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Greetings – Here is Issue 198, modified for Region 7.    

Feel free to pass this newsletter on to colleagues that may be interested.  If anyone you know would like to sign up to receive the original funding newsletters send a subscription request to laurie.e.brown@comcast.net.  Also, if  you would like to announce an RFP in one of these newsletters, forward a summary to the same email address.

There are 14 funding notices included in this issue.  

1)  Pollution Prevention Grant Program
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency requests proposals for the Pollution Prevention (P2) Grant Program.  P2 supports technical assistance programs which help businesses identify better environmental strategies and solutions for reducing or eliminating waste at the source.  National focus areas include:  Greenhouse gas reduction, toxic and hazardous materials reduction, resource conservation, business efficiency, and promoting P2 integration.  $4.1 million expected to be available, up to 70 awards anticipated.  Responses due 4/6/10.  For more info, including Regional contacts and Region-specific categories, go to:  http://www.epa.gov/p2/pubs/grants/ppis/ppis.htm.  Refer to Sol# EPA-HQ-OPPT-2010-03.  (Grants.gov 2/17/10)

2)  Global Climate Change Education
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) requests proposals for Global Climate Change Education: Research Experiences, Modeling and Data.  Areas of interest include:  1) Global Climate Change Science Research Experiences for Undergraduate or Community College Students and Pre- or In-Service Teachers including those in nontraditional teacher licensure programs, and 2) Using NASA Earth system data, interactive models and/or simulations to Strengthen Teaching and Learning about Global Climate Change.  $8 million expected to be available, up to 25 awards anticipated.  Notice of Intent is requested but not required and is due 3/18/10, final proposals due 4/28/10.  For more info, contact Tamra Ross at tkross@nasaprs.com or go to:  http://nspires.nasaprs.com/.  Refer to Sol# NNL10ZB1011C.  (Grants.gov 2/18/10)

3)  Climate Change Education
The National Science Foundation requests proposals for the Climate Change Education Partnership Program.  This program seeks to establish a coordinated national network of regionally or thematically based partnerships devoted to increasing the adoption of effective, high quality educational programs and resources related to the science of climate change and its impacts.  $10 million expected to be available, up to 15 awards anticipated.  Letters of Intent due 4/23/10, final proposals due 5/24/10.  For more info, contact Karen Oates at koates@nsf.gov or go to: http://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=nsf10542. Refer to Sol# 10-542.  (Grants.gov 2/24/10)  

4)  Terrestrial Carbon Cycle Research
The U.S. Department of Energy requests proposals for Terrestrial Carbon Cycle Research.  This RFP will support research that will improve the understanding of the role of terrestrial biomes in the global carbon cycle and aid carbon cycle predictions related to climate change.  $4 million expected to be available, up to 15 awards anticipated.  Preapplications are strongly recommended, but no formal deadline has been established.  Final proposals due 5/3/10.  For more info, contact Tonja Stokes at tonja.stokes@science.doe.gov or go to: https://www.fedconnect.net/FedConnect/?doc=DE-FOA-0000287&agency=DOE.  Refer to Sol# DE-FOA-0000287.  (Grants.gov 2/26/10)  

5)  Greenhouse Gas Mitigation – Indonesia
The U.S. Agency for International Development Mission in Indonesia requests applications for the Greenhouse Gas Mitigation Program.  This RFP will support projects to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in both the land use/forestry sector and the energy sector.  $1.5 million expected to be available, up to 2 awards anticipated.  Responses due 3/30/10 and 9/15/10.  For more info, contact Dominicus Soenarno at aps10-011@usaid.gov or go to:  http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?mode=VIEW&oppId=51783.  Refer to Sol# APS-INDONESIA-10-011.  (Grants.gov 2/12/10)

6)  Energy Efficient Building Cluster
The U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. Department of Labor, U.S. Department of Education, the Small Business Administration and the National Science Foundation jointly request proposals for the FY10 Energy Efficient Building Systems Regional Innovation Cluster Initiative.  This pilot project will support the development and growth of an energy regional innovation cluster (E-RIC) which will develop, expand, and commercialize innovative energy efficient building systems technologies, designs, and best practices for national and international distribution.  Up to $129.7 million expected to be available, 1 award anticipated.  Responses due 5/6/10.  For more info, submit questions to www.energy.gov/hubs/eric.htm or go to:   http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?mode=VIEW&oppId=51817.  Refer to Sol# ERIC2010.  (Grants.gov 2/12/10)

