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Announcements
Murphy Administration Awards $16 Million in Grants to Advance Recycling and Waste Reduction Goals
Over $16 Million in grants have been awarded to communities to NJ counties to fund recycling initiatives. The award amounts for each municipality are based on recycling performance in recent years, incentivizing more sustainable waste management for all municipalities and furthering existing projects. Some municipal project ideas include sponsoring household hazardous waste collection events, providing recycling receptacles in public places and maintaining leaf composting operations. Overburdened Communities across the state were able to take advantage of this opportunity including Newark, Camden, Perth Amboy and Paterson.
EPA $19 Million Grant Will Fund Clean School Bus Implementation in NJ
As part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the EPA has awarded Van-Con Inc transportation company nearly $19 million to purchase 42 clean school buses and 28 bus chargers for five school districts in New Jersey, including in Union City, Elizabeth, Newark, Bloomfield Township and Lakewood Township. These investments will further interagency efforts to reduce emissions and mitigate disproportionate health impacts on schoolchildren in overburdened communities.
EPA Provides Funds for Clean Up at NJ Superfund Sites
Through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the EPA has allocated funds to initiate and continue cleanup efforts at NJ Superfund sites, areas contaminated with hazardous materials due to historic dumping or mismanagement by industrial and processing facilities. The New Jersey sites included are the Matlack, Inc. site in Woolwich, the Raritan Bay Slag site in Old Bridge Township, and the Roebling Steel site in Florence Township.
Updates on Resilient NJ's Municipal Assistance Program
Resilient NJ’s Municipal Assistance Program (MAP) provides municipalities with climate change-related hazard vulnerability assessments and resilience action plans, used by municipal governments to advance resilience efforts. The recently completed inaugural round of MAP projects include Ocean Township, Stafford Township, and Upper Township. A second round of projects, expected to launch in 2024, include the Town of Harrison, the City of Lambertville, and Montclair Township.
Participation Opportunities
 Register Now for The Funding Our Futures Seminar!
The Office of Environmental Justice, in partnership with New Jersey Environmental Justice Alliance, invites you to join us in the Funding Our Futures: Navigating State and Federal Grants Seminar! This seminar is designed to inform EJ advocates about state and federal funding opportunities for community initiatives and will discuss key strategies for acquiring and managing grant money at the organizational level.
Topics Include:
- Key DEP funding sources and strategies for applying
- Funding water infrastructure projects
- Funding parks and open space
- Funding clean air, clean energy, and climate mitigation projects
- Roundtable discussion with community-based organizations on managing federal funding: challenges and lessons learned
- Overview of EPA grant programs and strategies for applying
When: Saturday, March 23rd, 2024
Where: Stockton University Academic Center
3711 Atlantic Avenue, Atlantic City
Doors will open at 9am for registration and breakfast. Program will run from 10am to 4pm. There will be time for networking starting at 4pm.
Navigating the DEP System Seminar!
"Navigating the DEP System: A Series of Environmental Seminars for Overburdened Communities" is a series tailored to help EJ advocates from across the state learn about our tools, regulations, permitting processes, and opportunities for funding.
The third installment in Camden will review the DEP regulatory process, specifically discussing Drinking Water, Watershed and Land Use, and Air Permitting.
Where: Mastery High School, 800 Erie Street, Camden, NJ 08102
When: Saturday, April 20th from 10am to 2:30pm.
All seminars are free and open to the public. Attendance will be in person with an option to join via Zoom.
Upcoming Environmental Justice Law Public Hearings
April 1 - Energy Transfer Marketing - Newark Terminal, 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
NJ Board of Public Utilities Stakeholder Meeting to Discuss Fourth Offshore Wind Draft Solicitation Guidance
Staff of the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) is seeking public comment on the NJBPU’s draft solicitation guidance document for its Fourth Offshore Wind Solicitation. Public comments are due at 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 27, 2024.
Staff will also hold a virtual Stakeholder Meeting on March 20, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. Interested parties can register here, or view more information on the offshore wind on NJBPU's website.
EPA Seeking Candidates for Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee
The EPA is seeking a diverse range of qualified candidates for consideration to be appointed by the Administrator to EPA’s Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee (CASAC).
One goal of this committee is to assess the health impacts of criteria air pollutants on susceptible populations and to recommend air standards that are more protective of populations with environmental justice concerns. Nominations are due April 3, 2024.
EPA Host Community Engagement Call for Environmental Justice Advocates
EPA invites Environmental Justice (EJ) advocates to participate in the next National Environmental Justice Community Engagement Call taking place on Tuesday, March 19, 2024, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. (ET). The purpose of these calls is to inform the community and other stakeholders about EPA's EJ work and enhance opportunities to maintain an open dialogue with EJ advocates. These virtual meetings are free and open to the public.
