Region 7 Community Information Guide
EPA Region 7’s Community Information Guide provides communities, nonprofits, stakeholder groups, community-based organizations, academia, tribes, state and local governments, and other partners with the latest news and information on funding and technical assistance opportunities, meetings, conferences, events, webinars, and other activities related to human health and the environment.
This guide is updated frequently, so be sure to check back for the latest information!
On this page:
- Headlines
- Enforcement
- Funding and Technical Assistance
- Meetings, Conferences and Events
- Webinars and Conference Calls
To suggest content for this page, please email: R7_Communities_Digest@epa.gov.
Environmental Justice Resource CollectionThe Environmental Justice (EJ) Clearinghouse is a web-based, whole-of-government clearinghouse composed of culturally and linguistically appropriate and accessible EJ materials. It features searchable categories to simplify results for the public to ensure a more efficient process for gathering information related to EJ. |
Regional Roadshow in Kansas CityThis May 28 event provided opportunities for community leaders and potential grant applicants of Kansas City to:
Also joining this session were the Heartland Environmental Justice Center and Endyna. Families and supervised children were invited to attend. View the Regional Roadshow presentation (pdf) . |
EPA Region 7 Environmental Justice Community Stakeholder MeetingOur Environmental Justice Program’s quarterly virtual meeting on May 16 was open to everyone in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and nine tribal nations. View the May 16 meeting presentation (pdf) . More information is provided in the meeting flyer (pdf) . View the Feb. 22 meeting presentation (pdf) . |
Headlines
EPA Science Matters: Air Sensors, Resilience Planning, Lead Progress Report, and Harmful Algal Blooms
- Date: June 6, 2024
- Data quality from commercially available, lower-cost air sensors can widely vary and, with no consistent methods to evaluate their performance, users can have a hard time knowing how their sensor data compares to that of regulatory air monitors. EPA researchers recently published two supplemental reports designed to provide a consistent set of testing protocols, metrics, and target values to evaluate the performance of air sensors and offer fillable templates for reporting testing results.
- EPA scientists work with EPA's Urban Waters Federal Partnership Program to research ways to support communities in making equity central to their resilience planning. Read about the workshops that EPA helped Michigan’s Lower Grand River Organization of Watersheds organize with partner organizations to gather input on community concerns around resilience and actions that could improve resilience.
- The President's Task Force on Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks to Children published a Progress Report on the Federal Lead Action Plan. This report is a comprehensive update on the government’s advancements made since 2018 in reducing childhood lead exposures and associated health effects.
- Communities need tools to quickly identify and track harmful algal blooms (HABs) in local water bodies. EPA and federal partners have developed tools to identify and forecast HABs to protect public health. Read about this work in an article from EPA researchers in the National Environmental Health Association’s Journal of Environmental Health.
EPA Region 7 Paid Volunteers Wanted!
- Date: ongoing (accepted on a rolling basis)
- Are you interested in environmental stewardship but don’t know where to start? Looking for a unique opportunity to work with Midwestern nonprofit organizations to advance environmental justice in underserved communities? Serve as an AmeriCorps VISTA member in the EPA Region 7 Green VISTA Corps Program!
- Three organizations are currently accepting applications for VISTA members. Click each service opportunity listing link below to find the position that’s right for you:
- Disclaimer: These opportunities are national service opportunities, not EPA jobs. Individuals interested in applying would be applying to be an AmeriCorps VISTA member and would work with the nonprofit organization listed in the opportunity.
- Need help applying or want to learn more about the program? Email R7VISTA@epa.gov for more information.
- Proposed start date: April 29, 2024
- The HEJC is a Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Center (TCTAC) looking for a community leader in tribal nations and Indigenous-led organizations. The ideal candidate will have strong relationships with community members and the ability to strategically engage the community to identify a vast array of environmental justice concerns. As a community engagement coordinator, you will work actively in your community, playing a pivotal role in bridging the community to the resources offered by the HEJC. This position will support tribal nations, Indigenous-led community-based organizations, and organizations championing tribal and Indigenous communities across EPA Region 7 (Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska).
- Learn more and apply
- Coming Soon: Community Engagement Coordinator job openings in the Wichita and Kansas City areas. Sign up for HEJC's email list to be notified of new job postings.
Seeking Grant Application Reviewers – Compensation Available!
- Are you interested in Environmental and Climate Justice? Do you want to participate in the process to award transformative climate action and pollution reduction projects and support community-driven projects that can positively transform people’s lives now and in the future? If so, this may be an opportunity for you!
