EPA Celebrates Greener and Cleaner Schools at Event in Pellston, Michigan
CHICAGO (Sept. 8, 2023) – Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 5 Administrator Debra Shore joined Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) Director Phil Roos, school officials and partners at a back-to-school event in Pellston, Mich., to highlight investments in protecting children’s health. This school year, thanks to President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, students are going back to school with more opportunities for the greener and cleaner future they deserve.
“EPA believes our children deserve a cleaner and greener future. That’s why this administration is Investing in America through historic investments in the Clean School Bus program and others,” said EPA Region 5 Administrator Debra Shore. “Local leaders, like Superintendent Seelye in Pellston, Michigan, are critical to bringing these investments to their communities and their students.”
Regional Administrator Shore started the day with a meet-and-greet with Pellston Public School students and representatives from the Michigan Clean School Bus Coalition, including Moms Clean Air Force. The Regional Administrator toured middle and high school students’ new solar canopy and hoop house before joining primary school students for Pellston Public School’s first Air Quality Flag raising. Starting now, the school will check EPA’s Air Quality Index in Pellston every school day and raise a flag indicating the status of the air quality.
“Pellston Public Schools couldn’t be more thrilled or appreciative regarding our partnership with the EPA,” said Pellston Public Schools Superintendent Stephen C. Seelye. “The $1.58 million rebate for four new electric school buses has had a positive effect countless ways in our district. They complement our hoop house and solar array. The clean energy initiatives have inspired us to look towards a roof replacement and large solar array on our entire high school roof next summer.”
Regional Administrator Shore then joined Michigan Clean School Bus Coalition partners and school board members for a ride over the Mackinac Bridge on one of Pellston’s new electric school buses. Thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, EPA provided a $1.58 million rebate to the Pellston Public Schools District to buy four electric school buses this year. EPA’s Clean School Bus Program is helping communities like Pellston reduce emissions from older diesel school buses and improve air quality in and around schools, saving schools money and creating clean energy jobs.
“President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is having an incredible impact on the people of the state of Michigan, including right here in Pellston who just received new electric school buses from the BIL’s Clean School Bus Program,” said Michigan EGLE Director Phil Roos. “This program, combined with the new state resources that Governor Gretchen Whitmer delivered in her bipartisan FY 24 budget, will help Michigan schools buy and use clean school buses to ensure our students make it to school safely, make the air in and around our schools cleaner, and help us meet the goals of the MI Healthy Climate Plan, the state’s plan to meet carbon neutrality by 2050. These investments power our clean energy economy, protect the health of our residents, and safeguard our land, air, and water.”
“This summer has been a stark wake-up call for Michiganders: we cannot take the air we breathe or temperatures for granted. It’s why we are celebrating our state’s commitment to funding cleaner school buses which not only protect our school children from dirty tailpipe emissions, but also address our climate crisis head-on,” said Elizabeth Hauptman, Michigan Field Organizer for Moms Clean Air Force. “Today, we travelled to the rural town of Pellston to recognize a school district taking full advantage its $1.58 million rebate award, funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, to buy four electric school buses that came online in January 2023. During the first round of EPA’s Clean School Bus Program, Michigan was ranked 2nd nationally with the most districts selected (25) and 4th nationally with regards to total funding received thanks to the extraordinary work of the MI It’s Electric! Coalition of which Moms Clean Air Force is a proud part. On behalf of our more than 35,000 members across the state, we are ready to continue to roll up our sleeves to ensure that our state can lead the way in school bus electrification while centering equity and justice.”
EPA expects to announce even more selectees from the $400 million Clean School Bus grant competition later this year. EPA is committed to ensuring Clean School Bus funding reaches schools that need it the most, prioritizing school districts in underserved and Tribal communities, and covering both bus and infrastructure costs for all awardees.
For more information on EPA’s Clean School Bus Program, visit: https://www.epa.gov/cleanschoolbus
For more information on the Air Quality Flag Program, visit: https://www.airnow.gov/air-quality-flag-program
“EPA believes our children deserve a cleaner and greener future. That’s why this administration is Investing in America through historic investments in the Clean School Bus program and others,” said EPA Region 5 Administrator Debra Shore. “Local leaders, like Superintendent Seelye in Pellston, Michigan, are critical to bringing these investments to their communities and their students.”
