Friday, September 6, 2024

Biden-Harris Administration announces nearly $7.5 million grant to Passamaquoddy Tribe Indian Township to cut climate pollution and accelerate clean energy transition

EPA Press Office:

Biden-Harris Administration announces nearly $7.5 million grant to Passamaquoddy Tribe Indian Township to cut climate pollution and accelerate clean energy transition

Funded by President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda, EPA announces 34 selected Tribal and territory applications through the competitive Climate Pollution Reduction Grants program

Contact information: Vikram Lakshmanan, Lakshmanan.Vikram@epa.gov, 617-918-1064; EPA Region 1 Press Office (R1_Press@epa.gov)

BOSTON (SEPTEMBER 5, 2024) – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced the Passamaquoddy Tribe Indian Township has been selected to receive $7,427,323 in Climate Pollution Reduction Grant funding as part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s Investing in America agenda.

The Passamaquoddy Tribe Indian Township's selected application, "Distributed Microgrid Phase 1," will fund the first phase of the construction of a community microgrid in the Passamaquoddy Tribe Indian Township, including the installation of solar photovoltaic systems with battery backup and load management at residential and municipal buildings.

“Thanks to President Biden and Vice President Harris’ leadership, today’s investment marks one of the largest climate investments EPA has ever made in Tribal and territorial communities. The ambitious projects selected will deploy community-driven solutions to fight climate change and protect public health,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “The Tribal and territory leaders selected today will fund innovative projects that improve air quality, deliver cleaner affordable electricity, and create economic and workforce opportunities that can be scaled up and replicated across Tribal lands and U.S. territories.”

“Respect for Tribal sovereignty is a foundation of our work with Native Tribes. Thanks to President Biden and Vice President Harris, this investment is a major step forward in cutting climate pollution, saving on energy costs for families and accelerating the clean energy transition together with our partners,” said Regional Administrator David W. Cash. “By investing in projects that matter to the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, we're supporting solutions to pollution and seizing opportunities that are important to the Tribe.”

“This $7 million grant for the Passamaquoddy Tribe to begin construction of a microgrid and the installation of solar powered panels is a key step to increasing power resiliency and driving down energy costs here in Maine,” said U.S. Senator Angus King. “As we work to combat climate change and protect our communities from severe weather events, clean energy solutions like battery energy storage will be essential. This funding from the Environmental Protection Agency will ensure the Tribe has the tools and resources needed to unlock a clean energy future.”

"The Passamaquoddy Tribe at Indian Township is excited to begin with the implementation of solar energy within our boundaries and community. This will assist in alternative clean energy solutions and our environment,” said Passamaquoddy Tribe at Indian Township Chief Nicholas.

More information:

EPA has selected 34 applications to fund projects proposed by 33 Tribal recipients and the Municipality of Saipan in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands to implement community-driven solutions to tackle the climate crisis, reduce air pollution, advance environmental justice, and accelerate the clean energy transition.

The grants for the proposed projects, which are funded by President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, will support the implementation of greenhouse gas reduction measures that were identified by Tribal and territorial communities. When estimates provided by all selected applicants are combined, the proposed projects would cumulatively reduce greenhouse gas pollution by over 7 million metric tons of carbon dioxide by 2050—equivalent to the carbon dioxide emitted from nearly 1.4 million homes' electricity use for one year.

Today’s selections mark the latest phase of investment under this first-of-its kind, nearly $5 billion Climate Pollution Reduction Grants program. In July, EPA announced selected applications from the CPRG Implementation Grants General Competition to receive $4.3 billion in funding. In 2023, EPA provided $250 million in planning grants to develop climate action plans. Those plans served as the basis for greenhouse gas reduction measures proposed in the CPRG implementation grant applications.

The selected applications will target greenhouse gas pollution from six sectors of the economy with a particular focus on the transportation, electric power, and commercial and residential buildings sectors, while spurring workforce development and job creation in Indian Country and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

Today’s investment and ongoing CPRG technical support for planning grant recipients are consistent with President Biden’s Executive Order 14112 on Reforming Federal Funding and Support for Tribal Nations to Better Embrace Our Trust Responsibilities and Promote the Next Era of Tribal Self-Determination. The Executive Order demonstrates the Biden-Harris Administration’s respect for Tribal sovereignty and its commitment to ushering in the next era of Tribal self-determination by directing agencies to reform federal programs for greater autonomy of Tribal Nations over how Tribes can invest federal funding. The Executive Order also directs agencies to make federal funding less burdensome and more accessible for Tribal Nations.

