–Received from NACo “Green Government” Division–

NACo has recently completed a number of fact sheets of interest to local governments.  All Green Government Initiative fact sheets can be found at www.greencounties.org under the Publications and Presentations link.  Each fact sheet is written with contribution from Green Government Initiative sponsors and advisory board members.

The following fact sheets have been completed so far:

· Solar Energy for County Facilities

This fact sheet provides an overview of how solar energy can be used as a renewable energy source in county buildings. It includes an overview of costs and benefits, case studies, resources, and a discussion of incentives for businesses and residents.

· Counties and Commercial Green Buildings
This fact sheet provides an overview of aspects to green commercial buildings, incentive programs, funding options, national recognition and certifications, and much more.

· Greening County Fleets (PDF)
This fact sheet explains how counties can implement green purchasing policies for their own buildings.

· Green Purchasing in County Offices (PDF)
This fact sheet explains how counties can implement green purchasing policies for their own buildings.

· 10 Ways to Green Your County
This fact sheet provides information on 10 ways for counties to use green practices.

· Solid Waste Management, Recycling and E-Waste
This fact sheet provides an overview to the challenges and possible solutions of managing the growing problem of solid waste and also explores how to implement county programs for recycling, especially for e-waste.

· Counties and Residential Green Building Standards (PDF)
This fact sheet provides a basic overview of green standards and certifications for residential buildings being implemented at a national and local level, and details resources available to help counties achieve those standards and certifications.

· Geothermal Energy in County Facilities
This fact sheet provides a basic overview of geothermal energy and its benefits, how it is used in county buildings, best practice examples, and company resources.

· Clean Diesel Technology for County Operations
This fact sheet provides a basic overview of clean diesel technology for county fleets, the 5 R’s of retrofit, funding and company resources, and best practice examples.

· Creating a Green County Team (pdf)
This fact sheet assists counties looking to advance green government practices across their agencies and communities with a team of staff members to help facilitate the effort

· Energy Efficient Lighting in County Facilities (PDF)
This fact sheet provides a basic overview of energy efficient lighting and its benefits, how it is used in county buildings, best practice examples, emerging technologies and company resources.

Also available…

· Air Quality Improvement Guide for Local Governments
This guide provides best practice examples on a range of activities local governments are undertaking to help achieve and maintain attainment status for ozone and particulate matter pollution.

· County Buildings: Energy Efficiency and Performance Contracting
A fact sheet on utilizing performance contracts for energy efficiency improvements of county buildings

· Improving Energy Efficiency in County Buildings (PDF)
A guide on utilizing tools and resources through the U.S. EPA ENERGY STAR Program and NACo to improve the energy efficiency of county buildings.

–Forwarded by Gail Rosson–
The Recycling Marketing Cooperative for Tennessee, Inc. (RMCT) is a statewide non-profit recycling cooperative. RMCT began in 1993 with the mission to market Tennessee’s recyclables through community cooperation and education. Today, RMCT provides marketing assistance to county, cities and business recycling programs throughout Tennessee. At RMCT we realize that each recycling program is unique and tailor our services to meet your needs. Marketing recyclable materials is just part of what we do. Visit our web site for more information. http://www.rmct.org

–Forwarded by Multiple Sources–
Dear SWANA Division Members,
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.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact me.

Shannon Crawford
Legislative and Regulatory Program Manager
240-494-2241 - direct

SWANA - Solid Waste Association of North America
1100 Wayne Ave., Suite 700
Silver Spring, MD 20910
1-800-GO SWANA

On Saturday, October 11, any Tennessee resident may bring his or her household hazardous waste to the following locations. (Note that hours listed indicate the local time for each event.)

Greene County – Hal Henard Elementary School in Greeneville from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. The local contact for this HHW collection event is Jennifer Reynolds at (423) 638-4111.

Sullivan County – Central High School in Blountville from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. The local contact for this HHW collection event is Buck Johnson at (423) 279-2879.

Unicoi County – The Unicoi County Highway Department in Erwin from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. The local contact for this HHW collection event is Greg Lynch at (423) 743-9391.

The average home in Tennessee produces 20 pounds of household hazardous waste each year. Typical items to dispose of include cleaning fluids, pesticides, mercury thermometers and thermostats, swimming pool chemicals, paint thinner and automotive fluids. Also accepted are fluorescent bulbs and electronics, such as televisions, computer monitors, keyboards, computer mouse devices and computer processing units. Console televisions must be dismantled.

Items no longer accepted are alkaline and rechargeable batteries. Alkaline batteries sold after May 13, 1996, have no mercury added and may be discarded in the regular trash. Nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cd), nickel metal hydride (Ni-MH), lithium ion (Li-Ion) and small sealed lead-acid (Pb) batteries may be recycled through the Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation. You may find a drop-off location near you by entering your ZIP code at http://www.rbrc.org/call2recycle/dropoff/index.php. Other items not accepted include microwave ovens, ammunition, explosives, medical waste and any items from a school, commercial business or agri-business.
Additional information on the household hazardous waste mobile collection service, please call
1-800-287-9013 or visit http://www.tn.gov/environment/swm/hhw

–Forwarded by Louis Bordenave, TDEC--

SERDC and CRA have partnered to provide Fall 2008 Facility Tours in the Carolinas.

• Friday, October 17th : Mecklenburg County/ Metrolina Recycling Center in Charlotte, NC
• Friday, October 24th : Horry County/ MRF, in Conway, SC

Please follow the link listed below for detailed information and RSVP to join SERDC for one or both of these educational tours.

http://www.serdc.org/documents/SERDC_CRA_tour_announcement.pdf

The Fall Grant application period is now open. Online applications will be accepted through Friday, October 17.

IT’S NEVER BIN EASIER… TO RECYCLE!

The Coca-Cola/NRC Recycling Bin Grant Program supports local community recycling programs by providing bins to selected grant recipients for the collection of beverage container recyclables in public settings.
Grants will be provided to a limited number of applicants who can demonstrate how their proposals will lead to sustainable recycling opportunities. The grant program is open to government, civic, school,
non-profit groups and for-profit companies. Applications are available only on-line.

For more information visit http://www.bingrant.org/home.htm

–From TDEC Website–
Nashville, Tenn. – The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation’s mobile household hazardous waste collection service will be in Hickman, McMinn and Warren Counties on October 4.

On Saturday, October 4, any Tennessee resident may bring his or her household hazardous waste to the following locations.

Hickman County – Hickman County Transfer Station, 2220 Skyview Drive in Centerville from 8 a.m. until 12 p.m. The local contact for this HHW collection event is Marty Turbeville at (931) 729-2136.

McMinn County – McMinn County High School in Athens from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. The local contact for this HHW collection event is Joy Rymer at (423) 745-2086.

Warren County – Three Star Mall Parking Lot in McMinnville from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. The local contact for this HHW collection event is Mary Lou Ward at (931) 473-2381.

Items no longer accepted are alkaline and rechargeable batteries. Alkaline batteries sold after May 13, 1996, have no mercury added and may be discarded in the regular trash. Nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cd), nickel metal hydride (Ni-MH), lithium ion (Li-Ion) and small sealed lead-acid (Pb) batteries may be recycled through the Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation. You may find a drop-off location near you by entering your ZIP code at http://www.rbrc.org/call2recycle/dropoff/index.php. Other items not accepted include microwave ovens, ammunition, explosives, medical waste and any items from a school, commercial business or agri-business.

For more information on the household hazardous waste mobile collection service, please call
1-800-287-9013 or visit www.tn.gov/environment/swm/hhw.

–From TDEC Website–
Nashville, Tenn. – The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation’s mobile household hazardous waste collection service will be in Dickson, Putnam and Sumner Counties on September 27.

“Our household hazardous waste mobile collection service provides the people of Tennessee with a safe, environmentally friendly way to dispose of unwanted household chemicals and other potentially hazardous wastes at no cost,” said Environment and Conservation Commissioner Jim Fyke. “This service travels across the state holding collection events in local communities, and we encourage all Tennesseans to take advantage of the opportunity to utilize it.”

On Saturday, September 27, any Tennessee resident may bring his or her household hazardous waste to the following locations. (Note that hours listed indicate the local time for each event.)

Dickson County – Dickson County Fairgrounds in Dickson from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. The local contact for this HHW collection event is Gina Nash at (615) 740-4924.

Putnam County – Putnam County Fairgrounds in Cookeville from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. The local contact for this HHW collection event is Nadine Armstrong at (931) 537-3278.

Sumner County – Volunteer State Community College in Gallatin from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. The local contact for this HHW collection event is Larry Wright at (615) 452-1114.

–Please share with your local governments. This might be helpful to them.–
Larry C. Christley, TDEC

New EPA Toolkit to Help Municipal Governments Confront Recycling Challenges

EPA Region 4 is releasing a new Municipal Government Toolkit (MGTK). The MGTK provides a centralized
web-based resource for recycling-related information designed specifically to assist local government leaders and recycling program coordinators. The MGTK provides a key resource to help elected officials and decision-makers identify information to develop, evaluate, support, and/or expand their reduction programs. This resource presents a collection of economic data, sample legislation, waste reduction efforts, guidance resources, and case studies regarding the impacts of recycling in the Southeast. The website focuses on six key areas related to recycling in the Southeast: economic impacts, climate change aspects, community benefits of recycling, and recycling hot topics, as well as modules on starting a recycling program, and improving a
recycling program. The toolkit also emphasizes Region 4’s new Recycling Grows Green logo, demonstrating that recycling efforts by municipalities often have the dual benefits of helping the environment and local budgets.

Persons interested in obtaining additional information are encouraged to contact Rhonda Rollins at (404) 562-8664 / rollins.rhonda@epa.gov or Angela Bivens, (404) 562-8623 / bivens.angela@epa.gov. The website can be accessed at www.epa.gov/region4/recycle, then follow the link to the Toolkit.

For those of you attending the Joint Conference in Memphis – October 12-14, 2008, please find attached the conference schedule and a list of education sessions. If you are in West TN and haven’t registered you may want to consider going for the day on Monday.

Schedule attached:
education-sessions

2008-tcapwa-conference-schedule