- EPA’s Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights is seeking a diverse group of individuals with relevant expertise and experience to review grant applications submitted under our historic $2 billion Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grants Program Notice of Funding Opportunity.
- Compensation will be available for non-federal reviewers!
- Individuals interested in serving as application reviewers should expect to dedicate approximately 10-15 hours per application reviewed. Reviewers may request to serve during one review cycle or multiple ones. Non-federal reviewers will receive compensation through GrantSolutions for the time spent reviewing grant applications. Non-federal reviewers assigned to a review panel will receive up to $200 per application reviewed. It is expected that non-federal reviewers will be assigned no more than 10 applications to review.
- All reviewers will be required to sign a conflict-of-interest statement prior to reviewing applications.
RE-Powering America’s Land Initiative Project Tracking Matrix
- Does your community have climate goals to meet or brownfields that might be suitable for solar? Check out EPA’s Tracking Matrix to learn more about the geothermal, biomass, solar and wind installations across the country. The Tracking Matrix shows current trends in the development of renewable energy on contaminated lands. EPA has identified 502 renewable energy installations with over 2.4 gigawatts of installed electricity capacity on contaminated lands. Approximately 70% are large-scale systems with a project capacity of 1 MW or more. Most continue to be solar development on landfills, which as illustrated below has seen exceptional growth over the past decade. The renewable energy generated by these installations is used to export energy onto the utility grid, offset onsite energy demands, or power cleanup of contaminated sites.
Enforcement
EPA Enforcement Program Seeks Public Ideas for Supplemental Environmental Projects (SEPs)
- EPA has announced a new effort to support the public in sharing their ideas for environmentally beneficial projects that could potentially be included in future enforcement settlements. These voluntary projects, called Supplemental Environmental Projects (SEPs), bring environmental and public health benefits beyond those required by law to communities impacted by a violation of an environmental law or regulation.
- Ideas for SEPs can be submitted to EPA at SEPideas@epa.gov. The following type of information would be useful to EPA and/or a defendant when evaluating a project idea:
- Short Title
- Detailed Description
- Public Health and/or Environmental Benefits
- Information About the Location
- Cost Information
- In addition, the email inbox will allow a person to provide contact information, if so desired, in the event that a defendant or settling party wishes to learn more about a proposed project idea.
- More information about how to submit a SEP idea is available on EPA’s SEP page. Learn more in the related news release.
- Do you want to report an environmental violation? – Click on “Report a Violation” at the top of the page and then select one of the three links.
Funding and Technical Assistance
- Due date: July 26, 2024 (Phase 1 applications)
- The Power at Sea Prize funds innovative technologies that utilize the power inherent in the ocean to enable sustainable and responsible use of resources; better prediction and tracking of tropical storms; better monitoring of aquaculture for food security in coastal communities; greater understanding of the ocean’s role in climate change mitigation; and more. In Phase 1, applicants will select a blue economy application that their proposed system, subsystem, or component will support, and an integration challenge their solution intends to resolve.
- Eligible entities: state, local, and tribal governments; for-profit and nonprofit organizations, higher education institutions, and individuals.
- Due date: Sept. 3, 2024 (second application)
- This funding is to help groups develop a watershed group, complete watershed restoration planning activities, and design watershed management projects.
- Eligible entities: state, county, local, city or township, and special district governments; nonprofits, and Native American tribal governments (federally recognized).
Biden-Harris Administration Announces $2 Billion to Fund Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grants as Part of Investing in America Agenda – See New Information Below!
- Due date: Nov. 21, 2024
- The Biden-Harris administration announced approximately $2 billion in funding available to support community-driven projects that deploy clean energy, strengthen climate resilience, and build capacity for communities to tackle environmental and climate justice challenges. EPA’s Community Change Grants are the single largest investment in environmental justice going directly to communities in history, and will advance collaborative efforts to achieve a healthier, safer, and more prosperous future for all. These funds, part of President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda, are made possible by the president’s Inflation Reduction Act – the biggest-ever investment in clean energy and climate action.
- The activities to be performed under the grants are expected to fall under the following categories:
- Climate resiliency and adaptation.
- Mitigating climate and health risks from urban heat islands, extreme heat, wood heater emissions, and wildfire events.
- Community-led air and other (including water and waste) pollution monitoring, prevention, and remediation.
- Investments in low- and zero-emission and resilient technologies and related infrastructure.
- Workforce development that supports the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and other air pollutants.
- Reducing indoor toxics and indoor air pollution.
- Facilitating the engagement of disadvantaged communities in state and federal advisory groups, workshops, rulemakings, and other public processes.
