Environmental Justice Grants, "The Carbon Creed" & EPA Greenhouse Gas Funds Decoded
The newsletter for independent thinkers on carbon and climate.
(source: CleanChoice Energy)
Issue No. 147
Welcome to the latest issue of Carbon Creed - a curated newsletter for independent thinkers on carbon and climate.
A humble “thank you” to everyone who has supported The Carbon Creed book tour thus far. Your support is greatly appreciated!
EPA Unveils $550 Million in Environmental Justice Grants
This week 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.
The new program advances the Biden-Harris Administration’s whole-of-government commitment to achieving environmental justice by building early, meaningful, and sustained partnerships with communities.
“Over the last two years I’ve traveled to overburdened and underserved communities and their message to me has been clear – residents have suffered far too long without access to crucial federal funding and resources,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “Thanks to President Biden’s historic investments in America, including the largest ever investment in environmental justice, we’re removing barriers and moving faster to deliver this unprecedented relief to the communities who need it most.”
The entities eligible to apply under this Request for Applications (RFA) and serve as an Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmaker fall into four categories. They include:
A community-based nonprofit organization;
A partnership of community-based nonprofit organizations;
A partnership between a Tribal Nation and a community-based nonprofit organization; or,
A partnership between an institution of higher education and a community-based nonprofit organization.
EPA intends to award up to 11 cooperative agreements under this RFA for up to approximately $50 million each to be funded incrementally over a 3-year period. The deadline to apply is May 31, 2023. EPA expects these grantmakers to begin awarding subgrants to community-based organizations no later than early 2024.
The EJ TCGM program will further the goals of President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative, which aims to deliver 40% of the overall benefits of certain Federal investments to disadvantaged communities that have been overburdened by pollution and historic underinvestment. EPA will continue to uphold the goals of the Justice40 Initiative by ensuring funds get to communities that have often been unable to access resources due to high barriers to entry.
To view the Request for Applications, please visit: www.grants.gov
Creed Thoughts: The quietly launched EJ TCGM program has the potential to transform the government grantmaking process for disadvantaged communities. Since the launch of the SBA’s PPP loan program, I have advocated a streamlined process for historically marginalized businesses and communities to receive federal funding to support clean tech investments. My hope is this new EPA program will use a simplified process to award funds, with rigorous auditing requirement to ensure compliance after receipt of funds. This is something we can and must do.
We’ll keep you posted on the latest carbon policy and market insights as they happen.
If you have an opinion on any topic covered in this newsletter, please feel free to send me an email at mcleodwl@carboncreed.com.
Thank you for your viewpoint and the value of your time.
Join The Carbon Creed Book Tour!
I’m delighted to share the launch of The Carbon Creed book tour. This book will help you discover your own personal beliefs, values, and practices on decarbonization. It would mean the world to me if you would pre-order the book and become a part of my author community.
For your convenience, here's the link to my pre-order campaign. As someone who cares deeply about our carbon and climate future, it would mean a lot to know you're in my corner!
Thank you,
Walter
INSIGHTS
Clean Energy Financing Gets $27 Billion Boost From the EPA
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is moving the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF) forward and making good on its recently renewed commitments to environmental and climate justice.
Created by the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, the Fund aims to mobilize public and private capital to reduce emissions and combat air pollution across the U.S., with a focus on low-income and historically marginalized communities.
Nearly $27 billion will be made available through two grant competitions that will fund clean energy and clean air investments. The two competitions are expected to launch this summer.
The first program, with nearly $20 billion slated for distribution, will award grants to nonprofits that collaborate with financial institutions such as community development financial institutions, credit unions, green banks and housing finance agencies. The grants are intended for investment alongside private capital into projects that reduce pollution and lower energy costs, particularly within low-income and disadvantaged communities.
Other eligible projects include facilitating technical assistance and capacity building among a variety of stakeholders that aid in accelerating transition to net-zero economies with job programs that reflect a variety of economically friendly occupations. It is anticipated EPA will make as many as 15 grants as part of this process.
The second program includes an additional $7 billion, which will be distributed through a Zero-Emissions Technology Fund Competition. Eligible nonprofits, along with municipalities, states and tribes, are eligible to compete for funding that facilitates deployment of residential rooftop solar, community solar and other energy storage and upgrade capabilities. It is anticipated that the EPA will award up to 60 grants as part of this competition.
“Thanks to President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund will unlock historic investments to combat the climate crisis and deliver results for the American people, especially those who have too often been left behind,” EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan said via a statement.
While the application process has not yet launched, initial information about the $20 billion General Assistance & Low-Income & Disadvantaged Communities Grant Program is available here: SAM.gov, and more about the $7 billion Zero-Emissions Technology Fund Competition is available here: SAM.gov.
Creed Thoughts: I continue to be impressed by the level of commitment and follow-through demonstrated by the Biden-Harris Administration when it comes to carbon and climate investments. In standing up the GGRF, historically marginalized communities and businesses will finally have meaningful access to capital, in ways never before accomplished in the U.S. This is an epoch moment for energy, climate, and equity. I have great confidence in the team leading this effort at EPA.
[This post was adapted from the original written by Gernot Wagner for Bloomberg]
RESOURCES
The Science of Climate Change Explained: Facts, Evidence and Proof, published by the New York Times
Currents a podcast featuring in-depth discussions with experts on clean energy and sustainability, published by Norton Rose Fulbright.
Matter of Fact, a weekly newsmagazine that focuses on socioeconomic and climate issues in America, hosted by veteran journalist Soledad O'Brien.
Advancing Inclusion Through Clean Energy Jobs a report by the Brookings Institute.
Congressional Policy Tracker a summary of current federal energy legislation.
Click Clean your favorite apps and tech company clean power rankings.
The Keeling Curve a daily record of global atmospheric CO2 concentration.
EQUITY
I am very excited to share that Black Owners of Solar Services (B.O.S.S.), a non-profit organization where I serve on the Executive Committee and as Treasurer, is the recipient of a new federal grant.
On February 23, 2023, The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Economic Impact and Diversity (ED) awarded a grant totaling approximately $6.3 million to B.O.S.S. The cooperative agreement establishes a regional effort to coordinate and train minority-owned businesses on how to apply for DOE funding and access DOE programs, benefits, services and opportunities.
As a founding board member, I am so proud of what B.O.S.S. has been able to accomplish in less than three years of existence. It shows the promise and possibilities that are possible when hard working and talented professionals have opportunity and equity.