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 (colon.toni@epa.gov) and/or Loren Fox (fox.loren@epa.gov) with any feedback.

NEW! EPA: Clean School Bus Program’s Webpage Update

EPA has made a few updates to the Clean School Bus Program’s webpage (www.epa.gov/cleanschoolbus) and has included the Report to Congress, which is required by January 31 of each year. The Clean School Bus – Initial Implementation Report to Congress mostly covers what’s in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) and stakeholder outreach to date. The Report also mentions that EPA intends to open the Clean School Bus funding cycle as early as April 2022. The second web update is that EPA also added a signup on the website to a new Clean School Bus listserv.

EPA will be sending a listserv announcement on our DERA list to alert people that the Clean School Bus – Report to Congress is now available online and to encourage people to sign up for the new CSB listserv.

If you have any questions please send an email to cleanschoolbus@epa.gov. EPA will be logging feedback and responding to questions.

NEW! EPA to Evaluate Whether Lead Emissions from Piston-Engine Aircraft Endanger Human Health and Welfare

On January 11th, EPA announced that it will evaluate whether emissions from piston-engine aircraft operating on leaded fuel contribute to air pollution that endangers public health and welfare.

Under the Clean Air Act, EPA reviews information on air pollutants and sources of air pollution to determine whether they threaten human health or welfare. This is referred to as an “endangerment finding.” EPA currently plans to issue a proposed endangerment finding for piston-engine aircraft that run on leaded fuel in 2022 for public review and comment. After evaluating comments on the proposal, we plan to issue any final endangerment finding in 2023.

This action responds to petitions from Alaska Community Action on Toxics, Center for Environmental Health, Friends of the Earth, Montgomery-Gibbs Environmental Coalition, Oregon Aviation Watch, the County of Santa Clara, and the Town of Middleton, WI.

More information on the petition response and EPA’s activities on lead emissions from piston-engine aircraft can be found here:  https://www.epa.gov/regulations-emissions-vehicles-and-engines/petitions-and-epa-response-memorandums-related-lead

NEW! EPA to Hold Public Listening Session on Draft Lead Strategy For All Regions

February – March 2022 | Register Here For Your Regions Listening Session

EPA is hosting Zoom virtual public comment sessions in each of its ten geographic regional office areas from early February to early March 2022. The sessions will be an opportunity for the public to provide verbal input on the draft Lead Strategy to EPA. We encourage the public to share with the Agency thoughts on how to address lead issues in their communities during these regional sessions (e.g., Northeast, Southwest, Mid-Atlantic, etc.).

EPA will use the feedback received during this public comment period to determine if additional revisions need to be incorporated into the Lead Strategy before it is finalized.

NEW! EPA 2021 Annual State Indoor Radon Grant Activities Report is Now Available

State and Tribal radon programs are critical to the Agency’s national goal of minimizing and preventing radon-related lung cancer. States and tribes are eligible to receive grant funds from EPA through the State Indoor Radon Grant (SIRG) Program which can be used to help finance risk reduction and outreach activities.

EPA’s Indoor Environments Division is pleased to share the final 2021 State Indoor Radon Grant Program Activities Report. This report highlights the important work states, territories, and tribes are undertaking across the country to advance radon risk reduction.

Some successful approaches states and tribes are utilizing for reducing radon risk include:

  • Education and outreach to the medical community,
  • Inclusion of radon in state cancer control plans,
  • Testing and remediation of schools in high-risk radon areas,
  • Addressing radon in homes and real-estate transactions,
  • Continuing education and technical support for industry professionals,
  • Building support for adoption of radon-reduction strategies in building codes or state/tribal policy

NEW! EPA Webinar: How to Evaluate Air Sensors for Smoke Monitoring Applications

February 16, 3:00 PM ET | Register Here

In recent years, data from fine particulate matter (PM2.5) sensors have become an invaluable tool for communicating air quality information to the public during wildfire smoke episodes and broadening our understanding of the sometimes, local nature and often extreme air quality impacts from wildfire smoke. In 2021, EPA, released performance targets for PM2.5 air sensors. These targets provide a solid foundation for the evaluation of air sensors, but do not capture all the complexities of using sensors for smoke monitoring applications. This webinar will build on the performance targets with best practices for evaluating sensors over a wide concentration range, over multiple locations, and in network applications. Many of these lessons learned come from several years of using sensors for this application and from almost two years of including sensor data on the AirNow Fire and Smoke map.

NEW! EPA Office of Air Quality Planning & Standards (OAQPS) Seeking Input

February 17th, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM ET

EPA would like to seek early input from tribal ambient air monitoring programs on potential options to improve the monitoring and data calculations as part of the notice of proposed rulemaking for the PM NAAQS Reconsideration.  We will cover several technical areas such as: data calculations, efficiencies to the PM2.5 FRM, approval of reference and equivalent methods, quality assurance, ambient monitoring, network design and relationship to EJ, comparability of PM2.5 FEMs, and probe and siting criteria.

