EPA Press Office:

EPA Reaches Agreement to Advance the Cleanup of the San German Superfund Site in Puerto Rico

NEW YORK (December 22, 2023) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announced that the United States District Court in Puerto Rico has approved a settlement between the agency and HP Inc., the Puerto Rico Industrial Development Corporation, Wallace Silversmiths of Puerto Rico, Ltd., and Lifetime Brands, Inc. to design and carry out a cleanup at the San German Groundwater Contamination Site in Puerto Rico. The cost of the cleanup is estimated at $7.7 million.

The San German Groundwater Contamination Superfund Site includes the Retiro Industrial Park and adjacent areas. Over 44 nearby industrial sites were part of the EPA's investigation. After discovering the contamination, the Puerto Rico Department of Health ordered three public supply wells to be closed in 2006. Area residents are connected to safe sources of drinking water from other municipal water supplies in the area.

"Today’s announcement demonstrates EPA’s progress in ensuring that the communities of San German are protected from the potential risk of exposure to chemical contamination,” said Regional Administrator Lisa F. Garcia. “EPA will continue to hold companies responsible and require them to conduct the work necessary to clean up contaminated sites which in turn helps to protect public health and our environment.”

The site is located in the municipality of San German in the southwestern part of Puerto Rico. The EPA placed the site on the Superfund program’s National Priorities List in 2008.  The site includes three public water supply wells in the municipality of San German that functioned as an independent, interconnected water supply system. In 2006, the Puerto Rico Department of Health closed the three supply wells after sampling revealed the presence of elevated concentrations of volatile organic compounds, including tetrachloroethylene and trichloroethylene. Investigations indicated that the Retiro Industrial Park, located near the affected supply wells, is the source of the contamination. Several buildings in the park, currently occupied by active businesses, were investigated during a remedial investigation.

In 2015, the EPA decided on a plan to clean up the soil at two lots located within the Retiro Industrial Park where contamination was found, known as the Wallace Lot and the CCL Lot. The cleanup is being addressed in two phases. The first phase, which is the subject of the agreement, focuses on contaminated soils and shallow, highly contaminated groundwater.  The second phase, which is currently ongoing, involves further investigations of larger, less contaminated groundwater plume.

The agreement requires the parties to address conditions related to the first phase by cleaning up the soil and shallow, highly contaminated groundwater through the use of processes called soil vapor extraction and dual-phase extraction and treatment in place. Soil vapor and dual-phase extraction treatment systems are used to reduce the volatile organic compounds in the soil and groundwater. These methods remove harmful chemicals from the soil and groundwater in the form of vapor by applying a vacuum. The parties have agreed to monitor the area long-term to ensure that the cleanup is effective.

For more information about this superfund site, please visit San German Ground Water Contamination Site.

Follow EPA Region 2 on X and visit our Facebook page. For more information about EPA Region 2, visit our website.

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La EPA llega a un acuerdo para avanzar en la limpieza de Lugar Superfondo en San Germán, Puerto Rico

Contacto: Carlos Vega, 646-988-2996, 212-637-3662, vega.carlos@epa.gov

Lilliana Alemán Román, 787-977-5816, AlemanRoman.Lilliana@epa.gov

NUEVA YORK (De diciembre 22 de 2023) – La Agencia Federal de Protección Ambiental de Estados Unidos (EPA, por sus siglas en inglés) anunció hoy que el Tribunal de Distrito de los Estados Unidos en Puerto Rico aprobó un acuerdo entre la Agencia y HP Inc.; la Corporación de Fomento Industrial de Puerto Rico; Wallace Silversmiths of Puerto Rico, Ltd. y Lifetime Brands, Inc. para diseñar y remediar las aguas subterráneas en el Lugar Superfondo San Germán Groundwater, en Puerto Rico. El costo de la limpieza se estima en $7.7 millones.

El Lugar incluye el Parque Industrial Retiro y áreas adyacentes. Más de 44 áreas industriales aledañas fueron parte de la investigación de la EPA. Después de descubrir la contaminación, el Departamento de Salud de Puerto Rico ordenó el cierre de tres pozos en 2006. Los residentes de la zona están conectados a fuentes seguras de agua potable de otros suministros municipales de agua en el área.

