State Indoor Radon Grants
EPA assists states and federally recognized tribes to provide radon risk reduction through activities that will result in increased radon testing, mitigation, and radon resistant new construction through the authorizing statute: Title III of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), the Indoor Radon Abatement Act (IRAA), Section 306. States and tribes are encouraged to implement projects focused on assisting state radon programs, addressing low-income population exposure, expanding radon testing of existing homes, increasing mitigation of homes with high radon levels, and promoting radon-resistant new construction. Funding Priorities - Fiscal Year 2023: Recipients will focus on adopting, or seeking to adopt, radon building codes for single family homes, expanding coverage and seeking opportunities to assist underserved communities, promoting radon awareness through the medical community, state cancer control plans, childcare providers and real estate transactions, providing training and technical support on voluntary consensus standards for radon testing and mitigation, identifying and spreading best practices for building homes radon resistant and adopting radon in building codes, providing radon awareness building and/or education activities that target homebuyers, informing local school systems about radon exposure risk in schools and providing sample school testing and mitigation plans, developing or implementing processes to ensure appropriate, certification or credentialing of radon testing and mitigation service providers, collecting available radon test result data to develop locality-specific classifications of radon risks and to support the CDC Environmental Public Health Tracking Network radon site. EPA will encourage state and tribal grant recipients to work collaboratively with additional government agencies, non-profit organizations and private sector partners participating in the National Radon Action Plan (NRAP). (Please see https://www.epa.gov/radon/national-radon-action-plan-strategy-saving-lives for the current plan and more information.)
General information about this opportunity
Last Known Status
Active
Program Number
66.032
Federal Agency/Office
Environmental Protection Agency
Type(s) of Assistance Offered
A - Formula Grants; B - Project Grants
Program Accomplishments
Fiscal Year 2016 Not available The SIRG program awarded $7,998,20445 to 45 state and 6 tribal programs in FY16; 6 Tribes received approximately $200,000 in funding in FY16. Program priority areas addressed: • radon-resistant new construction techniques in new homes and schools; • disclosure, testing, and mitigation in conjunction with residential real estate transactions; • developing radon programs in high-risk areas; • activities that improve the effectiveness and viability of the program; • developing coalitions that work in partnership with local governments, Partner affiliates and others interested in reducing the risk of radon; • setting and measuring environmental results goals; • testing and, mitigating schools for radon.
Fiscal Year 2017 In FY17, EPA awarded 10 regional SIRG grants totaling $7,911,000. In calendar year 2017, an estimated 443,373 existing homes were mitigated to reduce high radon levels and approximately 95,752 homes were built with radon-reducing features. Much of this progress resulted from the work of coalitions and partnerships comprised of local governments, national and local non-profit organizations, industry, radon advocates and other leaders. The SIRG program continues to stress the importance of achieving and measuring results in: the number of homes, schools, and other buildings mitigated for radon; in the number of new homes and schools built with radon-reducing features. Recipients are required to include the SIRG results measures template in their work plans, and projects with clear risk reduction benefits are to be preferred over projects projected to have lesser risk reducing results.
Fiscal Year 2018 The SIRG program awarded $7,867,000 to 49 states and territories and 6 tribal programs (receiving approximately $238,000) in funding in FY18. ORIA regional offices are currently assessing SIRG progress reports from states and tribes. In calendar year 2018, an estimated 103,738 existing homes were mitigated to reduce high radon levels and approximately 124,252 homes were built with radon reducing features. Much of this progress resulted from the work of coalitions and partnerships comprised of state governments, national and local non-profit organizations, industry, radon advocates and other leaders. The SIRG program continues to stress the importance of achieving and measuring results in: the number of homes, schools, and other buildings mitigated for radon, and in the number of new homes, schools and other buildings built with radon reducing features. Recipients are required to include the SIRG results measures template in their work plans, and projects with clear risk reduction benefits are preferred over projects with less risk reduction results.
Fiscal Year 2019 ORIA regional offices are currently assessing SIRG progress reports from states and tribes. Accomplishments are available here: https://www.epa.gov/radon/state-indoor-radon-grants-resources.
Fiscal Year 2023 Annual SIRG Activity Reports are available here: https://www.epa.gov/radon/state-indoor-radon-grants-resources.
Authorization
Indoor Radon Act: Section 306 & Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2006 (PL 109-54)
Who is eligible to apply/benefit from this assistance?
