Posts Tagged ‘Provided’

U.S. EPA awards Arizona more than $27 million to improve water quality, protect public health / Hundreds of millions in funding provided to Arizona since 1990 (AZ)

Posted by admin on October 17th, 2012

 

Release Date: 10/17/2012
Contact Information:

WIFA will use the funds to provide low-cost loans for drinking water and wastewater infrastructure upgrades. WIFA’s Clean Water State Revolving Fund provides financing for municipal wastewater treatment projects, while its Drinking Water State Revolving Fund provides financial assistance for basic drinking water infrastructure for both public and private drinking water systems.

“EPA is continuing its investment in Arizona’s water infrastructure,” said Jared Blumenfeld, EPA’s Regional Administrator for the Pacific Southwest. “Our goal is to ensure that Arizona has safe, reliable drinking water and proper wastewater treatment.”

U.S. EPA has awarded more than $ 240 million in federal funding for Arizona’s Clean Water State Revolving Fund from inception of the program. WIFA increases the investment in Arizona by leveraging the federal dollars on the bond market. WIFA’s Clean Water Revolving Fund reached $ 1.4 billion in assistance provided cumulatively, with a total of 171 wastewater treatment projects funded through 2012. The funds are used for a wide variety of water quality projects, including nonpoint source pollution control, watershed protection or restoration, water and energy efficiency projects, wastewater reclamation, and traditional municipal wastewater treatment projects.

WIFA’s Drinking Water Revolving Fund has received $ 297.1 million in federal funding to date. WIFA has issued 185 drinking water loans totaling $ 713 million through 2012. Funds to the program also support projects like drinking water plant operator training, and technical assistance.

“One of the best things about WIFA is our ability to help communities throughout Arizona with their water infrastructure needs,” said WIFA Executive Director, Sandy Sutton. “Not only are we able to award very low-interest rate loans, we also offer incentives for green projects and even further financial incentives for disadvantaged communities. For some communities, this is their only option when it comes to improving or upgrading their water infrastructure.”

Forty years ago, when the federal Clean Water Act was made law, Congress charged a fledgling EPA with the goal of making the nation’s waters “fishable and swimmable.” Achieving this goal requires communities to make large investments in drinking water and wastewater infrastructure. The state revolving funds are EPA’s primary tools for helping communities meet their continuing and significant water infrastructure needs. Each state maintains revolving loan fund programs, capitalized by the EPA, to provide low-cost financing for water quality infrastructure projects.


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U.S. EPA awards Hawaii over $20 million to improve water quality, protect public health / Hundreds of millions in funding provided to Department of Health since 1990 (HI)

Posted by admin on September 17th, 2012

 

Release Date: 09/17/2012
Contact Information: Dean Higuchi, 808-541-2711, [email protected]

(09/17/12) HONOLULU – U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently awarded the Hawaii Department of Health a $ 10,946,000 million grant for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund and a $ 9,125,000 million grant for the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund for water pollution control and drinking water infrastructure projects.

The Department of Health will use the funds to provide low-cost loans to the state’s counties for drinking water and wastewater infrastructure upgrades. In Hawaii, most of the infrastructure for wastewater treatment is along the coast and funding will assist in making improvements and adaptations to aging systems and those potentially impacted by rising sea levels from climate change.

“EPA is continuing its investment in Hawaii’s water infrastructure,” said Jared Blumenfeld, EPA’s Regional Administrator for the Pacific Southwest. “Our goal, along with the Department of Health, is ensure that Hawaii has safe, reliable drinking water and proper wastewater treatment.”

The EPA has awarded $ 282 million in federal funding for Hawaii’s Clean Water State Revolving Fund program from 1990 to the present. Every year, more funds become available as the principle, interest and fees are repaid to the program. Hawaii’s Clean Water State Revolving Fund reached $ 611 million last year, with a total of 74 wastewater treatment projects funded statewide totaling $ 509 million. The funds are used for a wide variety of water quality projects, including nonpoint source pollution control, watershed protection or restoration, improving water and energy efficiency, and traditional municipal wastewater treatment projects.

The Hawaii Drinking Water State Revolving Fund totals $ 192 million and the Hawaii Department of Health has issued 45 loans totaling $ 124 million. Funds to the program also support projects such as capacity development, sanitary surveys, drinking water operator training and technical assistance.

