UPCOMING CALLS/EVENTS/NOTICES

Ambient Air Quality/EPA/NTAA/Tribes

Join the White Mesa Concerned Community and partners for a virtual conference to learn more and take action to protect the Ute community from toxic and radioactive waste at the White Mesa Mill in southeastern Utah, a mile from #BearsEars National Monument.

         Thursday, October 7 at 5 p.m. MDT: Traditional Knowledge and Protecting Cultural Landscapes

Friday, October 8 at 10:30 a.m. MDT: The Struggle to Protect Current and Future Generations from the White Mesa Uranium Mill

Friday, October 8 at 1 p.m. MDT: Indigenous Communities Impacted by Uranium in the U.S.

Visit www.grandcanyontrust.org/environmental-justice-white-mesa-online-conference for more information and Zoom link to join.

You are invited for Part 3 of the INHABITANTS screening & webinar series, featuring Ervin Carlson from the Blackfeet Nation to learn about the history and resilience of the Blackfeet buffalo restoration program. For more information and to register, visit the INHABITANTS website: https://www.inhabitantsfilm.com/

Applications for EPA’s Clean Air Excellence Awards are Now Being Accepted!

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is now accepting applications for the 2022 Clean Air Excellence Awards Program. Through this program, EPA recognizes and honors individuals and organizations whose efforts have helped to make progress in achieving cleaner air. The award recipients are selected for developing innovative, replicable, and sustainable programs; serving as pioneers in their fields; and improving air quality either directly or indirectly through reduced emissions of criteria pollutants, hazardous air pollutants, and/or greenhouse gases.

The five award categories are:

1. Clean Air Technology
2. Community Action
3. Education/Outreach
4. State/Tribal/Local Air Quality Policy Innovations
5. Transportation Efficiency Innovations.

The award application and more information are available here. Applications must be emailed or postmarked by Tuesday, November 30, 2021. Applicants are strongly encouraged to send their entries electronically to [email protected].

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

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

AQSync: Calibration Station for Sensor-Based Mobile Monitoring

October 6; 10:00am – 10:30am PT | Register Here

With the explosion of sensor use for air monitoring, the eternal question on everyone’s mind is “what about calibration”? Sensor calibration can pose a

daunting task for communities without access to a regulatory site. In this webinar we introduce the new AQSync by 2B Technologies. The AQSync represents an exciting evolution in air monitoring by combining miniaturized FEM and near- FEM instruments in a weatherproof enclosure. In this webinar we will explore some of the current applications of the AQSync, including drive-by calibrations of mobile sensors. Lastly, we will share information on the effort underway to use AQSyncs placed at schools as the hub of community monitoring and air pollution mapping efforts

Fourth National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy Workshop, Virtual Event

October 4 – 8, 2021 | Register Here

The 4^th National Cohesive Strategy Workshop will center on this theme and focus sharply on understanding, co-managing, transferring, and accepting risk at federal, state, Tribal and local stakeholder levels to prioritize and invest in decisions, projects and other efforts that result in widespread reduction in risk across landscapes, and communities, the public and firefighters collectively.

Since the inception of The National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy, we have learned that there are multiple “hard truths” of living with fire that must be accepted in order to make meaningful progress towards the three national goals of Resilient Landscapes, Fire Adapted Communities and a Safe, Effective, Risk- Based Wildfire Response.

NEW! The Tribal Air Monitoring Support (TAMS) Center is announcing a call for nominations for an open position on the TAMS Steering Committee. 

This position will complete a term that was recently vacated. This term will end in September 2024.  The Nomination Form can be found on the TAMS website link below.  The deadline to submit a nomination is November 1., 2021. Please contact the TAMS Center ITEP Program Manager or EPA Codirector for any questions. Click here for more information!

NEW! Host Sites Needed For Summer Internship Program

The Institute for Tribal Environmental at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, Arizona is seeking air quality focused offices and programs to host a college student for an 8-week summer internship. Tribal environmental offices, EPA offices, and other tribal environmental organizations are encouraged to apply.

The interns will be highly motivated undergraduate or graduate students majoring in environmental or related careers from different colleges and universities nationwide. ITEP provides each student intern with a $4,800 stipend, and housing and travel allowances for interns that relocate. The host site provides a work-place and supervision for the intern.  Some internships may be virtual.  You are welcome to submit applications for both virtual projects and in-person projects.

