UPCOMING CALLS/EVENTS/NOTICES

Ambient Air Quality/EPA/NTAA/Tribes

EPA’s Community and Tribal Programs Group has a publicly facing Tribal Actions and Events calendar for all to use!

This calendar is also linked under the “Tribal Air and Climate Resources” webpage under the “Policy and Planning” heading available at https://www.epa.gov/tribal-air.

The purpose of the calendar is to ensure that our Tribal partners are kept apprised of EPA activities that are relevant to them. If you have any questions about the calendars or any recommendations on how EPA can improve upon the calendars please do not hesitate to reach out to Toni Colon ([email protected]) and/or Loren Fox ([email protected]) with any feedback.

 

On Wednesday, April 27, 2022 from 3:00 – 4:00 pm EDT, EPA will hold a virtual meeting via Microsoft Teams about the American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act which gives EPA authority to address hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), a class of climate-damaging chemicals mainly used in refrigeration and air conditioning applications, foams, aerosols, and fire suppression. 

EPA will give an overview of the AIM Act and the phasedown of HFCs, as well as two upcoming rulemakings. One rulemaking will update the HFC Allowance Allocation and Tracking Program which phases down HFCs through a licensing system, and the other rulemaking will facilitate transitions to next-generation technologies by placing restrictions on HFCs in certain applications such as refrigeration and air conditioning. To RSVP for the meeting or for further information, please contact Nancy Akerman at [email protected] or (202) 507-3473.

 

EPA: Webinar Use of Electronic Health Records to Address Pressing Environmental Health Questions

April 20, 2022 | 3:00 – 4:00 pm ET | Click Here to Register 

From environmental justice to the coronavirus pandemic, the current environmental health needs facing individuals, communities, and the nation as a whole are complex and often unprecedented. Addressing these needs requires novel research tools that can answer the key questions required to advance public health and make environmental health more personalized. One of the most promising tools in this arsenal is electronic health records (EHRs).

 

Department of Health and Human Services 

April 20, 2022 | 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm ET 

On behalf of Secretary Becerra, please see the attached Dear Tribal Leader Letter initiating Tribal Consultation related to the policy directives outlined in Executive Order (E.O.) 14053— Improving Public Safety and Criminal Justice for Native Americans and Addressing the Crisis of Missing or Murdered Indigenous People. Section 5 of the E.O. calls on the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in consultation with Tribal nations, to develop a comprehensive plan to support prevention efforts that reduce risk factors for victimization of Native Americans and increase protective factors by enhancing the delivery of services to victims, survivors, and their families and advocates.

The Department wishes to consult with Tribal governments to solicit their comments and recommendations on policy directives that HHS should include in the comprehensive plan. A virtual Tribal Consultation session will be held on April 20, 2022 from 3:00-6:00 PM ET. Please register in advance for the Tribal Consultation session at the following link: https://www.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/vJItf-2trzsjHljBop7eh_XGux83tKQowkc. The Department will develop questions for Tribal leaders’ consideration, which will be distributed via e-mail to all registered participants two weeks prior to the Tribal Consultation session.  You may submit written comments by e-mail to [email protected] by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday, May 20, 2022.

 

EPA: Webinar on The American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act April 27, 2022 | 3:00 – 4:00 pm EDT 

The American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act which gives EPA authority to address hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), a class of climate-damaging chemicals mainly used in refrigeration and air conditioning applications, foams, aerosols, and fire suppression. EPA will give an overview of the AIM Act and the phasedown of HFCs, as well as two upcoming rulemakings. One rulemaking will update the HFC Allowance Allocation and Tracking Program which phases down HFCs through a licensing system, and the other rulemaking will facilitate transitions to next-generation technologies by placing restrictions on HFCs in certain applications such as refrigeration and air conditioning.

To RSVP for the meeting or for further information, please contact Nancy Akerman at [email protected] or (202) 507-3473.

 

The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) and the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) invite you to a Tribal consultation to discuss the development of Guidance for Federal Agencies on Indigenous Traditional Ecological Knowledge (ITEK).

Tribal Consultation 2: Friday, April 29, 2022. 3:00 – 5:00 pm EDT Register in advance for the meeting here. If you have any questions regarding this effort, please contact [email protected]. 

