HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-07-24 Correspondence - Environmental Protection Agency - Water Division Program UpdatesFrom:Mullins, Matthew (he/him/his)To:Bozeman Public Comment
Subject:[EXTERNAL][BULK] Water Division Program Updates
Date:Monday, November 4, 2024 12:18:25 PM
Attachments:Program updates November 2024.pdf
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November 1, 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 Grant Opportunity: We are excited to announce the first cycle of
funding for the Mountains and Plains Environmental Justice (MAP EJ) Grants
Hub (mapejgrants.org), part of the EPA’s Thriving Communities Grantmaking
Program. This cycle of subgrant applications began on Monday, October
28th and will remain open for 45 days through December 12th. Awards range
from $150,000 to $350,000. With a streamlined application process and
reduced administrative burden, Map EJ Grants Hub offers Region 8 eligible
entities access to federal funds while alleviating much of the burden
of federal grants process. The MAP EJ Grants Hub will distribute $40
million over the next three years to fund environmental justice-related
projects and programs in EPA Region 8. Entities eligible for EPA Grantmaker
subawards include:
· Nonprofit organizations: Including community-based and grassroots
organizations
· Tribal governments: Federally and state-recognized Tribal governments,
and Intertribal Consortia
· Local governments
· Institutions of higher education (in partnership with a community-based
nonprofit organization)
· Native American organizations
Grants range from $150,000 to $350,000, with non-competitive grants of
$75,000 for severely capacity-constrained communities. Projects eligible for
funding include but are not limited to:
· Air and water quality
· Stormwater treatment
· Food access
· Local cleanup projects
· Addressing illegal dumping activities
· Healthy housing
· Toxin remediation
· and more…
The Region 8 Thriving Community Technical Assistance Center (TCTAC), the
Mountains and Plains Thriving Communities Collaborative MaPTCC offers
free technical assistance (TA) for potential applicants. Possible TA
includes providing support with project scoping, budgeting, capacity building
and more. An informational webinar will be hosted on Monday November 4,
2024 (register at the link below).
Register here for the Webinar
Monday, Nov 4, 2024: 10:00 AM MT
Deadline to Apply is December 12, 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, implement
renewable 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 riskof 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
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
Solar Energy for Small Wastewater Systems: Savings, Sustainability,
and Incentives. Small wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) face uniquechallenges when it comes to energy consumption and its associated costs.Join us for an overview of energy use in small WWTPs and explore solutionsfor reducing energy costs while enhancing sustainability. We will cover thebreakdown of energy consumption in small WWTPs, the significant role solar
power can play in cutting down electricity expenses, and how direct pay
provisions under the Inflation Reduction Act and other incentive programscan make solar adoption more affordable for tax-exempt and governmentalentities. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain the knowledge and tools youneed to optimize energy use and explore solar solutions that can make adifference for your WWTP and your community.
Learning Objectives:
· Understand the energy consumption patterns of WWTPs
· Explore the integration of renewable energy, with a focus on solar, in
wastewater treatment operations
· Learn about the use of direct pay and elective pay mechanisms to access
tax incentives for renewable energy projects
Who should attend?
· Managers, owners, and operators of wastewater systems with an average
daily flow of less than 1 million gallons
· Decision-makers for wastewater utilities, including mayors, finance officers,
utility managers, public works directors, city councilors, board members,tribal council members, and clerks
· Consultants and technical assistance providers serving wastewater systems
Register here for the Webinar
Tuesday, Nov 19, 2024: 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM MT
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 fundingopportunities. The information in CRAFT can help federal funding applicantsand 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 asachieving local flood resilience, adopting nature-based infrastructuresolutions, and protecting the people and places most vulnerable to climatechange.
The materials provided in CRAFT include:
Program overviews of EPA’s financial assistance programs where climate-safeinvestment 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 community
engagement 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
New Grant Opportunity for Technical Assistance providers: EPA
recently 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, includingaging 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 infrastructureand management best practices, help communities navigate the federalfunding application 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 accessing
resources to support infrastructure improvements. These providers can
provide direct support to help build technical, managerial, and financial
capacity to operate centralized and decentralized wastewater managementsystems.