The projects MUST focus on addressing air quality issues in tribal communities.

Submit an application online here 

Deadline: Apply by December 3, 2021

NTAA Upcoming Calls

Contact [email protected] if you have any questions about any call!

*Registration instructions* When you register for the GoToWebinar, please remember to include your Tribe, Region, or Organization in parenthesis after your last name. This allows you to see everyone on the call and prevents us from conducting a roll-call, ultimately saving everyone’s time.

The Institute for Tribal Environmental Professional (ITEP)

Click here for ITEP’s new Tribal Environmental Management and Planning Online Courses. Sign up for a self-paced course hosted by ITEP’s Waste and Response and Tribal Air Quality programs. New courses have been added, so check it out!

ITEP’s American Indian Air Quality Training Program (AIAQTP) hosts the Building Performance: Improving IAQ in Cold Climates, Residential Building Science Review, Radon Fundamentals, Quality Assurance Fundamental, Writing a Quality Assurance Project Plan, Emissions Inventory Fundamentals, and Emissions Inventory Advanced.

NEW! ITEP’s Latest Course: Management of Tribal Air Programs and Grants

Course Dates: November 15-19, 2021

Course Times: 11:30pm-3pm ET (1.5 hour session, 30 minute break, 1.5 hour session)

Application Due Date: Wednesday, October 27, 2021.

Apply Now: https://forms.gle/UJG885eKyh6r4fak6 Course Description: This virtual course is designed for environmental professionals who are responsible for managing tribal air programs and grants.  Participants will engage with other participants, instructors, and guest speakers from EPA. This one-week virtual course will have daily presentations, discussions, and group work addressing the uniqueness of tribal air program management. The course will be held via zoom for 3.5 hours per day, see above for course times and dates.

Topics Include:

• The Clean Air Act (CAA) and the Tribal Authority Rule (TAR)
• Elements in a typical tribal air program
• Work plan and budget
• Grant submission, management, and reporting
• Tribal case study
• Discussion with Tribal Air Coordinators and Project Officers

Required Pre-Course Webinars:

Selected participants must watch three pre-course webinars. The webinars are part of the course and must be completed to attend the virtual class. Selected participants will need to complete the pre-course assignment by Wednesday, November 10, 2021. If you have questions please contact Christal Black, Assistant Manager, ITEP at [email protected], or phone 928-523-8410.

Apply Now: https://forms.gle/UJG885eKyh6r4fak6

AIAQTP Schedule and Registration

Recorded Webinars

Looking for more information check out the Tribal Air Quality Media Space Channel. Recent webinars include an Introduction to Air Quality Programs, Emissions Inventories, Remote Professional Assistance, and Woodstoves in Indian Country. Older classics include a series on Air Quality Planning for Wildland Smoke, Tribal Air Program and Grants, Data Management, and the Clean Air Act.

ITEP’s Tribes and Climate Change Calendar includes conferences, trainings, webinars, and other events related to tribes and climate change.

Climate Change / Energy

NEW! The Department of the Interior (DOI) is excited to announce an upcoming virtual listening session focused on climate change and Tribal youth.  Information and registration for this listening session may be found on the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Tribal Climate Resilience (TCR) web page: https://www.bia.gov/guide/tribal-climate-listening-sessions

This listening session is open to Tribal middle school, high school, and college students. This is an opportunity to voice your concerns, priorities, and experience to help shape policies and programs that promote and advance Tribal climate resilience.

NEW! Tribal Community-scale Solar Solutions for Climate & Community Resilience

Monday, October 18; 9:30 – Noon | RSVP by sending an email to [email protected]

Who (would find it useful to attend):  Tribal government leaders, Tribal staff, Tribal community members, Tribal businesses in energy, all those managing or building solar and related systems (i.e., telecom, microgrids, tribal utility authorities) on tribal lands.

Why: For tribal nations seeking to build – or expand – solar energy development within their nations at the community, facility, and/or residential scale, join this lively dialogue-based workshop with experts and practitioners and opportunities for one-on-one follow-up consulting.

