ECA, intergovernmental groups discuss priority topics at annual meeting ECA Staff | 12/1/2022
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This week, the Energy Communities Alliance
(ECA) joined five other intergovernmental groups in New Orleans for the Twenty-First Annual Intergovernmental Meeting with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) on Nuclear Weapons Waste Cleanup. The Intergovernmental Meeting is a forum for state, local, tribal, and federal officials to discuss priorities and strategies for managing and storing defense nuclear waste and for remediation of production sites. It is convened by the DOE Office of Environmental Management (DOE-EM) and the six intergovernmental groups partnering in, and affected by, the
ongoing cleanup of defense related nuclear waste. ECA attendees held a Board Meeting in the National World War II Museum, including a conversation with EM Senior Advisor William "Ike" White to discuss local government and community priorities. ECA appreciates his remarks and his commitment to open communication and continued partnership with ECA's communities. On Day One of the conference, meeting attendees heard from EM leadership - including Ike White - and other expert speakers on the status of the EM program, the future of waste management, progress on
consent-based siting, and protection of cultural and historic DOE landscapes. Attendees also participated in an interactive budget simulation. ECA Executive Director Seth Kirshenberg also provided updates from Washington, D.C. and the perspective from Capitol Hill. To view his presentation, please click here. On Day Two of the meeting, participants learned more about how the Department is combating climate change and moving from cleanup to clean energy, planning for climate adaptation and resiliency, the future of EM's workforce, and how the federal government is addressing emerging contaminants like PFAS. ECA would like to thank all of the other intergovernmental groups, our members, and all meeting participants for
making this year's conference such a success. ECA
would also like to encourage anyone who is interested in learning more about cleanup topics to check out our new interactive Guide to Successful Environmental Cleanup, located here.
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Biden-Harris Administration launches $80 million program for energy upgrades in public schools Department of Energy | 11/29/22 On November 29, the Biden-Harris Administration, through the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), announced
that applications are open for the Renew America’s Schools grant program. This initial funding round, up to $80 million of the $500 million program, is available to public schools to
perform energy improvements in the highest-need K-12 districts across the country. School facilities are the second-largest sector of public infrastructure spending according to the American Society of Civil Engineers, yet school buildings are consistently
reported as aging, unhealthy and inefficient. The Renew America’s Schools program is a first-of-its-kind investment made possible by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, as part of the Administration’s broader Action Plan for Building Better School Infrastructure. The program will help create healthier learning environments, lower utility costs, and
redirect funds to support students and teachers. “By
making our students’ learning environments healthier with these critical energy improvements, our children will be better able to reach their full potential in the classroom,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm. “DOE is working diligently to deploy these critical funds so that schools can start turning infrastructure improvements into healthier learning environments and big cost savings, as soon as possible.” The Renew America’s Schools grant program will support the implementation of infrastructure improvements in schools, with a focus on local education agencies (LEAs) that qualify as rural and/or high poverty. Eligible projects can include a variety of energy improvements, including new heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC). The
deadline for applicant concept papers is January 26, 2023, and full applications are due April 21, 2023. In tandem with the Renew America’s Schools grant program, DOE launched a $4.5 million prize program, Energy Champions Leading the Advancement of Sustainable Schools (Energy CLASS Prize). This competitive program will support up to 25 high-need LEAs by providing a $100,000 cash award to winners for the purpose of building the workforce through training and the staffing of energy management positions. Through the Energy CLASS Prize, energy
managers will learn to identify, implement, and maintain projects that will improve health and efficiency in their districts. At the conclusion of the first year of the program, participating LEAs can submit a progress report and – based on performance – may qualify for an additional $50,000. Applications for the Energy CLASS Prize are open now through February 28, 2023. For more information on the program and prize, visit DOE’s Schools Energy Improvements webpage.
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Latest Gone Fission episode highlights DOE community engagement, ECA's Guide to Successful Environmental Cleanup ECA Staff | 12/1/22 The newest episode of the Gone Fission Nuclear Report features ECA Executive Director Seth Kirshenberg, who highlights the importance of community engagement in cleanup of the weapons complex and discusses ECA's new interactive online guide to cleanup FAQs. Community involvement is a central element in the success of the Department of Energy's (DOE) environmental
cleanup program. Local community leaders, elected officials and the public at-large are invited to take a seat at the table to provide input and participate in discussions about cleanup priorities. As an organization, ECA advocates for and supports communities around DOE cleanup sites. The newest episode of Gone Fission spotlights ECA's new Guide of Successful Environmental Cleanup, an interactive guide is designed to help communities and other interested parties in developing an effective and collaborative approach in working with DOE toward
accomplishment of mutual cleanup goals at DOE sites. To view the full episode, please click here: https://youtu.be/mQ_C6UlPfbU.
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Interactive guide for communities and governments to help navigate nuclear waste cleanup The Energy Communities Alliance (ECA) recently released the Guide to Successful Environmental Cleanup, an interactive online resource that provides frequently asked questions, case studies, and recommendations regarding nuclear waste cleanup. To assist local government officials, their communities, and federal agencies in deciphering the
complexities of the environmental cleanup process, ECA developed this guide to facilitate future successful cleanups. |
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Stay Current on Activities in the DOE World
Read the latest edition of the ECA Bulletin, a regular newsletter providing a detailed brief of ECA activities, legislative news, and major events from across the DOE complex. Have suggestions for future editions? Email bulletin@energyca.org.
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Learn More about Cleanup Sites with ECA's DOE Site Profiles ECA's new site profiles detail DOE's active Environmental Management cleanup sites and national laboratories,
highlighting their history, missions, and priorities. The profiles are a key source for media, stakeholders, and the public to learn more about DOE site activities, contractors, advisory boards, and their surrounding local governments. |
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