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Author:  WHCEQ Staff    Published: 8/28/2024  White House Council on Environmental Quality 

ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS

This month, during the 116th anniversary of the 1908 Springfield Race Riot, President Biden signed a proclamation establishing the Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument in Springfield, Illinois. The new national monument will tell the story of a horrific attack by a white mob on a Black community that was representative of the racism, intimidation, and violence that Black Americans experienced across the country.

President Biden and Vice President Harris are committed to protecting places that help tell a more complete story of our nation’s history, including by recognizing difficult moments that have been ignored or obscured for far too long. Read the proclamation here, and learn more here.

Friday, August 16, 2024: President Biden is joined by civil rights leaders, community members, and elected officials in the Oval Office to sign a proclamation to designate the Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument.

The Biden-Harris Administration also recently celebrated the two-year anniversary of the Inflation Reduction Act, the largest investment in clean energy and climate action ever, which has driven the fastest and most equitable recovery on record – creating good-paying jobs, expanding opportunity, and lowering costs in every corner of the country.

In the last two years, the Biden-Harris Administration has made tremendous progress implementing the climate and clean energy provisions of this law quickly and effectively, accelerating our progress toward President Biden and Vice President Harris’ goal of cutting U.S. climate pollution by 50 to 52 percent below 2005 levels in 2030.

President Biden (@POTUS) via X: “Two years ago, I signed the Inflation Reduction Act into law after Kamala cast the tie-breaking vote. Folks, I’m so proud of all the ways this law has already started transforming the lives of hardworking American families…” [X Post, 8/16/24]

See President Biden’s statement on the anniversary here, and Vice President Harris’ statement here.

Other recent Biden-Harris Administration announcements:

  • The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that it has fully obligated in grants to recipients the $27 billion available through the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, a Justice40 covered program. With funds now accessible to the recipients, programs that give communities access to the resources and investment capital to build cleaner, more sustainable economies can begin being implemented.
  • The U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) announced the availability of $775 million for 21 states to clean up legacy pollution from orphaned oil and gas wells and well sites.
  • The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced over $240 million for new and innovative building codes to save consumers money and reduce impacts of climate change.
  • DOI affirmed the protection of 28 million acres of public lands in Alaska, which are vital to protecting important natural, cultural, and subsistence resources.
  • DOI announced the execution of the nation’s first floating offshore wind energy research lease off the coast of Maine. The lease area covers less than 15,000 acres and could allow for the deployment of up to 12 floating offshore wind turbines capable of generating up to 144 megawatts of renewable energy, as well as many good-paying jobs in local communities.
  • The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced it is funding 160 projects in 26 states to expand access to clean energy systems and increase the availability of domestic biofuels that will create new market opportunities and jobs for U.S. farmers, ranchers, and agricultural producers.
  • DOE announced $53.6 million for 14 states and territorial weatherization offices to expand the Weatherization Assistance Program, a Justice40 covered program, and lower costs for more American households.
  • EPA announced $25.5 million in grants through a new program to support drinking water systems in underserved, small, and disadvantaged communities.
  • The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is making available more than $45 million in funding to support Coastal Habitat Restoration and Resilience Grants for Tribes and Underserved Communities. Of this $45 million in funding, $20 million is specifically available for federally recognized Tribes, Alaska Native Corporations, and Tribal organizations.

Keep reading for more updates from the Biden-Harris Administration. If you were forwarded this email, or are not on our list yet, please visit our sign up page.

SOCIAL MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS

Vice President Kamala Harris (@VP) / X

“The Biden-Harris Administration has taken historic steps to tackle the climate crisis. Our Inflation Reduction Act is the largest-ever investment in climate action.

Together, we’re building a cleaner, healthier, and more prosperous world.” [X Post, 8/19/24]

The White House (@WhiteHouse) / X

“From the largest-ever investment in climate action to protecting 41 million acres of lands and waters, the Biden-Harris Administration continues to deliver on the most ambitious climate agenda in history.” [X Post, 8/20/24]

Secretary Deb Haaland, U.S. Department of the Interior (@SecDebHaaland) / X

“.@POTUS‘ designation of the Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument in Illinois sheds light on a pivotal era in our march toward justice. We are committed to telling America’s story, even when it’s painful.” [X Post, 8/16/24]

Chair Brenda Mallory, White House Council on Environmental Quality (@BrendaMallory46)

“I toured the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind Commercial Project that is expected to power 660,000 homes. Under @POTUS and @VP’s leadership, we are taking historic action to advance renewable energy projects to tackle the climate crisis and grow a clean energy economy.” [X Post, 8/22/24]

Administrator Michael Regan (@EPAMichael Regan) / X

“Thanks to @POTUS and @VP’s leadership, we’ve replaced more than 147,000 lead service lines to ensure healthier drinking water for communities across this country. Because they know ALL communities deserve access to safe, clean drinking water.” [X Post, 8/21/24]

Secretary Jennifer Granholm (@SecGranholm) / X

“Thanks to @POTUS and @VP, more Americans are able to make the changes they need to slash their electricity bills with help from our Investing in America agenda.” [X Post, 8/19/24]

NEWS CLIP HIGHLIGHTS

New York Times: Biden Designates Illinois Race Riot Site as a National Monument

The Associated Press: Biden promised to clean up heavily polluted communities. Here is how advocates say he did

CNBC: How the Inflation Reduction Act sparked a manufacturing and clean energy boom in the U.S.

Clean Technica: $50 Million to Strengthen America’s Auto Communities & Bolster Domestic Electric Vehicle Manufacturing

National Catholic Reporter: Faith leaders meet at White House for climate goals 

GET INVOLVED!

Upcoming Meetings and Events

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: EJScreen Office Hours & Training

  • Summary: The EPA is holding a set of “Office Hours” for users of EJScreen, the EPA’s environmental justice screening and mapping tool. These office hours will be a chance for the public to talk with EPA EJScreen experts about how to use and apply the tool, among other questions. EPA will hold these sessions on a bimonthly basis.
  • Link: https://www.epa.gov/ejscreen/ejscreen-office-hours-training#OfficeHours
  • Date: October 16, 2024 at 12:00 pm ET

Applications and Funding Opportunities

President Biden’s American Climate Corps

  • Summary: American Climate Corps members will gain the skills necessary to access good-paying jobs that are aligned with high-quality employment opportunities after they complete their paid training or service program.
  • Link: https://climatecorps.gov
  • Deadline: Varies based on position

U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS): Low-Income Communities Bonus Credit Program under Section 48(e)

  • Summary: Applications are still open for the 2024 Program Year of the Low-Income Communities Bonus Credit Program. This program was established by the Inflation Reduction Act to promote cost-saving clean energy investments in low-income communities, on Indian land, as part of affordable housing developments, and benefitting low-income households.
  • Link: https://www.energy.gov/justice/low-income-communities-bonus-credit-program
  • Deadline: The first round of applications was due on June 27, but DOE continues to accept applications on a rolling basis.

U.S. Department of Transportation: Safe Streets and Roads for All Funding Opportunity

  • Summary: Funds for FY 24 Safe Streets and Roads for All grant program are to be awarded on a competitive basis to support planning, infrastructural, behavioral, and operational initiatives to prevent death and serious injury on roads and streets involving all roadway users, including pedestrians; bicyclists; public transportation, personal conveyance, and micromobility users; motorists; and commercial vehicle operators.
  • Link: https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/352510
  • Deadline: August 29, 2024 at 5:00 pm ET

U.S. Department of Transportation: Reconnecting Communities Pilot Grant Program

  • Summary: The Office of the Secretary of Transportation has released an FY24 Notice of Funding Opportunity for the Reconnecting Communities Pilot (RCP) program. This is a continuation of two previous rounds of RCP Funding in FY22 and FY23. The RCP Program focuses on improving access to daily needs such as jobs, education, healthcare, food, nature, and recreation, and foster equitable development and restoration, and provide technical assistance to further these goals. Funding for this fiscal year is a combined allocation of FY 2024, 2025, and 2026. Up to $607 million is available for planning, capital construction, and technical assistance. The funding will be implemented as appropriate and consistent with the priorities in Executive Order 14052.
  • Link: https://www.transportation.gov/reconnecting
  • Deadline: September 30, 2024 at 11:59 pm ET

U.S. Department of the Interior: Upper Colorado River Basin System Conservation and Efficiency Program

