(Kansas City, Kan., Sept. 22, 2011) - Through Nov. 8, EPA Region 7 will accept proposals from eligible applicant schools and entities for a $150,000 environmental education grant to develop new programs promoting environmental stewardship in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska communities.

The environmental education grant program is a competitive grant program that supports EPA's efforts to increase public awareness and knowledge about environmental issues.

Proposals for the grant should be mailed to Environmental Education Coordinator Denise Morrison, Office of Public Affairs, EPA Region 7, 901 North 5th Street, Kansas City, Kan., 66101. Proposals must be received by 5 p.m. (CDT) Nov. 8, 2011; those received after the due date will not be considered.

A solicitation notice announcing the grants program is available online at

www.epa.gov/enviroed/grants.html.  Go to the website to learn how your questions about the solicitation and the application process can be answered via email or three conference calls on Sept. 22, 27 and 30. For additional information, contact Denise Morrison at morrison.denise@epa.gov.

Environmental education grants provide funding to local education agencies, state education and environmental agencies; colleges and universities; not-for-profit organizations; and non-commercial broadcasting entities. Tribal education agencies controlled by an Indian tribe, band or nation, including schools and community colleges, may also apply.

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During his weekly video address, Senator Chuck Grassley discusses the Senate hearing this week on whether Google's search engine is being used to unfairly reduce competition in the marketplace.

Here is the text of the address:

This week I participated in a subcommittee hearing of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee about Google, and whether its search engine is shutting out competitors.

Iowa businesses - both big and small - depend on open and fair access to the internet to reach potential customers and to expand their businesses.

I've heard from Iowans who are concerned that Google is unfairly using its market power to manipulate internet searches, and drive web traffic to its own sites to the detriment of small businesses and consumers.  They're frustrated by the lack of transparency.  They're concerned that Google is engaging in anti-competitive behavior.

I've also heard from Iowans who support Google products and services.  These people rely on the products and services to access customers and grow their businesses.  They're concerned that the federal government is being overly aggressive, and will place burdensome rules and regulations on a company that is creating good jobs and innovative consumer tools for Iowans.

The federal government's job isn't to pick winners and losers.  And, we shouldn't be penalizing successful companies that are innovating, providing cost-effective and productive services, and creating the jobs of the future.  At the same time, companies should not take unfair advantage of their market power, use their dominance to quash worthy competitors, and engage in deceptive business practices that negatively impact the marketplace, small businesses and consumers.

Declaration Will Assist Farmers in 73 Illinois Counties Who Suffered

Crop Losses from Severe Flooding Earlier this Year

SPRINGFIELD - September 22, 2011. Governor Pat Quinn today announced federal disaster assistance is available to help Illinois farmers who suffered crop losses due to flooding this year.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has granted the Governor's request to designate 46 Illinois counties as natural disaster areas. The designation qualifies farmers in those counties and 27 contiguous counties for assistance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), including low-interest emergency loans.

"Grain prices will help offset production losses for farmers who were fortunate enough to get a crop in the ground, but thousands of acres across Illinois were totally destroyed," Governor Quinn said. "These loans will help farmers who weren't able to plant this year's crop by refinancing debt and covering production costs and essential family living expenses."

The January to June period this year was the fourth-wettest on record. Precipitation totaled 27.2 inches - nearly eight inches more than normal. This includes a record 7.59 inches of rain in April, which delayed spring planting in much of the state and flooded an estimated 500,000 acres.

The 46 counties declared as primary disaster areas are:

Alexander, Brown, Calhoun, Carroll, Cass, Clay, Crawford, Edwards, Effingham, Fayette, Franklin, Gallatin, Greene, Hamilton, Hardin, Henry, Jackson, Jefferson, Jersey, Jo Daviess, Johnson, Knox, Lawrence, Lee, Madison, Marion, McDonough, Mercer, Monroe, Perry, Pope, Pulaski, Randolph, Richland, Rock Island, Saline, Schuyler, Scott, St. Clair, Stephenson, Union, Wabash, Washington, Wayne, White and Williamson.

The 27 contiguous counties approved for disaster assistance include :

Adams, Bond, Bureau, Clark, Clinton, Cumberland, DeKalb, Fulton, Hancock, Henderson, Jasper, LaSalle, Macoupin, Mason, Massac, Menard, Montgomery, Morgan, Ogle, Peoria, Pike, Sangamon, Shelby, Stark, Warren, Whiteside and Winnebago.

Farmers who believe they may qualify for disaster assistance should contact their county Farm Service Agency office. Staff in county Farm Service Agency offices can then verify whether producers are eligible for emergency funds. Applications are considered on a case-by-case basis and take into account the extent of production losses, available security and an applicant's repayment ability. Farmers have eight months from the date of today's declaration to apply for assistance.

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Washington, DC - Today, Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) welcomed the 16th Honor Flight from the Quad Cities to the National World War II Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, DC.

Honor Flight of the Quad Cities, a non-profit organization, was formed in 2008 to provide an opportunity for Quad Cities-area veterans to visit Washington to see historical sites and memorials at no cost to the veterans.

CORRECTED YouTube video of the event can be viewed here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNBphESYxRM

CORRECTED 1080p high-definition video can be downloaded here: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/21501138/qc-honor-flight-10-22-11__1080p.mp4