September 2024 Newsletter
TOP STORIES/HEADLINES: Week of July 3 – 7, 2023
Registration is still open for the 2023 Tribal Lands and Environment Forum! Visit the 2023 TLEF website to register. From there, you can also make your hotel reservation at our host hotel at a special rate.
This TLEF will be hybrid – you can attend either virtually or in person. However, you decide to join us, we look forward to seeing you this August!
Top Stories
AP News – 10 states plan to sue the EPA over standards for residential wood-burning stoves
Clean Technica – EPA must protect communities from sterilizer plants’ carcinogenic emissions
The Guardian – Weather tracker: 100m people in US under air quality warnings as wildfires spread
NACAA Washington Update – This Week in Review
Ambient Air Quality/EPA/Tribes News
WWD – EPA Could Stop Spray-applied Stain Guard Apparel From ‘Being Manufactured at All’
The Washington Post – The EPA is racing to spend $27 billion the GOP wants to repeal
CBS News – EPA sued over reapproval of weed killers
Toxics/Mobile Sources
Reason Magazine – Automotive Lobby: EPA’s Vehicle Emission Standards ‘Neither Reasonable Nor Achievable’
The Drive – How Does the EPA Determine EV Range?
Greenwire – 5 things to watch as the EV tax credits take shape
Indoor Air Quality/Environmental Justice
NY Times – Can Indoor Air Quality Sensors Keep Offices Safe?
CS – How To Minimize Wildfire Impact on Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)
Greenwire – Supreme Court ruling entangles Biden’s environmental justice efforts
TOP STORIES/HEADLINES: Week of May 15 – 19, 2023
Proposals for sessions and trainings for the TLEF are due THIS Friday, May 19! We really want to hear your stories, your successes and challenges, new approaches you’ve taken that might help others, updates on projects you’ve been working on, or anything else that might inspire and help your colleagues working on the front line. We prioritize selecting proposals that are specific to Superfund/Federal Facilities, solid waste, USTs, emergency response, and brownfields. We love seeing proposals that may straddle various topics, or deal with over-arching challenges like the climate crisis, habitat restoration, environmental justice, or other areas that affect these core environmental media. If you have something to share, don’t delay!
Go to the 2023 TLEF Website and click on the “Call for Proposals” tab to access the proposal form.
We look forward to seeing you at this year’s TLEF – whether you attend in person or virtually!
Top Stories
The White House has developed a page where you can find all of the open IRA NOFOs: Open Funding Opportunities | Clean Energy | The White House
EPA maintains a similar list of BIL and IRA funding opportunities on the EPA website that is updated monthly: https://www.epa.gov/invest/epa-funding-announcements-bipartisan-infrastructure-law-and-inflation-reduction-act
Evergreen – Evergreen Explains the Climate Impact of the Inflation Reduction Act
New York Times – EPA Proposes Limits on Climate Pollution from Existing Power Plants
US News – When Does the COVID-19 Pandemic End?
NACAA Washington Update – This Week in Review
Ambient Air Quality/EPA/Tribes News
Native News Online – NDN Collective launches podcast, ‘LANDBACK for the people’
NPR – An EPA proposal to (almost) eliminate climate pollution from power plants
Ensia – Thinking about a heat pump? Here are a few things to consider.
Toxics/Mobile Sources
NPR – Texas petrochemical plant fire sends 5 workers to hospital
Native News Online – Feds propose mineral extraction withdrawal in Jenny Gulch
High Country News – San Carlos Apache call for international intervention over copper mine at Oak Flat
Indoor Air Quality/Environmental Justice
Colorlines – What is Collective Power and How Do We Build It? An Explainer with Maurice Mitchell
Colorlines – Should Racial Justice Movements Give up on Government? An Explainer with Eric K. Ward
NPR – 5 ways to improve your indoor air quality: Life kit
NewScientist – How indoor air quality affects your health and what to do about it
TOP STORIES/HEADLINES: Week of May 8 – 12, 2023
Top Stories
GT – EPA Announces New Grants for Zero-Emissions School Buses
NACAA Washington Update – This Week in Review
Ambient Air Quality/EPA/Tribes News
KTLA – Air quality improving in California, but still worst in the nation, report shows
NEWSNATION – EPA denies approving burn after Ohio train derailment
WTOC – EPA announces national effort to improve emissions at ports
Toxics/Mobile Sources
E&E – EPA power plant rules are coming. Are utilities ready?
The Hill – Top environment Democrat to release permitting proposal focused on emissions cuts
Indoor Air Quality/Environmental Justice
E&E – Biden notched big climate wins. Can his campaign sell that?