 

Please join the White House Council on Native American Affairs as we kick off the first session of our 2022 White House Native Women Symposium, Native Women Rising: Inspiring the Future, shining a spotlight on issues of importance to Native women. There will be four sessions held throughout 2022, focusing on issues like the MMIP crisis, economic development, and health. We hope to engage in a dialogue about the ongoing focus the Biden-Harris Administration has placed on Indian Country, with direct and lasting impacts on Native women.

Native Women Rising: Inspiring the Future
White House Native Women Symposium Series
Session 1: Implementation of the Violence Against Women Act
Wednesday, April 27 from 3:00 to 4:30 PM EST
Registration Link here.  
This first session will celebrate the recent reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and include a panel of Tribal advocates and leaders discussing the importance of VAWA in Indian Country. There will also be a presentation by staff from the Department of Justice and the Department of the Interior on next steps for implementation of the new provisions in VAWA. We will be joined by Interior Secretary Deb Haaland and there will be a special message from Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco. We hope you can join us virtually on Wednesday, April 27th from 3:00 – 4:30 PM EST. Please register for the event here.
This session is closed to the press.

 

Call For Proposals for The National Tribal & Indigenous Climate Conference! 

The Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals (ITEP) Tribes and Climate Change Program announced the opening for the call for proposals for the upcoming 2022 National Tribal & Indigenous Climate Conference (NTICC) in St. Paul, MN and online August 29 – September 1, 2022. We welcome proposals that discuss climate-related impacts, assessments, tools, adaptation, mitigation, actions, and the intersection of Traditional/Indigenous Knowledges with western science and adaptation strategies and are accepting both in-person and virtual proposals. Proposal submissions include: Presentations, Trainings, Working Groups, & Climate Conversations

We are particularly excited about our new Climate Conversation proposal category which is seeking submissions for art, games, posters, demonstrations, films, and more to further engage NTICC attendees in Tribal climate work.

Application deadline: Friday, April 22nd by close of business

Letter of notification: Monday, June 6th

Materials deadline: Friday, August 5th 

For more information and to apply, please visit our website.

 

Air Quality Flag Program Earth Day 2022 Lesson Plans 

As you plan your Earth Day celebrations, consider some options from the Flag Program. Do fun activities (otherwise known as lesson plans but we won’t tell), read or watch the Why is Coco Orange?, fill out a crossword on air quality, or choose something from our Things to Do list. We’ve got something for everyone! Whatever you do, have fun and thank you for helping make the Earth a better place! More information, click here. 

This year’s theme is Be Air Aware & Prepared! During the week, organizations nationwide plan events that increase air quality awareness and encourage people to check the Air Quality Index (AQI) daily. Flag Program participants already do that! This year’s daily topics include: 

• Monday – Wildfires & Smoke 
• Tuesday – Asthma and Your Health 
• Wednesday – Citizen Science & Sensors 
• Thursday – Environmental Justice & Air Quality 
• Friday – Air Quality Around the World

Find out more about our classroom curriculum.

 

New AirKnowledge E–Learning Content

The AirKnowledge training team is pleased to announce the availability of new air quality training materials!

These e-learning courses and modules are at the foundational learning level and are available to tribal, state, and local air agencies through our learning management system (LMS) and to the public here. The website was recently enhanced to provide additional self-instructional and instructor-led training materials.

The new materials include:

• A course that explains the key historic events that led to air pollution control legislation and describes progress made with air pollution control since the passage of the Clean Air Act,
• A course that explains the basic components of state and tribal implementation plans,
• A module that generally defines the transport and fate of air pollutants and how transport and fate are influenced by meteorology and topography,
• A module that explains the basic aspects of an air emissions inventory, and
• A module that explains the purposes and types of air emissions inventories, including the inventories that the EPA develops.

More detailed information about the contents of these new materials can be found in the attached document.

To access the courses and modules on the LMS (https://epaapti.csod.com), tribal air agencies and organizations can register, log in, and refer to the “What’s New” section on the home page. All other users (the public, international community, academia, industry, EPA staff, etc.) can access the courses and modules on the AirKnowledge interim website at https://www3.epa.gov/ttn/apti/index.html.

 

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.

