EPA Region 7

Communities Information Digest

February 11, 2015

Welcome to the latest EPA Region 7 Digest!

The purpose of the EPA Region 7 Communities Information Digest is to provide
communities in the 4-state region and other interested areas the latest news,
webinars, conferences, funding, and other community-based activities going
on in the region and country related to human health and the environment.
(An * Indicates a new post.)
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Headlines
*EPA Helps 22 Communities to Meet their Sustainability Goals and Foster Economic Development
EPAs Building Blocks for Sustainable Communities Program will be providing technical assistance to 22 communities
in 18 states, helping increase their capacity to successfully implement smart growth and sustainable approaches that
protect the environment, improve public health, create jobs, expand economic opportunity, prepare for the effects of
climate change, and improve overall quality of life. One community is in EPA Region 7Polk County, Iowa. They will
receive technical assistance to support Equitable Development.
*HUD Announces $3.2 Million in New Choice Neighborhoods Planning Grants
New Choice Neighborhoods Planning Grants were awarded recently to seven locations in six cities to help
distressed neighborhoods confront interconnected challenges related to housing, education, health, safety, and
employment. Several communities are building on work undertaken through earlier place-based efforts. Three of the
seven awardees are Strong Cities, Strong Communities (SC2) communities -- Gary, IN; St. Louis, MO and Flint, MI
(the latter also a Sustainable Communities grantee).

*USDA Community Connect Grants Due February 17

This program helps fund broadband deployment into rural communities where it is not yet economically viable for
private sector providers to deliver service. Eligible applicants include most state and local governments; federallyrecognized tribes; non-profits; and for-profit corporations

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*Call for Proposals for 2015 U.S. EPA Community Involvement Training Conference, August 4-6, Atlanta, GA
Due March 4
The U.S. EPA is soliciting presentation proposals for the 2015 Community Involvement Training Conference: Making a
Visible Difference in Communities! By participating as a presenter, you can help us achieve our goal to provide an
exceptional training conference that both informs and trains EPA staff as well as the Agencys partners and
stakeholders in best practices to enhance community involvement.

*EPA Recognizes Outstanding Food Recovery Challenge and WasteWise Program Participants
The U.S. EPA recently recognized the accomplishments of organizations and businesses participating in EPA's Food
Recovery Challenge and WasteWise program for reducing their climate footprint, improving efficiency, helping
communities and achieving cost savings through waste reduction. These programs save money, protect the
environment and feed the hungry.
*USDAs Rural Energy for America (REAP) Program Reduces Energy Costs for Ag Producers and Small
Businesses, Boosts Economy, Reduces Dependence on Foreign Oil
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced recently that rural agricultural producers and small business owners can
now apply for resources to purchase and install renewable energy systems or make energy efficiency improvements.
These efforts help farmers, ranchers and other small business owners save money on their energy bills, reduce
America's dependence on foreign oil, support America's clean energy economy, and cut carbon pollution.

*New Better Buildings Challenge Partners Commit 70 Million Square Feet, $1.7 Billion
Building on President Obamas Climate Action Plan, the Energy Department recently announced that more than 20
new partners have committed to improving energy efficiency across their respective building portfolios by 20 percent
over the next ten years. These new partners bring with them fresh perspective and leadership in newly represented
sectors, spanning over 70 million square feet of fast-food, restaurant, manufacturing, university, and government
facilities.

Funding & Technical Assistance Opportunities

Climate-Related Funding Opportunities Compiled by the Florida Climate Institute
HUD CDBG Disaster Recovery Assistance
USDA Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant (REDLG) Call Rural Development State Office for
Due Dates
USDA Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) Contact Local USDA Service Center
February 12: USDA Energy Audit and Renewable Energy Development Assistance Grants
February 16: A Different Kind of Design Competition: EDRA and PPS Collaborate on 2015 Great Places
Awards
*February 17: USDA Community Connect Grants
February 17: DOE Announces $8 Million to Develop Advanced Components for Wave, Tidal, Current Energy
Systems
*February 19: Hazardous Waste Program Fee Stakeholders Meeting Jefferson City, MO
February 20: Energy Policy Act of 2005 Section 242 "Hydroelectric Incentive Program"
February 20: Energy Department Offers $125 Million for Transformational Energy Projects
February 24: USDA Seeks Applications for Conservation Innovation Grants
*February 24: DOEs SunShot Program Announces $45 million Technology to Market Funding Opportunity
*February 25: Energy Department Announces $55 Million to Advance Fuel-Efficient Vehicles
February 26: DOE FY2015 Vehicle Technologies Office Program Wide Funding Opportunity Announcement
*March 5: Energy Department Announces $13 Million to Strengthen Local Solar Markets & Spur Solar
Deployment
March 6: EPA Now Accepting Proposals for the 2014-2015 Environmental Education Local Grants
March 16: HUD National Disaster Resilience Competition
*March 19: USDA Announces the Availability of $16 Million to Support Food Production
*March 24: EPA RFP for Nonpoint Source Agricultural Technical Training Workshops
*March 26: USDA Announces Funding to Support Research, Education, & Extension at 1890 Land-Grant
Universities
March 31: DOE State Energy Program 2015 Competitive Awards

