Surveys Studies, Investigations Demonstrations and Special Purpose Activities Relating to the Clean Air Act (66.034)
Program
66.034 Surveys Studies, Investigations Demonstrations and Special Purpose Activities Relating to the Clean Air Act
Federal Agency
OFFICE OF AIR AND RADIATION, ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Authorization
Clean Air Act of 1963, Section 103, as amended; Public Law 95-95; 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq. zzz
Program Number
66.034
Last Known Status
Active
Objectives
To support Surveys, Studies, Investigations, Demonstrations and Special Purpose assistance relating to the causes, effects (including health and welfare effects), extent, prevention, and control of air pollution to include such topics as air quality, acid deposition, climate change, global programs, indoor environments, mobile source technology and community-driven approaches to transportation. Funding Priority: (1) Indoor Environments. This activity will support surveys, studies, and/or investigations and demonstrations conducted by concerned, national, non-profit organizations that lead to effective outreach strategies to educate key audiences about indoor air pollutants and their associated health risks, and convince them to adopt effective mitigation and control strategies. Currently, the Program focuses on several critical aspects of indoor air quality that pose significant risks to public health, and in particular, to children and to other disproportionately impacted segments of society. These include: reducing the exposure of children and others with asthma to indoor triggers that worsen their condition; promoting the adoption of operation and maintenance practices in schools throughout the nation to reduce the harmful effects of poor indoor air quality on the health of students and staff; promoting voluntary radon testing by homeowners to identify elevated levels and fix them when they are found, as well as working with homebuilders to incorporate radon resistant construction features into new homes; and encouraging adult smokers to protect their children from the adverse health effects of exposure to secondhand smoke by making a conscious decision to smoke outside and keep their homes smokefree. Funding is estimated at $1,400,000. (2) Air Toxics. State Air Pollution Control Agencies working with the Environmental Protection Agency have been engaged in activities to better characterize hazardous air pollutants. These activities have included the development of the National Air Toxics Assessment program (NATA), the national toxics inventory (NTI) and the development of the Air Toxics Monitoring Program. Both NATA and NTI are primarily based upon emissions data and utilize various computer simulation models to project risks associated with harzardous air pollutants. The Air Toxics Monitoring Program is an pilot project to better characterize ambient concentrations of air toxics compounds. Through various demonstration projects involving different geographical areas, including coastal and inland areas, the purpose of the Air Toxics Monitoring Network is to create essential information necessary to properly site, operate and maintain an adequate monitoring network to ascertain concentrations of hazardous air pollutants. Funding is estimated at $3,000,000. (3) Mobile Source Technologies. Grants will encompass studies and investigations of new automotive engine concepts to improve fuel economy and reduce engine emissions, studies of secondary energy storage systems and support the application of advanced emission control technologies on diesel engine fleets. Also included is research for characterizing emissions from highway vehicles and nonroad equipment, evaluation and demonstration of advanced technologies for NOx and PM control, and analyses of personal exposure to diesel PM and other toxics. Funding is estimated at $1,500,000. (4) Transportation Community-driven Approaches. Grants will encompass 1) community-driven approaches to identify and analyze transportation-related environmental justice issues and develop community-driven processes for identifying and analyzing the impact of transportation operations and policies on population subgroups; 2) partnerships with the trucking and truck stop industry to develop partnership agreements to reduce long-duration truck idling emissions; 3) outreach efforts emphasizing such areas as transportation choices toreduce vehicle miles traveled; education of vehicle owners and projects such as ozone mapping and small engines; 4)partnerships with state, local, multi-state, and tribal agencies under the Diesel Retrofit program to evaluate and demonstrate pollution control equipment on diesel fleets. Funding is estimated at $1,000,000. (5) Transportation. Upgrading School Bus Fleets. Clean School Bus USA is an national initiative to minimize children's exposure to diesel exhaust by reducing pollution from school buses. The program has three key elements: 1) reduce school bus idling; 2) retrofit 1991- 2002 model year buses with devices that reduce pollution, and 3) replace pre-1990 buses with new, clean-technology buses. Funding is estimated at $5,000,000. (6) Climate Protection. Grants support projects that will reduce market barriers and increase public awareness of the health benefits and cost savings associated with the use of energy efficient products and services. Major agreements include educating consumers and businesses about the benefits of improving energy efficiency in their homes and businesses. Proposals also involve regional outreach and education on the benefits of renewable energy, encouraging state and local governments to make green power purchases. Other grant projects involve promoting opportunities for reducing emissions of methane and other high global warming gases. Funding is estimated at $5,000,000 to $9,000,000 per year.
Types of Assistance
Project Grants.
Uses and Use Restrictions
Grants and cooperative agreements are available to support recipients' allowable direct costs incident to approved Surveys, Studies, Investigations, Demonstrations and Special Purpose plus allowable indirect costs, in accordance with established EPA policies and regulations.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
Assistance under this program is generally available to States, territories, Indian Tribes, and possessions of the U.S., including the District of Columbia, public and private universities and colleges, hospitals, laboratories, other public or private nonprofit institutions, which submit applications proposing projects with significant technical merit and relevance to EPA's Office of Air and Radiation's mission.
