Issued by GSA on 30 September 2010, this is Federal Travel Regulation (FTR) 10-06. This bulletin provides guidance to federal employees of agencies subject to the FTR to enhance travel cost savings and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

The EPA is releasing two software tools for risk assessment and consequence analysis: 1) The Vulnerability Self Assessment Tool (VSAT), an upgraded all hazards risk assessment tool; and 2) The Water Health and Economic Analysis Tool (WHEAT), a newly developed consequence analysis tool. These tools will provide drinking water, wastewater, and combined utilities of all sizes with the capability to assess, plan for, and better respond to man-made threats and natural disasters.

The Home Energy Score will offer homeowners straightforward, reliable information about their homes' energy efficiency. A report provides consumers with a home energy score between 1 and 10, and shows them how their home compares to others in their region. The report also includes customized, cost-effective recommendations that will help to reduce their energy costs and improve the comfort of their homes.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Energy (DOE) have released the 2011 Fuel Economy Guide, providing consumers with information about estimated mileage and fuel costs for model year 2011 vehicles. Choosing the most fuel efficient vehicle in a class will save consumers money and reduce carbon pollution.

DOE's Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) has released a survey tool for federal agencies to use to quantify scope 3 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions generated from employee commuter activities. This tool is a part of a larger set of information and tools developed by FEMP to help federal agencies comply with the GHG reporting requirements outlined in Executive Order 13514. For more information about GHG inventory reporting and FEMP reporting resources, go to http://www.fedcenter.gov/ghginventoryreporting.

The Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards (OAQPS) of EPA is announcing the availability of a final document titled Policy Assessment for the Review of the Carbon Monoxide National Ambient Air Quality Standards (PA). The PA contains staff analyses of the scientific bases for alternative policy options for consideration by the Agency prior to rulemaking. POC for questions related to this document, please contact Dr. Deirdre Murphy, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards (Mail code C504-06), U.S. EPA, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711; e-mail: murphy.deirdre@epa.gov; telephone: 919-541-0729; fax: 919-541-0237(Federal Register: November 2, 2010 [Notices], Page 67361).

Presentations given at EPA's "Common Environmental Violations at Federal Facilities: Ask the EPA Inspector" webinar held October 27, 2010 are now available at http://www.fedcenter.gov/asktheepainspector.

Assistant Secretary of the Army for Installations, Energy and the Environment Katherine Hammack has issued a new policy memorandum to improve high-performance green buildings standards for the Army. The memo, "Memorandum for Sustainable Design and Development Policy Update (Environmental and Energy Performance) (Revision)", includes requirements for the planning, programming, budgeting, design and building stages that will strengthen the Army's sustainability, energy security, and energy independence through more responsible consumption and planning.

WASHINGTON (October 25, 2010) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) today announced the first national standards to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and improve fuel efficiency of heavy-duty trucks and buses. This comprehensive national program is projected to reduce GHG emissions by about 250 million metric tons and save 500 million barrels of oil over the lives of the vehicles produced within the program's first five years.

EPA has signed a final decision document to address contamination near the "L Range" at the Massachusetts Military Reservation (MMR) on Cape Cod. The decision addresses both the groundwater contamination and its source.

The U.S. DOE has joined the U.S. Department of Commerce, the U.S. EPA, the U.S. Small Business Administration and the U.S. Department of Labor in signing a Memorandum of Understanding in support of the Economy, Energy and Environment (E3) Initiative. The goal of this effort is to assist manufacturers in becoming more efficient, competitive, and sustainable through public-private partnerships. E3 focuses on helping small and medium enterprises (SMEs) advance efforts to use lean, clean, and energy-efficient practices to conserve energy, reduce environmental impacts, preserve jobs, and enhance overall competitiveness.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Mexico's Ministry of Environment along with thirty-six other countries, the European Commission, the Asian Development Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank launched a new Global Methane Initiative that urges stronger international action to address near-term climate change.

WASHINGTON - As part of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) RE-Powering America's Land initiative, the agency has developed a two-year draft management plan to advance the development of renewable energy on potentially contaminated land and mining sites. The draft plan describes activities EPA can take to build upon the progress that the initiative has achieved since its launch in September of 2008. EPA started the initiative to determine the feasibility of developing renewable energy production on Superfund, brownfields, and former landfill or mining sites.

WASHINGTON (October 13, 2010) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today waived a limitation on selling fuel that is more than 10 percent ethanol for model year 2007 and newer cars and light trucks. The waiver applies to fuel that contains up to 15 percent ethanol – known as E15 – and only to model year 2007 and newer cars and light trucks. This represents the first of a number of actions that are needed from federal, state and industry towards commercialization of E15 gasoline blends. EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson made the decision after a review of the Department of Energy's (DOE's) extensive testing and other available data on E15's impact on engine durability and emissions.

(October 7, 2010) U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced today the release of a report from the Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), which comprehensively analyzes the key factors impacting the deployment of offshore wind power in the United States. The report, "Large-Scale Offshore Wind Power in the United States: Assessment of Opportunities and Barriers," includes a detailed assessment of the nation's offshore wind resources and offshore wind industry, including future job growth potential. The report also analyzes the technology challenges, economics, permitting procedures, and the potential risks and benefits of offshore wind power deployment in U.S. waters.

This plan was submitted on September 30, 2010 to the Congress and to the Office of Management and Budget. The Plan identifies the measurable environmental and human health outcomes the public can expect over the next five years and describes how EPA intends to achieve those results.

The 2010 summer edition of the US Army Environmental Center's Environmental Update, a quarterly publication of Army environmental news, is now available at http://aec.army.mil/usaec/newsroom/update/sum10/sum10.html.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) today announced eight Federal winners of the 2010 GreenGov Presidential Awards for exceptional efforts to promote sustainable operations at their agencies. The winners are Federal agency teams or employees from across the country.

WASHINGTON – The White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) today released Guidance on Federal Greenhouse Gas Accounting and Reporting that establishes Governmentwide requirements for measuring and reporting greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with Federal agency operations. The Guidance serves as the Federal Government's official Greenhouse Gas Protocol and will be used by Federal agencies to develop their first GHG inventories. Federal agencies will submit GHG inventories annually beginning in January of 2011, as called for in the Executive Order on ederal Leadership in Environmental, Energy and Economic Performance (Executive Order 13514) signed by President Obama on October 5, 2009. The press release can be found here. The guidance can be found here.

The Department of Energy's Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) has released the consolidated Annual GHG and Sustainability Data Report, Version 1.0, coincident with the White House Council on Environmental Quality's release of the Federal Greenhouse Gas Accounting and Reporting Guidance and Technical Support Document. This Excel workbook provides electronic reporting capability for the Federal agency compiled comprehensive GHG inventory for fiscal year 2010 and the base-year 2003 GHG inventory for the purpose of measuring progress toward the goals established under Executive Order 13514. The file can be downloaded from FedCenter at http://www.fedcenter.gov/programs/greenhouse/inventoryreporting/fempceqresources/. Other resources are also available at this site for assisting agencies in compiling their GHG inventories.

WASHINGTON (October 4, 2010) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is issuing a Clean Water and Drinking Water Infrastructure Sustainability Policy with the goal of increasing the sustainability of water and wastewater infrastructure in the United States. Communities across the country are facing challenges in making costly upgrades and repairs to their aging water infrastructure, which include sewer systems and treatment facilities. Making this infrastructure last longer while increasing its cost-effectiveness is essential to protecting human health and the environment, and maintaining safe drinking water and clean water bodies. The new policy is part of EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson's priority to protect America's waters.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is releasing a revised edition of the U.S. EPA NPDES Permit Writers' Manual, which provides a comprehensive overview of the basic framework of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program and serves as a principal training tool for new state and EPA permit writers. First released in 1996, the revised NPDES Permit Writers' Manual has been thoroughly reviewed and updated to reflect current policy and guidance, address changes to the NPDES program, and include discussions of new EPA program areas, such as the Stormwater Phase II Rule, concentrated animal feeding operations, cooling water intake structures [i.e., Clean Water Act Section 316(b)], pesticide applications, and vessel discharges.

The White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) and The George Washington University (GW) have announced that U.S. Secretary of Energy Steven Chu, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, and biomimicry expert and author Janine Benyus will deliver opening day keynote addresses at the 2010 Green Gov Symposium on October 5, 2010. CEQ Chair Nancy Sutley and GW President Steven Knapp also will deliver remarks at the event.

This document is prepared by U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Wind and Water Power Program to outline the actions that it will pursue to support the development of a world-class offshore wind industry in the United States. This document amplifies and draws conclusions from a companion report, Large-Scale Offshore Wind Energy for the United States: Assessment of Opportunities and Barriers (NREL 2010). Please send comment no later than 29 October 2010 to offshorewindcomments@go.doe.gov.

To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Pollution Prevention Act, September 20 - 26, 2010 has been declared National Pollution Prevention Week.

The Clean Air Act has resulted in significant health benefits, improved air quality, cleaner cars and trucks, reduction of industrial toxic air pollution, and a reduction in skin cancer in its 40-year history.

At the request of the federal community, FedCenter has added a new topic to its program area lineup - Cultural Resources. The Cultural Resources Program Area addresses the background and available tools and resources for the management of cultural and historic resources. This includes: preservation of historic properties, archaeological sites, gravesites, repatriation of Native American objects, and curation of collections.

WASHINGTON, DC (September 9, 2010) – Continuing a commitment to lead by example, the White House today announced the release of Federal Agency Strategic Sustainability Performance Plans, which work to achieve the environmental, economic and energy goals called for in the Executive Order on Federal Leadership in Environmental, Energy and Economic Performance (Executive Order 13514) signed by President Obama on October 5, 2009. This announcement marks the first time agencies have developed and submitted Sustainability Plans, now available at www.whitehouse.gov/ceq. The full announcement is available here.

This tool (TTX Tool) introduces users to the potential impacts of climate change on the water sector within the context of an all-hazards approach to emergency preparedness and response. The 15 scenarios in the tool include natural hazards, man-made incidents, and potential climate change impacts. Five climate change-related scenarios provide an opportunity for utilities to consider and implement long-term planning measures in order to mitigate the potential impacts of climate change.

DOE will be hosting a series of Webinars that will support projects funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act under the State Energy Program (SEP) and Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program (EECBG). The Webinar series will address key issues and challenges that state, local, and tribal energy practitioners may face when implementing their projects.

The Biomass Program's Webinar series will cover many of the program's activities and feature "Hot Topics" discussions relevant to the development of renewable fuels, power, and products from biomass resources.

DOE's redesigned Energy Empowers Blog focuses on many of the projects sponsored by DOE and supported by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The blog tells the stories of people and businesses who are transforming the clean energy economy.

The public hearing will be held on 14 Sept 2010, in Arlington, VA.

DOE has announced that the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) will serve as the National Administrator for the Solar Instructor Training Network (SITN) to help ensure the development of a robust national solar training infrastructure which can meet the employment needs of a rapidly growing domestic solar industry.

EPA is launching a web-based discussion forum to gather public input on how the agency can improve protection of drinking water. EPA seeks input from water professionals, advocates, and anyone interested in drinking water quality issues about best solutions for issues facing our nation's drinking water-planning, developing scientific tools, controlling water pollution and use of resources. The discussion forum will feature a series of topics based on the four segments of the drinking water strategy: addressing contaminants as groups rather than one at a time, fostering development of new technologies, using the existing authority of several statues to protect drinking water, and partnering with states to share more complete data. The forum will be open for discussion for about a month http://blog.epa.gov/dwstrat/.

The proposal will ensure for the first time that protective controls, such as liners and ground water monitoring, are in place at new landfills to protect groundwater and human health. Existing surface impoundments will also require liners, with strong incentives to close these impoundments and transition to safer landfills which store coal ash in dry form. The proposed regulations will ensure stronger oversight of the structural integrity of impoundments and promote environmentally safe and desirable forms of recycling coal ash, known as beneficial uses. Hearings are scheduled starting 30 August 2010.

EPA is announcing a 45-day public comment period for the draft document "Nanomaterial Case Study: Nanoscale Silver in isinfectant Spray" (EPA/600/R-10/081). The document is being issued by the National Center for Environmental Assessment within EPA's Office of Research and Development. The draft is intended to serve as part of a process to help identify and prioritize scientific and technical information that could be used in conducting comprehensive environmental assessments of selected nanomaterials. The 45-day public comment period begins August 13, 2010, and ends September 27, 2010. POC is Office of Environmental Information Docket; telephone: 202-566-1752; facsimile: 202-566-1753; or e-mail: ORD.Docket@epa.gov (Federal Register: August 13, 2010 [Notices], Page 49487-49489).

Scientists from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Energy (DOE) have collaborated in developing innovative water quality software that enhances a water system's ability to detect when there has been intentional or unintentional contamination. The Canary software can help detect a wide variety of chemical and biological contaminants, including pesticides, metals, and pathogens. Once contamination is detected quickly, a water utility can issue a "Do Not Drink" order to prevent customers from ingesting the water.

This report, authored primarily by DOE's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, provides a comprehensive overview of trends in the rapidly-evolving U.S. wind power market.

On June 29, 2010 the U.S. EPA, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) commemorated the issuance of a "ready for reuse" determination for the former Exell Helium Plant (Exell) in Masterson, Texas. The determination is the first to be issued to a U.S. Department of the Interior facility nationally.

This is EPA's monthly newsletter whose mission is to provide "what you can do" information about activities and events that we can use in our homes, communities, and offices.

Results of a second round of air monitoring in and around a child care facility and an adjacent building at the Bannister Federal Complex in Kansas City, Mo., do not reveal health concerns with indoor air at the facilities related to volatile organic compounds (VOCs), EPA Region 7 officials announced today.

Two listening sessions will be held on potential changes to the water quality standards regulation before proposing a national rule. Potential revisions include strengthening protection for water bodies with water quality that already exceeds or meet the interim goals of the Clean Water Act; ensuring that standards reflect a continued commitment to these goals wherever attainable; improving transparency of regulatory decisions; and strengthening federal oversight. The public listening sessions will be held via audio teleconferences on August 24 and 26, 2010, from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. EDT. EPA will also hold separate listening sessions for state, tribal and local governments.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today announced that Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, Florida, has been designated a national center for ocean energy research and development. This new Southeast National Marine Renewable Energy Center joins centers in the Pacific Northwest and in Hawaii that also work to advance the operational readiness of ocean energy technologies.

GreenGov Webinar proceedings for August 3, 2010 on reducing federal energy use through smarter computer power management.

At a White House Forum on Energy Security On July 27, U.S. Deputy Secretary of Energy Daniel Poneman announced a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Department of Defense to accelerate clean energy innovation and enhance national energy security. The MOU, signed by Deputy Secretary Poneman and U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense William Lynn, covers efforts in the areas of energy efficiency, renewable energy, water efficiency, fossil fuels, alternative fuels, efficient transportation technologies and fueling infrastructure, grid security, smart grid, storage, waste-to-energy, basic science research, mobile/deployable power, small modular reactor nuclear energy, and related areas. The attached MOU builds on already strong cooperation between the Department of Energy and the Department of Defense, and will broaden collaboration on clean energy technology research, development, and demonstration. For more information read the full press release at http://www.energy.gov/news/9278.htm and visit the White House blog to watch the proceedings http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2010/07/28/clean-energy-and-national-security.

The Department of the Navy (DoN) announced on July 28, 2010 the availability of the final environmental impact statement (EIS) for the Guam and Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Military Relocation. The final EIS includes analyses of impacts for the relocation of approximately 8,600 Marines and their 9,000 dependents from Okinawa to Guam, the construction of a new deep-draft wharf to support a transient nuclear powered aircraft carrier, and the establishment and operation of an Army Missile Defense Task Force.

This data reflects data on industrial releases and transfers of toxic chemicals in the United States between Jan. 1 and 31 Dec 2009.

Check out the newest edition of the GreenGov Leader, a publication of the Office of the Federal Environmental Executive. If you are a Federal employee (military or civilian) we invite you to join the GreenGov Collaborative, hosted here on FedCenter, to put your GreenGov ideas into action.

The Federal community is invited to attend the first GreenGov Webinar to learn about power management strategies and tools Federal Agencies are using to achieve significant computer energy savings. The webinar will highlight success stories from across the Federal Government. The webinar will be held Tuesday, August 3, from 1300-1430 ET. You must register in advance at https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/890404449 to attend this free, 90-minute webinar. See the attached Word document for more details.

This letter transmits the EPA Administrator Jackson's decision in the CERCLA federal Facility Agreement related to the former Naval Ammunition Depot in Hasting, NE.

A 30-day public comment period began July 19, 2010 for a Remedy Selection Plan outlining the proposed alternative for addressing groundwater contamination at the J-1 Range on the Massachusetts Military Reservation (MMR). The public comment period runs through August 17. The Remedy Selection plan outlines the alternatives presented in the J-1 Range Feasibility Study for addressing groundwater contamination at the site, along with the alternative recommended by the EPA and the reasons for its selection. The plan proposes remedies for the J-1 Range northern plume which contains RDX and perchlorate, and the J-1 Range southern plume which contains RDX. POC is Jeanethe Falvey, (857) 366-0627.

(Washington, DC – July 20, 2010) President Obama announced today that the Federal Government will reduce greenhouse gas pollution from indirect sources, such as employee travel and commuting, by 13% by 2020. This commitment expands beyond the Administration's greenhouse gas reduction target from direct sources set in January, 2010, such as Federal fleets and buildings, by 2020. Cumulatively, greenhouse gas pollution reductions from Federal government operations will total 101 million metric tons of carbon dioxide, equivalent to the emissions from 235 million barrels of oil.

Called Tox21, this collaboration merges federal agency resources (research, funding and testing tools) to develop ways to more effectively predict how chemicals will affect human health and the environment. Current partners in Tox21 include EPA, NIH, and FDA.

Based on recommendations of the Interagency Ocean Policy Task Force, and under the guidance of a National Ocean Council, this order, signed by President Obama on July 19, 2010, establishes a national policy to ensure the protection, maintenance, and restoration of the health of ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes ecosystems and resources, enhance the sustainability of ocean and coastal economies, preserve our maritime heritage, support sustainable uses and access, provide for adaptive management to enhance our understanding of and capacity to respond to climate change and ocean acidification, and coordinate with our national security and foreign policy interests. This order also provides for the development of coastal and marine spatial plans that build upon and improve existing Federal, State, tribal, local, and regional decisionmaking and planning processes.

Registration fees and additional conference information is now available on FedCenter's GreenGov Symposium website.

The Watersense "We're for Water" campaign encourages Americans to make simple choices that save water.

This Federal Times article details a new General Services Administration plan requiring government contractors to track their greenhouse gas emissions or risk losing out on new contracts.

On July 28-29, EPA will hold a web dialogue focused on addressing contaminants as group(s). EPA welcomes your input on approaches EPA should consider when developing a framework to group contaminants. This dialogue will provide an opportunity for participants to exchange information and share ideas. EPA will consider the feedback from this Web dialogue and information from this exchange as it develops the agenda for the upcoming Drinking Water Strategy stakeholder meeting and the framework for addressing contaminants as group(s).

U.S. EPA is launching a new on-line tool for scientific collaboration and knowledge sharing that was built by Purdue University with support from EPA. The Integrated Environmental Modeling Hub (iemHUB) allows environmental researchers to analyze environmental problems and combine environmental models so that a better understanding of the environment can be developed - everything from keeping beaches clean to predicting climate effects. The iemHUB is being released by the EPA-supported Community of Practice for Integrated Environmental Modeling (CIEM).

DOT will be leading a multi-agency public outreach and education campaign to encourage federal agencies to choose sustainable locations for future facilities.

The webcast describes EPA efforts to develop a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) general permit for discharges from the application of pesticides in those few areas nationwide where EPA is the NPDES permitting authority. This webcast is intended to provide an overview of the EPA's draft PGP and to answer questions related to the PGP to help stakeholders better formulate comments on the permit. Those comments are due back to EPA by 19 July 2010.

(Kansas City, Kan., June 24, 2010) - Results from March air sampling at a child care center and an adjacent building at the Bannister Federal Complex in Kansas City do not reveal health concerns at the facilities related to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), EPA Region 7 officials announced today. The results include tests for 209 different forms of PCBs in indoor air samples and from air samples taken from beneath the concrete floor slabs of Buildings 50 and 52.

For the 15th year, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has recognized pioneering chemical technologies developed by leading researchers and industrial innovators who are making significant contributions to pollution prevention in the United States. The Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Awards recognize and promote green chemistry technologies, including cleaner processes; safer raw materials; and safer, better products. They also highlight the environmental and economic benefits of novel green chemistry.

The USEPA is proposing to revise a national primary drinking water regulation to achieve greater public health protection against waterborne pathogens in the distribution systems of public water systems. Waterborne pathogens can cause a variety of illnesses with symptoms such as acute abdominal discomfort or in more extreme cases, kidney failure, hepatitis or chronic concerns.

DOE is inviting interested parties to submit comments that will help to develop a National Energy Rating Program for Homes. This rating program will offer consumers easy-to-understand, reliable information about the energy performance of existing homes, and help them identify cost-effective energy efficiency investments for their homes.

EPA has notified 12 states that they have at least one area under consideration for a nonattainment designation based on the 2008 lead standards. A nonattainment area would include counties with monitors that show violations of the lead standard and nearby areas contributing to that violation. Using data from currently operating monitors, EPA will designate nonattainment areas by October 2010.

Fort Bliss, TX was named a Keep America Beautiful 1st Place Award winner for their efforts in reducing waste through innovative recycling programs. Fort Bliss received the award as a result of ongoing and innovative recycling programs launched this past year. Some of the new programs that were at the core of the award were Single Stream Recycling, Electronics Waste Collection and Litter Free Events.

EPA's Office of Wetlands, Oceans and Watersheds (OWOW) has announced the availability of a new 11-minute video, "Building Green: A Success Story in Philadelphia," which highlights innovative efforts by green builders in Philadelphia who are helping protect and restore environmental quality and beautify the city. By installing cisterns, green roofs, porous pavers, solar panels, and Energy Star appliances, the builders are capturing rainwater, reducing stormwater runoff, and saving energy. A high resolution Digital Betacam version is also available upon request.

The spring 2010 edition of the US Army Environmental Center's Environmental Update, a quarterly publication of Army environmental news, is now available at http://aec.army.mil/usaec/newsroom/update00.html.

GSA established the Achievement Award for Real Property Innovation to motivate federal agencies to improve real property management. The program recognizes an agency's success and communicates cutting-edge ideas to agencies striving to improve their real property asset management. GSA focuses on three topic areas for the award program: Asset Management, Sustainability, and Workplace Innovation. Applications are due 21 July 2010.

By Presidential Proclamation 8528 of May 28, 2010 June 2010 is declared Great Outdoors Month.

By Presidential Proclamation 8531 of May 28, 2010 June 2010 is declared National Oceans Month.

With EPA support, the publication titled "The Indoor Air Quality Guide: Best Practices for Design, Construction and Commissioning" is available for download free of charge. The publication includes IAQ strategies, diagrams, case studies and more, aimed at architects, design engineers, contractors, commissioning agents, and all other professionals concerned with IAQ.

EPA is considering two possible modifications to existing regulations: (1) establishing standard National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit conditions for publicly owned treatment works (POTWs) permits that specifically address sanitary sewer collection systems and SSOs; and (2) clarifying the regulatory framework for applying NPDES permit conditions to municipal satellite collection systems. EPA will hold public listening sessions and the public can submit written comments. EPA will accept written comments on the potential rule until 60 days after publication in the Federal Register.