2021 Tribal Energy Webinar Series: Energy Projects and Workforce Development: A Win-Win Opportunity: October 27

Energy projects are often labor-intensive during construction—and once they are complete, local capability is needed to operate and maintain those energy systems. Tribes who develop a local workforce in conjunction with developing projects can realize improved project economics while creating local jobs and skilled labor.

This webinar will explore this win-win opportunity. Register now.

US EPA Announces Upcoming Climate and Energy Webinars for State, Local, and Tribal Governments

The US EPA announces there will be many webinars on climate and energy topics offered by federal agencies and others during the month of October. All webinars are free of charge, but space may be limited or require registration in advance. For more information subscribe to the US EPA’s State and Local Energy Newsletter.

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

Learn more about the courses and register here.

Toxics/Mobile Sources

NEW! EPA’s 2021 School Bus Rebates Applications Being Accepted Two Separate School Bus Rebate Programs Deadline to Apply – November 5 (4:00 p.m. ET). 

EPA is excited to announce two funding opportunities for school bus fleets that serve public schools: the 2021 American Rescue Plan (ARP) Electric School Bus Rebates, and the 2021 DERA School Bus Rebate Program. EPA’s Office of Transportation and Air Quality is accepting applications nationwide for rebates to assist in replacing older, dirtier diesel school buses with new school buses. Please take a look at the descriptions below to learn more about each opportunity and visit the new 2021 ARP Electric School Bus Rebates website for a table showing the differences between the two rebate programs. 2021 American Rescue Plan (ARP) Electric School Bus Rebates for Underserved School Districts

The newest program is the 2021 American Rescue Plan (ARP) Electric School Bus Rebates. This $7 million program exclusively funds the replacement of old diesel school buses with new electric school buses for underserved school districts, tribal schools, and private fleets serving those schools. A list of eligible school districts is available on the 2021 ARP Electric School Bus Rebates website. Please check the list to see if you qualify for this new funding opportunity. This new program will offer $300,000 per bus for up to four electric school bus replacements for eligible applicants selected in a lottery process.

2021 Tribal Energy Webinar Series: Building Electrification: Why and How: September 29

Hosted by the Office of Indian Energy, this webinar will explore building electrification to utilize electricity rather than fossil fuels for building heating and cooking applications. Doing so can improve indoor air quality and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This webinar will explore this trending topic on the path to a clean energy future. Register now.

Toxics in the Community: Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) for Local and Tribal Governments

October 6; 1-2:30pm EDT | Register Here

An ELI and LGEAN Co-Sponsored Public Webinar: The Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act (EPCRA) created the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) to inform the public about potentially hazardous materials in the community. In fact, two out of every three Americans live within three miles of facilities subject to the TRI, which covers over 800 individual chemicals and chemical categories. These substances often originate from manufacturing, mining and hazardous waste management sites and are known to cause significant adverse harm to the environment and human health.

Join the Local Government Environmental Assistance Network (LGEAN), the Environmental Law Institute (ELI) and EPA to learn more about how local and tribal governments can best use the TRI to help protect community members’ health and welfare. EPA experts will provide an overview of the TRI, explaining which local and tribal government facilities may be subject to reporting requirements and how officials can use the TRI and other EPA tools to respond to community concerns and trace chemical releases back to their sources.

Virtual National Radon Training Event

October 11 – 13, 2021 | Register Here

Building Technical Capacity (BTC) will not be offered for virtual training.

The American Association of Radon Scientists and Technologists (AARST) will still have their symposium in person. We will join them virtually on the joint day. To register, view the agenda, and find more information please visit our Radon Training Event Program Website

Due to COVID related travel restrictions, we will not be meeting in Bethesda, MD. Our radon training is now completely virtual.

The recent additions to OTAQ’s website in August 2021. You can access these additions as well as new press releases and Federal Register notices related to OTAQ on our website.

• August 5, 2021: EPA proposes to revise the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions standards for light-duty vehicles for 2023 and later model years to make the standards more stringent.
• August 5, 2021: EPA announces plans to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and other harmful air pollutants from heavy-duty trucks through a series of rulemakings over the next three years.

Indoor Air Quality

NEW! Improving Environmental Health in Schools White Paper

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

Need Temporary Power? Use Caution with Portable Generators! Prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

During power outages, portable generators can be used to help temporarily restore power to a few key appliances like refrigerators, lights and fans. Portable generators that use fuels such as gasoline, natural gas or kerosene are widely available. However, if they are not used correctly they can be hazardous because their exhaust contains deadly fumes, like carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide is a toxic gas you cannot see or smell but could kill you in minutes.

