Biden-Harris Administration announces nearly $1.9 million for environmental justice projects in communities across Vermont as part of Investing in America agenda
Selections announced as part of largest investments through EPA's Environmental Justice Collaborative Problem Solving Cooperative Agreement & Environmental Justice Government-to-Government grant programs funded by President Biden's Inflation Reduction Act
BOSTON (Oct. 25, 2023) — Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced nearly $1.9 million to fund two projects across Vermont that advance environmental justice as part of President Biden's Investing in America agenda. The organizations, which EPA has selected through its Environmental Justice Government-to-Government program, will use the funds to ensure disadvantaged communities that have historically suffered from underinvestment have access to clean air and water and climate resilience solutions in alignment with the Biden-Harris administration's Justice40 Initiative.
Thanks to President Biden's Inflation Reduction Act—the largest climate investment in U.S. history—this funding is a part of the largest investment ever announced under these two longstanding EPA programs. This is the first in a series of environmental justice grant announcements the agency will announce before the end of the year.
"No President has invested more in environmental justice than President Biden, and under his leadership we're removing longstanding barriers and meaningfully collaborating with communities to build a healthier future for all," said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. "Together, these community-driven projects will improve the health, equity, and resilience of communities while setting a blueprint for local solutions that can be applied across the nation."
"EPA strongly believes that historically disadvantaged and overburdened communities must have a place at the table as we work toward climate and environmental justice. Successful environmental justice programs are built with community collaboration, common goals, and community empowerment," said EPA New England Regional Administrator David Cash. "Across New England, these selectees are poised to catalyze lasting change and make a profound difference, bringing cleaner air and water to their communities, combatting climate change, creating green jobs, and improving environmental health. We eagerly anticipate the enduring impact the grants in Vermont will have in our region, advancing our common goal of environmental justice."
"At a time when people are struggling to make ends meet, all while dealing with the existential threat of climate change, it makes a great deal of sense to help rural, low-income, and working families make their homes more efficient and their transportation options more sustainable," said Sen. Sanders. "That is why I am pleased to see these federal investments in Vermont to help ensure that all people can not only cut their emissions, but also their fuel bills."
"Historically disadvantaged and vulnerable communities in Vermont are often the first to be impacted by climate change, bearing a disproportionate burden of environmental and public health hazards," said Senator Welch (D-VT). "The Equal Justice Government to Government grants to the Vermont Agency of Human Services and the Northwest Regional Planning Commission will help address environmental injustice in Vermont by providing home health and energy efficiency assessments, and working to bolster capacity building, education, equitable transportation, and mobility for communities disproportionately affected by environmental harms and risks."
"Low income and rural communities often bear the brunt of pollution and the effects of climate change. It's time we put the most vulnerable at the fore front as we address climate change with the urgency it requires," said Rep. Becca Balint. "Federal programs like these are essential to ensuring we take urgent, bold action to combat climate change, while putting money back into the pockets of working families. "
The grants announced today deliver on President Biden's commitment to advance equity and justice throughout the United States. The two grant programs directly advance the President's transformational Justice40 initiative to deliver 40 percent of the overall benefits of certain federal investments to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution.
Environmental Justice Government-to-Government (EJG2G)
EPA's EJG2G provides funding at the state, local, territorial, and Tribal level to support government activities in partnership with community-based organizations that lead to measurable environmental or public health impacts in communities disproportionately burdened by environmental harms.
EPA EJG2G grant selections in Vermont:
- Vermont Agency of Human Services in Burlington, Vt. has been selected to receive $1,000,000 for improving the health and well-being of low-income immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers/asylee households in Burlington and Winooski, Vt., by creating a Community Ambassador-led Healthy and Energy-Efficient Homes Program.
- Northwest Regional Planning Commission in St. Albans, Vt. has been selected to receive nearly $900,000 for enabling the planning commission and community-based organizations to direct resources to the region's most vulnerable populations affected by inequitable infrastructure access.
Additional Background:
From day one of his administration, President Biden has made achieving environmental justice a top priority. And in August 2022, Congress passed, and President Biden signed, the Inflation Reduction Act into law, creating the largest investment in environmental and climate justice in U.S. history. EPA received $3 billion in appropriations to provide grants and technical assistance for activities advancing environmental and climate justice.
Under the Inflation Reduction Act, EPA has launched and expanded innovative programs to provide more support than ever before to communities that unjustly bear the burdens of environmental harm and pollution. This includes the $177 million for the creation of 16 Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Centers (EJ TCTACs) to remove barriers to federal resources and help communities pursue funding opportunities like those made available through President Biden's Investing in America Agenda. EPA has also launched and will award funds through the $550 million Thriving Communities Grantmaking Program before the end of 2023.
To learn more about environmental justice at EPA, visit: https://www.epa.gov/environmentaljustice