(AGENPARL) – gio 08 agosto 2024 Biden-Harris Administration Announces $19 Million in Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grants for Louisiana Organizations
EPA announces initial selections from $2 billion Inflation Reduction Act program – the largest single environmental justice investment in history – delivered by President Biden’s Investing in America agenda.
DALLAS, TEXAS (August 8, 2024)— The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced $19,944,576 in grant funding for the Dillard University and their partner United Way of Southeast Louisiana to help disadvantaged communities tackle environmental and climate justice challenges through projects that reduce pollution, increase community climate resilience, and build community capacity. Made possible by President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, the Community Change Grants Program is the single largest investment in environmental and climate justice in history. This funding announcement is the first tranche of nearly $2 billion from the program that was designed based on community input to award grants on a rolling basis.
A total of $19 million is being given to Dillard University and United Way of Southeast Louisiana to reduce pollution and strengthen community resilience to natural disasters in the St. Tammany and Washington Parishes. They will improve transportation access by providing up to 300 families with e-bikes; expanding bike sharing programs; and installing EV chargers. They will retrofit several public buildings with energy efficient HVAC systems, solar, and energy storage so they can serve as community resilience hubs during emergencies. The university also will launch new non-degree certificate programs in clean energy and climate resilience.
“Our ability to deliver tangible results for communities depends on listening to them and developing innovative solutions through inclusive stakeholder engagement,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “Thanks to President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, EPA has selected the first cohort of community partnerships to solve emerging and longstanding environmental and climate justice challenges.”
“The Community Change Grants Program has benefited disadvantaged communities through projects that reduce pollution and increases community resilience to address environmental challenges in an area,” said Regional Administrator Dr. Earthea Nance. “EPA will continue to deliver unprecedented funding and resources to help communities in Louisiana maintain solar and energy efficiency.”
The Inflation Reduction Act provides $3 billion to EPA to award grants that help disadvantaged communities and offer technical assistance. With these grants, EPA is delivering on this mission.
The Community Change Grants Program is still accepting applications through November 21, 2024, so EPA encourages applicants to submit applications as soon as they completely meet the NOFO requirements.  EPA will be making additional selections on a rolling basis for the remainder of 2024. EPA also encourages interested applicants to apply for technical assistance as soon as possible, as the last day to request new technical assistance is August 16, 2024.
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Environmental Protection Agency, 1201 Elm Street, Suite 500, Dallas, TX 75270 United States