Applicant Eligibility
Eligible entities include states (including District of Columbia (DC)), Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, the Canal Zone, American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands, federally recognized Indian tribes and tribal consortia, or any other U.S. Territory or possession.
Beneficiary Eligibility
State agencies: local, municipal, district, or area wide governments and organizations; U.S. territories or possessions, federally recognized Indian tribes, colleges, universities, multi-state agencies, specialized groups, nonprofit organizations, low-income individuals, homeowners, and the public.
Credentials/Documentation
An applicant's application must: 1) describe the seriousness and extent of radon exposure; 2) identify the lead State or Tribal organization with primary responsibility for the radon program that will receive the grant, with a description of the lead agency's role and responsibilities, and those of any other State agencies, and any municipal, district or area wide organizations involved in the radon program; 3) submit a work plan describing the activities and programs to be funded; 4) provide a budget specifying the federal and applicant share of the funding for each work plan element. First time applicants must have a 3-year work plan outlining long range program goals and objectives, the tasks necessary to achieve them, the resource requirements including anticipated SIRG applicant funding levels and the desired federal funding level.
What is the process for applying and being award this assistance?
Pre-Application Procedure
Preapplication coordination is required. Application assistance is available through Regional radon coordinators and their Regional grants specialist counterparts. For additional information, visit https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/epa-regional-office-and-state-indoor-air-quality-information for state specific information on the state radon programs and a list of EPA Regional and State Contacts.
Application Procedure
2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program. Applicants, except in limited circumstances approved by the Agency, must submit all initial applications for funding through Grants.gov.
Award Procedure
Each state or tribal SIRG application is subjected to an administrative and prior period performance evaluation to determine the recipient's eligibility to receive continued funding. An applicant's proposed projects and work plan are evaluated for projected results and alignment with the Agency's radon program goals and priorities. SIRG award decisions are non-competitive and made at the EPA Regional level, based on a formula moderated by Regional management discretion utilizing prior performance and results. A state or tribe able to provide the required 25% in matching funds (first year of participation only) and 40% in matching funds (every subsequent year) is eligible to apply to the Regional EPA office for a grant.
Deadlines
Contact the headquarters or regional location, as appropriate for application deadlines
Approval/Disapproval Decision Time
Approximately 90 days.
Appeals
Disputes will be resolved under 2 CFR 1500 Subpart E, as applicable.
Renewals
Renewals of awards will be conducted in accordance with the provisions of TSCA Section 306 and the SIRG Program Handbook (https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2014-08/documents/guidance_and_handbook.pdf).
How are proposals selected?
The EPA will base its review of SIRG applications on whether they reflect program goals and promote integrity through a state's use of grant funds. Pursuant to TSCA 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. EPA may establish additional criteria related to demonstration activities or other aspects of the SIRG program.
How may assistance be used?
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, Community development, consumer protection, housing, training, and toll-free hotlines. Funding for these eligible activities may be used to develop State radon response programs. States may, at the Governor's direction, aid local governments for public information and educational materials, radon control programs and training.
What are the requirements after being awarded this opportunity?
Reporting
Performance Reports: Grantees are required to perform performance monitoring in accordance with Agency policy and requirements stated in Uniform Grants Guidance 2 CFR 200.329.
Auditing
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. Reviews by the EPA Project Officer and the Grants Specialist may occur each year.
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 agreements records. Recipients must maintain all records until 3 years from the date of submission of final expenditure reports as required by 2 CFR 200.334. If questions, such as those raised because of audits remain following the 3-year period, recipients must retain records until the matter is completely resolved.
Other Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
Statutory formula is not applicable to this assistance listing.
Matching is mandatory. EPA may provide States a maximum of 60% of allowable costs of approved SIRG Program activities. TSCA Section 306 requires a progressive match for states and tribes; 25% in the first year; 40% in the second year; and, 50% in the third and subsequent years of participation. However, in the FY 2006 appropriation, Congress permanently reduced the recipient match requirement from a maximum of 50% to 40% for participants with two or more years in the program.
MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Awards funded under TSCA Section 306 (IRAA), are normally for a period of 12-36 months. EPA encourages 36-month (3-year) SIRG project periods. EPA negotiates project periods appropriate to a suite of projects or specific project. However, EPA project periods are limited to a maximum of five years. Grants and cooperative agreements may be fully funded or incrementally (partially) funded, conditional on the availability of funds. Assistance agreements are generally funded incrementally, depending on the availability of funds. This may vary by region and grants management office.
