The Biden Administration released its FY 2023 budget request to Congress today, which includes additional funds to address the global pandemic and the ongoing crisis in Ukraine. This comes about two weeks after President Biden signed a $1.5 trillion omnibus bill providing federal funding for the remainder of the current fiscal year (FY 2022).
While NEMWI is currently reviewing the budget proposal, among other things, President Biden's budget would increase defense spending by four percent and non-defense spending by five percent, while increasing taxes on billionaires to help reduce the federal deficit by more than a trillion dollars over the next ten years. The President's budget also includes $340.1 million for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLIR). Other key highlights aimed at reducing the impacts of climate change and providing environmental equity for disadvantaged communities include:
$18 billion for climate resilience and adaptation programs across the Federal Government;
$4 billion for EPA water infrastructure programs;
$3 billion to support clean energy projects;
$17 billion for climate science and innovation;
$11 billion in international climate finance;
$126 million to increase the understanding of PFAS impacts and to prevent and remediate PFAS from entering the air, land, and water;
$200 million to launch a new Solar Manufacturing Accelerator;
$757 million for zero-emission federal fleet vehicles and supporting charging or fueling infrastructure; and
$100 million in grants to States and Tribes that would support the implementation of on-the-ground efforts to reduce and prevent greenhouse gas emissions.
NEMWI will release a more in-depth analysis of the budget request in the coming days.
EPA Region I Announces Two Grants Aimed
at Lead Service Line (LSL) Removal in Northeast States
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region I has released Notifications of Funding Opportunities for two grant programs which aim to assist states in the New England region in the process of identifying lead service lines as well as community outreach and education. This investment in clean drinking water infrastructure for underserved communities supports the Biden-Harris Administration’s Lead Pipe and Paint Action Plan, which aims to limit citizens’ exposure to lead sources and the development of associated health complications.
The Lead Pipe Inventory and Public Engagement (LPIPE) Demonstration Grant Program
This competitive grant program aims to fund projects which address lead exposure within environmental justice areas and other underserved New England communities with high prevalence of lead pipes. This funding opportunity specifically targets two project categories: lead pipe inventories; and public engagement on LSL locations. Inventory projects will help identify specific areas within municipalities that need attention, and approved projects must inspect both private and public lines. Outreach and community education projects are important for ensuring that local citizens are aware of the dangers lead pipes present and how to identify them. They should also emphasize education on what steps homeowners can take to have these pipes removed using financial assistance provided by the government. Applications are due April 25, 2022 on the grants.gov website.
Healthy Communities Grant Program
This broad competitive grant opportunity provides funding opportunities for a variety of community outreach and capacity-building projects related to topics such as clean drinking water, indoor air quality, and outdoor air quality. Approved projects related to lead pipe exposure reduction include lead pipe inventory mapping and community education programs, as discussed in the LPIPE Grant description. This EPA grant opportunity places special emphasis on projects which aim to create clean school spaces and reduce lead exposure to vulnerable children. Applications are due May 9, 2022 on the grants.gov website.
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