Remember:

• Do use portable generators outside and far away from buildings.
• Do not use portable generators under any of the following conditions:
• inside your house or garage
• on balconies or near doors, vents or windows, and
• near where anyone is sleeping.

For more information please visit EPA’s websites on Safely Provide Power for Lighting, Cooking and Heating During an Emergency and Carbon Monoxides’ Impact on Indoor Air Quality

U.S. Department of Education Encourages Use of American Rescue Plan Funds to Improve Ventilation and IAQ in Schools

Indoor air quality is critical to reopening schools safely and keeping them open. The U.S. Department of Education has released new guidance encouraging the use of American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds to improve ventilation systems and make other indoor air quality improvements in schools to prevent the spread of COVID- 19 and tackle longstanding school ventilation improvement needs. The new Department of Education guidance highlights EPA resources to support investments in improved ventilation and indoor air quality. Use the following resources from EPA to supplement the information in the guidance:

• Indoor Air and Coronavirus (COVID-19): Visit this page for the latest guidance on best indoor air practices to limit the spread of COVID-19.
• Ventilation and Coronavirus (COVID-19): Ventilation is an important approach to lowering concentrations of indoor air pollutants, including Increase the ventilation in your school with outdoor air when possible.
• Air Cleaners, HVAC filters, and Coronavirus (COVID-19): Air cleaners and HVAC filters can help to reduce viruses and pollutants in the air. Consider upgrading the HVAC filters in your system and using safe, effective portable air cleaners to supplement HVAC Note: Do

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

• Implementing a Layered Approach to Address COVID-19 in Public Indoor Spaces: A layered risk reduction approach is best to limit airborne transmission of COVID-19 – learn how to combine increased ventilation and filtration with other CDC recommendations, such as wearing masks and social

Wildfire Smoke and Indoor Air Quality

This summer, wildfires have spread across the U.S. creating devastation and dangerous smoke events affecting millions of American lives. If you are in need of immediate wildfire guidance, see EPA’s wildfire webpage for more resources.

Smoke from wildfires can adversely affect indoor air quality and put people’s health at risk from exposure to particulate matter and other pollutants. Read on to learn more about:

• How Indoor airPLUS Homes Protect Against the Harmful Effects of Wildfire Smoke
• Reduce Exposure to Wildfire Smoke Inside the Home
• Additional Resources

How Indoor airPLUS Homes Help Reduce the Occurrence of Asthma Triggers in the Home

Here are ways an Indoor airPLUS home can help reduce asthma triggers in the home.

Be sure to subscribe to CodeTalk, HUD’s Office of Native American Programs newsletter, for webinars and opportunities!

UPCOMING CALLS/EVENTS/NOTICES

Ambient Air Quality/EPA/NTAA/Tribes

NEW! Introduction to Air Quality Modeling for Permitting Programs

September 28 and 30, 2021; 9am AK, 10am PST, 1pm EST | Register Here

This webinar series will provide tribal professionals an introduction to regulatory air dispersion modeling. The webinars will provide an overview of the air dispersion model inputs and methodology so tribal professionals can have a basic understanding of the components of a modeling project and an understanding of how models fit into the permitting process. The series will feature a tribal case study provided by the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa.

Webinar Topics:

• What is an air quality dispersion model and why are they
• What general inputs and methodology go into a model
• Understanding and interpreting a modeling protocol.
• Permitting and modeling: How does modeling fit into the permitting
• Fond du Lac Tribal Case Study

If you have questions contact: [email protected]

NEW! Applications for EPA’s Clean Air Excellence Awards are Now Being Accepted!

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is now accepting applications for the 2022 Clean Air Excellence Awards Program. Through this program, EPA recognizes and honors individuals and organizations whose efforts have helped to make progress in achieving cleaner air. The award recipients are selected for developing innovative, replicable, and sustainable programs; serving as pioneers in their fields; and improving air quality either directly or indirectly through reduced emissions of criteria pollutants, hazardous air pollutants, and/or greenhouse gases.

