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U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (Region 7)Communities Information Digest

Earth Day Edition

*Has this edition of the digest been forwarded to you by a friend or colleague? Would you like to sign up to receive the digest?Please send an email to Tegan Vaughn,[email protected] you!*

April 22, 2013

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Note: New items are in *asterisks*.

News

*Check Out EPAs Interactive Map- Watch the World Go Green! And Share YOUR thoughts about Earth Day*On EPAs interactive map, you can see where you and thousands of others around the world Pick 5 for the Environment.Environmental actionmeans taking the simple steps in the different places where we all live. By choosing five or more of these ideas and sharing your own, you are

oining thousands of others who are doing the same! Make your actions count todayon Earth Day! And, watch a video about how Eco-athlete and racecar driver Leilani Munterteams up with EPAs pick 5 Program to talk about some of the simple steps every American can taketo help protect the environment. Go to:http://www.epa.gov/pick5/. After that, tell EPA what Earth Day means to you on theIt's Our

Environment blog. And join EPA Earth Day Twitter chats athttp://www.epa.gov/earthday/askepa.html.

*USDA Rural Development Celebrates Earth Day by Promoting Water Quality Projects in 32 States*As part of USDA's Earth Day celebration, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced support for projects that will improve water andwastewater services for rural Americans and benefit the environment across the country. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)remains focused on carrying out its mission, despite a time of significant budget uncertainty. Today's announcement is one part of theDepartment's efforts to strengthen the rural economy. "At USDA, we believe it is critical that communities across the country have reliable,clean and safe water," Vilsack said. "This Earth Day, I also encourage communities affected by natural disasters, including those hit hard by

Hurricane Sandy, to apply for funding through the Emergency Community Water Assistance Grants Program. In all, 43 water and wastewaterprojects in 32 states will be funded. Earth Day is observed annually on April 22 to raise awareness about the role each person can play to

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protect vital natural resources and safeguard the environment. Since the first Earth Day celebration in 1970, the event has expanded toinclude participation by citizens and governments in more than 195 countries.

As part of today's announcement, USDA Rural Development is providing more than $145.2 million to improve water quality and provide a safeand healthy environment for rural Americans. A complete list of water and wastewater award recipients is located at:http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/SupportDocuments/rd2013EarthDayProjectList4_22.pdf.

*EPAs FY 2014 Budget Proposal Maintains the Strength of Federal, State, and Tribal Core Environmental and Human HealthProtections*The Obama Administration recently proposed a Fiscal Year 2014 (FY 2014) budget of $8.153 billion for the U.S. Environmental Protection

Agency (EPA). This request is $296 million below the EPAs budget for Fiscal Year 2012. EPAs FY 2014 budget reflects our firmcommitment to keeping American communities across our country healthy and clean, while also taking into consideration the difficult fiscalsituation and the declining resources of state, local and tribal programs, said EPA Acting Administrator Bob Perciasepe. Our request takes abalanced approach to funding the agency, including increased investments in more efficient technologies as well as necessary programeliminations or reductions. EPAs FY 2014 request will allow EPA to continue its progress in addressing climate change; protecting thenations air, waters, and lands; supporting sustainable water infrastructure; and assuring the safety of chemicals. EPA will continue to lay thegroundwork to transform the way it does business, ensuring the best use of human and f inancial resources, while continuing to achieve theagencys mission effectively and efficiently. For more information please visit:http://www2.epa.gov/planandbudget/fy2014.

Funding Opportunities

April 24: Farm to School Grant Programhttp://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/f2s/f2_2013_grant_program.htm

May 1: Henry A. Jordan M.D. Preservation Excellence Fundhttp://www.preservationnation.org/resources/find-funding/special-funds/henry-

a-jordan.html#.UTV3eMpWKXc

May 5: Hart Family Fund for Small Townshttp://www.preservationnation.org/resources/find-funding/special-funds/#Hart

*May 22: Funders Network Local Sustainability Matching Fund (~ $25,000 -$75,000 per project)http://www.fundersnetwork.org/participate/green-building/local-sustainability-matching-fund/

*May 24: Bikes Belong Community Partnership Grantshttp://www.bikesbelong.org/grants/apply-for-a-grant/who-can-apply/

*May 28: HUDs Choice Neighborhoods program Planning Grantshttp://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/program_offices/public_indian_housing/programs/ph/cn

*May 29:HUDs FY 2013 Sustainable Communities Research Grant Programhttp://www.grants.gov/search/search.do;jsessionid=VYhVRw9MLDhN6qRtpGy7ymhwJfJQdZpVxrJJlrnp01ZXtFvHhpDZ!1866286003?oppId=2

30694&mode=VIEWJune 25:EPA Science for Sustainable and Healthy Tribeshttp://www.epa.gov/ncer/rfa/2013/2013_star_tribal.html

*July 1: Creating a Climate for Health Request for Applicationshttp://www.phi.org/news-events/450/request-for-applications-creating-a-

climate-for-health-pilot-projects

*July 15: 2014 National Urban and Community Forestry Challenge Grant Program Request for Proposalshttp://www.fs.fed.us/ucf/nucfac

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*September 10:National Science Foundation (NSF)- Water Sustainability and Climate

http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2013/nsf13535/nsf13535.htm

