Washington, D.C. Offers Rebates for Property Managers

Washington D.C.’s Department of the Environment (DDOE) and the Anacostia Watershed Society recently launched two new rebate programs to assist property managers in improving their stormwater management practices, in some cases covering up to 100% of the costs.

The RiverSmart Communities initiative provides rebates for properties investing in sustainable stormwater management solutions that may include permeable pavements, cisterns, bioretention, or Low Impact Development practices. The Green Roof Rebate program provides refunds for installing green roofs.

Participants in the RiverSmart Communities program can receive rebates up to 60% of the overall project costs and some approved projects in Wards 7 & 8 could receive a rebate up to 100% of total project costs.

The Green Roof Program provides property managers rebates up to $7/square foot, or up to $10/square foot in targeted watersheds.

Benefits include improved environmental compliance, an expected lowering of heating and cooling costs, and potentially an increase in market value for the property.  The improvements count towards LEED credits, and may also contribute to better worker productivity because of health and esthetic appeal.

Better rainwater runoff management also releases pressure on D.C.’s antiquated sewer system, preventing untreated sewage from being released into the Anacostia and Potomac Rivers during storms.

For more information on how to get involved in either of these programs, please contact Christine McCoy at cmccoy@greatforest.com, 202.246.0163

* Read the rest of the Jan 2014 newsletter

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