Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-12) issued the below statement applauding the EPA’s announcement of new federal funding for environmental justice projects across the nation, including in California and the East Bay.
The West Oakland Environmental Indicators Project will receive $500,000 as part of the EPA’s Environmental Justice Collaborative Problem Solving Cooperative Agreement (EJCPS).
The California Department of Public Health will receive $1,000,000 as part of the EPA’s Environmental Justice Government-to-Government (EJG2G) program.
“House Democrats fought hard to ensure environmental justice goals would be met in the Inflation Reduction Act,” said Congresswoman Lee. “President Biden is delivering for the American people and the health of our environment in its rollout. The West Oakland Environmental Indicators Project is an incredible community-based organization dedicated to achieving healthy homes, jobs, and neighborhoods for Oakland families, and with this funding, I know that they will change lives across our district for the better. This project also directly supports the existing West Oakland Community Action Plan process by reducing emissions, reducing exposure, and improving health and environmental equity.”
She continued, “I am also pleased to see the awarding of federal funds for the California Department of Health as part of the Environmental Justice Government to Government initiative. I look forward to working alongside the Biden administration to continue advancing environmental justice in California’s 12th district and across the country.”
This funding was made possible by the Inflation Reduction Act. The organizations will use these funds to ensure disadvantaged communities that have historically suffered from underinvestment have access to clean air and water and climate resilience solutions in alignment with the Biden-Harris administration’s Justice40 Initiative.
