Advance Program

Advance currently includes 43 active participants; these areas are located in 24 states and 9 of the 10 EPA Regions.  Twenty five areas are participating in Ozone Advance, eleven are participating in PM Advance, and seven are participating in both Ozone and PM Advance.

Advance Program

A collaboration between EPA, states, Tribes, and local governments to encourage ozone and fine particulate (PM2.5) emission reductions.  The program encourages expeditious emission reductions in ozone and fine particle attainment areas to help these areas continue to meet the National Ambient Air Quality Standards.The steps taken by program participants could:

  1. Help attainment areas reduce emissions to ensure continued public health protection,
  2. Better position areas to remain in attainment, and
  3. Efficiently direct available resources toward actions to address ozone and fine particle problems quickly.

Disclaimer: This website includes information from third parties not associated with the EPA. The information does not constitute an endorsement of these organizations or their programs by EPA and is provided as a service. EPA does not endorse any non-government website, companies or applications. EPA is not responsible for the content of individual organization web pages found at the links provided.

Funding

COMING SOON!  Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) National and State Grants - EPA anticipates issuing the 2017 request for proposals in February.  Start generating project ideas now!

APPLY NOW! EPA Environmental Justice Small Grants - Grants to support activities to empower and educate affected communities about environmental and public health issues and to identify ways to address the issues at a local level. Approximately 40 projects will receive $30,000 each. Applications due Jan. 31, 2017.

APPLY NOW! Dept. of Energy Scaling Up the Next Generation of Building Efficiency Packages - DOE seeks proposals that drive innovation in building technology while fostering the collaboration of teams (states, local governments, utilities, etc.) $6.5 million is expected to be available, with awards ranging from $200,000-$700,000. Application deadline is Feb. 21, 2017.

APPLY NOW! Dept. of Energy SunShot Initiative - DOE is offering a Community Solar Challenge to improve solar electricity access to underserved communities. Inclusive solutions like community solar projects will be encouraged.  $5 million in prizes and technical assistance are available. Application deadline is March 17, 2017


Resources

Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Technical Assistance - This new website includes a data base of research, informaiton about funding and financing options, and opportunities for professionals to connect with one another.

National Assessment of Strategies to Reduce Air Pollution at Ports - This new EPA report examines current and future emission trends from diesel engines in port areas, and explores the emission reduction potential of strategies like replacing and repowering older, dirtier vehicles and engines and deploying zero emission technologies.

State and Local Energy Resources - Take a look at this new set of planning tools for cities! The website provides city-specific data for 23,400 cities across the U.S., including estimates of electricity and natural gas use and costs, fuel economy of vehicles in the city, rooftop solar energy potential for small buildings, top energy consuming industries in the city. The site also includes a local energy toolbox where communities can get a customizable list of actions to help make strategic energy decisions.

Better Buildings Challenge – Several Advance participants have joined this Dept. of Energy program, which helps create jobs through private sector investment in commercial and industrial building energy upgrades. 

Training

Sustainable City Network Webinar, Sustainability With Trees: Community Canopy Project, Jan. 19, 2017 1-2pm EST - Speakers from the Arbor Day Foundation and the City of Orlando will discuss how a tree distribution to homeowners offers the ability to interact with the community, educate on strategic tree planting, and promote green infrastructure leading to measureable environmental benefits (air quality, stormwater management, energy efficiency). To register

EPA Advance Program Webinar, IdleBox Anti-Idling Resources, Jan. 25, 2017 2-3pm EST - Learn how your efforts to reduce idling can be supported by materials and tools in the Dept. of Energy Clean Cities IdleBox Toolkit. To register, send an e-mail to advance@epa.gov and include your name, organization, telephone number, and the number of individuals expected to listen from your location. 

EPA Video Training Series, 2015 Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards - To access the videos on the APTI-Learn website, choose "Learn" then "Planning/Regulation Development," then "Launch Course" beside each of the modules (APTI V-237-1 through V-237-6). Topics include primary and secondary standards, air quality index, implementation, and monitoring.

EPA Environmental Education Materials - Lesson plans, activity books, posters, videos, project ideas, student awards, and more.  Order here.

Grants 101 Tutorial - Information on how to apply for EPA grants through grant closeout.