EPA Awards 2013 Environmental Justice Small Grants

Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a total of $1.1 million in competitive grants to 39 non-profit and tribal organizations working to address environmental justice issues nationwide. The grants will enable the organizations to develop solutions to local health and environmental issues in low-income, minority and tribal communities overburdened by harmful pollution.

These grants help build capacity, raise awareness, and equip communities with the tools to address environmental challenges – from climate change impacts to brownfields and water pollution.

The 2013 grants support activities that address a range of community concerns such as reducing exposure to indoor environmental asthma triggers, restoring and protecting waterways, educating child care professionals on ways to prevent lead poisoning, and reducing pesticide use in child care facilities.

Environmental justice is defined as the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people, regardless of race or income, in the environmental decision-making process. Since 1994, EPA’s environmental justice small grants program has supported projects to address environmental justice issues in more than 1,400 communities. The grant awards represent EPA’s commitment to promoting community-based actions to address environmental justice issues.

In the fall of 2013, EPA will issue a Request for Proposals for the FY 2014 Collaborative Problem Solving Grants. A schedule of pre-application community stakeholder teleconference calls will be announced at that time.  (EPA)

2013 EJ Small Grant recipients and project descriptions

More information about EPA’s Environmental Justice Small Grants program

ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE BRAINTRUST

A Historical Review of Executive Order 12898
Honorary Host: Rep. James E. Clyburn

Friday, September 20, 2013
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Washington Convention Center Room 143-B

This year's Environmental Justice Braintrust will focus on the implementation of Executive Order 12898, which was issued in 1994 to address environmental justice issues in minority and low-income populations.

 

The panel will assess how far we have come and how far we still have to go. The Joint Center will focus in particular on these issues in light of the Obama Administration’s Climate Action Plan.

 

Discussions will explore the unique relationships between human health, environmental justices and economic development and how to improve the quality of life in challenged communities nationwide.

Speakers include:

 

Ms. Lisa F. Garcia – Office of Environmental Justice, U.S. EPA

 

Ms. Melinda Downing – Office of Environmental Justice, U.S. Department of Energy

 

Ms. Danielle Deane – Energy & Environment Program, Joint Center for Political & Economic Studies

 

Dr. Mildred McClain – Harambee House, Inc.

 

Mr. Milton Bluehouse, Jr. – Tribal Consultation Resources, LLC

 

Dr. Sue Briggum – Waste Management, Inc.

 

Mr. Timothy Fields – MDB, Inc.