Michael S. Regan 16th Administrator, United States Environmental Protection Agency | Official Website
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced $20 million in grant funding for the Houston Health Department and its partner, Black United Fund of Texas (BUFTX), to address environmental and climate justice challenges. This initiative is part of President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act and represents the largest single investment in environmental justice to date.
The Community Change Grants Program, which will distribute nearly $2 billion on a rolling basis, aims to reduce pollution, enhance community climate resilience, and build community capacity. The initial selections were informed by extensive stakeholder engagement and community feedback.
EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan stated, “Our ability to deliver tangible results for communities depends on listening to them and developing innovative solutions through inclusive stakeholder engagement.” He emphasized that the grants are part of the broader effort under President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act to tackle environmental and climate justice issues.
Regional Administrator Dr. Earthea Nance highlighted the program's impact: “The Community Change Grants Program has benefited disadvantaged communities through projects that reduce pollution and increase community resilience.”
The Inflation Reduction Act allocates $3 billion to EPA for grants aimed at helping disadvantaged communities with technical assistance. The current funding will support a community solar energy system in Houston, plant 10,000 trees for shade and flood mitigation, reduce illegal dumping, and expand BUFTX’s community resilience hub.
This initiative aligns with President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative, which seeks to ensure that 40 percent of certain federal investments benefit marginalized communities.
Applications for the Community Change Grants Program are open until November 21, 2024. Additional selections will be made throughout the year as applications are reviewed.
For more information about the program or to apply for technical assistance before August 16, 2024, visit EPA's website or follow updates on social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter).
