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 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (Region 7)Communities Information Digest

January 29, 2013

Find us @ www.facebook.com/eparegion7 or https://twitter.com/eparegion7. 

Note: New items are in *asterisks*.

News 

*EPA‘s 2011 Toxics Release Inventory Shows Air Pollutants Continue to Decline  - Total Toxic Chemicals Increase Due to Mining*Total toxic air releases in 2011 declined 8 percent from 2010, mainly due to decreases in hazardous air pollutant (HAP) emissions, even whiletotal releases of toxic chemicals increased for the second year in a row, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) annualToxics Release Inventory (TRI) report published recently. The annual TRI provides citizens with vital information about their communities. TheTRI program collects information on certain toxic chemical releases to the air, water and land, as well as information on waste management

and pollution prevention activities by facilities across the country. TRI data are submitted annually to EPA, states and tribes by facilities inindustry sectors such as manufacturing, metal mining, electric utilities, and commercial hazardous waste facilities. ―The Toxics ReleaseInventory provides widespread access to valuable environmental information. It plays a critical role in EPA’s efforts to hold pollutersaccountable and identify and acknowledge those who take steps to prevent pollution,‖ said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson. ―Since 1998,we have recorded a steady decline in the amount of TRI chemicals released into the air, and since 2009 alone, we have seen more than a 100million pound decrease in TRI air pollutants entering our communities. This remarkable success is due in part to the TRI program andconcerted efforts by industry, regulators and public interest groups to clean up the air we all depend upon.‖ The 2011 TRI data show that 4.09billion pounds of toxic chemicals were disposed of or released into the environment (i.e., air, water or land), an 8 percent increase from 2010.The difference is mainly due to increases in land disposal at metal mines, which typically involve large facilities handling large volumes of material. In this sector, even a small change in the chemical composition of the ore being mined - which EPA understands is one of theasserted reasons for the increase in total reported releases - can lead to big changes in the amount of toxic chemicals reported nationally.

For more information on the 2011 TRI analysis and TRI web-based tools, please visit: http://www.epa.gov/tri/NationalAnalysis. 

For more on facility efforts to reduce toxic chemical releases, please visit: http://www.epa.gov/tri/p2. 

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 *USDA Finalizes New Microloan Program - Microloans up to $35,000 to Assist Small Farmers, Veterans, and DisadvantagedProducers* Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack recently announced a new microloan program from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) designed tohelp small and family operations, beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers secure loans under $35,000. The new microloan program isaimed at bolstering the progress of producers through their start-up years by providing needed resources and helping to increase equity sothat farmers may eventually graduate to commercial credit and expand their operations. The microloan program will also provide a lessburdensome, more simplified application process in comparison to traditional farm loans. "I have met several small and beginning farmers,returning veterans and disadvantaged producers interested in careers in farming who too often must rely on credit cards or personal loans withhigh interest rates to finance their start-up operations," said Vilsack. "By further expanding access to credit to those just starting to put downroots in farming, USDA continues to help grow a new generation of farmers, while ensuring the strength of an American agriculture sector thatdrives our economy, creates jobs, and provides the most secure and affordable food supply in the world."Producers can apply for a maximum of $35,000 to pay for initial start-up expenses such as hoop houses to extend the growing season,essential tools, irrigation, delivery vehicles, and annual expenses such as seed, fertilizer, utilities, land rents, marketing, and distributionexpenses. As their financing needs increase, applicants can apply for an operating loan up to the maximum amount of $300,000 or obtainfinancing from a commercial lender under the Farm Service Agency’s (FSA) Guaranteed Loan Program. USDA farm loans can be used topurchase land, livestock, equipment, feed, seed, and supplies, or be to construct buildings or make farm improvements. Small farmers oftenrely on credit cards or personal loans, which carry high interest rates and have less flexible payment schedules, to finance their operations.Expanding access to credit, USDA's microloan will provide a simple and flexible loan process for small operations. Producers interested inapplying for a microloan may contact their local FSA office. For more information, please visit:http://content.govdelivery.com/bulletins/gd/USDAOC-66feb4. 

*Reduce Lung Cancer Risk in 2013 by Testing Your Home for Radon Gas*  As part of National Radon Action Month, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently announced steps the public can take totest, fix and save a life from dangerous radon gas. ―Testing for radon is one of the easiest and smartest things people can do to protect their homes and families from this serious health risk,‖ said Gina McCarthy, assistant administrator for EPA's Office of Air and Radiation.―Addressing high radon levels greatly reduces exposure to the second leading cause of lung cancer.‖ Radon occurs naturally from the decayof uranium in the soil and can accumulate to dangerous levels inside the home. Elevated levels of the colorless, odorless gas are the leadingcause of lung cancer among non-smokers. Elevated levels of this health hazard in homes, schools, workplaces, and other buildings can beprevented through these simple steps: Test: All buildings with or without basements should be tested for radon. Affordable Do-It-Yourself radon test kits are available online and at home improvement and hardware stores, or a qualified radon tester can be hired.Fix: EPA recommends taking action to fix radon levels at or above 4 picoCuries per Liter (pCi/L) and contacting a qualified radon-reductioncontractor. Save a Life: 21,000 Americans die from radon related lung cancer each year, but by addressing elevated levels, you can helpprevent lung cancer while creating a healthier home and community.EPA continues to work with Federal, State and local partners on the Federal Radon Action Plan to educate the public about the dangers of radon exposure. For more information on how to test, find a qualified radon professional, obtain a test kit or contact your state radon office:http://www.epa.gov/radon or call 1-800-SOS-RADON. For more information on the Federal Radon Action Plan, please visit:

http://www.epa.gov/radon/action_plan.html. 

Reminder: Equitable Development Workshop - February 6, Kansas City, MissouriRegistration ($18) is now open for the Equitable Development Workshop--Sustainable Neighborhoods, Thriving Residents: Strategies for 

Building Equitable Communities--on Feb. 6, from 1:00-6:30 p.m., in Kansas City, Missouri. The workshop is part of the New Partners for Smart

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Growth Conference. Participants will explore how low-income, minority, tribal, and other overburdened communities are integrating land useand economic development strategies to revitalize their neighborhoods and build residents' skills and wealth. Leaders from community-basedorganizations, local and regional governments, economic development agencies, and businesses will share how they are knitting together planning, infrastructure investment, development policies, workforce training, business assistance, entrepreneurship, and other approaches toimprove the physical environment, capitalize on local assets, create jobs, avoid displacement, and encourage inclusive and enduringeconomic growth. The agenda includes two plenaries and three training sessions:Opening Plenary - Neighborhood Revitalization and Economic Development from the Bottom UpTraining Session 1 - Supporting Small Businesses and Multicultural Commercial DistrictsTraining Session 2 - Using Regional Equity Indicators to Increase Opportunity for All ResidentsTraining Session 3 - Partnering with Industrial Neighbors to Create Healthy, Sustainable and Prosperous CommunitiesClosing Plenary - The Outlook for Equitable Development

 Attendees are encouraged to stay for the New Partners for Smart Growth Conference (same location, Feb. 7-9), which will feature multiplesessions and tours with environmental justice themes. A limited number of Diversity Scholarships are still available to offset conferenceregistration fees and provide travel assistance to leaders from low-income and minority communities and representatives from organizationswhose work is primarily focused on social equity or environmental justice. Priority for scholarship funds will be given to those who are planningto attend the entire conference. Register for the Equitable Development Workshop at http://secure.newpartners.org/confReg. The workshop

and tours are listed toward the end of the page. Learn more about registration and scholarships for the New Partners for Smart GrowthConference at: http://www.newpartners.org/registration-scholarships/. 

