COMMUNITY GUIDE TO I PA'S PARTNERSHIP PROGRAMS ------- About CARE The Community Action for a Renewed Environment (CARE) program, sponsored by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), is a competitive grant program that offers an innovative way for communities to take action to reduce toxic pollution. Through CARE, communities create local collaborative partnerships that implement local solutions to reduce releases of and minimize exposure to toxic pollutants. EPA helps CARE communities assess the environmental risks they face and provides access to voluntary programs to address local environmental priorities. In addition, EPA offers support for communities to develop their own approaches to reducing toxics. Examples of some of the EPA voluntary programs that reduce exposure to toxics and create safer communities include programs that: reduce emissions from diesel engines, clean abandoned industrial sites, reduce emissions from small business operations while reducing costs, improve the indoor environment in schools, and use pollution prevention to protect drinking water supplies. In addition to providing CARE grant recipients with direct technical assistance, the CARE program serves as a gateway to help communities access the range of tools and resources available to develop community partnerships, undertake broad-based risk assessments, and implement actions to reduce risks. This Community Guide to EBA's Partnership Programs is designed to help communities navigate the range of EPA programs relevant to communities and find those programs that may be most useful in addressing local priorities. Updated annually, this second edition Guide incorporates new EPA programs that may be of help to communities as they attempt to minimize risks posed by toxics. For more information about CARE, please visit www.epa.gov/CARE. ------- Table of Contents Adopt Your Watershed 4 AgSIAR 5 Carpet America Recovery Effort 6 Children's Health Protection 7 Clean Construction USA 8 Clean Ports USA 9 Clean School Bus USA 10 Climate Leaders 11 Coalbed Methane Outreach Program (CMOP) 12 Community-Based Childhood Asthma Programs 13 Community-Based Radon Reduction 15 Design for the Environment (DfE) 16 Energy Star Energy Management & Product Certification 17 Environmental Tobacco Smoke/Smoke-free Homes 18 Green Building Programs 19 Green Power Partnership 20 Green Suppliers Network 21 GreenScapes 22 Indoor Air Quality'Tools for Schools" 23 Integrated Pest Management in Schools 24 Landfill Methane Outreach Program 25 National Clean Diesel Campaign 26 National Nonpoint Source Management Program 27 National Partnership for Environmental Priorities 28 Natural Gas Star 29 Pesticide Environmental Stewardship Program 30 Plug-In To eCycling 31 Schools Chemical Cleanout Campaign and Prevention Program 32 Smart Growth Program 33 SmartWay Transport 34 Source Water Protection Program 35 Voluntary Diesel Retrofit Program 36 Volunteer Water Monitoring Program 37 WasteWise 38 WaterSense.. ..39 Community Guide to EPA's Partnership Programs ------- Adopt Your Watershed www.epa.gov/adopt Purpose This program offers a list of resources and other organizations that will educate and support people to have a sense of stewardship and help them to protect their local lakes, rivers, streams and other wetland areas and bodies of water. Community Application Any community with ties to a watershed or wetland area will benefit from this program through increased public involvement and participation. Program Description The Adopt Your Watershed campaign came under the spotlight in 2002, the'Tear of Clean Water." It informs people about the various volunteer activities in their local watershed that they may participate in to help protect their local environment. Activities include monitoring, garbage cleanup, and water snapshots. There are also various forms of financial assistance available. The National Zoo in Washington, DC, adopted Rock Creek through the Adopt Your Watershed program and is attempting to bring it back to a healthy and diverse ecosystem. Through monitoring and other volunteer activities, they are trying to bring the bluebackand alewife herrings back to sustainable levels. These fish return from the Chesapeake Bay annually.The Zoo has also begun removing obstacles that are prohibiting the herring's migration route. Contact Information Patty Scott Office of Water (202)566-1292 scott.patty@epa.gov ------- AgSTAR www.epa.gov/agstar Purpose AgSTAR is an outreach program designed to reduce methane emissions from livestock waste management operations by promoting the use of biogas recovery systems. Community Application Any community with confined animal feeding operations wishing to reduce methane emissions would benefit from this program. Program Description The program encourages the use of methane recovery (biogas) technologies at the confined animal feeding operations that manage manure as liquids or slurries. These technologies reduce methane emissions while achieving other environmental benefits. AgSTAR provides an array of information and tools designed to assist producers in the evaluation and implementation of these systems including hotlines, conferences, and collaborating with federal and state renewable energy, agricultural, and environmental programs. Since the establishment of the program in 1994, the number of operational digester systems has doubled. This has produced significant environmental and energy benefits, including methane emission reductions of approximately 124,000 metric tons of carbon equivalent and annual energy generation of about 30 million kWh. Contact Information Christopher Voell Office of Air and Radiation (202) 343-9406 voell.christopher@epa.gov Community Guide to EPA's Partnership Programs ------- Carpet America Recovery Effort www.carpetrecovery.org Purpose Carpet America Recovery Effort is a voluntary initiative of the carpet industry and government to prevent carpet from burdening landfills. The program focuses on developing carpet reclamation and recycling methods. Community Application Any community with a need to decrease the volume of waste entering landfills will benefit from this program. Program Description Carpet America Recovery Effort is a joint industry-government effort to increase the amount of recycling and reuse of post-consumer carpet and reduce the amount of waste carpet going into landfills. The program's mission is to foster market-based solutions for recovering value from discarded carpet to meet specific goals. To accomplish its mission, the program facilitates, advises, provides resources, and serves as a forum for the many different stakeholders. Types of assistance include business development, recovery, and product and market development. Contact Information John Glenn Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response (703)308-0215 glenn.john@epa.gov ------- Children's Health Protection www.epa.gov/ckildren Purpose This mission of this program is to make the health protection of children a fundamental goal of public health and environmental protection in the United States and around the world. Community Application Any community hoping to address environmental health risks to children will benefit from this program. Children may have greater exposures to environmental toxicants than adults. In relation to body weight, children drink more water, eat more food, and breathe more air than adults. Children play close to the ground and place their hands in their mouths, which increases their exposure to toxicants in dust, soil, and low-lying toxicants in the air, such as pesticide vapors. Program Description The Office of Children's Health Protection builds community capacity to protect children from environmental health threats by 1) providing citizens and communities with information and tools, 2) supporting community actions, 3) raising awareness among health care providers about the risks to children's health, 4) engaging youth in children's environmental health protection, and 5) working with states to develop children's health programs. Providence, Rl, the 2005 Children's Environmental Health Award Winner, has a lead poisoning rate twice the national average. In 1992, the Childhood Lead Action project was developed to eliminate childhood lead poisoning in Rhode Island communities through education, parent support, and advocacy.The project has expanded into four effective initiatives that educate and increase awareness about lead hazards.The Rhode Island Lead Collaborative is a skills-building initiative for lead educators dedicated to increasing community