EPA Region 7 Communities Information Digest: Headlines
EPA Region 7 Communities Information Digest: Headlines
EPA Region 7 Communities Information Digest: Headlines
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Headlines
National
*United States Settles with Trader Joe's to Reduce Ozone-Depleting and Greenhouse
Gas Emissions at Stores Nationwide
The national grocery store chain Trader Joes Company agreed to reduce emissions of
greenhouse gases from refrigeration equipment at 453 of its stores under a proposed
settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice and the Environmental Protection Agency
to resolve alleged violations of the Clean Air Act.
*EPA Honors Winners of the 2016 Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Awards
The EPA is recognizing landmark green chemistry technologies developed by industrial
pioneers and leading scientists that turn climate risk and other environmental problems into
business opportunities, spurring innovation and economic development.
*USDA Invests $5.8 Million to Support Small Businesses in 11 States
USDA awarded $5.8 million in grants and loans to support rural economic development
projects and create jobs in 11 states through its Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance
Program (RMAP) and Intermediary Relending Program (IRP). Recipients of the IRP
program include the NE Rural Investment Corporation in Nebraska.
*Featured Resource: Federal Financing Programs for Clean Energy
This resource guide from the Department of Energy (DOE) details U.S. government
programs that support the development of clean energy projects in the U.S. and abroad.
Featuring programs from ten agencies, the guide includes summaries and case studies
that can benefit private sector partners in finding capital for energy efficiency and clean
energy projects.
Water Infrastructure and Finance Innovation Act Public Comment Period is Open
EPA published the Water Infrastructure and Finance Innovation Act (WIFIA) Information
Collection Request and draft application materials for public comment. The purpose of the
WIFIA program is to provide federal credit assistance in the form of direct loans and loan
guarantees to eligible clean water and drinking water projects. Comments due July 22.
Region 7 News
*EPA Grantee Turns Vacant Lots into Greenways in Kansas City, MO An Urban
Waters Impact Story
The Heartland Conservation Alliance (HCA), an EPA Urban Waters grantee, is finding and
connecting vacant lots to create a greenway along the Blue River. Two-thirds of the urban
area in Kansas City drains into the Blue River, but for most residents, the river is hidden
and suffers from pollutants, lack of access, and industrial concrete channels.
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Ongoing Opportunities
Tribal Climate Change Funding Guide Regularly updated grants and programs
EDA Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance Program
USDA Agricultural Conservation Easement Program Contact Local USDA Service
Center
Apply for a Fruit Tree Planting Foundation Orchard in Your Community
American Planning Association Community Planning Assistance Teams
Climate Solutions University Adaptation Plan Assistance
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In this Climate Changes Health series webinar, participants will gain insights on how the
conditions of climate change can impact mental health and how this presents itself in our
communities.
*From Buses to Bikeshare: How Integrated Mobility Can Have Big Impacts in Small
Communities June 29, 1-2:00 p.m. CST
In this webinar you will walk through a case study of how a traditional transportation
agency is transforming itself in a small town to produce big wins in active, multi-modal
regional transportation planning and implementation.
Portfolio Manager 201 June 29, 12-1:00 p.m. CST
Continue to learn about EPAs ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager tool, with a deeper dive
into more advanced functionalities such as: editing property data; correcting and updating
property use details; using the data quality checker; and sharing property data.
Portfolio Manager 301 June 30, 12-1:00 p.m. CST
With a good background on the basic functionality of EPAs ENERGY STAR Portfolio
Manager tool, learn about some advanced features including: using spreadsheet upload
templates to update property data; setting goals and targets to plan energy improvements
for properties; creating custom reports; and using the Sustainable Buildings Checklist.
Environmental Justice Technical Guidance: Presentation and Discussion July 11, 23:00 p.m. CST
This webinar will present an overview of the content of the EJ Technical Guidance,
including information on the best practices, recommendations, and questions that are
included to guide the EJ analyses that are conducted for national regulations. The EJ
Technical Guidance is available here.
*Biological Indicators of Soil Health: What they are, how they are measured, and
what is on the horizon? July 12, 1-2:00 p.m. CST
Participants in this webinar will learn about the biological importance related to soil health
management. Advantages and limitations for a variety of biological soil health indicators
will be discussed including how they are measured and may be interpreted.
*Investing in People and Place: Building Wealth and Equity to Advance the
Equitable Development Agenda July 20, 12:30-2:00 p.m. CST
Tune in for a discussion among leading-edge practitioners about how their programs
promote wealth building, job placement and training, job creation, and increase access to
financing and supports for small businesses and social enterprises.
*Drinking Water State Revolving Fund and Capacity Building In Action: Sanitary
Surveys July 28, 12-1:00 p.m. CST
The topic of this webinar is to discuss how the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund
(DWSRF) DWSRF can be used to fund sanitary surveys, and how state programs are
collaborating to address capacity concerns at drinking water systems through the use of
sanitary surveys.
Plastics Recycling Works: Facts and Figures to Support a Thriving Industry
August 9, 12-1:00 p.m. CST
This webinar will provide an overview of the environmental benefits of recycling, market
trends, brand owner sustainability goals, and future areas of growth in the plastics
recycling industry.
Recycling Rigid Plastics Beyond Bottles: Resources to Support MRFs and
Municipalities September 6, 12-1:00 p.m. CST
This webinar will provide an overview of the resources, developed by the Association of
Plastics Recyclers for MRFs and Municipalities to support the expansion of plastics
collected.
2015 PET Container Recycling Rate Report Overview October 18, 12-1:00 p.m. CST
This webinar will serve as an Executive Summary, featuring data and analyses from the
Report on Postconsumer PET Container Recycling Activity in 2015.
2015 National Postconsumer Plastics Bottle Recycling Rate Report Overview
November 15, 12-1:00 p.m. CST
This webinar will serve as an Executive Summary, featuring data and analyses from the
2015 National Postconsumer Plastics Bottle Recycling Rate Report.
This digest is being provided by EPA Region 7 for informational purposes only.
This digest contains links to information, agencies, sites, and organizations outside of the
EPA website.
EPA is not responsible for third party links. EPA does not endorse third party organizations or
agencies.