New Jersey Statewide Water Supply Plan Now Open for Public Comment
DEP published its Draft 2024 New Jersey Statewide Water Supply Plan this past Monday and wants to hear from you! The plan assesses the threat climate change poses to state water supply and infrastructure and provides solutions for how best to mitigate these localized stressors.
A 60-day public comment period is now open. The DEP will be hosting two public meetings (one in-person on March 15th and one virtual on April 9th) where attendees may offer oral comment. Interested parties can also submit written comments online. The Department will review and incorporate all comments before finalizing the plan. Details on location and timing will be posted soon.
EPA Seeking Grant Application Reviewers for Community Change Grants
Interested in Environmental Justice projects? EPA seeks diverse experts to review grant applications for the $2 billion Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grants Program. Participate in the process to award transformative climate action and pollution reduction projects, supporting community-driven initiatives.
Compensation available for non-federal reviewers. Apply online.
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.
DEP Seeks Community Partners for Youth Inclusion Initiative
The Youth Inclusion Initiative is a six-week summer program that gives participants, ages 16 to 20, the opportunity to gain hands-on experience and skills in areas such as water monitoring, wildfire response, conservation investigation and forest management. Up to $100,000 is available to applicants who partner with the DEP to provide outreach, recruitment, supervisory support, professional job training, community building and exposure to post-program employment opportunities for youth from overburdened communities.
Interested organizations can find more information on proposal requirements and the application process here. Proposals are due by 5 p.m. on March 21, 2024.
Upcoming NJEJA Training for Community Organizers
Join New Jersey Environmental Justice Alliance (NJEJA) on Tuesday, March 26, 2024 from 6:00-7:00 PM for a candid conversation on leveraging federal funding to help build and sustain your organization. The training, Organizational Growth: Building a Sustainable Future for Your Organization, will include key insights from environmental organizers with funding management experience and success.
USDA Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production Grant Program
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production (UAIP) grant program funds planning and implementation projects, with priority for areas facing food and nutrition insecurity. These competitive grants, which range from $75,000 to $350,000 as of 2024, initiate or expand efforts of farmers, gardeners, citizens, government officials, schools, and other stakeholders in urban areas and suburbs. Projects may target areas of food access, education, business and start-up costs for new farmers, and development of zoning and urban production policy.
Eligible entities include non-profits, local government, tribal organizations, and schools K-12. Applications are due April 9, 2024. Additional information about this opportunity can be found via the UAIP website.
EPA Community Change Grants Program and Upcoming Webinars for Applicants
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. In total, $2 Billion will be rewarded with $50 million reserved for U.S. territories.
Technical assistance on applications, with informational webinars on the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) and Community Change Technical Assistance.
Applications close on November 21, 2024. 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.
NJDEP National Flood Insurance Program Floodplain Management Training
NJDEP is offering a free training on New Jersey specifics of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and floodplain management for NJ municipal, county, and state officials. More information on current course availability and registration can be found on the NFIP website.
Apply Now for NJ Urban and Community Forestry Program's Leafing Out Grants!
The New Jersey Forest Service's Urban and Community Forestry Program (NJUCFP) is accepting applications for Leafing Out Grant Programsuntil April 5, 2024, targeting 55 eligible Overburdened Communities (OBCs). These grants aim to enhance climate resilience, mitigate urban heat island effects, and address pest and storm event resilience.
The grants are divided into two categories: competitive grants for urban forest management and non-competitive grants for education and training.
To learn more information about the Forest Management grant, consult this Request for Proposals and Application.
To learn more about the Education grant, consult this Request for Proposals and Application.
EPA Webinar Series for Grant Applicants and Recipients
EPA is hosting a series of three webinars for assistance agreement (grant) applicants and recipients. During each webinar, EPA staff will review key aspects of EPA’s grants processes and requirements, and you will have the opportunity to submit questions. Registration is required.
1) The Competition Process
Tuesday, March 26, 2024: 1:00-2:00pm ET
2) Procurement, Subawards, and Participant Support Costs
Wednesday, March 27, 2024: 11:30-12:30pm ET
3) New EPA Davis-Bacon Grant Term and Condition
Thursday, March 28, 2024: 12:30-1:30pm ET
Murphy Administration Funds Grants for School Bus Electrification Program
New Jersey’s Electric School Bus Grant Program is aimed at safeguarding children's health from harmful pollutants. The program, funded by legislation signed by Governor Phil Murphy, will provide up to $45 million over three years for electric bus purchases and charging infrastructure. The initiative aligns with efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and addresses the health risks posed by diesel buses.
Interested parties can find more information on program advantages and application processes at the DEP website. Applications are due May 17, 2024. Learn more online.
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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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