The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced that the City of Springfield, Massachusetts, along with its partner, the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts, will receive nearly $20 million in funding. This grant aims to assist disadvantaged communities in addressing environmental and climate justice challenges by reducing pollution, increasing community climate resilience, and building community capacity. The funding is part of President Biden's Inflation Reduction Act, which represents the largest single investment in environmental and climate justice in history.
The Community Change Grants Program is designed based on community input and awards grants on a rolling basis. The initial selections under this program mark the first tranche of nearly $2 billion allocated for these purposes.
EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan emphasized the importance of stakeholder engagement in delivering tangible results for communities: "Our ability to deliver tangible results for communities depends on listening to them and developing innovative solutions through inclusive stakeholder engagement."
EPA Regional Administrator David W. Cash highlighted the specific initiatives planned for Springfield: "The City of Springfield and its residents have shared their vision for change—retrofitting homes and removing lead hazards, converting city buildings to clean energy and expanding the tree canopy, and investing in community solar and workforce training programs."
U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren noted that the grant would enable significant investments in Springfield: "With this nearly $20 million grant, Springfield will be able to invest in safer and more resilient homes, restart its electric bikeshare program, plant hundreds of new trees, and so much more."
U.S. Senator Edward J. Markey commended local efforts: "Residents and advocates in Springfield are taking action to undo generations of pollution... Their coalition embodies the mission of the Community Change Grant Program."
Springfield Mayor Domenic J. Sarno expressed gratitude for the grant: "This funding... will provide tangible benefits to our community including improved indoor and outdoor air quality and reduced Greenhouse Gas Emissions."
Jessica Collins, Executive Director of the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts, highlighted ongoing collaborations: "We are building on our decades of collaboration with the City of Springfield... Together we will deepen strategies that are already in place."
Track I of the program is expected to award approximately $1.96 billion for 150 projects ranging from $10-20 million each. The City of Springfield's application was selected under Track I as part of this initial cohort.
Track II aims to facilitate individual and community participation in governmental decision-making processes with an estimated $40 million allocated for 20 projects.
The EPA encourages interested applicants to submit applications by November 21, 2024.
