PHOTOS FROM THE FIELD: Week of Aug 8 – 12, 2022
Kamala Harris leaves the Senate chamber after casting the tie-breaking vote to ensure the bill’s passage. Photograph: Michael Reynolds/EPA
PHOTOS FROM THE FIELD
The Guardian – The Inflation Reduction Act is a far cry from Biden’s original ambition, but it nonetheless represents victory for the president
TOP STORIES/HEADLINES: Week of Aug 8 – 12, 2022
NTAA News!
NTAA hosted a Clean School Bus Workshop last Thursday with special guests California Congresswoman Katie Porter, Alejandra Nunez, Deputy Assistant Administrator for Mobile Sources, Office of Air and Radiation, and World Resources Institute Representative Brittany Barrett. A recording is now available on the NTAA website.
Top Stories
Reuters – U.S. Senate passes $430 bln climate change, tax, drug pricing bill; sends to House
Gizmodo – China Halts Climate Talks With U.S.
U.S. DOT – Thriving Communities Program
Ambient Air Quality/EPA/Tribes News
Native News Online – Native News Weekly (August 7, 2022): D.C. Briefs
Utility Dive – Inflation Reduction Act would spur 42% US carbon emissions cut by 2030: Princeton-led study
The Hill – Two in three Americans support spending more federal funds on communities hurt by pollution: poll
Climate Change/Energy
CBS News – Due to climate change, Nevada says goodbye to grass
CNN – How the climate bill could save you money on electricity, cars and appliances
Markety Watch – ‘Clean energy’ hiring in solar, wind and EVs expands in red and blue states. Enter your zip code to see where the jobs are.
CNBC – As climate change threatens more homes, some properties are getting too costly to insure
Yale Climate Connection – Geothermal heating and cooling: Renewable energy’s hidden gem
Toxics/Mobile Sources
Electrek – Electric F-150 Lightnings save the day with power in Kentucky flood response
Yale Climate Connections – Electrifying transportation reduces emissions AND saves massive amounts of energy
Utility Dive – Ford expands EV battery sourcing pool as supply concerns mount
Environmental Health News – PFAS: The latest toxic concern for those near fracking
Indoor Air Quality
Shaw Local – Improve your Indoor Air Quality – Clean Air
K-12 Dive – Hawaii finds poor air quality in 10% of classrooms
The Conversation – Articles on Indoor Air Quality
UPCOMING CALLS/EVENTS/NOTICES: Week of Aug 8 – 12, 2022
UPCOMING CALLS/EVENTS/NOTICES
Ambient Air Quality/EPA/NTAA/Tribes
NEW! Invitation: Tribal Consultation on Nature-Based Solutions
August 15, 2022, | 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM ET | Register Here
We are inviting you to join the White House for a Tribal Consultation on August 15, 2022, from 4-5pm ET to discuss the forthcoming White House report on nature-based solutions. On April 22, 2022, President Biden signed Executive Order 14072 on “Strengthening the Nation’s Forests, Communities, and Local Economies.” In this Order, the President recognized that nature holds special importance to Tribal Nations, and recognized the significance of nature to sustain the plant and animal life fundamental to combatting the global climate and biodiversity crises.
The Executive Order called for a report ‐ led by the White House’s Office of Science and Technology Policy, Council on Environmental Quality, and Domestic Climate Policy Office ‐ that identifies key opportunities for greater deployment of nature‐based solutions across the Federal Government, including through potential policy, guidance, and program changes. The Federal members of this effort recognize that the ideas shared in the report may affect Tribal Nations and acknowledge the experience Tribal communities have in applying nature‐based solutions, which often provide other communities and Federal agencies with examples and advances.
NEW! U.S. DOT Announces Thriving Communities Program
On August 5, 2022, DOT published a Thriving Communities Request for Information (RFI) in the Federal Register [Document Number 2022-16860] to hear directly from transportation professionals, local officials, community partners and other stakeholders about the specific issues and technical areas where those living and working in disadvantaged communities need more direct assistance from capacity building providers and the federal government to successfully access infrastructure funding and advance transformative transportation projects. The RFI can be viewed and comments submitted through August 26, 2022.
