Environmental and climate justice block grants are a new funding opportunity for communities that are disproportionately affected by pollution and climate change.
These grants are part of the Inflation Reduction Act, a landmark legislation that aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and invest in clean energy and infrastructure.
In this article, we will explain what these grants are, who can apply for them, and how to access them.
What are environmental and climate justice block grants?
Environmental and climate justice block grants are a type of financial and technical assistance that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provides to carry out environmental and climate justice activities.
These activities are meant to benefit underserved and overburdened communities, such as:
- Low-income.
- Minority.
- Tribal.
- Indigenous populations.
- Face higher risks of exposure to environmental hazards and impacts of climate change.
According to the EPA, some examples of eligible activities include:
- Pollution monitoring, mitigation, and prevention
- Investment in zero-emission or low-emission transportation, energy, and water systems
- Community resilience and adaptation to climate change
- Environmental education and awareness
- Community engagement and empowerment
- Environmental justice research and data collection
Who can apply for environmental and climate justice block grants?
The EPA has not yet released the official guidelines and criteria for applying for these grants. However, based on the Inflation Reduction Act.
The potential applicants include:
- State, local, territorial, and tribal governments
- Nonprofit organizations
- Educational institutions
- Community-based organizations
- Environmental justice organizations
- Faith-based organizations
- Labor unions
- Business associations
The applicants must demonstrate that their proposed projects will benefit disadvantaged communities that meet the following definitions:
- A community with an annual median household income that is less than 80 percent of the statewide annual median household income or less than the threshold designated by the state as low-income.
- A community with individuals comprising a majority of the population who identify as members of a racial or ethnic minority group or as members of a federally recognized tribe or Alaska Native village.
- A community with individuals comprising a significant portion of the population who experience high rates of unemployment, lack access to affordable health care or healthy food options, have limited English proficiency, or face other social or economic barriers.
How to access environmental and climate justice block grants?
The EPA is currently developing the application process and requirements for these grants.
The agency is also seeking public input and feedback from various stakeholders, such as potential applicants, environmental justice advocates, community leaders, and experts.
The EPA has also hosted several webinars and engagement sessions to provide information and solicit comments on the program design.
The RFI closed on April 10, 2023.
The EPA plans to announce the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for these grants in late 2023 or early 2024.
The NOFO will provide the details on how to apply for these grants, such as:
- eligibility criteria,
- application forms.
- deadlines.
- evaluation criteria,
- reporting requirements
To stay updated on the latest news and developments on these grants, you can subscribe to the EPA’s Environmental Justice Listserv by sending a blank email to join-[email protected].
You can also follow the EPA’s Twitter account @EPAEnvJustice for announcements and updates.
Conclusion
Environmental and climate justice block grants are a historic opportunity for communities that have been marginalized and harmed by environmental injustice.
These grants can help these communities address their environmental challenges, improve their health and well-being, and enhance their quality of life.
If you are interested in applying for these grants, you should start preparing your project proposal now and keep an eye on the EPA’s website for the official application guidelines.
You should also reach out to other potential partners and collaborators who share your vision and goals.
Together, we can make a difference for environmental and climate justice.
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You can also check out these other articles on our blog:
- The California Environmental Justice Alliance (CEJA): A Statewide Movement for Environmental Health and Social Justice
- Environmental Justice Volunteer Opportunities: Making an Impact in Your Community
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