In solving environmental problems or addressing environmental issues, the Network brings a unique financial perspective. The Network has worked in over 40 states and shares information and technical expertise among the states and within the Network to allow a national transfer of information. The Network works with both the regulated community and regulators to promote efficient and effective environmental compliance. The Network routinely partners with other public and private entities to complete projects throughout the US and beyond. The Network provides education, technical assistance and analyses to state and local governments and the private sector through various tools, including the following.
Some tools apply across a broad spectrum of issues while others are limited to specific media.
Finance Planning Strategies and Programs include the provision of financial expertise in areas such as capital financing, operating cost management, innovative loan programs, and strategies and approaches for the public and private sectors. Local Economic Development support involves numerous areas including eco-industrial parks, recycling, open space preservation, brownfields, greenfields, and green business and environmental industry support and promotion. Role-play and Simulations have been used in brownfields assistance where stakeholders learn what motivates and interests the other stakeholders with whom they need to negotiate, based on real circumstances. Economic and Fiscal Impact Analyses are frequently performed for various projects including brownfields reclamation, rural land conversions and other forms of development. Rate Utility Setting models and systems development programs have been developed for water and wastewater infrastructure projects.