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 Conferences
Register for the 2023 IACC Conference - Invigorating Infrastructure: Oct 24–26 in Wenatchee
Join us for the 2023 Infrastructure Assistance Coordinating Council Conference in Wenatchee, Washington, for 3 days of sessions, tech teams, exhibits, and networking events. The conference provides opportunities to connect with funding resources and technical assistance, and with local, state, federal, and Tribal governments. Reserve an exhibit table by contacting Cynthia.Fuller@Commerce.wa.gov. Tues–Thurs, October 24–26. In-person event limited to 400 participants. Learn more.
Local governments in Washington state score *two* Phoenix Awards!
Congratulations to the City of Palouse and the Port of Tacoma for big wins at the National Brownfields Conference in Detroit this month!
Phoenix Awards recognize extraordinary practitioners and brownfields projects in several categories. Following a months-long review process, the City of Palouse brought home the Small Community & Impact Award, and the Port of Tacoma garnered Region 10's award for the Lower Wapato Creek Habitat Project.
Accepting on behalf of his team, Palouse Mayor Tim Sievers brought laughter to the crowd when he called the room of Brownfields professionals "hope dealers," affirming that Palouse's 1/3 acre-project was proof that "little towns can accomplish big things when we work together." Port of Tacoma's Rob Healy, Senior Manager for Remediation, was equally proud of his team's journey to clean up and redevelop a 113-acre site in the Tacoma Tideflats, thanking several Port partners that included the Puyallup Tribe of Indians.
The 2023 Phoenix Awards reflect the hard work and partnerships these local governments have nurtured, and the tangible rewards their communities are now reaping today. Congratulations all!
Above: Margaret Olson, EPA Region 10 Brownfields Project Manager, and Ali Furmall, Ecology Brownfields Program Lead, celebrate Palouse's latest success at the National Brownfields Conference in Detroit, August 8-11, 2023.
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Funding Opportunities & Resources
Affordable Housing Planning Grant applications close August 31
Funding is available to public, private, and nonprofit entities that are considering cleaning up a contaminated site with affordable housing as the end use.
To learn if your project is eligible for an Affordable Housing Planning Grant from Ecology:
For instructions on applying:
For questions about a potential affordable housing development project and whether it qualifies for an Affordable Housing Planning Grant, please contact the Project Manager and Grant Manager listed at the bottom of the AHPG webpage.
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If you have questions or would like more information about Ecology’s Remedial Action Grants & Loans, please contact one of our Remedial Action Grant Managers:
Aalia Dixon, aalia.dixon@ecy.wa.gov or (564) 669-1763
Dan Koroma, daniel.koroma@ecy.wa.gov or (360) 764-6459
Lydia Lindwall, lydia.lindwall@ecy.wa.gov or (360) 790-1124
Grants for recycling & reducing waste, apply by October 3
Qualified local governments and nonprofit organizations in Washington can apply for grants from Ecology's Waste Reduction and Recycling Education (WRRED) Grants Program. The funds can be used for education programs that help the public reduce waste, recycle, or compost, or for implementing a contamination reduction & outreach plan. Maximum grant awards are $80,000 with a 25% match requirement.
Applications will be accepted from 8 a.m. Tues. September 5 through 5 p.m. Tues. October 3. Learn more.
Wildfire grants available from Community Wildfire Defense Grant Program, apply by Oct. 31
The Community Wildfire Defense Program helps at-risk local communities and Tribes plan for and reduce the risk of wildfire. The funding helps communities develop and revise Community Wildfire Protection Plans (CWPP), and implement projects described in their CWPP that's less than ten years old. Applications due through Grants.gov by 8:59 p.m. Pacific on Tues. October 31, 2023. Learn more.
Let your fingers do the walking: 2023 guide for federal brownfields programs & tax incentives
EPA's 2023 Brownfields Federal Programs Guide lets you conveniently explore 22 federal programs and 5 federal tax incentives that support brownfields cleanup and revitalization.
You'll find descriptions of the financial and technical assistance resources available from each agency, and the applicable phase in the redevelopment process. Each entry also has eligibility information, website links, and contacts, and a "snapshot highlight" of a local brownfield project that leveraged their assistance. Check out departments such as Agriculture, Energy, Transportation, Federal Housing Finance Agency, Small Business Administration--and even the National Endowment for the Arts.