7)  Power, Controls and Adaptive Networks  
The National Science Foundation requests proposals for Power, Controls and Adaptive Networks.  This program supports distributed control of multi-agent systems with embedded computation for sensor and adaptive networks.  This program emphasizes electric power networks and grids, including generation, transmission and integration of renewable, sustainable and distributed energy systems, such as fuel cells and micro-turbines in large power networks; high power electronics and drives; and understanding of associated regulatory and economic structures.  The program also emphasizes energy scavenging and alternative energy technologies, including solar cells, ocean waves, wind, geothermal, low-head hydro, and the hydrogen economy.  In addition, the program supports generation and integration in the National Grid (InterGrid), and interdependencies of critical infrastructure in power and communications.  Responses due 10/7/10.  For more info, contact Radhakishan Baheti at rbaheti@nsf.gov or go to:  http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=13380.  Refer to Sol# PD-10-1518.  (Grants.gov 2/17/10)
 Industrial Technologies Technical Assistance
The U.S. Department of Energy requests proposals for Industrial Technologies Program Superior Energy Performance Program Administrator Technical Assistance.  Through this RFP, DOE seeks to fund an administrator and technical assistance provider for the new American National Standards Institute- accredited Superior Energy Performance industrial plant/facility certification program (SEP-PA).  The purpose of SEP is to serve as a roadmap for achieving continual improvement of energy efficiency at industrial facilities.  Up to $5 million expected to be available, 1 award anticipated.  Responses due 5/6/10.  For more info, contact Michael Buck at michael.buck@go.doe.gov or go to: https://www.fedconnect.net/FedConnect/?doc=DE-FOA-0000246&agency=DOE.  Refer to Sol# DE-FOA-0000246.  (Grants.gov 2/24/10)

9)  Water Resources Research
The U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with the National Institutes for Water Resources, requests proposals for the Water Resources Research National Competitive Grants Program.  This program supports research on the topics of water supply and water availability, including investigations of possible new sources of supply, improvement of impaired waters to usable quality, conservation of existing sources, and limiting growth in demand.  $1 million expected to be available, up to 6 awards anticipated.  Responses due 4/21/10.  For more info, contact Kimberly Dove at kdove@usgs.gov or go to: http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?mode=VIEW&oppId=51463.  Refer to Sol# 10HQPA0002.  (Grants.gov 2/1/10)

10)   Indoor Air Quality – Region 7
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 7, requests proposals for Indoor Air Quality projects which address assistance with the adoption of EPA’s IAQ Tools for Schools program, and indoor asthma triggers and exposure education.  Projects must take place in IA, KS, MO or NB.  $145K expected to be available, individual awards NTE $60K.  Responses due 4/12/10.  For more info, contact Greg Crable at crable.gregory@epa.gov or go to:  http://www.epa.gov/region07/economics/r7_grant_opportunities.htm.  Refer to Sol# EPA-R7AWMD-10-001.  (Grants.gov 2/23/10)

11)  Renewable Energy Credits
The U.S. Department of Labor seeks Renewable Energy Credits to offset 12,460 MWh/year for various Job Corps Centers.  Responses due 3/9/10.  For more info, contact Eileen Garnett at garnett.eileen@dol.gov or go to: https://www.fbo.gov/?s=opportunity&mode=form&id=ef3b1aaad5b687979df9560e7c0633b0&tab=core&_cview=0.  Refer to Sol# DOL110RP20895.  (FBO 2/21/10)

12)  Sustainable Communities
The Home Depot Foundation requests letters of interest for the Awards of Excellence in Sustainable Community Development Program.  This program recognizes public-private partnerships that have successfully developed projects and/or initiatives that promote and exemplify a more sustainable community.  Areas of interest include, but are not limited to: Reducing urban heat island effect, carbon reduction strategies, disaster preparedness, and pedestrian friendliness.  Award range $2.5K to $75K.  Responses due 3/31/10.  For more info, go to:  http://www.homedepotfoundation.org/aoe_community.html.  (Foundation Center RFP Bulletin 2/19/10)

13)  Water and the Environment – CA, IL, IN, IA, KY, MI, MO, NJ, PA, TN
American Water state subsidiaries request proposals for the 2010 Environmental Grant Program.  This program supports diverse types of environmental sustainability activities such as watershed cleanups, reforestation efforts, biodiversity projects, streamside buffer restoration projects and hazardous waste collection efforts.  Individual awards NTE $10K.  Responses due 3/22/10.  For more info, including service territory info, go to: http://amwater.com/corporate-responsibility/Environmental-Sustainability/environmental-stewardship-and-innovation/environmental-grant-program.html.  (Foundation Center RFP Bulletin 2/19/10)

14)  Water Challenge and Solutions – International Communities
InnoCentive, GlobalGiving, and the Rockefeller Foundation request proposals for the GlobalGiveback Innovation Challenges.  Through this program, engineers, technologists, entrepreneurs, and creative thinkers are invited to find solutions to dire water-related problems facing communities.   The problems/challenges, award amounts and due dates are as follows:
Drinking Water Purification Method (Uganda’s Lake Victoria) – $20K award, due 3/11/10.
Sunlight/UV-light Dose Indicator (Bolivia) – $40K award, due 4/11/10.
Rainwater Harvesting Storage Tank (India Wetland Region in Kerala) – $20K award, due 3/11/10.
Small-Scale River Turbines (Peruvian Jungle) – $20K award, due 3/11/10.
For more info, go to: http://www.innocentive.com/landing/global-giveback.php. (Foundation Center RFP Bulletin 2/12/10)

Richard Yoder, PE Director, P2ric.org University of Nebraska at Omaha 6001 Dodge Street, RH308 Omaha, NE 68182 vox: 402-554-6251 fax: 402-554-6260 http://www.p2ric.org/

P2RIC, the Pollution Prevention Regional Information Center, is a proud member of the Pollution Prevention Resource Exchange, P2Rx.org.

