I 
112TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 2030 
To establish centers of excellence for green infrastructure, and for other 
purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
MAY 26, 2011 
Ms. EDWARDS (for herself, Mr. CARNAHAN, Ms. LEE of California, Mr. GRI-
JALVA, Ms. HIRONO, Mr. STARK, Ms. MOORE, Mr. MORAN, Mr. 
CLEAVER, Mr. TONKO, Ms. PINGREE of Maine, Mr. HOLT, Mr. VAN 
HOLLEN, Ms. SCHAKOWSKY, Mr. PRICE of North Carolina, and Mr. 
MCGOVERN) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Com-
mittee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Com-
mittee on Science, Space, and Technology, for a period to be subsequently 
determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provi-
sions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned 
A BILL 
To establish centers of excellence for green infrastructure, 
and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Green Infrastructure 
for Clean Water Act of 2011’’. 
SEC. 2. FINDINGS. 
Congress finds the following: 
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(1) Many water resources in the United States 
are declining, particularly in urban areas. 
(2) This decline of water resources is the result 
of an increase in population, water consumption, and 
impermeable surfaces, as well as the negative effects 
of urbanization, commercial and industrial activities, 
and climate change. 
(3) An October 2008 study by the National Re-
search Council found that some of the benefits of 
green infrastructure include increased water sup-
plies, the creation of green jobs, cost savings, and a 
reduction of stormwater runoff, surface water dis-
charge, stormwater pollution, and stormwater flows. 
SEC. 3. CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE FOR GREEN INFRA-
STRUCTURE. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT OF CENTERS.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—The Administrator shall 
make grants on a competitive basis to eligible insti-
tutions to establish and maintain not fewer than 3 
and not more than 5 centers of excellence for green 
infrastructure, located throughout the United States. 
(2) 
GENERAL
OPERATION.—Each 
center 
shall— 
(A) conduct research on green infrastruc-
ture that is relevant to the geographic region in 
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which 
the 
center 
is 
located, 
including 
stormwater and sewer overflow reduction, other 
approaches to water resource enhancement, and 
other environmental, economic, and social bene-
fits; 
(B) develop manuals and set industry 
standards on best management practices relat-
ing to State, local, and commercial green infra-
structure for use by State and local govern-
ments and the private sector; 
(C) provide information about research 
conducted under subparagraph (A) and manu-
als produced under subparagraph (B) to the na-
tional electronic clearinghouse center for publi-
cation on the Web site created pursuant to sub-
section (c) to inform the Federal Government, 
State and local governments, and the private 
sector about green infrastructure; 
(D) provide technical assistance to State 
and local governments to assist with green in-
frastructure projects; 
(E) collaborate with institutions of higher 
education and private and public organizations 
in the geographic region in which the center is 
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located on green infrastructure research and 
technical assistance projects; 
(F) assist institutions of higher education, 
secondary schools, and vocational schools to de-
velop green infrastructure curricula; 
(G) provide training about green infra-
structure to institutions of higher education and 
professional schools; 
(H) evaluate regulatory and policy issues 
about green infrastructure; and 
(I) coordinate with the other centers to 
avoid duplication of efforts. 
(b) APPLICATION.—To be eligible to receive a grant 
under this section, an eligible institution shall prepare and 
submit to the Administrator an application at such a time, 
in such form, and containing such information and assur-
ances as the Administrator may require. 
(c) NATIONAL ELECTRONIC CLEARINGHOUSE CEN-
TER.—One of the centers established under subsection 
(a)(1) shall be designated as the ‘‘national electronic clear-
inghouse center’’ and, in addition to its other functions, 
shall develop, operate, and maintain a Web site and a pub-
lic database containing information relating to green in-
frastructure, including information received from the 
other centers under subsection (a)(2)(C). 
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