Green / Energy

RSF Social Finance Seed Fund

2012-02-09T12:42:00.000-08:00

RSF Social Finance Seed Fund
RSF Social Finance (RSF) is a pioneering nonprofit financial services organization dedicated to transforming the way the world works with money by supporting breakthrough ideas at the intersection of social change and finance. The RSF Seed Fund provides small grants of $500 to $5,000 to nonprofit organizations as well as individuals doing charitable work. Funded projects must address one of the following focus areas: The Food and Agriculture category encourages new economic models that support sustainable food and agriculture, while raising public awareness of the value of organic and Biodynamic farming. The Education and the Arts category supports education and arts projects that are holistic and therapeutic. The Ecological Stewardship category promotes projects devoted to preserving the earth’s ecosystems, especially integrated, systems-based, and culturally-relevant approaches. Grant proposals are due March 15, 2012. Visit the RSF website to review the funding categories and submit an online application.

Together Green Grants

2012-02-06T06:34:00.001-08:00

[from Philanthropy News Digest] TogetherGreen, a conservation alliance between the National Audubon Society and Toyota, is accepting applications for its 2012 class of Conservation Fellows and Innovation grantees. These programs are designed to foster conservation leadership, achieve conservation results, forge partnerships in communities across the United States, and help engage millions of Americans in conservation action.

The Conservation Fellowships program seeks to invest in individuals who are committed to empowering others and to creating positive environmental change in their communities and organizations. Applicants must have at least six years of experience in conservation, environmental education, policy, or environmental issues, as demonstrated through current and past work experience, academic studies related to the environment, and/or volunteer work; and have a current affiliation (full- or part-time employment or equivalent volunteer commitment) with a conservation organization, business, university, community-based organization, or other professional organization whose goals and practices make a positive contribution to environmental conservation. Fellows receive a $10,000 grant to conduct a twelve-month conservation action project in their community, as well as specialized training and support to help shape and implement their projects. (Deadline: March 5, 2012.)

The Innovation Grants program provides funding to enable Audubon groups and others to inspire, equip, and support activities that engage new and diverse audiences in conservation action and create healthier communities. To be eligible, the applicant organization must constitute a branch, office, or other operational unit of the National Audubon Society (including national or state offices andfield units such as Audubon centers and sanctuaries), or be an Audubon-certified chapter or Audubon- certified chapter-run center or sanctuary. Independent Audubon entities that wish to participate in a cooperative arrangement with the National Audubon Society for this purpose are also eligible. Other organizations are encouraged to apply if they partner with an Audubon group on their project. Organizations in areas in which there are no Audubon organizations may apply with partners of their own.

Applicants must have 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status, a commitment from at least one partner organization to serve as a collaborator, and adequate collective experience and organizational capacity to administer, implement, and evaluate the project. A minimum of forty projects will receive funding totaling more than $1 million, with grants ranging from $5,000 to $80,000. The average grant awarded will be around $25,000. (Deadline: April 2, 2012.)

For complete guidelines, selection criteria, eligibility, and the online applications for both programs, visit the TogetherGreen Web site. Link to Complete RFP

EcoStar Grant program

2012-01-24T10:31:00.000-08:00

Constellation Energy, a national energy company, is accepting applications for its annual EcoStar Grant program, which provides qualifying nonprofit organizations with funds to implement projects that support the company's commitment to environmental stewardship.

The EcoStar program targets community-based projects that fit into one or more of five stewardship categories — pollution prevention, education and outreach, energy efficiency, conservation, and community activism.

Since its launch in 2010, the program has awarded one hundred and forty-seven grants totaling $655,000. Funded projects have ranged from urban gardens and wetland restoration to innovative programs that promote energy efficiency and improved air quality.

To qualify for a grant, a project should be located in an area where Constellation does business. Employee engagement is preferred but not required. Applicant organizations must have a board of directors and 501(c)(3) nonprofit status. Applications should include a project budget that details how the grant award will be spent, with no more than 20 percent allocated to administrative and office expenses.

Grant awards will be up to $5,000, with funds provided through the Constellation Energy Foundation.

Complete program guidelines, a company service area map, the application form, and an application FAQ are available at the Constellation Energy Web site.

Link to Complete RFP

Service areas in PA include those served by:
• PECO
• Met-Ed
• Penelec
• Allegheny Power
• PPL

DEP Announces Regional ISO 50001 Energy Management Systems Workshops

2012-01-24T09:59:00.000-08:00

HARRISBURG -- The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection invites industries, businesses, utilities and local government to attend one of several free introductory workshops around the state on the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 50001, a program designed to promote energy efficiency and reduce operating costs for a variety of organizations.

ISO 50001 is the new energy management system standard designed to help organizations improve energy efficiency, make better use of energy-consuming assets, evaluate implementation of energy-efficient technology, reduce operating costs and improve profitability. Attendees will learn more about the concept of energy management systems and the benefits of developing and implementing one for their organization.

The free ISO 50001 workshops are being offered as part of DEP’s state energy plan initiatives through a grant provided by the U.S. Department of Energy. All workshop details can be found online at http://iso50001.eventbrite.com. Those who plan to attend should register by visiting the website or by calling 814-332-6681. For more information, visit www.dep.state.pa.us or call 814-332-6681.

Ridgway, Elk County – Wednesday, Feb. 15, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the North-central Regional Planning & Development Commission, 651 Montmorenci Road, Ridgway, PA 15853. Ed Pinero is the scheduled speaker and lunch will be provided.

Harrisburg, Dauphin County – Tuesday, March 6, from 9 a.m. to noon at DEP’s South-central Office, 909 Elmerton Ave., Harrisburg, PA 17110.

Norristown, Montgomery County – Thursday, March 8, from 9 a.m. to noon at DEP’s Southeast Office, 2 East Main St., Norristown, PA 19401.

Scranton, Lackawanna County – Thursday, March 15, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at General Dynamics, 156 Cedar Ave., Scranton, PA 18505. Lunch will provided and an optional facility tour will follow the program. Note that this session also requires proof of U.S. citizenship and a photo ID. This event has a snow date of March 29.

Cranberry Township, Butler County – Tuesday, March 20, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Cranberry Township Municipal Building, 2525 Rochester Road, Cranberry Township, PA 16066. Ed Pinero is the scheduled speaker.

Erie, Erie County – Thursday, April 5, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center, 301 Peninsula Drive, Erie, PA 16505. Ed Pinero is the scheduled speaker.

GE supports energy efficient buildings

2012-01-12T10:05:00.001-08:00

In 2010, GE achieved a 33 percent improvement in its own energy intensity, a 24 percent reduction in its GHG emissions (both from a 2004 baseline) and 22 percent improvement in its water re-use (from a 2006 baseline). In 2010, GE set new, more aggressive targets for 2015: A 50 percent energy intensity improvement, 25 percent GHG emissions reduction, and a 25 percent water reduction, from the same baselines across more than 105 million square feet.

GE Capital Americas (GECA) will shape a credit strike zone and profitability model for commercial building energy efficiency projects that will lead to financeable opportunities of $50MM+. GECA will use its best efforts to create financial products to meet market needs through all steps of the supply chain from manufacturers, to dealers to end users. GECA foresees the ability to help financing energy-saving technologies in areas such as lighting and HVAC across multiple markets – including office, retail and manufacturing.

Girl Scouts Go Green

2011-12-11T06:29:00.001-08:00

[from Philanthropy News Digest] Girl Scouts of the USA has announced a two-year, $1.5 million grant from the Alcoa Foundation to expand a newly launched environmental "action" project.

To mark its hundredth anniversary, the organization recently launched the Girl Scouts Forever Green project, which will focus on waste reduction, energy conservation, and the creation of rain gardens in 2012. The grant from Alcoa will enable GS councils in the United States and twenty other countries to identify and lead Forever Green projects and events focused on the environmental priorities of their local communities.

In addition, during the month of March Girl Scouts around the world will engage their families, friends, and communities in actions designed to reduce their carbon footprint. And on March 31, Girl Scouts will join millions around the world in observing Earth Hour by turning off their lights for one hour. Participating councils also will take the Girl Scouts Forever Green Pledge, which encourages the adoption of impact measurement and resource conservation activities in partnership with theU.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Energy Star program.

"This is a landmark sponsorship for Alcoa Foundation that incorporates our commitment to sustainability and inspiring the next generation of environmental ambassadors," said Alcoa Foundation president Paula Davis. "Girls are influential, ambitious, and passionate about the environment and Girl Scouts Forever Green gives them tools and resources to engage their peers and neighbors to create their own positive change in their communities — from conservation to recycling to planting trees."

“Girl Scouts of the USA Announces its 100th Anniversary Take Action Project Girl Scouts Forever Green, Take the Pledge Now!.”

Youth Environment Grants

2011-12-05T09:15:00.001-08:00

The Captain Planet Foundation supports educational programs that enable youth to understand and appreciate our world through hands-on projects to improve the environment. The Foundation is interested in funding innovative programs that inspire youth to participate in community service through environmental stewardship activities. An additional priority is to fund programs that encourage environment-based education in schools. All funded projects must involve young people ages 6-18 (elementary through high school). Nonprofit organizations and public schools are eligible to apply for grants of up to $2,500. Applications are reviewed three times per year; the first deadline for 2012 is January 15. Online application guidelines are available on the Foundation’s website.

Great Lakes Restoration Initiative

2011-10-31T05:48:00.000-07:00

Funding Opportunity Title: Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Joint Venture Habitat Restoration and Protection Announcement Type: Announcement of availability of funds for Fiscal Year (FY) 2012 and request for proposals (RFP)

Funding Opportunity Number: FWS-JV-GLRI-12 Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 15.662 – Great Lakes Restoration – Restoration, protection and enhancement of Great Lakes fish, wildlife, and their habitats.

Dates: Email or paper applications are due to the appropriate Regional Fish and Wildlife Service WSFR Offices by Friday, January 13, 2012, 4:00 p.m. local time at the Regional Office.

Purpose: The goal of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative is to target the most significant environmental problems in the Great Lakes ecosystem by funding and implementing federal projects that address these problems. As part of this initiative, the two bird habitat joint ventures that are in the Great Lakes watershed – the Upper Mississippi and Great Lakes Region Joint Venture and the Atlantic Coast Joint Venture – will be working with the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration programs in the Midwest and Northeast Regions of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to competitively fund state and other partner projects for long-term habitat restoration, enhancement or protection, for conservation of native Great Lakes fish and wildlife populations, particularly migratory birds. Preference will be given to activities that help meet the habitat goals of the Upper Mississippi River and Great Lakes Region Joint Venture Implementation Plan or the Lower Great Lakes/St. Lawrence Plain (BCR 13) Bird Conservation Region Plan, other relevant bird conservation plans, and State Wildlife Action Plans. Award Information: Up to $1 million in funds may be available during fiscal year 2012. Grant requests between $25,000 and $290,000 will be accepted. We expect to announce the awards in February, 2012. Eligibility and Match Requirements: Eligible applicants for this competitive grant program include state fish and wildlife agencies and other non-federal conservation agencies or organizations that provide at least 25% of the grant request (Federal share) as non-federal match for habitat restoration, enhancement and protection activities.

Small biz pollution prevention grant

2011-10-24T05:16:00.000-07:00

The Department of Environmental Protection (Department) announces the availability of emergency Storm Relief Grant Funding of 50% up to $9,500 from the Commonwealth's Advantage Grant Program (Program) for small business pollution prevention. Small Business Storm Relief Advantage is a grant program which may enable a small business to implement pollution prevention project, must prevent or mitigate an imminent threat to public health or safety and can help small businesses cut costs and reduce the risk of potential regulatory problems. Costs incurred after August 26, 2011, and before December 31, 2011, are eligible for grant consideration.

An eligible applicant must be a for-profit small business owner whose business or facility is located within this Commonwealth. All Commonwealth small businesses are eligible, including, but not limited to, manufacturers, retailers, service providers, mining businesses and agricultural concerns. The project to which the grant will apply must be located within the applicant's Commonwealth facility.

For a copy of the application to review the Program's eligibility requirements, contact Rhonda Brown, Office of the Small Business Ombudsman, (717) 772-8909. To ask a specific question concerning a project type, write to epadvantagegrant@state.pa.us before submitting an application. The Department will continue accepting applications until December 31, 2011, or until funds are exhausted, whichever occurs first.

Applications are most quickly obtained from the Department's web site at www.dep.state.pa.us (DEP Keyword: sradvantage). Applications are also available by contacting the Department of Environmental Protection, Office of the Small Business Ombudsman, 15th Floor, Rachel Carson State Office Building, 400 Market Street, P. O. Box 8772, Harrisburg, PA 17105-8772, (717) 772-8909. The application package contains the materials and instructions necessary for applying for a grant.

Applications must be postmarked or hand delivered by 4 p.m. on December 31, 2011. Faxes or other electronic submissions will not be accepted.

2012 Environmental Education Grants Program; Application Announcement

2011-10-03T08:15:00.001-07:00

[41 Pa.B. 5231] [Saturday, October 1, 2011]
Applications for the 2012 Environmental Education Grants Program (Program) are now available from the Department of Environmental Protection (Department). The grants provide funding to public and private schools, colleges and universities, county conservation districts, nonprofit organizations and associations, conservation and education organizations and institutions, businesses, municipalities and municipal authorities to create or develop projects that support environmental education in this Commonwealth. Grants will provide environmental education on timely and critically important topics, including the following:
• Chesapeake Bay and Watershed Education—Organizations are encouraged to develop environmental education programs that promote the reduction of nonpoint source pollution, such as nutrient and sediment loads. Projects may also include abandoned mine drainage and water conservation programs.
• Air Quality—Organizations are encouraged to develop air quality education and outreach programs.
• Brownfields—Organizations are encouraged to develop education and outreach programs for students, youth, educators, community members, community groups, developers, property owners and others that are interested in brownfield redevelopment and sustainable communities, along with developing green spaces.
• Climate Change—Organizations are encouraged to develop education and outreach programs about climate change.
• Geologic Resource Extraction—Organizations are encouraged to develop education and outreach programs related to geologic resource extraction. Programs should focus on impacts on communities, local and regional economies, risk management and natural resources. Potential target audiences include land owners, private well owners, municipal water suppliers or boards, local governments, land trusts and associations, watershed groups and conservancies and others.
• Environmental Literacy Planning and Programing—Organizations are encouraged to engage educators and stakeholders in content standards and field-based environmental education.
• Formal and Nonformal Environmental Education Certification—Organizations are encouraged to develop and implement institutionalized and community-based certification programs designed for teachers, naturalists and educators working in schools and environmental education facilities.
• Curriculum Integration Projects—Articulation of the Academic Standards for Environment and Ecology into the K-12 curriculum for the entire school district, private school or charter school, using the model developed by the Department of Education's Office of Environment and Ecology.
• Curriculum Revision Projects—Revise current or write new lesson plans or units to meet the changes identified in the Department of Education approved alignment to the Environment and Ecology Standards and provide a means for classroom assessment.
• Outdoor Learning Resource Projects—Develop resources such as trails, agricultural demonstration areas, alternative energy demonstration areas, ponds, wetland areas, sheltered learning stations, and the like, as well as similar nearby community resources as a framework within which students can learn about natural systems and the interrelationship among natural and manmade communities.
• Sustainable Energy—Organizations are encouraged to develop education and outreach programs about solar, wind, hydro, microhydro, biomass, geothermal, alternative transportation fuels and energy efficiency and conservation.
The Program was established by the Environmental Education Act (35 P. S. §§ 7521—7528), which mandates setting aside 5% of the pollution fines and penalties collected annually by the Department for environmental education in this Commonwealth.
Environmental education grant awards are limited to $7,500. This announcement opens on October 3, 2011, and grant applications submitted to the Department must be postmarked by December 16, 2011.
Applications may be obtained by contacting the Department of Environmental Protection, Environmental Education Grants Program, P. O. Box 2063, Harrisburg, PA 17105-2063, (717) 772-1828. For additional information and to obtain the electronic copy of the grants manual and application forms, visit the Department's web site at www.depweb.state.pa.us (DEP Keyword: EE Grants).

MICHAEL L. KRANCER,
Secretary

P-3 grants

2011-10-03T07:48:00.001-07:00

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as part of the P3-People, Prosperity and the Planet Award Program, is seeking applications proposing to research, develop, and design solutions to real world challenges involving the overall sustainability of human society. The P3 competition highlights the use of scientific principles in creating innovative projects focused on sustainability. The P3 Awards program was developed to foster progress toward sustainability by achieving the mutual goals of economic prosperity, protection of the planet, and improved quality of life for its people-- people, prosperity, and the planet ï¿½ the three pillars of sustainability. The EPA offers the P3 competition in order to respond to the technical needs of the world while moving towards the goal of sustainability. Please see the P3 website for more details about this program.

9th Annual P3 Awards: A National Student Design Competition for Sustainability Focusing on People, Prosperity and the Planet

Green Action Plan Series

2011-09-26T05:18:00.001-07:00

The American Association of Community College's Sustainability Education and Economic Development (SEED initiative) has kicked off itsGreen Action Plan Series, a series of short, action-oriented documents aimed at supporting community colleges advance sustainability and green economy efforts on campus. The first one is focused understanding the state and local-level clean energy policy landscape as a way to ensure college workforce programs are aligned with expected future demand.

SEED will also be offering a webinar this Friday, September 23rd, entitled, Building Quality Workforce Development Programs for Real Energy Efficiency Jobs. Lane Community College will be highlighted with representatives from the Department of Energy and the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC).