Meetings, Conferences, & Events

April 24-26: 2013 National Rural Transportation ConferenceGreenville, South Carolinahttp://www.nado.org/events/rpo2013/

*May 1: Energy ExpoKansas City, Missourihttp://goscninc.com/banman/imgs/12317%20Energy%20Expo%20Flyer%20Front.pdf?utm_source=SCN+InBox+e-

Newsletter&utm_campaign=a18f7d75af-Vendors_Text_Letter_4-3-13&utm_medium=email

May 6-8: Water Quality Standards AcademyWashington, DChttp://www.horsleywitten.com/WQSA/

May 8-9: 2nd Annual U.S. Zero Waste Business Conference "Creating Value through Zero Waste Cincinnati, Ohiohttp://www.uszwbc.org/2013-national-conference

May 15-17: National Brownfields ConferenceAtlanta, Georgiahttp://www.brownfieldsconference.org/en/home?pub=1&issue=8

May 20-24: Strategic Conservation Planning Using a Green Infrastructure ApproachShepherdstown, West Virginiahttps://salsa3.salsalabs.com/o/50714/p/salsa/event/common/public/?event_KEY=68428

May 29-June 1: Congress for New Urbanism21st Annual Conference Salt Lake City, Utahhttp://www.cnu21.org/

*June 4-5: 2013 LOCUS Leadership SummitWashington, DChttp://www.smartgrowthamerica.org/locus/2013-leadership-summit

*June 13-14: Streets as PlacesNew York, New Yorkhttp://www.pps.org/training/streets-as-places/

June 23-27:Making Cities LivableReshaping Suburbia into Completely Healthy Communities Portland, Oregonhttp://www.livablecities.org/conferences/50th-conference-portland

June 23-26: Transit Initiatives and Communities ConferenceAtlanta, Georgiahttp://www.cfte.org/initiatives-conferences

July 9-11:National Environmental Health Association Annual ConferenceWashington, DC.http://neha2013aec.org/

July 21-27: Hands-On PV Experience (HOPE) Workshop Golden, Coloradohttp://apps1.eere.energy.gov/solar/newsletter/detail.cfm/articleId=316

July 30-Aug. 1: 2013 EPA Community Involvement Training Conference: The Next Generation of Community InvolvementBoston, Massachusettshttp://www.epa.gov/ciconference/index.htm

August 13-15:Safe Routes to School National Conference Sacramento, Californiahttp://saferoutesconference.org

*August 18-21: 2013 International Low Impact Development Symposium Saint Paul, Minnesotahttp://www.cce.umn.edu/2013-

International-Low-Impact-Development-Symposium/index.html

September 9-11: Reclaiming Vacant Properties5th National ConferencePhiladelphia, Pennsylvaniahttp://www.communityprogress.net/2013-reclaiming-vacant-properties-conference-pages-

356.php?utm_source=RVP+Announcement+final+Nov+1.+&utm_campaign=2013+RVP+Announcement+Nov+1&utm_medium=email

October 29-Nov. 2: National Preservation ConferenceIndianapolis, Indianahttp://www.preservationnation.org/

November 18-20: Behavior, Energy and Climate Change (BECC) Conference 2013 Sacramento, California http://beccconference.org/

November 21: Massachusetts Smart Growth Conference Boston, Massachusetts http://ma-smartgrowth.org/take-action/smart-growth-

conference/ta_111112_save-the-date-postcard/

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Webinars & Conference Calls

Computer Power Management with ENERGY STAR Tuesday, April 23, 1:00 p.m. (EDT)

This presentation describes an ENERGY STAR offering that is helping organizations realize substantial energy and financial savings availablefrom computer and monitor power management. The training introduces an innovative software tool that enables monitor power managementfrom a central location, as well as educational outreach material. Organizations utilizing this free software (available which may bedownloaded from the Web) can save $10 to $50 per computer. To register, please visit:https://esbuildings.webex.com/ec0606l/eventcenter/enroll/register.do?siteurl=esbuildings&formId=0&formType=0&loadFlag=1&confId=100365

7208.

*DOE Webinars on Wildlife Monitoring and Offshore Wind, Tribal Energy, and More, April 24, from 11:00-12:30 p.m. (EDT) and April24, from 1:00-2:30 p.m. (EDT)*The Energy Department will present a live webcast titled "Wildlife Monitoring and Baseline Studies for Offshore Wind Development" onWednesday, April 24, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. This webinar will present the initial results of the first year of data

collection for two large-scale DOE-funded studies that establish baseline data to aid in the siting and permitting of future offshore windprojects.Register to attend the webinar. The Energy Department's Office of Indian Energy, its Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable

Energy's Tribal Energy Program, and the Western Area Power Administration (WAPA) will present a webinar titled "How Power MarketingAdministrations Market Power and Work with Tribes" on Wednesday, April 24, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. Presentersfrom WAPA and the Bonneville Power Administration will provide information on the generation and transmission assets and operations ofpower marketing administrations, their past cooperation with tribes, and how to work with them to promote economic growth and renewableenergy development on tribal lands. Register to attend the webinar athttps://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/297311560.

