Massachusetts air quality contracts
62 contracts tracked across 1 municipality.
Contracts
62
municipalities
1
Distinct vendors
26
municipalities with the most air quality contracts
Top vendors in Massachusetts air quality
| Vendor | Contracts | Volume |
|---|---|---|
| MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION | 12 | $11.5M |
| BOSTON, CITY OF | 5 | $60.1M |
| EASTERN RESEARCH GROUP INC | 3 | $16.9M |
| UNIVERSITY OF MASS AT BOSTON | 3 | $5.0M |
| PUBLIC HEALTH, MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF | 3 | $787K |
| AERODYNE RESEARCH INC | 2 | $565K |
Recent air quality contracts in Massachusetts
| Title | municipality | Vendor | Value | Solicitation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AERODYNE DUAL-LASER TILDAS-FD-L2 FORMALDEHYDE/ACROLEIN MONITOR | Massachusetts (EPA federal awards) | AERODYNE RESEARCH INC | $255K | — |
| PROGRAM SUPPORT, ANALYSIS, AND ADVANCEMENT OF TRANSPORTATION EMISSION REDUCTION AND FUEL SAVINGS PROGRAMS IGF::CL::IGF | Massachusetts (EPA federal awards) | EASTERN RESEARCH GROUP INC | $12.7M | — |
| "DEVELOPING NEW AND IMPROVING EXISTING MOBILE SOURCE EMISSION INVENTORIES" | Massachusetts (EPA federal awards) | EASTERN RESEARCH GROUP INC | $3.5M | — |
| SUPPORT FOR "MOBILE SOURCE EMISSION INVENTORY MODEL AND EMISSIONS ACTIVITY DATA TECHNICAL SUPPORT" | Massachusetts (EPA federal awards) | EASTERN RESEARCH GROUP INC | $791K | — |
| TIME-OF-FLIGHT AEROSOL CHEMICAL SPECIFICATION MONITOR (TOF ACSM) WITH EXTENDED WARRANTY. | Massachusetts (EPA federal awards) | AERODYNE RESEARCH INC | $310K | — |
| DUAL BETA CONTINUOUS PARTICULATE MONITOR (THERMO ENVIRONMENTAL MODEL 5028I PM2.5 AND PM10 FEM INSTRUMENT). PROCUREMENT NONAVAILABILITY WAIVER APPROVED BY MADE IN AMERICA OFFICE, 12/18/2023. DUAL BETA CONTINUOUS PARTICULATE MONITOR. | Massachusetts (EPA federal awards) | THERMO ENVIRONMENTAL INSTRUMENTS LLC | $39K | — |
| DESCRIPTION:THE AGREEMENT PROVIDES FUNDING UNDER THE INFLATION REDUCTION ACT (IRA) TO CITY OF BOSTON, BOSTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS TO REPLACE IN-USE, NON-ZERO-EMISSION HEAVY-DUTY VEHICLES WITH NEW ZERO-EMISSION VEHICLES TO REDUCE AIR POLLUTION AND GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS IN EPA REGION 1. THE RECIPIENT WILL REPLACE 125 ELIGIBLE VEHICLES WITH COMPARABLE, ELIGIBLE ZERO-EMISSION VEHICLES UNDER THE SCHOOL BUS SUB-PROGRAM, RESULTING IN CLEANER AIR AND IMPROVED HEALTH FOR COMMUNITIES IN BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS. ACTIVITIES:THE ACTIVITIES INCLUDE REPLACING ELIGIBLE INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE CLASS 7 VEHICLES WITH ELIGIBLE ZERO-EMISSION VEHICLES; PURCHASING, INSTALLING, OPERATING, AND MAINTAINING CHARGING EQUIPMENT TO MAINTAIN THE NEW ZERO-EMISSION VEHICLES; AND PROVIDING WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND TRAINING TO SUPPORT THE MAINTENANCE, CHARGING, AND OPERATION OF THE NEW ZERO-EMISSION VEHICLES. SUBRECIPIENT:NO SUBAWARDS ARE INCLUDED IN THIS ASSISTANCE AGREEMENT.OUTCOMES:THE ANTICIPATED DELIVERABLES INCLUDE REPLACING 125 HEAVY-DUTY DIESEL AND PROPANE SCHOOL BUSES WITH ZERO-EMISSION BUSES AND INSTALLING 125 LEVEL 3 CHARGERS. THREE TRAINING SESSIONS WILL BE PROVIDED TO STAFF, DRIVERS, AND MECHANICS ABOUT HOW TO PROPERLY OPERATE AND MAINTAIN THE ZERO-ELECTRIC BUSES AND CHARGERS, AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITIES WILL BE HELD TO CONNECT WITH AND EDUCATE THE COMMUNITY. THE EXPECTED OUTCOMES INCLUDE STRENGTHENED CAPACITY FOR ELECTRIFICATION AND TRANSPORTATION PLANNING, INCREASED CHARGING CAPACITY FOR HEAVY-DUTY FLEET, REDUCED GREENHOUSE GAS AND CRITERIA POLLUTANT EMISSIONS, REDUCED FUEL CONSUMPTION, IMPROVED AIR QUALITY, TRAINED STAFF, AND INCREASED PUBLIC AWARENESS AND UNDERSTANDING ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENTAL AND ECONOMIC EFFECTIVENESS OF THE IMPLEMENTED TECHNOLOGY. THE INTENDED BENEFICIARIES INCLUDE THE BOSTON PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT (GRANTEE). OTHER BENEFICIARIES INCLUDE DISADVANTAGED COMMUNITY RESIDENTS WHO WILL BENEFIT FROM IMPROVED AMBIENT AIR QUALITY IN COMMUNITIES IN WHICH THE VEHICLES OPERATE. | Massachusetts (EPA federal awards) | BOSTON, CITY OF | $35.0M | — |
| THE HEALTH EFFECTS INSTITUTE SUPPORTS RESEARCH ON THE HEALTH EFFECTS OF EMISSIONS FROM MOTOR VEHICLES, FUELS, AND OTHER SOURCES OF ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION. THEMES GUIDING THE RESEARCH PROGRAM ARE ACCOUNTABILITY, TESTING THE LINKS BETWEEN AIR QUALITY ACTION AND HEALTH; COMPLEX QUESTIONS FOR THE AIR POLLUTION MIXTURE; TRANSPORT AND URBAN HEALTH; AND GLOBAL HEALTH. | Massachusetts (EPA federal awards) | HEALTH EFFECTS INSTITUTE, THE | $25.0M | — |
| DESCRIPTION:THIS AGREEMENT PROVIDES FUNDING UNDER THE INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT AND JOBS ACT (IIJA) TO THE CITY OF BOSTON (BOSTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS). THIS AGREEMENT IS TO REPLACE EXISTING SCHOOL BUSES WITH CLEAN AND ZERO EMISSION (ZE) SCHOOL BUSES. ACTIVITIES:THE ACTIVITIES INCLUDE REPLACING FIFTY (50) CLASS 7 DIESEL SCHOOL BUSES WITH FIFTY (50) CLASS 7 ELECTRIC SCHOOL BUSES AND FIFTY (50) DIRECT CURRENT (DC) FAST CHARGING INFRASTRUCTURE. THE NEW SCHOOL BUSES WILL SERVE THE BOSTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS (BPS) SCHOOL DISTRICT. SUBRECIPIENT:NO SUBAWARDS ARE INCLUDED IN THIS ASSISTANCE AGREEMENT.OUTCOMES:THE ANTICIPATED DELIVERABLES INCLUDE: - PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT VIA PUBLIC MEETINGS TO ENGAGE AFFECTED COMMUNITIES BEFORE AND AFTER DEPLOYMENT, PUBLIC COMMENT EMAIL INBOX, AND TWO PUBLIC SURVEYS ON ELECTRIC SCHOOL BUSES (ESBS) TO GAGE ATTITUDES, IMPACT, AND FEEDBACK - CONSTRUCTION BUILDOUT OF SUPPORTING INFRASTRUCTURE TO CHARGE ELECTRIC SCHOOL BUSES (ONE TRANSFORMER, TWO SWITCHGEAR, AND 300+ FEET OF CONDUIT INSTALLED, FIFTY 30 KILOWATT (KW) OR HIGHER DIRECT CURRENT FAST CHARGERS (DCFC) INSTALLED) - FIFTY DIESEL BUSES TRANSITIONED TO ELECTRIC - 6,500 SCHOOL CHILDREN NOW SERVED BY A ZERO EMISSION (ZE) SCHOOL BUS - 40% OF VEHICLE MILES TRAVELED ARE IN ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE (EJ) NEIGHBORHOODS TRANSITIONED TO ZE BUSES - REDUCED AIR POLLUTION BY 0.042 SHORT TONS OF PARTICULATE MATTER (PM2.5), AND 687.9 SHORT TONS OF CARBON DIOXIDE (CO2). - WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT VIA TRAINING SESSIONS FOR EACH KEY OPERATIONS TEAM, COACHING FOR DRIVERS, TRAINING FOR NEW DRIVERS, ONBOARDING MECHANICS AND OPERATIONS STAFF TO SUPPORT BUS ROLL OUT, TRAINING FOR FIRE DISTRICT'S FIRST RESPONDERS TO RESPOND TO ESBS, AND TRAINING FOR BUS ROUTERS. - SHARE LESSONS LEARNED VIA VIRTUAL AND IN-PERSON ENGAGEMENTS TO DISSEMINATE BEST PRACTICE, LESSONS LEARNED ABOUT THE TECHNOLOGY AND ITS US, AND TO SHARE INFORMATION WITH INTERESTED FLEETS ADDRESSING LARGE SCALE COLD WEATHER ESB DEPLOYMENT THE EXPECTED OUTCOMES INCLUDE: - INCREASED PUBLIC AWARENESS OF PROJECT AND RESULTS AND INCREASED PUBLIC EXPOSURE TO ELECTRIC VEHICLE (EV) TECHNOLOGY - STRENGTHENED CAPACITY FOR ELECTRIFICATION AND TRANSPORTATION PLANNING IN BPS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (DOT) - IMPROVED AMBIENT AIR QUALITY AROUND BUS YARD, EJ NEIGHBORHOODS, AND BROADER CITY -IMPROVED HEALTH FOR LOCAL SCHOOL CHILDREN, FEWER OF WHOM ARE EXPOSED TO DIESEL EXHAUST EMISSIONS - GROWTH OF WORKFORCE TO SUPPORT ZERO EMISSION VEHICLES AND KEY COMPONENTS LIKE BATTERIES - INCREASED KNOWLEDGE OF SUCCESSFUL USE OF INVOLVED TECHNOLOGIES - INCREASED UNDERSTANDING OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL AND ECONOMIC EFFECTIVENESS OF ESBS IN THE COMMUNITY THE INTENDED BENEFICIARIES INCLUDE BOSTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS (BPS); BPS STUDENTS, TEACHERS, AND STAFF; AND THE GREATER BOSTON COMMUNITY. | Massachusetts (EPA federal awards) | BOSTON, CITY OF | $20.1M | — |
| DESCRIPTION:THE AGREEMENT PROVIDES FUNDING UNDER THE INFLATION REDUCTION ACT (IRA) TO CITY OF SPRINGFIELD DBA: SPRINGFIELD PUBLIC SCHOOLS TO REPLACE IN-USE, NON-ZERO-EMISSION HEAVY-DUTY VEHICLES WITH NEW ZERO-EMISSION VEHICLES TO REDUCE AIR POLLUTION AND GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS IN EPA REGION 1. THE RECIPIENT WILL REPLACE 25 ELIGIBLE VEHICLES WITH COMPARABLE, ELIGIBLE ZERO-EMISSION VEHICLES UNDER THE SCHOOL BUS SUB-PROGRAM, RESULTING IN CLEANER AIR AND IMPROVED HEALTH FOR COMMUNITIES IN SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS. ACTIVITIES:THE ACTIVITIES INCLUDE REPLACING ELIGIBLE INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE CLASS 7 VEHICLES WITH ELIGIBLE ZERO-EMISSION VEHICLES; PURCHASING, INSTALLING, OPERATING, AND MAINTAINING CHARGING EQUIPMENT TO MAINTAIN THE NEW ZERO-EMISSION VEHICLES; AND PROVIDING WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND TRAINING TO SUPPORT THE MAINTENANCE, CHARGING, AND OPERATION OF THE NEW ZERO-EMISSION VEHICLES. SUBRECIPIENT:THE GRANTEE WILL SUBAWARD TO THEIR TRANSPORTATION PROVIDER TO IMPLEMENT PART OF THE FEDERAL GRANT PROGRAM UNDER THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE PROGRAM. SUBAWARDEE ACTIVITIES INCLUDE PROCUREMENT OF VEHICLES AND CHARGERS, TRAINING OF DRIVERS, PROJECT PLANNING, AND PROJECT MONITORING.OUTCOMES:THE ANTICIPATED DELIVERABLES INCLUDE REPLACING 25 DIESEL SCHOOL BUSES WITH ZERO-EMISSION BUSES AND INSTALLING 13 LEVEL 3 CHARGERS. TRAINING WILL BE PROVIDED TO STAFF, DRIVERS, MECHANICS, AND PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICIALS ABOUT HOW TO PROPERLY OPERATE AND MAINTAIN THE ZERO-ELECTRIC BUSES AND CHARGERS, AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITIES WILL BE HELD TO CONNECT WITH AND EDUCATE THE COMMUNITY. THE EXPECTED OUTCOMES INCLUDE REDUCED GREENHOUSE GAS AND CRITERIA POLLUTANT EMISSIONS, IMPROVED AIR QUALITY, REDUCED STUDENT ABSENTEEISM, TRAINED STAFF, INCREASED WORK OPPORTUNITIES, IMPROVED SAFETY, AND INCREASED PUBLIC AWARENESS AND UNDERSTANDING ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENTAL AND ECONOMIC EFFECTIVENESS OF THE IMPLEMENTED TECHNOLOGY. THE INTENDED BENEFICIARIES INCLUDE SPRINGFIELD PUBLIC SCHOOLS (GRANTEE) AND FIRST STUDENT, INC. (SUBRECIPIENT). OTHER BENEFICIARIES INCLUDE DISADVANTAGED COMMUNITY RESIDENTS WHO WILL BENEFIT FROM IMPROVED AMBIENT AIR QUALITY IN COMMUNITIES IN WHICH THE VEHICLES OPERATE. | Massachusetts (EPA federal awards) | SPRINGFIELD PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT | $6.5M | — |
| DESCRIPTION:THE AGREEMENT PROVIDES FUNDING UNDER THE INFLATION REDUCTION ACT (IRA) TO MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY RESOURCES TO REPLACE IN-USE, NON-ZERO-EMISSION HEAVY-DUTY VEHICLES WITH NEW ZERO-EMISSION VEHICLES TO REDUCE AIR POLLUTION AND GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS IN EPA REGION 1. THE RECIPIENT WILL REPLACE 28 ELIGIBLE VEHICLES WITH COMPARABLE, ELIGIBLE ZERO-EMISSION VEHICLES UNDER THE VOCATIONAL VEHICLES SUB-PROGRAM, RESULTING IN CLEANER AIR AND IMPROVED HEALTH FOR COMMUNITIES IN CHARLESTOWN, CHELMSFORD, GOSHEN, NORWOOD, SOUTH HADLEY, TAUNTON, WAKEFIELD, AND WESTFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS. ACTIVITIES:THE ACTIVITIES INCLUDE REPLACING ELIGIBLE INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE CLASS 6 AND CLASS 7 VEHICLES WITH ELIGIBLE ZERO-EMISSION VEHICLES; PURCHASING, INSTALLING, OPERATING, AND MAINTAINING CHARGING EQUIPMENT TO MAINTAIN THE NEW ZERO-EMISSION VEHICLES; AND PROVIDING WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND TRAINING TO SUPPORT THE MAINTENANCE, CHARGING, AND OPERATION OF THE NEW ZERO-EMISSION VEHICLES. SUBRECIPIENT:THE ACTIVITIES TO BE IMPLEMENTED THROUGH A SUBAWARD TO MASSACHUSETTS CLEAN ENERGY CENTER INCLUDE MANAGING AN ENHANCED FLEET ADVISORY SERVICES COMPONENT OF THE PROPOSAL THROUGH ITS MASS FLEET ADVISOR PROGRAM AND AWARDING FUNDING TO PARTICIPATING FLEETS FOR THE PROCUREMENT OF VEHICLES, ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATIONS, AND CHARGING STATION-RELATED CONSTRUCTION AND INSTALLATION COSTS. OUTCOMES:THE ANTICIPATED DELIVERABLES INCLUDE REPLACING 28 DIESEL VOCATIONAL VEHICLES WITH 28 BATTERY ELECTRIC VEHICLES; INSTALLING 24 LEVEL 2 AND LEVEL 3 ELECTRIC CHARGING STATIONS ACROSS 6 COUNTIES AND 8 MUNICIPALITIES; PURCHASING EQUIPMENT FOR AND CREATING A TRAINING PROGRAM FOR MEDIUM- AND HEAVY-DUTY ZERO-EMISSION VEHICLE TECHNICIANS AND OPERATORS TO TRAIN A TOTAL OF 48 STUDENTS ABOUT VEHICLE SAFETY, OPERATIONS, AND MAINTENANCE; AND CONDUCTING COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITIES. THE EXPECTED OUTCOMES INCLUDE REDUCED EMISSIONS OF GREENHOUSE GASES AND OTHER AIR POLLUTANTS; REDUCED ANNUAL FUEL CONSUMPTION; IMPROVED AMBIENT AIR QUALITY AND HEALTH OUTCOMES; INCREASED CAPACITY FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING; ENHANCED LOCAL WORKFORCE WITH SKILLS TO SUPPORT FUTURE ELECTRIC FLEET NEEDS; AND INCREASED UNDERSTANDING AND PUBLIC AWARENESS OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND ECONOMIC EFFECTIVENESS OF ZERO-EMISSION VEHICLES. THE INTENDED BENEFICIARIES INCLUDE MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY RESOURCES (GRANTEE), MASSASOIT COMMUNITY COLLEGE (PARTNER), AND MASSACHUSETTS CLEAN ENERGY CENTER (SUBRECIPIENT). OTHER BENEFICIARIES INCLUDE DISADVANTAGED COMMUNITY RESIDENTS WHO WILL BENEFIT FROM IMPROVED AMBIENT AIR QUALITY IN THE MASSACHUSETTS COMMUNITIES IN WHICH THE VEHICLES OPERATE. | Massachusetts (EPA federal awards) | MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY RESOURCES | $5.8M | — |
| DESCRIPTION:THE AGREEMENT PROVIDES FUNDING UNDER THE INFLATION REDUCTION ACT (IRA) TO HAMILTON-WENHAM REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT TO REPLACE IN-USE, NON-ZERO-EMISSION HEAVY-DUTY VEHICLES WITH NEW ZERO-EMISSION VEHICLES TO REDUCE AIR POLLUTION AND GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS IN EPA REGION 1. THE RECIPIENT WILL REPLACE 17 ELIGIBLE VEHICLES WITH COMPARABLE, ELIGIBLE ZERO-EMISSION VEHICLES UNDER THE SCHOOL BUS SUB-PROGRAM, RESULTING IN CLEANER AIR AND IMPROVED HEALTH FOR COMMUNITIES IN HAMILTON AND WENHAM, MASSACHUSETTS. ACTIVITIES:THE ACTIVITIES INCLUDE REPLACING ELIGIBLE INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE CLASS 7 VEHICLES WITH ELIGIBLE ZERO-EMISSION VEHICLES; PURCHASING, INSTALLING, OPERATING, AND MAINTAINING CHARGING AND FUELING EQUIPMENT TO MAINTAIN THE NEW ZERO-EMISSION VEHICLES; AND PROVIDING WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND TRAINING TO SUPPORT THE MAINTENANCE, CHARGING, FUELING, AND OPERATION OF THE NEW ZERO-EMISSION VEHICLES. SUBRECIPIENT:THE ACTIVITIES TO BE IMPLEMENTED THROUGH A SUBAWARD TO HIGHLAND ELECTRIC FLEETS INCLUDE PROJECT MANAGEMENT, VEHICLE PROCUREMENT, CHARGER INSTALLATION MANAGEMENT, AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT EVENT MANAGEMENT.OUTCOMES:THE ANTICIPATED DELIVERABLES INCLUDE REPLACING 17 DIESEL BUSES WITH ZERO-ELECTRIC BUSES AND INSTALLING 17 LEVEL 3 CHARGERS. TRAINING WILL BE PROVIDED TO STAFF, DRIVERS, MECHANICS, AND PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICIALS ABOUT HOW TO PROPERLY OPERATE AND MAINTAIN THE ZERO-EMISSION BUSES AND CHARGERS, AND TWO COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT EVENTS WILL BE HELD TO ENGAGE WITH AND EDUCATE THE COMMUNITY. THE EXPECTED OUTCOMES INCLUDE REDUCED GREENHOUSE GAS AND CRITERIA POLLUTANT EMISSIONS, REDUCED FUEL CONSUMPTION, LOWER SCHOOL DISTRICT OPERATING AND MAINTENANCE COSTS, IMPROVED AIR QUALITY, REDUCED STUDENT ABSENTEEISM, REDUCED BUS IDLING, REDUCED BUS MAINTENANCE, TRAINED STAFF, IMPROVED SAFETY, AND INCREASED PUBLIC AWARENESS AND UNDERSTANDING ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENTAL AND ECONOMIC EFFECTIVENESS OF THE IMPLEMENTED TECHNOLOGY. THE INTENDED BENEFICIARIES INCLUDE HAMILTON-WENHAM REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT (GRANTEE) AND HIGHLAND ELECTRIC FLEETS (SUBRECIPIENT). OTHER BENEFICIARIES INCLUDE DISADVANTAGED COMMUNITY RESIDENTS WHO WILL BENEFIT FROM IMPROVED AMBIENT AIR QUALITY IN COMMUNITIES IN WHICH THE VEHICLES OPERATE. | Massachusetts (EPA federal awards) | HAMILTON-WENHAM REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT | $5.0M | — |