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Supreme Court Expands Intervention Rights to Private Water Users in Interstate Water Litigation
http://www.martenlaw.com/news/?20100222-water-intervention-rights-expanded

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Last week Administrator Lisa Jackson sent a memo to all EPA employees outlining ambitious priorities for this Administration. I am writing to reinforce her message in Region 7 by giving examples of ways the Region is pushing those priorities forward while looking for additional opportunities to work in these essential areas. You will note the important role of enforcement in this effort. We have begun seeking the synergistic multiplied effect of using joint civil and judicial enforcement where that approach is practical. You will note also cross-cutting efforts that knock down silos and maximize our effectiveness in communities and our broader efforts to incorporate environmental justice sensitivities across the spectrum of our work. The Region has established strong partnerships with our States and Tribes, and we will continue to work to strengthen those vital roles as we implement the Administrator’s bold and much-needed agenda. The items listed in this memo – many of them direct results of process improvements that help us focus limited resources in more effective ways — are indicators of the direction we are pursuing. They are not a complete listing; nor should they be. We already have a strong foundation; we will use these examples and other strategic approaches to see the positive accomplishments that are possible by implementing the Administrator’s priorities. It is also worth noting that the timing of this memo was dictated by Headquarters. Once the new Regional Administrator arrives and settles in, he may choose to refine the Regional list as he brings his education, experience and perspective to the task.

Priority: Act on Climate Change, Region 7 Examples
· Sunflower Coal-fired Power Plant: In July 2009, Region 7 issued a letter recommending that Sunflower consider other plant design options, such as Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC) technology. More energy efficient technologies, such as IGCC, reduce greenhouse gases (GHG) and other air pollutants. Region 7 is working with KDHE to review Sunflower’s January 13, 2010, permit application to ensure compliance with the Clean Air Act and future permit regulations, which will require GHG best available control technology (BACT) evaluation.
· Air Enforcement: Through innovative supplemental environmental projects (SEPs), Region 7 has been able to reduce GHGs. For example, as part of a SEP, Bayer Corporation changed out its light bulbs, which will reduce emissions of CO2 by 300 tons per year and save 274,240 kwh annually. As part of a consent decree modification, we are currently working with a refinery to restrict coal usage and reduce GHGs and other air pollutants.
· Greenhouse Gas Mandatory Reporting Rule: This rule became effective January 1, 2010 but sources have already begun to develop monitoring plans which must be in place by April 1, 2010. Region 7 was an active participant in the rulemaking effort and, in particular, ensuring outreach was done with potentially affected sectors of the agricultural industry. Sources which will be most impacted in Region 7 include stationary fossil fuel combustors (fossil-fueled power plants’ industrial boilers) as well as municipal solid waste landfills. The Ag sector, (manure management systems) was later exempted from reporting in the FY 2010 appropriations Bill. Other source categories, including ethanol production, food processing, and wastewater treatment are not in the final rule but could be added to the rule later this year.
· Energy and SIPs: Region 7 continues to look for innovative opportunities to use energy conservations strategies to improve air quality. Much of this work is done through the Blue Skyways Collaborative. The spring 2010 Blue Skyways meeting will provide a strong focus in this area for audiences that are gearing up to deal with new ozone non-attainment designations.
· ENERGY STAR encourages the use of energy efficient products and practices that often result in significant money savings. With the help of ENERGY STAR, Americans saved enough energy in 2008 alone to avoid greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those from 29 million cars – all while saving $19 billion on their utility bills. Region 7 reaches thousands of individuals and businesses every year with Energy Star messages.
· Region 7’s Brownfields and Land Revitalization programs actively promote clean energy, energy efficiency and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. The programs support principles of sustainable redevelopment, incorporating energy efficiencies in the design and operation of new and renovated structures at previously contaminated sites. The programs also encourage the use of contract incentives by grant recipients to promote the use of biodiesel, retrofitting of equipment, and idle-reduction practices during site cleanups to reduce emissions. Most important, the funding and technical assistance provided by the Brownfields and Land Revitalization programs promote the sustainable redevelopment of abandoned sites, resulting in reduced urban sprawl and more efficient use of existing infrastructures.
· The Region 7 remedial action contracting strategy has employed monetary incentives and disincentives to achieve goals such as encouraging the use of biodiesel and reducing diesel idling to encourage emission reductions. Diesel chemical and particulate emissions are reduced during construction through retrofitting of equipment, or alternatively, by using alternative fuels such as biodiesel, and using idle-reduction practices.
· RE-Powering America’s Land Initiative — The Doepke-Holliday Superfund Site successfully competed in the national “RE-Powering America’s Land.’’ This initiative will facilitate the development of renewable energy on contaminated and mine lands. As a recipient of contract support from the National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL), Deffenbaugh Industries Inc. (site owner/operator) will participate in a feasibility study to evaluate the site for renewable energy generation (wind, solar); evaluate the reuse of existing infrastructure and nearby transmission lines; and develop approaches for long-term management at the site. In March 2010, NREL staff, EPA HQ and Regional staff, as well as Deffenbaugh representatives will conduct a preliminary site visit that will result in a detailed workplan and evaluation by July 2010.
· The ENSV Division became the lead for coordination of Energy and Climate Change activities in 2009. A focused, collaborative approach that aims to initiate a dialogue and activities with state energy offices, federal partners, and Tribes is being implemented. Several activities are being planned to broaden the awareness of energy and climate change activities and legislation, and their impact on employees.
· Region 7 is working with 12 communities in a pilot project to evaluate and improve energy management in order to reduce costs, improve treatment and reduce environmental impacts.
· A long with EPA’s ORD offices, we are participating on the project team for Kansas City, Missouri’s Green Solutions Project, a research effort to determine the effects of implementing various elements of green infrastructure in a 100-acre urban study area.
· Region 7 continues to encourage organizations to become partners with WaterSense. Throughout the year, WaterSense materials are handed out in outreach events reaching several thousand.
· Region 7 continues to support the development of the national regulation for geologic sequestration of carbon as well as working with Kansas Corporation Commission and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources in regulation development and/or interested parties for pilot testing of carbon injection.

