California Environmental Justice Projects Funded by EPA
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced $13,063,759 in funding for 18 projects across California that promote environmental justice. These projects are part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda and aim to provide disadvantaged communities with access to clean air, water, and climate resilience solutions. The funding comes from the EPA’s Environmental Justice Collaborative Problem Solving Cooperative Agreement and Environmental Justice Government-to-Government programs, supported by President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act.
Investing in Environmental Justice
The EPA’s funding for these projects represents the largest investment ever made under the Environmental Justice Collaborative Problem Solving Cooperative Agreement and Environmental Justice Government-to-Government programs. It is a testament to President Biden’s commitment to environmental justice and his efforts to remove barriers and collaborate with communities for a healthier future.
Improving Health, Equity, and Resilience
The selected organizations will use the funds to improve the health, equity, and resilience of communities in California. These community-driven projects will serve as blueprints for local solutions that can be replicated nationwide, aligning with the Biden-Harris administration’s Justice40 Initiative.
Addressing Historical Inequities
Communities of color, low-income communities, and Tribal communities have historically faced disproportionate harm from environmental issues such as hazardous waste, pollution, and inadequate water systems. The EPA’s environmental justice funding aims to correct these historical inequities and improve environmental and public health outcomes in these communities.
Support from California Representatives
California representatives Senator Alex Padilla, Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, Representative Barbara Lee, Representative Mike Levin, and Representative Juan Vargas have expressed their support for the EPA’s funding. They recognize the importance of prioritizing environmental justice and investing in projects that address past injustices and create a more sustainable future.
Delivering on President Biden’s Commitment
The grants announced by the EPA demonstrate President Biden’s commitment to advancing equity and justice in the United States. These grants directly contribute to the President’s Justice40 initiative, which aims to ensure that 40 percent of the benefits from federal investments go to disadvantaged communities.
EPA’s Environmental Justice Collaborative Problem Solving Program
The EPA’s Environmental Justice Collaborative Problem Solving (EJCPS) program provides financial assistance to organizations working to address local environmental and public health issues. This program aligns with President Biden’s executive orders and specifically designates funds for small nonprofit organizations with limited capacity to receive federal funding.
Funding for Small Nonprofit Organizations
This year, 11 small nonprofit organizations in California have been selected for the EJCPS program, receiving a total of over $1.6 million. This funding ensures that organizations of lower capacity have the resources they need to make a meaningful impact in their communities.
Selected EPA EJCPS Grant Recipients in California
- Bayview Hunters Point Community Advocates Inc., San Francisco – $500,000
- Casa Familiar Inc., Ysidro – $500,000
- Central California Environmental Justice Network, Fresno – $500,000
- Community Health Councils, Los Angeles – $497,162
- The Council for Watershed Health, Pasadena – $500,000
- The Friendship House Association of American Indians, San Francisco – $500,000
- Grades of Green, Inglewood – $500,000
- The Quail Botanical Gardens Foundation, Inc., San Diego – $499,673
- West Oakland Environmental Indicators Project, Oakland – $499,934
These organizations will use the funds to address various environmental justice issues, including documenting and mapping toxic exposures, creating community spaces for environmental justice programs, launching advocacy and education campaigns, and supporting tribal communities in their adaptation to climate change.
The EPA’s funding for these projects is a significant step towards achieving environmental justice in California. It sets the stage for future collaboration and progress in improving the well-being of disadvantaged communities.
Read More of this Story at www.epa.gov – 2023-10-24 21:01:38
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