capacity for organized prevention planning. The Lead Hazard Awareness program conducts door-to-door outreach, public and private presentations, and training in vulnerable communities.The Lead Safe House Party initiative raises awareness in at-risk neighborhoods. Finally, the Lead-Safe Rl! training program seeks to train property owners and professionals about lead-safe work practices, community notification rules, and inspection procedures. Contact Information Ted Cooopwood Office of Children's Health Protection and Environmental Education (202)564-2197 coopwood.theodore@epa.gov Community Guide to EPA's Partnership Programs ------- Clean Construction USA www.epa.gov/cleandiesel/construction Purpose The goal of Clean Construction USA is to reduce the exposure of the public to diesel exhaust from diesel construction equipment by encouraging the replacement or retrofit of in-use equipment with newer emissions control technologies. Community Application Any community wishing to reduce exposure to toxic diesel exhaust from construction sites and equipment would benefit from this program. Program Description The program has a four pronged approach to cut down on pollution caused by construction equipment. The program aims to do this through anti-idling policies, fueling equipment with cleaner fuels, retrofitting existing equipment, and replacing the oldest engines and equipment.There are grants available at both a state and federal level which will help support communities attempting to implement these changes. Some communities and construction projects have also implemented contract specifications to require the use of cleaner construction equipment. In November 2005, the EPA Administrator announced the award of more than $1 Million in grants for retrofitting or repowering diesel construction equipment and nonroad projects. Nine grants will reduce diesel emissions in construction equipment and improve air quality while serving as valuable models for future clean diesel projects in the nonroad sector. For more information about these grants, go to: http://www.epa.gov/otaq/diesel/awarded-grants.htmttgrants-2005. Many of the projects involve the installation of diesel oxidation catalysts (DOCs) or the upgrading or repowering of construction equipment to make them operate cleaner. Prior success from previous construction equipment in Boston's Big Dig Tunnel project and the I-95 New Haven Harbor Crossing Improvement Program helped pave the way. Contact Information Monica Beard-Raymond Office of Air and Radiation (734)214-4047 beard-raymond.monica@epa.gov ------- Clean Ports USA www.epa.gov/cleandiesel/ports Purpose As part of EPA's National Clean Diesel Campaign, the Clean Ports USA initiative's goal is to voluntarily reduce emissions from existing diesel engines at ports. Community Application Any community wishing to reduce exposure to toxic diesel exhaust from the 2,000 ports in the country would benefit from this program. Program Description The program reduces pollution caused by diesel equipment at marine ports. Clean Ports USA accomplishes this through a variety of cost-effective strategies, including encouraging ports to use cleaner fuels, retrofit equipment, and replace the oldest engines with cleaner ones. The program also promotes operational strategies such as increased reduced idling, enhanced use of IT to promote efficiency and reduce exhaust, and gate improvements to avoid truck idling. Grant opportunities and other incentives are available at both a state and federal level which will help support port communities. A terminal operator from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey achieved 35 percent emission reduction over a two year period while increasing operations by 19 percent and saving 20 percent on fuel usage. This company voluntarily purchased certified on-highway engines that meet tighter emissions standards and feature automatic idling shut-offs as the company replaced on-dock equipment. They have also voluntarily switched their entire operation over to 500 ppm sulfur on-highway fuel that these new engines require, instead of the 3,000 ppm sulfur nonroad diesel fuel. Contact Information Patricia D. Koman Office of Transportation and Air Quality (734)214-4955 koman.trish@epa.gov Community Guide to EPA's Partnership Programs ------- Clean School Bus USA www.epa.gov/cleanschoolbus Purpose The goal of Clean School Bus USA is to reduce both children's exposure to diesel exhaust and the amount of air pollution created by diesel school buses. Community Application Any community wishing to reduce exposure to toxic diesel exhaust from outdated school buses would benefit from this program. Program Description The program has a three-tiered approach to cut down on pollution caused by school buses.The program aims to do this through anti-idling policies, retrofitted buses, and replacement of the oldest vehicles. There are multiple grants and awards available at both a state and federal level which will help support communities attempting to implement these changes. On June 14,2004, two school districts in Michigan were awarded grants totaling almost $200,000 which will help retrofit the older diesel-fueled buses.The buses will be retrofitted with diesel oxidation catalysts that use a chemical process to breakdown pollutants in the exhaust stream into less harmful components.The catalysts can be installed on any new or used bus and run on regular diesel fuel. Over 70 grants to communities have been awarded since 2003 for clean school bus projects. Contact Information Jennifer L. Keller Clean School Bus USA Office of Air and Radiation (734)214-4780 CleanSchoolBusUSA@epa.gov ------- Climate Leaders www.epa.gov/climateleaders Purpose Climate Leaders is an EPA industry-government partnership that works with companies to develop long-term, comprehensive climate change strategies. Companies of all sizes and in all sectors are reducing greenhouse gas emissions through this program. Community Application Businesses seeking to do their part in reducing the risks of climate change in their communities will benefit from joining this program. Program Description Partner companies commit to reducing their impact on the global environment by setting aggressive greenhouse gas reduction goals and reporting their progress to EPA annually. Through program participation, companies create a credible record of their accomplishments and recieve EPA recognition as corporate environmental leaders. The Climate Protection Campaign (CPC) was founded in 2001 to bring together the Sonoma County, California government, businesses and communities to achieve larger greenhouse gas emissions reductions than each of these sectors would accomplish by acting alone. CPC successfully assisted the county in setting the boldest emissions reduction target of any U.S. community- 25% below 1990levels by 2015. Through a partnership with state-funded energy efficiency programs, CPC engages local business partners with California's aggressive energy efficiency improvements goals. Two of these business partners, Sonoma Wone Company and North Bay Construction, joined the Climate Leaders program to pursue aggressive greenhouse gas reduction goals and energy efficiencies that will contribute to the overall emissions target of Sonoma County. Contact Information Jim Sullivan Climate Leaders Program Office of Air and Radiation (202) 343-9241 sullivan.jamest@epa.gov Community Guide to EPA's Partnership Programs ------- Coalbed Methane Outreach Program (CMOP) www.epa.gov/cmop Purpose The mission of this program is to promote the profitable recovery and use of coal mine methane (CMM), a greenhouse gas more than 20 times as potent as carbon dioxide. Community Application Any community seeking to improve the environmental standard of their coal mining operations will benefit from this program. Program Description By working cooperatively with coal companies and related industries, CMOP helps to identify and implement methods to use CMM instead of emitting it into the atmosphere. In turn, these actions mitigate climate change, improve mine safety and productivity, and generate revenues and cost savings. Since its inception in 1994, CMOP has provided technical assistance to the coal industry by evaluating CMM recovery technologies and use options and the project economics for those options. Examples of such assistance include: providing important outreach services to keep the industry abreast of important developments through a quarterly newsletter and weekly email updates, supporting international efforts to reduce CMM emissions through the Methane to Markets Partnership and the Asia Pacific Partnership, and supporting the use of innovative technologies to harness ventilation air methane through a technology demonstration project. Since CMOP began in 1994, the U.S. coal mining industry has captured and used over 279 billion cubic feet (10.7 billion cubic meters) of CMM. This is the equivalent of removing 153 million metric tons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. In 2004, this provided enough energy to heat 457,000 homes and generated an estimated $188 million in revenue through gas and power sales. Contact Information Pamela Franklin Office of Air and Radiation (202) 343-9476 franklin.pamela@epa.gov ------- Community-Based Childhood Asthma Programs www. epa.gov/asthma Purpose This program encourages and supports communities to unite resources and stakeholders to address environmental pollutants that contribute to the burden of asthma. Community Application Any community seeking to reduce exposure to indoor and outdoor asthma triggers, including air toxics; to reduce asthma health care costs; and to improve the quality of life for people with asthma and their families will benefit from this program. Program Description EPA strives to improve the health of people with asthma — in particular disproportionately impacted populations — by 1) increasing knowledge about the importance of working with a doctor, developing an asthma action plan, and identifying personal asthma triggers; 2) fostering acquisition of new skills and behavior changes to reduce exposure to environmental asthma triggers; and 3) impacting the type and quality of care provided to people with asthma.To accomplish this, EPA works directly with people with asthma as well as with a variety of stakeholders, including health care providers, commercial and public health insurers, state agencies, child care and school personnel, community-based organizations and coalitions. Community Guide to EPA's Partnership Programs ------- Community-Based Childhood Asthma Programs—continued Examples of community asthma programs supported by EPA Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Community Asthma Prevention Program (CAPP): The CAPP home visit program for children with asthma and their families provides education and support for trigger management. Children enrolled in this program have fewer emergency room visits and hospitalizations for asthma (http://www. epa.gov/iaq/asthma/pdfs/chop.pdf). EPA tools and resources, such as the booklet Help Your Child Gain Control Over Asthma, are designed to meet the needs of parents with limited reading skills (http://www.epa.gov/asthma/publications.html). West Carrollton City OH School District: School officials improved school environments for all staff and students, including those with asthma, by supporting good indoor air quality (IAQ) management practices. District officials fostered a proactive approach, based on EPA's IAQ Tools for Schools program, to address IAQ complaints and problems. Absenteeism rates have declined nearly 9 percent district-wide since the program was established, and as much as 12 percent in one school. The district is now a regional resource and mentor for other schools (http://www.epa.gov/iaq/schools/iaqtfsawards.html). Richmond VA Asthma Coalition: Controlling Asthma in the Richmond MetropolitanArea (CARMA) used the Goldfish Media Campaign to raise awareness about asthma and to promote the CARMA services available to Richmond metropolitan area families. The Goldfish Campaign is a collaboration between EPA and the Ad Council, and it includes public service announcements for radio and TV, billboard and transit posters, and newspaper and magazine ads, in English and Spanish. These products are available free of charge (http://www.epa.gov/ asthma/psas.html). Contact Information Dave Rowson Office of Air and Radiation (202) 343-9449 rowson.david@epa.gov ------- Community-Based Radon Reduction www.epa.gov/radon Purpose This program encourages community-based testing for radon, fixing problems when high radon levels are found in homes and schools, and building new homes with radon resistant new construction. Community Application Communities concerned with exposure to pollutants contributing to cancer would benefit from this community awareness campaign. Program Description EPA has developed a Radon Outreach and Education Materials CD-ROM (Draft) for local organizations such as state and local governments, non-profit organizations, and educational institutions.The CD-ROM contains how- to guides, customizable presentations, sample materials and more.These materials can be used to connect with local media, businesses, civic groups, and other organizations. Communities are provided with sample outreach materials including outreach material templates, slide presentations for community and special-interest audiences, publications (available through the national IAQ clearinghouse), and technical support (available through state radon programs and EPA Headquarters program office). EPA assists communities in obtaining low-cost radon testing devices and conducting laboratory analysis of the results. EPA works with communities to identify strategies for fixing homes with high levels of radon. Many strategies include the creation of public private partnerships. Counties like Erie County, N.Y. have developed materials and programs to inform citizens about the seriousness of radon exposure in their homes. Erie County recently updated its radon awareness video with the help of Buffalo State College. The video encourages and instructs viewers on how to use home radon test kits and mitigation techniques, and also explains contributing factors to the county's radon problems like Erie County's topography and geography. The VMS and DVD forms of this video are used at health fairs and throughout the county schools, and are available at all 52 county public libraries, legislative offices, and by contacting the Erie County Office of Indoor Air Quality. Contact Information Susie Shimek Office of Air and Radiation (202) 343-9054 shimek.susie@epa.gov Community Guide to EPA's Partnership Programs ------- Design for the Environment (DfE) www.epa.gov/dfe Purpose DfE provides tools and approaches that allow businesses and communities to integrate environmental and health considerations into business decisions. Community Application Any community seeking to promote the use of alternative processes, safer product formulations, and emerging innovative technologies in industry in an effort to reduce chemical emissions and exposures, cut chemical waste, and improve overall safety will benefit from this program. Program Description The DfE Program promotes pollution prevention and risk reduction activities in industrial sectors and surrounding communities.To accomplish this mission, DfE forms partnerships with industry and other interested parties to develop information on environmental and human health impacts, performance, and cost of cleaner technologies and approaches. The program also disseminates information to help businesses design and redesign cost- effective products and processes that are cleaner and safer for workers and the public. It achieves this goal through technical support and advice. DfE demonstrated that small business auto refinishing shops adopting best practices can reduce toxic paint emissions in the shop and community by roughly 30 percent, or over a ton per shop annually, while saving as much as $13,000 per year. DfE conducts train-the-trainer workshops for vocational technical instructors, students, trade associations and shops to promote a best practice standard in the auto refinishing industry. If DfE best practices were implemented at all 50,000 auto refinishing shops nationwide, hazardous air emissions could be reduced by 86,000 tons per year and shops could save $650 million. Contact Information Clive Davies Office of Prevention, Pesticides and Toxics (202)564-3821 davies.clive@epa.gov ------- Energy Star Residential and Commercial Programs http://energystar.gov Purpose ENERGY Star is a program managed by EPA and DOE that helps organizations and individuals protect the environment and save money through superior energy efficiency. Community Application Any community interested in avoiding local greenhouse gas emissions and reducing energy costs will benefit from this program. Program Description In 1992 EPA introduced ENERGY STAR as a voluntary labeling program designed to identify and promote cost-effective energy efficient products in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Over the last 15 years, the program has grown to include over 50 categories of qualified product categories, labeled new homes, resources for improving the efficiency of existing homes; and tools and guidance for strategic energy managementin the commercial and industrial sectors. By choosing Energy Star consumers save up to 30%-or $600 annually-on their energy bills, many Businesses and organizations can also save up to 30% through improved energy management and building upgrades, In 2006, Americans, with tthe help of Energy Star, saved $14 billion in energy costs while avoiding greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those from 25 million vehicles. There are mulitple ways communities can participate in the Energy Star program.The ENERGY STAR Change a Light, Change the World Campaign is a national challenge to encourage every American to help change the world, one light-one energy saving-- step at a time. You can show your commitment by pledging to replace atleast one light in your home with one that has earned the ENERGY STAR. Community organizations can also sponsor pledge drives. Americans have pledged to change over a million light bulbs! In the commercial sector, the Energy Star challenge is a call to building owners and operates to reduce the energy use in the building by 10% or more. More than 500 organizations_including over 150 local governments_have joined the challenge. Contact Information Energy Star Hotline 1-888-STARYES (782-7937) hotline@energystar.gov www.energystar.gov Community Guide to EPA's Partnership Programs ------- Environmental Tobacco Smoke/ Smoke-free Homes www.epa.gov/smokefree Purpose This program encourages parents, caregivers and others to protect children from secondhand smoke especially in the home and car. Community Application All communities seeking to improve indoor air quality, particularly for children, will benefit from this program through motivating parents, caregivers, and others not to smoke in their homes or cars. Program Description Making homes and cars smoke-free helps protect children from bronchitis, pneumonia, more frequent and more severe asthma attacks, respiratory illnesses, ear infections and even sudden infant death syndrome.The program offers health information for parents and asks them to take the Smoke-free Home Pledge to keep their home and car smoke-free. Smoke- free Home information is available in English and Spanish. The National Association of Counties (NACo) and the National Association of Black County Officials (NOBCO) are successful participants in the Smoke-free Homes Program, having received approximately 20,000 pledges through their outreach efforts. Through advocacy of county officials, NACo and NOBCO member counties have participated in national challenges, worked with schools and school districts, and involved their communities in hands on activities that educate the public on the health risks of secondhand smoke to children. Parents, caregivers, and other adults are encouraged to take the Smoke-free Home pledge and, until they can quit, to smoke outside. Contact Information Sheila Brown Office of Air and Radiation (202) 343-9439 brown.sheila@epa.gov ------- Green Building Programs www.epa.gov/greenbuilding Purpose Green building is the practice of creating healthier and more resource-efficient models of construction, renovation, operation, maintenance, and demolition. EPA's Green Building programs together strive for a built environment that protects and enhances of ecosystems and the public. Community Application EPA's Green Building programs provide tools and resources useful to any community seeking to reduce the environmental impacts of building and development projects—from homes to shopping centers to religious establishments to office buildings. Program Description Green Building-related programs across the Agency provide tools and resources covering energy efficiency and renewable energy, water stewardship, environmentally preferable building materials and specifications, waste reduction, indoor environmental quality, smart growth, and sustainable development. The EPA-sponsored Federal Green Construction Guide for Specifiers (http://fedgreenspecs.wbdg.org) is a comprehensive guide for procuring green construction and renovation services. More than 60 model specification sections are in the Guide covering items from waste management to paint to HVAC.The Guide provides guide spec language for specifying environmental performance requirements of materials and installation methods as well as for prescribing the quality standards of construction procedures to be executed on the project. Additionally, the Guide lays out the contractors'submittal requirements-key to the building owners'efforts to measure environmental results. EPA intends the Guide to be a living document—expanding into new sections and raising the bar as the green building industry matures. Contact Information Ken Sandier Office of Air and Radiation - Indoor Environments (202)343-9607 sandler.ken@epa.gov Alison Kinn Bennett Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics (202) 564-8859 kinn.alison@epa.gov Community Guide to EPA's Partnership Programs ------- Green Power Partnership www.epa.gov/greenpower Purpose EPA's Green Power Partnership (GPP) is a voluntary program helping to increase the demand for renewable energy as a way to reduce the risk of climate change and the environmental impacts associated with conventional electricity use. A community-wide green power purchase is one of the easiest and most effective ways for a community to address its sustainability and environmental goals. Community Application EPA supports communities in the development of community-wide green power initiatives and provides recognition to those that reach the Partnership's minimum purchase requirements. Community green power purchases can serve as an effective way to generate goodwill and pride among local stakeholder groups, as well as generate local economic benefits. Program Description EPA's Green Power Partnership includes a wide variety of leading organizations such as Fortune 500 companies, local, state, and federal governments, trade associations, and colleges and universities. Green power is electricity generated from environmentally preferable renewable resources such as solar, wind, geothermal, low-impact biomass and low- impact hydro. By voluntarily purchasing green power, communities can help accelerate the development of new, domestic renewable energy generation facilities. Unlike conventional electricity generation, green power produces little to no net greenhouse gas emissions and is cleaner for the environment. This program includes the use of green tags as one of the incentives. Green tags allow customers to purchase the renewable attributes of a specific quantity of renewable energy. Green tags are sold separately from electricity and can be purchased from locations throughout the U.S. In this way, a customer can choose green power even if the local utility or marketer does not offer a green power product. One green tag typically represents the renewable attributes associated with one megawatt hour of green power. Through the use of green tags, green power becomes accessible to all. Contact Information Matt Clouse Office of Air and Radiation (202) 343-9004 clouse.matt@epa.gov ------- Green Suppliers Network www.epa.gov/greensuppliers Purpose The Green Suppliers Network provides lean and clean technical assistance to small and medium-sized manufacturers to help them optimize their resources and improve their environmental footprint. Community Application Green Suppliers Network provides CARE communities with a unique opportunity to engage small and medium-sized enterprises in their community's long-term environmental projects. The Green Suppliers Network also provides an economic incentive for manufacturers who are considering their involvement with CARE, by identifying cost effective ways of eliminating waste, improving efficiency, and reducing environmental impacts on the community. Program Description The Green Suppliers Network is a partnership program among industry, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the U.S. Department of Commerce. The Green Suppliers Network works with large manufacturing companies to engage facilities and suppliers facilities in low-cost technical reviews that focis on process improvement and waste minimization. EPA provides program support and some funding. With the help of a Green Suppliers Network Lean and Clean review, H&L Advantage has begun to transform the way they do business. H&L Advantage is a small