Sustainable Materials Management

EPA Source Reduction Assistance (SRA) Grant Program

EPA funds Source Reduction Assistance (SRA) grants to support research, investigation, experiments, surveys, study, demonstration, education and training using source reduction approaches (also known as P2 or pollution prevention).

EPA is particularly interested in projects that promote practical source reduction practices, tools, and training on P2 approaches to measurably improve human and environmental health by reducing the use of hazardous substances, reducing toxic pollutants, reducing resource use (e.g., water and energy) and reducing expenditures and liability costs to businesses, non-profit organizations and/or communities.

Eligible Recipients:

States, local, interstate, and intrastate government agencies and instrumentalities, federally recognized tribes, inter-tribal consortia and non-profit organizations formed under Section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (not 501(c)(4) organizations that lobby).

Eligible Projects:
Suggested project types include but are not limited to: prevention of greenhouse gas emissions; hazardous materials source reduction; innovative approaches to conservation of materials and resources; and environmental justice through P2 actions.

Funding Source:
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Funding Amount:
$1,135,000 in federal funds awards ranging from $40,000 to $250,000.

Funding Deadline:
Offered every two years

Contact:
For general information, please contact Christina Bitten, Phone: 404-562-8569, Email: bitten.christina@epa.gov

More Information:
https://www.epa.gov/p2/source-reduction-assistance-grants

EPA Pollution Prevention (P2) Grant Program

The purpose of the Pollution Prevention grant is to provide businesses with technical assistance (e.g., information, training, tools) and to encourage the development and implementation of pollution prevention (P2) practices.

Eligible Recipients:

States, state entities (colleges and universities recognized as instrumentalities of the state), the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, any territory or possession of the U.S., and federally recognized Tribes and intertribal consortia.

Eligible Projects:
Projects must fit within one of the six established NEAs: food and beverage manufacturing and processing; chemical manufacturing, processing and formulation; automotive manufacturing and maintenance; aerospace product and parts manufacturing and maintenance; metal manufacturing and fabrication; and Indian Country and Alaska native villages.

Funding Source:
United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Funding Amount:
Approximately $9.38 million in total federal pollution prevention grant funding has been awarded for FY 2022 – FY 2023 grants ($4.69 million in FY 2022 funds and $4.69 million in FY 2023 funds). Individual grant awards are up to $800,000 for the two-year funding period or $400,000 funded per year.

Funding Deadline:

Not currently accepting applications

Contact:
Pollution Prevention Program
U.S. EPA
1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Mail Code 7406-M
Washington, DC 20460
(202) 566-0799
p2hub@epa.gov
Contact Information Webpage

More Information:
https://www.epa.gov/p2/grant-programs-pollution-prevention

EPA Environmental Justice Collaborative Problem-Solving (CPS) Cooperative Agreement Program

The Environmental Justice Collaborative Problem-Solving (EJCPS) Cooperative Agreement Program provides financial assistance to eligible organizations working to address local environmental or public health issues in their communities.  The program assists recipients in building collaborative partnerships with other stakeholders (e.g., local businesses and industry, local government, medical service providers, academia, etc.) to develop solutions to environmental or public health issue(s) at the community level.

Eligible Recipients:

  • a community-based nonprofit organization (CBO); or
  • a partnership of community-based nonprofit organizations *

* A partnership must be documented with a signed Letter of Commitment from the community-based nonprofit organization detailing the parameters of the partnership, as well as the role and responsibilities of the partnering community-based organizations.

Eligible Projects:

Consistent with section 138(b)(2) of the Clean Air Act, applications submitted in response to this funding opportunity must address one of the following five broad categories:

  • community-led air and other pollution monitoring, prevention, and remediation, and investments in low- and zero-emission and resilient technologies and related infrastructure and workforce development that help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other air pollutants;
  • mitigating climate and health risks from urban heat islands, extreme heat, wood heater emissions, and wildfire events;
  • climate resiliency and adaptation;
  • reducing indoor toxics and indoor air pollution; or
  • facilitating engagement of marginalized communities in Local, State and Federal public processes, such as advisory groups, workshops, and rulemakings

Funding Source:
United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Office of Environmental Justice

Funding Amount:

The EJCPS Program anticipates awarding approximately $30,000,000 of Inflation Reduction Act funding through 83 cooperative agreements, organized in two tracks of funding, as follows:

  • $25,000,000 for CBOs proposing projects for up to $500,000 each. Approximately 50 awards for up $500,000 each are anticipated under this track.
  • $5,000,000 for qualifying small CBOs with 5 or fewer full-time employees proposing projects for up to $150,000 each. For more details about this opportunity, please review closely the “Small Community-based Nonprofit Set Aside”. Approximately 33 awards for up to $150,000 each are anticipated under this track.