NEW! EPA: USEPA – SIGNED: Air Toxics Standards for Stationary Engines – Final Amendments to Address Court Vacatur
On August 4, 2022, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued a final rule that amends the Code of Federal Regulations for two stationary engine rules. EPA does not expect any emissions changes as a result of this final action. The final action codifies a court mandate that has been in place since 2016 related to the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) for Stationary Reciprocating Internal Combustion Engines (RICE) and the New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) for Stationary Internal Combustion Engines (ICE). A pre-publication version of the notice and a fact sheet are available at https://www.epa.gov/stationary-engines and on the websites for each rule at:
EPA Seeking Nominations to Serve on the Children’s Health Protection Advisory Committee (Federal Advisory Committee)
EPA is seeking nominations from nonfederal representatives to serve on the Children’s Health Protection Advisory Committee (CHPAC). Established in 1997, the CHPAC Federal Advisory Committee provides independent advice to the EPA Administrator on a broad range of environmental issues affecting children’s health.
Candidates from diverse backgrounds include, but are not limited to, industry; tribal, state, county and local government; school systems; academia; health care providers (including pediatricians, obstetric professionals, occupational medicine practitioners and community nurses); and non-governmental organizations are encouraged to apply.
EPA values and welcomes opportunities to increase diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility on its Federal Advisory Committees. To obtain nominations of diverse candidates, EPA encourages nominations from a diverse pool of applicants in terms of gender, race, ethnicity, and geographic regions.
CHPAC members are appointed by the EPA Administrator for three-year terms with the possibility of reappointment to a second term. The Committee meets 2-3 times annually and the average workload is approximately 10 to 15 hours per month. Through its expert members from diverse stakeholder groups and from its various workgroups, CHPAC reviews and addresses a wide range of developments, issues and research areas such as pesticide exposures to children, environmental health in schools and child care settings, prioritization and data needs to protect children’s health under the Toxic Substances Control Act, childhood lead exposure prevention, and climate change impacts to children.
Nominations should be submitted by August 15, 2022. Please refer to the Federal Register Notice for more details on nomination submission. EPA is aiming to reach a diverse and qualified candidate pool and ask you to share this notice with organizations that you believe may have suitable candidates, or with individuals you believe will be an asset to the CHPAC. Vacancies are expected to be filled by March 1, 2023.
If you have any questions, please contact Amelia Nguyen, Designated Federal Officer for CHPAC at Nguyen.Amelia@epa.gov.
NC Radon Program Social Media Toolkit
The NC Radon Program has created a free Radon Social Media Toolkit for your use. The materials are in both English and Spanish. All of the materials are in a Google Docs folder. To access this social media toolkit folder
EPA Webinar: EPA PFAS Strategic Roadmap: Research Tools and Resources
August 17, 2022, | 3:00 – 4:00 PM ET | Click Here to Register
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of chemicals that have been manufactured and used in a variety of industries in the United States and around the globe since the 1940s, and they are still being used today. There are thousands of different PFAS, some of which have been more widely used and studied than others. Due to their widespread production and use, as well as their ability to move and persist in the environment, PFAS can be found in surface water, groundwater, soil and air—from remote rural areas to densely-populated urban centers. A growing body of scientific evidence suggests that exposure at certain levels to specific PFAS can adversely impact human health and other living things.
This webinar will provide a brief overview of EPA’s PFAS Strategic Roadmap and ongoing efforts by EPA’s Office of Research and Development (ORD) to address key PFAS research needs for environmental decision-making. ORD scientists will highlight two recently released data sources: EPA’s PFAS Thermal Treatment Database, which contains information on the treatability of PFAS via various thermal processes, and Systematic Evidence Maps for PFAS, which summarize available toxicity evidence for approximately 150 different PFAS. Recent updates to other PFAS resources will also be shared.
EPA Clean School Bus Program – 2022 Rebates
EPA is offering $500 million in rebates for electric and low-emission school buses. Register Today for the Webinars Below! Program Now Open!
SUMMER WEBINAR SERIES
- August 10 – U.S. Department of Agriculture: Rural Electric Cooperatives Infrastructure Funding All webinars will be held at 1:00 PM Eastern.
- Submit Your Rebate Application by August 19, 2022 ATTENTION:
- Applying for a Rebate? Be sure to get an Active SAM.gov Account First!
CSB Rebates Application deadline is August 19, 2022. SAM.gov entity registration required.
- Click hereto view the program guidance and a list of eligible/priority applicants.
- Click hereto begin the 2022 Clean School Bus Rebate Application process.
- Click hereto sign-up for the Clean School Bus News listserv and add cleanschoolbus@epa.gov to your email contacts to guarantee you receive regular program updates and our messages don’t go to your spam folder.
