NEW! The Tribal Healthy Homes Network is seeking Tribal insights on the ways you are working to protect Elders when climate events impact them inside their homes (e.g., wildfire smoke, high heat, and Ozone events). Your information will help other Tribes to create solutions, and will help inform their Spring, 2023 seminar: “Climate-Ready Housing for Tribal Elders.”

Please, take 3 minutes to fill out the survey. All participants receive a $5 Amazon Gift Card, courtesy of Partnership for Air Matters. Click here to take the survey:

https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/7084851/Tribal-Elders-Climate-Response-Survey

NEW! Nominations for candidates to participate on the Clean Air Act Advisory Committee are open!

Currently there are 2 Tribal Representatives on the Committee, Jeremy Fincher -Sac and Fox Nation, and Elizabeth Jacobs – Akwesasne Housing Authority. Natalene Cummings – Forest County Potawatomi Community, will complete the 3rd, 2-year term that is permitted at the Spring meeting of this year.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) invites nominations from a diverse range of qualified candidates to be considered for appointment to its Clean Air Act Advisory Committee (CAAAC). Vacancies are anticipated to be filled by August 2023. Sources in addition to this Federal Register Notice may also be utilized in the solicitation of nominees. ADDRESSES: Submit nominations in writing to: Lorraine Reddick, Designated Federal Officer, Office of Air and Radiation, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20460. For further information or to email nominations, include in the subject line CAAAC Membership 2023 and send to caaac@epa.gov.

If you want to talk with Natalene more about what being a member of CAAAC involves, you can reach her at 715-478-7211.

The Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals (ITEP’s) will be hosting public listening sessions starting in February for its new program for Tribal Clean Transportation

U.S. DOE’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) representatives will also present a brief overview of NREL’s technical support for Tribal Clean Transportation. ITEP will ask attendees simple questions, and your answers will help set the course for ITEP’s work on Tribal Clean Transportation for the next several years. The session agenda will be repeated at each of the four sessions to provide multiple opportunities to attend and provide your feedback. You can attend one or more session as you wish.

Listening Sessions will be held every Wednesday, February 1st, 8th, 15th, and 22nd, 2023, @ 12:00 PM PT/3:00 PM ET

Join Zoom Meeting Link

Meeting ID: 882 1584 7769

Password: 323550

Find your local number: Click here

Updated Version of EPA’s Air Sensor Guidebook Released!

Recognizing the ever-increasing availability of air sensors, expanding user base, and growing scientific knowledge, the U.S. EPA updated the popular Air Sensor Guidebook, originally published in 2014. The refreshed version, called “The Enhanced Air Sensor Guidebook”, includes updated content and new topics that incorporate best practices, current knowledge, and recommendations to guide the use of air sensors.

The Enhanced Guidebook supports users in planning and collecting air quality measurements using air sensors. The Guidebook can help sensor users:

Learn the basics of air quality, air pollution monitoring, and air sensors
Plan and conduct an air quality monitoring study
Select, setup, and use air sensors
Analyze, interpret, communicate, and act on results
Understand the basics of air sensor performance

Find out more and access the Enhanced Air Sensor Guidebook.

Visit EPA’s Air Sensor Toolbox.

Find out more about EPA’s Air Research.

Applications are being accepted now for the nation’s highest award in asthma management!

The Environmental Leadership Award in Asthma Management is the nation’s highest honor for programs helping people bring asthma under control. Winners will be recognized in May during Asthma Awareness Month. Winning this award is a sign of excellence and confirmation of success in helping people with asthma lead healthy, active lives.

Winners receive:

A place in the National Environmental Leadership Award in Asthma Management Hall of Fame.
An engraved, crystal award.
Recognition in May during Asthma Awareness Month.
Recognition on national websites, including AsthmaCommunityNetwork.org.
Customized press kits, a descriptive snapshot of your program and support generating media attention.
An opportunity to serve as mentors to help other programs achieve impactful results.

For more information, visit the Asthma Community Network HERE

Smoke, Air, Fire, Energy (SAFE) Symposium – Rural and Tribal Community Resilience Strategies for Action Day-long symposium on March 1st, 2023, that will bring together Tribal leaders, researchers, and practitioners who are working on the interrelated topics of wildfire smoke, air quality, fire risk, and clean energy solutions. The goal is enhancing climate resilience of rural and Tribal communities. There is no cost to attend this event. Click HERE for more information and RSVP HERE.