- The Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) will be open for a year, closing on Nov. 21, and EPA will review applications on a rolling basis. This allows applicants to utilize technical assistance and possibly resubmit a new application if not initially selected. EPA encourages applicants to apply as early as possible.
- EPA's Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights (OEJECR) will host multiple informational webinars while the NOFO is open. View the recording and presentation slides from the Dec. 7 webinar at the link above. These webinars will address questions, and some may facilitate the formation of partnerships and information-sharing.
- OEJECR has updated and modified two important documents for the Community Change Grants (CCG) NOFO. EPA also posted a comprehensive Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) document on the Community Change Grants website. The FAQs address many of the questions OEJECR has received about the CCG NOFO. Please review the FAQs as you prepare your applications and before sending questions to the CCGP@epa.gov mailbox.
U.S. Department of Energy’s Building Codes Formula Funding for States and Territories – $400 Million
- Due date: Sept. 30, 2025 (Full applications)
- This Inflation Reduction Act program provides funding for adopting and implementing building energy codes that reduce utility bills, increase efficiency, lower greenhouse gas emissions that fuel the climate crisis, and make buildings more resilient to climate disasters.
- Eligible entities: states, territories, and units of local government that have the authority to adopt building codes.
U.S. Department of Energy’s Tribal Energy Financing – $20 Billion
- Due date: Aug. 31, 2028 (last Part I submission)
- Information: This program is supporting tribal investment in a broad range of projects and activities for the development of energy resources, products, and services that utilize commercial technology.
- Eligible entities: federally recognized Indian tribes, including Alaska Native Regional Corporations and Alaska Native Village Corporations.
EPA Emerging Contaminants (EC) in Small or Disadvantaged Communities Grant (SDC) – $2 Billion
- Due date: ongoing
- This noncompetitive program will provide states, territories, and tribes with grants to public water systems in small or disadvantaged communities to address emerging contaminants, including per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).
- Eligible entities: states, territories, tribes.
- Due date: ongoing
- EIR offers financing to support projects that retool, repower, repurpose, or replace energy infrastructure that has ceased operations or that enable operating energy infrastructure to avoid, reduce, utilize, or sequester air pollutants or anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases.
- Eligible entities: See program guidance.
U.S. Department of Energy’s Home Energy Rebates – $8.8 Billion
- Due date: ongoing (accepted on a rolling basis)
- This funding supports home energy rebates that will help American households save money on energy bills; upgrade to clean energy equipment and improve energy efficiency; and reduce indoor and outdoor air pollution.
- Eligible entities: state and territory energy offices.
EPA’s Community Change Equitable Resilience Technical Assistance
- Due date: ongoing (accepted on a rolling basis)
- EPA has launched a technical assistance program to help disaster-prone and disadvantaged communities prepare to apply for Community Change Grants. The Community Change Equitable Resilience Program will provide free design and project development assistance, community engagement, and partnership development workshops.
- Climate resilience projects that qualify for technical assistance include a focus on new or expanded green infrastructure, open spaces, and/or retrofits of existing community buildings or streets to address climate change impacts (such as extreme heat and more intense heat islands, wildfire and smoke, floods, storms, or other climate impacts that pose a greater risk to disadvantaged communities).
- Requests for technical assistance are now being accepted on a rolling basis until 50 recipients have been identified. Eligible projects must show the following:
- Intent and eligibility to apply for a grant under the Community Change Grant Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).
- Agreement to host EPA contractors for site visits.
- Project location in a disaster-prone area.
- Site description, ownership status, and environmental and land use information (if available).
- Potential resilience benefits for disadvantaged community.
- Engagement opportunities.
U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Strategic Economic and Community Development Program
- Due dates: vary depending on agency
- This program is for projects that support multi-jurisdictional and multi-sectoral strategic community investment plans. Applicants are encouraged to consider projects that will reduce climate pollution and increase resilience to climate change impacts in rural communities.
- Eligible entities: vary depending on agency
- Due date: TBD
- This funding will install clean energy-generating systems and/or energy efficiency measures for tribal buildings; deploy community-scale, clean energy-generating systems or energy storage on tribal lands; install integrated energy systems for autonomous operation; and power unelectrified tribal buildings. The full Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is expected to be released in spring 2024.
- Eligible entities: tribal governments, intertribal organizations, and tribal energy development organizations.
Coming Soon: U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Auditor Training (EAT) Program – $40 Million
- Due date: TBD
- This program intends to provide grants to support the training of energy auditors by paying the costs associated with energy auditor trainings and certifications for the purpose of conducting energy audits, or surveys, of commercial and residential buildings.
