U.S.

Environmental Protection Agency (Region 7)

Communities Information Digest

*Has this edition of the digest been forwarded to you by a friend or colleague? Would you like to sign up to receive future digests? If so, please send an email to Tegan Vaughn, vaughn.tegan@epa.gov. Thank you!* October 21, 2013 Find us @ www.facebook.com/eparegion7 or https://twitter.com/eparegion7. Note: New items are in *asterisks*.

News
*EPA Honors 24 Organizations for Green Power Leadership* The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency presented its 13th annual Green Power Leadership Awards to 21 Green Power Partners and three suppliers for their achievements in advancing the nations renewable electricity market. By using green power, communities, businesses and organizations can dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions, support Americas growing renewable energy industry, improve public health, and help transition the United States to cleaner energy sources. The winning organizations are recognized for dramatically increasing their green power purchases, installing large-scale solar panel arrays, and leading innovative renewable energy procurement efforts, among other actions. To view the 2013 Green Power Leadership Award winners, visit: http://www.epa.gov/greenpower/awards/winners.htm. *Parents, Teachers, and Press Urged to Spread Message of National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week, October 20-26* United behind a theme of Lead-Free Kids for a Healthy Future, EPA Region 7 is urging parents, teachers, and news media representatives to join federal, state, and local health and environmental agencies in spreading the message of National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week, October 20-26. While lead poisoning is a health issue that can affect persons of any age, young children are most at risk. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that at least 4 million households in the U.S. have children living in them at risk of exposure to toxic lead. Nearly half a million U.S. children ages 5 and younger have blood lead levels above five micrograms per deciliter, the reference level at which CDC recommends public health actions be initiated. Nationally, the most common way that children become exposed to lead is by breathing or swallowing dust or chips of lead-based paint, which is often found in and around housing or child-care facilities built prior to 1978,

when lead-based residential paints were banned in the U.S. In the four states of EPA Region 7 Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska young children, depending on the communities where they live, also may be exposed to soils contaminated by lead from the areas past or current lead mining and processing industries. Lead poisoning can adversely affect nearly every system of the body, but particularly the central nervous system, especially for unborn and young children whose bodies are just beginning to develop and grow. EPA has a range of free information, outreach materials and other resources available online: http://www2.epa.gov/lead/national-lead-poisoning-prevention-week. Information about EPAs Renovation, Repair and Painting Program is available online: http://www2.epa.gov/lead/renovation-repair-andpainting-program. *USDA 2013 Food Assistance Programs to Benefit More Than 10.5 Million Worldwide* The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently announced that the fiscal year 2013 Food for Progress and McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition allocations (see charts below) will benefit more than 10.5 million people worldwide. Under the programs, USDA purchases U.S. commodities and donates them to government agencies and private-voluntary organizations in targeted countries. Food for Progress recipients in developing countries and emerging democracies sell the commodities and use the funds to introduce and expand free enterprise in the agricultural sector. For example, a Food for Progress project in Mozambique supports dairy farmers' efforts to improve herd management practices, and increase both the volume and quality of milk. The project also helps dairy cooperatives collect, store, process, and market milk efficiently. This project benefits 27,000 agricultural producers and 3,000 businesses. The McGovern-Dole Program focuses on low-income, food-deficit countries that are committed to universal education. Participants either use or sell the donated U.S. commodities to support education, child development and food security. For example, in Kenya, more than 650,000 children in approximately 2,000 schools have been fed with help from the program. The commodities that USDA is donating include U.S.produced bulgur, corn, corn-soy blend, dehydrated potato flakes, lentils, pinto beans, rice, split yellow peas, sorghum, soybean meal, soybean oil, vegetable oil and wheat. The FY 2013 Food For Progress Allocations are listed in this link: http://www.usda.gov/documents/food-forprogress-chart.pdf. The FY 2013 McGovern-Dole Program Allocations are listed in this link: http://www.usda.gov/documents/mcgovern-dolechart.pdf. *EPA Launches New Online Mapping Tool for Environmental Impact Statements* The EPA launched an interactive web-based mapping tool that provides the public with access and information on Environmental Impact Statements (EIS) filed with EPA for major projects proposed on federal lands and other proposed federal actions. When visiting the website, users can click on any state for a list of EISs, including information about the potential environmental, social and economic impacts of these projects. The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires federal agencies to consider the impacts of proposed actions, as well as any reasonable alternatives as part of their decision-making process. For proposed projects with potentially significant impacts, federal agencies prepare a detailed Environmental Impact Statement which is filed with EPA and made available for public review and comment. EPA is required to review and comment on Environmental Impact Statements prepared by other federal agencies. The user can click on a state in the map and is provided with comment letters submitted by the EPA on Environmental Impact Statements within the last 60 days. The tool also provides users with the information they need to identify projects with open comment periods, including how to submit comments. The tool supports EPAs commitment to utilize advanced information technologies that help increase transparency of its enforcement and compliance programs. EPAs Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance has recently launched the Next Generation Compliance initiat ive, designed to modernize its approach and drive improved compliance to reduce pollution. Learn more about the effort by visiting: http://blog.epa.gov/epaconnect/2013/08/nextgen/. To use EPAs EIS Mapper, please visit http://eismapper.epa.gov/. *EPA Issues 2013/2014 Urban Waters Small Grants Requests for Proposals (RFP)* The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency expects to award up to $1.6 million in funding for projects taking place in 18 Eligible Geographic Areas that protect and restore urban waters by improving water quality through activities that also support community revitalization and other

