EPA and U.S. Army Announce Joint Sampling Project to Identify PFAS Contamination Near Army Installations

WASHINGTON – Today, July 26, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army announced today a joint project to conduct sampling and testing of private drinking water wells located near Army installations for the presence of per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). This effort will inform Army remedial actions if results indicate that PFAS is found in drinking water, because PFAS contamination has spread and may potentially be impacting the drinking water wells of nearby residents.

The joint EPA-Army sampling and testing project, which is being implemented nationally, has identified a priority list of nine installations out of 235 locations. As initial work is completed, EPA and the Army will evaluate additional installations for expansion of the pilot. EPA and the Army are working in partnership to identify next steps to ensure the public remains safe from exposure to PFAS potentially originating from these installations. This initial joint program is another step in EPA’s efforts to protect people from the health risks posed by exposure to “forever chemicals” in communities across the country.

The installations scheduled for sampling under the program are:

• Fort Novosel (Alabama)
• Fort Hunter Liggett – Parks Reserve Forces Training Area (California)
• Fort Stewart (Georgia)
• Fort Stewart – Hunter Army Airfield (Georgia)
• Blue Grass Army Depot (Kentucky)
• Fort Campbell (Kentucky & Tennessee)
• Fort Liberty (North Carolina)
• Fort Sill (Oklahoma)
• McAlester Army Ammunition Plant (Oklahoma)

“PFAS pose significant risks to drinking water supplies and public health, which is why the EPA and the Army are testing water from wells in communities near Army installations to determine if these dangerous forever chemicals are polluting drinking water,” said David M. Uhlmann, EPA’s Assistant Administrator for Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. “Members of the military, their families, and surrounding communities deserve access to clean, safe drinking water. EPA welcomes the opportunity to share our expertise and work with the Army on this important project, which will help advance EPA’s PFAS National Enforcement and Compliance Initiative.”

“The Army commenced a comprehensive program in 2017 to identify potential PFAS releases at hundreds of Army and Army National Guard installations across the country. These initial investigations, completed by the Army in 2023, were instrumental in narrowing the focus to 235 locations where we will proceed with more in-depth investigations.” said Rachel Jacobson, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Installations, Energy, and Environment. “For the nine installations that are part of our joint pilot program with EPA, the Army has already begun more in-depth investigations. The Army welcomes EPA’s collaboration as it continues to evaluate whether PFAS from past Army activities has impacted our neighboring communities and if so, takes steps to mitigate those impacts.”

If the sampling indicates that PFAS is present in groundwater or drinking water above the new Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) established by EPA, then the Army will work with EPA and state regulators to assess what additional actions are necessary to mitigate exposure.

PFAS are widely used, long-lasting chemicals, components of which break down very slowly over time. Because of their widespread use and their persistence in the environment, many PFAS are being found worldwide. PFAS have been found in groundwater and soil at many federal facilities, including at military sites. The Army has used PFAS in various operations, including in foam to extinguish fires.

EPA and the Army will share information and update both EPA’s and DoD’s PFAS websites as information becomes available. For more information about PFAS, please visit EPA’s or DoD’s PFAS websites. Please visit EPA’s National Enforcement and Compliance Initiative website: Addressing Exposure to PFAS to learn more about EPA’s PFAS enforcement. Residents with concerns about PFAS in drinking water can also consult EPA’s guidance on the use of home filters to reduce PFAS levels.

