RESOURCES & FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

NOW HIRING!

NEW! Morongo Band of Mission Indians: Environmental Specialist I – Tribal Air Program

Click Here for the Full Job Description

Under the direction of the Environmental Department Director, the Environmental Specialist (Level I) is responsible for carrying out entry level tasks under the Tribal Air Program. Activities include operating air monitoring equipment, conducting routine maintenance and repairs of equipment, following and developing standard operating procedures and quality assurance project plans, conducting indoor air quality assessments, and assisting with education and outreach activities. Environmental Specialist I is an entry-level position and meets the minimum qualifications. At this level, incumbents learn and perform program activities under supervision.

REMINDER! EPA Seeks Public Input on Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a coordinated stakeholder engagement strategy to help shape the implementation of the Inflation Reduction Act’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund. The Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund is a $27 billion fund that will provide competitive grants to states, local governments, Tribes, and eligible non-profit financing institutions to mobilize financing and leverage private capital for clean energy and climate projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, with an emphasis on projects that benefit low-income and disadvantaged communities. EPA’s strategy includes several steps, outlined below.

Issuing a Request for Information

EPA published a Request for Information (RFI) seeking public comment on core design aspects of the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund. The notice has been published on EPA’s website and on Regulations.gov and will be open until December 5, 2022.

Launching a National Listening Session Series

EPA is launching a stakeholder listening session series to enable key stakeholders and members of the public to provide input directly to EPA staff on the implementation of the Fund. The series will begin with two sessions on November 1 and November 9 from 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM ET. For more information on the Inflation Reduction Act and the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, visit the new Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund webpage.

The Department of Religious Studies is hiring an 1855 professorship in the position of Great Lakes Anishinaabe Knowledge, Spiritualities, and Cultural Practices.

Applications close: July 8, 2024, | Click Here for the Full Job Description

The Department of Religious Studies is hiring an 1855 professorship in the position of Great Lakes Anishinaabe Knowledge, Spiritualities, and Cultural Practices. We seek a scholar with a focus on Anishinaabe communities and more broadly, Great Lakes Native American cultures. The scholar’s areas of interest should include Anishinaabe worldviews, ceremony, knowledge systems, and communal cultural practices in the context of colonialisms, resistance, resiliency, and sovereignty. The specific area of focus is open with preference to knowledge of traditions of Anishinaabe communities, and more broadly, Native American communities. We are particularly interested in scholars whose work and teaching complement cross-university strengths in environmental practices, North American Indigenous Law, communal health and wellness, and social justice. In keeping with our land-grant mission, we seek a scholar engaged in public-facing conversations about how contemporary Native American knowledge, language, spiritualities, and culture can inform larger discussions around law, public policy, land stewardship, resource management, community health and wellbeing, Tribal governance, museum collections and archives, and environmental justice movements.

TAMS Tribal Air Monitoring Technology Specialist

Being Age 55 or Older is Good for The Environment! The Senior Environmental Employment (SEE) Program offers unique opportunities in Scientific, Technical, and Administrative / Office support for individuals aged 55 and over to support the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) through a grant administered program through National Older Worker Career Center (NOWCC). This is a unique program where your talents, expertise and experience will truly be valued. The EPA provides a wonderful work atmosphere, and you’ll be working side-by-side with EPA staff that are doing important work every day.

Pay & Benefits: Pay rate: $18.01 /hr.

Benefits: Paid Health Insurance Premium if working 30+ hours per week, Paid Vacation, Paid Sick Time, Paid Federal Holidays plus one Individual Holiday, and optional Vision and Dental Insurance available. Must be U.S Citizen and age 55 or older to apply. The duties of this position must be performed onsite at the EPA office location in Las Vegas, NV. For a Full Description and to Apply, Click Here

The Clean Energy Corps is hiring. We need talented, diverse, kind, and hardworking people like you to join this team. Apply Now! With the passage of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Clean Energy Corps is charged with investing more than $62 billion to deliver a more equitable clean energy future for the American people by:

Investing in American manufacturing
Creating good paying jobs
Expanding access to energy efficiency and clean energy for families, communities, and businesses
Delivering reliable, clean, and affordable power to more Americans
And building the technologies of tomorrow through clean energy research, development, and demonstrations

You can find a great listing of Indian Country jobs on NCAI’s website here.