Funding Opportunities 

January 31: Sustainable Landscapes, Clean Energy and Adaptation-USAIDhttp://www.grants.gov/search/synopsis.do;jsessionid=v12VQ9PhHBnrg4fqhQQmwqPPKmpg3v1nwrFNVpQ3lWWVK2V2KGGL!-1413871233 

February 5: Source Reduction Assistance Grant Program http://www.epa.gov/p2/pubs/grants/srap/srap13.pdf  

February 7: Five Star and Urban Waters Restoration Program 2013 Request for Proposals www.nfwf.org/easygrants. 

March 1: EPA Request for Proposals: Increasing Community Awareness and Use of Environmental Information through Educationand Outreach http://www.epa.gov/tri/rfp/index.html 

*March 5: Citizens' Institute on Rural Design—Request for Proposals http www.rural-design.org/ 

March 13: Economic Development Assistance Programs Federal Funding Opportunityhttp://www.grants.gov/search/search.do;jsessionid=knDpQzXGJ6gWnzy1h6Tn3D1fjKBNK9Fw40vlTDxWx3xrJGpLpCN4!-

861966415?oppId=208353&mode=VIEW 

*April 8: NOAA Climate Program Office (up to $3.5 million)

http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do;jsessionid=ZtTQQzVNwtbp1bQ7S4NNLNFhWK1f5QwgF0QpBkLmwpMtjhQQ2dTk!1702133586?oppI

d=213994&mode=VIEW 

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Meetings, Conferences, & Events 

January 30 – 31: Community Builders Summit 2013 – Bozeman, Montana http://www.sonoraninstitute.org/where-we-work/northern-

rockies/community-builders-summit.html 

February 6: Equitable Development Workshop  – http://secure.newpartners.org/confReg 

February 7-9: 12th

Annual 2013 New Partners for Smart Growth Conference – Kansas City, Missouri http://www.newpartners.org/ 

*February 13-15: Healthy Housing Leadership Conference – Washington DC http://www.nchh.org/conference/. 

February 16: Crafting Corridors: Reinventing the Urban Street  – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania http://nextcity.org/daily/entry/crafting-

corridors-reinventing-the-urban-street 

February 19: Sustainable Development through Form-Based Codes – Portland, Oregon 

http://www.planning.org/pts/oneday/2013/feb19.htm 

February 19: Financial Options for Energy-Related Projects Workshop – Kansas City, Missourihttps://www.marc2.org/iEBMS/reg/reg_p1_form.aspx?oc=10&ct=STDASC&eventid=15039 

*February 22-24: Green Schools National Conference – West Palm Beach, Florida http://www.greenschoolsnationalconference.org/ 

February 25: DOE Solar Forecasting Metrics Workshop – Salt Lake City, Utahhttp://apps1.eere.energy.gov/solar/newsletter/detail.cfm/articleId=326 

*March 1-2: Gulf of Mexico Environmental Justice Conference  – Biloxi, Mississippi http://epa.gov/gmpo/ 

March 5-7: BuildingEnergy 2013 – Boston, Massachusetts http://www.nesea.org/buildingenergy/ 

March 13-14: Greenprints Conference 2013 –  Atlanta, Georgia http://www.greenprints.org/ 

March 13-15: Feeding Cities: Food Security in a Rapidly Urbanizing World – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania http://www.feedingcities.com/ 

*March 13-15: Western Boot Camp on Environmental Law – San Francisco, California http://www.eli.org/Bootcamp/west_main.cfm 

May 15-17: Brownfields Conference –  Atlanta, Georgia http://www.brownfieldsconference.org/en/home?pub=1&issue=8 

May 29-June 1: Congress for New Urbanism—21st Annual Conference – Salt Lake City, Utah http://www.cnu21.org/ 

June 23-27: Making Cities Livable—Reshaping Suburbia into Completely Healthy Communities  – Portland, Oregonhttp://www.livablecities.org/conferences/50th-conference-portland 

July 9-11: National Environmental Health Association Annual Conference  – Washington, DC. http://neha2013aec.org/ 

July 21-27: Hands-On PV Experience (HOPE) Workshop – Golden, Colorado

http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/solar/newsletter/detail.cfm/articleId=316 

September 9-11: Reclaiming Vacant Properties—5th National Conference – Philadelphia, Pennsylvaniahttp://www.communityprogress.net/2013-reclaiming-vacant-properties-conference-pages-

356.php?utm_source=RVP+Announcement+final+Nov+1.+&utm_campaign=2013+RVP+Announcement+Nov+1&utm_medium=email 

November 21: Massachusetts Smart Growth Conference – Boston, Massachusetts  http://ma-smartgrowth.org/take-action/smart-growth-

conference/ta_111112_save-the-date-postcard/ 

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Webinars & Conference Calls 

*Innovative Public Involvement Techniques for Comprehensive and Regional Planning: Lessons from Every Scale,January 30, 10-11:30 a.m.*

• How do you achieve broad community inclusion across the scales of town, city and region?• How is social media and web-based participation used to increase participation?• At what scale do you need to conduct multiple charrettes?• Creating a public process that builds local capacity and sets the framework for near -term implementation.Comp Plans and Regional Plans have been reinvented using the charrette and online engagement. This session will compare and contrast thestories of three very different sized projects: The Comprehensive Plan for Hammond, Louisiana (pop. 20,000); Plan El Paso theComprehensive Plan for El Paso, Texas (pop. 800,000); and Seven50, the Southeast Florida Prosperity Plan funded by the US Office of SustainableHousing and Communities (seven counties, pop. 6 million). Project leaders will discuss the strategies and tools for achievingbroad demographic and socioeconomic representation throughout these projects. Use of social media, online newsletters, virtual town halls,online polling, and smartphone apps are discussed. Hear how online participation, in-person meetings, local charrettes and regional summitswere combined in different ways for maximum public participation.

For more information, please visit: https://shop.charretteinstitute.org/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=WEB1-13. 