Biden-⁠Harris Administration Takes Critical Action to Protect Communities from PFAS

In addition to efforts across the government, EPA has taken action under the agency’s PFAS Strategic Roadmap to control PFAS at its sources, hold polluters accountable, ensure science-based decision making, advance environmental justice, and address the impacts on disadvantaged communities. Since launching the Roadmap in 2021, EPA has taken a suite of actions to protect communities from exposure to “forever chemicals” including:

• Established first-ever national legally enforceable drinking water standard for PFAS: In April 2024, EPA finalized National Primary Drinking Water Regulation (NPDWR) for six PFAS which will protect 100 million people from PFAS exposure, prevent tens of thousands of serious illnesses, and save lives. This action complements the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to combatting PFAS pollution and delivering clean water.
• Dedicated $10 billion in funding to address PFAS and other emerging contaminants in water: President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law secured the largest-ever investment in tackling PFAS pollution in water, including $9 billion for drinking water and $1 billion for clean water investments. An additional $12 billion in funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law supports general drinking water investments, including PFAS treatment. The investments are part of the Justice40 Initiative, which aims to ensure that 40 percent of the overall benefits of certain federal investments flow to disadvantaged communities.
• Designated Two PFAS as Hazardous Substances: In April 2024, EPA finalized a critical rule to designate two widely used PFAS as hazardous substances under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, also known as Superfund. This step improves transparency and accountability to clean up PFAS contamination in communities. In addition to the final rule, EPA issued a separate CERCLA enforcement discretion policy that makes clear that EPA will focus enforcement on parties who significantly contributed to the release of PFAS chemicals into the environment.
• Guidance on Destroying and Disposing of PFAS: In April 2024, EPA released updated Interim Guidance which outlines the best-available science on techniques and treatments that may be used to destroy or dispose of PFAS and PFAS-containing materials from non-consumer products, including aqueous film-forming foam for firefighting, and highlights innovation and emerging technologies that warrant further evaluation.
• Addressing on-going uses of PFAS: In January 2024, EPA finalized a rule that prevents companies from starting or resuming the manufacture or processing of 329 PFAS; released three methods to better measure PFAS in the environment; and announced the addition of seven PFAS to the list of chemicals covered by the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI), consistent with the Fiscal Year 2020 National Defense Authorization Act.

from EPA News Releases https://ift.tt/tvzO1xj

Governo Biden-Harris anuncia mais de US$ 325 milhões em subsídios para mudanças comunitárias na justiça ambiental e climática

WASHINGTON – Hoje, dia 25 de julho de 2024, a Agência de Proteção Ambiental dos EUA anunciou mais de US$ 325 milhões em financiamento para 21 projetos aprovados para ajudar comunidades menos favorecidas a enfrentar desafios de justiça ambiental e climática. Os projetos visam reduzir a poluição, aumentar a resiliência climática das comunidades e fortalecer a capacitação da comunidade. Viabilizado pela Lei de Redução da Inflação do Presidente Biden, o Programa de Subsídios para a Mudança Comunitária é o maior investimento em justiça ambiental e climática da história. O anúncio da alocação dos recursos de hoje é a primeira parte dos quase US$ 2 bilhões do programa, que foi elaborado com base nas contribuições da comunidade para conceder subsídios de forma contínua.

Essas propostas selecionadas são as primeiras a serem contempladas pelo processo de inscrição em fluxo contínuo do Programa de Subsídios para a Mudança Comunitária. Elaborado com base em um sólido envolvimento das partes interessadas e no feedback da comunidade, o processo inovador de inscrições em fluxo contínuo garantirá que os candidatos tenham tempo suficiente para se preparar e usufruir dessa oportunidade histórica. A Notificação de Oportunidade de Financiamento (NOFO), do Programa de Subsídios para Mudança Comunitária, administrado pelo Gabinete de Justiça Ambiental e Direitos Civis Externos, ainda está aceitando inscrições até o dia 21 de novembro de 2024. A EPA continuará analisando as solicitações e anunciando os projetos selecionados de forma contínua.

“Nossa capacidade de oferecer resultados concretos para as comunidades depende de ouvir suas necessidades e desenvolver soluções inovadoras por meio de um engajamento inclusivo com as partes interessadas”, afirmou o Gestor da EPA, Michael S. Regan. “Hoje, graças à Lei de Redução da Inflação do presidente Biden, a EPA selecionou o primeiro grupo de parcerias comunitárias para resolver desafios atuais e de longa data relacionados à justiça ambiental e climática.”

