Smart Growth Technical Assistance to Three Pac. NW Communities

News release from EPA:

Three Pacific Northwest communities will get EPA Smart Growth assistance
Pocatello, Idaho; Kelso and Olympia, Washington will receive EPA support

Contact: Jeff Philip, EPA Public Affairs, (206) 553-1465, philip.jeff@epa.gov

(Seattle–Feb. 8, 2012) – Three Pacific Northwest communities will benefit from EPA technical assistance through the “Building Blocks for Sustainable Communities” program.  The communities, Pocatello, Idaho, and Kelso and Olympia, Washington were among 56 communities in 26 states that will receive technical assistance under this program.

Each community will receive the assistance from EPA-funded private-sector experts.  The technical experts will work with the communities on actions they can take to improve the economy, the environment, and quality of life.  Some examples may include improving pedestrian access and safety, making streets appealing to drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians, or conducting an economic and fiscal health assessment.

“This partnership with local communities will create practical and sustainable approaches that can lead to quality of life improvements for citizens, and which can help bolster our economy,” said Dennis McLerran, regional administrator of EPA’s Region 10 office.

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

More information:

- Building Blocks for Sustainable Communities: http://www.epa.gov/smartgrowth/buildingblocks.htm

- Partnership for Sustainable Communities:  http://www.sustainablecommunities.gov

Smart Growth Technical Assistance to Six New England Communities

News Release
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
New England Regional Office
February 7, 2012

Contact: David Deegan, (617) 918-1017


Six New England Communities Will Get EPA Smart Growth Assistance
Simsbury, Conn.; Fall River, Holyoke, Northampton and Roxbury, Mass.; Burlington, Vt.

(Boston, Mass. – Feb. 7, 2012) – Six New England communities will benefit from EPA technical assistance through the “Building Blocks for Sustainable Communities” program.  The communities, Simsbury, Conn., Fall River, Holyoke, Northampton and Roxbury, Mass., and Burlington, Vt. were among 56 communities in 26 states that will receive technical assistance under this program.

Each community will receive the assistance from EPA-funded private-sector experts.  The technical experts will work with the communities on actions they can take to improve the economy, the environment, and quality of life.  Some examples may include improving pedestrian access and safety, incorporating green infrastructure, or conducting an economic and fiscal health assessment.

“EPA is very pleased to be part of a coordinated effort to help these six New England communities develop practical and sustainable approaches that can lead to quality of life improvements for citizens, and which can help bolster our economy,” said Curt Spalding, regional administrator of EPA’s New England office.

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

In 2010 when this program was launched, EPA selected the Rhode Island-based KeepSpace program as one of eight recipients nationwide to receive targeted technical assistance on growth and development issues.

More information:

- Building Blocks for Sustainable Communities: http://www.epa.gov/smartgrowth/buildingblocks.htm

- Partnership for Sustainable Communities:  http://www.sustainablecommunities.gov

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Deadline Approaching

From EPA:

Deadline Fast Approaching for Schools to Enter

the Green Ribbon School Competition

PHILDELPHIA (February 7, 2012) -- EPA Regional Administrator Shawn M. Garvin is encouraging all schools in the mid-Atlantic region to get recognized for their environmental achievements by entering the Green Ribbon School Competition.

The deadline for the new pilot award program, created by the U.S. Department of Education and supported by EPA, is March 22 but all applications must be sent to the individual state Department of Education by February 23, 2012. Each participating state may nominate up to four of their highest performing schools that meet the criteria for recognition: environmental impact and energy efficiency, healthy environment and environmental literacy. The U.S. Department of Education will select one winning school in each participating state.

"This is a great opportunity for schools to brag about their efforts to save energy, reduce costs, create healthy environments for their students and improve student and staff health," Garvin said today during a tour of the Thurgood Marshall School in Philadelphia. "By applying for Green Ribbon recognition, schools will be moving forward in adopting green concepts and becoming even greener."

EPA has long encouraged the creation of healthy school environments because green school buildings and education are vital to the development and learning of every student. Green schools benefit teachers and other staff as well because they, too, work better when the indoor air and other conditions are healthy.

In his State of the Union Address, President Obama emphasized the importance of education in building a strong future for America. Creating healthy schools is one way we can support our students and their learning.
For K-12 schools interested in applying, a webinar to assist in the application process will be held Feb. 7, 2012 at 4 p.m. (EST). Event address for attendees is: https://usgbc.webex.com/usgbc/onstage/g.php?d=753402875&t=a.

The event number is 753 402 875 and the event password is Gr33n1.

Call-in toll free number (US/Canada) is: 1-866-469-3239. Access code is 753 402 875

For more information about the Green Ribbon Schools competition, go to: http://www2.ed.gov/programs/green-ribbon-schools/index.html.