EPA is proposing a new permit requirement that would decrease the amount of pesticides discharged to our nation's waters and protect human health and the environment. This action is in response to an April 9, 2009 court decision that found that pesticide discharges to U.S. waters were pollutants, thus requiring a permit. The proposed permit, released for public comment and developed in collaboration with states, would require all operators to reduce pesticide discharges by using the lowest effective amount of pesticide, prevent leaks and spills, calibrate equipment and monitor for and report adverse incidents. Additional controls, such as integrated pest management practices, are built into the permit for operators who exceed an annual treatment area threshold.

Learn more about new rules proposed by EPA, which will reduce emissions from boilers, process heaters, and solid waste incinerators. The webinar is 9 June 2010.

May 21, 2010, this document was prepared to assist Federal agencies in implementing Executive Order 13514, Federal Leadership in Environmental, Energy, and Economic Performance. This document outlines the recommended steps for cost-effective creation of a bicycle-friendly environment for employees at and visitors to Federal facilities, thereby reducing the emission of greenhouse gases (GHG). This document was developed by the Office of the Federal Environmental Executive with assistance from the Inter-Agency Task Force on Bicycling and Active Transportation.

Check out the newest edition of the GreenGov Leader. If you are Federal (military or civilian) employee we invite you to join the GreenGov Collaborative, hosted here on FedCenter, to put your GreenGov ideas into action.

The Local Government Commission (LGC), sponsor of the conference, is accepting proposals doe sessions to be held at the 2011 New Partners for Smart Growth Conference. The theme of the conference is "Building Safe, Healthy, and Livable Communities." Session proposal will be accepted until 30 June 2010.

Through a grant awarded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the University of Maine's Center on Aging has completed the first statewide mail-back pilot program for managing pharmaceutical waste from consumers. EPA is currently evaluating the potential risks associated with pharmaceuticals and personal care products on public health and aquatic life.

The U.S. EPA Region 4 today has approved the Tennessee Valley Authority's (TVA) selected cleanup plan for the next phase of coal ash removal at the TVA Kingston site in Roane County, Tenn. The cleanup plan, one of three alternatives proposed to the public earlier this year, requires TVA to permanently store on site all of the ash being removed from the Swan Pond Embayment, which includes land and bodies of water adjacent to the TVA coal ash disposal area. The embayment area will then be restored to conditions that protect human health and the environment. The cleanup plan approved by EPA in a signed Action Memorandum (AM) was chosen above the others because of its protectiveness, ease of implementation and cost effectiveness. POC is Davina Marraccini, (404) 562-8293, marraccini.davina@epa.gov.

The Office of the Federal Environmental Executive and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency are pleased to announce the recipients of the 2010 Federal Electronics Challenge (FEC) Awards. The 2010 FEC Awards will recognize 38 Federal facilities from ten different Federal Agencies for their leadership in Federal electronics stewardship during fiscal year 2009.

This guidance explains technical and policy approaches available to states, territories and authorized tribes that are adopting the water quality criterion for methylmercury into their water quality standards. As states, territories and authorized tribes adopt these criterion, federal facilities will become subject to the criterion. This is EPA document # 823-R-10-001.

EPA today announced a final rule to address greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the largest stationary sources, while shielding millions of small sources of GHGs from Clean Air Act permitting requirements. The phased-in, common-sense approach will address facilities like power plants and oil refineries that are responsible for 70 percent of the greenhouse gases from stationary sources that threaten American's health and welfare. EPA's phased-in approach will start in January 2011, when Clean Air Act permitting requirements for GHGs will kick in for large facilities that are already obtaining Clean Air Act permits for other pollutants. Those facilities will be required to include GHGs in their permit if they increase these emissions by at least 75,000 tons per year (tpy).

