Section 60201 of the IRA amends the Clean Air Act by adding a new section 138 on “environmental and climate justice block grants.” Section 138 of the Clean Air Act appropriates $2.8 billion to the EPA Administrator to award grants to community-based nonprofit organizations as well as partnerships between those organizations and Indian tribes, local governments, and institutions of higher education. Eligible entities may use grant funds for climate resiliency, adaptation, and mitigation activities; reducing indoor toxics and air pollution; community-led pollution monitoring, prevention, and remediation; investments in technologies and infrastructure to improve resilience or reduce emissions; related workforce development; and improved engagement of disadvantaged communities in public processes. Grants may be awarded for periods of up to three years and must benefit disadvantaged communities.
Section 138 of the Clean Air Act also appropriates an additional $200 million to the EPA administrator provide technical assistance to entities receiving the grants described above.
The funds appropriated under section 138 will remain available until September 30, 2026.
Eligible Entities:
Environmental Justice Considerations:
Grants may only be awarded for activities that benefit disadvantaged communities.
Agency Actions:
- EPA Announces $2 Billion in Funding for Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grants
- EPA Amends Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmaking Program
- EPA Announces $128 Million to Fund 186 Environmental Justice Projects
- White House Releases IRA Guidebook for Tribes
- EPA Region 8 Announces Webinar on Upcoming Grant Opportunities
- EPA Requests Comments on Climate Justice Program