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Author: WHCEQ Staff    Published: 2/24/2023     White House Council on Environmental Quality

Greetings!

In Environmental News

Yesterday, the Biden-Harris Administration announced the availability of $550 million from President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act to expedite investments through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) new Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmaking (EJ TCGM) program. This new, innovative program will fund up to 11 entities to serve as grantmakers to community-based projects that reduce pollution. Grantmakers will develop an efficient, simplified process so that organizations that historically have faced barriers to receiving funding can more seamlessly apply for grants that address environmental harms and risks. Read more here.

This week the Administration proposed the first-ever Gulf of Mexico offshore wind lease sale, its latest steps to expand offshore wind jobs and local economic development across the country. This action advances President Biden’s clean energy and economic agenda, including by revitalizing American manufacturing and harnessing American innovation to deliver reliable, affordable power to homes and businesses, while saving families money, strengthening energy security, and conserving natural resources. Read more here.

On Tuesday, February 21, EPA Administrator Regan traveled back to East Palestine, Ohio with OH Governor De Wine and PA Governor Shapiro. While on the ground, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ordered Norfolk Southern to conduct all necessary actions associated with the cleanup from the East Palestine, Ohio, train derailment. EPA’s order marks the transition of the multi-agency response from its “emergency phase” to a longer-term remediation phase.

 

As part of EPA’s legally binding order, Norfolk Southern will be required to:

  • Identify and clean up contaminated soil and water resources.
  • Reimburse EPA for cleaning services to be offered to residents and businesses to provide an additional layer of reassurance, which will be conducted by EPA staff and contractors.
  • Attend and participate in public meetings at EPA’s request and post information online.
  • Pay for EPA’s costs for work performed under this order.

Biden-Harris Administration Deploys Additional Federal Resources to East Palestine, Ohio – The White House

EPA Resources:

  • EPA Hotline: EPA Region 5 has established a dedicated phone line (215-814-2400) staffed by community involvement coordinators.
  • Website for Residents: EPA has set up a web page for residents to stay informed about the most up to date monitoring results, as well as additional resources for members of the community East Palestine, Ohio Train Derailment Emergency Response | US EPA

Get Involved

The White House Environmental Justice Advisory Council (WHEJAC) will hold a virtual public meeting March 1, 2023 from approximately 3:00 – 7:30 PM ET. This free meeting is open to all members of the public. Individual registration is REQUIRED and is available through the scheduled end time of the meeting day.

Register for the WHEJAC virtual public meeting here: https://usepa.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_gIwxjegQTVqjC0sgNeabbA

Keep reading for more environmental updates from the Biden-Harris Administration and to learn about opportunities to provide public input on ongoing energy and environmental initiatives. If you were forwarded this email, or are not on our list yet, please sign up here.

 

#ICYMI (IN CASE YOU MISSED IT)

Last week

The Administration also made several new Inflation Reduction Act implementation announcements.

  • Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is making $850 million in fiscal year 2023 funding available for agricultural producers and forest landowners nationwide to participate in voluntary conservation programs and adopt climate-smart practices. Read more here.
  • The U.S. Department of Treasury, U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) released guidance on Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) programs that will help revitalize and strengthen the nation’s energy economy and infrastructure while ensuring underserved and historic energy communities are not left behind. View the full announcement here.
  • The EPA announced the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, a historic new program that will provide competitive grants to mobilize financing and leverage private capital for clean energy and climate projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions with an emphasis on projects that benefit low-income and disadvantaged communities, furthering the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to environmental justice. Learn more here.

The Biden-Harris Administration also announced new actions to ensure that electric vehicle (EV) charging funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is convenient, reliable, and Made-in-America. These steps will advance the President’s vision of building 500,000 EV chargers by 2030 and delivering a convenient, reliable, and Made-in-America EV charging network.

Finally, to strengthen the Federal Government’s ability to address the barriers that underserved communities continue to face, President Biden signed a new Executive Order on Further Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government. The executive order reaffirms the Administration’s commitment to deliver equity and build an America in which all can participate, prosper, and reach their full potential. Full announcement here.

