July—August 2021 Newsletter
The American Rescue Plan - Supporting Underserved Communities
EPA is funding local and state agencies to support environmental justice work through the American Rescue Plan. The funding will support the City of San Pablo, Calif., in developing a program for disadvantaged students to mitigate the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic; the Tohono O’odham Tribal Nation in Arizona in addressing air quality issues; and the City of Los Angeles, Calif., in promoting asthma awareness. The Rescue Plan also supports the Justice40 initiative of investing in clean energy in disadvantaged communities.
- American Rescue Plan
- The Path to Achieving Justice40
- Grist: EPA Detailed Plans to Distribute Funds
- News Release: $50 Million for Environmental Justice Initiatives
Addressing the Health Risks of Wildfires
Wildfires, a longstanding and frequent threat to California, are expected to increase in intensity and frequency due to climate change. EPA and other federal, state and community agencies are working together to develop tools and identify ways the public can reduce such health risks. AirNow’s newly improved Interactive Map provides air quality data in real time. The Smoke Sense app provides information about how to protect one’s health during a smoke event.
- AirNow: Interactive Map of Air Quality
- AirNow: How Smoke from Fires Can Affect Your Health
- Smoke Sense App
- Wildfires and Indoor Air Quality
- California Prepares for Increased Wildfire Risk to Air Quality From Climate Change
Promoting Safe Pesticide Use
EPA has selected the University of California, Davis to receive a total of $6 million over a five-year period to develop materials and projects that promote safe pesticide use. Through this cooperative agreement, the university will establish the Pesticide Educational Resources Collaborative (PERC) 2.0, the second phase of the successful PERC program.
- EPA Awards $6 Million to UC Davis
- Ag Net West: UC Davis to Promote Safe Pesticide Use
- Pesticide Educational Resources Collaborative
Protecting Our Water
EPA has reached an agreement with the U.S. Navy to complete major upgrades to the Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam Wastewater Treatment Plant. The plant treats domestic and industrial wastewater from the Navy’s Pearl Harbor facilities and has exceeded its discharge limits to the Pacific Ocean under the Clean Water Act. The plant is owned and operated by the U.S. Navy and provides service for up to 40,000 people.
Children's Healthy Learning Environments
EPA is seeking grant applications from states, tribes, universities, local governments, non-profits, and other groups to support children’s environmental health in schools and childcare settings in underserved communities. The grants, funded through the American Rescue Plan, will support projects that advance children’s environmental health through education, training, tools, and capacity building.