Regional Administrator Shore started the day with a meet-and-greet with Pellston Public School students and representatives from the Michigan Clean School Bus Coalition, including Moms Clean Air Force. The Regional Administrator toured middle and high school students’ new solar canopy and hoop house before joining primary school students for Pellston Public School’s first Air Quality Flag raising. Starting now, the school will check EPA’s Air Quality Index in Pellston every school day and raise a flag indicating the status of the air quality.
“Pellston Public Schools couldn’t be more thrilled or appreciative regarding our partnership with the EPA,” said Pellston Public Schools Superintendent Stephen C. Seelye. “The $1.58 million rebate for four new electric school buses has had a positive effect countless ways in our district. They complement our hoop house and solar array. The clean energy initiatives have inspired us to look towards a roof replacement and large solar array on our entire high school roof next summer.”
Regional Administrator Shore then joined Michigan Clean School Bus Coalition partners and school board members for a ride over the Mackinac Bridge on one of Pellston’s new electric school buses. Thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, EPA provided a $1.58 million rebate to the Pellston Public Schools District to buy four electric school buses this year. EPA’s Clean School Bus Program is helping communities like Pellston reduce emissions from older diesel school buses and improve air quality in and around schools, saving schools money and creating clean energy jobs.
“President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is having an incredible impact on the people of the state of Michigan, including right here in Pellston who just received new electric school buses from the BIL’s Clean School Bus Program,” said Michigan EGLE Director Phil Roos. “This program, combined with the new state resources that Governor Gretchen Whitmer delivered in her bipartisan FY 24 budget, will help Michigan schools buy and use clean school buses to ensure our students make it to school safely, make the air in and around our schools cleaner, and help us meet the goals of the MI Healthy Climate Plan, the state’s plan to meet carbon neutrality by 2050. These investments power our clean energy economy, protect the health of our residents, and safeguard our land, air, and water.”
“This summer has been a stark wake-up call for Michiganders: we cannot take the air we breathe or temperatures for granted. It’s why we are celebrating our state’s commitment to funding cleaner school buses which not only protect our school children from dirty tailpipe emissions, but also address our climate crisis head-on,” said Elizabeth Hauptman, Michigan Field Organizer for Moms Clean Air Force. “Today, we travelled to the rural town of Pellston to recognize a school district taking full advantage its $1.58 million rebate award, funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, to buy four electric school buses that came online in January 2023. During the first round of EPA’s Clean School Bus Program, Michigan was ranked 2nd nationally with the most districts selected (25) and 4th nationally with regards to total funding received thanks to the extraordinary work of the MI It’s Electric! Coalition of which Moms Clean Air Force is a proud part. On behalf of our more than 35,000 members across the state, we are ready to continue to roll up our sleeves to ensure that our state can lead the way in school bus electrification while centering equity and justice.”
EPA expects to announce even more selectees from the $400 million Clean School Bus grant competition later this year. EPA is committed to ensuring Clean School Bus funding reaches schools that need it the most, prioritizing school districts in underserved and Tribal communities, and covering both bus and infrastructure costs for all awardees.
For more information on EPA’s Clean School Bus Program, visit: https://www.epa.gov/cleanschoolbus
For more information on the Air Quality Flag Program, visit: https://www.airnow.gov/air-quality-flag-program
EPA New England Awards Over $1.28M to New England Tribes for Comprehensive, Economy-wide Climate Mitigation Planning
BOSTON (Sept. 8, 2023) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Region 1 has awarded a total of $1,285,120 million from the agency's Climate Pollution Reduction Grants (CPRG) program to seven New England tribes.
The awards will fund the development of plans and innovative strategies to cut climate pollution and build clean energy economies for Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, Mohegan Tribe, Passamaquoddy Tribe at Indian Township, Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, Narragansett Indian Tribe, Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head Aquinnah, and the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians which is working in partnership with Mi'kmaq Nation and Passamaquoddy Tribe at Pleasant Point. Working in tandem with other programs also funded by the Inflation Reduction Act, CPRG provides flexible planning resources to local governments, states, Tribes and territories for climate solutions that protect communities from pollution and advance environmental justice.