REMINDER! The White House: FACT SHEET: How the Inflation Reduction Act Helps Tribal Communities

By signing the Inflation Reduction Act, President Biden is delivering on his promise to meet the climate crisis and build an economy that works for working families, including Tribal nations and American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian families. The Inflation Reduction Act lowers prescription drug costs, health care costs, and energy costs. It’s the most aggressive action we have taken to confront the climate crisis. It’ll lower the deficit and ask the super wealthy and corporations to pay their fair share. And no one making under $400,000 per year will pay a penny more in taxes. Click Here for FACT SHEET.

EPA’s Community and Tribal Programs Group has a publicly facing Tribal Actions and Events calendar for all to use!

This calendar is also linked under the “Tribal Air and Climate Resources” webpage under the “Policy and Planning” heading available at https://www.epa.gov/tribal-air. The purpose of the calendar is to ensure that our Tribal partners are kept apprised of EPA activities that are relevant to them. If you have any questions about the calendars or any recommendations on how EPA can improve upon the calendars, please do not hesitate to reach out to Loren Fox (fox.loren@epa.gov) with any feedback.

Air Knowledge E–Learning Content

The Air Knowledge training team is pleased to announce the availability of new air quality training materials!

These e-learning courses and modules are at the foundational learning level and are available to Tribal, state, and local air agencies through our learning management system (LMS) and to the public here. The website was recently enhanced to provide additional self-instructional and instructor-led training materials.

The new materials include:

A course that explains key historic events that led to air pollution control legislation and describes progress made with air pollution control since the passage of the Clean Air Act,
A course that explains the basic components of state and Tribal implementation plans,
A module that generally defines the transport and fate of air pollutants and how transport and fate are influenced by meteorology and topography,
A module that explains the basic aspects of an air emissions inventory, and
A module that explains the purposes and types of air emissions inventories, including the inventories that the EPA develops.

To access the courses and modules on the LMS (https://epaapti.csod.com), Tribal air agencies and organizations can register, log in, and refer to the “What’s New” section on the home page. All other users (the public, international community, academia, industry, EPA staff, etc.) can access the courses and modules on the Air Knowledge interim website.

NTAA Upcoming Calls

Contact Carolyn.Kelly@nau.edu if you have any questions about any call! NTAA will be transitioning to Zoom. A Zoom link will be sent with calendar invites for future NTAA work group calls.

Woodsmoke Work Group: This work group meets Bi-Monthly and includes Tribal and EPA professionals with an interest in woodsmoke issues in Tribal communities. Contact Carolyn.Kelly@nau.edu to join the call!	Thursday, March 16, 10 am AK or 2 pm ET
Mobile Sources Work Group: This work group meets Bi-Monthly and includes Tribal and EPA professionals with an interest in mobile source issues in Tribal communities. Contact Carolyn.Kelly@nau.edu to join the call!	Thursday, February 2, 10 am AK or 2 pm ET
Alaska Air Work Group: Join this work group to hear updates from EPA and Alaskans working on air quality. Contact Carolyn.Kelly@nau.edu to join the call!	January 25, 10 am AK or 2 pm ET
NTAA / EPA Air Policy Update Call: Join this monthly meeting to hear updates from EPA on important air quality and climate policy updates as well as updates around the country related to Tribal Air Programs. Calls are usually on the last Thursday of every month unless it falls on a national holiday. Contact Carolyn.Kelly@nau.edu to join the call!	Thursday, January 26, 10 am AK or 2 pm ET
Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Work Group: This work group meets Bi-Monthly and includes Tribal and EPA professionals with an interest in indoor air quality in Tribal homes and other buildings. Carolyn.Kelly@nau.edu to join the call!	Thursday, February 16, 10 am AK or 2 pm ET

The Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals (ITEP)

Click Here for ITEP’s new Tribal Environmental Management and Planning Online Courses. Sign up for a self-paced course hosted by ITEP’s Waste and Response and Tribal Air Quality programs.