Beneficiary Eligibility
082 Beneficiary Eligibility State and local governments, U.S. territories and possessions, Indian Tribes, universities and colleges, hospitals, laboratories, and other public and private nonprofit institutions.
Credentials/Documentation
Costs will be determined in accordance with OMB Circular No. A-87 for State and local governments and Indian Tribes, OMB Circular No. A-21 for educational institutions, and OMB Circular No. A-122 for nonprofit institutions. Applicants may be requested to demonstrate they have appropriate background, academic training, experience in the field, and necessary equipment to carry out projects. EPA may ask applicants or principle investigators to provide curriculum vitae and relevant publications.
Application and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
EPA awards grants and cooperative agreements supporting Surveys, Studies, and Investigations, Demonstrations and Special Purpose based on unsolicited proposals and competitive applications submitted in response to EPA solicitations, considering relevance and likelihood of success of proposed projects. For this reason, we recommend that potential applicants discuss proposed projects with or submit preapplications to staff in the appropriate EPA technical program offices. See Appendix IV of the Catalog. Individual programs may be subject to E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." Applicants should consult the office or official designated as the State's Single Point of Contact for more information on the State's review process, and to determine if the State has selected the program for review. This program is subject to the provisions of OMB Circulars No. A-102 and No. A-110.
Application Procedure
EPA requires final applications to be made on Standard Form 424. Requests for application kits must be submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency, Grants Administration Division, 3903R, Washington, DC 20460 or through the appropriate EPA Regional Office listed in Appendix IV of the Catalog.
Award Procedure
EPA will administratively evaluate each application to determine the adequacy of the application in relation to EPA's general grant regulations. EPA's Office of Air and Radiation will evaluate applications to determine the merit and relevance of proposed projects.
Deadlines
None, unless applications are submitted in response to calls for proposals or requests for applications which include deadlines.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Appeals
EPA does not have a formal appeal process for applicants whose proposals are not funded. Appeals with respect to other issues are described in 40 CFR Part 30.63 and Part 31, Subpart F.
Renewals
None. Generally, EPA incrementally funds grants and cooperative agreements for Surveys, Studies, and Investigations. Approval of subsequent funding increments is dependent on satisfactory project progress, continued relevance of the project to EPA's priorities, and availability of funds.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
None.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
EPA normally funds grants and cooperative agreements on a 12-month basis. However, EPA can negotiate the project period with each applicant based on project requirements. EPA limits project periods to 5 years.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
EPA includes reporting requirements for grants and cooperative agreements in the terms and conditions of the agreements. Agreements may require quarterly, interim, and final progress reports, and financial, equipment, and invention reports. Reporting requirements are also identified in the Grant Regulations Part 30 and Part 31.
Audits
Surveys, Studies, and Investigations grants and cooperative agreements are subject to inspections and audits by the Comptroller General of the United States, the EPA Office of Inspector General, other EPA staff or any authorized representative of the Federal government. In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 24, 1997), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," nonfederal entities that receive financial assistance of $300,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Non-federal entities that expend less than $300,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133.
Records
Recipients must keep financial records, including all documents supporting entries on accounting records and to substantiate changes in grants available to personnel authorized to examine EPA recipients grants and cooperative agreementsrecords. Recipients must maintain all records until 3 years from the date of submission of final expenditure reports. If questions, such as those raised as a result of audits remain following the 3-year period, recipients must retain records until the matter is completely resolved.
Program Accomplishments
The total dollars awarded in FY 02 was approximately $88,000,000.
Financial Information
Account Identification
: 68-1810-0-1-304.
Obligations
FY 02 $88,000,000; FY 03 est. $46,500,000; and FY 04 est. not available.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
$5,000 to $750,000.
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
Surveys, Studies, and Investigations grants and cooperative agreements are subject to EPA's General Grant Regulations (40 CFR Part 30 and 40 CFR Part 31).
Related Programs
None.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
EPA encourages potential applicants to communicate with the appropriate EPA Regional Office listed in Appendix IV of the Catalog, and the Headquarters program contacts listed below.
Headquarters Office
For information on grant applications and procedures, contact: Environmental Protection Agency, Grants Administration Division, 1200 Pennsylvanina Avenue, N.W., Mail Code 3903R, Washington, DC 20460. For program information contact: Office of Air and Radiation, Kari L. Bilal (202)564-1356.
Web Site Address
Examples of Funded Projects
Examples of funded projects are: developing a reporter's guide to climate change, developing public service announcements, demonstrations of pilot transportation project in communities, radon information for real estate companies, and demonstration air quality monitoring projects.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
EPA selects proposed Surveys, Studies, and Investigations projects for funding based on factors such as relevancy to EPA's mission, technical merit, and the likelihood of success. If EPA issues a solicitation for applications for a particular project or group of projects, the solicitation will identify specific criteria.
