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EPA Opportunities
 EPA offering $40 million in grants for tribes to improve recycling infrastructure
Federally recognized tribes and intertribal consortia may apply for funding to reduce solid waste or improve recycling infrastructure. Applications for the Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling Grant Program must address one of the following objectives:
- Develop or update plans to encourage environmentally sound post-consumer materials management such as source reduction (repair clinics, reuse centers), collection, storage, transportation, composting, recycling, and/or markets for recyclables
- Develop, strengthen, and/or implement comprehensive data collection efforts that demonstrate progress towards the National Recycling Goal and Food Loss and Waste Reduction Goal
- Establish, increase, or expand materials management infrastructure, such as facilities for reuse, recycling or composting; collection and storage bins for recyclable or organic material; purchasing and maintaining equipment or supplies such as scales, crushers, balers, and sorting equipment, trucks, forklifts, and safety equipment
- Establish or identify end-markets for the use of recycled materials
- Demonstrate an increase in the diversion recycling rate, and/or quality of materials collected
Apply by 8:59 p.m. Pacific time, Tuesday, April 4, 2023, via grants.gov.
EPA offering $100 million in grants for projects in communities overburdened by pollution & historic underinvestment
EPA published two Requests for Applications for this funding through the Environmental Justice Collaborative Problem-Solving (EJCPS) Cooperative Agreement Program and Environmental Justice Government-to-Government (EJG2G) Program. Under both programs, special consideration will be given to the following focus areas:
- Projects addressing climate change, disaster resiliency, and/or emergency preparedness
- Projects located in and/or benefitting rural areas
- Projects conducting Health Impact Assessments
EJCPS. Provides an estimated $30 million in funding to community-based nonprofit organizations for projects that address local environmental and/or public health issues in communities. The program assists recipients in building collaborative partnerships with other stakeholders (local businesses and industry, local government, medical service providers, academia, etc.) to develop solutions to address environmental and/or public health issues at the local level.
EJG2G. Provides an estimated $70 million in funding to state and local governments to be used with community partners, federally recognized tribes with community partners, and U.S. territories and remote tribes. The program funds activities leading to measurable environmental or public health results in communities disproportionately burdened by environmental harms and risks. These models should leverage or use existing resources or assets of state agencies to develop tools and processes that integrate environmental justice considerations into government programs.
Proposal packages due by 8:59 p.m. Pacific time, Monday, April 10 via grants.gov. Applicants should plan for projects to begin on Oct. 1, 2023.
New EPA grant program for community-based projects
The Environmental Justice Thriving Communities grantmaking program is empowering 11 entities to become grantmakers, reduce pollution, and make a difference in their communities.
Grantmakers will build their own processes for receiving and evaluating project applications from communities to conduct activities, such as planning, to address local environmental or public health issues (or both).
Apply by 8:59 p.m. Pacific time, Wednesday, May 31 at grants.gov.
EPA accepting applications for Targeted Brownfields Assessments
EPA’s Targeted Brownfields Assessment (TBA) program promotes the cleanup and redevelopment of brownfields by helping states, tribes, municipalities, other government entities, and non-profit organizations minimize the uncertainties of contamination often associated with brownfields. Unlike funded grants, TBAs are an EPA service, and the assessments are conducted by an EPA contractor. A TBA may encompass one or more of the following activities:
- An “all appropriate inquiries” assessment (Phase I), which includes a background and historical investigation and a site inspection;
- A full site assessment (Phase II), including sampling activities to identify areas of contamination and types and concentrations of contaminants; and
- The determination of how much more investigation is needed and/or the establishment of cleanup options and cost estimates based on planned uses after redevelopment.
Email applications to Molly Vaughan, 907-271-1215.
EPA national conference this August in Detroit
One of the most anticipated brownfield conferences is happening Tuesday through Friday, August 8–11 in Detroit, Michigan. Subscribe to the 2023 conference newsletter for updates.
Nominate an outstanding colleague or project for an EPA Phoenix Award
Honor your exemplary brownfield practitioner or project by nominating them for this national accolade by Monday, April 17.
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Ideas welcome for new environmental & climate justice program
EPA's Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights is seeking public input on their new Environmental and Climate Justice Block Grant Program. Specifically, they 're welcoming ideas on 1) defining the program's terminology; 2) types of actions conducted to related to President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative; 3) the program's design; 4) eligible recipients and projects; 5) types of technical assistance needed; and 6) reporting and oversight. Submit your comments by Friday, March 17 through regulations.gov.
More Funding Opportunities
U.S. Department of Transportation offering transit access grants
The Federal Transit Administration is providing $20 million in grants to improve transit in areas experiencing long-term economic distress. The funding provides more resources to underserved and disadvantaged communities that seek to expand or improve transit systems. Learn more.
Apply by 8:59 p.m. Pacific time, Friday, March 10 on grants.gov.
