State Indoor Radon Grants (66.032)
Program
66.032 State Indoor Radon Grants
Federal Agency
OFFICE OF AIR AND RADIATION, INDOOR ENVIRONMENTS DIVISION, ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Authorization
Indoor Radon Abatement Act, 15 U.S.C. 2661, Section 306; Toxic Substances Control Act, Title I, Section 10(a).
Program Number
66.032
Last Known Status
Active
Objectives
The Indoor Radon Abatement Act (IRAA), Section 306, and the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), Section 10, authorizes EPA to assist States and Federally Recognized Indian Tribes in the development and implementation of programs and projects reducing radon risks. Funding Priority: Specifically, EPA will award funds to: 1) establish effective radon programs among States, Territories, and Federally Recognized Indian Tribes; 2) increase the number of homes, schools, and other buildings tested and mitigated for radon; 3) encourage radon testing and disclosure in connection with real estate transfers; 4) implement radon resistant construction standard in high risk areas; and 5) promote environmental justice through programs and outreach efforts directed at low-income and/or culturally-diverse populations.
Types of Assistance
Project Grants.
Uses and Use Restrictions
The following activities are eligible for funding under SIRG: radon surveys, public information and educational materials, radon control programs, purchase of radon measurement equipment or devices, purchase and maintenance of analytic equipment, training, program overhead and administration, data storage and management, mitigation demonstrations, and toll-free hotlines. Funding for these eligible activities may be used to develop State radon response programs. States may, at the governors direction, provide assistance to local governments for public information, educational materials, radon control programs and training. RESTRICTIONS: The statute places the following restrictions on the use of Federal funds: 1) SIRG applicants may not receive continuation grant funding unless EPA determines that the State satisfactorily implemented the activities funded by the grant in the preceding budget period; 2) State expenditures for measurement equipment/devices and mitigation demonstrations cannot exceed 50 percent of the grant amount in a budget period; 3) State expenditures for general overhead and program administration cannot exceed 25 percent in a budget period; and 4) SIRG applicants may use grant funds for financial assistance to persons only to the extent that such assistance is related to demonstration projects or the purchase and analysis of radon measurement devices, and States may not use grant funds for the costs of federally-administered proficiency rating programs.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
States, including DC, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, the Canal Zone, American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands, or any other U.S. Territory or possession.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Beneficiaries of the Program include State agencies, local, municipal, district, or area wide organizations; U.S. territories or possessions, Federally Recognized Indian Tribes, colleges, universities, multi-state agencies, nonprofit organizations, low-income individuals, homeowners, and the general public.
Credentials/Documentation
States must submit the following documentation with their application: 1) a description of the seriousness and extent of radon exposure; 2) an identification of the State agency that has primary responsibility for radon programs and which will receive the grant, plus a description of the roles and responsibilities of the lead State agency, any other State agencies, and any municipal, district, or area wide organizations involved in radon programs; 3) a description of the activities and programs related to radon that the SIRG applicant proposes for the funding year (i.e., a work plan); 4) a budget specifying Federal and SIRG applicant funding of each element of activity described in the work plan; and a 3-year plan outlining long range program goals and objectives, tasks necessary to achieve them, and resource requirements for the 3-year period, including anticipated SIRG applicant funding levels and desired Federal funding levels. Costs will be determined in accordance with OMB Circular No. A-87 for State and local governments.
Application and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
Assistance is available. Applicants are encouraged to seek assistance by arranging a site visit or informal conference with EPA, submitting a written informal inquiry. The standard application forms, as furnished by EPA and required by OMB Circular No. A-102 must be used by this program. This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in the State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review.
Application Procedure
Applications must be submitted to the appropriate EPA Regional Office.
Award Procedure
Each application shall be subjected to administrative evaluation to determine adequacy of application in relation to grant regulations and to technical and program evaluation to determine the merit and relevancy of the project or program.
Deadlines
Completed deadlines are set by the appropriate Regional Office.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Appeals
As described in 40 CFR Part 31, Subpart F.
Renewals
Not applicable.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
This program has no statutory formula. EPA may provide States with up to 50 percent of allowable costs of approved SIRG Program activities. Federally Recognized Indian Tribes are not required to provide a cost share match.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Grants are funded on a 12- month basis (yearly).
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
Required reports from grant recipients include: performance reports, no more often than quarterly; Financial Status Reports, (Standard Form 269); Federal Cash Transactions Reports (for grants paid by letter of credit); and if applicable, Request for Advance or Reimbursement (Standard Form 270). To monitor the performance of each grant recipient, the EPA Project Officer and other Agency personnel may conduct mid-year (or more frequent) site visits to inspect program activities first hand.