| NORTHEAST STATES FOR COORDINATED AIR USE MANAGEMENT (NESCAUM) WILL WORK COLLABORATIVELY WITH ITS CONSTITUENT MEMBER STATES (CT, MA, ME, NH, NJ, NY, RI, VT) ON AIR QUALITY CONTROL AND MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES. NESCAUM WILL CONDUCT TECHNICAL STUDIES, DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS, EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION, OUTREACH, AND AIR QUALITY TRAINING PROGRAMS FOR ITS MEMBER STATES TO MORE EFFICIENTLY PERFORM THEIR PRIMARY DUTIES IMPLEMENTING THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE CLEAN AIR ACT. THESE TECHNICAL AND PROGRAM EFFORTS ARE DESIGNED TO ASSIST THE MEMBER STATES IN ADDRESSING ONGOING AND EMERGING TECHNICAL AND POLICY ISSUES. | Massachusetts (EPA federal awards) | NORTHEAST STATES FOR COORDINATED AIR USE MANAGEMENT INC | $3.2M | — |
| DESCRIPTION:THE AGREEMENT PROVIDES FUNDING UNDER THE INFLATION REDUCTION ACT (IRA) TO TOWN OF HINGHAM TO REPLACE IN-USE, NON-ZERO-EMISSION HEAVY-DUTY VEHICLES WITH NEW ZERO-EMISSION VEHICLES TO REDUCE AIR POLLUTION AND GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS IN EPA REGION 1. THE RECIPIENT WILL REPLACE 10 ELIGIBLE VEHICLES WITH COMPARABLE, ELIGIBLE ZERO-EMISSION VEHICLES UNDER THE SCHOOL BUS SUB-PROGRAM, RESULTING IN CLEANER AIR AND IMPROVED HEALTH FOR COMMUNITIES IN HINGHAM, MASSACHUSETTS. ACTIVITIES:THE ACTIVITIES INCLUDE REPLACING ELIGIBLE INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE CLASS 7 VEHICLES WITH ELIGIBLE ZERO-EMISSION VEHICLES; PURCHASING, INSTALLING, OPERATING, AND MAINTAINING CHARGING EQUIPMENT TO MAINTAIN THE NEW ZERO-EMISSION VEHICLES; AND PROVIDING WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND TRAINING TO SUPPORT THE MAINTENANCE, CHARGING, AND OPERATION OF THE NEW ZERO-EMISSION VEHICLES. SUBRECIPIENT:THE ACTIVITIES TO BE IMPLEMENTED THROUGH A SUBAWARD TO HIGHLAND ELECTRIC FLEETS INCLUDE PROJECT MANAGEMENT, VEHICLE PROCUREMENT, CHARGER INSTALLATION MANAGEMENT, AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT EVENT MANAGEMENT.OUTCOMES:THE ANTICIPATED DELIVERABLES INCLUDE REPLACING 10 DIESEL BUSES WITH ZERO-EMISSION BUSES AND INSTALLING 10 LEVEL 3 CHARGERS. TRAININGS WILL BE PROVIDED TO STAFF, DRIVERS, ELECTRICIANS, PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICIALS AND MECHANICS ABOUT HOW TO PROPERLY OPERATE AND MAINTAIN THE ZERO-EMISSION BUSES AND CHARGERS, AND TWO COMMUNITY FORUMS WILL BE HELD TO ENGAGE WITH AND EDUCATE THE COMMUNITY. THE EXPECTED OUTCOMES INCLUDE REDUCED GREENHOUSE GAS AND CRITERIA POLLUTANT EMISSIONS, REDUCED FUEL CONSUMPTION, LOWER SCHOOL DISTRICT OPERATING COSTS, IMPROVED AIR QUALITY, REDUCED STUDENT ABSENTEEISM, REDUCED BUS IDLING, REDUCED BUS MAINTENANCE, TRAINED STAFF, EXTENDED LIFESPAN OF BUSES, IMPROVED SAFETY, AND INCREASED PUBLIC AWARENESS AND UNDERSTANDING ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENTAL OR ECONOMIC EFFECTIVENESS OF THE IMPLEMENTED TECHNOLOGY. THE INTENDED BENEFICIARIES INCLUDE TOWN OF HINGHAM (GRANTEE) AND HIGHLAND ELECTRIC FLEETS (SUBRECIPIENT). OTHER BENEFICIARIES INCLUDE DISADVANTAGED COMMUNITY RESIDENTS WHO WILL BENEFIT FROM IMPROVED AMBIENT AIR QUALITY IN COMMUNITIES IN WHICH THE VEHICLES OPERATE.#8239; | Massachusetts (EPA federal awards) | TOWN OF HINGHAM | $2.9M | — |
| DESCRIPTION:NORTHEAST STATES FOR COORDINATED AIR USE MANAGEMENT (NESCAUM) WILL WORK COLLABORATIVELY WITH ITS CONSTITUENT MEMBER STATES (CT, MA, ME, NH, NJ, NY, RI, VT) ON AIR QUALITY CONTROL AND MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES. ACTIVITIES:NESCAUM WILL CONDUCT TECHNICAL STUDIES, DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS, EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION, OUTREACH, AND AIR QUALITY TRAINING PROGRAMS FOR ITS MEMBER STATES TO MORE EFFICIENTLY PERFORM THEIR PRIMARY DUTIES IMPLEMENTING THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE CLEAN AIR ACT. NESCAUM WILL FURTHER THE SPECIFIC INTERESTS OF THE NORTHEAST STATE AIR QUALITY MANAGEMENT AGENCIES; PROVIDE TECHNICAL ASSESSMENTS FOR AND ASSISTANCE TO ITS MEMBER STATES ON AIR QUALITY ISSUES; PROVIDE A FORUM FOR ITS MEMBER STATES FOR SHARING INFORMATION; AND DELIVER TRAINING AND STAFF DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS FOR ITS MEMBER STATES. SUBRECIPIENT:NO SUBAWARDS ARE INCLUDED IN THIS ASSISTANCE AGREEMENT.OUTCOMES:ANTICIPATED DELIVERABLES AND EXPECTED OUTCOMES INCLUDE TECHNICAL AND PROGRAM EFFORTS DESIGNED TO ASSIST THE MEMBER STATES IN ADDRESSING ONGOING AND EMERGING TECHNICAL AND POLICY ISSUES. INTENDED BENEFICIARIES ARE NESCAUM MEMBER STATES. | Massachusetts (EPA federal awards) | NORTHEAST STATES FOR COORDINATED AIR USE MANAGEMENT INC | $2.8M | — |
| THIS AGREEMENT PROVIDES CONTINUED ASSISTANCE TO THE MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION TO OPERATE AND MAINTAIN ITS AIR QUALITY MONITORING NETWORK AND TO MEASURE THE LEVELS OF VERY FINE PARTICULATE MATTER. THIS WORK WILL INVOLVE AIR QUALITY SAMPLING AND GENERATION OF REPRESENTATIVE AIR QUALITY DATA. | Massachusetts (EPA federal awards) | MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION | $2.6M | — |
| DESCRIPTION:THIS AGREEMENT PROVIDES CONTINUED ASSISTANCE TO THE MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION TO OPERATE AND MAINTAIN ITS AIR QUALITY MONITORING NETWORK AND TO MEASURE THE LEVELS OF VERY FINE PARTICULATE MATTER (PM). THIS WORK WILL INVOLVE AIR QUALITY SAMPLING AND GENERATION OF REPRESENTATIVE AIR QUALITY DATA.ACTIVITIES:THESE FUNDS WILL BE USED TO CONDUCT AND PROMOTE THE COORDINATION AND ACCELERATION OF RESEARCH, INVESTIGATIONS, EXPERIMENTS, DEMONSTRATIONS, SURVEYS, AND STUDIES RELATING TO THE CAUSES, EFFECTS (INCLUDING HEALTH AND WELFARE EFFECTS), EXTENT, PREVENTION, AND CONTROL OF AIR POLLUTION. THE PROJECT WILL INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING ACTIVITIES: COLLECT AND TRANSFER FILTERS TO THE APPROPRIATE LABORATORY FOR ANALYSIS; REPORT MEASURED PARTICULATE MATTER VALUES TO ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY'S AIR QUALITY STANDARDS SYSTEM; OPERATE, MAINTAIN AND IMPROVE MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION'S CONTINUOUS MONITORING PM2.5 NETWORK; CATALOGUE AND TRACK SAMPLES ACCORDING TO THE PROJECT QUALITY ASSURANCE PROJECT PLAN AND STANDARD OPERATION PROCEDURE; CONTINUE TRAINING ON PARTICULATE MATTER MONITORS, APPROPRIATE SITING, ROUTINE OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE ACTIVITIES; CONTINUE TO TRACK AND EVALUATE PM2.5 MEASUREMENT RESULTS FROM FILTER-BASED FEDERAL REFERENCE METHOD MONITORS AND FEDERAL EQUIVALENT METHOD CONTINUOUS MONITORS AT COLLOCATED SAMPLING LOCATIONS; MAINTAIN STRICT QUALITY CONTROL OVER THE OPERATION OF FEM BETA ATTENUATION MONITOR AND T640 CONTINUOUS MONITORS TO ENSURE THE HIGHEST QUALITY PM2.5 DATA. SUBRECIPIENT:NO SUBAWARDS ARE INCLUDED IN THIS ASSISTANCE AGREEMENT.OUTCOMES:EXPECTED DELIVERABLES INCLUDE CONTINUOUS PM2.5 MONITORING TO PROVIDE DATA TO THE PUBLIC, SCIENTIFIC, AND HEALTH COMMUNITIES. EXPECTED OUTCOMES OF THE PM2.5 PROJECT WILL PROVIDE MASSACHUSETTS WITH FINE PARTICULATE DATA OF THE SAME QUALITY AND ALLOW THEM TO COMPARE CONTINUOUS DATA STREAMS WITHIN MA. THE PM2.5 PROJECT, IN ACCORDANCE WITH ALL ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY REQUIREMENTS, WILL LEAD TO THE COLLECTION OF QUALITY ASSURED AMBIENT AIR QUALITY DATA TO HELP ENSURE THAT MORE AMERICANS ARE LIVING AND WORKING IN AREAS THAT MEET HIGH AIR QUALITY STANDARDS. THE DIRECT BENEFICIARIES OF THESE ACTIVITIES ARE RESIDENTS OF MASSACHUSETTS. | Massachusetts (EPA federal awards) | MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION | $2.3M | — |
| DESCRIPTION:THE AGREEMENT PROVIDES FUNDING TO BOSTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS. SPECIFICALLY, THE RECIPIENT WILL REPLACE TEN CLASS-7 DIESEL SCHOOL BUSES WITH TEN NEWLY BUILT, ZERO-EMISSION (ZE), ELECTRIC SCHOOL BUSES AND INSTALL TEN DIRECT CURRENT (DC) FAST CHARGERS AND SUPPORTING INFRASTRUCTURE TO REDUCE EMISSIONS OF DIESEL PARTICULATE MATTER (PM), NITROUS OXIDES (NOX), AND EXPOSURE TO DIESEL AIR TOXICS IN THE CITY OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS (MA).ACTIVITIES:THE ACTIVITIES INCLUDE: - COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT THROUGH PUBLIC MEETINGS, MEDIA OUTREACH, AND OTHER PUBLIC, EXTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS - CONSISTENT WEEKLY MEETINGS WITH CORE PLANNING TEAM TO PLAN FOR ELECTRIFICATION AND DISCUSS TRANSPORTATION PLANNING - REPLACEMENT OF TEN CLASS-7 DIESEL SCHOOL BUSES WITH TEN NEWLY BUILT, ZERO-EMISSIONS, ELECTRIC SCHOOL BUSES - INSTALLATION OF TEN 60 KILOWATT (KW) DIRECT CURRENT (DC) FAST CHARGERS AND SUPPORTING INFRASTRUCTURE - TRAINING MAINTENANCE TEAM, DRIVERS, AND DAILY OPERATIONS STAFF ON ELECTRIC SCHOOL BUS ROUTES AND TECHNOLOGIES - SHARING LESSONS LEARNED THROUGH WEBSITE MATERIAL AND IN-PERSON AND VIRTUAL EVENTSSUBRECIPIENT:NO SUBAWARDS ARE INCLUDED IN THIS ASSISTANCE AGREEMENT.OUTCOMES:THE ANTICIPATED DELIVERABLES INCLUDE: - 8 PUBLIC MEETINGS TO ENGAGE AFFECTED, AND ESPECIALLY HISTORICALLY, ENVIRONMENTALLY BURDENED COMMUNITIES BEFORE AND AFTER ELECTRIC SCHOOL BUS DEPLOYMENT - AN ONGOING, PASSIVE OPPORTUNITY FOR THE PUBLIC TO ENGAGE VIA PUBLIC COMMENT EMAIL INBOX - 80 MEETINGS FOCUSED ON PLANNING FOR ELECTRIFICATION - 8 PUBLIC SCHOOL STAFF EXPOSED OR UP-SKILLED AROUND ELECTRIFICATION AND TRANSPORTATION PLANNING - 1 TIMELY AND EQUITABLE PROCUREMENT PROCESS FOR EIGHT ELECTRIC SCHOOL BUSES - INSTALLATION OF TEN 60KW OR HIGHER DC FASTER CHARGERS - REPLACEMENT OF TEN DIESEL SCHOOL BUSES WITH ZERO EMISSIONS ELECTRIC SCHOOL BUSES - REDUCED ANNUAL AIR POLLUTION OF NITROGEN OXIDES, PARTICULATE MATTER, HYDROCARBONS, AND CARBON MONOXIDE - 3 TRAINING SESSIONS FOR EACH KEY OPERATIONS TEAM AND 2 WEEKS OF COACHING FOR DRIVERS - MINIMUM OF 10 ENGAGEMENTS WHERE BPS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (DOT) WILL DISSEMINATE BEST PRACTICES AND LESSONS LEARNED. THE EXPECTED OUTCOMES INCLUDE: - INCREASED PUBLIC AWARENESS OF PROJECT AND RESULTS - STRENGTHENED CAPACITY FOR ELECTRIFICATION AND TRANSPORTATION IN BPS DOT - TEN (10) ESBS ARE PROCURED FOR TIMELY DELIVERY - INCREASED CHARGING CAPACITY FOR HEAVY DUTY FLEET; WIDESPREAD ADOPTION OF IMPLEMENTED TECHNOLOGY - IMPROVED AMBIENT AIR QUALITY AROUND BUS YARD, ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE (EJ) NEIGHBORHOODS, AND BROADER CITY; IMPROVED HEALTH FOR LOCAL SCHOOL CHILDREN THROUGH PEDIATRIC ASTHMA RATES, FEWER OF WHOM ARE EXPOSED TO DIESEL EXHAUST EMISSIONS - GROWTH OF WORKFORCE TO SUPPORT ZERO EMISSION (ZE) VEHICLES AND KEY COMPONENTS LIKE BATTERIES; INCREASED KNOWLEDGE OF SUCCESSFUL USE OF INVOLVED TECHNOLOGIES; STAFF LEARN KEY INFORMATION NECESSARY TO CONTINUE TO EXPAND DEPLOYMENT - NEW PARTNERSHIPS AND COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS THE INTENDED BENEFICIARIES INCLUDE STUDENTS AND STAFF AT BOSTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS, NEARBY ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE COMMUNITIES, AND THE BROADER CITY. | Massachusetts (EPA federal awards) | BOSTON, CITY OF | $2.0M | — |
| DESCRIPTION:THE AGREEMENT PROVIDES FUNDING TO BOSTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS. SPECIFICALLY, THE RECIPIENT WILL RE-POWER 15 OF BOSTON'S DIESEL, SHORT-WHEELBASE, TYPE C SCHOOLS BUSES TO BATTERY-ELECTRIC AND INSTALL 15 DIRECT CURRENT (DC) FAST CHARGERS AND SUPPORTING INFRASTRUCTURE TO REDUCE EMISSIONS OF DIESEL PARTICULATE MATTER, NITROUS OXIDES (NOX), AND EXPOSURE TO DIESEL AIR TOXICS IN THE CITY OF BOSTON, MA.ACTIVITIES:THE ACTIVITIES INCLUDE: - COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT THROUGH PUBLIC MEETINGS, MEDIA OUTREACH, AND OTHER PUBLIC, EXTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS - PLANNING FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLE SUPPLY EQUIPMENT (EVSE) CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATIONS - BUILDING A COALITION OF PARTNERS TO SERVE ON A STEERING COMMITTEE TO ADVISE THE PROJECT - PROCURING AND RE-POWERING 15 DIESEL BUSES TO RUN ON A BATTERY-ELECTRIC POWERTRAIN - INSTALLING 15 DIRECT CURRENT (DC) FAST CHARGERS AND SUPPORTING INFRASTRUCTURE - TRAINING MAINTENANCE TEAM, DRIVERS, DAILY OPERATIONS STAFF, AND LOCAL FIRST RESPONDERS ON NEW TECHNOLOGY - SHARING LESSONS LEARNED THROUGH WEBSITE MATERIAL AND IN-PERSON AND VIRTUAL EVENTS SUBRECIPIENT:NO SUBAWARDS ARE INCLUDED IN THIS ASSISTANCE AGREEMENT.OUTCOMES:THE ANTICIPATED DELIVERABLES INCLUDE:- - 8 PUBLIC MEETINGS TO ENGAGE COMMUNITIES BEFORE AND AFTER DEPLOYMENT - 1 PUBLIC SURVEY ON ELECTRIC SCHOOL BUSES TO GAGE ATTITUDES, IMPACT, AND GATHER FEEDBACK - 80 BOSTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS (BPS) ELECTRIC VEHICLE SUPPLY EQUIPMENT (EVSE) PLANNING TEAM MEETINGS - FORMATION OF 1 STEERING COMMITTEE - RE-POWER 15 DIESEL SCHOOL BUSES TO RUN ON A BATTERY-ELECTRIC POWERTRAIN - INSTALL 15 DIRECT CURRENT (DC) FAST CHARGERS - 3 TRAINING SESSIONS FOR EACH KEY OPERATIONS TEAM AND 2 WEEKS OF COACHING FOR DRIVERS - MINIMUM OF 10 ENGAGEMENTS WHERE BPS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (DOT) WILL DISSEMINATE BEST PRACTICES AND LESSONS LEARNED THE EXPECTED OUTCOMES INCLUDE: - INCREASED PUBLIC AWARENESS OF PROJECT AND RESULTS - STRENGTHENED CAPACITY FOR ELECTRIFICATION AND TRANSPORTATION IN BPS DOT - IMPROVED AMBIENT AIR QUALITY AROUND BUS YARD, ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE (EJ) NEIGHBORHOODS, AND BROADER CITY OF BOSTON - IMPROVED HEALTH FOR LOCAL SCHOOL CHILDREN - GROWTH OF WORKFORCE TO SUPPORT ZERO EMISSION VEHICLES AND KEY COMPONENTS - NEW PARTNERSHIPS AND COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS THE INTENDED BENEFICIARIES INCLUDE CHILDREN WHO ATTEND BOSTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS, NEARBY ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE COMMUNITIES, AND THE BROADER CITY. | Massachusetts (EPA federal awards) | BOSTON, CITY OF | $2.0M | — |
| DESCRIPTION:THE PURPOSE OF THIS COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT IS TO SUPPORT IMPLEMENTATION OF THE MASSACHUSETTS BAYS NATIONAL ESTUARY PARTNERSHIP (MBP) COMPREHENSIVE CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT PLAN (CCMP). THE GOAL IS TO RESTORE AND MAINTAIN THE CHEMICAL, PHYSICAL, AND BIOLOGICAL INTEGRITY OF THE ESTUARY AND SUPPORT ITS SUSTAINABLE HUMAN USES THROUGH TASKS OUTLINED IN ANNUAL WORKPLANS OF THE MBP AND ITS PARTNERS. THE COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT SUPPORTS ACTIVITIES THAT WILL ADDRESS THE KEY CHALLENGES FACING MASSBAYS: ALTERED HYDROLOGY; IMPAIRED WATER QUALITY AND HABITAT; CLIMATE VULNERABILITY; INVASIVE SPECIES; ECOSYSTEM FRAGMENTATION; AND IMPACTS ON EJ COMMUNITIES. ANTICIPATED DELIVERABLES INCLUDE APPLYING RESTORATION TARGETS TO GUIDE ACTIONS IN THE FIVE MASSBAYS REGIONS, IMPROVING THE AQUAQAPP APPLICATION AND EXPANDING ITS USE BY WATERSHED AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS; LAUNCHING AND IMPLEMENTING THE REVISED CCMP, INCLUDING UPDATED MONITORING, COMMUNICATION, AND EJ STRATEGIES; ISSUING A STATE OF THE BAYS REPORT FOR PUBLIC AND SCIENTIFIC AUDIENCES; FUNDING RESEARCH TO FILL PRIORITY DATA GAPS THROUGH COMPETITIVE GRANTS; AND INCORPORATING EJ INTO MANAGEMENT DELIBERATIONS. DIRECT BENEFICIARIES OF THIS PROGRAM INCLUDE: RESIDENTS OF THE 50 COMMUNITIES ALONG THE MASSACHUSETTS SHORELINE IN FIVE LOCAL MANAGEMENT REGIONS; THE GENERAL PUBLIC IN THE MBP WATERSHED AND STUDY AREA; OTHER NATIONAL ESTUARY PROGRAMS AND COASTAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS; AND MASSACHUSETTS COASTAL ECOSYSTEMS. SUBAWARDS WILL BE DEVELOPED TO IMPLEMENT PRIORITY ACTION PLANS IN THE CCMP AND ADDRESS DATA NEEDS AND GAPS.ACTIVITIES:KEY ACTIVITIES INCLUDE: - FINALIZING AND SUBMITTING THE REVISED MASSBAYS' CCMP, INCLUDING DEVELOPING UPDATED FINANCE PLAN AND MONITORING STRATEGY; A STATE OF THE BAYS CONFERENCE WILL BE ASSOCIATED WITH THE RELEASE OF THE FINAL CCMP - ESTABLISHING A NEW CENTER AT UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS BOSTON (UMB) WITHIN ITS SCHOOL FOR THE ENVIRONMENT (SFE) - FINAL REPORTING ON A PROJECT TO INCREASE CONFIDENCE IN EELGRASS MAPS USED FOR PROJECT REVIEW AND OCEAN PLANNING. - INVESTIGATING AQUACULTURE-EELGRASS INTERACTIONS TO INFORM POLICY. - LAUNCHING MASSWATER, AN EXTENSION OF THE AQUAQAPP APPLICATION THAT WILL ENABLE .MONITORING PARTNERS TO CARRY OUT QA/QC DATA ANALYSIS ACCORDING TO DEP AND EPA STANDARDS. - EXPANDING SUPPORT TO UNDERSERVED AND ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE COMMUNITIES, INCLUDING OFFERING DIRECT ASSISTANCE AND CAPACITY-BUILDING TO FACILITATE COMMUNITY INPUT INTO DECISION MAKING. - MONITORING AND RESTORING BLUE MUSSELS AND MONITORING FOR SEA BROOK TROUT - INCORPORATING SOCIOECONOMIC VARIABLES INTO RESTORATION PLANNING TO BETTER INFORM PRIORITIES FOR RESTORATION EFFORTS IN ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AREAS. - REVIEWING BYLAWS FOR CLIMATE RESILIENCY. SUBRECIPIENT:MBP WILL WORK WITH THE REGIONAL SERVICE PROVIDERS (RSPS) IN THE FIVE MBP GEOGRAPHIC REGIONS AND THE MYSTIC RIVER WATERSHED ASSOCIATION TO PRIORITIZE, ACTIVATE, AND IMPLEMENT PROJECTS TO ACHIEVE CCMP GOALS; AND TO DEVELOP INFORMATION TO MONITOR AND TRACK MBP PROGRESS TOWARDS CCMP GOALS. HIGHLIGHTED ACTIVITIES INCLUDE: - FINAL REPORTING ON A PROJECT TO INCREASE CONFIDENCE IN EELGRASS MAPS USED FOR PROJECT REVIEW AND OCEAN PLANNING. - INVESTIGATING AQUACULTURE-EELGRASS INTERACTIONS TO INFORM POLICY. - LAUNCHING MASSWATER, AN EXTENSION OF THE AQUAQAPP APPLICATION THAT WILL ENABLE .MONITORING PARTNERS TO CARRY OUT QA/QC DATA ANALYSIS ACCORDING TO DEP AND EPA STANDARDS. - EXPANDING SUPPORT TO UNDERSERVED AND ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE COMMUNITIES, INCLUDING OFFERING DIRECT ASSISTANCE AND CAPACITY-BUILDING TO FACILITATE COMMUNITY INPUT INTO DECISION MAKING. - MONITORING AND RESTORING BLUE MUSSELS AND MONITORING FOR SEA BROOK TROUT - INCORPORATING SOCIOECONOMIC VARIABLES INTO RESTORATION PLANNING TO BETTER INFORM PRIORITIES FOR RESTORATION EFFORTS IN ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AREAS. - REVIEWING BYLAWS FOR CLIMATE RESILIENCY | Massachusetts (EPA federal awards) | UNIVERSITY OF MASS AT BOSTON | $1.7M | — |