Forty years ago, when the federal Clean Water Act was made law, Congress charged a fledgling EPA with the goal of making the nation’s waters “fishable and swimmable.” Achieving this goal requires communities to make large investments in drinking water and wastewater infrastructure. The state revolving funds are EPA’s primary tools for helping communities meet their continuing and significant water infrastructure needs. Each state maintains revolving loan fund programs, capitalized by the EPA, to provide lowcost financing for water quality infrastructure projects.

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Surety1 Has Provided Performance Bonds on Over $250mm in Government…

Posted by admin on June 4th, 2012

Sacramento, CA (PRWEB) June 03, 2012

Surety Solutions Insurance Services, Inc. (Surety1), is a Rancho Cordova, California based independent insurance agency. The staff at Surety1 are specialists in obtaining surety credit for contractors participating in the federal government 8a program. Working closely with the surety companies it represents, Surety1 can find the market that is the best fit for the emerging 8a contractor.

The 8a program is administered through the Small Business Administration and is nine years long. The program has 2 phases: the first four years are to help the company grow then the last five years are the transitional period meant to help the companies go out into the workplace and be successful. When people hear of the 8a program, they often think of construction companies. While there are many construction companies working to go into the 8a program, the program is good for many different types of businesses.

The purpose of the program is help small business get federal government contracts whether it’s installing new computer software, re-roof a military base or providing medical consulting services, the federal government spends millions of dollars on these types of services every year.

One issue that people do run it into is being able to provide the surety bonding required on the federal contracts. Performance and Payment Bonds are normally required on construction projects but they can also be required on service contracts such as janitorial, IT support, or landscaping. If the company is doing well in the program and being required to get bonds often then we recommend getting a bond line established to make bonding the individual projects faster.

Surety Solutions Insurance Services, Inc. (Surety1) is an independent insurance agency based in Rancho Cordova California, specializing in the placement of surety bonds and other specialty insurance products.

For more information on obtaining a Performance Surety Bond, you can contact Surety Solutions through its website, http://www.surety1.com, by calling toll free, at 877-654-2327 or e-mail, at info(at)surety1(dot)com


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€5 million provided to support the creation and development of Agri-Food enterprises in Rural Ireland – Hogan

Posted by admin on March 6th, 2012



€5 million provided to support the creation and development of Agri-Food enterprises in Rural Ireland – Hogan

06/03/12

Creating 200 jobs directly and supporting jobs indirectly

Phil Hogan, T.D., Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government announced today (6th March, 2012) that €5 million in funding will be provided in 2012/2013 to support the creation and development of Agri-Food enterprises in rural Ireland. Based on recent research conducted by the Local Development sector this funding has the potential to create more than 200 jobs directly as well as sustaining a number of jobs currently available in the sector.

This funding, provided under the Adding Value to Agricultural Products measure of the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 (RDP)  will bridge the gap generated when this type of funding was suspended under the Business Creation and Development Measure of the RDP in early 2011 and will provide much needed support to Artisan food producers in Ireland. The funding will be delivered using the “bottom up” LEADER approach through the 35 Local Development Companies contracted to deliver the RDP in Ireland.

Announcing the funding Minister Hogan said:

“The Agri-Food sector is one of Ireland’s most important indigenous manufacturing sectors and continues to make a very significant contribution to the Irish economy in a difficult economic environment. A significant part of enterprise activity in rural areas focuses on food and food-related businesses and the continued provision of support for these businesses is critical as we look to ways to generate employment in rural Ireland. LEADER has a long and productive history of support for the agri-food sector in Ireland and I am happy to announce this funding which will continue to ensure this support. Based on recent research conducted by the Local Development sector this funding has the potential to create more than 200 jobs directly as well as sustaining a number of jobs currently available in the sector. The funding will also stimulate economic activity in rural areas which will, in turn create a more robust environment for further job creation. I am confident this funding will assist in the creation and development of agri-food products that will contribute to the continued success of this sector and in turn support Ireland’s recovery process going forward.”

