TOP STORIES/HEADLINES: Week of July 25 – 29, 2022
NTAA News!
Please join NTAA for a SPECIAL WORKSHOP for Tribes to learn how to access EPA’s Clean School Bus Rebate that closes on August 19th for the first year of a 5-year funding cycle. Join us during this special workshop during NTAA’s Mobile Source Work Group call with special guest Congresswoman Katie Porter and EPA’s Ale’ Nunez! They will be joined by other presenters from EPA and the World Resources Institute (WRI) who have a great CSB resource kit. Be sure to join for free on August 4th at 1:30 pm ET and Register here!
NTAA will be submitting comments to next week on EPA’s proposed revisions to the GAP Guidance. Be sure to submit your comments or ask any questions to EPA’s Lisa Berrios at by NEXT WEEK’s deadline of Aug 2, 2022.
Top Stories
NPR – How hot is it? More than 85 million Americans are under heat-related advisories
The Guardian – Alarm as fastest growing US cities risk becoming unlivable from climate crisis
CNN – The Pope went to Canada to apologize. For some indigenous school survivors, he triggered more pain
The Indian Country Today – ‘Don’t be afraid to stand up,’ the legacy of Tim Giago
Alaska News Source – Alaska governor to sign tribal recognition bill
NESCAUM – 17 States, D.C., and Quebec Release Action Plan to Rapidly Advance Electric Truck and Bus Adoption
Ambient Air Quality/EPA/NTAA/Tribes News
Air Quality News – New campaign launches to tackle air pollution outside schools
Canada’s National Observer – Alaska experiencing unprecedented wildfires
OXFAM – Three times NEPA has protected communities of color
Phys.org – Unraveling the interconnections between air pollutants and climate change
The Press Democrat – Air quality advisory issued as smoke from Oak Fire near Yosemite forecast to reach Bay Area
WNYC Studios – Another Broken Promise on Tribal Affairs
Climate Change/Energy
CBS News – Heat waves are hitting around the globe. Scientists say climate change is making them more frequent
Climate Wire – This climate approach could win John Roberts’ approval
The Guardian – How a conservative US network undermined Indigenous energy rights in Canada
UPI – 16 U.S. cities could have a climate similar to Middle East by 2100
Toxics/Mobile Sources
CalMatters – Stress relief or toxic exposure? State cautions ‘rage rooms’ may deliver unwanted release
CBS – Crews treating for poisonous water hemlock at White Rock Lake
Gainsville – Clinicians to UF: Protect health with clean power
Southern Environmental Law Center – Mobile Baykeeper, SELC put Alabama Power on notice for coal ash pollution at Plant Barry
TCPalm – Avoid these waters: Toxic algae traces detected on Lake O’s eastern shore in Martin County
US News – Neighborhood Factors Could Raise Your Child’s Odds for Asthma
Indoor Air Quality
NIST – NIST’s Indoor CO2 Tool Can Help Assess Ventilation and Indoor Air Quality
Safety BLR – COVID-19 task force recommends air quality upgrades
Sidney Herald – What to know about smoke and health this summer
Technology Networks – Indoor Air Quality and Ventilation Assessed by Novel Indoor CO2 Tool
UPCOMING CALLS/EVENTS/NOTICES: Week of July 25 – 29, 2022
RESOURCES & FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
Ambient Air Quality/EPA/NTAA/Tribes
New! EPA Webinar: National Tribal Air Association Operations – Request for Applications Informational Webinar
August 1, 2022, | 3:00 – 4:00 PM EST | Click Link to Access Webinar
Or join by phone (audio only): 202-991-0477 Washington DC
Phone Conference ID: 214 622 475#
Webinar to present and respond to questions from interested parties and potential applicants regarding the National Tribal Air Association Operations Request for Applications. PowerPoint presentation will be made available prior to the webinar.