Resources:

NEWS CLIPS OF THE WEEK

CNN: Biden administration announces first-ever wind energy lease sale in Gulf of Mexico

The Hill: EPA outlines another $550 million toward addressing environmental inequity

Bloomberg Law: Biden Elevates Racial Equity Actions Across Federal Agencies

Reuters: U.S. World Bank pick comes with green finance cred

TWEETS OF THE WEEK

President Biden (@POTUS): “With the help of @SecGranholm and @SecretaryPete, I laid out a goal of building a Made-in-America electric vehicle charging network of 500,000 chargers on highways and in communities by 2030. Today’s actions get us closer to finishing the job and winning the global EV market.”

White House Senior Advisor Mitch Landrieu (@MitchLandrieu46): “The great American road trip will be electrified. @POTUS is creating a convenient, reliable, and Made-in-America electric vehicle charging network. From @ENERGY to @USDOT and private investments, today’s announcements are where the rubber meets the road.”

Special Presidential Envoy John Kerry (@ClimateEnvoy): “Ajay Banga is the right choice to take on the responsibilities of @WorldBank at this critical moment. The climate crisis requires new thinking and creative vision regarding finance, so that we can meet the challenge of the energy transition.”

Secretary Jennifer Granholm (@SecGranholm): @POTUS wants America to become a global leader of offshore wind technology and deployment. With his historic climate investments, @ENERGY is capturing this potential to spur private investment, boost the domestic supply chain and deliver on our bold clean energy goals.

ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM THE BIDEN-HARRIS ADMINISTRATION

PRESS RELEASE: Biden-Harris Administration Announces $550 Million to Advance Environmental Justice

“Today, the Biden-Harris Administration announced the availability of $550 million from President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act to expedite investments through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) new Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmaking (EJ TCGM) program. This new, innovative program will fund up to 11 entities to serve as grantmakers to community-based projects that reduce pollution. Selected grantmakers will develop an efficient, simplified process so that organizations that historically have faced barriers to receiving funding can more seamlessly apply for grants that address environmental harms and risks.” Full announcement here.

 

PRESS RELEASE: Biden-Harris Administration Announces $2.5 Billion to Cut Pollution and Deliver Economic Benefits to Communities Across the Nation

“The Biden-Harris Administration, through the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), today announced $2.52 billion in funding for two carbon management programs to catalyze investments in transformative carbon capture systems and carbon transport and storage technologies. Funded by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the two programs—Carbon Capture Large-Scale Pilots and Carbon Capture Demonstration Projects Program—aim to significantly reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from electricity generation and hard-to-abate industrial operations, an effort critical to addressing the climate crisis and meeting the President’s goal of a net-zero emissions economy by 2050. ” Full announcement here.

FACT SHEET: Biden-⁠Harris Administration Announces Actions to Expand Offshore Wind Nationally and Harness More Reliable, Affordable Clean Energy

“Today, the Biden-Harris Administration is announcing its latest steps to expand offshore wind jobs and local economic development across the country. These actions, which include proposing the first-ever Gulf of Mexico offshore wind lease sale, are advancing President Biden’s clean energy and economic agenda to revitalize American manufacturing and harness American innovation to deliver reliable, affordable power to homes and businesses, while saving families money and strengthening energy security.” Full announcement here.

 

PRESS RELEASE: U.S. Department of Energy Announces New Actions to Accelerate U.S. Floating Offshore Wind Deployment

“The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today announced new investments to secure U.S. leadership in floating offshore wind development by advancing offshore wind transmission planning, research and technology, and partnerships. These announcements are part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s Floating Offshore Wind Shot Summit, with the Departments of Energy, the Interior, Commerce, and Transportation convening stakeholders to drive progress. With two-thirds of America’s offshore wind resource located in deep-water areas that require floating platforms, capturing this vast potential could bring the benefits of clean power to millions of American homes and businesses.” Full announcement here.

 

PRESS RELEASE: Interior Department Proposes First-Ever Offshore Wind Sale in Gulf of Mexico

“In another step by the Biden-Harris administration to grow America’s clean energy economy, the Department of the Interior today is proposing the first-ever offshore wind lease sale in the Gulf of Mexico. The announcement is part of the Administration’s latest actions to expand offshore wind opportunities to more regions of the country, building on investments in the President’s Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to spur offshore wind deployment and create good-paying jobs for American workers.” Full announcement here.

 

ICYMI: Biden-Harris Administration’s Inaugural Offshore Wind Shot Summit Demonstrates Momentum Toward U.S. Deployment Goals

“This week, at the inaugural Floating Offshore Wind Shot™ Summit, the Departments of Energy, the Interior, Commerce, and Transportation convened federal, state, Tribal, community, labor, industry, and community leaders to discuss significant progress toward development of floating offshore wind in the United States.” Full announcement here.