local priorities. Small grant awards under this competition will range in the amount of approximately $40,000 to $60,000 in federal funding. The funding is part of EPA's Urban Waters program, and is one element of support EPA is providing to the goals of the multiagency Urban Waters Federal Partnership. This announcement provides support to the Partnership's place-based work, currently underway in 18 locations. The Eligible Geographic Areas can be found in illustrated in maps at the Urban Waters Small Grants program mapping website http://www2.epa.gov/urbanwaters/urban-waters-small-grants-mapping.The intent of this 2013/2014 RFP is to strengthen and diversify the work taking place in Eligible Geographic Areas to improve water quality and support community revitalization, with an emphasis on underserved communities. EPA expects to award the grants in July 2014. Information about Urban Waters Small Grants including the Request for Proposal (RFP) and registration links for the webinar is available at http://www2.epa.gov/urbanwaters/urban-waters-small-grants. *EPA Proposes Carbon Pollution Standards for New Power Plants* The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently proposed Clean Air Act standards to cut carbon pollution from new power plants in order to combat climate change and improve public health. In addition, EPA has initiated broad-based outreach and direct engagement with state, tribal, and local governments, industry and labor leaders, non-profits, and others to establish carbon pollution standards for existing power plants and build on state efforts to move toward a cleaner power sector. The proposal achieves the first milestone outlined in President Obama's June 25 Memorandum to EPA on "Power Sector Carbon Pollution Standards," a major part of the President's Climate Action Plan. The new proposed standards will ensure that new power plants are built with available clean technology to limit carbon pollution, a requirement that is in line with investments in clean energy technologies that are already being made in the power industry. Additionally, these standards provide flexibility by allowing sources to phase in the use of some of these technologies, and they ensure that the power plants of the future use cleaner energy technologies -- such as efficient natural gas, advanced coal technology, nuclear power, and renewable energy like wind and solar. For more information, please visit: http://www2.epa.gov/carbon-pollution-standards. For more information on President Obama's Climate Action Plan, please visit: www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/image/president27sclimateactionplan.pdf. To hear an audio message of the announcement from EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy: http://go.usa.gov/DUSG . *Climate Change Tops Agenda of Iowa State Senator* Take a look behind todays news headlines and youll see how many current events are rooted in climate change. Massive wildfires in California. Biblical rains in Colorado. Electrical fires traced back to Super Storm Sandy destroying the New Jersey boardwalk, again. And, as Iowa State Senator Rob Hogg further suggests, civil unrest in places like Egypt and Syria, where drought has caused food shortages leading to societal upheavals. Hogg, 46, is the Iowa State Senator from the 19th District. A Democrat, he served in the House from 2003 to 2007 and the Senate since 2007. Hogg grew up in Iowa and earned a law degree in Minnesota. He represents a portion of Cedar Rapids, an urban area in the eastern part of this mostly rural state. Situated on the banks of the Cedar River, his city has seen its share of natural disasters in recent years and it has affected him personally. For more information, please visit: http://www.sustainablecitynetwork.com/topic_channels/environmental/article_6a0cf2e6-2618-11e3-aea1-001a4bcf6878.html.

Funding Opportunities
*November 8: FY 2014 National Environmental Information Exchange Network Grant Program Environmental Protection Agency

http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/search-grants.html *December 16: Wells Fargo and the National Fish & Wildlife Foundation Environmental Solutions for Communities Grants Program Grants ranging from $25,000 to $100,000 each http://www.nfwf.org/environmentalsolutions/Pages/2014rfp.aspx *January 15: The Forest Services Community Forest and Open Space Program $4 million http://www.fs.fed.us/spf/coop/programs/loa/cfp.shtml *February 20: National Science Foundations Energy for Sustainability http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/searchgrants.html?keywords=PD-14-7644

Meetings, Conferences, & Events

October 21-24: Solar Power International 2013 Chicago, IL October 23-26: Cities Alive 11th Annual Green Roof & Wall Conference San Francisco, CA October 29-Nov. 2: National Preservation Conference Indianapolis, Indiana http://www.preservationnation.org/ November 3-6: Transportation and Development Institute Green Streets, Highways and Development Conference Austin, Texas http://content.asce.org/conferences/greenstreets-highways2013/ *November 4-9: Water Resources, Sustainable Zoning and Development, and Vacant Property Redevelopment Chicago, Illinois November 6-7: Green California Schools Summit Pasadena, California http://www.green-technology.org/gcschools/ November 18-20: Behavior, Energy and Climate Change (BECC) Conference 2013 Sacramento, California http://beccconference.org/ November 18-20: 2013 Louisiana Smart Growth Summit Baton Rouge, LA http://summit.cpex.org/register-now-for-the-2013-smartgrowth-summit/ November 20: 2013 Massachusetts Smart Growth Conference Boston, MA. http://ma-smartgrowth.org/take-action/smart-growthconference/ *November 20-22: GreenBuild 2013 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania February 10-12, 2014: Forward Thinking on the Front Range: A Smart Growth Tour Denver, Colorado *February, 13-15, 2014: New Partners for Smart Growth Annual Conference Denver, Colorado http://newpartners.org/ *June 4-7: 22nd Annual Congress for New Urbanism Buffalo, New York

Webinars & Conference Calls

*How to Launch an ENERGY STAR Energy Efficiency Competition - October 22, 1:00-2:00 p.m. (EST)* Learn about the benefits of an energy efficiency competition, the basic steps you can take to plan and launch a competition, and the resources

made available by EPAs ENERGY STAR program that can help you in this process, including the ENERGY STAR Guide to Energy Efficiency Competitions. By the end of this session, attendees will recognize and understand: 1. The power of competition as a driver of energy efficiency 2. How to plan and launch an energy efficiency competition 3. How to leverage ENERGY STAR to plan a competition and make it a success! To register for the webinar, please visit: https://esbuildings.webex.com/cmp0307l/webcomponents/widget/detect.do?siteurl=esbuildings&LID=1&RID=2&TID=11&rnd=3654963001&D T=-300&DL=en-us&isDetected=true&backUrl=%2Fmw0307l%2Fmywebex%2Fdefault.do%3Fsiteurl%3Desbuildings. *Webinar - Food Policy 101: Expanding Healthy Food Access on Food Day 2013 - October 24, 11:00-12:00 p.m. (PST)* On October 24, the nation will join together for Food Day 2013 -- a celebration and a movement for healthy, affordable, and sustainable food. In honor of Food Day, the Healthy Food Access Portal is holding a food policy 101 webinar which will bring together community leaders and activists from throughout the country to share strategies for improving access to healthy foods. Webinar speakers will discuss the best way to harness the power of community to create policy change at the local, state, and federal levels. The webinar will address a range of topics including why healthy food access is important, the role that food policy councils, community leaders, and local government can play in making real policy change, and how to engage community to improve food access and quality. Join us on Food Day 2013 to grow healthy food access efforts in our communities. Register for the webinar at: https://cc.readytalk.com/cc/s/registrations/new?cid=xzhnxf2my0eb. *ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager Office Hours - October 24, 1:00-2:30 p.m. (EST)* Join this open session to ask your questions about the new Portfolio Manager tool. Portfolio Manager expert and technical team lead, Alexandra Sullivan, will be answering questions on the general features and calculations of Portfolio Manager that are applicable to everyone. Please note that property specific questions, such as why/how your propertys metrics have changed or why the tool shows cert ain values for particular years need to be investigated by an ENERGY STAR analyst to review your account, so please submit those questions through www.energystar.gov/buildingshelp. Drop in to get an answer to your general question, or stay for the whole session to get the latest updates and learn more about Portfolio Manager by hearing the responses to others questions. To registrar, please visit: https://esbuildings.webex.com/mw0307l/mywebex/default.do?siteurl=esbuildings. *ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager 201 - October 29, 1:00-2:30 p.m. (EST)* Continue to learn about EPAs new ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager tool, with a deeper dive into more advanced functionalities s uch as: Managing and tracking changes to your property uses over time; Using spreadsheet templates to update property data; Setting goals and targets to plan energy improvements for properties; Generating and using custom reports; and Using the Sustainability Checklist To register, please visit: https://esbuildings.webex.com/mw0307l/mywebex/default.do?siteurl=esbuildings. *Energy Efficiency in Water and Wastewater Facilities - October 30, 2:00-3:30 p.m. (EST)* Water and wastewater facilities are among the largest consumers of energy in a community, accounting for 35 percent of typical U.S. municipal energy budgets. Local governments have a tremendous opportunity to reduce energy costs and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by working with these facilities to improve the energy efficiency (EE) of their new and existing buildings and day-to-day operations. Join us to learn how local governments have achieved sustained energy improvements at their water and wastewater facilities through equipment upgrades, operational modifications, and modifications to facility buildings. This webcast will outline a step-by-step approach for developing