- Click hereto access the EPA Clean School Bus website to learn more about the program and the benefits of clean school buses.
- Email cleanschoolbus@epa.govwith any questions or feedback to improve the program.
Important Dates
Activity | Date |
2022 Clean School Bus (CSB) Rebates open. EPA begins accepting online application submissions here. | August 19, 2022 (Application Deadline) |
EPA reviews applications and begins the selection process. | September 2022 |
EPA notifies applicants of selection status and posts list of applicants and selectees online. Selectees can proceed with purchasing new buses and eligible infrastructure. | October 2022 |
Selectees submit Payment Request Forms with purchase orders demonstrating that new buses and eligible infrastructure have been ordered. | October 2022 – April 2023 |
Project period deadline for selectees to receive new buses, install eligible infrastructure, replace old buses, and submit Close Out Forms. | October 2024 |
The Earth to Sky Interagency Partnership, in collaboration with the Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals and Grand Canyon National Park, is excited to announce an upcoming course for interpreters, informal educators, and Tribal professionals on the Colorado Plateau.
September 6 – 9, 2022 | Click Here for Application | Click Here to Learn More
This course is offered by the Earth to Sky Interagency Partnership in collaboration with the Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals and Grand Canyon National Park. Together we will provide participants a foundation in climate science and effective climate communication and interpretation; an understanding of the connections between global and local processes; and perspectives on the interdependence of culture and climate on the Colorado Plateau. The course emphasizes a supportive, collegial learning environment. You will:
- Meet with NASA and regional scientists to learn about the latest global and regional climate research and discuss their insights on understanding and responding to changing climate
- Observe, practice, and discuss techniques for successful climate change interpretation and communication
- Hear Native perspectives on climate change and learn about Tribal resilience and adaptation strategies
- Experience first-hand evidence of and responses to local climate change impacts on a field trip
- Meet colleagues from around the region and join a community of interpreters, informal educators, and Tribal professionals committed to communicating regional climate issues and solutions
- Depart with cutting-edge knowledge about climate change, and a plan for bringing the climate story to your visitors in relevant, engaging, inspiring, and hopeful ways
- Learn how you can stay connected with these scientists, fellow climate communicators, and the national Earth to Sky community of practice over the long term. You’re not alone in your efforts!
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 Toni Colon (colon.toni@epa.gov) and/or Loren Fox (fox.loren@epa.gov) with any feedback.
New 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 the 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.
More detailed information about the contents of these new materials can be found in the attached document.
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 Andy.Bessler@nau.edu if you have any questions about any call! *Registration instructions* When you register for the GoToWebinar, please remember to include your Tribe, Region, or Organization in parenthesis after your last name. This allows you to see everyone on the call and prevents us from conducting a rollcall, ultimately saving everyone’s time.
IAQ Work Group: Join the bi-monthly calls of the NTAA IAQ work group. Attend by clicking here.
The call this week has been cancelled, so next call will take place on June 16th at 2pm ET. |
Thursday, August 18, 2 pm ET |
Wood Smoke Work Group: Join this work group every other month to address wood smoke issues in Indian Country. Attend by clicking here. | Thursday, August 18, 2 pm ET
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Mobile Sources Work Group: This next work group will be a special session of the Mobile Sources Work Group. See NTAA news for more information. | Thursday, September 1, 1:30 PM ET |
Alaska Air Work Group: Join this work group to hear updates from EPA and Alaskans working on air quality. Contact andy.bessler@nau.edu to join the call! | Thursday, TBA, 10 am AK or 2 pm ET |
The Institute for Tribal Environmental Professional (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. New courses have been added, so check it out!
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.
Climate Change / Energy
DOC NOAA’s Transformational Habitat Restoration and Coastal Resilience Grants Under the IIJA – $85 million |Applications Due: September 6, 2022|
Eligible Entities: County governments, state governments, city or township governments, small businesses, nonprofits, for profit organizations, Native American tribal governments (federally recognized), private institutions of higher education, public and state controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments)
The principal objective of this solicitation is to support transformational projects that restore marine, estuarine, coastal, or Great Lakes ecosystems, using approaches that enhance community and ecosystem resilience to climate hazards. Funding will prioritize habitat restoration actions that: demonstrate significant impacts; rebuild productive and sustainable fisheries; contribute to the recovery and conservation of threatened and endangered species; promote climate-resilient ecosystems, especially in tribal or underserved communities; and improve economic vitality, including local employment.
