Projects that address disproportionate environmental or health harms and risk in underserved areas nationwide will be awarded over $14.1 Million
SEATTLE (Dec 16, 2021)The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has awarded $14.1 million in funding for environmental justice grants to 133 projects that were selected through the Environmental Justice Small Grants Program and Collaborative Problem-Solving Cooperative Agreements Programs across the country. 12 projects in EPAs Alaska, Pacific Northwest Region will be eligible for up to $1.35million.
President Biden made it clear that the Administration’s top priority is to deliver environmental justice, especially in communities most severely affected by the pandemic or health outcomes disparities due to pollution. Administrator Michael S. Regan. “Thanks for the President and Congress, today’s environmental Justice grants funded by American Rescue Plan will provide critical support for our most vulnerable and overburdened community.
Communities in over 24 states will be able to benefit from Environmental Justice Collaborative Problem-Solving grants, including three communities in Washington. After the award process has been completed successfully, Collaborative problem-solving grant recipients could be eligible for up to $200,000 each. The following projects were selected for funding in Region 10.
Front and Centered, WA Create an environment monitoring, reporting and enforcement system that is community-based in the Duwamish river valley, Skagit County and Yakima County. Through community outreach and education, and the development of an environmental monitoring tool and a Community and Government Work Group to address violations,
Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, WA Install an air monitoring system to provide real-time data on air quality during wildfire smoke season. It also provides data sharing and air quality education that will help residents make informed decisions about what to do during high levels.
Tulalip Tribes of Washington, WA Use E-Learning to communicate indoor air hazards risks. You create 12 videos and collect feedback from tribal communities. This helps ensure that the videos are culturally relevant.
This year’s Environmental Justice Small Grants awards will help communities in more 37 states, including nine communities from Washington, Idaho and Oregon. After the award process has been completed, small grant recipients could be eligible for up to $75,000 each. The following projects are eligible for funding in Region 10.
Methow Valley Citizens CouncilWashington, Washington – Climate change resilience for wildfires and wildfire smoke disaster preparedness.
Traction: Design. Action. ResearchWashington, Washington – Help combat homelessness by designing and implementing a master plan and demonstration site for a Tiny House Ecovillage.
Thurston Climate Action TeamWashington, Promoting climate justice through public education and improving energy efficiency at homes in Thurston county
Vision ChurchWashington Provide COVID-19 relief by providing prevention education, free and easy transportation to vaccination sites, and distribution of EPA-approved disinfectant kit in Snohomish County.
Collaborative Effort dba RAIN Incubator, Washington Institute a green jobs career training program that will qualify graduates as Operators-in-Training in the water treatment field.
Center for Instructional Organizing, Oregon Provide training on air quality, water and environmental health risk assessment to low-income Latinx and Black Indigenous families and People of Color who were affected by Almeda wildfire in Talent.
Urban GleanersOregon. This program helps to reduce food insecurity by connecting people and businesses with excess food and people living in food insecurity in Washington and Multnomah.
Anchorage Neighborhood Housing Services, Inc., Alaska Community outreach and environmental education are key to reducing local greenhouse gas emissions.
TerraGraphics International Foundation Inc., Idaho Support environmental education at the Shoshone–Paiute Duck Valley Indian Reservation.
American Rescue Plan Appropriation of EPA
EPA announced this year spending plans for $100m in ARP funding. This money was to be used for COVID-19, health outcome disparities, and $50 million for improving air quality monitoring. $50 million will also be used to address disproportionate environmental and public health harms in underserved areas. $4.1 Million was allocated to 21 projects funded by the State/Tribal/Local Environmental Justice Cooperative Agreement. The additional Environmental Justice Small Grants, and Collaborative Problem Solving selections announced today include $9.55million of ARP funds. Additional funding will be provided by regular annual appropriations to EPA. After the Small Grants and Collaborative Problem-Solving awards have been finalized, ARP-funded activities in environmental justice grant funding will be announced.
To learn more about environmental justice at EPA, visit: https://www.epa.gov/environmentaljustice. For up-to-date information about funding opportunities, events, and webinars, subscribe to EPA’s Environmental Justice listserv by sending a blank email to: [email protected] and follow us on Twitter: @EPAEnvJustice.