The five award categories are: (1) Clean Air Technology; (2) Community Action; (3) Education/Outreach (4) State/Tribal/Local Air Quality Policy Innovations; and (5) Transportation Efficiency Innovations. In addition, the Clean Air Excellence Award Program will recognize two special award categories: (1) the Gregg Cooke Visionary Program Award, honoring a former EPA Regional Administrator, is given to the air quality project or program that successfully blends two or more of the existing awards categories; and (2) the Thomas W. Zosel Outstanding Individual Achievement Award, honoring a former member of the CAAAC and environmental leader at 3M, recognizes one individual for their outstanding achievement, leadership, and lasting commitment to promote clean air and achieve better air quality.

The award application and more information are available athttps://www.epa.gov/caaac or www.epa.gov/caaac/clean-air-excellence- awards. Applications must be emailed or postmarked by Tuesday, November 30, 2021. Applicants are strongly encouraged to send their entries electronically to[email protected]. EPA will also accept hard copies of applications mailed to Catrice Jefferson, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Air and Radiation, MC-6103A, Room 5442-Q (WJC-North), 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. 20460.

National Tribal Broadband Summit

Friday, October 1 | Register Here

Today, more than ever before, access to reliable and affordable broadband service is critical to the health, wellbeing, and economic development of Tribal nations. The Biden Administration is making historic investments to broadband in rural and Tribal communities, and is committed to bringing affordable, reliable high-speed broadband to all Americans. The National Tribal Broadband Summit is a unique opportunity for Tribal Leaders, representatives of Tribal organizations, representatives of schools and school districts serving under-connected Native students, tribal libraries, museums, and cultural programs, federal program managers, and policy-makers at multiple levels of government to come together and share their innovations in expanding broadband access and adoption for tribal communities.

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

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

AQSync: Calibration Station for Sensor-Based Mobile Monitoring

October 6; 10:00am – 10:30am PT | Register Here

With the explosion of sensor use for air monitoring, the eternal question on everyone’s mind is “what about calibration”? Sensor calibration can pose a daunting task for communities without access to a regulatory site. In this webinar we introduce the new AQSync by 2B Technologies. The AQSync represents an exciting evolution in air monitoring by combining miniaturized FEM and near- FEM instruments in a weatherproof enclosure. In this webinar we will explore some of the current applications of the AQSync, including drive-by calibrations of mobile sensors. Lastly, we will share information on the effort underway to use AQSyncs placed at schools as the hub of community monitoring and air pollution mapping efforts

Call for Tribal Participants to Help Revise EPA, QAPP, and QMP Requirements/Guidance Documents

EPA is seeking Tribal participation (particularly tribal scientists and environmental staff with experience in writing or updating QMPs and/or QAPPs for their EPA grants) in revising three of the Agency’s most used and downloaded Quality Assurance (QA) documents:

• EPA QA/R-2, EPA Requirements for Quality Management Plans (March 2001)
• EPA QA/R-5, EPA Requirements for Quality Assurance Project Plans (March 2001)
• EPA QA/G-5, Guidance for Quality Assurance Project Plans (December 2002)

There are a variety of ways tribes can participate:

• Take part in listening sessions
• Attend document revision webinars on QA topics of interest
• Review and Comment on the draft QMP and QAPP Standards during pre-clearance review
• Contact their Regional QA Manager here
• Provide feedback in implementing revised QA

Please see the Project Notice for more details. For more information, please feel free to contact Linda Himmelbauer, Directives Project Lead, or Katherine Chalfant, Acting, Enterprise Quality Management Division (EQMD) Director.

Fourth National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy Workshop, Virtual Event

October 4 – 8, 2021 | Register Here

The 4^th National Cohesive Strategy Workshop will center on this theme and focus sharply on understanding, co-managing, transferring, and accepting risk at federal, state, Tribal and local stakeholder levels to prioritize and invest in decisions, projects and other efforts that result in widespread reduction in risk across landscapes, and communities, the public and firefighters collectively.

Since the inception of The National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy, we have learned that there are multiple “hard truths” of living with fire that must be accepted in order to make meaningful progress towards the three national goals of Resilient Landscapes, Fire Adapted Communities and a Safe, Effective, Risk- Based Wildfire Response.

