Please see below or check out all of our EPN and L4GG funding, resources, opportunities, and guidance updates.

Please Join us Wednesday, October 14, for Part 2 of our Data Centers Webinar and Our Federal Grantee Office Hour

– Please register here for our Wednesday, October 14, 1–2pm eastern webinar on data centers, where we’ll discuss federal policy rollbacks and public health impacts, share helpful resources, answer questions, and discuss opportunities to request technical assistance.
– If you’re a federal grantee (or were a federal grantee), register here for L4GG’s Updates on Ongoing Federal Grant Termination, Litigation, and Compliance on Wednesday, October 14, from 12:30-1pm eastern.

Federal Courts Rule in Favor of Solar for All

Two Federal Judges Find EPA’s Termination of the $7 Billion Program Unlawful

– Last week brought two significant court rulings in favor of the $7 billion Solar for All program, which was created to expand access to affordable solar energy for low-income households and communities. In separate cases, federal judges in Rhode Island and Washington, D.C., ruled that EPA unlawfully terminated the program. The Rhode Island court vacated EPA’s termination, finding that Congress intended the already-obligated grants to continue, while Judge Tanya Chutkan of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia reached a favorable ruling in a separate lawsuit brought by Harris County, Texas. Together, the decisions are important developments for Solar for All grant recipients and the communities they serve. Read more from AP, The Washington Post, and Politico.
– On Thursday, October 1, 2-3pm eastern, join a webinar hosted by L4GG for anyone who may be impacted by the Solar for All program—including prime awardees, subawardees, indirect beneficiaries, and state and local leaders who support the program. You’ll learn more about these developments, what they may mean for the program, and about opportunities to make your voice heard. Join the webinar here.

Civil Rights Protections

State Attorneys General Reaffirm Civil Rights Protections

The Attorneys General of 14 states, including New York, California, Massachusetts, and Maryland, have issued new guidance reaffirming that federal and state civil rights protections remain legal and enforceable. The guidance addresses protections against both intentional discrimination and practices that have a discriminatory effect, including in areas such as employment, education, housing, health care, and environmental protection. The multistate guidance provides an overview of the current legal landscape and the continued role of these protections in ensuring equal access and opportunity. Read the multistate guidance on antidiscrimination protections here.

Data Center Resources and Site Fight Support

Technical and Legal Assistance

If your community is facing a proposed (or actual) data center:
– Fill out EPN’s Technical Assistance Request Form to request 1:1 technical (including regulatory) support.
– Reach out to L4GG to request legal assistance, research, ordinance drafting, and other legal services through the Green and Equitable Communities Clinic intake form.

Data Center Resource Directory

– To help us in our own work, EPN created a Data Center Resource Directory to simplify searching for data center resources in one place. Resources range from introductory data center information to deep reports on diesel generators, for example. Watch a tutorial on how to use the Directory here and suggest resources to add to the Directory here. EPN staff will review suggested resources to add on a weekly basis.

Fairshake Pro-Bono Data Center Legal Clinic

Fair Shake Environmental Legal Services is a nonprofit environmental law organization that expands access to environmental justice by providing legal services regardless of income. On Wednesday, October 7, from 9am-4:30pm eastern, they will be holding a pro bono legal clinic, open to individuals, community groups, nonprofits, and municipal officials working on data center issues in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. You can check out their data decision tree and other resources here. Please visit Fair Shake’s events page for the most current workshop information and to register.

Philanthropic and Federal Funding Opportunities

EPN and L4GG Resources to Help You Find Funding and Financing

– Check out EPN’s latest Funding Bulletin, a resource guide to funding opportunities—including philanthropic, state, and local funding and use EPN’s Technical Assistance Request Form to request 1:1 funding discovery support or other technical assistance.
– You can also access L4GG’s Sprint Hub for direct legal support for all types of green finance needs for community projects. L4GG will work with you to identify potential investors or mission-driven lenders, including Green Banks and CDFIs, to close any funding gap. In addition, L4GG’s Green Finance Team can help you navigate the complex world of alternative funding sources. Get direct pro bono assistance for your project here!

Native Entities Grant Program

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) is accepting applications for the Native Entities Grant Program, which provides funding to Indian Tribes, Alaska Native entities, and Native Hawaiian organizations to advance digital equity and broadband adoption. Grants of $500,000 to $2.5 million can support activities such as broadband adoption, digital skills and workforce training, low- or no-cost devices and broadband services, and public access computing centers. A 10% match is generally required, but applicants may request a waiver. Applications are due November 17, 2026. Learn more and apply here.

