The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently announced it chose the National Wildlife Federation to operate an Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Center.
The center will receive a minimum of $10 million to help communities in the Mid-Atlantic region access funding from President Joe Biden's Investing in America agenda for environmental justice, according to an April 14 news release. The region includes Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia.
“Today we’re taking another step to break down these barriers. 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,” EPA Administrator Michael Regan said in the release.
The center will work alongside several organizations to provide training to help navigate federal grant application systems, provide guidance on community engagement and manage communication channels, the release reported.
There will be 17 environmental justice centers across the U.S., which will receive more than $177 million to remove barriers and improve accessibility for communities with environmental justice concerns, according to the release. The centers will provide assistance in identifying clean energy transition opportunities and financing options, including public-private partnerships.
The EPA also announced two other funding programs: the Environmental Justice Government to Government Program and the Environmental Justice Collaborative Problem-Solving Cooperative Agreement Program, with applications due April 14, and the Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmaking Program, with applications due May 31, the release reported.
The initiative is part of President Biden's drive to support communities that have been historically marginalized. It is intended to break down barriers and provide access to resources and technical assistance for overburdened, underserved and rural communities, the release said. These communities are often affected by environmental pollution, hazardous waste and poor air and water quality. By breaking down barriers and providing access to resources and technical assistance, these initiatives will help promote environmental justice and protect vulnerable communities.
