EPA Launches New Strategy to Promote Use of Green Infrastructure for Environmental and Economic Benefits

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is launching a new strategy to promote the use of green infrastructure by cities and towns to reduce stormwater runoff that pollutes streams, creeks, rivers, lakes, and coastal waters. Green infrastructure decreases pollution to local waterways by treating rain where it falls and keeping polluted stormwater from entering sewer systems. In addition to protecting Americans’ health by decreasing water pollution, green infrastructure provides a number of other community benefits, including increased economic activity and neighborhood revitalization, job creation, energy savings, and increased recreational and green space.

“Through this agenda, we’ll help cities and towns across the nation clean up their waters and strengthen their communities by supporting and expanding green infrastructure,” said Deputy Administrator Bob Perciasepe in a prepared statement. “Green infrastructure changes improve the health of our waters while creating local jobs, saving communities money and making them healthier and more prosperous places to raise a family and start a business.”

Stormwater is one of the most widespread challenges to water quality in the nation. Large volumes of polluted stormwater degrade rivers, lakes and aquatic habitats and contribute to downstream flooding. Green infrastructure captures and filters pollutants by passing stormwater through soils and retaining it on site.  Effective green infrastructure tools and techniques include green roofs, permeable materials, alternative designs for streets and buildings, trees, rain gardens, and rain harvesting systems.

As part of the strategy, EPA will work with partners including local governments, watershed groups, tribes, and others in ten cities that have utilized green infrastructure and have plans for additional projects. EPA will encourage and support expanded use of green infrastructure in these cities (which include Boston, MA) and highlight them as models for other municipalities around the country.

Energy savings is one of the benefits of green infrastructure. On and around buildings, green infrastructure can reduce heating and cooling costs. For example, green roofs may reduce a building’s energy costs by 10 to 15 percent, and an additional 10 percent of urban tree canopy can provide 5 to 10 percent energy savings from shading and windblocking. Green infrastructure also conserves energy by reducing the amount of stormwater entering combined collection and treatment systems, which reduces the amount of wastewater processed at treatment plants.

EPA plans to continue working with other federal agencies, state and local governments, tribes, municipalities, and the private sector to identify opportunities for using green infrastructure and provide assistance to communities implementing green approaches to control stormwater.  EPA also plans to work to provide additional tools to help states and communities leverage green infrastructure opportunities within other innovative environmental projects.

For more information on EPA’s green infrastructure agenda: http://epa.gov/greeninfrastructure

Background information:

New England City & Town: Stormwater Management