UPCOMING CALLS/EVENTS/NOTICES: Week of April 18 – 22, 2022

UPCOMING CALLS/EVENTS/NOTICES

Ambient Air Quality/EPA/NTAA/Tribes

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.

On Wednesday, April 27, 2022 from 3:00 – 4:00 pm EDT, EPA will hold a virtual meeting via Microsoft Teams about the American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act which gives EPA authority to address hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), a class of climate-damaging chemicals mainly used in refrigeration and air conditioning applications, foams, aerosols, and fire suppression.

EPA will give an overview of the AIM Act and the phasedown of HFCs, as well as two upcoming rulemakings. One rulemaking will update the HFC Allowance Allocation and Tracking Program which phases down HFCs through a licensing system, and the other rulemaking will facilitate transitions to next-generation technologies by placing restrictions on HFCs in certain applications such as refrigeration and air conditioning. To RSVP for the meeting or for further information, please contact Nancy Akerman at akerman.nancy@epa.gov or (202) 507-3473.

EPA: Webinar Use of Electronic Health Records to Address Pressing Environmental Health Questions

April 20, 2022 | 3:00 – 4:00 pm ET | Click Here to Register

From environmental justice to the coronavirus pandemic, the current environmental health needs facing individuals, communities, and the nation as a whole are complex and often unprecedented. Addressing these needs requires novel research tools that can answer the key questions required to advance public health and make environmental health more personalized. One of the most promising tools in this arsenal is electronic health records (EHRs).

Department of Health and Human Services

April 20, 2022 | 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm ET

On behalf of Secretary Becerra, please see the attached Dear Tribal Leader Letter initiating Tribal Consultation related to the policy directives outlined in Executive Order (E.O.) 14053— Improving Public Safety and Criminal Justice for Native Americans and Addressing the Crisis of Missing or Murdered Indigenous People. Section 5 of the E.O. calls on the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in consultation with Tribal nations, to develop a comprehensive plan to support prevention efforts that reduce risk factors for victimization of Native Americans and increase protective factors by enhancing the delivery of services to victims, survivors, and their families and advocates.

The Department wishes to consult with Tribal governments to solicit their comments and recommendations on policy directives that HHS should include in the comprehensive plan. A virtual Tribal Consultation session will be held on April 20, 2022 from 3:00-6:00 PM ET. Please register in advance for the Tribal Consultation session at the following link: https://www.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/vJItf-2trzsjHljBop7eh_XGux83tKQowkc. The Department will develop questions for Tribal leaders’ consideration, which will be distributed via e-mail to all registered participants two weeks prior to the Tribal Consultation session. You may submit written comments by e-mail to consultation@hhs.gov by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday, May 20, 2022.

EPA: Webinar on The American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act April 27, 2022 | 3:00 – 4:00 pm EDT

The American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act which gives EPA authority to address hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), a class of climate-damaging chemicals mainly used in refrigeration and air conditioning applications, foams, aerosols, and fire suppression. EPA will give an overview of the AIM Act and the phasedown of HFCs, as well as two upcoming rulemakings. One rulemaking will update the HFC Allowance Allocation and Tracking Program which phases down HFCs through a licensing system, and the other rulemaking will facilitate transitions to next-generation technologies by placing restrictions on HFCs in certain applications such as refrigeration and air conditioning.

To RSVP for the meeting or for further information, please contact Nancy Akerman at akerman.nancy@epa.gov or (202) 507-3473.

The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) and the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) invite you to a Tribal consultation to discuss the development of Guidance for Federal Agencies on Indigenous Traditional Ecological Knowledge (ITEK).

Tribal Consultation 2: Friday, April 29, 2022. 3:00 – 5:00 pm EDT Register in advance for the meeting here. If you have any questions regarding this effort, please contact ITEK@ostp.eop.gov.

Please join the White House Council on Native American Affairs as we kick off the first session of our 2022 White House Native Women Symposium, Native Women Rising: Inspiring the Future, shining a spotlight on issues of importance to Native women. There will be four sessions held throughout 2022, focusing on issues like the MMIP crisis, economic development, and health. We hope to engage in a dialogue about the ongoing focus the Biden-Harris Administration has placed on Indian Country, with direct and lasting impacts on Native women.