ITEP’s American Indian Air Quality Training Program (AIAQTP) hosts the Building Performance: Improving IAQ in Cold Climates, Residential Building Science Review, Radon Fundamentals, Quality Assurance Fundamental, Writing a Quality Assurance Project Plan, Emissions Inventory Fundamentals, and Emissions Inventory Advanced.

AIAQTP Schedule and Registration

Recorded Webinars

Looking for more information check out the Tribal Air Quality Media Space Channel. Recent webinars include an Introduction to Air Quality Programs, Emissions Inventories, Remote Professional Assistance, and Woodstoves in Indian Country. Older classics include a series on Air Quality Planning for Wildland Smoke, Tribal Air Program and Grants, Data Management, and the Clean Air Act.

ITEP’s Tribes and Climate Change Calendar includes conferences, trainings, webinars, and other events related to Tribes and climate change.

EPA Tools and Resources Webinar Series

Click here to see all past and upcoming webinars hosted by the EPA.

Information for IRA and other competitive grants https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8DsRrod7XKk

Climate Change / Energy

The U.S. EPA Landfill Methane Outreach Program (LMOP) has published an enhanced National Map of Landfill Gas (LFG) Energy Projects and Municipal Solid Waste Landfills. The newly published version incorporates layers for Tribal lands and environmental justice demographic data so that users can identify areas where LFG energy projects may warrant additional consideration, analysis or outreach to surrounding communities.

Link: https://www.epa.gov/lmop/lmop-national-map

Regional Tribal Environmental Health Summits

The National Indian Health Board (NIHB) is partnering with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to host a series of regional summits on the topic of environmental health in Indian Country. Each summit will feature Tribal leaders, environmental health practitioners, subject matter experts, and federal partners engaging on topics relevant to each region. A total of eight summits will be held between 2022 and 2024. The goal of each summit is to connect people from different backgrounds and Tribes, communities, federal agencies, Tribal organizations and state and local entities to address various environmental health and environmental justice issues of mutual concern across all regions as well as issues specific to individual regions. The first confirmed summit is May 1 – May 2, 2023, in Anchorage, Alaska.

Toxics/Mobile Sources

REMINDER! Announcing the 2023 National Air Toxics Conference April 18-20, 2023 for your consideration for attending and/or presenting!

Registration is still forthcoming, however the call for presentations is requested by January 31st. Additionally, if you would like to see other topics added to the agenda, please let Regina Chappell (Chappell.Regina@epa.gov) know. The conference is free to attend and will provide a great forum for engaging with other professionals on a multitude of topics centering around air toxics.

More details are available at the website: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/save-the-date-2023-national-air-toxics-conference-tickets-473488295237.

NEW! The second session of the Million Hearts Climate Change and Cardiovascular Disease Collaborative, Interventions to Address Particle Pollution and Heart Disease took place last week. You can access a recording of the session here (passcode: W$Bb8t*!)

Helpful links/resources from the chat

Look at differences in air quality across cities using AirCompare – https://www3.epa.gov/aircompare/#home
Learn more about air quality trends at https://www.epa.gov/air-trends
Learn more about indoor air quality and steps that can be taken in home, schools, and other buildings at: https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq
More information on using air cleaners in homes is available at: https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/air-cleaners-and-air-filters-home
EPA’s Air Sensor Toolbox has a lot of helpful information on using air sensor technology – https://www.epa.gov/air-sensor-toolbox . The recently updated Air Sensor Guidebook has a lot of information on using sensors outdoors and indoors – https://www.epa.gov/air-sensor-toolbox/how-use-air-sensors-air-sensor-guidebook.

You’re invited to join the third session on February 9, where the discussion on interventions to address particle pollution and heart disease will continue. This session will cover how built environment interventions can reduce air pollution exposures, increase physical activity/food access and have significant health benefits, including cardiovascular benefits. Speakers will provide examples of community infrastructure that can mitigate the effects of particle pollution on cardiovascular health and identify resources to advance systemic solutions – Register here.