Priority: Improve Air Quality, Region 7 Examples
· Ozone – On January 7, 2010, EPA proposed to tighten the ozone standard by proposing to set the “primary” standard, which protects public health, at a level between 0.060 and 0.070 parts per million (ppm.) The final rule will significantly increase the Region 7 ozone non-attainment areas. We have already begun working with Region 7 states to ensure an effective transition to these new standards.
· Lead – On October 15, 2008, EPA promulgated a new lead standard of 0.15 ug/m3. Missouri contains the only primary lead production remaining in the United States and several other lead mining and processing facilities. We will be working with Missouri to reduce emissions from these facilities in order to meet the new standard.
· Blue Skyways Collaborative: The Blue Skyways Collaborative was created to encourage voluntary air emissions reduction in North America’s heartland through active and meaningful participation in planning or implementing projects that employ innovative technologies in diesel engines, alternative fuels and renewable energy technologies. Blue Skyways incorporates 10 states — Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, Missouri, Kansas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Texas and New Mexico, and the area along the borders with Canada and Mexico.
· Air Toxics Around Schools: In December 2008, USA Today printed a series of articles concerning air toxics at schools and EPA’s lack of monitoring at these locations. During her confirmation hearings, Lisa Jackson committed the EPA to following up on this story with air monitoring at schools across the nation. Region 7 has two schools included in that effort and sampling is complete at those schools. The two schools are Roland-Story High School in Story City, Iowa and Colvin Elementary in Wichita, Kan. Once all the data is complete for all schools, EPA Headquarters will publish a health analysis for all schools, which will be reviewed by the Region, states and locals before release.
· Improved Air Permitting and Enforcement: Region 7 is focusing air enforcement on the largest emitting sectors that have illegally avoided air pollution controls. These large emitting sectors represent huge emission reduction potential and large environmental health benefits. The sectors include coal-fired power plant systems, refineries, pharmaceutical and chemical manufacturers, cement kilns, and acid manufacturing. The Region 7 coal-fired power plant sector alone represents potential reductions of over 1 billion pounds per year of air pollutants.
· In October 2009, R7 hosted the “Clean Air Act Enforcement Lessons Learned” workshop at the Regional office. With presentations by OECA, CID, and our states, this workshop addressed how enforcement and permitting programs can work together to ensure achievement of environmental results through enforcement actions. More than 90 attendees participated from our state and local agencies, as well as regional staff.
· R 7 inspectors have geared up to conduct more Leak Detection and Repair (LDAR) sampling inspections to check on emission leaks from various industrial sources. ENSV continues to provide technical support to AWMD and CNSL in preparing enforcement actions, including DOJ referrals and negotiations on various electric power plants, and for the Doe Run smelter facilities.
· ENSV also is supporting the national air quality program through development and implementation of the Protocol Gas Verification Program at the Science and Technology Center. The ENSV air monitoring team will perform independent assessment and analysis of calibration gases used to document and assure the quality of data generated on the nation’s air monitoring network.
· Region 7 is seeking major reductions in PM, SO2, and NOx emissions through NSR/PSD enforcement at power plants, acid plants, cement kilns, and refineries.

