Environmental Workforce Professional Learning Community PLC Session 298 September 13, 2023

Notes from the Environmental Workforce Professional Learning Community — PLC - 298
Southern University

PLC Session 298 - September 13, 2023

Southern University

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Notes from the Environmental Workforce Professional Learning Community — PLC - 298
Southern University

1. Latest News Impacting Brownfield Job Training Programs

Back to work after summer break

With FY24 JT applications due August 2nd, and the National
Brownfields Conference August 8th the PLC felt it was a
good time to take a summer break. With Fall approaching,
it's time to revisit program plans for the FY24 fiscal year,
if you are on our PLC list, there is no need to reregister.

Notices will be sent out when new sessions are announced.

If you would like to invite a guest, feel free to forward this
email. Please note the new login for future PLC calls.

New login for this cycle
To Join PLC Zoom calls, go to:

https://eicc-edu.zoom.us/i/93456883911

If you have ZOOM installed, you can just log in with the following:

Meeting ID: 934 5688 3911

brownfields

toolbox.ore

IN ASSOCIATION WITH HMTR1-EICC 0

Brownfields 2023 - Detroit Michigan

Congratulations to the JT grantee presenters at this year's national conference.

The National Brownfields Conference was held in Detroit, Michigan August 7-11, 2023, and
was a big success. It was well attended, and several Brownfields job training grantees were
presenters.

Cindy Chang from Groundworks Denver, and Michele Paul, City of New Bedford were on
separate panel discussions.

Jenny Lourwood and Carmen May, City of Springfield, MO, followed by Fred Lucero of
RichmondBuild, and then followed by Mileidy Soto, PathStone all gave excellent job training
presentations in the same room. In a session called "Training for the EJ Terrain,"

Abbv Wolenskv. Auberle, Thomas Guentner. Landforce and Gianna Rosati. EPA Region 3 gave
an informative, and well attended presentation.

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There was also an informal Brownfields Job Training Grants Office Hours session with Matt
Wosje, US EPA Headquarters, several EPA Regional Coordinators, and Nolan Curtis and Steve
Fenton representing HMTRI.

The HMTRI Booth in the Exhibit Hall received a lot of traffic. Many of our grantees who were
attending the conference stopped by, and there was also a lot of interest from individuals who
were contemplating submitting applications in the next round.

We anticipate EPA will be returning to its original schedule convening national meetings 18
months apart. The next city to host Brownfields 25 has not yet been announced.

2. Frequently Asked Questions

Question:

Our organization submitted our FY24 Brownfields
Job Training Application and other than
acknowledgement that the application was
received, we have not heard from EPA. Should we
be concerned.

Response:

No. Applicants who failed to pass application
threshold requirements were notified about 30 days
after August 2nd. Application due date. We are now
entering what we call the "long wait". This is the
time during which applications are reviewed and

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Notes from the Environmental Workforce Professional Learning Community — PLC - 298
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recommended for funding. Unless you hear from EPA regarding clarification of your
submission, all is well. If you were notified that your application was rejected, you have 15 days
to request a debriefing. Last year applications recommended for funding were posted in
January. We expect a similar schedule this cycle.

Question:

Who is eligible to apply for a Brownfields Job Training Grant?

Response:

Applicants able to apply for EPA JT grant funds are defined in CERCLA Section 104(k)(1) and in
2 CFR Part 200. These documents roughly define eligible applicants as nonprofit, government,
and government affiliated organizations.

Question:

We are thinking of applying in the next grant cycle. Can a nonprofit organization or eligible
governmental applicant submit a joint application in partnership with a for-profit organization?

Response:

No. EPA awards Brownfields Job Training Grant funds to a single applicant. Successful
applicants may contract necessary goods and services with for-profit organizations following
competitive procurement procedures as required by EPA grant regulations.

Question:

What is the maximum amount of money that an applicant may be awarded?