Additional information / speakers / registration

Also see:

Green Jobs Community of Practice

Science Fellowships for Graduate Environmental Study

2011-09-19T05:21:00.000-07:00

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), National Center for Environmental Research (NCER), invites applications for the Science to Achieve Results (STAR) Fellowships for graduate environmental study for masterï¿½s and doctoral level students. The deadline is November 8, 2011 at 4:00 PM ET for receipt of paper applications, and November 8, 2011 at 11:59:59 PM ET for submittal of electronic applications via Grants.gov. Subject to availability of funding and other applicable considerations, the Agency plans to award approximately 80 new fellowships by July 31, 2012. Master's level students may receive support for a maximum of two years. Doctoral students may be supported for a maximum of three years, usable over a period of five years. The fellowship program provides up to $42,000 per year of support per fellowship. This amount covers a monthly stipend of $2,083 for up to 12 months totaling $25,000 for the year, $5,000 for authorized expenses, and up to $12,000 for tuition and fees. The actual amount awarded per year will vary depending on the amount of tuition and fees and the number of months the stipend is required. These fellowships are intended to help defray costs associated with advanced, environmentally-oriented study leading to a master's or doctoral degree.

Fall 2012 EPA Science To Achieve Results (STAR) Fellowships For Graduate Environmental Study

Small Business Advantage Grant

2011-09-12T05:06:00.001-07:00

The Department of Environmental Protection (Department) announces the availability of grant funding in the seventh year of the Commonwealth's Advantage Grant Program (Program) for small business pollution prevention and energy efficiency projects. Small Business Advantage is a grant program providing up to 50% reimbursement grants, to a maximum of $7,500, to enable a small business in this Commonwealth to adopt or acquire energy efficient or pollution prevention equipment or processes. Well designed energy efficient or pollution prevention projects can help small businesses cut costs and reduce the risk of potential regulatory problems, while simultaneously protecting the environment.
An eligible applicant must be a for-profit small business owner whose business or facility is located within this Commonwealth. All Commonwealth small businesses are eligible, including but not limited to manufacturers, retailers, service providers, mining businesses and agricultural concerns. The project to which the grant will apply must be located within the applicant's Commonwealth facility and save the business at least 25% annually in energy or pollution related expenses plus $1,000.
For a copy of the application to review the Program's eligibility requirements, contact Rhonda Brown at the Office of External Affairs at (717) 772-8909. To ask a specific question concerning a project type, write to epadvantagegrant@state.pa.us before submitting an application. The Department will continue accepting applications until September 28, 2011, or until funds are exhausted.
Applications are most quickly obtained from the Department's web site at www.dep.state.pa.us (DEP Keyword: SBAdvantage). Applications are also available by contacting the Department of Environmental Protection, Office of External Affairs, 15th Floor, Rachel Carson State Office Building, 400 Market Street, P. O. Box 8772, Harrisburg, PA 17105-8772, (717) 772-8909. The application package contains the materials and instructions necessary for applying for a grant.
Applications must be postmarked or hand delivered by 4 p.m. on September 28, 2011. Faxes or other electronic submissions will not be accepted.

MICHAEL L. KRANCER,
Secretary

[Pa.B. Doc. No. 11-1561. Filed for public inspection September 9, 2011, 9:00 a.m.]

Fall 2012 EPA Greater Research Opportunities (GRO) Fellowships For Undergraduate Environmental Study

2011-08-26T06:38:00.001-07:00

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as part of its Greater Research Opportunities (GRO) Fellowships program, is offering Greater Research Opportunities (GRO) undergraduate fellowships for bachelor level students in environmental fields of study. See Section I.D for funding opportunity descriptions. The deadline for receipt of applications is December 12, 2011 4:00 PM ET for receipt of paper applications, and December 12, 2011, at 11:59:59 PM ET for submittal of electronic applications to Grants.gov. Subject to availability of funding, and other applicable considerations, the Agency plans to award approximately 40 new fellowships by July 30, 2012. Eligible students will receive support for their junior and senior years of undergraduate study and for an internship at an EPA facility during the summer of their junior year. The fellowship provides up to $19,700 per academic year of support and $9,500 of support for a three-month summer internship.

Fall 2012 EPA Greater Research Opportunities (GRO) Fellowships For Undergraduate Environmental Study

NSF Science, Engineering and Education for Sustainability Fellows

2011-08-26T06:17:00.000-07:00

Through SEES Fellows, NSF seeks to enable the discoveries needed to inform actions that lead to environmental, energy and societal sustainability while creating the necessary workforce to address these challenges. The program's emphasis is to facilitate investigations that cross traditional disciplinary boundaries and address issues of sustainability through a systems approach, building bridges between academic inquiry, economic growth, and societal needs. The Fellow's proposed investigation should be interdisciplinary and allow him/her to obtain research experience beyond his/her current core disciplinary expertise. Additionally, Fellows are required to develop a research partnership that would broaden the impact and/or scope of the proposed research activities. Such activities might include, but are not limited to, a connection with a NSF Research Coordination Network (RCN), center or facility; industry; a national laboratory; or a state, regional, or local resource management agency. Fellows are required to have two mentors, one for the proposed research at the host institution (the institution that will administer the award) and the other for the research partnership. The mentors can be from the same institution, but should not be from the same discipline.

The challenge of sustainability, maintaining and improving the quality of life for the nation within a healthy Earth system, is of global concern. The NSF SEES Fellows may strengthen connections and collaborations with the broader international science and engineering community by having an international research partnership.Fellows are also expected to devote some time to a professional development activity such as, but not limited to, broadening participation of under-represented groups in sustainability science, an education activity, or a project that focuses on public engagement. Fellows may also include a plan for leading and teaching a course at the undergraduate or graduate level, provided it is supported financially by the institution where the teaching would take place. NSF Publication 11-575

Fall 2012 EPA Greater Research Opportunities (GRO) Fellowships For Undergraduate Environmental Study

2011-08-24T05:41:00.000-07:00

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as part of its Greater Research Opportunities (GRO) Fellowships program, is offering Greater Research Opportunities (GRO) undergraduate fellowships for bachelor level students in environmental fields of study. See Section I.D for information on the different funding descriptions. The deadline for receipt of applications is December 12, 2011 4:00 PM ET for receipt of paper applications, and December 12, 2011, at 11:59:59 PM ET for submittal of electronic applications to Grants.gov. Subject to availability of funding, and other applicable considerations, the Agency plans to award approximately 40 new fellowships by July 30, 2012. Eligible students will receive support for their junior and senior years of undergraduate study and for an internship at an EPA facility during the summer of their junior year. The fellowship provides up to $19,700 per academic year of support and $9,500 of support for a three-month summer internship.

Fall 2012 EPA Greater Research Opportunities (GRO) Fellowships For Undergraduate Environmental Study

Expected Number of Awards:	40
Estimated Total Program Funding:	$1,956,000
Award Ceiling:	$48,900

Walton Family Foundation pledged $71.8M

2011-08-18T05:15:00.000-07:00

[from Philanthropy News Digest] The Walton Family Foundation in Bentonville, Arkansas, has announced that during 2010 it awarded more than $71 million in support of environmental initiatives, with the majority of the grants going to organizations working to protect ocean and river systems.

For a complete list of 2010 environmental grantees, visit the Walton Family Foundation Web site. “Walton Family Foundation Invests $71.8 Million in Environmental Initiatives in 2010.” Walton Family Foundation Press Release 8/16/11.

Clean water funding announced for PA

2011-08-15T08:56:00.001-07:00

American Rivers has announced a three-year, $1 million grant from the Pittsburgh-based Richard King Mellon Foundation to help protect and restore rivers and clean water in Pennsylvania and Georgia.

The organization will use $600,000 to identify unnecessary dams and restore rivers and streams in the Laurel Highlands, French Creek watershed in northwestern Pennsylvania and western and central-northern counties collectively known as the "Pennsylvania Wilds," the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports. In Georgia, the remaining $400,000 will be used to restore natural water flows in the Flint River watershed and lead a long-term river protection strategy to benefit local communities.

While the organization will partner with other conservation groups for the river restoration work, it will seek additional foundation support for dam removal, which will likely cost several million dollars. Partners in Pennsylvania include the Foundation for Pennsylvania Watersheds, the French Creek Valley Conservancy, the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, the Laurel Highlands Conservation Landscape Initiative, and local watershed groups and county conservation districts.

"Rivers are the arteries and veins of our nation," said Bob Irvin, president of American Rivers. "By protecting and restoring rivers, we are safeguarding clean drinking water, creating jobs and recreation opportunities that benefit our economy, and revitalizing our natural heritage for future generations."

“American Rivers Receives $1 Million to Restore Rivers and Clean Water in PA and GA.” American Rivers Press Release 8/03/11.

Hopey, Don. “American Rivers Gets $1 Million to Improve Waterways.” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 8/04/11.

Department of Energy Announces Funding for Nationwide Student-Focused Clean Energy Business Competitions

2011-07-26T05:34:00.000-07:00

Washington, D.C. - As part of the Obama Administration's effort to support and empower the next generation of American clean energy entrepreneurs, U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced $2 million in available funding for the National University Clean Energy Business Challenge. This nationwide initiative will create a network of regional student-focused clean energy business creation competitions whose winners will compete for a National Grand Prize at a completion held at the Department of Energy in Washington, D.C. in early summer 2012. The funding will support up to six regional competitions that will inspire, mentor, and train students from across the country to develop successful business plans to create a new generation of American clean energy companies. These regional competitions will take place before May 1, 2012. This national initiative will enable student participants to gain the skills required to build new businesses and transform promising innovative energy technologies from U.S. universities and national laboratories into innovative new energy products that will to solve our nation's energy challenges, spur business creation, create American jobs, and boost American competitiveness.

This funding opportunity announcement (FOA) will consider applications that propose annual U.S. university-based business creation competitions for student entrepreneurs with business ideas in energy efficiency and renewable energy. Student teams that participate in the competitions will work with experienced mentors from the energy industry and start up community, along with university and national lab-based researchers, to develop creative business plans for transforming ground-breaking energy technologies into high impact market solutions. The FOA has been posted to FedConnect and is available under the reference number "DE-FOA-0000570." Applications are due on August 22, 2011. Selections are expected to be made before the end of September 2011.

This initiative, facilitated by the Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), aims to increase the number and quality of start-up businesses created with university-based energy technologies and to promote a new generation of energy entrepreneurs. The Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy invests in clean energy technologies that strengthen the economy, protect the environment, and reduce dependence on foreign oil.

DEP Seeks Applications for Watershed Protection, Surface Mining Conservation and Reclamation Project Funding

2011-07-01T11:28:00.000-07:00

Application Deadline is Aug. 26

The Department of Environmental Protection announced today that grant applications are now being accepted for watershed protection and restoration and Surface Mining Conservation and Reclamation Act (SMCRA) projects under the Growing Greener Plus program, which allows applicants to seek funding for a variety of projects through a single application process.

“We are glad to provide whatever support we can to local communities and watershed groups to fund projects that enhance and protect Pennsylvania’s water quality,” DEP Secretary Mike Krancer said. “That includes projects that address mining land reclamation and acid mine drainage treatment systems, stream bank improvements and agricultural best-management practices.”

In this round of grants, DEP will invest in projects that protect watersheds from impairment due to nonpoint source pollution or that will restore damaged waterways. Examples of priority areas include restoration activities to reduce pollutant load in impaired watersheds for which Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDL) have been developed, projects located in “priority” watersheds to reduce the source of impairment and “priority” activities that lead to water quality restoration and protection.

Eligible projects should be aimed at reducing nonpoint source pollution in watersheds where streams are impaired, implementing agricultural and stormwater best management practices, developing a hydrologic unit plan or qualified hydrologic unit for mining-related projects in watersheds and supporting the establishment of riparian buffers, among other goals.

Through the same process, applicants can also apply for funding through the department’s SMCRA grant program and Section 319 nonpoint source grant program. Section 319 grants focus on funding projects similar to Growing Greener but with special emphasis on targeted watersheds.

Eligible applicants for watershed protection and 319 grants are counties, authorities and other municipalities; county conservation districts; councils of governments; DEP-recognized watershed organizations that promote local watershed conservation efforts; and other authorized organizations involved in restoring and protecting the environment.

Municipalities, municipal authorities and incorporated non-profit organizations are eligible for SMCRA grants.

Applications must be postmarked no later than Aug. 26. If hand-delivered, DEP’s Grants Center must receive application packages by 4 p.m. that day. Late submissions will not be considered.

The Environmental Stewardship Fund, which supports the Growing Greener Watershed Protection Grant Program, is funded through municipal waste disposal fees.

For more information on Growing Greener or to request an application package, email GrowingGreener@state.pa.us, call 717-705-4500 or visit DEP’s website at www.depweb.state.pa.us, keyword: Growing Greener.

Conferences, Outreach, and Networking For New Energy Communities and Technologies (CONNECT)

2011-07-01T05:38:00.000-07:00

By law, ARPA-E is required to spend at least 5 percent of its appropriated funds on technology transfer and outreach activities. ARPA-E seeks to support energy technology conferences, workshops, and other events that will involve the exchange or dissemination of technical data and information, the transfer of advanced energy technologies to the private sector, the education of targeted audiences about energy technologies and their potential impact(s), the promotion of investment or business opportunities for advanced energy technologies, and the formation of new partnerships, collaborations, and networks among energy researchers, technologists, entrepreneurs, and investors. ARPA-E also seeks to support student participation in energy conferences and other events in order to educate the next generation of energy researchers and technologists, attract researchers and technologists to energy-related fields and disciplines, and connect students with entities involved in the development and deployment of advanced energy technologies.

ARPA-E will accept applications on a continuous, rolling basis. ARPA-E will review applications on a quarterly basis. Please refer to the FOA for applicable quarterly deadlines.

FOA Documents

CONNECT FOA_06.30.2011

Sustainability Training grants

2011-06-27T05:47:00.000-07:00

An initiative of Enterprise Community Partners, Enterprise Green Communities provides funds and expertise to enable affordable housing developers to build and rehabilitate homes that are healthier, more energy efficient, and better for the environment.

In addition to loans and other funding options, Green Communities offers Charrette and Sustainability grants to help cover the costs of planning and implementing green components of affordable housing developments, as well as tracking their costs and benefits.

Charrette grants provide up to $5,000 per project for affordable housing developers to engage in integrative design. A Green Communities charrette involves an intense working session that brings together a diverse group of housing development professionals as well as residents, technical experts, funders, policy makers, and community stakeholders to integrate sustainable green design principles into affordable housing developments. By supporting charrettes at the schematic design phase, Enterprise seeks to help developers establish green goals as early as possible so that the most cost-effective green strategies can be incorporated in the building and site plans. Projects applying for pre-development charrette funds must be in the early stages of planning or schematic design phase of development.

Sustainability Training grants (post-construction) of up to $5,000 each are provided for affordable housing developers to maximize the health, economic, and environmental benefits of green development throughout a project's life cycle. The grant program provides an opportunity to transfer the design knowledge that informed the Green Communities planning and construction process to residents as well as operations and management staff. Funding may be used to cover the cost of implementing a training program and related tools that support green resident engagement and operations. Projects must have completed construction at the time of application and be occupied prior to the grant award.

For both programs, eligible applicants are nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations, tribally designated housing entities, and for-profit entities participating through joint ventures with qualified organizations.

Link to Complete RFP

Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Programs; Public Meeting on Federal Fiscal Year 2011 Intended Use Plans

2011-06-27T05:40:00.000-07:00

The Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST) and the Department of Environmental Pro-tection (Department) have prepared the Federal Fiscal Year (FY) 2011 Intended Use Plans (IUPs). The IUPs include a list of drinking water, wastewater treatment, nonpoint source and pollution abatement projects to be considered for a design and engineering or construction loan or grant from funds the Commonwealth expects to receive from the Federal FY 2011 Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) and Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) programs. In accordance with United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guidelines on the development of the IUPs, a public meeting has been scheduled for July 20, 2011 at 1:30 p.m. in the 2nd Floor Auditorium, Rachel Carson State Office Building, 400 Market Street, Harrisburg, PA. This meeting is scheduled for the purpose of receiving comments from the public regarding the Federal FY 2011 IUPs. Interested persons are invited to express their views on the narrative portion of the IUPs, including the program guidelines for the Nonpoint Source Program, the set aside work plan or the priority rating or ranking of projects on the IUPs. Persons wishing to offer comments at the public meeting should contact the Division of Technical and Financial Assistance at the address or telephone number listed at the end of this notice or by e-mail to vbkasi@state.pa.us by 4 p.m. on July 19, 2011. Where written statements are prepared and will be submitted at the meeting, speakers will be asked to restrict the oral portion of the statement to a summary of the written comments.

The projects to be considered for a loan or grant from the DWSRF and CWSRF programs must meet the Federal requirements for funding in accordance with the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act and Clean Water Act. Accordingly, the projects included in the IUPs are expected to meet the requirements applicable to use of the DWSRF and CWSRF loan or grant funds. Projects listed in the FY 2011 IUPs are on the Commonwealth's Project Priority Lists (PPLs) and are expected to proceed with design and engineering or construction within the next 2 years. A project must appear on a PENNVEST-approved IUP before it can receive a loan or grant from the SRF programs. A project's readiness to proceed and the reasonable availability of alternative funds also have a bearing on project selection for the IUPs. Consequently, the rank ordered list of projects on the PPLs does not solely dictate the order in which projects will be chosen for inclusion in an IUP.

The DWSRF will be capitalized with approximately $27.1 million in Federal funds and approximately $5.4 million of State funds. Approximately $7.3 million of these funds will be set aside for technical assistance to small systems, operator training and certification and source water assessment and protection, as authorized under the Safe Drinking Water Act. The DWSRF IUP also includes a narrative work plan that describes how these set-aside funds will be used. A minimum of approximately $1.08 million will be set aside for program administration. Finally, an additional $8.1 million must be set-aside for additional subsidization to disadvantaged communities and $5.4 million for green infrastructure projects that fall into one or more of the following categories: (1) water efficiency; (2) energy efficiency; (3) environmentally innovative; (4) green stormwater infrastructure and meet the EPA criteria for green infrastructure.

