Ambient Air Quality/EPA/NTAA/Tribes

NEW! ANPRM: Ethylene Oxide Commercial Sterilization and Fumigation Operations NESHAP

On December 5, 2019, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued an advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) to solicit information from the public regarding a potential future rulemaking to revise the standards for commercial ethylene oxide sterilization and fumigation facilities. Specifically, the ANPRM solicits information on suggested strategies for ethylene oxide emission reductions. Addressing ethylene oxide emissions from sterilizers is an agency priority. The ANPRM will not impose any requirements on the regulated community; rather, it offers the public the opportunity to comment. EPA will accept comment on the ANPRM for 60 days after publication in the Federal Register. EPA is also taking two additional actions in preparation for a potential future rulemaking for these facilities:

  • Soliciting nominations for representatives for small entities potentially subject to a future rulemaking to advise a Small Business Advocacy Review Panel that would focus on the rule development.
  • Issuing a request for information under CAA section 114 to gather information from several commercial sterilization companies on facility characteristics, control devices, work practices and costs for emission reductions.

For more information on these actions, including a pre-publication version of the ANPRM and a summary fact sheet, visit this link

 

EPA’s Office of Research and Development (ORD) has initiated Tribal consultation on the implementation of ORD research – Throughout 2018, ORD implemented a rigorous engagement process to solicit research needs from our partners in EPA’s programs and regions, states, and Tribes. Many of the research needs expressed by Tribes mirrored environmental concerns from EPA programs, regions and the states. This strategic, program-needs identification process concluded in September 2018 with the development of draft Strategic Research Action Plans (StRAPs) for ORD’s national research programs. To initiate the consultation discussion, ORD has proposed charge questions on specific products associated with four of the six ORD research programs, including: 

  1. Air and Energy
  2. Chemical Safety for Sustainability
  3. Safe and Sustainable Water Resources
  4. Sustainable and Healthy Communities

A copy of the consultation letter and plan are attached, and can be located on EPA’s Tribal Consultation Opportunities Tracking System website at: https://tcots.epa.gov. The consultation plan includes a description of the four research products and charge questions that will be the focus of the consultation. Consultation period of November 1, 2019 – December 31, 2019.  ORD will host national tribal conference calls and webinars:  

December 11, 2019 3:00-4:30 pm, ET; Webinar registration or Conference Call-in: (202) 991-0477, Conference Call ID: 9520960#

 

EPA Tools and Resources Webinar: FRMs/FEMs and Sensors: Complimentary Approaches for Determining Ambient Air Quality

December 18, 2019 at 3:00 to 4:00 PM ET

On a worldwide basis, the World Health Organization estimates that approximately 4 million people die annually from health impacts due to exposure to ambient air pollution. In the U.S., the Clean Air Act sets national limits for ambient concentrations of six “Criteria Pollutants” (CO, O3, SO2, NO2, Pb, and particulate matter) known to cause adverse health effects. The Act also requires nationwide monitoring of these pollutants using only instruments, which have been formally approved by U.S. EPA as either Federal Reference Methods (FRMs) or Federal Equivalent Methods (FEMs). Although the overall pollutant measurement performance of these FRM/FEM instruments is widely recognized to produce reproducible data of high quality, these regulatory instruments do not fulfill all possible monitoring needs. In recent years, smaller, lower cost, direct-reading air sensors have been developed to address the limitations of the FRM/FEM instruments. While these sensors do not provide regulatory type data, they fulfill the needs for more portable, lower cost instruments that support community science, spatial distribution studies, hotspot identification, public education, and personnel monitoring studies.

   This webinar will discuss the relative advantages and disadvantages of the regulatory FRM/FEM instruments and of the sensor-based instruments used for non-regulatory monitoring. The complementary nature of these two measurement approaches will be discussed for determining ambient air quality based on specific monitoring objectives. Additional information about FRM/FEM instruments and quality assurance and control procedures can be found in The Ambient Monitoring Technology Information Center (AMTIC) located here, while additional information and resources about sensors can be found in the Air Sensors Toolbox located here. Andrea Clements and Robert Vanderpool of EPA’s Office of Research and Development will present this webinar. 

To join this webinar, please register here. For audio, dial: (866) 299-3188, access code: 202-564-6669 or you will be able to listen through your computer speakers.

 

The Federal Advisory Committee Management Division (FACMD) at EPA is currently accepting nominations from interested persons who would like to be considered for an appointment to serve on the Good Neighbor Environmental Board (GNEB) beginning March 2020 through 2022.

FACMD is requesting membership outreach assistance from the HIC’s by distributing the below notice to your tribal network contact lists, especially those along the U.S. Mexico border region. If interested in submitting a nomination for appointment consideration, please follow this link to the FRN for more details and instructions on how to apply. For additional information about the GNEB, please visit this link.

