A New York nonprofit environmental justice organization will receive approximately $10 million spanning five years from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to advance environmental justice.
West Harlem Environmental Action Inc., also known as WE ACT for Environmental Justice, located in Harlem, N.Y., will receive the funding to function as an Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Center, an April 13 news release said. The goal is to help communities “access funds from President Biden’s Investing in America agenda.”
“We know that so many communities across the nation have the solutions to the environmental challenges they face. Unfortunately, many have lacked access or faced barriers when it comes to the crucial federal resources needed to deliver these solutions,” EPA Administrator Michael Regan said in the release. “Today, we’re taking another step to break down these barriers."
WE ACT is among 17 Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Centers that will receive more than $177 million to address environmental justice initiatives, address environmental challenges and offer technical assistance to ensure communities have a voice in federal decisions, the release reported.
"Establishing these Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Centers across the nation will ensure all communities can access benefits from the President’s historic agenda, which includes groundbreaking investments in clean air, clean water and our clean energy future,” Regan added, according to the release.
Peggy Shepard, co-founder and executive director of WE ACT for Environmental Justice, said the nonprofit looks “forward to launching our Technical Assistance Center in the coming months,” the release reported.
“We would like to thank Administrator Michael Regan and Regional Administrator Lisa Garcia for this opportunity to help environmental justice communities throughout the region gain access to the funds and other resources needed to address the legacy of environmental racism and disinvestment that has burdened them with environmental health inequities,” Shepard said in the release.
WE ACT for Environmental Justice will work with the Clean Energy Group, Columbia University Climate School, Environmental Protection Network, Inter American University, New Jersey Environmental Justice Alliance, New York University School of Law Institute for Policy Integrity and South Ward Environmental Alliance, the release reported.
U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer for New York said the WE ACT center is better equipped than any other to serve as one of the centers, and it will provide vital support to communities facing environmental justice issues, the release said. The Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Centers will also provide communities with assistance and training needed to support and address environmental justice concerns within communities across the country.