The CWSRF will be capitalized with approximately $58.4 million of Federal funds and approximately $11.6million of State funds. A minimum of approximately $2.33 million will be set aside for program administration costs. Finally, an additional $5.4 million must be set aside for additional subsidization to disadvantaged communities and $11.6 million must be set aside for green infrastructure projects that fall into one or more of the following categories: (1) water efficiency; (2) energy efficiency; (3) environmentally innovative; (4) green stormwater infrastructure and meet the EPA criteria for green infrastructure.

It is not necessary to appear at the public meeting to present comments on the narrative portion of the IUPs, the set aside work plan or the PPLs. Interested persons may also submit written comments to the Department at the address that follows. Written comments will be considered equivalent to oral statements presented at the meeting. To be considered by the Department and PENNVEST, the written comments must be received by the Division of Technical and Financial Assistance by close of business, August 1, 2011.

Persons in need of accommodations as provided for in the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 should contact Veronica Kasi at (717) 772-4053 or through the Pennsylvania AT&T Relay Service at (800) 654-5984 (TDD) to discuss how the Department may accommodate their needs.

A copy of the IUPs, the PPLs and the DWSRF set aside work plan may be obtained by contacting the Division of Technical and Financial Assistance at (717) 772-4053 or through the Department's web site at http://www.depweb.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/drinking_water_and_facility/regulation/10535.

Innovative Manufacturing Processes

2011-06-27T05:31:00.000-07:00

Washington, D.C. - Today, President Obama launched the Advanced Manufacturing Partnership, including an investment of up to $120 million from the Department of Energy over three years to develop transformational manufacturing technologies and innovative materials that could enable industrial facilities to dramatically increase their energy efficiency. The Advanced Manufacturing Partnership is a national effort bringing together industry, universities and the federal government to invest in emerging technologies that will create high quality manufacturing jobs and enhance our global competitiveness. This clean energy investment in new energy-efficient manufacturing processes and novel materials will help U.S. manufacturers save money by reducing the energy needed to power their facilities. President Obama made the announcement this morning at an event at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pa.

"These investments will support the innovations that American manufacturers need to stay competitive in the global marketplace," said Secretary Chu. "These breakthrough manufacturing processes, technologies, and materials will help American companies to reduce energy waste and lower costs."

The selected projects will emphasize new processes and materials that are revolutionary in their design or impact and that are capable of being commercialized within the next five to seven years. By boosting investment in near-term technology development, the Department is supporting projects that might otherwise take far longer to contribute to U.S. industrial competitiveness. DOE expects to fund 35 to 50 cost-shared projects under the initiative.

Projects associated with innovations in the earlier stages of development, such as applied research projects or those that establish a proof of concept, will be eligible for awards up to $1 million. These projects must be completed within two years. Projects associated with innovations further along in their development, such as laboratory testing or verification of a prototype system, will be eligible for awards up to $9 million. These projects should not exceed three years in duration. Applicants are encouraged to form collaborative teams equipped with both technical and commercial capabilities to enhance the prospects for success. Teams can be comprised of large and small companies, universities and academic institutions, trade organizations, national laboratories, and other research institutions.

Applications are due by August 25, 2011. More information and application requirements can be found at the Funding Opportunity Exchange.

Centers for Chemical Innovation

2011-06-24T12:00:00.000-07:00

The Centers for Chemical Innovation (CCI) Program supports research centers focused on major, long-term fundamental chemical research challenges. CCIs that address these challenges will produce transformative research, lead to innovation, and attract broad scientific and public interest. CCIs are agile structures that can respond rapidly to emerging opportunities and make full use of cyberinfrastructure to enhance collaborations. CCIs may partner with researchers from industry, government laboratories and international organizations. CCIs integrate research, innovation, education, and public outreach and include a plan to broaden participation of underrepresented groups. The CCI program is a two-phase program. Both phases are described in this solicitation. Phase I CCIs receive significant resources to develop the science and integrative elements of a CCI before requesting Phase II funding. Phase I proposals funded in FY 2012 will seek Phase II funding in FY 2015. Only organizations receiving Phase I awards in FY2009 are eligible to request Phase II funding in FY 2012.For the FY 2012 Phase I competition, only projects addressing the theme of sustainable chemistry will be considered. The preliminary proposal and proposal must address how the topic addresses sustainable chemistry. Areas of focus include but are not limited to 1. Developing clean, safe, and economical alternatives to traditional chemical products and practices.2. Exploring alternatives to petroleum as a source of feedstock chemicals, including biorenewables. 3. Exploring earth-abundant, inexpensive and benign alternatives to rare, expensive and toxic chemicals. Examples include indium, germanium, rare earth elements and platinum catalysts.4. Developing efficient recognition/sequestration and recycling of key elements essential for sustainability, for example phosphorus and rare earth elements.Projects involving alternative energy, climate change and other aspects of sustainability are best supported by the SEES solicitations and will not be considered in CCI in FY2012.

NSF Publication 11-552

Water systems for rural areas

2011-06-15T05:25:00.001-07:00

Drinking water systems are basic and vital to both health and economic development. With dependable water facilities, rural communities can attract families and businesses that will invest in the community and improve the quality of life for all residents. Without dependable water facilities, the communities cannot sustain economic development.Rural Development provides financial and technical assistance to help communities bring safe drinking water and sanitary,environmentally sound waste disposal facilities to rural Americans in greatest need. It supports the sound development of rural communities and the growth of our economy without endangering theenvironment.The Revolving Fund (RFP) Grant Program has been established to assist communities with water or wastewater systems. Qualified private non-profitorganizations will receive RFP grant funds to establish a lending program for eligible entities. Eligible entities for the revolving loan fund will be the same entities eligible to obtain a loan, loan guarantee, or grant from the Water and Waste Disposal loan and grant programsadministered by Rural Development. As grant recipients, the non-profit organizations will set up a revolving loan fund to provide loans to finance predevelopment costs of water or wastewater projects, or short-term small capital projects not part of the regular operation and maintenance of current water and wastewater systems. The amount of financing to an eligible entity shall not exceed $100,000.00 and shallbe repaid in a term not to exceed 10 years. The interest rate on loans made under RFP shall be determined in the approved grant work plan.

Website for Water and Environmental Programs

Alternative Fuels

2011-06-15T05:16:00.000-07:00

The Department of Environmental Protection (Department), Bureau of Energy, Innovations and Technology Deployment announces an opportunity to apply for the Pennsylvania Turnpike Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Grant as part of a special solicitation under the Alternative Fuels Incentive Grant Program. With the advent of new electric vehicle (EV) technology, the Department is partnering with the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PTC) to establish the necessary infrastructure to support EV travel and transport along the Turnpike system. The Turnpike system includes the main east to west corridor stretching between New Jersey and Ohio as well as the northeast and southwest extensions.

This solicitation is necessary to facilitate travel by EV along the Turnpike and to eliminate the need for travelers to exit and reenter the Turnpike after charging their vehicles. The Department is interested in receiving proposals that will establish EV recharging infrastructure at each service plaza throughout the Turnpike system.

This grant solicitation provides corporations, limited liability companies and partnerships incorporated or registered in this Commonwealth with the opportunity to receive a matching reimbursement grant to install EV charging systems along the Turnpike. It is anticipated that one award of up to $1 million will be made to meet the needs of this solicitation. Additionally, the PTC has committed $500,000 towards increased voltage upgrades that may be necessary to facilitate the installation of EV charging equipment.

Beginning on June 11, 2011, the solicitation guidelines and application will be available on the Department's web site at http://www.depweb.state.pa.us (click on ''DEP Programs'' and then ''Alternative Fuels''). Applications will be accepted from June 11, 2011, through July 29, 2011.

New Energy programs announced

2011-05-01T07:54:00.000-07:00

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced that up to $130 million from the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) will be made available to develop five new program areas that could spark critical breakthrough technologies and secure America's energy future. Today's funding opportunity announcement comes two months after ARPA-E announced six of its projects have secured more than $100 million in outside private capital investment - indications that the business community is eager to invest in truly innovative solutions to the country's energy challenges.

The announcement is ARPA-E's fourth round of funding opportunities. In its first year, ARPA-E awarded $363 million in Recovery Act funding to 121 groundbreaking energy projects based in 30 states, with approximately 39% of projects led by universities, 33% by small businesses, 20% by large businesses, 5% by national labs, and 3% by non-profits.

ARPA-E's fourth round of funding opportunities includes five technology areas detailed below:

1. Plants Engineered To Replace Oil (PETRO). Technologies for low-cost production of advanced biofuels are limited by the small amount of available energy captured by photosynthesis and the inefficient processes used to convert plant matter to fuel. PETRO aims to create plants that capture more energy from sunlight and convert that energy directly into fuels. ARPA-E seeks to fund technologies that optimize the biochemical processes of energy capture and conversion to develop robust, farm-ready crops that deliver more energy per acre with less processing prior to the pump. If successful, PETRO will create biofuels for half their current cost, finally making them cost-competitive with fuels from oil. Up to $30 million will be made available for this program area.

2. High Energy Advanced Thermal Storage (HEATS). More than 90% of energy technologies involve the transport and conversion of thermal energy. Therefore, advancements in thermal energy storage - both hot and cold - would dramatically improve performance for a variety of critical energy applications. ARPA-E seeks to develop revolutionary cost-effective thermal energy storage technologies in three focus areas: 1) high temperature storage systems to deliver solar electricity more efficiently around the clock and allow nuclear and fossil baseload resources the flexibility to meet peak demand, 2) fuel produced from the sun's heat, and 3) HVAC systems that use thermal storage to improve the driving range of electric vehicles by up to 40 percent. Up to $30 million will be made available for this program area.

3. Rare Earth Alternatives in Critical Technologies (REACT). Rare earths are naturally-occurring minerals with unique magnetic properties that are used in many emerging energy technologies. As demand for these technologies continues to increase, rare earths are rapidly becoming more expensive due to limited global supply - prices of many have increased 300-700% in the past year. Rising rare earth prices have already escalated costs for some energy technologies and may jeopardize the widespread adoption of many critical energy solutions by U.S. manufacturers. ARPA-E seeks to fund early-stage technology alternatives that reduce or eliminate the dependence on rare earth materials by developing substitutes in two key areas: electric vehicle motors and wind generators. Up to $30 million will be made available for this program area.

4. Green Electricity Network Integration (GENI). Recent advances in computation, networking, and grid monitoring have shed light on potential ways to deliver electricity more efficiently and reliably. Today, however, the equivalent of one out of every five electricity dollars is lost to power outages and 30 percent of the grid's hardware needs replacing. ARPA-E seeks to fund innovative control software and high-voltage hardware to reliably control the grid, specifically: 1) controls able to manage 10 times more sporadically available wind and solar electricity than currently on the grid, and 2) resilient power flow control hardware - or the energy equivalent of an internet router - to enable significantly more electricity through the existing network of transmission lines. Up to $30 million will be made available for this program area.

5. Solar Agile Delivery of Electrical Power Technology (Solar ADEPT). The DOE SunShot Initiative leverages the unique strengths across DOE to reduce the total cost of utility-scale solar systems by 75 percent by the end of the decade. If successful, this collaboration would deliver solar electricity at roughly 6 cents a kilowatt hour - a cost competitive with electricity from fossil fuels. This would enable solar electricity to scale without subsidies and make the U.S. globally competitive in solar technology. ARPA-E's portion of the collaboration is the Solar ADEPT program, which focuses on integrating advanced power electronics into solar panels and solar farms to extract and deliver energy more efficiently. Specifically, ARPA-E aims to invest in key advances in magnetics, semiconductor switches, and charge storage, which could reduce power conversion costs by up to 50 percent for utilities and 80 percent for homeowners. Up to $10 million will be made available for this program area.

The five technology areas announced today will join ARPA-E's seven existing programs in power electronics (ADEPT), battery technologies (BEEST), building cooling (BEETIT), non-photosynthetic biofuels (Electrofuels), grid energy storage (GRIDS), carbon capture (IMPACCT), and its initial open solicitation.

For more information about ARPA-E, current funding opportunities, and previously announced awards please visit: http://arpa-e.energy.gov/.

EPA's new strategic agenda

2011-05-01T07:38:00.000-07:00

"On April 29, 2011 Deputy Administrator Perciasepe announced the release of EPA’s new Strategic Agenda to Protect Waters and Build More Livable Communities through Green Infrastructure, which outlines the activities that the Agency will undertake to help communities implement green infrastructure approaches. EPA’s strategy focuses on clarifying how green infrastructure can and should be used within the regulatory and enforcement contexts, outreach and information exchange, financing, and tool development and capacity building. Deputy Administrator Perciasepe also announced EPA’s green infrastructure community partnership effort by introducing the first 10 communities that will work with the Agency on green infrastructure implementation issues. Concurrent with the release of the Strategic Agenda, EPA’s Office of Water and Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance issued a joint memorandum encouraging communities to use green infrastructure to manage wet weather and meet Clean Water Act Requirements."

DEP Awards Grants to Promote Environmental Education, Stewardship, Renewable Energy

2011-05-01T07:22:00.001-07:00

HARRISBURG -- The Department of Environmental Protection today announced that it has awarded more than $538,000 in Environmental Education Grants to 102 non-profits, schools, universities and conservation districts across Pennsylvania.

Grant recipients will use the funding to develop projects such as hosting sustainability workshops, holding nature programs for children, and implementing environmental education programs in their communities.

“Knowledge is power and we want to give communities the power to become more active in protecting the environment,” DEP acting Secretary Michael Krancer said. “These programs will help Pennsylvanians of all ages to learn more about what we can do to promote sustainability and to help keep Pennsylvania a beautiful place.”

The grant program was established by the Environmental Education Act of 1993, which mandates setting aside 5 percent of the pollution fines and penalties DEP collects annually for environmental education in Pennsylvania.

For more information on environmental education, visit www.depweb.state.pa.us and click “Environmental Education. “

Alternative Fuel Transportation Projects Grant Opportunity

2011-05-01T07:21:00.000-07:00

HARRISBURG -- The Department of Environmental Protection is accepting applications for projects to be funded by the Alternative Fuels Incentive Grant Program (AFIG). The program makes available $4 million in grants to assist in funding eligible projects that use or produce biofuels, alternative fuels and alternative fuel vehicles, or that deploy fuel-saving technology in the transportation sector.

“Pennsylvania has always been a pioneer in energy,” DEP acting Secretary Michael Krancer said. “Providing assistance to the early adopters of cleaner technologies across the state is an advantage for everyone.”

Funding is available for school districts, municipal authorities, political subdivisions of the state, nonprofit entities, corporations, limited liability companies or partnerships incorporated or registered in the state.

Approved projects for these organizations must work to retrofit fleet vehicles to operate on alternative fuels, purchase alternative fuel vehicle for a fleet, install fleet refueling equipment for alternative fuel vehicles, or support next-phase advanced research, development and training related to alternative fuels and alternative fuel vehicles.

Funding is also available for school districts, municipal authorities, political subdivisions and nonprofit entities to subsidize the purchase of biofuel and provide refueling and storage equipment or related tank cleaning.

The AFIG program was established in 1992 under Act 166. By law, the program receives approximately $5 million to $6 million annually from the General Fund. The amount of funding is equal to 0.25 mills of the utilities gross receipts tax collected during each fiscal year.

The application deadline is 4 p.m., Friday, June 17. Only electronic applications will be accepted. Visit the state’s eGrants site at https://www.grants.dcnr.state.pa.us/ to apply. No costs for approved projects may be incurred prior to July 1.

For more information, visit http://www.dep.state.pa.us and click “Grants and Loans,” or contact Carmen LaRosa or Mark Brojakowski at DEP’s Office of Energy and Technology Deployment at 717-783-8411.

Alternative Fuels Incentive Grant Program; Program Opportunity

2011-04-11T05:56:00.002-07:00

[41 Pa.B. 1970]
[Saturday, April 9, 2011]

The Department of Environmental Protection (Department), Bureau of Energy, Innovations and Technology Deployment announces an opportunity to apply for grants under the Alternative Fuels Incentive Grant Program (Program) to improve this Commonwealth's air quality and reduce consumption of imported oil through the use of homegrown alternative fuels that will help this Commonwealth's economy and environment. The Department is seeking applications for innovative, advanced fuel and vehicle technology projects resulting in cleaner advanced alternative transportation within this Commonwealth.

Funding is available for school districts, municipal authorities, political subdivisions, nonprofit entities, corporations, limited liability companies or partnerships incorporated or registered in this Commonwealth to retrofit fleet vehicles to operate on alternative fuels, subsidize the cost of the purchase of an alternative fuel vehicle for a fleet or subsidize the cost to install fleet refueling equipment for alternative fuel vehicles or support next phase advanced research, development and training related to alternative fuels and alternative fuel vehicles.

Funding is also available for school districts, municipal authorities, political subdivisions and nonprofit entities to subsidize the incremental cost to purchase biofuel and provide refueling and storage equipment or related tank cleaning.

Project costs cannot be incurred before July 1, 2011.

The Program guidelines and application instructions are available on the Department's web site at http://www.depweb.state.pa.us (click on ''DEP Programs'' and then ''Alternative Fuels''). Applications will be accepted online through the eGrants system. Visit https://www.grants.dcnr.state.pa.us/ and click on ''Find a Grant.'' Scroll down to ''AFIG'' and click ''Apply for this grant.''

The application period will open on April 15, 2011. Applications must be submitted by 4 p.m. on June 17, 2011. Hardcopy applications will not be accepted.

