HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-04-24 Correspondence - Environmental Protection Agency - Water Division Program UpdatesFrom:Mullins, Matthew (he/him/his)To:Bozeman Public Comment
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Water Division Program Updates
Date:Thursday, October 3, 2024 7:32:37 PM
Attachments:Program updates October 2024.pdf
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OctOber 3, 2024Program Updates
Upcoming Opportunities
Free Resilience Training for Northern Great Plains Water Sector:Resiliency is a part of public safety. In an effort to ensure safe and resilientwater systems for rural communities, EPA’s Creating Resilient Water Utilities(CRWU) initiative and EPA Region 8 are hosting a free virtual two part
training for drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater utilities, including
Tribal utilities in Wyoming, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, andNebraska. These webinars focus on building resilience to impacts fromdrought, wildfires, and flooding, as well as identifying andimplementing adaptation options, and utility infrastructure financing.This training will cover topics including tools to build a climate riskassessment, adaptation strategies to mitigate drought, wildfire, severeweather, flooding, and other climate threats. Success stories from City ofLaramie Public Works Department (WY), Town of Hartville Water System(WY) and Fort Berthold Rural Water, Ft. Berthold Indian Reservation (ND) willbe shared. Continuing education units will be available for participating
certified water and wastewater operators from MT, NE, ND, SD and WY. To
receive CEUs, you must register, attend the entire training, and complete ashort feedback form.
Register here for the workshop
Part 1: Tuesday, Nov 19, 2024: 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM MT
Part 2: Thursday, Nov 21, 2024: 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM MT
New Tools to Help Small, Rural, and Tribal Communities with LagoonsManage Wastewater and Protect Waterbodies: Lagoon wastewatertreatment systems are typically used in communities that are smaller than3,000 people and can lack the necessary financial and technical resources tocomply with the Clean Water Act. EPA’s new tools are intended to help local
decisionmakers effectively and efficiently protect public health and the
environment, address compliance challenges, and improve asset-management planning. The new resources include:
(1) The First Stop Toolbox for Lagoons identifies technical, financial, and
regulatory support resources in a user-friendly web tool. This tool will help
lagoon operators and technical assistance providers assess operations and
compliance challenges in their lagoons, and in turn, help communities resolvethese challenges on their own.
(2) The Small Lagoon Communities Economic Streamlining Tool and
the Individual Lagoon Tool help states, authorized Tribes, and
communities determine whether a water quality standards (WQS) variance isappropriate where a small community is experiencing compliance challengesrelated to ammonia. The tools are accompanied by an implementationdocument, Applying the EPA’s Economic Analysis Tools to a WQS Variance forAmmonia for Small Lagoon Communities.
Read the press release and access the new tools at www.epa.gov/lagoons.
For any questions related to this announcement, please contactHidalgo.Alma@epa.gov.
Climate Resilience and Adaptation Funding Toolbox (CRAFT): EPA justlaunched CRAFT, a user-friendly resource for technical assistance providersworking with federal funding applicants and recipients to develop, apply forand implement climate-resilient investments. The website provides simple,easy-to-understand resources that can help users consider climate
adaptation and resilience before, during and after applying for EPA funding
opportunities. The information in CRAFT can help federal funding applicants
and recipients consider climate-related challenges to their projects at theoutset, so taxpayer dollars can be invested wisely. CRAFT also supports thedevelopment of projects that advance multiple policy goals, such as achievinglocal flood resilience, adopting nature-based infrastructure solutions, andprotecting the people and places most vulnerable to climate change.
The materials provided in CRAFT include:
Program overviews of EPA’s financial assistance programs where climate-safe
investment opportunities are available.
Climate risk tools and decision support resources that can inform thedevelopment, design and implementation of projects.
Communications materials to facilitate discussions about adaptation,resilience and environmental justice.
Meaningful engagement resources on how to perform targeted communityengagement efforts effectively and intentionally when implementing climate-smart projects.
Definitions of common terms to use during technical assistance consultations,
engagement efforts and the development of project proposals.
For more information, visit: https://www.epa.gov/resilient-investments
Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) : The WIFIA
program and Clean Water (CWSRF) and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund
(DWSRF) programs provide financing solutions to help communities address
their water infrastructure needs. Like a bank, the WIFIA program has funding
available on an ongoing basis. This allows prospective borrowers to request
financing on their schedule. A rolling selection process allows EPA to provide
year-round access to WIFIA funding and quicker selection decisions to
prospective borrowers. Co-funding with the WIFIA and SRF programs offers
funding recipients efficiencies, cost savings, and other advantages. To take
advantage of each programs’ unique elements, view the FACTSHEET that
highlights the many benefits of co-funding with these programs. Experts from
the WIFIA program will provide an overview of the benefits of WIFIA
financing and how to apply for a WIFIA loan in this webinar held twice.
Register here to attend one of the Webinars
Tuesday, Oct 8, 2024: 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM MT
or
Thursday, Oct 17, 2024: 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM MT
Community Change Grant: 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 grants range
from $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, 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
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 to
reduce energy use, to reduce fossil fuel emissions, and to improve energy
efficiency. The Department of Energy (DOE) provides technical assistance
offerings for eligible entities, including the EECBG Program Blueprints and theopportunity to host a Community Energy Fellow in your local government orTribe. To learn more, click here.
Click here for more information
Deadline to apply is October 31, 2024
Water and Energy Efficiency Grants: Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) iscurrently accepting applications for their WaterSmart program. This Waterand Energy Efficiency Grants Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) providesfunding for projects that result in quantifiable water savings, implementrenewable energy 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 water conflict; and accomplish other benefits that contribute tosustainability in the Western United States.