*Community Conference Call on U.S. EPA's Proposed Air Rules, April 24, 2013, 1:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m. (EDT)*The purpose of this conference call is to provide information on upcoming activities in EPA's Air Programs and foster a dialog withcommunities on their air quality issues. This call will provide updates on the following regulations:

NESHAP for Stationary Reciprocating Internal Combustion Engines (RICE)On January 14, 2013, the Environmental Protection Agency finalized amendments to the National Emissions Standards for Hazardous AirPollutants (NESHAP) for stationary reciprocating internal combustion engines (RICE). In this rulemaking, EPA addressed several petitions forreconsideration, legal challenges and new technical information submitted by stakeholders, including industry and environmental groups,which were brought to the EPA's attention after publication of the 2010 standards. Conference Line: 1-866-299-3188; code: 919-541-5624#(The phone line is limited to 125 participants on a first-come first-served basis).For more information, please visithttp://www.epa.gov/ttn/atw/rice/ricepg.html.

*Transportation Planning Information Exchange Webinar 2012 Transportation Planning Excellence Award Recipients,April 25,1:00-2:30 p.m. (EDT)This is the first in a series of three webinars, which will focus on the 2012 Transportation Planning Excellence Awards (TPEA) Program

Recipients who utilized outstanding public involvement and outreach, environmental and transportation planning linkages, and asset

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management to develop a variety of facilities and tools. Projects featured in this webinar include the Lake Champlain Bridge Project, TowardUniversal Access: Leveraging Technology for ADA Compliance, and Uptown Circle in Normal, IL. Participants should register in advance at:https://www.nhi.fhwa.dot.gov/resources/webconference/web_conf_learner_reg.aspx?webconfid=25926.

The Basics of Benchmarking in Portfolio Manager, April 25, 2:00 p.m. (EDT)Whether you are looking to benchmark a K-12 school, fire station, courthouse, retail store, supermarket, or office, learn how easy it is to startbenchmarking your buildings energy consumption and tracking its improvements in energy efficiency over time. Learn how to enter data intoENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager, EPAs no-cost energy measurement and tracking tool; understand and utilize energy metrics andconcepts; and find other helpful ENERGY STAR tools and resources. To register, please visit:https://esbuildings.webex.com/ec0606l/eventcenter/enroll/register.do?siteurl=esbuildings&formId=0&formType=0&loadFlag=1&confId=100369

3951.

*Webinar: Attracting Funding for Climate Change Adaptation, May 1, 1:30 - 2:30 p.m. (EDT)*This EPA webinar will focus on how communities can secure funding for adaptation to climate change. The presentations will provideexamples of how communities of various sizes have attracted funding and will provide resources for participants to identify appropriate funds.The experts who present on this webcast will discuss how to maximize funding by mainstreaming adaptation planning and how to addressadaptation and mitigation simultaneously. For more information, please visit:https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/869045530.

*Transportation Research Board (TRB) Webinar: Transportation Funding Challenges and Opportunities in the Age of the MovingAhead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21) Legislation,May 14, 2-3:30 p.m. (EDT)*The Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century surface transportation authorization bill ushered in noteworthy changes to federal transitand highway funding and finance, but did not address the longer-term need for new revenues to sufficiently fund federal transportationprograms and keep the Highway Trust Fund and Mass Transit Account stable. In addition to examining the funding and financial impacts ofMAP-21, this webinar will consider the implications of the enacted legislation and forthcoming regulations and opportunities. Participants mustregister in advance athttp://www.trb.org/main/blurbs/168721.aspx.

Registration is free for employees of FTA and other TRB sponsors.

Webinar: Low Impact Development and Smart GrowthHow are They Best Integrated and Utilized in our Communities? May 15,12:00-1:00 p.m. (EDT) (repeated at 7:00-8:00 p.m.)This webinar from Penn State Extension will help planners, elected officials, and concerned citizens come together to make better land usedecisions using Smart Growth principles. Planning tools and resources available to decision-makers will be discussed, as well as how toengage in planning to benefit your community. For more information, please visit:http://www.feedingcities.com/.

Webinar: Pocket NeighborhoodsScale Matters, May 16, 3:00-4:00 pm (EDT)Pocket neighborhoods can engender a sense of belonging and care among neighbors, making them the building blocks of resilientcommunities. In this webinar, key practices will be shared for introducing small-scale neighborhoods to infill locations. For more information,and to register, please visit:http://www.placemakers.com/webinars/pocket-neighborhoods-design-counts-a-lot/.

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Green Schools

*2013 Asthma-Friendly Schools Initiative (AFSI) Champion Awards*Through support from Genentech and the Environmental Protection Agency, the American Lung Association is excited to launch the2013

Asthma-Friendly Schools Initiative (AFSI) Champion Awards. The AFSI Champion Awards recognize schools that have taken positive strides

to create a healthier learning environment using the strategies outlined in theAsthma-Friendly Schools Initiative. Silver and Gold level winners

are schools that have gone above and beyond to protect the health of their students, faculty and staff. By recognizing schools that have takena comprehensive approach to asthma management, the Lung Association hopes to increase awareness around childhood asthma, establish acadre of schools that can share their best practices and experience, as well as expand the number of schools working toward an asthma-friendlier environment. The Asthma-Friendly Schools Initiative was developed in partnership with the Centers for Disease Control andPrevention and aligns with their Strategies for Addressing Asthma within a Coordinated School Health Program. By using therecommendations outlined in theAFSI Toolkit, schools can establish a comprehensive asthma management plan that maximizes school

health services, provides asthma education, creates a healthier school environment, and ensures all students can participate in physicaleducation and activity. The application submission deadline for the 2013 AFSI Champion Awards is June 15, 2013. For more information,please visit:http://www.lung.org/lung-disease/asthma/creating-asthma-friendly-environments/asthma-in-schools/asthma-friendly-schools-

initiative/afsi-champion-awards/afsi-award-introduction.htm.

