PHOTOS FROM THE FIELD: Week of June 20 – 24, 2022

PHOTOS FROM THE FIELD: Week of June 20 – 24, 2022

PHOTOS FROM THE FIELD

SF Chronicle – Warm, dry, breezy weather to challenge fire crews in Arizona

A hot shot crew member lights the underbrush with a drip torch Wednesday, June 15, 2022, off of Forest Road 545B in Flagstaff, Ariz., during burnout operations in an effort to contain the Pipeline Fire which ignited early Sunday and has burned thousands of acres. (Rachel Gibbons/Arizona Daily Sun via AP)

PHOTOS FROM THE FIELD|

NTAA News!

Welcome to NTAA’s newest associate member Maggie Li, who is currently pursuing a PhD at the Department of Environmental Health Sciences at the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health. Ms. Li recently presented at the 2022 National Tribal Forum on Air Quality. To learn more about joining NTAA as an associate member, click here on NTAA’s website.

NTAA recently hosted and recorded an informational webinar to provide the key findings from NTAA’s national baseline needs assessment last week. You can view the recorded webinar on NTAA’s homepage under “Latest News!”

Yesterday, NTAA submitted this comment letter to EPA regarding the proposed updates to the 2015 Ozone Transport Rule. Learn what NTAA has submitted and what EPA actions you can comment on in the next few weeks on NTAA’s Policy Resource Kit page!

Be sure to join us tomorrow for NTAA’s Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Work Group call at 2pm ET! Attend by clicking here. We will be discussing NTAA’s participation in the National Radon Action Plan.

The new National Radon Action Plan 2021–25, which was released in January, sets a goal for the nation to find, fix and prevent high indoor radon levels in 8 million buildings by 2025 and prevent at least 3,500 lung cancer deaths per year. Here is a link to a Tribal-specific questionnaire developed by the four goal area work groups to get a better sense of what is occurring or has occurred on Tribal lands as it pertains to radon.

UPCOMING CALLS/EVENTS/NOTICES

Ambient Air Quality/EPA/NTAA/Tribes

EPA Clean School Bus Program – 2022 Rebates

Click here to register

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

June 22 – Joint Office of Energy and Transportation: EV Infrastructure
June 29 – How to Apply with Live Question & Answer Session
July 13 – Office of the Inspector General: Fraud Prevention
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 here to view the program guidance and a list of eligible/priority applicants.
Click here to begin the 2022 Clean School Bus Rebate Application process.
Click here to 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 here to 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.

EPA: Workshop to Obtain Input on Preliminary Draft Materials for the Lead (Pb) Integrated Science Assessment (ISA) (May and June 2022)

EPA is currently updating its Lead (Pb) Integrated Science Assessment (ISA) as part of the review of the primary (health) and secondary (welfare) National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for Pb. The ISA will be completed by EPA’s Office of Research and Development’s (ORD) Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment (CPHEA). As part of the Pb review, EPA is announcing a series of webinar teleconference workshops to obtain input on preliminary draft materials of the Pb ISA from expert reviewers. The workshop will be open to attendance by interested public observers by webinar and teleconference only.

Dates/Registration

The workshop will be held in 4 webinar and teleconference sessions on June 22 and June 29, 2022.

Jun 22: Session 3. Ambient Pb: Source to Concentration
Jun 29: Session 4. Exposure, Toxicokinetics, and Pb Biomarkers

REGISTRATION: Members of the public may attend as observers, but you must register in advance by visiting the session links above to attend.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT: Please direct questions regarding workshop registration or logistics to EPA’s contractor, ICF, by e-mail at EPA-Workshops@icf.com. For technical issues, please use the contact us form with the subject line “Lead ISA Peer Review Workshops.”

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.

EPA Policy Call: Call in to hear updates from EPA on policies, actions, and tools relevant to Indian Country and Air Quality. Attend by clicking here.

Thursday,

June 30,

2 pm ET

Mobile Sources Work Group: This monthly work group addresses all mobile source pollution issues. Attend by clicking here.

Thursday,

July 7,

2 pm ET

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 16^th at 2pm ET.

Thursday, June 23,

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, June 23,

2 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!

