Our Neighborhood Earth - Governmental Agencies

Our Neighborhood

Earth

Keeping It Green

(There's No Planet B)

GOVERNMENTAL DIRECTORY

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Page Updated:
April 8, 2024

• Government. Agencies • Environmental Action
• The Fading Solar Tax Credit

Governmental News (Latest Stories First) - In the Last Six Months
• Environmental Protection Agency Gives $20 Billion in ‘Green Bank’ Grants The E.P.A. Said the Fund Will Spur a Clean Energy Transition in Overlooked Communities Apr. 4, 2024 -When Marcus Jones and his business partner, Akunna Olumba, set out to open a pizzeria in Detroit, they spoke with banks about their green vision: solar panels on the roof, an energy-efficient tankless water heater and a rooftop system to capture storm water. The pair connected with a so-called green bank, one of a growing number of entities that lend money to businesses and individuals for equipment or technology that reduces the pollution driving climate change. • Some Countries Are Spurning Cars The U.S. Is Not One of Them Mar. 30, 2024 -The billions add up: $3.7 billion for an expansion of the I-15 highway in Utah; up to $4 billion for the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway; and $16 billion for the New Jersey Turnpike and Garden State Parkway. The U.S. continues to fund and expand highways, even as some parts of the world invest in greener infrastructure over concerns about global warming and amid a broader movement away from cars. • America's Flawed Lithium Development It's Failing to Keep Pace Mar. 25, 2024 -Washington's drive to make the United States a major global lithium producer is being held back by a confusing mix of state regulations that are deterring developers and hampering efforts to break China's control of the critical minerals sector. Across Texas, Louisiana and other mineral-rich states, it's unclear who owns the millions of metric tons of lithium locked in salty brines underneath U.S. soils, how the battery metal should be valued by regulators and who ultimately should pay to process it into a form usable by manufacturers. • The Growing Market for Green Tax Credits Biden’s Climate Law is Credited Mar. 19, 2024 -The climate law that President Biden signed in 2022 has created a large and growing market for companies to buy and sell clean-energy tax credits, new Treasury Department data suggests, creating opportunities for start-ups to raise money for projects like wind farms and solar panel installations. The market also provides new opportunities for large companies and financial firms to make money. • Oil and Natural Gas Sector Climate Review Performance Standards for New, Reconstructed, and Modified Sources and Emissions Guidelines for Existing Sources (FEDERAL REGISTER), Mar. 8, 2024, The EPA is finalizing multiple actions to reduce air pollution emissions from the Crude Oil and Natural Gas source category. First, the EPA is finalizing revisions to the new source performance standards (NSPS) regulating greenhouse gases (GHGs) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emissions for the Crude Oil and Natural Gas source category pursuant to the Clean Air Act (CAA). Click now to learn more. • Sueing E.P.A. Over New Limits on Deadly Pollution Nearly Half the States Are Doing Just That Mar. 6, 2024 -Manufacturers and 24 states sued the Environmental Protection Agency on Wednesday over the Biden administration’s decision to tighten limits on fine industrial particles, one of the most common and deadliest forms of air pollution. The state lawsuits are led by Republican attorneys general and argue that the E.P.A. overstepped its authority last month when it lowered the annual limits for fine particulate matter to nine micrograms per cubic meter of air, down from the current standard of 12 micrograms. • A Carbon Tax Is Back on the Table Things Could Get Wackier in Washington (Heat Map News), Mar. 4, 2024, Climate policy has been all over the place lately thanks to pressure from interest groups, pre-election jitters, and the plausibility of a re-elected President Donald Trump laying waste to existing climate policy.But further in the future, beyond the ups and downs of electoral politics, there’s a policy cataclysm coming that, some hope, could create an opening for that long sought, always denied dream of climate policy: the carbon tax. • European Parliament's Watered-Down Law to Restore Nature Target is to Restore at Least 20% of Land and Sea Ecosystems by 2030 Despite Farmers’ Protests and Rightwing Opposition Feb. 27, 2024 - The European parliament has given the green light to a watered-down law to restore nature, after weeks of fierce protests from farmers and a last-ditch attempt from rightwing parties threatened to sink the deal. Learn more by clicking now. • Eyeing a Potential Win with New York Packaging Bill It Takes Aim At Single-Use Plastic, While Seeking to Remake Waste