federal, state, and
local government; the banking, finance, and legal com-
munities; business and industry; and academia and non-
profit organizations, EFAB welcomed eight additional
Board members at its March meeting this past spring.
EFAB's New Members
• Scott Anderson, Environmental Defense Fund
• William Cobb, Freeport-McMorRan Copper
& Gold Inc.
• Eric Draper, Audubon of Florida
• Ann Grodnik, Seattle-Northwest Securities
• Philip Johnson, Green Terra Energy Corp.
• Thomas Liu, Bank of America Merrill Lynch
• Deborah Livesay, Torres Martinez Desert Ca-
huilla Indian Tribe
• Jay Spector, Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC.
EFAB's new members bring a wealth of financing
knowledge and experience that will provide support for
the Agency's goal of protecting human health and the
environment. Through EFAB's new leadership, the
Board will continue to play a vital role in helping EPA
consider ways communities can efficiently finance their
environmental infrastructure costs as well as in
exploring ideas for promoting opportunities for the
growth of a green economy.
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EPA Awards Grant to New EFC
EPA has awarded the Hugo Wall School of Urban and Public Affairs
at Wichita State University $190,000 to establish a new Environ-
mental Finance Center (EFC) to service EPA Region 7 states. It will
become a "go to" resource for cities, tribes, and private entities that
need help with environmental financing.
The Wichita Center will help communities comply with environ-
mental requirements, develop financing options for environmental
initiatives and projects, and promote development of sustainable
communities. The Center will develop and provide financing train-
ing, education, research, and other services to local governments, as
well as offer conferences, workshops, seminars, and retreats. Angela
Buzard, the Center's Director, envisions meeting with stakeholders
over the next few months to inform the development of the Center's
work agenda.
The Wichita Center joins the Network often EFCs located through-
out the nation that have been operating for more than 18 years to
develop financing options for initiatives and projects such as source
water protection, drinking water and wastewater treatment, green
buildings, energy conservation, and environmentally sustainable de-
velopment. They are the only university-based organizations in the
United States that provide innovative solutions to communities to
help manage the costs of environmental protection.
EFAB Releases Drinking Water Distribution
Report
EFAB recently transmitted its report to EPA titled, Water Loss
Reduction Financing Mechanisms for Drinking Water Distribution
Systems. This report addresses the current scope of water loss;
practices, benefits, and obstacles for implementing water loss control
programs; case studies of successful water loss control programs,
and an overview of funding mechanisms available to support water
loss programs.
In this new era, water utilities can no longer tolerate inefficiencies in
their distribution systems like the loss of water through leaks in
underground pipes. In addition to the environmental impacts of
increased water consumption and air emissions, these water leaks
cause increased costs for water treatment, pumping, and operations.
By using water more efficiently, we can help preserve water supplies
for future generations, save money, and protect human health and
the environment.
Campus of the EFC at Wichita State University
Upcoming Events
University of MD, School of Public
Policy, in conjunction with the EFC at
MD is pleased to announce two gradu-
ate classes began August 31, 2010: En-
vironmental Law Finance Course and
Environmental Finance Strategies and
Solutions Course. For more informa-
tion, please contact Karen Logan at 301
405-8230.
Syracuse Center of Excellence Sympo-
sium on Environmental and Energy Sys-
tems, "Restoring Sustainable, Healthy
Communities" September 27-28, 2010
in Syracuse, NY. For more information
go to http://efc.syracusecoe.org/efc
EPA/United Nations Development Pro-
gram (UNDP) presents the International
Guidebook of Financial Tools Work-
shop, November 10 (tentative), 2010 in
Washington, D.C. For more informa-
tion, please contact Vanessa Bowie at
202564-5186.
To make water loss programs effective and encourage water utilities
to implement these programs, the EFAB made several
recommendations for the Agency's consideration and use. To view
the full report, please visit the Center for Environmental Finance
website at www.epa.gov/efmpage/efabpub.htm.
Newsletter Staff: Vanessa Bowie
Alecia Crichlow
Contributor: Angela Buzard
Center for Environmental Finance Newsletter • September 2010 • EPA-190-N-10-001 • Page 2
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