Native Women Rising: Inspiring the Future
White House Native Women Symposium Series
Session 1: Implementation of the Violence Against Women Act
Wednesday, April 27 from 3:00 to 4:30 PM EST
Registration Link here.
This first session will celebrate the recent reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and include a panel of Tribal advocates and leaders discussing the importance of VAWA in Indian Country. There will also be a presentation by staff from the Department of Justice and the Department of the Interior on next steps for implementation of the new provisions in VAWA. We will be joined by Interior Secretary Deb Haaland and there will be a special message from Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco. We hope you can join us virtually on Wednesday, April 27th from 3:00 – 4:30 PM EST. Please register for the event here.
This session is closed to the press.

Call For Proposals for The National Tribal & Indigenous Climate Conference!

The Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals (ITEP) Tribes and Climate Change Program announced the opening for the call for proposals for the upcoming 2022 National Tribal & Indigenous Climate Conference (NTICC) in St. Paul, MN and online August 29 – September 1, 2022. We welcome proposals that discuss climate-related impacts, assessments, tools, adaptation, mitigation, actions, and the intersection of Traditional/Indigenous Knowledges with western science and adaptation strategies and are accepting both in-person and virtual proposals. Proposal submissions include: Presentations, Trainings, Working Groups, & Climate Conversations

We are particularly excited about our new Climate Conversation proposal category which is seeking submissions for art, games, posters, demonstrations, films, and more to further engage NTICC attendees in Tribal climate work.

Application deadline: Friday, April 22nd by close of business

Letter of notification: Monday, June 6th

Materials deadline: Friday, August 5th

For more information and to apply, please visit our website.

Air Quality Flag Program Earth Day 2022 Lesson Plans

As you plan your Earth Day celebrations, consider some options from the Flag Program. Do fun activities (otherwise known as lesson plans but we won’t tell), read or watch the Why is Coco Orange?, fill out a crossword on air quality, or choose something from our Things to Do list. We’ve got something for everyone! Whatever you do, have fun and thank you for helping make the Earth a better place! More information, click here.

This year’s theme is Be Air Aware & Prepared! During the week, organizations nationwide plan events that increase air quality awareness and encourage people to check the Air Quality Index (AQI) daily. Flag Program participants already do that! This year’s daily topics include:

Monday – Wildfires & Smoke
Tuesday – Asthma and Your Health
Wednesday – Citizen Science & Sensors
Thursday – Environmental Justice & Air Quality
Friday – Air Quality Around the World

Find out more about our classroom curriculum.

New AirKnowledge E–Learning Content

The AirKnowledge 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 AirKnowledge interim website at https://www3.epa.gov/ttn/apti/index.html.

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 roll-call, 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, May 19, 2 pm ET
Mobile Sources Work Group: This monthly work group addresses all mobile source pollution issues. Attend by clicking here.	Thursday, June 2, 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 16th at 2pm ET.	Thursday, June 16, 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, May 19, 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!	Wednesday, May 25, 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

Save the Date: 2022 Southwestern Tribal Climate Change Summit

May 16 – 18, 2022 @ the Pala, CA | Register Here

In partnership with the La Jolla Band of Luiseño Indians, the Pala Band of Mission Indians, and the Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals, the Climate Science Alliance is excited to co-host the 2022 Southwestern Tribal Climate Change Summit (SWTCCS).

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’s Clean School Bus Program will be hosting a Zoom Webinar on Wednesday, April 27th @ 1 PM Eastern about the upcoming Zero-Emission and Clean School Bus Rebates.

Please share this email and the attached flyer with any stakeholders that would be interested in applying for this program.

Click here to register for the April 27th Webinar (pre-registration is required).
Click here to learn more about how to prepare for the upcoming rebate application.
Click here to sign-up for the Clean School Bus News listserv to guarantee you receive regular program updates.
- Add cleanschoolbus@epa.gov to your email contacts to ensure 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.gov with any questions or feedback to improve the program.

The World Resources Institute (WRI) presents the Getting on Board Electric School Bush (ESB) webinar series. The second webinar is on May 10th at 1pm ET and will provide timely details on the EPA’s $5 billion Clean School Bus Program. You can register here.

This April, the U.S. EPA is expected to officially launch its new Clean School Bus Program, which will provide billions of dollars to help school districts invest in electric school buses over the next five years. Join the webinar to learn more about this unprecedented funding opportunity and how you can leverage it for your school district and community. Drawing on years of federal and local experience, panelists will offer unique and helpful insights into applying for, receiving and deploying clean school bus funding. WRI is a global research organization that turns big ideas into action at the nexus of environment, economic opportunity and human well-being.

