EPA Awards Exchange Network Grants

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently announced the award of 67 grants totaling more than $20 million to states, territories and tribes for continued work on the nationwide Environmental Information Exchange Network. Thirty-two states, three U.S. territories, and 18 Native American tribes received grants under fiscal year 2004 funding.

When complete, the Exchange Network will transform the way states, tribes and other partners provide information to EPA. In the past, states and other partners had to resolve hardware or data incompatibility problems in order to transfer data. Now no data transfer will be necessary -- they will establish nodes, special computers that store their environmental data, and EPA will collect the data using a universal format software language, XML. Thirty-five states are expected to have operational nodes by the end of 2004.

"The Exchange Network exemplifies the benefits of collaboration -- different parties working together to create a better solution for all -- in this case, a national environmental computer network," said Mike Leavitt. "EPA needs timely environmental information to make informed policy decisions. The states and other partners require accurate data to monitor their progress toward cleaner water and air. And the American public is entitled to view the latest and best available data on their communities. By combining resources, all parties get what they need quicker and at less cost to the taxpayer."

The Exchange Network program includes three types of grants:

1. Readiness Grants are for developing the basic information management and technology capabilities needed to participate in the Exchange Network.

2. Implementation Grants help grantees develop Exchange Network connections, nodes, and data flows.

3. Challenge Grants fund collaborative projects that advance the Exchange Network, including projects that result in a higher level quality of data, reduce reporting burden, or provide increased public access.

A complete list of the grantees is available online.

The EPA has also issued a solicitation notice requesting applications for FY 2005 Exchange Network grants.