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  • videocam On-Demand
  • signal_cellular_alt Intermediate
  • card_travel Environmental
  • schedule 90 minutes

Federal WIFIA Loans to Finance Water Infrastructure Projects: EPA Priorities; Application and Approval Process

$297.00

This course is $0 with these passes:

CLE
ALL
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Description

The EPA recently announced the availability of $6.5 billion in WIFIA funding and $1 billion in State Infrastructure Financing Authority (SWIFIA) funding along with priority areas that will guide the agency in distributing the funds for the loans that may assist covered entities with costly compliance measures related to recent regulation.

The WIFIA program is a federal credit program administered by the EPA for eligible wastewater and infrastructure projects. Each year, the EPA announces the funding and priorities on which the agency will focus when reviewing and approving projects for funding that best support the agency's strategic goals.

The agency's recently announced priorities include, among others, addressing PFAS and emerging contaminants. Given the timing of certain PFAS regulation, including established drinking water levels, and the significant costs that will be required for compliance, counsel should understand how the WIFIA loan program works so that they can help their clients decide whether and how to pursue this financing option to potentially alleviate compliance costs.

Listen as our expert panel provides a comprehensive overview of the WIFIA and SWIFIA programs and the EPA's most recent funding announcement. The panel will discuss the agency's priorities and how these may impact project funding approval. The panel will also offer best practices for assisting clients in evaluating whether and when to apply for a WIFIA/SWIFIA loan and for navigating the application process.

Presented By

Ryan K. Callender
Partner
Parent: Squire Patton Boggs

One of Mr. Callender’s primary areas of focus is in the structuring of water and sewer revenue debt financing. He has served as bond counsel, underwriter’s counsel and disclosure counsel for a variety of water and/or sewer entities throughout the country. In addition, Mr. Callender has experience serving as bond counsel and underwriter’s counsel for various state revolving funds including serving as bond counsel to the Ohio Water Development Authority for more than US$3 billion of bond, floating rate note and commercial paper issues. He is also an active member of and frequent speaker for the Council of Infrastructure Financing Authorities.

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Amelia Letnes
WIFIA Project Selection Lead
US EPA

Ms. Letnes is the Project Selection Lead at the WIFIA program. She manages the process for incoming prospective borrowers and offers borrower support during both the letter of interest and application phases of the WIFIA process. She also served as a Portfolio Manager at the WIFIA program, supporting closed loans. Prior to WIFIA, she worked in the NDPES program on national policy issues such as nutrient permitting and water quality trading.

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Credit Information

  • This 90-minute webinar is eligible in most states for 1.5 CLE credits.


  • Live Online


    On Demand

Date + Time

  • event

    Thursday, December 19, 2024

  • schedule

    1:00 p.m. ET./10:00 a.m. PT

  1. Introduction
    1. The Water and Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act
  2. WIFIA and SWIFIA loan programs
    1. WIFIA/SWIFIA loan features
    2. Eligible projects
    3. Qualifying applicants
    4. EPA project selection and approval
  3. EPA's most recent $7.5 billion funding and priority areas
    1. PFAS
    2. Disadvantaged communities
    3. Others
  4. When clients should consider WIFIA funding
  5. Assisting clients with the application process
  6. Practitioner takeaways

The panel will review these and other important considerations:

  • What is the purpose of WIFIA funding?
  • How does WIFIA relate to SWIFIA?
  • What are the EPA's most recently announced priorities related to WIFIA funding, and how do these impact EPA project approval?
  • How does recent EPA regulation impact whether a client may want to apply for WIFIA funding?
  • What are eligible projects to be considered for loans? Who are qualifying applicants?
  • What are best practices for helping clients navigate the WIFIA application process?