Opportunity to provide input: the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is developing a proposed rulemaking to review the Clean Air Act (CAA) New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) and Emission Guidelines (EG) for the Large Municipal Waste Combustors (LMWCs) source category (40 CFR part 60 subpart Eb, and 40 CFR part 60, subpart Cb, respectively). Pursuant to the EPA’s Policy on Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribes, the Agency is initiating pre-proposal consultation with federally recognized Indian tribes to obtain input on the upcoming action to update regulatory requirements for the Large Municipal Waste Combustors (LMWCs). If you are interested in requesting government-to-government consultation with EPA during the pre-proposal period, please contact Regina Chappell at (919) 541-3650 or email at chappell.regina@epa.gov. Please contact us before February 3, 2023, to request the consultation. EPA will strive to accommodate the requests as time and resources permit. Tribes may also submit OFFICE OF AIR QUALITY PLANNING AND STANDARDS written comments at https://www.regulations.gov/, Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2022-0920, any time during the pre-proposal tribal consultation process and until June 6, 2023. If there are any questions, please email Charlene Spells at Spells.Charlene@epa.gov. Additional background information about the air regulations for LMWCs can be found at: https://www.epa.gov/stationary-sources-air-pollution/large-municipal-waste-combustors-lmwc-new-source-performance

Indoor Air Quality

Notice of Intent – DOE Grants for Energy Improvements at Public School Facilities – $80 million

Deadline: Available until expended. Eligible Entities: Consortium of One Local Education Agency and one or more Schools, Non-Profits, For-Profits, and Community Partners

This funding is the first tranche of funding in a $500 million investment, to make clean energy improvements in K-12 public schools. Funds will empower school districts to make upgrades that will lower facilities’ energy costs and improve student learning environments. Visit HERE for more information.

Available Now: An Introduction to Radon Gas in Homes Webinar Recording

EPA’s Indoor Environments Division recently hosted a webinar to provide an overview of the key basic facts of radon – what it is, what it does to us, how we measure it, how we reduce our exposure, and where to find resources and additional information. A recording of An Introduction to Radon Gas in Homes is now available online. The recorded webinar features a presentation by Bruce Snead, Director of Engineering Extension at Kansas State University, and director of the National Radon Program Services effort for EPA since 2009.

EPA: A Fact Sheet for Tribes on State and Tribal Indoor Radon Grants

EPA’s Indoor Environments Division is pleased to announce the State and Tribal Indoor Radon Grants (SIRG) Program Fact Sheet. This fact sheet has information on SIRG eligibility, matching requirements, allowable activities, EPA contacts, and more. EPA works collaboratively and values our Tribal partnership to support healthy indoor air quality (IAQ) in Tribal communities. We work together to develop tools and resources that address the health and the safety of Tribal members when it comes to indoor air quality.

Please visit the Indoor Air Quality in Tribal Communities or State Indoor Radon Grants (SIRG) Program and Resources pages to learn more and download the fact sheet.

Be sure to subscribe to CodeTalk, HUD’s Office of Native American Programs newsletter, for webinars and opportunities!

CALLS/WEBINARS/EVENTS|

RESOURCES AND FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES: Week of January 23 – 27, 2023

RESOURCES & FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

NOW HIRING!

NEW! The following positions are open for the Prairie Island Indian Community

Applications can be found on their website under Employment & Opportunities http://www.prairieisland.org

Food Systems Specialist

Invasive Species Coordinator

Water Resources Specialist

Apply for a 2023, paid 8-week summer air quality internship through the Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals

Spend your summer working with tribal organizations to address tribal environmental issues. Internships have research, technical, educational, or policy focus. We are offering at least 8 positions in air quality. You can apply for up to 8 positions with one application. The internship program provides each student intern with a $5,120 stipend. We also have travel and housing stipends for those that relocate for the internship. Host sites are selected from tribal environmental organizations, government offices, the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and others.

Eligible students must meet the following:

US Citizen
Identify as Native American/Alaska Native
Full-time undergraduate or graduate college student during Spring 2022 (12 hours undergrad, 9 hours grad) at any tribal college, college or university
Have at least a 2.5 cumulative GPA
Majoring in an environmental or related field like science, engineering, planning, policy, law, management, political science, anthropology, or health
Interested in pursuing an environmental career after graduating
Proficient verbal and written communication skills
Strong interest in working with Native American tribes

If you need an exception for any of the above requirements, contact: EEOP-INTERN@nau.edu

Please register at the following website for more information:

http://www7.nau.edu/itep/main/eeop/Internships/ssi_internship

REMINDER! The Department of Religious Studies is hiring an 1855 professorship in the position of Great Lakes Anishinaabe Knowledge, Spiritualities, and Cultural Practices.