injection molding manufacturer located in Grandville, Michigan. With sixty employees and forty years in the business, H&L Advantage knows what it takes to compete. When they were nominated to participate in Green Suppliers by their largest customer, they viewed participation as an opportunity to rise above the rest.Through the Green Suppliers Network review process, H&L Advantage worked on-site with Michigan's Department of Environmental Quality and The Right Place, West Michigan's 360vu center. These experts in Lean and Clean manufacturing techinques helped H&L Advantage identify over a dozen improvement opportunities in August 2004. Contact Information Kristin Pierre Office of Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic Substances (202) 564-8837 Pierre.Kristin@epa.gov Community Guide to EPA's Partnership Programs ------- GreenScapes www.epa.gov/greenscapes Purpose The purpose of GreenScapes is to promote sustainable, environmentally beneficial landscape practices across the nation. Community Application Any organization, agency, community, or individual with green space would benefit from this program. Program Description GreenScapes is designed to provide cost-efficient and environmentally friendly solutions for landscape design, construction, and maintenance - large and small. The goal is to preserve natural resources and prevent waste and pollution by encouraging organizations and individuals to make more holistic decisions regarding their landscape practices and purchases. GreenScapes promotes practices and products that meet the users needs but have a better environmental profile than current methods. Compost made from the food scraps of more than 1,500 food related businesses and thousands of residents in San Francisco is being used on vineyards throughout Northern California's wine country to enhance the quality of the soil. More than 300 tons of food scraps are sent to Jepson Prairie Organics composting facility each day, and 12 vineyards are currently using Jepson's compost.This project is one example of'closing the loop"— organics are taken from San Francisco tables, composted, put back into the soil, and returned to San Francisco restaurants as wine. Chris Choate, regional manager for compost facilities, says, "San Francisco likes the program because it shows how restaurants can do their part to divert waste from the landfills." Linda Hale, vineyard manager at Madrone Vineyards, thought using Jepson's compost was a great opportunity/'Farmers are environmental stewards and must be careful with the soil,"she notes. Using compost produced with food scraps allows the vineyard to help both the soil and the environment."Participating in this program is a win-win situation,"agrees DarekTrowbridge, vineyard manager at Everett Ridge Vineyards and Winery. The partnership between Jepson and local vineyards continues to thrive because it is beneficial to the growers and the environment.There are no additional costs for growers, people are seeing the farm and city connection, and the program is in line with U.S. trends towards sustainable and organic agriculture. Contact Information Jean Schwab GreenScapes Program Manager (703) 308-8669 schwab.jean@epa.gov ------- Indoor Air Quality "Tools for Schools" www.epa.gov/iaq/schools Purpose This program aims to help schools improve indoor air quality through inexpensive methods with the aid of an extensive guidance and support kit. Community Application Any community seeking to improve the indoor air quality of their schools will benefit from this program. Program Description The Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Tools for Schools Kit shows schools how to carry out a practical plan of action to improve indoor air problems at little or no cost using straightforward activities and in-house staff.The voluntary guidance in IAQ Tools for Schools can save schools time and money so that attention can be directed to educating children. It contains activities for both staff and students. Burlington School District of Burlington, Vermont, has overcome a tight budget and aging facilities to become a statewide leader and mentor in promoting good IAQ for students and staff. Burlington emphasized broad cooperation, clever, low-cost fixes, and good communication.The district implemented an anti-idling policy and employed direct communication and cooperation with vendors, which helped solve IAQ problems created by an air intake location near two schools' loading docks. Burlington utilized multiple grants to purchase HEPA vacuum cleaners and to make improvements in several school HVAC systems. A new emergency response system enables school or community members to report IAQ concerns by writing a simple ticket, establishing a detailed tracking system and allowing the district to respond quickly to concerns. The effects have been remarkable, demonstrated by a drop in one school's annual absenteeism rates among asthmatic students from 31 days to 2 days in just one year. Contact Information David Rowson Office of Air and Radiation (202) 343-9449 rowson.david@epa.gov Community Guide to EPA's Partnership Programs ------- Integrated Pest Management in Schools www.epa.gov/pesticides/ipm Purpose This program builds partnerships with universities, who are developing training programs, school districts doing Integrated Pest Management (IPM) pilot programs, and non-profit organizations developing IPM models and certification programs. The overall goal is to get schools to adopt IPM practices to control pests in their facilities. Community Application All communities have schools. Implementing school IPM provides a segue for healthier homes and an overall safer environment for us all. Program Description IPM in Schools is a voluntary program that forms partnerships with organizations that have the goal of protecting public health and providing a safe environment. Two virtual IPM Centers for Schools and Day Cares - Purdue University (1 -877-668-8476) and Texas A&M University (1 -877-747- 6872) - were funded by EPA to enhance adoption of IPM. These and other partnerships continue to leverage dollars from many different sources to continue their work in schools. IPM Institute of North America, Inc. is working to increase the adoption of IPM in schools nationwide.The Institute has created IPM Star, a school certification program, and helped to implement the program in several school districts, including: Newton, MA; Anne Arundel County, MD; New York City, NY; Kyrene, AZ; Auburn, AL; Buffalo, NY and Pittsburgh, PA. For more information, visit their website at: http://www.ipminstitute.org/school.htm The Monroe IPM Model is a 22 step process reliant on intensive communication and partnership and based on sound pest management as practiced by national experts. For more information, visit their website at: http://www.mccsc.edu/ ~mccscipm/html/reg/ipmodel/ipmodel_steps.htm Contact Information Sherry Click Office of Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic Substances (702) 784-8276 glick.sherry@epa.gov ------- Landfill Methane Outreach Program www.epa.gov/lmop Purpose The U.S. EPA's landfill Methane Outreach Program (LMOP) is a voluntary asistance program that helps to reduce methane emissions from landfills by encouraging the recovery and use of landfill gas as an energy resource. Community Application Any community wishing to utilize an alternative, renewable, green energy source will benefit from this program. Program Description LMOP forms partnerships with communities, landfill owners, utilities, power marketers, states, project developers, tribes, and non-profit organizations to help partners overcome barriers to project development. Program assistance includes helping partners assess project feasibility, find financing, and market the benefits of project development to the community. In the year 2006,425 operational LFG energy projects in 40 states prevented the release of over 22 million metric tons of carbon equivalent, since the program has began in 1994, LMOP has assisted in the development of over 330 LFG utilization projects that have reduced methane emissions 24 mmtce.This reduction is the carbon equivalent of removing the emissions from 16 million vehicles on the road or planting over 20 million acres of forest for one year. Contact Information Brian Guzzone Landfill Methane Outreach Program (202) 343-9248 guzzone.brian@epa.gov Community Guide to EPA's Partnership Programs ------- National Clean Diesel Campaign www.epa.gov/cleandiesel Purpose This program offers information, technical support, and assistance funding to help communities reduce