Ambient Air Quality/EPA/NTAA/Tribes

REMINDER! Selections for the ARP Enhanced Air Quality Monitoring Competitive Grant

EPA is selecting 132 projects in 37 states to receive a total of $53.4 million to conduct ambient air monitoring of pollutants in communities across the country with environmental and health outcome disparities stemming from pollution and the COVID-19 pandemic. EPA will start the process of awarding the funding by the end of 2022 once the grant applicants have met all legal and administrative requirements. This table can be sorted by clicking on each column header. A downloadable version is available here.

REMINDER! Native American Natural Resource Research Scholarship

Application Due: November 20, 2022, 5:00 PM PST

The Intertribal Timber Council (ITC), in partnership with the USDA Forest Service Research and Development, is pleased to announce scholarship opportunities for Native American students who are planning or currently conducting Tribally relevant research on a natural resource issue.

Award: Varies, not to exceed $5,000

Purpose: The ITC Research Scholarship is designed to support Tribally relevant, natural resource-based research being conducted by Native American scholars enrolled in a graduate program.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS: The ITC Education Selection Committee will review and rank only those applications that completely address the following criteria:

Letter of Application: The letter must include your name, permanent mailing address, email address and phone number. Discuss your current educational program and how the Tribally relevant proposed research fits into both your degree in natural resources and your future.
Resume
Evidence of validated enrollment in a federally recognized Tribe or Alaska Native Corporation, as established by the U.S. Government. A photocopy of your enrollment card, front and back, or Certificate of Indian Blood (CIB) is sufficient.
Mini Research Proposal: Please keep this concise (4 page maximum not counting budget and justification). Required elements include a) abstract stating research merit and explaining how this research is relevant to Tribal natural resource interests b) timeline and methodology c) dissemination plan, including a Tribal component d) budget and budget justification 5.
Letters of reference/support from an academic advisor or committee member is required. Additionally, a second letter of support from a Tribal resource manager or a Tribal representative with Tribal approval of the project or the relevancy of the project to the Tribe is required. Reference letters are not accepted directly from referrals; submit with your completed application.

DELIVERY OF APPLICATION: Create one email attaching all required documents and submit it to intertribaltimbercouncil@gmail.com up until the close of business (5:00 p.m. PST) on November 30, 2022. Incomplete applications will not be considered. PDF attachment(s) preferred; download free Adobe Acrobat Reader to view and print PDF documents. Google docs are not accepted.

Questions can be submitted to ITC by phone at 503-282-4296 or by email intertribaltimbercouncil@gmail.com.

REMINDER! EPA Seeks Public Input on Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund

Issuing a Request for Information

Launching a National Listening Session Series

EPA is launching a stakeholder listening session series to enable key stakeholders and members of the public to provide input directly to EPA staff on the implementation of the Fund. The series will begin with two sessions on November 1 and November 9 from 7:00PM – 9:00PM ET. For more information on the Inflation Reduction Act and the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, visit the new Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund webpage.

REMINDER! Department of Commerce (DOC) Climate Program Office FY 2023 – $11.1 million

Applications Due: November 21, 2022, | Funding Opportunity Number: NOAA-OAR-CPO-2023-2007440

Eligible Entities: State governments, local governments, Tribal governments, institutions of higher education, nonprofits, international organizations

As part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) climate portfolio within the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR), the Climate Program Office (CPO) addresses climate challenges by managing competitive research programs through which high-priority climate science, assessments, decision-support research, outreach, education, and capacity-building activities are funded to advance our understanding of the Earth’s climate system, and to foster the application and use of this knowledge to improve the resilience of our Nation and its partners. For more information, visit the funding opportunity description.