Response:

In FY24, EPA anticipates awarding approximately 25 Brownfields Job Training Grants at a total
of $12,000,000. An eligible applicant may apply for up to $500,000 for a five-year grant. Actual
funding is dependent upon the availability of funds, quality of applications received, and other
applicable considerations. EPA reserves the right to partially fund applications or make no
awards at all. If this policy continues, FY25 applicants can expect a similar level of funding. 3.
Last Minute Job Training Application Submission Checklist

3. Southern University at Shreveport - John Galiotos

Shreveport, LA is the third largest city in Louisiana with a population of about 400,000. Located
in northwest Louisiana, Shreveport became a hub for the oil and gas industry in the mid-1900s.
Unfortunately, by the 1970s and continuing to the end of the century, those industries vacated
Shreveport in what is called the big oil bust followed by the exit of the automobile industry. As
a result, Shreveport experienced one of the highest crime rates in America compared to all
communities of all sizes. One's chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime
was 1 in 15. As the only HBCU comprehensive community college in Louisiana, Southern
University at Shreveport (SUSLA) is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and
Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate degrees, technical diplomas, and
certificates. SUSLA previously worked on one of EPA's early a pilot programs in 2001 targeting
former abandoned industrial sites resulting from the oil bust of 1980. Since then, The Southern
University at Shreveport has received 4 JT grants including 2006, 2008, 2013, and 2020.

John Galiotos is Dean/Associate Professor of Chemistry in the Department of Community and
Workforce Development.

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Target Community

The Southern University at Shreveport is targeting residents of the low-income and high
unemployment Shreveport neighborhoods including
Allendale
Ledbetter Heights
Lakeside
Cedar Grove
Martin Luther King, Jr.

Queensborough

Program Training Goals

Train participants in the safe handling and disposal of hazardous materials

Expand the existing curriculum to include training for participants who are taking asbestos

contractor/supervisor courses

• 40-hour HAZWOPER

OSHA 10-hour construction industry safety
Operations Safety including plant safety operations
Renovation, repair, and painting
Asbestos

• CPR/ First Aid

Graduates earn state and federal certifications

Upon completion of the program, the goal is to place a minimum of eighty-five (85%) percent
of graduates

Working Partners

Housing Authority City of Shreveport
Shreveport Fire Academy

Calumet Lubricants and Specialty Products-Refinery

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John has provided his PowerPoint presentation (attached to these notes) and would be happy
to speak in more detail about his program and share ideas regarding SUSLA and their
approach to environmental job training,

John Galiotos. Dean/Associate Professor of Chemistry
Department of Community and Workforce Development
Southern University at Shreveport
iaaliotos@susla.edu

4. Funding Opportunities

EPA Seeks Applicants for 2023 Environmental Education Grants

30-40 grants nationwide

$50,000-$100,000 each

Application deadline November 8, 2023,

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has announced that up to $3.6 million in funding for
locally focused environmental education grants is now available under the 2023 Environmental
Education (EE) Local Grant Program.

EPA will award grants in each of EPA's 10 Regions, between $50,0G0-$100,000 each, for a total
of 30-40 grants nationwide. The program includes support for projects that reflect the
intersection of environmental issues with climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies,
preventing future water quality and human health issues, in addition to other environmental
topics.

Funded projects will increase public awareness of those topics and help participants to
develop the skills needed to make informed decisions. Each of the 10 EPA Regions published a
solicitation notice with their respective regional details. Applicants must apply to the Regional

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Notes from the Environmental Workforce Professional Learning Community — PLC - 298
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NOFO that corresponds with the location of their proposed project. Through this grant
program, EPA intends to provide financial support for projects that design, demonstrate, and/or
disseminate environmental education practices, methods, or techniques, that will serve to
increase environmental literacy and encourage behavior that will benefit the environment in
local communities, especially underserved communities. This grant program recognizes
underserved communities as high-poverty areas, persistent poverty counties, communities the
Council on Environmental Quality's Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool identifies as
disadvantaged communities, and Title I schools.

Visit the new EPA Grants Community Library of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) and the EE
grant FAQ webpages to learn more about the current competition and the federal grant
process. Find out background information on the EE Grants Program and resources for
applicants on EPA's EE Grant Homepage.

Applications are due on November 8, 2023, and the Notice of Funding Opportunities are now
posted on www.arants.gov and the EE Grant Solicitation Notice webpaoe.

The Office of Environmental Education will also host at least one webinar during the open
solicitation period on how to write a competitive application and to address commonly asked
questions. Once confirmed, webinar registration details will be available on https://
www.epa.gov/education/orants#webinar. Stay up to date on all EE grant information, including
announcements related to upcoming webinar registration, by subscribing to the EE Grants
Listserv.

Technical Assistance (TA) to Tribal Nations and Entities
$4 million over a 5-year period
Application deadline November 13, 2023

This solicitation is anticipated to be $4 million over a 5-year period of performance for one
grant recipient under a cooperative agreement. The application deadline is November 13,
2023. The purpose of this grant is to provide specialized technical assistance to increase the
capacity of Tribal governments and entities to build sustainable brownfield programs and
strengthen capacity to manage successful brownfields reuse.

Please find below information on the FY 2024 Technical Assistance to Tribal Nations and
Entities Addressing Brownfields Grant Guidelines and application resources.

Opportunity Notice at grants.gov

FY 2024 Technical Assistance to Tribal Nations and Entities Addressing Brownfields
Grant Guidelines (pdfl

Frequently Asked Questions about Technical Assistance to Tribal Nations and Entities
Addressing Brownfields Grant (pdf)

EPA funds and resources that are available to all communities

The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA)
Brownfields Amendments authorize EPA to provide funding to organizations to conduct
research and to provide training and technical assistance to communities to help address their
brownfields challenges. Information presented at this site lists past and current technical
assistance and research projects EPA funds and resources that are available to all
communities.

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https://www.epa.gov/brownfields/brownfields-
technical-assistance-arid-research
Tips for Submitting Brownfields Grant
Applications Through www.grants.gov
Grants.gov is the official system for managing all
federal grant applications.

All EPA grant applications are submitted online.
Organizations must be registered in two
government systems to apply for EPA grants.
Learn the 5-step registration process when
considering applying for a Brownfields JT grant.
Go to the following technical assistance page.

https://www.epa.gov/svstem/files/documents/
2023-08/

Grants.gov%20Tip%20Sheet Aug%202023 O.odf

For more specific information go to:

https://www.epa.aov/arants/how-reaister-applv-arants

5. Online Zoom Calls

EPA is hosting a series of three webinars for assistance agreement (grant) applicants and
recipients. During each webinar, EPA staff will review key aspects of EPA's grants processes
and requirements, and you will have the opportunity to submit questions.

You must register in advance for each webinar using the links provided below:

Applying for Non-Competitive EPA Grants

Tuesday, September 19: 2:00-3:00pm ET

This webinar will cover aspects of non-competitive grants including their life cycle and
some frequently asked questions (FAQs). Register here

Competition Process

Tuesday, September 26: 2:00-3:3Qpm ET

This webinar is intended to help grant applicants learn how to find and successfully apply
for competitive EPA grants. EPA will also provide an overview of the competition process
from application through evaluation and selection. Register here

EPA Grant Terms and Conditions for Fiscal Year 2024

Thursday, September 28:12:00-1:00pm ET

This webinar is intended to help applicants and recipients navigate changes to existing
Terms & Conditions as well as provide training on the new Terms & Conditions that are
effective October 1, 2023. This webinar will also cover subrecipients and the consultant fee
cap. Register here the consultant fee cap. Register here

Please visit and bookmark the EPA Grants Webinars page where you will find tips for preparing
for EPA webinars, presentation materials, helpful resources, and webinar recordings. We also

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invite you to visit and bookmark the Community Library of Frequently Asked Questions to find
answers to questions about EPA grants that were asked by previous webinar participants.

For Those Who Missed EJScreen 101 Training

EPA hosted a webinar titled EJSCREEN 101: Mapping Tools and EPA Competitive Grants.

EJSCREEN is an environmental justice mapping and screening tool that allows users to access
environmental and demographic information for locations in the United States. Anyone can use
this web-based tool to access high-resolution content about environmental justice, and
compare data across state, EPA region, and national locations.

This webinar provides guidance on how to use EJSCREEN effectively, as well as how to tailor
its usage to specific needs, like responding to competitive grants or other organizational
needs. To learn more about EJScreen, please visit the EJSCREEN website and access the
EJSCREEN webinar here.

Environmental Justice

Meetings and National Environmental Justice Community
Engagement Calls

The purpose of these calls is to inform communities about EPA's
environmental justice work and enhance opportunities to maintain an open
dialogue with environmental justice advocates. As environmental justice
continues to be integrated into EPA programs and policies, the Agency
hopes that these calls will help reaffirm EPA's continued commitment to
work with community groups and the public to strengthen local
environmental and human health outcomes.