“Os subsídios de presente colocam as comunidades no comando da jornada para corrigir os erros ambientais do passado e construir, de forma autônoma, um futuro voltado para a energia limpa”, declarou John Podesta, Conselheiro Sênior do Presidente para Política Climática Internacional.

“A iniciativa Investindo na América, do presidente Biden, ampliou nossos esforços para proporcionar justiça ambiental às comunidades que foram negligenciadas por muito tempo”, comentou Brenda Mallory, presidente do Conselho de Qualidade Ambiental da Casa Branca. “Como parte da Iniciativa Justice40, do Presidente, esses subsídios ajudarão comunidades menos favorecidas a enfrentar os desafios de justiça ambiental e climática que enfrentam, reduzindo a poluição, aumentando a resiliência aos impactos das mudanças climáticas e fortalecendo a capacidade das comunidades para levar esses projetos adiante.”

A Lei de Redução da Inflação destina US$ 3 bilhões à EPA para conceder subsídios que auxiliam comunidades menos favorecidas e proporcionam auxílio técnico. Com esses subsídios, a EPA está cumprindo essa missão.

Os Subsídios para Mudança Comunitária também cumprem o compromisso do Presidente Biden de promover a igualdade e a justiça em todo os EUA por meio da Iniciativa Justice40, que visa garantir que 40% dos benefícios totais de certos investimentos federais sejam destinados a comunidades menos favorecidas, que convivem com a falta de investimentos e com os efeitos nocivos da poluição.

Alguns exemplos de subsídios desta primeira etapa seleção são:

• Quase US$ 20 milhões para a Associação de Recursos Energéticos Tribais do Meio-Oeste (MTERA, na sigla em inglês) e para a Grid Alternatives para a implementação de projetos de melhorias de eficiência energética e climatização em 35 comunidades de povos originários de Michigan, Minnesota e Wisconsin, melhorando a qualidade do ar em ambientes fechados para as famílias e oferecendo treinamento de desenvolvimento de liderança para os Campeões da Energia dos Povos Originários indicados. Em maio, a MTERA também recebeu um subsídio de US$ 62 milhões do programa Energia Solar Para Todos (em inglês, Solar for All), da EPA.
• US$ 20 milhões para a Aliança para o Desenvolvimento Comunitário Responsável e para o Instituto Técnico-Comercial de Los Angeles para desenvolver treinamentos em justiça ambiental para redução de chumbo, soldagem, manutenção de veículos híbridos e elétricos, climatização de ambientes residenciais e auditorias de energia residencial. Com a concessão desse subsídio, espera-se que os projetos aprovados concluam ações de redução de chumbo em mais de 600 unidades residenciais no sul de Los Angeles.
• Mais de US$ 14 milhões para a Universidade Texas A&M e para o Programa de Águas Residuais Não Incorporadas do Cinturão Negro destinados à instalação local de sistemas de tratamento de águas residuais em 17 condados do Cinturão Negro, no Alabama. Regan, Gestor da EPA, já havia visitado o Condado de Lowndes, no Alabama, onde as fossas sépticas com defeito e o esgoto canalizado das casas para os quintais provocaram uma crise de saúde pública na região. Essa comunidade também recebeu um empréstimo 100% subsidiado de US$ 8,7 milhões da Lei de Infraestrutura Bipartidária para enfrentar os problemas graves de esgoto que afetam as famílias que moram na região.
• Aproximadamente US$ 14 milhões para o Núcleo de Conservação de Pittsburgh e para o  PowerCorpsPHL, para expandir os programas de capacitação profissional relacionados à silvicultura urbana e à redução de resíduos de madeira, expandindo a cobertura de árvores na Filadélfia e em Pittsburgh e evitando que os resíduos de madeira sejam depositados em aterros sanitários. Este subsídio também inclui recursos para utilizar biochar na redução da poluição por chumbo nos solos de Pittsburgh.