Transportation, Climate Change and Health Resources for U.S. Tribes

The Pala Band of Mission Indians and the Jamul Indian Village of California (JIVoC) were funded by Caltrans’s 2019 Adaption Planning Grant (per Senate Bill 1) to complete the Tribal Transportation Climate Adaptation Project. By Feb 2022, this project produced analysis and reports outlining current and anticipated transportation-related impacts of more extreme wildfires, storms, flooding, and heat on Pala and Jamul’s valued social, cultural, economic, natural, and built assets, with a strong focus on protecting the health and safety of members, residents, employees, and visitors.

Click Here to Learn More

MULTI-STATE MEDIUM- AND HEAVY-DUTY ZERO-EMISSION VEHICLE ACTION PLAN: A Policy Framework to Eliminate Harmful Truck and Bus Emissions

On behalf of the signatories of the Multi-State Medium- and Heavy-Duty (MHD) Zero-Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), the Northeast States for Coordinated Air Use Management (NESCAUM) has released a draft Multi-State MHD ZEV Action Plan for a 45- day public comment period. Comments should be submitted through NESCAUM’s Public Input Portal by April 25, 2022.

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

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.

U.S. Department of Education Encourages Use of American Rescue Plan Funds to Improve Ventilation and IAQ in Schools

Indoor air quality is critical to reopening schools safely and keeping them open. The U.S. Department of Education has released new guidance encouraging the use of American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds to improve ventilation systems and make other indoor air quality improvements in schools to prevent the spread of COVID- 19 and tackle longstanding school ventilation improvement needs. The new Department of Education guidance highlights EPA resources to support investments in improved ventilation and indoor air quality. Use the following resources from EPA to supplement the information in the guidance:

Indoor Air and Coronavirus (COVID-19): Visit this page for the latest guidance on best indoor air practices to limit the spread of COVID-19.
Ventilation and Coronavirus (COVID-19): Ventilation is an important approach to lowering concentrations of indoor air pollutants, including viruses. Increase the ventilation in your school with outdoor air when possible.
Air Cleaners, HVAC filters, and Coronavirus (COVID-19): Air cleaners and HVAC filters can help to reduce viruses and pollutants in the air. Consider upgrading the HVAC filters in your system and using safe, effective portable air cleaners to supplement HVAC filtration. Note: Do

not use air cleaners that intentionally generate ozone in occupied spaces.

Implementing a Layered Approach to Address COVID-19 in Public Indoor Spaces: A layered risk reduction approach is best to limit airborne transmission of COVID-19 – learn how to combine increased ventilation and filtration with other CDC recommendations, such as wearing masks and social distancing.

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 April 18 – 22, 2022

RESOURCES & FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

Now Hiring!

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.

Gila River Indian Community: Director, Department of Environmental Quality

Click Here For Full Job Listing and Click Here To Apply

The Director is responsible for the overall direction, management, and operations of the Gila River Indian Community’s Department of Environmental Quality, whose overall mission is to protect human health by maintaining and improving the quality of the environment in the area of air quality, pesticides, waste management, water quality, and wildlife. This position exercises considerable initiative and independent judgement in representing the Community within its assigned area of responsibilities, including frequent interaction with local and federal agencies. This position is responsible for protecting the Community’s sovereign authority, ensuring compliance with the Community’s environmental ordinances and federal regulations; establishes departmental policies, goals, and standards of work; financial management, including budget planning, development, monitoring, and record keeping; grants management, including grant writing, review, performance monitoring, and compliance; review and evaluation of departmental systems and programs.

Northern Arizona University Native American Water & Land 2022 Student Summer Internship

Spend your summer working on tribal water and land issues. Internships are available with tribal organizations, state and federal agencies, or water or land management NGOs. The internships have a research, technical, educational, or policy focus. We are offering approximately 10 internships. You can apply for all the sites with one application. The internship program provides each student intern with a $4,800 stipend for 8 weeks or a $6,000 stipend for 10 weeks. Travel and housing stipends are available for interns who must relocate for the internship. We anticipate some internships may be virtual, with the intern telecommuting from their home location. Students must meet the following criteria:

U.S. Citizen
Full-time undergraduate or graduate college student during Spring 2022
Have at least a 2.5 cumulative GPA
Majoring in an environmental, land, or water management field—e.g., environmental science, engineering, hydrology, planning, public policy, geography, law, agriculture
Interest in pursuing a career in water or land management after graduation •
Proficient verbal and written communication skills
Strong interest in working with Native American tribes
If you need an exception, contact EEOP- INTERN@nau.edu.
The host site project descriptions will be posted on the website after April 15 for review. Interns will select which host sites receive their application. Applications are due by April 29, 2022.
To register for more information: http://www7.nau.edu/itep/main/eeop/Internships/wls_internship
For questions contact: mansel.nelson@nau.edu or text 928 221-1222.