“El anuncio de hoy demuestra el progreso de la EPA para asegurar que las comunidades de San Germán estén protegidas del riesgo potencial de exposición a contaminación química”, señaló la administradora regional Lisa F. García. “La EPA continuará responsabilizando a las empresas y exigiéndoles que realicen el trabajo necesario para limpiar los lugares contaminados, lo que a su vez ayuda a proteger la salud pública y nuestro medioambiente”.

El Lugar está ubicado en el municipio de San Germán en el suroeste de Puerto Rico. La EPA colocó al Lugar en la Lista Nacional de Prioridades (NPL, por sus siglas en inglés) del programa Superfondo en 2008.  Este incluye tres pozos públicos de suministro de agua en el municipio de San Germán, que funcionaban como un sistema de suministro de agua independiente e interconectado. En 2006, el Departamento de Salud de Puerto Rico cerró los tres pozos de abastecimiento, después de que el muestreo revelara la presencia de concentraciones elevadas de compuestos orgánicos volátiles (VOC, por sus siglas en inglés), incluyendo tetracloroetileno (PCE) y tricloroetileno (TCE). Las investigaciones indicaron que el Parque Industrial Retiro, ubicado cerca de los pozos de suministro afectados, es la fuente de la contaminación. Varios edificios del parque, actualmente ocupados por negocios activos, fueron incluidos en una investigación de remedio.

En 2015, la EPA seleccionó un plan para remediar el suelo en dos lotes ubicados dentro del Parque Industrial Retiro conocidos como el Lote Wallace y el Lote CCL, en los cuales se encontró contaminación. La limpieza se lleva a cabo en dos fases. La primera fase, que es objeto del acuerdo, se centra en los suelos contaminados y en las aguas subterráneas poco profundas y altamente contaminadas.  La segunda fase, que está en curso, implica nuevas investigaciones de columnas de agua subterránea más grandes y menos contaminadas.

El acuerdo requiere que las partes atiendan las condiciones relacionadas con la primera fase remediando el suelo y las aguas subterráneas poco profundas y altamente contaminadas mediante el uso de procesos de extracción de vapor del suelo y extracción y tratamiento de doble fase en el Lugar. Esto, con el propósito de reducir los VOCs en el suelo y las aguas subterráneas. Estos métodos eliminan los productos químicos nocivos del suelo y de las aguas subterráneas en forma de vapor, mediante la aplicación de una aspiradora. Las partes acordaron monitorear el área a largo plazo para garantizar la efectividad del remedio.

Para obtener más información sobre este Lugar Superfondo, visite Sitio de Contaminación de Aguas Subterráneas de San Germán.

Siga a la Región 2 de la EPA en X y visite nuestra página en Facebook. Para obtener más información sobre la Región 2 de la EPA, visite nuestro sitio web.

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For further information: Contact: Carlos Vega, 646-988-2996, 212-637-3662, vega.carlos@epa.gov Lilliana Alemán Román, 787-977-5816, AlemanRoman.Lilliana@epa.gov

Growing Greens, Herbs & Small Root Crops Inside During Winter! 🥬🪴🥕 // Ga...

 EPA Press Office:

Biden-Harris Administration selects Denver-based JSI Research and Training Institute to receive $50M to fund Environmental Justice projects as part of Investing in America Agenda

Nonprofit to reduce barriers to federal funds and issue Environmental Justice grants across EPA Region 8 over the next three years

Richard Mylott (mylott.richard@epa.gov)

DENVER (Dec. 20, 2023) – Today, as part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, the Biden-Harris Administration announced JSI Research and Training Institute, Inc. (JSI) of Denver, Colorado, has been selected to receive $50 million under EPA’s Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmaking program created by President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, the largest climate action investment in history. JSI will use these funds to serve as a Grantmaker for project applicants across EPA Region 8, which includes Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, Wyoming and 28 Tribal Nations. 

This new grant program, which will make it easier for small community-based organizations to access federal environmental justice funding, responds to community feedback about the need to reduce barriers to federal funds. Specifically, the program will improve the efficiency of the awards process to ensure communities that have long faced underinvestment can access the benefits of the largest climate investment in history. Communities will be able to apply to JSI for a subgrant to fund a range of different environmental project activities, including small local clean ups; local emergency preparedness and disaster resiliency programs; environmental workforce development programs for local jobs reducing greenhouse gas emissions; fence-line air quality and asthma related projects; healthy homes programs; and projects addressing illegal dumping.  