- Eligible entities: state governments.
- Due date: TBD
- This funding intends to support the development of planning and strategies for utilizing organic waste as a feedstock for various transportation fuel end products. Under this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA), Topic Area 1 will support feasibility studies. For communities that may have already identified potential solutions for their waste/transportation needs, Topic Area 2 would support more detailed, engineering design work to position these entities for future projects and demonstrations.
- Eligible entities: state, local, and tribal governments and nonprofit organizations.
- Due date: TBD
- This funding is expected to support communities’ development of in-depth feasibility analyses of potential waste-to-fuels solutions and support communities with completed feasibility studies to advance detailed engineering designs.
- Eligible entities: state, local, and tribal governments, nonprofit organizations, and transit authorities.
- Due date: TBD
- This program will work with communities to co-develop equitable climate resilience plans that are ready for funding and implementation. The priority will be to assist communities that are at the highest risk of climate impacts and have the most need for assistance.
- Eligible entities: partnerships across four domains – government, academic, commercial, and nonprofit organizations.
- Due date: N/A
- This funding opportunity is designed to help tribes build capacity when engaging in the environmental review and permitting process for infrastructure projects covered by the FAST-41 program, which was established by Title 41 of the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act. Tribes can secure funding for several resources that may be needed to engage in the permitting process including, but not limited to, additional staff for Tribal Historic Preservation Offices or natural resource offices, upgrading office equipment, training, consultants, reimbursement for travel, and more.
- Eligible entities: federally recognized tribes.
- Due date: N/A
- The Critical Material Innovation, Efficiency, and Alternatives Program is designed to conduct a program of research, development, demonstration, and commercialization to develop alternatives to critical materials, promote their efficient production and use, and ensure a long-term secure and sustainable supply of them.
- Eligible entities: institutions of higher education, for-profit and nonprofit entities, and state and local governmental entities and tribes.
EPA Science Matters: Wildfire Smoke and More
- Smoke from wildfires can impact air quality across much of the U.S. EPA researchers have been working to address many of the issues wildfires present to health and the environment, including preparing communities and individuals on how to protect themselves.
- Listen to EPA's Jason Sacks and a panel of other experts discuss how wildfire smoke affects your health on NPR's 1A.
- EPA's Ana Rappold spoke to The Atlantic about the effects of wildfire smoke and particulate matter on brain function.
- EPA develops software models and tools to address a range of environmental issues. The Community Multiscale Air Quality (CMAQ) modeling system is EPA’s premier tool for studying air pollution from global to local scales. In June 2023, EPA proudly celebrated the 25th anniversary of CMAQ’s initial release with a three-part story on the history and significance of this powerful computational tool.
- Read about what has made the CMAQ model so successful over the years and why it is still relevant today.
- Read about how CMAQ has been working toward a “one environment-one health” approach throughout its lifetime.
- Read about how CMAQ has continued to innovate, modernize, and address emerging environmental issues.
Combined Sewer Overflows
- Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) Technical Assistance is available from EPA’s Office of Wastewater Management on monitoring/modeling; smart sewers and smart data; asset management; operation and maintenance; regulatory/ compliance questions; and small CSO community spreadsheet-based tools (CSO model, long-term control plan review checklist, post-construction compliance monitoring checklist). See flyer for more information.
Environmental Finance Center Network
- The Environmental Finance Center Network offers free help on training and technical assistance to small wastewater and decentralized wastewater treatment works serving approximately 10,000 or fewer people. Request assistance here.
EPA Cybersecurity Assessments and Technical Assistance
- Interested water and wastewater utilities can sign up for FREE, confidential cybersecurity assessments and technical assistance services provided virtually.
- Register here
U.S. Department of Energy’s National Community Solar Partnership (NCSP) States Collaborative
U.S. Department of Energy’s Clean Cities Coalition Network Technical Assistance
- To assist with alternative fuels, fuel economy improvements, and emerging transportation technologies.
EPA’s Technical Assistance to Brownfields Communities Program
White House Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Guidebook
- A roadmap to the funding available under the law and program-by-program information is now available, including the downloadable guidebook data and EPA’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law page.
- This update includes data provided by EPA Brownfields, Superfund, Abandoned Mine Lands, Landfill Methane Outreach, and Resource Conservation and Recovery Act programs, and a pilot with Underground Storage Tanks, in addition to data from 22 state partners. Over 190,000 sites and nearly 40 million acres of land are included and screened for solar, wind, biomass and geothermal energy potential. EPA partnered with the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL) to provide up-to-date data and screening that reflects current trends in renewable energy development.
