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.]