and implementing energy management plans at these facilities, featuring presentations and case studies from U.S. EPA and local governments. We will also discuss relevant tools, resources, and funding opportunities to support EE improvements, including U.S. EPA's recently released guide for local governments, Energy Efficiency in Water and Wastewater Facilities: A Guide to Developing and Implementing Greenhouse Gas Reduction Programs.To register for the webinar, please visit: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/433685018. Department of Energy's (DOE) 2013 Tribal Renewable Energy Webinar-October 30, 11:00- 12:00 p.m. (MST) The DOE Office of Indian Energy Policy and Programs, the DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Tribal Energy Program, and Western Area Power Administration are pleased to continue their joint sponsorship of the Tribal Renewable Energy Webinar in 2013. For recordings and presentations from past webinars, go to www.wapa.gov and click the Renewable link, then click on the tribal webinar series link. There is no charge to participate in the webinars, but registration is required. To register for the upcoming webinar, click on the link below. The following webinar will be held from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Mountain Standard Time. October 30: Renewable Energy Case Studies: Tribal and Developer Perspectives.

Green Schools
*Children More Physically Active in Smart Growth Neighborhoods* Children who live in neighborhoods that incorporate smart growth principles are more physically active than those in conventional neighborhoods, according to a recent study published in the American Journal of Preventative Medicine. The children living in developments that are designed to increase walkability and have more parks and green space engage in 46 percent more physical activity than kids who live in conventional neighborhoods without these outdoor features. For more information, please visit: http://www.ajpmonline.org/webfiles/images/journals/amepre/AMEPRE_3860-stamped-091013.pdf. EPA Region 7s Healthy Schools Toolkit Provides New Online Resources for School Professionals, Providers and the Public As schools across the country are returning to classes, EPA Region 7 is introducing a suite of new, free web-based resources designed to help school administrators and service providers keep school buildings and facilities clean, green and healthy. EPA Region 7s Healthy Schools Toolkit, available online at www.epa.gov/region7/citizens/schools/toolkit.htm, consists of more than 50 educational and informational documents structured around 15 separate subject areas: Asbestos, Chemical Cleanout, Composting, Energy Star, Green Cleaning, Healthy Schools, School Integrated Pest Management (IPM), Lead, Mercury, Mold, PCBs, Radon, Rain Barrels, Rain Gardens and Recycling. Materials include PowerPoint presentations, fact sheets, brochures, flyers, and lists of helpful resources and contact information, all grouped by subject. The toolkit is part of EPA Region 7s Healthy Schools Initiative, which provides one-stop online access to programs and resources that can help prevent and resolve environmental issues in schools: www.epa.gov/region7/citizens/schools. School representatives with questions or comments about the new Healthy Schools Toolkit are urged to contact Kathleen Fenton, EPA Region 7s Healthy Schools Coordinator, at 913-551-7874, or fenton.kathleen@epa.gov. EPA's Children's Health Office Environmental Technical Training

Below is a collection of training for Healthy Homes and Healthy Schools, and Child Care Facilities. National Healthy Homes Training: http://www.nchh.org/Training/National-Healthy-Homes-Training-Center.aspx. Healthy Child Care Information for Child Care Providers http://www2.epa.gov/childcare/healthy-child-care-information-child-care-providers. Healthy School Webinars: http://www.epa.gov/schools/webinars.html. Please note recordings from previous webinars are located on a few of these sites too. EPA Childcare website: http://www2.epa.gov/childcare. For more information, contact the EPA Regional Childrens Health Coordinators: http://www2.epa.gov/childcare/key-epa-contacts. EPA New Sensible Steps Webinar Series October 22 3:00 p.m. Eastern - Sensible Steps for Energy Efficiency and Waste Reduction in Schools November 19 3:00 p.m. Eastern - Sensible Steps for Mold and Moisture Control In Schools December 17 3:00 p.m. Eastern - Renovate Right: EPAs Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Program at Schools Participants will receive a certificate of completion for each webinar. November 6-7: Green California Schools Summit, Pasadena, California The Green California Schools Summit was established to provide a meeting place for stakeholders in the greening of California's schools from facility managers, finance officers, teachers and administrators to architects, engineers and curriculum developers. As one of the nation's largest annual green school events, the Summit provides a unique opportunity to share innovations in policy, technology and practice. California has long been on the leading edge of the green schools movement; it was here that the nations first green building rating program for K-12 schools was created. Visit the conference website for more details: http://www.green-technology.org/gcschools/.

Other Community-Related Information & Events

*Decision Issued on Missouris Water Quality Standards* EPA has approved the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) new and revised recreational use designations for 102 water bodies and disapproved MDNRs designations for 41 water bodies. These designated uses protect Missouris waters for purposes of recreational activities. States must assign fishable and swimmable uses to their waters unless science-based studies show that these uses cannot be attained. The disapprovals occurred when the studies did not show that lowering the use was appropriate. MDNR submitted these new and revised water quality standards to EPA for review and approval, as required by the Clean Water Act (CWA). The state based its recommendations on site-specific field data gathered from streams and rivers across Missouri. The CWA assigns EPA the duty to oversee state-agency actions to protect water quality. In partnership with MDNR, EPA works with the public, community leaders, and local and state agencies to meet the growing demands placed on our water resources. EPAs Sept. 27, 2013, decision letter provides a more det ailed description of EPAs review and the basis for this action. The decision letter is available at www.epa.gov/region7/newsevents/legal. *Energy Department Launches Better Buildings Workforce Guidelines Project* The Energy Department today announced the Better Buildings Workforce Guidelines project to improve the quality and consistency of commercial building workforce training and certification programs for five key energy-related jobs: Energy Auditor, Commissioning Professional, Building/Stationary Engineer, Facility Manager, and Energy Manager.