MICHAEL L. KRANCER,
Acting Secretary

[Pa.B. Doc. No. 11-611. Filed for public inspection April 8, 2011, 9:00 a.m.]

New Department of Energy Programs

2011-04-11T05:56:00.001-07:00

The four funding opportunities announced build on the Department's strong portfolio of research and development efforts in solar energy. Activities under these funding areas will help improve the performance of current and next generation PV cells, develop advanced power electronics that optimize the performance of PV installations, and reduce the costs of PV balance-of-system hardware. These include:

Foundational Program to Advance Cell Efficiency (F-PACE): In a collaborative funding effort with the National Science Foundation, $39 million is available for research and development in solar device physics and PV technology to improve PV cell performance and reduce the costs of modules for grid-scale commercial applications.
PV Balance of Systems: $60 million in funding is available for research, development, and demonstration of balance of system components. Projects may include new building-integrated photovoltaic products, new mounting and wiring technologies, and new building code language that can foster the use of innovative, low-cost hardware designs while maintaining safety and reliability.
Solar Energy Grid Integration Systems (SEGIS)-Advanced Concepts: $40 million in funding is available to develop technologies that will help increase the integration of solar energy onto the electrical grid and facilitate interactions between solar energy systems and Smart Grid technologies. This could include projects focused on improved energy storage technologies and better system functionality. SEGIS-Advanced Concepts will also support projects like high voltage systems that reduce the overall installed costs associated with balance of systems components costs for installations, and projects focused on technologies like micro-inverters that are capable of harvesting more energy from the sun.
PV Next Generation: $30 million in funding is available for early-stage applied research to demonstrate and prove new concepts in materials, processes, and device designs for solar PV component development at the laboratory scale.

Read more information and view the application requirements for each Funding Opportunity Announcement.

America's Next Top Energy Innovator Challenge

2011-04-05T10:42:00.001-07:00

Boston, MA - As part of the Obama Administration's Startup America Initiative, U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced the "America's Next Top Energy Innovator" challenge, which will give start-up companies the opportunity to license groundbreaking technologies developed by the National Laboratories for $1,000 and build successful businesses. As part of this effort, the Department is reducing both the cost and paperwork requirements for start-up companies to obtain an option agreement to license some of the 15,000 patents and patent applications held by our 17 National Laboratories.

"America's entrepreneurs and innovators are the best in the world," said Secretary Chu. "Today, we're challenging them to create new businesses based on discoveries made by our world-leading national laboratories. Because we've cut the upfront fees and reduced the paperwork, we'll make it easier for start-up companies to succeed and create the new jobs our economy needs. Our goal is simple: unleash America's innovation machine and win the global race for the clean energy jobs of the future."

Currently, only about 10 percent of federal patents have been licensed to be commercialized. This initiative aims to double the number of startup companies coming out of the National Laboratories.

Specifically, as part of "America's Next Top Energy Innovator:"

On Monday, May 2, 2011, the Department will kick off the challenge by posting a streamlined template option agreement online for entrepreneurs to submit to Laboratories. Entrepreneurs must identify the technology of interest and submit a business plan to be considered for the program. Participants will have until December 15 to make their submission to the Laboratory.
Any of the 15,000 unlicensed patents and patent applications held by the National Laboratories will be available for licensing by startup companies
From May 2 to December 15, the Department will reduce the total upfront cost of licensing DOE patents in a specific technology to a $1,000 upfront fee for portfolios of up to three patents. This represents a savings of $10,000 to $50,000 on average in upfront fees.
Other license terms, such as equity and royalties, will be negotiated on a case by case basis and will typically be due once the company grows and achieves widescale commercial success. These fees help support the Department's continuing research activities to develop new technologies.
The Department will simplify the licensing process and establish a standard set of terms for start-ups, who generally lack the resources, time or expertise to negotiate individual licensing agreements. This will significantly reduce both the time and cost required to process the license, allowing faster access to the Department's patents and enabling the Department to process more licenses in a shorter amount of time.
Entrepreneurs who complete the process and demonstrate progress toward executing their business plan and commercializing the technology will have the opportunity to be showcased at the 3rd Annual ARPA-E Energy Innovation Summit in 2012, which brings together leading technology startups and clean energy investors from around the country.

In addition to these steps, the Department is making it easier for companies to use the world-leading facilities at our National Laboratories to conduct collaborative research and development activities. Previously, companies had to make an upfront payment covering the first 90 days of research work - a requirement that was often difficult for start-ups to meet. Today, the Department is lowering the advance payment requirement to 60 days. This change will benefit all companies - not just start-ups - but could be valuable for those participating in the "America's Next Top Energy Innovator" challenge.

Entrepreneurs interested in participating can already view the available technologies on the Department's Energy Innovation Portal.

Great Lakes Restoration

2011-04-03T07:13:00.000-07:00

This Request for Applications (RFA) solicits applications from eligible entities for grants and/or cooperative agreements to be awarded pursuant to the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Action Plan (http://greatlakesrestoration.us/action/wp-content/uploads/glri_actionplan.pdf ). This RFA is EPA’s major competitive grant funding opportunity under the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (“GLRI” or “Initiative”) for FY2011 and is one of several funding opportunities available through federal agencies under the GLRI. Applications are requested for projects identified in the RFA within the following four GLRI focus areas:1.Toxic Substances and Areas of Concern, including pollution prevention and cleanup of the most polluted areas in the Great Lakes.2.Invasive Species, including efforts to institute a “zero tolerance policy” toward new invasions.3.Nearshore Health and Nonpoint Source Pollution, including a targeted geographic focus on high priority watersheds and reducing polluted runoff from urban, suburban and, agricultural sources.4.Accountability, Education, Monitoring, Evaluation, Communication and Partnerships, including the implementation of goal- and results-based accountability measures, learning initiatives,outreach, and strategic partnerships.

U.S. EPA Great Lakes Restoration Initiative 2011 Request For Applications

Green space / garden grants

2011-03-27T04:58:00.000-07:00

[from Philanthropy News Digest]

Scotts Miracle-Gro Company, a multinational lawn and garden care company, has announced GRO1000, a program committed to installing a thousand gardens and green spaces in the United States and select international sites by 2018.

To help foster the development of gardens and green spaces in the U.S., Scotts is offering Grassroots Grants to local communities. Grants of up to $1,500 in monetary and in-kind support will be given to nonprofits and related groups working on garden and green space beautification projects that incorporate the involvement and engagement of neighborhood residents and foster a sense of community spirit.

Applications are invited from U.S. organizations with 501(c)(3) nonprofit status and from groups and projects with an eligible nonprofit fiscal sponsor.

Complete program guidelines and the online application are available at the Scotts Miracle-Gro Company Web site.

Contact:
Link to Complete RFP

Pollution Prevention Information Network (PPIN) Grants Program

2011-03-27T04:53:00.000-07:00

The Pollution Prevention Information Network (PPIN) grant program funds regional centers that serve both unique regional pollution prevention (P2) information needs and national audience needs for quality information on source reduction and related P2 practices. The grantees provide assistance to businesses whose lack of information may be an impediment to implementing source reduction, preventing pollution or adopting sustainable practices. Proposals should describe activities that serve regional and national P2 needs, strategic P2 priorities, and promote national network communication.

FY 2011 Request for Proposals for the Pollution Prevention Information Network (PPIN) Grants Program

Expected Number of Awards:	8
Estimated Total Program Funding:	$800,000
Award Ceiling:	$115,000
Award Floor:	$80,000

Postdoctoral Fellowships Program

2011-03-11T12:28:00.001-08:00

WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu today announced the launch of two new fellowship programs designed to attract the country's best and brightest scientific minds to work on advanced clean energy technologies. The two fellowship programs - the Postdoctoral Fellowships Program and the SunShot Initiative Fellowships Program - will prepare budding scientists and engineers for careers in clean energy. These programs will increase American economic competitiveness and support job growth by promoting science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education, an essential part of President Obama's plan to win the future by out-educating and out-innovating the rest of the world.

Under the Postdoctoral Fellowships Program, DOE is seeking up to 20 postdoctoral fellows whose academic careers have focused on specific topics in the following technology areas: building efficiency, industrial efficiency, vehicles, fuel cells, biomass, geothermal, solar energy, and wind or water power. The Postdoctoral Fellowship Program will support research and development of breakthrough technologies over a two year period.

Selected fellows will be encouraged to pursue innovative, independent new projects in addition to the specific research project area selected by the fellow when applying to the program. Potential self-directed projects might include working with local organizations on topics of local energy efficiency or renewable energy, providing free scientific and technical expertise to a local start-up company, or writing grant proposals for distinct new work. Read more information on the EERE Postdoctoral Fellowship Program. Applications for EERE Postdoctoral Fellowships are due by June 30, 2011; Fellowships will begin by mid-November, 2011, and last up to two years.

The SunShot Initiative Fellowships Program will select either recent Masters or Ph.D. graduates to focus on critical technology innovations that will advance the SunShot goal of reducing the total cost of solar energy systems by about 75 percent so that they are cost competitive with other forms of energy without subsidies by the end of the decade. In the fellowship program, the selectees will aggressively drive innovations in the ways that solar systems are conceived, designed, manufactured, and installed. Selected fellows will work at DOE's Solar Energy Technologies Program headquarters in Washington, DC, and help develop new research and development programs to achieve the goal of $1a watt utility-level installed photovoltaics by 2020. Learn more about the SunShot Initiative Fellowship Program. More information is available on the SunShot Initiative website. Applications for the SunShot Initiative Fellowships Program are accepted on a rolling basis.

i6 Green

2011-03-11T12:26:00.001-08:00

i6 Green is a multi-agency competition that focuses on the nexus between economic development and environmental quality, spotlighting the best ideas that contribute to a vibrant, innovative clean economy. EDA solicits competitive applications to encourage and reward innovative, ground-breaking ideas that accelerate technology commercialization and new venture formation across the United States. i6 Green will reward communities that utilize Proof of Concept Centers to accelerate technology-led economic development in pursuit of a clean economy. Applicants must address a persistent problem or an unaddressed opportunity with a sense of urgency and demonstrate how an i6 Green Proof of Concept Center will remove existing road blocks and spark sustainable economic opportunities in the applicant’s region. Applicants will be expected to incorporate a credible plan to access additional resources and demonstrate how the proposed effort will be sustained by a well-qualified team and partners. Please see section I.A. of the i6 Green FFO announcement for more information on the program requirements and expectations of i6 Green. EDA will coordinate this competition with its i6 Green Federal agency partners: NSF; EPA; USDA/NIFA; the Department of Energy (DOE); the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). In addition to the EDA award, SBIR grantees that are part of or central to winning applications may be eligible to receive supplemental awards from the following participating agencies: NSF, EPA, and USDA/NIFA. In addition to SBIR funding, i6 Green recipients may be eligible for additional non-SBIR funding from the EPA and DOE. Also, recipients may be eligible for additional services from the USPTO as well as the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) of NIST. Please see section II.B. of the i6 Green FFO for more information on these opportunities. Please note that all amounts are contingent upon the availability of funding. Please see the full FFO announcement under "i6 Green FFO Announcement Link" below for complete information regarding the competition and to help ensure your application is timely received by EDA.

i6 Green FFO Announcement link

Clean Energy Workforce Education Conference

2011-02-21T09:26:00.001-08:00

The 4th National Clean Energy Workforce Education Conference will be held in Saratoga Springs, New York from March 8-10, 2011.

The 2011 primary conference sponsor is the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA). The Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) is the primary organizer.

IREC provides this update for the workforce community.

Conference Program (Plenary Sessions and Workshops)

Registration Brochure

Acres for America

2011-02-14T08:48:00.001-08:00

Acres for America, a partnership between Walmart Stores, Inc. and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, was established to provide funding for projects that conserve important habitat for fish, wildlife, and plants through the acquisition of interest in real property. The goal of the Acres for America program is to offset the footprint of Walmart's domestic facilities on at least an acre-by-acre basis through these acquisitions.

The program will make approximately $2.5 million in total funding available annually through 2014 for conservation investments.

Endorsement by appropriate federal, state, and local government agencies that the land acquisition is of high conservation value is a primary consideration. Preference will be given to acquisitions that are part of published conservation plans, State Wildlife Action Plans, or Endangered Species Act Recovery Plans. Natural Heritage rankings for key species present on the site are an important consideration when available. Endorsement by nonprofit conservation organizations that the acquisition is of high conservation value is also a primary consideration.

Acquisitions that contribute to "landscape level" conservation efforts which help reduce fragmentation are preferred over isolated acquisitions. Important fish, wildlife, and/or plant resources, such as endangered species or areas of significant biological diversity (as identified by credible conservation agencies or organizations), should be conserved through the acquisition. Access to the land by the public is preferred but not required.

All grant awards require a minimum 1:1 match of cash or contributed goods and services. Federal funds may be considered as match.

Visit the NFWF Web site for complete program guidelines, application procedures, and an FAQ.

Contact:
Link to Complete RFP

Nature of Learning

2011-02-14T08:44:00.001-08:00

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, in cooperation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service National Wildlife Refuge System and the National Conservation Training Center, and National Wildlife Refuge Association, is accepting applications from organizations interested in initiating the Nature of Learning in their communities.

The Nature of Learning is an FWS National Wildlife Refuge System's community-based environmental education initiative that seeks to use National Wildlife Refuges as outdoor classrooms to promote a greater understanding of local conservation issues; encourage an interdisciplinary approach to learning that enhances student academic achievement; utilize field experiences and student-led stewardship projects to connect classroom lessons to real world issues; and create partnerships among local schools, community groups, natural resource professionals, and local businesses.

First-year grants of up to $10,000 each and second-year grants of up to $5,000 each will be awarded on a competitive basis to support education projects focused on the causes and effects of climate change on refuges and to build citizen science partnership programs. Proposals that incorporate this theme are preferred but not required.

Academic institutions or nonprofit organizations, including "Friends" organizations, cooperative and interpretive associations, Audubon Chapters, youth organizations, community groups, etc., are eligible to apply for funding. The program must involve a partnership with a national wildlife refuge.

While matching contributions are not required, preference will be given to applications that include other contributions of funds, goods, and services from program partners.

Contact:
Link to Complete RFP

PA 2011 Conservation Innovation Grants

2011-02-14T05:31:00.000-08:00

NRCS requests proposals from eligible government, non-governmental organizations, or individuals which seek competitive consideration of grant awards for projects between one and three years in duration. CIG does not fund research projects, rather, CIG funds proposals that stimulate the development and adoption of conservation approaches or technologies that have been studied sufficiently to indicate a likelihood of success. CIG funds projects targeting innovative on-the-ground conservation, including pilot projects and field demonstrations. To be eligible, projects must involve landowners who meet the EQIP eligibility requirements.

Noel Soto, PA CIG Program Contact, Phone 717-237-2173 PA CIG Program Contact

Pennsylvania State Clean Diesel Grant Program; Grant Application Acceptance Period

2011-02-14T05:30:00.001-08:00

[41 Pa.B. 908]
[Saturday, February 12, 2011]

The Department of Environmental Protection (Department) announces an opportunity to apply for $588,235 awarded to the Commonwealth by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Diesel Emission Reduction Act (42 U.S.C.A. §§ 16131—16137). This funding is available for eligible diesel grants under the Pennsylvania State Clean Diesel Grant Program to improve air quality and protect public health and the environment in this Commonwealth by reducing emissions from diesel-powered vehicles.

The Department is seeking applications to replace, repower or retrofit fleet diesel-powered school or transit buses. Funding is available for public and private entities that operate diesel-powered fleets of school and/or transit buses throughout this Commonwealth. These entities may include school districts, municipal authorities, political subdivisions, nonprofit entities, corporations, limited liability companies or partnerships incorporated or registered in this Commonwealth to replace, repower or retrofit diesel-powered school or transit buses with technologies certified or verified by the EPA or the California Air Resources Board to lower diesel emissions. The technology may be a single technology or a combination of available technologies. The majority of the fleet's annual operation time must occur within this Commonwealth.

The Department will not reimburse grant recipients for project costs incurred prior to the grant performance period set forth in the applicable grant agreement.

The application package including guidance, instructions and application forms is available by contacting Martin T. Felion, Department of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Air Quality, 12th Floor, Rachel Carson State Office Building, 400 Market Street, P. O. Box 8468, Harrisburg, PA 17105-8468, (717) 787-9702. The application package is also available electronically on the Department's web site at www.depweb.state.pa.us (DEP Keywords ''Clean Diesel'').

The Department will begin accepting applications on February 14, 2011. Applications must be received by 4:30 p.m. on April 14, 2011, or postmarked on or before April 14, 2011. Faxes and electronic copies will not be accepted.

MICHAEL L. KRANCER,
Acting Secretary

Technical Assistance to Build More Sustainable Communities

2011-02-11T10:17:00.001-08:00

The Office of Sustainable Communities (OSC) in U.S. EPA’s Office of Policy is seeking proposals to create and deliver technical assistance programs to local and tribal governments facing common land use and development challenges. This Request for Proposals (RFP) seeks to fund up to three applicants that will provide technical assistance to multiple communities on the use of standardized, “ready to go" tools that lead to changes in local policies and development regulations. As a result of this RFP, the grantee(s) will select and work with communities to increase their capacity to successfully implement smart growth and sustainable communities development approaches that protect the environment, improve public health, facilitate job creation and economic opportunity, and improve overall quality of life.

Technical Assistance to Build More Sustainable Communities

Energy Innovation Portal

2011-02-03T03:47:00.001-08:00

Washington, DC - The U.S. Department of Energy's Energy Innovation Portal now has more than 300 business-friendly marketing summaries available to help investors and companies identify and license leading-edge energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies. The Portal is an online tool that links available DOE innovations to the entrepreneurs who can successfully license and commercialize them. By helping to move these innovations from the laboratory to the market, the Portal facilitates an integral step in supporting growing America's clean energy industries and meeting the Administration's clean energy goals.

"Our National Laboratories are a major driver of innovation in this country. By connecting American entrepreneurs with cutting-edge, ready-to-commercialize technologies from the National Labs, the DOE Innovation Portal is helping to grow our economy and create the next generation of American jobs," said U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu.

Currently, the Energy Innovation Portal contains more than 300 technology marketing summaries and more than 15,000 DOE-funded U.S. patents and patent applications. The guiding principle behind the development of the Portal is to create a user-friendly and easily accessible website where business professionals can identify DOE-funded innovations that have the potential to create new energy market opportunities.

Energy Funding without NOFAs

2011-02-03T03:37:00.000-08:00

[reposted from Free Money Ate My Brain blog] Funding from the government is not something you can request by snapping your fingers and asking. It tends to be very much a “don’t call us, we’ll call you” thing: the government puts out a NOFA (notice of funding availability), saying what they want done, by whom, etc., and if you fit their criteria as a group that can accomplish what the government wants, you apply for the grant. But there is a category of funding in the federal Department of Energy that breaks those rules. Under certain circumstances, DOE accepts unsolicited proposals, ones that don’t come from a NOFA, and spring from the inventor or business in question to perform a task or develop a technology the feds haven’t thought of yet. So if your company has a truly ground-breaking technology to develop and take to market in the field of energy, in which the Department of Energy has an interest, this could be your chance.

According to the Department of Energy:
DOE considers proposals in all areas of energy and energy-related research and development with emphasis on long-term, high-risk, high-payoff technologies. DOE may accept an unsolicited proposal if it:
Demonstrates a unique and innovative concept or a unique capability of the submitter
Offers a concept or service not otherwise available to the Federal government
Does not resemble the substance of a pending competitive solicitation.

Furthermore, noncompetitive solicitations must meet at least one of the following criteria:
• Be necessary to the completion of, or be a continuation or renewal of, an activity already funded by the Department of Energy.
• Be conducted with the applicant's resources or resources donated by a third party
• Be awarded to a unit of government for an activity related to a government function
• Be awarded to an applicant with exclusive domestic capacity to perform the activity successfully
• Implement an agreement between the United States and a foreign government to fund a foreign applicant
• Be restricted by time constraints associated with public health, safety, welfare, or national security
• Be awarded for an unsolicited proposal
• Be determined to be in the public interest.

This is called “noncompetitive funding,” because it doesn’t come out of the competitive funding process of NOFA, and can only be done under narrow circumstances outlined in the Code of Federal Regulations Here are the guidelines for submitting an unsolicited proposal.

The contact person in DOE for unsolicited proposals is:

John N. Augustine
Unsolicited Proposal Manager
National Energy Technology Laboratory
U.S. Department of Energy
E-mail: DOEUSP@netl.doe.gov

Rep. Glenn Thompson's statement on President's upcoming visit to Penn State

2011-01-31T05:49:00.001-08:00

January 28, 2011 5:31 PM

Washington, D.C. – Today, the White House announced that President Obama plans to visit Pennsylvania State University Park on Wednesday, February 2nd, to discuss America’s energy policies and the important work of the Energy Innovation Hub. In response to the visit, Representative Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson (PA-5), issued the following statement:

"I welcome President Obama’s planned visit to the Fifth Congressional District and his recent comments regarding American competitiveness and energy security. Pennsylvania was the birthplace of the oil industry over 150 years ago, is home to the world’s largest natural gas play, vast natural resources, and many pioneers in energy research. The families and businesses of the Fifth District have lead our country in domestic energy production through developments in Marcellus Shale natural gas, which will help power America for generations. This is one of the many reasons for the creation of Pennsylvania’s Energy Innovation Hub. I am hopeful during his visit that Mr. Obama will touch on the importance of domestic energy production, especially oil, coal, and natural gas – each just as critical to any credible, long-term energy plan – and what steps the Administration is taking to increase our domestic energy supply.” – Congressman Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson

Congressman Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson was first elected to the represent Pennsylvania’s Fifth Congressional District in 2008. In the House of Representatives, Thompson currently serves on the House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Education and Labor Committees. In addition to these committee assignments, Thompson was recently appointed Chairman of the Agriculture Subcommittee on Conservation, Energy & Forestry with jurisdiction over over soil, water, and resource conservation, energy and bio-based energy production, rural electrification and forestry in general.

Environmental Justice Small Grants Program

2011-01-31T05:47:00.001-08:00

The Environmental Justice Small Grants Program (EJSG) is designed to provide funding for eligible applicants for projects that address local environmental and public health issues within an affected community. The EJSG Program is a multi-statute program designed to help communities understand and address their exposure to multiple environmental harms and risks.

ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE SMALL GRANTS PROGRAM

Departments of Energy and Commerce Announce New Partnership to Further Cooperation on Renewable Energy Modeling and Forecasting

2011-01-31T05:32:00.001-08:00

WASHINGTON - The Department of Energy and the Department of Commerce today announced a new agreement to further collaboration between the agencies on renewable energy modeling and weather forecasting, which will help enable the nation's renewable energy resources to be used more effectively by business and entrepreneurs. The Memorandum of Understanding signed by Acting Under Secretary of Energy Cathy Zoi and Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Jane Lubchenco, Ph.D., will encourage the two agencies to work together to develop and disseminate weather and climate information needed for renewable energy technologies that are dependent on short-term weather and longer-term climate trends. Better information on weather patterns and improved modeling of the variability of the wind, sun, water, ocean currents and other sources of renewable energy will ultimately increase the country's ability to efficiently and reliably integrate renewable energy into the electrical grid.

The agreement announced today builds on reports from both agencies that recognize the need for improved meteorological, oceanic, and climatological observations, modeling, and forecasting to expand the efficient use of renewable energy sources and further integrate these energy sources into the U.S. energy system. For example, DOE's 20% Wind Energy by 2030 report identifies several key research areas, such as improved wind forecasting techniques, that would enhance electrical grid system operations. NOAA's Next Generation Strategic Plan states that NOAA will develop integrated environmental information services for the unique needs of weather-sensitive sectors, including solar, wind, and oceanographic information critical to the development, production, and transmission of renewable energy.

The partnership will help renewable energy system designers, operators, and electric power system administrators in improving the cost effectiveness and reliability of weather-dependent renewable energy technologies. The collaboration includes a working group from DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy and the Department of Commerce's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) that will identify areas for continued focus and research and help lay out next steps for improving the efficiency of renewable resources and better integrating renewable energy sources onto the electrical grid.

The group will produce an Action Plan in the coming months that will address:

Improving renewable resource characterization models and methodologies for optimizing system reliability and performance
Advancing meteorological and oceanic forecasting technologies, models and methodologies
Defining national weather and oceanic monitoring systems needed to support renewable energy
Predicting climate effects on renewable energy resources
Coordinating both public and private sector contributions to addressing renewable resource needs.

Under the partnership, both agencies agree to provide the necessary resources to coordinate or carry out the designated tasks outlined in the Action Plan.

To learn more about wind as a renewable energy source, please visit DOE's Wind Program website.

Read more on NOAA's renewable energy program.

View the full text of the Memorandum of Understanding (pdf - 316kb).

Five Star Program

2011-01-22T06:09:00.000-08:00

Administered by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation with the support of public and private partner organizations and corporations, the Five Star Restoration Program seeks to develop community capacity to sustain local natural resources for future generations by providing modest financial assistance to diverse local partnerships for wetland, riparian, and coastal habitat restoration

To be eligible for funding, projects must include on-the-ground wetland, riparian, in stream, and/ or coastal habitat restoration; integrate meaningful education into the restoration project either through community outreach, participation, and/or integration with K-12 environmental curriculum; and result in measurable ecological, educational, and community benefits.

In 2011, NFWF anticipates the following funding will be made available by program partners:

The United States Environmental Protection Agency Office of Water will provide approximately $200,000 in total funding for projects in the United States, with a focus on regions not served by other funders.

Southern Company and its operating companies (Georgia Power, Alabama Power, Gulf Power, and Mississippi Power) will provide approximately $200,000 in total funding to support projects in the Southern Company service area (areas of Georgia, Alabama, the Florida Panhandle, and southeast Mississippi).

FedEx EarthSmart Outreach will provide approximately $375,000 in total funding to support urban conservation and restoration in the following eleven metropolitan areas: Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Indianapolis, Los Angeles, Memphis, Newark, Pittsburgh, San Francisco/Oakland, Seattle, and Washington, D.C.

The Five Star Restoration Program is open to any public or private entity that can receive grants. While partnerships are encouraged to include state and federal agencies, those entities may not serve as the grantee unless the community partners demonstrate that the state or federal agency is best suited to coordinate the community-based project.

Grants will vary in size, duration, and scale. In general, smaller scale, one-year projects will be eligible for grants of $10,000 to $25,000 each, while two-year, larger scale projects will be eligible for grants of $10,000 to $40,000 each. A minimum 1:1 match of cash or in-kind/contributed goods and services to funds requested is expected.

Visit the NFWF Web site for the complete Request for Proposals and application procedures.

Contact:
Link to Complete RFP

Sustainable Forestry Initiative

2011-01-21T17:19:00.001-08:00

The Sustainable Forestry Initiative, an independent, charitable organization dedicated to promoting sustainable forest management, has announced its 2011 Request for Proposals for Conservation and Community Partnerships Grants.

The SFI Conservation and Community Partnerships Grant Program is designed to foster partnerships between organizations interested in improving forest management in the United States and Canada and responsible procurement globally.

In 2011, the initiative will award up to $200,000 in new funding for projects that address current topics of importance to the SFI program, such as the role of certified forests in emerging bioenergy markets; avoidance of controversial sources such as illegal logging in the global supply chain; improved wildlife habitat management and conservation of biodiversity; and community-based projects such as those that address management of culturally important lands. Last year, SFI awarded nine grants totaling $307,500, including some multiyear projects that brought the total commitment to $675,000 over three years.

This year's funding program also features a new category to support smaller projects such as forestry education programs for children and green building projects for low-income residents. This funding category will provide five to seven grants of up to $5,000 each.

Proposed projects must be collaborative (involve more than one project partner) and include an SFI Program Participant, SFI Implementation Committee, or other SFI-affiliated organization as a partner. The lead organization for each project must be a nonprofit 501(c)(3) (or Canadian equivalent) organization. Colleges and universities are eligible to apply as lead organizations.

The 2011 RFP and the latest information about the SFI Conservation and Community Partnerships Grant program are available at the SFI Web site.

Contact:
Link to Complete RFP

TogetherGreen grants

2011-01-21T17:13:00.000-08:00

[From Philanthropy News Digest]

TogetherGreen, a program of the National Audubon Society and Toyota, is accepting applications for its Innovation Grants program, which provides support for creative and ambitious projects that engage diverse communities in finding innovative solutions to environmental challenges.

Innovation Grants fund projects that conserve or restore habitat and protect species, improve water quality or quantity, and reduce the threat of global warming; engage new and diverse audiences in conservation actions; and inspire and use innovative approaches and technologies to engage people and achieve conservation results.

To be eligible for an Innovation Grant, the applying organization must constitute a branch, office, or other operational unit of the National Audubon Society (including national or state offices and field units such as Audubon centers and sanctuaries), or be an Audubon certified chapter or Audubon certified chapter-run center or sanctuary. Independent Audubon entities that wish to participate in a cooperative arrangement with the National Audubon Society for this purpose are also eligible. (Organizations that are interested in applying but are not part of the Audubon network should contact the Innovation Grants program manager.) Applicants must be 501(c)(3) tax-exempt public charities and have a commitment from at least one non-Audubon partner organization to serve as a collaborator.

In 2011, the program will award at least forty grants, ranging from $5,000 to $80,000 each, with an average grant size of $25,000. In addition, the program will be offering three to five planning grants of $5,000 or less each.

Visit the TogetherGreen Web site for complete program information and application requirements.

Contact:
Link to Complete RFP

Dept. of Energy Hosting Free Wind Power Webinars

2011-01-21T16:45:00.000-08:00

[via Inhabitat] The US Department of Energy is kicking off the New Year on January 19, by starting up their free 2011 Wind Powering America webinar series. The series will cover all aspects of wind power in the United States and starts at 1 p.m. — it will take place the third Wednesday of every month. You can find log in info for the webinars on the Wind Powering America website. Don’t fret if you can’t make these exciting talks about wind financing funding options, small community wind, wind workforce development initiatives and a host of other other windy topics. The webinars are posted in full after they take place on the webinar archive page — they’ve even got a full backlog of last years talks if you’ve got some time on your hands.

Marcellus Environmental Fund of Western PA

2011-01-11T10:18:00.001-08:00

The Pittsburgh-based Colcom Foundation, which focuses its national and regional philanthropic programs on environmental sustainability, natural resource preservation, land and water conservation, and efforts to establish a sustainable population, has announced the launch of the $1 million Marcellus Environmental Fund to help address the accelerating environmental impact of shale drilling in western Pennsylvania.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations are invited to submit grant applications for projects designed to address the impact of shale drilling through public education, community engagement, best practices, baseline data collection, ongoing monitoring, land owner guidance, and collaborative projects.

Grant applications will be accepted until January 14, 2011 for grants to be awarded in February 2011, and until March 14, 2011 for grants to be awarded in May 2011.

Visit the Colcom Foundation for complete program guidelines and application requirements.

Contact:
Link to Complete RFP

Energy Efficiency tax incentives

2011-01-11T06:38:00.000-08:00

[From ACEEE: The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy News] Washington, D.C. - Last month, President Obama signed into law a tax package that contains modifications and extensions to energy efficiency tax incentives for homeowners, home builders, and appliance manufacturers. Information on all of these energy efficiency tax incentives are accessible on the Tax Incentives Assistance Project (TIAP) Web site so that consumers and businesses can take full advantage of changed federal tax credits for energy-saving technologies and practices.

The new legislation includes extensions and revisions to three existing federal energy efficiency tax incentives: for manufacturers of energy-efficient appliances, a one-year extension and revisions; for new homes builders, coverage for 2010 and 2011; and for home retrofits, a one-year extension but with significant modifications from the 2010 incentives.

For appliances, the tax credits go to the manufacturer, but should be visible to consumers by reducing the cost of qualifying equipment. In 2011, the qualifying levels have been increased, and many of the incentives modified. The credits cover residential refrigerators, clothes washers, and dishwashers. In most cases, the credits are available for the very top efficiency products, typically levels more stringent than will qualify for ENERGY STAR®. For refrigerators, the incentives are $150 for a refrigerator that uses 30% less energy than federal minimum efficiency standards and $200 for a refrigerator that uses 35% less energy. For clothes washers, the incentive is either $175 for units that moderately exceed ENERGY STAR or $225 for the very highest levels of efficiency on the market. For dishwashers, the credits range from $25 for a unit that meets the July 2011 ENERGY STAR-level of 307 kWh per year to $75 for a unit that uses less than 280 kWh per year.

For new homes, the credit is unchanged from 2009 - a $2,000 incentive to the home builder for homes that use 50% less energy than a home built to the national model building code, and a $1,000 incentive for only manufactured homes if the home either meets ENERGY STAR or uses 30% less energy than national model codes.

For existing homes, there are several changes in 2011. For example, in 2011, a homeowner interested in purchasing energy-efficient heating or cooling equipment can only receive a $150 tax credit, down significantly from the credit for 30% of the cost of the equipment that was available in 2009-2010. The efficiency level of eligible equipment is generally unchanged from 2009-2010, with the exception of boilers and oil furnaces, which have to meet a higher level of efficiency.

Another example of the 2011 changes is the incentives for windows, which have become less generous but easier to qualify for. In 2011, these tax credits are limited to 10% of the material cost, up to $200. The efficiency requirement, however, has been changed to ENERGY STAR windows, a more lenient eligibility level, especially for homeowners in the South.

The TIAP Web site has additional details on the changes to the building envelope, heating and cooling equipment, new homes builder, appliance manufacturer, and other federal energy tax incentives that were extended in December. In addition, a tax incentives fact sheet with detailed information about each of the incentives for 2010 and for 2011 is also available.

Lowe's launches online voting for environmental grants

2011-01-11T06:28:00.000-08:00

Lowe's and the Lowe's Charitable and Educational Foundation have announced the launch of an online giving campaign through which a total of $1 million will be awarded to four environmental organizations.

The four participating organizations — American Forests, Keep America Beautiful, the National Park Foundation, and Water.org — will each automatically receive a $100,000 grant. The remaining $600,000 will be distributed based on the percentage of votes each group receives at Lowe's Web site and on the company's Facebook page. The voting period, which opened on January 9, will close on January 21, and the final percentages for each charity will be posted on the Lowe's site by midnight on January 26.

"Lowe's wanted to start the New Year by giving back to organizations that share our commitment to sustainability and helping people in need," said Lowe's Charitable and Educational Foundation board chair Larry D. Stone. "Each of the four charities we selected provides a great service in its own way, and we encourage our customers and anyone committed to the environment to help us decide how to best distribute the remaining grant dollars."

“Lowe's Charitable and Educational Foundation Donating a Total of $1 Million to Four Environmental Charities Through Online Campaign.” Lowe's Companies Press Release 1/07/11.

PA Community Conservation Partnerships Program grants

2011-01-11T06:04:00.000-08:00

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (Department) announces the 2011 open application period for the Community Conservation Partnerships Program (C2P2) Grants administered by the Bureau of Recreation and Conservation (Bureau). The primary open application period will officially begin January 3, 2011, and end at 4 p.m. on April 20, 2011. Depending on the funding source, eligible applicants include Commonwealth municipalities and appropriate nonprofit organizations.

