Deadline: 05-Oct-21
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is pleased to announce the 2022 Brownfields Job Training Grants to help residents take advantage of jobs across a spectrum of brownfield-related activities, including the assessment, cleanup, remediation, and planning/site preparation for the revitalization of brownfields.
The Brownfields Job Training Program, graduates develop skill sets that improve their ability to secure full-time, sustainable employment in various aspects of hazardous and solid waste management and within the larger environmental field, including sustainable cleanup and reuse, and chemical safety.
Use of Grant Funds
- In addition to brownfields assessment and cleanup training, as well as training in the areas of community involvement and site preparation for sustainability and equitable reuse and development, applicants may choose to deliver a variety of other environmental training activities. Applicants may tailor curricula to the labor market needs of their targeted community as long as it matches eligible uses. The only required training is OSHA 40-hour HAZWOPER. Beyond this, the applicant can design a curriculum of eligible courses that meets the training needs identified by a local labor market assessment and/or employer survey.
- Training in “green remediation” technologies, such as phytoremediation, bioremediation, or soil amendments; advanced sampling instrument operator training; or training in the reuse of biosolids and other industry residuals.
- Training in stormwater management; green infrastructure installation, management, and maintenance; or low impact development (LID) training for the purpose of preparing a brownfield site for sustainable reuse.
- Emergency planning, preparedness, and response training for emergencies leading to contamination on brownfields sites, such as organizing and implementing exercises; outreach to the public; spill response and cleanup, including industrial and environmental (e.g., oil spills, natural disasters, etc.); first responder, disaster site worker certification, and National Incident Management System (NIMS) training; Disaster Recovery.
- Enhanced environmental health and safety training related to site remediation, such as promoting chemical (substance, mixture, or article) safety awareness and stewardship; safe work practices including an overview of the content of material safety datasheets (MSDS), information on exposure guideline limits (Occupational Exposure Limits and Recommended Exposure Limits), information contained within the NIOSH pocket guide to chemical hazards, or the OSHA/EPA Occupational Chemical Database; isolation of work areas; safe storage and handling of chemicals; prevention of spills; and training in an overview of any existing chemical-specific worker training and certification programs, including but not limited to: lead abatement; lead renovation, repair, and painting (RRP); asbestos; diisocyanates (auto-refinishing and spray polyurethane foam); pesticide worker protection standards; PFCs; PBDEs/HBCD; and others.
- Energy efficiency, and alternative energy technologies, such as training in retrofitting technologies, in order to prepare brownfield sites for renewable energy installation for reusing and redeveloping former brownfield sites.
Funding Information
- The total funding available under this competitive opportunity is approximately $3,000,000, subject to availability of funds, quality of applications received, and other applicable considerations for FY22. EPA anticipates awarding approximately 15 Brownfields Job Training grants. Applicants may apply for up to $200,000 of EPA funds.
- The project period for Brownfields Job Training Grants is three (3) years. Training is anticipated to conclude by the end of the second year, with the third year of the project period devoted to the placement of remaining graduates in employment and reporting accomplishments data to EPA.
Eligibility Criteria
In accordance with CFDA, the following entities are eligible to apply for a Brownfields Job Training Grant:
- General Purpose Unit of Local Government (EPA uses the definition of Local government.)
- Land Clearance Authority or other quasi-governmental entity that operates under the supervision and control of, or as an agent of, a general purpose unit of local government.
- Government entity created by State Legislature.
- Regional Council or group of General Purpose Units of Local Government.
- Redevelopment Agency that is chartered or otherwise sanctioned by a State.
- State.
- Indian Tribe other than in Alaska. (The exclusion of Alaskan Tribes in Alaska, with the exception of the Metlakatla Indian Community, from grant eligibility is statutory at CERCLA 104(k)(1)). Intertribal Consortia are eligible for funding in accordance with EPA’s policy for funding intertribal consortia published in the Federal Register on November 4, 2002.
- Alaskan Native Regional Corporation, Alaska Native Village Corporation, and the Metlakatla Indian Community. (Alaskan Native Regional Corporation and Alaska Native Village Corporation as those terms are defined in the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act).
- Nonprofit organizations. For purposes of this grant program, consistent with the definition of Nonprofit organization the term “nonprofit organization” means any corporation, trust, association, cooperative, or other organization that is operated mainly for scientific, educational, service, charitable, or similar purpose in the public interest; is not organized primarily for profit; and uses net proceeds to maintain, improve, or expand the operation of the organization. Eligible nonprofit organizations may, but are not required to be, exempt from taxation under section 501 of the Internal Revenue Code. Workforce Investment Boards and organized Labor Unions that meet these criteria may be eligible nonprofit organizations. Public and nonprofit private institutions of higher education (including community colleges and similar 2-year institutions) are eligible to apply. However, nonprofit organizations described in Section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code that engage in lobbying activitie of the Lobbying Disclosure Act are not eligible to apply.
- For-profit or proprietary training organizations or trade schools are not eligible to apply.
For more information, visit https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=335038