This guidance was developed under the executive order issued by President Obama in May 2009, which declared the Chesapeake Bay a national treasure and ushered in a new era of shared federal leadership, action and accountability. It presents the most effective tools and practices to address nonpoint source pollution that is currently contributing nutrients and sediments from federal land management activity in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. The categories of activity that are addressed in this guidance are agriculture, urban and suburban (including turf), forestry, riparian areas, decentralized wastewater treatment systems, and hydromodification. The same techniques can be utilized by states, local governments, conservation districts, watershed organizations, developers, farmers and citizens in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

Available from EPA's Office of Water, the report describes the progress made in FY 2009 toward each of the 15 National Water Program subobjectives identified in the FY 2009 National Water Program Guidance and the EPA 2006 -2011 Strategic Plan. Four key elements in the Report are: an overview of performance for all FY 2009 National Water Program measures; a description of innovative approaches and best practices in program implementation; performance highlights and management challenges for each subobjective; and an appendix of data for environmental and program-related measures, including national and regional data (where available).

CBP pairs Participants with laboratory researchers and technical experts to provide technical expertise to Participants in the design, construction, and validation of low-energy building designs. Applications are due noon on May 12, 2010.

Presentations are being solicited for the 2011 North American Environmental Field Conference on the topics of environmental site characterization, sampling, monitoring and remediation. Abstracts are due 9 July 2010.

EPA Region 7 and GSA Heartland have signed an Environmental Working Agreement that outlines a plan to further investigate and manage environmental conditions at GSA-managed facilities within the Bannister Federal Complex in Kansas City, Mo. As part of the combined effort to improve environmental management at the Bannister Federal Complex, EPA and GSA also announced the activation of a community advisory panel which will provide input to a newly created Interagency Environmental Leadership Council on environmental and redevelopment issues.

EPA Region 7 announced it is going to reassess the entire Bannister Federal Complex for possible inclusion on the National Priorities List (NPL). The Sierra Club and Physicians for Social Responsibility sent a request April 15 asking Region 7 to "conduct a full and complete reinvestigation and reassessment of the entire Bannister Federal Complex." The original EPA assessment was conducted in 1987.

EPA and DOE will hold the first public meeting of the Interagency Task Force on Carbon Capture and Storage on May 6, 2010, in Washington, D.C.

EPA is seeking input on an environmental review of 16 Camp Edwards sites scheduled for use in a Massachusetts National Guard Training exercise in June 2010. The EPA is overseeing an ongoing cleanup of sites within the Camp Edwards Training Area.

DOE has announced that there are four new agreements valued at a total of $52.5 million under its Energy Savings Performance Contracts (ESPC), which are designed to help the federal government save energy and water. The new "task orders" will result in energy-saving upgrades at the Bureau of Land Management, National Wildlife Center, and two General Services Administration (GSA) facilities.

The Coast Guard Academy came in #1 in the "Per Capita Classic" category (total pounds of recyclables collected per person over 10 weeks).

This interactive site provides basic information about smaller Clean Water Act direct dischargers. Information includes: how many permits have been issued; how frequently sampling data is reviewed to determine if violations occurred; and frequency of violations.

(Kansas City, Kan., April 26, 2010) - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 7 announced it is going to reassess the entire Bannister Federal Complex for possible inclusion on the National Priorities List (NPL). The NPL is EPA's list of the most serious hazardous waste sites identified for possible long-term remedial response under Superfund.

The EPA semiannual regulatory agenda is published to update the public about: regulations and major policies currently under development, reviews of existing regulations and major policies, and rules and major policymakings completed or canceled since the last agenda.

The Commerce Department's Economics and Statistics Administration has issued two new reports on the green economy. The first, "Measuring the Green Economy," presents definitions and estimates of the size of the green economy. The report finds that the green economy makes up about 1 to 2 percent of the total economy and is poised for strong growth. The second report, "U.S. Carbon Dioxide Emissions and Intensities Over Time: A Detailed Accounting of Industries, Government and Households," analyzes energy-related CO2 emissions and intensities for 349 industries, the government, and households for the 1998 to 2006 period. This report shows how energy efficiency has changed over the past decade across industry sectors, indicating that some areas of the economy have shown substantial decreases in their CO2 emissions while others have made less progress. The methodology of the report provides a way to measure changes in energy efficiency over time as policies change.

DOE announced that Seattle City Light, Seattle's publicly owned power utility, has been selected to lead a national effort to guide municipalities in evaluating light emitting diode (LED) street lights.