The Climate Pollution Reduction Grants program is also advancing President Biden’s historic Justice40 Initiative, which aims to ensure 40% of the overall benefits of certain climate, clean energy, and other federal investments flow to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution.

EPA made its Tribes and Territories Competition selections following a review of 110 applications that requested a total of more than $1.3 billion in funding. The agency expects to award funds under both the Tribes and Territories Competition and the General Competition later this year, once all legal and administrative requirements are satisfied.

See the complete list of selected applications.

Learn about the CPRG program.

Biden-Harris Administration announces grant over $6.6 million to Narragansett Indian Tribe to cut climate pollution and accelerate clean energy transition

EPA Press Office:

Biden-Harris Administration announces grant over $6.6 million to Narragansett Indian Tribe to cut climate pollution and accelerate clean energy transition

Funded by President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda, EPA announces 34 selected Tribal and territory applications through the competitive Climate Pollution Reduction Grants program

Contact Information: James Anderson, Anderson.James.R@epa.gov, (617) 918-1401; EPA Region 1 Press Office (R1_Press@epa.gov)

BOSTON (SEPTEMBER 5, 2024) – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced the Narragansett Indian Tribe has been selected to receive $6,627,691 in Climate Pollution Reduction Grant funding as part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s Investing in America agenda.

The Narragansett Indian Tribe’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction Measures Project will support the completion of energy audits at Tribal buildings to identify priority energy-efficiency measures and install building management systems and controls, solar arrays, and battery storage systems. The replicable project will decrease the Tribe’s energy demand and use of combustible energy sources, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, yield financial savings, and improve energy resilience.

“I am very pleased to announce new funding for the Narragansett Tribe,” said U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse. “This investment, made possible through our Inflation Reduction Act, will improve the Tribe’s energy infrastructure by upgrading community buildings with more efficient systems. We are working to save our Tribal neighbors money and reduce the emissions driving climate change.”

“Indigenous communities like the Narragansett Indian Tribe have long been stewards of the environment, and this federal funding will help bolster efforts to ensure clean air and lower energy costs at Tribal buildings in Rhode Island,” said U.S. Representative Seth Magaziner.

On behalf of the Narragansett Indian Tribal Government:

“The Narragansett Indian Tribe (NIT) is excited and thankful to receive the award of $6,627,691 in grant funding to support from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Climate Pollution Reduction Implementation Grants Tribes and Territories Competition (CPRG) to progress towards the Tribe’s goal of decarbonization.

“Grant funds will be utilized to conduct energy audits, solar, and installation of battery storage on Tribally-owned and operating buildings. The grant activities are based on the Tribe’s priority measures identified in the Tribe’s PCAP. Implementation of the priority measures will result in immediate and significant GHG emissions reductions and have the potential to be replicated beyond Tribal government facilities and deployed across the reservation. This project will equip the NIT with a long-term strategy to expand these opportunities through the implementation of high-impact priority measures.

“This project will have numerous benefits for the Tribal community, significantly improving the quality of life for all Tribal members. These measures will improve the Tribal Lands’ resilience to climate change, which has resulted in an increased frequency of extreme weather events in Rhode Island in recent years. The Tribe’s must begin to take meaningful action to address the impacts of climate change, and this project will be a critical first step. Additionally, this project will also have health benefits for Tribal members, by reducing levels of criteria air pollutants. Asthma and cancer rates are in the 80-90th percentile on Tribal lands. From an economic perspective, the Tribe is committed to advancing economic opportunities for Tribal members by investing in workforce development opportunities. This project will support paid internships for two students to introduce them to opportunities in the rapidly expanding clean energy sector.

“As a Sovereign Nation, the Tribe looks forward to carry out our efforts to be more energy independent. The Tribe is very thankful for the EPA assistance and commitment to support Tribal Nations,” said Chief Sachem Anthony Stanton, Narragansett Indian Tribe.

More information:

See the complete list of selected applications.

Learn about the CPRG program.

Biden-Harris Administration announces over $1.5 million grant to Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation to cut climate pollution and accelerate clean energy transition

EPA Press Office:

Biden-Harris Administration announces over $1.5 million grant to Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation to cut climate pollution and accelerate clean energy transition

Funded by President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda, EPA announces 34 selected Tribal and territory applications through the competitive Climate Pollution Reduction Grants program

Contact Information: Mikayla Rumph, rumph.mikayla@epa.gov, (617) 918-1016; EPA Region 1 Press Office (R1_Press@epa.gov)

BOSTON (SEPTEMBER 5, 2024) – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation has been selected to receive $1,578,256 in Climate Pollution Reduction Grant funding as part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s Investing in America agenda.

