IT'S NOT EASY GOING GREEN

MUNICIPALITIES MUST GET CREATIVE TO FUND RESILIENCY IN A                TIME OF BOTH GREATER NEED AND REDUCED FEDERAL FUNDING

A 5-megawatt solar installation is underway at the I-95 landfill complex in Lorton, Va.

The ground-mounted system will be built and operated by Madison Energy through a power purchase agreement with Fairfax County.

John Morrill, Fairfax County’s director of the office of environmental and energy coordination, said the county’s Department of Housing office building was made more efficient and sustainable with rooftop solar panels.

The building retrofit adds a new life to the structure and the energy savings — about $75,000 per year — will pay off the total cost of its capital improvements in 15 to 20 years.

“Beyond cost savings, there are environmental benefits. Reducing emissions at the power plant helps air quality for everyone,” Morrill said.

The county replaced a gas boiler with a heat pump plus solar at a large recreation center.

In addition to being more efficient, the upgrade reduces greenhouse gas emissions.

The county is in its fifth and final years of converting its streetlights to LED.

While the bulb investment is about $8 million total, Morrill said the more efficient bulbs allow the county to avoid about $3 million per year in energy costs to operate the more than 50,000 streetlights.

As the price of energy continues to soar, the cost avoidance could be even greater.

IT'S NOT EASY GOING GREEN

MUNICIPALITIES MUST GET CREATIVE TO FUND RESILIENCY IN A                TIME OF BOTH GREATER NEED AND REDUCED FEDERAL FUNDING

John Morrill, Fairfax County’s director of the office of environmental and energy coordination, has worked on efficient energy and green initiatives in the greater Washington, D.C., area since the 1980s.

Morrill said the goal in Fairfax County, Va., is to make energy efficiency self-funding.

In June, the county broke ground for the construction of a five-megawatt solar array on a closed landfill.

When operating in spring 2026, the solar is expected to provide about five percent of the power needed to operate more than 500 county buildings and over 50,000 streetlights in Fairfax.

The growing county of about 1.2 million has set ambitious goals of getting 25 percent of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030 and 50 percent by 2040.

Making sure new facilities are built energy efficient and spending capital dollars to improve efficiency is a way of saving power expenses, Morrill said.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IT'S NOT EASY GOING GREEN

MUNICIPALITIES MUST GET CREATIVE TO FUND RESILIENCY IN A                TIME OF BOTH GREATER NEED AND REDUCED FEDERAL FUNDING

Miami Beach’s Bayshore Park, with 19.4 acres of open space and active play areas built in place of a shuttered par-3 golf course, features nature-based resiliency.

In the center of the $42-million park, a one-acre lake was created to retain stormwater.

A future phase will connect the surrounding neighborhood’s drainage system to the park, providing extra capacity during heavy rains.

Maurice Gibb Park was completely rebuilt with a living shoreline of mangroves, raised seawall, native trees and increasing drainage capacity.

Brittany Bay Park on the Intracoastal Waterway uses a living shoreline to protect the community from storms and sunny-day flooding.

In July, Miami Beach adopted a Sea Level Rise Adaptation Plan.

It was funded by a $454,000 Resilient Florida Grant and another $100,000 in matching city funds that were dedicated to compound flood modeling.

IT'S NOT EASY GOING GREEN

MUNICIPALITIES MUST GET CREATIVE TO FUND RESILIENCY IN A                TIME OF BOTH GREATER NEED AND REDUCED FEDERAL FUNDING

Miami Beach has a permanent population of about 80,000, but must provide services adequate to serve more than 13 million annual visitors who occupy more than 25,000 hotel rooms.

Though its land mass is less than eight square miles, the densely populated luxury living and resort town has a total taxable value of more than $56 billion.

All that valuable residential and commercial real estate sits only four feet above sea level.

With Biscayne Bay on its west side and the Atlantic Ocean on its east, the city is vulnerable to both sunny-day tidal flooding and paralyzing flooding simply when it gets heavy rains.

