EPA signs agreement for cleanup of the Bradford Island National Priorities List site
SEATTLE (April 23, 2024) - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced today that it signed a Federal Facility Agreement with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Oregon and Washington for the Bradford Island National Priorities List site cleanup.
The agreement includes an enforceable schedule for USACE to conduct the cleanup. It also includes a public comment period that begins April 24 and concludes June 10.
The agreement follows Bradford Island’s addition to the National Priorities List in 2022. The NPL is the list of Superfund sites of national priority among the known or threatened releases of hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants throughout the United States and its territories. EPA, with Oregon and Washington, will oversee the work and USACE will remain the federal agency responsible for implementing the cleanup on behalf of the United States.
The agreement defines a clear dispute resolution process where, in the event EPA and USACE are unable to reach agreement on the selection of a remedy, EPA is authorized to select the remedy following exhaustion of the dispute resolution process. It also specifies that EPA concurrence is required on important site work, key remedial documents throughout the site investigation and cleanup process, and cleanup decisions. Under the agreement, USACE committed to requesting any funds needed to perform work necessary to complete the investigation and cleanup process.
“This agreement supports all parties working together to expeditiously investigate and address contamination at the Bradford Island site and reflects the federal government’s trust and treaty responsibilities to Tribal Nations,” said EPA Region 10 Administrator Casey Sixkiller. “We remain committed to ensuring that Tribal Nations have a seat at the table throughout this collective effort to help protect the Columbia River and we are looking forward to advancing a timely response to contamination and reducing risks to people’s health and the environment."
Bradford Island, located in the Columbia River, is part of the Bonneville Dam complex operated by USACE. USACE historical operations at the site resulted in waste disposal on the island and in the Columbia River that resulted in contamination of soil, groundwater, stormwater, sediments and biota. Contaminants at Bradford Island include polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), heavy metals, and other hazardous
substances. Cleanup of the site will address contamination that poses risk to human health and the environment.
“We are excited the Federal Facilities Agreement is signed," said Portland District Commander Col. Larry "Dale" Caswell, Jr. "This Agreement, which includes specific milestones, is a roadmap for all parties as we continue to move forward in the cleanup of Bradford Island. We appreciate the involvement of the Agreement parties, Tribes and representatives of the community which makes this work possible.”
Due to high levels of PCBs in fish and shellfish in the vicinity of the island, the Oregon Health Authority and Washington Department of Health issued a resident fish advisory recommending that no one eat resident fish from the Bonneville Dam area between Bradford Island and Ruckel Creek, which is one mile upstream.
“Oregon DEQ is pleased that the Federal Facility Agreement for the Bradford Island Superfund site has been signed by the respective agencies," said Director of Oregon Department of Environmental Quality Leah Feldon. "We look forward to hearing feedback through Tribal consultation and public comments, so that this important project can move forward.”
“This is an important milestone for protection of the Columbia River,” said Director of the Washington Department of Ecology Laura Watson. “We’re looking forward to new energy and resources going toward the cleanup of this highly contaminated site, and to seeing a cleaner river with healthier salmon and resident fish.”
The site is a traditional hunting and fishing ground for seven Tribal nations, some with treaty-protected rights. The enforceable schedule detailed in the site management plan supports cleanup of the site in a comprehensive and timely manner. Two Tribes have also entered into Memorandums of Understanding with USACE and EPA to ensure a meaningful participation role in the Superfund remedial process. These are the first such MOUs between Tribal Nations and USACE at a federal facility NPL site.
“Cleaning up the land and water at Bradford Island is long overdue, but must be done properly and to the highest standards,” said Yakama Nation Tribal Chairman Gerald Lewis. “We look forward to working with our federal and state partners to ensure that happens.”
Public comment period and next steps
The agreement announced today has a 45-day public comment period from April 24 to June 10. The public is invited to review the agreement and submit comments. More information is available at EPA’s Bradford Island website.
Upon completion of the comment period and review of the public comments, EPA and USACE will consider whether changes should be made to the agreement and will develop a responsiveness summary to address significant public comments received.
Technical assistance grant and community involvement opportunities
On April 1, EPA awarded a $50,000 Technical Assistance Grant to Columbia Riverkeeper to help community members participate in cleanup decision making at Bradford Island.
"Columbia Riverkeeper is committed to holding polluters accountable and fighting for clean water and healthy communities. We are dedicated to providing people who are impacted by the Army Corps' pollution with accurate and clear information about the long-needed cleanup at the Columbia River’s newest Superfund Site," said Kate Murphy, senior community organizer at Columbia Riverkeeper. "Partnering with a technical advisor will facilitate our ability to help community members to feel confident engaging in the process and understanding the complexities of cleaning up polychlorinated biphenyls, heavy metals, and other contaminants in the area. A safe and healthy Columbia River is not only possible, it's critical."
TAGs provide funding to community groups to contract their own, independent technical advisor to interpret and explain technical reports, site conditions, as well as the proposed cleanup plan and other documents related to the cleanup process. Columbia Riverkeeper is now working to procure their independent technical advisor via a Request for Proposals.
For more information about Columbia Riverkeeper’s search for a technical advisor and their overall work, please visit Columbia Riverkeeper’s website or email info@columbiariverkeeper.org.
Restoration Advisory Board
USACE has established a Restoration Advisory Board to improve public participation by involving the community in the restoration process. Dedicated members of interested community groups and Tribal members have been participating as members since early 2023. Everyone is welcome to attend monthly Restoration Advisory Board meetings. Restoration Advisory Board members will review and comment on plans and activities relating to the ongoing environmental studies and restoration activities at Bradford Island. Restoration Advisory Board members will have the opportunity to provide input on activities that will accelerate the restoration.
For more information about the Bradford Island cleanup actions, site cleanup actions to date, and the Restoration Advisory Board, visit the USACE Bradford Island website.
History of the site
Since 1998, USACE has been leading the investigation and cleanup efforts at Bradford Island. USACE has completed actions to remove electrical equipment and some contaminated sediment from the river and has also conducted several studies aimed at characterizing sources of contamination in the river and upland portions of the site. EPA received requests from multiple parties to place Bradford Island on the NPL, including the Confederated Tribes of the Yakama Nation, Oregon, Washington and community and environmental groups.
For more information, visit EPA’s Bradford Island website.
The agreement includes an enforceable schedule for USACE to conduct the cleanup. It also includes a public comment period that begins April 24 and concludes June 10.
The agreement follows Bradford Island’s addition to the National Priorities List in 2022. The NPL is the list of Superfund sites of national priority among the known or threatened releases of hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants throughout the United States and its territories. EPA, with Oregon and Washington, will oversee the work and USACE will remain the federal agency responsible for implementing the cleanup on behalf of the United States.
The agreement defines a clear dispute resolution process where, in the event EPA and USACE are unable to reach agreement on the selection of a remedy, EPA is authorized to select the remedy following exhaustion of the dispute resolution process. It also specifies that EPA concurrence is required on important site work, key remedial documents throughout the site investigation and cleanup process, and cleanup decisions. Under the agreement, USACE committed to requesting any funds needed to perform work necessary to complete the investigation and cleanup process.
“This agreement supports all parties working together to expeditiously investigate and address contamination at the Bradford Island site and reflects the federal government’s trust and treaty responsibilities to Tribal Nations,” said EPA Region 10 Administrator Casey Sixkiller. “We remain committed to ensuring that Tribal Nations have a seat at the table throughout this collective effort to help protect the Columbia River and we are looking forward to advancing a timely response to contamination and reducing risks to people’s health and the environment."
Bradford Island, located in the Columbia River, is part of the Bonneville Dam complex operated by USACE. USACE historical operations at the site resulted in waste disposal on the island and in the Columbia River that resulted in contamination of soil, groundwater, stormwater, sediments and biota. Contaminants at Bradford Island include polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), heavy metals, and other hazardous
substances. Cleanup of the site will address contamination that poses risk to human health and the environment.
“We are excited the Federal Facilities Agreement is signed," said Portland District Commander Col. Larry "Dale" Caswell, Jr. "This Agreement, which includes specific milestones, is a roadmap for all parties as we continue to move forward in the cleanup of Bradford Island. We appreciate the involvement of the Agreement parties, Tribes and representatives of the community which makes this work possible.”
Due to high levels of PCBs in fish and shellfish in the vicinity of the island, the Oregon Health Authority and Washington Department of Health issued a resident fish advisory recommending that no one eat resident fish from the Bonneville Dam area between Bradford Island and Ruckel Creek, which is one mile upstream.
“Oregon DEQ is pleased that the Federal Facility Agreement for the Bradford Island Superfund site has been signed by the respective agencies," said Director of Oregon Department of Environmental Quality Leah Feldon. "We look forward to hearing feedback through Tribal consultation and public comments, so that this important project can move forward.”
“This is an important milestone for protection of the Columbia River,” said Director of the Washington Department of Ecology Laura Watson. “We’re looking forward to new energy and resources going toward the cleanup of this highly contaminated site, and to seeing a cleaner river with healthier salmon and resident fish.”
