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Press Release: Senator Jack Reed Announces $11.5 Million for Rhode Island’s Regional Environment

The Southeast New England Program (SNEP), funded by Congress and managed by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), works to restore clean water, healthy ecosystems, and sustainable communities in Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts. On September 5th, U.S. Senator Jack Reed announced  $11.5 million in grants and technical assistance for local organizations working on high-priority environmental projects throughout the region.

NPDES Climate Resilience Permit Requirements Training for Wastewater Utilities in the Northeast

When: Thursday, September 12th, 2024 | 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM ET 

Description: The EPA’s Climate Resilience Water Utility (CRWU) initiative provides drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater utilities with practical tools, training, and technical assistance to increase system resilience to climate change impacts. CRWU helps promote a clear understanding of climate data and helps water sector utilities identify potential adaptation strategies, implementation options, and infrastructure financing. This training will include information about the permitting process, climate risk assessments, the Federal Flood Standard Support Toll & the Federal Flood Risk Management Standard (FFRMS), and available funding resources.

Host:  EPA Region 1

EPA and Partners Awards over $7 million for Climate Projects in Rhode Island and  Southeast Massachusetts

Rhode Island communities will get $4.6 million in new funding from the US Environmental Protection Agency to help protect the area’s coastal waters and watersheds, and added technical assistance and partnerships with local organizations working for clean water and healthy coastal ecosystems in Southeast New England.
 
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced the award of $3,339,177 in new funding for southeast Massachusetts communities and new technical assistance and partnerships with local organizations working for clean water and healthy coastal ecosystems. 

Electric Vehicle Pilot Shows the Potential for Electrification in Craft Beverage Distribution

With facilitation support from the NEEFC and our Service Learning Interns, Three of Strong Spirits has committed to being the first craft beverage manufacturer to sign up for an EV trial with Merge Fleet Solutions for distribution needs, with very promising results to date.  This is just the beginning of a program intended to better understand the possibilities for using EVs for craft beverage needs in Maine, the barriers in place, and how to maximize the possibilities while strategically addressing the barriers.  
Photo Credit: Dennis Dunbar

NEEFC Helps Coastal Maine Towns Secure Action Grants for Climate Resilience

Dec. 1, 2022 – The Towns of Arrowsic, Georgetown, Westport Island, and Woolwich were each awarded Community Action Grants of up to $50,000 to support projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help the community adapt to climate change impacts. NEEFC and partners helped these neighboring towns identify community climate priorities during a series of workshops this summer and worked with town representatives to apply for state funding through Maine’s Community Resilience Partnership. 

2021 Rhode Island Grantees & Delegation

EPA Support for Local Groups Will Help Protect and Restore Environment for SNEP Communities

Nov. 7, 2022 – Through the SNEP Network’s 2022 Community Assistance Projects (CAP) Solicitation, the SNEP Network selected 10 projects with 8 SNEP communities and 1 Tribe in which to provide technical assistance. The Community Assistance Projects offer in-depth technical, financial, and training assistance to municipalities, Tribes, and non-profits in the SNEP region to build their local capacity.

Biden-Harris Administration Selects NEEFC as EPA Environmental Finance Center to Help Communities Access Funds for Infrastructure Projects

WASHINGTON (Nov. 4, 2022) – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the selection of 29 Environmental Finance Centers (EFCs) that will help communities across the country access federal funding for infrastructure and greenhouse gas reduction projects that improve public health and environmental protection. Thanks to President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the selected EFCs will help underserved communities that have historically struggled to access federal funding receive the support they need to access resources for water infrastructure improvements.

Director Martha Sheils (left) and Technical Expert Peter Cooke (right). Photo Credit: Robert Guillemin

EPA Selects New England Environmental Finance Center for $350,000 Pollution Prevention Grant

FREEPORT, ME (Sept. 8, 2022) – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the selection of the New England Environmental Finance Center based at the University of Southern Maine (USM) to receive a $350,000 Pollution Prevention (P2) grant made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s historic $100 million investment in the program. This grant will help support sustainability in the Maine craft beverage industry.

New England Stormwater Retrofit Manual

The recently released Stormwater Retrofit Guidance Manual is a key tool for improving New England’s water resources. The guidance is based on how stormwater treatment occurs within structural controls with the understanding that achieving any water quality improvement is beneficial. It provides approaches for making improvements on sites that don’t fit within a current regulatory framework.

This manual has been developed by the University of New Hampshire Stormwater Center and VHB with financial support from the SNEP Network, a project of the New England Environmental Finance Center, and technical support from other SNEP Network partners, state agencies, and EPA Region 1.

New England Sustainable Craft Beverage Program Launches with Five Maine Brewers

PORTLAND, ME (January 3, 2022) – Allagash Brewing Company, Austin Street Brewery, Island Dog Brewing, Maine Beer Company, and Nonesuch River Brewing have completed the New England Sustainable Craft Beverage Program workbook. 

Photo Credit: Kimberly Groff Consulting

SNEP Network announces technical assistance awards to Southeast New England communities

September 1, 2021 – The Southeast New England Program (SNEP) Network is pleased to announce its 2021 technical assistance awards to two Tribal Nations and six Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts communities to advance their stormwater and watershed management, and climate resilience planning.

University of Southern Maine Selected for Pilot Climate Resilience Project

August 18, 2021 – New England Environmental Finance Center  and Casco Bay Estuary Partnership (CBEP) are partnering with the Towns of Harpswell, Phippsburg, and West Bath to help them prepare for the effects of climate change and develop climate planning models for other coastal communities in Maine.