| DESCRIPTION:THE PURPOSE OF THIS COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT IS TO SUPPORT IMPLEMENTATION OF THE MASSACHUSETTS BAYS NATIONAL ESTUARY PARTNERSHIP (MBP) COMPREHENSIVE CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT PLAN (CCMP). THE GOAL IS TO RESTORE AND MAINTAIN THE CHEMICAL, PHYSICAL, AND BIOLOGICAL INTEGRITY OF THE ESTUARY AND SUPPORT ITS SUSTAINABLE HUMAN USES THROUGH TASKS OUTLINED IN ANNUAL WORKPLANS OF THE MBP AND ITS PARTNERS. THE COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT SUPPORTS ACTIVITIES THAT WILL ADDRESS THE KEY CHALLENGES FACING MASSBAYS: ALTERED HYDROLOGY; IMPAIRED WATER QUALITY AND HABITAT; CLIMATE VULNERABILITY; INVASIVE SPECIES; ECOSYSTEM FRAGMENTATION; AND IMPACTS ON EJ COMMUNITIES. - PRIORITY EFFORTS INCLUDE: UPDATING THE MASSBAYS' ECOSYSTEM DELINEATION AND ASSESSMENT (EDA) DATA AND DEVELOPING A NEW PUBLIC INTERFACE TO SHARE THE INFORMATION WITH RESEARCHERS, DECISIONMAKERS, AND PUBLIC AUDIENCES: CO-HOSTING A GULF OF MAINE SCIENCE SYMPOSIUM WITH MWRA TO HIGHLIGHT AND FOSTER GREATER SUPPORT FOR COASTAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT AND RESTORATION IN THE ECOSYSTEM; LAUNCHING CONTINUOUS WATER QUALITY MONITORING SYSTEMS IN COLLABORATION WITH USGS IN DUXBURY AND DANVERS AND THE LOWER NORTH SHORE; PURSUING FUNDING TO EXPAND SEED-BASED RESTORATION OF EELGRASS REGIONALLY (BUILDING ON PILOT STUDIES FUNDED BY WHOI SEA GRANT) AND EXAMINE INTERACTIONS BETWEEN AQUACULTURE AND EELGRASS CONDITION (EXPANDING ON A STUDY CO-LED WITH MIT SEA GRANT); DEVELOPING A PROCESS FOR IDENTIFYING IMPAIRED PONDS TO HELP IN IDENTIFYING POTENTIAL NEW RESTORATION PROJECTS (UNIMPAIRED PONDS WILL BE IDENTIFIED FOR PROTECTION MEASURES); INITIATING DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION PLANNING FOR THE SOUTH SHORE REGION; AND COMPLETING A THREE-PRONGED APPROACH TO IMPROVE MONITORING OF COASTAL SYSTEMS USING UAV TECHNOLOGY. ACTIVITIES:KEY ACTIVITIES INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO: INCORPORATING THE MEASUREMENT OF PCO2 AND PH AS PART OF A CONTINUOUS MONITORING NETWORK; DEPLOYING PCO2 SENSORS FUNDED BY NROC; CONVENING A SCIENCE ADVISORY PANEL THAT EVOLVES FROM THE EXISTING OMSAP TO INCORPORATE WWTP AND OTHER NPDES PERMIT DISCHARGES BY TRACKING MONITORING REQUIRED IN PERMITS; CONVENING SCIENTISTS AND WORKING WITH PARTNERS TO CONVENE A GULF OF MAINE SCIENCE FORUM; PRODUCING AN UPDATED EDA 3.0 THAT BETTER EXAMINES RELATIONSHIPS AMONG STRESSOR, RESOURCE, AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC FACTORS, AND IDENTIFIES PRIORITIES FOR ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AND RESTORATION; ASSESSING AND SELECTING A PLATFORM FOR BETTER VISUALIZATION OF EMBAYMENTS AT THE ECOTYPE, HABITAT, AND STRESSOR LEVEL FOR INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL USERS.SUBRECIPIENT:MBP WILL WORK WITH THE REGIONAL SERVICE PROVIDERS (RSPS) IN THE FIVE MBP GEOGRAPHIC REGIONS AND THE MYSTIC RIVER WATERSHED ASSOCIATION TO PRIORITIZE, ACTIVATE, AND IMPLEMENT PROJECTS TO ACHIEVE CCMP GOALS; AND TO DEVELOP INFORMATION TO MONITOR AND TRACK MBP PROGRESS TOWARDS CCMP GOALS. SUBAWARDS WILL SUPPORT THE COMPETITIVE HEALTHY ESTUARIES GRANT PROGRAM, AND THE PARTNERSHIP/STAKEHOLDER PROGRAMS OF THE FIVE RSPS) WHO ARE CRITICAL TO IMPLEMENTING THE CCMP IN THE 50 MASSBAYS COASTAL COMMUNITIES. THEIR ACTIVITIES ARE ALSO ESSENTIAL FOR PROVIDING NON-FEDERAL MATCH. - REGIONAL SERVICE PROVIDERS WILL EACH RECEIVE $100,000 TO FUND THEIR REGIONAL COORDINATOR, WITH APCC RECEIVING AN ADDITIONAL $23,715 FOR COMMUNICATIONS ASSISTANCE FOR TOTAL SUBAWARDS OF $523,715. THESE FUNDS WILL BE EXPENDED BY THE RSPS OVER 15 MONTHS, FROM JULY 1, 2024 TO SEPTEMBER 30, 2025. FUTURE SUBAWARDS WILL RUN FROM OCTOBER 1 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, TO AVOID GAPS IN REIMBURSEMENTS DURING THE SUMMER. - MBP IS ALSO SETTING ASIDE $29,169 FOR THE NEXT ROUND OF THE HEALTHY ESTUARIES SMALL-GRANT PROGRAM SCHEDULED FOR EARLY 2026. THIS AMOUNT WILL BE AUGMENTED BY FUNDING UNDER THE FY25 WORKPLAN.OUTCOMES:PCO2 SENSORS PROCURED AND DEPLOYED NEAR THE MOUTH OF THE DANVERS RIVER AND IN DKP; OMSAP SUCCESSOR PANEL ESTABLISHED TO CONSIDER NEW STRUCTURE, GOALS, AND EXPECTED OUTCOMES; GULF OF MAINE FORUM HOSTED; POTENTIAL AREAS IDEN | Massachusetts (EPA federal awards) | UNIVERSITY OF MASS AT BOSTON | $1.7M | — |
| DESCRIPTION:THE PURPOSE OF THIS COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT IS TO SUPPORT IMPLEMENTATION OF THE BIPARTISAN INFRASTRUCTURE LAW (BIL) THROUGH THE MASSACHUSETTS BAYS NATIONAL ESTUARY PARTNERSHIP (MBP) COMPREHENSIVE CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT PLAN (CCMP). THE COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT SUPPORTS ACTIVITIES THAT WILL ADDRESS THE KEY CHALLENGES FACING MASSBAYS WITH PARTICULAR EMPHASIS ON IMPAIRED WATER QUALITY AND HABITAT, CLIMATE VULNERABILITY, AND IMPACTS ON EJ COMMUNITIES. WORK UNDER THE AGREEMENT WILL FOCUS ON: - ACCELERATING AND MORE EXTENSIVELY IMPLEMENTING THE CCMP BY PROVIDING AN OPPORTUNITY TO EXECUTE LONG-TERM PROJECTS WITHIN MBP COMMUNITIES, LEVERAGE ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR SIGNIFICANT PROJECTS, AND WORK WITH KEY STAKEHOLDERS TO ADVANCE A WIDE RANGE OF PROJECTS IDENTIFIED IN THE NEWLY REVISED CCMP; - ENSURING THAT BENEFITS OF FEDERAL INVESTMENTS FROM ESTUARY PROGRAM PROJECTS ARE SHARED EQUITABLY AMONG COMMUNITIES BY PRIORITIZING PROJECTS THAT FLOW TO HISTORICALLY DISADVANTAGED COMMUNITIES; - BUILDING THE ADAPTIVE CAPACITY OF ECOSYSTEMS AND COMMUNITIES TO WITHSTAND CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS BY WORKING WITH FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL PARTNERS, OFTEN USING GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE AND NATURE-BASED SOLUTIONS AND ESPECIALLY THOSE THAT PROTECT AND RESTORE KEY HABITATS THAT INCREASE RESILIENCY AND CARBON SEQUESTRATION. IN IDENTIFYING PRIORITY ACTIONS, MASSBAYS WILL SELECT PROJECTS THAT ADVANCE THE CLIMATE RESILIENCE OF ECOSYSTEMS AND COMMUNITIES AND DELIVER CLIMATE EMISSIONS MITIGATION CO-BENEFITS; AND - LEVERAGING ADDITIONAL RESOURCES THROUGH COLLABORATION WITH OTHER FEDERAL AGENCIES AND NEW PARTNERS.ACTIVITIES:* LEAD NEW EELGRASS RESTORATION EFFORTS IN COLLABORATION WITH OTHER NEPS, ACADEMIC, AGENCY AND NGO PARTNERS ACROSS THE EAST COAST. CONVENE PARTNERS AND LEAD GRANT PURSUITS FOR THE REGIONAL COLLABORATION. DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT A STANDARDIZED EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN AND PROTOCOLS. * DEVELOP AN APPROACH TO QUANTIFY AND TRACK NON-MONETARY AND CO-BENEFITS, INCLUDING DEFINING A BUFFER AREA ABUTTING, CONNECTING, OR OTHERWISE ASSOCIATING EJ AND CLIMATE VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES WITH HABITAT AND WATER QUALITY INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS WITHIN A RANGE OF DISTANCE FROM THE AREAS DEFINED BY MASSACHUSETTS' EJ POLICY AND EPA'S EJ SCREEN TO ENCOMPASS THE BENEFITS REALIZED BY THOSE WHO DO NOT LIVE IMMEDIATELY ADJACENT TO IMPROVED HABITAT AND WATER QUALITY RESOURCES. * PROVIDE ONE-ON-ONE ASSISTANCE TO ENTITIES RESPONSIBLE FOR HIGH-PRIORITY TIDE GATES THAT ARE IMPACTING SALT MARSH EXTENT AND CONDITION. * THROUGH A SEPARATE AGREEMENT WITH U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, INSTALL ONE (1) AND MAINTAIN THREE (3) TOTAL CONTINUOUS MONITORING BUOYS THROUGH JUNE 30, 2026. * WITH CONTRACTOR SUPPORT, UPDATE THE ECOHEALTH TRACHING TOOL TO INCORPORATE HABITAT POTENTIAL INDICES AND DIADROMOUS FISH LAYERS AND TARGETS; PROVIDE TECHNICAL SUPPORT TO MUNICIPALITIES AS THEY IDENTIFY AND IMPLEMENT BEST PRACTICES FOR LOCAL TIDE GATE MANAGEMENT. * MANAGE SUBAWARDS: - DIVISION OF MARINE FISHERIES (DMF) FOR ONSITE ASSISTANCE AT A WET LAB AND FLOW-THROUGH TANKS TO SUPPORT A REGION-WIDE COLLABORATION TO ESTABLISH SEED PRODUCTION FOR EELGRASS RESTORATION IN THE NORTHEAST. - SALEM STATE UNIVERSITY (SSU) TO SUPPORT A COOP STUDENT TO MONITOR AND MAINTAIN EELGRASS SEE PRODUCTION IN COORDINATION WITH DMF - FUND ONE REGIONAL COORDINATOR (RSC) TO OVERSEE A 'READY-TO-GO,' LOCALLY PRIORITIZED PROJECT ADVANCING MASSBAYS EFFORTS TO MEET A 40% GOAL UNDER JUSTICE40 IN ACCORDANCE WITH OUR EQUITY PLAN. SUBRECIPIENT:- SUPPORT ONSITE ASSISTANCE AT A WET LAB AND FLOW-THROUGH TANKS TO SUPPORT A REGION-WIDE COLLABORATION TO ESTABLISH SEED PRODUCTION FOR EELGRASS RESTORATION IN THE NORTHEAST, INCLUDING SUPPORT FOR MONITORING AND MAINTAINING EELGRASS SEED PRODUCTION IN COORDINATION WITH DMF - FUND A REGIONAL COORDINATOR (RSC) TO OVERSEE A 'READY-TO-GO,' LOCALLY PRIORITIZED PROJECT ADVANCING MASSBAYS EFFORTS TO MEET A 40 | Massachusetts (EPA federal awards) | UNIVERSITY OF MASS AT BOSTON | $1.6M | — |
| DESCRIPTION:THE AGREEMENT PROVIDES FUNDING TO COLUMBIA-WILLAMETTE CLEAN CITIES COALITION (CWCC). THIS PROJECT IS DESIGNED TO MODERNIZE THE NATION'S DIESEL ENGINE FLEET BY REPLACING OUTDATED DIESEL EQUIPMENT WITH NEW, TIER 4, EPA CERTIFIED, ULTRA-LOW-SULFUR DIESEL (ULSD) EQUIPMENT AT THE SCHNITZER STEEL INDUSTRIES, INC. (SCHNITZER) (SUB-AWARDEE) FACILITY AT EVERETT PORT FACILITIES IN MIDDLESEX, MASSACHUSETTS. THE INITIATIVE WILL REPLACE OLD HEAVILY POLLUTING EQUIPMENT WITH CLEAN MACHINERY INCLUDING THREE (3) EXCAVATORS AND FIVE (5) DUMPERS/TENDER, TO ENHANCE OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY AND COMPLIANCE WITH CURRENT ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS, MITIGATING MORE THAN 86 TONS OF NITROGEN OXIDE (NOX) EMISSIONS AND 1,899 TONS OF CARBON DIOXIDE (CO2) OVER THE EQUIPMENT LIFETIME. BENEFICIARIES INCLUDE THE COASTAL COMMUNITIES IN PROXIMITY TO THE PORTS OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS AND MIDDLESEX COUNTY. ACTIVITIES:THE ACTIVITIES INCLUDE REPLACING EXISTING LOWER TIER ENGINE EQUIPMENT IN THREE (3) EXCAVATORS AND FIVE (5) DUMPERS/TENDER WITH NEW TIER 4, EPA CERTIFIED, ULTRA-LOW-SULFUR DIESEL EQUIPMENT. THE EQUIPMENT IS OWNED AND OPERATED BY SCHNITZER STEEL INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SERVICES THE EVERETT PORT FACILITIES IN MIDDLESEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS. THE PROJECT WILL BE ADMINISTERED BY THE RECIPIENT, COLUMBIA-WILLAMETTE CLEAN CITIES COALITION. SUBRECIPIENT:THE COLUMBIA-WILLAMETTE CLEAN CITIES COALITION WILL ALSO ISSUE A SUBAWARD TO SCHNITZER STEEL INDUSTRIES, INC. THAT INCORPORATES ALL THE REQUIRED GRANT TERMS AND CONDITIONS. SCHNITZER WILL SERVE AS A SUB-AWARDEE AND PURCHASE, OPERATE, AND OWN ALL THE PROPOSED EQUIPMENT. AS A SUB-AWARDEE, SCHNITZER WILL UNDERTAKE THE VEHICLE REPLACEMENT PROCESS THROUGH MULTIPLE STEPS INCLUDING COMPLETING A COMPETITIVE BID PROCESS FOR THE EQUIPMENT AND CHOOSING A PREFERRED ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURER (OEM) BY QUARTER 4 (Q4) 2024 (TASK 2). EQUIPMENT ORDERS (TASK 3) ARE EXPECTED TO BE PLACED BY Q1 2025 WITH DELIVERY EXPECTED BY Q3 2025.OUTCOMES:SHORT TERM ACTIVITIES INCLUDE A) VEHICLE REPLACEMENTS FOR EIGHT (8) VEHICLES INCLUDING 3 EXCAVATORS AND 5 DUMPERS/TENDERS, B) COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, AND C) UPDATED EMISSIONS INVENTORIES. TO FACILITATE THE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, COLUMBIA-WILLAMETTE CLEAN CITIES COALITION (CWCC) AND SCHNITZER (SUB-AWARDEE) WILL BOTH LIST THE PROJECT POINT OF CONTACT ON THEIR WEBSITE AND IN ALL COMMUNITY DISSEMINATION DOCUMENTATION SUCH AS NEWSLETTERS AND EMAILS. SCHNITZER COMMITS TO CONTINUING ITS ANNUAL ORGANIZATION-WIDE EMISSIONS INVENTORY FOR NITROGEN OXIDES (NOX) DURING THE PROJECT PERFORMANCE PERIOD AND COMMITS TO ADDING INVENTORIES FOR PARTICULATE MATTER (PM2.5). OUTPUTS FOR THESE ACTIVITIES INCLUDE THE 6 VEHICLES REPLACED, AN ANNUAL UPDATED MOBILE EMISSIONS INVENTORY, AND A QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER DISTRIBUTION TO THE CWCC COMMUNITY. LONGER-TERM OUTCOMES INCLUDE D) THE DISSEMINATION OF PROJECT INFORMATION, E) AIR QUALITY AND HEALTH IMPROVEMENTS, F) REDUCED FOOTPRINT OF RECYCLED MATERIALS, AND THE G) REDUCTION IN LIFECYCLE FOOTPRINT OF DOWNSTREAM PRODUCTS. FOR DISSEMINATION, THE APPLICANT TEAM WILL SHARE PROJECT INFORMATION, RESULTS, OUTCOMES AND IMPACTS VIA BOTH CWCC AND SCHNITZER'S WEBSITE. THIS PROJECT WILL RESULT IN MEANINGFUL REDUCTIONS OF BOTH NOX AND PM2.5 EMISSIONS, THEREBY IMPROVING LOCAL AMBIENT AIR QUALITY AND REDUCING NEGATIVE HEALTH IMPACTS FROM POLLUTED AIR. ANNUAL EMISSIONS REDUCTIONS INCLUDE 1.196 TONS PM2.5 AND 12.548 TONS NOX. | Massachusetts (EPA federal awards) | COLUMBIA-WILLAMETTE CLEAN CITIES COALITION, INC. | $1.6M | — |
| DESCRIPTION:THE AGREEMENT PROVIDES FUNDING TO THE MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION (MASSDEP). SPECIFICALLY, THE RECIPIENT WILL REDUCE EMISSIONS OF DIESEL PARTICULATE MATTER (PM), NITROGEN OXIDES (NOX) AND EXPOSURE TO DIESEL AIR TOXICS THROUGH TARGETING DIESEL VEHICLES AND EQUIPMENT TO BE REPLACED WITH ALL-ELECTRIC VEHICLES AND EQUIPMENT THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS. MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION IS ESPECIALLY INTERESTED IN REDUCING EMISSIONS OF DIESEL PARTICULATE MATTER (PM), NITROGEN OXIDES (NOX), AND EXPOSURE TO DIESEL AIR TOXICS IN ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE (EJ) COMMUNITIES AND OTHER AREAS DISPROPORTIONATELY IMPACTED BY DIESEL POLLUTION IN MASSACHUSETTS.ACTIVITIES:THE ACTIVITIES INCLUDE IDENTIFYING FLEETS AND EQUIPMENT SUITABLE FOR REPLACEMENT. SPECIFICALLY, MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION (MASSDEP) WILL LOOK TO PROJECTS THAT: #9679; PROMOTES ELECTRIFICATION OF THE TRANSPORTATION NETWORK - MASSDEP WILL CONSIDER WHETHER THE PROPOSED PROJECT FURTHER ELECTRIFIES THE TRANSPORTATION NETWORK IN MASSACHUSETTS. #9679; PROMOTES ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES IN THE TRANSPORTATION NETWORK - MASSDEP WILL CONSIDER WHETHER THE PROPOSED PROJECT PROMOTES ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES IN THE TRANSPORTATION NETWORK IN MASSACHUSETTS. #9679; SERVES ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE (EJ) POPULATIONS - MASSDEP SEEKS PROJECTS THAT PROVIDE ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS AND REDUCE ENVIRONMENTAL BURDENS IN EJ AREAS IN THE COMMONWEALTH. INFORMATION ABOUT MASSACHUSETTS ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE COMMUNITIES AND A COMPLETE LIST OF SUCH COMMUNITIES CAN BE FOUND AT: HTTPS://WWW.MASS.GOV/INFO-DETAILS/MASSGIS-DATA-2020-ENVIRONMENTAL-JUSTICE-POPULATIONS. #9679; PROMOTES EQUITABLE GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION ACROSS THE STATE - MASSDEP SEEKS TO PROMOTE THE EQUITABLE DISTRIBUTION OF FUNDING ACROSS THE STATE. GEOGRAPHIC AREAS ARE DEFINED AS THE FOUR MASSDEP REGIONAL SERVICE AREAS. #9679; YIELDS ADDITIONAL BENEFITS - IN REVIEWING PROPOSED PROJECTS, MASSDEP MAY CONSIDER ADDITIONAL FACTORS, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO: #9675; THE PROJECT'S IMPLEMENTATION TIMELINE, INCLUDING THE LEVEL OF PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION DETAIL AND FEASIBILITY #9675; WHETHER THE PROJECT OPERATES IN A DENSELY POPULATED AREA #9675; WHETHER THE APPLICANT COMMITS TO CONTRIBUTING MORE THAN THE REQUIRED COST SHARE #9675; WHETHER THE PROJECT INVOLVES UNIQUE OR REPLICABLE TECHNOLOGIES OR POLICIES (E.G., THE APPLICANT WOULD BE WILLING TO SHARE ACQUISITION AND TESTING PROCESSES, WRITTEN POLICIES, DATA COLLECTED ON THE USE OF A NEW TECHNOLOGY, ETC.) #9675; THE PROJECT'S SOCIETAL CO-BENEFITS, SUCH AS THE PROMOTION AND SUPPORT OF PUBLIC HEALTH, ECONOMIC HEALTH AND DIVERSITY, AND OTHER DESIRABLE OUTCOMES #9675; THE PROJECT'S COST EFFECTIVENESS FOR THE NITROGEN OXIDES (NOX), HYDROCARBONS, CARBON MONOXIDE (CO), PARTICULATE MATTER (PM2.5) AND CARBON DIOXIDE (CO2) REDUCTIONS ACHIEVED (COMPARATIVELY LOWER DOLLARS SPENT PER TON OF EMISSION REDUCED). SUBRECIPIENT:NO SUBAWARDS ARE INCLUDED IN THIS ASSISTANCE AGREEMENT.OUTCOMES:SPECIFIC OUTPUTS SUCH AS ENGINES, VEHICLES, EQUIPMENT TO BE REPLACED WILL BE DEPENDENT UPON THE PROJECTS THAT ARE SELECTED. MASSDEP WILL SUBMIT QUARTERLY PROGRESS REPORTS AND A FINAL REPORT TO EPA ON THE PROGRESS TOWARDS MEETING THE GRANT PROGRAM GOALS OF REPLACED ENGINES/VEHICLES/EQUIPMENT AND/OR REDUCED HOURS OF IDLING. MASSDEP WILL TRACK THE NUMBER OF DIESEL EMISSIONS REDUCTION TECHNOLOGIES IMPLEMENTED, THEIR COST-EFFECTIVENESS, AND THE ACHIEVED VEHICLE EMISSIONS REDUCTIONS, USING THE DIESEL EMISSIONS QUANTIFIER (DEQ) WHERE POSSIBLE. MASSDEP WILL USE EPA'S DEQ TO ESTIMATE ANNUAL AND LIFETIME EMISSIONS REDUCTIONS ASSOCIATED WITH THE INSTALLED DIESEL EMISSIONS REDUCTION TECHNOLOGIES OVER THE LIFETIME OF THE VEHICLES/ENGINES/EQUIPMENT. #9679; SHORT-TERM OUTCOMES: THE PROGRAMS WILL INCREASE KNOWLEDGE OF DIESEL EMISSIONS REDUCTION TECHNOLOGIES AND AWARENESS OF THE NEED TO REDUCE PARTI | Massachusetts (EPA federal awards) | MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION | $1.3M | — |