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Meetings, Conferences, Training, & Events

February 19-20: Second Annual North Carolina Clean Technology Summit Chapel Hill, NC
March 4-7: Green Schools National Conference Virginia Beach, VA
March 10-12: 2015 National Bike Summit Washington, D.C.
March 11-13: The 2015 National Environmental Justice Conference and Training Program Washington,
DC
March 16-18: The Funders Network 2015 Annual Conference Los Angeles, CA
March 24-26: The New World of Wetlands: Dealing with Shifting Landscapes, Laws and Climate
April 11-12: Structures for Inclusion (SFI 15) Conference Detroit, MI
April 14-15: Iowa Governors Conference on Public Health - Exhibitor and Sponsor Opportunities Cedar
Rapids, IA
*April 18-21: American Planning Association 2015 National Conference Seattle, WA
April 26-28: Magical Mystery Tour 2015 San Antonio, San Marcos, Austin, Dallas and Fort Worth, TX
*April 28-30: ITEP Presents Climate Change Adaptation Planning Pocatello, ID
April 29-May 2: Congress for the New Urbanism CNU23: Meeting the Demand for Walkable Places Dallas,
TX
May 5-7: National Zero Waste Business Conference Los Angeles, CA
May 12-14: National Adaptation Forum St. Louis, MO
*May 19-21: The National Tribal Forum on Air Quality (NTF) Battle Creek, MI
June 2-3: 2015 LOCUS Leadership Summit: Private Sector Solutions to Affordability and Social Equity
Crisis Washington, D.C.
June 15-17: American Water Resources Association (AWRA) Specialty Conference New Orleans, LA
*June 15-19: Great Urban Stream Workshop Pittsburgh, PA
July 13-17: Earth Educators' Rendezvous Boulder, CO
*August 4-6: 2015 U.S. EPA Community Involvement Training Conference Atlanta, GA
August 18-20: 2015 Kansas Environmental Conference Topeka, KS
September 2-4: National Brownfields Training Conference Chicago, IL
October 27-29: Policy Links Equity 2015: The National Summit Los Angeles, CA

Webinars, Conference Calls, & Twitter Chats

EPA Webinar "Climate Resilience: What to Expect, How to Prepare, and What You Can Learn from Others"
Available Online
EPA's Watershed Academy has archived the "Climate Resilience: What to Expect, How to Prepare, and What You
Can Learn from Others" webinar. The webinar can be viewed anytime The Workbook and other resources can be
found on the Climate Ready Estuaries website: http://www2.epa.gov/cre/risk-based-adaptation.

*ENERGY STAR Webcasts

Benchmarking Water/Wastewater Treatment Facilities in Portfolio Manager February 12, 1-2 p.m. EST
Portfolio Manager Office Hours, Focus Topic: Reporting in Portfolio Manager February 19, 1-2:30 p.m.
EST
Portfolio Manager 101 February 24, 1-2:30 p.m. EST
ENERGY STAR Resources for Local Governments February 24, 2-3:30 p.m. EST
Portfolio Manager 201 February 25, 1-2:30 p.m. EST
How to Apply for the ENERGY STAR February 26, 1-2:00 p.m. EST
*DOE Webcasts
Models for Tribal Energy Development Organizations February 25, 1-2:30 p.m. EST
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 Models for Tribal Energy Development Organizations February 25, 1-2:30 p.m. EST
Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy February 26, 2-3 p.m. EST
*Antioch University New England and U.S. EPA
Collaborating for Resilience February 26, 12-1:15 p.m. EST