“This Grantmakers funding will create much-needed opportunities for Environmental Justice communities and leaders to receive federal grants s for locally-developed projects that focus on improving the environment, public health and quality of life,” said EPA Regional Administrator KC Becker. “EPA looks forward to collaborating with JSI to deliver resources and support in the communities that need them most.”  

“Access to clean water and clean air is a fundamental human right,” said U.S. Senator Michael Bennet. “This investment will help remove barriers to obtaining federal funds for small community-based organizations in parts of Colorado that have long been disproportionately affected by poor water and air quality. It is important to ensure those communities receive the resources they need.” 

“Our Inflation Reduction Act gives us a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to address climate change for the communities that are facing it head-on,” said U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper.  “Today’s investment will catalyze locally-led solutions for climate resilience in Colorado and other Western states.” 

“Today’s announcement represents a transformative step in our fight for environmental justice,” said U.S. Representative Diana DeGette. “Thanks to the Biden Administration, these investments will help ensure communities across the Mountain West have cleaner air and water – improving public health across the region. I’m proud that Denver will continue to be a leader in this fight. As we address the climate crisis and the harmful pollution fueling it, we’re working together to ensure a healthier, more equitable future for all.” 

EPA Grantmakers will work in collaboration with EPA to issue subgrants to community-based nonprofit organizations and other eligible organizations representing disadvantaged communities. As a Grantmaker, JSI will design comprehensive application and submission processes, award environmental justice subgrants, implement tracking and reporting systems and provide resources and support to communities.  

JSI’s team will focus on environmental, public health and quality of life improvements in the most overburdened, vulnerable and underserved communities by co-designing an equitable and inclusive grantmaking application and scoring process.  The Institute will reach out to communities across EPA Region 8, reducing burdens on subgrantees and engaging in monitoring, evaluation and reporting that ensures the integrity, compliance and impact of the program. JSI has more than 30 years as an environmental health training and technical assistance provider and grant manager. The subgrants are expected to become available by summer of 2024. 

JSI’s partners include:  

• The Montana Watershed Coordination Council (Helena, Montana) 

• The Oglala Lakota Cultural & Economic Revitalization Initiative (Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, South Dakota) 

• Dakota Resource Council (Bismarck, North Dakota) 

• The Wyoming Outdoor Council (Lander, Wyoming) 

• The Community Health Association of Mountains/Plains States (Denver, Colorado)  

• Equitable funding Advisory/Training Partner Community-Centric Fundraising (Seattle, Washington) 

Grantmakers are expected to begin opening competitions and awarding subgrants by summer 2024. Community-based nonprofit organizations and other eligible organizations seeking subgrant funding will be able to apply for subgrants through three concurrent tiers offered by the Grantmakers. Tier One will consist of grants for $150,000 for assessment, Tier Two will consist of grants for $250,000 for planning, and Tier Three will consist of grants for $350,000 for project development. In addition, $75,000 will be available for capacity-constrained community-based organizations through a noncompetitive process under Tier One. Each Grantmaker will design and implement a distribution program best suited for their region and communities.  

The Grantmakers program is part of the Federal Interagency Thriving Communities Network and delivers on the Biden-Harris Administration’s Justice40 Initiative which set the goal that 40% of the overall benefits of certain federal investments flow to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution. Grantmakers will work in collaboration with the Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Centers (EJ TCTACs) to create a robust support network to assist eligible entities when applying. 

Learn more about the Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmakers. 

Background 

From day one of their administration, President Biden and Vice President Harris have made achieving environmental justice a top priority. In August 2022, President Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act into law, creating the largest investment in environmental and climate justice in U.S. history. EPA received $3 billion in total to award grants and fund related technical assistance to benefit disadvantaged communities.  

EPA has since launched and expanded innovative programs to provide more support than ever before to communities that unjustly bear the burdens of environmental harm and pollution. This investment includes the $177 million for the creation of 16 EJ TCTACs in partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy to remove barriers to federal resources and help communities pursue funding opportunities like those made available through President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda. 

EPA announced nearly $128 million to fund 186 projects across the country that advance environmental justice as part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda. The organizations, which EPA has selected through its Environmental Justice Collaborative Problem Solving Cooperative Agreement and Environmental Justice Government-to-Government programs, will use the funds to ensure disadvantaged communities that have historically suffered from underinvestment have access to clean air and water and climate resilience solutions in alignment with the Biden-Harris Administration’s Justice40 Initiative. 