EPA Diesel Emissions Reduction Funding Opportunity

EPA has opened the 2026 Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) National Notice of Funding Opportunity, with approximately $180 million expected to be available for projects that reduce diesel emissions and improve air quality by upgrading, retrofitting, or replacing older diesel vehicles, engines, and equipment. The program supports efforts to accelerate the transition away from higher-polluting legacy diesel engines and reduce harmful emissions in communities across the country. EPA will host three program overview webinars on October 13, October 28, and November 12 to provide additional information about the opportunity and application process. Applications are due January 22, 2027, at 11:59pm eastern. Learn more and apply through Grants.gov.

Webinars, Workshops, and Office Hours

Comment Training for Proposed Changes to the Community Reinvestment Act

TOMORROW, Tuesday, September 29, from 3-4pm eastern, Lawyers for Good Government and the National Community Reinvestment Coalition will host a free webinar explaining the proposed changes to the Community Reinvestment Act that could reduce banks’ obligations to invest and lend in low- and moderate-income communities, potentially putting an estimated $71–87 billion a year in community development financing at risk. Organizations will learn how they can submit effective public comments before the October 13 deadline and receive comment templates to help them get started. Register here, and if you can’t attend you’ll still receive a recording.

Climate Ready Project September Membership Briefing

TOMORROW, Tuesday, September 29, at 2:00pm eastern, join Climate Ready for timely updates, practical resources, and guidance to help nonprofits navigate emerging risks and opportunities. The briefing will include a rapid response landscape update from SKDK, Climate Ready program announcements, and a featured presentation from EPN on free fundraising support and technical assistance resources available to climate organizations. Current and prospective Climate Ready members are welcome. Register here.

Climate Ready Project: Know Your Rights Training

Climate Ready Project is hosting a virtual Know Your Rights training on Thursday, October 1 from 3:00-4:30pm eastern, featuring immigration policy experts from UnidosUS and the National Immigration Project. The training will provide practical guidance for organizational leaders, staff, and volunteers on what to do if they encounter U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at home, at work, or in the community. Topics will include legal rights, what ICE can and cannot legally do, current ICE tactics, how to respond to ICE interactions, and what to do if someone is detained. Register here.

Stay Ready: Document Retention Policy & Data Storage Strategies

Join the Equation Campaign on October 7, 1-2pm eastern, for practical guidance on document retention policies and data storage strategies that can help protect organizations and their teams from legal threats and minimize legal risk. Register here.

Fair Shake Environmental Legal Services Workshops

Fair Shake Environmental Legal Services is a nonprofit environmental law organization that expands access to environmental justice by providing legal services regardless of income. On Thursday, October 15, from 5:30-8:30pm eastern, they will host an in-person celebration, shining a spotlight on the wins that Fair Shake and their partners have made over the past year. If you are in Pittsburgh, join them at Bar Marco, located at 2216 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. Please visit Fair Shake’s events page for the most current workshop information and to register.

Office Hours: Preparing a Competitive Brownfields RLF Grant Application

Join Grow America on Wednesday, October 21, from 3-5pm eastern for open office hours focused on preparing a competitive EPA Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) grant application. Participants will have the opportunity to bring questions, discuss challenges, and explore strategies for successful Brownfields financing and redevelopment. The session will cover key considerations for applicants, including demonstrating community need, identifying potential borrowers and projects, building program capacity, and developing a strong application strategy for future EPA funding opportunities. Please note: This event may be rescheduled depending on the release of EPA’s FY 2027 Assessment, RLF, and Cleanup Grant Competition Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) and related guidance. Registrants will be notified of any changes. Register here for October 21 office hours.

Upcoming In-Person Brownfields RLF Workshops

Join Grow America and ICMA for one remaining no-cost, in-person workshop for EPA Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) grantees. The Clark County, Nevada, workshop will be held December 8-9 and offers hands-on learning, practical exercises, and opportunities to connect and learn from other RLF teams. Register for the Clark County workshop here and book lodging by November 16; travel scholarship applications are due November 9.

Resources

Collaborative Clinic for Nonprofit Viability (CCNV)

The Yale Center for Environmental Justice and Howard and Yale Law Schools have launched the Collaborative Clinic for Nonprofit Viability (CCNV), an initiative designed to help community groups, grassroots organizations, and nonprofits identify and address legal, governance, and compliance vulnerabilities. Through an attorney-supervised “Health Check,” organizations can assess potential risks and, when appropriate, connect with trusted pro bono legal support through the Clinic’s national network. The initiative is particularly focused on helping organizations navigate legal and political pressures that may affect their ability to operate effectively. Learn more about the Collaborative Clinic for Nonprofit Viability, and to ask questions or request a Health Check, contact CCNV at ccnv@yale.edu.