EPA’s air quality training program is released three new training materials! These materials are foundational in level, and are being offered to tribal, state, and local air agencies in an e-learning format through our learning management system (LMS).

The materials include:

• A course that explains the purpose of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) within the air quality management
• A module that explains each of the six criteria pollutants under the Clean Air This module represents “micro-learning”— a short, focused bit of training on a particular topic.
• A module that explains what air toxics are. Similar to the criteria pollutants module, this module represents “micro-learning.”

To access the course and modules on the LMS (https://epaapti.csod.com), please

register (if you haven’t already!), then log in and refer to the “What’s New” section on the home page.

NTAA Upcoming Calls

Contact [email protected] if you have any questions about any call!

*Registration instructions* When you register for the GoToWebinar, please remember to include your Tribe, Region, or Organization in parenthesis after your last name. This allows you to see everyone on the call and prevents us from conducting a roll-call, ultimately saving everyone’s time.

The Institute for Tribal Environmental Professional (ITEP)

Click here for ITEP’s new Tribal Environmental Management and Planning Online Courses. Sign up for a self-paced course hosted by ITEP’s Waste and Response and Tribal Air Quality programs. New courses have been added, so check it out!

ITEP’s American Indian Air Quality Training Program (AIAQTP) hosts the Building Performance: Improving IAQ in Cold Climates, Residential Building Science Review, Radon Fundamentals, Quality Assurance Fundamental, Writing a Quality Assurance Project Plan, Emissions Inventory Fundamentals, and Emissions Inventory Advanced.

AIAQTP Schedule and Registration Recorded Webinars

Looking for more information check out the Tribal Air Quality Media Space Channel. Recent webinars include an Introduction to Air Quality Programs, Emissions Inventories, Remote Professional Assistance, and Woodstoves in Indian Country. Older classics include a series on Air Quality Planning for Wildland Smoke, Tribal Air Program and Grants, Data Management, and the Clean Air Act.

ITEP’s Tribes and Climate Change Calendar includes conferences, trainings, webinars, and other events related to tribes and climate change.

Climate Change / Energy

NEW! The Blue Lake Rancheria Tribe is hosting a free workshop for Tribes: Tribal Community-scale Solar Solutions for Climate & Community Resilience October 18, 2021; 9:30am to Noon | RSVP to [email protected] Who (would find it useful to attend): Tribal government leaders, Tribal staff, Tribal community members, Tribal businesses in energy, all those managing or building solar and related systems (i.e., telecom, microgrids, tribal utility authorities) on tribal lands.

Why: For tribal nations seeking to build – or expand – solar energy development within their nations at the community, facility, and/or residential scale, join this lively dialogue-based workshop with experts and practitioners and opportunities for one-on-one follow-up consulting.

2021 Tribal Energy Webinar Series: Energy Projects and Workforce Development: A Win-Win Opportunity: October 27

Energy projects are often labor-intensive during construction—and once they are complete, local capability is needed to operate and maintain those energy systems. Tribes who develop a local workforce in conjunction with developing projects can realize improved project economics while creating local jobs and skilled labor.

This webinar will explore this win-win opportunity. Register now.

US EPA Announces Upcoming Climate and Energy Webinars for State, Local, and Tribal Governments

The US EPA announces there will be many webinars on climate and energy topics offered by federal agencies and others during the month of October. All webinars are free of charge, but space may be limited or require registration in advance. For more information subscribe to the US EPA’s State and Local Energy Newsletter.

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

Learn more about the courses and register here.

Toxics/Mobile Sources

2021 Tribal Energy Webinar Series: Building Electrification: Why and How: September 29

Hosted by the Office of Indian Energy, this webinar will explore building electrification to utilize electricity rather than fossil fuels for building heating and cooking applications. Doing so can improve indoor air quality and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This webinar will explore this trending topic on the path to a clean energy future. Register now.

Toxics in the Community: Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) for Local and Tribal Governments

October 6; 1-2:30pm EDT | Register Here

An ELI and LGEAN Co-Sponsored Public Webinar: The Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act (EPCRA) created the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) to inform the public about potentially hazardous materials in the community. In fact, two out of every three Americans live within three miles of facilities subject to the TRI, which covers over 800 individual chemicals and chemical categories. These substances often originate from manufacturing, mining and hazardous waste management sites and are known to cause significant adverse harm to the environment and human health.