The Mashantucket Pequot Climate Pollution Reduction Electric Vehicle Implementation Project will reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the transportation sector by promoting electric vehicles (EVs). It will fund EV charging stations at government buildings, transition the government fleet to electric, and offer residential rebates to replace traditional gas-powered vehicles.

“This $1.5 million in federal funding for the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe will be hugely impactful in growing the Tribe’s clean energy infrastructure. Transportation is the largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions in Connecticut, and it’s critical for us to support ways to make electric vehicles more accessible for everyone. I am proud that this funding will move environmental goals forward, and I will continue fighting to deliver these investments to Connecticut,” said U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal.

“Tribes in Connecticut are constantly working to combat the climate crisis and make investments in a greener future. These grants will provide more than $1.5 million in federal dollars to help the Mashantucket Pequot tribe transition to electric vehicles and reduce harmful emissions, supporting the growth of their local Tribal economy and bringing us one step closer to a cleaner, healthier future for everyone in Connecticut,” said U.S. Senator Chris Murphy.

“We are honored to receive this EPA grant that will assist with our goal at Mashantucket to help reduce pollution and greenhouse gas emissions,” says Rodney Butler, Chairman of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation. “The Tribe is grateful for the strong leadership exhibited by the Biden-Harris Administration to address climate pollution concerns in Indian country and beyond. We look forward to partnering with Administrator Regan and EPA in this critical initiative. Our efforts will include new electric vehicle charging stations, replacing several government vehicles with hybrid and electric options, and providing rebates for EV purchases to our community as well as educating on the importance of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.”

More information:

See the complete list of selected applications.

Learn about the CPRG program.

Thursday, September 5, 2024

Biden-Harris Administration Announces $300M in Grants to Tribal Nations and a U.S. Territory to Cut Climate Pollution and Accelerate Clean Energy Transition

EPA Press Office:

Biden-Harris Administration Announces $300M in Grants to Tribal Nations and a U.S. Territory to Cut Climate Pollution and Accelerate Clean Energy Transition

Funded by President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, EPA announces 34 selected Tribal and territorial applications through the competitive Climate Pollution Reduction Grants program

WASHINGTON – Today, Sept. 5, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced the selected recipients of $300 million in Climate Pollution Reduction Grants for Tribes and U.S. territories as part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s Investing in America agenda. EPA has selected 34 applications to fund projects proposed by 33 Tribal recipients and the Municipality of Saipan in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands to implement community-driven solutions to tackle the climate crisis, reduce air pollution, advance environmental justice, and accelerate the clean energy transition. EPA made its Tribes and Territories Competition selections following a review of 110 applications that requested a total of more than $1.3 billion in funding.

The grants for the proposed projects, which are funded by President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, will support the implementation of greenhouse gas reduction measures that were identified by Tribal and territorial communities. When estimates provided by all selected applicants are combined, the proposed projects would cumulatively reduce greenhouse gas pollution by over 7 million metric tons of carbon dioxide by 2050 – equivalent to the carbon dioxide emitted from nearly 1.4 million homes' electricity use for one year.

EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan will announce the selections alongside Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland at an event today in Flagstaff, Arizona, where they will be joined by leadership from the Hopi Tribe. The Hopi Utilities Corporation has been selected to receive over $20 million to help provide renewable and reliable electricity to nearly 900 homes.

“Through President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, our administration continues to make transformational investments to strengthen Indian Country and enable Tribal communities to tackle the existential threat of climate change,” said Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland. “I am grateful to travel with Administrator Regan to showcase the resiliency of Native people and demonstrate the critical need to get resources to Tribal Nations so they can make decisions for their communities. Today’s announcement builds on our work at the Interior Department to electrify Tribal homes, upgrade sanitation and irrigation systems on Tribal lands, and invest in climate resilience and adaptation measures that will serve these communities for generations to come.”

“Today’s grants put Tribes and territories in the driver’s seat to develop climate solutions that work for their communities,” said John Podesta, Senior Advisor to the President for International Climate Policy. “These grants will help Tribal Nations and U.S. territories create jobs and opportunity, improve the air quality and health of their communities, and accelerate America’s progress toward our climate goals.”