"Congratulations to the seven of our 10 federally-recognized Tribes in New England for receiving almost $1.3 million to develop comprehensive strategies to address climate change, reduce local air pollution, and build clean energy economies in their Tribal lands," said EPA New England Regional Administrator David W. Cash. "Thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act, and the Biden-Harris Administration's Investing in America agenda, our Tribal nations will be meaningfully engaged to ensure they benefit from the creation of good jobs, lower energy costs, and cleaner air through the climate pollution mitigation measures planned through these grants."
A total of $25 million was made available to tribes and tribal consortia across the country. This funding for climate planning will be followed later this year by a national grant competition for $4.6 billion in implementation grant funding that will support the expeditious implementation of investment-ready policies, programs and projects outlined in the CPRG planning grants to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the near term.About the Climate Pollution Reduction Grant Program
On March 1, EPA announced the availability of these funds, which are the first series of climate pollution funding opportunities for states, local governments, territories and Tribes under Section 60114 of the Inflation Reduction Act. The CPRG planning grants will support states, territories, Tribes, municipalities, and air agencies, in the creation of comprehensive, innovative strategies for reducing pollution and ensuring that investments maximize benefits, especially for low-income and disadvantaged communities. Through the CPRG program, EPA will support the development and deployment of technologies and solutions that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and harmful air pollution, as well as transition America to a clean energy economy that benefits all Americans.
Climate plans will include:
Greenhouse gas emissions inventories.
Emissions projections and reduction targets.
Economic, health, and social benefits, including to low-income and disadvantaged communities.
Plans to leverage other sources of federal funding, including the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act.
Workforce needs to support decarbonization and a clean energy economy.
Future government staffing and budget needs.
More information
Climate Pollution Reduction Grants
CPRG Planning Grant Program Guidances
Sign up for notifications about the Climate Pollution Reduction Grants
If you have questions about the CPRG program, please contact your EPA regional representative or email CPRG@epa.gov.
The awards will fund the development of plans and innovative strategies to cut climate pollution and build clean energy economies for Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, Mohegan Tribe, Passamaquoddy Tribe at Indian Township, Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, Narragansett Indian Tribe, Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head Aquinnah, and the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians which is working in partnership with Mi'kmaq Nation and Passamaquoddy Tribe at Pleasant Point. Working in tandem with other programs also funded by the Inflation Reduction Act, CPRG provides flexible planning resources to local governments, states, Tribes and territories for climate solutions that protect communities from pollution and advance environmental justice.
"Congratulations to the seven of our 10 federally-recognized Tribes in New England for receiving almost $1.3 million to develop comprehensive strategies to address climate change, reduce local air pollution, and build clean energy economies in their Tribal lands," said EPA New England Regional Administrator David W. Cash. "Thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act, and the Biden-Harris Administration's Investing in America agenda, our Tribal nations will be meaningfully engaged to ensure they benefit from the creation of good jobs, lower energy costs, and cleaner air through the climate pollution mitigation measures planned through these grants."
A total of $25 million was made available to tribes and tribal consortia across the country. This funding for climate planning will be followed later this year by a national grant competition for $4.6 billion in implementation grant funding that will support the expeditious implementation of investment-ready policies, programs and projects outlined in the CPRG planning grants to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the near term.About the Climate Pollution Reduction Grant Program
On March 1, EPA announced the availability of these funds, which are the first series of climate pollution funding opportunities for states, local governments, territories and Tribes under Section 60114 of the Inflation Reduction Act. The CPRG planning grants will support states, territories, Tribes, municipalities, and air agencies, in the creation of comprehensive, innovative strategies for reducing pollution and ensuring that investments maximize benefits, especially for low-income and disadvantaged communities. Through the CPRG program, EPA will support the development and deployment of technologies and solutions that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and harmful air pollution, as well as transition America to a clean energy economy that benefits all Americans.
Climate plans will include:
Greenhouse gas emissions inventories.
Emissions projections and reduction targets.
