The Biden administration has announced the opening of $2 billion in grants for low-income communities disproportionately burdened by pollution and vulnerable to climate change. These community change grants represent the largest investment in environmental justice ever made by an administration and are a crucial step toward the administration’s goal of ensuring that 40 percent of the benefits of federal clean energy investment flow to disadvantaged communities.
The funds, available through the Inflation Reduction Act, must be used by November 2024 and target five key investment areas: Alaskan Tribal Areas, US Mainland Tribal Lands, territories such as Puerto Rico and Guam, small, rural areas without fixed geographic boundaries, and areas along the southern border with Mexico.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael Regan emphasized the transformative potential of this funding, saying it holds the promise of turning underserved and overburdened areas into healthy, resilient and thriving communities for current and future generations. EPA will review applications on an ongoing basis and will encourage early submissions.
This landmark initiative is under scrutiny from Republican lawmakers who seek to undermine the president’s climate agenda. However, the Biden administration remains steadfast in its commitment to climate and environmental justice, recognizing that these investments are essential to building a more sustainable and equitable future for all Americans.
In related news, rapper A$AP Rocky has been ordered to stand trial in Los Angeles on assault charges stemming from an incident in 2021. The musician pleaded not guilty and is due back in court in January.
And finally, the rising US debt has prompted a call in Congress for a special tax commission to address the problem. Lawmakers from both parties have expressed concern about the growing national debt and its potential impact on the economy. The formation of a bipartisan commission could provide a much-needed platform to find common ground and develop sustainable solutions to this urgent challenge.
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