Last month, EPA also announced approximately $2 billion in funding available to support community-driven projects that deploy clean energy, strengthen climate resilience and build capacity for communities to tackle environmental and climate justice challenges. The Community Change Grants are the single largest investment in environmental justice going directly to communities in history, and will advance collaborative efforts to achieve a healthier, safer and more prosperous future for all. 

Learn more about environmental justice at EPA.  

For up-to-date information on when subgrants will be available, 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 OEJECR on X (formerly Twitter): @EPAEnvJustice 

 EM News Flash:

First Request for Qualifications Issued for Generating Clean Energy on DOE-Owned Lands

Cleanup to Clean Energy Initiative Advances with Draft Request for Qualifications on Potential Use of Hanford Land

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today issued for public comment the first Request for Qualifications (RFQ) related to the Cleanup to Clean Energy initiative focused on generating clean energy on DOE owned lands.

Building on the Request for Information issued in August, the draft RFQ includes details about the effort, outlines factors that may be considered during evaluation of future proposals and solicits input from parties interested in leasing land at the Hanford Site in Washington State to develop utility scale carbon pollution free electricity projects (CFE). Public comment is encouraged through February 5th and will be used to develop a final Request for Qualifications.

“Hanford is prepared for its next phase of environmental cleanup success and well positioned to help meet our nation’s clean energy goals,” said William “Ike” White, Senior Advisor for Environmental Management. “Under the leadership of Secretary Granholm, EM will continue working with local communities and tribes to advance cleanup while leveraging opportunities like the Cleanup to Clean Energy initiative to help lead us into a clean energy future.”

America’s energy security, economic resilience, and climate leadership require the nation to dramatically increase clean energy production over the next several decades. DOE is playing a critical leadership role in achieving this goal, not only through policy implementation but also the strategic use of DOE federal facilities and lands.

Working with a diverse range of stakeholders, including industry, Federal entities, tribes, state, and local officials, DOE is exploring opportunities to lease Federal land for the buildout of large-scale clean energy projects. The Cleanup to Clean Energy initiative will help achieve President Biden’s ambitious climate goals and the directive in Executive Order 14057 for agencies to use their properties for the development of new clean electricity generation.

At Hanford, DOE has identified approximately 19,000 acres of contiguous land that could potentially be used for industrial activities including CFE generation and storage. DOE may decide to lease part or all the available land for CFE, or award leases to one or multiple entities for CFE. Potential CFE projects include solar, wind, and nuclear projects.

DOE will continue to communicate and partner with industry, tribal nations, communities, stakeholders, regulators, and others as a process to potentially develop clean energy projects on DOE land is developed and implemented.

 EPA Press Office:

Biden-Harris Administration Selects Philanthropy Northwest to receive $50 Million to fund environmental justice projects across the Pacific Northwest and Alaska

EPA selects regional Grantmaker to reduce barriers to federal funds and award thousands of environmental justice grants over the next three years

Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced that Philanthropy Northwest has been selected to serve as Regional Grantmaker and will receive $50 million under EPA’s Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmaking program created by President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, the largest investment in climate action in history.

“For years, community advocates have been calling for federal support and resources to help address our country’s most pressing environmental justice concerns,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “Thanks to President Biden and Vice President Harris’ leadership, we’re responding to these calls by removing barriers that have traditionally held communities and applicants back from accessing these historic investments in America. Together, in partnership with these Grantmakers, we are taking a giant step toward a future where every person in America has equal opportunity to breathe clean air, drink clean water, and live a healthy, productive life.”

“At EPA, we seek to empower and amplify local community-based organizations that are doing innovative work to advance environmental justice,” said EPA Regional Administrator Casey Sixkiller. “Philanthropy Northwest is driven by this same ethos, and it has deep connections with non-profit organizations across our region. We look forward to collaborating with Philanthropy Northwest to lift up new community projects through our largest investment in environmental justice to date.”

Communities will be able to apply to Philanthropy Northwest for a subgrant to fund environmental project activities, like small local clean ups, local emergency preparedness and disaster resiliency programs, environmental workforce development programs for local jobs reducing greenhouse gas emissions, fenceline air quality and asthma related projects, healthy homes programs, and projects addressing illegal dumping.

“Philanthropy Northwest does really important work in our region and I’m thrilled they’ve been chosen to award this funding Democrats passed in the Inflation Reduction Act to projects that will advance environmental justice work in Washington state,” said Senator Murray (D-WA). “Living up to our promise of environmental justice, clean water, and clean air for all communities is something I take very seriously and this funding will help us fulfill that commitment through a wide array of projects and community-led efforts across our state.”

