U.S. Sens. Susan Collins (R-ME) and Angus King (I-ME) said this week that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has chosen the University of Southern Maine as one of eight universities to receive Environmental Finance Center grant funding.
The money will finance the university’s outreach efforts, which are focused on helping communities in Maine identify solutions for funding environmental activities, such as water infrastructure.
The funds will come from the Environmental Finance Center Grant Program, which helps support various regional centers throughout the U.S. These centers focus on collaborating with local communities to solve their environmental financing concerns. The centers offer technical assistance, training and studies, all of which are designed to create sustainable economic solutions while meeting all standards and goals for the environment.
“As communities across Maine work to meet environmental goals that benefit public health, the environment and the economy, it is important that they have the support necessary to develop financial plans in order to reach these goals,” a joint statement from Collins and King said. “This grant funding will support the University of Southern Maine in their continued work with local communities to ensure they have access to the tools needed to do just that.”