REMINDER! ITEP: 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 $5,120 stipend, and housing and travel allowances for interns that relocate. The host site provides a workplace and supervision for the intern. Some internships may be virtual or hybrid. You are welcome to submit applications for both virtual/hybrid projects and in-person projects. The projects MUST focus on addressing air quality issues in Tribal communities.

Apply online at: http://www7.nau.edu/itep/main/eeop/Internships/ssi_host

Deadline: Apply by December 1, 2022.

If you know of a college student that might be interested in being an intern, encourage them to register at: nau.edu/itepinterns

For detailed information on the internship and requirements, visit our internship website: nau.edu/itepinterns

NEW! EPA Resource: EPA is pleased to announce that we have updated our Local Greenhouse Gas Inventory Tool and our Tribal Greenhouse Gas Inventory Tool.

Updates include:

Revised Emissions & Generation Resource Integrated Database (eGRID) factors from through 2020, as available.
Updated default stationary energy emission factors and heat contents from the latest Climate Registry, EPA GHG Emissions Factor Hub, and US Inventory publications.
Global Warming Potential (GWP) values are now editable on the Factors tab. The bottom of the Control Sheet tab also contains new guidance on updating the GWP values and a navigation button to the GWP Entry section on the Factors tab.

Download the updated local community and government operations tool and users’ guides.

Download the updated tribal community and government operations tool and users’ guides.

Find our State Inventory and Projection Tool and additional State and Tribal greenhouse gas data and resources here.

NEW! EPA Resource: EPA’s Home Heating Fuel Use Web App

Are you curious about how people heat their homes? EPA has developed a Home Heating Fuel Use web app that lets you visualize American Community Survey 5-year average home heating fuel data across the U.S. by census tract. Use this data to inform outreach or implementation planning related to energy efficiency, residential electrification, wood stove change-outs, and more.

NEW! EPA Resource: EPA’s Tracking Matrix

Does your community have climate goals to meet or brownfields that might be suitable for solar? Check out EPA’s Tracking Matrix to learn more about geothermal, biomass, solar and wind installations being built on contaminated lands across the country. EPA’s RE-Powering America’s Land Initiative 2022 Tracking Matrix shows current trends in the development of renewable energy on contaminated lands. Project examples include successful community solar projects in Nashville, Tennessee; Schenectady County, New York; Morrisville, Vermont; and Spanish Fork, Utah.

Tribal Air Quality Flag Program Packet

Customize this flyer/poster template to share information with your community about air quality, how it can affect health, and actions to take on a bad air quality day.

You may need a PDF reader to view files on this page. See EPA’s About PDF page to learn more. Tribal Air Quality Flag Program Packet

Soliciting Expert Input from the Environmental Finance Advisory Board (EFAB)

EPA is soliciting expert input on key program design questions from the Environmental Financial Advisory Board (EFAB), a Federal Advisory Committee that provides advice and recommendations to EPA’s Administrator and regional and program offices on ways to lower the costs of, and increase investments in, environmental and public health protection. The EFAB will provide its advice and recommendations to EPA by December 15, 2022.

Department of Energy (DOE) Announces $32 Million to Reduce Methane Emissions from Oil and Gas Sector

All interested applicants must register and submit application materials through Fed Connect; register here for an account. All questions about the FOA must also be submitted through FedConnect.

Air Monitoring Equipment Available for Loan to State, Local, and Tribal Agencies

In 2021, EPA’s Office of Research and Development initiated the Wildfire Smoke Air Monitoring Response Technology (WSMART) Pilot, loaning air monitoring technologies to state, local, and Tribal air organizations to support supplemental air monitoring in areas affected by wildfire smoke and with observational data coverage gaps. During 2022, this pilot technology loan program will continue to provide several technology types – including stationary air sensor systems and a compact mobile monitoring system – to state and local air agency monitoring staff and professional Tribal air quality staff members upon request. The equipment is not available for public use. For more information and access to the loan request web form, please visit the WSMART website:https://www.epa.gov/air-sensor-toolbox/wildfire-smoke-air-monitoring-response-technology-wsmart-pilot

For technical questions, please contact smoketech@epa.gov.

