EPA Announces Nearly $1 Million to Support Involving South Bronx Communities in Climate Resiliency Planning
NEW YORK— Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced close to $1 million in funding for one selected application to help environmentally over-burdened 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.
In this first round, EPA has selected the Bronx River Alliance with Youth Ministries for Peace and Justice as a partner to receive almost $1 million to convene a Bronx Climate Justice Task Force to ensure that communities have a voice in decisions made that will shape the future of climate resiliency in the Bronx. The taskforce will ensure that disadvantaged communities in the Bronx will be able to fully participate in planning and implementation decisions about coastal adaptation, habitat restoration, and related local, state, and federal infrastructure projects.
“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.”
“We congratulate the Bronx River Alliance and their partner Youth Ministries for Peace and Justice for being selected as a recipient of the Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grants to continue advancing and shaping climate justice and resiliency in the Bronx,” said Lisa F. Garcia, EPA Regional Administrator. “This grant of nearly 1 million dollars will create a Bronx Climate Justice Task Force that will help residents fully engage in planning processes and decisions related to adaptation, infrastructure projects, and more.”
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar said, “The Biden-Harris Administration’s Inflation Reduction Act is making a difference in the lives of New Yorkers most affected by pollution and climate change. The investments complement the critical work DEC and our many partners are doing to help ensure equity and justice in the Bronx and across the state. We applaud EPA administrator Regan and Regional Administrator Garcia for this latest $1 million to help support environmental justice organizations on the front lines of creating positive change in their community.”
“This critical federal grant, made possible by the Inflation Reduction Act I led to passage, will help the Bronx River Alliance, in partnership with Youth Ministries for Peace and Justice, convene a Bronx Climate Justice Task Force that will ensure disadvantaged communities in the Bronx have a voice in climate justice projects that reduce pollution, increase community climate resilience, and build community capacity,” said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. “I’m proud to have fought for the Inflation Reduction Act, the single largest investment in environmental and climate justice in history, and for funding opportunities like this, to give environmentally over-burdened communities a boost in the urgent fight against climate change.”
“I want to wish a heartfelt congratulations to The Bronx River Alliance and Youth Ministries for Peace and Justice on receiving this crucial federal funding! This recognition of their work underscores the importance of collaborative initiatives in advancing climate resilience within our community. This effort not only addresses immediate climate-related challenges faced by Bronxites; it lays a foundation for future generations by implementing systemic solutions. Today's news is a significant stride towards shaping a sustainable and thriving future for all in the Bronx,” said Representative Ritchie Torres (NY-15).
"We are incredibly thankful and excited to be a recipient of President Biden’s EPA Community Change awards. With this federal funding, we will be able to uplift longstanding environmental needs of under-resourced and disadvantaged communities in a borough of 1.5 million residents,” said The Bronx River Alliance Executive Director Siddhartha Sánchez. We will prioritize investments that build our community’s resilience to climate change through catalytic ecological restoration projects throughout the Bronx. By convening a Bronx Climate Justice Task Force to spearhead these initiatives, Bronx communities will be given a meaningful voice in government decision-mating processes, addressing historical gaps in equity and mitigating critical environmental and climate injustices."
The selected application is the first to come under the Community Change Grants Program’s rolling application process to New York City. 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.
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.
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, 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.
Follow EPA Region 2 on X and visit our Facebook page. For more information about EPA Region 2, visit our website.
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In this first round, EPA has selected the Bronx River Alliance with Youth Ministries for Peace and Justice as a partner to receive almost $1 million to convene a Bronx Climate Justice Task Force to ensure that communities have a voice in decisions made that will shape the future of climate resiliency in the Bronx. The taskforce will ensure that disadvantaged communities in the Bronx will be able to fully participate in planning and implementation decisions about coastal adaptation, habitat restoration, and related local, state, and federal infrastructure projects.
“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.”
