# Environmental Justice for Coronavirus Affected Communities Act

This bill makes sure the Environmental Protection Agency continues running grant programs that help communities dealing with pollution and environmental hazards, especially those hit hard by COVID-19. The bill specifically targets neighborhoods that have historically faced the worst environmental problems—communities of color, low-income areas, Native American reservations, and towns dependent on fossil fuel industries. These communities often live near factories, highways, and other sources of pollution that damage their air and water quality, and the bill recognizes that the pandemic has made these problems even worse.

The bill authorizes $100 million in funding for fiscal year 2022 to support these environmental justice efforts. Half of that money ($50 million) goes to existing EPA grant programs that help communities monitor pollution and solve environmental problems together. The other half ($50 million) supports air quality research and activities aimed at protecting low-income and minority populations from environmental hazards. The key requirement is that the EPA must distribute this money within 30 days of receiving it, ensuring quick action to help vulnerable communities.

When awarding these grants, the EPA is instructed to prioritize projects that monitor pollution in affected neighborhoods, investigate how COVID-19 has disproportionately impacted these communities, or address environmental and health risks in low-income and minority populations. This could mean funding local groups to test air and water quality, research how pollution worsens coronavirus outcomes, or help communities understand and fight environmental hazards in their neighborhoods. Essentially, the bill puts money directly toward helping the communities most burdened by pollution protect themselves and get the information they need to advocate for cleaner, healthier environments.

Environmental Justice for Coronavirus Affected Communities Act

Environmental Justice for Coronavirus Affected Communities Act This bill reauthorizes through FY2022 (1) the Environmental Justice Small Grants Program; (2) the Environmental Justice Collaborative Problem-Solving Cooperative Agreement Program, which provides financial assistance to address local environmental or public health issues; and (3) the Community Action for a Renewed Environment grant program, which assists communities address multiple sources of toxic pollutants.