Puget Sound Clean Air Agency: Executive Director

The Puget Sound Clean Air Agency (PSCAA) is a special-purpose, regional government agency chartered by state law in 1967. The Agency’s jurisdiction covers King, Kitsap, Pierce, and Snohomish counties. These four counties are home to more than 4.1 million people, over half the state’s population.

The Executive Director is responsible for strategic and inspirational leadership as well as overall operational management of the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency. The Executive Director serves as a key external face of the Agency, responsible for productive relationships between the Agency and the State Legislature, the State Department of Ecology, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the National Association of Clean Agencies, and other local air agencies. In addition, the Executive Director ensures that staff members are aligned with the organization’s mission and vision, and are working together to successfully achieve strategic objectives.

To Apply or For More Information About The Position. Click Here.

Red Feather Development Group: Program Coordinator

Red Feather Development Group (Red Feather) partners with the Navajo and Hopi Nations to provide sustainable solutions to the housing needs within their communities. Red Feather programs include healthy home educational outreach, healthy home case management, and the facilitation and management of home repairs for qualified families. Red Feather works closely with government officials, community members, professionals, and volunteers within each community to develop and implement these programs.

To apply Send a cover letter and resume to email: shannon@redfeather.org

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

ETR (Education, Training, and Research) is seeking a Project Coordinator.

The Project Coordinator will report to the Director of Tribal Projects, this position will be responsible for coordinating, developing, and executing the California Clean Air Project (CCAP) scope of work (SOW) components of the project. These include but not limited to, facilitating and training Tribal representatives, coordinating other capacity building assistance and related activities, coordinating and ensuring delivery of day-to-day deliverables, planning and designing specific project deliverables, contributing to ideas to project/department strategic planning and resource development, and assisting in writing reports, proposals, re-applications and progress reports, all with general oversight of supervisor.

For More Information and to Apply for this Position click here

ETR (Education, Training, and Research) is seeking a Project Coordinator II Tribal Community Coordinating Center (TCCC). The Project Coordinator II (TCCC) will report to the Director of Tribal Projects, the Project Coordinator manages the day-to-day operations of one large project or multiple small projects (600K or less). Plans, coordinates, designs, and delivers project activities in the ATOD content area, specifically Tribal Community Coordinating Center (TCCC) Project. Writes reports, supervises staff, assists in resource development, and contributes to business unit strategic planning. California-based position.

For More Information and to Apply for this Position 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

EPA Announces Availability of up to $1.6 Million in Environmental Justice Grants for Tribal Public Participation Project

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced the availability of up to $1.6 million in American Rescue Plan (ARP) funding to support Tribal government efforts to establish or modify programs on environmental justice water and air quality issues. Earlier this year, EPA announced spending plans for the $100 million in ARP funding appropriated by Congress in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and health outcome disparities, with $50 million being designated to improve ambient air quality monitoring, and $50 million designated to address disproportionate environmental or public health harms and risks in underserved communities. Congress made up to $1.6 million in ARP funding available to Tribes, recognizing the importance of supporting Tribal public engagement programs and related priorities that have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. EPA anticipates awarding 16 to 20 grants nationwide in amounts of up to $100,000 per award.

Applicants interested in this funding opportunity must submit grant proposal packages by May 19, 2022. Applicants should plan for projects to begin on October 1, 2022. To learn more about the pre-application assistance calls and how to apply for funding, visit: Environmental Justice Small Grants Program.

For more information about EPA’s programs in Indian Country, visit: Environmental Protection in Indian Country

For more information on EPA’s Office of Environmental Justice, visit: Environmental Justice.

National Renewable Energy Laboratory

Department of Energy – Bioenergy Technologies Office

The Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) supports groundbreaking technologies to produce fuels, products, and power from biomass and waste resources. BETO is interested in broadening its pool of participants and seeks to fund non-traditional, emerging, and historically underfunded investigators from Minority Serving Institutions. Focus areas of research include Advanced Algal Systems, Advanced Terrestrial waste feedstock technologies, Accelerating catalyst development for biofuel production.

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 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

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.

