EPA announces $20 million environmental and climate justice community change grant to Gonzaga
SEATTLE — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced $19,904,367 in environmental and climate justice community change grant funding for the Gonzaga Institute for Climate, Water, and the Environment and Spokane Neighborhood Action Partners in Washington. Gonzaga’s grant application is among 21 applications selected to receive funding to help disadvantaged communities tackle environmental and climate justice challenges through projects that reduce pollution, increase community climate resilience, and build community capacity.
The Gonzaga Institute for Climate, Water, and the Environment and Spokane Neighborhood Action Partners (SNAP) will work with disadvantaged Spokane communities to reduce indoor air pollution and energy costs by retrofitting hundreds of homes with heat pumps and high-quality air filtration systems. They will build the capacity of five community resilience hubs by installing microgrid infrastructure, establishing the Spokane Community Resilience Network, and expanding participation in the Gonzaga climate planning certificate program. They also will establish a fund to support community organizations’ work to strengthen Spokane’s climate resilience and mitigate local pollution.
“We’re proud to announce the first round of Community Change grant selections to support environmental justice and more equitable communities,” said EPA Regional Administrator Casey Sixkiller. “This funding from the Biden-Harris Administration’s Inflation Reduction Act will help mitigate impacts from wildfire smoke and heat events, and improve energy efficiency. By funding these community-driven solutions, we are supporting local environmental priorities that will make a meaningful difference in supporting public health and environmental quality.”
“All communities, no matter their income, deserve to have clean air and clean water, and they deserve to have the necessary resources to make their homes more climate resilient,” said Senator Patty Murray. “The $20 million going to the Gonzaga Institute for Climate, Water, and the Environment and Spokane Neighborhood Action Partners (SNAP)—made possible by the Inflation Reduction Act—is exactly the kind of support and resources our local partners need to cut down on pollution and make sure our communities are climate ready.”
“Through this grant, we are not only addressing immediate environmental challenges but also building a sustainable, resilient future for our community,” said Dr. Thayne McCulloh, President of Gonzaga University. “This is a perfect example of where Gonzaga and higher education excel, making a profound impact on a community’s quality of life with the research, execution and implementation of real solutions for our citizens today while training the next generation of problem-solvers of tomorrow.”
These selected applications are the first to come under the Community Change Grants Program’s rolling application process designed to ensure that applicants have ample time to prepare and take advantage of this historic resource. The Community Change Grants Program Notice of Funding Opportunity is still accepting applications through November 21.
EPA will continue to review applications and announce selections on a rolling basis and encourages applicants to submit applications as soon as they completely meet the program requirements. EPA will be making additional selections for the remainder of 2024. EPA also encourages interested applicants to apply for technical assistance as soon as possible, as the last day to request new technical assistance is August 16.
Learn more about the Community Change Grants and Technical Assistance: https://www.epa.gov/inflation-reduction-act/inflation-reduction-act-community-change-grants-program
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