 

PRESS RELEASE: DOE Announces $50 Million for Tribal Clean Energy Projects

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today announced $50 million in funding to support clean energy technology deployment on Tribal lands. This significant investment will strengthen Tribal energy sovereignty by bolstering ongoing efforts to lower energy costs, increase energy security and resilience, and provide electric power to unelectrified buildings. Accelerating the deployment of reliable clean energy in Tribal communities reflects the Biden-Harris Administration’s continued commitment to honoring treaty and trust obligations and ensuring Tribal nations and their members benefit from the country’s clean energy transition. Full announcement here.

 

FACT SHEET: Biden-Harris Administration Deploys Additional Federal Resources to East Palestine, Ohio

The Biden-Harris Administration has mobilized a robust, multi-agency effort to support the people of East Palestine, Ohio. Full announcement here.

 

FACT SHEET: Biden-⁠Harris Administration Announces New Standards and Major Progress for a Made-in-America National Network of Electric Vehicle Chargers

“Today, the Biden-Harris Administration announced its latest set of actions aimed at creating a convenient, reliable and Made-in-America electric vehicle (EV) charging network so that the great American road trip can be electrified. These steps will help the United States meet President Biden’s ambitious goals to confront the climate crisis, by building a national network of 500,000 electric vehicle chargers along America’s highways and in our communities and have EVs make up at least 50% of new car sales by 2030, all while advancing an industrial strategy to continue to build-out the domestic EV and EV charging industry. The path to net-zero emissions by 2050 is creating good-paying manufacturing and installation jobs on the way.” Full announcement here.

 

PRESS RELEASE: Biden-Harris Administration Announces Funding for Zero-Emission Medium- and Heavy-Duty Vehicle Corridors, Expansion of EV Charging in Underserved Communities

“The Biden-Harris Administration, through the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), today announced funding to accelerate the creation of zero-emission vehicle corridors that expand the nation’s electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure. The Department has awarded $7.4 million to seven projects to develop medium- and heavy-duty electric vehicle (EV) charging and hydrogen corridor infrastructure plans that will benefit millions of drivers across 23 states. Additionally, in coordination with the U.S. Department of Transportation through the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation, DOE announced its intent to release funding to address barriers to a cleaner, safer, more affordable, and more reliable Made in America EV charging network. These funding measures, in coordination with additional clean transportation announcements from the Federal Highway Administration and the White House, will be critical to achieving President Biden’s goals of building out a national network of 500,000 EV chargers and ensuring that 50% of new light-duty vehicle sales are electric by 2030.” Full announcement here.

 

PRESS RELEASE: Treasury, Energy Release Guidance on Inflation Reduction Act Programs to Incentivize Investments in Underserved Communities, Hard-Hit Coal Communities

“Thanks to President Biden’s leadership, the Inflation Reduction Act ensures all Americans benefit from the growth of the clean energy economy by driving investment in communities that have often been overlooked and left behind. These investments will create good-paying jobs in vital fields like clean energy manufacturing, critical minerals processing, and solar installation. These investments will also allow for existing energy infrastructure to be retooled for the clean energy economy and lower energy costs for families who have struggled to pay their utility bills. The guidance released today gets these programs off the ground, as we continue to work toward allocating incentives to these critical projects.” Full announcement here.

 

FACT SHEET: Biden-Harris Administration Delivers on its Promises to Invest in Rural Communities, Nutrition Security, Climate-Smart Agriculture, More and Better Markets and Lower Costs for Families

“President Biden is delivering on his promises to build a better America and rebuild the backbone of the country, the middle class. As the 2023 State of the Union approaches, it is clear that President Biden’s plan to lower costs for families and grow the economy from the bottom up and the middle out is working – we’ve seen the strongest two years of job growth in U.S. history, wages are up, inflation is moderating and the administration is making the biggest investment in America’s infrastructure since the 1950s. As part of this tremendous impact, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) continues its efforts to build more and better markets for American agriculture, provide food and nutrition security, advance climate-smart agriculture, and ensure that USDA programs and services are accessible to all Americans.” Full announcement here.