 

Tribal Consultation Opportunity: Implementation of the Office of Research and Development’s Research
End date: December 31, 2019
More information on the TCOTS website.

 

Tribal Grants Education and Technical Assistance Webinar Series Second Wednesday of Every Month at 1pm ET
For more information, click here!

 

NTAA Upcoming Calls. The toll-free number is 1-800-309-2350. If you do not need to call toll free, or would like to help conserve NTAA funding, you can call 1-805-309-2350. Both numbers use code 928-523-0526#. Contact Andy.Bessler@nau.edu 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. Thursday, December 12, 2pm ET
Indoor Air Quality Work Group: Join this work group every other month to help support IAQ work throughout Indian Country.  Thursday, December 19, 2pm ET
Mobile Sources Work Group: This monthly work group addresses all mobile source pollution issues. Thursday, January 9, 2pm ET
Wood Smoke Work Group: Join this work group every other month to address wood smoke issues in Indian Country. Thursday, January 23, 2pm ET

 

The Institute for Tribal Environmental Professional’s (ITEP’sTribes and Climate Change Calendar includes conferences, trainings, webinars and other events related to tribes and climate change. 

Click here for ITEP’s other trainings and events. 

Click here for ITEP’s new Tribal Environmental Management and Planning Online Courses. New courses have been added, so check it out!

ITEP’s FY20 AIAQTP Course Schedule 

Course Title Dates Location Course Level
GIS for Air Quality December 16-18 TAMS Center, Las Vegas, NV 3
2020
Introduction to Tribal Air Quality January 14-17 Flagstaff, AZ 1
Indoor Air Quality Diagnostic Tools January 28-31 TAMS Center, Las Vegas, NV 2
Air Quality Computations February 11-14 Phoenix, AZ 1
Fundamentals of Air Monitoring February 25-27 TAMS Center, Las Vegas, NV 2
Indoor Air Quality Diagnostic Tools in Alaska March 3-6 AK – TBD 2
Air Pollution Technology March 10-13 Flagstaff, AZ 2
Meteorological Monitoring April 14-16 TAMS Center, Las Vegas, NV 3
National Tribal Forum on Air Quality (NTFAQ) May TBD
Air Pollution Modeling Fall 2020 TAMS Center, Las Vegas, NV 3
Air Quality Outreach TBD TBD 1
Air Quality Planning for Wildland Smoke Anytime Series of 6 recorded webinars n/a
Indoor Air Quality – Independent Study Anytime Independent Study 1
Building Performance: Improving IAQ in Cold Climates Open Online 1
Building Performance: Improving IAQ in Warm Climates In development Online 1
Residential Building Science Review Open Online 1
Radon Fundamentals Open Online 1
Quality Assurance Fundamentals (QA 101) Open Online 1
Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP) (QA 201-209) Open Online 2
Emissions Inventory Fundamentals Open Online 2
Emissions Inventory Advanced Open Online 3
Note: This schedule is subject to change.  For up-to-date information, course descriptions, and applications please visit http://www7.nau.edu/itep/main/Training/training_air/ 

 

Climate Change / Energy

December 11, Tribal Microgrids, Energy Storage, and Resilience

In recent years, tribes have shown increased interest in microgrids. Among the reasons for this interest is the potential for microgrids to help tribal communities improve resilience, use local energy resources, and control energy costs. However, the potential benefits of microgrids are highly dependent on the variables of each specific situation. This webinar will provide attendees with information that can assist tribal governments and project leaders in identifying microgrid opportunities suited to their unique situations. Attendees will also learn the reasons other tribes have embarked on developing microgrids.

Register

 

December 12, 1 PM (ET) – Portfolio Manager 301

With a good background on the basic functionality of EPA’s ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager tool, learn about some advanced features including: using spreadsheet upload templates to update property data; setting goals and targets to plan energy improvements for properties; creating custom reports; and using the Sustainable Buildings Checklist.

Register

 

December 18, Noon (ET) – Ask the Expert

Every other Wednesday ENERGY STAR holds a Portfolio Manager “Ask the Expert” session. It’s a live webinar that gives all users an opportunity to ask their questions directly to EPA experts in an open forum. Want to talk to a “real” person? Have a question about how Portfolio Manager calculates your score? Want to learn more about entering Green Power? Join ENERGY STAR, and they’ll answer all your questions about ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager in this public forum.

Register

 

8th Annual Rising Voices Workshop: Climate Resilience through Intergenerational and Place-based Knowledges
April 29 – May 1, 2020
In partnership with the Lummi Nation and the Northwest Indian College
Applications due: Wednesday, December 18, 2019
Learn more and apply here.

