EPA Region 7

Communities Information Digest

August 3, 2017

Welcome to the latest EPA Region 7 Digest!

EPA Region 7s Communities Information Digest provides

communities with the latest news about funding technical
assistance opportunities, webinars, conferences, and other
activities related to human health and the environment.
An * indicates a new item

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Headlines
Funding and Technical Assistance Opportunities
Meetings, Conferences, & Events
Webinars and Conference Calls

Headlines
National
*EPA Selects 12 Projects to Apply for Water Infrastructure Loans
EPA is inviting 12 projects in nine states to apply for Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) loans. These
potential applicants were selected from a group of projects that represent large and small communities from across the
United States that submitted letters of interest to EPA in April 2017. Two Region 7 projects were selected: Metropolitan St.
Louis Sewer District, Missouri - Deer Creek Sanitary Tunnel and Sanitary Relief and the City of Omaha, Nebraska - Saddle
Creek Combined Sewer Overflow Retention Treatment Basin.

*Rebuild Healthy Homes: Guide to Post-disaster Restoration for a Safe and Healthy Home
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) developed this guidebook to provide essential information
to those who need to restore homes damaged by disasters. Based on the principle link between health and housing, proper
post-disaster restoration is important for families as poorly restored homes, due to lack of knowledge or pressure for a
speedy rebuild, can create health hazards, and even make existing hazards worse.

*Updates to EPA's Report on the Environment

EPA is announcing three new updates to the online Report on the Environment (ROE). EPA's ROE, released in 2015, is an
interactive resource that shows how the conditions of the environment and human health in the United States are changing
over time. Over 80 indicators, detailing the status or trend of various aspects of the nations environment or human health,
are organized into five themesAir, Water, Land, Human Exposure and Health, and Ecological Condition.

*Energy Department Announces up to $8 Million to Enable Breakthroughs in Algae-Based Biofuels

The U.S. Department of Energy recently announced the selection of three projects to receive up to $8 million, aimed at

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The U.S. Department of Energy recently announced the selection of three projects to receive up to $8 million, aimed at
reducing the costs of producing algal biofuels and bioproducts. This funding supports the development of a bioeconomy
that can help create jobs, spur innovation, improve quality of life, and achieve national energy security.

*EPA's Water Finance Clearinghouse

EPA has developed a clearinghouse of water infrastructure financing information. Communities need easy and efficient
access to water infrastructure finance information. The Clearinghouse is an easily navigable web-based portal to help
communities locate information and resources that will assist then in making informed decisions for their drinking water,
wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure needs.

*Energy Department Announces $19.4 Million Investment in Advanced Vehicle Technologies

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) recently announced $19.4 million for 22 new cost-shared projects to accelerate the
research of advanced battery, lightweight materials, engine technologies, and energy efficient mobility systems. This
Vehicle Technologies Office (VTO) funding reasserts that investment in advanced, energy efficient transportation
technologies and systems will improve our nation's energy security, help consumers and businesses save money on
transportation energy costs, and strengthen U.S. economic competitiveness.

*EPA Request for Applications for $4 Million in Funding for Research on Lead in Drinking Water
EPA is seeking applications that will propose research combining scientific fields to look at lead throughout the water
distribution system, including lead found in a communitys water supply, issues with lead in water treatment and distribution,
and the potential effects of lead on public health. EPA hopes this funding will result in data and models to help communities
identify and remediate risks associated with lead in drinking water, as well as an improved understanding of data sampling
protocols and factors influencing how different communities are exposed.

*National Renewable Energy Laboratory Releases 2016 Rankings for Top 10 Utility Green Pricing Programs
Utility green pricing programs allow homes and businesses to procure green power through their electric utility. Since 2000,
the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has compiled data on these utility green pricing programs and released
annual "Top 10" lists to recognize outstanding programs. Rankings for calendar year 2016 are now available at NREL's
Voluntary Green Power page.