“We congratulate the Bronx River Alliance and their partner Youth Ministries for Peace and Justice for being selected as a recipient of the Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grants to continue advancing and shaping climate justice and resiliency in the Bronx,” said Lisa F. Garcia, EPA Regional Administrator. “This grant of nearly 1 million dollars will create a Bronx Climate Justice Task Force that will help residents fully engage in planning processes and decisions related to adaptation, infrastructure projects, and more.”
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar said, “The Biden-Harris Administration’s Inflation Reduction Act is making a difference in the lives of New Yorkers most affected by pollution and climate change. The investments complement the critical work DEC and our many partners are doing to help ensure equity and justice in the Bronx and across the state. We applaud EPA administrator Regan and Regional Administrator Garcia for this latest $1 million to help support environmental justice organizations on the front lines of creating positive change in their community.”
“This critical federal grant, made possible by the Inflation Reduction Act I led to passage, will help the Bronx River Alliance, in partnership with Youth Ministries for Peace and Justice, convene a Bronx Climate Justice Task Force that will ensure disadvantaged communities in the Bronx have a voice in climate justice projects that reduce pollution, increase community climate resilience, and build community capacity,” said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. “I’m proud to have fought for the Inflation Reduction Act, the single largest investment in environmental and climate justice in history, and for funding opportunities like this, to give environmentally over-burdened communities a boost in the urgent fight against climate change.”
“I want to wish a heartfelt congratulations to The Bronx River Alliance and Youth Ministries for Peace and Justice on receiving this crucial federal funding! This recognition of their work underscores the importance of collaborative initiatives in advancing climate resilience within our community. This effort not only addresses immediate climate-related challenges faced by Bronxites; it lays a foundation for future generations by implementing systemic solutions. Today's news is a significant stride towards shaping a sustainable and thriving future for all in the Bronx,” said Representative Ritchie Torres (NY-15).
"We are incredibly thankful and excited to be a recipient of President Biden’s EPA Community Change awards. With this federal funding, we will be able to uplift longstanding environmental needs of under-resourced and disadvantaged communities in a borough of 1.5 million residents,” said The Bronx River Alliance Executive Director Siddhartha Sánchez. We will prioritize investments that build our community’s resilience to climate change through catalytic ecological restoration projects throughout the Bronx. By convening a Bronx Climate Justice Task Force to spearhead these initiatives, Bronx communities will be given a meaningful voice in government decision-mating processes, addressing historical gaps in equity and mitigating critical environmental and climate injustices."
The selected application is the first to come under the Community Change Grants Program’s rolling application process to New York City. 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.
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.
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, 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.
Follow EPA Region 2 on X and visit our Facebook page. For more information about EPA Region 2, visit our website.
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EPA Announces Partnership with City of North Chicago to Accelerate Replacement of Local Lead Water Pipes and Protect Public Health Through Investing in America Agenda
CHICAGO (July 25, 2024) – Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is announcing a collaboration with the city of North Chicago, Illinois, to help identify drinking water lead pipes, accelerate their replacement and protect public health. The city of North Chicago is participating in EPA’s Get the Lead Out Initiative, a program funded entirely by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to help move the nation towards achieving 100% lead service line replacement. The Get the Lead Out Initiative will provide technical assistance to approximately 200 communities nationwide.
Lead in drinking water can cause serious health impacts, including irreversible harm to brain development in children. To protect children and families, President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law invests a historic $15 billion to replace lead pipes and deliver clean water. However, many underserved communities lack the resources to plan for lead pipe replacement and access federal investments. The technical assistance provided through the Get the Lead Out Initiative will help ensure that no community is left behind in the opportunity to replace lead pipes.
“President Biden’s Investing in America agenda is driving historic levels of funding to replace lead service lines in communities like North Chicago across the country,” said Region 5 Administrator Debra Shore. “EPA is using every tool available, including regulation, funding, and this technical assistance initiative, to get the lead out of the nation’s drinking water once and for all.”