EPA Webinar Seeks Public Comment on Working Draft of Policy on Environmental Justice for Tribes and Indigenous Peoples,January 31, 1:30-3:00 p.m. (EST)In order to more effectively work with federally-recognized tribes and indigenous stakeholders to address their environmental justice concerns,the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is developing a Policy on Environmental Justice for Tribes and Indigenous Peoples. The

 Agency is seeking public comment on the Working Draft of the policy until February 15, 2013. The webinar is January 31. To register, pleasevisit: https://epa.connectsolutions.com/t-i-ej-policy-public-3/ 

Conference Number: 1-866-299-3188, Access code: 2025642576, Meeting Time: 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM EST A copy of the Working Draft, Notification of Public Comment, and other information on the development of the policy can be found at:

http://www.epa.gov/environmentaljustice/indigenous/index.html. 

*Community Conference Call on U.S. EPA's Proposed Air Rules, February 6, 1:00pm-2:30 p.m. (EST)* Conference Line: 1-866-299-3188; code: 919-541-5624# (The phone line is limited to 125 participants on a first-come first-served basis).Purpose: To provide information on upcoming activities in EPA's Air Programs and foster a dialog with communities on their air quality issues.EPA's Air Programs and Regulations. On December 20, 2012, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized a specific set of adjustments to Clean Air Act standards, originally finalized in March 2011, for boilers and certain solid waste incinerators. These adjustmentsmaintain extensive public health protections achieved by the March 2011 standards by reducing toxic air pollution, including mercury andparticle pollution. At the same time, these adjustments increase the rules' flexibility and address concerns raised by stakeholders.The specific set of adjustments address new data provided to the agency and additional information about real-world performance andconditions under which affected boilers and incinerators operate. These adjustments maintain the dramatic cuts in the cost of implementationthat were achieved in the f inal standards issued in March 2011. For more information on the conference call, contact Lena Epps-Price (epps-

price.lena@epa.gov) or (919) 541-5573. For more information, please visit: http://www.epa.gov/airquality/cement/actions.html. To register for 

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the call, please visit: http://cfpub.epa.gov/oarweb/ejcall/. 

*Department of Energy Webinar ―Energy Literacy‖ February 6, 4:00-5:00 p.m. (EST)*The Department of Energy will present a live webcast, titled "An Energy Literate Citizenry from K-to-Gray," on Wednesday, February 6, from4:00 to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. The Energy Literacy: Essential Principles and Fundamental Concepts for Energy Education 

document provides a framework of seven essential principles every citizen should know to be energy literate. This webinar will detail theEnergy Literacy Framework, its conception through multiple partners, current activities (including its translation into Spanish), and highlightother available energy education resources. Register to attend the webinar . 

*Webinar: ‗Getting those BIG office Buildings to Recycle!‘ February 7, 1 :00-2:30 p.m. (EST)*This webinar will focus on recycling professionals who have successfully worked with property managers and others to set up and runprograms to recycle paper, OCC and containers from several large office buildings, government and commercial. During this webinar you willhear about:- Who are the right people to contact- How to work with the building's owners, employees and custodial staff to start a good recycling program- How to ensure staying power of your recycling programTo register, please visit: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/611857762. 

*Webinar: Low Impact Development and Smart Growth—How are They Best Integrated and Utilized in our Communities? May 15,12:00-1:00 p.m. (EST) (repeated at 7:00-8:00 p.m.)* This webinar from Penn State Extension will help planners, elected officials, and concerned citizens come together to make better land usedecisions using Smart Growth principles. Planning tools and resources available to decision-makers will be discussed, as well as how toengage in planning to benefit your community. For more information, please visit: http://www.feedingcities.com/. 

Green Schools 

*Building Environmental Education Communities Small Grants - Webinar on February 15*Earth Force is working with the EPA on an environmental education/service-learning grant that focuses on building community collaborationaround youth addressing environmental and community issues. Building EE Communities supports consortium of 3-5 organizations comingtogether around youth addressing environmental issues in their communities. Each organization supporting the goals of the consortium can

receive up to $5K. Altogether, the consortium can submit a request for up to $25K for its project. Applications must be submitted electronicallyby February 28, 2013 by 11:59 pm MST (Mountain Standard Time) to Cara Lynch via email: clynch@earthforce.org. Earth Force a webinar to

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prepare and support consortia through the application process. The webinar will focus on specifics of EE consortia goals and how they meetthe Building EE Communities priorities. After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the training.

 At least one member of each applying consortia must attend this webinar. Please join us February 15, 2013 at 10 a.m. CST on GoToTraining:https://attendee.gototraining.com/r/2614553236690193152. 

*US Forest Service Announces Rural Schools Funding - More than $320 million to be distributed under reauthorized program*  Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack recently announced that over $323 million will be paid to 41 states and Puerto Rico in two distributions tosupport local schools and roads as part of the Congressional one-year reauthorization of the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act. "These payments are part of the Department of Agriculture's long-standing commitment to rural communities, schools and

 American youth," said Vilsack. "Our century-long support of America's public schools and roads is one of many ways in which the ForestService, as a good neighbor and partner, contributes to rural communities becoming self-sustaining and prosperous."The actual amount of each state's payment is determined by a number of factors written into the law, including how many counties ultimatelydecide to share in that payment. Each county's share of their state's payment amounts can be found on the Forest Service Web site at:http://www.fs.usda.gov/main/pts/securepayments/projectedpayments. 

*Green Schools National Conference: February 22-24, West Palm Beach, Florida*The Green Schools National Network (GSNN) advances the national green and healthy schools movement by connecting like-minded andpassionate education, non-profit, corporate and public sector individuals and organizations. This conference provides a chance to interact withresearchers, policymakers, and practitioners at Solution Summits and solve some of the barriers to greening all schools. To register and learnmore visit: http://www.greenschoolsnationalconference.org/. 

*NOAA‘s New Environmental Literacy Grants Funding Opportunity* NOAA’s Office of Education (OEd) has issued a request for applications for projects designed to build the capacity of informal educators(including interpreters and docents) and/or formal educators (pre- or in-service) to use NOAA data and data access tools to help K-12 studentsand/or the public understand and respond to global change. Successful projects will enhance educators' ability to use the wealth of scientificdata, data visualizations, data access technologies, information products, and other assets available through NOAA (plus additional sources, if desired) to engage K-12 students and/or other members of the public in a minimum of two U.S. states or territories.This funding opportunity identifies two priority categories of eligible applicants, both of equal importance. Eligible applicants for Priority 1 arecollaborative teams of two or more U.S. institutions. Eligible applicants for Priority 2 are collaborative teams of two or more non-profit U.S.aquariums, of which at least one must be accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). Collaborative applicant teams in bothPriority 1 and Priority 2 are strongly encouraged to include at least one applicant that has not previously received a grant from NOAA'sEnvironmental Literacy Grants program. Proposed projects in each priority must be between two and five years in duration and havecombined federal requests of $500,000 - $1,000,000 for all years of the project.The deadline for applications to this funding opportunity is 11:59:59 pm EST on March 12, 2013. Applications must be submitted online viawww.grants.gov. It is anticipated that awards under this announcement will be made by September 30, 2013 and that the projects fundedunder this announcement will have a start date no earlier than October 1, 2013.-Informational Webinars: Two informational webinars with the program officers will occur on February 5, 2013 from 3:00 to 5:00 pm EST andFebruary 6, 2013, from 3:00 to 5:00 pm EST. By noon EST on February 1, 2013, interested applicants should register by contactingoed.grants@noaa.gov and including in the Subject line of the email: "Register for Educator Capacity Building FFO Webinar" and providing theinterested party's name, institution, telephone number, email address and preferred webinar date in the body of the email. You will receive anemail response from oed.grants@noaa.gov with the log-in information and date for the webinar. Whenever possible, individuals from the sameinstitution should try to join the webinar from the same computer/phone line. To read the full funding announcement, visit www.grants.gov. 