“On top of the additional €5m being made available for the agri-food sector, the other LEADER elements of the Rural Development Programme will continue to offer significant financial resources to rural communities and entrepreneurs. With a budget of €96 million for 2012 it is critically important that the 35 Local Development Companies and rural entrepreneurs in the agri-food and other sectors, all over Ireland continue to harness their energies in order to avail of this funding and further develop all aspects of their businesses.” 

   
The Minister added, “Anyone wishing to inquire about this funding should contact their Local Development Company; contact details for all companies contracted to deliver the RDP in Ireland can be found on my Department’s website at www.environ.ie

Ends.

Press and Information Office
Tel: (01) 888 2638  (direct)
(01) 888 2000
E-Mail: [email protected]

Web site: www.environ.ie

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Dunwoody, GA is Among Recipients of $750,000 in Smart Growth Assistance Provided by EPA (GA)

Posted by admin on February 7th, 2012

 

Release Date: 02/06/2012
Contact Information: Dawn Harris-Young, (404) 562-8421, [email protected]

ATLANTA — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that Dunwoody, GA will receive technical assistance through the Building Blocks for Sustainable Communities program. Nationally, 56 communities in 26 states will each receive the assistance from EPA-funded private-sector experts. The technical experts will work with the communities on actions they can take to improve the economy, the environment, and quality of life. Some examples may include improving pedestrian access and safety, incorporating green infrastructure, or conducting an economic and fiscal health assessment.

Dunwoody will use the Green Building Toolkit to assist in the identification and removal of barriers in the permitting processes for sustainable designs and green buildings.

Building Blocks for Sustainable Communities is a project of the Partnership for Sustainable Communities among EPA, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). The interagency collaboration coordinates federal investments in infrastructure, facilities, and services to get better results for communities and use taxpayer money more efficiently. The partnership is helping communities across the country create more housing choices, make transportation more efficient and reliable, reinforce existing investments, and support vibrant and healthy neighborhoods that attract businesses.

This announcement marks the second round of Building Blocks assistance. Thirty-two other communities were named in the first round in April 2011. EPA selected the 56 communities from 350 applicants through a competitive process in consultation with EPA’s regional offices, HUD, DOT, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

More information on the Building Blocks for Sustainable Communities: http://www.epa.gov/smartgrowth/buildingblocks.htm

More information on the Partnership for Sustainable Communities: http://www.sustainablecommunities.gov

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Greensboro, NC is Among Recipients of $750,000 in Smart Growth Assistance Provided by EPA (NC)

Posted by admin on February 7th, 2012

 

Release Date: 02/06/2012
Contact Information:

ATLANTA — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that Greensboro, NC will receive technical assistance through the Building Blocks for Sustainable Communities program. Nationally, 56 communities in 26 states will each receive the assistance from EPA-funded private-sector experts. The technical experts will work with the communities on actions they can take to improve the economy, the environment, and quality of life. Some examples may include improving pedestrian access and safety, incorporating green infrastructure, or conducting an economic and fiscal health assessment.

Greensboro is receiving assistance with Smart Growth Guidelines for Sustainable Design and Development. This assistance will help the community understand the key principles and decisions at the location, site, and building levels that can result in a more sustainable plan or development proposal.

Building Blocks for Sustainable Communities is a project of the Partnership for Sustainable Communities among EPA, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). The interagency collaboration coordinates federal investments in infrastructure, facilities, and services to get better results for communities and use taxpayer money more efficiently. The partnership is helping communities across the country create more housing choices, make transportation more efficient and reliable, reinforce existing investments, and support vibrant and healthy neighborhoods that attract businesses.

This announcement marks the second round of Building Blocks assistance. Thirty-two other communities were named in the first round in April 2011. EPA selected the 56 communities from 350 applicants through a competitive process in consultation with EPA’s regional offices, HUD, DOT, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

More information on the Building Blocks for Sustainable Communities: http://www.epa.gov/smartgrowth/buildingblocks.htm

More information on the Partnership for Sustainable Communities: http://www.sustainablecommunities.gov

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Onslow County, NC is Among Recipients of $750,000 in Smart Growth Assistance Provided by EPA (NC)

Posted by admin on February 6th, 2012

 

Release Date: 02/06/2012
Contact Information: Dawn Harris-Young, (404) 562-8421, [email protected]

ATLANTA — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announced that Onslow County, NC will receive technical assistance through the Building Blocks for Sustainable Communities program. Nationally, 56 communities in 26 states will each receive the assistance from EPA-funded private-sector experts. The technical experts will work with the communities on actions they can take to improve the economy, the environment, and quality of life. Some examples may include improving pedestrian access and safety, incorporating green infrastructure, or conducting an economic and fiscal health assessment.