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

Unsubscribe Modify your Subscription

RESOURCES & FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES|

WEEKLY UPDATE (PDF): Week of April 18 – 22, 2022

Loading...

Taking too long?

Reload document

|

Open in new tab

Download [586.56 KB]

WEEKLY UPDATE (PDF)|

PHOTOS FROM THE FIELD: Week of April 11 – 15, 2022

PHOTOS FROM THE FIELD: Week of April 11 – 15, 2022

PHOTOS FROM THE FIELD

NM Political Report – Study finds Native American communities face greater air pollution burdens

PHOTOS FROM THE FIELD|

UPCOMING CALLS/EVENTS/NOTICES

Ambient Air Quality/EPA/NTAA/Tribes

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! On Wednesday, April 27, 2022 from 3:00 – 4:00 pm EDT, EPA will hold a virtual meeting via Microsoft Teams about the American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act which gives EPA authority to address hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), a class of climate-damaging chemicals mainly used in refrigeration and air conditioning applications, foams, aerosols, and fire suppression.

EPA will give an overview of the AIM Act and the phasedown of HFCs, as well as two upcoming rulemakings. One rulemaking will update the HFC Allowance Allocation and Tracking Program which phases down HFCs through a licensing system, and the other rulemaking will facilitate transitions to next-generation technologies by placing restrictions on HFCs in certain applications such as refrigeration and air conditioning. To RSVP for the meeting or for further information, please contact Nancy Akerman at akerman.nancy@epa.gov or (202) 507-3473.

NEW! EPA: Webinar Use of Electronic Health Records to Address Pressing Environmental Health Questions

April 20, 2022 | 3:00 – 4:00 pm ET | Click Here to Register

From environmental justice to the coronavirus pandemic, the current environmental health needs facing individuals, communities, and the nation as a whole are complex and often unprecedented. Addressing these needs requires novel research tools that can answer the key questions required to advance public health and make environmental health more personalized. One of the most promising tools in this arsenal is electronic health records (EHRs).

NEW! EPA: Webinar on The American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act

April 27, 2022 | 3:00 – 4:00 pm EDT

The American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act which gives EPA authority to address hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), a class of climate-damaging chemicals mainly used in refrigeration and air conditioning applications, foams, aerosols, and fire suppression. EPA will give an overview of the AIM Act and the phasedown of HFCs, as well as two upcoming rulemakings. One rulemaking will update the HFC Allowance Allocation and Tracking Program which phases down HFCs through a licensing system, and the other rulemaking will facilitate transitions to next-generation technologies by placing restrictions on HFCs in certain applications such as refrigeration and air conditioning.

To RSVP for the meeting or for further information, please contact Nancy Akerman at akerman.nancy@epa.gov or (202) 507-3473.

NEW! The Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) invites you to participate in a Tribal consultation on the beta – or draft – version of the Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool (CEJST) that the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) recently launched.
Option 1: Wednesday, April 13, 2022
4:00 pm ET – 7:00 pm ET
Please register in advance here.

One week after taking office, President Biden issued Executive Order 14008 on Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad. That executive order directed CEQ to develop the CEJST to support the Justice40 Initiative, which aims to provide 40 percent of the overall benefits of certain Federal investments to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized, underserved, and overburdened by pollution. The seven areas of Federal investment covered by the Justice40 Initiative are: climate change, clean energy and energy efficiency, clean transit, affordable and sustainable housing, training and workforce development, the remediation and reduction of legacy pollution, and the development of critical clean water infrastructure. The CEJST will help Federal agencies identify the communities that should receive 40 percent of the benefits from these programs under the Justice40 Initiative, including Tribal communities. CEQ is also holding public training sessions to provide you with opportunities to learn more about this new tool in advance of consultation.
Click here for more information and the Dear Tribal Leader Letter.

NEW! Department of Health and Human Services

April 20, 2022 | 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm ET

On behalf of Secretary Becerra, please see the attached Dear Tribal Leader Letter initiating Tribal Consultation related to the policy directives outlined in Executive Order (E.O.) 14053— Improving Public Safety and Criminal Justice for Native Americans and Addressing the Crisis of Missing or Murdered Indigenous People. Section 5 of the E.O. calls on the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in consultation with Tribal nations, to develop a comprehensive plan to support prevention efforts that reduce risk factors for victimization of Native Americans and increase protective factors by enhancing the delivery of services to victims, survivors, and their families and advocates.

