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Environmental Justice Newsletter
March 28, 2024
Summary of Important Dates
Announcements
Murphy Administration Announces $3.7 Million in Funding for Offshore Wind Research and Monitoring Initiative
As part of the Research and Monitoring Initiative, NJDEP and NJ Board of Public Utilities awarded $3.7 million in funding for scientific research projects being undertaken to ensure ecologically responsible development of offshore wind energy. Priority research projects were determined by a variety of stakeholders in efforts to improve climate change resilience. The RMI, jointly administered by the DEP and BPU, is part of efforts to achieve a Clean Energy Economy by 2025 and employs a rigorous scientific approach to identify potential cumulative impacts of the development, operation, and eventual decommissioning of offshore wind energy. This approach ensures the state’s offshore wind energy goals are achieved responsibly and with as little impact on natural resources as possible.
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.
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
 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.
Funding Our Futures Seminar Recording and Updates
This past Saturday, March 23rd, The Office of Environmental Justice, in partnership with New Jersey Environmental Justice Alliance, hosted the first portion of the Funding Our Futures: Navigating State and Federal Grants Seminar virtually. Environmental Justice advocates and government agency representatives throughout the state convened to discuss federal funding opportunities for community initiatives. A panel of grassroots advocates shared their experiences, highlighting key lessons learned and strategies for acquiring and managing grant money at the organizational level.
Recordings of the session on federal grants are now available online in English and Spanish. Due to weather, the portion on state funding was cancelled. The event will be rescheduled for a later date. Stay tuned for more details.
Upcoming Environmental Justice Law Public Hearings
April 1 - Energy Transfer Marketing - Newark Terminal, Title V Renewal (virtual)
May 8- Middlesex County Utility Authority- Sayreville Middlesex Couty, AO-25 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
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.
Call for Artists: "Communicating Climate Change Flood Risks in the Coastal Community"
DEP and the NJ Council on the Arts are announcing a funding opportunity for the 2024 Community-Based Art Grant Program to raise awareness and start a conversation about flooding related to climate change in our coastal areas through art installations. Past grantees include the Atlantic City Arts Foundation and Bayshore Center at Bivalve in Port Norris. DEP is accepting applications for funding at this time.
Applications are due at 5pm on April 29, 2024.
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.
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.
NJDEP National Flood Insurance Program Floodplain Management Training
NJDEP is offering a series of free trainings 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.
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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