Apr 4, 2024
WASHINGTON — Today marks a pivotal moment as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) unveils the agency’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF), a cornerstone initiative within the historic Inflation Reduction Act. This landmark announcement allocates an additional $20 billion in EPA climate finance grants, igniting hope for transformative endeavors for our most impacted, low income communities, many of which are Latine. From pioneering community solar initiatives to empowering farmers, to embracing electric vehicle infrastructure and catalyzing small business growth, these funds will be dedicated to fostering projects that mitigate the impacts of the climate crisis while creating opportunities for economic prosperity in Latine communities.
“Growing up in a predominantly Latine and highly polluted part of Los Angeles county, I've witnessed first-hand the dire impact of pollution on the health, safety and ability to prosper in Latine communities,” said Irene Burga, GreenLatinos Climate Justice & Clean Air Director. “ For too long, our communities have suffered from pollution and environmental disparities, hindering our dreams and well-being. This fund provides the crucial financial support needed to deploy clean energy and pollution reduction projects, offering cleaner air, safer neighborhoods, and economic opportunities.”
“Considering that almost every dollar in grant funds leveraged almost seven dollars in private funds—turning $20 billion into $150 billion— this is a game changer. GreenLatinos is committed to ensuring that this mix of public and private investment reaches all low income, disadvantaged and Latino/a/e communities, who have historically been disproportionately affected by pollution, greenhouse gas, and climate change. We want to prioritize environmentally friendly Latino-owned businesses so that they are able to take advantage of this transformative and wealth-building opportunity,” said Mark Magana, President, GreenLatinos.
The GGRF invests over $14 billion toward low-income and disadvantaged communities, including over $4 billion for rural communities as well as almost $1.5 billion for Tribal communities. GGRF is a part of President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative, which aims to ensure that 40% of all federal investments benefit communities most in need.
Magana added, “We would like to congratulate all the recipients of the GGRF. GreenLatinos is looking forward to working with Climate United, Coalition for Green Capital, Power Forward Communities, Appalachian Community Capital, Inclusiv, Justice Climate Fund, Native CDFI Network, and Opportunity Finance Network to ensure that these transformative funds meet their environmental justice goals."
While the Biden Administration and EPA chart a course towards progress, we condemn the regressive maneuvers of the Republican-led House. Their assault on the President's climate and clean energy agenda epitomizes a cynical gambit, prioritizing polluting interests at the expense of people, and recklessly imperiling jobs, economic stability, and public health. Rolling back this important part of the President's climate and clean energy plan would rob communities of cleaner air and water and drive more pollution into communities already struggling with the negative health consequences of dirty energy.
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About GreenLatinos
GreenLatinos (NOTE: GreenLatinos is ONE WORD) is an active comunidad of Latino/a/e leaders, emboldened by the power and wisdom of our culture, united to demand equity and dismantle racism, resourced to win our environmental, conservation, and climate justice battles, and driven to secure our political, economic, cultural, and environmental liberation.