Miami Beach is planning to invest upwards of roughly $1 billion on resiliency.

A 2018 general obligation bond brought in more than $439 million — with most of it earmarked for resiliency.

Using utility fees and other resources, the city is adding water pumps, improving its stormwater network and rebuilding parks that can control flooding.

IT'S NOT EASY GOING GREEN

MUNICIPALITIES MUST GET CREATIVE TO FUND RESILIENCY IN A                TIME OF BOTH GREATER NEED AND REDUCED FEDERAL FUNDING

Austin Perez, the National Association of REALTORS’ senior policy advisor, who specializes in tracking the true cost of insurance, natural disasters and their impacts on homeownership, said many states prone to natural disasters have already become much more self-reliant when it comes to disaster response, recovery and rebuilding.

Since the devastation of Hurricane Andrew in 1992, Florida has had the top disaster response capacity of any state.

Perez noted that FEMA is widely acknowledged as one of the world’s leading agencies in coordinating logistics and immediate disaster response, particularly in situations that exceed the capacity of individual states.

While FEMA will continue to play a critical role in disaster response, states will likely need to assume greater responsibility for longer-term recovery efforts.

 

 

IT'S NOT EASY GOING GREEN

MUNICIPALITIES MUST GET CREATIVE TO FUND RESILIENCY IN A                TIME OF BOTH GREATER NEED AND REDUCED FEDERAL FUNDING

“You will have natural disasters where the feds are not going to be providing the same level of support,” said Austin Perez, the National Association of REALTORS’ senior policy advisor, who specializes in tracking the true cost of insurance, natural disasters and their impacts on homeownership.

While that may be a difficult adjustment for some states less accustomed to frequent disasters, it’s grounded in the U.S. Constitution.

Perez explains that, under our system of federalism, states hold primary responsibility for disaster response and recovery.

“Think of Katrina in New Orleans and Lahaina in Hawaii.

They were so severe and overwhelming, the states had to request federal assistance, including from FEMA,” he said.

IT'S NOT EASY GOING GREEN

MUNICIPALITIES MUST GET CREATIVE TO FUND RESILIENCY IN A                TIME OF BOTH GREATER NEED AND REDUCED FEDERAL FUNDING

In the late 20th century, the federal government — via FEMA — took on an increasing role in funding the prevention of; response to; and recovery from natural disasters.

The current administration is in the process of revamping FEMA, putting more burden on the states.

BRIC, which stands for Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities, is a FEMA hazard mitigation grant program launched in 2020.

Many states used BRIC grants on green infrastructure meant to mitigate the impact of natural disasters.

Recently, FEMA canceled the BRIC program.

It may come back in a new, reduced form, but for now the roughly $750 million in annual funds is frozen.

 

 

IT'S NOT EASY GOING GREEN

MUNICIPALITIES MUST GET CREATIVE TO FUND RESILIENCY IN A                TIME OF BOTH GREATER NEED AND REDUCED FEDERAL FUNDING

Major projects take at least a decade, so planning for large infrastructure projects becomes difficult when federal support is in doubt.

To plug the gap -- Darren Olson, the engineer leading the American Society of Civil Engineers’ (ASCE), 2025 Report Card for America’s Infrastructure is vice president and assistant department head of the Water Resources Department at Christopher B. Burke Engineering in Chicago -- hopes many municipalities sell bonds.

He notes there is a side benefit as America rapidly ages.

Retirement-age people get a safe investment when they buy muni bonds.

IT'S NOT EASY GOING GREEN

MUNICIPALITIES MUST GET CREATIVE TO FUND RESILIENCY IN A                TIME OF BOTH GREATER NEED AND REDUCED FEDERAL FUNDING

Darren Olson, the engineer leading the American Society of Civil Engineers’ (ASCE), 2025 Report Card for America’s Infrastructure is vice president and assistant department head of the Water Resources Department at Christopher B. Burke Engineering in Chicago, said the ASCE estimates there is a $3.7-trillion infrastructure investment gap over the next 10 years.

He believes the federal government still has a significant role to play in funding infrastructure, especially sustainability.

IT'S NOT EASY GOING GREEN

MUNICIPALITIES MUST GET CREATIVE TO FUND RESILIENCY IN A                TIME OF BOTH GREATER NEED AND REDUCED FEDERAL FUNDING

Darren Olson, the engineer leading the American Society of Civil Engineers’ (ASCE), 2025 Report Card for America’s Infrastructure is vice president and assistant department head of the Water Resources Department at Christopher B. Burke Engineering in Chicago, said looking at life-cycle-cost savings is part of resiliency.

“When we are looking at a highway and budget for a transit lane, that is more expensive now, but it pays off over time,” he said.

“When we repair a road or make it more resilient, we also need to add more space for pedestrians and biking.

We need to make sure we’re not leaving anybody behind, that we are improving society when everybody is more mobile and more active.”

IT'S NOT EASY GOING GREEN

MUNICIPALITIES MUST GET CREATIVE TO FUND RESILIENCY IN A                TIME OF BOTH GREATER NEED AND REDUCED FEDERAL FUNDING

Investing in infrastructure keeps the United States competitive in the global economy

The ASCE urges that the momentum must continue, especially with resiliency.

“Thirty years ago, very few realized that much of our infrastructure is over 100 years old. Back then, few contemplated that the climate was going to change,” 

said Darren Olson, the engineer leading the American Society of Civil Engineers’ (ASCE), 2025 Report Card for America’s Infrastructure is vice president and assistant department head of the Water Resources Department at Christopher B. Burke Engineering in Chicago.

 

 

IT'S NOT EASY GOING GREEN

MUNICIPALITIES MUST GET CREATIVE TO FUND RESILIENCY IN A                TIME OF BOTH GREATER NEED AND REDUCED FEDERAL FUNDING

Darren Olson, the engineer leading the American Society of Civil Engineers’ (ASCE), 2025 Report Card for America’s Infrastructure is vice president and assistant department head of the Water Resources Department at Christopher B. Burke Engineering in Chicago.

He said the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act plus the Inflation Reduction Act provided more than a trillion dollars for much-needed infrastructure, while also supporting myriad jobs.

Investing in infrastructure keeps the United States competitive in the global economy, Olson said. 

He noted that safe inland waterways and great ports allow things like grain and soybeans to be shipped overseas, keeping this nation competitive against other producers such as Brazil.

 

IT'S NOT EASY GOING GREEN

MUNICIPALITIES MUST GET CREATIVE TO FUND RESILIENCY IN A                TIME OF BOTH GREATER NEED AND REDUCED FEDERAL FUNDING

Darren Olson, the engineer leading the American Society of Civil Engineers’ (ASCE), 2025 Report Card for America’s Infrastructure is vice president and assistant department head of the Water Resources Department at Christopher B. Burke Engineering in Chicago.

This year’s grade was C: the highest overall grade ever awarded. ASCE credited increased investment at the federal and state levels for elevating the nation’s infrastructure grade above 2021’s C-minus.

“Infrastructure — it’s not a red thing or a blue thing — it improves life if we have clean water, safe sanitation and the commute to work is easier,” Olson said.

“Transit and broadband affect everything we do.

The digital transformation/AI is a huge topic.

Without infrastructure, there is no AI, no massive data centers.”

 

IT'S NOT EASY GOING GREEN

MUNICIPALITIES MUST GET CREATIVE TO FUND RESILIENCY IN A                TIME OF BOTH GREATER NEED AND REDUCED FEDERAL FUNDING

Earlier this year, California passed a wildfire aid package that dedicated up to $1 billion to disaster response and emergency operations while also making allocations for rebuilding homes and schools.