The proposed projects will support the implementation of local solutions that address urgent needs identified by Tribal and territorial communities. For example:

The Hopi Coal to Solar Transition project, proposed by the Hopi Utilities Corporation, will provide renewable electricity to the Hopi Reservation. Combined with other federal investment, this proposed project will supply clean and reliable electricity to homes on the reservation, including electrifying nearly 900 homes without electricity. This application will also improve air quality and boost economic development and workforce training.
The Municipality of Saipan, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands is modernizing its lighting system, instituting key policy changes and fostering workforce development. The proposed project, Island Sustainability, A Multi-Faceted Approach to Climate Pollution Reduction and Environment Conservation, is expected to reduce electricity consumption and reliance on diesel by approximately 40% at each retrofitted building across the capital city.
The Kituwah Electrification and Decarbonization Collaborative project supports the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. The proposed project will include development of a solar microgrid and storage system at the Cherokee Boys Club school bus depot, install solar power at Tribal buildings, and install electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure throughout the Town of Cherokee to support the widespread adoption of EVs.
The Decarbonize Lac Vieux Desert project will support the coalition led by the Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians in partnership with the Midwest Tribal Energy Resource Association to implement energy efficiency assessments and upgrades, including weatherization and heat pumps for low-income Tribal housing units and community Tribal businesses. The proposed project will also install solar arrays on residential and commercial buildings to meet most of their energy needs with renewable energy.
The Wind Power for Emissions Reductions and Community Resilience in Western Alaska Communities project proposed by the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by increasing the use of wind power in the Tribal communities of Chevak, Toksook Bay, Tununak, and Nightmute. The proposed project will decrease diesel fuel dependence and heating oil emissions and enhance the health, economy, and well-being of the overburdened rural communities.
Passamaquoddy Tribe Indian Township’s selected application, Passamaquoddy Tribe Indian Township - Distributed Microgrid Phase 1, proposes to fund the first phase of the construction of a community microgrid in the Passamaquoddy Tribe Indian Township, including the installation of solar photovoltaic systems with battery backup and load management at residential and municipal buildings.

The agency expects to award funds under both the Tribes and Territories Competition and the General Competition later this year, once all legal and administrative requirements are satisfied.

See the complete list of selected applications.

Learn about the CPRG program.

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

EPA $156 Million Grant to Provide Solar Power, Lower Energy Costs and Advance Environmental Justice Across New Jersey

EPA Press Office:

EPA $156 Million Grant to Provide Solar Power, Lower Energy Costs and Advance Environmental Justice Across New Jersey

Contact: Carlos Vega, 646-988-2996, vega.carlos@epa.gov

Edison, N.J. (Sept. 5, 2024) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has awarded the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities $156 million under the Solar for All Program to develop long-lasting solar programs that enable low-income and disadvantaged communities to benefit from solar power. This award is part of EPA’s historic $27 billion Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund created under President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act.

EPA Regional Administrator Lisa F. Garcia, Rep. Frank Pallone and NJBPU President Christine Guhl-Sadovy stood together with local elected officials, solar developers, and local leaders at a rooftop community solar site in Edison, N.J. The gathering highlighted the transformative impact this award will have on New Jersey communities by lowering energy costs for families, creating good-quality jobs in underserved communities, advancing environmental justice and tackling the climate crisis.

“EPA’s Solar for All initiative will help ensure that clean energy solutions reach and benefit the communities most affected by climate change,” said EPA Regional Administrator Lisa F. Garcia. “This grant will enable New Jersey communities to adopt solar power, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and create green jobs.”

“The EPA’s $156 million investment in New Jersey’s Board of Public Utilities is a game-changer that will help low-income and disadvantaged communities have access to clean, renewable solar energy,” said Senator Cory Booker. “This funding through the Biden-Harris administration’s Solar for All Program was made possible by the Inflation Reduction Act, legislation passed by Congressional Democrats that is helping our nation tackle the climate crisis, save families money on their energy bills, and pave the way for a more equitable and sustainable future for our most vulnerable communities. Every community, regardless of income, should be able to participate in and benefit from the transition to clean energy.”

“Projects like the one in Edison are exactly what I envisioned when I fought to include these critical climate investments in the Inflation Reduction Act,” said Congressman Frank Pallone (NJ-06). “It’s fitting that a town named after one of the greatest minds in electricity is now leading the way in energy innovation. This initiative will make clean energy accessible to everyone, especially in low-income and disadvantaged communities, while creating jobs and saving families money. I remain as committed as ever to ensuring that these community solar projects continue to grow and benefit New Jersey and the entire country.”

