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Communities to get $3 million from EPA for projects to cut pollution

Release Date: 12/20/2007
Contact Information: Dave Bary or Tressa Tillman at 214-665-2200 or r6press@epa.gov

Grant applications for CARE program being accepted until March 17, 2008

(Dallas, Texas – December 20, 2007) The Environmental Protection Agency and its Community Action for a Renewed Environment (CARE) program plan to award $3 million in grants to help local communities reduce pollution in 2008.

City, state and tribal governments, as well as nonprofit organizations and universities, can submit grant proposals until March 17, 2008.

CARE is a competitive grant and technical assistance program to support community-based education and public health protection projects across the country. In 2007, EPA Region 6 awarded CARE grants totaling $600,000 to two communities in Texas and New Mexico.

Examples of previous projects include conducting outreach to school-age children and health care providers in Laredo, Texas; working with gas station owners and auto dismantlers to help reduce air and water pollution in Bernalillo County, N.M. and addressing environmental priorities in areas recovering from Hurricane Katrina in St. Bernard Parish, La.

EPA anticipates awarding CARE cooperative agreements in two levels. Level I cooperative agreements range from $75,000 to $100,000 and will help establish community-based partnerships to develop local environmental priorities. Level II awards, ranging from $150,000 to $300,000 each, will support communities which have established broad-based partnerships, have identified the priority toxic risks in the community, and are prepared to measure results, implement risk reduction activities, and become self-sustaining.

Interested applicants can find more information on the CARE program and how to apply for grants at https://www.epa.gov/care/. EPA will also conduct three webcasts, Jan. 18, Feb. 11 and 27, to provide prospective applicants with additional information on the application process.

Register for a webcast session: http://www.cluin.org/studio/seminar.cfm

More about activities in EPA Region 6: http:// www.epa.gov/region6

EPA audio file: https://www.epa.gov/region6/6xa/audio.htm#audio122007_care