A Fase I do programa, denominada Investimentos Comunitários para a Mudança, deve conceder aproximadamente US$ 1,96 bilhões para 150 projetos, com valores entre US$ 10 e 20 milhões cada. Os 17 candidatos da Fase I que estão implementando projetos em escala comunitária para enfrentar desafios de justiça ambiental e climática são:

• A Universidade A&M do Texas e o Programa de Águas Residuais Não Incorporadas de Black Belt (condados de Wilcox/Hale/Lowndes, AL)
• O município de Bakersfield e a iniciativa Construindo Comunidades Saudáveis, em Kern (Bakersfield, CA)
• O Centro de Aconselhamento La Familia S/A e Projeto de Recursos Comunitários (Sacramento, CA)
• A Aliança para o Desenvolvimento Comunitário Responsável e Faculdade Técnica de Comércio de Los Angeles (Los Angeles, CA)
• A Fundação San Diego e a Aliança de Saúde Ambiental (San Diego, CA)
• Day One e Active SGV (San Gabriel Valley, CA)
• A Cidade de Pocatello e a Fundação Portneuf Greenway (Pocatello, ID)
• A Universidade de Dillard e a United Way of Southeast Louisiana (Southeast LA)
• A Cidade de Springfield e o Instituto de Saúde Pública do Oeste de Massachusetts (Springfield, MA)
• A Associação de Recursos Energéticos dos Povos Originários do Meio-Oeste e a Grid Alternatives (MI, MN, WI)
• O Sistema MetroHealth e a Soluções de Habitação Comunitária (Cleveland, OH)
• Condado de Lane, Oregon e a United Way do Condado de Lane (Condado de Lane, OR)
• O Núcleo de Conservação de Pittsburgh e o PowerCorpsPHL (Pittsburgh/Filadélfia, PA)
• A Associação para Terras Públicas e Cidade de Chattanooga (Chattanooga, TN)
• A Cidade de Houston e a National Black United Fund (Houston, TX)
• A Associação da Universidade Gonzaga e a Spokane Neighborhood Action Partners (Spokane, WA)
• Fundação Nacional de Habitação e Centro do Direito da Criança de Washington, D.C. (Washington, D.C.)

Já na Modalidade II, Envolvimento significativo para governança equitativa, espera-se que sejam concedidos aproximadamente US$ 40 milhões para 20 projetos de US$ 1 a 3 milhões cada. Os candidatos da Fase II que facilitarão a participação individual e comunitária nos processos de tomada de decisão governamental são:

• Insight Garden Program e Ella Baker Center for Human Rights (vários locais na Califórnia)
• O The Trust for Public Land e o See You At The Top (Cleveland, OH)
• O Special Service for Groups, Inc. e o Center for Asian Americans United for Self Empowerment (Los Angeles, CA)
• A Bronx River Alliance, Inc. e o Youth Ministries for Peace and Justice (Condado do Bronx, NY)

Dos 21 projetos aprovados, três são para Áreas de Investimento-alvo identificadas na NOFO. O subsídio de Áreas de Investimento-alvo tem como objetivo garantir que o financiamento do Programa Subsídios para a Mudança Comunitária seja direcionado a comunidades menos favorecidas com situações, circunstâncias geográficas e necessidades únicas.

Consulte a lista completa das 21 organizações que começaram a receber um subsídio do CCGP e saiba mais sobre o CCGP.

Como o Programa de Subsídios para a Mudança Comunitária ainda está aceitando inscrições até o dia 21 de novembro de 2024, a EPA incentiva os candidatos a submeterem seus projetos para apreciação assim que atenderem completamente aos requisitos do NOFO. A EPA fará selecionará outros projetos em um fluxo de inscrições contínuo até o fim de 2024. A EPA também incentiva os candidatos interessados a solicitar auxílio técnico o mais rápido possível, pois o último dia para solicitar novo auxílio técnico é o dia 16 de agosto de 2024.

Leia o NOFO do Programa de Subsídios para a Mudança Comunitária na página do Programa de Subsídios para Mudança Comunitária da Lei de Redução da Inflação da EPA.

Para saber mais sobre os Subsídios para Mudança Comunitária e a sobre o Auxílio Técnico, acesse a página do Programa de Subsídios para a Mudança Comunitária da Lei de Redução da Inflação da EPA.

Para saber mais sobre o tema da justiça ambiental na EPA, acesse a página de Justiça ambiental da EPA. 

Para obter informações atualizadas sobre o NOFO, inclusive informações sobre os webinars, cadastre-se no listserv do Gabinete de Justiça Ambiental e Direitos Civis Externos enviando um e-mail em branco para: join-epa-ej@lists.epa.gov. Acompanhe nossas atualizações no X (antigo Twitter): @EPAEnvJustice.

from EPA News Releases https://ift.tt/Fx3OsWY

Ipinahayag ng Biden-Harris Administration ang Higit sa $325 Milyon para sa Mga Environmental at Climate Justice Community Change Grant

Makipag-ugnay sa: EPA Press Office (press@epa.gov)

WASHINGTON – Ngayong araw, Hulyo 25, 2024, ipinahiwatig ng U.S. Environmental Protection Agency na higit sa $325 milyon na pondo para sa 21 napiling mga application para makatulong sa mga nahihirapang komunidad upang maharap ang mga pagbabago sa environment at climate justice sa pamamagitan ng mga proyekto na nagbabawas sa polusyon, magpapalakas sa tibay ng komunidad laban sa pagbabago sa klima at mapalakas rin ang kakayahan ng komunidad. Ito ay magaganap salamat sa Inflation Reduction Act ni President Biden, ang Community Change Grants Program ay ang nag-iisang pinakamalaking pamumuhunan para sa environment at climate justice sa buong kasaysayan. Ang pahayag ng pagpopondo ngayong araw ay ang unang bahagi ng halos $2 bilyon mula sa programa na nilikha batay sa input ng komunidad patungo sa mga award grant na patuloy na ibinibigay.

Ang mga napiling application ay unang dumating sa ilalim ng Community Change Grants Program na proseso ng patuloy na application. Nababatay sa impormasyon ng matatag na pagiging bahagi ng stakeholder at feedback mula sa komunidad, ang innovative na patuloy na application process ay makakatiyak sa mga aplikante na mayroon silang sapat na oras upang makapaghanda at mapakinabangan ang makasaysayang mapagkukuhanan ng impormasyon at tulong na ito. Ang Community Change Grants Program Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), na pinamamahalaan sa pamamagitan ng Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights, ay tumatanggap pa rin ng mga application hanggang Nobyembre 21, 2024. Magpapatuloy ang EPA sa pagre-review ng mga application at patuloy ang pagpapahiwatig ang mga napili.

“Ang aming kakayahan na makapaghatid ng mga makikitang resulta para sa mga komunidad ay nababatay sa pakikinig sa kanila at pagde-develop ng mga innovative na solusyon sa pamamagitan ng pagiging bahagi ng mga stakeholder,” sabi ni EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “Ngayong araw, salamat sa Inflation Reduct Act ni Presidente Biden, napili ng EPA ang unang kapartner sa komunidad para malutas ang mga bagong natutuklasan at matagal nang mga hamon sa environment at sa climate justice.

“Ang mga grant ngayong ay naglalagay sa mga komunidad sa punong posisyon patungo sa pagwawasto sa mga kamalian sa kapaligiran na naganap dat at pagpapatatag sa sarili nilang clean energy para sa hinaharap,” sinabi ni John Podesta, Senior Advisor sa President for International Climate Policy.

