EFC Publications

To order free hardcopies of EFC publications, contact Khris Dodson at kdodson@syracusecoe.org.

Recent Publications

January 2013 Wastewater Management Handbook for Local Representatives

Hot off the Presses! NYWEA and the Environmental Finance Center collaborate with the help of many partners to produce the Second Edition of the Wastewater Management Handbook for Local Representatives. Download the entire handbook here, or download individual chapters by selecting the appropriate link below.

This handbook is designed to be a reference tool for local officials, public administrators, and managers. In addition to the basic treatment operations, this handbook will discuss the strategies to ensure compliance, funding, adequate training, and public education. This reference will also help public officials familiarize themselves with financial management tools, loan and grant assistance, as well as learn about capital improvement planning to enhance long term economic viability.

Chapter 1: Introduction to Wastewater Management
Chapter 2: Asset Management and Sustainability
Chapter 3: Financial Management & Rate Structures
Chapter 4: Regulatory Overview and Legal Responsibilities
Chapter 5: Educating and Engaging the Public on Wastewater Treatment
Chapter 6: Stormwater Management and MS4s
Chapter 7: Collection Systems
Chapter 8: Staff Training Demands, Succession Planning and Certification
Chapter 9: NYWARN–Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network
Appendix 1: Glossary of Terms
Appendix 2: Financial Glossary

Field Guide of Financial Support for Capital Projects

NEW This reference tool was created by the Environmental Finance Center at Syracuse University, with support from USDA Rural Development, to help New York State farmers and agricultural Technical Service Providers identify available funding programs and other resources available to them. To access a PDF verson click here.

2012 New York State Reuse Directory
The New York State Reuse Directory profiles more than 200 organizations and offers a range of reuse and remanufacturing services arranged by material categories. This second edition of the New York State Reuse Directory is based on research by the Reuse Alliance, and was updated and published by the Environmental Finance Center.

2011-2012 Resource Guide for New York State Farm Owners and Operators
This reference tool was created by the Environmental Finance Center at Syracuse University to help guide New York State farmers and agricultural Technical Service Providers as they try to identify available funding programs and other resources available to them. To access the 2011 edition, please click here.

2011-2012 Funding Guide for Capital Projects in Sustainable Materials Management
With this reference tool, we hope to take some of the guesswork out of grant research for capital projects in sustainable materials management. This reference tool was created to help guide local governments and non-profits in New York State in search of federal, state, and third party financing for sustainable capital projects. To access a pdf version, please click here.

2011-2012 Field Guide of Financial Support for Capital Projects
The Environmental Finance Center at Syracuse University has published an essential, practical, and easy-to-use tool for New York municipalities and local governments looking to fund sustainable and environmentally friendly capital projects, especially those applying for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification. To access 2011's updated version, click here. To access a pdf version from 2010, please click here.

2011 Urban & Rural Treatment Wetlands Manual
This publication is an overview of some current research based guidance on how improved natural degraded wetlands and constructed wetlands can assist us by becoming “green infrastructure” to solve runoff and water quality problems. To access a pdf version, please click here.
 

The Reuse It! Guide
This handy brochure outlines simple ways to reduce waste through reuse, and highlights reuse organizations with more information and resources about the world of reuse. To download the pdf version, please click here.

Past Publications

Handbook on Wastewater Management for Local Representatives
Developed by EFC, NYSDEC, EPA Region 2, and NYWEA, this handbook is designed to be a reference tool for local officials, public administrators, and managers. In addition to the basic treatment operations, this handbook discusses the strategies to ensure compliance, funding, adequate training, and public education. This reference will also help public officials familiarize themselves with financial management tools, loan and grant assistance, as well as learn about capital improvement planning to enhance long term economic viability.To access a pdf version, please click here.

GreenPrint for Success: A How-to Guide for Building a Green Job Training Program
This “how-to” guide walks the reader through the nuts and bolts of creating, implementing, and evaluating a green jobs program. It is based on real world experience from more than 30 organizations involved in green jobs programs. To access a pdf version, please click here.

Green Jobs Grants and Grantmaking Foundations Catalog
This booklet offers examples of government-funded grant programs from state and federal agencies, as well as examples of private and nonprofit grantmaking foundations. A great starting point for those looking for money for their state and local green jobs projects. To access a pdf version, please click here.

An Empirical Study of the Green Innovation Grant Program
This in-depth report looks into the application and selection processes for the inaugural Green Innovation Grant Program (GIGP),  a New York State initiative created to allocate Green Project Reserve dollars under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. In this EPA-funded project, EFC worked with GIGP applicants and state officials to create recommendations for future rounds of the program. To access a pdf version, please click here.

Monthly e-News Archives

Quarterly Newsletters

September 2010: Green Infrastructure
June 2010: Beyond Waste
March 2010: Smart Growth
December 2009: Agricultural Best Management Practices
October 2009: Local Food
June 2009: Green Infrastructure
March 2009: Inaugural Issue

Maxwell Capstone Projects

EFC often partners with the Maxwell School at Syracuse University as a "client" for MPA students to develop reports that include extensive research on various topics of interest to our audiences. The work of these students over the years have proved to be valuable resources for EFC audiences. Here is the library of past projects.

2011 - Trash to Treasure: Sustainable Financing Options for Integrated Material Management Programs
2010 - Making Syracuse Sustainable
2009 - The GreenPrint for Success: A "How-To" Guide for Building a Green Job Training Program
2008 - City of Oswego: Toward Municipal Sustainability
2008 - Wind Initiatives in U.S. Virgin Islands
2007 - Rural Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Management
2007 - Emergency Preparedness in Rural Communities
2007 - LEED in Upstate New York: An Exploration of Barriers, Resources and Strategies
2007 - Field Guide of Financial Support for Sustainable Capital Projects
2005 - Affordability and Sustainability of Municipal Water Supply and Sanitation For Households in Rural New York
2005 - Alternative Financing of Water and Wastewater Infrastructure in Rural Communities
2004 - Intermunicipal Agreements in NYS
2003 - Impact of Public Participation on the Development of USDA Rural Utility Projects
2002 - Tapping Resources for Rural Communities
1999 - Analysis of Smart Growth Policies in New York State