The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is considering a grant award that it says would give it "substantial involvement" in the selection and development of on-air stories by some television meteorologists and station anchors in their reports on environmental issues related to water quality.

The agency's December requests for proposals, for awards that would total no more than $140,000, specifically solicits proposals from states, Indian Tribes, U.S. Territories, interstate and "other public or nonprofit organizations." An important criterion in the selection is a commitment in a memorandum of understanding "from station managers and news directors to produce and broadcast 8-10 national, local and/or regional (on-air stories) – consisting of 3-4 minutes, or other appropriate lengths in each of 4-9 media outlets (stations)."

Pointing to economic, social, and environmental benefits of clean water, the EPA solicitation focuses specifically on water quality standards, fish advisories, and beach water quality. "Using broadcast meteorologists and other on-camera newscasters (including station anchors) as messengers and transmitters of environmental information," the agency says, can promote beneficial environmental actions, improve decisionmaking, promote environmentally responsible attitudes, and "improve knowledge."

The one or more grant recipients would receive total funding of up to $140,000 over two years. "On-air stories will refer the public to the particular TV station's website or to EPA's web sites for more in-depth information, as appropriate," the EPA solicitation says. The agency says it will work closely with grant recipients "with technical review and advice on content of on-air news stories to ensure accuracy." The agency says it will also help identify federal, state, local, and other officials "who may be able to appear during on-camera, on-air stories."

Grant applicants are asked to detail how the pieces will be aired in media markets (between four and nine markets) through "already existing and established" delivery mechanisms and involving "broadcast meteorologists and other on-camera newscasters (including station anchors)." The solicitation in several instances emphasizes the point that "station anchors" are to be included along with meteorologists in reporting the information. The agency's solicitation says the agency reserves the right to make no grant award at all.