*National Healthy Schools Day April 30, 2013*For ten years parents, teachers, school nurses, custodians, advocates, and agencies have promoted National Healthy Schools Day activitiesnationwide. Whether you are at the beginning stages of investigating school environments or have an established Indoor Air/EnvironmentalQuality program, we invite you to host a local activity that educates others and celebrates your schools successes. National Healthy SchoolsDay is coordinated by Healthy Schools Network in cooperation with US EPA and promotes the use of EPA's IAQ Tools for Schools guidanceas well as other EPA environmental health guidelines and programs for schools and childrens health. For more information, please visit:

http://www.nationalhealthyschoolsday.org/?utm_source=NewsSlice%3A+Invasion+underway%3F&utm_campaign=NewsSlice&utm_medium=

email.

Webinar: School Environmental Health Assessment and Team Building (EPA) April 30, 2-3 p.m.This webinar addresses how to use tools like the Sensible Steps Quick Assessment to complete a school environmental health check-up;strategies you can use to create awareness and build effective teams; and low or no cost steps to address common school environmentalhealth issues. For more information, please visit:https://esbuildings.webex.com/mw0307l/mywebex/default.do?siteurl=esbuildings.

Lured by Savings and Cash, Many American Schools are Going SolarWhen the Dublin City School District in central Georgia broke ground on a new solar project earlier this month, school officials celebrated morethan just sustainability. The new solar array, to be completed in June, will also save some serious, much-needed cash. Over the next 25

years, the panels are expected to save the district $3.5 million, said Dublin City Schools Superintendent Chuck Ledbetter. By June 2014,Ledbetter expects the district will save $100,000 -- enough to cut the number of teacher furlough days from 10 to nine. This means "another

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school day for our students and another day for our teachers to work, which is a good thing," he said. For more information, please visit:http://eenews.net/climatewire/2013/03/28/2.

EPA Announces Launch of National Center of Expertise for School Integrated Pest ManagementThe EPA is announcing the launch of its National Center of Expertise for School Integrated Pest Management (IPM) at the Region 6 offices inDallas, TX. The Center will provide leadership and expertise to carry out the goal of ensuring that millions of children in our Nations schoolsbenefit from IPM practices and verifiable IPM programs. School IPM is an approach to managing pests that schools can use to reduce pestand pesticide risk for students and staff. The Center will serve as a national resource on School IPM, as well as a facilitator of activitiesamongst key school IPM stakeholders at the local, regional, and Federal level. The Center of Expertise will focus on a wide range of schoolIPM activities including: developing and refining national program direction; coordinating Regional activities to achieve national goals; creatingand maintaining web-based resources; and coordinating with other EPA national programs. Are you interested in more information aboutschool IPM? The Region 7 Contacts for the EPA School Integrated Pest Management program are:Katie Howard at 913-551-7861 [email protected] Dan Tuggle at 913-551-7308 [email protected].

4th Safe Routes to School National ConferenceThe 4th Safe Routes to School National Conference will be making its way to sunny Sacramento, CA, August 13-15, 2013. The conferencewill span three days and include over 50 sessions and many dynamic mobile workshops. Also included are several exciting Special Featuresthat will engage participants and showcase Sacramento's bicycle and pedestrian-friendly streets. An onsite Bike Share program will allowparticipants the opportunity explore Sacramento's lively downtown and expansive bike trails. Wondering what to do in between sessions? Stopon by the Bike Build project and take part in building new bikes that will benefit local youth. Calling all Youth! The conference will includeseveral opportunities for youth from throughout the region to participate in educational, interactive, fun and informative discussions andconference activities. Registration will open up in early April. Visit the conference web site for more details:http://saferoutesconference.org.

Other Community Related Information & Events

*Increase Walking and Community Walkability, Public Comments Accepted by May 1st*The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) within the Department of Health and Human Services announced the opening of adocket to obtain information from the public on walking as an effective way to be sufficiently active for health. The information obtained will beused to frame an anticipated Surgeon Generals call to action on this issue. The notice can be found atwww.regulations.gov. The noticerequests information on way to increase walking and community walkability on the following topics: 1. Barriers to walking for youth; adults;seniors; persons with a disability; racial and ethnic minorities; and low-income individuals. 2. Evidence-based strategies for overcoming thosebarriers and their reach and impact to increase physical activity at the population level and among the above mentioned subpopulations.Please consider providing input to the docket and sharing this announcement with stakeholders who may also be interested. To provide inputgo towww.regulations.gov In the search box type the Docket No. CDC-2013-0003.