TOP STORIES/HEADLINES: Week of April 24 – 28, 2023
The 2023 NTFAQ is less than a week away! We look forward to seeing everyone at Gila River Indian Community’s Wild Horse Pass!
Registration is now open for the 2023 Tribal Lands and Environment Forum! Visit the 2023 TLEF website to register. From there, you can also make your hotel reservation at our host hotel at a special rate. Have a presentation idea? We are still accepting session proposals through May 19.
We are using a new registration system this year, hosted by Northern Arizona University Ticketing Office, that is different from past TLEFs. So please read the instructions carefully. We will also be opening up submissions soon for those interested in sponsoring this year’s TLEF or being an exhibitor. If you know any groups or companies that might like to either help sponsor this event, or be an exhibitor, please steer them toward the website and let them know we’ll have that information soon.
As a reminder, this TLEF will be hybrid – you can attend either virtually or in person. However, you decide to join us, we look forward to seeing you this August!
Top Stories
EPA – Funding for Tribes in the Inflation Reduction Act
NACAA Washington Update – This Week in Review
Ambient Air Quality/EPA/Tribes News
Inside Climate News – As Extreme Fires Multiply, California Scientists Zero In on How Smoke Affects Pregnancy and Children
American Lung Association – ALA Releases its State of the Air Report
Medical Press – Poor air quality linked to cognitive problems in babies
Toxics/Mobile Sources
electrek – CA hits EV target ahead of schedule. It’s not the first place to do so, and won’t be the last
CleanTechnica – Insurmountable Obstacles To Mass EV Adoption? Think Again
Indoor Air Quality/Environmental Justice
The Hill – Majority of adults have been personally affected by extreme weather, climate change: poll
The Hill – Biden establishes Office of Environmental Justice, blasts GOP attempts to roll back IRA
E&E News – Biden order tackles environmental justice
TOP STORIES/HEADLINES: Week of April 17 – 21, 2023
There’s still time to REGISTER! April 26th is the deadline. There is a $250.00 registration fee for NTFAQ attendees. Registration fee covers admission to all sessions, Virgil Masayesva Awards Dinner, morning continental breakfasts, afternoon snack breaks, field trips, and pre-conference trainings.
We are now accepting proposals for sessions at the Tribal Lands and Environment Forum! Visit the 2023 TLEF website to learn more about this year’s forum. To submit a proposal, click “Call for Proposals” in the menu at the top of the page. Registration will open soon and link to our host hotel will be added so you can make your lodging reservations at a special reduced rate. More information is coming soon – we look forward to seeing you in Syracuse, or online!
Register here to learn more about EPA’s webinar for Tribal College and University students!
Top Stories
EPA – Funding for Tribes in the Inflation Reduction Act
EPA – Biden-Harris Administration Announces $177 Million for 17 New Technical Assistance Centers Across the Nation to Help Communities Access Historic Investments to Advance Environmental Justice
NACAA Washington Update – This Week in Review
Ambient Air Quality/EPA/Tribes News
CNN – The oil and gas industry is emitting way more of this potent, planet-warming gas than the EPA has estimated, study shows
NBC News – Indiana plastics fire spewed toxic chemicals, EPA tests find, including benzene and hydrogen cyanide
Toxics/Mobile Sources
The Hill – The EPA wants to majorly boost electric car sales. It would require a big effort
NPR – The EPA Wants Millions More EVs On The Road. Should You Buy One?
ProPublica – EPA Proposes Major Air Pollution Reforms to Lower Residents’ Cancer Risk Near Industrial Facilities
Indoor Air Quality/Environmental Justice
The Journalist’s Resource – How indoor air quality in schools affects student learning and health
The Washington Informer – Climate Change Gets Its Own Section in 2023 State of Black America Report
TOP STORIES/HEADLINES: Week of April 10 – 14, 2023
There’s still time to REGISTER! April 26th is the deadline. There is a $250.00 registration fee for NTFAQ attendees. Registration fee covers admission to all sessions, Virgil Masayesva Awards Dinner, morning continental breakfasts, afternoon snack breaks, field trips, and pre-conference trainings.
We are now accepting proposals for sessions at the Tribal Lands and Environment Forum! Visit the 2023 TLEF website to learn more about this year’s forum. To submit a proposal, click “Call for Proposals” in the menu at the top of the page. Registration will open soon and link to our host hotel will be added so you can make your lodging reservations at a special reduced rate. More information is coming soon – we look forward to seeing you in Syracuse, or online!