- For more information, visit the funding opportunity description.
DOC Coastal Habitat Restoration and Resilience Grants for Underserved Communities, Under the IIJA – $10 million | Applications Due: September 30, 2022|
Eligible Entities: County governments, state governments, city or township governments, small businesses, nonprofits, for profit organizations, Native American tribal governments (federally recognized), private institutions of higher education, public and state controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments)
The principal objective of this solicitation is to support opportunities for underserved communities, tribes, and/or tribal entities to meaningfully engage in coastal habitat restoration activities. Through this funding opportunity, NOAA intends to support capacity building and restoration project activities that have the greatest potential to lead to habitat restoration that enhances resilience of underserved communities in marine, estuarine, coastal, and Great Lakes areas. Meaningful engagement of underserved communities is intended to ensure that communities are integral to the visioning, decision-making, and leadership for coastal habitat restoration projects; to ensure that the scope of such projects are inclusive of the priorities and needs of communities; and/or to ensure that the benefits of such projects flow back to underserved communities.
For more information, visit the funding opportunity description.
DOE Community Geothermal Heating and Cooling Design and Deployment – $13 million Applications Due: October 11, 2022
Eligible Entities: Unrestricted
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced the Community Geothermal Heating and Cooling Design and Deployment Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA), which will award $300,000–$13 million for projects that help communities design and deploy geothermal district heating and cooling systems, create related workforce training, and identify and address environmental justice concerns. The FOA will support the formation of U.S.-based community coalitions that will develop, design, and install community geothermal heating and cooling systems that supply at least 25% of the heating and cooling load in communities.
- For more information, visit the funding opportunity description.
Tribal Forestry Student Summit: Investing in the Future of Tribal Forest Resources Management and Wildland Fire
October 12–14, 2022 | Click Here for More Details
Mark your calendars for this hybrid event, featuring in-person and virtual participation options, to address tribal workforce development. This summit is designed for students in forestry or related resource management programs across the country. For more info, including agenda and summit details, please visit eri.nau.edu/tribal-forestry-student-summit.
NOAA RESTORE Science Program 2023 – $15 million
Applications Due: November 15, 2022
Eligible Entities: Institutions of higher education; not-for-profit institutions; for-profit organizations; local governments, state governments, tribal governments; and U.S. territories
NOAA RESTORE Science Program is open for proposals for projects up to five years in duration. This announcement invites proposals that request funding from researcher, resource manager, and stakeholder partnerships to execute a previously planned, collaborative research project, develop its findings and products, transfer them to an identified resource manager or management body, and apply them to a specific Gulf of Mexico natural resource management decision. A letter of intent for this proposal is due by August 16, 2022.
For more information, visit the funding opportunity description.
EPA has updated the Tribal Greenhouse Gas Inventory Tool
EPA’s free, spreadsheet-based Tribal Greenhouse Gas Inventory Tool, first launched in 2013 and updated annually, is based on nationally and internationally recognized GHG accounting and reporting principles.
This year’s updates include:
- An optional market-based method to calculate Scope 2 emissions from electricity purchased through contractual instruments, such as Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs).
- Revised Emissions & Generation Resource Integrated Database (eGRID) factors from 1990 through 2019, as available.
- Updated default stationary energy emission factors and heat contents.
- Kerosene and distillate fuel oil as additional stationary energy fuel types.
Find the updated Tribal community and government operations modules and users’ guides here. Are you a long-time inventory tool user with questions about the new updates? Or is this your first GHG inventory? Join this webinar or upcoming offices hours to learn more and ask questions:
Keynote Speaker: Dr. Jonathan Reichental
August 18th, 2022, | Register Here
Dr. Jonathan Reichental is a multiple-award-winning technology and business leader whose career has spanned both the private and public sectors. He’s been a senior software engineering manager, a director of technology innovation, and has served as chief information officer at both O’Reilly Media and the City of Palo Alto, California. Reichental is currently the founder of advisory, investment, and education firm, Human Future, and also creates online education for LinkedIn Learning. He has written three books on the future of cities: Smart Cities for Dummies, Exploring Smart Cities Activity Book for Kids, and Exploring Cities Bedtime Rhymes.