For questions pertaining to the webinar or the RFA, please contact Pat Childers at childers.pat@epa.gov
DOE Grid Hardening State/Tribal Formula Grant Program – $2.3 billion |Applications Due: September 30, 2022|
Eligible Entities: States, U.S Territories, and Indian Tribes
DOE has built a formula grant program to strengthen and modernize America’s power grid against wildfires, extreme weather, and other natural disasters that are exacerbated by the climate crisis. The program will distribute up to $2.3 billion over five years and will provide grants based on a formula that includes, among other things, population size, land area, probability and severity of disruptive events, and a locality’s historical expenditures on mitigation efforts. Priority will be given to projects that generate the greatest community benefit providing clean, affordable, and reliable energy to everyone, everywhere, anytime.
For more information, visit the funding opportunity description.
New! NASEM webinar on Respiratory Protection for the Public
Thursday July 28, 2022, from 1:00-3:30pm ET
EPA’s Indoor Environments Division (IED) is pleased to announce that the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) will host a discussion with key stakeholders about respiratory protection for the public on July 28, 2022.
Topics covered in this webinar will include:
- The proposed framework described in a recent National Academies reporton recommendations for a unified and authoritative source of information and oversight for respiratory protection for the public;
- Perspectives from Federal and other key stakeholder groups on implementation of the proposed framework and recommendations; and
- Next steps for ensuring improved preparedness and protections for the public during future emergencies requiring respiratory protection.
IED’s Alison Savage will participate in a panel discussion of federal agency reactions to the report, which was sponsored by EPA, CDC, the CDC Foundation, and the Department of State.
New! Industrial, Commercial, and Institutional Area Source Boilers: National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP)
EPA finalized amendments to the National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) for Industrial, Commercial, and Institutional Boilers and Process Heaters. This final action addresses several issues identified by the D.C. Circuit and will protect air quality and public health by reducing emissions of hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) such as formaldehyde, benzene, and polycyclic organic matter. The amendments will also result in reductions in particulate matter, a surrogate for metallic HAP, by an estimated 586 tons per year and sulfur dioxide by an estimated 1,141 tons per year. For more information about this final rulemaking and a fact sheet, please visit https://www.epa.gov/stationary-sources-air-pollution/industrial-commercial-and-institutional-boilers-and-process-heaters.
New! 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.
New! NC Randon 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
- July 27 – How to Apply with Live Question & Answer Session
- 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.
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, August 4, 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! | Wednesday, 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
New! DOI BOR WaterSMART Water Conservation Field Services Program – $100 thousand |Applications Due: July 29, 2022|
Eligible Entities: State, tribe, irrigation district, water district, or other organization with water or power delivery authority
This Water Conservation Field Services Program Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) provides
funding for projects that, when implemented, will increase water reliability and improve water
management through the use of expanded technologies and improved modeling capabilities
For more information, visit the funding opportunity description.
New! 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.
New! 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.
New! 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.
DOE’s Geothermal Technologies Office will host an informational webinar on July 26, 2022, 12:00 p.m. ET to discuss the funding program and the areas of focus. Register for the webinar.
For more information, visit the funding opportunity description.
New! 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.
New! 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
U.S. Department of Energy Office of Indian Energy Webinars: Energy Access and Reliability on Tribal Lands Virtual Listening Session
July 28, 2022, | 1:00 PM ET | Register Here
This virtual listening session, hosted by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Indian Energy, will explore challenges and potential solutions related to energy access and reliability on tribal lands. The goal is to gather important insight directly from Native Nations regarding the current status of unelectrified homes and electricity reliability issues facing tribal communities. The Energy Act of 2020 included specific requirements for DOE to conduct research and report back to Congress on these topics. In accordance with that Act, the Office of Indian Energy is hosting this listening session to provide tribal leaders and staff from energy, planning, natural resources, and other relevant departments the opportunity to make recommendations on the report.This is a follow-up to the first listening session the Office of Indian Energy hosted in November 2021; however, attendance at the first session is not a prerequisite to participate in this one. During this listening session, the Office of Indian Energy will discuss the results of the questionnaire conducted during the first session and share findings from the report to date. Please note that there is a capacity limit for this listening session of 500 participants. Tribes and tribal staff will be given priority to attend if the capacity limit is reached.