For more information, please visit: http://energy.gov/eere/articles/energy-department-launches-better-buildings-workforce-guidelinesproject?utm_source=PA934&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=ProgressAlerts. *National Science Foundation Taps K-State to Lead New Wheat Research Center* The National Science Foundation (NSF) has named Kansas State University as its lead institution for the worlds first Industry/University Cooperative Research Center on wheat. This center is the first NSF-established center for any crop plant, though others exist for engineering and electronics projects. It will focus on improving food production and disease resistance in wheat in addition to training wheat scientists. The center will be split between K-State and Colorado State University, with Dr. Bikram Gill, K-States distinguished professor of plant pathology and director of the universitys Wheat Genetics Research Center, will serve as the director of the NSF center. For more information, please visit: http://www.k-state.edu/media/newsreleases/aug13/nsfplant81913.html. *Energy Department Report Calculates Emissions and Costs of Power Plant Cycling Necessary for Increased Wind and Solar in the West* A new report released today by the Energy Department's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) examines the potential impacts of increasing wind and solar power generation on the operators of coal and gas plants in the West. To accommodate higher amounts of wind and solar power on the electric grid, utilities must ramp down and ramp up or stop and start conventional generators more frequently to provide reliable power for their customersa practice called cycling. For more information, please visit: http://energy.gov/eere/articles/energydepartment-report-calculates-emissions-and-costs-power-plant-cyclingnecessary?utm_source=PA930&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=ProgressAlerts. *USDA Awards $15 Million for Advanced Biofuels* The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced on September 12 that it is making more than $15 million in investments to support the production of advanced biofuel. USDA is funding 188 producers through the Advanced Biofuel Payment Program. For example, Riverview, LLP, a Minnesota-based company, will use a payment to support a project that produces electricity from two anaerobic digesters which use manure from two of the company's dairy operations to produce electricity. During the last quarter of 2012, the anaerobic digesters produced almost 4.9 million kilowatt hours of electricity, enough to power more than 400 homes a year. And American Biodiesel, Inc. in California will receive payment for its quarterly production of biodiesel from a variety of sources, including canola and soybean oil. The biodiesel reduces emissions and is primarily used as an alternative to diesel fuel. See the USDA press release: http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?contentid=2013/09/0177.xml&navid=NEWS_RELEASE&navtype=RT&parentnav=LATEST_ RELEASES&edeployment_action=retrievecontent. *Energy Department Receives EPA Award for Top Green Power Purchase* The Energy Department announced today that it has received a 2013 Green Power Leadership Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The annual awards recognize the country's leading green power consumers for their commitment and contribution to helping advance the development of the nation's voluntary green power market. For more information, please visit: http://energy.gov/eere/articles/energy-department-receives-epa-award-top-green-powerpurchase?utm_source=PA931&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=ProgressAlerts. *What Does the 'Energy Star' Mean?* With the average American household spending more than $2,000 annually on the cost of energy and, at the same time, emitting more than 20,000 pounds of greenhouse gases as a result of its energy usage, its no wonder weve started trying to find better ways to power our homes and clean up our climate. The Energy Star label has become synonymous with the energy efficiency movement, but what really makes

something worthy of the star? Products can earn the Energy Star label by meeting certain specifications decided upon by the EPA based on these general guidelines: Use of the product must result in significant energy savings. The product should perform to the standards of consumers, in addition to increased energy efficiency. For more information, please visit: http://ewkc-365.ascendeventmedia.com/highlight.aspx?p=445&id=6110. *USDA Announces Availability of Funding to Develop Advanced Biofuels Projects* Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack recently announced the availability of $181 million to develop commercial-scale biorefineries or retrofit existing facilities with appropriate technology to develop advanced biofuels. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) remains focused on carrying out its mission, despite a time of significant budget uncertainty. The Biorefinery Assistance Program was created through the 2008 Farm Bill and is administered by USDA Rural Development. It provides loan guarantees to viable commercial-scale facilities to develop new and emerging technologies for advanced biofuels. Eligible entities include Indian tribes, State or local governments, corporations, farmer coops, agricultural producer associations, higher education institutions, rural electric co-ops, public power entities or consortiums of any of the above. Applications for biorefinery assistance are due by January 30, 2014. More information about how to apply is available in the October 2, 2013 Federal Register announcement or by contacting the USDA Rural Development National Office. *NOAA's Teacher at Sea Program Accepting Applications for 2014 Field Season Applications Due November 18* The mission of NOAAs Teacher at Sea program is to provide teachers a hands-on, research experience at sea, giving them unique insight into oceanographic, hydrographic, and fisheries research by facilitating partnerships between educators and world-renowned NOAA Scientists. Since 1990, NOAAs Teacher at Sea Program has enabled over 600 teachers to gain first-hand experience of science and life at sea by working on research ships. Teachers have enriched their classroom curricula with a depth of understanding made possible by living and working side-by-side, day and night, with those who contribute to the world's body of scientific knowledge. The application deadline, including letters of recommendation is Monday, November 18, 2013, 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time. To apply, please visit: http://teacheratsea.noaa.gov/about/how_to_apply.html. For further information and to preview a sample application: http://teacheratsea.noaa.gov/. *Energy Department and Georgetown University to Accelerate Energy Efficiency in Local Communities* The Energy Department and Georgetown University signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) agreement today to collaborate on the Georgetown University Energy Prize, a competition to encourage innovative, replicable, and scalable approaches to reducing energy use in communities across the United States. For more information, please visit: http://www.guep.org/. *American Institute of Architects Sustainable Design Assessment Teams Requests for Proposals Proposal Due Date: November 22, 2013* AIA's Center for Communities by Design has announced a Request for Proposals for the 2014 Sustainable Design Assessment Team. Selected communities will receive personalized sustainability assistance, and will be visited by a team of architects and other design professionals. The team will work in conjunction with local stakeholders to help shape the community's strategy to increase sustainability. For more information, please visit: http://www.aia.org/about/initiatives/AIAS075425. *Energy Department Dedicates Clean Energy Research Center* The Energy Department on September 11 dedicated the nations first major research facility focused on clean energy grid integ ration and wide-scale deployment. Located on the campus of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), the new Energy Systems Integration Facility (ESIF) will help manufacturers, utilities, and public and private sector researchers overcome the challenges of integrating clean energy