*Energy Department Announces Apps for Vehicles Challenge Winners*The Energy Department announced the winners of the Apps for Vehicles Challenge on April 1. The competition asked app developers and

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entrepreneurs to demonstrate how the open data available on most vehicles can be used to improve vehicle safety, fuel efficiency, andcomfort. The Department awarded the Judges' Prize to New York City-based Dash, which developed an app that turns any vehicle into a"smart car," providing real diagnostics and alerts to enable drivers to maximize engine performance, minimize carbon emissions, and savemoney. The Popular Choice prize went to MyCarma, headquartered in Troy, Michigan, which developed an app that offers a personalized fueleconomy estimate based on a driver's unique driving patterns instead of a standard test cycle. Green Button Gamer, based in Boston,Massachusetts, won the Safety Innovation award, and Fuel Economy Coach, based in Augusta, Georgia, received the Fuel EfficiencyInnovation award. Entries were judged based on their creativity, innovation, use of open vehicle data, consumer accessibility, and potential tohelp consumers improve fuel efficiency. See the Energy Department'sProgress Alertand visit theApps for Vehicles Challenge websiteto

download the winning apps.

*Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Seeks Nominations for Forestry Research Advisory Council by April 29*Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack recently announced the re-establishment of the Forestry Research Advisory Council and is seekingnominations for new members. "This council will play a critical role as USDA continues to lead the way in forest conservation efforts," saidVilsack. The council's many responsibilities include providing advice to Secretary Vilsack on national and regional research planning projectsand on coordination of forestry research within federal and state agencies, forestry schools and forest industries. The Forestry Research

Advisory Council has 10 current and upcoming vacancies. Nominations are sought to immediately fill six vacancies on the council andadditional vacancies that will occur when current appointments expire in December 2013. Vacancies are open in the following categories:Forestry schools,State and Federal agencies, Forest industries, and Voluntary organizations. Nominations must be received by April 29, 2013. The

announcement appeared in the Federal Register and is available at:http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2013-03-13/pdf/2013-05739.pdf, alongwith the required nomination form and more background information.

*Nevada Deploys First U.S. Commercial, Grid-Connected Enhanced Geothermal System*As part of the Obama Administration's all-of-the-above energy strategy, the Energy Department today recognized the nation's first commercialenhanced geothermal system(EGS) project to supply electricity to the grid. Based in Churchill County, Nevada, Ormat Technologies' DesertPeak 2 EGS project has increased power output of its nearby operating geothermal field by nearly 38%providing an additional 1.7megawatts of power to the grid and validating this emerging clean energy technology.Full story

*New Environmental JusticeVideo and Blog - "Breathing Easier in Chicagoland"*

Check out the new video Breathing Easier in Chicagoland the latest story in the Environmental Justice in Action blog series. In thenewestadditionin the 20th Anniversary Video Series by Kimberly Wasserman explaining how she first learned that her son had asthma and how it ledto her becoming a community leader to advocate for cleaner air. You also can readher blog posttalking about some of the other work herorganization, theLittle Village Environmental Justice Organization, does to address environmental injustices in her community.Check out the EJ in Action Blog:http://blog.epa.gov/ej/, and view the Breathing Easy in Chicagoland video:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uK2HQdeTd0c.

*Sharing Success: Emerging Approaches to Efficient Rooftop Solar Permitting*This Interstate Renewable Energy Council report serves as both a prompt for discussing permitting challenges, and as a source of inspirationfor communities looking for realistic and effective ways to improve solar permitting while ensuring safe solar installations. View the report at:http://www.irecusa.org/wp-content/uploads/FINAL-Sharing-Success-w-cover-revised-final052012.pdf?utm_source=The+IREC+Report%3A+April+2013&utm_campaign=The+IREC+Report+April+2013&utm_medium=email.

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*See the Top 10 Best Complete Streets Policies in the Country*In 2012, 125 cities, states and regions passed policies to make streets safer and more convenient for everyone who uses them. Thesecommunities are part of the growing movement to create Complete Streets, and the movement is stronger today than ever before. There arenow 488 Complete Streets policies in place across the country at all levels of government. Thats a remarkable achievement. Ten policies from2012 stand out as leaders in the Complete Streets field. The communities have gone the distance to craft exceptional policy language. TheNational Complete Streets Coalition examined each policy passed last year and scored them based on 10 elements of ideal policy language.In addition to the annual rankings, the new report also contains tips and tools for communities interested in creating a Complete Streets policy

of their own. Read the full report at:http://www.smartgrowthamerica.org/2013/04/08/announcing-the-best-complete-streets-policies-of-2012/.

*"PopUp Main Street" Event in Little Rock, Arkansas*In November, 2012, the Little Rock Chamber of Commerce "Create Little Rock" group andStudioMainhosted "Pop-Up Main Street," a life-sized mock-up that allowed the public to experience an alternate version of the South Main (SoMa) neighborhood of Little Rock, Arkansas.The purpose of the event was to explore some critical questions: what if South Main Street were altered from a four-lane to a two-lane road,divided by a landscaped median, and supplemented with bike lanes? Organizers hypothesized that these changes would improve safety anddraw attention to local businesses, revitalizing the neighborhood. Inspired by the burgeoningBetter Blockinitiative, this live experiment invitedthe public to actively engage in the build-out process of the demonstration and provide feedback in real time. The event focused on the threeblock section of South Main Street from I-630 to 15th Street and provided an opportunity for the organizers to partner with SoMa residents andbusiness owners to show what the SoMa neighborhood could become. This included temporary lane alterations that provided bike lanes, theaddition of a median, more shops, better cafe seating (using wooden pallets to serve as temporary fencing), and increased green space. Haybales and potted trees were used to show what the street might resemble with additional vegetation and a boulevard type cross-section. Theevent coincided with 2nd Friday Art Night and continued into Saturday with a festive atmosphere that included music, food, and vendors. Formore information, please visit:http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/livability/newsletter/april_2013/.