The site is a traditional hunting and fishing ground for seven Tribal nations, some with treaty-protected rights. The enforceable schedule detailed in the site management plan supports cleanup of the site in a comprehensive and timely manner. Two Tribes have also entered into Memorandums of Understanding with USACE and EPA to ensure a meaningful participation role in the Superfund remedial process. These are the first such MOUs between Tribal Nations and USACE at a federal facility NPL site.
“Cleaning up the land and water at Bradford Island is long overdue, but must be done properly and to the highest standards,” said Yakama Nation Tribal Chairman Gerald Lewis. “We look forward to working with our federal and state partners to ensure that happens.”
Public comment period and next steps
The agreement announced today has a 45-day public comment period from April 24 to June 10. The public is invited to review the agreement and submit comments. More information is available at EPA’s Bradford Island website.
Upon completion of the comment period and review of the public comments, EPA and USACE will consider whether changes should be made to the agreement and will develop a responsiveness summary to address significant public comments received.
Technical assistance grant and community involvement opportunities
On April 1, EPA awarded a $50,000 Technical Assistance Grant to Columbia Riverkeeper to help community members participate in cleanup decision making at Bradford Island.
"Columbia Riverkeeper is committed to holding polluters accountable and fighting for clean water and healthy communities. We are dedicated to providing people who are impacted by the Army Corps' pollution with accurate and clear information about the long-needed cleanup at the Columbia River’s newest Superfund Site," said Kate Murphy, senior community organizer at Columbia Riverkeeper. "Partnering with a technical advisor will facilitate our ability to help community members to feel confident engaging in the process and understanding the complexities of cleaning up polychlorinated biphenyls, heavy metals, and other contaminants in the area. A safe and healthy Columbia River is not only possible, it's critical."
TAGs provide funding to community groups to contract their own, independent technical advisor to interpret and explain technical reports, site conditions, as well as the proposed cleanup plan and other documents related to the cleanup process. Columbia Riverkeeper is now working to procure their independent technical advisor via a Request for Proposals.
For more information about Columbia Riverkeeper’s search for a technical advisor and their overall work, please visit Columbia Riverkeeper’s website or email info@columbiariverkeeper.org.
Restoration Advisory Board
USACE has established a Restoration Advisory Board to improve public participation by involving the community in the restoration process. Dedicated members of interested community groups and Tribal members have been participating as members since early 2023. Everyone is welcome to attend monthly Restoration Advisory Board meetings. Restoration Advisory Board members will review and comment on plans and activities relating to the ongoing environmental studies and restoration activities at Bradford Island. Restoration Advisory Board members will have the opportunity to provide input on activities that will accelerate the restoration.
For more information about the Bradford Island cleanup actions, site cleanup actions to date, and the Restoration Advisory Board, visit the USACE Bradford Island website.
History of the site
Since 1998, USACE has been leading the investigation and cleanup efforts at Bradford Island. USACE has completed actions to remove electrical equipment and some contaminated sediment from the river and has also conducted several studies aimed at characterizing sources of contamination in the river and upland portions of the site. EPA received requests from multiple parties to place Bradford Island on the NPL, including the Confederated Tribes of the Yakama Nation, Oregon, Washington and community and environmental groups.
For more information, visit EPA’s Bradford Island website.
Biden-Harris Administration Announces Arkansas’ Hope Enterprise Corporation to Receive over $62 Million to Deliver Residential Solar, Lowering Energy Costs and Advancing Environmental Justice
DALLAS, TEXAS (April 23, 2024) - As the Biden-Harris Administration celebrates Earth week, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced the Hope Enterprise Corporation in Arkansas has been selected to receive $62,250,000 through the Solar for All grant competition to develop long-lasting solar programs that enable low-income and disadvantaged communities to deploy and benefit from distributed residential solar. This award is part of the historic $27 billion Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, which was created under President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act to lower energy costs for families, create good-quality jobs in communities that have been left behind, advance environmental justice, and tackle the climate crisis.
“Today we’re delivering on President Biden’s promise that no community is left behind by investing $7 billion in solar energy projects for over 900,000 households in low-income and disadvantaged communities,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “The selectees will advance solar energy initiatives across the country, creating hundreds of thousands of good-paying jobs, saving $8 billion in energy costs for families, delivering cleaner air, and combating climate change.”
Hope Enterprise Corporation (HEC) will advance affordable and resilient solar energy access for low-income and disadvantaged households across Arkansas, using several approaches. The first strategy targets the development of a residential rooftop solar leasing market in areas served by the state’s investor-owned utilities, aiming to ensure savings for every low-income household while enhancing the local solar installer ecosystem. The second approach focuses on multifamily buildings, seeking to lower energy costs for low-income tenant households through strategic financial mechanisms and partnerships with local housing developers. All strategies hinge upon innovative financing, strategic partnerships, and HEC’s experience and expertise in serving disadvantaged communities in the state.
The Hope Enterprise Corporation’s grant is among 49 state-level awards EPA announced totaling approximately $5.5 billion, along with six awards to serve Tribes totaling over $500 million, and five multistate awards totaling approximately $1 billion.
A complete list of the selected applicants can be found on EPA’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund Solar for All website.
The Solar for All program also advances President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative, which set the goal that 40% of the overall benefits of certain federal climate, clean energy, affordable and sustainable housing, and other investments flow to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution. All of the funds awarded through the Solar for All program will be invested in low-income and disadvantaged communities. The program will also help meet the President’s goal of achieving a carbon pollution-free power sector by 2035 and net-zero emissions economy by no later than 2050.
EPA estimates that the 60 Solar for All recipients will enable over 900,000 households in low-income and disadvantaged communities to deploy and benefit from distributed solar energy. This $7 billion investment will generate over $350 million in annual savings on electric bills for overburdened households. The program will reduce 30 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions cumulatively, from over four gigawatts of solar energy capacity unlocked for low-income communities over five years. Solar and distributed energy resources help improve electric grid reliability and climate resilience, which is especially important in disadvantaged communities that have long been underserved.
Solar for All will deliver on the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to creating high-quality jobs with the free and fair choice to join a union for workers across the United States. This $7 billion investment in clean energy will generate an estimated 200,000 jobs across the country. All selected applicants intend to invest in local, clean energy workforce development programs to expand equitable pathways into family-sustaining jobs for the communities they are designed to serve. At least 35% of selected applicants have already engaged local or national unions, demonstrating how these programs will contribute to the foundation of a clean energy economy built on strong labor standards and inclusive economic opportunity for all American communities.
The Solar for All program also advances President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative, which set the goal that 40% of the overall benefits of certain federal climate, clean energy, affordable and sustainable housing, and other investments flow to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution. All of the funds awarded through the Solar For All program will be invested in low-income and disadvantaged communities. The program will also help meet the President’s goal of achieving a carbon pollution-free power sector by 2035 and net-zero emissions economy by no later than 2050.
The 60 selected applicants have committed to delivering on the three objectives of the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund: reducing climate and air pollution; delivering benefits to low-income and disadvantaged communities; and mobilizing financing to spur additional deployment of affordable solar energy. Solar for All selected applicants are expanding existing low-income solar programs and launching new programs. In at least 25 states and territories nationwide, Solar for All is launching new programs where there has never been a substantial low-income solar program before. In these geographies, Solar for All selected applicants will open new markets for distributed solar by funding new programs that provide grants and low-cost financing for low-income, residential solar.
Review and Selection Process Information
The 60 applicants selected for funding were chosen through a competition review process. This multi-stage process included review from hundreds of experts in climate, power markets, environmental justice, labor, and consumer protection from EPA, Department of Energy, the Department of Housing and Urban Affairs, Department of Treasury, Department of Agriculture, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Department of Labor, Department of Defense, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, and the Department of Energy’s National Labs – all screened through ethics and conflict of interest checks and trained on the program requirements and evaluation criteria. Applications were scored and selected through dozens of review panels and an interagency senior review team.
EPA anticipates that awards to the selected applicants will be finalized in the summer of 2024, and selected applicants will begin funding projects through existing programs and begin expansive community outreach programs to launch new programs in the fall and winter of this year. Selections are contingent on the resolution of all administrative disputes related to the competitions.
Informational Webinars
EPA will host informational webinars as part of the program’s commitment to public transparency. EPA has scheduled a public webinar for the Solar for All program, and registration details are included below. Information on other GGRF webinars can be found on EPA’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund Engagement Opportunities webpage.
Solar for All webinar: Monday, April 29, 2024, 4:00pm – 4:30pm ET. Register for the April 29 meeting.
Connect with the Environmental Protection Agency Region 6 on Facebook, X (formerly known as Twitter), or visit our homepage.
“Today we’re delivering on President Biden’s promise that no community is left behind by investing $7 billion in solar energy projects for over 900,000 households in low-income and disadvantaged communities,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “The selectees will advance solar energy initiatives across the country, creating hundreds of thousands of good-paying jobs, saving $8 billion in energy costs for families, delivering cleaner air, and combating climate change.”
