The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced on July 25, 2024, that it will allocate over $325 million to support 21 selected applications aimed at addressing environmental and climate justice challenges in disadvantaged communities. This funding is part of the Community Change Grants Program, made possible by President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act. The program represents the largest single investment in environmental and climate justice to date.
The Community Change Grants Program is designed to award nearly $2 billion on a rolling basis, informed by community input and stakeholder engagement. The Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), administered through the Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights, remains open for applications until November 21, 2024.
EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan emphasized the importance of community involvement in achieving effective results: “Our ability to deliver tangible results for communities depends on listening to them and developing innovative solutions through inclusive stakeholder engagement.” John Podesta, Senior Advisor to the President for International Climate Policy, added that these grants empower communities "on the road to righting the environmental wrongs of the past."
Brenda Mallory, Chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality, highlighted that these efforts are part of President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative: “These grants will help disadvantaged communities tackle environmental and climate justice challenges they face by reducing pollution, increasing resilience to impacts from climate change, and building community capacity.”
The initial cohort includes projects such as:
- Nearly $20 million awarded to the Midwest Tribal Energy Resources Association (MTERA) and Grid Alternatives for home weatherization across 35 Tribes in Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.
- $20 million granted to the Coalition for Responsible Community Development and Los Angeles Trade-Technical College for workforce development trainings related to environmental justice.
- Over $14 million allocated to Texas A&M University and the Black Belt Unincorporated Wastewater Program for installing wastewater treatment systems in Alabama.
- Roughly $14 million provided to Pittsburgh Conservation Corps and PowerCorpsPHL for urban forestry programs in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.
Track I of the program expects to fund approximately 150 projects with budgets ranging from $10-20 million each. Track II aims to facilitate community participation in governmental decision-making processes with around $40 million earmarked for smaller-scale projects.
Of note among these selections are three Target Investment Areas intended specifically for disadvantaged communities with unique needs.
The EPA encourages further applications before November 21, 2024. Additional selections will be made throughout the year.
For more details on applying or seeking technical assistance before August 16, 2024, visit EPA’s official webpages dedicated to the Community Change Grants Program or subscribe via email updates.
