The Biden administration is opening $2 billion toward helping disadvantaged communities combat climate change and air pollution.
The grants are expected to fund projects that make communities more resilient to climate impacts; prevent, monitor or clean up pollution; invest in low- and no-emission energy projects; and reduce indoor air pollution.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), using money from the climate, tax and health care bill the Democrats passed last year, expects to fund a total of 170 projects.
All of the money is slated to go to communities that currently face underinvestment and heavy levels of pollution.
It will open applications for grants under this program for a year and review those applications on a rolling basis.
“This historic, unprecedented funding has the promise to turn disadvantaged and overburdened areas into healthy, resilient, and thriving communities for current and future generations,” EPA Administrator Michael Regan said in a written statement.
The announcement comes as Republicans have targeted EPA programs aimed at improving environmental equity and combating climate change for spending cuts.