Hope Enterprise Corporation (HEC) will advance affordable and resilient solar energy access for low-income and disadvantaged households across Arkansas, using several approaches. The first strategy targets the development of a residential rooftop solar leasing market in areas served by the state’s investor-owned utilities, aiming to ensure savings for every low-income household while enhancing the local solar installer ecosystem. The second approach focuses on multifamily buildings, seeking to lower energy costs for low-income tenant households through strategic financial mechanisms and partnerships with local housing developers. All strategies hinge upon innovative financing, strategic partnerships, and HEC’s experience and expertise in serving disadvantaged communities in the state.
The Hope Enterprise Corporation’s grant is among 49 state-level awards EPA announced totaling approximately $5.5 billion, along with six awards to serve Tribes totaling over $500 million, and five multistate awards totaling approximately $1 billion.
A complete list of the selected applicants can be found on EPA’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund Solar for All website.
The Solar for All program also advances President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative, which set the goal that 40% of the overall benefits of certain federal climate, clean energy, affordable and sustainable housing, and other investments flow to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution. All of the funds awarded through the Solar for All program will be invested in low-income and disadvantaged communities. The program will also help meet the President’s goal of achieving a carbon pollution-free power sector by 2035 and net-zero emissions economy by no later than 2050.
EPA estimates that the 60 Solar for All recipients will enable over 900,000 households in low-income and disadvantaged communities to deploy and benefit from distributed solar energy. This $7 billion investment will generate over $350 million in annual savings on electric bills for overburdened households. The program will reduce 30 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions cumulatively, from over four gigawatts of solar energy capacity unlocked for low-income communities over five years. Solar and distributed energy resources help improve electric grid reliability and climate resilience, which is especially important in disadvantaged communities that have long been underserved.
Solar for All will deliver on the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to creating high-quality jobs with the free and fair choice to join a union for workers across the United States. This $7 billion investment in clean energy will generate an estimated 200,000 jobs across the country. All selected applicants intend to invest in local, clean energy workforce development programs to expand equitable pathways into family-sustaining jobs for the communities they are designed to serve. At least 35% of selected applicants have already engaged local or national unions, demonstrating how these programs will contribute to the foundation of a clean energy economy built on strong labor standards and inclusive economic opportunity for all American communities.
The Solar for All program also advances President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative, which set the goal that 40% of the overall benefits of certain federal climate, clean energy, affordable and sustainable housing, and other investments flow to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution. All of the funds awarded through the Solar For All program will be invested in low-income and disadvantaged communities. The program will also help meet the President’s goal of achieving a carbon pollution-free power sector by 2035 and net-zero emissions economy by no later than 2050.
The 60 selected applicants have committed to delivering on the three objectives of the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund: reducing climate and air pollution; delivering benefits to low-income and disadvantaged communities; and mobilizing financing to spur additional deployment of affordable solar energy. Solar for All selected applicants are expanding existing low-income solar programs and launching new programs. In at least 25 states and territories nationwide, Solar for All is launching new programs where there has never been a substantial low-income solar program before. In these geographies, Solar for All selected applicants will open new markets for distributed solar by funding new programs that provide grants and low-cost financing for low-income, residential solar.
Review and Selection Process Information
The 60 applicants selected for funding were chosen through a competition review process. This multi-stage process included review from hundreds of experts in climate, power markets, environmental justice, labor, and consumer protection from EPA, Department of Energy, the Department of Housing and Urban Affairs, Department of Treasury, Department of Agriculture, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Department of Labor, Department of Defense, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, and the Department of Energy’s National Labs – all screened through ethics and conflict of interest checks and trained on the program requirements and evaluation criteria. Applications were scored and selected through dozens of review panels and an interagency senior review team.
EPA anticipates that awards to the selected applicants will be finalized in the summer of 2024, and selected applicants will begin funding projects through existing programs and begin expansive community outreach programs to launch new programs in the fall and winter of this year. Selections are contingent on the resolution of all administrative disputes related to the competitions.
Informational Webinars
EPA will host informational webinars as part of the program’s commitment to public transparency. EPA has scheduled a public webinar for the Solar for All program, and registration details are included below. Information on other GGRF webinars can be found on EPA’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund Engagement Opportunities webpage.
Solar for All webinar: Monday, April 29, 2024, 4:00pm – 4:30pm ET. Register for the April 29 meeting.
Connect with the Environmental Protection Agency Region 6 on Facebook, X (formerly known as Twitter), or visit our homepage.
A EPA anuncia uma coleção on-line de recursos sobre justiça ambiental
WASHINGTON — Hoje, 23 de abril, a Agência de Proteção Ambiental dos EUA (EPA, na sigla em inglês) anunciou a Central de Justiça Ambiental (em inglês, Environmental Justice Clearinghouse), uma coleção on-line inédita de recursos relacionados à justiça ambiental. Liderada pela Ordem Executiva do Presidente Biden sobre a Revitalização do Compromisso da Nossa Nação com a Justiça Ambiental para Todos, a Câmara de Compensação de Justiça Ambiental ajudará o público a acessar recursos federais e não federais on-line como parte da pauta ambiciosa de justiça ambiental da Administração Biden-Harris.
“Cumprir a pauta ambiciosa de justiça ambiental do governo Biden-Harris exige dedicação compartilhada para construir relacionamentos sólidos e criar projetos com foco em encontrar soluções. A Câmara de Compensação de Justiça Ambiental é um guia de recursos transformador criado para nos ajudar a atingir nossas metas de justiça ambiental em toda a agência”, Theresa Segovia, Diretora Assistente Adjunta Principal do Escritório de Justiça Ambiental e Direitos Civis Externos. “Ter uma biblioteca de informações on-line e de fácil acesso garantirá que os recursos de todo o país estejam ao alcance de todas as partes interessadas e defensores da justiça ambiental. E isso só será fortalecido com as sugestões do povo dos EUA.”
O Escritório de Justiça Ambiental e Direitos Civis Externos da EPA continuará a adicionar informações à central de informações de forma contínua e agradece as contribuições e quaisquer envios do público para análise e possível inclusão.
Os recursos preliminares listados na Clearinghouse de Justiça Ambiental foram enviados por órgãos de todo o governo federal, incluindo oportunidades de financiamento, ferramentas de triagem e mapeamento e auxílio técnico. A Central de Justiça Ambiental apresenta categorias pesquisáveis para simplificar os resultados para o público e garantir um processo mais eficiente e acessível de acesso a informações relacionadas à justiça ambiental.
“O presidente Biden determinou que todo o governo federal eliminasse as barreiras aos recursos e às informações que ajudam as comunidades a alcançar a justiça ambiental. A Central de Justiça Ambiental da EPA será uma ferramenta on-line útil que compila várias fontes de informação para que todos os interessados em justiça ambiental possam encontrar recursos em um único site”, afirmou o Dr. Jalonne L. White-Newsome, Diretor Federal de Justiça Ambiental do Conselho de Qualidade Ambiental da Casa Branca.
Acesse o site da EPA para ver a Central de Justiça Ambiental ou sugerir um possível recurso.
Histórico
Em 21 de abril de 2023, o Presidente Biden assinou a Ordem Executiva 14906 Reforçando o Compromisso de Nossa Nação com a Justiça Ambiental para Todos , que incluiu o estabelecimento da Central de Justiça Ambiental para ser uma central pública, disponível na Internet, de todo o governo, composta de materiais acessíveis e apropriados do ponto de vista cultural e linguístico relacionados à justiça ambiental, incluindo:
Informações que descrevem as atividades dos membros do Conselho Interagencial de Justiça Ambiental da Casa Branca para tratar de questões relacionadas à justiça ambiental.
Informações sobre auxílio técnico, ferramentas e recursos para ajudar as comunidades com preocupações de justiça ambiental a desenvolver a capacidade de participação pública.
Cópias de materiais de treinamento desenvolvidos pelo Conselho Interagencial de Justiça Ambiental da Casa Branca ou por seus membros para ajudar indivíduos e funcionários a entender e realizar atividades de justiça ambiental.
Qualquer outra informação considerada apropriada pelo Administrador da EPA, em coordenação com o Conselho Interagencial de Justiça Ambiental da Casa Branca.
Saiba mais sobre o tema justiça ambiental no site da EPA.
Leia sobre o Conselho Interagencial de Justiça Ambiental da Casa Branca e sobre o compromisso de toda a administração do governo Biden-Harris com a justiça ambiental.
Para obter informações atualizadas sobre oportunidades de financiamento para a Justiça Ambiental, eventos e webinars, assine a lista de discussão do Escritório de Justiça Ambiental e Direitos Civis Externos enviando um e-mail em branco para: join-epa-ej@lists.epa.gov. Siga-nos no X (antigo Twitter) @EPAEnvJustice.