  • Summary: This DOI funding will support ecosystem and habitat restoration projects in the Upper Colorado River Basin that address impacts caused by drought. Funds are made available through the Bureau of Reclamation from the Inflation Reduction Act for use in the Upper Basin States of Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming. More detailed information for applicants, including additional eligibility and evaluation criteria and how to apply can be found at the Upper Colorado River Basin System Conservation and Efficiency Program website. There will be an informational webinar on the funding opportunity on Friday, September 6, 2024 1-2 pm MDT. Register here.
  • Link: https://www.usbr.gov/uc/progact/SystemConservation/index.html
  • Deadline: October 14, 2024, 11:59 pm MDT

U.S. Department of the Interior: Tribal Climate Resilience Annual Awards Program

  • Summary: The DOI Tribal Climate Resilience Annual Awards Program, a Justice40 covered program, is accepting applications for over $120 million in FY 2024 funding. This funding will provide support to federally recognized Tribal Nations and authorized Tribal organizations to address current and future climate change impacts on Tribal Treaty and Trust resources, economies, regenerative agriculture and food sovereignty, conservation practices, infrastructure, and human health and safety. Funding may also be used to meet other Federal and non-Federal cost share/match requirements required by statute.
  • Link: https://www.bia.gov/service/tcr-annual-awards-program
  • Deadline: October 18, 2024

U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service (FS): Forest Landowner Support

  • Summary: The USDA Forest Service is making $190 million available to help private forest landowners adapt to and mitigate the impacts of climate change and retain working forestlands. Of the total funding, covered under the Justice40 Initiative, $140 million is available to support state-endorsed cost-share programs for landowners. The remaining $50 million is available to programs that issue payments directly to landowners to adopt practices that increase carbon sequestration and storage of their forests.
  • Link: https://www.fs.usda.gov/about-agency/state-private-tribal-forestry/coop-forestry/ira-forest-landowner-support
  • Deadlines:
  • Tribal Access to Emerging Private Markets for Climate Mitigation or Forest Resilience: September 30, 2024 at 11:59 PM ET for the $2 million allocation of the funding
  • Landowner Cost Share Payment Programs for Climate Mitigation and/or Forest Resilience Practices: September 30, 2024 at 11:59 pm ET for $5,000,000 for single-state programs; $15,000,000 for multi-state programs
  • Landowner Payment Programs for Carbon Stewardship Practices: September 30, 2024 at 11:59 pm ET for the $5 million allocation

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration: Regional Ocean Partnerships – Tribes

  • Summary: NOAA has made available $1.5 million to be competitively awarded to federally recognized tribes to increase tribal participation with regional ocean partnerships under the Biden-Harris Administration’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. This fiscal year 2024 and 2025 funding opportunity allows NOAA to support projects that encourage or enhance tribes’ ability to participate with existing regional ocean partnerships, including supporting partnership development and increasing tribal information and Indigenous Knowledge within regional databases.
  • Link: https://www.noaa.gov/news-release/noaa-to-make-15-million-available-to-tribes-for-regional-ocean-partnerships
  • Deadline: October 31, 2024

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: Community Change Grants Program

  • Summary: EPA’s new Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grants program (Community Change Grants) has announced a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for approximately $2 billion dollars from the Inflation Reduction Act to benefit disadvantaged communities through projects that reduce pollution, increase community climate resilience, and build community capacity to address environmental and climate justice challenges. These place-based investments will be focused on community-driven initiatives to be responsive to community and stakeholder input. They are designed to deliver on the transformative potential of the Inflation Reduction Act for communities most adversely and disproportionately impacted by climate change, legacy pollution, and historical disinvestments. On August 6, 2024, EPA’s Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights published an updated version of the NOFO for the Community Change Grants Program. This new version, known as Modification No. 3, replaces the previous versions of the NOFO.
  • Link: https://www.epa.gov/inflation-reduction-act/inflation-reduction-act-community-change-grants-program
  • Deadline: November 21, 2024

Requests for Input

EPA Farm, Ranch, and Rural Communities Advisory Committee (FRRCC)– Seeking Nominations

RESOURCE HUB

American Climate Corps: The American Climate Corps is a workforce training and service initiative that will ensure more young people have access to the skills-based training necessary for good-paying careers in the clean energy and climate resilience economy. The American Climate Corps will mobilize a new, diverse generation of more than 20,000 Americans – putting them to work conserving and restoring our lands and waters, bolstering community resilience, deploying clean energy, implementing energy efficient technologies, and advancing environmental justice, all while creating pathways to high-quality, good-paying clean energy and climate resilience jobs in the public and private sectors after they complete their paid training program.

CleanEnergy.gov: A one-stop shop for information on President Biden’s Investing in America agenda and how the Inflation Reduction Act helps lower energy costs for consumers and small businesses while creating good-paying jobs as America’s clean energy economy and manufacturing sectors grow.

Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool (CEJST): Geospatial mapping tool that identifies areas across the nation where communities are faced with significant burdens. These burdens are organized into eight categories: climate change, energy, health, housing, legacy pollution, transportation, water and wastewater, and workforce development.

Climate Capital Guidebook: Guidebook providing a simple, comprehensive map of capital programs across the federal government that are available to climate-related start-ups, small- and medium-sized businesses, and their investors.

Conservation.gov: An information hub supporting locally led efforts to conserve and restore our nation’s lands, waters, and wildlife.

Department of Housing and Urban Development Funding Navigator: Find hundreds of available Inflation Reduction Act, Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and other programs across a range of federal agencies in these categories: Energy Efficiency and Renewables, Utility Scale Energy, Resiliency, Lead and Healthy Housing, Brownfield and Waste Management, Transportation, Broadband, Workforce Development and Environmental Justice.

Department of Transportation Navigator: Explore federal funding opportunities that help plan for and deliver transformative infrastructure projects and services.

Direct Pay Through the Inflation Reduction Act: Find resources on the Inflation Reduction Act’s “elective pay” (often called “direct pay”) provisions, through which tax-exempt and governmental entities can take advantage of tax credits for building clean energy projects.

DOE Interactive Map: Interactive tool showcasing where clean energy investments are occurring across the United States thanks to President Biden’s Investing in America agenda.

Energy Savings Hub | Department of Energy: Access resources made possible by President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, which will help lower your energy costs and make your home safer and more comfortable while helping the planet.

EnvironmentalJustice.gov: A one-stop-shop that highlights the Administration’s actions on environmental justice, features stories of progress across America, and shares tools, resources, and funding opportunities to empower communities to navigate federal programs and advance environmental justice in their neighborhoods.

Environmental Justice Clearinghouse: A first-of-its-kind online collection of resources related to environmental justice.

Environmental Justice Scorecard: Find information about what federal agencies are doing to advance environmental justice in communities across America, with Phase Two of the Environmental Justice Scorecard outlining the progress made by 24 federal agencies in Fiscal Year 2023.

Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Centers: 16 centers across the country are now accepting requests for training and other assistance to build capacity for navigating federal grant application systems, developing strong grant proposals, and effectively managing grant funding. If you are interested in technical assistance for the Community Change Grants $2 billion Notice of Funding Opportunity, please visit: Community Change Grants Technical Assistance.

Federal Flood Standard Support Tool (Beta): The Federal Flood Standard Support Tool helps federal agencies and their non-federal partners and grantees identify if a federally funded project will be located within a FFRMS floodplain using the freeboard value approach (FVA), and climate-informed science approach (CISA).

Grants.gov: Learn about current federal grant opportunities.

Inflation Reduction Act Guidebook: This guidebook provides an overview of the clean energy, climate mitigation and resilience, agriculture, and conservation-related tax incentives and investment programs in President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act.

Inflation Reduction Act Tribal Guidebook: Guidebook to the Inflation Reduction Act’s Clean Energy and Climate Investments in Indian Country, which provides descriptions of the law’s tax incentives and funding programs for which Tribes are eligible.

Invest.gov: Interactive map showing the historic public and private sector investments President Biden’s Investing in America agenda is bringing to states and territories across America.

Investing in America Technical Assistance Guide: Guide highlighting programs that help communities navigate the more than 100 federal technical assistance programs that can help communities deliver infrastructure, clean energy, and climate resilience projects.

Justice40 Covered Programs List: List of 500+ federal programs across 19 federal agencies working to advance the President’s Justice40 Initiative, which aims to deliver 40 percent of the overall benefits of certain federal investments to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution.

Tribal Access to Capital Clearinghouse: A website that provides a searchable database of federal funding opportunities, including grants and loans, available to Tribal Nations and Native businesses.

Wetland and Water Protection Resource Guide: Resource Guide highlighting technical assistance and funding opportunities available across the federal government for Tribes, States, Territories, local governments, private land owners, and non-governmental organizations to advance water resource protection.