“Thanks to the Biden Administration’s landmark Inflation Reduction Act and Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, New Jersey will further its nation-leading efforts to achieve bold climate action and clean energy equity,” said New Jersey Board of Public Utilities President Christine Guhl-Sadovy. “New Jersey’s $156 million Solar for All award will result in significant emissions reductions and millions of dollars in energy bill savings, including for thousands of low-income disadvantaged community households.”

The State of New Jersey through NJBPU designed its New Jersey Solar for All to tackle the major barriers that have prevented the adoption of solar energy by low-income and disadvantaged households. Funding through the EPA Solar for All program will support the development of residential solar, multi-family housing solar and storage, residential-serving community solar, and technical assistance and workforce development. The State expects the program to accelerate the energy transition in underserved communities by serving tens of thousands of households in low-income and disadvantaged communities.

Today’s event took place at a rooftop community solar project currently under construction in Edison, N.J. The project, which is being constructed by Solar Landscape and is sited on a building owned by Prologis, received tax credits from the Inflation Reduction Act. It serves as a model for the type of projects NJBPU will undertake with its EPA Solar for All funding support. Once complete, the project will serve about 440 local households, at least half of which are low-to-moderate income. The 2.82-megawatt capacity system will save each household over $250 per year, lowering energy bills by a total of more than $111,000 per year for subscribers.

Background

NJBPU is among 49 state-level recipients to receive a total of approximately $5.5 billion under the EPA Solar for All program. In addition, there are six awards to serve Tribes totaling over $500 million and five multistate awards totaling approximately $1 billion.

A complete list of the selected applicants can be found on EPA’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund Solar for All website.

EPA estimates that the 60 Solar for All recipients will enable over 900,000 households in low-income and disadvantaged communities to deploy and benefit from distributed solar energy. This $7 billion investment will generate over $350 million in annual savings on electric bills for overburdened households. The program will reduce 30 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions cumulatively, from over four gigawatts of solar energy capacity unlocked for low-income communities over five years. Solar and distributed energy resources help improve electric grid reliability and climate resilience, which is especially important in disadvantaged communities that have long been underserved.

Solar for All will deliver on the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to creating high-quality jobs with the free and fair choice to join a union for workers across the United States. This $7 billion investment in clean energy will generate an estimated 200,000 jobs across the country. All selected applicants intend to invest in local, clean energy workforce development programs to expand equitable pathways into family-sustaining jobs for the communities they are designed to serve. At least 35% of selected applicants have already engaged local or national unions, demonstrating how these programs will contribute to the foundation of a clean energy economy built on strong labor standards and inclusive economic opportunity for all American communities.

The Solar for All program also advances President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative, which set the goal that 40% of the overall benefits of certain federal climate, clean energy, affordable and sustainable housing, and other investments flow to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution. All the funds awarded through the Solar for All program will be invested in low-income and disadvantaged communities.

The program will also help meet the President’s goal of achieving a carbon pollution-free power sector by 2035 and net-zero emissions economy by no later than 2050.

The 60 selected applicants have committed to delivering on the three objectives of the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund: reducing climate and air pollution; delivering benefits to low-income and disadvantaged communities; and mobilizing financing to spur additional deployment of affordable solar energy. Solar for All selected applicants are expanding existing low-income solar programs and launching new programs. In at least 25 states and territories nationwide, Solar for All is launching new programs where there has never been a substantial low-income solar program before. In these geographies, Solar for All selected applicants will open new markets for distributed solar by funding new programs that provide grants and low-cost financing for low-income, residential solar.

What They Are Saying

“As we transition to a clean energy economy, it is critically important that all communities reap the benefits. Community solar installations in overburdened communities improve local air quality and public health, while reducing energy costs for families and creating good local jobs,” said New Jersey Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette. “DEP is grateful to our federal partners and the Murphy Administration for our joint commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, a commitment clearly demonstrated by investing in programs like Solar for All to better protect the environment we share.”

“As the effects of the climate crisis intensify, it’s imperative that we continue to bring crucial clean energy projects online,” said New Jersey Senator Bob Smith. “Through this unprecedented federal funding, New Jersey will continue to expand its growing solar industry, which remains at the core of our comprehensive climate action strategy.”

“NJBPU’s expansion of solar programs through the federal Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund will benefit low-income families and environmental justice communities,” said New Jersey Senator Patrick Diegnan. “This program will provide needed funding to lower energy costs for disadvantaged communities and will enhance air quality for all residents of our state. It will also create thousands of good-paying jobs while addressing our climate crisis.”

