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EPA Announces Grant Competition for Communities Wanting to Reduce Pollution at Local Level

Release Date: 02/04/2010
Contact Information: Donna Heron 215-814-5113/ [email protected]

PHILADELPHIA - - (February 4, 2010) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is making nearly $2 million available in 2010 to reduce pollution at the local level through the Community Action for a Renewed Environment (CARE) program.

CARE is a community-based program that builds partnerships to help the public understand and reduce toxic risks from numerous sources close to home. The program works to improve human health and local environment into the future.

EPA will award CARE cooperative agreements at two levels. Level I awards range from $75,000 to $100,000 and will help establish community-based partnerships to assess toxics problems in their community and consider options for reducing environmental risks.

Level II awards, ranging from $150,000 to $300,000 each, will support communities that have established broad-based partnerships, have identified the priority toxic risks in the community, and are prepared to measure results, implement risk-reduction activities and become self-sustaining.

Through the CARE program local organizations, including non-profits, businesses, schools, tribes, agencies and local governments, create partnerships that identify environmental priorities and implement local solutions to reduce releases of toxic pollutants and minimize people’s exposure to them.

CARE is a unique community-based, community-driven, demonstration program designed to help communities understand and reduce risks due to toxic pollutants and environmental concerns from all sources. Each grant will be awarded as a two-year cooperative agreement, with the amount depending on the proposal level.

Proposals are due by March 9, 2010 and may be submitted electronically through Grants.gov (http://www.grants.gov). Traditional written proposals should be submitted to: Marva King, U.S. EPA Headquarters, Ariel Rios Building, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Mailcode 6101A, Washington, DC 20460.

Eligible applicants include county and local organizations, non-profits, businesses, schools, and tribes.

Eligible organizations interested in submitting a proposal can find complete information at: www.epa.gov/care. The site also provides an on-line grant writing tutorial. Additional information about CARE and the applications process is available by calling 1-877-CARE-909.