and energy efficiency technologies into today's energy infrastructure. President Obama has set a goal to double renewable electricity generation once again by 2020. Seamless and efficient grid integration will help meet this ambitious target and make clean energy technologies even more affordable. To that end, ESIF will tackle generation, transmission, distribution, and end-use challenges to advance renewable energy, electric vehicles, energy storage batteries, microgrids, and next-generation building technologies. For more information, please visit: http://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/news_detail.html?news_id=19609. *Eastern U.S. Water Supplies Threatened by a Legacy of Acid Rain - Acid Breaks Down Carbonate Rock that Makes Rivers More Alkaline* Human activities are changing the water chemistry of many streams and rivers in the Eastern U.S., with consequences for water supplies and aquatic life, so reports a new study in the journal Environmental Science and Technology. In the first survey of its kind, researchers looked at long-term alkalinity trends in 97 streams and rivers from Florida to New Hampshire. Sites ranged from small headwater streams to some of the nation's largest rivers. Over the past 25 to 60 years, two-thirds have become significantly more alkaline. Alkalinity is a measure of waters ability to neutralize acid. In excess, it can cause ammonia toxicity and algal blooms, altering water quality and harming aquatic life. Increasing alkalinity hardens drinking water, causing pipe scaling and costly infrastructure problems. And, perhaps most alarming, it exacerbates the salinization of fresh water. For more information, please visit: http://www.sustainablecitynetwork.com/topic_channels/environmental/article_5589ada0-1fc9-11e3-9908-001a4bcf6878.html. *Healthy Homes Maintenance Checklist* The National Center for Healthy Housing developed a healthy homes maintenance checklist that can be followed to reduce allergens, prevent illness and reduce injuries in and around the home. The checklist recommends seasonal times to focus on home maintenance. For example, in the fall it is recommended to address yard and exterior items such as cleaning gutters and downspouts, cleaning window wells and checking drainage, draining outdoor faucets and hoses and checking for signs of rodents, bats, roaches and termites. It is also time to ensure that check dryer vents and exhaust ducts are clear. For more information see http://www.nchh.org/Portals/0/Contents/Maintenance_Checklist2009.pdf. *EPA Releases Smart Location Database 2.0 * EPAs Smart Growth Program has released its Smart Location Database version 2.0. The database is a consistent nationwide GIS data resource for measuring location efficiency. The Smart Location Database may be appropriate for use in local and regional planning studies when local data is unavailable. The database includes over 90 variables characterizing the built environment, transit service, destination accessibility, employment, and demographics at the census block group scale. Users can download data for their selected region, view data online in an interactive map, or access data through a variety of web services. For more information, please visit: http://www.epa.gov/smartgrowth/smartlocationdatabase.htm. *American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy Report Ranks U.S. Cities' Efforts to Save Energy* The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) released the 2013 City Energy Efficiency Scorecard, a report that ranks 34 of the most populous U.S. cities on policies to advance energy efficiency. The report includes recommendations and strategies for all cities to lower energy use. ACEEE also launched a new interactive infographic accompanying the report that highlights each city's best practices and scores. The report is the first to rank cities exclusively on energy efficiency efforts. Cities are evaluated on what actions they are taking to reduce energy use in five key areas: buildings; transportation; energy and water utility efforts; local government operations; and communitywide initiatives. To read the report and view the infographic, visit ACEEEs website: http://aceee.org/local-policy/city-scorecard. *U.S. Department of Energy and Georgetown University Announce Competition for Energy Efficiency in Local Communities*

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and Georgetown University announced the Georgetown University Energy Prize, a competition to encourage innovative, replicable, and scalable approaches to reducing energy use in communities across the United States. Aimed at increasing the number of municipalities, utilities, and individuals working to save energy in their homes and communities, the competition supports President Obama's Climate Action Plan of pursuing greater energy efficiency that reduces greenhouse gases and saves consumers money. Beginning in February 2014, municipalities will be eligible to compete for the prize by reducing their energy use. Participating communities must develop a long-term energy efficiency plan and demonstrate initial effectiveness and sustainability during a two-year period. Participating communities will benefit from access to financial and technical resources and the winning community will receive $5 million provided by private sponsors, which will help to support their continuing community-based energy efficiency efforts. Interested communities are encouraged to submit a non-binding letter of intent as soon as possible. For more information, please visit: http://www.guep.org/letter-ofintent. *USDA Specialty Crop Block Grants Create New Economic Opportunities and Grow Markets in Local Communities* Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack recently announced that USDA will invest $52 million in grants to support America's specialty crop producers through the 2013 Specialty Crop Block Grant (SCBG) Program awards. The funding includes 54 block grants to U.S. states and territories that will support 694 initiatives nationwide. These grants will assist producers of fresh fruits and vegetables and help strengthen markets for specialty crops such as fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops, including floriculture. Visit www.ams.usda.gov/scbgp to read the 2013 project summaries and view a list of awards by location. *U.S. Manufacturers Save $1 Billion, 11 Million Tons of CO2 through Energy Efficiency Investments* Underscoring the Obama Administration's efforts to double energy productivity by 2030 and help businesses save money and energy, the Energy Department today recognized more than 120 manufacturers that are making smart investments to save on energy costs, cut greenhouse gas emissions, and improve their bottom lines. For more information, please visit: http://energy.gov/articles/us-manufacturerssave-1-billion-11-million-tons-co2-through-energy-efficiencyinvestments?utm_source=PA932&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=ProgressAlerts. *USDA Awards $5 Million for Smart Grid* The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) on September 12 announced more than $136 million in loan guarantees to build more than 2,200 miles of electric transmission line, including more than $5 million in smart grid projects and nearly $3 million to improve electric service for Native Americans. The loan guarantees are made available through the USDA Rural Development program. For example, in Minnesota, Rural Development will finance nearly $16 million in loan guarantees to build more than 200 miles of electricity transmission line and finance more than $1.7 million in smart grid technologies for two projects. And Wyoming's High Plains Power will use nearly $1.4 million of its loan for smart grid projects and $2.4 million for service to Native Americans. See the USDA press release at: http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?contentid=2013/09/0178.xml&navid=NEWS_RELEASE&navtype=RT&parentnav=LATEST_ RELEASES&edeployment_action=retrievecontent. *New Book: The Guide to Greening Cities* As cities continue to face climate-change impacts while growing in population, they find themselves at the center of resilience and green-city solutions, yet political and budgetary obstacles threaten even the best-planned initiatives. In The Guide to Greening Cities, green city leaders Sadhu Johnston, Steven Nicholas, and Julia Parzen use success stories from across North America to show how to turn a green city agenda into reality. For more information, visit: http://guidetogreeningcities.org/index. *Greening Your Electronics- Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool Can Help*