*Energy Department Announces $46.2 Million for 48 Projects to Advance Solar Power Technologies
The Department of Energy recently announced $46.2 million for 48 projects as part of its SunShot Initiative. These projects
are intended to develop innovative, early-stage solar power technologies, which are aimed at lowering costs and improving
reliability and efficiency.

*EPA Host and Facilitation of the State Small Business Ombudsman/Small Business Environmental Assistance
Provider 507 Program's Biannual Training Due August 7
EPA announced the availability of funds for eligible entities that can provide planning, hosting and training conference
facilitation support for the nation-wide State Small Business Ombudsman (SBO)/Small Business Environmental Assistance
Providers' (SBEAP) 507 Program, a regulatory compliance assistance program created under section 507 of the 1990
Clean Air Act Amendments.

Middle Blue River Urban Waters Ambassador Request for Applications Due August 15
The Urban Waters Federal Partnership Program seeks to accelerate and coordinate projects that are critical to improving
water quality and public health, restoring forest resources and fostering community stewardship in urban watersheds. A
critical component of the Partnership is the Urban Waters Ambassador. The Urban Waters Ambassador coordinates
locally with EPA Region 7 and a local steering committee to work with state, local and tribal governments, non-
governmental organizations and other local partners/residents to help urban and metropolitan areas connect with their
waterways and work to improve them.

Departments of Agriculture and Energy Announce Up to $9 Million through the Interagency Biomass Research and
Development Initiative Due September 22
The U.S. Department of Agricultures (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), in collaboration with the
U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), announced that up to $9 million in funding will be made available through the Biomass
Research and Development Initiative (BRDI) to increase the nations energy independence by supporting the development
of bioenergy feedstocks, biofuels, and biobased products.

Wildland Fire Sensors Challenge Due November 22

Do you have ideas on new air pollution measurement strategies for wildfire events? Six federal agencies have announced a
Wildland Fire Sensors Challenge seeking an accurate, lower-cost, and low-maintenance air quality monitoring system that
can be used during a wildfire or controlled fire. The data provided by the sensor system will help federal, state, local and
tribal agencies protect the health of first responders and communities affected by the smoke. Developers are encouraged to
submit a prototype sensor system that measures fine particulate matter (PM2.5), carbon monoxide (CO), ozone (O3) and
carbon dioxide (CO2).

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Funding/Technical Assistance Opportunities & Due Dates
*EPA National Priorities: Transdisciplinary Research into Detecting and Controlling Lead in Drinking Water Grants
awarded under this RFA will support the collection of data and analytical models that help communities identify and
remediate the risks associated with lead in drinking water. This research will also help improve understanding of data
sampling protocols and of the factors influencing how different communities are exposed to and are vulnerable to lead in
drinking water. Due August 15
*Upper Missouri Watershed Restoration Grant project will occur across the Ruby, Big Hole, and Beaverhead
Watersheds (Beaverhead includes all tributary watersheds upstream of Clark Canyon Reservoir). In addition to
the regional significance as the source for one of the largest rivers in the nation, local communities also depend on water for
agriculture, drinking water, fisheries, and recreation. Due August 19

Rural Impact County Challenge Community Coaching seeks to highlight and support counties making a real difference
in the lives of children in rural communities. Up to 10 county teams will be selected to receive assistance from a Roadmaps
to Health Community Coach from the County Health Rankings & Roadmaps Program. Due August 26

FWS Tribal Wildlife Grants Program funding to provide assistance to tribal governments in programs that benefit wildlife
and habitat of tribal cultural or traditional importance, including species that are not hunted or fished. Due September 1