 

PRESS RELEASE: EPA Administrator Regan Marks Delivery of Kansas’ First Electric School Buses, Announces Electric Utility Pledge to Support Successful Deployment of Electric School Buses Nationwide

“Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael S. Regan visited Wabaunsee USD 329 School District in Alma, Kansas to celebrate the delivery of the state’s first all-electric school buses and mark the historic investment in America under President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Administrator Regan, joined by students, school officials, and community leaders, highlighted how initiatives like EPA’s Clean School Bus (CSB) Program are delivering environmental and economic benefits for communities like Wabaunsee. During the visit, Administrator Regan also announced a new pledge from electric utility partners to support efforts to electrify the nation’s school bus fleet.” Full announcement here.

 

PRESS RELEASE: Biden-Harris Administration Announces $74 Million to Advance Enhanced Geothermal Systems

“The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today announced a funding opportunity of up to $74 million for up to seven pilot projects that will test the efficacy and scalability of enhanced geothermal systems (EGS). Directed by the landmark Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), the pilot projects will use innovative technology and a variety of development techniques to capture the Earth’s abundant heat resources in diverse geologic settings. Through this investment, DOE hopes the research and development from the findings would demonstrate the growth and ultimate potential for geothermal energy to provide reliable, around-the-clock electricity to tens of millions of homes across the country.” Full announcement here.

 

PRESS RELEASE: Interior Department Takes Action to Strengthen Endangered Species Act

“The Department of the Interior today announced that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing a new rule to strengthen voluntary conservation opportunities under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The proposed rule would revise permitting under Section 10 of the Act to promote species conservation through voluntary agreements and make the process clearer, easier and more efficient. The announcement comes as the Endangered Species Act turns 50 years old in 2023. Throughout the year, the Department will celebrate the importance of the ESA in preventing the extinction of imperiled species, promoting the recovery of wildlife and conserving the habitats upon which they depend.” Full announcement here.

 

PRESS RELEASE: DOE Launches Foundation for Energy Security and Innovation

“The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today released a Request for Information (RFI) seeking public and stakeholder input on the Department’s first ever agency-related Foundation. Authorized by President Biden’s bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act of 2022, the Foundation for Energy Security and Innovation (FESI) will support DOE to carry out its critical mission to ensure America’s continued security and prosperity through transformative science and technology solutions. A key aim of FESI is to accelerate the commercialization of new and existing energy technologies by raising and investing funds through engagements with the private sector and philanthropic communities. The Foundation will help DOE provide additional resources, tools, and capacities for potential partners and communities across the country—supporting solutions-driven research and innovation that strengthens America’s energy and national security while helping achieve the Biden-Harris Administration’s ambitious clean energy goals.” Full announcement here.

 

PRESS RELEASE: Biden-Harris Administration Announces Additional $1B in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Funds to Start New Cleanup Projects and Expedite On-going Cleanup Work Across the Country

“Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the second wave of approximately $1 billion in funding from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to start new cleanup projects at 22 Superfund sites and expedite over 100 other ongoing cleanups across the country. Thousands of contaminated sites exist nationally due to hazardous waste being dumped, left out in the open, or otherwise improperly managed, including in manufacturing facilities, processing plants, landfills, and mining sites. Superfund cleanups help transform contaminated properties and create jobs in overburdened communities, while repurposing these sites for a wide range of uses, including public parks, retail businesses, office space, residences, warehouses, and solar power generation. In addition, these sites can support natural areas, parks, and recreation facilities, providing greenspace and safe places for families to play outside.” Full announcement here.

 

PRESS RELEASE: U.S. Department of Energy Announces $30 Million for Materials and Manufacturing to Lower Costs of Large Wind Turbines

“The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today announced a $30 million funding opportunity to advance the cost-effective domestic manufacturing of materials, including lightweight composites, that allow wind turbines to produce power more efficiently. Because wind energy is the largest source of renewable power in the United States and one of the most affordable sources of energy today, it is a critical tool for reducing our reliance on fossil energy, and next-generation technologies and manufacturing improvements will help bring down costs even more. The improved materials and manufacturing processes envisioned under this funding opportunity have the potential to reduce wind energy costs and expand the deployment of the nation’s wind energy portfolio in support of President Biden’s goals to reach 100% clean electricity by 2035 and a net-zero-emissions economy by 2050.” Full announcement here.

