The Environmental Protection Network (EPN), and Lawyers for Good Government (L4GG), along with Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), Communities First and others, are working together to safeguard billions of dollars in critical federal climate and environmental justice funding that is currently at risk.
Why is this funding at risk?
Currently, we are facing unprecedented threats to over $35 billion in EPA-related federal climate and environmental justice investments from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), and other federal funding sources; and hundreds of billions in funding from other federal agencies. These funds—particularly those benefiting underserved and disadvantaged communities—have been targeted through executive orders, unlawful freezes and terminations, and unconstitutional anti-DEI policies.
Our Approach
We are supporting EPA and other federally funded grantees by building resources, developing webinars and office hours, connecting grantees to additional support, and providing 1:1 support.
Specifically, here are some resources we provide and how to access or explore them:
- Education: We distribute regular and actionable federal funding updates and alerts to over 10,000 contacts often to help grantees understand their legal and programmatic obligations, the ever-changing legal landscape, and to strengthen compliance. Sign up here to receive them in your inbox.
- Community Support: We host virtual trainings and office hours two times per month for hundreds of federal grantees and their partners. Grantees are able to connect with others in their grant program; learn and problem-solve together, with support and guidance from EPN and L4GG. Register here to join these sessions and access past webinar materials here.
- Critical Connections: We connect grantees to reporters, congressional offices, pro bono communications and government affairs firms, other pro bono litigators, and other potential partners to share their story and the positive impact their grants and projects have on their communities.
- Direct Assistance: We provide individualized, 1:1 pro bono technical and legal assistance to EPA and other federal environmental grantees to respond to terminations, freezes, audits and investigations; and ensure compliance with grant requirements and successful implementation of grants.
- For technical assistance (including compliance, reporting, or communications), please fill out EPN’s Technical Assistance Intake Form.
- For legal assistance, please fill out L4GG’s Solar for All Fund Protection Clinic Intake Form for Solar for All grantees, subawardees, and contractors; or L4GG’s Fund Protection Clinic Intake Form if you’re a prime grantee of another federal grant, including other federal agencies outside of EPA.
Check out more federal grantee resources here!