Why not green infrastructure in New Albany? "Turning Stormwater Runoff Into Everyone's Business."

It's about green versus gray infrastructure.

How many trees have been chopped down in New Albany the past couple of weeks?

Turning Stormwater Runoff Into Everyone's Business, by Julian Spector

D.C.’s marketplace for stormwater retention credits wasn't taking off, but a new investment could change that.

 ... While a massive $2.6 billion tunnel system is underway to deal with some of the runoff, it’s not enough. That’s why the city turned to green infrastructure: rain gardens, green roofs, permeable surfaces, and leafy drainage ditches known as bioswales that filter and store extra rainwater, easing the load on the sewer system. These options cost much less than “gray infrastructure” and they make the city prettier and more enjoyable.

And using market forces to achieve it?

But the city can’t pay for it all by itself. That’s why, in 2013, the District Department of Energy and Environment came up with a new idea to get more green spaces scattered around the area. The agency created retention credits, available to homeowners, churches, businesses, and anyone else with land that could be upgraded to retain more rainwater. Those credits can then be sold to developers who may need them in order to meet the retention requirements for large new building projects.

I can hear Chairman Adam Disney now:

"But where's the campaign finance in THAT?"