Please see below or check out all of our EPN and L4GG funding, resources, opportunities, and guidance updates.
What Comes Next After the Midterm Elections
Last week, Democrats took control of the federal Senate and House of Representatives, and won hundreds of state and local races. This was a major rebuke of policies implemented over the last two years by voters across the country. In a quick preview of what may come:
- Increased oversight. We expect the new Congress will hold the Trump administration accountable for decisions that have weakened pollution protections and undermined efforts to protect public health.
- Increased funding for public health and environmental issues. Democrats will have considerable leverage in budget negotiations to undo budget cuts and push for policy changes, though it’s worth highlighting that budget bills still need 60 votes (i.e., Republican support) in the Senate and must still be signed by the President.
- Control over the confirmation of appointees and judges. Democrats in the Senate will control the confirmation process starting in January for a wide range of executive positions and all judicial appointments.
While Congress is limited in its ability to compel the Trump administration to restore terminated grants, there may be opportunities to provide new funding to programs that were terminated and identify new information through oversight that is relevant to ongoing litigation.
Want to learn more about what may come next? Register here for our next EPN/L4GG webinar on Wednesday, December 9, 1-2pm eastern, where we’ll talk about the midterms as they relate to our action items from our Justice By Design event during Climate Week.
Join Us Wednesday, December 9, for a Debrief on the Midterms and Our Federal Grantee Office Hour
– Please register here for our next webinar on Wednesday, December 9, 1-2pm eastern, where we’ll talk about the midterms as they relate to the action items from our Justice By Design event during Climate Week. This will be an opportunity to continue the conversation for those who attended, add in your thoughts for those who could not make it, and discuss how the midterms will shape our work over the next two years. You can view recordings and slides from our past webinars here.
– If you’re a federal grantee (or were a federal grantee), register here for L4GG’s updates on ongoing litigation, as well as new regulatory and compliance trends. Please note that the November 11 and 25 office hours have been cancelled due to the Federal Holidays. The next office hour will be on Wednesday, December 9, from 12:30-1pm eastern, where we will be sharing options for advocates based on the Trump 2.0 ICA violations (see below).
Comptroller General Determines that EPA’s Termination of the Community Change Grant Program Violated the Impoundment Control Act
On October 7, the Comptroller General (CG), an independent congressional agency, issued a legal opinion determining that EPA violated the Impoundment Control Act (ICA) by illegally terminating the Community Change Grant (CCG) program. Although the CG’s ICA opinion does not require EPA to restart the CCG program, it does provide support for CCG recipients whose grants were improperly terminated to engage in congressional and public outreach to counter the Trump administration’s refusal to adhere to the rule of law. The CCG decision, coupled with the EPA Office of Inspector General’s Report finding that EPA’s process for selecting CCG recipients prior to the change in administrations complied with all requirements for open competition and preventing conflicts of interest, demonstrates that the Trump EPA’s termination of the CCG program was unwarranted.
There will be opportunities in the 120th Congress for Democratic Committee chairs to conduct oversight hearings focusing on Trump 2.0’s undermining of congressional appropriation powers by refusing to carry out congressionally authorized grant programs. Additionally, the Comptroller General has authority under the ICA to bring lawsuits to require agencies to restore improperly impounded funding. Please register here to join an office hours on Wednesday, December 9, from 12:30-1pm eastern, where we will be sharing options for CCG grantees and other advocates.
Comedy Show for a Greener Planet – Washington, D.C.
Join EPN, the DOE Alumni Network, and Grassroots Comedy on Friday, December 18, at All Saints Unitarian Church in Washington, DC, for a night of comedy supporting the big, blue marble we call earth! Proceeds from the show will go to fund the work of EPN and the DOE Alumni Network. Find out more and get your tickets here.
Data Center Resources and Site Fight Support
EPN and L4GG Technical and Legal Assistance and Resources
– Fill out EPN’s Technical Assistance Request Form to request 1:1 technical (including regulatory) support. EPN also has a number of data center resources, including A Guide to Federal Environmental Permitting and a Data Center Resource Directory.
– Reach out to L4GG to request legal assistance, research, ordinance drafting, and other legal services through the Green and Equitable Communities Clinic intake form.
The Data Center Advocacy Hub: Clearview Tracker
The Data Center Advocacy Hub has expanded its Tracker Plus tool with a new Cleanview tracker for behind-the-meter gas power plants being built directly at data center complexes. Developed by Earthjustice and the Better Data Center Project, the tool provides regularly updated details on projects, developers, capacity, air permits, and the gas turbines and engines being deployed. It gives advocates and communities valuable information to understand and respond to the growing air pollution and climate impacts of data center expansion. Access the tool via the Hubs website.
Understanding Data Center Noise
Quiet Communities has launched a free online resource to help communities understand and address noise from data centers. The site includes information on potential health effects, how data center noise is measured, and why standard noise measurements may overlook low-frequency sounds. It also offers practical, step-by-step guidance for residents and local officials, along with research, case studies, and other resources to help communities assess concerns and respond to proposed or operating facilities. Explore the Data Center Noise resource.
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!
2027 Urban Agriculture Resilience Program
The U.S. Botanic Garden and American Public Gardens Association are offering grants of $5,000-$20,000 to support public gardens and their partners in sustaining and expanding collaborative urban agriculture, community gardening, and food-growing projects. The program will also help participants build capacity and share successful models with the broader public gardens community. Applications are due November 17 at 8pm eastern. Learn more and apply here.
Food Waste Processing Grant – Oregon
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality is offering $24 million in grants for the Food Waste Processing Grant Program, which will support projects that expand food waste processing capacity and reduce the amount of food waste sent to landfills. Recovering more food waste helps lower greenhouse gas emissions and supports Oregon’s climate and materials management goals. Applications are due November 30. Learn more and apply here.
Webinars, Workshops, and Office Hours
Simple Cybersecurity: The Most Effective Way to Significantly Reduce Your Cyber Risk Quickly
Join Climate Ready on Tuesday, November 10, 2:30pm eastern, for this practical webinar to learn how mission-driven organizations can reduce their biggest cyber risks, especially those targeting email and other critical accounts. Speakers will share simple, effective protections available through platforms you already use, explain how to implement them across your organization, and highlight Yubico’s Secure It Forward Initiative, which offers free security keys to the Climate Ready community. Please register here.
Post-Election Briefing: What the Midterms Mean for Your Organization
Join the the Climate Ready Project on Thursday, November 12, 2pm eastern, for a timely briefing on what the 2026 midterm election results mean for climate and clean energy advocacy. Climate Ready strategists and service providers will discuss emerging risks and opportunities and share practical guidance to help organizations prepare for the next Congress and engage with policymakers at every level. Please register here.
Webinar Series: Climate Resilience and Adaptation
Join Anthropocene Alliance and River Network for a new webinar series for community groups, tribal organizations, or nonprofits looking to protect their communities from the effects of climate change. The next session will be held on Thursday, November 12, from 2-3pm eastern. Find session dates, topics and register here.
Stay Ready — Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) Policies
If your team uses personal computers or mobile phones for work, join the Equation Campaign on November 12 from 2-3pm eastern for a practical webinar on creating a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policy. Learn how to separate personal and professional content, strengthen digital security, and reduce legal risk. Register here, and access Equation Campaign’s digital security templates and upcoming security webinars.
Direct Pay/Elective Pay Office Hours
Join We Build Progress and Lawyers for Good Government on Thursday, November 12, at 1pm eastern for an open Q&A session on clean energy tax credits available to eligible nonprofits, local and Tribal governments, schools, houses of worship, and other entities. Participants can ask questions about Direct Pay eligibility and the application process for projects such as solar, wind, geothermal, and battery storage. Learn more and register here.
Collaborating with Media to Tell Your Story
Join the Center for Health, Environment & Justice on Tuesday, November 17, at 1pm eastern for a training webinar on building effective, trust-based relationships with journalists. The session will offer practical strategies for working with the media, including important questions to ask journalists before going on the record, to help ensure community stories are told accurately and with dignity. Register here.
Fair Shake: Utilities 101
Join Fair Shake Environmental Legal Services on Thursday, November 19, from 12-1:30pm eastern, for a discussion about utilities—how they are owned and operated and how this might be affecting your billing, renewables, and data centers. Resources will be shared with everyone who registers. Learn more and register here.
Make the Most of Year-End: Raise Funds Now, Build Stability for 2027
Join the Climate Ready Project on Thursday, November 19, 3pm eastern, to learn how to make the most of year-end fundraising while setting your organization up for a stronger 2027. This session will cover practical strategies for donor outreach, compelling fundraising asks, and effective follow-up to keep supporters engaged. You’ll also explore how to align fundraising goals with cash flow and budget planning so you can finish 2026 strong and start the new year on firmer financial footing. Please register here.