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Home My WebLink About08-06-24 Correspondence - Environmental Protection Agency - Water Division Program UpdatesFrom:Mullins, Matthew (he/him/his)To:Bozeman Public Comment Subject:[EXTERNAL]Water Division Program Updates Date:Monday, August 5, 2024 3:43:00 PM Attachments:Program updates August 2024.pdf CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe. August 5, 2024Program updates Upcoming Opportunities Community Change Grant UPDATE: The deadline to request the free Technical Assistance (TA) to help develop Community Grant Program applications is August 16, 2024. TA requests will not be accepted after that date. The EPA’s Community Change Grants program will support disadvantaged, underserved and/or rural communities with up to $2 billion in funding from the Inflation Reduction Act. These grants aim to reduce pollution, enhance climate resilience, and strengthen your community's ability to tackle environmental challenges. These place-based investments focus on community-driven initiatives. There are two tracks: Track 1 grants are project-based and range from $10-20 million, supporting initiatives that address a wide range of local priorities. Track 2 grans are $1-3 million to support community engagement. Applications are now open and are being reviewed on a rolling basis. Application packages must be submitted on or before November 21, 2024. To learn more about the grant, multiple technical assistance recordings can be found on the Community Change Grants website. Click here for more information Deadline to apply is November 21, 2024 Water and Energy Efficiency Grants: Bureau of Reclamation is currentlyaccepting applications for their WaterSmart program. This Water and EnergyEfficiency Grants Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) provides funding forprojects that result in quantifiable water savings, implement renewableenergy components, and support broader sustainability benefits. These projects conserve and use water more efficiently; increase the production of renewable energy; mitigate conflict risk in areas at a high risk of future waterconflict; and accomplish other benefits that contribute to sustainability in theWestern United States. Deadline to Apply is Nov 13, 2024; Email bor-sha-fafoa@usbr.gov with questions Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program: The EnergyEfficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program is designed toassist states, local governments, and Tribes in implementing strategies toreduce energy use, to reduce fossil fuel emissions, and to improve energyefficiency. DOE provides technical assistance offerings for eligible entities,including the EECBG Program Blueprints and the opportunity to host aCommunity Energy Fellow in your local government or Tribe. To learn moreabout the Technical Assistance available click here. Click here for more information Deadline to apply is October 31, 2024 Are you prepared for Wildfires? Drought? Flooding? ExtremeWeather? These events pose significant challenges to drinking water andwastewater operations within our region. Climate change will make theseevents even more challenging. EPA's Creating Resilient Water Utilities isoffering free Technical Assistance (TA) to interested stakeholders. EPA’sCreating Resilient Water Utilities (CRWU) initiative provides the water sectorand its stakeholders with practical tools, training, and technical assistanceneeded to increase their infrastructure’s resilience to these hazards. Requestfree help today and take steps to protect your community’s multi-million dollar infrastructure investments. The deadline to sign up for this TA isAugust 15 and will be available on a first come first served basis. Ifselected, CRWU would begin working with your community between October2024 and July 2025. If you are interested in this FREE assessment, pleaseclick the link below. Click Here to Request a Free Risk Assessment; Mullins.Matthew@epa.gov Climate Resilience Training for Water Sector Utilities: Resiliency is apart of public safety. In an effort to ensure safe and resilient water systemsfor rural communities, EPA’s Creating Resilient Water Utilities (CRWU)initiative and EPA Region 8 are hosting a free in-person training for drinkingwater, wastewater, and stormwater utilities, including Tribal utilities inColorado, Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah. This training will cover topicsincluding tools to build a climate risk assessment, adaptation strategies tomitigate drought, wildfire, severe weather, flooding, and other climatethreats, a utility case study from Cortez Sanitation District (CO), regional climate trends and projections, and utility infrastructure financing. Continuing education units have been approved for certified drinking water andwastewater operators from Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico. Traininghours will also be accepted by the Inter Tribal Council of Arizona. To receiveCEUs, you must register, attend the entire training, and complete a shortfeedback form. Register here for the In-Person workshop Wednesday, Sep 18, 2024: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM MT Dolores Public Lands Office (29211 CO-184, Dolores, CO 81323) Farm, Ranch, and Rural Communities Federal Advisory Committee: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is soliciting nominations for its Farm, Ranch, and Rural Communities Federal Advisory Committee (FRRCC), established in 2008 to provide independent policy advice on environmental issues important to agriculture and rural communities. Rod Snyder, Senior Agriculture Advisor, emphasized the committee's role in offering meaningful feedback to the EPA and shaping the priorities of the new Office of Agriculture and Rural Affairs. Earlier this year, the FRRCC issued policy recommendations to Administrator Michael S. Regan about how EPA’s programs and authorities can help support and accelerate U.S. agriculture’s climate goals. FRRCC seeks members from diverse sectors, including farmers, ranchers, allied industries, academia, government, and NGOs, to ensure a broad representation of perspectives. Nominations, including a résumé and statement of interest, should be submitted to FRRCC@epa.gov by September 5, 2024, with optional letters of support. Click here for more information Small Drinking Water Systems Webinar Series (Consolidation,Restructuring, Partnerships, and Regionalization): EPA's Office ofResearch and Development and Office of Water host this free webinar seriesto communicate current research, regulatory information, and solutions forchallenges facing small drinking water systems. The next webinar in theseries will be focused on regional consolidation and partnering. Registrationwill be posted for this webinar at the link below as soon as it opens. Register here for the Webinar Tuesday, August 27, 2024 Cybersecurity 102 Training: EPA's Water Infrastructure and CyberResilience Division is offering training that builds upon the foundationalprinciples explained in the Cybersecurity 101 training. Whether you are an ITprofessional, business owner, or simply interested in protecting yourselfonline, this training equips you with practical skills to navigate today’s digital threats. Register here for the Webinar Wednesday, Sep 4, 2024: 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM MT We look forward to continuing to serve you by providing information on Grant Opportunities, Webinars, Trainings, and other exciting information. To unsubscribe from our email list, reply back “unsubscribe” If you were forwarded this email and want to subscribe: Click here to subscribe, reply back “subscribe” For questions on webinars and workshops, contact EPA via the email addresslisted on the registration page. For questions on Technical Assistance (TA) and funding opportunities forclean water and drinking water infrastructure, contact Tamara Barbakova atBarbakova.Tamara@epa.gov. https://www.epa.gov/environmental-topics/water-topicsAdditional Information: