Girl Scouts Go Green

[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

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

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

 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

[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

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 � 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. 

Link to Full Announcement

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

Green Action Plan Series

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

Description

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 master�s 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. 

Link to Full Announcement

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

Small Business Advantage Grant

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

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.

Link to Full Announcement

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

NSF Science, Engineering and Education for Sustainability Fellows

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

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.

Link to Full Announcement

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

[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

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

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

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)

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

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

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

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

Description

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.

Link to Full Announcement

NSF Publication 11-552

Water systems for rural areas

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.

Link to Full Announcement

Website for Water and Environmental Programs

Alternative Fuels

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

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

"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

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

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

[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

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

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:"

1. 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.
2. Any of the 15,000 unlicensed patents and patent applications held by the National Laboratories will be available for licensing by startup companies
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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

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.

Link to Full Announcement

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

Green space / garden grants

[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

Deadline: May 9, 2011

Description

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.

Link to Full Announcement

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

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

Description

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.

Link to Full Announcement

i6 Green FFO Announcement link

Clean Energy Workforce Education Conference

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.

Bringing the promise of clean technologies to market starts with a qualified workforce. Training opportunities have proliferated over the last few years and now we have the opportunity to take a hard look at what instructional strategies and curricula have worked best and what still needs to be done.

Conference speakers will look at industry competencies and how they need to be built to insure a flexible workforce with transportable skills; how to balance classroom and field experiences; introducing clean energy technologies and careers to high school students; integrating new clean energy skills into existing trade programs; and what labor market studies are telling us. This will be a fast-paced conference covering many critical and emerging issues.

On March 8, 2011 a series of technical, hard-to-find, and thought-provoking workshops will be held. The Conference will be on March 9 and 10 with over 80 presentations (*)

If you are involved with training the clean energy workforce or planning to, this is an event you don't want to miss.

The special conference hotel rate of $128/night (single/double) is available until February 18, 2011.

Conference Program (Plenary Sessions and Workshops)

Registration Brochure

Acres for America

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

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

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

[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

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.

Link to Full Announcement

Technical Assistance to Build More Sustainable Communities