If you would like to participate on this Microsoft Teams meeting scheduled for February 17th from 2:00 – 3:00 Eastern, please contact James Payne with the EPA Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards at payne.jamesj@epa.gov.” This meeting will be recorded and available after; a call in number will also be available.

Biden order requires net-zero federal government emissions by 2050

There will be many opportunities to heat the more rural, northern federal buildings with wood, pellets and wood chips! The US Forest Service itself has many such buildings and understands the technology and benefits.

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

NTAA Upcoming Calls

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.

STAR Work Group: Join the bi-weekly Status of Tribal Air work group to provide input on the report.

Attend by clicking here.

 Tuesday, February 8,

1pm ET
IAQ Work Group: Join the bi-monthly calls of the NTAA IAQ work group. Attend by clicking here. Thursday, February 17, 2pm ET
Alaska Air Work Group: Join this work group to hear updates from EPA and Alaskans working on air quality. Attend by clicking here. Tentatively set for March 30,   10 am AK
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, February 24, 2pm ET
Mobile Sources Work Group: This monthly work group addresses all mobile source pollution issues. Attend by clicking here. Thursday, March 3,

2pm  ET
Indoor Air Quality Work Group: Join this work group every other month to help support IAQ work throughout Indian Country. Attend by clicking here. Thursday, February 17, 2pm 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, March 24,

2pm 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

NEW! 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: https://www.epa.gov/statelocalenergy/tribal-greenhouse-gas-inventory-tool

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:

February 22, 2 PM (ET) – Local and Tribal GHG Inventory Tool Office Hours. EPA is hosting online drop-in office hours for the Local and Tribal GHG Inventory tools on February 22. During this session, EPA staff will offer technical assistance on the tools, provide guidance on data collection, and answer questions about local and tribal GHG inventories. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/us-epa-local-and-tribal-greenhouse-gas-inventory-tool-office-hours-tickets-247279388307

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).

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

Learn more about the courses and register here.

Toxics/Mobile Sources

‘Control of Air Pollution from Aircraft Engines: Emission Standards and Test Procedures Rule’ is in the comment period. Here is the relevant information (https://www.regulations.gov/document/EPA-HQ-OAR-2019-0660-0130).

EPA is rescheduling the virtual public hearing for its proposed rule to February 17, 2022. This hearing is being rescheduled from the previous date of January 20, 2022. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this hearing will be held virtually only using Zoom (i.e., there will be no in-person hearing). In order to attend the February 17, 2022 virtual public hearing, all attendees (including those who will not be presenting verbal testimony) must register. The EPA is requesting that you pre-register by February 14, 2022 to allow for the orderly scheduling of testimony. To register, visit Aircraft Engine Particulate Matter Public Hearing Webinar Registration EPA WEBSITE. 

Indoor Air Quality


February 16th, 1:00 PM ET | Register HereNEW! EPA Webinar: Committee on Indoor Air Quality (CIAQ) Meeting

At the meeting, CIAQ member agencies will provide updates on indoor environmental quality–related activities at their agencies. Following member updates, presentation(s) on current relevant IAQ-related issues have been invited.

The agenda for the February meeting will be provided on the CIAQ website shortly.

NEW! EPA Webinar: Solutions and Resources to Address COVID-19 in Schools: Establishing Lasting Improvements to Ventilation and IAQ

February 10th, 1:00 – 2:30 PM ET | Register Here

During the webinar, you will learn how to—

  • Make the case to implement building upgrades to improve IAQ, reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, and optimize school building energy performance;
  • Determine your building system type and implement ventilation best practices and building design guidelines, such as mechanical ventilation, natural ventilation, filtration, in-room air cleaners, and germicidal UV (UVGI);
  • Use federal stimulus funding to make lasting improvements to school buildings and ventilation systems; and
  • Replicate best practices to improve building health and energy efficiency used in school district case studies.

Choose the Right Portable Air Cleaner for the Home

Whether you are in the market for a portable air cleaner for your home or you were thinking about gifting one this holiday season, EPA’s Guide to Air Cleaners in the Home can help you make a well-informed decision.

Tips for selecting and using a portable air cleaner:

  • Never buy or use an air cleaner that generates ozone, a lung irritant.
  • Choose an air cleaner with a clean air delivery rate (CADR) that is large enough for the size of the room. The higher the CADR the more particles an air cleaner can capture and remove from the air and the larger the room it can be used in.
  • Running your air cleaner at a higher speed and for a longer time will help improve the air cleaner’s effectiveness.
  • Place your air cleaner in the rooms where you spend more of your time such as your living room or bedroom.
  • Replace filters regularly and follow all air cleaner manufacturing maintenance instructions.

Read EPA’s Guide to Air Cleaners in the Home for more details and tips.

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:

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

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