Register here to learn more about EPA’s webinar for Tribal College and University students!
Top Stories
EPA – Funding for Tribes in the Inflation Reduction Act
CNN – EPA preparing to release strict vehicle emission rules
Engadget – NASA launches powerful air quality monitor to keep an eagle-eye on pollution
NACAA Washington Update – This Week in Review
Ambient Air Quality/EPA/Tribes News
MIT News – Study: Shutting down nuclear power could increase air pollution
The Washington Post – Air pollution may raise risk of dementia, analysis says
Toxics/Mobile Sources
AP News- AP sources: EPA car rule to push huge increase in EV sales
AP News – Challenge to Biden ‘Cost of Carbon’ policy dismissed
JD Supra – EPA Proposes Stricter Mercury and Air Toxics Standards for Power Plants
The Guardian – Exxon’s new ‘advanced recycling’ plant raises environmental concerns
CNN – EPA proposes new regulations on toxic gas used to sterilize spices and medical equipment
Indoor Air Quality/Environmental Justice
Yahoo News – Protecting Building Occupants and Workers from Exposure to Mold and Other Common Asthma Triggers
WBEZ Chicago – Microsoft abandons project mapping Chicago’s air pollution
TOP STORIES/HEADLINES: Week of March 27 – 31, 2023
We are now accepting proposals for sessions at the Tribal Lands and Environment Forum! Visit the 2023 TLEF website to learn more about this year’s forum. To submit a proposal, click “Call for Proposals” in the menu at the top of the page. Registration will open soon and link to our host hotel will be added so you can make your lodging reservations at a special reduced rate. More information is coming soon – we look forward to seeing you in Syracuse, or online!
Register here to learn more about EPA’s webinar for Tribal College and University students!
Top Stories
EPA.gov – Statement by Administrator Regan on the President’s FY 2024 Budget
E&E – EPA environmental justice office has cash, staff but no boss
NACAA Washington Update – This Week in Review
Ambient Air Quality/EPA/Tribes News
The National Law Review – Can We Be Good Neighbors? EPA Finalizes Plan To Reduce Interstate Air Pollution
Nature – Tribal Youth use seed bombs to heal wildfire damaged lands
Toxics/Mobile Sources
E&E – Can EVs unplug from China? 3 things to watch from Treasury.
The Guardian – Power Move: Stacey Abram’s next act is the electrification of the US
E&E – Whitehouse spotlights financial toll of oil dependence
Indoor Air Quality/Environmental Justice
CBS Colorado – Community group taking air quality studies into its own hands: “they’re feeling unheard, they’re feeling hopeless”
DOE.gov – DOE Finalizes Efficiency Rules for Room Air Conditioners and Portable Air Cleaners
TOP STORIES/HEADLINES: Week of March 20 – 24, 2023
We are now accepting proposals for sessions at the Tribal Lands and Environment Forum! Visit the 2023 TLEF website to learn more about this year’s forum. To submit a proposal, click “Call for Proposals” in the menu at the top of the page. Registration will open soon and link to our host hotel will be added so you can make your lodging reservations at a special reduced rate. More information is coming soon – we look forward to seeing you in Syracuse, or online!
REMINDER! Greetings from the TAMS Center! We are announcing a call for nominations for the Virgil Masayesva Environmental Excellence Award Further information and nomination form can be accessed at the TAMS Website.
Virgil Masayesva Tribal Air Programs Excellence Award
– https://www7.nau.edu/itep/main/tams/docs/forms/TAMS-VMAward-NomForm_2023.docx
Deadline for the VM Award Nominations – March 24, 2023
Top Stories
EPA.gov – Statement by Administrator Regan on the President’s FY 2024 Budget
CNBC – Here are the most polluted cities in the US and world
NACAA Washington Update – This Week in Review
Ambient Air Quality/EPA/Tribes News
CNN – Only 13 countries and territories had ‘healthy’ air quality in 2022
Nature – Ohio train derailment: scientists scan for lingering toxics
Toxics/Mobile Sources
The Guardian – World can still avoid worst of climate collapse with genuine change, IPCC says
The Guardian – Big oil firms touted algae as climate solution. Now all have pulled funding
Indoor Air Quality/Environmental Justice
Sierra Club – Close Polluter Loopholes Now–Clean Air Can’t Wait!
TVO Today – Waiting for big changes to rules about indoor air quality? Don’t hold your breath
Boston Childrens Hospital – Study seeks to identify household triggers for chronic lung disease in children