“Cumprir a pauta ambiciosa de justiça ambiental do governo Biden-Harris exige dedicação compartilhada para construir relacionamentos sólidos e criar projetos com foco em encontrar soluções. A Câmara de Compensação de Justiça Ambiental é um guia de recursos transformador criado para nos ajudar a atingir nossas metas de justiça ambiental em toda a agência”, Theresa Segovia, Diretora Assistente Adjunta Principal do Escritório de Justiça Ambiental e Direitos Civis Externos. “Ter uma biblioteca de informações on-line e de fácil acesso garantirá que os recursos de todo o país estejam ao alcance de todas as partes interessadas e defensores da justiça ambiental. E isso só será fortalecido com as sugestões do povo dos EUA.”
O Escritório de Justiça Ambiental e Direitos Civis Externos da EPA continuará a adicionar informações à central de informações de forma contínua e agradece as contribuições e quaisquer envios do público para análise e possível inclusão.
Os recursos preliminares listados na Clearinghouse de Justiça Ambiental foram enviados por órgãos de todo o governo federal, incluindo oportunidades de financiamento, ferramentas de triagem e mapeamento e auxílio técnico. A Central de Justiça Ambiental apresenta categorias pesquisáveis para simplificar os resultados para o público e garantir um processo mais eficiente e acessível de acesso a informações relacionadas à justiça ambiental.
“O presidente Biden determinou que todo o governo federal eliminasse as barreiras aos recursos e às informações que ajudam as comunidades a alcançar a justiça ambiental. A Central de Justiça Ambiental da EPA será uma ferramenta on-line útil que compila várias fontes de informação para que todos os interessados em justiça ambiental possam encontrar recursos em um único site”, afirmou o Dr. Jalonne L. White-Newsome, Diretor Federal de Justiça Ambiental do Conselho de Qualidade Ambiental da Casa Branca.
Acesse o site da EPA para ver a Central de Justiça Ambiental ou sugerir um possível recurso.
Histórico
Em 21 de abril de 2023, o Presidente Biden assinou a Ordem Executiva 14906 Reforçando o Compromisso de Nossa Nação com a Justiça Ambiental para Todos , que incluiu o estabelecimento da Central de Justiça Ambiental para ser uma central pública, disponível na Internet, de todo o governo, composta de materiais acessíveis e apropriados do ponto de vista cultural e linguístico relacionados à justiça ambiental, incluindo:
Informações que descrevem as atividades dos membros do Conselho Interagencial de Justiça Ambiental da Casa Branca para tratar de questões relacionadas à justiça ambiental.
Informações sobre auxílio técnico, ferramentas e recursos para ajudar as comunidades com preocupações de justiça ambiental a desenvolver a capacidade de participação pública.
Cópias de materiais de treinamento desenvolvidos pelo Conselho Interagencial de Justiça Ambiental da Casa Branca ou por seus membros para ajudar indivíduos e funcionários a entender e realizar atividades de justiça ambiental.
Qualquer outra informação considerada apropriada pelo Administrador da EPA, em coordenação com o Conselho Interagencial de Justiça Ambiental da Casa Branca.
Saiba mais sobre o tema justiça ambiental no site da EPA.
Leia sobre o Conselho Interagencial de Justiça Ambiental da Casa Branca e sobre o compromisso de toda a administração do governo Biden-Harris com a justiça ambiental.
Para obter informações atualizadas sobre oportunidades de financiamento para a Justiça Ambiental, eventos e webinars, assine a lista de discussão do Escritório de Justiça Ambiental e Direitos Civis Externos enviando um e-mail em branco para: join-epa-ej@lists.epa.gov. Siga-nos no X (antigo Twitter) @EPAEnvJustice.
Biden-Harris Administration Announces the state of New Mexico will Receive Over $156 Million to Deliver Residential Solar, Lowering Energy Costs and Advancing Environmental Justice
DALLAS, TEXAS (April 23, 2024) - As the Biden-Harris Administration celebrates Earth week, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced the New Mexico Energy, Minerals & Natural Resources Department has been selected to receive $156,129,000 through the Solar for All grant competition to develop long-lasting solar programs that enable low-income and disadvantaged communities to deploy and benefit from distributed residential solar. This award is part of the historic $27 billion Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, which was created under President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act to lower energy costs for families, create good-quality jobs in communities that have been left behind, advance environmental justice, and tackle the climate crisis.
“Today we’re delivering on President Biden’s promise that no community is left behind by investing $7 billion in solar energy projects for over 900,000 households in low-income and disadvantaged communities,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “The selectees will advance solar energy initiatives across the country, creating hundreds of thousands of good-paying jobs, saving $8 billion in energy costs for families, delivering cleaner air, and combating climate change.”
To help overcome barriers to widespread adoption of distributed solar generation, the state of New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department (EMNRD) and its partners will expand access to shared solar to bring the most isolated and off-grid residents online, and support grid resilience with on-site solar. The program is designed to meet low-income and disadvantaged communities, both owners and renters, where they are with direct grants and financing options for solar projects that decrease energy burden through household annual electric bill savings. The project will leverage New Mexico’s existing programs such as workforce development providers, community-based organizations, and government partners that understand and represent New Mexico’s diverse, majority-minority population.
EMNRD’s grant is among 49 state-level awards EPA announced totaling approximately $5.5 billion, along with six awards to serve Tribes totaling over $500 million, and five multistate awards totaling approximately $1 billion.
A complete list of the selected applicants can be found on EPA’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund Solar for All website.
The Solar for All program also advances President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative, which set the goal that 40% of the overall benefits of certain federal climate, clean energy, affordable and sustainable housing, and other investments flow to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution. All of the funds awarded through the Solar for All program will be invested in low-income and disadvantaged communities. The program will also help meet the President’s goal of achieving a carbon pollution-free power sector by 2035 and net-zero emissions economy by no later than 2050.
EPA estimates that the 60 Solar for All recipients will enable over 900,000 households in low-income and disadvantaged communities to deploy and benefit from distributed solar energy. This $7 billion investment will generate over $350 million in annual savings on electric bills for overburdened households. The program will reduce 30 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions cumulatively, from over four gigawatts of solar energy capacity unlocked for low-income communities over five years. Solar and distributed energy resources help improve electric grid reliability and climate resilience, which is especially important in disadvantaged communities that have long been underserved.
Solar for All will deliver on the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to creating high-quality jobs with the free and fair choice to join a union for workers across the United States. This $7 billion investment in clean energy will generate an estimated 200,000 jobs across the country. All selected applicants intend to invest in local, clean energy workforce development programs to expand equitable pathways into family-sustaining jobs for the communities they are designed to serve. At least 35% of selected applicants have already engaged local or national unions, demonstrating how these programs will contribute to the foundation of a clean energy economy built on strong labor standards and inclusive economic opportunity for all American communities.
The Solar for All program also advances President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative, which set the goal that 40% of the overall benefits of certain federal climate, clean energy, affordable and sustainable housing, and other investments flow to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution. All of the funds awarded through the Solar For All program will be invested in low-income and disadvantaged communities. The program will also help meet the President’s goal of achieving a carbon pollution-free power sector by 2035 and net-zero emissions economy by no later than 2050.
The 60 selected applicants have committed to delivering on the three objectives of the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund: reducing climate and air pollution; delivering benefits to low-income and disadvantaged communities; and mobilizing financing to spur additional deployment of affordable solar energy. Solar for All selected applicants are expanding existing low-income solar programs and launching new programs. In at least 25 states and territories nationwide, Solar for All is launching new programs where there has never been a substantial low-income solar program before. In these geographies, Solar for All selected applicants will open new markets for distributed solar by funding new programs that provide grants and low-cost financing for low-income, residential solar.
Review and Selection Process Information
The 60 applicants selected for funding were chosen through a competition review process. This multi-stage process included review from hundreds of experts in climate, power markets, environmental justice, labor, and consumer protection from EPA, Department of Energy, the Department of Housing and Urban Affairs, Department of Treasury, Department of Agriculture, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Department of Labor, Department of Defense, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, and the Department of Energy’s National Labs – all screened through ethics and conflict of interest checks and trained on the program requirements and evaluation criteria. Applications were scored and selected through dozens of review panels and an interagency senior review team.
EPA anticipates that awards to the selected applicants will be finalized in the summer of 2024, and selected applicants will begin funding projects through existing programs and begin expansive community outreach programs to launch new programs in the fall and winter of this year. Selections are contingent on the resolution of all administrative disputes related to the competitions.
Informational Webinars
EPA will host informational webinars as part of the program’s commitment to public transparency. EPA has scheduled a public webinar for the Solar for All program, and registration details are included below. Information on other GGRF webinars can be found on EPA’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund Engagement Opportunities webpage.
Solar for All webinar: Monday, April 29, 2024, 4:00pm – 4:30pm ET. Register for the April 29 meeting.
Connect with the Environmental Protection Agency Region 6 on Facebook, X (formerly known as Twitter), or visit our homepage.
“Today we’re delivering on President Biden’s promise that no community is left behind by investing $7 billion in solar energy projects for over 900,000 households in low-income and disadvantaged communities,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “The selectees will advance solar energy initiatives across the country, creating hundreds of thousands of good-paying jobs, saving $8 billion in energy costs for families, delivering cleaner air, and combating climate change.”