Onslow County is receiving assistance with Smart Growth Zoning Codes for Small Cities and Rural Areas. This assistance offers solutions that the county can make to their zoning codes and planning documents to get development that protects their character and quality of life.

Building Blocks for Sustainable Communities is a project of the Partnership for Sustainable Communities among EPA, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). The interagency collaboration coordinates federal investments in infrastructure, facilities, and services to get better results for communities and use taxpayer money more efficiently. The partnership is helping communities across the country create more housing choices, make transportation more efficient and reliable, reinforce existing investments, and support vibrant and healthy neighborhoods that attract businesses.

This announcement marks the second round of Building Blocks assistance. Thirty-two other communities were named in the first round in April 2011. EPA selected the 56 communities from 350 applicants through a competitive process in consultation with EPA’s regional offices, HUD, DOT, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

More information on the Building Blocks for Sustainable Communities: http://www.epa.gov/smartgrowth/buildingblocks.htm

More information on the Partnership for Sustainable Communities: http://www.sustainablecommunities.gov

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Satworx Selected to Provided Satellite Communications for Renowned…

Posted by admin on November 16th, 2011

Las Vegas, Nev. (PRWEB) November 16, 2011

Satworx, a leader in global satellite phone solutions, was recently chosen by renowned storm chasing team TVN to provide communications for its daring scientific missions that require driving within 1,000 feet of a tornado.

The TVN team, featured in the Discovery Channel’s Storm Chasers, selected Satworx based on the company’s successful record of implementing reliable and consistent satellite-based communications customized to each client’s unique needs.

“When we’re chasing storms, our Satworx satellite equipment provides a vital lifeline for the TVN team,” said Reed Timmer, TVN lead storm chaser and meteorologist. “Satworx enables us to stay in constant contact and give advanced warning should a storm change direction or intensity, which saves lives.”

Each spring and summer, Timmer and his TVN team travel from the Mexican border to Canada to chase tornados. The goal is to collect scientific data and high-resolution video very near to the tornado core where the strongest winds reside to better understand how these storms form and sometimes turn deadly.

Tornados frequently destroy local infrastructure, including radio and cell phone towers. Satworx satellite-based communication tools allow the TVN team to execute complicated maneuvers in dangerous conditions between team members on foot and in vehicles. Vehicle docking kits with detachable GPS enabled satellite phones deliver essential voice and text services. The aptly named lead chase vehicle, Dominator II, is also equipped with a low-profile tracking antennae that can network up to 11 users via Wi-Fi and maintain a high-speed satellite data connection while driving.

“Coordinating experiments from the Dominator II in 120 m.p.h. winds with rain and flying debris requires dependable, uninterrupted connectivity,” said Sean McCready, Satworx marketing director. “With Satworx, TVN maintains complete voice, text and data service independent of conditions on the ground.”

For more information about TVN, visit http://www.tornadovideos.net and http://dsc.discovery.com/tv/storm-chasers/.

About Satworx

Satworx is a leading global satellite phone distributor that delivers satellite services to individual, corporate and government subscribers around the world. Satworx offers world-wide coverage for voice, text and high-speed broadband data that can support the most demanding land mobile, maritime and aeronautical communication applications. Customized satellite hardware and service configurations, designed by expert sales staff, are all supported by global, 24/7 customer service. For more information, visit http://www.satworx.com.

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Evaluation of the support provided by Norway’s International Climate and Forest Initiative in Indonesia

Posted by admin on June 21st, 2011


Evaluation of the support provided by Norway’s International Climate and Forest Initiative in Indonesia


Authors:
C. Mackenzie; M. Clarke; A. Suntana



Publisher:
Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation , 2011

The rationale behind Norway’s support for reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD) is to make a substantial contribution in the struggle against global warming. This report presents the findings of an evaluation of the support provided by Norway to the formulation and implementation of national REDD strategies and other REDD readiness efforts in Indonesia up until the end of August 2010.