All applications must be submitted electronically through the Environmental eGrants System available at https://www.grants.dcnr.state.pa.us/index.aspx. No paper, faxed or e-mailed applications will be accepted. All grant information, project guidance documents, program policies and application instructions are available online at http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/brc/grants/. For assistance with the Environmental eGrants System, call the Department's Grants Customer Service Center at (800) 326-7734 or e-mail DCNR-Grants@state.pa.us.

Grant assistance from the Department helps communities in this Commonwealth and organizations plan, acquire and develop recreation, park and trail facilities and conserve open space. The Bureau administers the C2P2 Program which combines several State and Federal funding sources into one grant program.

Examples of eligible projects include community recreation projects to develop and rehabilitate parks and recreation facilities; open space conservation projects including purchase of lands in fee or with a conservation easement to protect critical habitat; developing greenways and trails; purchasing trail maintenance equipment; river conservation activities like fishing and boating access along river corridors; and partnership projects that provide education and training on natural resource, recreation, parks, greenways and trails.

In 2011, the Department Grant Program will focus on making grant awards that create or enhance this Commonwealth's recreation and conservation infrastructure—supporting sustainable communities, economic development, healthy lifestyles and creating jobs. Specific priorities for grant projects are: park and recreational facilities that demonstrate green principles and connect children to healthy recreation and the outdoors; trails; river access projects and projects identified by regional partnerships including Conservation Landscapes Initiatives, Statewide Significant Greenways and Heritage Areas. For more information on many of these priorities visit www.paoutdoorrecplan.com.

During January and February, free grants workshops are scheduled at the following locations throughout this Commonwealth, from 8:30 a.m. until 12 p.m. focusing on the Department's greening emphasis, how to develop a competitive and ready to go project and changes to the 2011 C2P2 Grants Program:

January 11, 2011—Bucks County Community College, Newtown (Snow Date: January, 12, 20110

January 14, 2011—Montgomery County Safety Training Center, Conshohocken (Snow Date: February 18, 2011)

February 1, 2011—Franklin Park Borough Activity Center, Sewickley (Snow Date: February 15, 2011)

February 3, 2011—Luzerne County Community College, Edu. Conf. Ctr., Nanticoke (Snow Date: February 4, 2011)

February 8, 2011—Clarion University, James Gemmell Student Complex, Clarion (Snow Date: February 16, 2011)

February 10, 2011—Boalsburg Volunteer Fire Company, Boalsburg (Snow Date: February 17, 2011)

To register for these workshops, go to http://www. dcnr.state.pa.us/calendar under the Workshops-Grants Calendar. In the event of inclement weather, contact Pennsylvania Recreation and Park Society (PRPS) at (814) 234-4272, and/or check the workshop status on the Department's Calendar at www.dcnr. state.pa.us/calendar, or the PRPS web site at www.prps. org/index.htm.

Persons with a disability who wish to submit an application and require assistance should contact Darrel Siesholtz at (717) 787-7672 to accommodate their needs. Voice/TTY users should call (800) 654-5984.

JOHN QUIGLEY,
Secretary

DOE conference

2011-01-07T12:20:00.001-08:00

Washington, DC - The U.S. Department of Energy today announced the opening of registration for the 12th Annual Small Business Conference & Expo being held from May 10-12, 2011, in Kansas City, Missouri. The conference will feature educational workshops, an Exhibit Hall with over 200 exhibitors and sponsors, as well as sessions where Department procurement officers will help match businesses with opportunities within DOE.

The Obama administration and the Department of Energy have continued to reinforce the important role small business plays in strengthening America's economy. The goal of the conference is to increase the access small business has to government contract and partnership opportunities.

The 12th Annual DOE Small Business Conference & Expo provides an opportunity for Small Business owners, large companies and minority education institutions to network and gain access to federal, state and local government agencies. As the largest civilian contracting agency within the Federal government, DOE has allocated billions of dollars in contracts to small businesses.

This year participants have the opportunity to take advantage of early online registration. Last year's conference attracted over 1,500 people. The small businesses attending the conference will be able to meet DOE small business program managers and learn how to engage with the Department successfully. To register, visit the 12th Annual DOE Small Business Conference & Expo website.

Growing Greener Grants

2011-01-07T05:15:00.001-08:00

Among the grantees--Erie, Crawford, and Venango County recipients

HARRISBURG -- In announcing the latest round of Growing Greener grants—as well as funding from the federal government—Governor Edward G. Rendell said today that the commonwealth is investing in projects that provide visible and measurable improvements to the environment despite the increasingly limited nature of the funds.

All told, the Governor said the state was awarding $14.1 million for 87 projects in 36 counties that would, among other things, plant more than 100 miles of riparian buffers, improve stream banks along nearly 30,000 feet of waterway, and treat hundreds of millions of gallons of acid mine drainage each year.

Additionally, the Governor said a portion of the projects are serving to educate the public, school children and farmers about good environmental stewardship and conservation practices. Those lessons, he added, will pay lifelong dividends.

DOE Announces up to $74 Million for Fuel Cell Research and Development

2010-12-23T08:08:00.001-08:00

WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. Department of Energy today announced it is accepting applications for a total of up to $74 million to support the research and development of clean, reliable fuel cells for stationary and transportation applications. The solicitations include up to $65 million over three years to fund continued research and development (R&D) on fuel cell components, such as catalysts and membrane electrode assemblies, with the goal of reducing costs, improving durability and increasing the efficiency of fuel cell systems. The funding also includes up to $9 million to conduct independent cost analyses that will assess the progress of the technology under current research initiatives and help guide future fuel cell and hydrogen storage R&D efforts. These awards will help support U.S. leadership in the emerging global fuel cell market, while limiting greenhouse gas emissions and reducing the country's reliance on fossil fuels.

Fuel cells use the chemical energy of hydrogen or other fuels to cleanly and efficiently produce electricity or heat with minimal byproducts, primarily water. They can produce power in large stationary systems such as buildings or for vehicles such as commercial forklifts, buses and automobiles.

The Department will be funding research and development initiatives related to fuel cell system balance-of-plant components, fuel processors, and fuel cell stack components such as catalysts and membranes, as well as innovative concepts for both low and high temperature systems to help meet commercial viability targets in terms of cost and performance. Applicants will likely include teams of university, industry and national laboratory participants.

Applications for the $65 million research and development program are due by March 3, 2011. Applications for the cost analysis solicitation are due on February 18, 2011. Funding for both programs are subject to congressional appropriations. More information and application requirements and instructions can be found at https://www.fedconnect.net/FedConnect/?doc=DE-FOA-0000360&agency=DOE.

The Fuel Cell Technologies Program has a comprehensive portfolio of activities that address the full range of barriers facing the development and deployment of hydrogen and fuel cells with the ultimate goals of decreasing our dependence on oil, reducing carbon emissions, and enabling clean, reliable power generation. For more information on the Fuel Cell Technologies Program, please visit www.eere.energy.gov/hydrogenandfuelcells/.

Environmental Workforce Job Training Grants

2010-12-20T05:56:00.001-08:00

Deadline: March 18, 2011
Est. number of awards: 13
Funding available: $13 million

While Environmental Workforce Development and Job Training Grants focus on hazardous and solid waste remediation and health and safety, including required core training in HAZWOPER, applicants may design their own curriculums by choosing what types of supplemental environmental training they want to provide.

This supplemental training must include the following three additional training courses: 1) innovative and alternative treatment technologies (e.g., the training in the preparation of sites for renewable energy installation, phytoremediation, etc.); 2) leaking underground storage tank prevention; and 3) training related to solid waste management, assessment, and/or cleanup (e.g., construction and demolition debris recycling, landfill closure, electronics recycling, etc.). As EPA encourages applicants to develop their curriculums based on hiring needs in the community and employer surveys, applicants may choose to deliver the three additional required training courses at varying degrees of “awareness.”

$184 M for vehicle technologies

2010-12-20T05:32:00.001-08:00

Washington, DC - U.S. Secretary of Energy Steven Chu announced the Department is accepting applications for up to $184 million over three to five years to accelerate the development and deployment of new efficient vehicle technologies that will reduce U.S. dependence on foreign oil, save drivers money, and limit carbon pollution. Projects will span the broad spectrum of technology approaches, including advanced materials, combustion research, hybrid electric systems, fleet efficiency, and fuels technology.

The Funding Opportunity Announcement addresses the development of key technologies required to achieve large scale adoption of advanced vehicles such as plug-in electric hybrids (PHEVs) and electric vehicles (EVs). Although the first of a new generation of electric drive vehicles is now entering the market, advancements in batteries, power electronics and lightweight materials are required to be fully competitive. In addition, extremely efficient vehicles utilizing improved combustion technologies, fuels, and waste heat recovery offer significant near-term improvements to conventional vehicles.

The Department is seeking applications from industry, laboratory and university teams to address our transportation challenges. The solicitation seeks to fill gaps in the existing program through the development of enabling technologies that will remove barriers and create new paradigms in vehicle design.

The Funding Opportunity Announcement released today focuses on eight approaches to improving vehicle efficiency:

Advanced fuels and lubricants: Improve today's vehicle fuels and lubricants to enable optimal performance of advanced combustion engines.
Light weighting materials: Accelerate commercial availability of lighter weight vehicles using advanced materials like magnesium and carbon fiber to dramatically reduce vehicle weight.
Multi-material light weight material prototype: Design, build, and test a light-weight vehicle that is 50 percent lighter than a baseline light-duty vehicle.
Advanced cells and design technology for electric drive batteries: Develop high energy or high power electric vehicles that significantly exceed existing state-of-the-art technologies in terms of performance and/or cost.
Advanced power electronics and electric motor technology: Develop the next generation of power inverters and electric motors to meet demanding performance targets while achieving significant reductions in cost.
Thermoelectric and enabling engine technology: Improve the efficiency of thermoelectric devices to convert engine waste heat to electricity. Develop early-stage enabling engine technologies to improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions.
Fleet efficiency: Develop and demonstrate fuel efficient tire and driver feedback technologies that will positively affect efficiency of the fleet of passenger cars and commercial vehicles.
Advanced vehicle testing and evaluation: Conduct laboratory and field evaluations of advanced technology vehicles and related infrastructure, while developing new or modified test procedures.

Applications for the solicitation are due February 28, 2011. Applications must be submitted through Grants.gov to be considered for awards. The Department of Energy expects to announce the selections by summer 2011.

Read more information on the Vehicle Technologies Program website.

$50 M for Solar Technologies

2010-12-20T05:30:00.000-08:00

Washington, DC - Energy Secretary Steven Chu today announced the Department's intent to fund up to $50 million to test and demonstrate innovative technologies that will lead to cost-competitive solar energy technologies. The demonstration program will be a critical link between the Department of Energy's advanced technology development programs and full-scale commercialization efforts. The Nevada National Security Site (NNSS) will serve as a proving ground for cutting-edge solar technologies, such as concentrating solar thermal power and concentrating photovoltaic energy, which can be used for utility applications in the Southwestern United States where there is an abundance of solar energy.

"This funding will allow the Department to further test advanced and innovative solar energy technologies in real-world conditions, providing critical data for companies and communities looking to invest in large-scale solar projects," said Secretary Chu. "The Solar Demonstration Zone in Nevada is part of an integrated effort to expand the solar energy industry, helping to put America on a path to a sustainable energy future and create the jobs of the 21st century economy."

The Department expects to announce the Funding Opportunity Announcement early next year. Potential technology applications include Concentrated Solar Power systems that use mirrors to reflect and concentrate sunlight on a heat absorbing fluid, convert it to steam, and ultimately generate electricity, as well as Concentrated Photovoltaic Power that uses lenses to concentrate sunlight to improve the efficiency of conventional photovoltaics. The demonstration projects as part of the Solar Demonstration Zone will be deployed at a large enough scale to provide useful operating and economic data for the eventual deployment of solar energy projects at utility-scale, which are typically grid-connected projects larger than 20 megawatts.

The Solar Demonstration Zone at the Nevada National Security Site will complement the Department of Interior's Bureau of Land Management's 24 Solar Energy Study Areas (SESAs) on public lands across the Southwest United States by providing essential data about the commercial viability of the most advanced solar technologies.

As part of DOE and the Department of Interior's continuing collaboration, the Departments are working together to implement this project, including conducting environmental reviews and coordinating necessary infrastructure planning for the site. Department of Energy funding for the project is dependent upon congressional appropriations. The full Notice of Intent is available on FedConnect.net by searching under Reference Number DE-FOA-0000233.

For more information on the Solar Energy Technologies Program and solar funding opportunities, please visit the Solar Program's website.

Lean more information on the BLM's renewable energy program.

Local companies receive Small Business Advantage grants

2010-12-16T12:38:00.000-08:00

Pennsylvania's Small Business Advantage program provides small businesses (those with fewer than 100 employees) with 50-percent matching reimbursement grants of up to $7,500 to implement projects that will save at least 20 percent annually in pollution prevention or energy-related costs. Since 2004, the Small Business Advantage Grant program has invested $6.7 million in 1,220 small businesses.

Examples of eligible projects include HVAC and boiler upgrades, high-efficiency lighting, solvent recovery and waste recycling systems, and auxiliary power units that help large trucks reduce time spent with idling engines.

Clarion County
C&A Trees Unlimited - $7,500 to purchase and install greenhouse energy curtain to conserve energy.

Crawford County
Cox and Kanyuck Electric LLC - $5,065 to purchase and install heating, ventilation and air conditioning upgrades to conserve energy.

Erie County
George Ko Industries Inc. - $7,500 for the purchase and installation of efficient process equipment to conserve energy and resources.

Molly Brannigans-Erie - $538 to purchase and install efficient lighting to conserve energy.

Erie East Market Inc. - $7,500 to purchase and install heating, ventilation and air conditioning upgrades to conserve energy.

Venango County
Chad M. Baker - $4,150 to purchase and install auxiliary power unit in long-haul truck to eliminate idling during layovers.

Schake Industries Inc. - $4,789 to purchase and install heating, ventilation and air conditioning upgrades to conserve energy.

Kapp Alloy & Wire Inc. - $7,500 to purchase and install heating, ventilation and air conditioning upgrades to conserve energy.

Klapec Auto Body - $7,500 to purchase and install heating, ventilation and air conditioning upgrades to conserve energy.

Superior Energy Performance Program

2010-12-13T05:36:00.000-08:00

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Energy announced the first industrial plants in the country to be certified under the Superior Energy Performance program -- a new, market-based industrial energy efficiency program. The energy management certification program is accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and will serve as a roadmap for industrial facilities to help continually improve their efficiency and maintain market competitiveness. The industrial and manufacturing sectors, which account for roughly one-third of energy use in the United States, include significant opportunities to improve the overall efficiency of their operations. By reducing the energy necessary for their industrial processes, companies can save money, save energy, and help create new clean energy jobs.

Along with support from DOE, the U.S. Council for Energy Efficient Manufacturing (U.S. CEEM) is leading the development of Superior Energy Performance to help make it possible for companies to conform to the upcoming International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 50001 energy management system standard. ISO, the world's largest developer and publisher of international standards, identified energy management as a priority due to the significant potential to save energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions worldwide. Based on broad applicability across national economic sectors, the ISO 50001 standard could eventually influence up to 60 percent of the world's energy demand.

The Superior Energy Performance will be well positioned to provide a transparent, globally accepted system for validating energy intensity performance improvement and management practices. Consistent with this goal, the program is already serving as the basis for the Global Superior Energy Performance initiative, a multi-country effort to create and harmonize nationally accredited energy performance certification programs. Together, these programs are expected to produce significant global energy and carbon savings.

Read more about the Superior Energy Performance program.

To learn more about industrial energy efficiency, visit DOE's Industrial Technologies Program website.

Green Jobs Conference

2010-12-13T05:33:00.000-08:00

The 2011 Good Jobs, Green Jobs National Conference will be held on February 8 - 10, 2011 in Washington, D.C. The 2011 Conference is a leading forum for sharing ideas and strategies for building a green economy that creates good jobs, reduces global warming and other environmental problems, and secures America's economic and environmental future.

Conference Agenda

Workshop Descriptions

Conference Webpage

Registration

TogetherGreen Grants

2010-12-13T05:22:00.000-08:00

[From Philanthropy News Digest]

The National Audubon Society has announced TogetherGreen Innovation Grants totaling nearly $1.1 million to forty-three projects in twenty-seven states.

Launched in 2008 with a five-year, $20 million grant from Toyota, the TogetherGreen program supports projects innvolving Audubon Society chapters and community-based organizations that are using innovative approaches and technologies to engage new and diverse audiences and tackle pressing conservation problems. Since its launch, the program has awarded more than $3.5 million in support of approximately one hundred and thirty environmental projects nationwide. For complete list of this year's winning projects, visit the TogetherGreen Innovation Grants program Web site.

“43 Environmental Projects Receive Togethergreen Innovation Grants.” National Audubon Society Press Release 12/09/10.

Energy Export Initiative

2010-12-09T06:30:00.000-08:00

WASHINGTON - U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu joined seven other U.S. Government agencies in launching the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Export Initiative, a coordinated effort to promote renewable energy and energy efficiency exports. In partnership with the Department of Commerce, the Department of Energy co-chairs the Trade Promotion Coordinating Committee Working Group of the federal agencies participating in the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Export Initiative.

While continuing to support trade missions, commercial advocacy, and industry outreach, DOE is also investing in instrumental market research and discovery that can help focus U.S. government resources for trade promotion. For example, DOE will identify U.S. manufactured energy efficiency products likely to be competitive in global markets, and in collaboration with U.S. trade associations, DOE will explore the creation of guides for foreign buyers listing technologies and services available from U.S. providers.

"Expanding U.S. clean technology exports is a critical step to ensuring America's economic competitiveness in the years ahead," said Secretary Chu. "The initiatives we are announcing today will provide us with a better understanding of the global clean energy marketplace and help boost U.S. exports."