To help overcome barriers to widespread adoption of distributed solar generation, the state of New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department (EMNRD) and its partners will expand access to shared solar to bring the most isolated and off-grid residents online, and support grid resilience with on-site solar. The program is designed to meet low-income and disadvantaged communities, both owners and renters, where they are with direct grants and financing options for solar projects that decrease energy burden through household annual electric bill savings. The project will leverage New Mexico’s existing programs such as workforce development providers, community-based organizations, and government partners that understand and represent New Mexico’s diverse, majority-minority population.
EMNRD’s grant is among 49 state-level awards EPA announced totaling approximately $5.5 billion, along with six awards to serve Tribes totaling over $500 million, and five multistate awards totaling approximately $1 billion.
A complete list of the selected applicants can be found on EPA’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund Solar for All website.
The Solar for All program also advances President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative, which set the goal that 40% of the overall benefits of certain federal climate, clean energy, affordable and sustainable housing, and other investments flow to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution. All of the funds awarded through the Solar for All program will be invested in low-income and disadvantaged communities. The program will also help meet the President’s goal of achieving a carbon pollution-free power sector by 2035 and net-zero emissions economy by no later than 2050.
EPA estimates that the 60 Solar for All recipients will enable over 900,000 households in low-income and disadvantaged communities to deploy and benefit from distributed solar energy. This $7 billion investment will generate over $350 million in annual savings on electric bills for overburdened households. The program will reduce 30 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions cumulatively, from over four gigawatts of solar energy capacity unlocked for low-income communities over five years. Solar and distributed energy resources help improve electric grid reliability and climate resilience, which is especially important in disadvantaged communities that have long been underserved.
Solar for All will deliver on the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to creating high-quality jobs with the free and fair choice to join a union for workers across the United States. This $7 billion investment in clean energy will generate an estimated 200,000 jobs across the country. All selected applicants intend to invest in local, clean energy workforce development programs to expand equitable pathways into family-sustaining jobs for the communities they are designed to serve. At least 35% of selected applicants have already engaged local or national unions, demonstrating how these programs will contribute to the foundation of a clean energy economy built on strong labor standards and inclusive economic opportunity for all American communities.
The Solar for All program also advances President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative, which set the goal that 40% of the overall benefits of certain federal climate, clean energy, affordable and sustainable housing, and other investments flow to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution. All of the funds awarded through the Solar For All program will be invested in low-income and disadvantaged communities. The program will also help meet the President’s goal of achieving a carbon pollution-free power sector by 2035 and net-zero emissions economy by no later than 2050.
The 60 selected applicants have committed to delivering on the three objectives of the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund: reducing climate and air pollution; delivering benefits to low-income and disadvantaged communities; and mobilizing financing to spur additional deployment of affordable solar energy. Solar for All selected applicants are expanding existing low-income solar programs and launching new programs. In at least 25 states and territories nationwide, Solar for All is launching new programs where there has never been a substantial low-income solar program before. In these geographies, Solar for All selected applicants will open new markets for distributed solar by funding new programs that provide grants and low-cost financing for low-income, residential solar.
Review and Selection Process Information
The 60 applicants selected for funding were chosen through a competition review process. This multi-stage process included review from hundreds of experts in climate, power markets, environmental justice, labor, and consumer protection from EPA, Department of Energy, the Department of Housing and Urban Affairs, Department of Treasury, Department of Agriculture, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Department of Labor, Department of Defense, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, and the Department of Energy’s National Labs – all screened through ethics and conflict of interest checks and trained on the program requirements and evaluation criteria. Applications were scored and selected through dozens of review panels and an interagency senior review team.
EPA anticipates that awards to the selected applicants will be finalized in the summer of 2024, and selected applicants will begin funding projects through existing programs and begin expansive community outreach programs to launch new programs in the fall and winter of this year. Selections are contingent on the resolution of all administrative disputes related to the competitions.
Informational Webinars
EPA will host informational webinars as part of the program’s commitment to public transparency. EPA has scheduled a public webinar for the Solar for All program, and registration details are included below. Information on other GGRF webinars can be found on EPA’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund Engagement Opportunities webpage.
Solar for All webinar: Monday, April 29, 2024, 4:00pm – 4:30pm ET. Register for the April 29 meeting.
Connect with the Environmental Protection Agency Region 6 on Facebook, X (formerly known as Twitter), or visit our homepage.
Biden-Harris Administration Announces the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources will Receive $156,120,000 to Deliver Residential Solar, Lowering Energy Costs and Advancing Environmental Justice
DALLAS, TEXAS (April 23, 2024) - As the Biden-Harris Administration celebrates Earth week, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources has been selected to receive $156,129,000 through the Solar for All grant competition to develop long-lasting solar programs that enable low-income and disadvantaged communities to deploy and benefit from distributed residential solar. This award is part of the historic $27 billion Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, which was created under President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act to lower energy costs for families, create good-quality jobs in communities that have been left behind, advance environmental justice, and tackle the climate crisis.
“Today we’re delivering on President Biden’s promise that no community is left behind by investing $7 billion in solar energy projects for over 900,000 households in low-income and disadvantaged communities,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “The selectees will advance solar energy initiatives across the country, creating hundreds of thousands of good-paying jobs, saving $8 billion in energy costs for families, delivering cleaner air, and combating climate change.”
The Louisiana SFA Program will launch a new resilient solar initiative, focused on low-income and disadvantaged communities, to deploy solar, energy storage, and enabling upgrades on single-family and multi-family homes. The program will also develop coordinated low-cost and easy-to-access financing options to reach those otherwise left out of the clean energy economy, including new equitable loan programs for community resilience hubs, resilient schools, and disadvantaged businesses. Louisiana will provide long-term sustainable support to projects successfully deployed, grow a strong workforce to support a new clean and resilient economy in the state, and center communities in the planning and deployment of this effort. This approach will help overcome barriers to adoption that have been identified by communities, such as unfamiliarity with solar, distrust, language barriers, and complex administrative processes.
The Louisiana Department of Natural Resources’s grant is among 49 state-level awards EPA announced totaling approximately $5.5 billion, along with six awards to serve Tribes totaling over $500 million, and five multistate awards totaling approximately $1 billion.
A complete list of the selected applicants can be found on EPA’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund Solar for All website.
The Solar for All program also advances President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative, which set the goal that 40% of the overall benefits of certain federal climate, clean energy, affordable and sustainable housing, and other investments flow to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution. All of the funds awarded through the Solar for All program will be invested in low-income and disadvantaged communities. The program will also help meet the President’s goal of achieving a carbon pollution-free power sector by 2035 and net-zero emissions economy by no later than 2050.
EPA estimates that the 60 Solar for All recipients will enable over 900,000 households in low-income and disadvantaged communities to deploy and benefit from distributed solar energy. This $7 billion investment will generate over $350 million in annual savings on electric bills for overburdened households. The program will reduce 30 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions cumulatively, from over four gigawatts of solar energy capacity unlocked for low-income communities over five years. Solar and distributed energy resources help improve electric grid reliability and climate resilience, which is especially important in disadvantaged communities that have long been underserved.
Solar for All will deliver on the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to creating high-quality jobs with the free and fair choice to join a union for workers across the United States. This $7 billion investment in clean energy will generate an estimated 200,000 jobs across the country. All selected applicants intend to invest in local, clean energy workforce development programs to expand equitable pathways into family-sustaining jobs for the communities they are designed to serve. At least 35% of selected applicants have already engaged local or national unions, demonstrating how these programs will contribute to the foundation of a clean energy economy built on strong labor standards and inclusive economic opportunity for all American communities.
The Solar for All program also advances President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative, which set the goal that 40% of the overall benefits of certain federal climate, clean energy, affordable and sustainable housing, and other investments flow to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution. All of the funds awarded through the Solar For All program will be invested in low-income and disadvantaged communities. The program will also help meet the President’s goal of achieving a carbon pollution-free power sector by 2035 and net-zero emissions economy by no later than 2050.
The 60 selected applicants have committed to delivering on the three objectives of the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund: reducing climate and air pollution; delivering benefits to low-income and disadvantaged communities; and mobilizing financing to spur additional deployment of affordable solar energy. Solar for All selected applicants are expanding existing low-income solar programs and launching new programs. In at least 25 states and territories nationwide, Solar for All is launching new programs where there has never been a substantial low-income solar program before. In these geographies, Solar for All selected applicants will open new markets for distributed solar by funding new programs that provide grants and low-cost financing for low-income, residential solar.
Review and Selection Process Information
The 60 applicants selected for funding were chosen through a competition review process. This multi-stage process included review from hundreds of experts in climate, power markets, environmental justice, labor, and consumer protection from EPA, Department of Energy, the Department of Housing and Urban Affairs, Department of Treasury, Department of Agriculture, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Department of Labor, Department of Defense, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, and the Department of Energy’s National Labs – all screened through ethics and conflict of interest checks and trained on the program requirements and evaluation criteria. Applications were scored and selected through dozens of review panels and an interagency senior review team.
