The Environmental Protection Agency announced a historic $20 billion in grant competitions to create a national clean financing network launched by the Biden-Harris administration as part of the Investing in America Agenda. The EPA has opened applications to the funds of two Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund competitions in order to advance clean technology projects in communities across the United States.
“Communities on the front lines of the climate crisis will be the first to reap the benefits of President Biden’s historic investments in the clean economy,” EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan said in a news release.
The EPA has initiated two grant competitions under the $27 billion Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, aimed at preventing workplace hazards in warehouses, distribution centers, processing facilities and high-risk retail establishments, the release said. This program is central to President Joe Biden's Investing in America Agenda and focuses on environmental justice goals.
The competitive grant opportunities aim to mobilize private capital into clean technology projects, create good-paying jobs, lower energy costs and cut harmful pollution in low-income and disadvantaged communities to address the climate crisis, according to the EPA's July release.
Under the emphasis program, OSHA will conduct comprehensive safety inspections to address hazards related to powered industrial vehicle operations, material handling, storage, walking and working surfaces, means of egress and fire protection. The program also includes inspections of retail establishments with high injury rates, particularly focusing on storage and loading areas. Additionally, OSHA will assess heat and ergonomic hazards under this emphasis program and conduct health inspections if necessary, the EPA announced in the release.
The National Clean Investment Fund, with $14 billion in funding, will support two or three national clean financing institutions partnering with the private sector to provide accessible and affordable financing for clean technology projects. These projects aim to reduce pollution, create jobs, lower energy costs and accelerate progress toward energy security, the release reported
At least 40% of the funds will be dedicated to low-income and disadvantaged communities. The Clean Communities Investment Accelerator, with $6 billion in funding, will support two-to-seven hub nonprofit organizations, enabling them to provide funding and technical assistance to community lenders in low-income and disadvantaged communities to finance clean technology projects, according to the release.