Priority: Assure Safety of Chemicals, Region 7 Examples
· Region 7 provides three to six Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) and Risk Management Plan Program (RMP) workshops per year to help industry meet reporting requirements. These Web-based workshops are always full. We will be holding a workshop specifically for the Renewable Fuels Association this year.
· Region 7 is participating in the RMP national initiative of inspecting “high-risk” facilities. We are conducting twice the number required by national guidance. By inspecting high-risk facilities we help ensure compliance and better protection of communities and first responders.
· Region 7 works with Local Emergency Planning Committees (LEPCs) to alert them to RMP facilities in their communities, review the RMP plans and understand their responsibilities related to chemical safety. We recently hosted a regional LEPC conference with more than 200 attendees.
· Region 7 is active in working with regional and national agricultural trade associations on outreach to anhydrous ammonia dealers. We frequently post articles and updates in trade publications about the RMP program.
· The Region has a representative on the National Fire Protection Association technical committee that establishes the generally accepted good engineering practices for the storage of propane.
· The Region continues to take an active role in suggesting chemicals for IRIS review, as well as providing comments on reviews and various other health-related assessments, and evaluating those chemicals that have the ability to cause the greatest harm in our Region. Both ecological and human health risk assessment staffs have taken a leadership role in helping to evaluate toxicity and health effects of particular compounds, most notably lead. They will continue providing this expertise and support to regional programs and EPA Headquarters.
· The Region will continue to provide improved handling of high-risk chemicals through stepped-up CAA enforcement and RCRA/FIFRA targeted enforcement at agricultural chemical storage and waste-handling facilities.