Applications closes: July 8, 2024, | Click Here for Full Job Description

The Department of Religious Studies is hiring an 1855 professorship in the position of Great Lakes Anishinaabe Knowledge, Spiritualities, and Cultural Practices. We seek a scholar with a focus on Anishinaabe communities, and more broadly, Great Lakes Native American cultures. The scholar’s areas of interest should include Anishinaabe worldviews, ceremony, knowledge systems, and communal cultural practices in the context of colonialisms, resistance, resiliency, and sovereignty. The specific area of focus is open with preference to knowledge of traditions of Anishinaabe communities, and more broadly, Native American communities. We are particularly interested in scholars whose work and teaching complement cross-university strengths in environmental practices, North American Indigenous Law, communal health and wellness, and social justice. In keeping with our land-grant mission, we seek a scholar engaged in public-facing conversations about how contemporary Native American knowledge, language, spiritualities, and culture can inform larger discussions around law, public policy, land stewardship, resource management, community health and wellbeing, Tribal governance, museum collections and archives, and environmental justice movements.

Ambient Air Quality/EPA/NTAA/Tribes

REMINDER! Selections for the ARP Enhanced Air Quality Monitoring Competitive Grant

EPA selected 132 projects, in 37 states, to receive a total of $53.4 million to conduct ambient air monitoring of pollutants in communities across the country with environmental and health outcome disparities stemming from pollution and the COVID-19 pandemic. EPA will start the process to award the funding by the end of 2022, once the grant applicants have met all legal and administrative requirements. This table can be sorted by clicking on each column header. A downloadable version is available HERE.

EPA Resource: EPA is pleased to announce that we have updated our Local Greenhouse Gas Inventory Tool and our Tribal Greenhouse Gas Inventory Tool.

Updates include:

Revised Emissions & Generation Resource Integrated Database (eGRID) factors from through 2020, as available.
Updated default stationary energy emission factors and heat contents from the latest Climate Registry, EPA GHG Emissions Factor Hub, and US Inventory publications.
Global Warming Potential (GWP) values are now editable on the Factors tab. The bottom of the Control Sheet tab also contains new guidance on updating the GWP values and a navigation button to the GWP Entry section on the Factors tab.

Download the updated local community and government operations tool and users’ guides.

Download the updated tribal community and government operations tool and users’ guides.

Find our State Inventory and Projection Tool and additional State and Tribal greenhouse gas data and resources here.

EPA Resource: EPA’s Home Heating Fuel Use Web App

Are you curious about how people heat their homes? EPA has developed a Home Heating Fuel Use Web App that lets you visualize American Community Survey 5-year average home heating fuel data across the U.S. by census tract. Use this data to inform outreach or implementation planning related to energy efficiency, residential electrification, wood stove change-outs, and more.

EPA Resource: EPA’s Tracking Matrix

Does your community have climate goals to meet or brownfields that might be suitable for solar? Check out EPA’s Tracking Matrix to learn more about geothermal, biomass, solar and wind installations being built on contaminated lands across the country. EPA’s RE-Powering America’s Land Initiative 2022 Tracking Matrix shows current trends in the development of renewable energy on contaminated lands. Project examples include successful community solar projects in Nashville, Tennessee; Schenectady County, New York; Morrisville, Vermont; and Spanish Fork, Utah.

Tribal Air Quality Flag Program Packet

Customize this flyer/poster template to share information with your community about air quality, how it can affect health, and actions to take on a bad air quality day.

You may need a PDF reader to view files on this page. See EPA’s About PDF page to learn more. Tribal Air Quality Flag Program Packet

New! The 2023 EJ Government-to-Government Program (EJG2G) Request for Applications is NOW OPEN!  

EPA is soliciting applications for projects that transform overburdened and underserved communities into healthy, thriving communities capable of addressing the environmental and public health challenges they have historically faced, as well as current and future challenges. Applications must show successful partnerships with community-based nonprofit organizations (CBOs) and other stakeholders (e.g., local businesses and industry, medical service providers, academia, etc.) to develop solutions that will significantly address disproportionate environmental and public health harms related to pollution and climate change at the state and local level.