| DESCRIPTION:THE AGREEMENT PROVIDES FUNDING UNDER THE INFLATION REDUCTION ACT (IRA) TO THE MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION (MASSDEP) FOR THE EXPANSION AND ENHANCEMENT OF THEIR AIR MONITORING ACTIVITIES. SPECIFICALLY, THE RECIPIENT WILL ENHANCE AIR MONITORING OF NATIONAL AIR TOXICS TREND STATIONS (NATTS) AND NATIONAL AMBIENT AIR QUALITY STANDARD (NAAQS) POLLUTANTS IN OR NEAR ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE (EJ) POPULATIONS IN THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS. ACTIVITIES:THE ACTIVITIES INCLUDE INITIATING PROCUREMENT REQUESTS FOR ALL OF THE EQUIPMENT; PURCHASING THE AIR MONITORING EQUIPMENT TO EITHER REPLACE OUTDATED EQUIPMENT AND SHELTERS OR PURCHASE A NEW FINE PARTICULATE MONITOR IN THE WORCESTER MASSACHUSETTS (MA)-CONNECTICUT (CT) METROPOLITAN STATISTICAL AREA (MSA), VERIFYING FUNCTIONALITY OF EQUIPMENT, AND SETTING UP AND INSTALLING EQUIPMENT IN A TIMELY MANNER AFTER FOLLOWING EXISTING STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES AND OTHER NECESSARY QUALITY ASSURANCE/QUALITY CONTROL DOCUMENTATION; ESTABLISHING A NEW MULTIPOLLUTANT AIR MONITORING SITE IN A DISADVANTAGED COMMUNITY IDENTIFIED ON THE INFLATION REDUCTION ACT (IRA) DISADVANTAGED COMMUNITIES MAP; DEVELOPING A STATE-WIDE USER-FRIENDLY DASHBOARD FOR DATA VISUALIZATION OF AIR MONITORING DATA; AND REPORTING ON PROGRESS ON A SEMI-ANNUAL BASIS.SUBRECIPIENT:NO SUBAWARDS ARE INCLUDED IN THIS ASSISTANCE AGREEMENT.OUTCOMES:THE ANTICIPATED DELIVERABLES INCLUDE: - NUMBER OF NEW MONITORS DEPLOYED AND MEASURING AIR POLLUTION - NUMBER OF SHELTERS REPLACED - NUMBER OF NEW MULTIPOLLUTANT AIR MONITORING SITES IN A DISADVANTAGED COMMUNITY - NUMBER OF NEW EQUIPMENT DEPLOYED AT EXISTING AIR MONITORING SITES - REPORTING ON THE DRAW-DOWN OF FEDERAL FUNDS UPON DELIVERY AND ACCEPTANCE OF GRANT-FUNDED EQUIPMENT. - DEVELOPMENT OF A STATE-WIDE USER-FRIENDLY DASHBOARD FOR DATA VISUALIZATION OF AIR MONITORING DATA. THE EXPECTED OUTCOMES INCLUDE: - INCREASED COLLECTION OF QUALITY ASSURED AMBIENT AIR QUALITY DATA TO HELP ENSURE THAT DISADVANTAGED COMMUNITIES AND ALL MASSACHUSETTS RESIDENTS ARE LIVING AND WORKING IN AREAS THAT MEET AIR QUALITY STANDARDS - BRING WORCESTER MASSACHUSETTS (MA)-CONNECTICUT (CT) METROPOLITAN STATISTICAL AREA (MSA) IN COMPLIANCE WITH REVISIONS TO THE FINE PARTICULATE MONITORING NETWORK DESIGN CRITERIA, WHICH REQUIRES AN ADDITIONAL FINE PARTICULATE MONITOR IN THE WORCESTER MASSACHUSETTS (MA)-CONNECTICUT (CT) METROPOLITAN STATISTICAL AREA (MSA) - INCREASED ACCESS TO AIR QUALITY DATA AND TOOLS THAT INCREASE UNDERSTANDING AND REDUCTION OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND HUMAN HEALTH RISKS - RAISE AWARENESS AND INFORM MASSACHUSETTS RESIDENTS, INCLUDING THOSE IN DISADVANTAGED COMMUNITIES, OF THEIR LOCAL AIR QUALITY - INCREASED SUSTAINABILITY OF MASSACHUSETTS' DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION'S AMBIENT AIR MONITORING NETWORKS - INCREASED AVAILABILITY OF AIR QUALITY DATA IN UNMONITORED DISADVANTAGED COMMUNITIES THE INTENDED BENEFICIARIES INCLUDE THE MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION'S STAFF AND RESIDENTS OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS, INCLUDING THE RESIDENTS IN OR NEAR DISADVANTAGED COMMUNITIES WHERE SHELTERS ARE BEING REPLACED AND WHERE AIR MONITORING IS BEING CONDUCTED. | Massachusetts (EPA federal awards) | MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION | $1.2M | — |
| DESCRIPTION:THE GOAL OF THIS RESEARCH IS TO UNDERSTAND HOW SOCIAL AND INSTITUTIONAL FACTORS DRIVE INDIVIDUAL AND HOUSEHOLD ELECTRIFICATION DECISIONS IN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES AND HOW THESE FACTORS AFFECT ENVIRONMENTAL CO-BENEFITS OF ENERGY-EFFICIENT ELECTRIFICATION.ACTIVITIES:THE PROJECT WILL USE COMMUNITY-BASED PARTICIPATORY RESEARCH (CBPR) APPROACH AND INTEGRATE ETHNOGRAPHIC AND BEHAVIORAL ECONOMIC METHODS WITH ENGINEERING ANALYSIS AND AIR QUALITY TESTING TO: 1) TO UNDERSTAND HOW LOW- AND MODERATE-INCOME (LMI) HOUSEHOLDS AND NEIGHBORHOODS IN AN ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE COMMUNITY EXPERIENCE AND ENVISION THE 21ST CENTURY ENERGY TRANSITION AND IDENTIFY COMMUNITY PRIORITIES; 2) DEVELOP A ROBUST COMMUNITY-BASED RESEARCH PLATFORM FOR DESIGNING SCALABLE SOLUTIONS TO THE CHALLENGE OF ENERGY-EFFICIENT ELECTRIFICATION OF AGING HOUSING INFRASTRUCTURE; AND 3) WORK WITH LOCAL HOUSING PARTNERS TO IMPLEMENT AND TEST COMMUNITY CO-DESIGNED INTERVENTIONS AND PROTOTYPES TO ASSESS THEIR EFFICACY IN ADDRESSING HOUSEHOLD PRIORITIES, INCLUDING INDOOR AIR QUALITY, COMFORT, AND COST. SUBRECIPIENT:SUBAWARDEE NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY WILL OVERSEE THE CO-DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION OF A SERIES OF PARTICIPATORY CAUSAL LOOP DIAGRAMMING (CLD) WORKSHOPS TO INFORM AND FACILITATE STAKEHOLDER-LED INPUT TO IDENTIFY BARRIERS TO JUST ENERGY TRANSITION TOWARDS DECARBONIZATION, TRAIN FACILITATORS FOR THE WORKSHOPS, CO-DESIGN AND SUPERVISE THE EXECUTION OF PARTICIPATORY CLD SESSIONS TO DRAW A SYSTEMS REPRESENTATION OF THE CURRENT ENERGY SYSTEMS; AND CO-DESIGN AND SUPERVISE DEBRIEFING SESSIONS TO IDENTIFY BARRIERS TO JUST TRANSITIONS AND IDENTIFY OPPORTUNITIES FOR INTERVENTION. THE REQUESTED AMOUNT IS $50,314. SUBAWARDEE NEIGHBOR TO NEIGHBOR WILL DO RESIDENT RECRUITMENT, HOST GROUP SESSIONS, AND ASSIST IN PLANNING WORKSHOPS, MEETINGS AND A COMMUNITY FORUM. THE REQUESTED AMOUNT IS $199,720.OUTCOMES:DELIVERABLES INCLUDE ANNUAL AND FINAL RESEARCH REPORTS, AS WELL AS CO-DESIGNED SCALABLE, ADAPTABLE SOLUTIONS FOR HOUSEHOLD ELECTRIFICATION. EXPECTED OUTCOMES INCLUDE INCREASED KNOWLEDGE REGARDING THE DRIVERS, BARRIERS, AND ENVIRONMENTAL CO-BENEFITS OF HOUSEHOLD ELECTRIFICATION IN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES. DIRECT BENEFICIARIES OF THIS PROJECT INCLUDE LOW- AND MODERATE-INCOME (LMI) HOUSEHOLDS IN MASSACHUSETTS, AS WELL AS RESEARCHERS WORKING WITH SIMILAR COMMUNITIES TO STUDY DRIVERS AND IMPACTS OF HOUSEHOLD ELECTRIFICATION. | Massachusetts (EPA federal awards) | UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS | $1.1M | — |
| THIS AGREEMENT WILL PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO THE MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION IN ITS EFFORTS TO REDUCE DIESEL EMISSIONS AND EXPOSURE THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS. VEHICLES, ENGINES, AND/OR EQUIPMENT TARGETED FOR EMISSION REDUCTIONS COULD BE OWNED BY PROJECT PARTNERS SUCH AS MUNICIPALITIES, PUBLIC SCHOOLS, AND OTHER STATE AGENCIES, AS WELL AS BY PRIVATE SECTOR ENTITIES. FUNDS COULD BE USED FOR EARLY REPLACEMENT, REPOWER OR RETROFITS OF AGRICULTURAL EQUIPMENT IN THE STATEAND REPLACEMENT OR REPOWER OF MEDIUM AND HEAVY-DUTY DIESEL TRUCKSAND REPLACEMENT OR REPOWER OF CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENTAND PORT EQUIPMENT, SHORE-POWER OR A MARINE ENGINE DIESEL PROJECT AT MASSACHUSETTS PORTSAND IDLE REDUCTION TECHNOLOGIES, INCLUDING AUXILIARY POWER UNITS (APUS)AND RETROFIT TECHNOLOGIES FOR DIESEL VEHICLES OR NON-ROAD EQUIPMENTAND REPLACEMENT OR REPOWERING OF TRANSPORT REFRIGERATION UNITS (TRUS)AND OR OTHER DIESEL PROJECTS CONSISTENT WITH AGENCY NEEDS AND REQUIREMENTS. THESE TECHNOLOGIES AND EQUIPMENT WILL REDUCE EMISSIONS OF DIESEL PARTICULATE MATTER AND OTHER POLLUTANT SUCH AS NITROGEN OXIDES, CARBON MONOXIDE AND HYDROCARBONS. | Massachusetts (EPA federal awards) | MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION | $1.1M | — |
| DESCRIPTION:THE AGREEMENT PROVIDES FUNDING TO THE CITY OF BOSTON. SPECIFICALLY, THE RECIPIENT WILL PARTNER WITH CODMAN SQUARE NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION AND THE BOSTON HOUSING AUTHORITY TO IMPROVE THE INDOOR AIR QUALITY AND SUPPORT TRANSITION TO CLEANER ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE FOR PROPERTIES IN DORCHESTER, MASSACHUSETTS BY REPLACING GAS APPLIANCES INCLUDING STOVES WITH STANDARD ELECTRIC COIL RANGES AND/OR INDUCTION MODELS. THE PROJECT WILL INVOLVE THE REPLACEMENT OF APPROXIMATELY 80 APPLIANCES AND WILL INCLUDE ASSESSMENT OF EXISTING ELECTRICAL INFRASTRUCTURE IN INDIVIDUAL UNITS TO IDENTIFY OPPORTUNITIES FOR ENERGY EFFICIENCY IMPROVEMENTS TO IMPROVE INDOOR AIR QUALITY IN OVERBURDENED AND UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES IN DORCHESTER. THE PROJECT WILL ALSO DESIGN AND DEVELOP TRAINING FOR RESIDENTS ON HOW TO USE INDUCTION EQUIPMENT TO IMPROVE ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND ACTIONS TO IMPROVE INDOOR AIR QUALITY.ACTIVITIES:THE ACTIVITIES INCLUDE CONDUCTING BUILDING AND UNIT ASSESSMENTS IN PRIORITY PROPERTIES, IDENTIFYING OPPORTUNITIES FOR ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND REPLACING LESS EFFICIENT APPLIANCES INCLUDING SUPPORTING INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS AS NEEDED. DURING THIS PROJECT, THE PROPERTY MANAGEMENT MAINTENANCE TEAM AND ON-SITE MAINTENANCE TEAMS AT EACH PROPERTY WILL RECEIVE TRAINING ON MAINTENANCE FOR INDUCTION STOVES. RESIDENTS IN TARGET UNITS AND BUILDINGS WILL ALSO RECEIVE EDUCATION AND TRAINING TO IMPROVE ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND ENSURE EFFICIENT USE OF EQUIPMENT INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO INSTRUCTIONAL FLYERS, DEMONSTRATIONS AND EDUCATION ON SAFETY FEATURES AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY. THE PROJECT WILL ALSO TRACK AIR QUALITY IN APARTMENTS WITH ENERGY UPGRADES AND APPLIANCE REPLACEMENTS WILL BE ANALYZED, AS WELL AS THE ECONOMIC IMPLICATIONS OF THE REPLACEMENT TO DOCUMENT COST SAVINGS AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY IMPROVEMENTS.SUBRECIPIENT:SUBAWARD RECIPIENTS FOR THIS PROJECT INCLUDE BOSTON HOUSING AUTHORITY, BOSTON UNIVERSITY, AND CODMAN SQUARE NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (NDC). BOSTON HOUSING AUTHORITY AND CODMAN SQUARE NDC WILL PARTNER IN ASSESSING CURRENT BUILDING INFRASTRUCTURE AND ELECTRIC CAPACITY FOR AT LEAST 40 OF THEIR UNITS, LEAD APPLIANCE REPLACEMENT ON THEIR SELECTED PROPERTIES, AND PURCHASE APPLIANCES AND INCENTIVES FOR PROPERTIES. BOSTON HOUSING AUTHORITY WILL WORK WITH TENANTS ASSOCIATION TO CONDUCT TRAININGS AND INFORMATION SESSIONS WITH RESIDENTS AND HELP IMPLEMENT INDOOR AIR QUALITY MONITORS BEFORE AND AFTER APPLIANCE REPLACEMENT. CODMAN SQUARE NDC WILL LEAD TRAININGS WITH RESIDENTS. BOSTON UNIVERSITY WILL DEFINE PROTOCOLS AND ANALYZE DATA FROM INDOOR AIR QUALITY MONITORS AND RESIDENT SURVEYS, ANALYZE UTILITY BILLS TO DETERMINE THE ECONOMIC IMPLICATIONS OF STOVE REPLACEMENT, AND APPLY A MODEL TO ESTIMATE THE HEALTH BENEFITS IN MONETARY TERMS ASSOCIATED WITH REDUCED PEDIATRIC ASTHMA EXACERBATIONS IN A FUTURE ROLLOUT OF STOVE REPLACEMENTS. BOSTON UNIVERSITY WILL ALSO ASSIST WITH QUALITY ASSURANCE AND CREATE RESEARCH FINDINGS FOR PROJECT REPORTS.OUTCOMES:THE ANTICIPATED DELIVERABLES INCLUDE PROPERTY ASSESSMENTS, AT LEAST 80 GAS STOVES REPLACED WITH STANDARD ELECTRIC COIL RANGES OR INDUCTION STOVES AND UP TO 4 PROPERTIES WITH ELECTRICAL UPGRADES TO SUPPORT ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND IMPROVED INDOOR ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY. EDUCATION, OUTREACH AND DEMONSTRATION CLASSES IN COMMUNITY KITCHENS WILL BE HELD AND EACH UNIT WITH A REPLACED STOVE WILL RECEIVE INCENTIVES TO TRANSITION TO NEW APPLIANCES. DELIVERABLES ALSO INCLUDE THE CREATION OF CONSTRUCTION AND ENERGY-RELATED JOBS OPPORTUNITIES, STATISTICAL MODELS OF INDOOR AIR QUALITY, ECONOMIC, AND DOCUMENTED ENVIRONMENT AND PUBLIC HEALTH IMPROVEMENTS FROM APPLIANCE REPLACEMENTS AND OTHER EFFICIENCY UPGRADES. THE EXPECTED OUTCOMES INCLUDE INCREASED NUMBER OF PROPERTIES IN AREAS WITH ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE CONCERNS THAT HAVE ELECTRIC INFRASTRUCTURE TO TRANSITION TO ELECTRIC APPLIANCES FROM GAS APPLIANCES, INCREASED AWARENESS OF BENEFITS OF INDUCTION STOVES, ESTABLISHING NEW METHODS FOR ASSESSI | Massachusetts (EPA federal awards) | BOSTON, CITY OF | $1.0M | — |
| DESCRIPTION:THIS AGREEMENT PROVIDES FUNDING UNDER THE INFLATION REDUCTION ACT (IRA) TO CENTRAL MASSACHUSETTS REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION (CMRPC) TO DEVELOP OR UPDATE EXISTING REGIONAL CLIMATE MITIGATION PLANS TO ADDRESS GREENHOUSE GAS (GHG) EMISSIONS AND REDUCTION MEASURES THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE METROPOLITAN AREA AND TO CONDUCT MEANINGFUL ENGAGEMENT WITH LOW- INCOME AND DISADVANTAGED COMMUNITIES AND COORDINATE WITH GEOGRAPHICALLY PROXIMATE TRIBES AS APPROPRIATE. SPECIFICALLY, THE RECIPIENT WILL BUILD ON THE MASSACHUSETTS EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS' CLEAN ENERGY AND CLIMATE PLAN FOR 2025 AND 2030, AS THIS PLAN OUTLINES COMPREHENSIVE STRATEGIES TO ACHIEVE STATEWIDE GHG EMISSIONS LIMITS AND SECTOR-SPECIFIC SUB-LIMITS ADOPTED BY THE MASSACHUSETTS STATE SECRETARY FOR 2025 AND 2030. IN AUGUST OF 2022, GOVERNOR BAKER SIGNED INTO LAW AN ADDITIONAL CLIMATE LAW THAT PROVIDES ADDITIONAL INTERIM TARGETS FOR EMISSIONS REDUCTIONS TO ACHIEVE A LEVEL OF GHG EMISSIONS BY 2050 THAT CAN BE CONSIDERED NET-ZERO.ACTIVITIES:IN GENERAL, ACTIVITIES INCLUDE THE DEVELOPMENT, UPDATING, AND EVALUATION OF PLANS TO REDUCE CLIMATE POLLUTION (I.E., TO REDUCE GHG EMISSIONS AND/OR ENHANCE CARBON SINKS). CENTRAL MASSACHUSETTS REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION (CMRPC) DEVELOPED A PRIORITY CLIMATE ACTION PLAN (PCAP) AND COMPREHENSIVE CLIMATE ACTION PLAN (CCAP) WHICH ENCOMPASSES THE GEOGRAPHIC AREA STARTING FROM THE TOWN OF ROYALSTON IN NORTH-CENTRAL MASSACHUSETTS TO THE TOWN OF GROTON IN EAST-CENTRAL MASSACHUSETTS, AND SOUTH TO THE TOWNS OF VOLUNTOWN AND WINDHAM IN EASTERN CONNECTICUT. SPECIFIC ACTIVITIES INCLUDE TARGETING EMISSION REDUCTIONS FOR THE FOLLOWING SECTORS: TRANSPORTATION, INDUSTRIAL, COMMERCIAL, RESIDENTIAL THERMAL, ELECTRICITY, AGRICULTURAL, AND WASTE INCINERATION. CMRPC WILL REVIEW PAST CLEAN ENERGY PLANS FROM MASSACHUSETTS AND CONNECTICUT, AND AUDIT MUNICIPAL PLANS SUCH AS MUNICIPAL CLIMATE ACTION PLANS AND ENERGY USE REDUCTION PLANS TO HELP WITH GOAL FORMULATION AND PROJECT PRIORITIZATION. CMRPC PLANS TO BUILD ON PHASE I OF OUR REGIONAL GREENHOUSE GAS ANALYSIS PROJECT FROM 2022, AND ON CONNECTICUT'S GREENHOUSE GAS INVENTORY UPDATES FROM 1990-2021. A QUALITATIVE ANALYSIS OF MUNICIPAL CLIMATE ACTION AND ENERGY USE REDUCTION PLANS WILL BE CONDUCTED TO AID IN FORMULATION AND PROJECT PRIORITIZATION. ADDITIONALLY, CMRPC PLANS TO BUILD ON PHASE I OF THEIR REGIONAL GREENHOUSE GAS ANALYSIS PROJECT FROM 2022, AND ON CONNECTICUT'S GREENHOUSE GAS INVENTORY UPDATES FROM 1990-2021. CMRPC WILL ENGAGE WITH COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS TO ENSURE THAT ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AND DISADVANTAGED COMMUNITIES ARE INCLUDED IN BOTH THE PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION PROCESSES FOR THESE PLANS, AND TO ENSURE THAT POLICY SOLUTIONS AND PROJECTS WILL REVERSE THE HARMFUL EFFECTS OF POLLUTION ON THESE COMMUNITIES. COLLABORATION ACROSS STATE LINES AT BOTH THE LOCAL, REGIONAL, AND STATE LEVELS WILL BE CRUCIAL FOR ESTABLISHING AN EFFECTIVE STEERING COMMITTEE AND TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEES THAT ADDRESS ECONOMY-WIDE DECARBONIZATION AND BUILD CLIMATE RESILIENCE INFRASTRUCTURE THAT LASTS. CMRPC PLANS TO COLLABORATE WITH THE METROPOLITAN STATISTICAL AREA (MSA)'S TWO OTHER REGIONAL PLANNING AGENCIES, MONTACHUSETT REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION (MRPC) AND CONNECTICUT'S NORTHEAST CONNECTICUT COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS (NECCOG) TO ENSURE EFFECTIVE COMMUNITY OUTREACH. COMMUNITY OUTREACH EVENTS WILL BE ORGANIZED BY SUB-REGION DURING THE FALL OF 2023, AS MOST TOWNS WITHIN THE MSA HAVE POPULATIONS OF LESS THAN 40,000 RESIDENTS. CMRPC PLANS TO LEVERAGE EXISTING STATE MUNICIPAL PROGRAMS SUCH AS THE GREEN COMMUNITIES PROGRAM AND WILL UTILIZE THE MASSACHUSETTS MUNICIPAL ASSOCIATION AND CONNECTICUT CONFERENCE OF MUNICIPALITIES AS WELL TO ENSURE EFFECTIVE OUTREACH. SUBRECIPIENT:IN ORDER TO PROPERLY USE THE CPRG FUNDS IN A MEANINGFUL WAY, CMRPG WILL FIRST AND FOREMOST FOLLOW MASSACHUSETTS PUBLIC PROCUREMENT LAW FOR SUB-GRANT AWARDEES AND EXISTING LOCAL AND S | Massachusetts (EPA federal awards) | CENTRAL MASSACHUSETTS REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION | $1.0M | — |
