Application Deadline Extended to March 25, 2022

EPA’s Office of Air Quality Planning & Standards (OAQPS) has extended the deadline to March 25 for their request for applications from eligible entities to conduct ambient air monitoring of pollutants of greatest concern in communities with environmental and health outcome disparities stemming from pollution and the COVID-19 pandemic. This funding was allocated to EPA under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARP). EPA will award funds to support community and local efforts to monitor their own air quality and to promote air quality monitoring partnerships between communities and tribal, state, and local governments.

Eligible entities include states (including the District of Columbia); local governments; U.S. territories and possessions; Indian tribes; public and private hospitals and laboratories; and other public or private nonprofit organizations. 

The total estimated funding for this competitive opportunity is approximately $20,000,000. Approximately $2 million dollars of this amount will be awarded to tribal governments under a tribal government set-aside, and approximately $2 million will be awarded to eligible community-based organizations under a community-based organization set-aside.

Overall, EPA anticipates awarding a total of approximately 50-70 assistance agreements (cooperative agreements or grants) from this announcement, subject to availability of funds, the quality of applications received, agency priorities, and other applicable considerations. EPA anticipates awarding approximately 20-30 assistance agreements ranging in value from $25,000 to $100,000 and 30-40 assistance agreements ranging in value from $100,001-$500,000.

Funding Opportunity Information Session

Held Tuesday, January 11, 2022

• Request for Applications (RFA) Information Session Recording
• RFA Information Session Slides

Any additional questions must be submitted via email to AirMonitoring@epa.gov before March 18, 2022.

Proposals Due to Maritime Administration (MARAD) by February 16, 2022

The Maritime Administration (MARAD), Maritime Environmental and Technical Assistance (META) Program, has issued a request for proposals (RFP) for projects that demonstrate the use of microgrids for marine terminal operations. For purposes of the demonstration, the microgrid should: (1) be powered by energy sources that would reduce overall criteria pollutant and carbon emissions at the port and (2) be designed to operate independently of the local power grid to provide an uninterrupted power supply. Any project funded out of this RFP must be a demonstrable microgrid project at a port or terminal.

Funding

MARAD will provide cost share funding not to exceed 50% of total project cost, through a cooperative agreement(s) for one or more projects for a port or terminal operation. The total amount of funding under the RFP will be up to $1,500,000.

Selection Criteria

1. Commercial availability of technology.
2. The application of the proposed microgrid system in support of port or terminal operations.
3. Operational characteristics (power rating, refueling requirements, maintenance requirements, etc.) of alternative energy source(s) and microgrid.
4. The applicant’s capabilities, related experience, facilities, techniques or unique combinations of these that are integral factors for achieving the proposal objectives.
5. Scope and extent of partnerships including the ability to cost share.
6. Proposed reduction in criteria pollutants and/or carbon emissions.