exposure to diesel exhaust from both new and existing diesel engines. Community Application Any community aiming to reduce toxic emissions through diesel retrofits would benefit from this program. Program Description The National Clean Diesel Campaign promotes the reduction of emissions through a variety of cost-effective and innovative strategies, including switching to cleaner fuels, retrofitting, repairing, repowering, replacement and idle reduction, among others.The program also verifies emissions reductions of retrofit technologies. A network of Regional Collaborates provides support to local efforts. The Energy Policy Act and SAFETEA-LU transportation legislation provide new incentives for emission reductions. There are approximately 220 cleaner diesel projects nationwide, located in 44 States and the District of Columbia. Over 500 partners are participating in the projects. These partners'contributions have leveraged federal funds by over 2:1. In addition, over 20 States and the District of Columbia are using ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel well ahead of EPA's 2006 mandate as a result of the National Clean Diesel Campaign. Contact Information Jim Blubaugh Office of Air and Radiation (202) 343-9244 blubaugh.jim@epa.gov ------- National Nonpoint Source Management Program www.epa.gov/owow/nps Purpose This program aims to help communities reduce nonpoint source pollution or polluted runoff entering local rivers, streams, lakes and wetlands. Community Application Any community wanting to decrease nonpoint source pollutants will benefit from this program. Program Description Nonpoint source pollution is caused by rainfall or snowmelt moving over and through the ground. As the runoff moves, it picks up and carries away natural and human-made pollutants, finally depositing them into lakes, rivers, wetlands, coastal waters, and even our underground sources of drinking water. This program, authorized under Section 319 of the Clean Water Act, offers financial assistance and outreach materials to prevent and clean up pollution. California's major water supply reservoirs are located on rangeland, and eight of the state's major drainage basins are dominated by commonly grazed vegetation. Most of this rangeland is in private ownership. The water quality problems associated with this grazing include nutrients and pathogens, erosion, and sedimentation. Some of the more serious impacts have threatened the state's drinking water supply with bacterial contamination and caused significant declines in the state's cold-water salmon and steelhead trout fishery. With funding from EPA, the University of California Cooperative Extension, in cooperation with the California Cattlemen's Association and others, has developed and is presenting a voluntary Ranch Water Quality Planning Short Course. In the course, ranchers receive information to assist them in making an assessment of nonpoint source pollution on their land and to help them determine the extent to which their operation might be contributing to water quality problems. Contact Information DovWeitman Office of Water (202)566-1207 weitman.dov@epa.gov Community Guide to EPA's Partnership Programs ------- National Partnership for Environmental Priorities www.epa.gov/minimize/partnership.htm Purpose The goal of the program is to encourage the elimination or minimization of hazardous and industrial wastes, particularly those waste streams containing one or more of the 31 priority chemicals. Community Application Any community seeking to reduce the amount of waste generated and lower the toxicity and persistence of those wastes that are unavoidable will benefit from this program. Program Description EPA's National Partnership for Environmental Priorities (NPEP) focuses efforts on reducing 31 Priority Chemicals found in our nation's products and wastes by finding solutions that eliminate or substantially reduce the use of Priority Chemicals in production, or on recovering or recycling these chemicals where they cannot easily be eliminated or reduced at the source. This is done through partnerships with public and private organizations.These partnerships offer recognition and technical support to recipients. Shell developed arrangements that now enable spent lead oxide catalyst to be recycled to recover the lead value instead of sending it to land disposal. In the last year, this resulted in sending 65 tons of spent catalyst to be recycled, recovering the 12 tons of lead that it contained. Lead recovery was chosen as a goal because it was the last sizeable hazardous waste stream that was routinely disposed. Since it contained lead, a Priority Chemical, it was a good fit for participation in the National Partnership for Environmental Priorities.The lead is recovered by using it as feedstock to secondary lead smelting, the same process that is used to recover lead from automobile batteries. Contact Information Newman Smith Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response (703)308-8871 smith.newman@epa.gov ------- Natural Gas Star www.epa.gov/gasstar Purpose This program aims to reduce methane emissions from natural gas operations by identifying and promoting the implementation of mitigation technologies and management practices. Community Application All communities with oil and natural gas production facilities within the community that wish to reduce greenhouse gas emissions will benefit from this program. Program Description The Natural Gas STAR Program is a flexible, voluntary partnership between EPA and the oil and natural gas industry.Through the Program, EPA works with companies that produce, process, transmit and distribute natural gas to identify and promote the implementation of cost-effective technologies and practices to reduce emissions of methane, a potent greenhouse gas. Now in its 14th year, the Natural Gas STAR Program continues to achieve great successes. Gas STAR partners have eliminated more than 577 billion cubic feet (Bcf) of methane emissions through the implementation of more than 120 cost- effective technologies and practices. For calendar year 2006, Gas STAR partners reported emissions reductions of approximately 85.9 Bcf. These emission reductions, voluntarily undertaken by Natural Gas STAR partner companies, have cross-cutting benefits on domestic energy supply, industrial efficiency, revenue generation and greenhouse gas emission reductions. The 2006 voluntary emissions reductions are equivalent to additional revenue of more than $600 million in natural gas sales (assumes 2006 average gas price of $7.00 per thousand cubic feet), and the global warming equivalent of removing approximately 7.5 million cars from the road for one year or 28.9 million acres of pine or fir forests storing carbon for one year. Contact Information Roger Fernandez Office of Air and Radiation (202) 343-9386 fernandez.roger@epa.gov Community Guide to EPA's Partnership Programs ------- Pesticide Environmental Stewardship Program www.epa.gov/oppbppdl/PESP Purpose This program aims to reduce risk from the use of pesticides and to go beyond regulatory requirements to a higher level of environmental stewardship for pest management. Community Application All communities aiming to reduce pesticide risks within the community will benefit from this program. Program Description The Pesticide Environmental Stewardship Program (PESP) is a voluntary program that forms partnerships with pesticide users to reduce the health and environmental risks associated with pesticide use and implement pollution prevention strategies. EPA started the program in 1994. Grants are available to assist with risk reduction. Each PESP Partner and Supporter is provided an EPA Liaison, from the Office of Pesticide Programs or an EPA Regional Office, who works with the member to provide information and assistance in developing and implementing their strategy. The EPA Liaisons are these organizations'single-point customer service representatives at EPA. They provide information on EPA activities, assist in developing the strategy, and provide information on funding opportunities to support strategy implementation. To date, there are well over 150 program members and supporters throughout the country. Members submit a strategy outlining their plan for pesticide risk reduction which is posted online for public viewing. Contact Information Stephen Morrill Office of Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic Substances (703)308-8319 morrill.stephen@epa.gov ------- Plug-In To eCycling www.plugintorecycling.org Purpose The aim of the program is to increase the number of