ITEP’s Climate Change Adaptation Training Courses registration is online!
Learn more about the courses and register here.
Toxics/Mobile Sources
New! 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 July 25 – July 29, 2022
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 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
A New fund is asking for donations to help Alaska Native communities facing environmental disasters A new fund is calling for private donations to help Alaska Native communities facing climate change-related disasters. That source of funding will almost certainly not be enough money to fully respond to the environmental disasters that Alaska communities face, but it has at least one advantage over traditional grants. Click Here For More Information.
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
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.
Now Open: 2022 Clean School Bus Rebate Program
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law of 2021 authorizes EPA to offer rebates to replace existing school buses with clean and zero-emission (ZE) models. The 2022 Clean School Bus (CSB) Rebates process includes SAM.gov account registration, application submission, review and selection by EPA, purchase order submission and request for payment, payment receipt, new bus delivery and old bus replacement, and close out. The program guidance and application process differ from prior EPA school bus rebate programs in many ways, so please review the summary of program requirements below and the detailed Program Guide before proceeding. Clean School Bus Rebate Program Online Rebate Application Information
Important Dates
Activity | Date |
2022 Clean School Bus (CSB) Rebates open. EPA begins accepting online application submissions here. | May 20, 2022 – 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 |
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
New! 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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New! 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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TOP STORIES/HEADLINES: Week of July 18 – 22, 2022
NTAA News!
Wood Smoke Work Group call |Thursday, July 21st at 2pm ET
Join WSWG Lead, Lucas Bair on tips for Woodstove Maintenance and the newest resources from EPA’s Burn Wise Program! This work group every other month to address wood smoke issues in Indian Country. Attend by clicking here.
Special Mobile Sources Work Group Workshop! | Thursday, August 4th at 1:30 PM EST
Top Stories
ABC – Wildfires continue to impact air quality in Central Valley
AP News – Biden vows ‘strong’ climate despite dual setbacks
Mitchell Republic – U.S. Attorneys, law enforcement agencies to place new focus on reducing violent crime on tribal lands
Grist – Here are 3 ways the EPA can still regulate climate pollution
Ambient Air Quality/EPA/NTAA/Tribes News
Air Quality News – Council encourages parents not to idle cars during school run
Air Quality News – Domestic gas contains hazardous, cancer-causing air pollutants
Bloomberg Law – Existing Air Law Tools Give EPA Narrow Path on Tackling Climate
E&E News – When Heat Waves Meet Air Pollution, Death Risks Rise Substantially
KVUE – Saharan dust brings hazy conditions to Texas
Navajo Times – Tó Niłtólí members want Lake Powell lands returned
Climate Change/Energy
ABC – Climate aid, war fallout feature at Berlin climate talks
BBC – Heatwave: National emergency declared after UK’s first red extreme heat warning
Bizjournals – New climate building codes include climate change mandates
E&E News – 4 Issues to watch as Energy, EPA bills reach House Floor
Utah Law – Heating Up: Climate Change Impacts on Tribal Communities
Utah Law – Synching Science and Policy to Address Climate Change in Tribal Communities
The Guardian – Biden pledges executive action after Joe Manchin scuppers climate agenda
E&E News – Congress faces climate roadblock after Supreme Court ruling
Toxics/Mobile Sources
PBS NewsHour – In Louisiana, orphan wells seen as an ‘accident waiting to happen’
CNBC – EU signs new gas deals as fears grow over Russian supplies cutoff
CNN – House passes burn pit legislation
USA Today – Across the US, towns warn of toxic PFAS chemicals in drinking water. Here’s what to know
Indoor Air Quality
Businesswire – UVDI Awarded Agreement for UV-C Indoor Air Quality Technology with Premier, Inc.
Fatherly – Air Pollution levels linked to disease, IQ decline in kids