Audits
Grants are subject to inspection and audit by EPA and the Comptroller General. Periodic audits should be made as part of the recipient's systems of financial management and internal control to meet terms and conditions of grants and other agreements. In accordance with the provision of Attachment P to Circular A-102, "Uniform Requirements for Grants to State and Local Governments," audits shall be made of organizations carrying out this program at least once every 2 years. These audits will be made in accordance with the General Accounting Office guidelines, "Standards for Audit of Government Organizations, Programs, Activities and Functions," and additional OMB guidance. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular No. A-133, "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Nonprofit Organizations," was published in the Federal Register on June 30, 1997. The Circular implements the Single Audit Act amendments of 1996. The Circular requires nonfederal entities that expend more than $300,000 in Federal award dollars, to have an audit conducted in accordance with the Circular's provisions. The single audit requirements for these entities are incorporated among the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133.
Records
Financial records, including all documents to support entries on accounting records and to substantiate charges to each grant, must be kept available to personnel authorized to examine EPA grant accounts. All records must be maintained for 3 years from the date of submission of the annual financial status report. If questions still remain, such as those raised as a result of audit, related records should be retained until the matter is completely resolved.
Program Accomplishments
The State Indoor Radon Grant Program has assisted States, DC, Guam and numerous Federally recognized Indian Tribes to establish, sustain and expand radon programs. Currently 47 of the 50 States have State radon programs, as well as DC and Guam. More than 35 Federally recognized Tribal nations have previously or currently receive funding to address radon in Tribal lands. The program continues to focus on achieving and tracking results in the areas of radon awareness, number of homes, schools and other buildings tested and mitigated radon, number of homes built using radon resistant features and getting disclosure, testing and mitigation in conjunction with real estate transfers. Program results indicate an increase in the number of calls to the national radon information hotlines, as well as increases in both radon home mitigations and radon resistant new home construction. In addition, States and Tribes develop coalitions which work in partnership with local governments, national and local nonprofit organizations, and other risk leaders to achieve radon program results. Many State radon programs will begin to work collaboratively with their State's drinking water program to explore opportunities for radon risk reduction as part of the pending Radon in Drinking Water regulation. The proposed regulation was published in November 1999. The final regulation is expected to be promulgated by the end of 2003. Under the Safe Drinking Water Act, States will have the flexibility to focus their efforts on the highest radon risks to the public - in indoor air - while at the same time reducing the highest risks from radon in drinking water. States electing to implement this multimedia mitigation (MMM) approach will be required to submit their MMM plans to EPA within 2 years of publication of the final regulation. In fiscal year 2003, SIRG funds may be used for activities related to initial stages of MMM planning, especially activities related to developing a public participation process and promoting public input into the development of the MMM program plan.
Financial Information
Account Identification
68-0108-0-1-304.
Obligations
FY 02 $8,158,000; FY 03 est $8,158,000; and FY 04 est not available.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
It is anticipated that Federal funding will range from $5,000 to $500,000 per applicant. The anticipated average Federal funding per applicant is $150,000. Maximum allowable award is $800,000.
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
EPA regulations that govern State activities under the SIRG Program are contained in the following Parts of 40 CFR: (1) Part 4, "Implementation of the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1980"; (2) Part 7, "Nondiscrimination in Programs Receiving Federal Assistance from the Environmental Protection Agency"; (3) Part 29, "Intergovernmental Review of Environmental Protection Agency Programs and Activities"; (4) Part 31, "Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Cooperative Agreements to State and Local Governments"; and (5) Part 32, "Debarment and Suspension under EPA Assistance Programs". Applicable OMB Circulars include (1) Circular A- 87, "Cost Principles for State and Local Governments," and (2) Circular A-102, "Uniform Requirements for Assistance to State and Local Governments". Other material applicable to SIRG include: (1) Administrative Guidance for the State Indoor Radon Grants Program under Section 306, Indoor Radon Abatement Act (December 1992); (2) SIRG Program-Specific Technical Guidance (May 1997), (3) State Proficiency Report (402-R-94-004); (4) Indoor Radon and Radon Decay Product Measurement Device Protocols (EPA 402-R-92-004); and (5) Protocols for Radon and Radon Decay Products Measurements in Homes EPA 420-R-93-003; and (6) Guidance for the Indian Radon Pilot Projects (March 1991). Note: The Administrative and Technical guidances are under revision which is expected to be complete in FY 2003.
Related Programs
None.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
For questions of a programmatic/technical nature, contact the appropriate Regional Radon Office representative listed in Appendix IV of the Catalog.
Headquarters Office
Office of Radiation and Indoor Air, Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M Street, SW., Mail Code 6604J, Washington, DC 20460. Phone: (202) 564-9439.
Web Site Address
Examples of Funded Projects
Not applicable.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
EPA will base its review of SIRG applications on whether they reflect the program's goals and promote integrity in States' use of grant funds. Pursuant to Section 306(e), if State applications exceed the funds appropriated for award in a fiscal year, EPA will prioritize State activities based on the following criteria: 1) the seriousness and extent of the radon contamination problem to be addressed; 2) the potential for the activity or project to bring about reduction in radon levels; 3) the potential for the development of innovative radon assessment techniques, mitigation measures as approved by the Administrator, or program management approaches which may be of use to other States; 4) the potential for the activity to implement EPA's model radon-resistant building standards; 5) the potential for the development of radon programs in high-risk areas; and 6) the potential for the activity to improve the effectiveness and viability of the State program.