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 Webinar: Bed Bugs Go to School, January 30, 2:30-4:00 p.m. (EST)

 As the pest populations boom, bed bugs can, and will hitchhike into your school. The school can be bed bug free one day and have bed bugsbrought in the next. For school administrators and facilities managers, bed bugs arriving at the school can be a recipe for big headaches. Theformula for success in dealing with bed bugs is to prepare for the inevitable, and educate everyone. This presentation discusses why bedbugs are such a challenge and how you can be proactive. The key is to educate everyone, as much as possible to stop bed bugs at their source, 99% of the time this is the home. To do this you must engage the entire school community by educating the administration,maintenance and custodial staff, faculty, staff, students and especially the parents. Next, develop a school-specific written "bed bug action

plan" in advance of problems including the development of specific procedures and responsibilities when responding to a bed bug sightings,incidents, and possible bites on students, and things to avoid. The presentation also reviews how and where to inspect for bed bugs, how tomanage bed bugs with control tactics that are consistent with school IPM guidelines and regulations; and bed bug prevention such asreducing hiding spaces through clutter containment and removal, limiting the items being brought to school, and proper coat and backpackstorage. Finally we address avoiding litigation due to bed bugs. Reserve your Webinar seat now at:https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/370459689. 

Clean Air Project - Educational Resources Linking Air Quality and Health – Applications Due February 8The Clean Air Project is seeking partners (applicants) to build capacity for environmental stewardship focused on air quality and human health.

 Awards are for educational institutions and other not-for-profit organizations educating youth. The maximum award is $5,000.Funding is provided for the following types of activities:-Developing lesson plans-Providing or implementing lesson plans/ curriculum related to air quality and health-Community action projectsFor questions or assistance contact: Krysten Crews, crewsk@njhealth.org or 303-270-2733. Applications are due February 8, 2013.For more information please visit: www.capk-12.org. The application can be downloaded at: www.capk-12.org/apply-for-funding. 

Apply for EPA‘s National Environmental Leadership Award in Asthma Management – Applications Due February 12 Apply today for EPA’s National Environmental Leadership Award in Asthma Management for the opportunity to be nationally recognized for delivering exceptional environmental asthma management in your school and in your community.

 Award winners receive a number of benefits including:1. A place in the Hall of Fame among 26 of the nation's top leaders in asthma management.2. National recognition for your achievements during Asthma Awareness Month (May 2013).3. An engraved, crystal award.4. Customized press materials to promote your accomplishments in your community.5. The opportunity to serve as mentors to other programs and share best practices.School-based asthma management programs should apply in the Communities in Action category. Check out the Getting Started page, theFAQs, the Distinguishing Features for schools located in the Communities in Action Application Guidelines and Evaluation Criteria, and thesample Communities in Action application.

 Application deadline is February 12, 2013, 11:59 p.m. ESTFor more information, please visit: http://www.asthmaawards.info/awards/apply. 

EPA Webinar: Integrated Pest Management in Schools, March 6, 2:00-3:00 p.m.Pests and pesticides pose risks to the nearly 60 million children and staff who spend considerable periods of time in our nation's schools. EPA

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recommends that schools use an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach to reduce the economic and health related issues caused bypests and pesticides. This webinar will describe basics of school IPM, the potential health, environmental and economic benefits, and what ittakes to put IPM into practice. To register, please visit: http://www2.ed.gov/programs/green-ribbon-schools/webinar.html. 

Other Community Related Information & Events 

*Energy Department Launches Clean Energy Economy Web Tool*The Energy Department on January 9 announced a new interactive online tool to help researchers, educators, and students explore futureU.S. energy-use scenarios. The Buildings, Industry, Transportation, and Electricity Scenarios (BITES) tool allows users to adjust inputs, suchas electricity generation and transportation fuel use, to compare carbon dioxide emissions outcomes and impacts on the U.S. energy mix.The energy-use scenarios and analytical framework behind BITES were originally developed for the Energy Department's Office of Energy

Efficiency and Renewable Energy by the Department's National Renewable Energy Laboratory to help identify and implement new researchand technical opportunities that will have the greatest impact on achieving our national energy goals. The BITES tool demonstrates thatcontinued technology and policy deployment is needed in every energy sector to meet U.S. climate and energy security goals. BITES can alsobe a useful tool for students and educators who focus on how research, policy, or other forms of national action can impact U.S. energy use.See the Energy Department's Progress Alert at: http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/news/progress_alerts.cfm/pa_id=825. 

*Seeking Nominations for EPA Pesticide Dialogue Committee, a Federal Advisory Committee*Summary: Pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee Act, the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) Office of Pesticide Programs isinviting nominations from a diverse range of qualified candidates to be considered for appointment to the Pesticide Program DialogueCommittee (PPDC). EPA values and welcomes diversity. In an effort to obtain nominations of diverse candidates, EPA encouragesnominations of women and men of all racial and ethnic groups. Vacancies are expected to be filled by early spring 2013. We would appreciate

hearing back from interested persons no later than February 1, 2013.Nominations should be emailed or submitted in writing to:Margie Fehrenbach, Designated Federal OfficialOffice of Pesticide Programs (7501P)Environmental Protection Agency1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW.Washington, DC 20460-0001telephone number: (703) 308-4775fax number: (703) 308-4776email address: fehrenbach.margie@epa.gov. 

*SunShot Incubator Program Announces Eighth Round of Funding*

The Energy Department is accepting concept papers for the SunShot Incubator Program for projects to accelerate the transition of solar 

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energy innovation from the laboratory to the marketplace. To date, the SunShot Incubator Program has awarded more than $90 million tomore than 50 small businesses to develop their products and bring their innovations to market. This eighth funding round expands on previousIncubator rounds to support both hardware improvement and soft cost reduction goals, while helping companies transition early-stage ideas toprototype phases or move prototype phases to commercial launch. For more information, please visit:http://www1.eere.energy.gov/solar/sunshot/financial_opps_detail.html?sol_id=564. 