July 27

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

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:

ITEP’s Climate Change Adaptation Training Courses registration is online!

Learn more about the courses and register here.

Toxics/Mobile Sources

EPA is seeking nominations from representatives of nonfederal interests to serve on the Mobile Sources Technical Review Subcommittee (MSTRS).

EPA values and welcomes opportunities to increase diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility on its Federal Advisory Committees. In an effort to obtain nominations of diverse candidates, EPA encourages nominations of people from all racial and ethnic groups. MSTRS members are appointed by the EPA Administrator for three-year terms with the possibility of reappointment to a second term.

The MSTRS, a federal advisory committee chartered under the Federal Advisory Committee Act, provides the Clean Air Act Advisory Committee with independent advice, counsel, and recommendations on the scientific and technical aspects of programs related to mobile source air pollution and its control. The subcommittee’s website is at  https://www.epa.gov/caaac/mobile-sources-technical-review-subcommittee-mstrs-caaac.

For more information on how to submit a nomination, please see the Federal Register Notice announcing the request for nominations. Nominations must be received by July 11, 2022. If you have any questions, please contact: Julia Burch, Designated Federal Officer; email: burch.julia@epa.gov.

EPA Proposes Stronger Standards for Heavy-Duty Vehicles to Promote Clean Air, Protect Communities, and Support Transition to Zero-Emissions Future

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing new, stronger standards to promote clean air and reduce pollution from heavy-duty vehicles and engines starting in model year (MY) 2027. The proposed standards would reduce emissions of smog- and soot-forming nitrogen oxides (NOx) from heavy-duty gasoline and diesel engines and set updated greenhouse gas (GHG) standards for certain commercial vehicle categories. This proposed rule would ensure the heavy-duty vehicles and engines that drive American commerce and connect people across the country are as clean as possible while charting a path to advance zero-emission vehicles in the heavy-duty fleet. Click Here for Full Press Release.

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.

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

Tribes can help put the “National” in the National Radon Action Plan.

The new National Radon Action Plan 2021–25, which was released in January, sets a goal for the nation to find, fix and prevent high indoor radon levels in 8 million buildings by 2025 and prevent at least 3,500 lung cancer deaths per year.

Here is a link to a Tribal-specific questionnaire developed by the four goal area work groups to get a better sense of what is occurring or has occurred on Tribal lands as it pertains to radon. Any input you are willing to share is greatly appreciated and will help guide some of the work being conducted as part of the plan. Your participation and time in answering the questions is also greatly appreciated. We kindly ask you to complete the questionnaire by July 13.

The National Radon Action Plan is organized into four priority goal areas, each with some specific strategies and desired outcomes. Implementation of the Plan is overseen by a Leadership Council of fourteen organizations representing the Federal government, states, tribes, industry and non-profits. The diversity of priorities, skills and expertise that each organization brings to the table has greatly enhanced our progress on radon risk reduction since the first version of the Plan was published in 2015. We know that some Tribal air professionals have experiences and lessons learned that can help us reach our shared goals and save lives. We would welcome your participation in one of the four goal area work groups. If you have any questions regarding the NRAP or this questionnaire, please do not hesitate to contact the Chair of the CRCPD E-25 Committee on Radon, Joshua Kerber from the Minnesota Department of Health at joshua.kerber@state.mn.us.

EPA Webinar: Innovations in Financing Environmental Asthma Home Visits Within Medicaid

June 23^rd, 2022, @ 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM EDT | Click Here To Register

EPA’s Indoor Environments Division (IED) will showcase solutions to help communities reduce indoor environmental risks to address asthma disparities and improve community health, including health care reimbursement for multi-sector workforces that deliver home environmental asthma interventions.

Technical solutions that state health care policy makers and community partners are pioneering to improve asthma outcomes, reduce health disparities and cultivate health equity.
Innovations to address indoor environmental determinants of health (IEDOH) through clinic and community integration, such as asthma home visits with environmental interventions for children who need them for asthma control.
Ways to collaborate between health care, public health, housing, community development, energy and others to put the latest IEDOH policies and science to work to improve asthma.

The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) Released Allergy Capitals 2022.