Deadline:

To apply for this opportunity, view the RFA on Grants.gov. Applications packages must be submitted on or before April 14, 2023 at 11:59 PM (Eastern Time). Applicants should plan for projects to begin on November 1, 2023.

Contact:
US EPA
Office of Environmental Justice
Jacob Burney
Burney.Jacob@epa.gov
202-564-2907

More Information:
https://www.epa.gov/environmental-justice/environmental-justice-collaborative-problem-solving-cooperative-agreement-0

USDA Water & Waste Disposal Grants to Alleviate Health Risks on Tribal Lands & Colonias

This program provides low-income communities, which face significant health risks, access to safe, reliable drinking water and waste disposal facilities and services.

Eligible Recipients:

  • State and local governmental entities serving eligible areas

  • Nonprofit organizations

  • Utility districts serving Colonias

  • Federally recognized tribes

What is an eligible area?

  • Federally recognized tribal lands
  • Areas recognized as Colonias before October 1, 1989
  • Rural areas and towns with populations of 10,000 or less

Residents of the area to be served must face significant health risks due to a lack of access to, or use of adequate, affordable water or waste disposal.

NOTE: Areas not located in a Colonia must meet per capita income and unemployment rate requirements. Contact your local RD office for information.

Eligible Projects:
Construction of basic drinking water and waste disposal systems, including storm drainage
NOTE: Utility districts may also be able to provide grants to individual households to install indoor plumbing and connect to the system.

Funding Source:
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development

Funding Amount:
TBD

Funding Deadline:
Applications are accepted year round through your local RD office.

Contact:
Brian Murray, State Director
The Galleries of Syracuse
441 South Salina Street, Suite 357
Syracuse, NY 13202-2541
Voice: (315) 477-6400
Fax: (315) 477-6438

More Information:
https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/water-environmental-programs/water-waste-disposal-grants-alleviate-health-risks-tribal-lands-and-colonias/ny

 

USDA Water & Waste Disposal Predevelopment Planning Grants

This program helps eligible low-income communities plan and develop applications for proposed USDA Rural Development water or waste disposal projects.

Eligible Recipients:

  • Most state and local
    governments
  • Nonprofit organizations
  • Federally-recognized Tribes

Eligible Projects:
Grants may be used to pay part of the costs of developing a complete application for USDA Rural Development Water & Waste Disposal direct loan/grant and loan guarantee programs.

Funding Source:
United Stated Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development

Funding Amount:
Maximum of $30,000 or 75 percent of the predevelopment planning costs.

Funding Deadline:
Applications for this program are accepted year round through your local RD office.

Contact:
Help is always available through your local RD office.
Participating non-profit associations also offer assistance and training. You can work with your local Rural Development staff to learn about available help in your area.

More Information:
http://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/water-waste-disposal-predevelopment-planning-grants

USDA Solid Waste Management Grants

This program reduces or eliminates pollution of water resources by providing funding for organizations that provide technical assistance or training to improve the planning and management of solid waste sites.

Eligible Recipients:

  • Public bodies
  • Nonprofits
  • Federally recognized tribes
  • Academic institutions

All applicants must have:

  • Proven ability, background or experience to successfully complete a project similar to the one proposed
  • Legal authority and capacity to provide technical assistance or training

Eligible Projects:

  • Evaluate current landfill conditions to identify threats to water resources.
  • Provide technical assistance or training to enhance the operation and maintenance of active landfills.
  • Provide technical assistance or training to help communities reduce the amount of solid waste coming into a landfill.
  • Provide technical assistance or training to prepare for closure and future use of a landfill site.