| PER YOUR APPLICATION REQUEST DATED MAY 28, 2021, THIS COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT IS BEING AWARDED INCREMENTAL FEDERAL FUNDING IN THE AMOUNT OF $15,000 TO THREE BAYS PRESERVATION INC.. THESE FUNDS WILL ASSIST IN CONDUCTING ENVIRONMENTAL ACTIVITIES IN THE MARSTONS MILLS WATERSHED AS A PART OF THE SOUTHEAST NEW ENGLAND PROGRAM (SNEP) PILOT WATERSHED INITIATIVE AS OUTLINED IN THREE BAYS PRESERVATION INC.'S APPLICATION. THIS AWARD WILL ALLOW THE GRANTEE TO RESTORE AN ACTIVE CRANBERRY BOG USING NOVEL TECHNIQUES THAT WILL BOTH RESTORE HABITAT AND REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF NITROGEN LEAVING THE BOG INTO THE WATERSHED. THE GRANTEE WILL ALSO MONITOR WATER QUALITY IN THE AREA NEAR THE BOG AS WELL AS DOWNSTREAM IN THE RECEIVING WATERS AND SHARE BEST PRACTICES FOR THIS KIND OF RESTORATION PROJECT. THE PRIMARY GOAL OF SNEP PILOT WATERSHED INITIATIVE FUNDING IS TO DEMONSTRATE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF CONCENTRATED, COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS AND HOLISTIC (WATERSHED SCALE) PLANNING TO ADDRESS COMMON ENVIRONMENTAL CHAL | Massachusetts (EPA federal awards) | THREE BAYS PRESERVATION INC | $750K | — |
| DESCRIPTION:AS THE PRIMARY COORDINATING AGENCY OF THE COMMONWEALTH FOR STATE LEAD PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT PURSUANT TO TSCA, TITLE IV, THE MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF LABOR STANDARDS ('DLS') PROPOSES LEAD PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES OF FOUR GENERAL TYPES IN FY2025/2026. THESE INITIATIVES ARE IN ACCORDANCE WITH USEPA PRIORITIES FOR DECENTRALIZATION OF TITLE IV LEAD REGULATORY OPERATIONS AND AUTHORITY TO THE STATES. IN ADDITION, THESE INITIATIVES APPLY EPA'S OPERATING PRINCIPLES FOR COMPLIANCE ASSISTANCE, COMPLIANCE MONITORING, INCENTIVES, AND ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE MA LEAD TRAINING, ACCREDITATION AND CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS IN AN EFFECTIVE MANNER. THESE PROPOSED INITIATIVES, WHICH WILL BE FURTHER DESCRIBED, ARE TO CONDUCT OF LEAD-SAFE RENOVATION OR 'RRP' RULE INSPECTIONS; DELEADING COMPLIANCE INSPECTIONS, AND COMMERCIAL AND SUPERSTRUCTURE DELEADING INSPECTIONS AND CONDUCT TRAINING PROVIDER AUDITS. THIS WORK WOULD INCLUDE THE SUPPORT OF FIELD STAFF BY PROVIDING REAL-TIME INFORMATION DURING INSPECTIONS, AND THE DEVELOPMENT AND REFINEMENT OF INSPECTIONAL CHECKLISTS AND OTHER ENFORCEMENT PROTOCOLS. ADDITIONALLY, IT WOULD ALSO INCLUDE WORK TO DEVELOP AND/OR REVISE, AS NEEDED, REQUIREMENTS FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF THIRD-PARTY ON-LINE CERTIFICATION EXAMS. RECENT REGULATIONS HAVE DETAILED THE REQUIREMENTS FOR TRAINING PROVIDERS PLANNING TO OFFER ON-LINE CERTIFICATIONS. DLS WILL UNDERGO EXTENSIVE WORK TO ENSURE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS NEW OPTION MAINTAINS MASSACHUSETTS HIGH STANDARD OF LEAD TRAINING. ACTIVITIES:1. CONDUCT AT LEAST 4 DELEADER-SUPERVISOR OR DELEADER-WORKER COURSE AUDITS. 2. DLS PROPOSES TO CONTINUE REFINING THE LEAD-BASED PAINT PROGRAMS' 2017 ENFORCEMENT RESPONSE POLICY. 3. DEVELOP AND/OR REVISE, AS NEEDED, REQUIREMENTS FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF THIRD-PARTY ON-LINE CERTIFICATION EXAMS. 4. FOSTER ACTIVITIES THAT INCREASE PUBLIC DEMAND FOR CERTIFIED FIRMS AND INDIVIDUALS BY CONDUCTING THE FOLLOWING EFFORTS.SUBRECIPIENT:NO SUBAWARDS ARE INCLUDED IN THIS ASSISTANCE AGREEMENT.OUTCOMES:EXPECTED OUTCOMES FOR THE FIRST PERIOD OF THE GRANT (OCTOBER 1, 2024 - MARCH 31, 2025): CONDUCT TWO (2) AUDITS OF A DELEADER-WORKER OR DELEADER SUPERVISOR TRAINING COURSE. PROVIDE EPA WITH ALL NONS, ICIS FORMS AND INSPECTION NUMBERS THROUGH ACS CHART. MAKE ENFORCEMENT REFERRALS TO EPA, WHERE APPROPRIATE; REFINE WRITTEN WARNING (WW) PROCESS, AND EDIT ENFORCEMENT RESPONSE POLICY (ERP) AS APPROPRIATE BASED ON NEW PROCESS. PROVIDE GUIDANCE FOR THIRD-PARTY TRAINING PROVIDERS REGARDING ON-LINE TRAINING. REVIEW ON-LINE COURSES AND EXAM APPLICATIONS AS THEY ARE SUBMITTED. MONITOR ON-LINE COURSES AND EXAMS; MEET WITH 40 MUNICIPAL BUILDING AND HEALTH DEPARTMENTS TO PROVIDE INFORMATION AND OUTREACH MATERIALS ON LEAD-SAFE RENOVATIONS (LSR). MEET WITH MUNICIPAL BUILDING DEPARTMENTS TO PROPOSE ADDING LSR CERTIFICATION AS A CONDITION FOR BEING GRANTED A BUILDING PERMIT. EXPECTED OUTCOMES FOR THE SECOND PERIOD OF THE GRANT (APRIL 1, 2025 - SEPTEMBER 30, 2025) CONDUCT TWO (2) AUDITS OF A DELEADER-WORKER OR DELEADER SUPERVISOR TRAINING COURSE. PROVIDE EPA WITH ALL NONS, ICIS FORMS AND INSPECTION NUMBERS THROUGH ACS CHART. MAKE ENFORCEMENT REFERRALS TO EPA, WHERE APPROPRIATE. MONITOR EFFECTIVENESS OF REVISED WW PROCESS, AND EDITED ERP. CCCP PROCESS AND ERP WILL BE COMPLETE. PROVIDE GUIDANCE FOR THIRD-PARTY TRAINING PROVIDERS REGARDING ON-LINE TRAINING. REVIEW ON-LINE COURSES AND EXAM APPLICATIONS AS THEY ARE SUBMITTED. MONITOR ON-LINE COURSES AND EXAMS. MEET WITH 20 MUNICIPAL BUILDING AND HEALTH DEPARTMENTS TO PROVIDE INFORMATION AND OUTREACH MATERIALS ON LSR. CONTINUE EFFORTS WITH MUNICIPAL BUILDING DEPARTMENTS TO PROPOSE ADDING LSR CERTIFICATION AS A CONDITION FOR BEING GRANTED A BUILDING PERMIT. EXPECTED OUTCOMES FOR THE THIRD PERIOD OF THE GRANT (OCTOBER 1, 2025 - MARCH 31, 2026) - CONDUCT TWO (2) AUDITS OF A DELEADER-WORKER OR DELEADER SUPERVISOR TRAINING COURSE. PROV | Massachusetts (EPA federal awards) | COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS EOLWD, DEPARTMENT OF LABOR STANDARDS | $560K | — |
| DESCRIPTION:THE PURPOSE OF THIS AWARD IS TO PROVIDE FUNDING UNDER THE INFLATION REDUCTION ACT TO MASSACHUSETTS CLEAN ENERGY CENTER. SPECIFICALLY, THE RECIPIENT WILL CONDUCT EMISSIONS INVENTORY AND ACCOUNTING EXERCISES, ANALYZE EMISSIONS REDUCTION STRATEGIES, PLAN FOR REDUCING FUTURE PORT EMISSIONS, ENGAGE WITH PORT STAKEHOLDERS, AND CONDUCT A WORKFORCE PLANNING ANALYSIS. ACTIVITIES:THE ACTIVITIES INCLUDE PREPARING AN EMISSIONS INVENTORY FOR THE NEW BEDFORD COMMERCE TERMINAL, DEVELOPING EMISSIONS TARGETS AND A STRATEGY FOR EMISSIONS REDUCTIONS, PREPARING A TECHNOLOGICAL AND ECONOMIC FEASIBILITY ASSESSMENT FOR ZERO EMISSION TECHNOLOGIES AT THE TERMINAL, CONDUCTING A WORKFORCE IMPACT ANALYSIS AND ENGAGEMENT STRATEGY, CREATING AN AIR EMISSIONS COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT STRATEGY AND AIR QUALITY MONITORING AND COMMUNICATIONS PLAN, PROVIDING A STAKEHOLDER TRAINING ON EMISSIONS INVENTORIES, AND CONDUCTING COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT. SUBRECIPIENT:NO SUBAWARDS ARE INCLUDED IN THIS ASSISTANCE AGREEMENT.OUTCOMES:THE ANTICIPATED DELIVERABLES INCLUDE PREPARING AN EMISSIONS INVENTORY FOR THE TERMINAL, ESTABLISHING EMISSIONS REDUCTION TARGETS, CONDUCTING FEASIBILITY STUDIES TO EXPLORE VARIOUS ZERO-EMISSION TECHNOLOGIES, PERFORMING A WORKFORCE IMPACT ANALYSIS, CONDUCTING ENHANCED STAKEHOLDER AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, AND DELIVERING TRAINING SESSIONS TO THE COMMUNITY AND PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS ON THE EMISSIONS INVENTORY METHODOLOGY. THE EXPECTED OUTCOMES INCLUDE DEVELOPING A DEEPER UNDERSTANDING OF CURRENT EMISSIONS TO INFORM THE EMISSIONS REDUCTION STRATEGY, IDENTIFYING CLEAR IMPLEMENTATION PATHWAYS FOR A ZERO-EMISSIONS PORT, EVALUATING FEASIBLE ZERO-EMISSION TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS AND GAINING INSIGHTS INTO THE IMPACT OF TRANSITIONING TO THESE TECHNOLOGIES, ENHANCING COMMUNITY AWARENESS OF THE EMISSIONS REDUCTION STRATEGY, IMPROVING CAPABILITIES FOR TRACKING AND REPORTING EMISSIONS, INCREASING PARTNER CAPACITY TO CONDUCT INDEPENDENT EMISSIONS INVENTORIES, AND ESTABLISHING GREATER COMMUNITY KNOWLEDGE ABOUT TERMINAL-RELATED AIR QUALITY MANAGEMENT. THE INTENDED BENEFICIARIES INCLUDE MASSACHUSETTS CLEAN ENERGY CENTER (GRANTEE); GE VERNOVA RENEWABLE ENERGY (PARTNER), WHICH WILL ASSIST IN CONDUCTING THE EMISSION INVENTORY; THE NEW BEDFORD PORT AUTHORITY (PARTNER), WHICH WILL ASSIST IN CONDUCTING CROSS-STAKEHOLDER WORKSHOPS; AND VINEYARD WIND LLC (PARTNER), WHICH WILL ASSIST IN CONDUCTING EMISSIONS TARGET SETTING, EMISSIONS STRATEGY DEVELOPMENT, AND COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDER COLLABORATION. OTHER BENEFICIARIES INCLUDE NEAR-PORT COMMUNITIES THAT ARE IMPACTED BY THE PORT. | Massachusetts (EPA federal awards) | MASSACHUSETTS CLEAN ENERGY TECHNOLOGY CENTER | $529K | — |
| PER YOUR APPLICATION REQUEST DATED JUNE 14, 2017, THIS COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT AWARDS FEDERAL FUNDING IN THE AMOUNT OF $248,724 TO THE MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION (MA DEP) TO CONTINUE ITS CLEAN DIESEL GRANT PROGRAM TO FURTHER IMPROVE AIR QUALITY AND PROTECT PUBLIC HEALTH. MA DEP WILL INITIATE WORK UNDER THIS PROGRAM WITH A SERIES OF OPEN SOLICITATIONS TO LOCAL, STATE AND REGIONAL AGENCIES OR DEPARTMENTS, AS WELL AS BUSINESSES OPERATING PRIMARILY IN MASSACHUSETTS. ELIGIBLE DIESEL VEHICLES, ENGINES AND EQUIPMENT INCLUDE VERIFIED EMISSION CONTROL TECHNOLOGIES SUCH AS EXHAUST CONTROLS, CLEANER FUELS, AND ENGINE UPGRADES, VERIFIED IDLE REDUCTION TECHNOLOGIES, VERIFIED AERODYNAMIC TECHNOLOGIES AND LOW ROLLING RESISTANCE TIRES, CERTIFIED ENGINE REPLACEMENTS, AND/OR CERTIFIED VEHICLE OR EQUIPMENT REPLACEMENT. | Massachusetts (EPA federal awards) | MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION | $525K | — |
| DESCRIPTION:THIS AGREEMENT PROVIDES FUNDING UNDER THE INFLATION REDUCTION ACT (IRA) TO HEALTH RESOURCES IN ACTION. SPECIFICALLY, THE RECIPIENT WILL BUILD KNOWLEDGE AND CAPACITY TO IMPROVE ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS WITHIN MASSACHUSETTS SCHOOLS, TAKING ACTIONS TO IMPROVE INDOOR ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY AND HEALTHY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT, PARTICULARLY FOR DISTRICTS WHERE STUDENTS ARE MOST BURDENED BY ASTHMA AND EXTREME HEAT. THIS PROJECT EXPANDS ON HEALTH RESOURCES IN ACTION AND THE MASSACHUSETTS ASTHMA ACTION PARTNERSHIP'S EFFORTS TO PROVIDE MORE IN-DEPTH CAPACITY BUILDING, EDUCATION, TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE (TA), IMPLEMENTATION ASSISTANCE AND RESOURCES TO SCHOOLS IN PRIORITY COMMUNITIES TO IMPROVE INDOOR ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY. PARTNER SCHOOL COMMUNITIES WILL IDENTIFY SPECIFIC PROJECTS THAT ARE APPROPRIATE AND ATTAINABLE BASED ON SCHOOL (DISTRICT) ENVIRONMENTS, LOCAL PRIORITIES, AND FUNDING. THE PROJECT WILL PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL WEBINARS ON A RANGE OF ENVIRONMENTAL TOPICS INCLUDING INSTALLING A COOL ROOF, DECARBONIZATION OF SCHOOL BUILDINGS, AND OTHER TOPICS. THE PROJECT WILL ALSO ORGANIZE AN ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH IN SCHOOLS SUMMIT. THE PROJECT WILL DIRECTLY BENEFIT OVER 1,000 STUDENTS, AND IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS IN SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITIES ACROSS MASSACHUSETTS.ACTIVITIES:THE ACTIVITIES INCLUDE WORKING WITH THE MASSACHUSETTS ASTHMA ACTION PARTNERSHIP HEALTHY SCHOOLS COMMITTEE AND ADVISORS THROUGHOUT THE PROJECT PERIOD AND IDENTIFYING RESOURCES TO BE POSTED ON MASSACHUSETTS ASTHMA ACTION PARTNERSHIP WEBSITE FOR BROAD PUBLIC ACCESS. HEALTH RESOURCES IN ACTION WILL DEVELOP A SIMPLE HEALTHY ENVIRONMENTS ADVANCE LEARNING CHAMPIONS APPLICATION AND TEMPLATE AGREEMENT LETTER FOR THE SUPERINTENDENT TO SOLICIT APPLICATIONS FROM ELIGIBLE SCHOOL DISTRICTS. HEALTH RESOURCES IN ACTION WILL PROVIDE AND COORDINATE RESOURCES, TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND CAPACITY BUILDING SERVICES TO TWO OR THREE SCHOOL DISTRICTS FOCUSED TO SELECTING AND IMPLEMENT PROJECTS. HEALTH RESOURCES IN ACTION WILL ALSO DEVELOP CONTENT FOR INTERACTIVE VIRTUAL LEARNING SESSIONS ON A VARIETY OF PREVENTION/MITIGATION INTERVENTIONS FOR SCHOOLS. HEALTH RESOURCES IN ACTION WILL RECRUIT WORKSHOP PARTICIPANTS AND HOST FOUR WORKSHOP SESSIONS. HEALTH RESOURCES IN ACTION WILL ORGANIZE AN ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH IN SCHOOLS SUMMIT (IN PERSON AND LIVESTREAMED). HEALTH RESOURCES IN ACTION WILL DEVELOP CASE STUDIES, BASED ON THE HEALTH RESOURCES IN ACTION CHAMPION PROJECTS AND UPDATING MASSACHUSETTS ASTHMA ACTION PARTNERSHIP'S HEALTHY SCHOOLS WEBPAGE/PORTAL AND PROMOTE VIA MASSACHUSETTS ASTHMA ACTION PARTNERSHIP NEWSLETTER, SOCIAL MEDIA, AND PARTNERS' COMMUNICATION PLATFORMS AND WEBSITES TO ENSURE BROAD PUBLIC ACCESSIBILITY TO INFORMATION AND RESOURCES.SUBRECIPIENT:METROPOLITAN AREA PLANNING COUNCIL (MAPC) WILL SERVE AS THE MAIN PROJECT PARTNER, PROVIDING TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO MASSACHUSETTS SCHOOLS, IDENTIFYING AND RECRUITING SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS TO SUPPORT SCHOOL PROJECTS, DELIVERING WEBINAR TRAINING AND COORDINATING THE ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH IN SCHOOLS SUMMIT. MAPC WILL DISSEMINATE MATERIALS THROUGH THEIR WEBSITE, DIGITAL MEDIA, AND COMMUNICATIONS NETWORKS WITH MUNICIPAL STAFF, ELECTED OFFICIALS, AND RESIDENTS. MAPC WILL ENGAGE ASSOCIATIONS SUCH AS THE MASSACHUSETTS SCHOOL BUILDING AUTHORITY, MASSACHUSETTS ASSOCIATION OF HEALTH BOARDS, TO SUPPORT THE PROJECTS AS NEEDED. NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY SCHOOL HEALTH ACADEMY (NEUSHA) WILL PROVIDE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT POINTS FOR PARTICIPANTS OF WEBINARS, THE ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH IN SCHOOLS SUMMIT, AND FOR ELIGIBLE HEALTHY ENVIRONMENTS ADVANCE LEARNING CHAMPIONS, INCLUDING PROMOTING THE SUMMIT THROUGH EXISTING CONTACTS. THE PUBLIC HEALTH INSTITUTE OF WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS (PHIWM) WILL DISSEMINATE MATERIALS THROUGH THEIR WEBSITE, NEWSLETTERS, AND SOCIAL MEDIA. IF PARTNER SCHOOL DISTRICTS ARE INTERESTED IN AIR QUALITY MONITORING WITHIN SCHOOLS, PUBLIC HEALTH INSTITUTE OF WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS (PHIWM) WILL EXPLO | Massachusetts (EPA federal awards) | HEALTH RESOURCES IN ACTION, INC. | $500K | — |