 

Join the 2020 EE Local Grants Program Webinar

Planning to apply for an EE Grant? Consider joining EE Grant Program staff on a webinar where we will discuss how to write a competitive application and address commonly asked questions related to the 2020 EE Local Grants Request for Applications (RFA). 

Date and Time: The presentation will be offered between 1:00-2:00 p.m. ET and we will answer your questions from 2:00-2:30 p.m. ET on December 20th, 2019. Please enter the webinar as a guest. You do not need to register in advance.

Join the December 20, 2019 (1:00-2:30 p.m. ET) EE Grants webinar

The webinar slides, transcript and/or a recording will be posted on our website following the first webinar. For full information, including the Request for Applications and Frequently Asked Questions, please visit this link.

For questions regarding the EE Grants Program, please email eegrants@epa.gov.

 

ITEP’s Climate Change Adaptation Training Courses registration is online! Learn more about the courses and register here.

 

Toxics/Mobile Sources 

NC Clean Energy Technology Center & 100 Best Fleets webinars

December 11, 2 PM (ET) – Sustainable Fleet Webinars: Build Your Own Charging Station & A.I. for Fleets

Hear how a leading fleet manager has built solar canopies for EV charging. The concept recently received an $800,000 grant to scale the project. Learn how you can build your own solar charging station, saving at least $40,000 in the process.

In addition, join the discussion to learn about advancements in AI (artificial intelligence) for fleet operations. Fleet operations are undergoing change and AI is a powerful tool playing a part in the evolution. Our featured AI expert has been involved with the first drone package delivery deployment.

Also, hear from another leading fleet manager from the city designated “America’s Smart City” which has turned a $50 million grant into a $500 million public private partnership effort. He will discuss a simple and powerful tool that has saved his operation $1 million dollars in 5 years. This idea can be implemented in your operation tomorrow.

Register

 

Electric Vehicles: The Utility Connection

Wednesday, December 11, 2019 2:00 PM ET – 3:30 PM ET

This webinar will highlight the ways utilities and governments can work together to make electric vehicles and charging more reliable, accessible, affordable, and environmentally beneficial. The webinar will feature speakers from the Smart Electric Power Alliance, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission, and Seattle City Light.

Agenda:

  • Introduction: Andrea Denny and Jessica Daniels, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
  • A Comprehensive Look at Electric Vehicle Managed Charging: Erika Myers, Smart Electric Power Alliance
  • Minnesota Public Utilities Commission Transportation Electrification Efforts: Hanna Terwilliger, Minnesota Public Utilities Commission
  • Seattle’s Transportation Electrification Action Plan: Andrea DeWees and Emeka Anyanwu, Seattle City Light

Register

 

Indoor Air Quality

January 2020 National Radon Action Month Webinar Series

Four webinars will be conducted in January. Space is limited, so register here soon!

  • January 9, 11-11:30am ET. Radon: A Primer for Everyone
  • January 16, 11-11:30am ET. Radon Resources for Health Care Providers
  • January 21, 11-11:30am ET. ANSI Standards Now Available for FREE
  • January 30, 11-11:30am ET. Elevated Radionuclides in Private Wells

 

NEW! National Radon Action Month Resources

Did you know that winter is the best time to test homes for radon? Take action for National Radon Action Month (NRAM) and finalize your education and outreach efforts for January and beyond. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) makes raising awareness and community outreach easy by providing several outreach activity ideas. These include informative videos and public service announcements (PSAs), a radon outreach and event planning kit with implementation tips, and radon testing e-cards to send to friends. Access and download your free radon resources today by clicking on the link above.

 

EPA’s Residential Wood Smoke Workshop in New Orleans, March 10-12, 2020

More information can be found here, or contact Larry Brockman, brockman.larry@epa.gov, 919-541-5398.

Workshop Background Information: Workshop participants will include state, local, tribal, federal and non-profit organization personnel.  Workshop participants will discuss residential wood heating/combustion program issues, opportunities, challenges, lessons learned, and partnerships as outlined in the draft agenda. This Workshop will be held in conjunction with the Hearth, Patio and Barbeque Association (HPBA) Trade Show/Expo, which offers Workshop participants a valuable opportunity to tour the Trade Show floor and meet with industry representatives.  At the Expo a wide variety of hearth technologies are on display including cordwood, wood pellet, coal and gas stoves, wood-fired central heating system.  You do not need to register for the HBPA Expo – by registering for the Wood Smoke Workshop you will receive a name tag-pass for the Expo. The Workshop is being coordinated and supported by EPA, the Western States Air Resources Council, the Northeast States for Coordinated Air Use Management and National Tribal Air Association. 

 

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