Communication Channels for NASA Funding Opportunities

Please consider signing up for the following communication channels. These channels will ensure that you are informed of student engagement and other funding opportunities:

Register for an account with NASA Solicitation and Proposal Integrated Review and Evaluation System (NSPIRES). You’ll need to create an account if you don’t already have one. Once you have an account, you’ll be able to sign up for notifications to be alerted when new funding opportunities are released. There are sometimes opportunities released specifically for Minority Serving Institutions (including TCUs and other indigenous-serving higher education institutions) so it’s good to receive the notifications to stay on top of new opportunities.
Sign up for our MUREP Newsletter, which goes out every 2 weeks on Fridays.
Check our MUREP website for announcements regarding MUREP-specific funding opportunities.

To view and/or receive ITEP’s American Indian Air Quality Training Program newsletter, Native Voices, click here!

Climate Change/Energy

NEW! Biden-Harris Administration Launches $1 Billion Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Program to Enhance Energy Systems in Rural and Remote Communities

DOE Seeks Public Input on New Program to Improve Energy Systems in Areas with Fewer than 10,000 People
Feedback to this RFI can be submitted to ERA@hq.doe.gov until November 28, 2022, at noon, EST. Find out more on OCED Exchange.

The Energy Improvements in Rural or Remote Areas (ERA) program will strengthen the resilience, reliability, and availability of energy systems, helping communities unlock the public health and cost-saving benefits cleaner, more efficient energy provides.

The ERA program will provide federal support to rural or remote communities to:

Improve the overall cost-effectiveness of energy generation, transmission, or distribution systems;
Site or upgrade transmission and distribution lines;
Reduce greenhouse gas emissions from energy generation by rural or remote areas;
Provide or modernize electric generation facilities;
Develop microgrids; and
Increase energy efficiency

https://www.energy.gov/articles/biden-harris-administration-launches-1-billion-bipartisan-infrastructure-law-program

EPA’s State and Local Climate and Energy Program will use this newsletter to share updates and opportunities as they become available and to let you know how the EPA’s IRA programs can help your jurisdiction.

Our monthly funding newsletter will also continue to provide information on climate and clean energy grant and technical assistance opportunities and deadlines for state, local, and Tribal governments. You can also visit the White House’s website about clean energy and climate action in the IRA. Use it to learn how you can save on utility bills, get support to purchase electric vehicles, energy-efficient appliances, and more. Share the news: Tax Credits for Energy-Efficient Home Upgrades have been Extended!

Under the IRA, federal tax credits for energy-efficient home upgrades have been extended. This means that if you made any qualifying home improvements to your primary residence after December 31, 2021, you may be eligible to claim credit on your federal taxes when you file for 2022. Qualifying upgrades include ENERGY STAR-certified products, as well as improvements to your home’s envelope or exterior – such as windows, doors, and insulation. To learn more, read through ENERGY STAR’s property tax credit guidance.

Renewable Energy tax credits have also been extended and will be available through the end of 2023. These include incentives for Geothermal Heat Pumps, Residential Wind Turbines, Solar Energy Systems, and Fuel Cells.

What’s New for Federal Tax Credits in 2023? There will be new efficiency tax credits in place starting January 1, 2023, lasting 10 years – through 2032. The tax credit amount is generally limited to 30% of the project cost. The previous lifetime cap of $500 has been changed to an annual cap of $1,200 to $2,000 depending on the efficiency improvements you make. This means you will be able to claim credit for more projects, especially if they are spread out over multiple years.

For more information and to stay up to date on available tax credits, make sure to bookmark ENERGY STAR’s page on Federal Tax Credits so you can maximize savings on your home energy efficiency projects.

Join NCAI’s Climate Action email listserv here!

Sign up for the Alliance for Green Heat’s newsletter!

To view and/or receive ITEP’s Climate Change newsletter, click here!