Cosponsored by the EPA and ICMA, Brownfields 2022 will be taking place: August 16-19, 2022, in Oklahoma City, OK
Toxics/Mobile Sources
SmartWay Logistics Tool Demonstration
August 17, 2022, | 2:00 PM ET | Click Here to Register
This webinar is for third-party logistics companies and Partners who want to learn how to use SmartWay’s ONLINE Logistics Tool. During the webinar, SmartWay staff will review how Logistics Partners can use the 2022 Tool to obtain an emissions profile for their clients, carriers, and their own operations. This webinar begins with some background on SmartWay, walks you through the tool in a live demonstration, and provides insights on how you can use tool outputs to evaluate where performance can be improved.
EPA Past SmartWay Webinars and Events
To address these trends and challenges, EPA developed the SmartWay program.
Launched in 2004, this voluntary public-private program:
- provides a comprehensive and well-recognized system for tracking, documenting and sharing information about fuel use and freight emissions across supply chains
- helps companies identify and select more efficient freight carriers, transport modes, equipment, and operational strategies to improve supply chain sustainability and lower costs from goods movement
- supports global energy security and offsets environmental risk for companies and countries
- reduces freight transportation-related emissions by accelerating the use of advanced fuel-saving technologies
- is supported by major transportation industry associations, environmental groups, state and local governments, international agencies, and the corporate community
View the SmartWay timeline and learn about the program’s achievements and key milestones reached since SmartWay’s launch in 2002. Our progress to making freight in the supply chain more sustainable and efficient is due to the vision, commitment and hard work of SmartWay Partners and Affiliates! Two Decades of Progress: SmartWay Partnership Milestones (PDF)(1 pg, 345 K, June 2021, EPA-420-H-21-001). Click Here to view past webinars and upcoming webinars
Indoor Air Quality
National Radon Training Event in Seattle, Washington
October 24 – 26, 2022, | Register Here
The Conference of Radiation Control Program Directors invites you to join us for our National Radon Training Event in Seattle, Washington October 24 – 26, 2022. It’s an exciting time as we get to meet again in person!
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!
RESOURCES AND FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES: Week of Aug 8 – 12, 2022
RESOURCES & FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
NOW HIRING!
The Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals (ITEP) Tribes and Climate Change Program is excited to announce another summer internship opportunity with the Tanana Chiefs Conference working with the Henshaw weir doing salmon restoration work in Alaska. This position is open until filled and begins as soon as possible and goes through the end of August. Interested candidates should send a resume and letter of interest to Kelsey.Morales@nau.edu
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is looking for experienced communicators to be part of its community involvement program. The program is responsible for engaging communities near its federal Superfund hazardous waste cleanup sites throughout the cleanup process. Many communities near these cleanup sites are underserved and face many environmental burdens. The community involvement program aims to give community members the information they need to make informed decisions about their health and environment and constructively engage with EPA during cleanups.
Ideal candidates have:
- Strong written and oral communication skills
- Ability to collaborate and build partnerships across organizations and connect at the individual level
- Experience preparing public-facing written materials (like fact sheets), website content and/or other outreach materials for diverse audiences
- Experience developing and implementing community outreach strategies
TAMS Tribal Air Monitoring Technology Specialist Being Age 55 or Older is Good for The Environment! The Senior Environmental Employment (SEE) Program offers unique opportunities in Scientific, Technical, and Administrative / Office support for individuals aged 55 and over to support the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) through a grant administered program through National Older Worker Career Center (NOWCC). This is a unique program where your talents, expertise and experience will truly be valued. The EPA provides a wonderful work atmosphere, and you’ll be working side-by-side with EPA staff that are doing important work every day.
Pay & Benefits: Pay rate: $18.01 /hr.
Benefits: Paid Health Insurance Premium if working 30+ hours per week, Paid Vacation, Paid Sick Time, Paid Federal Holidays plus one Individual Holiday, and optional Vision and Dental Insurance available. Must be U.S Citizen and age 55 or older to apply. The duties of this position must be performed onsite at the EPA office location in Las Vegas, NV. For Full Description and to Apply Click Here
The Clean Energy Corps is hiring. We need talented, diverse, kind, and hardworking people like you to join this team.
With the passage of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Clean Energy Corps is charged with investing more than $62 billion to deliver a more equitable clean energy future for the American people by:
- Investing in American manufacturing
- Creating good paying jobs
- Expanding access to energy efficiency and clean energy for families, communities, and businesses
- Delivering reliable, clean, and affordable power to more Americans
- And building the technologies of tomorrow through clean energy research, development, and demonstrations
You can find a great listing of Indian Country jobs on NCAI’s website here.