The Department wishes to consult with Tribal governments to solicit their comments and recommendations on policy directives that HHS should include in the comprehensive plan. A virtual Tribal Consultation session will be held on April 20, 2022 from 3:00-6:00 PM ET. Please register in advance for the Tribal Consultation session at the following link: https://www.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/vJItf-2trzsjHljBop7eh_XGux83tKQowkc. The Department will develop questions for Tribal leaders’ consideration, which will be distributed via e-mail to all registered participants two weeks prior to the Tribal Consultation session. You may submit written comments by e-mail to consultation@hhs.gov by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday, May 20, 2022.

The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) and the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) invite you to a Tribal consultation to discuss the development of Guidance for Federal Agencies on Indigenous Traditional Ecological Knowledge (ITEK).

Tribal Consultation 2: Friday, April 29, 2022. 3:00 – 5:00 pm EDT Register in advance for the meeting here:

https://pitc.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_NOcHbTPzTZSgmhHr9eUcFA
Please view the Dear Tribal Letter Here . If you have any questions regarding this effort, please contact ITEK@ostp.eop.gov.

Air Quality Flag Program Earth Day 2022 Lesson Plans

As you plan your Earth Day celebrations, consider some options from the Flag Program. Do fun activities (otherwise known as lesson plans but we won’t tell), read or watch the Why is Coco Orange?, fill out a crossword on air quality, or choose something from our Things to Do list. We’ve got something for everyone! Whatever you do, have fun and thank you for helping make the Earth a better place! https://www.airnow.gov/earth-daycrossword-puzzle-and-activities/

This year’s theme is Be Air Aware & Prepared! During the week, organizations nationwide plan events that increase air quality awareness and encourage people to check the Air Quality Index (AQI) daily. Flag Program participants already do that! This year’s daily topics include:

Monday – Wildfires & Smoke

Tuesday – Asthma and Your Health

Wednesday – Citizen Science & Sensors

Thursday – Environmental Justice & Air Quality

Friday – Air Quality Around the World

Find all our classroom curriculum at https://www.airnow.gov/air-quality-flagprogram-classroom-curriculum-publications/.

NEW! New AirKnowledge E–Learning Content

The AirKnowledge 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 at https://www3.epa.gov/ttn/apti/index.html. 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 AirKnowledge interim website at https://www3.epa.gov/ttn/apti/index.html.

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 roll-call, ultimately saving everyone’s time.

Alaska Air Work Group: Join this work group to hear updates from EPA and Alaskans working on air quality. Attend by clicking here.	TBD
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, April 28, 2pm ET
Mobile Sources Work Group: This monthly work group addresses all mobile source pollution issues. Attend by clicking here.	Thursday, June 2, 2 pm ET
IAQ Work Group: Join the bi-monthly calls of the NTAA IAQ work group. Attend by clicking here.	Thursday, April 21, 2pm 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, April 28, 2pm 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! Save the Date: 2022 Southwestern Tribal Climate Change Summit

May 16 – 18, 2022 @ the Pala, CA | Register Here

In partnership with the La Jolla Band of Luiseño Indians, the Pala Band of Mission Indians, and the Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals, the Climate Science Alliance is excited to co-host the 2022 Southwestern Tribal Climate Change Summit (SWTCCS).

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: https://www.epa.gov/statelocalenergy/tribal-greenhouse-gas-inventory-tool

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

NEW! New! Transportation, Climate Change and Health Resources for U.S. Tribes

The Pala Band of Mission Indians and the Jamul Indian Village of California (JIVoC) were funded by Caltrans’s 2019 Adaption Planning Grant (per Senate Bill 1) to complete the Tribal Transportation Climate Adaptation Project. By Feb 2022, this project produced analysis and reports outlining current and anticipated transportation-related impacts of more extreme wildfires, storms, flooding, and heat on Pala and Jamul’s valued social, cultural, economic, natural, and built assets, with a strong focus on protecting the health and safety of members, residents, employees, and visitors.

Click Here to Learn More

MULTI-STATE MEDIUM- AND HEAVY-DUTY ZERO-EMISSION VEHICLE ACTION PLAN: A Policy Framework to Eliminate Harmful Truck and Bus Emissions

On behalf of the signatories of the Multi-State Medium- and Heavy-Duty (MHD) Zero-Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), the Northeast States for Coordinated Air Use Management (NESCAUM) has released a draft Multi-State MHD ZEV Action Plan for a 45- day public comment period. Comments should be submitted through NESCAUM’s Public Input Portal by April 25, 2022.

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

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