Join the Local Government Environmental Assistance Network (LGEAN), the Environmental Law Institute (ELI) and EPA to learn more about how local and tribal governments can best use the TRI to help protect community members’ health and welfare. EPA experts will provide an overview of the TRI, explaining which local and tribal government facilities may be subject to reporting requirements and how officials can use the TRI and other EPA tools to respond to community concerns and trace chemical releases back to their sources.

NEW! Virtual National Radon Training Event

October 11 – 13, 2021 | Register Here

Building Technical Capacity (BTC) will not be offered for virtual training.

The American Association of Radon Scientists and Technologists (AARST) will still have their symposium in person. We will join them virtually on the joint day. To register, view the agenda, and find more information please visit our Radon Training Event Program Website

Due to COVID related travel restrictions, we will not be meeting in Bethesda, MD. Our radon training is now completely virtual.

The recent additions to OTAQ’s website in August 2021. You can access these additions as well as new press releases and Federal Register notices related to OTAQ on our website.

• August 5, 2021: EPA proposes to revise the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions standards for light-duty vehicles for 2023 and later model years to make the standards more stringent.
• August 5, 2021: EPA announces plans to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and other harmful air pollutants from heavy-duty trucks through a series of rulemakings over the next three years.

Indoor Air Quality

NEW! Need Temporary Power? Use Caution with Portable Generators! Prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

During power outages, portable generators can be used to help temporarily restore power to a few key appliances like refrigerators, lights and fans. Portable generators that use fuels such as gasoline, natural gas or kerosene are widely available. However, if they are not used correctly they can be hazardous because their exhaust contains deadly fumes, like carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide is a toxic gas you cannot see or smell but could kill you in minutes.

Remember:

• Do use portable generators outside and far away from buildings.
• Do not use portable generators under any of the following conditions:
• inside your house or garage
• on balconies or near doors, vents or windows, and
• near where anyone is sleeping.

For more information please visit EPA’s websites on Safely Provide Power for Lighting, Cooking and Heating During an Emergency and Carbon Monoxides’ Impact on Indoor Air Quality

U.S. Department of Education Encourages Use of American Rescue Plan Funds to Improve Ventilation and IAQ in Schools

Indoor air quality is critical to reopening schools safely and keeping them open. The U.S. Department of Education has released new guidance encouraging the use of American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds to improve ventilation systems and make other indoor air quality improvements in schools to prevent the spread of COVID- 19 and tackle longstanding school ventilation improvement needs. The new Department of Education guidance highlights EPA resources to support investments in improved ventilation and indoor air quality. Use the following resources from EPA to supplement the information in the guidance:

• Indoor Air and Coronavirus (COVID-19): Visit this page for the latest guidance on best indoor air practices to limit the spread of COVID-19.
• Ventilation and Coronavirus (COVID-19): Ventilation is an important approach to lowering concentrations of indoor air pollutants, including Increase the ventilation in your school with outdoor air when possible.
• Air Cleaners, HVAC filters, and Coronavirus (COVID-19): Air cleaners and HVAC filters can help to reduce viruses and pollutants in the air. Consider upgrading the HVAC filters in your system and using safe, effective portable air cleaners to supplement HVAC Note: Do

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

• Implementing a Layered Approach to Address COVID-19 in Public Indoor Spaces: A layered risk reduction approach is best to limit airborne transmission of COVID-19 – learn how to combine increased ventilation and filtration with other CDC recommendations, such as wearing masks and social

Wildfire Smoke and Indoor Air Quality

This summer, wildfires have spread across the U.S. creating devastation and dangerous smoke events affecting millions of American lives. If you are in need of immediate wildfire guidance, see EPA’s wildfire webpage for more resources.

Smoke from wildfires can adversely affect indoor air quality and put people’s health at risk from exposure to particulate matter and other pollutants. Read on to learn more about:

• How Indoor airPLUS Homes Protect Against the Harmful Effects of Wildfire Smoke
• Reduce Exposure to Wildfire Smoke Inside the Home
• Additional Resources

How Indoor airPLUS Homes Help Reduce the Occurrence of Asthma Triggers in the Home

Here are ways an Indoor airPLUS home can help reduce asthma triggers in the home.

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