*Walmart's CEO Doubles Down on the Company's Aggressive Bet on Renewable Energy*To every environmentalist who ever bad-mouthed Walmart for its big-box blandness and gigantic impervious parking lots, here's some news.The retail behemoth is throwing its full economic muscle behind energy sustainability. Local utilities that don't get on board with Walmart'sgreen energy programs could be left behind like an old, worn-out shopping center. The company's new energy policy, announced this week atits Global Sustainability Milestone Meeting, calls for Walmart to produce or procure 7 billion kilowatt-hours of renewable energy globally by theend of the decade, a 600 percent increase over 2010 levels. At the same time, the retailer will make deep cuts to its energy consumption byshaving 20 percent from 2010 levels the amount of electricity required to power a square foot of a Walmart store or warehouse. For moreinformation, please visit:http://www.eenews.net/public/climatewire/2013/04/18/2.

*Solar Industry Jobs Outstrip Coal Mining*California may lay claim to the largest pool of acting talent in the world. But when it comes to total employment, the state's solar industry cutsmore paychecks than Hollywood, with an estimated 43,700 people employed in the manufacture, sale, distribution and installation of solarsystems, according to a new national database of solar employment. And when measured across all 50 states, the solar industry employs 35percent more people than coal mining, Bureau of Labor Statistics figures compiled by the Solar Foundation show. In total, the U.S. solarindustry employed 119,000 people in 2012, a 13.2 percent increase over 2011, according to figures compiled from the foundation's NationalSolar Jobs Census and other sources. For more information, please visit:http://eenews.net/climatewire/2013/04/19/7.

*Climate Fight Needs Businesses to Sway Consumers, says Method Pioneer*

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Stoppingclimate changeand biodiversity loss will not happen without business and marketing professionals, says the co-founder of apioneering US green cleaning brand that was bought by Ecover last year. Eric Ryan, who launchedMethodwith Adam Lowry 12 years agobeforeselling it to create a group with combined revenues of $200m (131m) and around 300 staff, told the Guardian that governments werestill not doing enough to tackle environmental challenges because of vested interests. "The only way we're going to solve sustainability isthrough changing consumer behavior. There's too much money at work for government to put enough regulation in place to make businesseschange," Ryan said. For more information, please visit:http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2013/apr/19/climate-change-business-method-pioneer.

*The Future of Standing in Environmental Cases: Trends in the DC Circuit and Beyond*The doctrine of standing determines whether any potential plaintiff, from an environmental NGO to a regulated company, can be heard infederal court. But applying the seemingly straightforward elements of injury in fact, causation, and redress that define Article IIIconstitutional standing has often proven vexing for courts and litigants alike. ELI invites you to join a panel of legal experts who will take stockof standing jurisprudence in the DC Circuit. They will also offer thoughts on how standing in the DC Circuit may differ from that in other courts,and on what we might expect from the Supreme Court in light of Clapper v. Amnesty International. Wednesday, May 15, 2013, 12:001:30 PMET at the Environmental Law Institute, 2000 L Street NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20036. RSVP athttp://www.eli.org/Seminars/event.cfm?eventid=769.

*New Report Assesses Potential Improvements to U.S. Hydropower Production*The Energy Department today announced a study outlining key improvements that can be made to hydropower production in the United

States to provide more efficient and cost-effective electricity to homes and businesses. Developed with funding from the Energy Department,the Electric Power Research Institute's (EPRI) report, titled "Quantifying the Value of ydropower in the Electric Grid," identifies and assessesthe quantifiable benefits from potential improvements, such as installing turbines that can operate with lower water levels, utilizing new powerplant designs that can increase revenue and efficiency, and monetizing the services hydropower provides to the nation's electric grid. Formore information, please visit:http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/news/progress_alerts.cfm/pa_id=867.

*Participate in the Solar Decathlon 2013 Pavilion*The SunShot Initiative invites interested organizations toparticipate in the SunShot Solar Pavilionat the U.S. Department of Energy SolarDecathlon 2013 in Irvine, California. This award-winning event attracts more than 100,000 visitors as it challenges 20 collegiate teams todesign, build, and operate solar-powered houses that are cost effective, energy efficient, and attractive.

*2013 New Partners for Smart Growth Conference Presentations Now Available!*The Local Government Commission has announced that PDF files of presentations given at the 12th Annual New Partners for Smart GrowthConference in Kansas City are now available online. Use the following link to access this exciting new smart growth resource:www.newpartners.org/program/presentations/.

Kansas City, Missouri Kick-Starts Green Infrastructure PlanCity officials in Kansas City recently announced that they have completed an $80 million green infrastructure investment, which includes newrain gardens, curb extensions, and other green solutions. But the green infrastructure completed so far is just a start. Over the next twodecades, Kansas City plans to spend nearly $4.5 billion to implement its sewer overflow control plan, the largest capital project in the city'shistory. For more information, please visit:http://www.sustainablecitynetwork.com/topic_channels/water/article_59336e44-91a0-11e2-a8f1-001a4bcf6878.html.

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*Unsprawl: Remixing Spaces as Places*Utilizing a dozen case studies from throughout North America, this new book examines successful strategies employed to introduce newpatterns of development into a regulatory, cultural and financial landscape structured to encourage sprawl. Highlighted are downtownredevelopments, new greenfield villages, retrofits and ambitious sustainability experiments. For more information, please visit:https://www.planetizen.com/store/unsprawl.

*Strategic Lessons in Sustainable Community Building*This report by Groundwork USA highlights ten case studies from communities that are working to become more equitable and sustainable

through community engagement in reclaiming brownfields, urban rivers, and vacant spaces. For more information, please visit:http://groundworkusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/GWUSA-Sustainable-Community-Building-2013.pdf.

*Grants to Help Farms & Ranches Build Resilience to Drought*Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack recently announced the award of $5.3 million in Conservation Innovation Grants to develop approaches andtechnology that will help producers adapt to extreme climate changes that cause drought. These grants will fund projects benefiting severalstates that were significantly impacted by last year's drought. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) remains focused oncarrying out its mission, despite a time of significant budget uncertainty. The grants will address drought-related issues, such as grazingmanagement, warm season forage systems, irrigation strategies and innovative cropping systems. Recipients plan to evaluate innovative,field-based conservation technologies and approaches, leading to improvements like enhancing soil's ability to hold water, evaluating irrigationwater use and installing grazing systems that are more tolerant to drought. Summaries of all projects selected for 2013 Conservation

Innovation Grants are available athttp://www.nrcs.usda.gov/technical/cig/index.html.

EPA and Department of Energy Recognize 2013 Energy Star Partners of the YearThe U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) are recognizing 118 awardees for theircommitment to saving energy and protecting the environment. Recipients of the 2013 Energy Star Partner of the Year Award include SearsHoldings Corporation, PepsiCo, JC Penney, Food Lion, USAA Real Estate, Loudoun County Public Schools in Virginia, and Toyota.This year's Energy Star award winners have gone above and beyond to save energy and cut greenhouse gases, said EPA Acting

Administrator Bob Perciasepe. Their commitment to superior energy efficiency not only makes these organizations valuable partners in oureffort for a cleaner, healthier environment, but it also helps them reduce their day-to-day energy costs an important feat for anyorganization.Partners of the Year-Sustained Excellence: The 70 Sustained Excellence winners continue to exhibit exceptional leadershipyear after year in the Energy Star program while remaining dedicated to environmental protection through superior energy efficiency.Partners of the Year: Forty-one organizations are receiving a Partner of the Yearaward for strategically and comprehensivelymanaging their energy use. These organizations promote Energy Star products and practices in their own operations, in addition to providingefficient products and services to consumers and within their community. Excellence:Seven winners are receiving awards in part for theirsuperior efforts in the Home Performance with Energy Star program. The remaining organizations receive Excellence Awards and otherspecial recognition for specific activities to promote energy-efficient products, homes or buildings. For a complete list of winners, pleasevisit:www.energystar.gov/awards.

EPA's Lead-Safe Certification Program Important for ConsumersHome repairs that create even a small amount of lead dust are enough to poison your child and put your family at risk. If you live in a home orapartment that was built before 1978 and are planning a renovation or repair project, make sure you renovate right with a Lead-Safe Certifiedcontractor in accordance with EPA guidelines. Consumers with more questions can call EPA Region 7 at 1-800-223-0425 and ask to speakwith a lead paint specialist. Facts about lead:

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FACT: Lead exposure can harm young children and babies even before they are born.FACT: Even children who seem healthy can have high levels of lead in their bodies.FACT: You can get lead in your body by breathing or swallowing lead dust, or by eating soil or paint chips containing lead.FACT: You have many options for reducing lead hazards. In most cases, lead-based paint that is in good condition is not a hazard.FACT: Removing lead-based paint improperly can increase the danger to your family.If you think your home might have lead hazards, go towww.epa.gov/leador call EPA Region 7 at 1-800-223-0425 and ask to speak with alead paint specialist.

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Highlights Efforts to Increase Access to Affordable and Healthy FoodAgriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack recently discussed USDA efforts to improve access to healthy foods, and outlined the need for a renewedcommitment to improve childhood nutrition, which includes empowering parents to provide healthy meals for their families. In remarks at a Hy-Vee, Inc. grocery store, Secretary Vilsack noted that increasing access to healthy foods is one of USDA's top priorities. "We must help familiesprovide our children with healthy foods that are full of the nutrients they need," said Vilsack. "Research shows that healthy foods aren't alwaysmore expensive than less healthy options. Expanding access to affordable, healthy options and providing more information for parents willhelp create a generational shift to reverse the obesity crisis and protect the health of our youngest Americans." USDA developed the Food

Access Research Atlas to enable researchers, city planners, non-profit organizations and policy makers to identify areas where the availabilityof grocery stores and transportation create geographical barriers to accessing healthy food. For more information, please visit:http://content.govdelivery.com/bulletins/gd/USDAOC-736a91.

