105 selected applications funded through the Inflation Reduction Act will reduce pollution, improve climate resilience, and build community capacity to address legacy environmental justice issues around the nation

WASHINGTON – Today, December 12, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced it has selected 105 applications for the Community Change Grants Program, totaling nearly $1.6 billion in awards to advance local, on-the-ground projects that reduce pollution, increase community climate resilience, and build community capacity. Made possible by President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, the Community Change Grants Program is the single largest investment in environmental and climate justice in history.

The funding announced today represents the latest round of applications that have been selected on a rolling basis since the program launched in November 2023. EPA previously announced 21 selectees in July. Today’s announcement adds 84 new selectees, bringing the total number to 105.

“On day one of his Administration, President Biden promised to target investments to communities that for too long have been shut out of federal funding,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “Today, thanks to President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, EPA is delivering on that promise. These selections will create jobs, improve public health, and uplift community efforts in all corners of this country, regardless of geography or background.”

“This grant will help provide cleaner energy for communities across the Bering Strait region, while reducing the amount they have to spend to bring in diesel fuel,” Senator Lisa Murkowski said. “I congratulate ANTHC and Kawerak on their successful application and thank the EPA for making this investment in Alaska communities.”¹

Among the wide range of public health and environmental benefits that the Community Change grants will support, examples include:

• Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium & Kawerak, Inc.: In the Bering Strait region, the absence of a unified electrical grid means that each community typically relies on standalone diesel electric utilities. To address energy and climate challenges in remote Alaska Native lands, the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium (ANTHC) will build photovoltaic solar arrays and battery storage systems in the remote Bering Strait communities of Brevig Mission, Elim, Koyuk, Savoonga, and Teller. ANTHC will design and construct the community solar and battery systems, as well as distribute net revenue through a subsidy to household water and sewer utility bills. The infrastructure will be owned locally. Kawerak, Inc. will provide regional support and workforce development to help maintain the systems. This unique arrangement will keep money in communities, lower greenhouse gas emissions and local air pollutants, and support economic development in rural Alaska.

• City of Evansville, Indiana & Welborn Baptist Foundation, Inc.: Residents of Evansville’s underserved communities suffer from poor air quality, as the region’s low river valley hinders the dispersion of pollutants from traffic and power plants, wildfire smoke, and excessive heat that contribute to temperature inversions and air quality action days. In direct response to the challenges of poor air quality, this project will designate 15 “Mobility Hubs” throughout the city; expand the current bike share system with 100 electric bikes; electrify and expand the on-demand micro transit program including adopting solar power at the bus transit facilities; invest in publicly accessible EV charging infrastructure; and conduct a local EV public awareness campaign—all with the goal of reducing air pollution and protecting public health.

• The Working Lands Trust, Inc. & Democracy Green: Low-income, unincorporated communities in Supply, Ash, and Longwood within the Gullah Geechee corridor of Brunswick County, North Carolina, have endured generations of environmental injustices, including the presence of polluting industries, landfills, and recurrent climate disasters. This project will address environmental injustices by improving water quality, restoring ecosystems, and removing contaminants from local watersheds. The project will remove lead pipes from homes and communities in areas that are either not supported by incorporated government structure or are not likely to get other assistance for years. Additionally, the project will invest in nature-based solutions for wetland restoration enhance natural water filtration, reduce flooding impact, and support biodiversity, creating a more resilient watershed and environment.

See the full listing of the 105 selections receiving a Community Change grant and learn more about the program.

Of the 105 total selections, 32 are for Target Investment Areas, totaling $600 million. Target Investment Area funding is intended to ensure that Community Change Grants Program funding is directed towards disadvantaged communities with unique circumstances, geography, and needs. This includes approximately $150 million for Alaska Native communities and organizations.

Applications to the Community Change Grants Program, administered through EPA’s Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights, closed on November 21, 2024. The agency received approximately 2,700 applications, totaling over $40 billion in requested funds and over 2,495 requests for technical assistance.

The Community Change Grants Program addresses the diverse and unique needs of disadvantaged communities by:

• reducing and preventing air, water, and soil pollution
• building resilient infrastructure to extreme weather events
• bolstering workforce development

EPA is on track to obligate the majority of selected Community Change grants by January 2025.

Given the overwhelming number of applications still under review and the limited amount of remaining funds available, EPA’s work to evaluate the remaining applicants will need to continue beyond the end of the Biden-Harris Administration. To ensure all applications are given fair consideration, EPA will not make any additional selections until all these applications are evaluated according to the processes described in the Notice of Funding Opportunity issued in November 2023.

To learn more about environmental justice at EPA, visit EPA’s Environmental Justice webpage.