| DESCRIPTION:THE AGREEMENT PROVIDES FUNDING TO THE HITCHCOCK CENTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT. SPECIFICALLY, THE RECIPIENT WILL EXPAND COMMUNITY-BASED AIR MONITORING IN THE CONNECTICUT RIVER VALLEY COMMUNITY, AND PROVIDE TRAINING AND EDUCATION RELATED TO AIR QUALITY AND EXTREME HEAT. TO ACHIEVE THIS GOAL, THE HITCHCOCK CENTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT WILL EXPAND ON THE EXISTING NETWORK OF AIR MONITORS IN THE REGION BY ADDING 10 NEW AIR SENSORS. THE HITCHCOCK CENTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT WILL WORK WITH THE YALE RESEARCH TEAM TO MAINTAIN THE AIR MONITOR NETWORK AND TO SHARE AIR QUALITY INFORMATION ON A PUBLICLY AVAILABLE WEBSITE. THE HITCHCOCK CENTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT WILL ALSO WORK WITH THE PUBLIC HEALTH INSTITUTE OF WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS (PHIWM) TO RECRUIT, TRAIN, AND CONVENE A TEAM OF 10 RESIDENT ADVISORS TO MONITOR AND MAINTAIN THE AIR SENSOR NETWORK. ADDITIONALLY, THE HITCHCOCK CENTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT WILL TRAIN AND EDUCATE YOUTH LEADERS, SHARE NUMEROUS MULTIMEDIA EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES, AND EMPOWER RESIDENTS TO IMPROVE AIR QUALITY,ADDRESS EXTREME HEAT, AND IMPROVE CLIMATE RESILIENCE.ACTIVITIES:THE ACTIVITIES INCLUDE PROVIDING CAPACITY BUILDING BY RECRUITING, TRAINING, AND CONVENING RESIDENT ADVISORS AND YOUTH LEADERS IN TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP RELATED TO AIR QUALITY AND CLIMATE RESILIENCE ADVOCACY. THE PROJECT WILL ALSO MAINTAIN AND EXPAND AN EXISTING NETWORK OF LOCAL AIR SENSORS. THE NETWORK WILL BE EXPANDED THROUGH THE ADDITION OF 10 NEW AIR SENSORS AND THE INCORPORATION OF EXTREME HEAT DATA. THIS INFORMATION WILL BE SHARED ON A PUBLICLY AVAILABLE WEBSITE WHICH WILL BE AVAILABLE IN SPANISH. THIS PROJECT WILL ALSO EDUCATE LOCAL RESIDENTS AND STUDENTS THROUGH PRESENTATIONS AND PARTNERSHIPS WITH COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS, CITY DEPARTMENTS, LIBRARIES AND SCHOOLS. THIS PROJECT WILL ALSO WORK WITH LOCAL RESIDENTS TO DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT ACTION STEPS BASED IN AVOIDING AND/OR ADDRESSING POOR AIR QUALITY AND EXTREME HEAT. THE HITCHCOCK CENTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT WILL ALSO WORK WITH PARTNERS TO PARTICIPATE IN STATE AND REGIONAL LEARNING COMMUNITIES TO SHARE LESSONS LEARNED, MEASURABLE RESULTS, BEST PRACTICES AND STRATEGIES WITH OTHER STATEWIDE/ REGIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE COMMUNITIES.SUBRECIPIENT:THIS ASSISTANCE AGREEMENTS INCLUDES TWO SUBAWARD RECIPIENTS: YALE UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND THE PUBLIC HEALTH INSTITUTE OF WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS (PHIWM). THE YALE SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH WILL MAINTAIN A DATABASE OF CALIBRATED AND CLEANED DATA FROM ALL LOW-COST AIR SENSORS INCLUDED IN THE HEALTHY AIR NETWORK OVER THE THREE-YEAR PROJECT AND MAINTAIN A PUBLIC WEBSITE TO SHARE AIR QUALITY AND EXTREME HEAT DATA. YALE SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH WILL ALSO PARTICIPATE IN MONTHLY MEETINGS (MARCH 2024 THROUGH FEBRUARY 2027) OF PROJECT PARTNERS AND PROVIDE SEMI-ANNUAL FINANCIAL AND PROGRESS REPORTS. THE PUBLIC HEALTH INSTITUTE OF WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS (PHIWM) WILL CONVENE MONTHLY MEETINGS (MARCH 2024 THROUGH FEBRUARY 2027) OF PROJECT PARTNERS AND THE RESIDENT ADVISORS AND RECRUIT, TRAIN AND MANAGE THE STIPENDS FOR THE 8 HEALTHY AIR NETWORK RESIDENT ADVISORS. PHIWM WILL ALSO PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES FOR COMMUNITY MEMBERS ON AIR QUALITY DATA, HEALTH IMPACTS, CLIMATE RESILIENCE, AND/OR URBAN FORESTRY AND SUPPORT MAINTENANCE OF THE HEALTHY AIR NETWORK WEBSITE. ACTIVITIES WILL ALSO INCLUDE PROVIDING SEMI-ANNUAL FINANCIAL AND PROGRESS REPORTS, CONDUCTING OUTREACH TO OUR LIVE WELL SPRINGFIELD AND PIONEER VALLEY ASTHMA COALITION MEMBERS AND OTHER NETWORKS TO SUPPORT THE WORK TO INCREASE RESIDENT AND MUNICIPAL ENGAGEMENT. PHIWM WILL ALSO PUBLICIZE PROJECT ACTIVITIES THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA NETWORKS AND ORGANIZE OUTREACH TO RESIDENTS OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE NEIGHBORHOODS IN THE REGION. OUTCOMES:THE ANTICIPATED DELIVERABLES INCLUDE COORDINATING 10-12 MONTHLY PLANNING MEETINGS WITH THE CORE TEAM PARTNERS, RECRUIT AND TRAIN 8 RESIDENT ADVISORS ABD 4 YOUTH ADVISORS, AND PLACE AND MONITOR 10 ADDITIONAL AIR QUALITY MONITORS. THE PROJECT WILL A | Massachusetts (EPA federal awards) | HITCHCOCK CENTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, INC. | $500K | — |
| DESCRIPTION:THE AGREEMENT PROVIDES FUNDING TO MYSTIC RIVER WATERSHED ASSOCIATION. SPECIFICALLY, THE RECIPIENT WILL CONVENE STAKEHOLDERS INCLUDING RESIDENTS, IN CHELSEA, EVERETT AND MALDEN (COMBINED POPULATION OF 111,019). THESE ARE THREE HIGHLY URBANIZED CITIES IN THE MYSTIC RIVER WATERSHED WHERE RESIDENTS ARE DISPROPORTIONATELY IMPACTED BY HEAT AND POOR AIR QUALITY-TO DEVELOP RESIDENT-LED POLICY, SYSTEMS AND ENVIRONMENTAL INTERVENTIONS RELATED TO HEAT. THE ULTIMATE OUTCOMES WILL BE INCREASED RESILIENCE TO EXTREME HEAT RESULTING IN A REDUCTION IN CONDITIONS THAT EXACERBATE RESPIRATORY INCIDENTS AND EMERGENCY ROOM VISITS CAUSED BY HEAT.ACTIVITIES:THE ACTIVITIES INCLUDE CONVENING AND EMPOWERING A 12-MEMBER RESIDENT STEERING COMMITTEE; HOSTING 9 COMMUNITY WORKSHOPS; REACHING 1,000 RESIDENTS THROUGH DIRECT OUTREACH AND ENGAGEMENT; CREATING A TOOLKIT FOR RESIDENTS AND MUNICIPALITIES ON MITIGATION INTERVENTIONS; DEVELOPING AT LEAST ONE INTERVENTION EACH COMMUNITY; AND SHARING KNOWLEDGE THROUGH 2 WEBINARS AND 1 MEETING OF REGIONAL ORGANIZATIONS.SUBRECIPIENT:GREENROOTS WILL PARTICIPATE IN PROJECT TEAM MEETINGS, ASSIST WITH RESIDENT STEERING COMMITTEE AND STAKEHOLDER GROUP; LEAD RESIDENT ENGAGEMENT IN CHELSEA, COMPLETE COOL BLOCK INTERVENTION AND PARTICIPATE IN DEVELOPMENT OF OTHER COOLING STRATEGIES. EVERETT COMMUNITY GROWERS WILL PARTICIPATE IN PROJECT TEAM MEETINGS, ASSIST WITH RESIDENT STEERING COMMITTEE AND STAKEHOLDER GROUP; LEAD RESIDENT ENGAGEMENT IN EVERETT, PROVIDE CONTENT EXPERTISE ON COOL BLOCKS COOLING INTERVENTIONS. CHINESE CULTURAL CONNECTION WILL PARTICIPATE IN PROJECT TEAM MEETINGS, ASSIST WITH RESIDENT STEERING COMMITTEE AND STAKEHOLDER GROUP; LEAD RESIDENT ENGAGEMENT IN MALDEN, PARTICIPATE IN DEVELOPMENT OF COOLING STRATEGIES. CAMBRIDGE HEALTH ALLIANCE WILL LEAD IN CONNECTING CLIMATE AND PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUES (MESSAGING, WORKSHOPS, WEBINARS AND POTENTIAL BEHAVIOR CHANGE OPPORTUNITIES); ASSIST WITH COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT IN MALDEN AND EVERETT; PARTICIPATE IN STAKEHOLDER MEETINGS; MEET WITH AND RECRUIT ADDITIONAL MUNICIPAL AND STATE SUPPORTERS. OUTCOMES:THE ANTICIPATED DELIVERABLES INCLUDE: A 12-MEMBER RESIDENT STEERING COMMITTEE; 9 COMMUNITY WORKSHOPS; 1,000 RESIDENTS REACHED THROUGH DIRECT OUTREACH AND ENGAGEMENT; TOOLKIT FOR RESIDENTS AND MUNICIPALITIES ON MITIGATION INTERVENTIONS. THE EXPECTED OUTCOMES INCLUDE: REDUCTION IN CONDITIONS THAT EXACERBATE RESPIRATORY INCIDENTS; HEAT IMPACTS MITIGATED; QUALITY OF LIFE IMPROVED. REDUCED RATES OF EMERGENCY ROOM VISITS RELATED TO HEAT STRESS. INCREASED RESILIENCE TO EXTREME HEAT IN CHELSEA, EVERETT AND MALDEN. INTERVENTIONS EXPANDED AND IMPLEMENTED, REDUCING HEAT IMPACTS IN MOST VULNERABLE NEIGHBORHOODS. LESSONS LEARNED AND REPLICABLE MODELS SHARED BROADLY WITH GOAL FOR IMPLEMENTATION ACROSS OTHER EJ COMMUNITIES. THE INTENDED BENEFICIARIES INCLUDE: RESIDENTS OF CHELSEA, EVERETT AND MALDEN AND THEIR MUNICIPAL STAFF AND LEADERSHIP AS WELL AS COMMUNITY BASED ORGANIZATIONS. | Massachusetts (EPA federal awards) | MYSTIC RIVER WATERSHED ASSOCIATION, INC. | $500K | — |
| DESCRIPTION:THE AGREEMENT PROVIDES CONDUCT AMBIENT AIR MONITORING OF POLLUTANTS OF GREATEST CONCERN IN COMMUNITIES WITH ENVIRONMENTAL AND HEALTH OUTCOME DISPARITIES STEMMING FROM POLLUTION AND THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.ACTIVITIES:THE ACTIVITIES INCLUDE QUANTIFYING LOCALIZED AIR QUALITY DISPARITIES AND IMPACTS, LEADING COMMUNITY ASSESSMENTS OF AIR QUALITY, BUILDING LOCAL CAPACITY, STRENGTHENING PARTNERSHIPS, AND ULTIMATELY REDUCING AIR QUALITY AND HEALTH DISPARITIES THROUGH DEVELOPING AND FACILITATING A COMMUNITY ADVISORY BOARD TO HELP GUIDE STUDY DESIGN, COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, AND MITIGATION STRATEGIES, IMPLEMENTING A LONG-TERM AIR MONITORING NETWORK AND CONDUCTING COMMUNITY-SCALE MONITORING PROJECTS, DEVELOPING A GREATER UNDERSTANDING ABOUT AIR QUALITY ISSUES WITH RESIDENTS, AND DEVELOPING MITIGATION STRATEGIES FOR EACH OF 4 COMMUNITIES. SUBRECIPIENT:AIR, INC. WILL LEAD COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT IN EAST BOSTON, CONDUCT DATA ANALYSIS, AND CONTRIBUTE TO COMMUNITY EDUCATION BY TRANSLATING SCIENTIFIC DATA INTO UNDERSTANDABLE LANGUAGE. CAMBRIDGE HEALTH ALLIANCE WILL LEAD EFFORTS TO CONNECT AIR QUALITY AND PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUES (MESSAGING AND POTENTIAL BEHAVIOR CHANGE OPPORTUNITIES) AND LEAD COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT IN MALDEN AND EVERETT. SOMERVILLE TRANSPORTATION EQUITY PARTNERSHIP WILL CONDUCT STUDY DESIGN, OUTREACH AND RECRUITMENT STRATEGY, DATA ANALYSIS, AND CONTRIBUTE TO DEVELOPING COMMUNITY EDUCATION BY TRANSLATING SCIENTIFIC DATA INTO UNDERSTANDABLE LANGUAGE. DR. NEELAKSHI HUDDA OF TUFTS UNIVERSITY WILL LEAD MOBILE MONITORING TO SUPPORT COMMUNITY PROJECTS; (2) ASSIST WITH SET-UP AND MAINTENANCE OF MONITORING SITES, COLLOCATION WITH REGULATORY SITES AND SIDE BY SIDE TESTS IN THE LAB; (3) ASSIST WITH DATA INTERPRETATION AND QUALITY CONTROL; (4) ASSIST WITH TROUBLESHOOTING OF EQUIPMENT; (5) ASSIST WITH MANUSCRIPT PREPARATION AND PUBLICATION. OUTCOMES:THE ANTICIPATED DELIVERABLES INCLUDE 4 LONG-TERM MONITORING NETWORK SITES DEPLOYED, UP TO 24 ADDITIONAL SHORT-TERM MONITORING SITES DEPLOYED, 1-2 LISTENING SESSIONS AND 1 REPORT BACK-SESSION COMPLETED IN 4 COMMUNITIES, A WEBSITE FOR PUBLIC DATA ACCESS, AIR QUALITY INFORMATION DISSEMINATED TO 1000 RESIDENTS (VIA A PROJECT WEBSITE, SOCIAL MEDIA, PUBLIC EVENTS, MEETINGS, AND PRINTED MATERIALS), 1 MEETING WITH REGIONAL ORGANIZATIONS AND LOCAL MUNICIPALITIES TO SHARE FINDINGS, AND ACCESSIBLE WRITTEN REPORTS ON DATA INTERPRETATION METHODS AND BEST-PRACTICES FOR CO-PRODUCTION OF ACTIONABLE DATA TO SUPPORT LOCAL DECISION MAKING ON TRAFFIC EMISSIONS-RELATED AIR QUALITY MANAGEMENT. THE EXPECTED OUTCOMES INCLUDE (1) SHORT-TERM OUTCOMES: INCREASED ACCESS TO ACTIONABLE AIR QUALITY DATA AND INFORMATION ON TRAFFIC IMPACTS THROUGH ROBUST AIR QUALITY ASSESSMENTS AVAILABLE TO RESIDENTS AND STAKEHOLDERS, WIDER USE OF BEST PRACTICES FROM CO-PRODUCTION OF RESPONSIVE AND ACTIONABLE AIR QUALITY INFORMATION WITH COMMUNITIES, INCREASED AWARENESS AMONG RESIDENTS ABOUT DRIVERS OF AIR QUALITY ISSUES IN THEIR MUNICIPALITY AND REGION, AND GREATER COORDINATION AMONG MUNICIPALITIES, RESEARCHERS, AND COMMUNITY GROUPS AROUND AIR QUALITY ISSUES AND PRIORITY PROJECTS; (2) INTERMEDIATE OUTCOMES: MUNICIPAL PLANNING AND REGIONAL TRANSIT DECISIONS INFORMED BY AIR QUALITY DATA NEEDS OF 4 COMMUNITIES, AT LEAST 1 MITIGATION FOR BUILT ENVIRONMENT, TRAFFIC FLOW CHANGES, AND/OR MUNICIPAL OR STATE POLICIES PRIORITIZED PER COMMUNITY, RESIDENTS HAVING RESOURCES TO MAKE INFORMED DECISIONS TO PROTECT THEIR HEALTH, RESIDENTS HAVING GREATER UNDERSTANDING ABOUT MITIGATIONS FOR ADDRESSING AIR QUALITY, AND LOCAL AND REGIONAL BODIES GETTING NEW ACTIONABLE INFORMATION; (3) LONG-TERM OUTCOMES: REDUCTION OF HUMAN EXPOSURE TO TRAFFIC-ORIGIN AIR POLLUTANTS DUE TO MITIGATION EFFORTS, A COHORT OF RESIDENTS HAVING KNOWLEDGE, TOOLS, AND RELATIONSHIPS TO CONTINUE MAKING IMPROVEMENTS TO AIR QUALITY AND OTHER MITIGATION EFFORTS, AND LOCAL AND REGIONAL BODIES CHANGING POLICIES AND REPORTING THOSE CHANGES TO COMMUNITIES. THE INTENDED BENEFICIARIES I | Massachusetts (EPA federal awards) | MYSTIC RIVER WATERSHED ASSOCIATION, INC. | $500K | — |
| DESCRIPTION:FUNDING IS PROVIDED TO THE MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION TO MAINTAIN AND OPERATE SPECIAL AIR TOXICS MONITORING THAT ARE PART OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY'S NATIONAL TRENDS NETWORK THAT COLLECTS AND ANALYZES VARIOUS TOXIC POLLUTANTS IN THE ATMOSPHERE AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS WITHIN MASSACHUSETTS.ACTIVITIES:THESE FUNDS WILL BE USED TO CONDUCT AND PROMOTE THE COORDINATION AND ACCELERATION OF RESEARCH, INVESTIGATIONS, EXPERIMENTS, DEMONSTRATIONS, SURVEYS, AND STUDIES RELATING TO THE CAUSES, EFFECTS (INCLUDING HEALTH AND WELFARE EFFECTS), EXTENT, PREVENTION, AND CONTROL OF AIR POLLUTION. THE PROJECT WILL INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING ACTIVITIES: CONDUCTING CARBONYL MONITORING, INCLUDING COLLECTING AND REPORTING DATA FOR FORMALDEHYDE AND ACETALDEHYDE; MEASURING BENZENE AND ADDITIONAL TARGET COMPOUNDS; COLLECTING TOXIC METALS SAMPLES USING THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY NATIONAL CONTRACT FOR TOXIC METALS ANALYSIS; MEASURING BLACK CARBON USING AN AETHALOMETER; REPORTING MEASURED DATA AND ASSOCIATED QUALITY ASSURANCE INFORMATION TO THE AEROMETRIC INFORMATION RETRIEVAL SYSTEMS; SUPPORTING THE ENHANCED OPERATION OF THE HARRISON AVENUE MONITORING STATION (AS NEEDED); PROVIDING TRAINING FOR INDIVIDUALS INVOLVED IN THE PROGRAM AND FOR PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION (AS NEEDED); PURCHASING AND OPERATING OTHER SCIENTIFIC EQUIPMENT TO BE USED TO ENHANCE OR BACK-UP AMBIENT AIR TOXICS MEASUREMENTS COLLECTED AT THE SITE; AND VALIDATING EQUIPMENT AND ASSOCIATED PROCEDURES.SUBRECIPIENT:NO SUBAWARDS ARE INCLUDED IN THIS ASSISTANCE AGREEMENT.OUTCOMES:EXPECTED DELIVERABLES INCLUDE CONTINUOUS NATIONAL AIR TOXICS TRENDS SITES (NATTS) MONITORING TO PROVIDE DATA TO THE PUBLIC, SCIENTIFIC, AND HEALTH COMMUNITIES. EXPECTED OUTCOMES OF THE NATTS MONITORS WILL PROVIDE MASSACHUSETTS WITH FINE PARTICULATE DATA OF THE SAME QUALITY AND ALLOW THEM TO COMPARE CONTINUOUS DATA STREAMS IN NEARBY AREAS. THE NATTS PROJECT, IN ACCORDANCE WITH ALL EPA REQUIREMENTS, WILL LEAD TO THE COLLECTION OF QUALITY ASSURED AMBIENT AIR QUALITY DATA TO HELP ENSURE THAT MORE AMERICANS ARE LIVING AND WORKING IN AREAS THAT MEET HIGH AIR QUALITY STANDARDS. THE DIRECT BENEFICIARIES OF THESE ACTIVITIES ARE RESIDENTS OF MASSACHUSETTS RESIDENTS. | Massachusetts (EPA federal awards) | MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION | $470K | — |
| DESCRIPTION:THE PURPOSE OF THIS AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN FUNDED AND COMPETITIVELY SELECTED COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT IS TO CONDUCT AMBIENT AIR MONITORING OF POLLUTANTS OF GREATEST CONCERN IN COMMUNITIES WITH ENVIRONMENTAL AND HEALTH OUTCOME DISPARITIES STEMMING FROM POLLUTION AND THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC. ACTIVITIES:THESE FUNDS WILL BE USED TO SUPPORT COMMUNITY AND LOCAL EFFORTS TO MONITOR THEIR OWN AIR QUALITY AND TO PROMOTE AIR QUALITY MONITORING PARTNERSHIPS BETWEEN COMMUNITIES AND TRIBAL, STATE, AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS THAT: LEVERAGE EXISTING AIR QUALITY EXPERTISE, EXPAND USE OF COMMUNITY MONITORING GROUPS AND OTHER APPROACHES THAT GIVE THE COMMUNITY A VOICE IN THE MONITORING OF THE AIR QUALITY, AND BUILD A FOUNDATION OF TRUSTING RELATIONSHIPS AND ENHANCED UNDERSTANDING FROM WHICH SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS TO COMMUNITY AIR POLLUTION PROBLEMS CAN BE FOUND. SUBRECIPIENT:NO SUBAWARDS ARE INCLUDED IN THIS ASSISTANCE AGREEMENT.OUTCOMES:THE RECIPIENT WILL DISSEMINATE INTRODUCTORY EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS AND A COMMUNITY-WIDE SURVEY IN EACH TOWN; WORK WITH LOCAL COMMUNITIES TO ASSEMBLE A STEERING COMMITTEE IN EACH JURISDICTION; MEET TO REVIEW SURVEY FEEDBACK, BRAINSTORM AND INVESTIGATE LOCATIONS, AND RECEIVE TRAINING ON HOW TO USE MOBILE SENSORS; CONDUCT WALKING AUDITS IN THE COMMUNITY USING MOBILE SENSORS WHICH MEASURE PM2.5 TO INVESTIGATE LOCATIONS AND TIMES OF DAY WHERE POLLUTION LEVELS MAY BE ELEVATED; REVIEW RESULTS USING THE DEVICE'S OPEN-SOURCE MAP; HELP COMMUNITIES TO POST MONITORING DATA ON THE PROJECT'S WEBSITE; HOST A SERIES OF WEBINARS FOR BERKSHIRE COUNTY RESIDENTS INTRODUCING THE SENSORS, DISCUSSING HOW TO INTERPRET AND USE DATA FOR PERSONAL PROTECTION AND TO MAKE THE AIR IN THEIR HOMES AND NEIGHBORHOODS CLEANER; CONDUCT TARGETED OUTREACH TO SPECIFIC GROUPS; DOWNLOAD DATA FROM EACH SENSOR TWICE A YEAR, ANALYZE DATA AND PREPARE REPORTS FOR EACH COMMUNITY THAT WILL BE PRESENTED TO THE STEERING COMMITTEES AND MADE AVAILABLE TO THE BROADER COMMUNITY. EXPECTED DELIVERABLES INCLUDE PURCHASING 300 IQAR AIR VISUAL PRO INDOOR AIR SENSORS MEASURING PARTICULATE MATTER (PM1.0, PM2.5, PM10), CARBON DIOXIDE (CO2) AND DISPERSING THEM TO LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS AND SCHOOLS IN ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE (EJ) COMMUNITIES. EXPECTED OUTCOMES INCLUDE INCREASED COMMUNITY AWARENESS OF AVAILABILITY OF THE DATA, HEALTH IMPACTS, PERSONAL PROTECTIVE MEASURES, AND HOW TO IMPROVE THEIR INDOOR AND OUTDOOR AIR QUALITY. RESIDENTS AND MUNICIPALITIES WILL RECEIVE THE DATA NEEDED TO IMPLEMENT AND ADVOCATE FOR LOCAL AND STATE POLICY CHANGES, IMPLORE POLLUTERS TO CURB EMISSIONS, AND IMPLEMENT PROJECTS THAT DERIVE THE MOST BENEFITS FOR AIR QUALITY IN AN EQUITABLE WAY. AN OVERALL DECREASE IN PREMATURE DEATH, CANCERS, AND RESPIRATORY DISEASES IS EXPECTED FOR BERKSHIRE COUNTY RESIDENTS. DIRECT BENEFICIARIES OF THESE ACTIVITIES ARE ALL BERKSHIRE COUNTY RESIDENTS, ESPECIALLY THE COUNTY'S MOST VULNERABLE POPULATIONS. | Massachusetts (EPA federal awards) | BERKSHIRE REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION | $466K | — |