Economic, health, and social benefits, including to low-income and disadvantaged communities.
Plans to leverage other sources of federal funding, including the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act.
Workforce needs to support decarbonization and a clean energy economy.
Future government staffing and budget needs.
More information
Climate Pollution Reduction Grants
CPRG Planning Grant Program Guidances
Sign up for notifications about the Climate Pollution Reduction Grants
If you have questions about the CPRG program, please contact your EPA regional representative or email CPRG@epa.gov.
CORRECTION: ITS Long Beach to remain open amid search for new carriers
Although the ITS terminal in Long Beach lost two major services in less than a year, the facility will remain open while it attempts to find customers to make up for the volume shortfall in the ongoing down market.
ITS Long Beach container terminal to close amid search for new carriers
After losing two major services in less than a year, ITS will close early next month while it attempts to find customers to make up for the volume shortfall in the ongoing down market.
ITS Long Beach container terminal to close amid search for new carriers
After losing two major services in less than a year, ITS will close early next month while it attempts to find customers to make up for the volume shortfall in the ongoing down market.
At the Africa Food Systems Forum, USDA Announces Major Partnerships in Africa
Washington, D.C. – Sept. 7, 2023 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Jenny Lester Moffitt announced new partnerships to enhance plant and animal health at the Africa Food Systems Forum in Tanzania this week. Under Secretary Moffitt’s engagements underscored USDA’s strong partnership in Africa through delivering real solutions.
Drayage industry faces technology dilemma in down freight market
While the importance of drayage came to the fore during the pandemic, the current freight hangover is cramping the sector’s ability to take advantage of technology options on the market.
EPA Region 7 to Cohost Regional Lead Summit Sept. 12-13 in Kansas City, Missouri
LENEXA, KAN. (SEPT. 7, 2023) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 7 is cohosting a regional lead (Pb) summit, How to Reduce Exposures Together, on Sept. 12 and 13, 2023, at the Kauffmann Foundation Conference Center, 4801 Rockhill Rd., Kansas City, Missouri.
The 2023 Region 7 Lead Summit was planned jointly by local, state, and federal partners from Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska to give health professionals, community stakeholders, nonprofits, and governmental staff the opportunity to:
Discuss effective strategies to address childhood lead poisoning, including expanding partnerships and collaboration.
Identify strategies for how organizations can acquire funding to reduce lead exposures.
Understand the importance of leveraging community engagement and methods to involve community stakeholders.
“Parents, caregivers, and medical professionals in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska need to be aware that children are at a higher risk of elevated blood lead levels, which can have lifelong impacts," warned EPA Region 7 Administrator Meg McCollister. “Cohosting and participating in the Region 7 Lead Summit underscores EPA’s commitment to reducing childhood lead exposure in our families, neighborhoods, and communities.”
Visit the summit website to learn more about this free event.
Register to attend virtually or for the available in-person slots by clicking the “Get tickets” button.
Learn more about how to protect your family from sources of lead.
# # #
Learn more about EPA Region 7
View all Region 7 news releases
Connect with EPA Region 7 on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter: @EPARegion7
The 2023 Region 7 Lead Summit was planned jointly by local, state, and federal partners from Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska to give health professionals, community stakeholders, nonprofits, and governmental staff the opportunity to:
Discuss effective strategies to address childhood lead poisoning, including expanding partnerships and collaboration.
Identify strategies for how organizations can acquire funding to reduce lead exposures.
Understand the importance of leveraging community engagement and methods to involve community stakeholders.
“Parents, caregivers, and medical professionals in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska need to be aware that children are at a higher risk of elevated blood lead levels, which can have lifelong impacts," warned EPA Region 7 Administrator Meg McCollister. “Cohosting and participating in the Region 7 Lead Summit underscores EPA’s commitment to reducing childhood lead exposure in our families, neighborhoods, and communities.”
Visit the summit website to learn more about this free event.
Register to attend virtually or for the available in-person slots by clicking the “Get tickets” button.
Learn more about how to protect your family from sources of lead.
# # #
Learn more about EPA Region 7
View all Region 7 news releases
Connect with EPA Region 7 on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter: @EPARegion7