Computers have transformed our lives at home and in our workplaces, but they've also introduced a dizzying array of difficult decisions. From the non-recycled plastic of a copier to the mercury in a battery, tradeoffs come with each electronic device. How do you make good choices? How do you reward manufacturers who support your values, and avoid those that don't? At the 6th annual Growing Sustainable Communities Conference held recently in Dubuque, Iowa, Sarah O'Brien of the Green Electronics Council made a case for the Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT), a registry and certification tool to help purchasers reduce uncertainty, compare apples to apples, and spend their money on sustainable products. O'Brien, director of stakeholder engagement for the council, was a purchasing agent for large healthcare organizations when the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency tapped her and a number of others to help provide a tool for those who wanted to buy more environmentally sound products. For more information, please visit: http://www.sustainablecitynetwork.com/topic_channels/solid_waste/article_91f07994-3131-11e3-b674001a4bcf6878.html?utm_source=SCN+InBox+e-Newsletter&utm_campaign=a4d67caa15-Newsletter_10-92013_Admin&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_11e7ac761c-a4d67caa15-188541149 October 26, 2013 Next National Drug Take-Back Day, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. The National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day aims to provide a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs, while also educating the general public about the potential for abuse of medications. Please check back on October 1, 2013 to locate collection sites near you. For more information, please visit: http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_disposal/takeback/. EPA Awards 2013 Environmental Justice Small Grants The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently announced a total of $1.1 million in competitive grants to 39 non-profit and tribal organizations working to address environmental justice issues nationwide. The grants will enable the organizations to develop solutions to local health and environmental issues in low-income, minority and tribal communities overburdened by harmful pollution. The 2013 grants support activities that address a range of community concerns such as reducing exposure to indoor environmental asthma triggers, restoring and protecting waterways, educating child care professionals on ways to prevent lead poisoning, and reducing pesticide use in child care facilities. Since 1994, EPAs environmental justice small grants program has supported projects to address environmental just ice issues in more than 1,400 communities. In the fall of 2013, EPA will issue a Request for Proposals for the FY 2014 Collaborative Problem Solving Grants. View the 2013 EJ Small Grant recipients and project descriptions at: http://www.epa.gov/environmentaljustice/resources/publications/grants/ej-smgrants-recipients-2013.pdf. For more information about EPAs Environmental Justice Small Grants program please visit: http://www.epa.gov/environmentaljustice/grants/ej-smgrants.html. EPA Launches New Online Mapping Tool for Environmental Impact Statements The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently launched an interactive web-based mapping tool that provides the public with access and information on Environmental Impact Statements (EIS) filed with EPA for major projects proposed on federal lands and other proposed federal actions. When visiting the website, users can click on any state for a list of EISs, including information about the potential environmental, social and economic impacts of these projects. The tool supports EPAs commitment to utilize advanced informat ion technologies that help increase transparency of its enforcement and compliance programs. To use EPAs EIS Mapper, visit http://eismapper.epa.gov/. USDA Awards $21 Million to Renewable and Energy Efficiency Projects The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) on August 15 announced more than $21 million in funding for 631 projects across the nation that will help agricultural producers and rural small businesses reduce their energy consumption and costs, use renewable energy technologies in their operations, and conduct feasibility studies for renewable energy projects. Farmers, ranchers, business owners, and agriculture producers in 42 states, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico will receive funding. Grants and loans are made through the USDA's Rural Energy for

America Program (REAP). The funding includes almost $300,000 in grants to 19 agricultural producers and rural businesses to conduct feasibility studies for renewable energy systems. For example, the Gunnison County Electric Association, Inc., in Gunnison, Colorado, will receive a $6,739 grant to assess the feasibility of installing a small hydropower generating plant at the Taylor Reservoir Dam. If built, the plant would generate 4 megawatts of power. See the USDA press release for more information. USDA Awards Funds to Improve Conservation on Agricultural Lands Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the award of 33 Conservation Innovation Grants awarded to entities across the nation to develop and demonstrate cutting-edge ideas to accelerate private lands conservation. Grant recipients will demonstrate innovative approaches to improve soil health, conserve energy, manage nutrients and enhance wildlife habitat in balance with productive agricultural. The 33 grants announced today include: -U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities: A grant of $700,000 to demonstrate sustainable forestry technologies and create a support system and market access for historically underserved landowners in South Carolina, North Carolina and Alabama; -Wes-Mon-Ty Resource Conservation and Development Council: A grant of $49,000 to demonstrate the use of low-cost technology on a demonstration farm to expand cover crop adoption by historically underserved, small-scale specialty crop producers in West Virginia; -Pheasants Forever: A grant of $631,218 to explore and demonstrate ways to integrate pollinator habitat into bioenergy crop production systems; -University of Tennessee: A grant of $634,107 to quantify and demonstrate the long-term impacts of cover crops, crop rotations and no-till farming systems on soil health and crop productivity; -Conservation Technology Information Center: A grant of $482,000 to work with farmers in the Midwest to examine and share the economic, agronomic and environmental benefits of cover crops; and, -National Fish and Wildlife Foundation: A grant of $821,324 to demonstrate and expand the use of manure injection technology in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, which can significantly reduce nutrient losses from animal agriculture production systems. A full list of recipients is available here. For more on this grant program, visit USDA's Conservation Innovation Grants webpage or contact your local NRCS office. The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and Partners Award Over $1.2 million Through Five Star/Urban Waters Restoration Program The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and partners awarded over $1.2 million in grants to 46 community-led organizations working to protect and restore their urban waterways through the Five Star/Urban Waters Restoration Program. This nationwide program supports onthe-ground, community based conservation, outreach and education/training projects focused on improving water quality in urban rivers, in areas downstream from forested land, especially in underserved communities. More information can be found at www.urbanwaters.gov. Energy Department and Environmental Protection Agency Release Fuel Economy Tool for Used Vehicles As part of the Obama Administration's ongoing efforts to increase fuel efficiency, reduce carbon pollution, and address climate change, the U.S. Energy Department and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today released a new label that features EPA fuel economy estimates and CO2 estimates for used vehicles sold in the United States since 1984. For more information, please visit: http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/news/progress_alerts.cfm/pa_id=925. 2014 Leadership STAR Community Program In partnership with the Funders' Network for Smart Growth and Livable Communities, STAR Communities will offer financial assistance to a limited number of communities to leverage local philanthropic support for their participation in the Leadership STAR Community Program. Selected communities will receive tools to measure progress towards community sustainability across the three pillars of environment,

