EPA is seeking applications from eligible entities as described in Section III to establish and operate an Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Center (EJ TCTAC) for EPA Region 8. There was no award for a dedicated Region 8 EJ TCTAC under the national competition (Funding Opportunity No. EPA-I-OP-EOJ-22-02), and EPA has determined that for program effectiveness and to successfully serve communities within this geographic area, it is appropriate to open a competition for a Region 8-specific EJ TCTAC.

The Region 8 EJ TCTAC will provide technical assistance, training, and other eligible forms of assistance, resources, and support to program participants throughout EPA Region 8 (Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming) including but not limited to:

• Nonprofit organizations.
• Community-based and grassroots organizations.
• Philanthropic and civic organizations.
• Underserved communities and organizations.
• Rural and Remote communities and organizations.
• Faith-based organizations and churches.
• Educational institutions (e.g., schools, colleges, and universities), including Minority Serving Institutions.
• Individuals of underserved communities.
• Disadvantaged Businesses.
• Local, tribal, and state governmental units.
• US Territories.
• Utility providers.
• Health care providers and clinics.

While the cooperative agreement expected to be awarded under this RFA is part of a multifaceted approach to benefit all communities facing environmental and energy justice challenges, EPA and DOE are especially interested in the Region 8 EJ TCTAC providing Eligible Services to program participants within Region 8 in underserved communities, rural and remote areas, and to those with the highest degree of burden and capacity constraints.

The Region 8 EJ TCTAC will serve as a resource for program participants in Region 8 interested in participating in environmental and energy justice programs and policy development and understanding and utilizing environmental and energy grant programs to advance environmental and energy justice. In sum, the purpose of the cooperative agreement to be awarded under this RFA is to provide program participants in Region 8 with Eligible Services such as:

• Guidance, information, and technical assistance to identify and address environmental and energy justice needs and challenges in their community.
• Local environmental justice analyses and the ability to identify environmental justice issues and challenges that need to be addressed such as disposal of solid and hazardous wastes.
• Assistance and training resulting in a strengthened ability to identify, successfully apply for, and effectively manage grants related to environmental and energy justice.
• Assistance in navigating government systems used in the grant process such as www.sam.gov, www.grants.gov, EERE Exchange, and OCED Exchange.
• Knowledge and understanding of environmental and energy justice-related grant programs and how they can be used to help underserved communities address environmental health, pollution, and justice challenges.
• Assistance to facilitate community engagement and partnership building to address environmental and energy justice issues.
• Translation and interpretation services with respect to grant program awareness and application, award, and management processes to provide program participants a meaningful opportunity to participate in environmental and energy justice efforts.
• Knowledge and understanding of federal, state, local, and private foundation grant laws, regulations, policies, procedures, and programmatic requirements, to facilitate understanding of complex grant award making and management processes to enhance their ability to effectively perform and manage grants.
• Assistance and training to have an increased ability to meaningfully participate in decision-making related to environmental and energy justice challenges to ensure that their perspectives, experiences, and expertise inform policy development and program design and delivery at all levels of government and with the private sector.
• Assistance to build capacity, including strengthening human capital to focus on environmental justice and energy justice issues and fostering third-party “community champions” (e.g., community advocates and volunteer leaders) to engage in decisionmaking process so they will be in a strengthened position to participate in environmental and energy justice programs and address related challenges.

By increasing program participants, particularly underserved and rural/remote communities, access to and awareness of grant opportunities, knowledge of the grant application and management process, understanding of financing sources and grant requirements, and the ability to participate and engage in environmental and energy justice decision-making, they will be better positioned to advance and address environmental and energy justice issues across Region 8.