Funding Source:
US Department of Agriculture Rural Development

Funding Amount:
N/A

Deadline:
Application window is open from October 1 – December 31 each year.

Contact:
Contact the grant manager at water-rd@usda.gov.

More Information:
https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/solid-waste-management-grants

USDA Renewable Energy Systems & Energy Efficiency Improvement Guaranteed Loans & Grants

The program provides guaranteed loan financing and grant funding to agricultural producers and rural small businesses for renewable energy systems or to make energy efficiency improvements. Agricultural producers may also apply for new energy efficient equipment and new system loans for agricultural production and processing.

Eligible Recipients:

  • Agricultural producers
    • An entity directly engaged in production of agricultural products where at least 50 percent of their gross income coming from agricultural operations.
  • Small businesses
    • Must be located in eligible rural areas and one of the following:
      • Private for-profit entity (sole Proprietorship, Partnership, or Corporation)
      • A Cooperative [including those qualified under Section 501(c)(12) of IRS Code]
      • An electric utility (including a Tribal or governmental electric utility) that provides service to rural consumers and operates independent of direct government control)
      • A Tribal corporation or other Tribal business entities that are chartered under Section 17 of the Indian Reorganization Act (25 USC 477) or have similar structures and relationships with their Tribal entity without regard to the resources of the Tribal government.
    • Must meet the Small Business Administration size standards in accordance with 13 CFR 121.

NOTE: Agricultural producers and small businesses must have NO outstanding delinquent federal taxes, debt, judgment or debarment.

Eligible Projects:

Funds may be used for the purchase and installation of renewable energy systems, such as:

  • Biomass (for example: biodiesel and ethanol, anaerobic digesters, and solid fuels).
  • Geothermal for electric generation or direct use.
  • Hydropower below 30 megawatts.
  • Hydrogen.
  • Small and large wind generation.
  • Small and large solar generation.
  • Ocean (tidal, current, thermal) generation.

Funds may also be used for the purchase, installation and construction of energy efficiency improvements, such as:

  • High efficiency heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems (HVAC).
  • Insulation.
  • Lighting.
  • Cooling or refrigeration units.
  • Doors and windows.
  • Electric, solar or gravity pumps for sprinkler pivots.
  • Switching from a diesel to electric irrigation motor.
  • Replacement of energy-inefficient equipment.

Energy Efficiency Improvement applications must contain an Energy Audit, or Energy Assessment (depending on Total Project Costs) that complies with Appendix A to RD Instructions 4280-B

Agricultural producers may also use guaranteed loan funds to install energy efficient equipment and systems for agricultural production or processing.

Funding Source:
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development

Funding Amount:

  • Loan guarantees on loans up to 75 percent of total eligible project costs.
  • Grants for up to 50 percent of total eligible project costs.
  • Combined grant and loan guarantee funding up to 75% of total eligible project costs.

Renewable Energy System Grants:

$2,500 minimum.
$1 million maximum.

Energy Efficiency Grants:

$1,500 minimum.
$500,000 maximum.

Deadlines:

Open for Fiscal Years 2023 & 2024 Application Windows: June 30, 2023 September 30, 2023 December 31, 2023 March 31, 2024 June 30, 2024 September 30, 2024

Contact:
Gary Pereira, USDA Rural Development 9025 River Road
Marcy, NY 13403
Tel: (315) 570-2233 gary.pereira@usda.gov http://www.rd.usda.gov/ny

More Information:
http://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/rural-energy-america-program-renewable-energy-systems-energy-efficiency

USDA Water & Waste Disposal Loan & Grant Program in New York

This program provides funding for clean and reliable drinking water systems, sanitary sewage disposal, sanitary solid waste disposal, and storm water drainage to households and businesses in eligible rural areas.

