Consumption and the Environment is a year-long webinar series exploring ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help create more sustainable patterns of consumption in communities. The series is coordinated by EPA's West Coast Climate and Materials Management Forum. The webinars are free and open to everyone, and occur on the first Tuesday of every month at 12:30 p.m. EST. For more information and to register for the series, click here.   

EPA is seeking public comment on the annual Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 1990-2009 draft report. This report will be open for public comment for 30 days after the Federal Register notice is published. The draft report shows that in 2009, overall greenhouse gas (GHGs) emissions decreased by 6 percent since 2008 while overall emissions have grown by 7.4 percent from 1990 to 2009. Emissions in 2009 represent the lowest total U.S. annual GHG emissions since 1995. For the full story, click here. To view the draft report, click here.   

EPA has announced a major expansion and additional enhancement of the Water Contaminant Information Tool (WCIT). WCIT is a secure, on-line database profiling chemical, biological, and radiological contaminants of concern for drinking water and wastewater utilities. The Agency has now added a compendium of 700 new contaminants with details on more than 212 analytical methods. Expanding the range of data in WCIT enables water utilities, public health officials and federal, state and local agencies to better plan for and respond to an "all-hazards" contamination incident. To apply for access to WCIT, click here.

Syracuse University South Campus | March 23
Syracuse, NY 

10:00 - 3:00 PM

Inn on the Lake | April 13
Canandaigua, NY  

8:30 - 5:00 PM 

 
This one-day conference will be focused on local agricultural best management practices, especially concerning water quality as it pertains to agriculture and municipal systems. Ranging from everyday human actions to long-term infrastructure issues, workshops and research sessions will be informative of how changing behavior and technology aids local agricultural processes. This event has been rescheduled from its original date in February. For more information, and to register, click here.

Syracuse Center of Excellence | April 21
Syracuse, NY  

9:00 - 4:00 PM 

 
On April 21, the Northeast Recycling Council (NERC) will offer a USGBC Education Provider Program for training in construction and demolition (C&D) waste reuse and recycling, "Building for the Future." If talking about reuse and recycling of C&D materials, writing a waste management plan, and identifying and selecting markets and haulers makes your head hurt, this training is for you. The day-long course will be taught by WasteCap Resource Solutions. For event details and to register, click here.

Minnowbrook Conference Center | April 27-29
Blue Mountain Lake, NY 

Continuing in the EFC tradition, our annual local leaders conference at Minnowbrook Conference Center in Blue Mountain Lake in the Adirondacks will focus on the needs of municipal leaders and provide technical assistance, funding updates and practical skill-building sessions. Speakers will address pressing environmental topics, equipping attendees with the tools needed to address environmental challenges in our communities. For a preliminary agenda, more information, and to register, click here.

EPA has submitted its draft study plan on hydraulic fracturing for review to the agency's Science Advisory Board (SAB), a group of independent scientists. Natural gas plays a key role in our nation's clean energy future and the process known as hydraulic fracturing is one way of accessing that vital resource. EPA scientists, under this administration and at the direction of Congress, are undertaking a study of this practice to better understand any potential impacts it may have, including on groundwater. Consistent with the operating procedures of the SAB, stakeholders and the public will have an opportunity to provide comments to the SAB during their review. For the full story, click here. For a copy of the draft study plan and additional information, click here.  

A number of industrial, academic, non-profit and government entities have formed the Stewardship Action Council, which work on promoting, evaluating and improving sustainable and socially-responsible business practices. This new organization will provide a collaborative network among its members aimed at developing a new means of examining claims of sustainability with a performance-based sustainability index. The index will be used to better measure and recognize efforts of large institutions, like corporations and universities, which go beyond normal environmental compliance requirements. For the full story, click here.  

EPA has announced that the application period for the 10th annual National Award for Smart Growth Achievement is now open. Through this award, EPA recognizes and supports communities that have successfully used smart growth principles to improve communities environmentally, socially, and economically. Open to public- and private-sector entities, winners will be recognized at a ceremony in Washington, DC, in December 2011. To view the application and complete entry guidelines, click here. 

Mar. 10, 2011:

PWT Managing Wastes Annual Meeting; Syracuse, NY

Details

Mar. 17, 2011:

Porous Pavement in Cold Climates, Rosamond Gifford Zoo; Syracuse, NY.

Details   

Mar. 23, 2011:

Greening the Gray: Innovative Infrastructure Solutions and Funding Updates; Syracuse, NY.
Details

Mar. 24-25, 2011:

NYS Green Building Conference; East Syracuse, NY.
Details   

Mar. 24, 2011:

Third Annual Deconstruction Summit; Syracuse, NY.

Details 

Apr. 13, 2011:

Farms, Folks, and Funding: Cultivating Leadership Through Research and Practice; Canandaigua, NY.

Details

Apr. 21, 2011:

Building for the Future - Training in Construction and Demolition Recycling; Syracuse, NY

Details 

Apr. 27-29, 2011:

Smart Management for Small Communities: Practical Resources for Governance; Blue Mountain Lake, NY.

Details   

May 1-4, 2011:

NY Federation Conference Solid Waste & Recycling Tracks with Trade Show; Bolton Landing, NY.

Details 

May 17-18, 2011:

22nd Annual Nonpoint Source Pollution Conference; Saratoga Springs, NY.
Details

EPA Community Action for a Renewed Environment (CARE) Grants,

Applications due Mar. 22

Details 

EPA Region 2 Wetland Program Development Grants,

Applications Due Mar. 28

Details 

EPA Environmental Justice Grants,

Applications due Mar. 31

Details   

EPA National Tribal Water Council Funding

Applications due Apr. 11

Details 

Helpful links for funding sources, as well as a number of published funding guides, can be found here at the EFC website.

The Environmental Finance Center at Syracuse University facilitates the development of sustainable and resilient communities across US EPA Region 2 (New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, and eight tribal nations). Located at the SyracuseCoE Center for Sustainable Community Solutions, EFC enhances the administrative and financial capacities of state and local government officials, nonprofit organizations, and private sectors to make change toward improved environmental infrastructure and quality of life.