*Technical Assistance Opportunity at DOE Test Centers*The Energy Department is offering technical assistance to the photovoltaic (PV) industry and other stakeholders through validation testing and

systems monitoring at the DOE Regional Test Centers (RTCs). Recipients of technical assistance through the Regional Test Centers:Validation of Photovoltaic (PV) Modules and Systems opportunity will have access to three RTC sites for PV module or system testing. For more information, please visit: http://www1.eere.energy.gov/solar/sunshot/financial_opps_detail.html?sol_id=488. 

*New Report: Infrastructure Financing Options for Transit-Oriented Development*The report, Infrastructure Financing Options for Transit-Oriented Development, provides communities with a comprehensive guide of tools andstrategies that are available for financing and funding infrastructure for transit-oriented development (TOD). The report provides examples of how some communities are using specific tools for individual infrastructure components, as well as strategies for combining and bundling toolsto create plans that address construction phasing and market growth over time. The report:Identifies dozens of financing mechanisms and strategies that communities can use.Showcases how 11 communities are using finance tools and funding sources to implement TOD.Introduces four innovative models communities could consider for their TOD planning.Explains how community context and market factors affect the types of financing tools or funding strategies that communities can use.EPA delivered this report through its Smart Growth Implementation Assistance Program, which helps tribal, state, regional, and localgovernments explore smart growth strategies to overcome development-related challenges. To view the report, please visit:http://www.epa.gov/smartgrowth/infra_financing.htm. 

*Energy Department Announces New Funding to Support Sustainable, Cost-Effective Biofuels from Algae* As part of the Energy Department's efforts to diversify the nation's energy portfolio and support America's energy entrepreneurs andinnovators, the Department today announced up to $10 million to help unlock the potential of biofuels made from algae. The funding willsupport research projects aimed at boosting the productivity of algae cultivation systems and developing and demonstrating effective, energy-efficient, and low-cost algae harvest and processing technologies, such as centrifugation and extraction. For more information, please visit:http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/news/progress_alerts.cfm/pa_id=828. 

*Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee Lead Review Panel*  A public meeting of the Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee (CASAC) Lead Review Panel will be held on Tuesday, February 5, 2013, from8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (Eastern Time) and on Wednesday, February 6, 2013, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (Eastern Time). The CASAC willconduct a peer review of EPA’s Integrated Science Assessment for Lead (Third External Review Draft—November 2012) and EPA’s Policy

 Assessment for the Review of the Lead National Ambient Air Quality Standards (First External Review Draft—January 2013). A follow-uppublic teleconference of the CASAC Lead Review Panel will be held on Monday, April 1, 2013, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. (Eastern Time).For more information, see the Federal Register Notice: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2013-01-07/pdf/2013-00050.pdf . 

*EPA Recommends New Recreational Water Quality Criteria to Better Protect Public Health*Pursuant to an order from a U.S. District Court and as required by the Beaches Environmental Assessment and Coastal Health Act of 2000,

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the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today recommended new recreational water quality criteria for states that will help protectpeoples’ health during visits to beaches and waters year round. The strengthened recommendations include:- A short-term and long-term measure of bacteria levels that are to be used together to ensure that water quality is properly evaluated.- Stronger recommendations for coastal water quality so public health is protected similarly in both coastal and fresh waters.- A new rapid testing method that states can use to determine if water quality is safe within hours of water samples being taken.- An early-alert approach for states to use to quickly issue swimming advisories for the public.- Tools that allow states to predict water quality problems and identify sources of pollution, as well as to develop criteria for specific beaches.To view the Fact Sheet, please visit: http://water.epa.gov/scitech/swguidance/standards/criteria/health/recreation/upload/factsheet2012.pdf . 

For more information, please visit: http://water.epa.gov/scitech/swguidance/standards/criteria/health/recreation/index.cfm. 

*Lead; Renovation, Repair, and Painting Program for Public and Commercial Buildings; Request for Information and Advance Noticeof Public Meeting*In 2010, EPA issued an advance notice of proposed rulemaking (2010 ANPRM) concerning renovation, repair, and painting activities on and inpublic and commercial buildings. EPA is in the process of determining whether these activities create lead-based paint hazards, and, for thosethat do, developing certification, training, and work practice requirements as directed by the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). Thisdocument opens a comment period to allow for additional data and other information to be submitted by the public and interestedstakeholders. This document also provides advance notice of EPA’s plan to hold a public meeting on June 26, 2013. Comments must bereceived on or before April 1, 2013. For more information, visit: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2012-12-31/pdf/2012-31532.pdf . 

*LEED Clean Construction Pilot Credit Available* The US Green Building Council recently announced that a Clean Construction Pilot Credit can be used toward Leadership in Energy andEnvironmental Design (LEED) certification. Applicants who earn this credit will reduce the release of diesel emissions during the constructionphase of a green building project, minimizing the health impacts to on-site workers and in adjacent communities.The LEED Pilot Credit Library is designed to test new and revised LEED credit language, alternative compliance paths, and new or innovativegreen building technologies and concepts. The Clean Construction Pilot Credit includes: Pollution standards for on-road and nonroadequipment; Idling limits; Staging area requirements; and Data gathering. A three year transition period allows for newer, cleaner equipment topenetrate the marketplace. For more information, please visit: http://new.usgbc.org/articles/new-and-updated-pilot-credits. 

*EPA‘s New Voluntary Program to Help Reduce Harmful Soot Pollution* The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently announced a new voluntary clean air program, 'PM Advance,' to help communities

continue to meet soot pollution standards, improve air quality and protect public health. PM Advance focuses on working with communities todevelop strategies for reducing harmful fine particle emissions. Soot, also known as fine particle pollution (PM2.5), can penetrate deep into thelungs and has been linked to a wide range of serious health effects, including premature death, heart attacks, and strokes, as well as acutebronchitis and aggravated asthma among children. The PM Advance program is designed to help communities who meet current standardscontinue to meet the standards. Early work to reduce fine particles, such as PM Advance participation, can be incorporated into requiredplanning. Through the program, participants will commit to taking specific steps to reduce fine particle pollution, such as putting in place aschool bus retrofit program or an air quality action day program, while EPA will supply technical advice, outreach information, and other support. While federal rules are expected to ensure that most areas meet the new standards, areas can participate in PM Advance to helpthem remain in attainment. For more information, please visit:: http://epa.gov/ozonepmadvance/ 

*Technical Guidance Manual for Sustainable Neighborhoods* 

This new resource from the U.S. Green Building Council will assist elected officials, local planners, and other professionals who work with

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municipalities in using the LEED-ND rating system. The system is used to evaluate and amend land use regulations, plans, and policies topromote more environmentally sound and economically robust communities. For more information, please visit: http://new.usgbc.org/articles/usgbc-land-use-law-center-pace-law-school-announce-two-resources-help-local-governments-cre. 

*Radon Measurement/Mitigation Course, April 15-20, 2013 - Rogers, AR*This course is from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday (Exams - Tuesday evening and Saturday 8:30 a.m.).Course Schedule: Course days typically start at 8 a.m. and end at 5 p.m. The Measurement course is Monday-Tuesday, with theMeasurement exam late afternoon or evening Tuesday. The Mitigation course begins at 8 a.m. on Wednesday and runs through the Mitigation

exam Saturday morning. Workshop Contact - Bruce Snead at 785-532-4992 bsnead@ksu.edu. Please register by April 8. To register on-line,visit: https://outreach.ksu.edu/etrakWebApp/Registration.aspx?MeetingCode=605097W . To register online, you will need to set up an accountwith a user id (which is your e-mail address) and password.

*Online Foundation Grant writing Course*This 4-month, instructor-guided online course, takes students step-by-step through writing an actual foundation grant application. Students willselect a project of their choice and write a grant proposal for their nonprofit or public organization. They will be guided through thedevelopment of their proposals section-by-section, providing and receiving feedback from fellow classmates as well as the course instructor every step of the way. This class starts February 4th and runs about four months. To register, click here to go to our website or call 1-800-666-6380.http://www.cdpublications.com/store/287 

*Convergence Partnership Awards $1.85 Million in Grants*The Convergence Partnership, a collaboration of funders, is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2012-2015 Innovation Fund grants.Thirteen foundations were awarded a total of $1.85 million for their innovative solutions to building healthy, equitable communities. The awardssupport new or expanded local and regional projects and initiatives that help ensure all people can live, work, and play in healthy communities.The grants provide as much as $200,000 over three years to each foundation with a required $2 match for every $1 they were awarded. Tofind out more about the winners, please visit www.ConvergencePartnership.org/InnovationFund. 

*Call for Presentations: EPA Community Involvement Training Conference* The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is soliciting presentation and training proposals for the 2013 Community InvolvementTraining Conference: The Next Generation of Community Involvement. This year's conference will be held late Summer 2013 in Boston,Massachusetts. This biennial conference is for EPA managers, staff, and partners who plan and implement community involvement,partnership, stewardship, outreach, and education programs. Presentation and training proposals are due by February 22, 2013. For moreinformation, please visit: http://www.epa.gov/ciconference/. 

*Seeking Nominations for Members to EPA's National Environmental Justice Advisory Council (NEJAC)*The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) invites nominations from a diverse range of qualified candidates to be considered for appointment to its National Environmental Justice Advisory Council (NEJAC). The NEJAC is a multi-stakeholder federal advisory committeethat provides independent advice and recommendations to the EPA Administrator about cross-cutting issues related to environmental justice.This notice solicits nominations to fill at least six (6) new vacancies. Nominations can be submitted in electronic format (preferred) followingthe template available at http://epa.gov/environmentaljustice/nejac/index.html#membership. In order to fill anticipated vacancies by June 2013,nominations should be received by February 20, 2012. For additional details regarding the nomination process and to learn more aboutNEJAC, please visit http://www.epa.gov/environmentaljustice/nejac/index.html#membership. 

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*ENERGY STAR Hurricane Resources Page* In response to Hurricane Sandy, ENERGY STAR has launched a new hurricane resources page to build sustainability with ENERGY STAR &WaterSense. To view the site, please visit: www.energystar.gov/hurricane. 

USDA Highlights 2012 Investments to Build Stronger Rural Communities Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack recently issued a report highlighting USDA Rural Development's fiscal year (FY) 2012 investments in jobcreation, businesses, infrastructure and housing for Americans living in rural communities across the nation."President Obama's plan for rural America has brought about historic investment in rural communities that have made them stronger," Vilsack

said. "Thanks to our loan, grant and technical assistance programs, USDA Rural Development is helping residents and rural enterprisesthrive, and we are laying a strong foundation for rural America's future."With an active portfolio of more than $176 billion in loans and loan guarantees, Rural Development has provided affordable housing, improvedutility infrastructure, and helped businesses and cooperatives create jobs, build rural economies and increase the quality of life in rural areas.For a full copy of the 2012 Progress Report, go to (http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/SupportDocuments/RD2012ProgressReport.pdf .)For more information, please visit: http://content.govdelivery.com/bulletins/gd/USDAOC-65f299. 

Pharmaceuticals in the Environment 2013 National Take Back Day: April 27, 2013 The DEA is planning the next National Take-Back Day on April 27, 2013. The take back day will be on the last Saturday of April from(10:00AM - 2:00PM). For more information please check the website: http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_disposal/takeback/index.html. 

EPA Finalizes Clean Air Standards for Industrial Boilers, Incinerators and Cement Kilns/Updated Rules Provide Extensive PublicHealth Protections, Cut Costs of ComplianceThe U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized changes to Clean Air Act standards for boilers and certain incinerators that willachieve extensive public health protections by slashing toxic air pollution, including mercury and particle pollution, while at the sameaddressing feedback provided by industry and labor groups, increasing the rule's flexibility and dramatically reducing costs. As a result, 99percent of the approximately 1.5 million boilers in the U.S. are not covered or can meet the new standards by conducting periodicmaintenance or regular tune-ups. The final adjustments to the standards are based on an extensive analysis of data and input from states,environmental groups, industry, lawmakers and the public. As a result of information gathered through this review, including significantdialogue and meetings with public health groups, industry, and the public, the final rule dramatically cuts the cost of implementation byindividual boilers that EPA proposed in 2010. At the same time, these rules will continue to deliver significant public health benefits. EPAestimates that for every dollar spent to reduce these pollutants, the public will see $13 to $29 in health benefits, including fewer instances of 

asthma, heart attacks, as well as premature deaths. For more information, please visit: http://www.epa.gov/airquality/cement. For more detailed information on the final standards for boilers and incinerators, please visit: http://www.epa.gov/airquality/combustion. For more on the Non-Hazardous Secondary Materials Rule, please visit: http://www.epa.gov/osw/nonhaz/define/. 

Energy Department Awards $10 Million to Develop Advanced Biofuels and Bio-based Products As part of the Obama Administration's all-of-the-above strategy to develop every available source of American energy, the U.S. Department of Energy today announced more than $10 million to five projects in California, Washington, Maryland, and Texas that will develop newtechnologies to convert biomass into advanced biofuels and bioproducts like plastics and chemical intermediates.For more information, please visit: http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/news/progress_alerts.cfm/pa_id=822. 

TIGER Project Video Highlighting Porous Asphalt inKansas City‘s Green Impact Zone 

Below is a link to a newly released KC TIGER video highlighting the pervious concrete and porous asphalt installations in the Green Impact

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Bioneers Define Resilience at Madison, Wis. Conference By most definitions, sustainability refers to a community or practice that is stable enough to continue, thus assuring its environmental,economic, and social elements will be available for future generations. Lately another term is being applied by social and scientific innovatorswho are examining what allows a community to stand up under pressures that might otherwise destroy it.―Resilience‖ is the word that captures the ability of a community ―to respond dynamically and constructively to disruption so that core functionsare maintained,‖ said Grant Albert at the recent Badger Bioneers Conference in Madison, Wis., a city working toward resilience on manyfronts. The community, the environment, and the personal were all framed through a ―resilience lens‖ at the conference. For more information,please visit:

http://scitynetwork.us2.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=75610d665a8ff31dbc072badb&id=c58c45f112&e=2188203d11. 

Congress Extends Wind Energy Tax Credits for Projects that Start in 2013 Congress has included the long-sought extension of wind energy tax credits in final passage of a bill to avert the "fiscal cliff" that now moves toPresident Obama for his expected signature. America's 75,000 workers in wind energy are celebrating over the continuation of policiesexpected to save up to 37,000 jobs and create far more over time, and to revive business at nearly 500 manufacturing facilities across thecountry. The extension of the wind energy Production Tax Credit (PTC), and Investment Tax Credits for community and offshore projects, willallow continued growth of the energy source that installed the most new electrical generating capacity in America last year, with factories or wind farms in all 50 states, according to the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA). For more information, please visit:http://www.sustainablecitynetwork.com/topic_channels/energy/article_98c62f78-551f-11e2-8348-0019bb30f31a.html?utm_source=SCN+InBox+e-Newsletter&utm_campaign=78a9a2b01d-Newsletter_1-2-2013_Admin&utm_medium=email. 

Compliance/Prevention Underground Storage Tank Program and the Cleanup of Leaking Underground Storage Tank Program EPA’s Office of Underground Storage Tanks (OUST) is soliciting proposals to foster interaction, information sharing, and coor dination amongfederal, state, and tribal programs responsible for the detection, prevention, and cleaning up of releases from federally-regulated USTs. EPAanticipates awarding two cooperative agreements from this competitive announcement. One cooperative agreement will support states andtribal UST release prevention programs and the other will support states and tribal leaking underground storage tank (LUST) cleanupprograms. There are separate evaluation criteria for each agreement in Section 5.Deadline: February 4, 2013. For more information, please visit: http://www.epa.gov/oswer/docs/grants/epa-oswer-oust-13-01.pdf . 

Federal Tax Deduction Increased for Mass Transit Commuters Tax incentives have been boosted in 2013 for mass transit commuters. Those traveling by mass transit can now claim monthly tax deductions

equal to the $240 a month that car commuters have traditionally claimed to offset parking costs. The equalized provision is expected toprovide up to $190 million a year in tax incentives for transit riders. For more information, please visit:http://dc.streetsblog.org/2013/01/02/transit-tax-benefit-equalized-with-parking-benefit-in-fiscal-cliff-deal/. 

Smart Growth Benefits 'Winter Cities' Big snowfalls and frigid temperatures illustrate how vulnerable car-dependent cities and suburbs can be when faced with disruptive winter weather patterns. A recent article in The Huffington Post discussed how walkable, transit-friendly cities tend to be more resilient to winter weather, with locations closer together and more options for getting around. For more information, please visit:http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/brent-toderian/walkable-winter-cities-vancouver_b_2361419.html. 

Renewable Energy Tax Credits Extended

The Production Tax Credit (PTC) and the investment tax credits will be extended through the end of the year under the American Taxpayer 

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Relief Act of 2012, which was passed by Congress on January 1, 2013, and signed into law on January 2 by President Obama. The extensionof the PTC, included in the bill to avert the so-called "fiscal cliff," would apply to all U.S. wind projects that start construction in 2013. Inaddition to the PTC, the law also covers investment tax credits for community and offshore wind projects. The American Wind Energy

 Association (AWEA) said the incentives will allow continued growth for wind energy. The law also includes geothermal, biomass, andhydropower tax credits as well as a range of other energy efficiency and renewable energy credits. For example, the law extends the biodieseltax incentive for 2012 and 2013, which expired on December 31, 2011. Also, the measure provides one-year tax credits for energy-efficientadditions such as exterior windows, doors, and skylights which are eligible for the non-business energy property tax credit; alternative-fuel-vehicle refueling stations; a $2,500 tax credit for two-wheeled or three-wheeled plug-in electric vehicles; and construction of energy-efficient

new homes and the purchase of energy-efficient appliances. For more information, please visit: http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c112:H.R.8. 

Energy Department Launches Web Tool to Explore Pathways to Clean Energy EconomyThe U.S. Department of Energy today announced a new interactive online tool to help researchers, educators, and students explore futureU.S. energy-use scenarios. The interactive Buildings, Industry, Transportation, and Electricity Scenarios (BITES) tool allows users to adjustinputs, such as electricity generation and transportation fuel use, to compare outcomes and impacts on carbon dioxide emissions and the U.S.energy mix. For more information, please visit: http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/news/progress_alerts.cfm/pa_id=825. 

Call for Papers for Summer Transportation/Land Use Planning and Air Quality ConferenceThe Transportation Research Board, the Federal Highways Administration and other co-sponsors are accepting papers for the 2013Transportation/ Land Use Planning and Air Quality Conference, "Developing Healthy and Livable Communities,‖ to be held in Charlotte, NorthCarolina, this summer. Draft papers or abstracts must be submitted electronically no later than Friday, February 8th, 2013. For moreinformation, please visit: https://sites.google.com/site/trbcommitteeadd50/Welcome/discussions-threads/2013transportationlanduseplanningandairqualityconference. 

HUD‘s Green Academy HUD’s Green Academy is offering green building training to HUD grantees and other affordable housing organizations receiving HUDassistance. Sessions in this pilot initiative will be held in various locations of the country, in January and February. If sessions are filled,individuals can be placed on waiting list. For more information or to register, visit www.sustainable-performance.org/HUDGreenAcad. 

New Report: Smart Growth and Economic SuccessSmart Growth and Economic Success is a new report from EPA which informs developers, businesses, investors, local government officials,and others about the economic advantages of compact and walkable community development that offers a range of choices in land uses,building types, transportation, homes, workplace locations, and stores. For more information on the report, please visit:http://www.epa.gov/livability/economic_success.htm. 

Citizens' Institute on Rural Design Issues Request for Proposals (RFP) for Rural Communities Facing Design ChallengesThe Citizens' Institute on Rural Design (CIRD) is issuing a request for proposals to rural communities facing design challenges to host localworkshops in 2013. Successful applicants will receive a $7,000 grant and in-kind design expertise and technical assistance valued at $35,000.The Request for Proposals is on the new CIRD website: www.rural-design.org. The deadline for submitting a proposal is Tuesday March 5,2013 at 5:00 pm EST. CIRD (formerly known as "Your Town") works to help rural communities with populations of 50,000 or fewer enhance

their quality of life and economic vitality through facilitated design workshops. The workshops will be augmented with conference calls andwebinar presentations led by experts who will cover topics related to rural design. The calls will also be open to the general public through

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CommunityMatters. The new website at www.rural-design.org is a portal for resources on rural design gathered from diverse organizationsacross the country. It will be a place for interested citizens to connect with one another and get information about improving design in their owncommunities. Sign up for information calls, find the RFP and application guidelines at www.rural-design.org/apply. 

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in Public Housing Attributed to Lower Asthma Rates in Boston Boston health officials say new city data indicate that asthma incidences have dropped nearly by half since 2005. This is attributed to BostonHousing Authority (BHA) and Boston Public Health Commission implementation of an integrated pest management (IPM) program in low-income housing to reduce the number of cockroaches and rodents, while reducing the use of pesticides, which, along with cockroach and

rodent droppings, can aggravate asthma symptoms. The data, covering 2006 through 2010, show the rate of adults who reported havingasthma symptoms in the authority’s units dropped from 23.6 percent in 2006 to 13 percent in 2010, the latest year available. At the same time,asthma rates in other low-income housing in Boston, not run by BHA, remained relatively unchanged. Public health analysts studied data froma biennial telephone survey of Boston adults between 2006 and 2010. There are alternatives to pesticides for managing insects, rodents andweeds effectively without exposing your family to harmful toxic chemicals, especially incorporating the principles of IPM into your home.Beyond Pesticides’ The Safer Choice brochure focuses on what you can do to manage your home, school and community without poisoningyour children, families, pets, and the environment. Beyond Pesticides is a strong advocate for defined structural IPM practices and is workingto champion the use of these methods particularly in schools and hospitals, where vulnerable populations are at elevated risk from pesticideexposure. Beyond Pesticides’ Healthy Schools Project aims to minimize and eliminate the risks posed by pesticides through the adoption of IPM policies and programs at the local, state, and federal level, thereby fostering a healthier learning environment. Central to this effort areactivities aimed at public education on pesticide hazards and the efficacy of alternatives, and the continued development of model

communities that serve as examples. For more information on structural IPM, please visit Beyond Pesticides’ ―What is Integrated PestManagement (IPM)?‖ page at: http://www.beyondpesticides.org/infoservices/pcos/IPM.php. 

2013 CNU Charter Awards—Call for Entries The Congress of the New Urbanism Charter Awards honors a select number of winners and honorable mentions - including one grandprofessional prize and one grand academic prize for students. Winning projects are recognized for their excellence in fulfilling the principles of walkable, sustainable places from the scale of the region down to the block and building. Due date for entries: January 30, 2013. For moreinformation, please visit: http://www.cnu.org/cnu-news/2012/11/2013-cnu-charter-awards. 

2013 American Forest and Paper Association (AF&PA) Recycling Awards, Apply by February 15th

Check out this opportunity for schools, communities and businesses from the American Forest and Paper Association and feel free to forwardto your stakeholders. They are open for entries from Dec. 3-Feb.15. AF&PA set an ambitious goal to recover more than 70 percent of thepaper used in the U.S. by the year 2020. Recycling Awards are given to organizations with outstanding examples of the innovation and effortneeded to achieve the goal. Winners receive cash prizes, in addition to local and national recognition. For award criteria, details anddeadlines, please visit them online at www.paperrecycles.org. 

USDA Announces Investments in Bioenergy Research and Development to Spur New Markets, Innovation, and UnlimitedOpportunity in Rural America

 Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack visited a state-of-the-art bioindustrial facility at Renmatix today, where he announced $25 million to fundresearch and development of next-generation renewable energy and high-value biobased products from a variety of biomass sources. "Theadvances made through this research will help to boost local economies throughout rural America, creating and sustaining good-paying jobs,

while moving our nation toward a clean energy economy," said Vilsack. The projects announced today are funded by USDA's NationalInstitute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) through the Biomass Research and Development Initiative, established in the 2008 Farm Bill.

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The funded research will help increase the availability of alternative renewable fuels and biobased products to diversify the nation's energyresources. The Department of Energy will make additional awards through this program. Each award was made through a competitiveselection process. The following projects have been selected for awards:

-Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kan., $5,078,932. The goal of this project is to make the oilseed crop camelina a cost-effectivebiofuel and bioproduct feedstock.

-Ohio State University, Wooster, Ohio, $6,510,183. This project will result in an anaerobic digestion system for the production of liquidtransportation fuels and electricity from animal manure, agricultural residues, woody biomass and energy crops.

-Ceramatec, Inc., Salt Lake City, Utah, $6,599,304. This project will convert lignocellulosic biomass to infrastructure-compatible renewable

diesel, biolubricants, animal feed and biopower.-USDA-Agricultural Research Service, Eastern Regional Research Center, Wyndmoor, Pa., $6,865,942. ARS scientists will develop an on-

the-farm distributed technology for converting forest residues, horse manure, switchgrass and other perennial grasses into biofuels and high-value specialty chemicals.USDA is working to develop the biofuels industry in every region of the country. In addition to today's awards, USDA has previouslyannounced major support for public and private research in renewable energy and products in every major American region, aimed atdeveloping renewable energy markets, generating rural jobs, and decreasing America's dependence on foreign oil. By partnering withindustry, the research is enabling private-sector partners to produce advanced ready-to-use liquid transportation and aviation biofuels.Through federal funding and leadership for research, education and extension programs, NIFA focuses on investing in science and solvingcritical issues impacting people's daily lives and the nation's future. For more information, visit www.nifa.usda.gov. 

Energy Department Invests $9 Million for Home Energy-Saving ProductsThe Energy Department recently announced a $9 million investment in building energy technologies, including high-efficiency, high-performance windows; roofs; and heating and cooling equipment. The new investment supports six advanced manufacturing projects inCalifornia, Connecticut, Idaho, Maryland, Missouri, and Tennessee that advance whole-home energy performance.The investment includes about $6.5 million awarded to four projects to develop highly efficient heating, ventilation, and air conditioningsystems, and about $3 million awarded to two projects that focus on building materials. For example, St. Louis, Missouri-based Unico willreceive $2 million to develop a cold-climate heat pump with a variable-speed compressor that will maintain capacity and efficiency, even atvery low temperatures. The Department's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory will develop and test highly insulated, easy-to-installwindows that use automated shading and can capture or repel heat, depending on the season. For more information, please visit:http://energy.gov/articles/energy-department-announces-six-projects-develop-energy-saving-windows-roofs-and-heating. 

This newsletter is being provided by EPA Region 7 for informational purposes only. This newsletter 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.