Priority: Clean up Communities, Region 7 Examples
· Region 7 collaborated with the Regional Land Revitalization Program to create the Region 7 Historic Highways project. Sites have been identified in each of our states along both the former Route 66 and Lincoln Highway for environmental assessments and/or remediation activities.
· Region 7 in September 2009 approved its “Interim Region 7 Green Cleanup Policy” to promote and encourage the use of green cleanup technologies and practices in our investigations and cleanups. Our goal is to optimize our cleanups to reduce their environmental footprint and enhance community benefit without sacrificing protectiveness. In FY10, R7 will develop and begin using model language for inclusion in RCRA permits and orders which requires the consideration of green cleanup technologies and practices in the investigation and cleanup.
· Using all the tools at our disposal, R7 will continue to focus on making safer, healthier communities with a goal of increasing stakeholder involvement at RCRA corrective action sites. This year we will increase our use of enforcement tools to spur environmental cleanup at facilities in disadvantaged communities.
· The Region will expand opportunities for Community Engagement in RCRA projects by posting additional site-specific information on its Web site. This year we will pilot "Comment Boxes" on our Web page for at least one permitting and/or corrective action project located in an EJ area. These pages will be monitored by Region 7 project staff. We will increase the visibility of this information by requesting operators of various community-based Web sites such as municipalities, churches, community organizations, etc., to link to our pages.
· In FY 2009, the R7 RCRA compliance and enforcement program conducted 229 inspections and made 152 compliance assistance visits. The compliance inspections found 177 facilities with violations. All of these were returned to compliance either informally or through formal enforcement action. These actions resulted in almost 75,000 pounds of hazardous waste being removed and disposed of properly.
· The Region has worked extensively with the Kansas City regional planning organization to develop a list of environmental projects in communities throughout the area. These environmental projects could qualify as Supplemental Environmental Projects (SEPs) in resolving enforcement cases, so that communities hosting industries found to be in violation of environmental regulations gain a tangible benefit as opposed to the facility simply paying a fine. Region 7 intends to build on this concept and expand it to other metropolitan areas in its states.
· Region 7 has awarded more than 100 Brownfields competitive assessment, cleanup, revolving loan fund, and job training grants providing more than $27 million in direct funding to states, local governments and nonprofit organizations to assess, clean up and promote sustainable redevelopment at contaminated sites in the region. In addition to competitive grants, Region 7 has provided more than $17 million in noncompetitive grant funding to Region 7 states and tribes to establish and enhance state and tribal response programs. The Land Revitalization Program also works with federal, state and local communities to provide long-term recovery assistance in the sustainable design and redevelopment of areas impacted by natural disasters.
· The Brownsfield program is working to protect disadvantaged communities by providing technical and financial assistance in the assessment and cleanup of abandoned properties. KC’s Green Impact Zone (GIC) provides an example for this effort in the current assessment and cleanup work. EPA contractor services are using Brownfields ARRA funding ($120K) to conduct targeted Brownfield assessments for over 160 properties within the Ivanhoe neighborhood of the GIZ. The project is a partnership between EPA, MDNR, the City of Kansas City and several community-based organizations including the Ivanhoe Neighborhood Council. The community’s plan is to assess, clean up and redevelop properties to stabilize and revitalize residential neighborhoods in the economically-distressed community.
· ARRA funded TBA contract services ($70K) are also being used for the ALDI Store Project in the Green Impact Zone. The project includes environmental assessments at more than 22 residential and commercial properties. The overall project consists of assessment, acquisition, cleanup and redevelopment of residential properties, a former filling station and garage, a former dry cleaner, and other commercial properties in order to build a new grocery store and retail area.
· Two additional ARRA funded RLF projects "adjacent" to the GIZ will directly benefit EJ neighborhoods. These projects are the Palestine Commons Project ($200K to clean up and redevelop properties for affordable senior housing) and the Southtown Urban Life Development retail development project (mixed use/retail development).
· An ARRA funded Job Training grant ($500K) also includes the GIZ as one of its targeted areas in the metro. The Job Training grant is a partnership of over 12 community-based groups and organizations that provides environmental and green job skills to primarily unemployed/underemployed minorities living in the areas impacted by Brownfields sites.
· The Region 7 Superfund program is committed to using small business for our remedial action construction projects and has been able to generate wide interest on the part of all categories of EPA’s socio-economic contracting goals. The contracts provide monetary incentives to contractors who employ local workers and purchase or lease supplies and equipment from the area impacted by the hazardous wastes. Many of our recent contracts have achieved well over 50% local hire and lease or purchase. Recently, the Region was able to place six small business contracts distributing over $70M in ARRA funds using this contracting strategy. These contracts have accelerated the cleanup of thousands of residential properties contaminated with lead and hundreds of acres of lead-contaminated mining waste.
· At the Omaha Lead Site, EPA continues to increase the record pace of cleanup efforts, completing soil remediation at more than 1,000 residential properties in 2009. As part of the remedy, EPA is actively working with local agencies and organizations to provide public health education and outreach to increase awareness and mitigation of all lead hazards in the affected community. ARRA funds will expedite these efforts in the future.
· Missouri is known as the lead belt of the nation. Public health effects related to the ingestion of lead via in soil and in drinking water is of prime concern to Region 7. Region 7 developed a strategy for evaluating and performing site assessments at the thousands of former lead and zinc mining and smelting sites in Missouri. This ongoing strategy, initiated in 2003, consists of a multi-year effort focused on assessing the worst sites first. This strategy was a multi-agency approach for all of the mining and smelting site investigations, by creating a coordination team including state and county level health departments, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), and MDNR.
· Region 7 has been in the lead to create a study plan that evaluates the source of lead and cadmium in soils and drinking water in eastern Jasper County and the Central Mining District of Missouri. This involved an extensive literature search, and coordinating with scientists at EPA, MDNR, U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and private industry. A combination of pragmatic study design and innovative science was used for the development data collection methods on a site-specific basis. Region 7 has incorporated efficient use of resources by combining the health exposure data collection and source identification data collection process into one combined sampling plan, often using the same samples to answer both questions. This significantly reduces the cost associated with collecting samples for scientific study only.
· Region 7 is also working with MDNR, USGS, and the Civil Air Patrol on the practical use of remote sensing technologies for identifying environmental impacts of former mining and smelting. This project uses hyperspectral and high-resolution imagery (HSI/HRI) to identify anomalies at ground level using aircraft sensors that can cover a broad area in a short amount of time. Collaborating with the Civil Air Patrol has potential cost savings, as the unit cost and deployment of voluntary resources is often much less expensive than similar commercial aircraft projects. Region 7 has shown support for advanced experimental technology applications by working with scientists and other agencies to field test these methods on practical environmental projects that are in progress.
· Region 7 is dealing with as many as 100 sites contaminated with radium from former radium-dial repair shops used in the airplane industry. The Region is coordinating with the Kansas Department of Health Superfund and Radiation Program, Region 7’s Radiation program and the Region 7 Removal program to assess and remediate these sites, under either the removal program or enforcement programs as PRP lead projects.
· The Region will continue RCRA screening inspections of potential hazardous waste facilities to identify ones that may be creating additional exposures to hazardous wastes. A RCRA inspection in FY09 of an abandoned municipal public works site in KCK led to an agreement from the City to immediately clean up the site and remove hazardous waste that was adjacent to a public housing community.
· Region 7 has worked closely with local partners and colleagues in ORD to investigate public health issues that don’t fit under the typical investigation and cleanup strategies, including CO2 infiltration into basements in Sedgwick County, KS, and Chromium in land applied sludge in northwest Missouri.
· CARE grants in Missouri, Kansas and Nebraska are being focused on helping communities help themselves assess their most pressing environmental issues and moving toward solutions of those issues.