The EJG2G Program anticipates awarding approximately $70,000,000 of funding through 70 cooperative agreements nationwide, organized in four tracks of funding as follows:

$20,000,000 annual appropriations for States partnering with CBOs proposing projects for up to $1 million each. Approximately 20 awards for up to 1 million each are anticipated under this track.
$20,000,000 of Inflation Reduction Act appropriations for tribal governments partnering with CBOs proposing projects for up to $1 million each. Approximately 20 awards for up to 1 million each are anticipated under this track.
$20,000,000 of Inflation Reduction Act appropriations for local governments partnering with CBOs proposing projects for up to $1 million each. Approximately 20 awards for up to 1 million each are anticipated under this track.
$10,000,000 annual appropriations for U.S. Territories, Freely Associated States, Puerto Rico, and tribes in remote areas proposing projects for up to $1 million each. Approximately 10 awards for up to 1 million each are anticipated under this track.

Cooperative agreements will be funded for a three-year performance period.

Note on Inflation Reduction Act Appropriations: EPA cannot extend the performance periods for EJG2G assistance agreements utilizing Inflation Reduction Act fundings beyond three years. Consistent with section 138(b)(2) of the Clean Air Act, applications submitted in response to this funding opportunity that will receive must address one of the following five broad categories:

community-led air and other pollution monitoring, prevention, and remediation, and investments in low- and zero-emission and resilient technologies and related infrastructure and workforce development that help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other air pollutants;
mitigating climate and health risks from urban heat islands, extreme heat, wood heater emissions, and wildfire events; climate resiliency and adaptation;
reducing indoor toxics and indoor air pollution; or
facilitating engagement of marginalized communities in Local, State and Federal public processes, such as advisory groups, workshops, and rulemakings.

To apply for this opportunity, view the RFA on Grants.gov. Applications packages must be submitted on or before April 10, 2023 at 11:59 PM (Eastern Time). Applicants should plan for projects to begin on October 1, 2023. For more information, please visit: https://www.epa.gov/environmentaljustice/environmental-justice-government-government-program

Department of Energy (DOE) Announces $32 Million to Reduce Methane Emissions from Oil and Gas Sector

All interested applicants must register and submit application materials through Fed Connect; register here for an account. All questions about the FOA must also be submitted through FedConnect.

Air Monitoring Equipment Available for Loan to State, Local, and Tribal Agencies

In 2021, EPA’s Office of Research and Development initiated the Wildfire Smoke Air Monitoring Response Technology (WSMART) Pilot, loaning air monitoring technologies to state, local, and Tribal air organizations to support supplemental air monitoring in areas affected by wildfire smoke and with observational data coverage gaps. During 2022, this pilot technology loan program will continue to provide several technology types – including stationary air sensor systems and a compact mobile monitoring system – to state and local air agency monitoring staff and professional Tribal air quality staff members upon request. The equipment is not available for public use. For more information and access to the loan request webform, please visit the WSMART website:https://www.epa.gov/air-sensor-toolbox/wildfire-smoke-air-monitoring-response-technology-wsmart-pilot

For technical questions, please contact smoketech@epa.gov.

To view and/or receive ITEP’s American Indian Air Quality Training Program newsletter, Native Voices, click here!

Climate Change/Energy

EPA’s State and Local Climate and Energy Program will use this newsletter to share updates and opportunities as they become available and to let you know how the EPA’s IRA programs can help your jurisdiction.

Our monthly funding newsletter will also continue to provide information on climate and clean energy grant and technical assistance opportunities and deadlines for state, local, and Tribal governments. You can also visit the White House’s website about clean energy and climate action in the IRA. Use it to learn how you can save on utility bills, get support to purchase electric vehicles, energy-efficient appliances, and more. Share the news: Tax Credits for Energy-Efficient Home Upgrades have been Extended!

Under the IRA, federal tax credits for energy-efficient home upgrades have been extended. This means that if you made any qualifying home improvements to your primary residence after December 31, 2021, you may be eligible to claim credit on your federal taxes when you file for 2022. Qualifying upgrades include ENERGY STAR-certified products, as well as improvements to your home’s envelope or exterior – such as windows, doors, and insulation. To learn more, read through ENERGY STAR’s property tax credit guidance.