economy, and social equity. The application due date is October 15, 2013. For more information, please visit: http://www.starcommunities.org/get-started/leadership-starcommunity-program. Better Street Connectivity, Lower Traffic Speeds Associated with More Park Usage A new study in the American Journal of Health Promotion finds that greater intersection density and lower traffic speeds are associated with greater usage of local parks and more activity in those parks. The researchers concluded that the street network surrounding a park may be as important to its appeal as the design and features of the park itself. For more information, please visit: http://ajhpcontents.org/doi/abs/10.4278/ajhp.120711-QUAN-339. New Report shows Solar Manufacturing Costs Not Driven Primarily by Labor Production scale, not lower labor costs, drives China's current advantage in manufacturing solar photovoltaic (PV) energy systems, according to a new report released by the Energy Department's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Although the prevailing belief is that low labor costs and direct government subsidies for PV manufacturing in China account for that country's dominance in PV manufacturing, the NREL/MIT study shows that a majority of the region's competitive advantage comes from production scaleenabled, in part, through preferred access to capital (indirect government subsidies)and resulting supplychain benefits. For more information, please visit: http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/solar/newsletter/detail.cfm/articleId=440. ENERGY STAR Do 1 thing The Do 1 Thing ENERGY STAR will kick off at the ENERGY STAR Products Partner Meeting in New Orleans, Louisiana on October 5, 2013. EPA and several ENERGY STAR partners will team up with Rebuilding Together as part of their effort to improve the homes of low-income homeowners across the city. One home will be designated the ENERGY STAR Home, and partners and volunteers will spend the day repairing and renovating the home and furnishing it with energy-efficient products. Also, join the celebrations on ENERGY STAR Day, November 5, 2013, with our largest Twitter Party yet, where we will showcase all the amazing ways both our partners and people across the country are Doing 1 Thing ENERGY STAR. Do 1 Thing ENERGY STAR in whatever way that makes sense to you. That means events, online outreach, social media, advertising, public relations, and more. And, of course, please join our culmination Twitter Party to share your results. For more information, please visit: http://www.energystar.gov/. Energy Department Invests $16 Million to Harness Wave and Tidal Energy As part of the Obama Administration's all-of-the-above strategy to deploy every available source of American energy, the Energy Department today announced $16 million for seventeen projects to help sustainably and efficiently capture energy from waves, tides, and currents. For more information, and to watch a video on ocean power, visit: http://energy.gov/articles/energy-department-releases-new-energy-101-videoocean-power. Center for Climate and Energy Solutions (C2ES) Releases Map Showing Status of State and Local Adaptation Efforts Each community will be affected differently by climate change. States and municipalities are recognizing the importance of pre-emptive action to address their vulnerabilities to climate change impacts. Many have begun to address adaptation concerns either within broader climate action plans or through separate efforts. C2ES has released a map to illustrate how cities and states are adapting, or becoming more resilient, to their individual vulnerabilities. The map highlights examples of municipal adaptation planning efforts and concrete adaptation actions. It also indicates the status of adaptation planning for each state and provides plan details where available. To view the map, please visit: http://www.c2es.org/us-states-regions/policy-maps/adaptation.

U.S. Renewable Energy Generation Up in First Half of 2013 Renewable energy sources generated 14.2% of net U.S. electric power generation during the first six months of 2013, up from 13.6% the same time a year ago, according to data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). Non-hydro renewable energy sources including solar, wind, and biomass energy, increased 12.1% in the first half of 2013 compared to the same period in 2012. In particular, solar thermal and photovoltaic energy increased 56.9% in 2013 compared to the first half of 2012, and wind power grew 15.3% during the same timeframe, according to EIA. See the EIA June 2013 report. Also, world energy consumption is projected to increase by 56% in the next three decades, driven by growth in the developing world, according to International Energy Outlook 2013 released on July 25 by EIA. See the EIA press release and the complete 2013 report. Call for Presentations: 13th Annual Parks and Greenspace Conference, March 31, 2014, in Atlanta, GA The 2014 Parks and Greenspace Conference will highlight opportunities and inspire cooperation to creatively solve infrastructure problems while producing parks and greenspaces that benefit communities. For more information, please visit: http://www.parkpride.org/homepage/community-corner/callforpresentations2014parkprideconference.pdf EPA and National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) Screen Contaminated Sites for Renewable Energy Potential The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on August 5 updated its RE-Powering mapping and screening tool, which will now provide preliminary screening results for renewable energy potential at 66,000 contaminated lands, landfills, and mine sites across the country. Working in collaboration with the Energy Departments National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), RE-Powering developed screening criteria for solar, wind, biomass, and geothermal potential at various levels of development. The updated tool provides insight into the significant potential for renewable energy generation on contaminated lands and landfills nationwide. For solar energy alone, EPA identified more than 10,000 contaminated sites with the potential to install a 300-kilowatt solar array or greater. Based on mapped acreage, these sites could cumulatively host solar energy systems that capture greater than 30 times more solar energy than all renewable energy systems operating in the United States today. See the EPA press release and the RE-Powering mapping tool. USDA Announces Completion of 500th Recovery Act Water Project - Ozark Mountain Regional Treatment Plant in Arkansas to Serve More Than 20,000 Residents Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack recently announced the completion of the 500th water and wastewater project funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The announcement was made on the Secretary's behalf in Lead Hill, Ark., by U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Utilities Service Administrator John Padalino."I am proud to celebrate this important milestone," Padalino said. "The Recovery Act has brought improved water and wastewater services to nearly 1.7 million rural residents. These projects have created jobs, stimulated local economies and helped ensure that rural residents have the modern, up-to-date infrastructure that rural communities need so they can continue to be great places in which to live and work." In addition to the USDA funding, the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission provided nearly $10 million for the project. It serves more than 20,000 residents and businesses. For more information, please visit: http://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDAOC/bulletins/88a25c. Energy Department Awards $45 Million to Deploy Advanced Transportation Technologies Building on President Obama's Climate Action Plan to build a 21st century transportation sector and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the Energy Department announced today more than $45 million for thirty-eight new projects that accelerate the research and development of vehicle technologies to improve fuel efficiency, lower transportation costs, and protect the environment in communities nationwide. For more information, please visit: http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/news/progress_alerts.cfm/pa_id=919.

