Publications
Bi-weekly Updates From CAFR - October 16
2) 2009 State Innovation Grant Program - Request for Initial Proposals
3) ListenUp/Sony E-cycling Day - October 18
4) VeloSwap Bicycle and Sports Expo - October 25
5) Economic Development Grants
1) Extension of the production tax credit for WTE and LFG and Recycling Investment Saves Energy (RISE) included as amendments to bailout bill
On Friday, October 3, 2008, the President signed into law H.R. 1424 - The Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008. After failing to reach consensus with the House after a number of tries, the Senate added the full language of their tax extension legislation as an amendment to this bailout bill. The Senate approved this bill on October 1, 74-25 and despite some initial uncertainty, this bill was quickly taken up by the House and passed 263-171, after which it quickly moved to the White House.
The bill included a two year extension of the production tax credit for WTE and LFG as well as other renewable sources of energy. The placed in service date is now December 31, 2010. As part of this law, the credit facilities can receive is not capped at thirty-five percent of the capitol cost of the facility, an important victory for LFG operations.
Another important provision of the tax extenders legislation is that it includes Recycling Investment Saves Energy (RISE). This provision allows for accelerated depreciation of recycling property. Fifty percent of the initial investment in the recycling equipment qualifies for accelerated depreciation. H.R. 1424 updates the definition of trash combustion facility. The language has been altered slightly to broaden the scope of facilities that qualify. This $17 billion tax credit is offset by revenue from taxes on the oil and natural gas industries. The bill does not include a Renewable Portfolio Standard.
Marjorie Griek
Executive Director
Colorado Association for
Recycling
Turning today's waste into tomorrow's resources
970-535-4053
Office
720-839-9531 Cell
www.cafr.org
2) 2009 State Innovation Grant Program - Request for Initial Proposals
(RFIP)
SUMMARY: In an effort to support innovation by state environmental regulatory agencies, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is soliciting pre-proposals from the principal environmental regulatory agency for each state government, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. territories for “the State Innovation Grant Program,” an assistance agreement program. This solicitation applies to Part One of CFDA 66.940 - a competition to support projects that promote the testing of innovative approaches in state permitting programs that strive to create a more performance-based regulatory system, promote environmental stewardship and beyond-compliance business operation, and/ or promote a culture of creative environmental problem solving
FUNDING/AWARDS: The total estimated funding for this competitive opportunity is approximately $800,000 - $1,400,000. EPA anticipates awarding up to approximately 3 -10 cooperative agreements from this announcement, subject to availability of funds and the quality of proposals received.
This solicitation opens today and closes December 10: http://www.epa. gov/innovation/stategrants/currentcompetition.htm
3) ListenUp/Sony E-cycling Day - October 18
WHAT: E-Cycling Day - Recycle your electronics and receive a coupon to help you save money on a new Sony product.
ListenUp has partnered with Sony, Luminous Recycling and Comcast to safely dispose of your unwanted electronics. No recycling fee--We’ll pay your recycling fee. We’ll do the heavy lifting--ListenUp and Luminous will unload your equipment from your vehicle for you.
WHEN: 10:00am to 3:00pm
WHERE: Three locations - Denver, Parker and Broomfield
4) VeloSwap Bicycle and Sports Expo - October 25
Veloswap is the world's largest consumer bicycle and sports expo. It is THE place to see, swap, buy, and sell every imaginable bike, part, and accessory.
This cultural cycling happening is a not-to-be-missed experience. It is the place to feel the pulse of the cycling community and rub elbows with like minded cyclists.
By attending, you will:
- Have a chance to stop by CAFR's booth and say hello
- See and touch the latest bicycling equipment and accessories
- Test ride that bicycle you have been dreaming about
- Attend interesting and informative seminars
- Meet like minded individuals in the pursuit of cycling happiness
- And More!
Subaru Denver VeloSwap Details:
- Over 550 vendors
- 60,000 square feet of vendor space
- Over 10,000 attendees
- Tons of fun
20th Annual Subaru Denver
VeloSwap
Denver, Colorado
Saturday, October 25, 2008
National Western Complex
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
5) Economic Development Grants
Economic Development Assistance Programs
POSTED: 10/1/2008
FUNDING SOURCE: EDA
ELIGIBILITY: Public agencies (including cities), nonprofits, IHEs and Indian tribes
$ AVAILABLE: $216,927,372
GRANTS AVAILABLE: N.A.
MAX GRANT SIZE: N.A.
DEADLINE: 9/30/09; first come, first served; applications are accepted on a continuing
basis and processed as received.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
h
ttp://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do?&mode=VIEW&flag2006=false&oppId=42952
DESCRIPTION: Funding to plan and/or implement a wide variety of economic development
projects, including community facilities and infrastructure, in economically distressed
communities.
6) Sprint announces environmental leadership priotities and is being recognized by the EPA for its goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 15 percent
Sprint to be recognized as “GHG Reduction Goal Setter” during Oct. 6-Oct. 8 EPA Climate Leaders Conference
OVERLAND PARK, Kan. — Oct. 2, 2008—Sprint (NYSE: S) is announcing an ambitious goal to reduce its total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions 15 percent by 2017, along with a set of environmental priorities, as part of its expanded environmental program. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will recognize Sprint as a “GHG Reduction Goal Setter” during the 2008 Climate Leaders Conference Oct. 6-Oct. 8 in Chicago.
Climate Leaders is an EPA industry-government partnership that works with companies to develop comprehensive climate change strategies. Partner companies commit to reducing their impact on the global environment by completing a corporate-wide inventory of their greenhouse gas emissions based on a quality management system, setting aggressive reduction goals, and annually reporting their progress to the EPA. Through program participation, companies create a credible record of their accomplishments and receive EPA recognition as corporate environmental leaders. Sprint became the first and only wireless telecom company in this partnership when it joined the EPA Climate Leaders Program in 2007.
“Sprint has a strong commitment to the environment, and we are therefore proud to participate in the EPA Climate Leaders Program,” said Dan Hesse, Sprint CEO. “Our goal to decrease Sprint’s total greenhouse gas emissions 15 percent by 2017, along with the other targets that we are announcing as part of our robust environmental program, reflect that commitment. These targets help demonstrate Sprint’s environmental leadership by clearly articulating what Sprint is doing to help meet today’s environmental challenges.”
Sprint’s efforts to further reduce its GHG emissions will be two-fold: Reducing overall energy demand, and increasing the use of renewable energy by having at least 10 percent of the company’s energy come from renewable sources by 2017. Efforts are already underway to achieve these goals: In addition to using and experimenting with renewable energy in its networks, approximately 75 percent of the power for Sprint’s 200-acre Overland Park, Kan., campus is sourced from a Spearville, Kan., wind farm.
Sprint’s environmental program Sprint’s GHG reduction target is just one element of its ongoing environmental program. Sprint takes its corporate social responsibility seriously, and has established six environmental priorities:
1. Reduce greenhouse gas emissions
2. Minimize waste and reduce use of natural resources
3. Promote an environmentally-sound supply chain
4. Reduce the environmental impact of Sprint products and services
5. Promote and support environmental stewardship by Sprint employees
6. Continue to comply with environmental regulations
Sprint has adopted robust measures and goals to support each of these priorities, which together compose Sprint’s environmental sustainability program. In addition to its GHG-reduction goal, these 10-year goals include increasing its wireless recycling take-back rates to 90 percent and increasing supplier compliance with Sprint’s environmental requirements to 90 percent.
“Sprint and its environmental commitments are here for the long term,” said Ralph Reid, Sprint vice president, Corporate Social Responsibility. “Our company is much more than the products and services it sells. The effect a company has on the environment, the people and the communities it serves reflects its dedication to being not only a great business – but to being a great corporate citizen.”
Greening Sprint’s network
One of the key areas which Sprint will be targeting to reduce GHG emissions is through its mobile networks and the energy associated with operating them. Sprint has already taken significant steps to reduce its energy use and to incorporate alternative energy sources. It will be taking these efforts further, both by moving forward with steps to achieve its GHG reduction target and by examining all network design and procurement processes, to ensure energy use and environmental impact are key considerations.
Sprint is currently a leader in hydrogen fuel cell deployment within the U.S. communications arena, with more than 250 hydrogen fuel cells in its core network – and with more planned. In addition, Sprint’s XOHM network, launched in Baltimore in September, was designed to be green, relying on hydrogen fuel cells as the primary backup power source. Cleaner and quieter than traditional backup power sources, the only by-products of hydrogen fuel cells are emissions-free: water and heat.
Reducing e-waste
Sprint continues to lead in wireless recycling rates, and plans to significantly increase those rates through its two wireless recycling programs, Sprint Project Connect and Sprint Buyback. The company’s current recycling and reuse rate is about 16 percent. These two programs alone have already kept more than 13 million wireless phones out of the waste stream while generating more than $5 million in charitable contributions.
Sprint has committed to increase that rate to 90 percent of the devices it sells by 2017. It plans to expand these recycling programs and to increase its customers’ participation in phone take-back efforts. All wireless phones recycled are either refurbished and resold or recycled, with 100 percent of the net proceeds of Project Connect directed toward keeping kids safer online through Sprint’s 4NetSafetySM program – www.4netsafety.com – in partnership with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children®, the NEA Health Information Network®, and others. For more information, visit www.Sprint.com/recycle.
Sprint is also working toward expanding its “green” choices for its customers, both consumers and businesses. For example, the packaging for Sprint’s green RumorTM by LG is the first device from Sprint and LG to use environmentally friendly packaging. The non-bleached, recyclable box is approximately 70 percent post-consumer content, and has an eco-friendly aqueous coating. Sprint will continue to offer a portfolio of products, services and packaging that allow its customers to make greener choices in their own lives and businesses.
About Sprint Nextel
Sprint Nextel offers a comprehensive range of wireless and wireline communications services bringing the freedom of mobility to consumers, businesses and government users. Sprint Nextel is widely recognized for developing, engineering and deploying innovative technologies, including two wireless networks serving nearly 52 million customers at the end of the second quarter 2008; industry-leading mobile data services; instant national and international push-to-talk capabilities; and a global Tier 1 Internet backbone. For more information, visit www.sprint.com.
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Natalie Lariviere Papaj Corporate Communications | Sprint Nextel Office: 703.433.3051 | Wireless: 703.586.0048 Natalie.Lariviere@sprint.com