“It’s critical that efforts to tackle climate change focus on the communities that have been left behind. That’s why I was so proud to support the Inflation Reduction Act and the unprecedented environmental justice programs it included,” said Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal. “Philanthropy Northwest is a perfect example of these achievements. The $50 million they’ve been awarded today through the Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmaking Program will help to reduce barriers for nonprofits, Tribal governments, and community based organizations in Washington and across the Northwest to access federal funding to address climate change and the unique challenges it poses in each community.”

Grantmakers are expected to begin opening competitions and awarding subgrants by summer 2024. Community-based nonprofit organizations and other eligible organizations seeking subgrant funding will be able to apply for subgrants through three concurrent tiers offered by the Grantmakers.

• Tier One will consist of grants for $150,000 for assessment
• Tier Two will consist of grants for $250,000 for planning
• Tier Three will consist of grants for $350,000 for project development

$75,000 will be available for capacity-constrained community-based organizations through a noncompetitive process during Tier One. Each Grantmaker will design and implement a distribution program best suited for their region and communities.

“We are deeply honored to be selected as the EPA Thriving Communities Regional Grantmaker for Region 10, an opportunity aligned with our commitment to ensuring the accessibility and equitable distribution of federal resources to communities in the Northwest. Philanthropy Northwest believes in the power of collaborative efforts to drive meaningful change, and working with our partners we will center local expertise and support sustainable community-driven solutions that ensure healthy and vibrant futures for generations to come.” said Jill Nishi, CEO of Philanthropy Northwest.

In addition, EPA has selected, the Climate Justice Alliance to receive $50 million as a National Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmaker to provide additional support, coordination, and oversight to the subgrantees, applicants, and the Regional Grantmakers across the western part of the country.

Background

Founded in 1976, Philanthropy Northwest is the region’s largest convener of funders and grant makers in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming. Philanthropy Northwest promotes, facilitates, and drives collaborative action by philanthropy to build resilient, equitable and inclusive communities.  

EPA Grantmakers will work in collaboration with EPA’s Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights to issue subgrants to community-based nonprofit organizations and other eligible organizations representing disadvantaged communities. Philanthropy Northwest will design comprehensive application and submission processes, award environmental justice subgrants, implement tracking and reporting systems, and provide resources and support to communities. The subgrants are expected to become available by summer of 2024.

Learn more about environmental justice at EPA.

For up-to-date information on when subgrants will be available, 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 OEJECR on X (formerly Twitter): @EPAEnvJustice.

Contact: EPA R10 Press Office (r10_Press_team@epa.gov)

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 EPA Press Office:

Biden-Harris Administration Selects Fordham University to Receive $50 Million to Fund Environmental Justice Projects Across EPA Region 2 as Part of Investing in America Agenda

As an environmental justice Grantmaker, Fordham University will help reduce barriers to federal funds and issue thousands of environmental justice grants over the next three years

Contact: Iris M. Crawford, (212) 637-4360

NEW YORK (Dec. 20, 2023) – Today, as part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, the Biden-Harris Administration announced the selection of Fordham University to serve as a Regional Grantmaker that will receive $50 Million under EPA’s Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmaking program (EJ TCGM). This new grant program, while making it easier for small community-based organizations to access federal environmental justice funding, responds to community feedback on the need to reduce barriers to federal funds and improve the efficiency of the awards process to ensure communities that have long faced underinvestment can access the benefits of the largest climate investment in history. Communities will be able to apply to Fordham University for a subgrant to fund a range of different environmental project activities, including (but not limited to) small local clean ups, local emergency preparedness and disaster resiliency programs, environmental workforce development programs for local jobs reducing greenhouse gas emissions, air quality and asthma related projects, healthy homes programs, and projects addressing illegal dumping. EPA Region 2 covers New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and eight federally recognized Indian Nations.

“For years, community advocates have been calling for federal support and resources to help address our country’s most pressing environmental justice concerns,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “Thanks to President Biden and Vice President Harris’ leadership, we’re responding to these calls by removing barriers that have traditionally held communities and applicants back from accessing these historic investments in America. Together, in partnership with these Grantmakers, we are taking a giant step toward a future where every person in America has equal opportunity to breathe clean air, drink clean water, and live a healthy, productive life.”

“As a Grantmaker, Fordham University will help the EPA advance our joint commitment to undo the past harms of environmental injustice,” said EPA Region 2 Administrator Lisa F. Garcia. “This will be the start of a fruitful relationship that will build upon both EPA’s priority to addressing climate justice and Fordham’s promise of equity and environmental stewardship.

Fordham University will work with partners such as the New York Immigration Coalition, New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice, ConPRmetidos, Community Foundation Virgin Islands and Business Initiative Corporation of New York, to implement an intersectional approach to place frontline environmental justice communities in positions of power through participatory community-led governance. As the regional Grantmaker, Fordham University will provide grants to community-based organizations, groups, and other institutions and groups who historically have not had the capacity to apply for and receive federal funding for climate projects.

"Fordham believes in the power of community-driven solutions to climate change to capture the insights and ingenuity of the people on the front lines of global warming. Fordham works to find the answers to the most urgent and complicated of problems, and it does so by centering human impact and environmental justice. Fordham is proud to launch the Flourishing in Community Grantmaker Initiative, building on 182 years of deep engagement with the Bronx and expanding our regional and global reach through New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands," said Fordham University President Tania Tetlow.

“We’re incredibly honored and energized for the work ahead with our statutory partners. It’s a collaborative effort and it’s a tremendous opportunity for us to employ Fordham’s infrastructure, award these sub-grants, and do this on-the-ground environmental work,” said Julie Gafney, Assistant Vice President for Strategic Mission Initiatives at Fordham University.

“Today’s announcement from EPA regarding grant money for grassroots environmental justice groups showcases exactly why I fought so hard for the Inflation Reduction Act,” said U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer. “This $600 million for 11 regional grantmakers, including $50 million for our own Fordham University, that is distributed to community-based non-profits fighting on the frontlines of climate change, is the kind of program that can help our disadvantaged communities truly flourish. I am proud of Fordham University and I’m so excited to see how the vibrant network of New York and Puerto Rican grassroots environmental justice organizations leverage this federal funding. I remain laser-focused on implementation of the IRA so that we can ensure it lives up to its transformative potential to clean our air and combat climate change.”

“EPA’s Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmaking program is a vital new program that will advance environmental justice and help communities disproportionately impacted by climate change, pollution, and other environmental stressors,” said Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. “I am thrilled to see that Fordham University has been selected as the Grantmaker for EPA Region 2, which will allow organizations in New York, other communities within the Region and Puerto Rico to apply for funds to support a range of different environmental project activities that will help the communities most in need. I am proud to have worked with and supported Fordham University to help secure its selection as a Grantmaker and look forward to seeing communities that have long faced underinvestment gain access to federal environmental justice funding.”

“As we face the monumental challenges of environmental justice, which disproportionately affect underserved communities like ours in the Bronx and our brothers and sisters in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, it is critical that the federal government take big steps and invest the proper resources to prepare us for the future. Today’s announcement from the EPA that Fordham will receive millions of dollars in federal funds demonstrates the historic nature of the Inflation Reduction Act and the importance of never stopping our work fighting for the Bronx. Without a clean and healthy environment to grow up in, our children will never be able to achieve the true promise of this great nation,” said U.S. Representative Ritchie Torres (NY-15). 

EPA Grantmakers will work in collaboration with EPA’s Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights to issue subgrants to community-based nonprofit organizations and other eligible organizations representing disadvantaged communities. As a Grantmaker, Fordham University will design comprehensive application and submission processes, award environmental justice subgrants, implement tracking and reporting systems, and provide resources and support to communities. The subgrants are expected to become available by summer of 2024.

In addition, EPA has selected, the Institute for Sustainable Communities to receive $50 million as a National Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmaker to provide additional support, coordination, and oversight to the subgrantees, applicants, and the Regional Grantmakers across the eastern part of the country. Institute for Sustainable Communities will provide equity-centered coordination services to regional Grantmakers. They will develop a Grantmaker website and host a visualization hub with public-facing grantmaking information, data tracking and other evaluation tools for regional Grantmakers.

Grantmakers are expected to begin opening competitions and awarding subgrants by summer 2024. Community-based nonprofit organizations and other eligible organizations seeking subgrant funding will be able to apply for subgrants through three concurrent tiers offered by the Grantmakers. Tier One will consist of grants for $150,000 for assessment, Tier Two will consist of grants for $250,000 for planning, and Tier Three will consist of grants for $350,000 for project development. In addition, $75,000 will be available for capacity-constrained community-based organizations through a noncompetitive process under Tier One. Each Grantmaker will design and implement a distribution program best suited for their region and communities.

The Grantmakers program is part of the Federal Interagency Thriving Communities Network and delivers on the Biden-Harris Administration’s Justice40 Initiative which set the goal that 40% of the overall benefits of certain federal investments flow to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution. Grantmakers will work in collaboration with the Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Centers (EJ TCTACs) to create a robust support network to assist eligible entities when applying.

Learn more about the Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmakers.

Background

From day one of their administration, President Biden and Vice President Harris have made achieving environmental justice a top priority. In August 2022, President Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act into law, creating the largest investment in environmental and climate justice in U.S. history. EPA received $3 billion in total to award grants and fund related technical assistance to benefit disadvantaged communities. 

EPA has since launched and expanded innovative programs such as using $177 million for the creation of 16 EJ TCTACs in partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy to remove barriers to federal resources and help communities pursue funding opportunities like those made available through President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda.

EPA announced nearly $128 million to fund 186 projects across the country that advance environmental justice as part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda. The organizations, which EPA has selected through its Environmental Justice Collaborative Problem Solving Cooperative Agreement and Environmental Justice Government-to-Government programs, will use the funds to ensure disadvantaged communities that have historically suffered from underinvestment have access to clean air and water and climate resilience solutions in alignment with the Biden-Harris Administration’s Justice40 Initiative.

EPA also announced Community Change Grants which is approximately $2 billion in funding available to support community-driven projects that deploy clean energy, strengthen climate resilience, and build capacity for communities to tackle environmental and climate justice challenges last month.

Learn more about environmental justice at EPA.

For up-to-date information on when subgrants will be available, 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 OEJECR on X (formerly Twitter): @EPAEnvJustice. Follow EPA Region 2 on X (formerly Twitter) and visit our Facebook page. For more information about EPA Region 2, visit our website.

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 EPA Press Office:

Biden-Harris Administration Announces $600M to 11 Grantmakers to Fund Thousands of Environmental Justice Projects Across the Nation as Part of Investing in America Agenda

Grantmakers selected to reduce barriers to federal funds and issue thousands of environmental justice grants over the next three years

WASHINGTON (Dec. 20, 2023) – As part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, the Biden-Harris Administration announced on Wednesday $600 million for 11 selected Grantmakers under EPA’s Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmaking program, created by President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, the largest investment in climate action in history. This new grant program, which will make it easier for small community-based organizations to access federal environmental justice funding, responds to community feedback about the need to reduce barriers to federal funds and improve the efficiency of the awards process to ensure communities that have long faced underinvestment can access the benefits of the largest climate investment in history. Communities will be able to apply to a Grantmaker for a subgrant to fund a range of different environmental project activities, including (but not limited to) small local clean ups, local emergency preparedness and disaster resiliency programs, environmental workforce development programs for local jobs reducing greenhouse gas emissions, fenceline air quality and asthma related projects, healthy homes programs, and projects addressing illegal dumping.

President Biden is delivering the most ambitious environmental justice agenda in our nation’s history. Vice President Kamala Harris and EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan were joined by Dr. Robert Bullard, a Distinguished Professor of Urban Planning and Environmental Policy at Texas Southern University to announce the historic Grantmaker awards.

“Every person has a right to drink clean water, breathe clean air, and live in a community that is healthy and safe,” said Vice President Kamala Harris. “For too long, however, low-income communities, immigrant communities, Native communities, and communities of color have endured disproportionate levels of air, water, and soil pollution. That is why President Joe Biden and I have put equity at the center of our nation’s largest investment in climate in history. Today’s announcement puts that commitment into action by ensuring critical resources to fund environmental justice projects across the country reach the organizations that know their communities best.”

“For years, community advocates have been calling for federal support and resources to help address our country’s most pressing environmental justice concerns,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “Thanks to President Biden and Vice President Harris’ leadership, we’re responding to these calls by removing barriers that have traditionally held communities and applicants back from accessing these historic investments in America. Together, in partnership with these Grantmakers, we are taking a giant step toward a future where every person in America has equal opportunity to breathe clean air, drink clean water, and live a healthy, productive life.”

The Grantmakers will work in collaboration with EPA’s Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights to issue subgrants to community-based nonprofit organizations and other eligible organizations representing disadvantaged communities. The 11 Grantmakers will design comprehensive application and submission processes, award environmental justice subgrants, implement tracking and reporting systems, and provide resources and support to communities. The subgrants are expected to become available by summer of 2024.

The 11 Grantmakers consist of regional selectees (i.e., Regional Grantmakers) who will issue subgrants to communities in specific EPA Regions, as well as national selectees (i.e., National Grantmakers) who will provide additional support, coordination, and oversight to the subgrantees, applicants, and the Regional Grantmakers themselves, as well as issue additional subgrants to fill potential gaps in the regions. Ten Grantmakers are receiving $50 million each with one selectee, Research Triangle Institute, receiving $100 million to serve as both a Regional Grantmaker serving communities in EPA Region 4 and as a National Grantmaker in which part of their responsibility is providing subgrants to communities in EPA Region 7. Collectively, the 11 Grantmakers will issue thousands of subgrants to disadvantaged communities over the next three years. 

EPA has selected the following nine organizations to serve as Regional Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmakers:

• Health Resources in Action, Massachusetts (EPA Region 1)
• Fordham University, New York (EPA Region 2)
• Green & Healthy Homes Initiative Inc., Maryland (EPA Region 3)
• Research Triangle Institute, North Carolina (EPA Region 4)
• The Minneapolis Foundation, Minnesota (EPA Region 5)
• Texas Southern University, Texas (EPA Region 6)
• JSI Research and Training Institute, Inc., Colorado (EPA Region 8)
• Social and Environmental Entrepreneurs (SEE), Inc., California (EPA Region 9)
• Philanthropy Northwest, Washington (EPA Region 10)

In addition, EPA has selected three National Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmakers, including:

• Institute For Sustainable Communities, Vermont (EPA Regions 1-3)
• Research Triangle Institute, North Carolina (EPA Regions 4-7)
• Climate Justice Alliance, California (EPA Regions 8-10)

Grantmakers are expected to begin opening competitions and awarding subgrants by summer 2024. Community-based nonprofit organizations and other eligible organizations seeking subgrant funding will be able to apply for subgrants through three concurrent tiers offered by the Grantmakers. Tier One will consist of grants for $150,000 for assessment, Tier Two will consist of grants for $250,000 for planning, and Tier Three will consist of grants for $350,000 for project development. In addition, $75,000 will be available for capacity-constrained community-based organizations through a noncompetitive process under Tier One. Each Grantmaker will design and implement a distribution program best suited for their region and communities.

The Grantmakers program is part of the Federal Interagency Thriving Communities Network and delivers on the Biden-Harris Administration’s Justice40 Initiative which set the goal that 40% of the overall benefits of certain federal investments flow to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution. Grantmakers will work in collaboration with the Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Centers (EJ TCTACs) to create a robust support network to assist eligible entities when applying.

Learn more about the Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmakers.

Background

From day one of their administration, President Biden and Vice President Harris have made achieving environmental justice a top priority. In August 2022, President Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act into law, creating the largest investment in environmental and climate justice in U.S. history. EPA received $3 billion in total to award grants and fund related technical assistance to benefit disadvantaged communities.

EPA has since launched and expanded innovative programs to provide more support than ever before to communities that unjustly bear the burdens of environmental harm and pollution. This includes the $177 million for the creation of 16 EJ TCTACs in partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy to remove barriers to federal resources and help communities pursue funding opportunities like those made available through President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda.

EPA announced nearly $128 million to fund 186 projects across the country that advance environmental justice as part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda. The organizations, which EPA has selected through its Environmental Justice Collaborative Problem Solving Cooperative Agreement and Environmental Justice Government-to-Government programs, will use the funds to ensure disadvantaged communities that have historically suffered from underinvestment have access to clean air and water and climate resilience solutions in alignment with the Biden-Harris Administration’s Justice40 Initiative.

EPA also announced approximately $2 billion in funding available to support community-driven projects that deploy clean energy, strengthen climate resilience, and build capacity for communities to tackle environmental and climate justice challenges last month. The Community Change Grants are the single largest investment in environmental justice going directly to communities in history, and will advance collaborative efforts to achieve a healthier, safer, and more prosperous future for all.

Learn more about environmental justice at EPA.

For up-to-date information on when Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmaking subgrants will be available, 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 OEJECR on X (formerly Twitter): @EPAEnvJustice.

 

Contact: EPA Press Office (press@epa.gov)