Eligible Recipients:

This program assists qualified applicants who are not otherwise able to obtain commercial credit on reasonable terms. Eligible applicants include:

  • Most state and local governmental entities
  • Private nonprofits
  • Federally-recognized tribes

Eligible Projects:
Funds may be used to finance the acquisition, construction or improvement of:

  • Drinking water sourcing, treatment, storage and distribution
  • Sewer collection, transmission, treatment and disposal
  • Solid waste collection, disposal and closure
  • Storm water collection, transmission and disposal

In some cases, funding may also be available for related activities such as:

  • Legal and engineering fees
  • Land acquisition, water and land rights, permits and equipment
  • Start-up operations and maintenance
  • Interest incurred during construction
  • Purchase of facilities to improve service or prevent loss of service
  • Other costs determined to be necessary for completion of the project
  • See 7 CFR Part 1780.7 and 1780.9 for a complete list

Funding Source:
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development

Funding Amount:
Long-term, low-interest loans. If funds are available, a grant may be combined with a loan if necessary to keep user costs reasonable.

Funding Deadline:
Applications are accepted year round and may be filed electronically using RD Apply. The RD Apply Customer Help Guide is provided to help you get started and work through the application process.

Contact:
Contact the local representative who serves your area
Participating nonprofits in your area may also offer assistance and training.

Or, participating nonprofits in your area may also offer assistance and training.

More Information:
http://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/water-waste-disposal-loan-grant-program

USDA SEARCH – Special Evaluation Assistance for Rural Communities & Households

This program helps very small, financially distressed rural communities with predevelopment feasibility studies, design and technical assistance on proposed water and waste disposal projects.

Eligible Recipients:

  • Most state and local governmental entities
  • Nonprofits
  • Federally recognized tribes

Areas to be served must be rural and financially distressed:

  • Rural areas with a population of 2,500 or less
  • Have a median household income below the poverty line or less than 80 percent of the statewide non-metropolitan median household income based on latest Census data

Eligible Projects:

The predevelopment planning costs must be related to a proposed project that meets the following requirements:

  • Construct, enlarge, extend or improve rural water, sanitary sewage, solid waste disposal and storm wastewater disposal facilities
  • Construct or relocate public buildings, roads, bridges, fences or utilities, and to make other public improvements necessary for the successful operation or protection of facilities
  • Relocate private buildings, roads, bridges, fences, or utilities, and other private improvements necessary for the successful operation or protection of facilities

Funding Source:
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development

Funding Amount: TBD

Funding Deadline:
Applications for this program are accepted year round through your local RD office.

Contact:
USDA Rural Development | New York State Office
Brian Murray, Acting State Director
The Galleries of Syracuse
441 South Salina Street, Suite 357
Syracuse, NY 13202-2541
(315) 477-6400
www.rd.usda.gov/ny

More Information:
http://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/search-special-evaluation-assistance-rural-communities-and-households

Source Reduction Assistance in Communities Grants (EPA Region 2)

EPA Region 2 is announcing a grant competition to fund “Source Reduction Assistance in Communities” assistance agreements that support research, investigation, study, demonstration, outreach, education, and training using source reduction approaches (also known as “pollution prevention” and herein referred to as “P2”). P2 means reducing or eliminating pollutants from entering any waste stream or otherwise released into the environment prior to recycling, treatment, or disposal.

Eligible Recipients:

Eligible applicants include States, the commonwealth of Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, any territory or possession of the United States, local governments, city or township governments, independent school district governments, state controlled institutions of higher education, non-profit organizations, (other than institutions of higher education) private institutions of higher education, community-based grass roots organizations, and federally-recognized tribes and intertribal consortia.

Eligible Projects:

EPA is particularly interested in receiving applications that offer hands-on practical P2 tools, information and/or innovative P2 approaches to measurably improve public health and the surrounding environment, by reducing the use of hazardous substances, reducing toxic pollutants, supporting efficiencies in reducing resource use (e.g., water and energy), and reducing business expenditures and liability costs.

Funding Source:
EPA

Funding Amount:
Based on the Congressional appropriation received in Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 and anticipated in FY 2023 for the P2 Program, EPA Region 2 plans to award a total of approximately $228,000 in grant funding.

Funding Deadline:
To be considered for funding, applications must be received no later than the date and time of the submission deadline of Monday, November 14, 2022, by 11:59 PM, Eastern Time (ET). Applicants must apply electronically through Grants.gov.

Contact:

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 2
Attn: Dale Carpenter
290 Broadway, 25th floor
New York, NY 10007-1866
(212) 637-4110

carpenter.dale@epa.gov

More Information:
https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=343571