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August 26-September 1, 2023
In this week's issue:
This Week in Review
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EPA and the Department of Energy (DOE) have announced the availability of $350 million in formula grants to states under the Methane Emissions Reduction Program created by the Inflation Reduction Act. EPA and DOE said that the funds would be awarded to help eligible states fund “mitigating methane emissions from marginal conventional wells (MCWs) by providing financial assistance to operators/well owners to voluntarily and permanently plug and abandon MCWs (including elements of environmental restoration required to comply with applicable State or Federal plugging and abandonment standards and regulations) on non-Federal lands as well as monitor methane emissions from MCWs.” The funding is intended to support state and industry partnerships but up to 10% of the award may be used to support administrative program costs. The thirty eligible states listed in the funding allocation list linked below can apply for non-competitive awards between $126,159 and $101 million, although EPA and DOE did not specify which agency the funds would be directed towards, instead noting that eligible states would be responsible for selecting the applicable agency. To receive an award, applications must be submitted to Grants.gov by September 30, 2023. EPA anticipates awarding grants by the end of December 2023.
For further information:
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https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=350045
and
https://www.4cleanair.org/wp-content/uploads/FundOpp_DE-FOA-0003109-Appendix-A-Eligible-States.pdf
EPA’s Office of Transportation and Air Quality announced the web posting of MOVES4, the latest version of the agency’s MOtor Vehicle Emissions Simulator model for estimating air pollution emissions for criteria pollutants, greenhouse gases (GHGs) and air toxics from mobile sources. MOVES4 will replace MOVES3 as EPA’s official model for estimating emissions from cars, trucks, motorcycles, and buses, as well as many categories of nonroad equipment. Key updates and improvements over the previous version of the model include: 1) incorporating updates on vehicle populations, fuel supply, travel activity, and emission rates; 2) accounting for the emission impacts of the heavy-duty low NOx rule for model years 2027 and later and the light-duty GHG rule for model years 2023 and later; 3) adding the ability to model of heavy-duty battery-electric and fuel-cell vehicles, as well as CNG long-haul combination trucks; 4) improving the modeling of light-duty electric vehicles; and 5) improving the user interface to make the model easier to use and updating the platform for compatibility with newer software. The MOVES4 software, a “Question and Answer” document, supporting materials and related guidance are available on EPA’s MOVES website, along with links to tools for use with MOVES and information on MOVES training. EPA says a Federal Register “Notice of Availability” of the MOVES4 model is “coming soon.” The notice will announce the use of MOVES4 for official SIP development and transportation conformity purposes in states other than California and begin the conformity grace period. EPA will also hold a MOVES4 webinar on Wednesday, September 13 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Eastern.
For further information:
https://www.epa.gov/moves/latest-version-motor-vehicle-emission-simulator-moves
and
https://events.gcc.teams.microsoft.com/event/8ecc2019-d8b6-4823-8061-395d45722048@88b378b3-6748-4867-acf9-76aacbeca6a7 (webinar registration)
In a notice in the Federal Register (88 Fed. Reg. 59912) EPA has announced that it is accepting nominations for appointment to its Local Government Advisory Committee (LGAC). Qualified nominees for the LGAC hold elected positions with local, Tribal, State, or Territorial governments, or serve in a full-time government position appointed by an elected official. EPA is seeking up to 5 individuals to serve one-year terms beginning in January 2024. Members of LGAC provide EPA with advice and recommendations on a wide range of issues related to protecting public health and the environment. In the coming year, topics will include, among others, advancing environmental justice, developing local capacity for technical assistance, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and strengthening resilience to the effects of climate change, among other issues. To be considered for 2024 appointments, nominations should be submitted to LGAC@epa.gov with a subject heading of `LGAC 2024 NOMINATION’ and complete the form by September 30, 2023, – let NACAA staff know if you have questions or are interested in being nominated – self-nominations are also routine and accepted.
For further information
https://www.epa.gov/ocir/local-government-advisory-committee-lgac
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