Stormwater Retention Credit Pathways to Success

SRC Pathways to Success Program

The Stormwater Retention Credit Pathways to Success Program (SRC Pathways) helps small, local businesses build foundations for long-term success as SRC Aggregators in the District's SRC trading market. Through SRC Pathways, participants will have access to funding and resources to build voluntary green infrastructure (GI) projects to generate and sell SRCs over several years.

Eligibility

This program is available to support small, local businesses in becoming successful SRC Aggregators.

How it Works

Over approximately three years, SRC Pathways participants will receive funding and mentorship to establish connections with property owners, identify potential project sites, and ultimately design and build two voluntary, High-Impact SRC-generating GI projects in the District’s Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4). DOEE has partnered with the Center for Watershed Protection (CWP) to help administer this program and coordinate with participants.

Program Components

SRC Pathways offers two tracks for participation: Full SRC Pathways and a Standalone Access to Capital Grant. Full SRC Pathways is intended for new SRC Aggregators. The Standalone Access to Capital Grant is intended for existing SRC Aggregators.

Full SRC Pathways - This track is available to new SRC Aggregators who have not participated in the SRC program as a lead GI project developer. The entry point into the Full SRC Pathways track is the SRC Aggregator Startup Grant. The second step is an SRC Access to Capital Grant.

Full SRC Pathways includes:

SRC Aggregator Startup Grant (1st Step)

Purpose: Identify potential GI locations, partner with property owners and key stakeholders, and develop at least two feasible GI concept designs.

Funding: Up to $75,000

Duration: Completion within nine months of grant award

Program Guide: Full SRC Pathways – Startup Grant

SRC Access to Capital Grant (2nd Step)

Purpose: Using concept designs developed under the SRC Aggregator Startup Grant, design, permit, and build up to two SRC-generating GI projects in the District’s MS4.

Funding: Up to $180,000 for Project 1 and up to $90,000 for Project 2. Funding will become available as participants complete key project steps.

Duration: Within two years of grant award

Program Guide: Full SRC Pathways – Access to Capital

Mentorship

Purpose: Develop sustainable business strategies, learn about GI project development, and understand SRC Aggregator best practices with help from The Nature Conservancy, an experienced SRC Aggregator. Participants will work with program partners to set agendas. Attendance at a minimum number of sessions will be required.

Funding: None

Duration: Length of program participation (36-42 months)

Program Guide: Full SRC Pathways – Mentorship

SRC Price Lock Program

Purpose: Guarantee that SRC Aggregators will be able to sell SRCs, either to regulated developers on the open trading market or to DOEE at guaranteed fixed prices.

Funding: Price Lock does not provide funding to design, permit, or build GI.

Duration: Varies according to the terms of the SRC Price Lock agreement. The SRC Price Lock Program will be available pending the availability of funds.

For more information visit the SRC Price Lock Program.

Standalone Access to Capital Grant – This track is available to existing SRC Aggregators who seek funding to complete one SRC-generating GI project.

Purpose: Design, permit, and build one SRC-generating GI project in the District’s MS4.

Funding: Up to $150,000 design, permitting, and construction activities. Funding will become available as participants complete key project steps.

Duration: Within two years of grant award

Program Guide: Standalone SRC Pathways – Access to Capital

How to Apply

Applications to SRC Pathways can be submitted through DOEE’s Surface and Groundwater System starting on June 9, 2025. DOEE and CWP will begin reviewing applications received by July 11, 2025, and will award grants on a rolling basis while funds are available.

SRC Pathways Application Assistance

DOEE and our project partners are available to assist you with any questions you may have about the SRC Pathways Program or your application proposal.

To request one-on-one application assistance, you may contact Amanda Obosnenko directly at [email protected].

You may also contact [email protected] with any questions about the SRC Pathways Program.