Under the Get the Lead Out Initiative, EPA will support the city of North Chicago with some critical first steps to lead pipe replacement including identifying lead pipes and educating the public about lead pipes. As a result of these efforts, the city of North Chicago will move quickly towards President Biden’s goal of 100% lead-free pipes.
Under the Lead and Copper Rule Revisions, all public water utilities are required to prepare and maintain an inventory of service line materials by October 16, 2024, or sooner if required by the state agency. Communities wishing to receive assistance with lead service line replacement can request assistance by completing the WaterTA request form on EPA’s WaterTA website.
Background:
Signed in 2021, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provided a historic $50 billion investment in water and wastewater infrastructure, dedicating more than $15 billion to replacing lead service lines. EPA is committed to ensuring every community, particularly underserved and disadvantaged communities, can access its fair share of this unprecedented investment through a robust portfolio of water technical assistance programs, such as the Get the Lead Out initiative.
As part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s whole-of-government effort to tackle lead exposure, EPA will help communities remove the barriers to lead pipe removal. Working collaboratively, EPA is advancing the President’s Justice40 Initiative to ensure that disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution are protected. Lead exposure disproportionately affects communities of color and low-income families.
EPA is committed to providing meaningful opportunities for community and state support through peer exchange and learning. Through the Get the Lead Out initiative, EPA will develop tools and case studies to share information and best practices between the agency, state and Tribal programs, water system managers, and community leaders.
Lead in drinking water can cause serious health impacts, including irreversible harm to brain development in children. To protect children and families, President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law invests a historic $15 billion to replace lead pipes and deliver clean water. However, many underserved communities lack the resources to plan for lead pipe replacement and access federal investments. The technical assistance provided through the Get the Lead Out Initiative will help ensure that no community is left behind in the opportunity to replace lead pipes.
“President Biden’s Investing in America agenda is driving historic levels of funding to replace lead service lines in communities like North Chicago across the country,” said Region 5 Administrator Debra Shore. “EPA is using every tool available, including regulation, funding, and this technical assistance initiative, to get the lead out of the nation’s drinking water once and for all.”
Under the Get the Lead Out Initiative, EPA will support the city of North Chicago with some critical first steps to lead pipe replacement including identifying lead pipes and educating the public about lead pipes. As a result of these efforts, the city of North Chicago will move quickly towards President Biden’s goal of 100% lead-free pipes.
Under the Lead and Copper Rule Revisions, all public water utilities are required to prepare and maintain an inventory of service line materials by October 16, 2024, or sooner if required by the state agency. Communities wishing to receive assistance with lead service line replacement can request assistance by completing the WaterTA request form on EPA’s WaterTA website.
Background:
Signed in 2021, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provided a historic $50 billion investment in water and wastewater infrastructure, dedicating more than $15 billion to replacing lead service lines. EPA is committed to ensuring every community, particularly underserved and disadvantaged communities, can access its fair share of this unprecedented investment through a robust portfolio of water technical assistance programs, such as the Get the Lead Out initiative.
As part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s whole-of-government effort to tackle lead exposure, EPA will help communities remove the barriers to lead pipe removal. Working collaboratively, EPA is advancing the President’s Justice40 Initiative to ensure that disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution are protected. Lead exposure disproportionately affects communities of color and low-income families.
EPA is committed to providing meaningful opportunities for community and state support through peer exchange and learning. Through the Get the Lead Out initiative, EPA will develop tools and case studies to share information and best practices between the agency, state and Tribal programs, water system managers, and community leaders.
Biden-Harris Administration Announces More Than $325 Million in Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grants
WASHINGTON – Today, July 25, 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced more than $325 million in funding for 21 selected applications 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 the 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.”
“Today’s grants put communities in the driver’s seat on the road to righting the environmental wrongs of the past and building their own clean energy future,” said John Podesta, Senior Advisor to the President for International Climate Policy.
“President Biden’s Investing in America agenda has accelerated our efforts to deliver environmental justice for communities that have been left behind for too long,” said Brenda Mallory, Chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality. “As part of the President’s Justice40 Initiative, these grants will help disadvantaged communities tackle environmental and climate justice challenges they face by reducing pollution, increasing resilience to impacts from climate change, and building community capacity to see these projects through.”
The Inflation Reduction Act provides $3 billion to EPA to award grants that help disadvantaged communities and provide 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.
Example grants from this initial selection cohort include:
Nearly $20 million to the Midwest Tribal Energy Resources Association (MTERA) and Grid Alternatives to install home weatherization and energy efficiency upgrades across 35 Tribes in Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin, improving indoor air quality for families and providing leadership development training for designated Tribal Energy Champions. MTERA also received a $62 million award from the EPA Solar for All program in May.
$20 million to the Coalition for Responsible Community Development and Los Angeles Trade-Technical College to build environmental justice workforce development trainings for lead abatement, welding, hybrid and electric vehicle maintenance, home weatherization, and residential energy audits. Through this grant, the selected applicants are anticipated to complete lead abatement for more than 600 homes across Southern Los Angeles.
Over $14 million to Texas A&M University and the Black Belt Unincorporated Wastewater Program to install onsite wastewater treatment systems throughout 17 Black Belt counties in Alabama. Administrator Regan previously visited Lowndes County, Alabama—whose failing septic tanks and straight-piped sewage from homes into yards created a public health crisis in the region. This community also received a 100% forgivable $8.7 million loan from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to address critical wastewater challenges impacting families.
Roughly $14 million to the Pittsburgh Conservation Corps and PowerCorpsPHL to expand workforce programs around urban forestry and wood waste reduction, expanding tree canopy in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh and keeping wood waste out of landfills. This grant also includes funds to leverage biochar in reducing lead pollution in Pittsburgh soils.
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. The 17 Track I applicants who are implementing community-scale projects to address environmental and climate justice challenges are:
Texas A&M University and Black Belt Unincorporated Wastewater Program (Wilcox/Hale/Lowndes Counties, AL)
City of Bakersfield and Building Healthy Communities Kern (Bakersfield, CA)
La Familia Counseling Center, Inc. and Community Resource Project (Sacramento, CA)
Coalition for Responsible Community Development and Los Angeles Trade -Technical College (Los Angeles, CA)
The San Diego Foundation and The Environmental Health Coalition (San Diego, CA)
Day One and Active SGV (San Gabriel Valley, CA)
City of Pocatello and Portneuf Greenway Foundation (Pocatello, ID)
Dillard University and United Way of Southeast Louisiana (Southeast LA)
City of Springfield and Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts (Springfield, MA)
Midwest Tribal Energy Resources Association and Grid Alternatives (MI, MN, WI)
The MetroHealth System and Community Housing Solutions (Cleveland, OH)
Lane County Oregon and United Way of Lane County (Lane County, OR)
Pittsburgh Conservation Corps and PowerCorpsPHL (Pittsburgh/Philadelphia, PA)
The Trust for Public Land and City of Chattanooga (Chattanooga, TN)
City of Houston and Black United Fund of Texas (Houston, TX)
Corporation of Gonzaga University and Spokane Neighborhood Action Partners (Spokane, WA)
National Housing Trust and D.C. Children’s Law Center (Washington, D.C.)
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:
Insight Garden Program and Ella Baker Center for Human Rights (multiple locations in CA)
The Trust for Public Land and See You At The Top (Cleveland, OH)
Special Service for Groups, Inc. and Center for Asian Americans United for Self Empowerment (Los Angeles, CA)
Bronx River Alliance, Inc. and Youth Ministries for Peace and Justice (Bronx County, NY)
Of the 21 selections, three are for Target Investment Areas identified in the NOFO. Target Investment Area funding is intended to ensure that Community Change Grants Program funding is directed towards disadvantaged communities with unique circumstances, geography, and needs.