Commerce offering solar & battery storage grants
The new Solar plus Storage for Resilient Communities program provides approximately $35.4 million in funding and technical assistance to support solar and battery storage systems at community buildings in two tracks:
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Planning and Predevelopment funding is available for projects that identify sites, complete community outreach and engagement to identify community needs, complete feasibility studies, or develop cost estimates, specifications, or other early design work. Projects can qualify for up to $100,000 each, and no match is required.
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Installation funding is available for projects that complete the installation of solar plus battery storage systems, including final design, purchase, and installation of equipment, commissioning, developing operational plans, training, and community outreach to increase community awareness of the facility. Projects can qualify for up to $1.5 million each, and require a 30% match.
Apply by 4 p.m. Pacific time, Thursday, March 23 on ZoomGrants.com.
USDA grants available for rural & urban communities
Rural Innovation Stronger Economy (RISE) grants up to $2 million are available to nonprofit, state, Tribal, higher education, and other public entities. These flexible grants are designed to help communities create high-wage jobs, accelerate the formation of rural businesses, and strengthen regional economies.
Apply by 8:59 p.m. Pacific time, Thursday, April 20 on grants.gov.
Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production (UAIP) grants help farmers, gardeners, and other groups with agricultural projects in urban areas and suburbs.
Apply by Monday, March 27 on grants.gov.
Ecology's public participation grants available to individuals, nonprofits affected by contaminated sites
Anyone who's been affected by the release of a hazardous substance in Washington can apply for a grant up to $60,000 to help their community get involved in a formal cleanup of the site, or to improve public waste management practices. (The grants may be eligible for renewal in the second year, too.)
Check out Ecology's website, review the grant guidelines, or attend a virtual help session on Thursday, March 9 @ 9 a.m. Pacific time or Wednesday, March 15 @ 5 p.m. Pacific time.
Applications accepted from Wednesday, April 12 to Thursday, May 11.
Ecology's Independent Remedial Action Grants now available
We're accepting applications for Independent Remedial Action Grants through mid-June. These are grants available to local governments that have completed an independent cleanup through the Voluntary Cleanup Program and received a no further action determination. This opportunity closes 5 p.m. Pacific time, Friday, June 16.
Review Ecology's Guidance for Independent Remedial Action Grants for the 2021–23 biennium. If you have any questions, contact:
 Affordable Housing
 Apply for innovative housing grants by March 3
A national competition is spurring affordable housing with grants from $1 million to $3 million (plus 2 years of technical assistance). It's open to a range of organizations including nonprofits, tribal organizations, and mission-driven for-profits. Watch Enterprise Community Partners' 2023 webinar for details.
Apply by 9 p.m. Pacific time, Friday, March 3.
Apply for federal affordable housing funding by March 22
If you're seeking to develop an affordable housing project in Washington state, there's $10.8 million in federal capital financing to help. The Washington Dept. of Commerce is considering applications for multi-family or rental housing projects through the federal HOME Investment Partnerships and National Housing Trust Fund programs.
Apply by 12 p.m. Pacific time, Wednesday, March 22.
Register for resilience training by March 17
Developers, owners, and operators of multi-family affordable housing can register for training sessions that help build the property's resilience to climate risks and natural disasters such as flooding, wildfires, heat emergencies, and earthquakes. The West Coast Resilience Academy is designed to reduce the displacement of residents, damage to property, business interruptions, and other harmful impacts.
A virtual kickoff meeting for Pacific Northwest participants will be held Thursday, April 27, followed by bi-weekly Thursday sessions until June 22, 2023.
Contests, Conferences, and Workshops
Two EJ-focused contests invite students to compete for recognition, cash, mentoring
Students ages 9 to 14 who live in the Pacific Northwest are invited to raise awareness about the dangers of radon gas through the 2023 Northwest Radon Poster Contest.
Submit posters by 11:59 p.m. Pacific time, Friday, March 10.
Washington state high school students can participate in the Department of Health’s Washington Tracking Network's Youth Science Contest to develop their science and communication skills. Three tracks are available: 1) analyze data to reveal correlations, impacts, and disparities; 2) use data to address a community's health and equity concerns; or 3) develop communications that increase awareness or drive people to act.
Register through midnight Pacific time, Wednesday, March 15.
Submit packages by midnight Pacific time, Sunday, April 30.
New date for popular NEBC conference
NEBC's 2023 Northwest Remediation Conference switched from October to May, and it's right around the corner in Tacoma on Tuesday, May 2.
Free workshops help you turn brownfields into "brightfields"
A new program is helping communities make "smart and sustainable choices" for reusing and revitalizing their brownfields. Learn more about Brightfields Accelerator 2023, a partnership between the Rocky Mountain Institute and Kansas State University's Technical Assistance to Brownfields. You can access video recordings, slides, and case studies for the two workshops held so far.
 Do you have a brownfield project?
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