EPA anticipates that awards to the selected applicants will be finalized in the summer of 2024, and selected applicants will begin funding projects through existing programs and begin expansive community outreach programs to launch new programs in the fall and winter of this year. Selections are contingent on the resolution of all administrative disputes related to the competitions.
Informational Webinars
EPA will host informational webinars as part of the program’s commitment to public transparency. EPA has scheduled a public webinar for the Solar for All program, and registration details are included below. Information on other GGRF webinars can be found on EPA’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund Engagement Opportunities webpage.
Solar for All webinar: Monday, April 29, 2024, 4:00pm – 4:30pm ET. Register for the April 29 meeting.
Connect with the Environmental Protection Agency Region 6 on Facebook, X (formerly known as Twitter), or visit our homepage.
“Today we’re delivering on President Biden’s promise that no community is left behind by investing $7 billion in solar energy projects for over 900,000 households in low-income and disadvantaged communities,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “The selectees will advance solar energy initiatives across the country, creating hundreds of thousands of good-paying jobs, saving $8 billion in energy costs for families, delivering cleaner air, and combating climate change.”
The Louisiana SFA Program will launch a new resilient solar initiative, focused on low-income and disadvantaged communities, to deploy solar, energy storage, and enabling upgrades on single-family and multi-family homes. The program will also develop coordinated low-cost and easy-to-access financing options to reach those otherwise left out of the clean energy economy, including new equitable loan programs for community resilience hubs, resilient schools, and disadvantaged businesses. Louisiana will provide long-term sustainable support to projects successfully deployed, grow a strong workforce to support a new clean and resilient economy in the state, and center communities in the planning and deployment of this effort. This approach will help overcome barriers to adoption that have been identified by communities, such as unfamiliarity with solar, distrust, language barriers, and complex administrative processes.
The Louisiana Department of Natural Resources’s grant is among 49 state-level awards EPA announced totaling approximately $5.5 billion, along with six awards to serve Tribes totaling over $500 million, and five multistate awards totaling approximately $1 billion.
A complete list of the selected applicants can be found on EPA’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund Solar for All website.
The Solar for All program also advances President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative, which set the goal that 40% of the overall benefits of certain federal climate, clean energy, affordable and sustainable housing, and other investments flow to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution. All of the funds awarded through the Solar for All program will be invested in low-income and disadvantaged communities. The program will also help meet the President’s goal of achieving a carbon pollution-free power sector by 2035 and net-zero emissions economy by no later than 2050.
EPA estimates that the 60 Solar for All recipients will enable over 900,000 households in low-income and disadvantaged communities to deploy and benefit from distributed solar energy. This $7 billion investment will generate over $350 million in annual savings on electric bills for overburdened households. The program will reduce 30 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions cumulatively, from over four gigawatts of solar energy capacity unlocked for low-income communities over five years. Solar and distributed energy resources help improve electric grid reliability and climate resilience, which is especially important in disadvantaged communities that have long been underserved.
Solar for All will deliver on the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to creating high-quality jobs with the free and fair choice to join a union for workers across the United States. This $7 billion investment in clean energy will generate an estimated 200,000 jobs across the country. All selected applicants intend to invest in local, clean energy workforce development programs to expand equitable pathways into family-sustaining jobs for the communities they are designed to serve. At least 35% of selected applicants have already engaged local or national unions, demonstrating how these programs will contribute to the foundation of a clean energy economy built on strong labor standards and inclusive economic opportunity for all American communities.
The Solar for All program also advances President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative, which set the goal that 40% of the overall benefits of certain federal climate, clean energy, affordable and sustainable housing, and other investments flow to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution. All of the funds awarded through the Solar For All program will be invested in low-income and disadvantaged communities. The program will also help meet the President’s goal of achieving a carbon pollution-free power sector by 2035 and net-zero emissions economy by no later than 2050.
The 60 selected applicants have committed to delivering on the three objectives of the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund: reducing climate and air pollution; delivering benefits to low-income and disadvantaged communities; and mobilizing financing to spur additional deployment of affordable solar energy. Solar for All selected applicants are expanding existing low-income solar programs and launching new programs. In at least 25 states and territories nationwide, Solar for All is launching new programs where there has never been a substantial low-income solar program before. In these geographies, Solar for All selected applicants will open new markets for distributed solar by funding new programs that provide grants and low-cost financing for low-income, residential solar.
Review and Selection Process Information
The 60 applicants selected for funding were chosen through a competition review process. This multi-stage process included review from hundreds of experts in climate, power markets, environmental justice, labor, and consumer protection from EPA, Department of Energy, the Department of Housing and Urban Affairs, Department of Treasury, Department of Agriculture, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Department of Labor, Department of Defense, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, and the Department of Energy’s National Labs – all screened through ethics and conflict of interest checks and trained on the program requirements and evaluation criteria. Applications were scored and selected through dozens of review panels and an interagency senior review team.
EPA anticipates that awards to the selected applicants will be finalized in the summer of 2024, and selected applicants will begin funding projects through existing programs and begin expansive community outreach programs to launch new programs in the fall and winter of this year. Selections are contingent on the resolution of all administrative disputes related to the competitions.
Informational Webinars
EPA will host informational webinars as part of the program’s commitment to public transparency. EPA has scheduled a public webinar for the Solar for All program, and registration details are included below. Information on other GGRF webinars can be found on EPA’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund Engagement Opportunities webpage.
Solar for All webinar: Monday, April 29, 2024, 4:00pm – 4:30pm ET. Register for the April 29 meeting.
Connect with the Environmental Protection Agency Region 6 on Facebook, X (formerly known as Twitter), or visit our homepage.
Biden-Harris Administration Announces Virginia Department of Energy to Receive More Than $156 million to Deliver Residential Solar, Lowering Energy Costs and Advancing Environmental Justice Across Virginia
PHILADELPHIA (April 23, 2024) - Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced Virginia Department of Energy has been selected to receive more than $156 million through the Solar for All grant competition to develop long-lasting solar programs that enable low-income and disadvantaged communities to deploy and benefit from distributed residential solar. This award is part of the historic $27 billion Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, which was created under President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act to lower energy costs for families, create good-quality jobs in communities that have been left behind, advance environmental justice, and tackle the climate crisis.
The SFA: Virginia Energy Program (SAVE) will seek to enable energy savings and increase resilience by expanding access to solar and solar plus storage funding for low-income and disadvantaged communities. SFA funds will be used to transform the low-income solar market in Virginia by leveraging additional private capital and supporting solar business formation and expansion. SAVE will address existing market barriers to solar development by reducing upfront costs, enabling broader access to leasing and power purchase agreements, increasing access to financing for low-income homeowners, and removing barriers to interconnection.
“Today we’re delivering on President Biden’s promise that no community is left behind by investing $7 billion in solar energy projects for over 900,000 households in low-income and disadvantaged communities,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “The selectees will advance solar energy initiatives across the country, creating hundreds of thousands of good-paying jobs, saving $8 billion in energy costs for families, delivering cleaner air, and combating climate change.”
“The health and economic benefits of renewable energy should be accessible to every community” said EPA Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator Adam Ortiz. “With today’s announcement, the Biden-Harris administration is investing almost $700,000,000 across the mid-Atlantic, enabling low-income and disadvantaged communities to make the transition to clean and affordable energy, while also reducing our impact on the world’s climate.”
Virginia Department of Energy is among 49 state-level awards EPA announced today totaling approximately $5.5 billion, along with six awards to serve Tribes totaling over $500 million, and five multistate awards totaling approximately $1 billion.
A complete list of the selected applicants can be found on EPA’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund Solar for All website.
EPA estimates that the 60 Solar for All recipients will enable over 900,000 households in low-income and disadvantaged communities to deploy and benefit from distributed solar energy. This $7 billion investment will generate over $350 million in annual savings on electric bills for overburdened households. The program will reduce 30 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions cumulatively, from over four gigawatts of solar energy capacity unlocked for low-income communities over five years. Solar and distributed energy resources help improve electric grid reliability and climate resilience, which is especially important in disadvantaged communities that have long been underserved.
Solar for All will deliver on the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to creating high-quality jobs with the free and fair choice to join a union for workers across the United States. This $7 billion investment in clean energy will generate an estimated 200,000 jobs across the country. All selected applicants intend to invest in local, clean energy workforce development programs to expand equitable pathways into family-sustaining jobs for the communities they are designed to serve. At least 35% of selected applicants have already engaged local or national unions, demonstrating how these programs will contribute to the foundation of a clean energy economy built on strong labor standards and inclusive economic opportunity for all American communities.
The Solar for All program also advances President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative, which set the goal that 40% of the overall benefits of certain federal climate, clean energy, affordable and sustainable housing, and other investments flow to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution. All of the funds awarded through the Solar For All program will be invested in low-income and disadvantaged communities. The program will also help meet the President’s goal of achieving a carbon pollution-free power sector by 2035 and net-zero emissions economy by no later than 2050.