Ambient Air Quality/EPA/NTAA/Tribes
NEW! EPA: Tribal and Insular Area Grants: Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) Request for Applications OPEN!
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is excited to request applications for projects that achieve significant reductions in diesel emissions. EPA anticipates awarding approximately $8 million in total DERA funding and will have no mandatory cost share requirement for projects under this RFA. Eligible entities include tribal governments (or intertribal consortia) and Alaska Native Villages, or insular area government agencies that have jurisdiction over transportation or air quality. Insular areas include the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. For more information and to view the full RFA, please visit https://www.epa.gov/dera/tribal-insulararea
NEW! The Richard King Mellon Foundation has just released a Request for Proposal (RFP) to fund projects designed to slow or stop the spread of harmful invasive plants in the United States.
This RFP focuses on the following three areas:
- Strengthening Programs Limiting Invasive Plants in the Nursery Trade and Retail Outlets
- Promoting Voluntary Efforts Through Outreach and Education
- Integrating Warming Temperatures and Climate Change into Prevention and Early Detection/Rapid Response
- Applications are due Friday, September 9 at 12:00 noon Eastern.
Questions?
Contact Nikki Pirain (npirain@rkmf.org), Richard King Mellon Foundation.
NEW! U.S. Forest Service Community Wildfire Defense Grant A Community Wildfire Defense Grant is announced which, according to the website (https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/fire/grants), “are intended to help at-risk local communities and Tribes plan and reduce the risk against wildfire. The Act prioritizes at-risk communities in an area identified as having high or very high wildfire hazard potential, are low-income, and/or have been impacted by a severe disaster.” The webinar on the 9th is specifically for tribes.
Save the Date: The upcoming dates are available to attend the Community Wildfire Defense Grant Webinars for Applicants. Registration is now Open. To attend a webinar, follow the Registration Instructions available in the Wildland Fire Learning Portal to set-up an account.
- Western States and Territories, August 10, 2022 at 12:00 p.m. Mountain time / 11:00 a.m. Pacific time.
- Due to high demand, an additional Webinar is now being offered for the Community Wildfire Defense Grant Applicants.
- Applications now available. For questions regarding applications, please contact Melissa Aulisio, accessga@usda.gov
NEW! EPA Announces Initial Availability of $11 Million for Technical Assistance Centers to Support Underserved Communities. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the availability of $11 million in initial grant funding to establish Environmental Justice (EJ) Thriving Community Technical Assistance Centers across the nation. The EPA funding is available under the first year of a partnership with the Department of Energy, with future phases of up to 10 multi-year awards for a maximum potential program value of $50 million.
This opportunity is available to public and private universities and colleges; public and private nonprofit institutions/organizations; and collaborating tribal governments. Applications are due on October 4, 2022. Awards will be issued as cooperative agreements and EPA will be substantially involved in the operation of the centers.
- For more information on this opportunity: https://www.epa.gov/environmentaljustice/environmental-justice-thriving-communities-technical-assistance-centers
- For more information on other grant funding and technical assistance: https://www.epa.gov/environmentaljustice/environmental-justice-grants-funding-and-technical-assistance
NEW! EPA Grant Opportunity: National Tribal Air Association Operations
Closing Date August 23, 2022, | Click Here for More Information
This notice announces the availability of funds and solicits applications from eligible entities to provide comprehensive air quality policy and regulatory analysis including support and national coordination activities to assist tribes in understanding, participating in and responding to EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation’s policy and regulatory activities.
Contact Information:
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Air and Radiation
ATTN: Pat Childers
William Jefferson Clinton Building North, Room # 6510A
1200 Pennsylvania Ave, NW (Mail Code: 6510a)
Washington, DC 20460
Pat Childers: Childers.Pat@epa.gov
The Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals (ITEP) Tribes and Climate Change Program Summer internship opportunity with the Tanana Chiefs Conference working with the Henshaw weir doing salmon restoration work in Alaska.
Click Here For More Information
This position is open until filled and begins as soon as possible and goes through the end of August. Interested candidates should send a resume and letter of interest to Kelsey.Morales@nau.edu
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 general 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.