Priority: Protect America’s Waters, Region 7 Examples
· Region 7 is vigorously seeking to clean up urban waters through pursuit of two of the largest pending CSO enforcement cases in the country, Kansas City and St. Louis. The Region also is working on cleaning and restoring urban waters through CSO/SSO work in 20 other communities..
· Region 7 is using FIFRA enforcement to protect waters from pesticide misuse and drift.
· Region 7 is improving oil spill prevention compliance in the region through outreach, inspection, and enforcement. Outreach was provided to more than 2,000 registrants by satellite broadcast, internet broadcast, presentations to professional organizations, and representation at industrial trade shows. The compliance status of 58 facilities subject to the SPCC requirements was ensured by on-site inspection and subsequent enforcement followup where appropriate. FY2009 enforcement actions included 25 expedited cases and 3 traditional cases.
· Region 7 administers the longest-running Ambient Fish Tissue program within the Agency. Annually, the Regional Laboratory analyzes fish from well over a hundred locations as collected by states and EPA. This data is used by the states to issue fish advisories to protect the health of its citizens.
· Region 7’s Brownfields and Land Revitalization programs actively promote water quality initiatives including the Urban Water Initiative and supporting principles of sustainable redevelopment, incorporating stormwater runoff measures and water efficiencies in the design and operation of new and renovated structures at previously contaminated sites.
· Region 7 will be increasing inspections and sampling at CAFO facilities and assisting in better targeting.
· The Region 7 Monitoring Team has undertaken a comprehensive monitoring effort at all major tributaries to the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers within Region 7. This information will be used to assist states in developing criteria and understanding the nutrient loadings leaving their state. The Monitoring Team has and will continue to work closely with Region 8, and colleagues from all states in Regions 7 and 8, as well as members of academic institutions to develop nutrient benchmarks for the Missouri River.
· Region 7 has established an Urban Water Monitoring Program in Kansas City, sampling chemistry, biology, habitat, and numerous other parameters at 36 locations in the metro for the last 4 years. A related part of the effort is the establishment of KCWaters.org, a collaboration between EPA and the University of Missouri-Kansas City that provides a venue for all entities in the metro area to make water quality data available, and to connect partners to improve water quality.
· Region 7 is protecting America’s waters by using ARRA and SRF funding to improve drinking water and waste water infrastructure.
· The Region is working in watersheds to protect sourcewater and reduce nutrient loads.
· The Region is working with state partners to ensure that all waters are properly classified to protect them to the highest attainable use.
· The Region is working to prevent improper blending of wastewater and to prevent illegal bypasses at wastewater treatment plants.

Priority: Expand Conversation on Environmentalism and Work for Environmental Justice, Region 7 Examples
· Region 7 is consciously and deliberately seeking to include Environmental Justice principles across programs, media and initiatives.
· In wide-ranging initiatives that cut across programs – such as the Healthy Homes Community Initiative –Region 7 is making deliberate efforts to consider vulnerable populations, especially children.
· Air and RCRA inspectors incorporate environmental justice data when scheduling inspections. The RCRA enforcement program has an ongoing initiative to target warehouses storing large amounts of discarded hazardous chemicals. These facilities tend to be located in environmental justice areas.
· Region 7’s Brownfields and Land Revitalization programs work closely with the region’s Office of Environmental Justice to build strong working relationships with the region’s disadvantaged communities. Region 7 Brownfields and the EJ Office work closely on outreach to identify and include disadvantaged communities in the program’s competitive grant programs. This partnership was critical in the program’s recent award of two job-training grants in EJ communities.
· The Region 7 NEPA Team incorporates Environmental Justice into each of its official CAA Section 309 review responsibilities, and in EPA’s internal NEPA compliance analyses. NEPA and EJ staffers collaborate closely in considering the impact federal agency actions could have on disadvantaged communities.
· Region 7 staff consider environmental justice values in dispensing EJ and CARE grants to disadvantaged communities.
· Since 2001, R7 has played an active role as a lead partner with the Latino Math and Science Academy (LMASA). The mission of the LMASA is to encourage an interest in mathematics and science in Latino students to fill the ever-increasing need for well-trained, qualified scientists, engineers and other environmental and health professionals. As one of the lead partners, R7 provides qualified and interested staff to serve as environmental/technical resources. R7 shares information on grant and employment opportunities with LMASA partners in addition to providing general administrative support and meeting facilitation/logistical support .
· The Region is promoting integrated pest management to reduce chemical use in schools.
The Region is using SRF funding to help disadvantaged communities with infrastructure improvements. Our CSO/SSO work is helping restore clean water in Environmental Justice communities.