Management and Recycling in NYC Feb. 20, 2024 -New York lawmakers appear poised to pass a new packaging reduction and recycling bill that would fundamentally reshape how single-use plastic waste is managed in the state. It’s meant to take a big bite out of 20 million New Yorkers’ contributions to the global plight of pollution from single-use plastics, which constitute about 40 percent of all plastic waste. • Slowing the Shift to Electric Vehicles The Biden Administration is Considering It Feb. 18, 2024 -The Environmental Protection Agency is considering relaxing one of its most significant climate change rules — tailpipe emissions limits for cars and trucks — by giving automakers more time to boost sales of electric vehicles, according to two people familiar with the matter. Click now for the complete story. • Lab-Made Meat? Florida Lawmakers Don’t Like the Sound of It Feb. 17, 2024 - Start-up companies around the world are competing to develop technologies for producing chicken, beef, salmon and other options without the need to raise and slaughter animals. China has made the development of the industry a priority. In the United States, the Department of Agriculture has given initial blessings to two producers. Now, a measure in Florida that would ban sales of laboratory-grown meat has gained widespread attention beyond state borders. • Reigning In Air Pollution in Western Pennsylvania New EPA Rule Could Do Just That Feb. 8, 2024 -The EPA is cutting the allowable level of soot pollution in the air by 25%: The finalized rule means that air quality in parts of Allegheny County, including the Mon Valley, would be out of compliance, based on 2021 data from the Allegheny County Health Department. Exposure to fine particles in the air has long-term health implications, including lung cancer and heart disease. The Biden administration said the new standard will prevent up to 4,500 premature deaths and 290,000 lost workdays, yielding up to $46 billion in net health benefits by 2032. • States Leading In Grid Modernization A Total of 774 Grid Modernization Actions Were Taken During 2023 Feb. 2, 2024 -All 50 states, plus DC and Puerto Rico, took actions related to grid modernization during 2023, with the greatest number of actions relating to energy storage deployment, utility business model reforms, distribution system planning, energy storage interconnection rules, and performance-based regulation, according to a new report. Click now to learn more. • Solar In the Western U.S. It Could Get A Whole Lot Easier to Build Jan. 26, 2024 -The Biden administration has outlined a plan to streamline the development of solar projects on 22 million acres of land managed by the federal government. It’s part of a series of reforms of BLM management of public lands. Click now for more. • U.S. Navy's Staggering Pollution in the Potomac Advocates Celebrate a Legal Win Against It Jan. 25, 2024 -Petitioners want strong regulatory safeguards built into the pollution discharge permit, which the Navy has agreed to obtain after more than a century of unchecked weapons testing in the Potomac River, in violation of the Clean Water Act. Click now to learn more. • White House Said Delays Decision on Enormous Natural Gas Export Terminal It Needs to Be Fully Analyzed First Jan. 24, 2024 -The Biden administration is pausing a decision on whether to approve what would be the largest natural gas export terminal in the United States, a delay that could stretch past the November election and spell trouble for that project and 16 other proposed terminals, according to three people with knowledge of the matter. Click now for more on this story. • FEMA Administrator Announces Sweeping Changes to Disaster Assistance Program Making it Easier for Survivors to Receive Assistance Jan. 22, 2024, (FEMA) -Last week, FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell announced the most comprehensive updates to FEMA's Individual Assistance Program in the past 20 years. After seeing how the limitations of federal assistance have delayed disaster recovery for too many, especially for those who are disproportionately affected by disasters, the Biden-Harris Administration was determined to make changes to help reach more people. • The Pentagon Will Install Rooftop Solar Panels This, as Biden Pushes Clean Energy in Federal Buildings Jan. 19, 2024 -The Defense Department will install solar panels on the Pentagon, part of the Biden administration’s plan to promote clean energy and “reestablish the federal government as a sustainability leader.” The Pentagon is one of 31 government sites that are receiving $104 million in Energy Department grants that are expected to double the amount of carbon-free electricity at federal facilities and create 27 megawatts of clean-energy capacity while leveraging more than $361 million in private investment, the Energy Department said. • Northern Ireland ‘Dirty Corner of Europe’ Due to a Lack of Governance Jan. 19, 2024 -Northern Ireland’s environment is unlikely to benefit from higher EU standards because the country already flouts the existing rules, leaving it in a “grossly degraded” state, experts have said. The region may escape a post-Brexit erosion of UK environmental law but still suffer grave environmental damage because of governance failures, they warned.	• New EPA Rule Could Save 4,200 Lives a Year Industry Warns it Could Cost Biden His Reelection Jan. 19, 2024 -The Environmental Protection Agency is preparing to significantly strengthen limits on fine particle matter, one of the nation’s most widespread deadly air pollutants, even as industry groups warn that the standard could erase manufacturing jobs across the country. Click now to learn more. • Petro Chemicals and Supreme Court Actions It Could Sharply Curtail the Government’s Regulatory Authority Jan. 16, 2024 -The Supreme Court is set to hear arguments on Wednesday that, on paper, are about a group of commercial fishermen who oppose a government fee that they consider unreasonable. But the lawyers who have helped to propel their case to the nation’s highest court have a far more powerful backer: the petrochemicals billionaire Charles Koch. Click now all about it. • Appalachian Manufacturers Sought for Clean Energy Economy A Grant Will Aid With the Recruitment Jan. 4, 2024 -As federal incentives spur a wave of new domestic clean energy manufacturing, economic boosters in Ohio and neighboring states see an opportunity to “Make it in Appalachia.” A virtual summit this month will serve as part of public kickoff efforts to identify and support small and medium manufacturers in the region so they can play a role in the growing clean energy economy. • The Void in Federal Regulation of Hazardous Chemicals Washington Law Attempts to Fill It Jan. 1, 2024 -With a years-long backlog in the U.S. government’s risk assessments of thousands of potentially hazardous chemicals, the new law requires companies to disclose what chemicals are used in their products. A new act implemented earlier this year in Washington has banned five chemical classes in 10 product categories throughout the state, making it the nation’s strongest law regulating toxic chemicals in products. • Grants For Solid-State Power Modules Research University of Arkansas Receives One Dec. 29, 2023 -Researchers at the University of Arkansas will receive $2.9 million from the U.S. Department of Energy Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy(ARPA-E) to develop solid-state power modules for the electric power grid and electrified transportation. The funding is part of ARPA-E’s Unlocking Lasting Transformative Resiliency Advances by Faster Actuation of Power Semiconductor Technologies program, which aims to improve control and protection of the domestic power grid. • Utah's Management of the Great Salt Lake Lawsuits Looking to Be Dropped Dec. 22, 2023, [Standard-Examiner] -Three Utah agencies are seeking to drop a lawsuit filed against them earlier this year over their management of the Great Salt Lake, arguing that the lawsuit “lacks subject matter jurisdiction,” among other things. Lawyers for the Utah Department of Natural Resources, Utah Division of Water Rights and Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands filed separate motions to dismiss the lawsuit in 3rd District Court on Wednesday. Multiple environmental organizations filed the litigation in September, asserting the agencies aren’t doing enough to get water to the struggling Great Salt Lake, which may have future environmental ramifications. • Threats to Property, Groundwater, Wildlife and Livestock Across Texas Thousands of Oil and Gas Wastewater Spills Are the Cause Dec. 22, 2023 -From the Texon Scar to the Sabine River, produced water spills have impacted soil, contaminated water resources and killed wildlife. But the Railroad Commission of Texas has resisted new regulations. Click now to learn more. • An Alabama Landfill Has Repeatedly Violated State Environmental Laws State Regulators Waited Almost 20 Years to Crack Down Dec. 21, 2023 -Only after an underground landfill fire did regulators begin stepping up environmental enforcement. Will it be enough to stop the next disaster? Click now for the rest of the story. • U.S. Spending on Clean Energy Spurs Allies to Compete Other Governments, Particularly in Europe, are Trying to Counter Biden's Industrial Policies With Their Own Incentives. Dec. 7, 2023 -The United States has embarked on the biggest industrial policy push in generations, dangling tax breaks, grants and other financial incentives to attract new factories making solar panels, semiconductors and electric vehicles. That spending is aimed at jump-starting the domestic market for crucial products, but it has implications far outside the United States. • Former Ohio Public Utilities Chairman Indicted by Federal Grand