Click here for more information
Deadline to Apply is Nov 25,2024
New Grant Opportunity for Technical Assistance providers: EPArecently announced $30 million in Technical Assistance to help Small andRural Communities Ensure Safe Drinking Water, Protect Local Waterways. Inthe United States, over 90 percent of drinking water systems serve fewerthan 10,000 people. While many of these small systems consistently providesafe drinking water to their customers, they can also face challenges
including high operator turnover, aging infrastructure, and lack of financialresources. Wastewater systems serving small communities face similarchallenges. This EPA grant program provides funding to organizations thatwork side-by-side with these systems, providing tools and training to ensurethat drinking water is safe and that wastewater is treated responsibly.
Click here for more information
Deadline to Apply is Nov 25,2024
New Grant Opportunity, Reducing Lead in Drinking Water: EPAannounced the availability of $35 million to assist disadvantaged
communities and schools with removing sources of lead in drinking water.
The EPA continues its focus on ensuring and advancing environmental justiceand equity, revitalizing communities, and protecting public health throughthe reduction in lead grant program. The grant program is designed tofacilitate reducing lead in drinking water in disadvantaged communitiesthrough infrastructure and/or treatment improvements or facility remediationin schools and child care facilities. The goal of these projects is to addressconditions that contribute to increased concentrations of lead in drinkingwater. The lead reduction projects should proceed to implementation uponaward. Priority Areas identified in this announcement are for: (1) Reductionof Lead Exposure in the Nation’s Drinking Water Systems through
Infrastructure and Treatment Improvements and (2) Reduction of Children’s
Exposure to Lead in Drinking Water at Schools and Child Care Facilities.
Click here for more information
Deadline to Apply is Dec 30,2024
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 andguidelines are now available in www.grants.gov and on the EPA ARC Grant
Application Resources webpage. General program resources, pre-recorded
videos, 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 ceiling
is $5,000,000 for the grant period. Materials and waste streams within the
scope of this funding opportunity include municipal solid waste, including
plastics, organics, paper, metal, glass, and construction and demolitiondebris. This also includes the management pathways of source reduction,reuse, sending materials to material recovery facilities, composting, andindustrial 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:
The Clean School Bus Program subsidizes the replacement of existing schoolbuses with zero-emission, propane, and compressed natural gas alternatives.With rebate amounts of up to $325,000 per bus and infrastructure, thesecleaner buses will result in better air quality on the bus, in bus loading areas,
and throughout the communities in which they operate. After multiple grant
and rebate funding opportunities, the EPA has awarded almost $3 billion to
fund approximately 8,700 school bus replacements at nearly 1,300 schools.Due to the success of the program, the newly opened rebate opportunityoffers up to $965 million from September 26th to January 9th. The EPAexpects to award approximately 60% of total funding for the 2024 RebatesProgram to applicants categorized as prioritized such as high-need schooldistricts, low-income areas, rural school districts, and tribes. Applicants canapply 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 theelectrification process. Make sure to check out the 2024 Clean School BusRebate Program to learn more!
Click here for more Information
Deadline to Apply is Jan 9, 2025
Small Drinking Water Systems Webinar Series — Lead Reduction:
EPA's Office of Research and Development and Office of Water host this free
webinar series to communicate current research, regulatory information, and
solutions for challenges facing small drinking water systems. This webinarwill be focused on Lead service line identification and replacement.
Register here for the Webinar
Tuesday, Dec 3, 2024: 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM MT
Creating Resilient Water Utilities (CRWU) — Webinar Series :
US EPA's CRWU Initiative is excited to offer a new webinar series focusing on
the real experiences of drinking water and wastewater utilities dealing with
climate- and weather-related impacts and vulnerabilities, funding challengesand workable solutions. Hear how other utilities are using CRWU's tools andinformation. The webinar series is FREE. Participants have the option ofattending all four sessions, or just the ones most relevant to their situation.For more information on the different sessions and to register, click below.
Register here for the Webinar Series
Session 1: Tuesday, Dec 3, 2024:11:00 AM - 1:00 PM MT
Session 2: Thursday, Dec 5, 2024: 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM MT
Session 3: Tuesday, Dec 10, 2024:11:00 AM - 1:00 PM MT
Session 4: Thursday, Dec 12, 2024: 11:00 AM - 1:00 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: