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! EPA Webinar: How to Evaluate Air Sensors for Smoke Monitoring Applications

February 16, 3:00 PM ET | Register Here

In recent years, data from fine particulate matter (PM2.5) sensors have become an invaluable tool for communicating air quality information to the public during wildfire smoke episodes and broadening our understanding of the sometimes, local nature and often extreme air quality impacts from wildfire smoke. In 2021, EPA, released performance targets for PM2.5 air sensors. These targets provide a solid foundation for the evaluation of air sensors, but do not capture all the complexities of using sensors for smoke monitoring applications. This webinar will build on the performance targets with best practices for evaluating sensors over a wide concentration range, over multiple locations, and in network applications. Many of these lessons learned come from several years of using sensors for this application and from almost two years of including sensor data on the AirNow Fire and Smoke map.

 

NEW! EPA Webinar: An Introduction to Radon Gas in Homes

February 8, 2:00 – 2:30 PM ET | Register Here

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that that can enter homes from the ground and build up to dangerous levels. Radon is the number one cause of lung cancer among non-smokers and is responsible for about 21,000 lung cancer deaths every year. It is both colorless and odorless, so the only way to know if you have high levels in your home is to test. This webinar will 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 resources for additional information.

 

NEW! U.S. EPA’s Quality Program Virtual Training Event 2022

February 8 – 10 | Register Here

The 2022 Virtual Training Event is hosted by the Office of Mission Support, Office of Enterprise Information Programs, Enterprise Quality Management Division. This year’s theme is ‘Quality Connections: Ready, Set, Grow.’ This event will take place from February 8-10th on the platform Zoom (federally approved version). The full agenda is attached to this invitation (subject to change) and we hope that you will be able to join us. All meeting materials can be found at the following website https://www.rossstrategic.net/EPA2022QATraining/.

If you are interested in attending this event – you must register for each individual session you are interested in attending using the links below. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with the links to add the events to your calendar. All times are listed in EST.

 

Call For Proposals for the National Tribal Forum on Air Quality (NTFAQ)

May 2–5, 2022

The NTFAQ planning committee is actively seeking proposals for presentations until January 28th. Click here to submit a proposal. The NTFAQ will have a range of sessions and topics including, but not limited to:

  • Case studies of tribal Air Programs
  • Air Monitoring Technology
  • Indoor Air Quality Studies
  • Community Outreach and Engagement
  • Emission Inventories
  • Innovative Community Projects
  • Climate Change & Air Quality etc.

For more information Contact: Andy Bessler (andy.bessler@nau.edu), Mehrdad Khatibi (mehrdad.khatibi@nau.edu), or Christopher Lee (Christopher.lee@nau.edu)

 

Introduction to Meteorological Monitoring | Webinar Hosted by Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals (ITEP)

February 8 & 10, 2022 | 9am (AK), 10am (PT), 11am (MT), 12pm (Central), and 1pm (ET) Register Here

This webinar series will provide Tribal professionals basic information on meteorology and meteorological monitoring guidance for in-situ primary meteorological monitoring variables (wind speed, wind direction, temperature, humidity, precipitation, pressure, and solar radiation). The webinars will provide general information on the sensors used for in-situ measurements: measurement quality objectives, verification/calibration, and accuracy criteria, as well as guidance on siting and exposure of meteorological towers.

Webinar Topics:

  • Webinar 1
    • Introduction to meteorology
    • Interpreting wind rose from met data
  • Webinar 2
    • Meteorological tower siting criteria and installation
    • Verification/calibration of meteorological sensors
    • Maintenance of meteorological sensors, towers, and supporting equipment
    • Identifying appropriate uses of meteorological data

 

Biden order requires net-zero federal government emissions by 2050

There will be many opportunities to heat the more rural, northern federal buildings with wood, pellets and wood chips! The US Forest Service itself has many such buildings and understands the technology and benefits.

 

EPA releases new report on Climate Change and Social Vulnerability in the United States: A Focus on Six Impacts

EPA’s new report quantifies the degree to which four socially vulnerable populations— defined based on income, educational attainment, race and ethnicity, and age—may be more exposed to the highest impacts of climate change. The report quantifies six types of impacts: air quality and health, extreme temperature and health, extreme temperature and labor, coastal flooding and traffic, coastal flooding and property, and inland flooding and property. Access the report. To download the report’s findings related to the disproportionate risks of climate change to American Indian and Alaska Natives. To find more information about climate change: https://www.epa.gov/climate-change

 

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.