Priority: Build Strong State and Tribal Partnerships, Region 7 Examples
· Region 7 has established weekly calls with our four states to discuss distribution and use of ARRA funding, leading to praise from our state partners for the ways Region 7 has helped states work through complicated and sometimes fast-changing mandates.
· The Region, in direct response to requests from our states, is establishing regular meetings between senior staff members of EPA and the states to discuss high-priority issues such as state budget shortfalls and the challenges those shortfalls give to states’ maintaining delegated programs.
· Region 7 is working to clean up Leaking Underground Storage Tanks (LUST) located in Indian Country through close cooperation with our tribal partners. In 2005, there were sixteen confirmed LUST facilities in R7 Indian Country. Since then, with the assistance of the tribal governments, R7 has issued five No Further Actions (NFAs) and is currently actively working on two sites. One of them, the Former Skelly Gas Station, is a Federal lead site, the cleanup of which is being funded with ARRA funds.
· Region 7 continues its support of state and local pollution prevention partnerships by hosting the R7 pollution prevention roundtable meeting at the Regional office. In October 2009 roundtable members, industry representatives and government officials presented material on projects and partnership opportunities. The group also engaged in open discussions on priorities, strategic planning and member perspectives.
· Region 7 has developed strong working relationships with each of our State Emergency Response Commissions (SERCs). We work closely with the SERCs on Tier II, RMP and TRI issues and utilize their LEPC network for outreach to all parts of the state emergency response network. The Missouri Emergency Response Commission was recently awarded a $45,000 grant to conduct desk and on-site audits of the non-agricultural RMP facilities and to work with getting information to the LEPCs about facilities in their area of responsibility.
· Region 7 has a good working relationship with Department of Agriculture staff that deal with Ag retailers. They interact with the retailers on anhydrous ammonia issues and we work together to keep the industry informed of RMP changes and issues. We recently awarded a $30,000 grant to the Missouri Dept. of Agriculture to conduct 150 audits of retailers to help them comply with appropriate RMP requirements.
· Region 7 in conjunction with our four states, EPA’s Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards, EPA’s Office of General Counsel, Regions 4 and 6 and others recently began a Kaizen process on EPA’s State Implementation Plan (SIP) process to evaluate the current process and to recommend changes that could improve the timeliness of the process and the quality of the plans. The initial effort lasted five days and required input, compromise and commitment from all parties. The results are still being evaluated and commitments are being confirmed, but steps were identified to improve the quality and shorten the processing time of these plans by more than 50 percent.
· Region 7’s Brownfields and Land Revitalization programs have a strong partnership with States and tribal nations. The Brownfields and Land Revitalization programs provide both technical and financial assistance to establish and enhance the State and tribal response programs including the voluntary cleanup programs. Region 7 has provided over $17 million in noncompetitive grant funding to Region 7 states and tribes to establish and enhance state and tribal response programs. Region 7 has established a strong partnership with states, tribes and local communities to implement the Brownfields program with a focus on disadvantaged, small and rural communities.
· Region 7 continues to participate in Kaizen efforts with R7 States, WWPD, CNSL, and OECA to improve NPDES permitting and inspection targeting processes across those organizations. We continue to do inspections of facilities on tribal lands to identify environmental problems and ensure compliance.
· The Quality Assurance and Water Quality teams provided technical training to the tribes during 2009. The QA team conducted hands-on, classroom style training on the four main QA components. The Water Quality team provided training on stream and lake sampling, and nutrients. The training is designed to provide the tools to the tribes and ensure they have the necessary expertise when planning environmental data collection, and in reviewing the data. Training will continue in 2010.
· Region 7 continues to work with Missouri to resolve wet weather issues.
· Region 7 is exploring work-sharing/division of labor with Iowa on CSO communities.
· Region 7 continues to work with Iowa to seek resolution of Iowa NPPES re-delegation petition.
· Region 7 has a tribal circuit rider to provide assistance to tribes in Nebraska.

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       ASME Standards & Certification recently issued three standards that establish requirements and best practices for conducting energy assessments in manufacturing plants and other types of industrial facilities. A fourth standard addressing assessment for compressed air systems will be released in April.
       The new standards — also covering process heating systems, pumping systems, and steam systems — provide a basis for operators of industrial facilities to measure  energy efficiencies, improve environmental performance, optimize fuel utilization, and perform other important energy assessments. The standards present the requirements for organizing and conducting assessments, collecting and analyzing data, and reporting and documenting findings.
       Energy Assessment for Process Heating Systems (ASME EA-1-2009), Energy Assessment for Pumping Systems (ASME EA-2-2009), and Energy Assessment for Steam Systems (ASME EA-3-2009) were approved as national standards by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), and released last month.
       Assessment for Compressed Air Systems (ASME EA-4-2010) will be available in April 2010. Accompanying guidance documents containing technical information on applying the four standards will be issued by mid-2010.
       The new standards are a result of the Society’s collaboration with the United States Department of Energy’s Industrial Technologies Program (DOE/ITP) and emerged from work on Superior Energy Performance, an initiative spearheaded by the U.S. Council for Energy-Efficient Manufacturing and involving government and industry groups.
       Copies of the standards may be purchased at http://catalog.asme.org or by contacting (800) 843-2763. Discounts are available for bulk orders.

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"The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission yesterday said companies must disclose to investors the physical impact that climate change has on assets and the consequences of regulations curbing greenhouse gas emissions.  The SEC public disclosure guidance on climate-related risks is seen as a major victory by an army of environmental groups and institutional investors that have pressed the issue since 2007."

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