The 60 selected applicants have committed to delivering on the three objectives of the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund: reducing climate and air pollution; delivering benefits to low-income and disadvantaged communities; and mobilizing financing to spur additional deployment of affordable solar energy. Solar for All selected applicants are expanding existing low-income solar programs and launching new programs. In at least 25 states and territories nationwide, Solar for All is launching new programs where there has never been a substantial low-income solar program before. In these geographies, Solar for All selected applicants will open new markets for distributed solar by funding new programs that provide grants and low-cost financing for low-income, residential solar.
Review and Selection Process Information
The 60 applicants selected for funding were chosen through a competition review process. This multi-stage process included review from hundreds of experts in climate, power markets, environmental justice, labor, and consumer protection from EPA, Department of Energy, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, Department of Treasury, Department of Agriculture, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Department of Labor, Department of Defense, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, and the Department of Energy’s National Labs – all screened through ethics and conflict of interest checks and trained on the program requirements and evaluation criteria. Applications were scored and selected through dozens of review panels and an interagency senior review team.
EPA anticipates that awards to the selected applicants will be finalized in the summer of 2024, and selected applicants will begin funding projects through existing programs and begin expansive community outreach programs to launch new programs in the fall and winter of this year. Selections are contingent on the resolution of all administrative disputes related to the competitions.
Informational Webinars
EPA will host informational webinars as part of the program’s commitment to public transparency. EPA has scheduled a public webinar for the Solar for All program, and registration details are included below. Information on other GGRF webinars can be found on EPA’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund Engagement Opportunities webpage.
Solar for All webinar: Monday, April 29, 4:00pm – 4:30pm ET. Register for the April 29 meeting.
The SFA: Virginia Energy Program (SAVE) will seek to enable energy savings and increase resilience by expanding access to solar and solar plus storage funding for low-income and disadvantaged communities. SFA funds will be used to transform the low-income solar market in Virginia by leveraging additional private capital and supporting solar business formation and expansion. SAVE will address existing market barriers to solar development by reducing upfront costs, enabling broader access to leasing and power purchase agreements, increasing access to financing for low-income homeowners, and removing barriers to interconnection.
“Today we’re delivering on President Biden’s promise that no community is left behind by investing $7 billion in solar energy projects for over 900,000 households in low-income and disadvantaged communities,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “The selectees will advance solar energy initiatives across the country, creating hundreds of thousands of good-paying jobs, saving $8 billion in energy costs for families, delivering cleaner air, and combating climate change.”
“The health and economic benefits of renewable energy should be accessible to every community” said EPA Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator Adam Ortiz. “With today’s announcement, the Biden-Harris administration is investing almost $700,000,000 across the mid-Atlantic, enabling low-income and disadvantaged communities to make the transition to clean and affordable energy, while also reducing our impact on the world’s climate.”
Virginia Department of Energy is among 49 state-level awards EPA announced today totaling approximately $5.5 billion, along with six awards to serve Tribes totaling over $500 million, and five multistate awards totaling approximately $1 billion.
A complete list of the selected applicants can be found on EPA’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund Solar for All website.
EPA estimates that the 60 Solar for All recipients will enable over 900,000 households in low-income and disadvantaged communities to deploy and benefit from distributed solar energy. This $7 billion investment will generate over $350 million in annual savings on electric bills for overburdened households. The program will reduce 30 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions cumulatively, from over four gigawatts of solar energy capacity unlocked for low-income communities over five years. Solar and distributed energy resources help improve electric grid reliability and climate resilience, which is especially important in disadvantaged communities that have long been underserved.
Solar for All will deliver on the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to creating high-quality jobs with the free and fair choice to join a union for workers across the United States. This $7 billion investment in clean energy will generate an estimated 200,000 jobs across the country. All selected applicants intend to invest in local, clean energy workforce development programs to expand equitable pathways into family-sustaining jobs for the communities they are designed to serve. At least 35% of selected applicants have already engaged local or national unions, demonstrating how these programs will contribute to the foundation of a clean energy economy built on strong labor standards and inclusive economic opportunity for all American communities.
The Solar for All program also advances President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative, which set the goal that 40% of the overall benefits of certain federal climate, clean energy, affordable and sustainable housing, and other investments flow to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution. All of the funds awarded through the Solar For All program will be invested in low-income and disadvantaged communities. The program will also help meet the President’s goal of achieving a carbon pollution-free power sector by 2035 and net-zero emissions economy by no later than 2050.
The 60 selected applicants have committed to delivering on the three objectives of the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund: reducing climate and air pollution; delivering benefits to low-income and disadvantaged communities; and mobilizing financing to spur additional deployment of affordable solar energy. Solar for All selected applicants are expanding existing low-income solar programs and launching new programs. In at least 25 states and territories nationwide, Solar for All is launching new programs where there has never been a substantial low-income solar program before. In these geographies, Solar for All selected applicants will open new markets for distributed solar by funding new programs that provide grants and low-cost financing for low-income, residential solar.
Review and Selection Process Information
The 60 applicants selected for funding were chosen through a competition review process. This multi-stage process included review from hundreds of experts in climate, power markets, environmental justice, labor, and consumer protection from EPA, Department of Energy, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, Department of Treasury, Department of Agriculture, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Department of Labor, Department of Defense, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, and the Department of Energy’s National Labs – all screened through ethics and conflict of interest checks and trained on the program requirements and evaluation criteria. Applications were scored and selected through dozens of review panels and an interagency senior review team.
EPA anticipates that awards to the selected applicants will be finalized in the summer of 2024, and selected applicants will begin funding projects through existing programs and begin expansive community outreach programs to launch new programs in the fall and winter of this year. Selections are contingent on the resolution of all administrative disputes related to the competitions.
Informational Webinars
EPA will host informational webinars as part of the program’s commitment to public transparency. EPA has scheduled a public webinar for the Solar for All program, and registration details are included below. Information on other GGRF webinars can be found on EPA’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund Engagement Opportunities webpage.
Solar for All webinar: Monday, April 29, 4:00pm – 4:30pm ET. Register for the April 29 meeting.
EPA Finalizes Stronger Chemical Risk Evaluation Process to Protect Workers and Communities
WASHINGTON – Today, April 23, 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency finalized a rule that strengthens its process for conducting risk evaluations on chemicals under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). These improvements to EPA’s processes advance the goals of this important chemical safety law, ensure that TSCA risk evaluations comprehensively account for the risks associated with a chemical, and provide a solid foundation for protecting public health, including workers and communities, from toxic chemicals. The rule also includes changes to enhance environmental protections in communities overburdened by pollution, complementing the Biden-Harris Administration’s ambitious environmental justice agenda.
“Everything we do to protect our nation, including workers and communities, from toxic chemical exposures must be comprehensive and grounded in strong science,” said Assistant Administrator for the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention Michal Freedhoff. “This rule charts the path for our risk evaluations to ensure we meet the core objective to protect public health under our nation’s premier chemical safety law, which will in turn lead to rules that workers and communities can count on to keep them safe.”
The 2016 TSCA amendments require that EPA establish a procedural framework rule on the process for conducting chemical risk evaluations. TSCA risk evaluations are the basis for EPA’s risk management rules that protect people and the environment from harmful chemicals. Although EPA finalized a risk evaluation framework rule in 2017, that rule was challenged in court. The United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit remanded several provisions of the rule back to the agency for reconsideration. Another aspect of the litigation, related to the policy to categorically exclude the consideration of exposures from breathing polluted air or drinking contaminated water, was deemed not ripe for review by the court.
EPA’s final rule includes revisions made to respond to the court’s ruling, as well as several changes to improve EPA’s process for TSCA risk evaluations, including:
Consideration of real-world exposure scenarios such as multiple exposure pathways (e.g., in air and water) to the same chemical, and combined risks from multiple chemicals when EPA has the scientific information to do so, which may be particularly important for communities who face greater exposures or susceptibilities to chemicals than the rest of the general population.
A requirement that risk evaluations are comprehensive in scope and do not exclude conditions of use or exposure pathways.
Clarifications to ensure EPA appropriately considers risks to all workers in its risk evaluations.
Consideration of chemical uses that may be required for national security or critical infrastructure by other Federal agencies.
Assurance the agency will continue to use the best available science to conduct risk evaluations, that decisions are based on the weight of the scientific evidence and that risk evaluations will be peer reviewed in accordance with both federal and EPA guidance.
Discussion of chemical-specific fit-for-purpose approaches that allow for varying types and levels of analysis so that risk evaluations focus less rigorously on the conditions of use that are expected to pose low potential risk and can reliably be completed within the timeframes required by the statute.
A clear requirement for risk evaluations to culminate in a single risk determination on the chemical substance, rather than on individual chemical conditions of use in isolation, and improved communications regarding the uses that significantly contribute to the unreasonable risk.
New procedures and criteria for whether and how EPA will revise scope and risk evaluation documents, to improve transparency.
Adjustments to the process for submission and review of manufacturer requests for risk evaluations of chemicals to better align with the process and timeline associated with EPA-initiated risk evaluations, while also ensuring that the agency can use the authorities provided under the law for gathering any needed additional information on such chemicals.