The Initiative is the country's first-ever Federal government coordinated effort to support renewable energy and energy efficiency exports. Through the implementation of 23 interagency actions, the Initiative will facilitate a significant increase of renewable energy and energy efficiency exports during the next five years, helping to meet the goals of the National Export Initiative and President Obama's challenge to become the leading exporter of clean energy technologies.

The prospects for U.S. technology exports focusing on this industry are vast. More than 100 countries now have policies to encourage the deployment of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies. Many of these countries have substantial deployment targets that will drive demand for renewable energy and energy efficiency for years to come.

The Initiative was developed through the Trade Promotion Coordinating Committee (TPCC) Working Group on Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency, which includes representatives from the Departments of Commerce, Energy, State, and Agriculture, as well as the Export-Import Bank of the United States, the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency, and the Office of the United States Trade Representative.

The report is available for download on the Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency Exporter web portal.

Conservation Innovation Grant

2010-12-07T07:40:00.001-08:00

The purpose of CIG is to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies, while leveraging the Federal investment in environmental enhancement and protection in conjunction with agricultural production. CIG projects are expected to lead to the transfer of conservation technologies, management systems, and innovative approaches (such as market-based systems) into NRCS policy, technical manuals, guides, and references or to the private sector. CIG does not fund research projects. Projects intended to formulate hypothesis do not qualify. CIG is to apply proven technology which has been shown to work previously. It is a vehicle to stimulate the development and adoption of conservation approaches or technologies that have been studied sufficiently to indicate a likelihood of success, and to be candidates for eventual technology transfer or institutionalization. CIG promotes sharing of skills, knowledge, technologies, and facilities among communities, governments, and other institutions to ensure that scientific and technological developments are accessible to a wider range of users. CIG funds projects targeting innovative on-the-ground conservation, including pilot projects and field demonstrations.

NRCS Homepage

Environmental Engineering

2010-12-07T07:31:00.001-08:00

Expected Number of Awards: 44
Estimated Total Program Funding: $9,400,000
Award Floor: $300,000
In broadest terms, the field of Environmental Engineering is concerned with understanding the impacts of human activities on the public health, natural environmental quality, and natural resources and with developing the scientific basis for identifying, analyzing, solving, mitigating, or managing environmental problems caused by human activities.

The goal of this program is to encourage transformative research which applies scientific principles to minimize solid, liquid, and gaseous discharges into land, inland and coastal waters, and air that result from human activity, and to evaluate adverse impacts of these discharges on human health and environmental quality. The program fosters cutting-edge scientific research based on fundamental science for identifying, evaluating, and developing new methods and technologies for assessing the waste assimilative capacity of the natural environment and for removing or reducing conventional and emerging contaminants from polluted air, water and soils.

NSF Program Desccription 11-1440

Environmental Sustainability

2010-12-07T06:55:00.000-08:00

This program supports engineering research that seeks to balance society's need to provide ecological protection and maintain stable economic conditions. There are four principal general research areas which are supported, but others can be proposed: * Industrial Ecology * Green Engineering * Ecological Engineering * Earth Systems

All proposed research should be driven by engineering principles, and be presented explicitly in an environmental sustainability context. Proposals should include involvement in engineering research of at least one graduate student, as well as undergraduates. Incorporation of aspects of social, behavioral, and economic sciences is welcomed.The duration of unsolicited awards is generally one to three years. The average annual award size for the program is $100,000. Any proposal received outside the announced dates will be returned without review.The duration of CAREER awards is five years. The submission deadline for Engineering CAREER proposals is in July every year. Please see the following URL for more information: http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2008/nsf08051/nsf08051.jsp.Proposals for Conferences, Workshops, and Supplements may be submitted at any time, but must be discussed with the program director before submission.Grants for Rapid Response Research (RAPID) and EArly-concept Grants for Exploratory Research (EAGER) replace the SGER program. Please note that proposals of these types must be discussed with the program director before submission. Further details are available in the PAPPG download, available below. Please refer to the Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide (PAPPG), January 2009, (NSF 09-1) when you prepare your proposal.

NSF Program Description 09-7643

PA Green Energy Works! Wind

2010-11-08T05:37:00.000-08:00

REMINDER: Green Energy Works applications due in December

PA Green Energy Works! Wind is a one-time competitive grant program. Projects will be
competitively reviewed and evaluated based on criteria outlined in the Application Evaluation
Criteria section of this guidance document. DEP reserves the right to decline applications based
on technical deficiencies, lack of financial assurance, or other reasons impacting the eligibility of
the project at the discretion of the agency. Work funded under this grant must be completed prior to April 30, 2012. Applicants must certify in their application a project schedule in accordance with these time constraints.

Eligible applicants include
• Business – corporations, partnerships, sole proprietorship, limited liability company, business
trust, or other legal business entities
• Non-Profit Corporations – Incorporated not for profit organizations that maintain 501(c)(3)
status with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service and is that is also registered with the PA Bureau
of Charitable Organizations
• Universities – Colleges or Universities located within Pennsylvania
• An Economic Development Organization – a nonprofit corporation or association whose
purpose is the enhancement of economic conditions in their community.
• A Political Subdivision – A Pennsylvania municipality or county
• A Municipal Electric Utility
• A Municipal Authority

Eligible Wind projects include, but are not limited to
• Purchase and installation of equipment used to produce wind generated energy for projects of
at least 3 MW of nameplate capacity.
• Purchase and installation of equipment used to distribute energy, including interconnection
costs and network upgrades, from a wind energy project of at least 3 MW of nameplate
capacity.

$80M Research Center

2010-11-01T06:12:00.001-07:00

[From Philanthropy News Digest]

David and Patricia Atkinson have pledged $80 million to Cornell University to endow the David R. Atkinson Center for a Sustainable Future, a research center created in 2007 to study problems related to energy, the environment, and economic development, the Wall Street Journal reports.

"The environment, energy, and economic development are heavily interrelated; problems of sustainability can only be addressed with a multidisciplinary approach," said David Atkinson, who retired in 1992 as general partner of Philadelphia-based investment counseling firm Miller, Anderson, & Sherrerd LLP. "As the pressures of rapid population growth take hold, to avoid a crisis it's important to address issues of sustainability preemptively."

To that end, Atkinson initially funded the center as a pilot program that brought together 220 faculty fellows from 55 departments to engage in research and participate in dozens of topical discussions and forums. Through a fund it created, the center has awarded $7 million to engineers, chemists, and professors working on a range of projects, including the creation of solar capture technologies and methods of converting algae into biofuel. Recipients of that funding have been able to obtain an additional $55 million from outside funders.

"Mr. Atkinson's approach to the center follows the true scientific method: testing a hypothesis with a pilot grant, showing a substantial return, and increasing the funding," said Cornell president David Skorton. "This is truly active philanthropy."

“Record Gift to Cornell to Fund Research.” Wall Street Journal 10/28/10.

Energy efficiency retrofits

2010-10-28T08:03:00.000-07:00

[From Philanthropy News Digest] The Doris Duke Charitable Foundation has announced $2.7 million in grants through a national competition designed to support replicable approaches for increasing the number and depth of energy efficiency retrofits in existing buildings.

Nine organizations were awarded grants ranging from $135,269 to $350,000 to address barriers that prevent building owners, property mangers, leaders, and investors from undertaking and financing retrofits in residential and commercial buildings, including the "split incentive" problem in which tenants rather than landlords benefit from energy-efficiency improvements financed by property owners as well as a lack of capital for upfront costs. To address these and other barriers, recipients will work to develop and test a range of financing models, marketing strategies, and tools for assessing energy use and retrofit options.

Buildings account for roughly 40 percent of the nation's energy use and represent the single largest source of carbon dioxide emissions. Despite the potential for significant energy savings and financial benefits, numerous barriers impede energy efficiency retrofits in both the residential and commercial real estate sectors.

In addition, DDCF recently awarded grants of $600,000 and $550,000 to the Natural Resources Defense Council and New Buildings Institute, respectively, to address barriers to energy-efficiency retrofits in the commercial real estate sector through its Environment program. The recent grants bring the total amount awarded by DDCF in 2010 for improving energy efficiency in buildings to $3.8 million.

For a complete list of Environment Program grants made by the foundation, visit the DDCF Web site.

“Hundreds of Nonprofits Respond to National Competition Soliciting Scalable Ideas for Propelling Energy Efficiency Retrofits of Buildings Across U.S.” Doris Duke Charitable Foundation Press Release 10/25/10.

October 28 Webinar: Green Jobs Training - Funding, Implementing, and Collaborating

2010-10-28T08:02:00.001-07:00

Oct 25, 2010

The U.S. Department of Labor's Women's Bureau has held a series of webinars designed for the workforce community, designed to offer information and an exchange of ideas to better connect women with green jobs and green jobs training. This area of workforce development is an important part of preparing our nation to be competitive in the new economy. The teleconferences have been geared towards workforce professionals, career advisors, and educators, although interested women are welcome to participate as well.

The seventh and final teleconference in this series, "Green Jobs Training: Funding, Implementing, and Collaborating" will take place on October 28, 2010, from 2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. EDT.

During this concluding teleconference, the speakers will present strategies for partnering and leveraging resources to build capacity and support for green jobs training programs, as well as tips on designing and delivering an effective program. In addition, there will be a review of federal funds invested in promoting green economy growth and green jobs.

Speakers include:

Sara Manzano-Díaz, Women's Bureau, Director
Tiffany Bluemle, Vermont Works for Women, Executive Director
Teresa Kittridge, Minnesota Renewable Energy Marketplace, Executive Director
Representative of U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration

Participation is limited, so please register early! Please visit the Women's Bureau website for more information or register here.

SEED Center Update

2010-10-22T03:11:00.001-07:00

The American Association of Community Colleges has passed along this update for the workforce community on the Sustainability Education & Economic Development (SEED) initiative and resource center.

Women in Green Jobs Teleconference

2010-10-22T02:56:00.000-07:00

DOL's Women's Bureau will host a teleconference focusing on developing green jobs training programs at 2 p.m. on Thursday, October 28, the final in a series of seven teleconferences designed to provide workforce professionals, educators, career advisors and others with ideas on how to better connect women with green jobs. Speakers from the Women's Bureau, Vermont Works for Women, Minnesota Renewable Energy Marketplace and the department's Employment and Training Administration will present strategies on leveraging resources for green jobs training, as well as tips on designing an effective program. In addition, there will be a review of federal funds invested in promoting green economy growth and green jobs.

Learn More About the Teleconference

Science to Achieve Results Fellowships

2010-09-13T05:28:00.001-07:00

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as part of its Science to Achieve Results (STAR) program, is offering Graduate Fellowships for master’s and doctoral level students in environmental fields of study. The deadline is November 5, 2010 at 4:00 PM for receipt of paper applications, and November 5, 2010 at 11:59:59 PM ET for submittal of electronic applications to Grants.gov. Subject to availability of funding, the Agency plans to award approximately 105 new fellowships by June 30, 2011. Master's level students may receive support for a maximum of two years. Doctoral students may be supported for a maximum of three years, usable over a period of five years. The fellowship program provides up to $42,000 per year of support per fellowship.

Fall 2011 EPA Science To Achieve Results (STAR) Fellowships For Graduate Environmental Study

DEP Announces Coastal Zone Management Grants to Protect, Preserve Pennsylvania’s Shorelines

2010-09-13T05:03:00.000-07:00

HARRISBURG -- Organizations that work to protect and preserve Pennsylvania’s coastal zones along Lake Erie and the Delaware Estuary will benefit from $1.4 million in Coastal Zone Management Grants that were announced by Environmental Protection Secretary John Hanger.

The annual grants, largely funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, were awarded to 30 non-profit organizations and governmental agencies in counties that border Pennsylvania’s coastal zones or have a direct impact on water quality in those areas.

The Lake Erie coastal zone is located within Erie County and includes the shorelines of major tributaries. The zone extends to the middle of the lake, to the boundary with Canada and inland 900 feet within the city of Erie.
Since 2003, the Pennsylvania Coastal Resource Management Program has provided more than $8.7 million in funding for coastal zone projects.

Applications for the next round of Coastal Zone Management Grants will be accepted until October 15, 2010. Nonprofit groups, educational institutions, local governments and authorities, and state agencies are eligible to apply.

For more information, visit www.depweb.state.pa.us, keyword: Coastal Zone.

Erie County
• Asbury Woods Nature Center and Millcreek Township School District - $49,347 to conduct the Leadership in Watershed Education program that develops curriculum and projects for middle school children regarding the importance of coastal watershed conservation.
• Audubon Pennsylvania - $46,000 for the third phase of a study that will research coastal habitat significance of migratory song birds in the Lake Erie Coastal Zone, conduct bird banding during migration periods and report findings to key state agencies on critical habitat and bird populations.
• Earth Action - $45,000 to continue and extend the Earth Action program with a focus on preventing pollution from nonpoint sources, urban runoff and pharmaceutical disposal.
• Erie County Conservation District - $25,000 to implement and track the Coastal Non-Point Pollution Program management measures.
• Erie County Department of Planning - $65,000 for Lake Erie Coastal Zone projects coordination and technical assistance.
• Erie County Department of Planning - $9,000 to assist Lake Erie coastal communities in administering the Bluff Recession and Setback Act of 1980. Nine municipalities have been designated as having bluff recession hazard areas and are required to administer bluff setback ordinances.
• Erie County Department of Public Safety - $4,127 to purchase a dedicated equipment trailer to be employed in emergency situations that threaten vital coastal resources.
• Erie Downtown Partnership - $13,500 to continue building and implementing a program intended to help reduce litter and its impacts on the coastal resources of Lake Erie.
• Erie Times-News In Education, Inc. - $34,680 for a recurring Newspaper In Education weekly page focusing on coastal zone environmental issues.
• Erie-Western PA Port Authority - $75,000 to construct a public fishing pier in Presque Isle Bay located in Liberty Park.
• Northwest Tri-County Unit - $13,543 to operate the Regional Summer School of Excellence program titled “Investigating and Researching Environmental Health Problems.”
• Regional Science Consortium - $43,896 to evaluate historical shoal spawning locations along the Lake Erie coastline, as part of an effort to determine if the habitat can sustain lake sturgeon spawning.
• Regional Science Consortium - $49,946 to evaluate research partitioning habitats between non-game native benthic Lake Erie stream fishes to determine whether Round Gobies are causing detrimental effects on native fish habitat.

Environmental Workforce Development and Job Training Grants Program

2010-09-02T05:10:00.001-07:00

Section 104(k)(5)(A)(iii) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to publish guidance to assist applicants in preparing proposals/applications for grants to provide environmental training to facilitate the management, assessment, and cleanup of sites contaminated by solid and hazardous waste.

EPA's Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response (OSWER) provides funds to empower States, communities, Tribes and nonprofits to prevent, inventory, assess, clean up and reuse sites where real or perceived contamination exists and does so by working through OSWER's Office of Brownfields and Land Revitalization (OBLR); Office of Resource Conservation and Recovery; Office of Superfund Remediation and Technology Innovation; Office of Underground Storage Tanks; Federal Facilities Restoration and Reuse Office; Center for Program Analysis; the Innovations, Partnerships, and Communication Office; and Office of Emergency Management.

In 2010, OBLR undertook an effort to more closely collaborate on workforce development and job training with other programs within OSWER to develop a job training cooperative agreement opportunity that includes expanded training in other environmental media outside the traditional scope of just brownfields.

As a result of this collaboration, the former "Brownfields Job Training Grants Program" was expanded and will now be referred to as the "Environmental Workforce Development and Job Training (EWDJT) Grants Program."

Through a notice in the September 1, 2010 FEDERAL REGISTER, EPA is soliciting comments on the new FY 2011 Application Guidelines proposed for the Program.

Comments will be accepted through September 13, 2010. EPA expects to release a Request for Applications (RFA) based on these revised application guidelines in October 2010 with an anticipated deadline for submission of applications in January 2011.

The draft application guidelines/RFA can be downloaded at http://www.epa.gov/brownfields/. If you do not have Internet access and require hard copies of the draft guidelines, please contact Joseph Bruss at (202) 566-2772. Please send any comments to Joseph Bruss no later than September 13, 2010.

Department of Energy Extends Renewable Energy Loan Guarantee Solicitation

2010-08-24T09:10:00.000-07:00

WASHINGTON, DC - Secretary Steven Chu announced that the Department of Energy is extending the application deadline for the July 2009 energy efficiency, renewable energy and advanced transmission and distribution technologies solicitation. The Round 8, Part 1 application deadline is October 5, 2010. This gives companies an additional six weeks to apply for a loan guarantee under Section 1703, and if qualified, under Section 1705, provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Round 8 is intended to give companies additional time to develop and submit Part I applications. The Round 8 Part II application deadline is December 31, 2010. The application deadline of August 24, 2010 for Round 7 Part I applications remains the same.

For more information on this program, please visit the Loan Guarantee Program Office.

Disney Conservation Fund

2010-08-13T10:31:00.000-07:00

[From Philanthropy News Digest] Part of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Worldwide, the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund manages an annual cash awards program to support efforts to study and protect the world's wildlife and ecosystems that also involve community participation and address human needs. Over the past decade, DWCF has provided a total of more than $15 million for the study of wildlife, protection of habitats, land management plans, community conservation, and education. Along with a focus on species and habitat conservation science, DWCF encourages programs that engage local residents and benefit both human and animal communities.

The fund's interests are in furthering the support of established conservation programs — particularly those long-term in nature — that contain a strong in situ component (scientific field studies); promote education, awareness, and training in country (education programs); and demonstrate a marked benefit to in-country participants, habitats, and species by working with local communities, regional/national non-governmental organizations, and government agencies that directly impact the initiative.