convenient and low- cost opportunities for citizens to recycle their old electronics, and to increase awareness and desire to recycle these products Community Application All communities with a desire to recycle electronics will benefit from this program. Program Description Plug-In To eCycling is a consumer electronics campaign working to increase the number of electronic devices collected and safely recycled in the United States. Launched in January 2003, Plug-In To eCycling is one component of EPA's Resource Conservation Challenge. Plug-In To eCycling focuses on three major areas: providing the public with information about electronics recycling and increasing opportunities to safely recycle old electronics; facilitating partnerships with communities, electronics manufacturers, and retailers to promote shared responsibility for safe electronics recycling; and establishing pilot projects to test innovative approaches to safe electronics recycling. Staples, Inc partnered with the Product Stewardship Institute (PSI) to conduct a six- week pilot program to measure the success of retail-based electronics recycling. This pilot tested and measured the reverse distribution process as a unique strategy for transporting old computers and other business equipment from consumers to recyclers. This process uses the same channels that provide the new products to customers to collect and transport the old electronics to the distribution centers. In the summer of 2004, Plug-In partner Staples tested the two-pronged approach to its reverse-distribution system. Delivery trucks transported old electronics from 14 small business customers and 27 retail stores in New England to distribution centers, where the electronics were gathered for recycling. Staples, the Product Stewardship Institute, 10 partnering manufacturers and Envirocycle, Inc. recycled over 115,000 Ibs. of unwanted electronic equipment during the six-week pilot. Contact Information Katharine Kaplan Osdoba Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response (703) 308-8659 osdoba.katharine@epa.gov Community Guide to EPA's Partnership Programs ------- Schools Chemical Cleanout Campaign and Prevention Program (SC3) www.epa.gov/sc2> Purpose The goal of the Schools Chemical Cleanout Campaign and Prevention Program (SC3) is to improve the learning environment in K-12 schools by reducing chemical exposures to staff and students and improving chemical management. Adopting safer chemical management practices, as promoted by SC3, will likely result in fewer school days lost and healthier students and faculty. Community Application Any community with an interest in healthy school environments and protecting children from exposure to unnecessary, dangerous, mismanaged chemicals would benefit from the SC3 program. Program Description The Schools Chemical Cleanout Campaign provides information to schools and communities regarding the potential dangers of chemical accumulations in K-12 schools as well as steps to facilitate chemical cleanouts and prevent future chemical management problems. Successful chemical management programs are tailored to meet an individual school's needs, but all share some common elements, including: on-site technical assistance, education and awareness training for staff, and forming partnerships with external organizations. EPA is working with partners (federal agencies, teacher associations, chemical suppliers, among others) to develop partnerships that work toward meeting SCS's goals and establishing a national SC3 program that will make clean-out and prevention available to every school in the country. Rhode Island (Rl) formed the Chemical Safe Schools Committee, which includes Rl Departments of Health, Labor, Education and Environmental Management; Brown University; Rl Committee on Occupational Safety and Health; Community College of Rhode Island; and Miriam Hospital. They are working together to help schools minimize the health, safety and environmental risks associated with chemicals in schools. Through the efforts of this committee more than 800 hazardous chemicals are no longer allowed in schools.The committee created a handbook on laboratory safety, reviewed chemical inventories, conducted training, and helped clean out a number of schools. Contact Information Kristina Meson Office of Solid Waste (703) 308-8488 meson.kristina@epa.gov ------- Smart Growth Program www.epa.gov/smartgrowtk and www.smartgrowtly.org Purpose The Smart Growth Program aims to help states and communities better understand the impacts of development patterns, and realize the environmental, economic, community and public health benefits of smart growth. Community Application Most development decisions are made at the local level. Communities wishing to make more informed decisions about growth and development may take advantage of the information and resources provided by EPA's Smart Growth Program and by the Smart Growth Network. Program Description The Smart Growth Program provides information and technical assistance to help communities implement successful development strategies. Additional assistance is also available through the Smart Growth Network, a group of diverse organizations who work together to create and promote innovative smart growth tools. Davidson, NC was a Winner of EPA's 2004 National Award for Smart Growth Achievement. To preserve and enhance Davidson's character, the town adopted the Davidson Land Plan in 1995 and an innovative Planning Ordinance in 2001. The ordinance seeks significant public involvement, a critical component for any community that wants to plan where and how it will grow. The town requires pedestrian, bicycle, and street circulation plans for all new development. Streets are designed to discourage cars from speeding, making it easier for Davidson's 7,800 residents to walk and bicycle around the town. To further encourage walking, the town requires narrow, tree lined streets with on-street parking and sidewalks on both sides of the street. Recognizing that housing prices can sometimes increase when a community creates great places to live, the town requires that 12.5 percent of all new housing be affordable to families making less than the county's median family income. Davidson's plan and ordinance have allowed the town to build on its strengths while accommodating new growth. Contact Information Development, Community and Environment Division Office of Policy Economics and Innovation (202) 566-2878 smartgrowth@epa.gov Community Guide to EPA's Partnership Programs ------- SmartWay Transport www. epa.go v/smar tway Purpose The goal of the SmartWay Transport program is to create low emission, high fuel efficient freight vehicles, and improve the environmental performance and fuel efficiency of the US freight sector. The program uses a voluntary market incentive system that encourages retailers/end users to choose freight companies that are environmental leaders in their respective industry segments. Community Application All communities with shipping needs will benefit from this program. Program Description SmartWay Transport Partners represent commercial, industrial, and public sector organizations that commit to improve fuel efficiency, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and air pollution of their ground freight transportation. EPA provides Partners with benefits and services that include fleet management and emissions modeling tools, technical support, information, public recognition, and, for exceptional environmental performers, use of the SmartWay Transport Partner logo. Since the program's inception, SmartWay projects that its program activities will eliminate more than 3.2 million tons of CO2 and reduce diesel fuel consumption by nearly 300 million gallons annually.There are currently over 430 companies signed on as partners.These companies have all committed to improve the environmental performance of their freight operations and go beyond compliance in their environmental planning. The list of participating companies is available online at www.epa.gov/smartway/partners.htm. Contact Information Ann Kee Office of Transportation and Air Quality (202)343-9218 kee.annie@epa.gov ------- Source Water Protection Program www.epa.gov/safewater/protect.html Purpose This program aims to prevent the contamination of source water -- the untreated water from streams, rivers, lakes or underground aquifers which is the supply of private wells and public drinking water. Community Application Protecting source water makes sense for any community. It makes good public health sense, good economic sense, and