EPA's Legal Tools to Advance Environmental Justice (EJ Legal Tools)
- EPA’s Office of General Counsel offers EPA Legal Tools to Advance Environmental Justice (EJ Legal Tools), an updated and expanded compilation of legal authorities available to EPA for identifying and addressing the disproportionate impact of pollution on underserved and overburdened communities, including communities of color, Indigenous people, and low-income communities. EJ Legal Tools is intended to help EPA decision-makers and partners understand their authorities to consider and address environmental justice and equity in decision-making, and to promote meaningful engagement.
EPA Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) Tools Available
- Check out the NEW CSO Tools for combined sewer overflow permittees and permitting authorities for planning and management of different aspects of CSO programs. Each tool consists of an interactive spreadsheet, fact sheet or user guide, and three recorded trainings. These tools, which are currently in Beta test version, do not present new or changed requirements; rather they attempt to help break down information in a more digestible and interactive fashion.
- Long-Term Control Plan (LTCP) Review Checklist – Designed to help CSO permittees and NPDES authorities determine if LTCPs meet the requirements of the Clean Water Act (CWA) and the CSO Control Policy, and conform with EPA guidance on developing LTCPs.
- Post-Construction Compliance Monitoring (PCCM) Checklist – Designed to help CSO permittees and NPDES authorities develop and evaluate PCCM programs to meet the requirements of the CWA and CSO Control Policy, and conform with EPA guidance on PCCM.
- Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) Model for Small Communities – Planning tool for small CSO communities that want a reasonably simple approach to estimating a CSO occurrence, as well as treated or untreated CSO volume over a 24-hour period and have limited resources to invest in more advanced CSO monitoring and modeling.
Meetings, Conferences and Events
Scholarships Available for 2024 Annual Missouri Brownfields Conference
- Date: July 22, 2024
- The Brownfields track of the Missouri Waste Control Coalition Environmental Conference, referred to as the Missouri Brownfields Conference, is being hosted by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources’ Brownfields/Voluntary Cleanup Program (BVCP) on Monday, July 22, at Margaritaville (Tan-Tar-A Resort) in Osage Beach.
- The Missouri Brownfields Conference is a venue that allows attendees to meet state BVCP and federal staff, community members, and other industry experts in person. During the conference, you will be able to discuss general information about brownfields, as well as environmental assessments. You can also get help with specific brownfield projects, including those sites currently enrolled in the BVCP and sites that may be enrolled in the program in the future. BVCP staff will be available to provide information to interested parties on a one-on-one basis.
- Community members are invited and encouraged to attend the Missouri Brownfields Conference. Scholarships may be available to eligible community members (city, municipal and county governments, regional planning commissions, nonprofit organizations, and community groups).
- Conference breakout sessions include:
- Identifying Brownfields in Your Community
- Assessing Brownfield Properties
- Beyond Assessments: Brownfield and Other Redevelopment Funding and Assistance Resources
- Successful Brownfields Redevelopment Case Studies
- Many of our participants credit this training to professional development hours.
- Registration, along with scholarship information, is now available online.
- Call 573-526-8913 or send an email to MissouriBrownfields@dnr.mo.gov for more information.
EPA Region 7 Environmental Justice Community Stakeholder Meeting
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Webinars and Conference Calls
EPA Brownfields Job Training Funding Opportunity and Outreach Webinar
- Date: June 12, 2024
- EPA’s Office of Brownfields and Land Revitalization (OBLR) is soliciting applications from eligible entities for Brownfields Job Training Grants funding. Eligible entities can include state and local governments, tribes, and nonprofit organizations.
- Through the Brownfields Job Training Program, graduates develop the skills needed to secure full-time, sustainable employment in various aspects of hazardous substances, pollutants, contaminants, and petroleum products within the larger environmental field. These green jobs reduce environmental contamination and build more sustainable futures for communities.
- The application submission deadline is Aug. 15, 2024.
- If you have questions, please contact the Brownfields Team at brownfields@epa.gov.
- Free Job Training Webinar: Brownfields Job Training Technical Assistance provider, Kansas State University, is hosting a 90-minute webinar on “Tips on Writing a Competitive EPA Job Training Proposal” on Wednesday, June 12, at 1 p.m. CDT.
- Register here.
- Presentation slides, recording, and Q&As from the June 6 webinar are available at the link above, as will the materials from the June 12 webinar.
The information above is being provided by EPA Region 7 for informational purposes only. This page contains links to information, agencies, sites, and organizations external to EPA’s website. EPA is not responsible for third-party links. EPA does not endorse third-party organizations or agencies.