| DESCRIPTION:THIS AGREEMENT PROVIDES ASSISTANCE TO THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANK PROGRAM (UST) IN LEAK DETECTION, LEAK PREVENTION, AND RELATED ENFORCEMENT. THE OBJECTIVES OF THIS PROGRAM INCLUDE: (1) ENCOURAGING OWNERS AND OPERATORS TO PROPERLY OPERATE AND MAINTAIN THEIR UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANKS; (2) ENSURING OWNERS AND OPERATORS MONITOR UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANKS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE REGULATIONS; AND (3) DEVELOPING THE STATE PROGRAM TO OPERATE IN LIEU OF THE FEDERAL PROGRAM. THESE OBJECTIVES PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT BY PREVENTING PETROLEUM AND HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE RELEASES. THIS AWARD PROVIDES LEAKING UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANK(LUST) TRUST FUND PREVENTION FUNDS TO THE MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION (MASSDEP) UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANKS SECTION IN THE BUREAU OF AIR AND WASTE, BUSINESS COMPLIANCE DIVISION. ACTIVITIES TO BE ACCOMPLISHED IN THIS PROJECT INCLUDE CONDUCTING ON-SITE COMPLIANCE INSPECTIONS AT FACILITIES THAT HAVE NOT BEEN INSPECTED IN THREE YEARS, ADMINISTERING THE THIRD PARTY INSPECTION CERTIFICATION PROGRAM, ENSURING THE SECONDARY CONTAINMENT AND UNDER DISPENSER REQUIREMENTS ARE BEING MET, AND IMPLEMENTING THE DELIVERY PROHIBITION PROGRAM AND THE OPERATOR TRAINING PROGRAM. THIS AWARD FULLY FUNDS THE PROJECT.ACTIVITIES:LUST PREVENTION PROGRAMS INCLUDE INSPECTIONS AND OTHER ENFORCEMENT RELATED ACTIVITIES, OPERATOR TRAINING, SECONDARY CONTAINMENT SUPPORT ACTIVITIES, DELIVERY PROHIBITION ACTIVITIES, AND PUBLIC REPORTING REQUIREMENTS. FUNDING WILL BE USED TO DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT THE ELIGIBLE LUST PREVENTION ACTIVITIES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ENERGY POLICY ACT OF 2005. MASSDEP WILL MONITOR COMPLIANCE WITH UST REGULATIONS, TAKE APPROPRIATE ENFORCEMENT, IMPLEMENT THE DELIVERY PROHIBITION PROGRAM, IMPLEMENT OPERATOR TRAINING PROGRAM, AND PROVIDE A PUBLIC RECORD OF UST PREVENTION AND CORRECTIVE ACTION ACTIVITIES. THE RECIPIENT WILL SEEK TO IMPROVE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF TRADITIONAL FACILITY COMPLIANCE INSPECTIONS AND A FOLLOW-UP ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM.SUBRECIPIENT:NO SUBAWARDS ARE INCLUDED IN THIS ASSISTANCE AGREEMENT.OUTCOMES:THE ANTICIPATED DELIVERABLES INCLUDE DEVELOPING AND IMPLEMENTING THE ELIGIBLE LUST PREVENTION ACTIVITIES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE EPACT 2005. MASSACHUSETTS WILL MONITOR COMPLIANCE WITH UST REGULATIONS, TAKE APPROPRIATE ENFORCEMENT, IMPLEMENT THE DELIVERY PROHIBITION PROGRAM, IMPLEMENT AN OPERATOR TRAINING PROGRAM, AND PROVIDE A PUBLIC RECORD OF UST PREVENTION AND CORRECTIVE ACTION ACTIVITIES. THE RECIPIENT WILL SEEK TO IMPROVE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF TRADITIONAL FACILITY COMPLIANCE INSPECTIONS AND A FOLLOW-UP ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM THE (UST) PROGRAM PROTECTS COMMUNITIES LIVING AND WORKING NEAR UST SITES, AS WELL AS LAND AND GROUNDWATER RESOURCES, FROM CONTAMINATION CAUSED BY RELEASES OF REGULATED SUBSTANCES (TYPICALLY PETROLEUM-BASED MOTOR FUELS AND THEIR ADDITIVES) FROM LEAKING USTS (LUSTS). THROUGH PREVENTION ACTIVITIES, EPA PROTECTS GROUNDWATER FROM THESE PETROLEUM RELEASES AND WILL CONTINUE TO WORK WITH TRIBAL AND STATE PARTNERS TO HELP MITIGATE THE NEGATIVE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS TO COMMUNITIES. THE PREVENTION PROGRAM FOCUSES ON BRINGING ALL UST SYSTEMS INTO COMPLIANCE WITH RELEASE DETECTION AND RELEASE PREVENTION REQUIREMENTS AND ON IMPLEMENTING THE PROVISIONS OF THE ENERGY POLICY ACT (EPACT). THE EPACT REQUIRES ALL REGULATED FACILITIES TO BE INSPECTED AT LEAST ONCE EVERY THREE YEARS. MASSDEP WILL CONDUCT INSPECTIONS TO ENSURE REGULATED ENTITIES COMPLY WITH RELEASE DETECTION, LEAK PREVENTION AND FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY REQUIREMENTS, AND ACTIVELY IMPLEMENT OPERATOR TRAINING, PROHIBIT DELIVERY FOR NON-COMPLYING FACILITIES, POST PUBLIC RECORDS, AND ENSURE SECONDARY CONTAINMENT OR FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR TANK MANUFACTURERS AND INSTALLERS. MASSDEP WILL CONTINUE TO WORK TOWARDS REDUCING THE NUMBER OF CONFIRMED RELEASES AT UST FACILITIES AND INCREASING THE PERCENTAGE OF UST FACILITIES THAT ARE IN TECHNICAL COMPLIANCE WITH BOTH RELEASE DETECTION AND RELEASE PREV | Massachusetts (EPA federal awards) | MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION | $454K | — |
| DESCRIPTION:THIS AGREEMENT PROVIDES ASSISTANCE TO THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANK PROGRAM (UST) IN LEAK DETECTION, LEAK PREVENTION, AND RELATED ENFORCEMENT. THE OBJECTIVES OF THIS PROGRAM INCLUDE: (1) ENCOURAGING OWNERS AND OPERATORS TO PROPERLY OPERATE AND MAINTAIN THEIR UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANKS; (2) ENSURING OWNERS AND OPERATORS MONITOR UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANKS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE REGULATIONS; AND (3) DEVELOPING THE STATE PROGRAM TO OPERATE IN LIEU OF THE FEDERAL PROGRAM. THESE OBJECTIVES PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT BY PREVENTING PETROLEUM AND HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE RELEASES. THIS AWARD PROVIDES LEAKING UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANK (LUST) TRUST FUND PREVENTION FUNDS TO THE MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION (MASSDEP) UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANKS SECTION IN THE BUREAU OF AIR AND WASTE, BUSINESS COMPLIANCE DIVISION. ACTIVITIES TO BE ACCOMPLISHED IN THIS PROJECT INCLUDE CONDUCTING ON-SITE COMPLIANCE INSPECTIONS AT FACILITIES THAT HAVE NOT BEEN INSPECTED IN THREE YEARS, ADMINISTERING THE THIRD PARTY INSPECTION CERTIFICATION PROGRAM, ENSURING THE SECONDARY CONTAINMENT AND UNDER DISPENSER REQUIREMENTS ARE BEING MET, AND IMPLEMENTING THE DELIVERY PROHIBITION PROGRAM AND THE OPERATOR TRAINING PROGRAM. THIS AWARD FULLY FUNDS THE PROJECT.ACTIVITIES:FUNDING WILL BE USED TO DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT THE ELIGIBLE LUST PREVENTION ACTIVITIES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ENERGY POLICY ACT OF 2005. MASSDEP WILL MONITOR COMPLIANCE WITH UST REGULATIONS, TAKE APPROPRIATE ENFORCEMENT, IMPLEMENT THE DELIVERY PROHIBITION PROGRAM, IMPLEMENT AN OPERATOR TRAINING PROGRAM, AND PROVIDE A PUBLIC RECORD OF UST PREVENTION AND CORRECTIVE ACTION ACTIVITIES. THE RECIPIENT WILL SEEK TO IMPROVE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF TRADITIONAL FACILITY COMPLIANCE INSPECTIONS AND A FOLLOW-UP ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM. SUBRECIPIENT:NO SUBAWARDS ARE INCLUDED IN THIS ASSISTANCE AGREEMENT.OUTCOMES:THE (UST) PROGRAM PROTECTS COMMUNITIES LIVING AND WORKING NEAR UST SITES, AS WELL AS LAND AND GROUNDWATER RESOURCES, FROM CONTAMINATION CAUSED BY RELEASES OF REGULATED SUBSTANCES (TYPICALLY PETROLEUM-BASED MOTOR FUELS AND THEIR ADDITIVES) FROM LEAKING USTS (LUSTS). THROUGH PREVENTION ACTIVITIES, EPA PROTECTS GROUNDWATER FROM THESE PETROLEUM RELEASES AND WILL CONTINUE TO WORK WITH TRIBAL AND STATE PARTNERS TO HELP MITIGATE THE NEGATIVE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS TO COMMUNITIES THAT ARE HISTORICALLY UNDERSERVED, MARGINALIZED, AND ADVERSELY AFFECTED BY PERSISTENT POVERTY AND INEQUALITY. THE PREVENTION PROGRAM FOCUSES ON BRINGING ALL UST SYSTEMS INTO COMPLIANCE WITH RELEASE DETECTION AND RELEASE PREVENTION REQUIREMENTS AND ON IMPLEMENTING THE PROVISIONS OF THE ENERGY POLICY ACT (EPACT). THE EPACT REQUIRES ALL REGULATED FACILITIES TO BE INSPECTED AT LEAST ONCE EVERY THREE YEARS. MASSDEP WILL CONDUCT INSPECTIONS TO ENSURE REGULATED ENTITIES COMPLY WITH RELEASE DETECTION, LEAK PREVENTION AND FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY REQUIREMENTS, AND ACTIVELY IMPLEMENT OPERATOR TRAINING, PROHIBIT DELIVERY FOR NON-COMPLYING FACILITIES, POST PUBLIC RECORDS, AND ENSURE SECONDARY CONTAINMENT OR FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR TANK MANUFACTURERS AND INSTALLERS. MASSDEP WILL CONTINUE TO WORK TOWARDS REDUCING THE NUMBER OF CONFIRMED RELEASES AT UST FACILITIES AND INCREASING THE PERCENTAGE OF UST FACILITIES THAT ARE IN TECHNICAL COMPLIANCE WITH BOTH RELEASE DETECTION AND RELEASE PREVENTION REQUIREMENTS BY 0.5% OVER THE PREVIOUS YEAR'S TARGET. | Massachusetts (EPA federal awards) | MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION | $431K | — |
| DESCRIPTION:THIS AGREEMENT PROVIDES ASSISTANCE TO THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS (MA) UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANK PROGRAM (UST) IN LEAK DETECTION, LEAK PREVENTION, AND RELATED ENFORCEMENT. THE OBJECTIVES OF THIS PROGRAM INCLUDE: (1) ENCOURAGING OWNERS AND OPERATORS TO PROPERLY OPERATE AND MAINTAIN THEIR UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANKS; (2) ENSURING OWNERS AND OPERATORS MONITOR UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANKS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE REGULATIONS; AND (3) DEVELOPING THE STATE PROGRAM TO OPERATE IN LIEU OF THE FEDERAL PROGRAM. THESE OBJECTIVES PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT BY PREVENTING PETROLEUM AND HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE RELEASES. THIS AWARD PROVIDES LEAKING UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANK (LUST) TRUST FUND PREVENTION FUNDS TO THE MA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION (MASSDEP) UST SECTION IN THE BUREAU OF AIR AND WASTE, BUSINESS COMPLIANCE DIVISION. ACTIVITIES TO BE ACCOMPLISHED IN THIS PROJECT INCLUDE CONDUCTING ON-SITE COMPLIANCE INSPECTIONS AT FACILITIES THAT HAVE NOT BEEN INSPECTED IN THREE YEARS, ENSURING THE SECONDARY CONTAINMENT AND UNDER DISPENSER REQUIREMENTS ARE BEING MET, IMPLEMENTATION OF THE DELIVERY PROHIBITION PROGRAM, AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE OPERATOR TRAINING PROGRAM. THIS AWARD FULLY FUNDS THE PROJECT.ACTIVITIES:FUNDING WILL BE USED TO DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT THE ELIGIBLE LUST PREVENTION ACTIVITIES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ENERGY POLICY ACT OF 2005. MASSDEP WILL MONITOR COMPLIANCE WITH UST REGULATIONS, TAKE APPROPRIATE ENFORCEMENT, IMPLEMENT THE DELIVERY PROHIBITION PROGRAM, IMPLEMENT AN OPERATOR TRAINING PROGRAM, AND PROVIDE A PUBLIC RECORD OF UST PREVENTION AND CORRECTIVE ACTION ACTIVITIES. THE RECIPIENT WILL SEEK TO IMPROVE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF TRADITIONAL FACILITY COMPLIANCE INSPECTIONS AND A FOLLOW-UP ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM.SUBRECIPIENT:NO SUBAWARDS ARE INCLUDED IN THIS ASSISTANCE AGREEMENT.OUTCOMES:THE (UST) PROGRAM PROTECTS COMMUNITIES LIVING AND WORKING NEAR UST SITES AS WELL AS LAND AND GROUNDWATER RESOURCES FROM CONTAMINATION CAUSED BY RELEASES OF REGULATED SUBSTANCES (TYPICALLY PETROLEUM-BASED MOTOR FUELS AND THEIR ADDITIVES) FROM LEAKING USTS (LUSTS). THROUGH PREVENTION ACTIVITIES, EPA PROTECTS GROUNDWATER FROM THESE PETROLEUM RELEASES AND WILL CONTINUE TO WORK WITH TRIBAL AND STATE PARTNERS TO HELP MITIGATE THE NEGATIVE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS TO COMMUNITIES THAT ARE HISTORICALLY UNDERSERVED, MARGINALIZED, AND ADVERSELY AFFECTED BY PERSISTENT POVERTY AND INEQUALITY. THE PREVENTION PROGRAM FOCUSES ON BRINGING ALL UST SYSTEMS INTO COMPLIANCE WITH RELEASE DETECTION AND RELEASE PREVENTION REQUIREMENTS AND IMPLEMENTING THE PROVISIONS OF THE ENERGY POLICY ACT (EPACT). THE EPACT REQUIRES ALL REGULATED FACILITIES TO BE INSPECTED AT LEAST ONCE EVERY THREE YEARS. MASSDEP WILL CONDUCT INSPECTIONS TO ENSURE REGULATED ENTITIES COMPLY WITH RELEASE DETECTION, LEAK PREVENTION AND FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY REQUIREMENTS, AND ACTIVELY IMPLEMENT OPERATOR TRAINING, PROHIBITING DELIVERY FOR NON-COMPLYING FACILITIES, POSTING PUBLIC RECORDS, AND ENSURING SECONDARY CONTAINMENT OR FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR TANK MANUFACTURERS AND INSTALLERS. MASSDEP WILL CONTINUE TO WORK TOWARDS REDUCING THE NUMBER OF CONFIRMED RELEASES AT UST FACILITIES; AND INCREASE THE PERCENTAGE OF UST FACILITIES THAT ARE IN TECHNICAL COMPLIANCE WITH BOTH RELEASE DETECTION AND RELEASE PREVENTION REQUIREMENTS BY 0.5% OVER THE PREVIOUS YEAR'S TARGET. | Massachusetts (EPA federal awards) | MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION | $431K | — |
| DESCRIPTION:THE PURPOSE OF THIS AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN FUNDED COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT IS TO ADVANCE ENHANCED MONITORING OF PARTICULATE MATTER 2.5 (PM2.5) OR OTHER NATIONAL AMBIENT AIR QUALITY STANDARDS (NAAQS) POLLUTANTS IN AND NEAR COMMUNITIES WITH ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE CONCERNS WHO FACE DISPROPORTIONATE EXPOSURE TO THESE POLLUTANTS AND HEALTH RISKS WHICH ARE ALSO ASSOCIATED WITH INCREASED VULNERABILITY TO COVID-19. ACTIVITIES:THESE FUNDS WILL BE USED TO REPLACE EXISTING FILTER-BASED MONITORS OR OTHERWISE ENHANCE EXISTING MONITORS IN AND NEAR THOSE COMMUNITIES TO PROVIDE 24/7, REAL-TIME REPORTING OF AIR QUALITY CONCENTRATIONS. FULL AUTOMATION OF PM2.5 MONITORS WILL PROVIDE ALL COMMUNITIES FINE PARTICULATE DATA OF THE SAME QUALITY AND ALLOW THEM TO COMPARE CONTINUOUS DATA STREAMS IN NEARBY AREAS. SPECIFICALLY, THE RECIPIENT WILL: REVIEW AND COMPARE EPA PROPOSED EQUIPMENT FOR PURCHASE AND DETERMINE IF ANY ADJUSTMENTS NEED TO BE MADE ON ENHANCEMENTS AT VARIOUS AIR MONITORING SITES BASED ON CURRENT NEED; CONSULT WITH EPA ABOUT PROPOSED CHANGES/UPDATES; PREPARE AND INITIATE PROCUREMENT REQUEST(S) FOR EQUIPMENT PURCHASE(S); PURCHASE EQUIPMENT; TAKE DELIVERY OF EQUIPMENT UPON VERIFICATION OF FUNCTIONALITY OF EQUIPMENT AND MOVE FORWARD WITH PAYMENT OF VENDOR INVOICES; PLAN FOR TIMELY SET-UP AND INSTALLATION OF EQUIPMENT CONSISTENT WITH THE GOAL OF ENHANCING AIR MONITORING ACTIVITIES IN EJ AND UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES.SUBRECIPIENT:NO SUBAWARDS ARE INCLUDED IN THIS ASSISTANCE AGREEMENT.OUTCOMES:EXPECTED DELIVERABLES INCLUDE PURCHASING CONTINUOUS PM2.5 MONITOR(S) TO REPLACE FILTER-BASED PM2.5 MONITOR(S). EXPECTED OUTCOMES OF FULL AUTOMATION OF PM2.5 MONITORS WILL PROVIDE ALL COMMUNITIES WITH FINE PARTICULATE DATA OF THE SAME QUALITY AND ALLOW THEM TO COMPARE CONTINUOUS DATA STREAMS IN NEARBY AREAS. OPERATION OF PM2.5 OR OTHER NAAQS POLLUTANTS AIR MONITORING IN ACCORDANCE WITH ALL EPA REQUIREMENTS LEADING TO COLLECTION OF QUALITY ASSURED AMBIENT AIR QUALITY DATA TO HELP ENSURE THAT MORE AMERICANS ARE LIVING AND WORKING IN AREAS THAT MEET HIGH AIR QUALITY STANDARDS. DIRECT BENEFICIARIES OF THESE ACTIVITIES ARE COMMUNITY RESIDENTS WHO WILL HAVE DECREASED RISK OF ADVERSE HEALTH EFFECTS, INCLUDING CANCER AND NEUROLOGICAL EFFECTS. | Massachusetts (EPA federal awards) | MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION | $424K | — |
