Thanks for everyone who came out to the show! Here are some great photos sent to us by Brian Smith of the 2011 FERMILAB/WGN seminar!






Below is a picture of  this year's speakers. From left to right is award winning extreme weather photographer Jim Reed, Tom Skilling, Dr. Mary Ann Cooper, MD, University of Illinois-Chicago, Dr. Louis W. Uccellini, Director of NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP), Ed Fenelon, Meteorologist in Charge of the NWS Forecast Office-Chicago, Jim Allsopp, Warning Coordination Meteorologist, NWS Chicago, Dr. Jim Angel, State Climatologist, Midwestern Regional Climate Center, and Brian Smith, Warning Coordination Meteorologist, National Weather Service, Omaha, Nebraska:

Announcing the 2011 FERMILAB/WGN Tornado & Severe Storms Seminar on Saturday, April 30, 2011

By Meteorologist Tom Skilling

Greetings to each of you! We have an extraordinary program planned for our 31st Annual Fermilab/WGN-TV seminar which takes place this year on Saturday, April 30th. I'm very excited about this year's program and the speakers who will join me at noon Saturday, Arpil 30th and again for a repeat of the entire program at 6 p.m. The event will take place at the Ramsey Auditorium on the grounds of the Batavia-based Fermilab National Accelerator Laboratory.  Please feel free to attend either the noon session or the 6 pm session. We'd love to have you join us!  Hope to see you there and again here are the key details.

Where: Fermilab - Kirk Rd & Pine St, Batavia, Illinois, 1.630.840.3000
When:  Saturday, April 30th @12pm and again at 6pm

For a complete listing of guest speakers and topics of discussion continue reading below!

Putting these programs together the past 31 years has been a real labor of love for each of us involved in the seminar's preparation and production. The program is absolutely free! There are no tickets required--just show up! Seating is first come, first-served, so we recommend you get to the Fermilab grounds early--about an hour or hour and a half before the start of each program. As in recent years, we'll be giving away a number of NOAA Weather Radios.  Be sure you sign up at the Lake County Skywarn Booth as you approach the Ramsey Auditorium.

There's so much to talk about and share with you this year--and our speakers list is spectacular! We have an incredibly active 2011 tornado season underway and showing no sign of easing anytime soon which we intend to update and discuss. But, we've also been through quite a winter which has included one of this area's worst blizzards on record. The extraordinary Blizzard of 2011 was one for the books--the third worst snowstorm since records began in the 1884-85 snow season. Despite one of the best advance forecasts of such a storm ever, thousands ended up stranded on Lakeshore Drive--among other thoroughfares across the area. Why was that? And how was it that the storm was so accurately predicted so far in advance? We'll have insights from the National Weather Service's Dr. Louis Uccellini, Director of NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Prediction in Camp Spring, Maryland as well as Dr. Jim Angel, our Illinois state climatologist at the Midwestern Regional Climate Center in Champaign, who will join us to discuss the work he and his colleagues have done on the impact; economically and in human terms, of February's crippling storm.

Jim Reed is one of the most respected storm chasers and extreme weather photographers on the road today. An author and all around wonderful human being, it was Jim who guided our WGN team as it encountered a multiple vortex tornado which chased us at speeds over 60 mph last May in northeast Oklahoma.  You'll meet Jim and find his presentation riveting.

We have a whole series of other presentations planned at our April 30th programs--and here's a rundown of them--both the speakers and the subjects of their talks. Both the noon and the 6pm programs run 3-4 hours with a break mid-way through.

I'm often asked if our program is suited to younger children.  Probably not. There will be all manner of "storm- in -progress" slides and videos which may frighten some young people. We've found in most past programs at Fermilab that 4th graders and older are best equipped to handle the content of our presentations.

Here are our speakers and the topics that will be discussed. Check them out!

Tom Skilling, Chief meteorologist, WGN-TV  Join us for a front row seat as we take you on a video excursion through a wild year of weather. The presentation will include our all-too-close encounter with a multiple-vortex tornado which chased us down an Oklahoma highway at 55mph. We'll also take a look at February's horrific blizzard--arguably the area's single most crippling snowstorm in decades. The blizzard, despite a week's worth of advance warning, still stranded thousands in howling 70 mph winds under drifts up to 5 to 6 ft. on Lakeshore Drive for up to 14 hours. We'll also review early returns from the already formidable 2011 tornado and severe weather season underway which is seriously outpacing the 2010 twister season to date.

Tom plans to take you on a video excursion through it all--and will even include eye-opening and horrifying video clips of the devastating Japanese tsunami in progress, as it takes apart one seaside community in the space of just 9 minutes.  The presentation will include a look at the revolution underway the past half century in meteorology which has allowed better forecasts and tracking of tornadoes and all manner of weather.

Dr. Louis W. Uccellini, Director of NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP)  Dr. Uccellini will present a talk: "Forecasting The Blizzards of 2010-2011".  Warnings for Chicago's third largest snowstorm on record in February 2011 and New York City's record blizzard in December 2010 were issued with plenty of lead time; yet not all heeded the warnings.  This talk will explore how forecasters approached these storms and offer insights into how the warnings were received as the dangerous storms approached major metropolitan areas.

Extreme weather, including blizzards, tornadoes and severe thunderstorm outbreaks, are being predicted with greater accuracy and longer lead times than ever before. This past winter's blizzard in Chicago, the third largest snowstorm on record, was flagged as a potential threat for the Great Lakes region 5 to 7 days before the storm struck. Yet uncertainty in the track forecast remained even as the storm was predicted to become a large and dangerous blizzard that would impact a large area of the northern Midwest. The ability of this country's forecast system to provide forecasts of extreme events (like the blizzards and the recent major tornado outbreaks) has been decades in the making and is based on revolutionary advances in observing, numerical prediction models, computers, and the abilities of the forecasters to work with and fully utilize these sophisticated models and observations to issue warnings with increased confidence and specificity.

Global and local observations are becoming increasingly reliant on satellites and radar networks.  And today's forecast models run on supercomputers which are able to readily access over 3.5 billion observations per day and perform 70 trillion mathematical calculations per second---a speed which will double or triple over the next 4 to 5 years.  There may be no one who who has played such an active role in this revolution in weather forecasting than Dr. Louis W. Uccellini who, as Director of the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (or NCEP as it is known in the meteorological profession), oversees the operations of 9 centers including the Storm Prediction Center, Hydrometeorological Prediction Center, National Hurricane Center and the Environmental Modeling Center (which plays a key role in the development of the computer models) and of the NCEP Central Operations (which maintains and runs these models on the operational supercomputers on a daily basis).  Dr. Uccellini will discuss the Chicago and New York City blizzards with a comparison showing that while the forecast and warnings highlighted the potential threat associated with the onset of these storms highlighted days before their arrival, improvements are still needed to provide predictive information and decision support required for more decisive action.  Finally, Dr. Uccellini will take your questions at the end of the presentation..

Dr. Jim Angel, State Climatologist, Midwestern Regional Climate Center February 2011 Blizzard's astounding impact: Tab on storm $400-million in snow removal costs and in lost business, nearly 7,000 miles of highways buried beneath a foot or more of snow, over 10-million impacted

The February blizzard's economic impact has come in at just under half a billion dollars in northeast Illinois alone, according to the Midwestern Regional Climate Center's Dr. Jim Angel. Angel is Illinois' state climatologist in Illinois. Just under 10 million Illinoisans alone experienced 12-inch plus accumulations and an extraordinary 6,993 miles of Illinois highways were buried beneath 12 inches.

Jim Reed, Award winning photographer "Storm Chaser: A Photographer's Journey" - Join award-winning extreme weather photographer Jim Reed as he discusses his favorite images from his critically-acclaimed book and how he captured the photos

It was veteran storm chaser Jim Reed with whom Tom Skilling and WGN producer Pam Grimes and photographers Steve Scheuer and Jordan Guzzardo traveled into the Plains last spring for a trip which led to an encounter with a multiple vortex tornado which chased them down a northeast Oklahoma highwa. The storm flipped semis and cars on their sides. WGN viewers were along every step of the way for the ride. One of the world's most accomplished and award-winning extreme-weather photographers, Jim Reed has dedicated 20 consecutive years to documenting America's changing climate for editorial and fine art clients that include National Geographic, The New York Times, and Corcoran Gallery of Art.  In 2010, Jim served as WGN's field guide on the Emmy-Award winning "Chased by Tornadoes," leading Tom to his first on-location tornado. Author of the critically-accalimed book, "Storm Chaser: A Photographer's Journey," Jim has appeared on Good Morning America, The Today Show, The Weather Channel, and many other TV shows. Check out Jim's Nikon Podcast on iTunes! You can follow Jim on Twitter: @jimreedphoto


Jim Allsopp, Warning Coordination Meteorologist, NWS Chicago  Tornadoes in the Chicago area: How often have they occurred and how do events like the current La Nina, which the cooling of the equatorial Pacific, have an impact on local tornado occurrence?

Several years ago Jim Allsopp did a study on the frequency of significant (F2 and greater) tornadoes across the eight county Chicago metro area. In 2010 Valparaiso meteorology student Tony Lyza expanded the study to the entire 23 county area served by the Chicago NWS office and also looked at correlations between tornado frequency and the El Nino/Southern Oscillation cycle.

Brian Smith, Warning Coordination Meteorologist, National Weather Service, Omaha, Nebraska "Killer Wind:  Do not ignore Severe Thunderstorm
Warnings"

Brian Smith, veteran National Weather Service meteorologist and severe weather specialist at the Service's Omaha forecast office, and former student and longtime research assistant to famed University of Chicago tornado researcher Dr. Ted Fujita, will look at derechoes and downbursts, explain what they are, how they happen and the dangers they represent.  Brian has irrefutable evidence they are just as dangerous as tornadoes and makes the case that Severe Thunderstorm Warnings should be taken just as seriously as tornado warnings and not ignored.

Dr. Mary Ann Cooper, MD, University of Illinois-Chicago The lightning injury rate in the U.S. is down but lightning injuries and deaths remain high in tropical and sub-tropical countries. What is being done to change this?

Due to the hard work of many people, the lightning injury rate in the US has declined substantially.  However, there continues to be significant numbers of injuries and deaths in tropical and subtropical countries around the world.  We cannot export the US solutions to areas where thatched roof homes and labor intensive agriculture is still the norm but must come up with other solutions including innovative educational ways to reach the people.  Dr Cooper will discuss some of the developments and outreach that is happening in these areas.

Ed Fenelon, Meteorologist in Charge of the NWS Forecast Office-Chicago Rip Currents: Killers on the Great Lakes--but what are they and what do you do when they strike?

Rip Currents caused the drowning death of 30 people last year on the Great Lakes, and on average claim 100 lives per year in the United States.  Sadly, most if not all of these lives could have been saved had people known the right thing to do.  Just what are these powerful water flows that occur at our beaches, and what do we need to be teaching our kids before they go in the water?  Ed Fenelon will talk about what ripncurrents are, and about a new partnership between beach managers, first responders, community leaders, the media, and the National Weather Service to reduce rip current drownings at our beaches.  Through advances in rip current research we are now able to predict days when rip currents may form.  By being informed before deciding to go to the beach, and following the advice of lifeguards and beach signs when there, we can ensure many happy returns to the water.  Rip Currents -
break the grip of the rip!  More information at ripcurrents.noaa.gov

We have big snow here in Boston and through the Northeast US. See #snowloko on Twitter.MIT and Tufts are closed.Check WBZ site for updates .The local office of the National Weather Service offers information for the state, including: •Preliminary Climate Data for Other Locations in Southern New England•Miscellaneous Climate Records and Averages•Southern New England Snow Storms/Previous Event Calendar•Hydrologic Observations•Plots and Images of Hydrologic Observations.The site also offeres great links to sites like:National Centers for Environmental Prediction Model Analyses & GuidanceThe Model Analyses and Guidance (MAG) website showcases the National Weather Service’s observational database and graphical suite of numerical model analysis and guidance. The site is maintained by National Centers for Environmental Prediction Central Operations (NCEP/NCO) and NOAA’s Web Operations Center (WOC). During the past fifteen months, the current NWS/NCEP Model Analysis and Forecast website was redesigned to create a more professional and interactive interface. More links here.

(July 2, 2010)—There are 37 funding notices sent by the DOE Tribal Energy Program. Please check each notice for eligibility, as many are not specific to tribes.

Questions should be directed to the contacts identified for each notice.

Issue 202 - A huge thanks to Laurie Brown and the Washington State University (WSU) Extension Energy Program for distributing these solicitation newsletters for more than 12 years. Thank you, Laurie and WSU.

DOE Tribal Energy Program
1617 Cole Blvd.
Golden, CO 80401
tribal@go.doe.gov

For more information on the Tribal Energy Program and our Guide to Tribal Energy Development, visit our Web site.

If you did not receive this e-mail directly but would like to receive future e-mails and the TEP newsletter, please join our e-mail list by sending your contact information to tribal@go.doe.gov.

Sent by DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy * 1000 Independence Ave., SW * Washington DC 20585 * 877-337-3463.
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1) Sustainable Communities

The U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development requests proposals for the Sustainable Communities Regional Planning Grant Program. This program will support metropolitan and multi jurisdictional planning efforts that integrate housing, land use, economic and workforce development, transportation, and infrastructure investments in a manner that empowers jurisdictions to consider the interdependent challenges of: 1) Economic competitiveness and revitalization; 2) Social equity, inclusion, and access to opportunity; 3) Energy use and climate change; and 4) Public health and environmental impacts. $98 million expected to be available, award range $100K to $5 million. Responses due 8/23/10. For more info, contact sustainablecommunities@hud.gov or go to: http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?mode=VIEW&oppId=55456 . Refer to Sol# FR-5396-N-03. (Grants.gov 6/24/10)

2) Community and Transportation Planning

The U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development and the U.S. Department of Transportation request proposals for the Community Planning Challenge Grant Program & the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) II Grant Program. TIGER II Planning Grants will fund the planning, preparation, or design of surface transportation projects. Challenge Grants will support the development of affordable housing through zoning ordinances, land acquisition, and more. $75 million expected to be available, individual awards NTE $3 million. Pre-applications are required and are due 7/26/10, final proposals due 8/23/10. For more info, go to: http://www.hud.gov/offices/adm/grants/nofa10/huddotnofa.cfm . Refer to Sol# FR-5415-N-12. (Grants.gov 6/21/10)

3) Climate Showcase Communities

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency requests proposals for the Climate Showcase Communities. This program assists local and tribal governments in developing plans, conducting demonstrations, and implementing projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions while achieving additional environmental, economic, public health, and/or community benefits. $10 million expected to be available, up to 30 awards anticipated. Responses due 7/26/10. For more info, contact Jeanette Shepherd at shepherd.jeanette@epa.gov or go to: http://www.epa.gov/air/grants_funding.html . Refer to Sol# EPAOAR-CPPD-10-09. (Grants.gov 7/8/10)

4) Community Health and Brownfields

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, request proposals for Community Health Projects Related to Brownfield and Land Reuse. The purpose of the program is to identify and address public health issues with Brownfield and/or land reuse sites. A particular emphasis will be on identifying health issues prior to redevelopment and/or assessing changes in community health associated with reuse plans and redevelopment. $450K expected to be available, up to 3 awards anticipated. Responses due 7/12/10. For more info, contact Leann Bing at KBing@cdc.gov or go to: http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?mode=VIEW&oppId=55142 . Refer to Sol# CDC-RFA-TS10-1002. (Grants.gov 6/10/10)

5) IAQ, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene

The U.S. Agency for International Development requests proposals for Supportive Environments for Healthy Households and Communities. This RFP will support the further development, introduction, and delivery of high-impact interventions in the areas of water supply, sanitation and hygiene. Globally, pneumonia and diarrhea are the two leading killers of children in the post-neonatal period, each responsible for approximately 15-20% of deaths of children under 5 years of age. Both respiratory infections and diarrhea and are closely linked to poor Indoor Air Quality and poor Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene practices. $100K expected to be available, 1 award anticipated. Responses due 7/29/10. For more info, contact Moyra Cassidy at mcassidy@usaid.gov or go to: http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?mode=VIEW&oppId=55298 . Refer to Sol# RFA-OAA-10000008. (Grants.gov 6/17/10)

6) Short Term Wind Energy Forecasting

The U.S. Department of Energy requests proposals for Enhancing Short Term Wind Energy Forecasting for Improved Utility Operations. This RFP will support collaborative work with NOAA and DOE to meet an emerging national need for more precise wind forecasts than are currently available. $2.9 million expected to be available, up to 2 awards anticipated. Responses due 7/13/10. For more info, contact Pamela Brodie at pamela.brodie@go.doe.gov or go to: https://www.fedconnect.net/FedConnect/?doc=DE-FOA-0000343&agency=DOE . Refer to Sol# DEFOA-0000343. (Grants.gov 6/1/10)

7) Water and Wastewater Training and TA

The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services requests proposals for Community Services Block Grant/Rural Community Development Facilities Program Water and Wastewater Treatment Systems Training and Technical Assistance Project. This RFP supports low-income, rural communities in developing affordable, safe water and wastewater treatment facilities. $9.35 million expected to be available, up to 7 awards anticipated. Responses due 7/16/10. For more info, contact Rafael Elizalde at OCSGRANTS@ACF.HHS.GOV or go to: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/open/foa/view/HHS-2010-ACF-OCS-EF-0007. Refer to Sol# HHS-2010-ACF-OCS-EF-0007. (Grants.gov 6/1/10)

8) CyberSecurity for Energy Delivery Systems

The U.S. Department of Energy requests proposals for Innovation for Increasing CyberSecurity for Energy Delivery Systems. Through this RFP, DOE seeks RD&D of technologies that will enhance the cyber security of communication and control systems of the U.S. energy infrastructure. Areas of interest include, but are not limited to, Securing Smart Grid Communication Architecture. $19.7 million expected to be available, up to 6 awards anticipated. Responses due 7/12/10. For more info, contact Angela Bosley at angela.bosley@netl.doe.gov or go to: https://www.fedconnect.net/FedConnect/?doc=DE-FOA-0000359&agency=DOE . Refer to Sol# DE-FOA-0000359. (Grants.gov 6/11/10)

9) Solid-State Lighting Core Technologies Round 7

The U.S. Department of Energy requests proposals for Solid-State Lighting Core Technologies -Round 7. The objective of this RFP is to conduct the applied research needed to fill technology gaps, provide enabling knowledge or data, and advance the technical knowledge base for SSL to be used for general illumination applications. $15 million expected to be available, up to 12 awards anticipated. Responses due 7/14/10. For more info, contact Martin Byrnes at Martin.Byrnes@netl.doe.gov or go to: https://www.fedconnect.net/FedConnect/?doc=DE-FOA-0000329&agency=DOE . Refer to Sol# DEFOA-0000329. (Grants.gov 5/24/10)

10) Solid-State Lighting U.S. Manufacturing Round 2

The U.S. Department of Energy requests proposals for Solid-State Lighting U.S. Manufacturing -Round

2. The objective of this RFP is to achieve cost reduction of solid-state lighting for general illumination through improvements in manufacturing equipment, processes, or techniques. $15 million expected to be available, up to 8 awards anticipated. Responses due 8/18/10. For more info, contact Martin Byrnes at Martin.Byrnes@netl.doe.gov or go to: https://www.fedconnect.net/FedConnect/?doc=DE-FOA-0000334&agency=DOE . Refer to Sol# DE-FOA-0000334. (Grant.gov 6/25/10)

11) Biomass Fast Pyrolysis Oil

The U.S. Department of Energy requests proposals for Upgrading of Biomass Fast Pyrolysis Oil (Bio-oil). This RFP will support integrated upgrading processes at the bench scale that will be capable of long term processing to address the corrosivity issues associated with stabilized bio-oil. $11 million expected to be available, up to 4 awards anticipated. Responses due 7/9/10. For more info, contact Michael Schledorn at michael.schledorn@go.doe.gov or go to: https://www.fedconnect.net/FedConnect/?doc=DE-FOA-0000342&agency=DOE . Refer to Sol# DE-FOA-0000342. (Grants.gov 5/27/10)

12) Bioenergy Feedstock Production

The U.S. Department of Energy requests proposals for Development of Methodologies for Determining Preferred Landscape Designs for Sustainable Bioenergy Feedstock Production Systems at a Watershed Scale. The intent of this RFP is to quantify and better understand the relative impacts on the environment of different strategies for producing large quantities of intensively managed, high-yielding energy crops, and crop and forestry residues at the watershed scale. $5 million expected to be available, up to 5 awards anticipated. Responses due 7/16/10. For more info, contact Jon Olsen at jon.olsen@go.doe.gov or go to: https://www.fedconnect.net/FedConnect/?doc=DE-FOA-0000314&agency=DOE . Refer to Sol# DEFOA-0000314. (Grants.gov 6/2/10)

13) Tribal Climate Change Planning

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency requests proposals for Facilitating Tribal Climate Change Adaptation Planning and Communicating Climate Change Impacts. Projects must address environmental justice issues and concerns. $550K expected to be available, up to 3 awards anticipated. Responses due 7/30/10. For more info, contact Kevin Rosseel at (202) 343-9731 or go to: http://www.epa.gov/air/grants_funding.html . Refer to Sol# EPA-OAR-CCD-10-09. (Grants.gov 6/18/10)

14) Greenhouse Gas Reporting Systems

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency requests proposals for the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Reporting Systems: Outreach to Reporting Facilities and Analysis of Greenhouse Gas Mitigation Opportunities. This RFP will support work to communicate to affected facilities the requirements of state GHG reporting systems as compared to those of U.S. EPA’s Final Mandatory Reporting of Greenhouse Gases Rule, and to identify options for how the data collected through state reporting requirements and the MRR may be used to facilitate state-and facility-based GHG programs. $2 million expected to be available, up to 20 awards anticipated. A Notice of Intent to apply is requested, but not required, and is due 7/19/10. Final proposals due 8/9/10. For more info, contact Cate Hight at hight.cate@epa.gov or go to: http://www.epa.gov/air/grants_funding.html . Refer to Sol# EPA-OAR-CCD-10-05. (Grants.gov 6/29/10)

15) Climate Change and Fish Toxicity

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration requests proposals for work to examine the effects of climate change on the occurrence of ciguatoxin-producing dinoflagellates and ciguatoxic fish, and the incidence of ciguatera in humans, in the Caribbean, St. Thomas (U.S. Virgin Islands). Work will explore the hypothesis that climatic disturbances in reef areas affect the growth of these organisms, with subsequent and predictable changes in fish toxicity. Responses due 7/30/10. For more info, contact Emily Hunt at emily.hunt@fda.hhs.gov or go to: https://www.fbo.gov/?s=opportunity&mode=form&id=b2118a413b7b11413b0ab731ba4444c3&tab=core &_cview=0 . Refer to Sol# 10-223-SOL-00187. (FBO 6/30/10)

16) Environmental Scientist Award

The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, National Institutes of Health, requests proposals for the Outstanding New Environmental Scientist Award. This RFP will support early stage investigators committed to research in problems related to environmental exposures. Examples of relevant toxicants include, but are not limited to: Industrial chemicals or manufacturing byproducts, pesticides, air pollutants and other inhaled particulates. $3.6 million expected to be available, up to 6 awards anticipated. Letters of Intent are required and are due 9/30/10, final proposals due 10/29/10. For more info, contact Carol Shreffler at shreffl1@niehs.nih.gov or go to: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-ES-10 004.html . Refer to Sol# RFA-ES-10-004. (Grants.gov 6/18/10)

17) Strategic Agricultural Initiative – Region 10

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 10, requests proposals for the Strategic Agricultural Initiative (SAI). SAI supports innovative efforts that enable growers to decrease reliance on agricultural chemicals while maintaining economic viability. Projects must take place in AK, OR, ID or WA. $140K expected to be available, up to 2 awards anticipated. Responses due 7/15/10. For more info, contact Juliann Barta at Barta.juliann@epa.gov or go to: http://yosemite.epa.gov/r10/homepage.nsf/information/grants . Refer to Sol# EPA-R10-SAI-10-001. (Grants.gov 6/1/10)

18) Conservation Innovation Grants – GA and the Pacific Islands

The U.S. Department of Agriculture requests proposals for Conservation Innovation Grants for projects that advance innovative conservation approaches and technologies in environmental enhancement and protection, in conjunction with agricultural production. Areas of interest may include, but are not limited to: Water, atmosphere and soil conservation, organic production, and improved on-farm energy efficiency including renewable energy sources such as wind or solar, methane recovery, and on-farm energy audits. See individual RFPs for state and territorial-specific priorities.

Georgia: $150K expected to be available, 10 awards anticipated. Responses due 7/9/10. For more info, contact Dot Harris at dot.harris@ga.usda.gov or go to: http://www.ga.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/cig.html . Refer to Sol# USDA-NRCS-GA-10-01. (Grants.gov 6/4/10)

Pacific Islands: $326K expected to be available, up to 6 awards anticipated. Responses due 7/16/10. For more info, contact Douglas Maguire at Douglas.maguire@hi.usda.gov or go to: http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?mode=VIEW&oppId=55171 . Refer to Sol# USDANRCS-HI-10-02. (Grants.gov 6/11/10)

19) USDA SBIR

The U.S. Department of Agriculture requests proposals the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program Phase I. The USDA SBIR program supports U.S. small business R&D projects that address important problems facing American agriculture and that have the potential to lead to significant public benefit if the research is successful. Areas of interest include, but are not limited to: Biofuels and Biobased Products; Forests and Related Resources; Air, Water, and Soils; Rural Development; Small and Mid-Size Farms; and Plant Production and Protection. Proposals are strongly encouraged to address areas including but not limited to Climate Change and Sustainable Bioenergy. $21.88 million expected to be available, individual awards NTE $100K. Responses due 9/2/10. For more info, contact Scott Dockum at sbir@nifa.usda.gov or go to: http://www.nifa.usda.gov/funding/rfas/sbir_rfa.html . Refer to Sol# USDANIFA-SBIR-003240. (Grants.gov 6/21/10)

20) Rural Cooperative Development

The U.S. Department of Agriculture requests proposals for the Rural Cooperative Development Grant Program. This program supports the establishment and operation of cooperative development centers for the primary purpose of improving the economic condition of rural areas. Areas of interest include but are not limited to: Renewable energy generation, energy conservation, and/or climate change adaptation or mitigation as strategies for quality job creation; Innovative utilization of natural resources as a strategy to expand business opportunities; and local and regional food systems as a strategy for encouraging production agriculture and related industries in new wealth creation. $7.9 million expected to be available, up to 30 awards anticipated. Responses due 8/9/10. For more info, contact cpgrants@wdc.usda.gov or go to: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/coops/rcdg/rcdg.htm . Please note that this RFP was posted under Sol# RDBCP-10-02-RCDG and Sol# RDBCP-10-03-RCDG; it is unclear which Sol# is correct. (Grants.gov 6/29/10)

21) Pesticide Management

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency requests proposals for Pesticide Environmental Stewardship Program Regional Grants. This RFP will support projects that address pesticide risk reduction, integrated pest management (IPM), IPM in schools, children's health issues related to pesticides, and those research methods for documenting IPM adoption or the reduction of risks associated with changes in pesticide use. $530K expected to be available, up to 11 awards anticipated. Responses due 7/26/10. For more info, including Regional contacts, go to: http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/grants/ . Refer to Sol# EPA-OPP-10

005. (Grants.gov 6/11/10)

22) Power Forecast -Haiti

The U.S. Trade and Development Agency announces its intent to request proposals to provide technical assistance to forecast future power demand in Haiti and assist governmental and private sector entities in Haiti in developing a strategy to generate, transmit and distribute power to both urban and rural areas, to encourage Haiti’s recoveryfrom the disastrous earthquake and to fuel economic growth. The assistance will include the identification, assessment and quantification of renewable energy options such as wind, solar and biomass. $800K expected to be available. The RFP was scheduled to be posted between 6/18/10 and 7/3/10. It was not posted as of 7/1/10. For more info, contact Jason Bell at jbell@ustda.gov or go to:
https://www.fbo.gov/?s=opportunity&mode=form&id=381bf13f574e4baee474468a6f994556&tab=core& _cview=0 . Refer to Sol# CO2010510006. (FBO 6/5/10)

23) Climate Change TA -Washington and Oregon

The U.S. Department of the Interior, Oregon/Washington Bureau of Land Management, request proposals for work to synthesize existing models and climate predictions for the Pacific Northwest, synthesize and summarize global model outputs for temperature and precipitation in WA and OR, and to support to ongoing dynamical downscaling climate prediction efforts. $150K expected to be available, 1 award anticipated. Responses due 7/30/10. For more info, contact Teresa Spickerman at teresa_e_spickerman@blm.gov or go to: http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?mode=VIEW&oppId=55563 . Refer to Sol# L10AS00156. (Grants.gov 6/30/10)

24) Community Environmental Demonstration Projects -Alaska

The Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium and RurAL CAP request proposals for Community Environmental Demonstration Projects. This initiative will support innovative projects that address approaches for enhancing human health and the environment of Tribal communities in rural Alaska. Areas of interest for demonstration projects include, but are not limited to: Climate change, indoor air quality, solid waste management, recycling, outreach materials, energy use, and pollution. $200K expected to be available, up to 12 awards anticipated. Responses due 9/9/10. For more info, contact Desirae Roehl at droehl@anthc.org or go to: http://www.anthc.org/chs/ces/hve/fy11solicitation.cfm .

25) Low Carbon Transportation Alternatives -New York

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority and the New York State Department of Transportation request proposals for Low Carbon Transportation Alternatives: Pathways to Energy Efficiency, Enhanced Economics, Sustainability and Livability. This RFP will support projects that have the potential of reducing the carbon intensity of the existing multi-modal transportation system in NY State. $1.5 million expected to be available. Responses due 8/25/10. For more info, contact Joe Tario at jdt@nyserda.org or go to: http://www.nyserda.org/funding/2078pon.asp . Refer to PON# 2078.

26) Advanced Transportation Technologies -New York

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority requests proposals for Advanced Transportation Technologies. This RFP will support the development, demonstration, and commercialization of innovative transportation products, systems and services. $3 million expected to be available. Responses due 8/10/10. For more info, contact Joe Wagner at jrw@nyserda.org or go to: http://www.nyserda.org/funding/2045pon.asp . Refer to PON# 2045.

27) Smart Grid Transmission and Distribution -New York

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority requests proposals for the Electric Power Transmission and Distribution Smart Grid Program. This program will support projects that improve the reliability, efficiency, security, and overall performance of the electric power delivery system in NY State. Projects must demonstrate significant statewide public benefit and quantify all energy, environmental and economic impacts. Technology demonstrations and engineering studies are eligible for funding under this solicitation. $16.5 million expected to be available. Responses due 9/10/10, 3/10/11, and 8/4/11. For more info, contact John Love at jfl@nyserda.org or go to: http://www.nyserda.org/funding/1913pon.asp . Refer to PON# 1913.

28) Transportation Innovations -California

The California Energy Commission requests proposals for the Energy Innovations Small Grant (EISG) Transportation Program. Research projects must target Commission transportation subject areas, address a CA energy problem, and provide a potential benefit to CA ratepayers. Hardware projects NTE $95K, modeling projects NTE $50K. Responses due 8/31/10. For more info, go to: http://www.energy.ca.gov/contracts/smallgrant/10-02T_electricity/index.html. Refer to Sol# 10-02T (Electric).

29) Energy Efficiency Program Design & Implementation -California

The California Energy Commission requests proposals for the Comprehensive Energy Efficiency Program for Existing Residential and Nonresidential Buildings. This RFP will support the development and implementation of a comprehensive program to achieve greater energy savings in CA’s existing residential and nonresidential building stock. $1.5 million expected to be available. Responses due 7/29/10. For more info, contact Angela Hockaday at ahockada@energy.state.ca.us or go to: http://www.energy.ca.gov/contracts/efficiency.html . Refer to RFP# 400-10-4-1.

30) Wind & Solar – S. Dakota

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Indian Health Service, announces its intent to request proposals for the purchase and installation of a Wind Turbine (50kw) and a Photovoltaic system (10kw) at Pine Ridge, SD. The systems shall include the tower, generator, all controls and wiring, related equipment and accessories needed to make a complete system, including connection to the local electrical utility. The RFP will be posted on or about 7/6/10. For more info, contact John Bercier at john.bercier@ihs.gov or go to: https://www.fbo.gov/?s=opportunity&mode=form&id=2824f471836c721fc6586640aae98db3&tab=core &_cview=0 . Refer to Sol# RFP-241-2010-19. (FBO 6/30/10)

31) Renewables -Arizona

The Salt River Project Agricultural and Improvement District seeks to add up to a total of 50 megawatts of ground mounted PV capacity in the third quarter of 2012 and up to an additional 50 MW in the third quarter of 2013. Individual projects that have a capacity of between 5 and 20 MW are preferred. Responses due 7/29/10. For more info, contact pvrfp@srpnet.com or go to: http://www.srpnet.com/environment/solar/solarpvrfp.aspx . (Green Power Network 6/10/10)

32) NIST Research Grants

The National Institute of Standards and Technology requests proposals for its Measurement Science and Engineering Research Grants Programs. Programs include, but are not limited to: 1) Electronics and Electrical Engineering Laboratory Grant Program, 2) Manufacturing Engineering Laboratory Grant Program, 3) Chemical Science and Technology Laboratory Grant Program, 4) Physics Laboratory Grants Program, 5) Materials Science and Engineering Laboratory Grant Program, and 6) Building Research Grants and Cooperative Agreements Program. Applications considered on a continuing basis. For more info, including program contacts, go to: http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?mode=VIEW&oppId=50883 . Refer to Sol# 2010-MSE-01. (Grants.gov 6/1/10)

33) Manufacturing Processes

The U.S. Department of Commerce, National Institute of Standards and Technology, requests proposals for Manufacturing Extension Partnership Projects -Growth Transformation. Through this RFP, NIST

seeks to help improve the competitiveness of industries in the applicant’s region, and contribute to the long-term economic stability of the region. Areas of interest include Sustainability, Supply Chain, Technology Acceleration, and Workforce and Continuous Improvement. $3.5 million expected to be available. Responses due 7/15/10. For more info, contact Alex Folk at alex.folk@nist.gov or go to: http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?mode=VIEW&oppId=55275 . Refer to Sol# 2010-MEP-BGPD

01. (Grants.gov 6/17/10)

34) Partnerships for Innovation

The National Science Foundation requests proposals for the Partnerships for Innovation Program. This program seeks to stimulate the transformation of knowledge into innovations that create new wealth; build strong local, regional and national economies; and improve the national well-being; broaden participation in activities to meet the diverse workforce needs; and catalyze or enhance enabling infrastructure that is necessary to foster and sustain innovation in the long-term. $7 million expected to be available, up to 11 awards anticipated. Letters of Intent are required and are due 10/1/10, final proposals due 12/4/10. For more info, contact Sara Nerlove at snerlove@nsf.gov or go to: http://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=nsf10581 . Refer to Sol# 10-581. (Grants.gov 7/1/10)

35) Energy Efficient Water Pumps

The Water Research Foundation requests proposals for Drinking Water Pump Station Design and Operation for Energy Efficiency. The objective of this research is to develop a guidance manual focused on drinking water pump station design and operation to minimize the energy consumption and associated greenhouse gas emissions of a water utility. This project is specifically intended to support the Climate Change Strategic Initiative objective of providing water utilities with a set of tools to assess and minimize their carbon footprint. $250K expected to be available. Proposals due 7/26/10. For more info, contact Traci Case at tcase@waterresearchfoundation.org or go to: http://www.waterresearchfoundation.org/research/plansAwardsFunding/RFP.aspx . Refer to RFP# 4308.

36) Climate Change and Water Quality

The Water Research Foundation requests proposals for Water Quality Impacts of Extreme Weather Related Events. Climate changes are anticipated to result in the increased frequency and/or intensity of extreme weather-related events. By identifying the characteristics and impacts of extreme weather-related events on water quality, and documenting the “lessons learned” from such events, it is anticipated that utilities will be better equipped to identify appropriate adaptation and mitigation strategies to lessen vulnerabilities to such events in the future. $265K expected to be available. Responses due 7/26/10. Form more info, contact Jennifer Warner at jwarner@WaterResearchFoundation.org or go to: http://www.waterresearchfoundation.org/theFoundation/ourPrograms/ResearchProgramSIClimateChange. aspx . Refer to RFP# 4324.

37) Environmental Grants – K-12

The National Education Association requests proposals for Green Across America grants, to help K-12 teachers across the U.S. implement their innovative education program, activity, lesson, or event to increase environmental awareness, create positive learning programs, and excite students about ways to create a better planet. $50K expected to be available, individual awards NTE $1K. Responses due 7/30/10. For more info, go to: http://www.neamb.com/home/1209_4672.htm . (Foundation Center RFP Bulletin 7/1/10)

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) today predicted in its long-range forecast for the 2010 south-west monsoon season (June-September) that the rainfall for the country as a whole was likely to be normal.

"Quantitatively, monsoon season rainfall is likely to be 98% of the long period average with a model error of ± 5%. The long period average rainfall over the country as a whole for the period 1941-1990 is 89 cm," it said.

An official press release said the IMD would update this forecast in June 2010 as a part of the second stage forecast.

Separate forecasts for the monthly (July and August) rainfall over the country as a whole and seasonal (June-September) rainfall over the four geographical regions of India will also be issued.

According to the release, the El Nino conditions over equatorial Pacific that remained weak during mid-June to October of 2009 started strengthening from late October and peaked in the third week of December. From late December, the El Nino conditions have started weakening.

The latest forecasts from a majority of the dynamical and statistical models indicate high probability for the present El Nino conditions to maintain till early part of the monsoon season and then weaken to become near neutral during the subsequent months.

However, a few models indicate development of weak La Niña conditions by July-August 2010. As the lead time of the forecast increases there is considerable spread and uncertainty in the ENSO forecasts, the release said.

It said IMD has an experimental dynamical forecast system. The experimental ensemble dynamical forecast for the 2010 south-west monsoon rainfall was computed as the ensemble average of 10 member forecasts with forecasted sea surface temperatures (SST) as boundary SST forcing.

In addition, IMD has taken into account the experimental forecasts prepared by the national institutes like Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Pune, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, Space Applications Centre, Ahmedabad, National Aerospace Laboratories, Bangalore, Centre for Mathematical Modelling and Computer Simulation, Bangalore and National Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting, Noida.

Operational/experimental forecasts prepared by international institutes like the National Centers for Environmental Prediction, USA, International Research Institute for Climate and Society, USA, Meteorological Office, UK, the European Center for Medium Range Weather Forecasts, UK , the Experimental Climate Prediction Center, USA, and World Meteorological Organization’s Lead Centre for Long Range Forecasting - Multi-Model Ensemble were also taken into account, the release added.

NNN

The Food and Drug Administration recently announced a new assessment of the endocrine-disrupting chemical bisphenol-A, and it's a sharp turnaround from their previous claims. The agency has spent the last decade and a half propping up industry's insistence that there is nothing wrong with using BPA, and exposing our children to it, whenever and however they want. For those of us who have been arguing for the banning of BPA in children's products for years, it is a turning point.

The FDA's about-face

First, the big wins: In addition to confirming the National Toxicology Program's assessment of "some concern," the FDA is now advising consumers to avoid BPA when practical, and offering tips on how to do so.

For those of us who have been watching the FDA battle it out with activists for the past several years, hearing this practical and precautionary advice from the decade-long, head-in-the-sand defender of BPA is surreal, but not entirely unexpected. The Obama administration signaled that things would be different at the FDA, which has had haphazard or absent leadership for most of the past decade; its current head, commissioner Margaret Hamburg, is the first well-qualified commish since David Kessler's eight-year run in the 1990s.

The agency has also called for more research, and has the funding to make it happen. To wit:

At this interim stage, FDA shares the perspective of the National Toxicology Program that recent studies provide reason for some concern about the potential effects of BPA on the brain, behavior, and prostate gland of fetuses, infants and children. FDA also recognizes substantial uncertainties with respect to the overall interpretation of these studies and their potential implications for human health effects of BPA exposure. These uncertainties relate to issues such as the routes of exposure employed, the lack of consistency among some of the measured endpoints or results between studies, the relevance of some animal models to human health, differences in the metabolism (and detoxification) of and responses to BPA both at different ages and in different species, and limited or absent dose response information for some studies.

FDA is pursuing additional studies to address the uncertainties in the findings, seeking public input and input from other expert agencies, and supporting a shift to a more robust regulatory framework for oversight of BPA to be able to respond quickly, if necessary, to protect the public.

Those external agencies include the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the Environmental Protection Agency, the National Institutes of Health (which formed the National Toxicology Program that lent the first high-governmental imprimatur on what had previously been an effort by independent organizations, including ours), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CPSC and EPA are likely to advocate aggressive regulation; what the CDC thinks about all this is anybody's guess, and depending on whether there is enough external pressure to make this discussion an open one, we may never find out.

The waiting game

But there is already a lot of research out there. Given the way the FDA has dragged its feet on this issue (repeatedly missing deadlines for this very reassessment, for starters) and the agency's past reliance on a reverse precautionary approach ("we don't know enough to regulate"), it's hard for advocates to see this as anything but stalling. The refusal to accept the overwhelming body of research indicating that BPA poses a threat to human - particularly fetal and children's - health gives their list of recommendations for avoiding BPA a whiff of the wolf in sheep's clothing. Is the FDA just stalling again? And if so, why?

It's all about the timing.

Industry-friendly regulation doesn't just mean failing to regulate when you can get away with it, and extends even beyond regulating as little or as poorly as possible when forced to do so. It also means making the process of promulgating regulations, however inevitable they might be, as "slow-tracked" as possible so that companies with poor investments (i.e. unsafe products) can comfortably shift operations and lose little or no money in the transition to a safer world. This is why traditional industry roadblocks - lobbying, PR, etc. - are never a wasted investment; the longer affected parties can draw out the process, the more the losers look like winners.

Note how the FDA structures its recommendations for avoiding BPA:

At this interim stage, FDA supports reasonable steps to reduce exposure of infants to BPA in the food supply. In addition, FDA will work with industry to support and evaluate manufacturing practices and alternative substances that could reduce exposure to other populations. ...

FDA is supporting the industry’s actions to stop producing BPA-containing bottles and infant feeding cups for the U.S. market. FDA understands that over the past year, the major manufacturers of these products have stopped selling new BPA-containing bottles and infant feeding cups for the U.S. market. Glass and polypropylene bottles and plastic disposable "bag" liners have long been alternatives to polycarbonate nursing bottles.

FDA is facilitating the development of alternatives to BPA for the linings of infant formula cans. FDA has already noted increased interest on the part of infant formula manufacturers to explore alternatives to BPA-containing can linings, and has received notifications for alternative packaging. The agency is supporting efforts to develop and use alternatives by (1) working with manufacturers regarding the regulatory status and safety of alternative liners; (2) giving technical assistance to those wishing to prepare applications for approval of alternatives; and (3) expeditiously reviewing any such new applications for alternatives. Because reliable can lining materials are a critical factor in ensuring the quality of heat processed liquid infant formula, safe replacement of such materials requires not only that they both be safe for food contact but also allow for processing that is fully functional in protecting the safety and quality of the infant formula itself.

The American Academy of Pediatrics and other health authorities recommend breastfeeding as the optimal nutrition for infants. Infant formula, including infant formula packaged in cans, is a safe and acceptable alternative that provides known nutritional benefits and prevents life-threatening nutritional deficiencies.

FDA is not recommending that families change the use of infant formula or foods, as the benefit of a stable source of good nutrition outweighs the potential risk of BPA exposure.

As for canned foods, the FDA says:

With respect to uses of BPA in packaging of food intended for other populations, FDA will support changes in food can linings and manufacturing to replace BPA or minimize BPA levels where the changes can be accomplished while still protecting food safety and quality. FDA will support efforts to develop alternatives for other can lining applications similar to those which are already being tested for liquid infant formula packaging. Reliable can lining materials are a critical factor in ensuring the quality of heat processed foods. Therefore, FDA will work to encourage and facilitate changes that minimize exposure to BPA and avoid other adverse impacts on food safety or quality.

How it went down, and how it will play out

The FDA staunchly refused to admit any hazard from infant and fetal exposure to BPA for years despite mounting evidence and independent assessments that it was a source of concern. In the past two years, the baby industrial complex has scrambled to remove BPA from baby bottles, to the extent that now only no-name imports, a few clueless design-oriented companies, and holdout Avent (with their Tempo disposable-liner system) produce bottles made with BPA-rich polycarbonate plastic. The canned products industry has only begun admitting, privately, that they are working on BPA-free cans, in the last year, but they don't have one yet. Now the FDA has come out to say that they believe parents should avoid polycarbonate plastic baby products but NOT canned or jarred food (baby food jars contain BPA in the coating on the lid). If it sounds to you like the FDA is simply working to protect those businesses that would lose business from BPA avoidance while advising consumers to avoid only those products for which all viable companies have alternatives on offer, you're hearing the same tune we are. And our discussions with industry representatives in the food packaging industry only confirm this timeline, making the FDA's current "stalling" very much par for the course.

Here's a prediction for you, extrapolated from carefully-worded conversations we have had on background with industry representatives who know what they're talking about.

Barring unforseen obstacles, the canning industry is roughly 12 months away from approval of food-grade coating for metal cans and jar lids that does not contain BPA. By "the industry" we mean multiple, competing brands will have coated cans and lids available for use by food companies within that period. Our guess is that we will see BPA-free cans for all types of foods, including high-acid foods, jarred infant foods, and beverage containers (soft drink cans) on store shelves by January 2012 at the latest. Look for the "BPA-free" labels to start popping up around that time.

That's right, the move that the North American Metal Packaging Alliance has described as technically impossible and planned to counter with a pregnant, BPA-friendly spokesmom, is one to two years away. You heard it here first.

In the meantime, our advice to consumers is to avoid canned tomatoes (Pomi tomatoes come in Tetra-Pak cardboard packaging that is BPA-free) and to buy canned beans from Eden Organic, which uses C-enamel coated cans that are free of BPA.

What we don't know is whether the new coatings the canning industry offers up will leach other endocrine-disrupting chemicals, or whether the canning companies will have the foresight to do biological testing to ensure they don't use the "next BPA" in their next-generation cans. If they haven't, you can rest assured that someone will as soon as the material is available.