A requirement that risk evaluations must explicitly consider overburdened communities when identifying potentially exposed and susceptible populations as relevant to the risk evaluation.
EPA announced many of the changes included in the final rule in 2021 and has incorporated them into TSCA risk evaluation activities over the past three years. EPA then proposed a revised procedural framework rule in October 2023 and, after carefully considering public comment on the proposed rule, released today’s final rule. The procedures outlined in the rule apply to all risk evaluations initiated 30 days after the date of publication of the final rule or later. For risk evaluations that are currently in process, EPA expects to apply the new procedures to those risk evaluations to the extent practicable, taking into consideration the statutory requirements and deadlines.
Learn more about the TSCA risk evaluation process.
“Everything we do to protect our nation, including workers and communities, from toxic chemical exposures must be comprehensive and grounded in strong science,” said Assistant Administrator for the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention Michal Freedhoff. “This rule charts the path for our risk evaluations to ensure we meet the core objective to protect public health under our nation’s premier chemical safety law, which will in turn lead to rules that workers and communities can count on to keep them safe.”
The 2016 TSCA amendments require that EPA establish a procedural framework rule on the process for conducting chemical risk evaluations. TSCA risk evaluations are the basis for EPA’s risk management rules that protect people and the environment from harmful chemicals. Although EPA finalized a risk evaluation framework rule in 2017, that rule was challenged in court. The United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit remanded several provisions of the rule back to the agency for reconsideration. Another aspect of the litigation, related to the policy to categorically exclude the consideration of exposures from breathing polluted air or drinking contaminated water, was deemed not ripe for review by the court.
EPA’s final rule includes revisions made to respond to the court’s ruling, as well as several changes to improve EPA’s process for TSCA risk evaluations, including:
Consideration of real-world exposure scenarios such as multiple exposure pathways (e.g., in air and water) to the same chemical, and combined risks from multiple chemicals when EPA has the scientific information to do so, which may be particularly important for communities who face greater exposures or susceptibilities to chemicals than the rest of the general population.
A requirement that risk evaluations are comprehensive in scope and do not exclude conditions of use or exposure pathways.
Clarifications to ensure EPA appropriately considers risks to all workers in its risk evaluations.
Consideration of chemical uses that may be required for national security or critical infrastructure by other Federal agencies.
Assurance the agency will continue to use the best available science to conduct risk evaluations, that decisions are based on the weight of the scientific evidence and that risk evaluations will be peer reviewed in accordance with both federal and EPA guidance.
Discussion of chemical-specific fit-for-purpose approaches that allow for varying types and levels of analysis so that risk evaluations focus less rigorously on the conditions of use that are expected to pose low potential risk and can reliably be completed within the timeframes required by the statute.
A clear requirement for risk evaluations to culminate in a single risk determination on the chemical substance, rather than on individual chemical conditions of use in isolation, and improved communications regarding the uses that significantly contribute to the unreasonable risk.
New procedures and criteria for whether and how EPA will revise scope and risk evaluation documents, to improve transparency.
Adjustments to the process for submission and review of manufacturer requests for risk evaluations of chemicals to better align with the process and timeline associated with EPA-initiated risk evaluations, while also ensuring that the agency can use the authorities provided under the law for gathering any needed additional information on such chemicals.
A requirement that risk evaluations must explicitly consider overburdened communities when identifying potentially exposed and susceptible populations as relevant to the risk evaluation.
EPA announced many of the changes included in the final rule in 2021 and has incorporated them into TSCA risk evaluation activities over the past three years. EPA then proposed a revised procedural framework rule in October 2023 and, after carefully considering public comment on the proposed rule, released today’s final rule. The procedures outlined in the rule apply to all risk evaluations initiated 30 days after the date of publication of the final rule or later. For risk evaluations that are currently in process, EPA expects to apply the new procedures to those risk evaluations to the extent practicable, taking into consideration the statutory requirements and deadlines.
Learn more about the TSCA risk evaluation process.
EPA Announces Online Collection of Environmental Justice Resources
WASHINGTON — Today, April 23, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the Environmental Justice Clearinghouse, a first-of-its-kind online collection of resources related to environmental justice. Directed by President Biden’s Executive Order on Revitalizing Our Nation's Commitment to Environmental Justice for All, the Environmental Justice Clearinghouse will help the public access federal and non-federal resources online as part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s ambitious environmental justice agenda.
“Delivering on the Biden-Harris Administration’s ambitious environmental justice agenda requires shared dedication to building strong relationships and solution-oriented programs. The Environmental Justice Clearinghouse is a transformative resource guide built to help us accomplish our agency-wide environmental justice goals,” Theresa Segovia, Principal Deputy Assistant Director for The Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights. “Having an online, easily accessible library of information will ensure that resources from across the country are at the fingertips of all environmental justice stakeholders and advocates. And it will only be made stronger with suggestions from the American people.”
EPA’s Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights will continue to add information to the clearinghouse on a rolling basis and welcomes input and any submissions from the public for review and potential inclusion.
The preliminary resources listed on the Environmental Justice Clearinghouse were submitted by agencies from across the federal government, including funding opportunities, screening and mapping tools, and technical assistance. The Environmental Justice Clearinghouse features searchable categories to simplify results for the public to ensure a more efficient and accessible process for accessing information related to environmental justice.
“President Biden tasked the entire federal government with breaking down barriers to resources and information that help communities pursue environmental justice. EPA’s Environmental Justice Clearinghouse will be a helpful online tool that compiles multiple sources of information so that everyone interested in environmental justice will be able to find resources on one website,” said Dr. Jalonne L. White-Newsome, Federal Chief Environmental Justice Officer for the White House Council on Environmental Quality.
Visit EPA’s website to view the Environmental Justice Clearinghouse or submit a potential resource.
Background
On April 21, 2023, President Biden signed Executive Order 14906 Revitalizing Our Nation’s Commitment to Environmental Justice for All, which included the establishment of the Environmental Justice Clearinghouse to be a public, internet-based, whole-of-government clearinghouse composed of culturally and linguistically appropriate and accessible materials related to environmental justice including:
Information describing the activities of the members of the White House Environmental Justice Interagency Council to address issues relating to environmental justice.
Information on technical assistance, tools, and resources to assist communities with environmental justice concerns in building capacity for public participation.
Copies of training materials developed by the White House Environmental Justice Interagency Council or its members to help individuals and employees understand and carry out environmental justice activities.
Any other information deemed appropriate by the EPA Administrator, in coordination with the White House Environmental Justice Interagency Council.
Learn more about environmental justice at EPA.
Read about the White House Environmental Justice Interagency Council and the Biden-Harris Administration’s whole-of-government commitment to environmental justice.
For up-to-date information about Environmental Justice funding opportunities, events, and 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.
“Delivering on the Biden-Harris Administration’s ambitious environmental justice agenda requires shared dedication to building strong relationships and solution-oriented programs. The Environmental Justice Clearinghouse is a transformative resource guide built to help us accomplish our agency-wide environmental justice goals,” Theresa Segovia, Principal Deputy Assistant Director for The Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights. “Having an online, easily accessible library of information will ensure that resources from across the country are at the fingertips of all environmental justice stakeholders and advocates. And it will only be made stronger with suggestions from the American people.”
EPA’s Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights will continue to add information to the clearinghouse on a rolling basis and welcomes input and any submissions from the public for review and potential inclusion.
The preliminary resources listed on the Environmental Justice Clearinghouse were submitted by agencies from across the federal government, including funding opportunities, screening and mapping tools, and technical assistance. The Environmental Justice Clearinghouse features searchable categories to simplify results for the public to ensure a more efficient and accessible process for accessing information related to environmental justice.
“President Biden tasked the entire federal government with breaking down barriers to resources and information that help communities pursue environmental justice. EPA’s Environmental Justice Clearinghouse will be a helpful online tool that compiles multiple sources of information so that everyone interested in environmental justice will be able to find resources on one website,” said Dr. Jalonne L. White-Newsome, Federal Chief Environmental Justice Officer for the White House Council on Environmental Quality.
Visit EPA’s website to view the Environmental Justice Clearinghouse or submit a potential resource.
Background
On April 21, 2023, President Biden signed Executive Order 14906 Revitalizing Our Nation’s Commitment to Environmental Justice for All, which included the establishment of the Environmental Justice Clearinghouse to be a public, internet-based, whole-of-government clearinghouse composed of culturally and linguistically appropriate and accessible materials related to environmental justice including:
Information describing the activities of the members of the White House Environmental Justice Interagency Council to address issues relating to environmental justice.
Information on technical assistance, tools, and resources to assist communities with environmental justice concerns in building capacity for public participation.
Copies of training materials developed by the White House Environmental Justice Interagency Council or its members to help individuals and employees understand and carry out environmental justice activities.
Any other information deemed appropriate by the EPA Administrator, in coordination with the White House Environmental Justice Interagency Council.
Learn more about environmental justice at EPA.
Read about the White House Environmental Justice Interagency Council and the Biden-Harris Administration’s whole-of-government commitment to environmental justice.
For up-to-date information about Environmental Justice funding opportunities, events, and 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.