 

EPA Policy Call: Call in to hear updates from EPA on policies, actions, and tools relevant to Indian Country and Air Quality. Attend by clicking here.	Thursday,      May 19,  2 pm ET
Mobile Sources Work Group: This monthly work group addresses all mobile source pollution issues. Attend by clicking here.	Thursday, June 2,  2 pm ET
IAQ Work Group: Join the bi-monthly calls of the NTAA IAQ work group. Attend by clicking here.  The call this week has been cancelled, so next call will take place on June 16th at 2pm ET.	Thursday, June 16, 2 pm ET
Wood Smoke Work Group: Join this work group every other month to address wood smoke issues in Indian Country. Attend by clicking here.	Thursday, May 19,    2 pm ET
Alaska Air Work Group: Join this work group to hear updates from EPA and Alaskans working on air quality. Contact [email protected] to join the call!	Wednesday, May 25, 10 am AK or 2 pm ET

 

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. 

 

EPA Tools and Resources Webinar Series 

Click here to see all past and upcoming webinars hosted by the EPA. 

 

Climate Change / Energy

Save the Date: 2022 Southwestern Tribal Climate Change Summit

May 16 – 18, 2022 @ the Pala, CA | Register Here

In partnership with the La Jolla Band of Luiseño Indians, the Pala Band of Mission Indians, and the Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals, the Climate Science Alliance is excited to co-host the 2022 Southwestern Tribal Climate Change Summit (SWTCCS). 

 

EPA has updated the Tribal Greenhouse Gas Inventory Tool

EPA’s free, spreadsheet-based Tribal Greenhouse Gas Inventory Tool, first launched in 2013 and updated annually, is based on nationally and internationally recognized GHG accounting and reporting principles. 

This year’s updates include:

• An optional market-based method to calculate Scope 2 emissions from electricity purchased through contractual instruments, such as Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs). 
• Revised Emissions & Generation Resource Integrated Database (eGRID) factors from 1990 through 2019, as available. 
• Updated default stationary energy emission factors and heat contents. 
• Kerosene and distillate fuel oil as additional stationary energy fuel types. 

Find the updated Tribal community and government operations modules and users’ guides here. Are you a long-time inventory tool user with questions about the new updates? Or is this your first GHG inventory? Join this webinar or upcoming offices hours to learn more and ask questions:

 

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

Learn more about the courses and register here.

 

Toxics/Mobile Sources 

EPA’s Clean School Bus Program will be hosting a Zoom Webinar on Wednesday, April 27th @ 1 PM Eastern about the upcoming Zero-Emission and Clean School Bus Rebates. 

  Please share this email and the attached flyer with any stakeholders that would be interested in applying for this program.

 

• Click here to register for the April 27th Webinar (pre-registration is required).
• Click here to learn more about how to prepare for the upcoming rebate application.
• Click here to sign-up for the Clean School Bus News listserv to guarantee you receive regular program updates.
  • Add [email protected] to your email contacts to ensure our messages don’t go to your spam folder.
• Click here to access the EPA Clean School Bus website to learn more about the program and the benefits of clean school buses.
• Email [email protected] with any questions or feedback to improve the program.

 

The World Resources Institute (WRI) presents the Getting on Board Electric School Bush (ESB) webinar series. The second webinar is on May 10th at 1pm ET and will provide timely details on the EPA’s $5 billion Clean School Bus Program. You can register here.

This April, the U.S. EPA is expected to officially launch its new Clean School Bus Program, which will provide billions of dollars to help school districts invest in electric school buses over the next five years. Join the webinar to learn more about this unprecedented funding opportunity and how you can leverage it for your school district and community. Drawing on years of federal and local experience, panelists will offer unique and helpful insights into applying for, receiving and deploying clean school bus funding. WRI is a global research organization that turns big ideas into action at the nexus of environment, economic opportunity and human well-being.

 

Transportation, Climate Change and Health Resources for U.S. Tribes

The Pala Band of Mission Indians and the Jamul Indian Village of California (JIVoC) were funded by Caltrans’s 2019 Adaption Planning Grant (per Senate Bill 1) to complete the Tribal Transportation Climate Adaptation Project. By Feb 2022, this project produced analysis and reports outlining current and anticipated transportation-related impacts of more extreme wildfires, storms, flooding, and heat on Pala and Jamul’s valued social, cultural, economic, natural, and built assets, with a strong focus on protecting the health and safety of members, residents, employees, and visitors.

Click Here to Learn More 

 

MULTI-STATE MEDIUM- AND HEAVY-DUTY ZERO-EMISSION VEHICLE ACTION PLAN: A Policy Framework to Eliminate Harmful Truck and Bus Emissions 

On behalf of the signatories of the Multi-State Medium- and Heavy-Duty (MHD) Zero-Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), the Northeast States for Coordinated Air Use Management (NESCAUM) has released a draft Multi-State MHD ZEV Action Plan for a 45- day public comment period. Comments should be submitted through NESCAUM’s Public Input Portal by April 25, 2022.