September 19th. & October 17th (2-4 pm Eastern)

EPA environmental justice initiatives

DATE: Tuesday, September 19, 2023

TIME: 2 p.m. Eastern, 1 p.m. Central, Noon Mountain, 11 a.m. Pacific
AGENDA:

Community focus Presentation Energy Justice Initiatives
Water Infrastructure Planning Tool

Regulatory Updates from the Office Air Quality Planning and Standards (OAQPS)
Zoom link - https://usepa.zoomgov.eom/j/1608000096
For more information and registration, go to:

https://www.epa.aov/environmentaljustice/national-environmental-justice-communitv-
enaaaement-calls

The U.S. Department of Energy's Justice Week 2023 | Equity Empowered is a five-day hybrid
event dedicated to empowering each other to move toward a more equitable, clean, and just

Expanding the
Conversation

• •rkiftl l«r
environment*!

justice

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energy future. Join us Monday, October 30th through Friday November 3rd to learn
more. Here's what you need to know.

• Hybrid Events | Online and In-Person

• Registration is required

• Free and open to the public

To register and learn more, Go to:

https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/iustice-week-2023-equitv-empowered-2281589?
aff=odclrlmctfte&utm medium=email&utm source=aovdeliverv

6. In Person Meetings and Workshops

Northeast Sustainable Communities Workshop (NSCW)

September 19-20, 2023
Worcester, MA

NSCW is the premier conference for brownfield professionals in the northeast. Brownfield
Coalition of the

Northeast (BCONE) are looking for professionals from throughout the region to share their
experiences, best

practices, and innovative ideas on ways to revitalize contaminated or underused
properties. Their 2023 theme is "Reimagining Brownfields: Strategies for Successful
Redevelopment."

For more information visit the conference website.

California Land Recycling Conference
September 26 - 28, 2023 | Carson, CA

The EPA Region 9 and the CA Department of Toxic Substances Control's (DTSC) Office of
Brownfields in collaboration with the Center for Creative Land Recycling (CCLR) are excited to
announce the continuation of the California Land Recycling Conference (CALRC). CALRC is
the premier event for community, municipal, and redevelopment professionals focused on the
beneficial reuse of underutilized and contaminated properties. With unprecedented resources
to address brownfield cleanup and reuse challenges, Join us for the 4th annual CALRC on
September 26-28, 2023, at the Carson Event Center in Carson, CA.

Click Here to Register

2023 LOUISIANA BROWNFIELD CONFERENCE

October 25-26, 2023
Alexandria, LA

Save the date for the 2023 Louisiana Brownfield Conference, October 25-26, 2023, at the
Convention Hall in Alexandria, LA. To register, please click here. For hotel accommodations,
please click here.

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The Pennsylvania Brownfields Conference.

Save the Date
March 25-27, 2024

Penn Stater Hotel and Conference Center in State College, PA

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection's Land Recycling Program is
pleased to partner once again with the Engineer Society of Western Pennsylvania in presenting
the 2024 Pennsylvania Brownfields Conference.

More details coming soon.

7. Technical Assistance Resources

New Resource: EPA Grants Community Library of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

EPA's Office of Grants and Debarment is excited to announce a new tool for grant applicants
and recipients! The Community Library of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) is a

comprehensive resource based on questions asked by participants of EPA's grants webinars.
Use the library to quickly find answers to questions about applying for grants, executing
grants, and complying with EPA grants policies and requirements. In many cases, the answers
provide links to more details and additional training materials.

You can filter questions by topic (for example, Budget, Certification and Compliance,
Drawdowns, among others) or use the search control to find questions based on a keyword.
The library of FAQs will be updated with new questions and answers as EPA grants webinars
are held. If you have questions or feedback regarding the Community Library of FAQs or EPA
grants, please send an email to EPA Grants lnfo@epa.aov.

Training from EPA's Office of Grants and Debarment

EPA's Office of Grants and Debarment periodically hosts webinars for the EPA grants
community. EPA's Office of Grants and Debarment is pleased to announce the availability of
several new and updated training resources for grant applicants and recipients.

If you are interested in applying for EPA grants or are currently managing an EPA grant, please
consider visiting one of these sites.

NEW—Learn how to Register in SAM.gov and Grants.gov to apply for EPA grants. This
webpage will help you register your organization in SAM.gov, create an applicant profile in
Grants.gov, and get familiar with using Workspace.

The How to Develop a Budget training was recently updated. This course will help you
prepare work plans, budgets, and budget narratives for EPA grants.

The EPA Grants Management Training for Applicants and Recipients course introduces key
aspects of the grant life cycle starting with preparing an application through closing out a
grant. The six modules can be completed individually.