*EPA Nutrient Sensor Challenge Informational Webinar February 12

Nutrient pollution is one of the nation's most difficult environmental challenges. The Environmental Protection Agency
alongside other federal agencies, the Alliance for Coastal Technologies (ACT), and other partners challenge you to
join the effort to develop affordable, accurate, and reliable nutrient sensors!
EPA Recycling Right: Tactics and Tools for Effective Residential Outreach (Part TWO) February 12, 12-1:30
p.m. CST
This webinar builds on our December 2014 webinar that presented tips, tactics and tools to improve residential
recycling, with an emphasis on harmonizing approaches and outreach materials.
National Adaptation Forums "Ensuring Social Equity in Preparing for Climate Change: Challenges and
Solutions" February 12, 1 p.m. EST
Climate change is impacting communities of color disproportionately. Join Jacqui Patterson, Director of the NAACP
Environmental and Climate Justice Program, to learn about her work on equity indicators and applications. Also hear
about how these innovative indicators are being applied in the planning of newly formed Eco-Districts in Longview, TX
and Gulfport, MS.

*New IAQ Master Class Webinar Series: Mold and Moisture: Double Trouble for Schools February 12, 12:30
p.m. EST
Join IAQ experts as they discuss strategies for responding quickly to moisture problems and share information about
proper mold remediation and clean-up practices in schools.
CDFA Brownfield Financing Webinar Series Begins February 19, 2 p.m. EST
The Council of Development Finance Agencies (CDFA) is excited to announce the CDFA Brownfield Financing
Webinar Series as part of the CDFA Brownfields Technical Assistance Program. The series will include three 90minute webinars over the year and will focus on effective utilization of brownfield and redevelopment financing tools,
while highlighting best practices, case studies, and CDFA's technical assistance program participants.
*The Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals Presents: Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission
(CRITFC) Climate Impacts and Adaptation Projects February 23

*The Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals Presents: Climate Change Funding and Technical
Resources for Tribes February 25
Moving Toward Sustainability: Sustainable and Effective Practices for Creating Your Water Utility
Roadmap February 23, 1-2:30 p.m. EST
Host: Jim Horne Office of Water, U.S. EPA. This webinar will feature presentations from Daryl Slusher Deputy
Director, Austin Water Utility, and Kathryn Sorensen Director of Water Services, City of Phoenix.
*Understanding Solar Power Claims: Best Practices for Hosting, Leasing, and Owning Solar
Generation February 26, 12-1 p.m. MST
Join Robin Quarrier, CRS Chief Counsel; Jenny Heeter, Energy Analyst at the National Renewable Energy
Laboratory; and Bryce Smith, Chief Executive Officer of OneEnergy Renewables for a look at the current state of the
market and best practices for participants in the solar marketplace
HUD Presents Several NDRC Webinar Series on Climate Resilience Various dates through February 2015
In light of the recent announcement of the National Disaster Resilience Competition (NDRC), HUD is offering a series
of webinars from September through February 2015, to discuss NDRC NOFA requirements, answer NDRC NOFA
questions and jump start the climate resilience dialogue. Some webinars will have a technical focus on the NDRC
NOFA requirements and NDRC Eligible Applicants.

Other Environmental News

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*EPA Seeks Input on Emission Standards for New and Modified Sources in the Oil and Natural Gas Sector
The U.S. EPA is inviting small businesses, governments, and not-for-profit organizations to participate as Small Entity
Representatives (SERs) for a Small Business Advocacy Review (SBAR) Panel.
*EPA's Proposed 2016 Budget
Learn how President Obama's proposed 2016 $8.6 billion budget for EPA invests in America's future and will help
protect health and the environment for you and your community.
*EPA Seeks Nominations for Environmental Champions Due February 17
We are now accepting nominations for 2015 Environmental Champion awards. This award honors individuals or
organizations who have contributed significantly to improving the environment in New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico,
or the U.S. Virgin Islands.
*DOEs SunShot Program Announces $45 million Technology to Market Funding Opportunity Concept
Papers Due February 24
This funding program will enable the widespread market penetration of highly impactful solar energy technologies and
solutions through technology research, development, and demonstration to overcome technical, institutional and
market challenges.