Renewable Energy tax credits have also been extended and will be available through the end of 2023. These include incentives for Geothermal Heat Pumps, Residential Wind Turbines, Solar Energy Systems, and Fuel Cells.

What’s New for Federal Tax Credits in 2023? There will be new efficiency tax credits in place starting January 1, 2023, lasting 10 years – through 2032. The tax credit amount is generally limited to 30% of the project cost. The previous lifetime cap of $500 has been changed to an annual cap of $1,200 to $2,000 depending on the efficiency improvements you make. This means you will be able to claim credit for more projects, especially if they are spread out over multiple years.

For more information and to stay up to date on available tax credits, make sure to bookmark ENERGY STAR’s page on Federal Tax Credits so you can maximize savings on your home energy efficiency projects.

Join NCAI’s Climate Action email listserv here!

Sign up for the Alliance for Green Heat’s newsletter!

To view and/or receive ITEP’s Climate Change newsletter, click here!

Toxics/Mobile Sources

U.S. Department of Energy: Electric Vehicles with Final Assembly in North America

The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (Public Law 117-169) amended the Qualified Plug-in Electric Drive Motor Vehicle Credit (IRC 30D), now known as the Clean Vehicle Credit, and added a new requirement for final assembly in North America that took effect on August 17, 2022. For more details on the credit, see Electric Vehicle (EV) and Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) Tax Credit. Also see the full list of alternative fuel vehicle incentives amended or created by the Inflation Reduction Act. Click Here for more information.

Indoor Air Quality

Resource for Healthy Indoor Air Quality:

Check out the website https://forhealth.org/ for many resources related to healthy homes and indoor air quality!

The Tribal Healthy Homes Network (THHN) has a webpage dedicated to Funding Opportunities! Additionally, THHN has developed a Funding Guide for American Indian and Alaska Native Communities.

Alaska

2022 Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC)

Application closes: January 27, 2023 for directly applying Tribes Click Here for Full Listing

FEMA administers the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) to provide funding for hazard mitigation projects & planning. Federally recognized tribes can apply directly; otherwise, applicants must apply as a sub-applicant with the state. This post focuses on information to apply as a sub-applicant. Communities/consortiums of communities considering applying for BRIC can receive Direct Technical Assistance (DTA) from FEMA. Learn more here.

Eligible Applicants:

State agencies, boroughs, cities, and Federally Recognized Tribal Governments with a FEMA approved, and locally adopted Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP) as defined in 44 CFR Part 201

Contact Alaska’s BRIC Program Manager for more information on applying as a sub-applicant:

Rick Dembroski, BRIC Program Manager, 907.428.7015, mvamitigation@alaska.gov
Terry Murphy, State Hazard Mitigation Officer, 907.428.7085, mvamitigation@alaska.gov

Most Recent Listing: EPA Rules from the Federal Register can be found here.

You have received this email as a subscriber to the NTAA Weekly Update. To unsubscribe or modify your subscriptions, click the appropriate link below:

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RESOURCES & FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES|

WEEKLY UPDATE (PDF): Week of January 23 – 27, 2023

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WEEKLY UPDATE (PDF)|

PHOTOS FROM THE FIELD: Week of January 16 – 20, 2023

PHOTOS FROM THE FIELD: Week of January 16 – 20, 2023

PHOTOS FROM THE FIELD

REMINDER! Call for proposals for NTFAQ 2023 is open until January 27th! All applications are welcome! https://forms.gle/GXLS8QztLLMs5H518

Join the national conversation on how Tribes are implementing the Clean Air Act in partnership with the U.S. EPA to improve air quality in our communities. Forum organizers are actively seeking proposals for presentations, trainings, and other informational sessions that support our NTFAQ conference goals! Proposals should relate to air quality topics relevant to tribal stakeholders and should discuss direct experiences and/or original research.

Timeline:

Presentation Proposals Due: January 27th, 2023

Letter of Notification (will include instructions and timeline): February 20th, 2023. If you have questions about the agenda, presentation options, or other ways to participate in the event, please contact NTFAQ@nau.edu or Carolyn.Kelly@nau.edu

PHOTOS FROM THE FIELD|