Additional webinars or completed webinars with recordings and PowerPoints are
available at the following sites:

Competition Process

This webinar is intended for help grant applicants learn how to find and successfully apply for
competitive EPA grants. EPA will also provide an overview of the competition process from
application through evaluation and selection.

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Training for EPA Pass-Through Grant Applicants. Recipients, and Subrecipients
This training is intended for EPA grant applicants and recipients that plan to use EPA funding to
provide grants to other entities through "sub-awards." This type of EPA grant recipient is
considered a pass-through entity because the goal of the grant is to further award EPA funds.
This training will focus on:

Oversight responsibilities of EPA pass-through entities

Federal regulations that govern pass-through entities and the recipients of sub-awards
(sub-recipients)

EPA's specific requirements for sub-recipients

EPA pass-through entities are encouraged to share this training information with their sub-
recipients.

8. Contact EPA Regional Coordinators

Regional Coordinators are the first place to go regarding questions about BJT grants,
extensions, budgets, or work plans. Many Regions maintain a Listserv for past, current, and
potential recipients.

EPA Region 1

CT, ME, MA, NH, Rl, VT

William "Bill" Lariviere

Phone: (617)918-1231
E-mail: lariviere.william@eDa.aov

EPA Region 2

NJ, NY, PR, VI

Schenine Mitchell

Phone: (212) 637-3283

E-mail: mitchell.schenine@eDa.aov

EPA Region 3

DE, DC, MD, PA, VA, WV

Gianna Rosati

Phone: (215)814-3406
E-mail: Rosati.Gianna@epa.aov

EPA Region 4

AL, FL, GA, KY, MS, NC, SC, TN
Olga Perry

Phone: (404) 562-8534
E-mail: perrv.olaa@epa.aov

EPA Region 5

IL, IN, Ml, MN, OH, Wl

Linda Morgan

Phone: (312) 886-4747
E-mail: moraan.linda@epa.aov

EPA Region 6

AR, LA, NM, OK, TX

Rita Ware

Phone: (214) 665-3163
E-mail: ware.rita@epa.aov

Emily Jimenez

Phone: (214) 665-2176
e-mail: iimenez.emilv@epa.aov

EPA Region 7

IA, KS, MO, NE

Alma Moreno Lahm

Phone: (913) 551-7380

E-mail: moreno-lahm.alma@epa.aov

EPA Region 8

CO, MT, ND, SD, UT, WY

Christine Michaud-Tilly

Phone: (303)312-6706

E-mail: MichaudTillv.Christine@epa.aov

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EPA Region 9

EPA Region 10

AZ, CA, HI, NV, AS, GU

AK, ID, OR, WA

Amanda Pease

Angel Ip

Phone: (415) 972-3068

Phone: (206) 553-1673

E-mail: Dease.amanda@eoa.aov

E-mail: io.anael@eoa.aov

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9. Join us for the next Professional Learning Community Call
September 27th

Join a conversation with EPA Brownfields Job Training grant recipients, alumni, and interested
stakeholders. PLCs are scheduled on Wednesdays, same time.

Please note the new PLC Zoom link.

New login for this cycle
To Join PLC Zoom calls, go to:

https://eicc-edu.zoom.us/i/93456883911

If you have ZOOM installed, you can just log in with the following:

Meeting ID: 934 5688 3911

The objective of the (PLC) is to promote and share innovative strategies among those
interested in establishing community based environmental job training programs. Our sessions
allow participants to stay in touch with BJT happenings, ask questions, showcase their
programs, and help others. The Environmental Workforce PLC is open to all and there is no
cost or obligation to attend. Join us when you can. If you would like to invite a guest, feel free
to forward this email.

Send comments to:

Mike at:

msenew@amail.com/

PLC notes presented represent individual opinions and ideas from Professional Learning
Community participants and BJT recipients. They do not represent EPA policy, guidance
or opinions and should not be taken as such.

The Brownfields Training PLC is sponsored under Cooperative Agreement with
The US Environmental Protection Agency in association with the Hazardous Materials Training
and Research Institute (HMTR1), part of the Eastern Iowa Community Colleges (EICC).

AHMTRI

Hazardous Materials Training & Research Institute

EA5TERN IOWA COMMUNITY COLLEGES

CLINTON ~ MUSCATINE ~ SCOTT

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