New Funding Opportunity from EPA for Sustainable and Healthy TribesInformation on a new Science to Achieve Results (STAR) Request for Applications (RFA),Science for Sustainable and Healthy Tribes, whichfocuses on Climate Change and Indoor Air Pollution and impacts on tribal communities, can be found athttp://www.epa.gov/ncer/rfa/2013/2013_star_tribal.html. This RFA solicits applications on research to develop sustainable solutions toenvironmental problems that affect Tribes. The RFA is until June 25, 2013. Component research areas include:-Science to understand the health impacts of climate change on tribal populations-Science to understand the health impacts of indoor air pollution exposures that derive from or are directly affecting traditional tribal life-waysand cultural practices-Development of sustainable, culturally appropriate and acceptable pollution prevention, and adaptation/mitigation strategies-Community involvement in the design, acceptance and implementation of the mitigation and adaptation approaches-Focus on impacts to vulnerable sub-populations of Tribal communitiesFor questions please contact Cynthia McOliver([email protected]).

Green Infrastructure Passes Kansas City TestJust last year, workers in Kansas City replaced the last of the citys wooden sewer pipes, some constructed prior to the Civil War. But, theinfrastructure changes having the most impact on one challenged neighborhood are blossoming above the ground, not buried beneath it.Green infrastructure is helping alleviate combined sewer overflows, as intended, in the neighborhood where heavy rains often sent rawsewage spilling into the waterways of the Middle Blue River Basin. But, Jan Marcason, a Kansas City councilmember speaking at the recentNew Partners for Smart Growth Conference in Kansas City, said going green in the basin has created a ripple effect, increasing communitypride, a spike in private investment, an increase in property values, and citizens who are more engaged in neighborhood beautificationprojects and city policymaking. For more information, please visit:http://www.sustainablecitynetwork.com/topic_channels/water/article_59336e44-91a0-11e2-a8f1-

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001a4bcf6878.html?utm_source=SCN+InBox+e-Newsletter&utm_campaign=743c273822-Newsletter_3-20-2013_Admin&utm_medium=email.

EPA, NOAA, National Wildlife Federation, and the North Atlantic Landscape Conservation Cooperative Announce Searchable OnlineDatabase of Eastern Regional Climate InformationNEclimateUS.orgis a searchable online database that provides a gateway to climate information for the Eastern United States. It summarizesneeds for climate information as articulated in publications; identifies available data, products and services; and captures planned and on-going projects. Its goal is to offer a tool to search for regionally relevant climate information, and to facilitate collaborative opportunities acrossthe network of climate-focused programs and partners in the Eastern United States. The database is in its early stages of development. Itscontent will change with time to reflect developments in climate work within the region, and to respond to individual sector needs whennecessary. To view the site, visit:www.NEclimateUS.org .

USDA Announces New Conservation Collaboration with DuPont to Promote Sustainable Harvesting of Bio-based Feedstocks forCellulosic EthanolAgriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack recently announced a new federal-private collaboration with DuPont to safeguard natural resources onprivate lands used to supply bio-based feedstocks for cellulosic ethanol production. The joint agreement between USDA's Natural ResourceConservation Service (NRCS) and DuPont aims to set voluntary standards for the sustainable harvesting of agricultural residues for renewablefuel, and supports rural job creation, additional income for farmers, bio-based energy development, and the safeguarding of natural resourcesand land productivity. The first plant involved in this national agreement is northeast of Des Moines, Iowa, near the town of Nevada whereDuPont is building a 30 million gallons/year cellulosic facility. This plant will use harvested residues from a 30-mile radius around the facility."This agreement will support our Nation's effort to reduce dependency on foreign oil, while working to protect and improve the productivity ofour soilsone of our most valuable resources," said Secretary Vilsack. For more information, please visit:http://content.govdelivery.com/bulletins/gd/USDAOC-738536.

USDA Invites Applications for Renewable Energy System and Energy Efficiency Improvement ProjectsAgriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack recently announced that USDA is seeking applications to provide assistance to agricultural producers andrural small businesses for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. Funding is available from USDA's Rural Energy for AmericaProgram (REAP). For more information, please visit:http://content.govdelivery.com/bulletins/gd/USDAOC-738553.

Real Progress on Environmental JusticeCheck out EPA's blog post,Real Progress on Environmental Justice, written by Acting Administrator Bob Perciasepe and CEQ Chair NancySutley. The authors discuss the progress being made to advance environmental justice within the agency through Plan EJ 2014 and progressthat is being made by other agencies from their respective environmental justice strategies. Also, read more stories like that at EPA'sEJ in

Action blog. The blog regularly highlights the positive activities happening in the government and from communities to reduce environmentaland health disparities in low income and minority areas. To view the blog post, please visit:http://blog.epa.gov/blog/2013/03/real-progress-on-environmental-justice/.

Department of Energy Study: Deep Cuts Possible in Transportation Petroleum Use and EmissionsA study released by two U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) laboratories on March 15 reveals strategies to reduce petroleum use andgreenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the transportation sector by more than 80% by 2050. The Department's National Renewable EnergyLaboratory (NREL) and Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) prepared the Transportation Energy Futures study, which was funded by DOE'sOffice of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE). The study found that there's no "silver bullet" that will achieve deep cuts inpetroleum use and GHG emissions on its own. Instead, a coordinated approach on all fronts examined by the study is needed to achieve the