 

EPA Proposes Stronger Standards for Heavy-Duty Vehicles to Promote Clean Air, Protect Communities, and Support Transition to Zero-Emissions Future

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing new, stronger standards to promote clean air and reduce pollution from heavy-duty vehicles and engines starting in model year (MY) 2027. The proposed standards would reduce emissions of smog- and soot-forming nitrogen oxides (NOx) from heavy-duty gasoline and diesel engines and set updated greenhouse gas (GHG) standards for certain commercial vehicle categories.  This proposed rule would ensure the heavy-duty vehicles and engines that drive American commerce and connect people across the country are as clean as possible while charting a path to advance zero-emission vehicles in the heavy-duty fleet. Click Here for Full Press Release. 

 

U.S. Department of Energy: The Information Source for Alternative Fuels and Advanced Vehicles

The Alternative Fuels Data Center (AFDC) provides information, data, and tools to help fleets and other transportation decision makers find ways to reach their energy and economic goals through the use of alternative and renewable fuels, advanced vehicles, and other fuel-saving measures. Click Here for more information about the resources available. 

 

EPA Past SmartWay Webinars and Events 

To address these trends and challenges, EPA developed the SmartWay program.

Launched in 2004, this voluntary public-private program:

• provides a comprehensive and well-recognized system for tracking, documenting and sharing information about fuel use and freight emissions across supply chains
• helps companies identify and select more efficient freight carriers, transport modes, equipment, and operational strategies to improve supply chain sustainability and lower costs from goods movement
• supports global energy security and offsets environmental risk for companies and countries
• reduces freight transportation-related emissions by accelerating the use of advanced fuel-saving technologies
• is supported by major transportation industry associations, environmental groups, state and local governments, international agencies, and the corporate community

View the SmartWay timeline and learn about the program’s achievements and key milestones reached since SmartWay’s launch in 2002. Our progress to making freight in the supply chain more sustainable and efficient is due to the vision, commitment and hard work of SmartWay Partners and Affiliates! Two Decades of Progress: SmartWay Partnership Milestones (PDF)(1 pg, 345 K, June 2021, EPA-420-H-21-001). Click Here to view past webinars and upcoming webinars 

 

Indoor Air Quality

The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) Released Allergy Capitals 2022. 

This report ranks the top 100 cities in the continental United States where it is most challenging to live with seasonal pollen allergies, which may worsen chronic respiratory diseases, including asthma. AAFA’s report is an annual research and educational project designed to help people recognize, prevent and manage allergy symptoms. It also helps communities see where the needs of people with allergic diseases, like seasonal allergies, can be better met.

Scranton, Pennsylvania, ranks #1 overall again this year. City rankings are based on higher-than-average spring and fall pollen scores, higher-than-average medication usage, and availability of board-certified allergists/immunologists in the area.

Visit AsthmaCommunityNetwork.org to see if your city made the list and see what actions you can take to reduce your contact with pollen.

 

Available Now: An Introduction to Radon Gas in Homes Webinar Recording

EPA’s Indoor Environments Division recently hosted a webinar to provide an overview of the key basic facts of radon – what it is, what it does to us, how we measure it, how we reduce our exposure, and where to find resources and additional information. A recording of An Introduction to Radon Gas in Homes is now available online. The recorded webinar features a presentation by Bruce Snead, Director of Engineering Extension at Kansas State University and director of the National Radon Program Services effort for EPA since 2009.

 

EPA: A Fact Sheet for Tribes on State and Tribal Indoor Radon Grants 

EPA’s Indoor Environments Division is pleased to announce the State and Tribal Indoor Radon Grants (SIRG) Program Fact Sheet. This fact sheet has information on SIRG eligibility, matching requirements, allowable activities, EPA contacts, and more.

EPA works collaboratively and values our tribal partnership to support healthy indoor air quality (IAQ) in tribal communities. We work together to develop tools and resources that address the health and the safety of tribal members when it comes to indoor air quality.      

Please visit the Indoor Air Quality in Tribal Communities or State Indoor Radon Grants (SIRG) Program and Resources pages to learn more and download the fact sheet.  

 

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 viruses. 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 filtration. 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 distancing.

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