“This funding is a crucial step forward in our efforts to ensure that every resident, regardless of income or zip code, can benefit from clean energy. It is a major win for our community, allowing us to expand access to solar power, lower energy costs for families, and invest in a cleaner, healthier environment,” said 18th Legislative District Assemblyman Robert J. Karabinchak. “I am proud to see New Jersey leading the way in renewable energy. This grant will empower us to bring solar energy to foster a more sustainable future and a stronger local economy.”

“I am incredibly proud to stand alongside my state and local colleagues as we celebrate this $156.1 million grant from the U.S. EPA that will be used to expand solar programs for low-income and disadvantaged communities. It is no secret that our low-income residents face the highest risk of bearing the worst of the negative effects brought on by climate change. Which is why this funding is crucial to our ability as your State Government to live up to our responsibility to not only protect all our residents from the scourge of climate change, but also to ensure that none of our fellow New Jerseyans are left behind as we transition to more sustainable and ultimately more affordable forms of energy production,” said 18th Legislative District Assemblyman Sterley S. Stanley. “I commend the entirety of our federal delegation and all those who worked to make this incredible funding a reality and I look forward to bearing witness to the incredible growth that this funding will facilitate for our communities!”

“The Township of Edison is proud to welcome the Biden and Murphy Administrations as they unveil historic funding to spur clean energy investment and cost-savings, especially for residents in our great town,” said Township of Edison Mayor Sam Joshi. “We look forward to seeing the success of this project here in Edison replicated in communities across the state.”

“Community solar installations on commercial rooftops are America’s most shovel-ready clean energy option,” said President of Solar Landscape Mark Schottinger. “Projects like this one are creating real world benefits today: creating jobs, reducing costs and advancing America’s clean energy economy. Thanks to the EPA, the Murphy Administration and companies like Prologis, community solar is a proven model that can be replicated nationwide, delivering on the promise of an affordable, equitable energy future.”

“Rooftop solar projects like this one enable Prologis customers to reduce their emissions, benefit local communities by gaining access to renewable energy, and improve grid resilience,” said Prologis Senior Vice President and Market Officer Mike Sacro. “Approximately 89MW of community solar will be built on Prologis rooftops in New Jersey between now and spring 2026, with the majority of the energy benefitting low-moderate income residents through community solar discounts.”

“This grant will enable low-income and overburdened communities to take advantage of clean, renewable solar power to mitigate climate change and clean up our air. Not only will community solar help our environment, but it will bring real savings to New Jersey residents and provide good-paying, family-sustaining jobs in the clean-energy economy,” said Ed Potosnak, executive director of the New Jersey League of Conservation Voters. “Solar energy has the potential to meet 30-40% of energy capacity needs in New Jersey by 2050. We commend Governor Murphy and the staff at the BPU for pursuing this grant to advance community solar and create healthier communities while providing financial savings for residents who live with energy insecurity.”

"The New Jersey Sierra Club is excited to see the EPA’s selection of the NJBPU to receive Solar for All federal funding. These are crucial dollars that will make our transition to clean energy more just and more inclusive for New Jerseyans by expanding access to solar power,” said Anjuli Ramos-Busot, director of the Sierra Club New Jersey Chapter. “This is what energy justice looks like in practice, and we hope to see more investments like this in the future to make clean energy and clean air a right rather than a privilege."

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EPA Proposes Settlement to Provide $151 Million for Cleanup of Raritan Bay Slag Superfund Site and to Resolve Natural Resource Damage Claims

EPA Press Office:

EPA Proposes Settlement to Provide $151 Million for Cleanup of Raritan Bay Slag Superfund Site and to Resolve Natural Resource Damage Claims

NEW YORK (Sept. 5, 2024) – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced a proposed consent decree that would pay EPA’s past and future costs of cleanup at the Raritan Bay Slag Superfund Site in Old Bridge Township and Sayreville, New Jersey. The proposed consent decree requires parties identified as potentially responsible for the site, which include NL Industries, Inc. and its former customers, Old Bridge Township, several federal agencies, and the state, to pay $151.1 million. EPA will receive $132.4 million as reimbursement for past work and to pay for the remaining cleanup work at the site. The consent decree also would resolve the claims of the Natural Resource Trustees, which will receive $18.7 million. Natural Resource Trustees are entities designated to act to seek compensation for damages or loss of use of natural resources damaged by the release of a hazardous substance into the environment. Trustees often have information and technical expertise about the biological effects of hazardous substances, as well as the location of sensitive species and habitats that can assist EPA.