“Ang Investing in America na agenda ni Presidente Biden ay nagpabilis sa aming mga pagsisikap upang makapaghatid ng environmental justice sa mga komunidad na matagal nang napag-iiwanan,” sabi ni Brenda Mallory, Chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality. “Bilang parte ng Justice40 Initiative ng Presidente, ang mga grant na ito ay makakatulong sa mga naghihirap na komunidad na maharap ang mga hamon sa environment at climate justice sa pamamagitan ng pagbabawas sa polusyon,pagpapatatag sa mga epektong sanhi ng climate change, at pagpapalakas sa kakayahan ng komunidad para matiyak na matatapos ang lahat ng mga proyekto.”

Ang Inflation Reduction Act ay nagkakaloob ng $3 bilyon sa EPA patungo sa mga award grant na makakatulong sa mga hirap na komunidad at magkakaloob ng technical na tulong. Sa mga grant na ito, natutupad ng EPA ang layunin nito.

Ang Community Change Grants ay nagsasakatuparan rin sa pananagutan ni Presidente Biden para mapasulong ang pagkakapantay-pantay at katarungan sa kabuuan ng Estados Unidos sa pamamagitan ng kaniyang Justice40 Initiative upang matiyak na ang 40 porsiyento ng mga pangkalahatang benepisyo ng ilang mga pederal na pamumuhunan ay mapupunta sa mga hirap na komunidad na nahihiwalay sanhi ng kakulangan sa pamumuhunan at sobrang nahihirapan sanhi ng polusyon.

Ang mga halimbawang grant para sa paunang napili na grupo ay kinabibilangan ng:

• Halos $20 milyon sa Midwest Tribal Energy Resources Association (MTERA) and Grid Alternatives para makapagkabit ng home weatherization at energy efficiency na mga upgrade sa lahat ng 35 Tribes sa Michigan, Minnesota, at Wisconsin, na magpapahusay sa kalidad ng hanging sa looban para sa mga pamilya at pagkakaloob ng leadership development training para sa mga natakdang Tribal Energy Champions. Ang MTERA ay nakatanggap rin ng $62 milyong gantimpala mula sa EPA Solar for All program noong Mayo.
• $20 milyon sa Coalition for Responsible Community Development at Los Angeles Trade-Technical College upang mapalakas ang environmental justice workforce development trainings para sa pagtatanggal ng lead, welding, maintenance ng hybrid at electric na sasakyan, home weatherization, at residential energy na mga pag-audit. Sa pamamagitan ng grant na ito, ang mga napiling aplikante ay inaasahang makakakumpleto sa pagtatanggal ng lead sa higit sa 600 mga tahanan sa buong Southern Los Angeles.
• Higit sa $14 milyon sa Texas A&M University and the Black Belt Unincorporated Wastewater Program para makapagkabit ng wastewater treatment systems para sa site mismo sa lahat ng 17 Black Belt na mga county sa Alabama. Dati nang bumisita si Administrator Regan sa Lowndes County, Alabama—na ang mga di gumagana ng wastong tangke at mga straight piped na sewage mula sa mga bahay patungo sa mga yard ay lumikha ng isang pampublikong krisis sa rehiyon. Ang komunidad na ito ay nakatanggap rin ng 100% na maaaring patawarin na $8.7 milyon na pautang mula sa Bipartisan Infrastructure Law para matugunan ang kritikal na mga hamon sa wastewater na nakaka-apekto sa mga pamilya.
• Halos $14 milyon para sa Pittsburgh Conservation Corps and PowerCorpsPHL para mapalawak ang mga programa sa mga manggagawa sa urban forestry at pagbabawas ng wood waste (mga labi na galing sa kahoy), pagpapalawak sa tree canopy sa Philadelphia at Pittsburgh at tiyakin na malayo mula sa mga landfill ang wood waste. Ang grant na ito ay kinabibilangan rin ng mga pondo upang mapakaunti ang biochar sa pagbabawas ng polusyon ng lead sa mga lupa sa Pittsburgh.

