Local Government Environmental Assistance Network (LGEAN)
Latest News
Check out our latest LGEAN content:
- Webinar: Equity-Centered Local Climate Action Planning
- Podcast: Meeting Stormwater Compliance Objectives with Green Infrastructure
- Blog: New Resource Locator Provides Climate Tools for States
Local governments play an indispensable role in protecting our environment. Local environmental agencies work hard to ensure that city residents enjoy clean water, fresh air, and safe living conditions. Federal laws and regulations impose requirements on local governments that are intended to help achieve these important goals. Especially in smaller and more remote areas, local governments may face challenges in complying with all the federal (as well as state) environmental requirements. Challenges range from understanding regulations to finding the capital necessary to finance their endeavors. Likewise, community members may also struggle to know how they can best advocate for communities in this complex system.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) created the Local Government Environmental Assistance Network (LGEAN) to help local governments understand and comply with federal requirements. LGEAN is a “first-stop shop” for local environmental managers that gathers useful resources on federal environmental laws, regulations, technical requirements, and financing—on a single, easily accessible platform. The Environmental Law Institute assumed administration of LGEAN, beginning in 2020, under a cooperative agreement.
Leveraging its 50 years of experience supporting local governments, promoting community engagement, and collaborating with a wide network of local government, environmental justice, and community stakeholders, ELI is:
- Developing new content, including easy-to-read fact sheets and exemplary case studies in local compliance on topics ranging from stormwater pollution and air quality to climate and sustainable communities;
- Creating dynamic educational programming, including podcasts and webinars;
- Connecting local environmental managers and EPA subject matter experts to respond to technical inquiries;
- Empowering communities to get involved and take part in addressing local pollution and environmental inequity; and
- Alerting local officials to new funding opportunities and environmental financing tools.
LGEAN Advisory Committee Members:
- Julia Anastasio, Executive Director, Association of Clean Water Administrators
- Scott Annis, Senior Program Manager, International City/County Management Association (ICMA)
- David Biderman, Chief Executive Officer, Solid Waste Association of North America
- Ann Marie Chischilly, Executive Director, Institute of Tribal Environmental Professionals
- Dawn Flancher, Senior Manager - Technical & Research Programs, American Water Works Association (AWWA)
- Angie Fyfe, Executive Director, ICLEI -- Local Governments for Sustainability
- Ben Grumbles, Executive Director, Environmental Council of States (ECOS)
- Matt Holmes, Chief Executive Officer, National Rural Waters Association
- Amanda Karras, Executive Director / General Counsel, International Municipal Lawyers Association (IMLA)
- Miles Keogh, Executive Director, National Association of Clean Air Agencies
- Laura Landes, Research Team Leader, Rural Communities Assistance Partnership (RCAP)
- Howard Learner, Executive Director, Environmental Law and Policy Center
- Walter Marlowe, Executive Director, Water Environment Federation (WEF)
- Jennifer Palmiotto, Senior Federal Policy Advisor, National Rural Waters Association
- Adam Pugh, Associate Legislative Director - Environment, Energy and Land Use, National Association of Counties
- Suzi Ruhl, Senior Research Scientist, Yale University
- Katrina Wyman, Sarah Herring Sorin Professor of Law, New York University
Learn more about LGEAN at https://lgean.net and connect with us on social media!