Posts Categorized: LHTAC News

USDA Grant Opportunity

The USDA has the following grant opportunity:
“Assistance to High Energy Cost Rural Communities”

Eligible Applicants:
Private institutions of higher education Small businesses For profit organizations other than small businesses Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized) State governments Individuals City or township governments Special district governments Others (see text field entitled “Additional Information on Eligibility” for clarification) Independent school districts County governments Public and State controlled institutions of higher education Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments)
Additional Information on Eligibility: Also open to sole proprietorships, legally-organized for-profit or nonprofit organizations such as, but not limited to, a corporation, association, partnership (including a limited liability partnership), cooperative, or trust.  Applicant must be located in the United States, a U.S. Territory or other area authorized by law to participate in programs of the Rural Utilities Service or under the Rural Electrification Act.

The Rural Utilities Service (RUS), an agency of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), announces the availability of up to $7 million in Fiscal Year 2014 for competitive grants to assist communities with extremely high energy costs. The grant funds may be used to acquire, construct, or improve energy generation, transmission, or distribution facilities serving communities with average annual residential expenditure for home energy exceeding 275 percent of the national average.  On-grid and off-grid renewable energy projects and implementation of energy efficiency, and energy conservation projects are also eligible. Grant funds may not be used for the preparation of the grant application, or for: payment of utility bills, fuel purchases, routine maintenance or other routine operating costs, or for the purchase of any equipment, structures, or real estate not directly associated with provision of community energy services.

Click here for more details on this grant and the application package.

Current Closing Date for Applications: August 1, 2014

http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=258500

FY15 to FY19 Draft ITIP

FY 15 to FY 19 Draft Idaho Transportation Investment Program (ITIP)

The Idaho Transportation Department is providing this draft of the FY15 to FY19 ITIP to allow transportation agencies and the public to review and provide comments on the program.

The ITIP’s federal document format meets the requirements of the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21), the law that provides federal funding for transportation projects to move people and freight. In compliance with MAP-21, this draft ITIP is fiscally constrained and includes at least four years of projects in compliance with 23 CFR 450.216.

FY15-19 Draft ITIP (PDF)

Comments can be emailed to comments@itd.idaho.gov or mailed to ITIP – Comments, Attn: Adam Rush, P.O. Box 7129, Boise, ID  83707-1129. Comments are being taken from July 1 through July 30, 2014.

LHTAC entered projects into the draft program based on ranking of applications and available funds. Please view the applications ranking with projects included in the draft program below:

Roadway Safety Foundation Announces Cooperative Agreement with Federal Highway Administration to Promote Crash Countermeasures

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Roadway Safety Foundation (RSF) is pleased to announce that they have reached a new agreement with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to provide educational materials to State and local transportation officials, public safety officials, community leaders, motorists and the media about innovative technologies, programs, and policies that make our nation’s roads safer. (more…)

5 Steps to Young Worker Safety

Young worker safety must be a key focus for employers. Statistics from the Association of Workers Compensation Boards of Canada (AWCBC) say workers between the ages of 15 and 19 had 8,040 time loss injuries in Canada in 2012, and four work-related fatalities.

In the 20 to 24 age group, 23,266 were injured and a further 28 young workers died.

Anyone who lacks experience and trained judgment is at particular risk of getting injured, regardless of their age. Young workers especially rely on their employer for good advice, information and supervision and ultimately, for their safety. (more…)

LHTAC Receives MiM Platinum Level!

The Local Highway Technical Assistance Council (LHTAC) received Platinum Level for 2014 May in Motion (MiM).

During the month of May we became Transportation Champions and you can too! It’s pretty easy.  Get your organization involved in May in Motion by encouraging your employees and co workers to ride, walk, vanpool and ride the bus to work. May in Motion is an annual event hosted by Commuteride. For more information on the program visit http://www.commuterider.com/may-in-motion/.