“This settlement would allow EPA to finish this cleanup and return the waterfront back to the community so that residents and visitors can use the beach without being concerned about their health,” said EPA Regional Administrator Lisa F. Garcia. “EPA looks forward to cleaning up the seawall and jetty and making good on our commitment to protect people from exposure to toxic lead.”

The proposed consent decree, which has been lodged in the United States federal district court for the district of New Jersey, will be subject to 60-day public comment periods once notice is published in the Federal Register and New Jersey Register. At the close of the comment periods, the United States and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) will evaluate the comments and decide whether to proceed and then, if appropriate, seek final approval by the court.

The Raritan Bay Slag Superfund site is on the southern shore of Raritan Bay. The site consists of the Seawall Sector, which contains a seawall about 2,300 feet long in Old Bridge Township, NJ; the Margaret’s Creek Sector, which consists of a 47-acre wetland located immediately east of the Seawall Sector; and the Jetty Sector, which consists of the approximately 750-foot-long western jetty, located nearly a mile west of the seawall in adjacent Sayreville, New Jersey.

The primary sources of contamination at the site are slag and battery casings. The seawall and the western jetty were constructed using slag from blast furnace bottoms from secondary smelting operations in the late 1960s to early 1970s. Battery casings were also deposited at the site, particularly in the Margaret’s Creek Sector. The slag and battery casings resulted in high levels of lead contamination, including along the seawall and in the sand of a recreational beach immediately west of the seawall which resulted in the closure of a significant portion of a recreational beach area.

EPA issued a cleanup plan in May 2013 to excavate and dredge material contaminated with lead at the site. EPA is addressing the three sectors in a specific sequence to prevent recontamination of cleaned up areas. EPA completed the Margaret’s Creek Sector cleanup in September 2018. The cleanup included removing about 15,775 tons of soil and 1,802 tons of slag from that portion of the site and cost about $7 million. After becoming concerned about the quality of the engineering work being conducted by NL Industries for the Seawall Sector, EPA took over that work, which was completed last fall. If the settlement is finalized and when EPA receives payment, EPA can begin the cleanup work on the Seawall Sector followed by the Jetty Sector.

For more information, and to view the proposed consent decree and to submit comments to the United States, please visit Proposed Consent Decrees: U.S., et al., v. NL Industries, Inc., et al.

For additional background about the site, visit the Raritan Bay Superfund Site.

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For further information: Contact: Elias Rodriguez, rodriguez.elias@epa.gov, 212-637-3664.

Biden- Harris Administration announces $23.8 Million in Grants to Support Chesapeake Bay Watershed Restoration Efforts

EPA Press Office:

Biden- Harris Administration announces $23.8 Million in Grants to Support Chesapeake Bay Watershed Restoration Efforts

Grants advance measurable partnership progress towards 2025 goals of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement

PHILADELPHIA (Sept. 4, 2024) – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced $23.8 million in Small Watershed grants to support Chesapeake Bay Watershed restoration efforts. $11.6 million of the funding awarded is funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) and $9.3 via regular annual appropriations. This program is currently administered by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) through a grant from EPA’s Chesapeake Bay Program Office. The 56 grant awards will support water quality improvement, habitat restoration, and community stewardship efforts in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. In total, the grants will leverage $12.8 million in matching contributions to generate a total conservation impact of $36.6 million.

The grants were awarded through the Small Watershed Grants (SWG) program, a key funding mechanism of the federal-state Chesapeake Bay Program (CBP) partnership designed to support projects within the Chesapeake Bay watershed that promote voluntary, community-based efforts to protect and restore the diverse and vital habitats of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributary rivers and streams. Major funding for these awards is provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, with additional support provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, U.S. Forest Service, and Altria Group.

The SWG program is administered under NFWF’s Chesapeake Bay Stewardship Fund (CBSF), in partnership with CBP and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The CBSF is an ongoing 25-year partnership between NFWF and other federal and private funders that provides grant funding, technical assistance, networking and information sharing programming in support of local, on-the-ground conservation and restoration efforts to restore the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

"Investments such as these are paramount to ensuring progress across the Bay and in all sectors,” said EPA Regional Administrator Adam Ortiz. “We are proud to work with our partners and fund these projects to make a difference in the restoration of the Bay watershed."