Communication Channels for NASA Funding Opportunities
Please consider signing up for the following communication channels. These channels will ensure that you are informed of student engagement and other funding opportunities:
- Register for an account with NASA Solicitation and Proposal Integrated Review and Evaluation System (NSPIRES). You’ll need to create an account if you don’t already have one. Once you have an account you’ll be able to sign up for notifications to be alerted when new funding opportunities are released. There are sometimes opportunities released specifically for Minority Serving Institutions (including TCUs and other indigenous serving higher education institutions) so it’s good to receive the notifications to stay on top of new opportunities.
- Sign up for our MUREP Newsletterwhich goes out every 2 weeks on Fridays.
- Check our MUREP websitefor announcements regarding MUREP specific funding opportunities.
EPA recently shared documents from the May 2021 Workshop on Wildfire Smoke and Children’s Health.
The workshop summary recaps expert presentation and topics discussed during the May event. The recommendations were drafted by multistakeholder workgroups and contain a collection of evidence-based information for decision making and for developing educational materials.
You can find the documents attached and posted on the AirNow website: https://www.airnow.gov/wildfire-guide-post-publication-updates/. At this site you will also see a link to A Story of Health, a multimedia eBook from the Western States Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit that explores how our environments interact with our genes to influence health across the lifespan. The latest chapter, Sofia’s Story, explores the health effects of wildfires. Go directly to Story of Health here: https://wspehsu.ucsf.edu/main-resources/for-clinical-professionals/training/a-story-of-health-a-multi-media-ebook/. For more information, contact EPA’s Martha Berger at Berger.Martha@epa.gov.
Office of Research and Development recently conducted planning discussions regarding the WSMART program. One decision we are activating now is a testing partner loan option during periods of lower wildfire activity (winter through early spring), with loans for up to 3 months. The website FAQs were updated today to outline that option (refer to: “Can I request this equipment to try out before the next wildfire season?”): https://www.epa.gov/air-sensor-toolbox/wildfire-smoke-air-monitoring-response-technology-wsmart-pilot
To view and/or receive ITEP’s American Indian Air Quality Training Program newsletter, Native Voices, click here!
Climate Change/Energy
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
Performance Reports on Electric Trucks Operating in Four Key Freight Markets Now Available!
A new series of five reports documenting the performance of 13 electric trucks is now available from the North American Council for Freight Efficiency (NACFE), a SmartWay Affiliate. NACFE’s Electric Trucks Have Arrived report series provides key metrics, consistent data sets, and presents important findings and insight into how these electric trucks operate to meet the operational demands of four critical freight markets. The report series is based on a comprehensive range of real-world data collected by NACFE during its Run on Less – Electric (ROL-E) truck demonstration conducted last fall. The series of reports also draw on extensive field research, studies, interviews, and related documents published by NACFE on the development and emergence of electric trucks in recent years.
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CSCMP Publishes 2022 State of Logistics Report
The Council of Supply Management Professionals (CSCMP), a SmartWay Affiliate, published its 2022 State of Logistics Report, June 21, 2022. The annual report provides a snapshot of the American economy through the lens of the logistics sector and its role in overall supply chains. It is a compilation of leading logistics intelligence from around the world and shines a spotlight on industry trends and key insights on supply chains across a number of sectors.
A key statistic that the report generates is the United States business logistics costs, or USBLC. In 2021, USBLC was elevated by 22.4% to $1.85 trillion, representing 8% of 2021’s $23 trillion GDP.
For More Information: https://cscmp.org/
Help Save the US DOT Equity Action Plan
This week the House of Representatives is voting on whether or not the US Department of Transportation (DOT) can implement its Equity Action Plan .
As part of a vote on the transportation budget, the House is considering an amendment by Representative Glenn Grothman (R-WI) that would cut funding for the implementation of the DOT’s Equity Action Plan.
Please ask your Representative to vote NO on the Grothman Amendment.
The US DOT Equity Action Plan includes actions to address inequities, and build a better, more equitable transportation system. This means increasing safe access to everyday destinations for everyone — including improving multimodal options, like bicycling, walking and transit, that have been neglected over decades.
U.S. Department of Energy: The Information Source for Alternative Fuels and Advanced Vehicles
The Alternative Fuels Data Center (AFDC) provides information, data, and tools to help fleets and other transportation decision makers find ways to reach their energy and economic goals through the use of alternative and renewable fuels, advanced vehicles, and other fuel-saving measures. Click Here for more information about the resources available.
Recent additions to OTAQ’s website in August 2022
You can access these additions as well as new press releases and Federal Register notices related to OTAQ on our website.
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.
Most Recent Listing: EPA Rules from the Federal Register can be found here.
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