EPA Awards $800,000 in EJ Grants in 28 States

EPA is awarding approximately$800,000 in grants to organizations working with communities facing environmental justice challenges throughout the country. Forty grants, up to $20,000 each, are going to community-based organizations and local and tribal governments in 28 states for community projects aimed at addressing environmental and public health issues.

The projects will address a variety of issues including:

· educating youth about the harmful effects of toxicsubstances such as asbestos and lead paint in Chicago;

· educating Albuquerque, N.M. residents and businesses onways to properly dispose of hazardous waste;

· conducting residential energy efficiency workshops andtraining in Kansas City, Mo. for Spanish- speaking communities;

· identifying air pollutants from truck emissions and othersources at Port Newark in New Brunswick, N.J.;

· ensuring that citizens of Barrow, Alaska have a voice inthe decision making on local oil and gas development projects;

Financial assistance under the environmental justice small grants program is available to all non-profit organizations designated by the IRS or recognized by the state, territory, commonwealth or tribe in which it is located; city, township, county government and their entities; or federally recognized Native American tribal governments. In the 15 years since initiating the environmental justice small grants program, EPA has awarded more than $20 million in funding to assist 1,130 community-based organizations and local and tribal governments. For more information on the grants program

Environmental Justice Conference Newsletter--March 2009

Please take a few moments to review the monthly State of Environmental Justice in America 2009 Conference Newsletter.

This month's issue details the latest plans for the conference, including a Health Disparities Workshop featuring guest speaker Congresswoman Donna M.Christensen, and the new Meet the Agencies event.

Registration information for the conference, to be held at Howard University Schoolof Law in Washington, DC, on May 27, 2009, and the Crystal CityDoubletree Hotel in Arlington, Virginia, on May 28 and 29, can be foundin this month's newsletter.

Hat Tip: Leslie Nelson

NEPHC Request For Abstract Reviewers

Attached you will find a 2009 National Environmental Public Health Conference Request for Abstract Reviewers. Completed forms should be returned to nephc2009@cdc.gov by April 17, 2009. Please circulate this form to individuals who you think might be interested in participating in abstract review for the conference. I’m grateful for your continued support of the 2009 National Environmental Public Health Conference.

The 2009 National Environmental Public Health Conference - Healthy People in a Healthy Environment - will be held in Atlanta, Georgia from October 26-28, 2009

Contact: Adam Brush 770-488-3961

Environmental Justice Included in 2009 Spending Bill

Title II, Environmental Protection Agency, page 491 of the $410 billion Omnibus Appropriations Act of 2009 (H.R. 1105) states:

"None of the funds made available by this Act may be used in contravention of, or to delay the implementation of, Executive Order No. 12898 of February 11, 1994 (59 Fed. Reg. 7629; relating to Federal actions to address environmental justice in minority populations and low-income
populations)."

H.R. 1105 making omnibus appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2009.


Highlights of the spending bill funding 11 Cabinet departments for 2009:

Agriculture — $20.5 billion, including a 14 percent boost over 2008 for the popular WIC program that feeds infants and poor women.
Commerce — $9.3 billion, including $3.1 billion to conduct the 2010 Census.

Education — $66.5 billion, a 7 percent increase over 2008 levels.

Energy — $27 billion, including a $765 million, 54 percent hike for advanced energy research.

Health and Human Services — $66.3 billion, including $30.3 billion for health research.

Housing and Urban Development — $41.5 billion, including $24.5 billion for low-income and American Indian housing.

Interior — $10.1 billion, slightly more than 2008.

Justice — $26.1 billion, including a $715 million, 11 percent increase for the FBI.

Labor — $15.3 billion, including a 5 percent increase for employment and training programs.State — $13.1 billion, a 3 percent decrease.

Transportation — $13.5 billion, plus $53.7 billion in highway and other transportation funding financed mostly through gasoline taxes.

Treasury — $12.7 billion, including $428 million over 2008 for the IRS, a 4 percent increase.

Source: The Associated Press

EPA Call For Applications: Smart Growth 2009

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced that applications are now being accepted for the eighth annual National Award for Smart Growth Achievement. This competition is open to public-sector or private sector applicants that have used the principles of smart growth to create better places. Private-sector applicants are encouraged to submit applications for projects that demonstrate a significant public-private partnership. Smart growth development serves the economy, the community, and the environment.

Smart growth approaches to development create clear environmental benefits, including improved air and water quality, preservation of critical habitat and open space, and more cleanup and re-use of brownfield sites. This year, applications will be accepted in five categories:

· Built Projects

· Policies and Regulations

· Smart Growth and Green Building

· Smart Growth Streets

· Overall Excellence in Smart Growth

Interested parties are encouraged to submit applications for smart growth activities that have shown significant activity between April 23,2004, and April 23, 2009. Successful applicants will have incorporated the principles of smart growth to create places that respect community culture and the environment, foster economic development, and enhance quality of life and public health.

This year, the public sector winners will receive support for further implementing smart growth strategies in their communities. In addition, public sector winners will receive one complementary registration to the New Partners for Smart Growth Conference in 2010. Applications are due on April 23, 2009. Up to five winners will be recognized at a ceremony in Washington, DC in December 2009. For more details about the National Award for Smart Growth Achievement (including an application packet)