Jury for Bribery, Embezzlement Bribing the Legislature is Not Always Appreciated Dec. 5, 2023 -The former chairman of the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio has been indicted by a federal grand jury on bribery and embezzlement charges, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Ohio announced in a news release Monday. Sam Randazzo, 74, of Columbus, self-surrendered at U.S. District Court in Cincinnati Monday morning, the release said. Randazzo is charged in an 11-count indictment that was returned on Nov. 29 and he was scheduled for an initial appearance later Monday. • Composting’s ‘True Believers’ are Jilted N.Y.C. Curbside Program Grows Dec. 1, 2023 -A rally at City Hall on Wednesday against the proposed cuts to New York’s composting programs. Advocates say the abrupt removal of funding could take away options that provide a much-needed safety net for waste removal. Click now for the rest of the story. • The Government Money For Energy Upgrades What to Buy Now? Dec. 1, 2023 -Since the beginning of this year, Americans hoping to switch to more climate-friendly heating systems, cars or stoves have been able to claim thousands of dollars from the U.S. government. Buy an electric car, and that’s $7,500 off your taxes — provided the car’s minerals and battery come from the right places. A heat pump, and that’s $2,000 off. But in 2024, rebates for clean appliances will start coming down the pipe for lower-income individuals — meaning immediate cash back, with no need to wait until April to file taxes. • Overcoming Clean Energy Permitting Roadblocks How Solar Developers Can Get That Done Nov. 27, 2023 - The Inflation Reduction Act’s impact is already evident: Between the time the act was signed into law on Aug. 16, 2022, and the end of the year, plans for 47 utility-scale clean energy manufacturing facilities and $150 billion of capital investment were announced, according to American Clean Power. But the outlook could be sunnier. Without any national or state-level oversight, local governments have been left to decide whether they want to pursue clean energy projects — and, increasingly, they’re passing short-sighted ordinances that limit those projects from receiving permits. • States Must Target Transportation Carbon Emission Cuts Linking Infrastructure Spending to Biden's Environmental Goals Nov. 22, 2023 -States and urban areas will be required to set goals to reduce carbon emissions from cars and trucks on their roads under a new federal rule issued Wednesday, part of the Biden administration’s efforts to link tens of billions of dollars in highway funding from the infrastructure law to its environmental priorities. Click now for more. • DOE Wants to Lighten Environmental Rules Goal: Speed Up Transmission, Solar & Storage Projects Nov. 17, 2023 -The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has submitted a proposal that, if approved, would help speed up certain transmission, solar, and storage projects built on federal land, while clogged interconnection queues are causing headaches in the industry. The proposed changes would affect how the DOE complies with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), adding a “categorical exclusion” for certain energy storage systems and revising categorical exclusions for upgrading and rebuilding transmission lines and for solar photovoltaic systems. These exclusions would remove the requirement for environmental assessments or environmental impact statements for specific types of projects. • Biden Administration Announces $6B for Climate Resilience There Are Grid Advancements, As Well Nov. 14, 2023 -In coordination with the release of the Fifth National Climate Assessment (NCA5) report, President Biden is announcing more than $6 billion in investments meant to make communities across the country more resilient to the impacts of climate change, including by strengthening America’s aging electric grid infrastructure, reducing flood risk to communities, supporting conservation efforts, and advancing environmental justice. The NCA5 report, which assesses changes in the climate, its national and regional impacts, and options for reducing present and future risk, indicates that not only is every region of the country already experiencing the impacts of climate change, but ambitious climate action is underway in every region as well. • Climate Challenges For California Cities Understaffed and Unprepared to Mobilize Climate Funds Nov. 9, 2023 -While California cities and counties now have an unprecedented chance to harness historic funding to combat climate change, many of them lack the workforce necessary to capitalize on this investment, a new report has found. Local governments across California have the opportunity to expedite this fight by accessing millions of dedicated state and federal dollars, including through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act.