 

STAR Work Group: Join the bi-weekly Status of Tribal Air work group to provide input on the report.

Attend by clicking here.

 Tuesday, February 8,

1pm ET
Alaska Air Work Group: Join this work group to hear updates from EPA and Alaskans working on air quality. Attend by clicking here. Tentatively set for March 30,   10 am AK
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, January 27, 2pm ET
Mobile Sources Work Group: This monthly work group addresses all mobile source pollution issues. Attend by clicking here. Thursday, February 3,

2pm  ET
Indoor Air Quality Work Group: Join this work group every other month to help support IAQ work throughout Indian Country. Attend by clicking here. Thursday, February 17, 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, March 24,

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! 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:

February 10, 2 PM (ET) – Learn about EPA’s Tribal GHG Inventory Tool. Interested in completing a GHG inventory for your tribe or tribal government? Join this webinar for an overview and demo of how to use EPA’s updated Tribal GHG Inventory Tool. https://abtassociates.webex.com/abtassociates/j.php?RGID=r46903eae8612150e938b9bb5ec3c26df

 

February 22, 2 PM (ET) – Local and Tribal GHG Inventory Tool Office Hours. EPA is hosting online drop-in office hours for the Local and Tribal GHG Inventory tools on February 22. During this session, EPA staff will offer technical assistance on the tools, provide guidance on data collection, and answer questions about local and tribal GHG inventories. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/us-epa-local-and-tribal-greenhouse-gas-inventory-tool-office-hours-tickets-247279388307

 

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).

 

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

Learn more about the courses and register here.

 

Toxics/Mobile Sources

‘Control of Air Pollution from Aircraft Engines: Emission Standards and Test Procedures Rule’ is in the comment period. Here is the relevant information (https://www.regulations.gov/document/EPA-HQ-OAR-2019-0660-0130). The OTAQ team will be giving more information on this rule in the next NTAA Mobile Sources Workgroup call on Thursday, February 3 at 2pm  ET. Attend by clicking here.

EPA is rescheduling the virtual public hearing for its proposed rule to February 17, 2022. This hearing is being rescheduled from the previous date of January 20, 2022. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this hearing will be held virtually only using Zoom (i.e., there will be no in-person hearing). In order to attend the February 17, 2022 virtual public hearing, all attendees (including those who will not be presenting verbal testimony) must register. The EPA is requesting that you pre-register by February 14, 2022 to allow for the orderly scheduling of testimony. To register, visit Aircraft Engine Particulate Matter Public Hearing Webinar Registration EPA WEBSITE.

 

Indoor Air Quality

Whether you are in the market for a portable air cleaner for your home or you were thinking about gifting one this holiday season, EPA’s Guide to Air Cleaners in the Home can help you make a well-informed decision.Choose the Right Portable Air Cleaner for the Home

Tips for selecting and using a portable air cleaner:

  • Never buy or use an air cleaner that generates ozone, a lung irritant.
  • Choose an air cleaner with a clean air delivery rate (CADR) that is large enough for the size of the room. The higher the CADR the more particles an air cleaner can capture and remove from the air and the larger the room it can be used in.
  • Running your air cleaner at a higher speed and for a longer time will help improve the air cleaner’s effectiveness.
  • Place your air cleaner in the rooms where you spend more of your time such as your living room or bedroom.
  • Replace filters regularly and follow all air cleaner manufacturing maintenance instructions.

Read EPA’s Guide to Air Cleaners in the Home for more details and tips.

 

Improving Environmental Health in Schools White Paper

The authors of this white paper are environmental health academics who recognize the importance of in-school education. However, we also understand that infectious disease transmission in schools is an existential challenge affecting the health of local communities and ultimately, society at large. We have extensive experience implementing environmental improvements both before and during the current pandemic. We wish to persuade the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as the lead Agency for protecting human health and the environment, that now is the time to revive and expand their School Integrated Pest Management (SIPM) initiative to improve environmental health in schools and document the tangible benefits that follow.

 

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:

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

 

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