See the full listing of the initial 21 organizations receiving a CCGP grant and learn more about CCGP.
As the Community Change Grants Program is still accepting applications through November 21, 2024, 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 on EPA’s Inflation Reduction Act Community Change Grants Program webpage.
To learn more about the Community Change Grants and Technical Assistance visit EPA’s Inflation Reduction Act Community Change Grants Program webpage.
To learn more about environmental justice at EPA, visit EPA’s Environmental Justice webpage.
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 the 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.”
“Today’s grants put communities in the driver’s seat on the road to righting the environmental wrongs of the past and building their own clean energy future,” said John Podesta, Senior Advisor to the President for International Climate Policy.
“President Biden’s Investing in America agenda has accelerated our efforts to deliver environmental justice for communities that have been left behind for too long,” said Brenda Mallory, Chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality. “As part of the President’s Justice40 Initiative, these grants will help disadvantaged communities tackle environmental and climate justice challenges they face by reducing pollution, increasing resilience to impacts from climate change, and building community capacity to see these projects through.”
The Inflation Reduction Act provides $3 billion to EPA to award grants that help disadvantaged communities and provide 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.
Example grants from this initial selection cohort include:
Nearly $20 million to the Midwest Tribal Energy Resources Association (MTERA) and Grid Alternatives to install home weatherization and energy efficiency upgrades across 35 Tribes in Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin, improving indoor air quality for families and providing leadership development training for designated Tribal Energy Champions. MTERA also received a $62 million award from the EPA Solar for All program in May.
$20 million to the Coalition for Responsible Community Development and Los Angeles Trade-Technical College to build environmental justice workforce development trainings for lead abatement, welding, hybrid and electric vehicle maintenance, home weatherization, and residential energy audits. Through this grant, the selected applicants are anticipated to complete lead abatement for more than 600 homes across Southern Los Angeles.
Over $14 million to Texas A&M University and the Black Belt Unincorporated Wastewater Program to install onsite wastewater treatment systems throughout 17 Black Belt counties in Alabama. Administrator Regan previously visited Lowndes County, Alabama—whose failing septic tanks and straight-piped sewage from homes into yards created a public health crisis in the region. This community also received a 100% forgivable $8.7 million loan from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to address critical wastewater challenges impacting families.
Roughly $14 million to the Pittsburgh Conservation Corps and PowerCorpsPHL to expand workforce programs around urban forestry and wood waste reduction, expanding tree canopy in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh and keeping wood waste out of landfills. This grant also includes funds to leverage biochar in reducing lead pollution in Pittsburgh soils.
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. The 17 Track I applicants who are implementing community-scale projects to address environmental and climate justice challenges are:
Texas A&M University and Black Belt Unincorporated Wastewater Program (Wilcox/Hale/Lowndes Counties, AL)
City of Bakersfield and Building Healthy Communities Kern (Bakersfield, CA)
La Familia Counseling Center, Inc. and Community Resource Project (Sacramento, CA)
Coalition for Responsible Community Development and Los Angeles Trade -Technical College (Los Angeles, CA)
The San Diego Foundation and The Environmental Health Coalition (San Diego, CA)
Day One and Active SGV (San Gabriel Valley, CA)
City of Pocatello and Portneuf Greenway Foundation (Pocatello, ID)
Dillard University and United Way of Southeast Louisiana (Southeast LA)
City of Springfield and Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts (Springfield, MA)
Midwest Tribal Energy Resources Association and Grid Alternatives (MI, MN, WI)
The MetroHealth System and Community Housing Solutions (Cleveland, OH)
Lane County Oregon and United Way of Lane County (Lane County, OR)
Pittsburgh Conservation Corps and PowerCorpsPHL (Pittsburgh/Philadelphia, PA)
The Trust for Public Land and City of Chattanooga (Chattanooga, TN)
City of Houston and Black United Fund of Texas (Houston, TX)
Corporation of Gonzaga University and Spokane Neighborhood Action Partners (Spokane, WA)
National Housing Trust and D.C. Children’s Law Center (Washington, D.C.)
