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Welcome to the latest edition of our monthly EFC newsletter! Inside, you'll find recent news from EPA and other partners and organizations on environmental policy and issues, new publications, upcoming events, and funding opportunities. For more information, please feel free to contact us or visit our website.
Sincerely, 
Sara Pesek
Director
Environmental Finance Center
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EPA to Hold Listening Sessions on Potential Chesapeake Bay Stormwater Rule
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will hold five listening sessions and one webcast to seek feedback from citizens on provisions in a proposed stormwater rule that will affect the Chesapeake Bay watershed. In December 2009, EPA initiated a national rulemaking to better protect waterbodies from the harmful effects of stormwater discharges from new development and redevelopment.
EPA is now soliciting input specifically on potential provisions of the stormwater rulemaking with respect to the Chesapeake Bay watershed. As part of the listening sessions, EPA will also address environmental justice considerations. The webcast listening session will take place on Nov. 16, 2010, from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. EST. The public can find more information on the specific locations of the sessions and register by going to the website below. EPA will accept written comments on the potential rule until 60 days after publication in the Federal Register. Click here to register or for more information on the listening sessions.
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Smart Growth Partnership Publication
The HUD-DOT-EPA Partnership for Sustainable Communities began in June 2009, when HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan, DOT Secretary Ray LaHood, and EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson came together to announce that they would work together to coordinate federal actions on housing, transportation, and environmental protection. This new publication looks at the progress the Partnership has made in its first year in targeting resources to help communities strengthen their economies by developing more sustainably, removing regulatory and policy barriers to make it easier for state and local governments to access federal resources, and aligning the agencies' policies and priorities. By coordinating federal investments in infrastructure, facilities, and services; this interagency collaboration meets multiple economic, environmental, and community objectives with each dollar spent. To view the publication online, and for more information on the Partnership, please click here.
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Check Up Program for Small Systems
Train the Trainer Webinar Series
The Check Up Program for Small Systems (CUPSS) Train the Trainer Webinar Series will consist of comprehensive training on how to use the CUPSS asset management software. It will closely follow the CUPSS Users Guide with an overview of each module (with screenshots) followed by exercises on how to use the module. The EPA sponsored web-based conference delivery will be separated into three 2-hour sessions:
November 2, 2010, 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. (EDT) Session 1 will include: CUPSS preparation, download and installation CUPSS, set-up the utility's basic information, login and navigate CUPSS, create the asset inventory, and create a customized asset report. Reserve your Webinar seat now here. November 9, 2010, 1:00 - 3:00 p.m (EDT)Session 2 will include: create your operation and maintenance tasks, learn how to search and print reports on assets and associated tasks, enter your past, current, and projected finances, and determine your financial forecast and print a custom report for your utility. Reserve your Webinar seat now here. November 16, 2010, 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. (EDT)Session 3 will include: become familiar with the 10 steps in developing an asset management plan, generate an asset management plan, learn about the different troubleshooting tips to help you along the way, and get the most out of CUPSS with advanced features. Reserve your Webinar seat now here. |
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Elevated Nitrogen and Phosphorus Still Widespread in Much of the Nation's Streams and Groundwater
Elevated concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus, nutrients that can negatively impact aquatic ecosystems and human health, have remained the same or increased in many streams and aquifers across the Nation since the early 1990's, according to a new national study by the U.S. Geological Survey.
"This USGS report provides the most comprehensive national-scale assessment to date of nitrogen and phosphorus in our streams and groundwater," said Marcia McNutt, USGS Director. "For years we have known that these same nutrients in high concentrations have resulted in 'dead zones' when they reach our estuaries, such as during the spring at the mouth of the Mississippi, and now we have improved science-based explanations of when, where, and how elevated concentrations reach our streams and aquifers and affect aquatic life and the quality of our drinking water."
"Despite major Federal, State and local efforts and expenditures to control sources and movement of nutrients within our Nation's watersheds, national-scale progress was not evident in this assessment, which is based on thousands of measurements and hundreds of studies across the country from the 1990's and early 2000's," said Matthew C. Larsen, USGS Associate Director for Water. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, nutrient pollution has consistently ranked as one of the top three causes of degradation in U.S. streams and rivers for decades.
For the full story, click here. |
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HUD Announces Awards of Nearly $100M Under the Sustainable Communities and Regional Planning Grant Program
On Oct. 14, HUD announced the first recipients of the Sustainable Communities and Regional Planning Grant Program. Across the US, 45 regional areas will receive part of the nearly $100 million in funding. This new program will assist State, local, and tribal governments to create and implement regional plans that integrate affordable housing, economic development, land use and transportation to build livable, sustainable communities. As part of the Administration's Partnership for Sustainable Communities, both EPA and DOT helped develop this program and reviewed applications. For more Information, click here. |
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EPA Provides Information on Innovative and Emerging Energy Conservation
As part of EPA's commitment to expanding cost saving, energy conservation, and efficiency programs, it is releasing a new technical document to assist municipal utility owners and operators in finding information on cost-effective energy management and energy conservation measures and technologies to reduce total energy usage at their wastewater treatment facilities. The document, "Evaluation of Energy Conservation Measures for Wastewater Treatment Facilities," presents technical and cost information about energy management and energy conservation measures and technologies.
Technical and cost data were developed from literature sources and provided by manufacturers and operating facilities. The document provides preliminary information on innovative and emerging energy conservation measures and technologies that have the potential for substantial energy savings. In addition, the document includes nine in-depth facility studies that further examine application and cost information for various full-scale, operational energy conservation measures and technologies. For more information and to view a copy of the document, please click here. |
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Sara PesekDirectorKhristopher DodsonCommunications and Program ManagerCarissa MatthewsOutreach Program ManagerEvan NewellProgram ManagerMandy WesterdahlProgram AssistantMelissa YoungProgram ManagerKathy ForrestAdministrative Assistant
Interns: Jon Davis Chris Duncombe Jes Eckerlin
Paul Goldner Joe Palumbo Lisa Ruggero
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Upcoming Events
Nov. 13, 2010: Master Composting Workshop; Greenwich, NY. Details
Nov. 17-18, 2010: Growing Green Infrastructure in New York State; Syracuse, NY. Details
Feb. 2, 2011: Farms, Folks, and Funding: Cultivating Leadership Through Research and Practice; Canadaigua, NY.
Details
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Funding Opportunities
The NYS EFC Green Innovation Grant Program 2010 (GIGP 2010) is now accepting applications for funding. The application package and guidance materials are now available on NYS EFC's website.
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