“In the near term, it’s possible that states with smaller budgets will see far greater challenges in responding to disasters without the access to federal dollars that they’ve had in the past,” said Drew Myers, policy representative, State and Local Issues, Advocacy Group, National Association of REALTORS®.

IT'S NOT EASY GOING GREEN

MUNICIPALITIES MUST GET CREATIVE TO FUND RESILIENCY IN A                TIME OF BOTH GREATER NEED AND REDUCED FEDERAL FUNDING

“Following the tragic Camp Mystic floods in Texas, the Texas legislature passed bills that allocate funding to early warning systems and support emergency training and first-responder communication improvements,” 

said Drew Myers, policy representative, State and Local Issues, Advocacy Group, National Association of REALTORS®, noting the legislation also addresses emergency manager licensing and equipment upkeep.

IT'S NOT EASY GOING GREEN

MUNICIPALITIES MUST GET CREATIVE TO FUND RESILIENCY IN A                TIME OF BOTH GREATER NEED AND REDUCED FEDERAL FUNDING

Drew Myers, policy representative, State and Local Issues, Advocacy Group, National Association of REALTORS®, said state governments are taking action on the budget impact of weather-related events.

“As the administration reviews and considers overhauling FEMA disaster aid and other programs, some states are considering boosting or creating new disaster recovery funds while others will invest in their ‘rainy-day’ funds to bolster their ability to provide aid to their constituents in the future,” Myers said.

States are also thinking about longer-term strategies, debating policy solutions to address disaster preparedness, response and recovery.

 

IT'S NOT EASY GOING GREEN

MUNICIPALITIES MUST GET CREATIVE TO FUND RESILIENCY IN A                TIME OF BOTH GREATER NEED AND REDUCED FEDERAL FUNDING

In early 2025, National Association of REALTORS asked government affairs directors from state and local REALTOR® associations across the country if weather-related events were placing a strain on their state or local government’s budget.

More than half (54%) reported financial stress in government budgets from extreme weather events, requiring advocacy for improved infrastructure and resiliency funding.

IT'S NOT EASY GOING GREEN

MUNICIPALITIES MUST GET CREATIVE TO FUND RESILIENCY IN A                TIME OF BOTH GREATER NEED AND REDUCED FEDERAL FUNDING

The Duwamish River restoration project is a perfect example of a “capital stack” combination of funding, including: state grants, local grants, public utilities grants, a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation grant, King County Flood Control District funding, conservation fund dollars and funding from FEMA BRIC, a federal program now suspended by the administration.

Other grant applications for the evolving public-private partnership are pending.

The project team is hoping to enter a partnership with a pro sports team foundation that supports climate resilience in disadvantaged areas.

 

IT'S NOT EASY GOING GREEN

MUNICIPALITIES MUST GET CREATIVE TO FUND RESILIENCY IN A                TIME OF BOTH GREATER NEED AND REDUCED FEDERAL FUNDING

In Seattle, Tahne Corcutt is leading Jacobs’ work on the Duwamish River, a heavily polluted waterway surrounded by Seattle’s industrial area.

The river also floods, further negatively impacting the city’s largest Hispanic community as well as lower-income, disadvantaged areas.

Jacobs is working with the U.S. EPA and other entities to restore habitat and remove contamination as part of the environmental justice project.

 

IT'S NOT EASY GOING GREEN

MUNICIPALITIES MUST GET CREATIVE TO FUND RESILIENCY IN A                TIME OF BOTH GREATER NEED AND REDUCED FEDERAL FUNDING

Tahne Corcutt, of the Jacobs engineering firm, said some cities may partner with private property owners who will benefit from flood protection or other resilient infrastructure.

Cities could also work with private property owners to raise building foundations out of the floodplain or to encourage less paved surface and more plants that are good at absorbing rainwater.

The Water Infrastructure and Innovation Act (WIFIA) is an EPA program that funds water and wastewater infrastructure projects.

Minimum project size for large cities is $20 million and $5 million for small communities.