Noteworthy
• History of the Clean Water Act History of the Clean Water Act Sep. 12, 2019 (EPA)- The Federal Water Pollution Control Act of 1948 was the first major U.S. law to address water pollution. Growing public awareness and concern for controlling water pollution led to sweeping amendments in 1972. As amended in 1972, the law became commonly known as the Clean Water Act (CWA). The 1972 amendments: Established basic structure for regulating discharges into the waters of the U.S. Gave EPA the authority including setting wastewater standards for industry Maintained requirements for water quality standards Illegalized discharge any pollutant into navigable waters, unless a permit was obtained under its provisions Funded the construction of sewage treatment plants Recognized the need for planning to address the critical source pollution problems • Is Ethanol Really a Good Idea? Food Vs. Fuel: What Trump's Ethanol Policy Means For The Food System Forbes Magazine -The EPA moved forward with President Trump’s directive to lift a federal ban on high ethanol blended gas during the summer months, though not quickly enough for Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa, who Reuters reports is urging the EPA to lift the ban on a much quicker timeline. Lifting the ban is a policy shift that’s being celebrated by large-scale corn growers and decried by biofuel opponents. But the policy has implications for the food system too, as many food system reformers say the last thing U.S. farmers should be growing is more corn. • EPA to Halt Fuel Economy Standards California Getting Ready to Fight Back Mar. 29, 2018 - The Trump administration is poised to abandon America's pioneering fuel economy targets for cars and SUVs, a move that would undermine one of the world's most aggressive programs to confront climate change and invite another major confrontation with California. The EPA is expected to announce in the coming days that it will scrap mileage targets the Obama administration drafted in tandem with California that aim to boost average fuel economy for passenger cars and SUVs to 55 miles per gallon by 2025, according to people familiar with the plans. • The E.P.A is a Sinking Ship E.P.A. Officials, Disheartened by Agency’s Direction, Are Leaving in Droves Dec. 22, 2018 - More than 700 people have left the Environmental Protection Agency since President Trump took office, a wave of departures that puts the administration nearly a quarter of the way toward its goal of shrinking the agency to levels last seen during the Reagan administration. • How Low Can the EPA Go? EPA Reverses Policy on 'Major Sources' of Pollution Jan. 25, 2018 - WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said on Thursday it was withdrawing a provision of the Clean Air Act that requires a major source of pollution like a power plant to always be treated as a major source, even if it makes changes to reduce emissions. The decision to withdraw the "once-in always-in" policy is part of President Donald Trump's effort to roll back federal regulations and was sought by utilities, the petroleum industry and others. Never mind about the health of the American people. • Trump Imposed Tariffs on PV Imports 30% Tariff Disappoints Trade Industry Jan. 22, 2018 - Trump has agreed to a recommendation by the International Trade Commission (ITC) to grant U.S. solar manufacturers relief from unfair trade practices in the form of tariffs on solar cells and modules imported to the U.S. This will hurt the solar industry which currently employs over 250,000 workers. • Fed. Compromise on Anti-PACE Law Industry, Lawmakers Compromise on Anti-Property Assessed Clean Energy Legislation Dec. 27, 2017 - A financing program that’s let more than 180,000 homeowners pay for solar panels and clean-energy appliances through their local tax bills is poised to survive an effort by Republicans to add regulations that would have effectively shut it down.	• The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Summary of the National Environmental Policy Act Originally Passed in 1968 (EPA) — NEPA was one of the first laws ever written that establishes the broad national framework for protecting our environment. NEPA's basic policy is to assure that all branches of government give proper consideration to the environment prior to undertaking any major federal action that significantly affects the environment. NEPA requirements are invoked when airports, buildings, military complexes, highways, parkland purchases, and other federal activities are proposed. Environmental Assessments (EAs) and Environmental Impact Statements (EISs), which are assessments of the likelihood of impacts from alternative courses of action, are required from all Federal agencies and are the most visible NEPA requirements. Click now for more, including a history of this act. • Shouldn’t We Abolish Fossil Fuel Subsidies? America Spends Over $20Bn Per Year On Fossil Fuel Subsidies. July 30, 2018 (The Guardian) -Imagine that instead of taxing cigarettes, America subsidized the tobacco industry in order to make each pack of smokes cheaper. A report from Oil Change International (OCI) investigated American energy industry subsidies and found that in 2015–2016, the federal government provided $14.7bn per year to the oil, gas, and coal industries, on top of $5.8bn of state-level incentives (globally, the figure is around $500bn). And the report only accounted for production subsidies, excluding consumption subsidies (support to consumers to lower the cost of fossil fuel use – another $14.5bn annually) as well as the costs of carbon and other fossil fuel pollutants. • The D.O.E. Solar Decathlon How To Shine In The Solar Village October 6, 2017 - At noon Eastern Standard Time today — the second day of competition for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Solar Decathlon in Denver — the Northwestern University team was sitting in first place, according to scores released on the competition website. The Solar Village, where all 13 teams’ houses are standing for the competition, is now open to the public. With scoring under way on three of the 10 competition categories — Heath & Comfort, Appliances, and Home Life — Northwestern was tied with Swiss Team and UC Berkeley/U of Denver on the three segments in Health & Comfort — temperature, humidity and indoor air quality. • Budget Slashed for Clean Energy Trump’s Budget Expected to Massively Slash Research On Renewable Energy — And ‘Clean Coal’ May 18, 2017 -The Trump administration is expected to propose massive cuts to federal government research on wind and solar energy next week, according to current and former Energy Department officials familiar with budget discussions. The department’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), which funds research on advanced vehicles as well as other aspects of clean energy, would face a roughly 70 percent cut in 2018, carving about $ 1.45 billion from its $2.09 billion 2017 budget. • The SunShot Initiative What is the SunShot Initiative? The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Solar Energy Technologies Office focuses on achieving the goals of the SunShot Initiative, which seeks to make solar energy cost-competitive with other forms of electricity by the end of the decade. • The Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act Notes from the Solar Underground: US Solar’s Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act The global solar industry relies on mandate. Let's hope it doesn't go away. • Carbon Tax Center What is the Carbon Tax Center? Why revenue-neutral carbon taxes are essential,what’s happening now, and how you can help. In a carbon-constrained world, a permanent U.S. carbon tax is essential to reduce emissions that drive global warming.

Federal, state and local agencies that can assist
with your questions about renewable energy, environmental
protection, tax credits, rebate incentives and more.

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Governmental Agencies
Federal Agencies The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management BOEM offshore leasing and operations are governed by a wide variety of laws, regulations, and other communications with the offshore industry. The Bureau enforces compliance with these regulations and periodically updates rules to reflect advancements in technology and new information. This section provides access to BOEM rules, regulations, and guidance to the offshore industry. Combined Heat and Power Partnership The CHP Partnership is a voluntary program seeking to reduce the environmental impact of power generation by promoting the use of CHP. The Partnership works closely with energy users, the CHP industry, state and local governments, and other clean energy stakeholders to facilitate the development of new projects and to promote their environmental and economic benefits. Energy Resources Program Geothermal Energy Geothermal energy is a significant source of renewable electric power in the western United States and, with advances in exploration and development technologies, a potential source of a large fraction of baseload electric power for the entire country. The USGS Geothermal Resource Investigations Project is focused on advancing geothermal research through a better understanding of geothermal resources and the impacts of geothermal development. This is achieved by applying a wide range of research methods to characterize resource occurrences, perform monitoring, and develop resource assessments. The project team works closely with a number of external collaborators from federal and state agencies, academia and industry on projects throughout the US and internationally (provide link to map of field study areas). The Solar Energy Technologies Program (Dept. of Energy) The Solar Energy Technologies Program focuses on developing cost-effective solar energy technologies that have the greatest potential to benefit the nation and the world. A growing solar industry also stimulates our economy by creating jobs in solar manufacturing and installation. See also the SunShot Initiative which strives to make solar competitive with fossil fuels by 2020. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is a scientific agency within the United States Department of Commerce focused on the conditions of the oceans and the atmosphere. NOAA warns of dangerous weather, charts seas and skies, guides the use and protection of ocean and coastal resources, and conducts research to improve understanding and stewardship of the environment. National Renewable Energy Laboratory Focusing on creative answers to today's energy challenges. From fundamental science and energy analysis to validating new products for the commercial market, NREL researchers are dedicated to transforming the way the world uses energy. With more than 35 years of successful innovation in energy efficiency and renewable energy, today our discoveries provide sustainable alternatives for powering our homes, businesses, and our transportation system. U.S. Dept. of Environmental Protection EPA had employed 17,000 people across the country, including headquarters offices in Washington, DC, 10 regional offices, and more than a dozen labs. Staff were technically trained; more than half were engineers, scientists, and policy analysts. In addition, a large number of employees are legal, public affairs,financial, information management and computer specialists. Michael S. Regan was sworn in as the 16th Administrator of the United States Environmental Protection Agency on March 11, 2021, becoming the first Black man and second person of color to lead the U.S. EPA. The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System addresses water pollution by regulating point sources that discharge pollutants to waters of the United States. Created in 1972 by the Clean Water Act, the NPDES permit program is authorized to state governments by EPA to perform many permitting, administrative, and enforcement aspects of the program. State Agencies The California Solar Initiative - CSI The California Solar Initiative offers cash back for installing solar on your home or business. The state strives to create megawatts of new solar-generated electricity, moving it towards a clean energy future. And you can help! Join the thousands of home and business owners who have earned cash back rebates by installing solar energy systems through the California Solar Initiative. Customers earn cash rebates for every watt of solar energy installed on homes, businesses, farms, schools, and government and non-profit organizations. Connecticut Energy and Environmental Protection dd> In charge of conserving, improving and protecting the state's natural resources and environment. Promotes the supply of clean, affordable and reliable energy.	State Agencies (continued) Database of State Incentives for Renewable and Efficiency Overview of Florida's state rebate program. Applies to Commercial, Residential, Nonprofit, Schools, Local Government, State Government, Fed. Government, Multi-Family Residential, Institutional. Also covers other states' similar incentive programs. Florida Dept. of Environmental Protection The lead agency for environmental management and stewardship and is one of the more diverse agencies in state government, protecting air, water, and land. It is divided into three primary areas: Regulatory Programs, Land and Recreation and Planning and Management. Illinois Environmental Protection Agency This site covers all aspects of the environment in the state. Use the link to report violations of air and water quality rules and regulations. Maine Department of Environmental Protection The DEP is responsible for protecting and restoring Maine's natural resources and enforcing the state's environmental laws. The agency can trace its roots back to the Sanitary Water Board that was created in 1941. The purpose of that Board was to study, investigate, recommend means of eliminating and preventing pollution in waters used for recreational purposes. The Board was renamed the Water Improvement Commission in 1951. In 1969, the Commission's title was abbreviated to the Environmental Improvement Commission. Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection The Department of Environmental Protection is the state agency responsible for ensuring clean air and water, the safe management of toxins and hazards, the recycling of solid and hazardous wastes, the timely cleanup of hazardous waste sites and spills, and the preservation of wetlands and coastal resources. NJ Board of Public Utilities A regulatory authority with a statutory mandate to ensure safe, adequate, and proper utility services at reasonable rates for customers in New Jersey. NJ Department of Environmental Protection On America's first official "Earth Day" — April 22, 1970, the NJ DEP was born. It became the third state to consolidate its past programs into a unified major agency to administer aggressive environmental protection and conservation efforts. Since then it began a role to manage natural resources and solve pollution problems. In what started with about 1,400 employees in five divisions, NJDEP now has a staff of approximately 2,900 and is a leader in the country for its pollution prevention efforts and innovative environmental management strategies. NY: NYSERDA NYSERDA’s earliest efforts focused solely on research and development with the goal of reducing the State’s petroleum consumption. Subsequent research and development projects focused on topics including environmental effects of energy consumption, development of renewable resources, and advancement of innovative technologies. Check the website for funding opportunities and other incentives to go green. Ohio EPA Their mission is to protect the environment and public health by ensuring compliance with environmental laws and demonstrating leadership in environmental stewardship. Oregon Department of Environmental Quality The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is a regulatory agency whose job is to protect the quality of Oregon's environment. Well, YEAH! PA Department of Environmental Protection Responsible for administering Pennsylvania's environmental laws and regulations. They work to reduce air pollution, insure water quality, and more. Sarasota County (Fla.) Government Roadmap to Sustainability. Sarasota County government is committed to environmental, cultural and economic sustainability. This means: Replenish the resources we use or consume. Ensuring our values guide us into the future. Investing in our community to ensure future prosperity. To achieve the balance necessary for a sustainable community, our programs and services must be economically viable, environmentally sound and socially equitable.