[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 142 (Wednesday, July 23, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42802-42806]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-16834]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-8696-1]


State Innovation Grant Program, Preliminary Notice and Request 
for Input on the Development of a Solicitation for Proposals for 2009 
Awards; Correction

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice; correction.

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SUMMARY: This notice is issued to correct the Preliminary Notice and 
Request for Input on the Development of a Solicitation for Proposals 
for 2009 Awards originally published on July 9, 2008, in the Federal 
Register, 73 FR 39298-39301. This notice extends the deadline one week 
from August 8, 2008, to August 15, 2008, for response from state 
environmental regulatory agencies; and revises the list of contacts 
specifically for EPA Regions 6, 8, and 9 found in the Opportunities for 
Dialogue

[[Page 42803]]

section. All other information published in the July 9 Notice remains 
the same.
    The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA or Agency), National 
Center for Environmental Innovation (NCEI) is giving preliminary notice 
of its intention to solicit pre-proposals for a 2009 grant program to 
support innovation by state environmental agencies--the ``State 
Innovation Grant Program.'' The Agency is also seeking input from state 
environmental regulatory agencies on the topic areas for the 
solicitation. In addition, EPA is asking each state environmental 
regulatory agency to designate a point of contact speaking on behalf of 
management (in addition to the Commissioner, Director, or Secretary) 
who will be the point of contact for further communication about the 
upcoming solicitation. If your point of contact from previous State 
Innovation Grant solicitations is to be your contact for this year's 
competition, there is no need to send that information again, as all 
previously designated points of contact will remain on our notification 
list for this year's competition. EPA anticipates publication of a 
Solicitation Announcement of Federal Funding Opportunity on the Federal 
government's grants opportunities Web site (http://www.grants.gov) to 
announce the availability of the next solicitation within 60 days.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions about this 
notice, please contact EPA at this e-mail address: [email protected]; or you may call Sherri Walker at (202) 566-2186.

DATES: State environmental regulatory agencies will have until August 
15, 2008, to respond with: Suggestions for specific topics that should 
be included under the general subject area of ``Innovation in 
Environmental Permitting Programs'' (e.g., topics with 1-2 paragraphs 
description) for the next solicitation; and point-of-contact 
information for the person within the state environmental regulatory 
agency (in addition to Commissioner, Director, or Secretary) who will 
be designated to receive future notices about the State Innovation 
Grant competition. We will automatically transmit notice of 
availability of the solicitation to people in state agencies identified 
for previous solicitations.

ADDRESSES: We encourage e-mail responses. Information should be 
submitted in writing via e-mail to: [email protected]; 
or fax to ``State Innovation Grant Program'' at (202) 566-2220. If you 
have questions about responding to this notice, please contact EPA at 
this e-mail address or fax number, or you may call Sherri Walker at 
(202) 566-2186.
    EPA will acknowledge all responses it receives to this notice. If 
you have not received an acknowledgment from EPA within three (3) days 
of the end of the notice period, please send an e-mail to: [email protected] or call Sherri Walker at (202) 566-2186. Failure 
to do so may result in your information or comments not being received 
by the deadline. EPA will respond to all questions in writing, and all 
questions and responses will be posted on the EPA State Innovation 
Grant Web site at http://www.epa.gov/innovation/stategrants. State 
agencies are advised to monitor this Web site for information posted in 
response to questions received prior to and during the competition 
period.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Background: In April 2002, EPA issued its plan for future 
innovation efforts, published as Innovating for Better Environmental 
Results: A Strategy to Guide the Next Generation of Innovation at EPA 
(EPA 100-R-02-002; http://www.epa.gov/innovation/pdf/strategy.pdf). 
EPA's Innovation Strategy presents a framework for environmental 
innovation consisting of four major elements:
    1. Strengthening EPA's innovation partnership with states and 
tribes;
    2. Focusing on priority environmental issues;
    3. Diversifying environmental protection tools and approaches; and
    4. Fostering more ``innovation-friendly'' systems and 
organizational cultures.
    The State Innovation Grant Program strengthens EPA's partnership 
with the states by supporting state innovation compatible with EPA's 
Innovation Strategy. EPA wants to encourage states to build on previous 
experience (theirs and others) to undertake strategic innovation 
projects that promote larger-scale models with potential for broader 
use for ``next generation'' environmental protection that promise 
better environmental outcomes and other beneficial results. EPA is 
interested in funding projects that: (i) Go beyond a single facility 
experiment and provide change that is ``systems-oriented''; (ii) 
provide better results from a program, process, or sector-wide 
innovation; and (iii) promote integrated (multi-media) environmental 
management with a high potential for transfer to other states, U.S. 
territories, and tribes.
    Since 2002, EPA has sponsored six State Innovation Grant Program 
competitions that asked for State project pre-proposals that supported 
the general theme of innovation in environmental permitting. We 
interpret this theme broadly to include alternatives to permitting and 
the establishment of incentives to go beyond compliance with permit 
requirements. To date, the program has supported projects primarily in 
three strategic focus areas: Application of the Environmental Results 
Programs (ERP) model, state performance-based environmental leadership 
programs similar to the National Environmental Performance Track (PT) 
Program, and the application of Environmental Management Systems (EMS) 
and other integration tools in permitting. EPA's focus on a small 
number of topics within this general subject area effectively 
concentrates the limited resources available for greater strategic 
impact.
    Thirty-eight awards to States have been made from the six prior 
competitions and information on those projects can be found on the EPA 
Web site at http://www.epa.gov/innovation/stategrants/projects.htm. 
These projects received collectively over 7 million dollars in 
assistance. The assistance agreement awards for these projects were 
made to State environmental regulatory agencies and most recently to a 
commission within a state with a re-delegated authority to administer 
an environmental permitting program. Among the grant projects, 
including those with pending awards: Eighteen (18) were provided for 
development of Environmental Results Programs, nine (9) were related to 
Environmental Management Systems and permitting, nine (9) were to 
enhance performance-based environmental leadership programs, two (2) 
were for watershed-based permitting, two (2) were for integrated 
permitting approaches, and one (1) was for streamlining a storm water 
permit program using an innovation in information technology, applying 
geographic information systems (GIS) and a web-based portal to a permit 
application and screening process. Some of the projects funded fit into 
more than one category (e.g., combination projects of ERP with PT, or 
ERP with EMS). For information on prior State Innovation Grant Program 
solicitations and awards, please see the EPA State Innovation Grants 
Web site at http://www.epa.gov/innovation/stategrants.
    Agencies That Are Eligible To Compete for the State Innovation 
Grant: Historically, we have limited the competition to state agencies 
with the primary delegations from EPA for permitting programs. We are 
aware that some state agencies re-delegate their

[[Page 42804]]

authorities for permitting programs to regional, county, or municipal 
agencies. Last year, EPA clarified the eligibility definition in the 
solicitation to include regional, county, or municipal agencies with 
re-delegated permitting authority for federal environmental permitting 
programs. Again this year we will consider these agencies for awards 
providing that the principal state environmental regulatory agency will 
be an active member of the project team. Agencies are encouraged to 
partner with other governmental agencies or non-governmental 
organizations within the State (or outside of their state) that have 
complementary environmental mandates or symbiotic interests (e.g., 
energy, agriculture, natural resources management, transportation, 
public health).
    EPA will accept only one pre-proposal in the competition per state. 
An exception to that limit is anticipated where, as in previous years, 
a multi-state or state-tribal proposal will be accepted in addition to 
an individual state proposal. We believe it likely that we will limit 
this exception so that a state may appear in no more than one multi-
state or state-tribal proposal in addition to its individual proposal. 
States are also encouraged to partner with other states and American 
Indian tribes to address cross-boundary issues, to encourage 
collaborative environmental partnering within industrial sectors or in 
certain topical areas (e.g., agriculture), and to create networks for 
peer-mentoring. EPA regrets that because of the limitation in available 
funding it is not yet able to open this competition to American Indian 
tribal environmental agencies but we strongly encourage tribal agencies 
to join with adjacent states in project proposals. EPA is interested in 
hearing from regional, county, or municipal agencies about their 
interest, capacity, and the likelihood of commitment from the principal 
statewide regulatory entity to assist a potential project.
    Proposed General Topic Areas for Solicitation: To increase the 
likelihood of strategic impact with what we anticipate to be limited 
funds, EPA proposes to continue with the general theme of ``innovation 
in permitting,'' and additionally to continue with the focus on the 
three strategic topic areas similar to the last competition: (1) 
Projects that support the development of state Environmental Results 
Programs (ERP); (2) projects that implement performance-based 
environmental leadership programs by states, similar to the National 
Environmental Performance Track Program particularly including the 
development and implementation of incentives; (3) projects which 
involve the application of Environmental Management Systems (EMS), 
including those that explore the relationship of EMS to permitting (see 
EPA's Strategy for Determining the Role of EMS in Regulatory Programs 
at http://www.epa.gov/ems or http://www.epa.gov/ems/docs/EMS_and the_
Reg_Structure_41204F.pdf), or otherwise support integrated or 
multimedia strategies. Connected to this, we are also interested in the 
application of lean manufacturing tools and techniques for improvement 
(http://www.epa.gov/innovation/lean/) in environmental performance and 
energy efficiency. These proposals may involve a linkage to permitting 
(e.g., reducing emissions to avoid exceeding permit limits).
    EPA intends to support state projects that involve innovation in 
environmental permitting (including alternatives to permitting) related 
to one of the EPA Innovation Strategy's priority environmental areas, 
or to other priority areas identified previously by individual states 
in collaboration with EPA in a formal state-EPA agreement such as a 
Performance Partnership Agreement (PPA). EPA is interested in projects 
that focus on priority environmental issues, such as reducing 
greenhouse gases (e.g., energy efficiency), reducing smog, restoring 
and maintaining water quality, and reducing the cost of water and 
wastewater infrastructure.
    Request for Input on Solicitation Topics and Priorities: EPA 
encourages communication from States and other parties about these 
three thematic areas mentioned here and other areas potentially ripe 
for innovation. EPA is asking for state environmental regulatory 
agencies and other interested parties to provide brief (about 1 
paragraph) suggestions about additional innovation topics within the 
subject of innovation in permitting for possible inclusion in the 
upcoming solicitation. In addition to the three topic areas (ERP, PT, 
and EMS and integrated approaches), EPA will continue to encourage 
project proposals that address the four major elements (i.e., 
strengthening innovation partnerships; focusing on priority 
environmental issues; diversifying environmental protection tools and 
approaches; and fostering ``innovation-friendly'' systems and 
organizational cultures) and use tools (i.e., incentives, information 
resources, results-based goals and measures, etc.) highlighted in the 
Innovation Strategy. EPA may also contemplate projects otherwise 
related to the general theme of innovation in permitting, in particular 
as they may address EPA regional and state environmental priorities.
    To date, the State Innovation Grant Program has supported the 
application of ERP for the following sectors:
     Auto body/auto repair/auto salvage sectors,
     Underground storage tanks (UST),
     Dry cleaning operations,
     Printing,
     Animal feedlot operations,
     Injection well management,
     Oil and gas production,
     Food preparation facilities,
    As well as a multi-sector application targeted at storm water 
management.
    We are interested in continuing the EMS and permit integration 
theme, but may consider introduction of greater latitude under this 
theme such as the integration of EMS into other business systems such 
as lean manufacturing or six sigma (http://www.epa.gov/innovation/lean/
). We also anticipate a continued interested in projects that promote 
the development of state performance track-like projects, perhaps 
including ``on-ramp'' approaches for potential environmental leaders 
that require upfront compliance assistance.
    Potential applicants are advised outright that State Innovation 
Grants will not be awarded for the development or demonstration of new 
environmental technologies, nor will they be awarded for the 
development of information systems or data or projects that have as a 
primary focus the upgrading of information technology systems, unless 
there is a clear link to innovation in specific permitting programs.
    Projects will be much less likely to be funded through this State 
Innovation Grant if agency resources pertinent to the topic are already 
available through another EPA program. Project selections and awards 
will be subject to funding availability. State environmental regulatory 
agencies and other respondents should send their suggestions to EPA by 
e-mail or fax as described in the ADDRESSES section above.
    Request for Input on Diffuse Delegations and Designation of a 
Primary Point of Contact: One of the principal goals of the State 
Innovation Grant program is the testing of an integrated (multi-media) 
innovation with the potential for replication or broader application 
for other sectors, or in permitting programs in other state or tribal 
agencies. Because of the limitation of funds we have historically 
limited the competition to state agencies with a primary delegation 
from EPA for permitting programs. We have concerns

[[Page 42805]]

that opening the competition to regulatory entities at lower levels 
(e.g., air control boards, water quality management districts, counties 
or municipalities) may limit the range of results and the potential for 
transferability of innovative approaches. We recognize, however, that 
in some instances states have re-delegated programs to regional or 
local agencies and that those agencies may manage substantial 
permitting programs. EPA is seeking comment from states that may have 
re-delegated several authorities to other governing regional or 
municipal agencies or boards rather than in one centralized state 
environmental regulatory agency and from the boards and districts on 
how we might better accommodate those delegations in this program and 
take advantage of the expertise in those programs while maintaining the 
strategically important goal of testing innovation for broad 
application and transferability. EPA is not seeking comments on our 
widening of eligibility to agencies with re-delegated authority. We are 
seeking to determine how many states and entities with re-delegated 
authority may be anticipating submitting a pre-proposal. Also, we are 
seeking specific feedback on topical input that these groups may want 
to give us.
    EPA asks that each state environmental regulatory agency designate 
a primary point-of-contact who we will add to the EPA notification list 
for further announcements about the State Innovation Grant Program. For 
point of contact information, please provide: Name, title, department 
and agency, street or post office address, city, state, ZIP code, 
telephone, fax number, and e-mail address. If your point of contact 
from previous State Innovation Grant solicitations is to be your 
contact for this year's competition, there is no need to send that 
information again, as all previously designated points of contact will 
remain on our notification list for this year's competition. We are 
asking that any new name be submitted with the knowledge and approval 
of the highest levels of management within an Agency (Commissioner, 
Director, Secretary, or their deputies). Please submit this information 
to EPA by mail, fax, or e-mail prior to August 15, 2008, in the 
following manner.
    By e-mail to: [email protected].
    By fax to: State Innovation Grant Program; (202) 566-2220.
    We encourage e-mail responses. If you have questions about 
responding to this notice, please contact EPA at this e-mail address or 
fax number, or you may call Sherri Walker at (202) 566-2186. For point-
of-contact information, please provide: Name, title, department and 
agency, mailing address (street or P.O. Box), city, state, ZIP code, 
telephone, fax number, and e-mail address. EPA will acknowledge all 
responses it receives to this notice.
    Opportunity for Dialogue: Between now and the initiation of the 
competition with the release of the solicitation, communication with 
potential applicants is allowed. This communication may include helping 
potential applicants determine whether the applicant itself is eligible 
or if the scope of an applicant's potential project is suitable for 
funding, as well as responding to general requests for clarification of 
the notice. To ensure an equal opportunity for all potential 
applicants, responses to questions that come to us during the period 
between this pre-announcement and the release of the solicitation along 
with helpful resource materials will be posted on the State Innovation 
Grant Web site at http://www.epa.gov/innovation/stategrants. States are 
also invited to communicate with NCEI about ideas for future 
competition themes by contacting the EPA Headquarters contact listed 
below. The contacts for the EPA Regions and the EPA HQ National Center 
for Environmental Innovation are as follows:

Anne Leiby or Josh Secunda, U.S. EPA Region 1, 1 Congress Street, Suite 
1100, Boston, MA 02114-2023, (617) 918-1076 or (617) 918-1736, 
[email protected] or [email protected], States: CT, MA, ME, NH, RI, 
VT.
Jennifer Thatcher, U.S. EPA Region 2, 290 Broadway, 26th Floor, New 
York, NY 10007-1866, (212) 637-3593, [email protected], States 
& Territories: NJ, NY, PR, VI.
Michael Dunn, U.S. EPA Region 3, 1650 Arch Street (3EA40), 
Philadelphia, PA 19103, (215) 814-2712, [email protected], States: 
DC, DE, MD, PA, VA, WV.
LaToya Miller, U.S. EPA Region 4, 61 Forsyth Street, SW., Atlanta, GA 
30303, (404) 562-9885, [email protected], States: AL, FL, GA, KY, 
MS, NC, SC, TN.
Marilou Martin, U.S. EPA Region 5, 77 West Jackson Boulevard, Chicago, 
IL 60604-3507, (312) 353-9660, [email protected], States: IL, IN, 
MI, MN, OH, WI.
Craig Weeks or David Bond, U.S. EPA Region 6, Fountain Place, Suite 
1200, 1445 Ross Avenue, Dallas, TX 75202-2733, (214) 665-7505 or (214) 
665-6431, [email protected] or [email protected], States: AR, LA, 
NM, OK, TX.
Wendy Lubbe, U.S. EPA Region 7, 901 North 5th Street, Kansas City, KS 
66101, (913) 551-7551, [email protected], States: IA, KS, MO, NE.
Jack Hidinger or Anthony Deloach, U.S. EPA Region 8, 1595 Wynkoop 
Street, Denver, CO 80202-1129, (303) 312-6387 or (303) 312-6070, 
[email protected] or [email protected], States: CO, MT, ND, 
SD, UT, WY.
Kathi Moore or Teddy Ryerson, U.S. EPA Region 9, 75 Hawthorne Street 
(WTR-1), San Francisco, CA 94105, (415) 972-3271 or (415) 947-8705, 
[email protected] or [email protected], States and Territories: 
AS, AZ, CA, GU, HI, NV.
Bill Glasser, U.S. EPA Region 10, 1200 Sixth Avenue (ENF-T), Seattle, 
WA 98101, (206) 553-7215, [email protected], States: AK, ID, OR, 
WA.

    Headquarters Office: Sherri Walker, U.S. EPA (MC 1807T), National 
Center for Environmental Innovation, State Innovation Grants Program, 
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20460, send an e-mail to 
[email protected], call (202) 566-2186, or fax (202) 
566-2220.
    Opportunity for Pre-Competition Briefings and Addressing Questions: 
In addition, prior to this year's solicitation, we are planning to host 
a series of informational meetings and opportunities for question and 
answer (Q&A) sessions via teleconference calls. These conference calls 
will enable us to offer two-hour streamlined informational sessions to 
all States prior to our solicitation, and will allow us to answer any 
questions that the States have prior to the competition, in keeping 
with Federal requirements that we afford assistance fairly in a 
competition process. Specific conference call logistics and grant 
resource information will be provided to each Region as well as being 
posted on our Web site at http://www.epa.gov/innovation/stategrants. 
Pre-competition briefing summaries and all other resource materials 
will be posted on the Web site at http://www.epa.gov/innovation/stategrants. Through this effort, we are hoping to encourage individual 
States, State-led teams, or other eligible applicants (e.g., regional, 
county, or municipal agencies with delegated authority for federal 
environmental permitting programs) to submit well-developed pre-
proposals that effectively describe in particular how their project 
will achieve measurable environmental results.


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    Dated: July 16, 2008.
Elizabeth Shaw,
Office Director, National Center for Environmental Innovation.
[FR Doc. E8-16834 Filed 7-22-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P