Source: American City and County

Excerpt:

In the national push toward climate resilience, investing in a way that’s equitable for everyone is an important consideration—and one the federal government is currently prioritizing. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently opened about $2 billion in funding to support community-driven projects that deploy clean energy, strengthen climate resilience, and build capacity for communities to tackle environmental and climate justice challenges. 

“For far too long, communities that have borne the brunt of power plant and industrial pollution have been left out and left behind,” said John Podesta, senior advisor to the president for clean energy innovation and implementation in a statement. “The Inflation Reduction Act and President Biden’s Justice40 initiative change that by bringing new investment, clean energy, and good-paying jobs to disadvantaged communities.”

All of the grants will benefit disadvantaged communities historically marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution, the statement says. The program also dedicates $200 million via the Inflation Reduction Act forr technical assistance to applicants and grant recipients. The assistance is intended to help disadvantaged communities access resources for environmental and climate justice initiatives.

Read more: EPA opens $2B in funding for climate resilience, environmental justice projects