Biden-Harris Administration Grants $50M for Environmental Justice Projects in Texas

Under President Biden's Investing in America agenda, the Biden-Harris Administration has designated Texas Southern University as a Regional Grantmaker, set to receive $50,000,000 under the EPA's Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmaking program. This initiative, born out of the President's Inflation Reduction Act, marks the largest-ever investment in climate action. The program aims to streamline access to federal environmental justice funding for small community-based organizations, addressing long-standing barriers and inefficiencies in the awards process.

The new grant program, facilitated by Texas Southern University's Bullard Center for Environmental and Climate Justice, is designed to empower communities that have historically faced underinvestment. This initiative responds to community feedback, prioritizing the reduction of barriers to federal funds and enhancing the efficiency of the awards process. Community-based organizations can apply for subgrants to fund a variety of environmental projects, such as local cleanups, emergency preparedness programs, workforce development, air quality improvement, and initiatives combating illegal dumping.

Vice President Kamala Harris and EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan, alongside Dr. Robert Bullard, a Distinguished Professor at Texas Southern University and a pioneer in environmental justice, announced the historic Grantmaker Awards. Vice President Harris emphasized the commitment to equity, ensuring that resources reach organizations deeply connected to their communities.

“Every person has a right to drink clean water, breathe clean air, and live in a community that is healthy and safe,” said Vice President Harris. “For too long, however, low-income communities, immigrant communities, Native communities, and communities of color have endured disproportionate levels of air, water, and soil pollution. That is why President Joe Biden and I have put equity at the center of our nation’s largest investment in climate in history. Today’s announcement puts that commitment into action by ensuring critical resources to fund environmental justice projects across the country reach the organizations that know their communities best.”

EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan commended President Biden and Vice President Harris for their leadership, highlighting the removal of traditional barriers that have hindered communities from accessing historic investments in climate action. The collaborative effort with Grantmakers signifies a significant stride toward a future where every American has equal opportunity for a healthy and productive life.

Texas Southern University, recognized for its environmental justice initiatives, has been selected as a Regional Grantmaker to strengthen regional partnerships and advance environmental justice goals. Dr. Robert D. Bullard, often referred to as the "father of environmental justice," expressed gratitude for the university's role in this pivotal moment.

“I am happy to say Texas Southern University is the HBCU that served as the ‘launching pad’ for my environmental justice career way back in 1979—before EJ had a name or initials. And today, 44 years later, TSU was selected to serve as a Regional Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmaker,” said Dr. Bullard

Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee played a crucial role in securing the $50 million Environmental Justice Program Grant to Texas Southern University. Her efforts in the House Budget Committee and direct engagement with the EPA on environmental challenges in her district underscore the commitment to addressing environmental concerns at the legislative level.

Rights Grantmakers, in collaboration with EPA's Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights, will issue subgrants to community-based nonprofit organizations and other eligible entities representing disadvantaged communities. Texas Southern University, as a Grantmaker, will oversee comprehensive application processes, subgrant awards, tracking and reporting systems, and provide support to communities. Subgrants are expected to be available by the summer of 2024.

Texas Southern University has been selected as a National Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmaker, receiving an additional $50 million. This grant will extend support, coordination, and oversight to subgrantees, applicants, and Regional Grantmakers across the southern part of the country.

Grantmakers will open competitions and award subgrants starting in the summer of 2024. Community-based organizations can apply for subgrants through three tiers—$150,000 for assessment, $250,000 for planning, and $350,000 for project development. Additionally, a noncompetitive process will allocate $75,000 for capacity-constrained organizations during Tier One.

The EPA's Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Program, lead by Texas Southern University, stands as a testament to the Biden-Harris Administration's commitment to environmental justice and equitable distribution of resources. This initiative marks a significant step towards ensuring that marginalized communities benefit from the largest climate investment in history. As the Grantmakers program unfolds, it promises to bring about positive change, addressing environmental challenges and fostering thriving communities across the nation.