Track I ng programa, Community-Driven Investments for Change, ay inaasahan na magbigay ng halos $1.96 bilyon para sa 150 pmga proyekto na $10-20 milyon kada isa. Ang mga aplikante ng 17 Track I na nagpapatupad ng saklaw ang buong komunidad na mga proyekto para matugunan ang mga hamon sa environment at climate justice ay:

• Texas A&M University at Black Belt Unincorporated Wastewater Program (Wilcox/Hale/Lowndes Counties, AL)
• City of Bakersfield at Building Healthy Communities Kern (Bakersfield, CA)
• La Familia Counseling Center, Inc. at Community Resource Project (Sacramento, CA)
• Coalition for Responsible Community Development at Los Angeles Trade -Technical College (Los Angeles, CA)
• The San Diego Foundation at The Environmental Health Coalition (San Diego, CA)
• Day One at Active SGV (San Gabriel Valley, CA)
• City of Pocatello at Portneuf Greenway Foundation (Pocatello, ID)
• Dillard University at United Way of Southeast Louisiana (Southeast LA)
• City of Springfield at Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts (Springfield, MA)
• Midwest Tribal Energy Resources Association at Grid Alternatives (MI, MN, WI)
• Ang MetroHealth System at Community Housing Solutions (Cleveland, OH)
• Lane County Oregon at United Way of Lane County (Lane County, OR)
• Pittsburgh Conservation Corps at PowerCorpsPHL (Pittsburgh/Philadelphia, PA)
• Ang Trust for Public Land at City of Chattanooga (Chattanooga, TN)
• City of Houston at Black United Fund of Texas (Houston, TX)
• Corporation of Gonzaga University at Spokane Neighborhood Action Partners (Spokane, WA)
• National Housing Trust at D.C. Children’s Law Center (Washington, D.C.)

Track II, Meaningful Engagement for Equitable Governance, ay inaasahan na magbibigay ng halos $40 milyon para sa 20 proyekto na $1-3 milyon ang bawat isa. Ang mga aplikante ng Track II na mangangasiwa sa indibiduwal at komunidad na paglalahok sa mga proseso ng pagdedesisyon ng gobyerno ay:

• Insight Garden Program at Ella Baker Center for Human Rights (multiple locations in CA)
• Ang Trust for Public Land at See You At The Top (Cleveland, OH)
• Special Service for Groups, Inc. at Center for Asian Americans United for Self Empowerment (Los Angeles, CA)
• Bronx River Alliance, Inc. at Youth Ministries for Peace and Justice (Bronx County, NY)

Mula sa mga napiling 21, ang tatlo ay para sa Target Investment Areas na natiyak sa NOFO. Ang pagpopondo sa Target Investment Area ay nilalayon upang matiyak na ang Community Change Grants Program na pagpopondo ay nakatuon patungo sa mga hirap na komunidad na may mga bukod-tanging mga pangyayari, heograpiya at pangangailangan.

Tingnan ang kumpletong listahan ng paunang 21 organizations na makakatanggap ng CCGP grant at lubos pang alamin ang tungkol sa CCGP.

Dahil ang Community Change Grants Program ay tumatanggap pa rin ng mga application hanggang Nobyembre 21, 2024, hinihikayat ng EPA ang mga aplikante na magsumite ng mga application sa sandaling ganap na nilang natugunan ang mga requirement ng NOFO. Ang EPA ay magsasagawa ng patuloy na pagpipili hanggang sa katapusan ng 2024. Hinihikayat rin ng EPA ang mga interesadong aplikante na mag-apply para sa technical na tulong hangga’t maaaari, dahil ang huling araw para mag-request ng bagong technical na tulong ay Agosto 16, 2024.

Basahin ang Community Change Grants NOFO sa Inflation Reduction Act Community Change Grants Program sa webpage ng EPA.