Application resources available for EPA's Multipurpose, Assessment, RLF, and Cleanup (MARC) grants
MARC grants provide funding for a range of eligible assessment and cleanup activities at one or more brownfield sites in a target area (and even when hazardous substances are co-mingled with petroleum). If you need help prepping your application, you can find resources such as tips, eligibility lists, EJScreen demo, mapping tools, and information about CERCLA liability defenses on the MARC grant homepage.
EPA plans to open the next solicitation in September 2023! Contact us if you are considering an application.
Apply for a Targeted Brownfields Assessment
EPA's Targeted Brownfields Assessment (TBA) program promotes the cleanup and redevelopment of brownfields by helping states, Tribes, municipalities, other government entities, and nonprofit 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 three activities:
- “All appropriate inquiries” assessment (Phase I), which includes a background and historical investigation, and a site inspection.
- Full site assessment (Phase II), including sampling activities to identify areas of contamination and types and concentrations of contaminants.
- Determining how much more investigation is needed and/or establishing cleanup options and cost estimates based on planned uses after redevelopment.
No application deadlines for this service. Learn more.
Millions in funding available to enhance legacy diesel fleets, apply by December 1
If you need to step up the upgrade, retrofit, and turnover of your legacy diesel fleet, apply for funds from EPA's Diesel Emissions Reduction Act--they're awarding $115 million over the next two fiscal years. Applications due by Fri. December 1 at 8:59 p.m. Pacific. Learn more.
$20 billion available for clean technology, apply by October 12
EPA launched two grant competitions to support tens of thousands of clean technology projects nationwide. National Clean Investment Fund has $14 billion available to 2 or 3 national clean financing institutions that partner with the private sector to provide affordable financing for projects. Clean Communities Investment Accelerator has $6 billion to support up to 7 nonprofit organizations that provide funds and technical assistance to lenders working in communities with environmental justice concerns.
July's webinar recordings about each program are expected to post soon. Apply by 8:59 p.m. Pacific on Thurs. October 12 through Grants.gov. Learn more at:
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Solar for All grant applications due September 26
60 competitive grants will be awarded nationwide to states, territories, Tribal governments, municipalities, and nonprofits to expand the number of low-income and disadvantaged communities primed for residential solar investment. If you submitted a notice of intent in July or August, your full application will be due Tues. September 26 by 8:59 p.m. Pacific. Learn more.
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 Affordable Housing
Local governments can apply for funds to develop middle housing by September 15
The Dept. of Commerce has more than $4 million in grants to support the development of middle housing, which are homes like duplexes, cottage clusters, and townhomes. Apply by 5 p.m. Pacific on Fri. September 15. Learn more.
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Affordable homeownership funds available, apply by
September 29
If your organization is seeking capital to help people own a home in Washington,
Homeownership funds from the Dept. of Commerce may be able to help. A competitive cycle is now underway for a host of project types that include down payment assistance revolving loan fund and self-help projects. Apply for the 2023 funding cycle by Fri. September 29. Learn more.
Funds to reduce costs of affordable housing's utility connections, apply by October 31
Local governments in Washington can apply for grants to improve affordable housing utilities through Dept. of Commerce's Connection Housing to Infrastructure Program (CHIP). The program's goal is to build more housing units faster by covering the upfront costs of infrastructure and connections to municipal systems. The program also spurs affordable housing development options by helping local governments reduce per unit connection fees that pay for area-wide improvements to water or wastewater systems. Project requests are limited to $2 million and the funds can pay for:
- Onsite water, sewer and stormwater improvements for the housing development.
- Offsite water, sewer, and stormwater improvements in the right-of-way, connecting to the development.
- Waived system development charges for the project.
Apply for the 2023–25 funding biennium through Tues. October 31, 2023, by selecting the CHIP link on ZoomGrants. Learn more.
Environmental & Climate Justice
Download climate element planning guidance
The Washington State Department of Commerce, in partnership with other state agencies, Tribes, and local planners, developed an early climate element planning guidance that helps cities and counties address climate change in their comprehensive plans. It's a good time to learn about it: Commerce will be providing $30 million in grants over the next 6 years to support communities developing climate elements. Learn more. Download the guidance. View the interactive dashboard.
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Recorded webinars spotlight EJ funding opportunities
Learn how EPA's Environmental and Climate Grant Program works and whether your organization is eligible through webinar recordings and slide decks. Several sessions were held in August for select audiences, including federally recognized tribal governments, Alaskan native villages, tribal community representatives, and interested parties within specified U.S. territories. Access the slides and recordings.
 Contact us if you have a brownfield project!
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