Who do I contact about this opportunity?
Regional or Local Office
For questions of a programmatic/technical nature, contact the appropriate Regional Radon Office representative. The individual Regional radon SIRG project officers can be found at https://www.epa.gov/radon/state-indoor-radon-grant-sirg-program.
Headquarters Office
Kirsten Gill
Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Radiation and Indoor Air, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W., (Mail Code 6204M)
Washington, DC 20460 US
gill.kirsten@epa.gov
Phone: 202-564-2984
Website Address
https://www.epa.gov/radon/state-indoor-radon-grant-sirg-program
Financial Information
Account Identification
68-0103-0-1-304
Obligations
(Formula Grants) FY 22$8,295,000.00; FY 23 est $10,995,000.00; FY 24 est $12,487,000.00; FY 21$7,795,000.00; FY 20$7,646,000.00; FY 19$7,789,000.00; FY 18$7,867,000.00; FY 17$7,911,000.00; FY 16$7,978,000.00; -
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
Federal funding in FY 2023 may range from $15,000 to a maximum of $1,099,500 (by law 10% of the annual appropriation amount) per State/Tribal applicant. (See FY 2023 regional allotments at https://www.epa.gov/radon/state-indoor-radon-grant-sirg-program).
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
EPA regulations that govern State activities under the SIRG Program are contained in the following: (1) 40 CFR Part 4 (Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition for Federal and Federally Assisted Programs); (2) 40 CFR Part 7 (Nondiscrimination in Programs or Activities Receiving Federal Assistance from the Environmental Protection Agency); (3) 40 CFR Part 32 (Debarment and Suspension under EPA Assistance Programs);(4) 40 CFR Part 33 (Participation by Disadvantaged Business Enterprises in United States Environmental Protection Agency Programs); (5) 40 CFR Part 35 SubPart A (Environmental Program Grants) or 40 CFR Part 35 SubPart B (Environmental Program Grants for Tribes; (6) 2 CFR 200 and 1500, (EPA Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards). Also applicable is the State Indoor Radon Grants (SIRG) Program Handbook (https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2014-08/documents/guidance_and_handbook.pdf).
Examples of Funded Projects
Fiscal Year 2016 Not available State and tribal radon programs use SIRG grants to inform the public and promote risk reduction action by concerned citizens, homeowners/buyers, creating Radon-Resistant Building Codes Task Force, promoting policy and codes, operating radon certification programs to assure quality services to the public, and achieving and capturing results. An example which documents risk reduction in Illinois: radon mitigators purchase tags for every radon reduction system they install providing an accurate account of the number of systems installed.
Fiscal Year 2017 1) Testing and remediation of schools in high-risk radon areas, 2) Homes tested and mitigated in high-risk radon areas, 3) New homes built with radon-resistant construction, 4) State and county municipalities adopting radon-reducing code language, 5) States and tribes developed educational materials and/or engaged in outreach events for medical professionals on radon risks, 6) States and tribes distributed free or low-cost radon test kits through the medical communities and to local residents.
Fiscal Year 2018 1. Promoting radon awareness through the medical community, state cancer control plans, child care providers and real estate transactions; 2. Informing local school systems about radon exposure risk in schools and providing sample school testing and mitigation plans; 3. Providing training and technical support on voluntary consensus standards for radon testing and mitigation, and identifying and spreading best practices for building homes radon resistant and adopting radon in building codes. Priority consideration will be given to actions which: promote adoption of radon in building codes for single family homes, awareness building activities targeting homebuyers and/or utilization of an established process to ensure appropriate credentialing of radon testing and mitigation service providers.
Fiscal Year 2023 Examples of projects funded in FY 2023 include: 1) adopting, or seeking to adopt, radon building codes for single family homes; 2) promoting radon awareness through the medical community, state cancer control plans, childcare providers and real estate transactions; 3) providing training and technical support on voluntary consensus standards for radon testing and mitigation, identifying and spreading best practices for building homes radon resistant and adopting radon in building codes; 4) providing radon awareness building and/or education activities that target homebuyers; 5) informing local school systems about radon exposure risk in schools and providing sample school testing and mitigation plans; 6) developing or implementing processes to ensure appropriate certification or credentialing of radon testing and mitigation service providers; and 7) collecting available radon test result data to develop locality-specific classifications of radon risks and to support the CDC Environmental Public Health Tracking Network radon site.