This report ranks the top 100 cities in the continental United States where it is most challenging to live with seasonal pollen allergies, which may worsen chronic respiratory diseases, including asthma. AAFA’s report is an annual research and educational project designed to help people recognize, prevent and manage allergy symptoms. It also helps communities see where the needs of people with allergic diseases, like seasonal allergies, can be better met.

Scranton, Pennsylvania, ranks #1 overall again this year. City rankings are based on higher-than-average spring and fall pollen scores, higher-than-average medication usage, and availability of board-certified allergists/immunologists in the area. Visit AsthmaCommunityNetwork.org to see if your city made the list and see what actions you can take to reduce your contact with pollen.

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

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

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

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

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

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

CALLS/WEBINARS/EVENTS|

RESOURCES AND FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES: Week of June 20 – 24, 2022

RESOURCES & FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

Now Hiring!

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

The California Air Resources Board has two attorney positions that it is seeking qualified candidates to fill. If you are interested in working for an innovative California State Agency that leads in protecting the public from the harmful effects of air pollution, developing programs and actions to fight climate change, all while advancing racial equity, check out the qualifications for the two open positions and apply!

The positions, deadlines for applying, and links to the positions are as follows:

Attorney: The deadline for applying is June 9, 2022. See posting here: https://www.calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/Jobs/JobPosting.aspx?JobControlId=307346.
Attorney III: The deadline for applying is June 11, 2022. See posting here: https://www.calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/Jobs/JobPosting.aspx?JobControlId=309784.

For inquiries or questions relating to the position or application process, please contact the Hiring Unit at: Rebecca.Holven@arb.ca.gov. Please note, the address and process for submitting the applications are outlined in the links, so submitting an application to the email does not satisfy the requirements.

Environmental Specialist for the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indian’s Governmental Operations

Responsible for the Environmental Program to include natural sciences related grant management and implementation, lead fieldwork activities, data management, data analysis, technical report writing, and creating management recommendations. Click Here for full listing of the position

U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission: Job announcement for an Intergovernmental Specialist-Tribal position within FERC’s Office of External Affairs.

This position will work within the State, International, and Public Affairs Division (with Keith and myself) and help us build up our Tribal engagement work. This position works across the Commission in collaboration with numerous program offices such as the newly established Office of Public Participation, the Office of Energy Projects, and the Office of General Counsel’s Environmental Justice & Equity Team. The listing is here on USA Jobs.

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

Apply Now!

The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community is hiring a Sustainability Specialist and want to reach as wide an audience as possible. You can also get there through this link.

You can find a great listing of Indian Country jobs on NCAI’s website here.

Ambient Air Quality/EPA/NTAA/Tribes

NEW! 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
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 Newsletter which goes out every 2 weeks on Fridays.
Check our MUREP website for 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 multi-stakeholder 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

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

Community Health Worker Training Program (CHWTP)

Department of Health and Human Services

Health Resources and Services Administration

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=336498

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is accepting applications for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 Community Health Worker and Health Support Worker Training Program (CHWTP). The purpose of this program is to expand the public health workforce through the training of new Community Health Workers (CHWs) and health support workers and to extend the knowledge and skills of current CHWs and other health support workers. Through this program, HRSA plans to train 13,000 new and current CHWs and other health support workers to support essential public health services and to focus on experiential training and employment through registered apprenticeships and job placements. The CHWTP aims to increase access to care, improve public health emergency response, and address the public health needs of underserved communities.

Individuals trained through the program will acquire knowledge, skills, and expertise to respond to public health needs and public health emergencies, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, in underserved communities through a network of partnerships.

Eligibility

State governments
Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments)
County governments
Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
Private institutions of higher education
Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)
In addition to the 50 states, eligible applicants include the District of Columbia, Guam, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau. Tribes and Tribal organizations may apply for these funds, if otherwise eligible. Foreign entities and individuals are not eligible for this HRSA award.

More information is available at https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=336498

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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RESOURCES & FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES|

WEEKLY UPDATE (PDF): Week of June 20 – 24, 2022

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WEEKLY UPDATE (PDF)|

PHOTOS FROM THE FIELD: Week of June 13 – 17, 2022