Assistance Listings Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grants Program
Overview
Objectives
The objective of this program is to provide financial assistance to eligible entities to support environmental and climate justice efforts under Clean Air Act (CAA) Section 138 which was added to the CAA by the Inflation Reduction Act in 2022. EPA’s new Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grants program (Community Change Grants) announced a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) that remained open for 12 months, closing on November 21, 2024, to fund approximately $2 billion dollars in Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) funds in environmental and climate justice activities to benefit disadvantaged communities through projects that reduce pollution, increase community climate resilience, and build community capacity to address environmental and climate justice challenges. These place-based investments will be focused on community-driven initiatives to be responsive to community and stakeholder input. This program is designed to deliver on the transformative potential of the IRA for communities most adversely and disproportionately impacted by climate change, legacy pollution, and historical disinvestments.
Examples of Funded Projects
Fiscal Year 2024: Several examples of projects selected under this program in 2024 are listed below: Grantees and partners will install onsite wastewater treatment systems for 350 households that lack adequate wastewater management i. The project also will develop a training, certification, and post-secondary bridge program to produce in-demand wastewater-professionals for this rural area. Grantees and partners will reduce pollution and strengthen community resilience to natural disasters. They will improve transportation access by providing up to 300 families with e-bikes; expanding bike sharing programs; and installing EV chargers. They will retrofit several public buildings with energy efficient HVAC systems, solar, and energy storage so they can serve as community resilience hubs during emergencies. They also will launch new non-degree certificate programs in clean energy and climate resilience. Grantees and partners will work with 35 federally recognized Tribes to support energy efficiency and weatherization upgrades in homes to improve indoor air quality and lower energy costs. They will invest in leadership development training for Tribal Energy Champions to build their Tribes' capacity to access additional funding sources and implement projects to strengthen climate resilience and reduce pollution.
Assistance Listing Description
Financial Information
Obligation(s) | FY 23 | FY 24 (est.) | FY 25 (est.) |
---|---|---|---|
Project Grants (Discretionary) Total | $0 | $4,900,000 | $2,000,000,000 |
(IRA) | $0 | $4,900,000 | $2,000,000,000 |
Totals | $0 | $4,900,000 | $2,000,000,000 |
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
This is a new grant program. The total estimated funding expected to be available for awards in FY 25 is approximately $2,000,000,000. Track I awards are for up to approximately $20 million each. Track II awards are for up to approximately $3 million each. Award amounts and ranges will vary by project. The grants will have durations of up to 3 years. The NOFO opened on November 21, 2023, and will close a year later on November 21, 2024. Applications and selections will be made on a rolling basis throughout the NOFO open period.
Accomplishments
Fiscal Year 2024: In July 2024, EPA announced the selection of 21 selected CCG applicants that will receive approximately $325 million collectively for projects to help disadvantaged communities tackle environmental and climate justice challenges through projects that reduce pollution, increase community climate resilience, and build community capacity. Read the July 25, 2024 Community Change Grants Initial Selections Announcement.
Account Identification
68-0108-0-1-304-Environmental Programs & Management (EPM)
Criteria for Applying
Types of Assistance
B - Project Grants (Discretionary)
Credentials and Documentation
Nonprofit private agencies, institutions, and organizations may be required to provide documentation of their organizational status upon application. 2 CFR 200, Subpart E - Cost Principles applies to this program.
Applicant Eligibility
Designations
Local (includes State-designated lndian Tribes, excludes institutions of higher education and hospitals, Public nonprofit institution/organization (includes institutions of higher education and hospitals), Federally Recognized lndian Tribal Governments, Private nonprofit institution/organization (includes institutions of higher education and hospitals), Native American Organizations (includes lndian groups, cooperatives, corporations, partnerships, associations)Eligible applicants include a partnership between an Indian tribe, a local government or an institution of higher education and a community-based nonprofit organization; a community-based nonprofit organization; a partnership of community-based nonprofit organizations. For certain competitive funding opportunities under this assistance listing, the Agency may limit eligibility to compete to a number or subset of eligible applicants consistent with the Agency’s Assistance Agreement Competition Policy.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Designations
Anyone/general publicDisadvantaged communities, underserved communities, and similarly situated communities.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
The term of the grant or cooperative agreement shall be determined at the time of grant award but may not exceed three years as provided in the Clean Air Act, Section 138(b)(1). Method of awarding/releasing assistance: Awards will be fully funded or incrementally funded as appropriate.
Use of Assistance
Designations
Environment (water, air, solid waste, pesticides, radiation)Grants and cooperative agreements are available to support recipients' allowable direct costs incident to approved cooperative agreements plus allowable indirect costs, in accordance with established EPA policies and regulations. Assistance agreement awards under this program may involve or relate to geospatial information. Further information regarding geospatial information may be obtained by viewing the following website: Geospatial Resources at EPA (https://www.epa.gov/geospatial).EPA may only fund projects to carry out eligible activities under the Clean Air Act, Section 138(b)(2).This program makes Federal awards on a discretionary basis. A discretionary award means an award in which the Federal awarding agency, in keeping with specific statutory authority that enables the agency to exercise judgement (“discretion”), selects the recipient and/or the amount of Federal funding awarded through a competitive process or based on merit of proposals. A discretionary award may be selected on a non-competitive basis, as appropriate.
Applying for Assistance
Deadlines
For competitive awards, deadlines will be specified in the competitive announcement. For this round, the NOFO opened on November 21, 2023 and will close a year later on November, 21, 2024.
Preapplication Coordination
Preapplication coordination is required. Environmental impact information is not required for this program. This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review. EPA financial assistance programs and activities subject to intergovernmental review that are subject to review under State single point of contact procedures are identified at https://www.epa.gov/grants/epa-financial-assistance-programs-subject-executive-order-12372-and-section-204. Applicants for programs or activities subject to Intergovernmental Review that are not subject to State single point of contact review must provide directly affected State, areawide, regional, and local entities at least 60 days to review their application following notification by EPA that the application has been selected for funding as provided by 40 CFR 29.8(a) and (c). Regarding pre-application assistance with respect to NOFOs under this assistance listing, EPA will generally specify the nature of the pre-application assistance, if any, that will be available to applicants in the competitive announcement. For additional information, contact the individual(s) listed in the competitive announcement.
Application Procedures
2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program. Notice of Funding Opportunities (NOFO) for this listing will be posted on Grants.gov (opens in new window) (opens in new window). Applicants, except in limited circumstances approved by the Agency, must submit all initial applications for funding through Grants.gov.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
The evaluation and selection criteria for competitive awards under this assistance listing will be described in the competitive announcement.
Award Procedure
For competitive awards, EPA will review and evaluate applications in accordance with the terms, conditions, and criteria stated in the NOFO. Competitions will be conducted in accordance with EPA policies/regulations for competing assistance agreements. Competitions will be conducted in accordance with EPA policies/regulations for competing assistance agreements. For non-competitive awards that may be made under this assistance listing, EPA will conduct an administrative evaluation to determine the adequacy of the application in relation to grant regulations and a technical and program evaluation to determine the merit and relevance of the project. The Agency will then advise the applicant if funding is being considered. A final work plan will then be negotiated with the applicant.
Date Range for Approval/Disapproval
From 60 to 120 days.
Renewals
Not Applicable.
Appeals
Assistance agreement competition-related disputes will be resolved in accordance with the dispute resolution procedures published in 70 FR (Federal Register) 3629, 3630 (January 26, 2005).
Compliance Requirements
Policy Requirements
Subpart B, General provisions
Subpart C, Pre-Federal Award Requirements and Contents of Federal Awards
Subpart D, Post Federal; Award Requirements
Subpart E, Cost Principles
Subpart F, Audit Requirements
Not Applicable
Additional Information:
Reports
Progress Reports: EPA includes reporting requirements for grants and cooperative agreements in the terms and conditions of the agreements. Agreements may also require quarterly, interim, and final progress reports, and expenditure/financial, equipment reports. Progress reporting requirements shall be determined at the time of award. Expenditure Reports: Reporting requirements shall be determined at the time of award. Performance Reports: Reporting requirements shall be determined at the time of award.
Audits
https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-F
Additional audit requirements:
Grants and cooperative agreements are subject to inspections and audits by the Comptroller General of the United States, the EPA Office of Inspector General, other EPA staff, or any authorized representative of the Federal government. Reviews by the EPA Project Officer and the Grants Specialist may occur each year.
Records
Recipients must keep financial records, including all documents supporting entries on accounting records and to substantiate changes in grants available to personnel authorized to examine EPA recipients grants and cooperative agreements records. Recipients must maintain all records until 3 years from the date of submission of final expenditure reports as required by 2 CFR 200.334. If questions, such as those raised because of audits remain following the 3-year period, recipients must retain records until the matter is completely resolved.
Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature
2 CFR Part 1500 (EPA Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards); 40 CFR Part 33 (Participation by Disadvantaged Business Enterprises in United States Environmental Protection Agency Programs).
Formula and Matching Requirements
Contact Information
Regional or Local Locations:
None.Headquarters Office:
Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.,
Washington, DC 20460
binder.bruce@epa.gov
202-510-8318
History
- 2024Published
Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grants Program
- 2024Title Changed
To: Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grants Program
From: Environmental and Climate Justice Block Grant Program - 2023Published
Environmental and Climate Justice Block Grant Program
- 2023Published
Environmental and Climate Justice Block Grant Program
- 2023Published
Environmental and Climate Justice Block Grant Program
- 2023Published
Environmental and Climate Justice Block Grant Program