Document 2qdDB14R5QjJry4ZNYVXK3gp6

Message From: Sent: To: CC: Subject: Jones, Enesta [/0=EXCHANGELABS/OU=EXCHANGE ADMINISTRATIVE GROUP (FYDIBOHF23SPDLT)/CN=RECIPIENTS/CN=65B8E6C6E5CA4A7A9AE85D98A4C8EEDB-EJONES02] 8/14/2017 1:49:19 PM Peter Chawaga [pchawaga@vertmarkets.com] Press [/o=ExchangeLabs/ou=Exchange Administrative Group (FYDIBOHF23SPDLT)/cn=Recipients/cn=b293283291dc44eOb5dlc36be9281d8a-Press] Re: New EPA Tool Helps Communities Access More Than $10 Billion in Water Infrastructure Financing Peter, I am working to get you something today. Thanks for your patience. On Aug 14, 2017, at 9:47 AM, Peter Chawaga <pchawaga@vertmarkets.com> wrote: Hi Enesta, Thanks for your help with my questions this month. Can you provide an update on responses for this story? Thanks, Peter From: Jones, Enesta <Jones.Enesta@epa.gov> Sent: Friday, August 4, 2017 11:36:13 AM To: Peter Chawaga Cc: Press Subject: RE: New EPA Tool Helps Communities Access More Than $10 Billion in Water Infrastructure Financing Thanks for biting on the pitch, Peter. I am looking after your questions forTricia. Enesta Jones U.S. EPA Office of Media Relations Office: 202.564.7873 Ex. 6 "The root of all joy is gratefulness." From: Peter Chawaga [mailto:pchawaga@vertmarkets.com] Sent: Friday, August 04, 2017 11:34 AM To: Jones, Enesta <Jones.Enesta@epa.gov> Subject: Re: New EPA Tool Helps Communities Access More Than $10 Billion in Water Infrastructure Financing Hi Enesta, I am hoping that you or a party you recommend can provide written responses to the questions below regarding this release. I'd like responses by next Friday, 8/11. How does that sound? Sierra Club v. EPA 18cv3472 NDCA Tier 13 ED 002061 00027407-00001 Thanks, Peter 1. W hat inspired the creation of this database? How would you describe the national need for infrastructure funding? 2. Do you feel that there are sources of funding within this database that are currently under utilized by those that might need them? 3. W hat was the process of creating the W ater Finance Clearinghouse? What was the tim eline and how were responsibilities divided among participating creators? 4. How do you imagine a com m unity in need utilizing this tool, from identifying a funding need to completing an infrastructure project? 5. How can a com m unity best utilize the "resources" section of the clearinghouse? 6. W hat is the benefit of including the interactive map? 7. Do you have any other tips for how a com m unity can best use the W ater Finance Clearinghouse? From: Jones, Enesta <Jones.Enesta@epa.gov> Sent: Thursday, July 27, 2017 12:23:44 PM To: Peter Chawaga Cc: Jones, Enesta Subject: Fwd: New EPA Tool Helps Communities Access More Than $10 Billion in Water Infrastructure Financing FYI, Peter, in case you want to pursue a story. Enesta Jones U S. EPA Office of Media Relations Office: 202.564.7873 Ex. 6 "The root of all joy is gratefulness." Begin forwarded message: From: EPA Press Office <noreplv-subscriptions@epa.gov> Date: July 26, 2017 at 9:59:49 AM EDT To: <iones.enesta@epa.gov> Subject: New EPA Tool Helps Communities Access More Than $10 Billion in Water Infrastructure Financing <image001 ,jpg> CONTACT: press@epa.gov New EPA Tool Helps Communities Access More Than $10 Billion in Water Infrastructure Sierra Club v. EPA 18cv3472 NDCA Tier 13 ED 002061 00027407-00002 Financing New EPA tool gives communities access to information and financing opportunities that will help improve water quality and protect public health WASHINGTON (July 26, 2017) - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is launching the Water Finance Clearinghouse, a web-based portal to help communities make informed financing decisions for their drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure needs. The Clearinghouse provides communities with a searchable database with more than $10 billion in water funding sources and over 550 resources to support local water infrastructure projects. It consolidates and expands upon existing EPAsupported databases to create a one-stop-shop for all community water finance needs. The Water Finance Clearinghouse was developed by EPA's Water Infrastructure and Resiliency Finance Center, an information and assistance center that provides financing information to help local decision makers make informed decisions for drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure to reach their public health and environmental goals. "Every day, Americans depend on water infrastructure to ensure that their drinking water is safe and that local waterways stay clean," said EPA's Office of Water's Deputy Assistant Administrator D. Lee Forsgren. "Investing in water infrastructure sustains local economies by creating jobs, protecting public health, and increasing quality of life. EPA's Clearinghouse is a vital portal that helps connect communities with the information and tools they need to finance much needed water infrastructure improvement projects." Many communities around the country have aging or inadequate water infrastructure: each year approximately 240,000 main breaks occur while elsewhere billions of gallons of raw sewage are discharged into local surface waters from aging conveyance systems. Communities increasingly need efficient access to up-to-date water finance information to rehabilitate or replace their water infrastructure. EPA's new Water Finance Clearinghouse meets this need. The Water Finance Clearinghouse gives local decision makers an opportunity to search for available funding sources for water infrastructure as well as resources (such as reports, webpages, and webinars) on financing mechanisms and approaches that can help communities access capital to meet their water infrastructure needs. State, federal, local, and foundation funding sources and resources on public-private partnerships, asset management practices, revenue models, and affordability approaches are included in the Clearinghouse. The Water Finance Clearinghouse is updated in real-time, following a crowdsourcing model. States, federal agencies, and other water sector stakeholders have the ability to suggest edits and new resources or funding options at any time through the Contributor Portal. Stakeholders can use this interactive feature to manage how their programs and initiatives are displayed in the Clearinghouse. EPA webinars on how to use the Clearinghouse are scheduled for: . July 27 July 31 August 3 August 14 August 18 August 24 August 31 All webinars will be held 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. Eastern. You can register for a webinar at: https://register.gotowebinar.com/rt/4533646364837520386 More information on the Clearinghouse: https://www.epa.gov/waterfinancecenter/water-financeclearinghouse <image002.jpg> <image002.jpg> <~WRD000.jpg> Sierra Club v. EPA 18cv3472 NDCA Tier 13 ED 002061 00027407-00003 If you would rather not receive future communications from Environmental Protection Agency, let us know by clicking here. Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20460 United States Sierra Club v. EPA 18cv3472 NDCA Tier 13 ED 002061 00027407-00004