*Department of the Interior FY18 National Climate Change & Wildlife Science Center funding to ensure that the
National Climate Change and Wildlife Science Center is responsive to the research and management needs of federal and
state agencies to provide science and technical support regarding the impacts of climate change in fish, wildlife, plants and
ecological processes. Due September 7
*NOAA Climate Program Office funding for research to improve observations and monitoring of the climate system,
advance understanding of the climate, improvements in modeling and prediction, community engagement related to climate
change, and research on interactions between climate and society. Due September 11
*Fish and Wildlife Service Boating Infrastructure Grants (Tier 1 State) or (Tier 2 National) Some examples of
potentially eligible activities include but are not limited to the following: (f) Equipment and structures for collecting,
disposing of, or recycling liquid or solid waste from eligible vessels or for eligible. Due September 11
*National Endowment for the Arts Our Town Grants supports creative placemaking projects that help to transform
communities into lively, beautiful, and resilient places - achieving these community goals through strategies that incorporate
arts, culture, and/or design. Due September 11
*2017 Targeted Air Shed Grant Program will assist local, state and/or tribal air pollution control agencies in developing
plans, conducting demonstrations, and implementing projects to reduce air pollution in the Nation's areas with the highest
levels of ozone and PM2.5 ambient air concentrations. Due October 18

*FEMA Fiscal Year 2017 Application Cycle Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) and Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM)
grants provide funding to States, Territories, federally-recognized tribes, and local communities for projects and planning
that reduces or eliminates long-term risk of flood damage to structures and reduces overall risk to the population and
structures from future hazard events, while also reducing reliance on Federal funding in future disasters.Due November 14

Ongoing Opportunities
USDA Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive Program Grants

POWER (Partnerships for Opportunity and Workforce and Economic Revitalization) Grants Applications accepted
on a rolling basis
Tribal Climate Change Funding Guide Regularly updated grants and programs
EDA Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance Program
USDA Agricultural Conservation Easement Program Local USDA Service Center
American Planning Association Community Planning Assistance Teams
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Meetings, Conferences, & Events

2017 KS Environmental Conference August 8-10, Topeka, KS
Missouri Recycling Association Conference August 9-11, Osage Beach, MO
Tribal Lands and Environment Forum (TLEF) August 14-17, Tulsa, OK
2017 International Emissions Inventory Conference (EIC): Applying Science and Streamlining Processes to
Improve Inventories August 14-18, Baltimore, MD

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 Improve Inventories August 14-18, Baltimore, MD
California Resource Recovery Association (CRRA) 2017 Conference August 20-23, San Diego, CA
American Chemical Society National Meeting August 20-24, Washington, DC
*Registration Now Open for EPA's Small Systems Drinking Water Workshop August 22-24,
Cincinnati, Ohio
Grassroots Grazing in Northeast Iowa Dubuque County, August 29; Fayette County, September 13; and Garber,
November 15
*EPA REGION 7 Grant Writing and Capacity Building Workshop August 29-31, Kansas City Metro Area
*The Amazing Place Ideas Forum: Denver August 29-31, Denver, CO
*Catalyzing the Climate Economy September 6-8, Burlington, Vermont
Midwest Food Recovery Summit September 6-8, Des Moines, IA
*EPA's Small Systems Drinking Water Workshop September 22-24, Cincinnati, OH
National Recreation and Park Association Annual Conference September 26-28, New Orleans, LA
*Certified Sustainability Practitioner Program-Advanced Edition September 28-29, New York City, NY
*2017 Built Environment Symposium September 30, Chicago, IL
Southeast Greenways & Trails Summit October 1-3, Durham, NC
Iowa Recycling Association Conference October 2-4, Coralville, IA
*54th International Making Cities Livable Conference October 2 - 6 in Santa Fe, New Mexico
2017 Growing Sustainable Communities Conference October 3-4, Dubuque, IA
2017 EcoDistricts Summit October 10-11
International Society of Exposure Science (ISES) 2017 Annual Meeting: Integrating Exposure Science
Across Diverse Communities October 15-19, Research Triangle Park, NC

American Association for Aerosol Research (AAAR) Annual Conference October 16-20, Raleigh, NC
*Food, Land and Water Conference October 16-17, Madison, WI