*Energy Department Announces $13 Million to Strengthen Local Solar Markets and Spur Solar Deployment
Across the United States Due March 5
The Energy Department recently announced $13 million in funding to help communities across the country reduce
market and policy barriers to solar deployment and recognize communities for taking the initiative to go solar.
*EPA and CEQ Open Application Period for National Environmental Educator Award Due March 13
Recently, the U.S. EPA, in partnership with the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ), announced the
opening of the application period for 2014-2015 Presidential Innovation Award for Environmental Educators (PIAEE).
EPA and CEQ administer this award to honor, support and encourage educators who incorporate environmental
education in their classrooms and teaching methods.
*EPA RFP for Nonpoint Source Agricultural Technical Training Workshops Due March 24
The U.S. EPA is accepting proposals from applicants to provide support for training and technical assistance activities
across a variety of water programs. Proposals will build the capacity of state and tribal officials and nongovernmental
stakeholders in the Clean Water Act Section 303(d) Program, the Nonpoint Source (CWA Section 319) Program, the
Wetlands Program, and the Water Quality Monitoring Program.

*USDA Announces Funding to Support Research, Education, and Extension at 1890 Land-Grant Universities
Due March 26
USDA's Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Joe Leonard recently announced the availability of more than $18 million
to strengthen the research, teaching and extension capabilities at 19 historically black land-grant colleges and
universities in an effort to recruit and train students for careers in agriculture. The funding is being made available
through the USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture's (NIFA) 1890 Institution Research, Extension, and
Teaching Capacity Building Grants (CBG) Program.
*USDAs Rural Energy for America (REAP) Program Reduces Energy Costs for Ag Producers and Small
Businesses, Boosts Economy, Reduces Dependence on Foreign Oil
USDA announced recently that rural agricultural producers and small business owners can now apply for resources to
purchase and install renewable energy systems or make energy efficiency improvements.

*EPA EJ Blog: Public Participation - A Bedrock Principle for Human Rights

Check out our latest blog post, Public Participation - A Bedrock Principle for Human Rights. The authors, students at
UC Berkeley School of Law, talk about the recent Consultation on Environmental Issues hosted at their school
explored the importance of public engagement on environmental issues.
*EPA EJ Blog: Community-driven Revitalization: Tying it Together in Freeport, Illinois By Melissa Friedland
Check out our latest blog post, Community-driven Revitalization: Tying it Together in Freeport, Illinois, by Melissa
Friedland of EPA's Superfund Redevelopment Initiative. Melissa discusses how residents around the CMC Heartland
Superfund site engaged EPA and FEMA to address frequent flooding issues and revitalize their communities.
*EPA Announces Voluntary Cancellation of Certain Methomyl Uses to Reduce Drinking Water Risks
The U.S. EPA and the manufacturers of the insecticide methomyl have agreed to cancel some uses and limit use on
certain crops to reduce risks to drinking water. From 1995 to 2013, exposure from food to carbamates, which includes
methomyl, has fallen by approximately 70 percent. This action is a continuation of EPAs efforts to reduce carbamate
use, thereby protecting peoples health, especially the health of children who may be more sensitive to pesticides.
*U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx Unveils Presidents Bold $94.7 Billion Investment in Americas
Infrastructure Future

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Infrastructure Future
U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx recently announced President Obamas $94.7 billion Fiscal Year 2016
Budget for the U.S. Department of Transportation. The proposal makes critical investments in infrastructure needed to
promote long-term economic growth, enhance safety and efficiency, and support jobs for the 21st century.
*USDA Partnering to Conduct Grant Workshops to Support Local Foods
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) and National Institute for Food and
Agriculture (NIFA) recently announced a partnership through the Agricultural Marketing Service Technical Assistance
(AMSTA) Project to conduct workshops that will help potential grant applicants understand, develop, and submit their
Federal grant applications for the Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Program.

*Bringing Sustainability to Small-Town America

The good news is that there are some terrific examples of green initiatives beginning to emerge in small-town
America. While these communities may frequently lack institutional capacity and fiscal resources to undertake big
initiatives, they do have the benefit of agility. Even a single leader can make a difference.
*Fact Sheets for Caregivers regarding Environmental Hazards and Older Adults
EPA created a series of brief, easy-to-read fact sheets and a guide book to provide sound advice about environmental
hazards ranging from air pollution to drinking water contaminants. Recognizing that those who may be at the greatest
risk may also have limited proficiency in English, we have translated the fact sheets into 17 languages.
*U.S. EPA Greenversations Blog: Its Your Right to Know: The Toxics Release Inventory National Analysis By
Caitlin Briere
In order to make the products on which we depend, like pharmaceuticals, clothing, and other manufactured goods,
companies across the U.S. use thousands of chemicals in their normal operations. Many of the chemicals necessary
to these economic activities are toxic. While most are managed so that they will not harm the environment, []
*U.S. Transportation Chief Urges Mayors to Make Pedestrians a Priority
U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx, a former Charlotte mayor, asked a national gathering of mayors recently
to commit to improving the safety of bicyclists and pedestrians in their communities. "Overall, automobile crashes have
declined in the last five years, but the number of bicyclists and pedestrians killed by automobiles has actually risen,"
he told a packed conference room at a Washington summit of the U.S. Conference of Mayors.
*Third Edition of The Innovative DOT Provides New Tools for States Looking to Improve Transportation
While Reducing Costs
State transportation officials across the country are facing the same challenges: Revenues are falling and budgets are
shrinking but transportation demands are continuing to grow. Innovative approaches can help transportation officials
succeed in the face of these challenges, and an updated resource from Smart Growth America and the State Smart
Transportation Initiative (SSTI) outlines how.

*Second National Adaptation Forum Scheduled for May 12-14 in St. Louis, MO
The Second National Adaptation Forum, scheduled for May 12-14, in St. Louis, MO, is a biennial gathering created by
a group of professionals from the private and public sectors concerned about the need to respond to and prepare for
the effects of climate change. Tribally focused symposia will be part of the conference. Early Bird Registration ends
2/28/15.
*U.S. EPA Greenversations Blog: A Presidential Innovation Award for Environmental Educators Winners Path
Forward By Gerry Reymore
Greetings from Vermont! The snow is falling and the temperature is a chilly 20 degrees. As a teacher, Im busy starting
the second half of the school year. If your school is anything like ours, you dont have time to even blink from now until
graduation in June. The rest of the []
*Adapting to Change Video Produced by the Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals (ITEP) Now
Available
Adapting to Change a video highlighting climate change impacts on tribes and their resources in the Pacific
Northwest and Alaska, adaptation, is now available. The Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals (ITEP)
produced it, and it was made possible with funding support from the USDA Forest Service Pacific Northwest Research
Station.

*Apply Now for EPA's Environmental Educator Award Due March 13

Are you raising environmental literacy levels in your school? Are you inspiring members of your community to be
environmental stewards? The U.S. EPA, in partnership with the White House Council on Environmental Quality, is
now accepting applications for the 2014-2015 Presidential Innovation Award for Environmental Educators.
*The Myth of Gentrification
It's extremely rare and not as bad for the poor as you think. That gentrification displaces poor people of color by welloff white people is a claim so commonplace that most people accept it as a widespread fact of urban life. It's not.
Gentrification of this sort is actually exceedingly rare. The socio-economic status of most neighborhoods is strikingly
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Gentrification of this sort is actually exceedingly rare. The socio-economic status of most neighborhoods is strikingly
stable over time.
*The Bus Terminal Is Dead. Long Live the Bus Terminal
Intercity bus travel is booming in the U.S. After four consecutive decades of decline, the industry shot up an average 9
percent between 2006 and 2008, according to DePaul University's Chaddick Institute for Metropolitan Development.
Six years later, it's still growing. Is there a case for bringing back some decent infrastructure dedicated to it?
*The Drive Toward Healthier Buildings: The Market Drivers and Impact of Building Design and Construction
on Occupant Health, Well-Being and Productivity
The study explains how the industry is designing and building with health in mind, how the healthcare and human
resources community is making connections between design and health and productivity, and how people are learning
about the impacts of buildings on their health and well-being.

*Disaster Recovery Briefing Papers Now Available From American Planning Association
APA has completed the first five in a series of 12 free briefing papers on post-disaster recovery. Each paper presents
a set of key points on the topic, including: Public Engagement in Recovery Planning, Measuring Success in Recovery,
Planning Resilient Infrastructure, Affordable Housing and Economic Recovery for Manufacturing.
This digest is being provided by EPA Region 7 for informational purposes only.
This digest contains links to information, agencies, sites, and organizations outside of the EPA website.
EPA is not responsible for third party links. EPA does not endorse third party organizations or agencies.

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