The Environmental Protection Agency has announced that $600 million will be awarded to eleven selected “Grant Makers” under the Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grant Making Program.  This initiative will be funded through the Inflation Reduction Act.

The intent is for the eleven selected Grant Makers to disperse funds within each of the ten EPA regions to support disadvantaged communities and community-based nonprofit organizations.  The Grant Makers will receive $50 million each or $100 million in the case of the Research Triangle Institute.  It is anticipated that the sub-grants will be awarded over a three-year period.  Sub-grants will award $150,000 for assessment, the second tier will provide $250,000 for planning and the third tier will be $350,000 for project development.

In commenting on the program, Michael S. Regan, EPA Administrator, stated, “We are removing barriers that have traditionally held communities and applicants back from accessing historic investments in America.  Together in partnership with these Grant Makers, we are taking a giant step forward to a future where every person in America has equal opportunity to breathe clean air, drinking water and live a healthy, productive life.”

The funding if applied will obviously be applied to oppose intensive livestock production through placing restrictions on CAFOs in addition to opposing aspects of power generation and other smoke stack industries.  Inevitably this vast government giveaway will contribute to higher prices for food and energy leading to inflation.

It is evident from USDA and EPA announcements that the current administration is intent on distributing as much of the unspent COVID-related funding under the Inflation Reduction Act and other legislation before the 2024 General election. Congress should claw-back unspent funds to reduce the national debt or find uses for funding that benefit the broad economy and taxpayers.