NADP Annual Meeting and Scientific Symposium October 30-November 3, San Diego, CA

American Public Health Association (APHA) Annual Meeting November 4-8, Atlanta, GA

Governors Conference on the Future of Water November 8-9, Manhattan, KS

Sigma Xi Symposium on Atmospheric Chemistry, Climate, and Health and Annual Student Research
Conference November 10-11, Raleigh, NC
*2017 ACWA Nutrients Permitting Workshop Boise, Idaho, December 4-6
2017 National Brownfields Training Conference December 5-7, Pittsburgh, PA
2018 No-till on the Plains Winter Conference January 30-31, 2018, Wichita, KS
Instream Flow Council April 24-26, 2018 Fort Collins, CO

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Webinars and Conference Calls

EPA National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) Webinar August 30, 1:00-2:30 p.m.(EST)
The U.S. Environmental Protection agency (EPA) is hosting a webinar on the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for
communities. This webinar will discuss how to attain & maintain the NAAQS and what role the community can play in the
implementation process. Participant Dial-in Number: (800) 309-5450, Conference ID: 30986885.

*Hazardous to Healthy: Financing Solutions for Recovering Brownfields August 31, 2-3 p.m. (EDT)
Join Council of Development and Financial Agencies (CDFA) for a webinar to discuss the financial strategies that restored hazardous
properties for healthy reuse. It is designed for professionals who work directly with brownfield sites as well as economic development
finance professionals.

EPA Webinar: Just Add EPA WaterSense to Your Energy Efficiency Efforts September 13, 1:00 p.m. (EDT)

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EPA Webinar: Just Add EPA WaterSense to Your Energy Efficiency Efforts September 13, 1:00 p.m. (EDT)
If youre just focusing on energy, you may be leaving money on the table. Join EPA to learn how to incorporate water into your energy
management activities by assessing your facilitys water use and identifying areas of water waste. Find out what it takes to make your
building more water-efficient from simple, low-cost changes to larger-scale improvements and how WaterSense tools can help you
start maximizing your savings and building performance.

EPA WaterSense Sanitary Fixtures and Equipment Webinars October 11, 1:00 p.m. (EDT)
Water use in restrooms and laundries can account for nearly 50 percent of water use within a facility. Join EPA to learn about water-
efficient operations and maintenance practices and retrofit and replacements options that can help reduce water and energy use in
public and private bathrooms and commercial laundries. Find out how using WaterSense labeled and ENERGY STAR qualified
products in these areas can significantly reduce your facility operating costs.

EPA WaterSense Wednesday Showcase Webinar November 8, 1:00 p.m. (EST)

Join EPA to hear a case study from an ENERGY STAR partner who has had success in reducing water use. The speaker will share
their journey of benchmarking water use and roadblocks they overcame along their journey to conserve water. Find out how to
implement best practices for water management in your sustainability plan to save both water and energy.

On-Going and On-Demand Webinars

Leveraging Resources for Brownfields Revitalization Webinar
This webinar discusses available tools to assist communities in leveraging resources to address community revitalization goals and
challenges, including a presentation on Dubuques, Iowa, efforts to leverage its own resources to attract other federal, state, public
and private sources of funding and technical assistance.

EPA Computer Training Helps Water and Wastewater Utilities Build Resilience
The training covers several topics including: identifying and funding potential hazard mitigation projects, developing and updating an
Emergency Response Plan, coordinating mutual aid and assistance during emergencies, conducting damage assessments, and many
more.

EPA Sensible Steps to Healthier School Environments 10-Part Webinar Series

Student Curriculum: Recipes for Healthy Kids, and a Healthy Environment. Each 45-minute lesson empowers kids to take steps in
their everyday lives to improve the environment for their communities and reduce their environmental risk.

LeanPath presents: Five Food Waste Myths to Debunk Now!

This webinar will explore five myths about food waste and the facts you need to debunk them in your kitchen.

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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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