 

PRESS RELEASE: Biden-Harris Administration Announces $2 Billion in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Funding to States and Territories to Address Emerging Contaminants like PFAS in Drinking Water

“Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael S. Regan announced the availability of $2 billion from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to address emerging contaminants, like Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in drinking water across the country. This investment, which is allocated to states and territories, will be made available to communities as grants through EPA’s Emerging Contaminants in Small or Disadvantaged Communities (EC-SDC) Grant Program and will promote access to safe and clean water in small, rural, and disadvantaged communities while supporting local economies. Administrator Regan announced the water infrastructure investments in Maysville, North Carolina while holding a community roundtable with North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality Secretary Elizabeth S. Biser and other state and local leaders.” Full announcement here.

 

PRESS RELEASE: Biden-Harris Administration Announces Nearly $84 Million to Helps in Drinking Water

“Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced more than $83.7 million from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to address emerging contaminants, like Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS), in drinking water in New York. This investment, which is allocated to states and territories, will be made available to communities as grants through EPA’s Emerging Contaminants in Small or Disadvantaged Communities (EC-SDC) Grant Program and will promote access to safe and clean water in small, rural and disadvantaged communities while supporting local economies. EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan announced the availability of $2 billion.” New York Communities Address Emerging Contaminant.” Full announcement here.

 

PRESS RELEASE: Biden-Harris Administration Announces Historic Investments to Support America’s Energy and Industrial Communities

“The U.S. Departments of Energy (DOE) and the Treasury, and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) today announced several major programs to accelerate domestic clean energy manufacturing and ensure traditionally underserved communities benefit from clean energy technologies. As part of this whole of government approach, DOE is partnering with Treasury and IRS to implement two programs funded by the President’s Inflation Reduction Act: the Low-Income Communities Bonus Credit Program (48(e)), and the Qualifying Advanced Energy Project Credit(48C). Continuing the effort to uplift underserved communities, DOE also opened applications for the $750 million Advanced Energy Manufacturing and Recycling Grant Program, funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, to support industrial projects by small- and medium-sized manufacturers in energy communities. These announcements underscore the Administration’s commitment to leading an equitable clean energy transition and supporting the goals of President Biden’s Justice 40 Initiative.” Full announcement here.

REQUESTS FOR INFORMATION AND GRANT FUNDING

Federal agencies are seeking public input to help inform the development of funding opportunities, grant processes, policy and program implementation. Below is a list of open Requests for Information, where you can submit your comments/feedback.

Department of Energy: Request for Information on Inflation Reduction Act Home Energy Rebate Programs

  • Summary: The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of State and Community Energy Programs (SCEP) invites public input for its Request for Information (RFI) number DE-FOA-DE-FOA-0002981 regarding the development of best practices for the Home Energy Rebate programs in accordance with the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). Responses to this RFI will be used for planning purposes to develop one or multiple opportunities to assist states, territories, Indian Tribes, as well as potentially other entities, in designing, managing, and improving the Home Energy Rebate programs.

Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP): Framing the National Nature Assessment

  • Summary: Nature is important in its own right, and provides value to the lives of all Americans. To increase our knowledge of nature in the United States and its links to global change, the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), on behalf of the United States Global Change Research Program (USGCRP), requests input from the public to help inform the framing, development, and eventual use of the first National Nature Assessment (NNA). USGCRP committed to conducting a National Nature Assessment on April 8, 2022, under the authority of the Global Change Research Act of 1990. President Biden reinforced and elevated the importance of this assessment to a matter of national policy by calling for it in Executive Order 14072 (https://www.federalregister.gov/ documents/ 2022/ 04/ 27/ 2022-09138/ strengthening-the-nations-forests-communities-and-local-economies) on Strengthening the Nation’s Forests, Communities and Local Economies (April 22, 2022). This request for information (RFI) will inform USGCRP as it develops this first-of-its-kind assessment.
  • Link: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/10/31/2022-23593/framing-the-national-nature-assessment
  • Deadline: March 31, 2023

Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget

  • Summary: The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) requests comments on the initial proposals from the Federal Interagency Technical Working Group on Race and Ethnicity Standards (Working Group) for revising OMB’s 1997 Statistical Policy Directive No. 15: Standards for Maintaining, Collecting, and Presenting Federal Data on Race and Ethnicity (SPD 15).[1] Responses to this Notice will be shared with the Working Group and will help the Working Group develop their final recommendations to OMB and will also help OMB determine how to revise SPD 15 to improve the quality and usefulness of Federal race and ethnicity data.
  • Link: https://www.regulations.gov/document/OMB-2023-0001-0001
  • Deadline: April 12, 2023