Toxics/Mobile Sources

REMINDER! The CRCPD E25 Committee on Radon is pleased to announce the following details on the 2023 National Radon Poster and Video Contests

Submission Deadline: November 30, 2022

All states and/or Tribes must submit their 1st place poster and/or video to kelley@state.co.usby November 30, 2022.
The CRCPD E25 Committee on Radon will vote on the posters and videos for the National Radon Poster and Video Contest in mid-December. Winners will be announced during National Radon Action Month, January 2023.
The American Lung Association (ALA) will be providing the following prizes to the national winners:

Poster prizes:
1st place –$1,000
2nd place –$300
3rd place – $200

Video prize:
1st place –$1,000

If your state radon program and/or Tribe is interested in conducting a video contest, ALA has great information on their website on the Illinois video contest that you can use as a guide https://www.lung.org/local-content/il/radon-video. Feel free to contact Chrys Kelley (chrys.kelley@state.co.us) if you have any questions.

REMINDER! Forth: Request for Proposal for School Bus Repower

Applications Due: December 2, 2022

Forth and Beaverton School District are accepting proposals in response to our new Request for Proposals (RFP) for vendors able to repower a diesel school bus with an electric powertrain. The RFP includes project specifications as well as a virtual presentation component for top-scoring applicants. Organizations who submitted previously are welcome to review the changes and resubmit.

U.S. Department of Energy: Electric Vehicles with Final Assembly in North America

The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (Public Law 117-169) amended the Qualified Plug-in Electric Drive Motor Vehicle Credit (IRC 30D), now known as the Clean Vehicle Credit, and added a new requirement for final assembly in North America that took effect on August 17, 2022. For more details on the credit, see Electric Vehicle (EV) and Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) Tax Credit. Also see the full list of alternative fuel vehicle incentives amended or created by the Inflation Reduction Act. Click Here for more information.

Indoor Air Quality

REMINDER! The Indoor Air Quality Association’s (IAQA) Emerging Professional Scholarship Fund was created to offer early career professionals the opportunity to further develop their understanding and expertise within the IAQ field. For the 2023 program, they are pleased to offer the following:

IAQA 2023 Annual Meeting & Expo Travel Award & IAQA University Award
One candidate will receive a $2,000 travel stipend award for hotel, airfare, miscellaneous expenses as well as a complimentary registration for the IAQA 2023 Annual Meeting & Expo and the 50- course bundle. Two candidates will receive the 50- course bundle for IAQA University featuring all four S.M.A.R.T. Education Courses/Badges –value up to $3250 (access for a period of 18 months). Click here to apply!

Resource for Healthy Indoor Air Quality

Check out the website https://forhealth.org/ for many resources related to healthy homes and indoor air quality!

The Tribal Healthy Homes Network (THHN) has a webpage dedicated to Funding Opportunities! Additionally, THHN has developed a Funding Guide for American Indian and Alaska Native Communities.

Alaska

NEW! 2022 Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC)

Application closes: December 27, 2022 for Alaska sub-applicants; January 27, 2023 for directly applying Tribes | Click Here for Full Listing

FEMA administers the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) to provide funding for hazard mitigation projects & planning. Federally-recognized tribes can apply directly; otherwise, applicants must apply as a sub-applicant with the state. This post focuses on information to apply as a sub-applicant. Communities/consortiums of communities considering applying for BRIC can receive Direct Technical Assistance (DTA) from FEMA. This application for this aid also opens on September 30. Learn more here.

Eligible Applicants:

State agencies, boroughs, cities and Federally recognized tribal governments with a FEMA approved and locally adopted Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP) as defined in 44 CFR Part 201

Contact Alaska’s BRIC Program Manager for more information on applying as a sub-applicant:

Rick Dembroski, BRIC Program Manager, 907.428.7015, mvamitigation@alaska.gov
Terry Murphy, State Hazard Mitigation Officer, 907.428.7085, mvamitigation@alaska.gov

Most Recent Listing: EPA Rules from the Federal Register can be found here.

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