Announcements
EPA Proposes Stronger Air Standards for Waste-Burning Facilities
EPA has proposed stronger Clean Air Act standards for waste-burning facilities, targeting 57 facilities that combust municipal solid waste. The updated standards aim to cut emissions of nine pollutants, improving air quality and benefiting overburdened communities near these sites. Public comments will be accepted for 60 days after Federal Register publication. EPA will hold an informational webinar and will announce details on their website shortly.
Murphy Administration Announces Tools to Protect New Jerseyans from Increasing Flood Risks Brought by Climate Change
To address New Jersey’s increasing flood risks under climate change, Governor Murphy has unveiled new and enhanced tools and technologies designed to provide prospective homebuyers and renters with critical information needed to make better informed decisions on where they choose to live and how best to protect their property from flood damage. The measures include the publication of new and enhanced property disclosure forms notifying prospective buyers and tenants of a property’s known flood history and potential flood risks, as well as the launch of a user-friendly internet look-up tool searchable by mailing address that identifies properties in flood hazard areas. Learn more and read the full press release online.
Murphy Administration Invests Nearly $13 million Toward a Zero Transportation Emissions Future
Governor Murphy's nearly $13 million investment, funded by New Jersey's participation in RGGI, aims to protect residents, the environment, and the economy from climate change. The initiative involves using auction proceeds to increase electric trucks and buses in communities burdened by air pollution. The program, part of the state's efforts to electrify transportation, supports goals to phase out fossil-fueled vehicles and prioritize clean mobility options, highlighted by the release of the second RGGI Strategic Funding Plan.
Participation Opportunities
 Navigating the DEP System: A Series of Environmental Seminars for Overburdened Communities
"Navigating the DEP System: A Series of Environmental Seminars for Overburdened Communities" is a series designed to help EJ advocates across the state understand our tools, regulations, permitting processes, and funding opportunities.
The first seminar will be in Newark and will cover several online tools the DEP offers:
When: January 27 @ 10am - 2:30pm
Where: Newark Tech, 91 W Market St, Newark, NJ 07103
All seminars are free and open to the public. Lunch will be provided. Attendance will be in person with an option to join via Zoom.
 Upcoming Environmental Justice Law Public Hearings
February 5 - Kearny Generating Station, AO25 - Title V Renewal (virtual)
February 15 - Princeton University, Title V Renewal (virtual)
Facilities subject to the Environmental Justice Law must facilitate meaningful opportunities for overburdened communities to engage in permitting decisions for pollution-generating facilities through an enhanced public participation process. Subscribe to EJ Law notices by County
Virtual Training: SWEA's Environmental Justice & Community Organizing 101
The South Ward Environmental Alliance (SWEA) will host a virtual training session on Wednesday, February 28 at 6pm for those interested in learning about environmental justice and community organizing. Sign up to attend virtually.
Public Hearing: Proposed Plans for Drinking Water and Clean Water
DEP is receiving federal funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) to prioritize projects and funding for upgrading drinking water and wastewater infrastructure in communities. To access funding from the BIL, the DEP is proposing Intended Use Plans (IUPs) for Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds (SRFs).
DEP invites input and comments from interested parties until January 31, 2024.
Funding and Technical Assistance Opportunities
In case you missed it, see below for opportunities that provide funding and assistance for projects related to green infrastructure, climate change, healthy communities, and more.
Center for Health, Environment & Justice Small Grants Program
The Center for Health, Environment & Justice (CHEJ) has a Small Grants Program for grassroots groups working on environmental health and justice issues. Grassroots communities of color, low wealth, rural, and urban groups are encouraged to apply. This grant program will support projects that help groups move toward their goals by building leadership, increasing capacity, or providing training and education.
Proposals are due February 2. Your project must be complete, and your final report submitted by September 6.
CHEJ will be hosting a Training Call on January 19 at 12pm. Register online.
Funding Round Closing: 2024 Green Acres and Urban Parks Funding
Green Acres and Urban Parks 2024 round of grants and loans to local governments and nonprofits is now open. Funds can be used to establish, expand, or revitalize new and existing parks, acquire land, improve waterfront access, develop athletic fields and playgrounds, create open space, and enhance land stewardship. These grants aim to incentivize projects in Overburdened Communities within Urban Aid municipalities.
The deadline to submit applications is February 7. More information about the applications are available online.
EPA Grants to Support Water Systems in Small and Rural Communities
EPA has announced $30.7 million in grants to support water systems in small and rural communities with technical assistance and training. Questions about applying must be received by January 18 and applications must be received by February 2. The EPA expects to award these cooperative agreements by the summer of 2024.
EPA Community Change Grants Program
The EPA Environmental and Climate Justice Program (ECJP) Community Change Grants program is NOW OPEN! The program is funding projects to address environmental and climate injustices for communities facing legacy pollution, climate change, and persistent disinvestment. Technical assistance on your application will also be available. In total, $2 Billion will be rewarded with $50 million reserved for U.S. territories.
Recordings and slides from previous webinars are available online.
Applications close on November 21. Initial award selections will occur in March 2024 – with the suggested deadline of February 23, 2024 – and the anticipated start for initial selections will be in May/June 2024.
EPA Thriving Communities EJ Small Grants
EPA has launched its Thriving Communities Environmental Justice Grantmaking program, in which one organization in each EPA Region will serve as a Grantmaker - with Fordham University serving EPA Region 2 - awarding at least $600 million in Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Subgrants.
Fordham has already posted a form for those interested in applying from EPA Region 2. Those interested should also complete the Environmental Protection Network's survey for community organizations and other under-resourced entities interested in receiving pro bono assistance to create/envision projects for these funding opportunities.
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All New Jersey residents, regardless of income, race, ethnicity, color, or national origin, have a right to live, work, and recreate in a clean and healthy environment. Historically, New Jersey’s low-income communities and communities of color face a disproportionately high number of environmental and public health stressors and, as a result, suffer from increased adverse health effects. New Jersey seeks to correct these outcomes by furthering the promise of environmental justice.
DEP’s Office of Environmental Justice (OEJ) aims to improve the quality of life in New Jersey’s most vulnerable communities by educating and empowering communities who are often outside of government decision-making processes and guiding DEP’s programs and other state departments and agencies in implementing environmental justice.
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