good environmental sense. Program Description Preventing contamination of drinking water supplies is an important mission within EPA's Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water. The Source Water Protection Program provides basic information about the water used for drinking water and the federal, state and local programs that assess and manage potential public health risks, including a Web Guide — an annotated guide to EPA source water resources. Resources include assessement information, training resources, information about funding sources, and local case studies. In remote parts of Alaska, native villagers continue to choose traditional water supplies — snow melt, roof catchments, surface waters and natural springs — over available treated supplies.To assess and communicate the health impacts of traditional water use, a steering committee of local community and tribal members as well as university and government professionals, developed a statewide survey of water sources and distribution sites. The steering committee used traditional communication methods — including dances and skits — at popular potluck celebrations in three pilot communities. Similarly, the committee combined videos and traditional storytelling to share test results at operator workshops throughout Alaska. Next steps include recommendations for improved access and water use options for families and continued research on treatment alternatives that meet local needs. Contact Information Roy Simon Office of Water (202) 564-3867 simon.roy@epa.gov Community Guide to EPA's Partnership Programs ------- Voluntary Diesel Retrofit Program www.epa.gov/cleandiesel Purpose This program, which is a part of EPA's National Clean Diesel Campaign, offers information and technical support on retrofitting diesel engines to cut down toxic emissions. Community Application Any community aiming to reduce toxic emissions through diesel retrofits would benefit from this program. Program Description The program helps fleet owners and operators, state and local government air quality planners, and retrofit and engine manufacturers to understand diesel retrofits and obtain information they need to create effective retrofit projects.There is technical support as well as grants and other tools to expedite the retrofit process. In addition, the program works with industry to introduce verified technologies to the market as cost effectively as possible, while providing customers with confidence that verified technologies will provide emissions reductions as advertised. On February 23,2005, EPA announced the award of $1.6 million to grantees for projects designed to demonstrate effective emissions reduction stratgies for diesel fleets.The grantees are state and local governmental organizations, including air agencies and port authorities, and non-governmental organizations. Each demonstration project reduces the impacts of pollution on a population that is especially susceptible to the effects of diesel exhaust, including children, the elderly and the chronically ill.The 18 recipients will utilize funding to retrofit a variety of diesel vehicles, including construction, agricultural and port equipment, refuse haulers, fire trucks, ambulances and locomotives. Criteria for selection included evaluation of each proposal's implementation plan, air quality benefits, diversity of technology application, vehicle type and geographic location, originality, and the likelihood of success of the project. Contact Information Dennis Johnson Office of Air and Radiation (202) 343-9278 Johnson.dennis@epa.gov ------- Volunteer Water Monitoring Program www.epa.gov/owow/monitoring/volunteer Purpose The goal of the Volunteer Water Monitoring Program is to encourage support of volunteers throughout the country who are trained to monitor water quality conditions (physical, chemical, and biological). Volunteer monitoring programs may share their data with local and state governments, and often become involved in watershed stewardship and education. Community Application Any community with concerns about the quality of water in their rivers and streams will benefit from this program. Program Description The program offers tools and assistance for volunteers interested in monitoring their local water quality. EPA offers guidelines and instructions for monitoring various bodies of water. They also provide lists of local monitoring groups and suggestions on how to start a new group. Many of the volunteer groups work closely with staffers from local and state environmental agencies.They offer advice and disseminate the data collected. Alabama Water Watch is a citizen volunteer monitoring program that is coordinated from Auburn University. Our goal is to educate citizens of Alabama, and shared watersheds of neighboring states, about water issues, train them to measure water quality, and work with citizens to improve environmental quality and policy. Since the inception of the AWW Prog ram in late 1992,200 groups have sampled 1,400 sites on 500 water bodies and submitted 17,000 chemistry and 8,000 bacteria data forms. All data received is analyzed, summarized, charted, graphed, and presented to the monitors, policy makers, media, and other interested citizens through a semi-annual newsletter, video presentations, and report series on particular water bodies monitored. Contact Information Alice Mayio Office of Water (202)566-1184 mayio.alice@epa.gov Community Guide to EPA's Partnership Programs ------- WasteWise www.epa.gov/wastewise Purpose This program aims to assist and challenge businesses, institutions, and governments to find savings and increase efficiency through innovative waste reduction activities. Community Application All communities seeking to reduce solid waste will benefit from this program. Program Description WasteWise is a free, voluntary, EPA program through which organizations eliminate costly municipal solid waste and select industrial wastes, benefiting their bottom line and the environment. WasteWise is a flexible program that allows partners to design their own waste reduction programs tailored to their needs. The benefits, apart from the immediate financial savings, include technical support, public recognition and access to forums and conferences. Following a competitive selection process, WasteWise named 12 "Partners of the Year" in 2004. WasteWise Partners of the Year are those partners who achieved and reported the most impressive waste reduction results for 2003. WasteWise also recognized 15 Program Champions and 16 Honorable Mentions who made noteworthy accomplishments in waste prevention, recycling collection, and buying or manufacturing recycled-content products in 2003. WasteWise also inducted two new members into its Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame recognizes partners that continually excel in waste reduction efforts, provide ongoing support to the WasteWise program, and serve as role models for other partners. Awards are given annually. Contact Information Terry Grist Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response (703) 308-7257 grist.terry@epa.gov ------- WaterSense www.epa.gov/watersense Purpose The mission of Watersense is to protect the future of our nation's water supply by promoting and enhancing the market for water-efficient products and programs. Community Application Using water more efficiently makes sense for sonsumers, communities, and the environemnt. Water efficiency measures, as part of broader conservation efforts, can help reduce water and wastewater infrastructure costs and conserve resources for future generations. Local governments can partner with WaterSense to promote the value of water and help consumers and other water users mae smart choices regarding water the use and water-using products. Program Description WaterSense seeks to promote water efficiency and enhance the market for water- efficient products and services. The program labels water-efficient products thereby helping consumers identify those products in the marketplace, while ensuring product performance and encouraging innovation in manufacturing. The goal of WaterSense is to decrease indoor and outdoor water use through high-efficiency products and simple practices. Contact Information Virginia Lee Office of Wastewater Management (866) 987-7367 watersense@epa.gov Community Guide to EPA's Partnership Programs ------- ------- For more information please visit the CARE web site at www. epa.gov/CARE. United States Environmental Protection Agency CARE Program (8001 A) EPA400-K-09-001 June 2010 www.epa.gov/CARE ------- |