Upang lubos pang matutunan ang tungkol sa Community Change Grants at Technical Assistance bumisita sa Inflation Reduction Act Community Change Grants Program webpage ng EPA.

Para lubos pang matutunan ang tungkol sa environmental justice sa EPA, bumisita sa Environmental Justice webpage ng EPA.

Para sa nasasapanahon na impormasyon tungkol sa NOFO, kasama na ang impormasyon sa mga webinar, mag-subscribe sa Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights’ listserv sa pamamagitan ng pagpapadala ng blangko na email sa: join-epa-ej@lists.epa.gov. Ifollow kami sa X (dating kilala bilang Twitter): @EPAEnvJustice.

from EPA News Releases https://ift.tt/2bGqsNY

Biden-Harris Administration Announces $20 Million Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grant to District of Columbia Organizations

PHILADELPHIA — (July 25, 2024) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced $20 million in funding for District of Columbia organizations to help disadvantaged communities tackle environmental and climate justice challenges through projects that reduce pollution, increase community climate resilience, and build community capacity.

Made possible by President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, the Community Change Grants Program is the single largest investment in environmental and climate justice in history. The funding announcement today is the first tranche of nearly $2 billion from the program that was designed based on community input to award grants on a rolling basis.

The National Housing Trust and D.C. Children’s Law Center will retrofit 785 homes in multifamily buildings in Washington D.C.—with a focus in the neighborhoods of Anacostia and Mt. Vernon Square—to improve indoor air quality, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and lower energy costs for residents. They also will invest in local workforce development to expand the number of contractors with skills and experience in multifamily housing retrofits.

“Our ability to deliver tangible results for communities depends on listening to them and developing innovative solutions through inclusive stakeholder engagement,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “Today, thanks to President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, EPA has selected the first cohort of community partnerships to solve emerging and longstanding environmental and climate justice challenges.”

“This funding will help improve the quality of life for District residents by improving air quality and reducing energy costs,” said EPA Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator Adam Ortiz. “It further demonstrates the Biden-Harris administration’s commitment to addressing the global challenge of climate change at the local community level.”   

These selections are among the first to come under the Community Change Grants Program’s rolling application process which is informed by robust stakeholder engagement and community feedback. The innovative rolling application process will ensure that applicants have ample time to prepare and take advantage of this historic resource.

The Community Change Grants Program Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), administered through EPA’s Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights, is still accepting applications through November 21, 2024. EPA will continue to review applications and announce selections on a rolling basis. 

The Inflation Reduction Act provides $2 billion to EPA to award grants that help disadvantaged communities and offer technical assistance. With these grants, EPA is delivering on this mission.

The Community Change Grants also deliver on President Biden’s commitment to advance equity and justice throughout the United States through his Justice40 Initiative to ensure that 40 percent of the overall benefits of certain federal investments go to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution.

The Community Change Grants Program is still accepting applications through November 21, 2024, so EPA encourages applicants to submit applications as soon as they completely meet the NOFO requirements.  EPA will be making additional selections on a rolling basis for the remainder of 2024. EPA also encourages interested applicants to apply for technical assistance as soon as possible, as the last day to request new technical assistance is August 16, 2024.

Read the Community Change Grants NOFO here: https://www.epa.gov/inflation-reduction-act/inflation-reduction-act-community-change-grants-program.

To learn more about the Community Change Grants and Technical Assistance: https://www.epa.gov/inflation-reduction-act/inflation-reduction-act-community-change-grants-program.

To learn more about environmental justice at EPA, visit: https://www.epa.gov/environmentaljustice.

For up-to-date information about the NOFO, including information on the webinars, subscribe to the Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights’ listserv by sending a blank email to: join-epa-ej@lists.epa.gov. Follow us on X (formerly Twitter): @EPAEnvJustice.

from EPA News Releases https://ift.tt/guQiHSq