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EPA Challenges Software Developers to Create App That Puts Environmental and Public Health Information at Citizens’ Fingertips

Release Date: 06/09/2011
Contact Information: Mollie Lemon (News Media Only), [email protected], 202-564-2039, 202-564-4355

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing its “Apps for the Environment” challenge to encourage the development of innovative environmental applications for people and communities. The challenge invites the information technology community to create applications that help people make informed decisions about environmental issues that can affect their health. EPA is engaging students, colleges and universities, and developers across the U.S. to develop and submit an app.

"By harnessing American ingenuity we can find new ways every day to better protect our health and environment," EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson said. "Blending technology with a wide range of environmental data, Apps for the Environment will help present useful information in a user-friendly way for our families, neighbors and communities. I’m excited to see the innovations that professional software developers and high school students alike can create."

The challenge is a step towards a longer term objective of engaging developers and raising awareness about the availability and usefulness of EPA’s data. Applications for the challenge must use EPA’s data and be accessible via the web or a mobile device. Submissions are due by September 16, 2011. EPA experts will select finalists and winning submissions based their usefulness, innovation, and ability to address one or more of EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson’s seven priorities for EPA’s future. In addition, the public will be able to vote for a “People’s Choice” winner. Winners will receive recognition from EPA on the agency’s website and at an event in Washington, D.C. in the fall, where they’ll be able to present their apps to senior EPA officials and other interested parties.

More information on the challenge: https://www.epa.gov/appsfortheenvironment/

More information on Administrator Jackson’s priorities: https://blog.epa.gov/administrator/2010/01/12/seven-priorities-for-epas-future/