"We are proud to fund these projects, which will support restoration of ecosystems throughout the Bay watershed,” said Martha Shimkin, Director of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Chesapeake Bay Program Office. “From blue crabs to brook trout, we are focusing on restoring and conserving our living resources that are both important to the local economy and our region’s natural heritage. The work to protect and restore our waterways is a true community effort and through these conservation projects, we can continue to build on our current momentum.”

Examples of 2024 grant selectees:

Advancing the Legacy of Brook Trout Conservation in the Potomac Headwaters (VA, WV)

Grantee: Trout Unlimited

Grant Amount:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $997,500

Matching Funds:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $447,000

Total Project Amount:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$1,444,500

Restore brook trout habitat and install conservation practices on private and public lands in the headwaters of the Potomac River in Virginia and West Virginia. Project will restore

9 miles of riparian forest habitat, install 7.5 miles of livestock exclusion fencing, and reconnect existing brook trout populations to 12 miles of headwater habitat.

Camp Winslow Living Shoreline Restoration (MD)

Grantee: GreenTrust Alliance

Grant Amount:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $117,500

Matching Funds:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$28,200

Total Project Amount:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $145,700

Advance the design and permitting of approximately

4,400 linear feet of living shoreline on rapidly retreating forested shoreline located on the western shore of the Chesapeake Bay in St. Mary’s County, Maryland. Project will advance efforts to implement a living shoreline along the bay to protect riparian habitats and active aquaculture, and promote sand accretion to eliminate the need to import sand.

Expanding Community Science to Advance Cross-Watershed Collaboration in Otsego County (NY)

Grantee: Otsego County Conservation Association

Grant Amount:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $144,500

Matching Funds:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$16,500

Total Project Amount:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $161,000

Advance cross-watershed collaboration, assessments, and future restoration efforts in Otsego County, New York. Project will create a culvert assessment community science team, expand stream water quality monitoring teams, form a lake water quality monitoring team, support capacity building efforts for participating organizations, and collect valuable data and site-specific information that will support future habitat restoration projects in the county.

Congressional Cemetery Community-Based Stormwater Revitalization (DC)

Grantee: Anacostia Watershed Society

Grant Amount:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$72,300

Matching Funds:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $0

Total Project Amount:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$72,300

Create an implementation-ready plan that will help manage the Congressional Cemetery runoff and create a more resilient community space. Project will continue the 2023 effort in implementing green infrastructure in the cemetery, educating community members about the benefits of green infrastructure, and allowing participants to apply their new knowledge to addressing stormwater challenges currently facing the community.

Restoring Shoreline Habitats at Janosik Park in Laurel, Delaware

Grantee: Nanticoke Watershed Alliance

Grant Amount:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $451,300

Matching Funds:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $116,000

Total Project Amount:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $567,300

Implement designs to stabilize a severely eroding shoreline and improve the habitat along the Broad Creek at Janosik Park in Laurel, Delaware. Project will restore nearly 600 feet or shoreline and reduce annual sediment pollution by more than 60 tons.

Reconnecting and Restoring Brook Trout Habitat in the Pine Creek Watershed (PA)

Grantee: Trout Unlimited

Grant Amount:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $936,800

Matching Funds:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $574,800

Total Project Amount:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$1,511,600

Expand stronghold brook trout habitats along Lick Run in Pennsylvania’s Pine Creek watershed by replacing three failing, undersized culverts that are current barriers to aquatic organism passage, reducing nonpoint source sediment pollution by improving dirt and gravel roads, and using strategic wood addition to enhance habitat on

0.75 miles of Deer Lick Hollow, a tributary to Lick Run. Project will open 7.5 miles of upstream habitat critical for brook trout.

Accelerating Living Shoreline Restoration in Virginia’s Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula

Grantee: Friends of the Rappahannock

Grant Amount:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $755,500

Matching Funds:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $536,800

Total Project Amount:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$1,292,300

Restore 1 mile of shoreline on Virginia’s Northern Neck to address nutrient and sediment loss, coastal wetland restoration and enhancement, and community resilience. Project will support design and installation of 40 living shoreline projects in conjunction with the Virginia Conservation Assistance Program.

A complete list of the 2024 Chesapeake Bay Small Watershed Grants recipients is available here.

For more information about the Chesapeake Bay Stewardship Fund or to download the 2024 Chesapeake Bay Innovative Nutrient and Sediment Reduction and Small Watershed Grants Slates, visit www.nfwf.org/chesapeake.

JBK-Environmental

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