While the fund encourages global projects, it directs funding only to organizations that have U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofit status. Non-governmental organizations outside the U.S. can apply in partnership with a U.S. organization. Funding requests of up to $25,000 each are allowed, but the grantee's overall budget may be larger and incorporate several financial partners.

Application is by invitation only. Emails of inquiry are accepted on an ongoing basis. The fund recommends that inquiries be submitted no later than January 1, 2011 to be considered for an invitation to apply. Invited applications will be due by January 25, 2011. Visit the fund Web site for program guidelines and procedures.

Green Jobs Award / Capital Access Program

2010-07-29T10:29:00.000-07:00

[From Green For All website] Green For All has partnered with SJF Advisory Services to launch the inaugural Green Jobs Award. The goal of this Award is to identify, recognize, and promote private companies that are leaders in creating quality green jobs. By honoring private businesses that contribute to both the economy and the environment, we aim to accelerate best practices in sustainable business, including creating an industry-standard definition for the term "green job."

If you own a profitable green business, please apply now! Not only will winners be recognized through a variety of media outlets, they will also be rewarded with free professional services.

We are also pleased to announce the formation of a Capital Access Program Twitter feed. This feed will focus exclusively on providing the type of information the green business community needs.

Tweets from http://twitter.com/greenforallBiz will have links to informative articles, updates on relevant policies, notifications about useful events, and tips on how to grow a sustainable enterprise. If you have a Twitter account and care about green business issues, please consider following us!

Best,
Nick Flores
Program Manager, Capital Access Program

Market-based energy efficiency grants

2010-07-16T06:38:00.000-07:00

The Climate Protection Partnerships Division seeks proposals from eligible entities to advance national, regional, state, and local energy efficiency programming by utilizing market-based approaches to program design and delivery by fostering information exchange on policies that are supportive of these approaches. Proposals must demonstrate the potential to create a sustainable change in the market for energy efficient products, services, and best practices. Proposed activities must address, but are not limited to, one or more of the following objectives:
Improving energy performance in the residential and commercial/government market through increased use of high-efficiency products;
Increasing supply/market share for high efficiency products through retail, internet sales (e-tail), and other sales outlets;
Delivering improved energy performance to existing commercial buildings (e.g., offices, schools, hotels, hospitals, supermarkets, datacenters, etc.) through technology or practice;
Promoting improved energy performance in the commercial new construction market;
Promote CHP as clean distributed generation in developing state and local energy and environmental strategies;
CHP’s inclusion in energy performance measurement and rating systems to demonstrate with robust measurement and verification, CHP’s contribution as an energy efficiency measure and its capacity to reduce GHG emissions, and;
Providing information and technical assistance at the state or regional level about policies and programs that have been effective in maximizing energy savings and GHG emission reductions within the utility sector.

Small Biz & Energy grants

2010-07-16T06:37:00.001-07:00

Washington, DC- U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced today that $30 million in funding from the Recovery Act and FY 2010 budget appropriations will be made available to qualified small businesses to support the commercialization of promising new technologies. Today's funding announcement builds on the Department's existing efforts under the Small Business Innovation Research program (SBIR) and the Small Business Technology Transfer program (STTR) to develop near-term clean energy technologies and support American small businesses that will play an important role in building the clean energy economy of the future. This is the first time DOE has offered Phase III awards under these small business programs.

Small companies previously awarded Phase II grants through DOE's Small Business Innovation Research program (SBIR) or the Small Business Technology Transfer program (STTR) are eligible. Projects that include developed technologies with a strong potential for commercialization and impact on U.S. manufacturing and job creation are encouraged to apply. Successful applicants may receive up to $3 million over 3 years to research, develop and deploy new technologies.

Applications are currently being accepted for the following technology areas of interest:

Biomass Technologies; Buildings Technologies; Fuel Cell Technologies; Geothermal Technologies - High Temperature Tools and Sensors; Industrial Technologies; Solar Technologies - Lowering the Cost of Photovoltaics through Innovative Augmentation;
Vehicle Technologies; Wind Technologies; Fossil Energy; Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability; and Nuclear Energy.

The deadline for submission of applications is August 4, 2010, at 8:00 p.m. EST.
For more information about the DOE FY 2010 Phase III Xlerator Program please visit the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.

Early Career Research Program

2010-07-02T13:24:00.000-07:00

The Office of Science of the Department of Energy hereby invites grant applications for support under the Early Career Research Program in the following program areas: Advanced Scientific Computing Research (ASCR); Biological and Environmental Research (BER); Basic Energy Sciences (BES), Fusion Energy Sciences (FES); High Energy Physics (HEP), and Nuclear Physics (NP). The purpose of this program is to support the development of individual research programs of outstanding scientists early in their careers and to stimulate research careers in the areas supported by the DOE Office of Science.

Expected Number of Awards: 50
Estimated Total Program Funding: $6,000,000
Deadline: Nov. 9, 2010

Request for Information - Solutions for Wind Energy Workforce Development

2010-06-30T06:10:00.000-07:00

The DOE is requesting input from the public to identify the most significant barriers to the development of the future wind energy workforce, and to identify innovative solutions for developing that workforce by providing future workers with the education and skills necessary to join the wind energy industry. Comments due by July 30, 2010.

Center for Energy Workforce Development

2010-06-28T07:23:00.000-07:00

The Center has released this interesting evaluation toolkit that examines ways to measure performance of energy workforce development...

Solar research grants

2010-06-28T06:19:00.000-07:00

[From Philanthropy News Digest] The Tucson-based Research Corporation for Science Advancement has announced three-year grants totaling more than $1.3 million to thirteen early career academic researchers working on projects related to solar energy.

The grants are the first made through RCSA's Scialog initiative, a multiyear program designed to accelerate science by funding early career scientists pursuing transformative research on crucial issues of scientific inquiry. This year, the initiative focused on solar energy because of the economic and national security implications associated with a reliable, domestic, and renewable energy supply. The initial grants also were aimed at supporting research with the potential for rapid translational application and development by the private sector, in the hope that federal and private funding will follow suit.

“Scialog Grants for Solar Energy Conversion Awarded to Researchers at 11 Universities.” Research Corporation for Science Advancement Press Release 6/17/10.

Youth Outdoor Employment

2010-06-28T05:59:00.001-07:00

NEW YORK — Leaders from the U.S. Departments of Labor, Interior and Agriculture joined in New York City at the Outdoor Nation Youth Summit on June 20 to announce the launch of a $20 million federal grant opportunity and implementation of an initiative designed to help disadvantaged youth prepare for jobs in the outdoors. Through a national grant competition, funds will be awarded to enable ex-offenders ages 18 to 24 to give back to their communities through service and conservation work, while simultaneously acquiring solid employment skills. The grant competition is scheduled to begin in the fall of 2010.

The program was unveiled by Assistant Secretary Jane Oates of the U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration; the U.S. Department of the Interior's Assistant Secretary for Policy, Management and Budget Rhea Suh; and U.S. Department of Agriculture Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment Harris Sherman. At the Outdoor Nation Youth Summit, administration officials conducted two "listening sessions" with the 500 youth participants in the event to hear their perspectives on the president's America's Great Outdoors Initiative and the challenges and opportunities for youth engaging in outdoor activities and pursuing employment in green jobs.

"This multi-agency partnership will allow disadvantaged youth to prepare for lucrative green jobs and outdoor careers, including federal employment with public land management agencies," said Oates. "Our joint initiative also will provide support for meaningful service projects on public lands currently experiencing a backlog."

Prior to the grant competition, the three agencies will begin their partnership by implementing a pilot program this summer to increase outdoor employment opportunities for youth. The pilot will target local workforce areas to place youth in Youth Conservation Corps and other summer employment opportunities on public lands. Some of those opportunities will include working at national parks and forests, conservation areas, historic sites and tribal lands.

The partnership provides bureaus at the Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture with the ability to engage youth looking to work and learn about outdoor occupations. At the same time, local workforce areas are provided with expanded support for their worksites where youth can receive work experience, supervision and an education about natural resources, conservation and becoming good stewards of public lands and resources. For more information on Department of Labor training programs, visit http://www.doleta.gov.

Weatherization

2010-06-28T05:52:00.001-07:00

Pennsylvanians are invited to offer feedback on proposed changes to the state’s weatherization program intended to better serve the public and help residents lower their energy bills, the Department of Community and Economic Development said today. Learn more. View plan changes.

Energy Efficiency Summer Study

2010-05-05T05:27:00.000-07:00

ACEEE is proud to announce that Scholarship applications for the Summer Study on Energy Efficiency in Buildings are now open and may be submitted online! The Student Scholarship award to the 2010 ACEEE Summer Study will pay for the conference registration fee, housing and meals, and a portion of transportation costs. To be eligible, the applicant must be an undergraduate or graduate student in an accredited college or university whose course work is related to energy/energy efficiency, climate change, environmental science, or a related field of study, and who is considering a career in energy/energy efficiency. The Student Scholarship to Summer Study is supported by ICF International and ACEEE staff.

The Scholarships will be chosen by the ACEEE Scholarship Committee. Please complete the application form below by June 2, 2010.

Students selected as finalists will be asked to send proof of Student Identification or university/college transcripts during the period of June 16-23, 2010. Notification letters about the status of your Scholarship Application will also be sent the week of June 16-23, 2010. The 2010 ACEEE Student Scholarship winners will be notified by July 1, 2010.

Energy Efficiency in Buildings awards

2010-04-19T10:50:00.001-07:00

ACEEE is proud to announce that nominations for the Champions of Energy Efficiency in Buildings awards are now open and may be submitted online! The awards will be presented at the 2010 ACEEE Summer Study on Energy Efficiency in Buildings and will recognize leadership and accomplishment in the energy efficiency field. Winners will be selected based on demonstrated excellence in the following categories:

Nominations will be made by peers and the final awards will be chosen by the ACEEE Board of Directors Awards Committee.The 2010 Champions awards will be presented at the 2010 ACEEE Summer Study on Energy Efficiency in Buildings in Pacific Grove, California scheduled for August 15-20, 2010 at the Asilomar Conference Center. The "Buildings" Summer Study is the preeminent energy efficiency conference, and draws leading academics, energy efficiency professionals, government representatives, researchers, advocates for energy efficiency, and policymakers.

Please complete the nomination form below by June 1, 2010. We value your input and appreciate you taking the time to nominate the best leaders in our community. Notification letters about the status of your Award nomination will be sent the week of July 19-23, 2010.

Conservation Innovation Grants

2010-04-18T08:52:00.000-07:00

Kohl's Commits $2 Million to Nonprofits Through National Volunteers Go Green Event

2010-04-12T05:47:00.000-07:00

[From Philanthropy News Digest] Wisconsin-based Kohl's Department Stores has announced that it will award $2 million to nonprofits around the country through its A-Team employee volunteer program.

In recognition of both National Volunteer Week and the fortieth anniversary of Earth Day, the Kohl's National Volunteers Go Green (NVGG) event will elist the participation of tens of thousands of Kohl's employees in environmentally focused activities at youth-serving nonprofits. Activities will include working with the Urban Ecology Center to clean up Riverside Park in Milwaukee, participating in the Creek to Bay Clean Up in San Diego, and cleaning up Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle.

Since 2001, some 248,000 Kohl's employees have volunteered more than 828,000 hours at nearly 40,000 events through the A-Team program, with more than $21 million awarded to local nonprofits.

"Kohl's associates are giving back and going green, continuing the company's steadfast commitment to environmental leadership and volunteerism nationwide," said Julie Gardner, Kohl's executive vice president and chief marketing officer. "Serving our communities is part of who we are at Kohl's, and as National Volunteer Week and the fortieth anniversary of Earth Day approach, our associates will be out in force across the country making a meaningful difference for kids, furthering environmental progress, and having a powerful financial impact on local organizations."

“Kohl's Department Stores Announces Nationwide Volunteer Event, Will Give $2 Million to Local Nonprofits in Celebration of National Volunteer Week and Earth Day.” Kohl's Department Stores Press Release 4/06/10.

Strengthening Building Retrofit Markets

2010-04-12T05:44:00.000-07:00

The Department of Energy (DOE) National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), on behalf of the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy's (EERE's) State Energy Program (SEP), is seeking applications to advance policies, programs, and market strategies that accelerate job creation and reduce energy bills, while achieving energy and climate security for the nation. This competitive announcement allows States to complete for funding designed to meet EERE nationally focused initiatives for the fundamental and permanent transformations of markets across all sectors of our economy. The two Areas of Interest are as follows: Area of Interest 1: Strengthening Building Retrofit Markets - this Area of Interest will assist states in developing approaches for retrofitting buildings in the nation's residential and commercial sectors. Area of Interest 2: Stimulating Energy Efficiency Action - this Area of Interest will assist states in generating the necessary policy and program frameworks to support investment in cost-effective energy efficiency for the long-term.

Expected Number of Awards:	18
Estimated Total Program Funding:	$28,000,000

Full announcement: https://www.fedconnect.net/

Conservation Innovation Grants

2010-04-09T10:48:00.000-07:00

Expected Number of Awards:	60
Estimated Total Program Funding:	$25,000,000
Award Ceiling:	$1,000,000

Green Sector job training grant: State AGA

2010-03-30T05:13:00.000-07:00

The Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry is seeking applications for $4.6 million in grants from education and training providers interested in helping to create green, regionally-focused training opportunities for unemployed, underemployed, and dislocated workers including: individuals on public assistance; at-risk youth; ex-offenders; individuals with disabilities; veterans/ and individuals with limited English proficiency. The funding is provided through a competitive grant received by the commonwealth through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Applications are due by April 28.

Successful applicants’ proposals will complement the department’s current workforce training and economic recovery efforts in the green sector. They include apprenticeship programs; on-the-job training; advanced skills training for the current workforce; basic skill training; curriculum development; and customized training. For information on the Northwest PA Regional Green Team, contact Nick Hoffman of the Regional Center for Workforce Excellence at nhoffman@nwpawib.org or 814-333-1286 xt. 115.

Guidelines and more information about these grants are available at www.paworkforce.state.pa.us. Click “Recovery Act Workforce Information” in the left navigation area, then click “Workforce Development Grants.” Answers to frequently asked questions will be available at that site three business days after they are received. For more information about how the commonwealth is using federal Recovery Act funds to help Pennsylvania residents and businesses, visit: www.recovery.pa.gov.

Green / Energy

RSF Social Finance Seed Fund

Together Green Grants

EcoStar Grant program

DEP Announces Regional ISO 50001 Energy Management Systems Workshops

GE supports energy efficient buildings

Girl Scouts Go Green

Youth Environment Grants

Great Lakes Restoration Initiative

Small biz pollution prevention grant

2012 Environmental Education Grants Program; Application Announcement

P-3 grants

Link to Full Announcement

Green Action Plan Series

Science Fellowships for Graduate Environmental Study

Description

Link to Full Announcement

Small Business Advantage Grant

[Pa.B. Doc. No. 11-1561. Filed for public inspection September 9, 2011, 9:00 a.m.]

Fall 2012 EPA Greater Research Opportunities (GRO) Fellowships For Undergraduate Environmental Study

Link to Full Announcement

NSF Science, Engineering and Education for Sustainability Fellows

Fall 2012 EPA Greater Research Opportunities (GRO) Fellowships For Undergraduate Environmental Study

Link to Full Announcement

Walton Family Foundation pledged $71.8M

Clean water funding announced for PA

Department of Energy Announces Funding for Nationwide Student-Focused Clean Energy Business Competitions

DEP Seeks Applications for Watershed Protection, Surface Mining Conservation and Reclamation Project Funding

Conferences, Outreach, and Networking For New Energy Communities and Technologies (CONNECT)

FOA Documents

Sustainability Training grants

Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Programs; Public Meeting on Federal Fiscal Year 2011 Intended Use Plans

Innovative Manufacturing Processes

Centers for Chemical Innovation

Description

Link to Full Announcement

Water systems for rural areas

Link to Full Announcement

Alternative Fuels

New Energy programs announced

EPA's new strategic agenda

DEP Awards Grants to Promote Environmental Education, Stewardship, Renewable Energy

Alternative Fuel Transportation Projects Grant Opportunity

Alternative Fuels Incentive Grant Program; Program Opportunity

[41 Pa.B. 1970][Saturday, April 9, 2011]

[Pa.B. Doc. No. 11-611. Filed for public inspection April 8, 2011, 9:00 a.m.]

New Department of Energy Programs

America's Next Top Energy Innovator Challenge

Great Lakes Restoration

Link to Full Announcement

Green space / garden grants

Pollution Prevention Information Network (PPIN) Grants Program

Deadline: May 9, 2011

Description

Link to Full Announcement

Postdoctoral Fellowships Program

i6 Green

Description

Link to Full Announcement

Clean Energy Workforce Education Conference

Acres for America

Nature of Learning

PA 2011 Conservation Innovation Grants

Pennsylvania State Clean Diesel Grant Program; Grant Application Acceptance Period

[41 Pa.B. 908][Saturday, February 12, 2011]

Technical Assistance to Build More Sustainable Communities

Link to Full Announcement

Energy Innovation Portal

Energy Funding without NOFAs

Rep. Glenn Thompson's statement on President's upcoming visit to Penn State

Environmental Justice Small Grants Program

Description

Link to Full Announcement

Departments of Energy and Commerce Announce New Partnership to Further Cooperation on Renewable Energy Modeling and Forecasting

Five Star Program

Sustainable Forestry Initiative

TogetherGreen grants

Dept. of Energy Hosting Free Wind Power Webinars

Marcellus Environmental Fund of Western PA

Energy Efficiency tax incentives

[41 Pa.B. 1970]
[Saturday, April 9, 2011]

[41 Pa.B. 908]
[Saturday, February 12, 2011]