West Coast ports say ready to handle peak season bump after front-loading surge
The gateways say they are well-positioned to take on additional diversions from the East and Gulf coasts should an ILA strike occur after the current labor deal expires at the end of September.
West Coast ports say ready to handle peak season after front-loading surge
The gateways say they are well-positioned to take on additional diversions from the East and Gulf coasts should an ILA strike occur after the current labor deal expires at the end of September.
West Coast ports say ready to handle peak season bump after front-loading surge
The gateways say they are well-positioned to take on additional diversions from the East and Gulf coasts should an ILA strike occur after the current labor deal expires at the end of September.
Biden-Harris Administration announces $190M grant opportunity for payment programs that help private forest landowners address climate change
ORONO, Maine, July 25, 2024 — Today, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service is making $190 million available to help private forest landowners adapt to and mitigate the impacts of climate change and retain working forestlands.
This new investment, announced today at the University of Maine's Investing in America Town Hall, was made possible by the Inflation Reduction Act – part of President Biden's Investing in America agenda and the largest climate investment in history.
This new investment, announced today at the University of Maine's Investing in America Town Hall, was made possible by the Inflation Reduction Act – part of President Biden's Investing in America agenda and the largest climate investment in history.
USDA Announces the 2024 Class of USDA 1890 National Scholars
WASHINGTON, July 25, 2024 – Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announces 91 scholarships awarded through the USDA 1890 National Scholars Program, one of the Department’s efforts to develop the next generation of diverse food and agriculture professionals. The USDA 1890 National Scholars Program is a partnership between USDA and the 19 historically Black land-grant universities that were established under the Second Morrill Act of 1890 and is administered by USDA’s Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement (OPPE).
EPA Announces More Than $20 Million in Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grants in Ohio
Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced The MetroHealth System and The Trust for Public Land in Ohio will receive $17,191,775 and $3,000,000 respectively to help disadvantaged communities tackle environmental and climate justice challenges through projects that reduce pollution, increase community climate resilience, and build community capacity. Made possible by President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, the Community Change Grants Program is the single largest investment in environmental and climate justice in history. The funding announcement today is the first of nearly $2 billion from the program that was designed based on community input to award grants on a rolling basis.
These two groups and other selected applications are the first to come under the Community Change Grants Program’s rolling application process. Informed by robust stakeholder engagement and community feedback, the innovative rolling application process will ensure that applicants have ample time to prepare and take advantage of this historic resource. The Community Change Grants Program notice of funding opportunity, administered through EPA’s Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights, is still accepting applications through November 21. EPA will continue to review applications and announce selections on a rolling basis.
“Our ability to deliver tangible results for communities depends on listening to them and developing innovative solutions through inclusive stakeholder engagement,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “Today, thanks to President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, EPA has selected the first cohort of community partnerships to solve emerging and longstanding environmental and climate justice challenges.”
“Engaging communities on the front lines of climate and environmental issues is a cornerstone of EPA’s commitment to Environmental Justice,” said EPA Region 5 Administrator Debra Shore. “These communities have been overburdened for too long and that divide is only growing as climate change worsens. These grants are an opportunity to work together and address core environmental issues for our EJ communities.”
MetroHealth, along with partner Community Housing Solutions, will identify 1,200 Cleveland-area households with at least one resident with asthma and work with them to reduce indoor air pollution. They will replace gas ranges with electric ranges, upgrade kitchen electrical systems as needed, and improve kitchen ventilation. They also will offer households financial incentives to switch to a cleaner electricity supplier and will install EV chargers upon request. All project activities will include extensive community outreach.
Trust for Public Land, along with partner See You at the Top, will work with the city of Cleveland and the Cleveland Parks and Greenspace Coalition to engage residents of eight historically disadvantaged neighborhoods in municipal decision-making and planning processes related to parks and greenspaces.
“The Inflation Reduction Act continues to deliver for Northeast Ohio. I’m excited to join the EPA in announcing two federal grant awards to MetroHealth and The Trust for Public Land. These grants will make a tangible difference for local families, helping thousands of residents with asthma upgrade their homes and giving residents a voice in developing greenspace. We all deserve clean air, indoors and outdoors, and these grants help us move toward that goal,” said Rep. Shontel Brown.
"Trust for Public Land and Syatt are grateful for the opportunity to create system-wide change in Cleveland via the Cleveland Parks & Greenspace Coalition. This award will center community residents in the development of the new Parks and Recreation Department and implementation of the city-wide parks and greenspace comprehensive plan. The equity-driven, environmental, and climate justice community work in this grant award will encourage two-way communication between the City and residents, becoming a watershed event for a more resilient Cleveland,” said Sean Terry, Ohio State Director at Trust for Public Land.
“We are excited to work on this project which has the potential to reduce indoor air pollution, improve asthma control, and improve quality of life,” Dr. Ashwini Sehgal of MetroHealth Systems. “This project will help participants to miss fewer days of work or school, increase their property values, and reduce their energy costs. We are grateful for this opportunity to help our local community in Cleveland, where asthma affects 1 in every 5 people."
The Inflation Reduction Act provides $3 billion to EPA to award grants that help disadvantaged communities and offer technical assistance. With these grants, EPA is delivering on this mission.
The Community Change Grants also deliver on President Biden’s commitment to advance equity and justice throughout the United States through his Justice40 Initiative to ensure that 40 percent of the overall benefits of certain federal investments go to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution.
Track I of the program, Community-Driven Investments for Change, is expected to award approximately $1.96 billion for 150 projects for $10-20 million each.
Track II, Meaningful Engagement for Equitable Governance, is expected to award approximately $40 million for 20 projects for $1-3 million each. Track II applicants who will facilitate individual and community participation in governmental decision-making processes are:
See the full listing of the initial 21 organizations receiving a CCGP grant and learn more about CCGP.
The Community Change Grants Program is still accepting applications through November 21, so EPA encourages applicants to submit applications as soon as they completely meet the requirements. EPA will be making additional selections on a rolling basis for the remainder of 2024. EPA also encourages interested applicants to apply for technical assistance as soon as possible, as the last day to request new technical assistance is August 16, 2024.
Read the Community Change Grants notice of funding opportunity here: https://www.epa.gov/inflation-reduction-act/inflation-reduction-act-community-change-grants-program.
To learn more about the Community Change Grants and technical assistance: https://www.epa.gov/inflation-reduction-act/inflation-reduction-act-community-change-grants-program
To learn more about environmental justice at EPA, visit: https://www.epa.gov/environmentaljustice
For up-to-date information, including information on webinars, subscribe to the Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights’ listserv by sending a blank email to: join-epa-ej@lists.epa.gov. Follow us on X (formerly Twitter): @EPAEnvJustice.
These two groups and other selected applications are the first to come under the Community Change Grants Program’s rolling application process. Informed by robust stakeholder engagement and community feedback, the innovative rolling application process will ensure that applicants have ample time to prepare and take advantage of this historic resource. The Community Change Grants Program notice of funding opportunity, administered through EPA’s Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights, is still accepting applications through November 21. EPA will continue to review applications and announce selections on a rolling basis.
“Our ability to deliver tangible results for communities depends on listening to them and developing innovative solutions through inclusive stakeholder engagement,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “Today, thanks to President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, EPA has selected the first cohort of community partnerships to solve emerging and longstanding environmental and climate justice challenges.”
“Engaging communities on the front lines of climate and environmental issues is a cornerstone of EPA’s commitment to Environmental Justice,” said EPA Region 5 Administrator Debra Shore. “These communities have been overburdened for too long and that divide is only growing as climate change worsens. These grants are an opportunity to work together and address core environmental issues for our EJ communities.”
MetroHealth, along with partner Community Housing Solutions, will identify 1,200 Cleveland-area households with at least one resident with asthma and work with them to reduce indoor air pollution. They will replace gas ranges with electric ranges, upgrade kitchen electrical systems as needed, and improve kitchen ventilation. They also will offer households financial incentives to switch to a cleaner electricity supplier and will install EV chargers upon request. All project activities will include extensive community outreach.
Trust for Public Land, along with partner See You at the Top, will work with the city of Cleveland and the Cleveland Parks and Greenspace Coalition to engage residents of eight historically disadvantaged neighborhoods in municipal decision-making and planning processes related to parks and greenspaces.
“The Inflation Reduction Act continues to deliver for Northeast Ohio. I’m excited to join the EPA in announcing two federal grant awards to MetroHealth and The Trust for Public Land. These grants will make a tangible difference for local families, helping thousands of residents with asthma upgrade their homes and giving residents a voice in developing greenspace. We all deserve clean air, indoors and outdoors, and these grants help us move toward that goal,” said Rep. Shontel Brown.
"Trust for Public Land and Syatt are grateful for the opportunity to create system-wide change in Cleveland via the Cleveland Parks & Greenspace Coalition. This award will center community residents in the development of the new Parks and Recreation Department and implementation of the city-wide parks and greenspace comprehensive plan. The equity-driven, environmental, and climate justice community work in this grant award will encourage two-way communication between the City and residents, becoming a watershed event for a more resilient Cleveland,” said Sean Terry, Ohio State Director at Trust for Public Land.
“We are excited to work on this project which has the potential to reduce indoor air pollution, improve asthma control, and improve quality of life,” Dr. Ashwini Sehgal of MetroHealth Systems. “This project will help participants to miss fewer days of work or school, increase their property values, and reduce their energy costs. We are grateful for this opportunity to help our local community in Cleveland, where asthma affects 1 in every 5 people."
The Inflation Reduction Act provides $3 billion to EPA to award grants that help disadvantaged communities and offer technical assistance. With these grants, EPA is delivering on this mission.
The Community Change Grants also deliver on President Biden’s commitment to advance equity and justice throughout the United States through his Justice40 Initiative to ensure that 40 percent of the overall benefits of certain federal investments go to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution.
Track I of the program, Community-Driven Investments for Change, is expected to award approximately $1.96 billion for 150 projects for $10-20 million each.
Track II, Meaningful Engagement for Equitable Governance, is expected to award approximately $40 million for 20 projects for $1-3 million each. Track II applicants who will facilitate individual and community participation in governmental decision-making processes are:
See the full listing of the initial 21 organizations receiving a CCGP grant and learn more about CCGP.
The Community Change Grants Program is still accepting applications through November 21, so EPA encourages applicants to submit applications as soon as they completely meet the requirements. EPA will be making additional selections on a rolling basis for the remainder of 2024. EPA also encourages interested applicants to apply for technical assistance as soon as possible, as the last day to request new technical assistance is August 16, 2024.
Read the Community Change Grants notice of funding opportunity here: https://www.epa.gov/inflation-reduction-act/inflation-reduction-act-community-change-grants-program.
To learn more about the Community Change Grants and technical assistance: https://www.epa.gov/inflation-reduction-act/inflation-reduction-act-community-change-grants-program
To learn more about environmental justice at EPA, visit: https://www.epa.gov/environmentaljustice
For up-to-date information, including information on webinars, subscribe to the Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights’ listserv by sending a blank email to: join-epa-ej@lists.epa.gov. Follow us on X (formerly Twitter): @EPAEnvJustice.
Ipinahayag ng Biden-Harris Administration ang Higit sa $325 Milyon para sa Mga Environmental at Climate Justice Community Change Grant
Makipag-ugnay sa: EPA Press Office (press@epa.gov)
WASHINGTON – Ngayong araw, Hulyo 25, 2024, ipinahiwatig ng U.S. Environmental Protection Agency na higit sa $325 milyon na pondo para sa 21 napiling mga application para makatulong sa mga nahihirapang komunidad upang maharap ang mga pagbabago sa environment at climate justice sa pamamagitan ng mga proyekto na nagbabawas sa polusyon, magpapalakas sa tibay ng komunidad laban sa pagbabago sa klima at mapalakas rin ang kakayahan ng komunidad. Ito ay magaganap salamat sa Inflation Reduction Act ni President Biden, ang Community Change Grants Program ay ang nag-iisang pinakamalaking pamumuhunan para sa environment at climate justice sa buong kasaysayan. Ang pahayag ng pagpopondo ngayong araw ay ang unang bahagi ng halos $2 bilyon mula sa programa na nilikha batay sa input ng komunidad patungo sa mga award grant na patuloy na ibinibigay.
Ang mga napiling application ay unang dumating sa ilalim ng Community Change Grants Program na proseso ng patuloy na application. Nababatay sa impormasyon ng matatag na pagiging bahagi ng stakeholder at feedback mula sa komunidad, ang innovative na patuloy na application process ay makakatiyak sa mga aplikante na mayroon silang sapat na oras upang makapaghanda at mapakinabangan ang makasaysayang mapagkukuhanan ng impormasyon at tulong na ito. Ang Community Change Grants Program Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), na pinamamahalaan sa pamamagitan ng Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights, ay tumatanggap pa rin ng mga application hanggang Nobyembre 21, 2024. Magpapatuloy ang EPA sa pagre-review ng mga application at patuloy ang pagpapahiwatig ang mga napili.
“Ang aming kakayahan na makapaghatid ng mga makikitang resulta para sa mga komunidad ay nababatay sa pakikinig sa kanila at pagde-develop ng mga innovative na solusyon sa pamamagitan ng pagiging bahagi ng mga stakeholder,” sabi ni EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “Ngayong araw, salamat sa Inflation Reduct Act ni Presidente Biden, napili ng EPA ang unang kapartner sa komunidad para malutas ang mga bagong natutuklasan at matagal nang mga hamon sa environment at sa climate justice.
“Ang mga grant ngayong ay naglalagay sa mga komunidad sa punong posisyon patungo sa pagwawasto sa mga kamalian sa kapaligiran na naganap dat at pagpapatatag sa sarili nilang clean energy para sa hinaharap,” sinabi ni John Podesta, Senior Advisor sa President for International Climate Policy.
“Ang Investing in America na agenda ni Presidente Biden ay nagpabilis sa aming mga pagsisikap upang makapaghatid ng environmental justice sa mga komunidad na matagal nang napag-iiwanan,” sabi ni Brenda Mallory, Chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality. “Bilang parte ng Justice40 Initiative ng Presidente, ang mga grant na ito ay makakatulong sa mga naghihirap na komunidad na maharap ang mga hamon sa environment at climate justice sa pamamagitan ng pagbabawas sa polusyon,pagpapatatag sa mga epektong sanhi ng climate change, at pagpapalakas sa kakayahan ng komunidad para matiyak na matatapos ang lahat ng mga proyekto.”
Ang Inflation Reduction Act ay nagkakaloob ng $3 bilyon sa EPA patungo sa mga award grant na makakatulong sa mga hirap na komunidad at magkakaloob ng technical na tulong. Sa mga grant na ito, natutupad ng EPA ang layunin nito.
Ang Community Change Grants ay nagsasakatuparan rin sa pananagutan ni Presidente Biden para mapasulong ang pagkakapantay-pantay at katarungan sa kabuuan ng Estados Unidos sa pamamagitan ng kaniyang Justice40 Initiative upang matiyak na ang 40 porsiyento ng mga pangkalahatang benepisyo ng ilang mga pederal na pamumuhunan ay mapupunta sa mga hirap na komunidad na nahihiwalay sanhi ng kakulangan sa pamumuhunan at sobrang nahihirapan sanhi ng polusyon.
Ang mga halimbawang grant para sa paunang napili na grupo ay kinabibilangan ng:
Halos $20 milyon sa Midwest Tribal Energy Resources Association (MTERA) and Grid Alternatives para makapagkabit ng home weatherization at energy efficiency na mga upgrade sa lahat ng 35 Tribes sa Michigan, Minnesota, at Wisconsin, na magpapahusay sa kalidad ng hanging sa looban para sa mga pamilya at pagkakaloob ng leadership development training para sa mga natakdang Tribal Energy Champions. Ang MTERA ay nakatanggap rin ng $62 milyong gantimpala mula sa EPA Solar for All program noong Mayo.
$20 milyon sa Coalition for Responsible Community Development at Los Angeles Trade-Technical College upang mapalakas ang environmental justice workforce development trainings para sa pagtatanggal ng lead, welding, maintenance ng hybrid at electric na sasakyan, home weatherization, at residential energy na mga pag-audit. Sa pamamagitan ng grant na ito, ang mga napiling aplikante ay inaasahang makakakumpleto sa pagtatanggal ng lead sa higit sa 600 mga tahanan sa buong Southern Los Angeles.
Higit sa $14 milyon sa Texas A&M University and the Black Belt Unincorporated Wastewater Program para makapagkabit ng wastewater treatment systems para sa site mismo sa lahat ng 17 Black Belt na mga county sa Alabama. Dati nang bumisita si Administrator Regan sa Lowndes County, Alabama—na ang mga di gumagana ng wastong tangke at mga straight piped na sewage mula sa mga bahay patungo sa mga yard ay lumikha ng isang pampublikong krisis sa rehiyon. Ang komunidad na ito ay nakatanggap rin ng 100% na maaaring patawarin na $8.7 milyon na pautang mula sa Bipartisan Infrastructure Law para matugunan ang kritikal na mga hamon sa wastewater na nakaka-apekto sa mga pamilya.
Halos $14 milyon para sa Pittsburgh Conservation Corps and PowerCorpsPHL para mapalawak ang mga programa sa mga manggagawa sa urban forestry at pagbabawas ng wood waste (mga labi na galing sa kahoy), pagpapalawak sa tree canopy sa Philadelphia at Pittsburgh at tiyakin na malayo mula sa mga landfill ang wood waste. Ang grant na ito ay kinabibilangan rin ng mga pondo upang mapakaunti ang biochar sa pagbabawas ng polusyon ng lead sa mga lupa sa Pittsburgh.
Track I ng programa, Community-Driven Investments for Change, ay inaasahan na magbigay ng halos $1.96 bilyon para sa 150 pmga proyekto na $10-20 milyon kada isa. Ang mga aplikante ng 17 Track I na nagpapatupad ng saklaw ang buong komunidad na mga proyekto para matugunan ang mga hamon sa environment at climate justice ay:
Texas A&M University at Black Belt Unincorporated Wastewater Program (Wilcox/Hale/Lowndes Counties, AL)
City of Bakersfield at Building Healthy Communities Kern (Bakersfield, CA)
La Familia Counseling Center, Inc. at Community Resource Project (Sacramento, CA)
Coalition for Responsible Community Development at Los Angeles Trade -Technical College (Los Angeles, CA)
The San Diego Foundation at The Environmental Health Coalition (San Diego, CA)
Day One at Active SGV (San Gabriel Valley, CA)
City of Pocatello at Portneuf Greenway Foundation (Pocatello, ID)
Dillard University at United Way of Southeast Louisiana (Southeast LA)
City of Springfield at Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts (Springfield, MA)
Midwest Tribal Energy Resources Association at Grid Alternatives (MI, MN, WI)
Ang MetroHealth System at Community Housing Solutions (Cleveland, OH)
Lane County Oregon at United Way of Lane County (Lane County, OR)
Pittsburgh Conservation Corps at PowerCorpsPHL (Pittsburgh/Philadelphia, PA)
Ang Trust for Public Land at City of Chattanooga (Chattanooga, TN)
City of Houston at Black United Fund of Texas (Houston, TX)
Corporation of Gonzaga University at Spokane Neighborhood Action Partners (Spokane, WA)
National Housing Trust at D.C. Children’s Law Center (Washington, D.C.)
Track II, Meaningful Engagement for Equitable Governance, ay inaasahan na magbibigay ng halos $40 milyon para sa 20 proyekto na $1-3 milyon ang bawat isa. Ang mga aplikante ng Track II na mangangasiwa sa indibiduwal at komunidad na paglalahok sa mga proseso ng pagdedesisyon ng gobyerno ay:
Insight Garden Program at Ella Baker Center for Human Rights (multiple locations in CA)
Ang Trust for Public Land at See You At The Top (Cleveland, OH)
Special Service for Groups, Inc. at Center for Asian Americans United for Self Empowerment (Los Angeles, CA)
Bronx River Alliance, Inc. at Youth Ministries for Peace and Justice (Bronx County, NY)
Mula sa mga napiling 21, ang tatlo ay para sa Target Investment Areas na natiyak sa NOFO. Ang pagpopondo sa Target Investment Area ay nilalayon upang matiyak na ang Community Change Grants Program na pagpopondo ay nakatuon patungo sa mga hirap na komunidad na may mga bukod-tanging mga pangyayari, heograpiya at pangangailangan.
Tingnan ang kumpletong listahan ng paunang 21 organizations na makakatanggap ng CCGP grant at lubos pang alamin ang tungkol sa CCGP.
Dahil ang Community Change Grants Program ay tumatanggap pa rin ng mga application hanggang Nobyembre 21, 2024, hinihikayat ng EPA ang mga aplikante na magsumite ng mga application sa sandaling ganap na nilang natugunan ang mga requirement ng NOFO. Ang EPA ay magsasagawa ng patuloy na pagpipili hanggang sa katapusan ng 2024. Hinihikayat rin ng EPA ang mga interesadong aplikante na mag-apply para sa technical na tulong hangga’t maaaari, dahil ang huling araw para mag-request ng bagong technical na tulong ay Agosto 16, 2024.
Basahin ang Community Change Grants NOFO sa Inflation Reduction Act Community Change Grants Program sa webpage ng EPA.
Upang lubos pang matutunan ang tungkol sa Community Change Grants at Technical Assistance bumisita sa Inflation Reduction Act Community Change Grants Program webpage ng EPA.
Para lubos pang matutunan ang tungkol sa environmental justice sa EPA, bumisita sa Environmental Justice webpage ng EPA.
Para sa nasasapanahon na impormasyon tungkol sa NOFO, kasama na ang impormasyon sa mga webinar, mag-subscribe sa Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights’ listserv sa pamamagitan ng pagpapadala ng blangko na email sa: join-epa-ej@lists.epa.gov. Ifollow kami sa X (dating kilala bilang Twitter): @EPAEnvJustice.
WASHINGTON – Ngayong araw, Hulyo 25, 2024, ipinahiwatig ng U.S. Environmental Protection Agency na higit sa $325 milyon na pondo para sa 21 napiling mga application para makatulong sa mga nahihirapang komunidad upang maharap ang mga pagbabago sa environment at climate justice sa pamamagitan ng mga proyekto na nagbabawas sa polusyon, magpapalakas sa tibay ng komunidad laban sa pagbabago sa klima at mapalakas rin ang kakayahan ng komunidad. Ito ay magaganap salamat sa Inflation Reduction Act ni President Biden, ang Community Change Grants Program ay ang nag-iisang pinakamalaking pamumuhunan para sa environment at climate justice sa buong kasaysayan. Ang pahayag ng pagpopondo ngayong araw ay ang unang bahagi ng halos $2 bilyon mula sa programa na nilikha batay sa input ng komunidad patungo sa mga award grant na patuloy na ibinibigay.
Ang mga napiling application ay unang dumating sa ilalim ng Community Change Grants Program na proseso ng patuloy na application. Nababatay sa impormasyon ng matatag na pagiging bahagi ng stakeholder at feedback mula sa komunidad, ang innovative na patuloy na application process ay makakatiyak sa mga aplikante na mayroon silang sapat na oras upang makapaghanda at mapakinabangan ang makasaysayang mapagkukuhanan ng impormasyon at tulong na ito. Ang Community Change Grants Program Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), na pinamamahalaan sa pamamagitan ng Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights, ay tumatanggap pa rin ng mga application hanggang Nobyembre 21, 2024. Magpapatuloy ang EPA sa pagre-review ng mga application at patuloy ang pagpapahiwatig ang mga napili.
“Ang aming kakayahan na makapaghatid ng mga makikitang resulta para sa mga komunidad ay nababatay sa pakikinig sa kanila at pagde-develop ng mga innovative na solusyon sa pamamagitan ng pagiging bahagi ng mga stakeholder,” sabi ni EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “Ngayong araw, salamat sa Inflation Reduct Act ni Presidente Biden, napili ng EPA ang unang kapartner sa komunidad para malutas ang mga bagong natutuklasan at matagal nang mga hamon sa environment at sa climate justice.
“Ang mga grant ngayong ay naglalagay sa mga komunidad sa punong posisyon patungo sa pagwawasto sa mga kamalian sa kapaligiran na naganap dat at pagpapatatag sa sarili nilang clean energy para sa hinaharap,” sinabi ni John Podesta, Senior Advisor sa President for International Climate Policy.
“Ang Investing in America na agenda ni Presidente Biden ay nagpabilis sa aming mga pagsisikap upang makapaghatid ng environmental justice sa mga komunidad na matagal nang napag-iiwanan,” sabi ni Brenda Mallory, Chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality. “Bilang parte ng Justice40 Initiative ng Presidente, ang mga grant na ito ay makakatulong sa mga naghihirap na komunidad na maharap ang mga hamon sa environment at climate justice sa pamamagitan ng pagbabawas sa polusyon,pagpapatatag sa mga epektong sanhi ng climate change, at pagpapalakas sa kakayahan ng komunidad para matiyak na matatapos ang lahat ng mga proyekto.”
Ang Inflation Reduction Act ay nagkakaloob ng $3 bilyon sa EPA patungo sa mga award grant na makakatulong sa mga hirap na komunidad at magkakaloob ng technical na tulong. Sa mga grant na ito, natutupad ng EPA ang layunin nito.
Ang Community Change Grants ay nagsasakatuparan rin sa pananagutan ni Presidente Biden para mapasulong ang pagkakapantay-pantay at katarungan sa kabuuan ng Estados Unidos sa pamamagitan ng kaniyang Justice40 Initiative upang matiyak na ang 40 porsiyento ng mga pangkalahatang benepisyo ng ilang mga pederal na pamumuhunan ay mapupunta sa mga hirap na komunidad na nahihiwalay sanhi ng kakulangan sa pamumuhunan at sobrang nahihirapan sanhi ng polusyon.
Ang mga halimbawang grant para sa paunang napili na grupo ay kinabibilangan ng:
Halos $20 milyon sa Midwest Tribal Energy Resources Association (MTERA) and Grid Alternatives para makapagkabit ng home weatherization at energy efficiency na mga upgrade sa lahat ng 35 Tribes sa Michigan, Minnesota, at Wisconsin, na magpapahusay sa kalidad ng hanging sa looban para sa mga pamilya at pagkakaloob ng leadership development training para sa mga natakdang Tribal Energy Champions. Ang MTERA ay nakatanggap rin ng $62 milyong gantimpala mula sa EPA Solar for All program noong Mayo.
$20 milyon sa Coalition for Responsible Community Development at Los Angeles Trade-Technical College upang mapalakas ang environmental justice workforce development trainings para sa pagtatanggal ng lead, welding, maintenance ng hybrid at electric na sasakyan, home weatherization, at residential energy na mga pag-audit. Sa pamamagitan ng grant na ito, ang mga napiling aplikante ay inaasahang makakakumpleto sa pagtatanggal ng lead sa higit sa 600 mga tahanan sa buong Southern Los Angeles.
Higit sa $14 milyon sa Texas A&M University and the Black Belt Unincorporated Wastewater Program para makapagkabit ng wastewater treatment systems para sa site mismo sa lahat ng 17 Black Belt na mga county sa Alabama. Dati nang bumisita si Administrator Regan sa Lowndes County, Alabama—na ang mga di gumagana ng wastong tangke at mga straight piped na sewage mula sa mga bahay patungo sa mga yard ay lumikha ng isang pampublikong krisis sa rehiyon. Ang komunidad na ito ay nakatanggap rin ng 100% na maaaring patawarin na $8.7 milyon na pautang mula sa Bipartisan Infrastructure Law para matugunan ang kritikal na mga hamon sa wastewater na nakaka-apekto sa mga pamilya.
Halos $14 milyon para sa Pittsburgh Conservation Corps and PowerCorpsPHL para mapalawak ang mga programa sa mga manggagawa sa urban forestry at pagbabawas ng wood waste (mga labi na galing sa kahoy), pagpapalawak sa tree canopy sa Philadelphia at Pittsburgh at tiyakin na malayo mula sa mga landfill ang wood waste. Ang grant na ito ay kinabibilangan rin ng mga pondo upang mapakaunti ang biochar sa pagbabawas ng polusyon ng lead sa mga lupa sa Pittsburgh.
Track I ng programa, Community-Driven Investments for Change, ay inaasahan na magbigay ng halos $1.96 bilyon para sa 150 pmga proyekto na $10-20 milyon kada isa. Ang mga aplikante ng 17 Track I na nagpapatupad ng saklaw ang buong komunidad na mga proyekto para matugunan ang mga hamon sa environment at climate justice ay:
Texas A&M University at Black Belt Unincorporated Wastewater Program (Wilcox/Hale/Lowndes Counties, AL)
City of Bakersfield at Building Healthy Communities Kern (Bakersfield, CA)
La Familia Counseling Center, Inc. at Community Resource Project (Sacramento, CA)
Coalition for Responsible Community Development at Los Angeles Trade -Technical College (Los Angeles, CA)
The San Diego Foundation at The Environmental Health Coalition (San Diego, CA)
Day One at Active SGV (San Gabriel Valley, CA)
City of Pocatello at Portneuf Greenway Foundation (Pocatello, ID)
Dillard University at United Way of Southeast Louisiana (Southeast LA)
City of Springfield at Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts (Springfield, MA)
Midwest Tribal Energy Resources Association at Grid Alternatives (MI, MN, WI)
Ang MetroHealth System at Community Housing Solutions (Cleveland, OH)
Lane County Oregon at United Way of Lane County (Lane County, OR)
Pittsburgh Conservation Corps at PowerCorpsPHL (Pittsburgh/Philadelphia, PA)
Ang Trust for Public Land at City of Chattanooga (Chattanooga, TN)
City of Houston at Black United Fund of Texas (Houston, TX)
Corporation of Gonzaga University at Spokane Neighborhood Action Partners (Spokane, WA)
National Housing Trust at D.C. Children’s Law Center (Washington, D.C.)
Track II, Meaningful Engagement for Equitable Governance, ay inaasahan na magbibigay ng halos $40 milyon para sa 20 proyekto na $1-3 milyon ang bawat isa. Ang mga aplikante ng Track II na mangangasiwa sa indibiduwal at komunidad na paglalahok sa mga proseso ng pagdedesisyon ng gobyerno ay:
Insight Garden Program at Ella Baker Center for Human Rights (multiple locations in CA)
Ang Trust for Public Land at See You At The Top (Cleveland, OH)
Special Service for Groups, Inc. at Center for Asian Americans United for Self Empowerment (Los Angeles, CA)
Bronx River Alliance, Inc. at Youth Ministries for Peace and Justice (Bronx County, NY)
Mula sa mga napiling 21, ang tatlo ay para sa Target Investment Areas na natiyak sa NOFO. Ang pagpopondo sa Target Investment Area ay nilalayon upang matiyak na ang Community Change Grants Program na pagpopondo ay nakatuon patungo sa mga hirap na komunidad na may mga bukod-tanging mga pangyayari, heograpiya at pangangailangan.
Tingnan ang kumpletong listahan ng paunang 21 organizations na makakatanggap ng CCGP grant at lubos pang alamin ang tungkol sa CCGP.
Dahil ang Community Change Grants Program ay tumatanggap pa rin ng mga application hanggang Nobyembre 21, 2024, hinihikayat ng EPA ang mga aplikante na magsumite ng mga application sa sandaling ganap na nilang natugunan ang mga requirement ng NOFO. Ang EPA ay magsasagawa ng patuloy na pagpipili hanggang sa katapusan ng 2024. Hinihikayat rin ng EPA ang mga interesadong aplikante na mag-apply para sa technical na tulong hangga’t maaaari, dahil ang huling araw para mag-request ng bagong technical na tulong ay Agosto 16, 2024.
Basahin ang Community Change Grants NOFO sa Inflation Reduction Act Community Change Grants Program sa webpage ng EPA.
Upang lubos pang matutunan ang tungkol sa Community Change Grants at Technical Assistance bumisita sa Inflation Reduction Act Community Change Grants Program webpage ng EPA.
Para lubos pang matutunan ang tungkol sa environmental justice sa EPA, bumisita sa Environmental Justice webpage ng EPA.
Para sa nasasapanahon na impormasyon tungkol sa NOFO, kasama na ang impormasyon sa mga webinar, mag-subscribe sa Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights’ listserv sa pamamagitan ng pagpapadala ng blangko na email sa: join-epa-ej@lists.epa.gov. Ifollow kami sa X (dating kilala bilang Twitter): @EPAEnvJustice.
City of Springfield, Mass., selected to receive a nearly $20 million Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grant
BOSTON (JULY 25, 2024)— Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced that the City of Springfield, and its partner Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts, were selected to receive nearly $20 million in funding to help disadvantaged communities tackle environmental and climate justice challenges through projects that reduce pollution, increase community climate resilience, and build community capacity. Made possible by President Biden's Inflation Reduction Act, the Community Change Grants Program is the single largest investment in environmental and climate justice in history. The funding announcement today is the first tranche of nearly $2 billion from the program that was designed based on community input to award grants on a rolling basis.
These selected applications are the first to come under the Community Change Grants Program's rolling application process. Informed by robust stakeholder engagement and community feedback, the innovative rolling application process will ensure that applicants have ample time to prepare and take advantage of this historic resource. The Community Change Grants Program Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), administered through EPA's Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights, is still accepting applications through November 21, 2024. EPA will continue to review applications and announce selections on a rolling basis.
"Our ability to deliver tangible results for communities depends on listening to them and developing innovative solutions through inclusive stakeholder engagement," said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. "Today, thanks to President Biden's Inflation Reduction Act, EPA has selected the first cohort of community partnerships to solve emerging and longstanding environmental and climate justice challenges."
"The City of Springfield and its residents have shared their vision for change—retrofitting homes and removing lead hazards, converting city buildings to clean energy and expanding the tree canopy, and investing in community solar and workforce training programs. Today we are helping to turn that vision into a reality by providing the community with the necessary resources to make that happen," said EPA Regional Administrator David W. Cash. "This funding from the Inflation Reduction Act is a pivotal step in meeting our commitment to environmental and climate justice across New England. By listening to and collaborating with communities, we are ensuring that the benefits of this historic investment reach those who need it most."
"With this nearly $20 million grant, Springfield will be able invest in safer and more resilient homes, restart its electric bikeshare program, plant hundreds of new trees, and so much more. All thanks to the Biden-Harris Administration's Inflation Reduction Act and my 15% minimum tax on big corporations," said U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren.
"Residents and advocates in Springfield are taking action to undo generations of pollution, and bringing to life a vision for the future that includes clean air to breathe, safe housing to live in, and green, renewable energy to power it all," said U.S. Senator Edward J. Markey. "Their coalition of community organizations, local government agencies, and those most affected by environmental injustice embodies the mission of the Community Change Grant Program, coming together to get the job done. I thank the EPA for awarding nearly $20 million from the Inflation Reduction Act, which I fought hard for in Congress, to directly enable community-led action in Western Massachusetts."
"My administration is proud of our collaborative efforts, led by our Development Services Division, along with other city departments and dedicated partner agencies, to receive this significant grant award. On behalf of our Springfield, thank you to the EPA for selecting us for this nearly $20 million grant. This funding, which was made possible thanks to President Biden's Inflation Reduction Act, the largest climate investment in our nation's history, will provide tangible benefits to our community including improved indoor and outdoor air quality and reduced Greenhouse Gas Emissions," said City of Springfield Mayor Domenic J. Sarno. "I am also grateful to Congressman Neal for his continued leadership and advocacy on behalf of our Springfield and his support of our application for an EPA Community Change Grant. This is a critical time for cities like our Springfield to continue our efforts to reduce pollution and enhance our climate resilience, and also address environmental and climate justice challenges. Springfield has a long history of being a regional leader in successful and effective climate action and we are looking forward to continuing to build upon our resilience."
"We are building on our decades of collaboration with the City of Springfield on various community health issues and at this pivotal point addressing climate change. Together we will deepen strategies that are already in place and determined critical by community members as well as innovate new opportunities that will advance Springfield's commitment to climate justice," said Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts Executive Director Jessica Collins. "We are excited and honored to be funded to partner with the Live Well Springfield coalition members, the City of Springfield and so many Springfield organizations in this project. We feel sure that our collaborative efforts will inform national action."
Track I of the program, Community-Driven Investments for Change, is expected to award approximately $1.96 billion for 150 projects of $10-20 million each. Track I applicants will implement community-scale projects to address environmental and climate justice challenges. The City of Springfield's application has been selected under Track I, and is the only selectee from New England in this initial selection cohort:
Nearly $20 million to the City of Springfield and to the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts for "Green and Resilient Springfield." The selectees will support the transformation of a post-industrial city toward resilience with this multi-faceted project. They will invest in a community solar project; retrofit 30 one- to four-unit homes to reduce energy use and improve indoor air quality; and complete home rehabilitation projects to remove lead and other pollution hazards. They will convert two city-owned buildings to non-grid clean energy sources and expand their use as community resilience hubs and emergency shelter locations. They also will expand tree canopy by planting 1,500 trees; restart a city e-bikeshare program; support a workforce development program for HVAC-R technicians; and complete other activities.
Track II, Meaningful Engagement for Equitable Governance, is expected to award approximately $40 million for 20 projects for $1-3 million each. Track II applicants will facilitate individual and community participation in governmental decision-making processes.
See the full listing of the initial 21 organizations receiving a CCGP grant and learn more about CCGP.
The Inflation Reduction Act provides $3 billion to EPA to award grants that help disadvantaged communities and offer technical assistance. With these grants, EPA is delivering on this mission.
The Community Change Grants also deliver on President Biden's commitment to advance equity and justice throughout the United States through his Justice40 Initiative to ensure that 40 percent of the overall benefits of certain federal investments go to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution.
The Community Change Grants Program is still accepting applications through November 21, 2024, so EPA encourages applicants to submit applications as soon as they completely meet the NOFO requirements. EPA will be making additional selections on a rolling basis for the remainder of 2024.
EPA also encourages interested applicants to apply for technical assistance as soon as possible, as the last day to request new technical assistance is August 16, 2024.
Read the Community Change Grants NOFO here: https://www.epa.gov/inflation-reduction-act/inflation-reduction-act-community-change-grants-program.
To learn more about the Community Change Grants and Technical Assistance: https://www.epa.gov/inflation-reduction-act/inflation-reduction-act-community-change-grants-program
To learn more about environmental justice at EPA, visit: https://www.epa.gov/environmentaljustice
For up-to-date information about the NOFO, including information on the webinars, subscribe to the Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights' listserv by sending a blank email to: join-epa-ej@lists.epa.gov. Follow us on X (formerly Twitter): @EPAEnvJustice.
These selected applications are the first to come under the Community Change Grants Program's rolling application process. Informed by robust stakeholder engagement and community feedback, the innovative rolling application process will ensure that applicants have ample time to prepare and take advantage of this historic resource. The Community Change Grants Program Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), administered through EPA's Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights, is still accepting applications through November 21, 2024. EPA will continue to review applications and announce selections on a rolling basis.
"Our ability to deliver tangible results for communities depends on listening to them and developing innovative solutions through inclusive stakeholder engagement," said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. "Today, thanks to President Biden's Inflation Reduction Act, EPA has selected the first cohort of community partnerships to solve emerging and longstanding environmental and climate justice challenges."
"The City of Springfield and its residents have shared their vision for change—retrofitting homes and removing lead hazards, converting city buildings to clean energy and expanding the tree canopy, and investing in community solar and workforce training programs. Today we are helping to turn that vision into a reality by providing the community with the necessary resources to make that happen," said EPA Regional Administrator David W. Cash. "This funding from the Inflation Reduction Act is a pivotal step in meeting our commitment to environmental and climate justice across New England. By listening to and collaborating with communities, we are ensuring that the benefits of this historic investment reach those who need it most."
"With this nearly $20 million grant, Springfield will be able invest in safer and more resilient homes, restart its electric bikeshare program, plant hundreds of new trees, and so much more. All thanks to the Biden-Harris Administration's Inflation Reduction Act and my 15% minimum tax on big corporations," said U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren.
"Residents and advocates in Springfield are taking action to undo generations of pollution, and bringing to life a vision for the future that includes clean air to breathe, safe housing to live in, and green, renewable energy to power it all," said U.S. Senator Edward J. Markey. "Their coalition of community organizations, local government agencies, and those most affected by environmental injustice embodies the mission of the Community Change Grant Program, coming together to get the job done. I thank the EPA for awarding nearly $20 million from the Inflation Reduction Act, which I fought hard for in Congress, to directly enable community-led action in Western Massachusetts."
"My administration is proud of our collaborative efforts, led by our Development Services Division, along with other city departments and dedicated partner agencies, to receive this significant grant award. On behalf of our Springfield, thank you to the EPA for selecting us for this nearly $20 million grant. This funding, which was made possible thanks to President Biden's Inflation Reduction Act, the largest climate investment in our nation's history, will provide tangible benefits to our community including improved indoor and outdoor air quality and reduced Greenhouse Gas Emissions," said City of Springfield Mayor Domenic J. Sarno. "I am also grateful to Congressman Neal for his continued leadership and advocacy on behalf of our Springfield and his support of our application for an EPA Community Change Grant. This is a critical time for cities like our Springfield to continue our efforts to reduce pollution and enhance our climate resilience, and also address environmental and climate justice challenges. Springfield has a long history of being a regional leader in successful and effective climate action and we are looking forward to continuing to build upon our resilience."
"We are building on our decades of collaboration with the City of Springfield on various community health issues and at this pivotal point addressing climate change. Together we will deepen strategies that are already in place and determined critical by community members as well as innovate new opportunities that will advance Springfield's commitment to climate justice," said Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts Executive Director Jessica Collins. "We are excited and honored to be funded to partner with the Live Well Springfield coalition members, the City of Springfield and so many Springfield organizations in this project. We feel sure that our collaborative efforts will inform national action."
Track I of the program, Community-Driven Investments for Change, is expected to award approximately $1.96 billion for 150 projects of $10-20 million each. Track I applicants will implement community-scale projects to address environmental and climate justice challenges. The City of Springfield's application has been selected under Track I, and is the only selectee from New England in this initial selection cohort:
Nearly $20 million to the City of Springfield and to the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts for "Green and Resilient Springfield." The selectees will support the transformation of a post-industrial city toward resilience with this multi-faceted project. They will invest in a community solar project; retrofit 30 one- to four-unit homes to reduce energy use and improve indoor air quality; and complete home rehabilitation projects to remove lead and other pollution hazards. They will convert two city-owned buildings to non-grid clean energy sources and expand their use as community resilience hubs and emergency shelter locations. They also will expand tree canopy by planting 1,500 trees; restart a city e-bikeshare program; support a workforce development program for HVAC-R technicians; and complete other activities.
Track II, Meaningful Engagement for Equitable Governance, is expected to award approximately $40 million for 20 projects for $1-3 million each. Track II applicants will facilitate individual and community participation in governmental decision-making processes.
See the full listing of the initial 21 organizations receiving a CCGP grant and learn more about CCGP.
The Inflation Reduction Act provides $3 billion to EPA to award grants that help disadvantaged communities and offer technical assistance. With these grants, EPA is delivering on this mission.
The Community Change Grants also deliver on President Biden's commitment to advance equity and justice throughout the United States through his Justice40 Initiative to ensure that 40 percent of the overall benefits of certain federal investments go to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution.
The Community Change Grants Program is still accepting applications through November 21, 2024, so EPA encourages applicants to submit applications as soon as they completely meet the NOFO requirements. EPA will be making additional selections on a rolling basis for the remainder of 2024.
EPA also encourages interested applicants to apply for technical assistance as soon as possible, as the last day to request new technical assistance is August 16, 2024.
Read the Community Change Grants NOFO here: https://www.epa.gov/inflation-reduction-act/inflation-reduction-act-community-change-grants-program.
To learn more about the Community Change Grants and Technical Assistance: https://www.epa.gov/inflation-reduction-act/inflation-reduction-act-community-change-grants-program
To learn more about environmental justice at EPA, visit: https://www.epa.gov/environmentaljustice
For up-to-date information about the NOFO, including information on the webinars, subscribe to the Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights' listserv by sending a blank email to: join-epa-ej@lists.epa.gov. Follow us on X (formerly Twitter): @EPAEnvJustice.