U.S. Bike-Share Fleet Doubled in 2013 According to a recent article in dcstreetsblog, the cumulative size of the bike-share fleets in U.S. cities has swelled to at least 18,000 bikes, more than twice what it was at the beginning of 2013. There are now 34 modern bike-share systems across the country, in cities as varied as Chicago, Miami Beach, and Chattanooga, Tennessee. Other bike-share systems launched in 2013 include Aspen, Columbus, Fort Worth, and Salt Lake City. For more information, please visit: http://dc.streetsblog.org/2013/08/30/the-american-bike-share-fleet-has-doubled-sincejanuary/. New State Fact Sheets on Household Energy Use from Energy Information Administration (EIA) EIAs Residential Energy Consumption Survey (RECS) gathers information through personal interviews with a nationwide sample of homes and energy suppliers. The 2009 survey resulted in energy consumption profiles for 16 individual states. Access fact sheets about residential energy consumption for Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin. For more information, please visit: http://www.eia.gov/consumption/residential/index.cfm. LEED v4 Increases Green Power Requirements The U.S. Green Building Council is preparing to release version 4 of its Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards. Among several updates, the LEED program is changing the purchase requirements for renewable energy and carbon offsets. The new requirements increase both the minimum quantity of purchases and minimum contract length; additionally, the products will need to be Greene certified or equivalent. Under the LEED Building Design and Construction (BD+C) and Interior Design and Construction (ID+C) guidelines, a project qualifying for renewable electricity credit must purchase at least 50% of its electricity from renewables for five years; those purchases must come from generation sources that came online after January 1, 2005. Similarly, credit for carbon offsets will only be awarded to projects which cover at least 50% of on-site electricity use. For more information, please visit: http://apps3.eere.energy.gov/greenpower/news/news_template.shtml?id=1860. EPA Encourages Revitalization in Auto Communities with New Document The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently released a document that provides resources and information for communities affected by the recent restructuring of the U.S. auto industry. As these cities and towns move forward with efforts to rebuild sustainable and economically vibrant communities, the Roadmap for Auto Community Revitalization highlights case studies of auto towns, as well as sources of funding and technical assistance currently available to communities with historical ties to the automotive industry, or auto communities. The document was developed in partnership with the Department of Labor and the Manufacturing Alliance of Communities. To view the document, please visit: www.epa.gov/brownfields. Would Cap and Trade Work for Solid Waste? City Services Director Proposes Nationalized System As population and consumption trends continue to squeeze the nation's available landfill space, one public works professional sees a possible solution: Why not try "cap and trade" for solid waste? Jason Marcotte, director of city services for the city of Everett, Mass., researched the idea for a thesis he wrote while earning his Master of Public Administration degree at Norwich University in 2011. He presented his findings in a workshop at the American Public Works Association's Congress and Exposition held last week in Chicago. Marcotte said the objective of his paper was "to outline a workable solution toward waste reduction using a cap-and-trade-based solid waste system." For more information, please visit: http://www.sustainablecitynetwork.com/topic_channels/solid_waste/article_ded344c0-1594-11e3-b2d6-0019bb30f31a.html.

Energy Department Launches App on Hydrogen Use As part of the Obama Administration's commitment to expand access to data and develop clean, domestic energy sources, the Energy Department today launched a new app to more easily provide best practices and procedures for safely handling and using hydrogen to power fuel cells. For more information, please visit: http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/news/progress_alerts.cfm/pa_id=927. Forest Service Offers Planning Tools for Your Fall Colors Vacation - Website and Hotline Provide Peak Viewing and Trip Planning Information The U.S. Forest Service is urging people to get outdoors, spend time in rural communities and urban forests, and enjoy one of nature's most spectacular seasons with its Fall Colors 2013 campaign. The Forest Service has launched an online map to help visitors see if trees are peaking in their state. The map will be shaded in green (not peaking) to bright red (peaking) to brown (past peak). Another map will help visitors find a national forest nearest them to enjoy the colors of fall. For a more analogue approach to trip planning, the Forest Service is once again offering its Fall Colors Hotline 1-800-354-4595. The hotline provides audio updates on the best places, dates and routes to take for peak viewing of fall colors on national forests. For more information, please visit: http://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDAOC/bulletins/8a35ee. EPA Launches Online Green Sports Resource Directory The U. S. Environmental Protection agency (EPA) is unveiling a new online Green Sports Resource Directory that can help teams, venues, and leagues save money and reduce carbon pollution through increased energy efficiency, a key part of President Obama's Climate Action Plan. Additionally, the new directory contains information that can help teams reduce waste and gain recognition for their programs that reduce the environmental impact of their events. EPA Deputy Administrator Bob Perciasepe made the announcement today during the third annual Green Sports Alliance summit in New York City. The Green Sports Resource Directory brings together Agency resources to support teams and their fans, stadiums, and venues, who want to improve their waste management, water and energy conservation, and other sustainability efforts. EPA compiled a Green "Scoreboard" that highlights a number of winning efforts across numerous sports leagues and some statistics on the environmental and saving benefits. The Scoreboard is available on the Green Sports Resource Directory. More on President Obamas Climate Action Plan: http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/image/president27sclimateactionplan.pdf. Visit the Green Sports Resource Directory and view the Scoreboard: http://www2.epa.gov/green-sports. More on the Green Sports Alliance, this weeks Summit, or to learn if your team is a member: http://greensportsalliance.org/. EPA Web Tool Expands Access to Scientific, Regulatory Information on Chemicals The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has launched a web-based tool, called ChemView, to significantly improve access to chemical specific regulatory information developed by EPA and data submitted under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). The ChemView web tool displays key health and safety data in an online format that allows comparison of chemicals by use and by health or environmental effects. The search tool combines available TSCA information and provides streamlined access to EPA assessments, hazard characterizations, and information on safer chemical ingredients. Additionally, the new web tool allows searches by chemical name or Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) number, use, hazard effect, or regulatory action. It has the flexibility to create tailored views of the information on individual chemicals or compare multiple chemicals sorted by use, hazard effect or other criteria. The new portal will also link to information on manufacturing, processing, use, and release data reported under the Chemical Data Reporting Rule, and the Toxics Release Inventory. View and search ChemView at: http://www.epa.gov/chemview. 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.