| DESCRIPTION:THIS AGREEMENT PROVIDES ASSISTANCE TO THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANK PROGRAM (UST) IN LEAK DETECTION, LEAK PREVENTION, AND RELATED ENFORCEMENT. THE OBJECTIVES OF THIS PROGRAM INCLUDE: (1) ENCOURAGING OWNERS AND OPERATORS TO PROPERLY OPERATE AND MAINTAIN THEIR UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANKS; (2) ENSURING OWNERS AND OPERATORS MONITOR UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANKS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE REGULATIONS; AND (3) DEVELOPING THE STATE PROGRAM TO OPERATE IN LIEU OF THE FEDERAL PROGRAM. THESE OBJECTIVES PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT BY PREVENTING PETROLEUM AND HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE RELEASES. THIS AWARD PROVIDES LEAKING UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANK (LUST) TRUST FUND PREVENTION FUNDS TO THE MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION (MASSDEP) UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANKS SECTION IN THE BUREAU OF AIR AND WASTE, BUSINESS COMPLIANCE DIVISION. ACTIVITIES TO BE ACCOMPLISHED IN THIS PROJECT INCLUDE CONDUCTING ON-SITE COMPLIANCE INSPECTIONS AT FACILITIES THAT HAVE NOT BEEN INSPECTED IN THREE YEARS, ADMINISTERING THE THIRD PARTY INSPECTION CERTIFICATION PROGRAM, ENSURING THE SECONDARY CONTAINMENT AND UNDER DISPENSER REQUIREMENTS ARE BEING MET, AND IMPLEMENTING THE DELIVERY PROHIBITION PROGRAM AND THE OPERATOR TRAINING PROGRAM. THIS AWARD FULLY FUNDS THE PROJECT.ACTIVITIES:FUNDING WILL BE USED TO DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT THE ELIGIBLE LUST PREVENTION ACTIVITIES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ENERGY POLICY ACT OF 2005. MASSDEP WILL MONITOR COMPLIANCE WITH UST REGULATIONS, TAKE APPROPRIATE ENFORCEMENT, IMPLEMENT THE DELIVERY PROHIBITION PROGRAM, IMPLEMENT AN OPERATOR TRAINING PROGRAM, AND PROVIDE A PUBLIC RECORD OF UST PREVENTION AND CORRECTIVE ACTION ACTIVITIES. THE RECIPIENT WILL SEEK TO IMPROVE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF TRADITIONAL FACILITY COMPLIANCE INSPECTIONS AND A FOLLOW-UP ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM.SUBRECIPIENT:NO SUBAWARDS ARE INCLUDED IN THIS ASSISTANCE AGREEMENT.OUTCOMES:THE (UST) PROGRAM PROTECTS COMMUNITIES LIVING AND WORKING NEAR UST SITES, AS WELL AS LAND AND GROUNDWATER RESOURCES, FROM CONTAMINATION CAUSED BY RELEASES OF REGULATED SUBSTANCES (TYPICALLY PETROLEUM-BASED MOTOR FUELS AND THEIR ADDITIVES) FROM LEAKING USTS (LUSTS). THROUGH PREVENTION ACTIVITIES, EPA PROTECTS GROUNDWATER FROM THESE PETROLEUM RELEASES AND WILL CONTINUE TO WORK WITH TRIBAL AND STATE PARTNERS TO HELP MITIGATE THE NEGATIVE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS TO COMMUNITIES THAT ARE HISTORICALLY UNDERSERVED, MARGINALIZED, AND ADVERSELY AFFECTED BY PERSISTENT POVERTY AND INEQUALITY. THE PREVENTION PROGRAM FOCUSES ON BRINGING ALL UST SYSTEMS INTO COMPLIANCE WITH RELEASE DETECTION AND RELEASE PREVENTION REQUIREMENTS AND ON IMPLEMENTING THE PROVISIONS OF THE ENERGY POLICY ACT (EPACT). THE EPACT REQUIRES ALL REGULATED FACILITIES TO BE INSPECTED AT LEAST ONCE EVERY THREE YEARS. MASSDEP WILL CONDUCT INSPECTIONS TO ENSURE REGULATED ENTITIES COMPLY WITH RELEASE DETECTION, LEAK PREVENTION AND FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY REQUIREMENTS, AND ACTIVELY IMPLEMENT OPERATOR TRAINING, PROHIBIT DELIVERY FOR NON-COMPLYING FACILITIES, POST PUBLIC RECORDS, AND ENSURE SECONDARY CONTAINMENT OR FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR TANK MANUFACTURERS AND INSTALLERS. MASSDEP WILL CONTINUE TO WORK TOWARDS REDUCING THE NUMBER OF CONFIRMED RELEASES AT UST FACILITIES AND INCREASING THE PERCENTAGE OF UST FACILITIES THAT ARE IN TECHNICAL COMPLIANCE WITH BOTH RELEASE DETECTION AND RELEASE PREVENTION REQUIREMENTS BY 0.5% OVER THE PREVIOUS YEAR'S TARGET. | Massachusetts (EPA federal awards) | MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION | $411K | — |
| DESCRIPTION:THE AGREEMENT PROVIDES CONDUCT AMBIENT AIR MONITORING OF POLLUTANTS OF GREATEST CONCERN IN COMMUNITIES WITH ENVIRONMENTAL AND HEALTH OUTCOME DISPARITIES STEMMING FROM POLLUTION AND THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC. THIS PROJECT WILL IDENTIFY DISPARITIES RELATIVE TO HEALTH AND CORRESPONDING AIR QUALITY AMONG ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE COMMUNITIES TO INFORM PUBLIC POLICY AND REALIZE EQUITABLE HEALTH OUTCOMES. ACTIVITIES:THIS COMMUNITY AIR MONITORING GRANT WILL PROVIDE EQUIPMENT AND EXPERTISE TO GATHER AIR QUALITY DATA AND TO DOCUMENT AND UNDERSTAND DISPARITIES WITHIN THE CITY THAT CREATE OR EXACERBATE NEGATIVE HEALTH OUTCOMES. THIS INFORMATION WILL PROVIDE THE COMMUNITY-BASED PARTNER, GROUNDWORK SOUTHCOAST1 (GWSC), WITH THE DATA TO LEAD OUTREACH AND EDUCATION EFFORTS WITHIN EACH NEIGHBORHOOD BASED ON SITE-SPECIFIC RESULTS. THE ACTIVITIES WILL BE USED TO SUPPORT COMMUNITY AND LOCAL EFFORTS TO MONITOR THEIR OWN AIR QUALITY AND TO PROMOTE AIR QUALITY MONITORING PARTNERSHIPS BETWEEN COMMUNITIES AND TRIBAL, STATE, AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS THAT: LEVERAGE EXISTING AIR QUALITY EXPERTISE, EXPAND USE OF COMMUNITY MONITORING GROUPS AND OTHER APPROACHES THAT GIVE THE COMMUNITY A VOICE IN THE MONITORING OF THE AIR QUALITY, AND BUILD A FOUNDATION OF TRUSTING RELATIONSHIPS AND ENHANCED UNDERSTANDING FROM WHICH SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS TO COMMUNITY AIR POLLUTION PROBLEMS CAN BE FOUND. SUBRECIPIENT:GROUNDWORK SOUTHCOAST (GWSC) WILL BE A KEY PROJECT PARTNER IN THIS ENHANCED AIR QUALITY MONITORING FOR COMMUNITIES GRANT PROJECT. THE CITY WILL WORK CLOSELY WITH GWSC TO COLLECT AND EVALUATE DATA. THIS PARTNERSHIP GWSC WILL NOT ONLY EXPAND PROJECT TEAM CAPACITY BUT IS AN INVALUABLE OPPORTUNITY FOR GWSC YOUTH TO HAVE A HANDS-ON LEARNING EXPERIENCE WITH MONITORING EQUIPMENT TO GATHER INFORMATION ABOUT THEIR OWN NEIGHBORHOOD ENVIRONMENTS, SHARE IT WITHIN THEIR COMMUNITIES, AND HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO AFFECT POSITIVE CHANGE.OUTCOMES:THE ANTICIPATED DELIVERABLES INCLUDE: DEPLOYING A NETWORK OF CONTINUOUS AIR MONITORS AT LOCATIONS THAT PROVIDE ACCURATE REPRESENTATION OF UNDERSERVED ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE COMMUNITIES; IDENTIFYING PREVALENCE OF AIR POLLUTANTS IN EACH AREA OF THE CITY; IDENTIFYING SOURCE(S) OF POLLUTANTS; EVALUATING CORRELATIONS BETWEEN HEALTH STATISTICS, DEMOGRAPHIC/GEOGRAPHIC GROUPINGS, AND QUALITY DATA. CREATING NEW AND STRENGTHEN EXISTING COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS THROUGH INFORMATION SHARING AND DIALOGUE ABOUT POTENTIAL CORRELATIONS AND ACTIONS; AND EDUCATING THE COMMUNITY, PARTICULARLY YOUTH, ABOUT POTENTIAL BEHAVIORAL MODIFICATIONS TOWARD HEALTH OUTCOMES. THE EXPECTED OUTCOMES INCLUDE: INCREASE ACCESS TO AIR QUALITY DATA ON PUBLIC PLATFORM; INCREASE UNDERSTANDING OF AIR QUALITY COMPONENTS AND HEALTH IMPLICATIONS; INCREASE HEALTH SCREENINGS AND AWARENESS OF SUPPORT NETWORKS AND PROGRAMS; IMPLEMENT AND ADVOCATE FOR ACTIONS AND POLICIES THAT WILL REDUCE AIR POLLUTANTS; INCREASE POSITIVE SELF-HEALTH BEHAVIORS; DOCUMENT REDUCTION IN POLLUTANTS FOLLOWING PRIORITY ACTION IMPLEMENTATION; REDUCTION OF CHILDHOOD ASTHMA AND NEIGHBORHOOD DISPARITIES IN SAME; AND REDUCTION OF PULMONARY-RELATED PREMATURE DEATHS AND NEIGHBORHOOD DISPARITIES IN SAME. THE INTENDED BENEFICIARIES INCLUDE THE CITIZENS OF NEW BEDFORD, WHICH IS HOME TO A DISPROPORTIONATE NUMBER OF CHILDREN WITH ASTHMA. | Massachusetts (EPA federal awards) | CITY OF NEW BEDFORD | $392K | — |
| THIS AGREEMENT WILL PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO CONSERVATION LAW FOUNDATION (CLF) VENTURES, INC. IN ITS EFFORTS TO REPOWER A MARINE TUG VESSEL IN ORDER TO REDUCE DIESEL EMISSIONS AND EXPOSURE IN AND NEAR NEW BEDFORD, MASSACHUSETTS. THIS PROJECT WILL REPOWER TWO TIER 0 MARINE PROPULSION ENGINES ON ONE TUG WITH ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (EPA) TIER 3-CERTIFIED ENGINES, AND REPLACE TWO AUXILIARY GENERATOR SETS POWERED BY TIER 0 ENGINES WITH NEW GENERATOR SETS MEETING TIER 3 EMISSION STANDARDS. THIS PROJECT WILL REDUCE EMISSIONS OF DIESEL PARTICULATE MATTER AND OTHER POLLUTANTS SUCH AS NITROGEN OXIDES, CARBON MONOXIDE AND HYDROCARBONS. | Massachusetts (EPA federal awards) | CLF VENTURES, INC. | $317K | — |
| DESCRIPTION:THE AGREEMENT PROVIDES FUNDING UNDER INFLATION REDUCTION ACT TO CONDUCT AMBIENT AIR MONITORING OF POLLUTANTS OF GREATEST CONCERN IN COMMUNITIES WITH ENVIRONMENTAL AND HEALTH OUTCOME DISPARITIES STEMMING FROM POLLUTION AND THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.ACTIVITIES:THE ACTIVITIES INCLUDE MONITORING AIR QUALITY AROUND ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE NEIGHBORHOODS, CITY SCHOOLS, AND NEAR POINT SOURCES OF POLLUTION IN PITTSFIELD MASSACHUSETTS. THIS PROJECT WILL COMPILE NEIGHBORHOOD-LEVEL AIR QUALITY DATA TO COMPARE WITH LOCATION AND WEATHER DATA AND CONDUCT A PUBLIC HEALTH SURVEY TO IDENTIFY HEALTH CONCERNS AND INCREASES AND DECREASES IN SEVERITY, CHRONOLOGICALLY PAIRING THIS DATA WITH AIR QUALITY MONITORING RESULTS TO LOOK FOR CORRELATION. THIS DATA WILL BE SHARED WITH LOCAL, REGIONAL AND STATE AGENCIES AS WELL AS ENVIRONMENTAL AND COMMUNITY ACTION ORGANIZATIONS TO ADVOCATE FOR CHANGES IN POLICY TO LOWER ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION WITH THE GOAL OF ADDRESSING CLIMATE IMPACTS AND PUBLIC HEALTH, ESPECIALLY IN VULNERABLE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE NEIGHBORHOODS. SUBRECIPIENT:NO SUBAWARDS ARE INCLUDED IN THIS ASSISTANCE AGREEMENT.OUTCOMES:THE ANTICIPATED DELIVERABLES INCLUDE IDENTIFICATION OF AIR POLLUTION, COMMUNITY-SPECIFIC ASSESSMENTS OF AIR POLLUTION DATA, DEPLOYMENT OF EQUIPMENT TO CONDUCT AIR QUALITY MONITORING IN OR NEAR UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES, INCREASED PUBLIC AWARENESS OF AIR QUALITY AND USE OF CITIZEN SCIENCE THROUGH DEMONSTRATION OF HAND-HELD MONITORING AT PUBLIC EVENTS IN THE COMMUNITY, NEAR REAL-TIME AIR QUALITY DATA AVAILABILITY FOR COMMUNITIES AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS, STRENGTHENING OF EXISTING AND PROMOTION OF NEW PARTNERSHIPS AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT THROUGH VARIOUS ACTIVITIES AND INFORMATION EXCHANGES, AND DATA-INFORMED ADVOCACY FOR BETTER PUBLIC HEALTH, HOUSING, TRANSPORTATION, AND LAND USE REFORM. THE EXPECTED OUTCOMES INCLUDE INCREASED PARTICIPATION BY LOCAL BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY IN EMISSIONS REDUCTION, DEMAND RESPONSE PROGRAMS, AND ADOPTION OF RENEWABLES TO LOWER EMISSIONS, CHANGES IN TRAFFIC PATTERNS AND ELECTRIFICATION OF PUBLIC TRANSIT AND SCHOOL BUSES, ENERGY EFFICIENCY UPGRADES AND ELECTRIFICATION OF BUILDINGS AND VEHICLES TO REDUCE EMISSIONS, IMPROVED CONDITIONS IN HOUSING AND PUBLIC BUILDINGS (ALLOWING FOR IMPROVED HEALTH OUTCOMES), NO FOSSIL-FUELED OR TRASH BURNING ELECTRIC GENERATION WITHIN THE CITY, INCREASED ACCESS TO CLINICS AND HEALTHCARE MEASURES, AND IMPROVED ACCESS TO GREEN SPACE. THE INTENDED BENEFICIARIES INCLUDE UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES IN PITTSFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS. | Massachusetts (EPA federal awards) | BERKSHIRE ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION TEAM, INC. | $300K | — |
| DESCRIPTION:THE PURPOSE OF THIS GRANT AGREEMENT IS TO FUND THE APPLICANT'S EFFORTS TO COLLECT WATER SAMPLES FROM DESIGNATED RECREATIONAL BEACHES IN MASSACHUSETTS. THE WATER SAMPLES WILL BE TESTED FOR BACTERIOLOGICAL WATER QUALITY AND THE PUBLIC WILL BE NOTIFIED WHEN THE WATERS EXCEED THE APPLICABLE WATER QUALITY STANDARDS AND WHEN THEY ARE SAFE FOR SWIMMING. THESE PUBLIC NOTIFICATION EFFORTS WILL PROTECT HUMAN HEALTH BY REDUCING THE RISK TO THE BATHING PUBLIC OF CONTRACTING DISEASES FROM CONTAMINATED WATER.ACTIVITIES:MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH (MA DPH) WILL MONITOR DESIGNATED RECREATIONAL BEACHES IN CONNECTICUT FOR BACTERIOLOGICAL WATER QUALITY AND NOTIFY THE PUBLIC WHEN THE WATERS EXCEED THE APPLICABLE WATER QUALITY STANDARDS. THE PROJECT CONTINUES THE WORK OF MA DPH TO IMPLEMENT ITS STATEWIDE COASTAL BEACH MONITORING, ASSESSMENT, AND NOTIFICATION PROGRAM UNDER THE FEDERAL BEACH ACT. ACTIVITIES INCLUDE: MONITORING AND ANALYSIS OF INDICATOR BACTERIA AT COASTAL BEACHES; MAINTAINING AND OPERATING A PUBLIC NOTIFICATION SYSTEM; IMPROVING LABORATORY CAPABILITY AND WEB-BASED DATA SYSTEMS, INCLUDING GIS COVERAGE; PROVIDING TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO COMMUNITIES TO ASSESS POLLUTION SOURCES AT SPECIFIC BEACHES; AND ANNUALLY REPORTING TO EPA THE RESULTS OF MONITORING AND NOTIFICATION ACTIONS ELECTRONICALLY AND IN AN EPA-SPECIFIED FORMAT. SUBRECIPIENT:NO SUBAWARDS ARE INCLUDED IN THIS ASSISTANCE AGREEMENT.OUTCOMES:DELIVERABLES INCLUDE REPORTING CONSISTENT WITH EPA AND BEACH PROGRAM GUIDANCE AND SCHEDULES ON WATER SAMPLING AND PUBLIC NOTIFICATION EFFORTS. THE APPLICANT WILL ALSO SUBMIT BEACH MONITORING DATA TO EPA IN AN EPA-SPECIFIED FORMAT. BENEFICIARIES OF THE PROGRAM INCLUDE ALL RESIDENTS AND TOURISTS THAT VISIT THE MARINE BEACHES IN MASSACHUSETTS. | Massachusetts (EPA federal awards) | PUBLIC HEALTH, MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF | $275K | — |
| DESCRIPTION:THIS GRANT WILL FUND THE RECIPIENT'S EFFORTS TO COLLECT WATER SAMPLES FROM DESIGNATED RECREATIONAL BEACHES IN MASSACHUSETTS. THE WATER SAMPLES WILL BE TESTED FOR BACTERIOLOGICAL WATER QUALITY. THE PUBLIC WILL BE NOTIFIED WHEN THE WATERS EXCEED THE APPLICABLE WATER QUALITY STANDARDS AND WHEN THEY ARE SAFE FOR SWIMMING. THESE PUBLIC NOTIFICATION EFFORTS WILL PROTECT HUMAN HEALTH BY REDUCING THE RISK TO THE BATHING PUBLIC OF CONTRACTING DISEASES FROM CONTAMINATED WATER. ACTIVITIES:MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH (MA DPH) WILL MONITOR DESIGNATED RECREATIONAL BEACHES IN MASSACHUSETTS FOR BACTERIOLOGICAL WATER QUALITY, MAINTAIN BEACHES WEBSITE, AND NOTIFY THE PUBLIC WHEN THE WATERS EXCEED THE APPLICABLE WATER QUALITY STANDARDS. THE PROJECT CONTINUES THE WORK OF MA DPH TO IMPLEMENT ITS STATEWIDE COASTAL BEACH MONITORING, ASSESSMENT, AND NOTIFICATION PROGRAM UNDER THE FEDERAL BEACH ACT. ACTIVITIES INCLUDE: MONITORING AND ANALYSIS OF INDICATOR BACTERIA AT APPROXIMATELY 600 SAMPLING LOCATIONS AT OVER 500 MARINE BEACHES; MAINTAINING AND OPERATING A PUBLIC NOTIFICATION SYSTEM; IMPROVING LABORATORY CAPABILITY AND WEB-BASED DATA SYSTEMS, INCLUDING GIS COVERAGE; AND ANNUALLY REPORTING TO EPA THE RESULTS OF MONITORING AND NOTIFICATION ACTIONS ELECTRONICALLY AND IN AN EPA-SPECIFIED FORMAT.SUBRECIPIENT:NO SUBAWARDS ARE INCLUDED IN THIS ASSISTANCE AGREEMENT.OUTCOMES:DELIVERABLES INCLUDE AN ANNUAL REPORT SUMMARIZING PROGRAM ACTIVITIES AND DATA, ANALYSIS AND REPORTING OF ALL BEACH WATER SAMPLES, AND MAINTENANCE OF PROGRAM WEBSITE. REPORTING WILL BE CONSISTENT WITH EPA AND BEACH PROGRAM GUIDANCE AND SCHEDULES ON WATER SAMPLING AND PUBLIC NOTIFICATION EFFORTS. THE APPLICANT WILL ALSO SUBMIT BEACH MONITORING DATA TO EPA IN AN EPA-SPECIFIED FORMAT. INTENDED BENEFICIARIES INCLUDE ALL WHO RECREATE IN MASSACHUSETTS MARINE COASTAL WATERS. | Massachusetts (EPA federal awards) | PUBLIC HEALTH, MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF | $258K | — |
| DESCRIPTION:THIS GRANT WILL FUND THE RECIPIENT'S EFFORTS TO COLLECT WATER SAMPLES FROM DESIGNATED RECREATIONAL BEACHES IN MASSACHUSETTS. THE WATER SAMPLES WILL BE TESTED FOR BACTERIOLOGICAL WATER QUALITY. THE PUBLIC WILL BE NOTIFIED WHEN THE WATERS EXCEED THE APPLICABLE WATER QUALITY STANDARDS AND WHEN THEY ARE SAFE FOR SWIMMING. THESE PUBLIC NOTIFICATION EFFORTS WILL PROTECT HUMAN HEALTH BY REDUCING THE RISK TO THE BATHING PUBLIC OF CONTRACTING DISEASES FROM CONTAMINATED WATER.ACTIVITIES:MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH (MA DPH) WILL MONITOR DESIGNATED RECREATIONAL BEACHES IN MASSACHUSETTS FOR BACTERIOLOGICAL WATER QUALITY, MAINTAIN BEACHES WEBSITE, AND NOTIFY THE PUBLIC WHEN THE WATERS EXCEED THE APPLICABLE WATER QUALITY STANDARDS. THE PROJECT CONTINUES THE WORK OF MA DPH TO IMPLEMENT ITS STATEWIDE COASTAL BEACH MONITORING, ASSESSMENT, AND NOTIFICATION PROGRAM UNDER THE FEDERAL BEACH ACT. ACTIVITIES INCLUDE: MONITORING AND ANALYSIS OF INDICATOR BACTERIA AT APPROXIMATELY 600 SAMPLING LOCATIONS AT OVER 550 MARINE BEACHES; MAINTAINING AND OPERATING A PUBLIC NOTIFICATION SYSTEM; IMPROVING LABORATORY CAPABILITY AND WEB-BASED DATA SYSTEMS, INCLUDING GIS COVERAGE; PROVIDING TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO COMMUNITIES TO ASSESS POLLUTION SOURCES AT SPECIFIC BEACHES; AND ANNUALLY REPORTING TO EPA THE RESULTS OF MONITORING AND NOTIFICATION ACTIONS ELECTRONICALLY AND IN AN EPA-SPECIFIED FORMAT.SUBRECIPIENT:NO SUBAWARDS ARE INCLUDED IN THIS ASSISTANCE AGREEMENT.OUTCOMES:DELIVERABLES INCLUDE AN UPDATED QUALITY ASSURANCE PROJECT PLAN, ANNUAL REPORT SUMMARIZING PROGRAM ACTIVITIES AND DATA, ANALYSIS AND REPORTING OF ALL BEACH WATER SAMPLES, AND MAINTENANCE OF PROGRAM WEBSITE. REPORTING WILL BE CONSISTENT WITH EPA AND BEACH PROGRAM GUIDANCE AND SCHEDULES ON WATER SAMPLING AND PUBLIC NOTIFICATION EFFORTS. THE APPLICANT WILL ALSO SUBMIT BEACH MONITORING DATA TO EPA IN AN EPA-SPECIFIED FORMAT. INTENDED BENEFICIARIES INCLUDE ALL WHO RECREATE IN MASSACHUSETTS MARINE COASTAL WATERS. | Massachusetts (EPA federal awards) | PUBLIC HEALTH, MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF | $254K | — |