The document states that:

  • Norway has been by far the biggest donor for REDD+ in Indonesia

  • in this respect, Norway’s International Climate and Forest Initiative (NICFI) provided support in Indonesia through four main funding channels, including bilateral partnerships and multilateral mechanisms

  • in terms of relevance, NICFI’s support was very well matched to Indonesia’s REDD+ strategic priorities and policies, to Indonesia’s commitment to its own emissions reductions, and to Norway’s REDD+ objectives.

Recommendations for the government of Indonesia as well as NICFI include: 

  • participatory land use planning will be fundamental to achieving a REDD+ strategy that accommodates Indonesia’s sustainable development objectives, resolves conflicts and protects biodiversity

  • in a programme like NICFI, more of a balance needs to be struck between promoting REDD+ ownership and providing inputs and oversight

  • it is necessary to provide technical assistance to support work in the pilot provinces to revise provincial spatial plans in accordance with the national REDD+ strategy

  • there is a need to move towards a more direct and explicit approach to ensuring social and environmental safeguards in national policy, strategy and legislation on REDD+

  • the government needs to be supported in efforts to coordinate donor activities related to all the different components of REDD+

  • the development of a monitoring system for safeguards needs to be supported as well.

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Community Provided Sewer Line Connections Due to EPA Settlement with Ponce Landfill Owner (PR)

Posted by admin on June 15th, 2011

Release date: 06/15/2011

Contact Information: John Martin, (212) 637-3662, [email protected] or Brenda Reyes, (787) 977-5869, [email protected]

(San Juan, P.R.) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced a legal settlement with the owner and operator of the Ponce Municipal Landfill that will reduce water pollution from the landfill into a local stream. The management of stormwater at the landfill will also be improved. In addition to complying with the requirements of the agreement, Allied Waste of Ponce, Inc. will spend at least $ 200,000 to build a new sewer line from the Ponce Municipal Landfill through the Barrio La Cotorra community located south of the landfill, which will then connect to the Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority wastewater treatment plant in Ponce. The sewer line will handle wastewater from landfill operations. In addition, the company will work with the Barrio La Cotorra community to connect homes to the new sewer line, which will eliminate the discharges of raw sewage from the septic systems that the community currently uses for wastewater disposal. The release of raw sewage from septic systems is a significant public health concern throughout Puerto Rico. EPA considers the area an environmental justice community because it is affected by disproportionately high and adverse environmental and public health conditions. Allied will also pay a $ 23,000 penalty.

“Clean water is our most vital natural resource and it is crucial that we reduce the pollution reaching our lakes, rivers and streams to protect people’s health,” said EPA Regional Administrator Judith A. Enck. “When a company violates its permits to discharge pollutants into a body of water, EPA takes action to make sure the problem is corrected, which is what we are doing at the Ponce landfill.”

Allied owns and operates the Ponce Municipal Landfill at State Rd. No. 500 in Ponce, P.R., and has a permit under the Clean Water Act to discharge certain pollutants in a tributary of Rio Pastillo. The permit requires the water going into the tributary to meet water quality standards. In July 2008, EPA inspected the landfill and found that the water didn’t meet the requirements for chemical oxygen demand and total suspended solids. Chemical oxygen demand measures the amount of pollution that cannot be broken down biologically in a body of water. The higher the chemical oxygen demand, the more pollution present in a body of water. Suspended solids are small particles of pollutants that float on the surface of sewage or other liquids and resist removal by conventional means. Suspended solids lead to the development of sludge deposits and affect fish and other aquatic species. Allied is now in compliance with its water permit.

EPA’s inspection also found that Allied did not properly implement its stormwater pollution prevention plan at the landfill, because it did not test the water for pollution. Stormwater pollution prevention plans are also required under the Clean Water Act. The company is currently implementing its stormwater pollution control plan.

The sewer line construction funded by Allied is considered by EPA to be a supplemental environmental project, which is an environmentally-beneficial project that a violator voluntarily agrees to undertake in partial settlement of violations, and it must be a project that a violator would not otherwise be required to perform.

For more information about requirements of the Clean Water Act and how EPA protects the nation’s water, visit http://www.water.epa.gov/.

Follow EPA Region 2 on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/eparegion2 and visit our Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/eparegion2.

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