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:
Insight Garden Program and Ella Baker Center for Human Rights (multiple locations in CA)
The Trust for Public Land and See You At The Top (Cleveland, OH)
Special Service for Groups, Inc. and Center for Asian Americans United for Self Empowerment (Los Angeles, CA)
Bronx River Alliance, Inc. and Youth Ministries for Peace and Justice (Bronx County, NY)
Of the 21 selections, three are for Target Investment Areas identified in the NOFO. Target Investment Area funding is intended to ensure that Community Change Grants Program funding is directed towards disadvantaged communities with unique circumstances, geography, and needs.
See the full listing of the initial 21 organizations receiving a CCGP grant and learn more about CCGP.
As the Community Change Grants Program is still accepting applications through November 21, 2024, 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 on EPA’s Inflation Reduction Act Community Change Grants Program webpage.
To learn more about the Community Change Grants and Technical Assistance visit EPA’s Inflation Reduction Act Community Change Grants Program webpage.
To learn more about environmental justice at EPA, visit EPA’s Environmental Justice webpage.
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.
MSC restores trans-Pac Liberty service with new call at Philadelphia
The carrier said the move was a response to “ongoing robust demand” on the trade lane, becoming the second trans-Pacific service MSC has relaunched this year.
MSC restores trans-Pacific Liberty service with new call at Philadelphia
The carrier said the move was a response to “ongoing robust demand” on the trade lane, becoming the second trans-Pacific service MSC has relaunched this year.
MSC restores trans-Pacific Liberty service with new call at Philadelphia
The carrier said the move was a response to “ongoing robust demand” on the trade lane, becoming the second trans-Pacific service MSC has relaunched this year.
EAPA Case 7830: ADI ChemTech LLC (Notice of Determination as to Evasion, July 9, 2024)
EAPA Action: Notice of Determination as to Evasion for EAPA Consolidated Case 7830 – Xanthan Gum
WASHINGTON— On July 9, 2024, CBP issued the notice of determination as to evasion for EAPA case 7830 filed by the CP Kelco U.S. Inc., against U.S.…
WASHINGTON— On July 9, 2024, CBP issued the notice of determination as to evasion for EAPA case 7830 filed by the CP Kelco U.S. Inc., against U.S.…
EPA Region 7 Presents $500K Brownfields Check to Schuyler Community Development in Nebraska
LENEXA, KAN. (JULY 24, 2024) – Today at a brownfield site in Schuyler, Nebraska, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 7 Administrator Meg McCollister presented a $500,000 ceremonial check to Schuyler Community Development as an EPA Brownfields Assessment Grant selectee.
EPA selected the organization to receive the grant through EPA’s Brownfields Multipurpose, Assessment, and Cleanup (MAC) Grants program. MAC Grant funds help transform once-polluted, vacant, and abandoned properties into community assets, while helping to create good jobs and spur economic revitalization in overburdened communities.
"EPA Region 7 is proud to deliver these Brownfields funding resources to the Schuyler community. Our rural communities face unique challenges in addressing brownfields, and many lack the resources to tackle the redevelopment of brownfields on their own," McCollister said. "With this grant, Schuyler Community Development can take another step toward turning blight into might."
This is the first time Schuyler Community Development has been selected for funding through the EPA Brownfields MAC Grants program. The target area for this grant is the Downtown Historic District of Schuyler. Priority sites include a former hotel, municipal power plant, and grain elevator.
“With the help of the City of Schuyler and stakeholders, including the Schuyler Area Chamber of Commerce, Center for Rural Affairs, CHI Health-Schuyler, and local business in Schuyler's Downtown Historic District, SCD greatly appreciates the opportunity to utilize EPA Brownfields funding to help assess and revitalize our historic downtown and other areas of town that have lacked sufficient resources in the past,” said Schuyler Community Development Economic Development Coordinator Brian Bywater. “Revitalization and redevelopment of the Downtown Historic District and the broader community through a strategic Brownfield Program will bring investment, jobs, beautification and, most importantly, a greater opportunity for Schuyler's residents.”
Grant funds will be used to conduct multiple Phase I and Phase II environmental site assessments. This funding will also be used to identify and prioritize additional sites; develop four cleanup plans; conduct three visioning sessions; prepare three site reuse assessments and one revitalization plan; and perform community engagement activities.
Background
EPA’s Brownfields program began in 1995 and has provided nearly $2.7 billion in Brownfields Grants to assess and clean up contaminated properties and return blighted properties to productive reuse. Prior to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, this program made approximately $60 million available each year. Thanks to the President’s historic investments in America through this law, EPA has increased that yearly investment by nearly 400%.
More than half of the funding available for this grant cycle (approximately $160 million) comes from the historic $1.5 billion investment from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. This investment has also allowed the MAC Grants’ maximum award amounts to increase significantly from $500,000 to a new maximum of $5 million per award.
To see the list of the fiscal year 2024 MAC applicants selected for funding, visit EPA’s webpage.
Learn more about EPA’s Brownfields program.
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EPA selected the organization to receive the grant through EPA’s Brownfields Multipurpose, Assessment, and Cleanup (MAC) Grants program. MAC Grant funds help transform once-polluted, vacant, and abandoned properties into community assets, while helping to create good jobs and spur economic revitalization in overburdened communities.
"EPA Region 7 is proud to deliver these Brownfields funding resources to the Schuyler community. Our rural communities face unique challenges in addressing brownfields, and many lack the resources to tackle the redevelopment of brownfields on their own," McCollister said. "With this grant, Schuyler Community Development can take another step toward turning blight into might."
This is the first time Schuyler Community Development has been selected for funding through the EPA Brownfields MAC Grants program. The target area for this grant is the Downtown Historic District of Schuyler. Priority sites include a former hotel, municipal power plant, and grain elevator.
“With the help of the City of Schuyler and stakeholders, including the Schuyler Area Chamber of Commerce, Center for Rural Affairs, CHI Health-Schuyler, and local business in Schuyler's Downtown Historic District, SCD greatly appreciates the opportunity to utilize EPA Brownfields funding to help assess and revitalize our historic downtown and other areas of town that have lacked sufficient resources in the past,” said Schuyler Community Development Economic Development Coordinator Brian Bywater. “Revitalization and redevelopment of the Downtown Historic District and the broader community through a strategic Brownfield Program will bring investment, jobs, beautification and, most importantly, a greater opportunity for Schuyler's residents.”
Grant funds will be used to conduct multiple Phase I and Phase II environmental site assessments. This funding will also be used to identify and prioritize additional sites; develop four cleanup plans; conduct three visioning sessions; prepare three site reuse assessments and one revitalization plan; and perform community engagement activities.
Background
EPA’s Brownfields program began in 1995 and has provided nearly $2.7 billion in Brownfields Grants to assess and clean up contaminated properties and return blighted properties to productive reuse. Prior to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, this program made approximately $60 million available each year. Thanks to the President’s historic investments in America through this law, EPA has increased that yearly investment by nearly 400%.
More than half of the funding available for this grant cycle (approximately $160 million) comes from the historic $1.5 billion investment from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. This investment has also allowed the MAC Grants’ maximum award amounts to increase significantly from $500,000 to a new maximum of $5 million per award.
To see the list of the fiscal year 2024 MAC applicants selected for funding, visit EPA’s webpage.
Learn more about EPA’s Brownfields program.
# # #
Learn more about EPA Region 7
View all Region 7 news releases
Connect with EPA Region 7 on Facebook and Instagram
Follow us on X: @EPARegion7