[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 43 (Monday, March 7, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11011-11012]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-4261]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-7881-3]


Partnership To Promote Innovation in Environmental Practice, 
Notice of Availability and Request for Proposals

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice of availability of solicitation for proposals.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency's National Center for 
Environmental Innovation (NCEI) is giving notice of the availability of 
its solicitation for proposals from institutions that are interested in 
promoting innovations that can improve environmental results from State 
and Federal programs. EPA is seeking proposals to explore innovative 
environmental policies practices and to support mechanisms by which new 
approaches can be shared and discussed by federal and state 
environmental practitioners. The goal is to increase understanding of 
new approaches, to facilitate use of proven concepts, and to encourage 
more innovation in environmental programs. EPA anticipates awarding one 
cooperative agreement under this solicitation. The amount of the award 
will be $300,000 for a period of up to four years. Eligible recipients 
include States, territories, Indian Tribes, interstate organizations, 
intrastate organizations, and possessions of the U.S., including the 
District of Columbia, public and private universities and colleges, 
hospitals, laboratories, other public or private nonprofit 
institutions, and individuals. Nonprofit organizations described in 
section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code that engage in lobbying 
activities as defined in section 3 of the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 
1995 are not eligible to apply. For profit organizations are generally 
not eligible for funding.

DATES: Interested applicants have until April 21, 2005 to submit a 
proposal.

ADDRESSES: Due to heightened security requirements, there may be 
substantial delays in mail service to EPA Hence, EPA strongly 
encourages applicants to send applications electronically. Electronic 
applications must be sent to [email protected]. 
Applicants choosing to submit paper applications should mail one 
original and two copies to the EPA contact, Sandy Germann. Please also 
note that the delivery address varies depending on whether you are 
using regular mail or using a delivery service (e.g., Federal Express, 
Courier, UPS). If you are using a delivery service, send it to Sandy 
Germann, U.S. EPA, U.S. EPA, Room 645C, 4930 Page Road, Research 
Triangle Park, NC 27703. If you are sending the application via regular 
mail, send it to Sandy Germann, U.S. EPA, MC C604-02, Research Triangle 
Park, NC 27711.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sandy Germann, U.S. EPA, MC C604-02, 
RTP, NC 27711, (919 541-3061), [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: EPA's National Center for Environmental 
Innovation (NCEI) promotes new ways to achieve better environmental 
results. NCEI's work includes developing and testing new approaches, 
evaluating how well new approaches work, and sharing and applying the 
lessons learned to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of 
environmental programs. Consistent with EPA's Innovation Strategy 
(http://www.epa.gov/innovation/strategy.htm), NCEI is especially 
interested in supporting State innovation. In 2000, EPA sponsored the 
first State/EPA

[[Page 11012]]

Environmental Innovation Symposium to showcase environmental 
innovations that can improve environmental results in State programs. A 
second symposium was held in 2003. (Information about these events can 
be found at http://www.epa.gov/innovation/symposia.htm.) Evaluations 
from these events, along with discussion with State commissioners, 
indicate that States have a strong interest in additional symposia that 
allow them to share experiences and results from innovative 
environmental programs and policies.
    While EPA will have participants at the symposia, the primary goal 
of this project is to identify and highlight environmental innovations 
that can help States learn about new ways to achieve better 
environmental results. To this end, the project should be designed to:

--Identify and showcase successful, innovative projects and programs 
that have accomplished important environmental results at the Federal, 
state, and local levels;
--Facilitate information transfer so that proven approaches can be used 
by other States and federal programs to achieve environmental results;
--Stimulate ideas for new innovative initiatives and pilot projects;
--Enable discussion about specific issues facing innovators, such as 
how to replicate successful innovations on a larger scale (e.g., from a 
pilot project at one facility to a program for the entire sector) or in 
other programs (e.g., from use in the air program to the water 
program), and how to sustain innovations over time so that projects 
continue evolving to reflect new knowledge, experience, and/or 
technology;
--Expand the network of State and federal environmental practitioners 
who are interested in applying and advancing new approaches to 
environmental protection.

    The work will involve planning up to two symposia over a four-year 
period that bring together State and EPA environmental practitioners to 
share information and engage in a dialogue about experiences and policy 
issues related to innovative approaches. Planning will be done by a 
Steering Committee consisting of representatives from the recipient, 
EPA and States. The Steering Committee, which will have a majority 
State membership, will assist with analyzing environmental innovations, 
developing symposia agendas, identifying appropriate speakers and 
presenters, and promoting the event within their respective 
organizations.
    EPA is interested in supporting the first symposia in late 2005, 
and a second symposium approximately two years later. In addition to 
organizing the symposia, the recipient will compile all information 
presented at the symposia on a publicly available web site. These 
resources will help extend the learning that occurs at the symposia to 
other State and EPA employees, as well as other interested 
stakeholders.
    For the full solicitation, please visit: www.epa.gov/innovation/symposia.

    Dated: February 18, 2005.
Elizabeth A. Shaw,
Director, Office of Environmental Policy Innovation.
[FR Doc. 05-4261 Filed 3-4-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P