Southeast Regional Environmental Finance Center

EFCN Projects | Other EFCs

The Southeast Regional Environmental Finance Center, is one of nine teams nationally funded by the US Environmental Protection Agency to provide technical assistance and training in avoiding, or otherwise managing, potential economy–environment conflicts, and in financing efforts to maintain or improve environmental conditions.

The University of Louisville finance center has two broad mandates from EPA:

• To develop more environmentally and economically sustainable alternatives to uncontrolled and unfocused spatial expansion of human settlements; and
• To improve the efficiency of environmental infrastructure service delivery.

Services

The Environmental Finance Center offers a range of services that can be divided into four main areas.

1. Practice Guides: Our Practice Guide series is designed for government officials who make or implement policies that influence land use. The guides are written in a straightforward manner and are geared toward practical applications. A small fee may be required to cover printing costs.
2. Research Result Notices: We make current research results available to public officials on the web. The CEPM, a separate entity at the University, investigates the sources of urban spatial change, the effects of various public sector interventions, and ways to improve results. This work is relevant to growth management, brownfields redevelopment, and regeneration of infill areas.
3. Financial Planning Support to Water Utilities: We offer training and some technical support to small- and medium–sized water utility operators with financial planning needs. This support currently includes training in the use of rate–setting software that facilitates cost–recovery calculations. Capital planning programs are also in development through the EFC Network.
4. Brownfield Redevelopment Support: We provide information on project and profit potentials in brownfield reclamation and redevelopment efforts. With documentary materials and workshops on brownfield risk management, insurance and financing, we offer services to facilitate investment in the cleanup and reuse of properties whose financial potential is undermined by real or perceived contamination.

Contact EFC Staff

Dr. Lauren Heberle
Director
Phone: (502) 852–4749
E-mail: lauren.heberle@louisville.edu

Carol Norton
Project Coordinator
Phone: (502) 852–1588
Email: carol.norton@louisville.edu