Peter Moore, P.E., F.ASCE, FACEC
President, Chen Moore and Associates
As published by the Sun Sentinel on October 21, 2022
Last week: The Clean Water Act (CWA) was signed 50 years ago this week. The CWA is the primary federal law in the United States governing water pollution. Its objective is to restore and maintain the integrity of the nation’s waters. The law recognizes the responsibilities of the states in addressing pollution and provides assistance to states to do so, including funding for publicly owned treatment works for the improvement of wastewater treatment and maintaining the integrity of wetlands. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection has delegated authority to manage and, sometimes, fund this in Florida. This was a great day in American history.
Looking ahead: Recently, the largest clean energy lending institution, Ygrene, stopped funding PACE loans to homeowners in Florida without warning. Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) programs provide an alternative way for Florida homeowners to finance energy efficient upgrades to their home, like impact windows and doors. This financing program allowed participating counties and municipalities to assist homeowners in financing these improvement projects. Not only are they not funding any more projects, but they are not funding any projects that have already been approved. Homeowners that were trying to do the right thing were left out in the cold. They need help soon.