Deadline to Apply is November 13, 2024;
Email bor-sha-fafoa@usbr.gov with questions
Recreation Economy for Rural Communities: The Recreation Economyfor Rural Communities planning assistance program helps communities
identify strategies to grow their outdoor recreation economy and revitalizetheir main streets. Outdoor activities are increasingly popular across theUnited States, and many communities are seeking to grow their outdoorrecreation and tourism economy, while investing in their main streets andconserving forests and natural lands. Encouraging growth on main streets
while promoting outdoor recreation can help foster community revitalization,
protect air and water quality, create jobs and support economicdiversification, and offer new opportunities for people to connect with thenatural world. An informational webinar about the program can be viewedhere.
Click here for More information
Deadline to Apply is Oct 16, 2024
New Grant Opportunity for Technical Assistance providers: EPArecently announced $49 million in Technical Assistance to Help Rural, Small,and Tribal Communities Address Wastewater Challenges. Many rural, small,
and Tribal systems face unique financial and operational challenges, including
aging infrastructure, workforce shortages, increasing costs, and decliningrate bases. EPA’s grant funding will be used to assess the most pressingwater challenges in communities, provide training on water infrastructure andmanagement best practices, help communities navigate the federal fundingapplication process, and strategically invest in reliable infrastructuresolutions. The Rural, Small, and Tribal Technical Assistance providers areimportant in helping to ensure that these communities receive help accessingresources to support infrastructure improvements. These providers canprovide direct support to help build technical, managerial, and financialcapacity to operate centralized and decentralized wastewater management
systems.
Click here for more information
Deadline to Apply is Nov 25,2024
Brownfields Assessment, Revolving Loan Fund (RLF), and CleanupGrants: Grants offered by the Brownfields Program may be used to addresssites contaminated by hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants(including hazardous substances co-mingled with petroleum) and petroleum.Please visit the Types of Brownfields Grant Funding for an overview of theAssessment, Revolving Loan Fund, and Cleanup Grants. The fiscal year (FY)2025 Brownfields Assessment, RLF, and Cleanup Grant (ARC) solicitation and
guidelines are now available in www.grants.gov and on the EPA ARC Grant
Application Resources webpage. General program resources, pre-recordedvideos, and grant guideline outreach webinars can also be found on the ARCwebpage. For more information about the EPA R8 Brownfields Program, clickhere.
Deadline to Apply is Nov 14, 2024
New Grant, Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling (SWIFR) Grantsfor Communities: The total estimated funding for the competitiveopportunity is approximately $58,000,000. EPA anticipates awardingapproximately 20 to 30 assistance agreements under this fundingopportunity, with at least one award per each EPA Region. The minimumindividual award floor is $500,000, and the maximum individual award ceilingis $5,000,000 for the grant period Materials and waste streams within scopeof this funding opportunity include municipal solid waste, including plastics,organics, paper, metal, glass, and construction and demolition debris. Thisalso includes the management pathways of source reduction, reuse, sendingmaterials to material recovery facilities, composting, and industrial uses
(e.g., rendering, anaerobic digestion), and feeding animals.
Click here for more Information
Deadline to Apply is Dec 20, 2024
New Funding Opportunity, 2024 Clean School Bus Rebate Program:
2024 Clean School Bus Rebate Program, The Clean School Bus Programsubsidizes the replacement of existing school buses with zero-emission,
propane, and compressed natural gas alternatives. With rebate amounts of
up to $325,000 per bus and infrastructure, these cleaner buses will result inbetter air quality on the bus, in bus loading areas, and throughout thecommunities in which they operate. After multiple grant and rebate fundingopportunities, the EPA has awarded almost $3 billion to fund approximately8,700 school bus replacements at nearly 1,300 schools. Due to the success ofthe program, the newly opened rebate opportunity offers up to $965 millionfrom September 26th to January 9th. The EPA expects to awardapproximately 60% of total funding for the 2024 Rebates Program toapplicants categorized as prioritized such as high-need school districts, low-income areas, rural school districts, and tribes. Applicants can apply for as
little as 1 bus or up to a maximum of 50 buses. Therefore, rebates are the
perfect choice for school districts looking to start the electrificationprocess. Make sure to check out the 2024 Clean School Bus Rebate Programto learn more!
Click here for more Information
Deadline to Apply is Jan 9, 2025
Revisions to 2 CFR Part 200 Regulations Webinar: Earlier this year, the
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) published substantial updates to
the Uniform Grants Guidance at 2 CFR Part 200 that became effective
on October 1, 2024. These revisions reduce both Federal agency andrecipient burden, are written in plain language to clarify concepts and terms,and help improve overall Federal financial assistance management. The EPApresenters will review the most impactful revisions to help guide our grants’stakeholders through these changes. Some of the topics to be coveredinclude changes to threshold amounts, equipment and supplies, updates ofdefinitions and acronyms, new reporting requirements on budget andprogram plans as well as program performance, modifications to thetermination clause, and procurement policies.
Register here for the Webinar
Wednesday, Oct 9, 2024: 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM MT
Cyber Phishing Drill: EPA’s Water Infrastructure and Cyber ResilienceDivision will be hosting a free phishing drill for drinking water andwastewater systems. The drill is designed to allow utilities to simulate one ofthe most common types of cyber-attacks.
Register here for the Webinar
Tuesday, Oct 22, 2024: 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM MT
Small Drinking Water Systems Webinar Series — PFAS RuleImplementation and Treatment: EPA's Office of Research and
Development and Office of Water host this free webinar series to
communicate current research, regulatory information, and solutions forchallenges facing small drinking water systems. This webinar will be focusedon PFAS rule implementation and treatment.
Register here for the Webinar
Tuesday, Oct 29, 2024: 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM MT
We look forward to continuing to serve you by providing information onGrant Opportunities, Webinars, Trainings, and other exciting information.
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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: