If state Rep. Bill Sandifer has his way, incandescent light bulbs will keep burning brightly in the Palmetto State after the rest of the nation switches to lower-energy-using bulbs.

The South Carolina Incandescent Light Bulb Freedom Act, which is up for debate on the House floor next week, would allow makers of the traditional bulbs in South Carolina to continue selling their product – but only in S.C.

That way, Sandifer said, the interstate commerce issue that the federal government uses as its basis to regulate such things wouldn’t come into play, and states’ rights would prevail.

Recovery Act:  Status of Department of Energy’s Obligations and Spending, by Franklin Rusco, director, natural resources and environment, before the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, House Committee on Energy and Commerce.  GAO-11-483T, March 17.
http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-483T
Highlights – http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d11483thigh.pdf

Presenters Julia Kelly of Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Phil Coleman of Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, and David McAndrew of FEMP will discuss how Federal agencies can partner with local utilities to fund energy improvement projects. The seminar will provide an overview of:

• The purpose and benefits of Utility Energy Service Contracts
• Authorizing legislation and primary contracting methods
• Steps for successful project implementation
• Available resources for assistance
• Rules and best practices for Energy Project Incentive Funds

FEMP encourages participants to e-mail or call-in their questions before and during the program to receive tailored advice from the experts during the live “Q&A” segment. Questions mailed before the program can be sent to FTS@energyworkshops.org.

The 90-minute training is free of charge, but you must register in advance with FEMP to obtain an Internet URL for the presentation. The broadcast, titled “Utility Energy Service Contracts and Energy Project Incentive Funds,” will take place Thursday, April 7, from 1:30 to 3:00 p.m. Eastern.

Register to attend the online seminar.

FEMP First Thursday Seminars are no-cost training opportunities to help Federal energy, environmental, and fleet professionals plan and execute projects to help meet Federal goals and requirements. For more information, visit the FEMP First Thursday Seminars website.

“When it’s more important than ever to cut energy costs and reduce pollution in our communities, organizations across America are making their buildings more efficient, raising the bar in energy efficiency and lowering the amount of carbon pollution and other emissions in the air we breathe,” said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson. “Through their partnership with Energy Star, metropolitan areas across the U.S. are saving a combined $1.9 billion in energy costs every year while developing new ways to shrink energy bills and keep our air clean.”

EPA debuted its list of cities with the most Energy Star certified buildings in 2008. Los Angeles remains in first place for the third year; the District of Columbia and San Francisco hold second and third respectively for the second year; and Detroit and Sacramento are new to the top ten. New York City climbed five spots to claim fifth in the rankings and California boasts more cities on EPA’s list than any other state in the country with a total of five.

Surpassing the growth of the past several years, in 2010 more than 6,200 commercial buildings earned the Energy Star, an increase of nearly 60 percent compared to 2009. Since EPA awarded the first Energy Star to a building in 1999, more than 12,600 buildings across America have earned the Energy Star as of the end of 2010.

Energy use in commercial buildings accounts for nearly 20 percent of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions at a cost of more than $100 billion per year. Commercial buildings that earn the Energy Star must perform in the top 25 percent of buildings nationwide compared to similar buildings and be independently verified by a licensed professional engineer or registered architect each year. Energy Star certified buildings use 35 percent less energy and emit 35 percent less carbon dioxide than average buildings. Fourteen types of commercial buildings can earn the Energy Star, including office buildings, K-12 schools, and retail stores.

• More information on the top cities in 2010 with Energy Star certified buildings: http://www.energystar.gov/TopCities
• More information on EPA’s real-time registry of all Energy Star certified buildings: http://energystar.gov/buildinglist
• More information about earning the Energy Star for commercial buildings: http://energystar.gov/labeledbuildings

DOE requests proposals for Energy Efficiency Development and Deployment in Indian Country. Areas of interest include: 1) feasibility studies to assess and determine the technical and economic feasibility of energy efficiency improvements to existing tribally owned buildings, and 2) installation of energy efficiency improvements at existing tribally owned buildings. Up to $4 million expected to be available, up to 20 awards anticipated. For more info, contact Kasey Koch at kasey.koch@go.doe.gov or go to: https://www.fedconnect.net/FedConnect/?doc=DE-FOA-0000423&agency=DOE.

EPA FY11 Environmental Workforce Development and Job Training Grant Guidelines – $4 million
Application Due: March 18, 2011
Eligible Entities: State and local governments, tribes, nonprofit organizations, other

This notice announces the availability of funds and solicits proposals from eligible entities, including nonprofit organizations, to deliver environmental workforce development and job training programs focused on hazardous and solid waste management, assessment, and cleanup-associated activities. While Environmental Workforce Development and Job Training Grants focus on hazardous and solid waste remediation and health and safety, applicants may design their own curricula by choosing what types of supplemental environmental training they want to provide. For more information, visit http://www.epa.gov/brownfields or access the RFP at http://www.epa.gov/oswer/docs/grants/epa-oswer-oblr-11-01.pdf.

DOL Green Jobs Innovation Fund – $40 million
Application Due: March 29, 2011
Eligible Entities: Eligible applicants must apply under one of three categories: 1) national labor-management organizations with local affiliates; 2) national nonprofit organizations with local affiliates; or 3) statewide nonprofit organizations or state Workforce Investment Act administering agencies with local affiliates

The Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration (ETA) announces the availability of approximately $40 million in grant funds for the Green Jobs Innovation Fund to increase the number of individuals completing training programs who receive industry-recognized credentials and to increase the number of individuals completing training programs for employment in green jobs. ETA proposes to fund approximately five to eight grants to national and statewide organizations with local affiliates with existing career training programs to provide technical and basic skills training that lead to green job opportunities in at least six communities per grant. With these grants, the Department is emphasizing critical steps along green career pathways by: 1) forging linkages between Registered Apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs, and/or 2) integrating the delivery of technical and basic skills training through community-based partnerships. For more information, visit the full funding announcement at http://www.doleta.gov/grants/pdf/SGA-DFA-PY-10-07.pdf.

EPA FY 2011 Pollution Prevention Grant Program – $4.1 million
Application Due: March 29, 2011
Eligible Entities: States, state agencies, federally recognized tribes and intertribal consortia, others

EPA’s Pollution Prevention (P2) grant program supports state and tribal technical assistance programs to help businesses identify better environmental strategies and solutions for reducing or eliminating waste at the source. EPA Regions will award P2 grants and/or cooperative agreements to support state and tribal technical assistance programs that address the reduction or elimination of pollution by businesses across all environmental media: air, water, and land. Under this year’s competition, proposals must describe activities that address one or more of the national focus areas: greenhouse gas reduction, toxic and hazardous materials reduction, resource conservation, business efficiency, and P2 integration. To complement the five national focus areas identified above, each EPA Region has developed a set of priorities that highlight specific environmental issues, projects, and/or programs that are of significant interest to the Region. Applicants must address at least one or more of the priorities from the EPA Region in which the project will take place. For more information, contact Michelle Amhaz at (202)-564-8857 or visit http://www.epa.gov/ogd/competition/open_awards.htm

EPA Build More Sustainable Communities – $2.5 million
Application Due: March 31, 2011
Eligible Entities: States, territories, Indian tribes, public and private universities and colleges, other

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency requests proposals for Technical Assistance to Build More Sustainable Communities. Through this RFP, EPA seeks to increase local governments and tribal communities to increase their capacity to successfully implement smart growth and sustainable communities development approaches that protect the environment, improve public health, facilitate job creation and economic opportunity, and improve overall quality of life. $2.5 million expected to be available, up to 3 awards anticipated. Responses due 3/31/11. For more info, contact Kevin Nelson at nelson.kevin@epa.gov or go to: http://www.epa.gov/smartgrowth/grants/epa_op_osc_11_01.htm.

DOE Renewable Energy Development and Deployment in Indian Country – $4 million
Application Due: March 31, 2011
Eligible Entities: Indian tribes, tribal energy resource development organizations, or tribal consortia

DOE requests proposals for Renewable Energy Development and Deployment in Indian Country. Areas of interest include: 1) feasibility studies to determine the technical and economic viability of a future renewable project, 2) development (pre-construction) activities leading to the deployment of renewable energy projects, and 3) deployment (construction) of renewable energy projects for power production. Up to $4 million expected to be available, up to 20 awards anticipated. For more info, contact Kathryn Buckley at kathryn.buckley@go.doe.gov or go to: https://www.fedconnect.net/FedConnect/?doc=DE-FOA-0000424&agency=DOE.

EPA Environmental Justice – $1.2 million
Application Due: March 31, 2011
Eligible Entities: Incorporated  nonprofit community based organizations, federally recognized tribal governments, tribal organizations

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency requests proposals for the Environmental Justice Small Grants Program. This program supports projects that address local environmental and public health issues within an affected community; it is designed to help communities understand and address their exposure to multiple environmental harms and risks. $1.2 million expected to be available, up to 44 awards anticipated. Responses due 3/31/11. For more info, including Regional contacts, go to: http://www.epa.gov/environmentaljustice/grants/ej-smgrants.html. Refer to Sol# EPA-OECA-OEJ-11-01. (Grants.gov 1/28/11)

EPA Extreme Event Impacts on Air Quality and Water Quality with a Changing Global Climate – $6 million
Application Due: April 18, 2011
Eligible Applications: Public nonprofit institutions/organizations, private nonprofit institutions/organizations, state and local governments, federally recognized Indian tribal Governments, and U.S. territories or possessions

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency requests proposals for Impacts on Air Quality and Water Quality with a Changing Global Climate. Through this RFP, EPA seeks projects focused on the development of assessments, tools and techniques, and demonstration of innovative technologies for providing information and capacity to adequately prepare for climate-induced changes in extreme events in the context of air and water quality management. $6 million expected to be available, up to 6 awards anticipated. Responses due 4/18/11. For more info, contact Bryan Bloomer at bloomer.bryan@epa.gov or go to: http://www.epa.gov/ncer/rfa/2011/2011_star_extremeevent.html.

EPA Environmental Education Regional Grants- $1.9 million
Application Due: May 2, 2011
Eligible Applications: Local education agency, college or university, state education or environmental agency, nonprofit organization, or a noncommercial educational broadcasting entity

EPA is seeking grant proposals from eligible applicants to support environmental education projects that promote environmental stewardship and help develop knowledgeable and responsible students, teachers, and citizens. This grant program provides financial support for projects that design, demonstrate, and/or disseminate environmental education practices, methods, or techniques as described in this notice. Under this solicitation EPA expects to award environmental education grants from the 10 EPA Regional offices. EPA expects approximately $1,943,000 to be available for grants in amounts of a minimum of $15,000 and a maximum of $100,000. Each of EPA’s 10 Regions anticipates funding a minimum of 2 grants resulting in a minimum number of grants issued to be approximately 20 grants nationwide. For more information, contact Karen Scott at EEgrants@epa.gov or read the full solicitation at http://www.epa.gov/education/pdf/solNotice2011.htm.

DOC Economic Development Administration Public Works, Economic Adjustment, and Global Climate Change Mitigation Programs Opportunity – Likely ~$25 million
Application Due: Depends on funding cycle; next funding cycle is due June 10, 2011
Eligible Entities: State and local governments, federally recognized tribes,  nonprofits, private institutes of higher education

DOC’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) helps distressed communities establish a foundation for durable regional economies throughout the United States. EDA generally allocates funds for the Global Climate Change Mitigation Incentive Fund (GCCMIF) to support projects that foster economic competitiveness while enhancing environmental quality. EDA anticipates that these funds will be used to advance the green economy by supporting projects that create jobs through and increase private capital investment in initiatives to limit the nation’s dependence on fossil fuels, enhance energy efficiency, curb greenhouse gas emissions, and protect natural systems.

While the amount of funding available through this opportunity is dependent on FY2011 appropriations and is not yet known, EDA allocated $25,000,000 for the GCCMIF in 2010. The average size of a GCCMIF investment was approximately $840,000. For more info, including regional contacts, go to: http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?mode=VIEW&oppId=58457.

DOE Weatherization Formula Grants – Likely to be approximately $210 million
Application Due: Varies by program year
Eligible Applications: Agencies that administer the WAP program

DOE requests proposals for the Weatherization Assistance Program Formula Grant. The purpose of WAP is to increase the energy efficiency of dwellings owned or occupied by low-income persons, reduce residential expenditures, and improve health and safety. Lead applicants must be agencies that administer the WAP program. Proposals due date varies by prime applicant’s program year. Grantees will be notified as soon as an update on FY 2011 funding becomes available. For planning purposes, until a final budget is passed and signed by the President, grantees should proceed with their respective plans using the same funding level as the DOE 2010 appropriated funds. For more info, contact Meghaan Hampton at Meghaan.Hampton@netl.doe.gov or go to: https://www.fedconnect.net/FedConnect/?doc=DE-FOA-0000446&agency=DOE.

Abstract: The Department of Defense (DOD) has a unique opportunity to be a leader in bridging the gap between research and development (R&D) and commercial clean energy technologies. Faced with the inextricable linkage between energy, security, environment, and economics, the DOD is positioned to play an important role in the demonstration of new and emerging clean energy technologies, and also to become early first adopters of the technologies. Military installations are “living laboratories”; they offer a controlled and safe environment to demonstrate emerging technologies and to provide a critical feedback loop between the end-users and technology providers. This work reviewed Federal energy policy, explored the role of R&D in meeting DOD needs with regard to energy issues, defined measures of “Technology Readiness and Commercialization, outlined the role of installations as “living laboratories,” and provided several case studies of energy-related studies done at Army installations.

The funding will support awards for six teams around the country with the most innovative ideas to drive technology commercialization and entrepreneurship in support of a green innovation economy, increased U.S. competitiveness and new jobs. The Department of Energy will invest up to $2 million to support the $12 million multi-agency i6 Green Challenge, which will establish or expand Proof of Concept Centers across the U.S. In order to be eligible for DOE funding, applicants will be required to demonstrate innovation in the areas of renewable energy, energy efficiency, or green building technology.

“Investments in small business innovation through the i6 Green Challenge will play an important role in strengthening U.S. competitiveness and supporting economic development and job growth around the country. These centers will help companies test their innovations, a critical step in commercializing next generation clean energy technologies,” said U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu.

“Initiatives like the i6 Green Challenge support the President’s vision for out-innovating the rest of the world by moving great ideas from the lab to the marketplace to spur the development of 21st century jobs and industries,” U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke said. “We know that in the last 30 years, nearly all net new jobs were created by startups, and they will continue to play a critical role in our nation’s economic prosperity.”

First announced at the White House launch of Startup America in January, i6 Green follows last year’s inaugural i6 Challenge to accelerate high-growth entrepreneurship in the United States.

“The $12 million i6 Green Challenge is an important component of President Obama’s Startup America initiative to promote American innovation and win the future,” said U.S. Chief Technology Officer Aneesh Chopra. “The multi-agency competition builds on the success of last year’s initiative by encouraging Proof of Concept Centers and promoting green growth to increase our nation’s competitiveness and accelerate the economic recovery.”

This year’s competition focuses on promoting Proof of Concept Centers, which support all aspects of the entrepreneurship process, from assisting with technology feasibility and business plan development, to providing access to early-stage capital and mentors to offer critical guidance to innovators. Centers allow emerging technologies to mature and demonstrate their market potential, making them more attractive to investors and helping entrepreneurs turn their idea or technology into a business.

“The i6 Green Challenge will help catalyze American ingenuity by leveraging the proven benefits that these centers offer to promote green growth, advance cluster development and strengthen the economic ecosystems of America’s regions,” U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development John Fernandez said.

The Federal Funding Opportunity notice and application information on i6 Green is available at www.eda.gov/i6. The deadline to submit an application is May 26, 2011. Funding is contingent upon Congressional approval of the administration’s 2011 budget.

The new television requirements reflect an acceleration of pending changes made possible by a rapid market response to the current Energy Star requirements. Sustained consumer demand and strong retailer support for the program could lead to sales of the current Energy Star qualified televisions representing as much as 70 percent of the market this year. With more than 19 million large screen (greater than 40 inches) televisions expected to ship this year, this means substantial overall energy bill savings and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions reductions. For example, under the new requirements, a 60 inch television must use less than 108 watts, compared to the average 282 watts used by a standard model that size.

The new Energy Star requirements for cable and satellite boxes specify that they enter a deep sleep mode while not in use, dropping their energy consumption from about 16 watts to 2 watts or less. The new requirements also encourage the deployment of multi-room “thin client” devices to transmit programming from one central DVR to other televisions in the home.

In order to earn the Energy Star label under these new requirements, product performance must be certified by an EPA-recognized third-party based on testing in an EPA-recognized lab.  In addition, manufacturers of the products must participate in verification testing programs run by recognized Certification Bodies. If all televisions, cable and satellite boxes in the U.S. were to meet the new Energy Star requirements, consumer energy cost savings would grow to more than $5 billion each year and reduce annual greenhouse gas emissions equal to those of more than 7 million cars.

• More information on TVs: http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=revisions.television_spec
• More information on cable/satellite boxes: http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=revisions.settop_box_spec

Dow Chemical Company is asking its employees for the best ideas that can improve energy efficiency, setting aside $100 million for improvement projects.

In doing so, Dow is taking advantage of what many companies have found to be a valuable resource with environmental initiatives: their employees.