Michael S. Regan 16th Administrator, United States Environmental Protection Agency | Official Website
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced the initial selections from a $2 billion program under the Inflation Reduction Act, marking the largest single environmental justice investment in history. The MetroHealth System and The Trust for Public Land in Ohio will receive $17,191,775 and $3,000,000 respectively to assist disadvantaged communities in addressing environmental and climate justice challenges.
The funding is part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda and aims to reduce pollution, increase community climate resilience, and build community capacity. This announcement is the first allocation from nearly $2 billion designed with community input to award grants on a rolling basis.
EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan emphasized the importance of stakeholder engagement: “Our ability to deliver tangible results for communities depends on listening to them and developing innovative solutions through inclusive stakeholder engagement.” Debra Shore, EPA Region 5 Administrator, highlighted that these grants are an opportunity to address core environmental issues for overburdened communities.
MetroHealth plans to work with Community Housing Solutions to identify 1,200 Cleveland-area households with at least one resident suffering from asthma. The project includes replacing gas ranges with electric ones, upgrading kitchen electrical systems as needed, improving ventilation, offering financial incentives for cleaner electricity suppliers, and installing EV chargers upon request.
Trust for Public Land will collaborate with See You at the Top and other local entities to engage residents of eight historically disadvantaged neighborhoods in Cleveland in municipal decision-making processes related to parks and greenspaces.
Rep. Shontel Brown expressed her support: “These grants will make a tangible difference for local families... We all deserve clean air.” Sean Terry of Trust for Public Land added that this grant would facilitate significant changes in Cleveland’s parks system by encouraging two-way communication between residents and city officials.
Dr. Ashwini Sehgal of MetroHealth Systems stated that their project could significantly improve quality of life by reducing indoor air pollution and better managing asthma symptoms.
The Inflation Reduction Act provides $3 billion to EPA for grants aiding disadvantaged communities while also advancing equity through President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative. Track I of the program expects to fund approximately 150 projects with $10-20 million each; Track II aims to support about 20 projects focused on equitable governance with $1-3 million each.
Applications for the Community Change Grants Program are still being accepted until November 21. EPA encourages applicants who meet requirements fully to submit their applications promptly. Technical assistance requests must be submitted by August 16.
For more information about the Community Change Grants Program or environmental justice initiatives at EPA:
- Visit: https://www.epa.gov/inflation-reduction-act/inflation-reduction-act-community-change-grants-program
- Subscribe: join-epa-ej@lists.epa.gov
- Follow on X (formerly Twitter): @EPAEnvJustice
