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Envirobytes - An Environmental Newsletter
EnviroBytes, a Summary of Issues and Events for Weeks Ending December 19, 2008 and December 26, 2008
EPA TO AWARD $3 MILLION IN "CARE" GRANTS FOR COMMUNITIES TO REDUCE POLLUTION; PROPOSALS DUE BY MARCH 16
EPA has announced the availability of $3 million through CARE grants (Community Action for Renewed Environment program grants) for 2009. This competitive grant program gives local communities a way to organize and take action to reduce the toxic pollutants they face and funding to help address these risks. Grant proposals must be submitted electronically via www.grants.gov by March 16, 2009, 11:59 p.m., EST. To apply, visit www.epa.gov/care To learn more about the CARE program, go to http://www.epa.gov/care/basic.htm#Description
JANUARY IS RADON ACTION MONTH
January is National Radon Action Month. You can't see, smell, or taste radon, even though it may be present at dangerous levels in some homes, stands as the leading cause of lung cancer deaths among the nation's nonsmokers and claims the lives of about 20,000 Americans each year. Also, lung cancer has surpassed breast cancer as the number one cause of death among women. Radon exposure is preventable, so test your home during National Radon Action Month. For more information, go to http://www.epa.gov/radon/
EPA CO-SPONSORS NATIONAL GREEN DESIGN COMPETITION FOR DESIGNS THAT SAVE RESOURCES, COSTS
EPA is co-sponsoring a nationwide "Lifecycle Building Challenge" competition in partnership with the American Institute of Architects, West Coast Green, and others. The Web-based competition calls on the nation's architects and builders to create designs that facilitate material reuse and waste minimization. Students, educators, environmental advocates as well as reuse experts, engineers, and product designers, are invited to apply. A recognition ceremony will take place in the fall. Click on the following link to learn more about the entry process, registration, and awards. http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/conserve/rrr/imr/cdm/greenchal.htm
NEW EPA REPORT ASSESSES HEALTH OF US COASTS
EPA has issued a new report that assesses the nation's coastal conditions for water quality, sediment quality, benthic community condition, and coastal habitat loss (as indicated by changes in wetland area and fish tissue contaminants). Comparison of the scores show that overall, condition in U.S. coastal waters has improved slightly since the 1990s. The report increases public awareness of the extent and seriousness of pollution in these waters. To read the report and learn more about the indicators and criteria used, go to http://www.epa.gov/owow/oceans/nccr/
EPA CAP AND TRADE PROGRAM LOWERS SMOG LEVELS
The market-based cap and trade program is a partnership between federal and state governments to reduce the regional transport of nitrogen oxides (NOx) during the ozone season. The 2007 summertime NOx emissions from power plants and industrial sources were down by 60 percent compared to 2000 levels and 74 percent below 1990 levels in 20 eastern states and D.C. The program helped to bring about these decreases by improving air quality in 95 percent of nonattainment areas in the east, with 64 percent of these areas now below the ozone standard. To view the report, go to http://www.epa.gov/airmarkets/progress/nbp07.html To learn about EPA’s market-based regulatory programs, go to http://www.epa.gov/airmarkets/basic.html
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