Investment in green infrastructure could create 1.9M jobs -- report

A conservative investment in green waterway infrastructure could yield significant environmental benefits and generate 1.9 million jobs, according to a report released today by water and economic groups.

Led by the green economy group Green for All, the authors of "Water Works: Rebuilding Infrastructure, Creating Jobs, Greening the Environment" say water infrastructure networks that mimic natural systems are the key to solving communities' stormwater management needs.

Backers of green infrastructure -- including green roofs, rain gardens and vegetated swales -- say such systems encourage the gradual filtration of stormwater, which lessens the chances of flooding and pollution.

Each year, deteriorating infrastructure contributes to discharges of 860 billion gallons of untreated sewage into U.S. waters, creating public health problems, the report says.

These types of problems "suggest that current funding levels ... are inadequate," said Eli Moore, co-director of sustainability and justice programming for the Pacific Institute, one of the groups that contributed to the report, during a conference call today.

The groups recommend spending $188.4 billion over the next five years, an amount that U.S. EPA deems the minimum for addressing infrastructure needs.