The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has partnered with AmeriCorps to launch the new Environmental Justice Climate Corp (EJCC) as part of the American Climate Corp.

The EJCC is committed to recruiting individuals who demonstrate an interest in an environmental justice career and live within an environmental justice community. Applications will open early next year.

Over the course of three years, this program will assist over 250 AmeriCorps VISTA members across the country. Each participant is expected to complete one year of service, marking the EPA's first ever nationwide service effort as well as AmeriCorps' biggest environmental partnership.

Sign up here to receive updates on EJCC.

New from Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Climate Resilience and Adaptation Funding Toolbox (CRAFT) is a website tailored to providing technical assistance for those investing in climate-resilient projects.

CRAFT encompasses EPA funding programs pertaining to climate resilience, climate risk tools and resources, and various communication materials necessary to have conversations surrounding topics like adaption, resilience, and environmental justice. Check out information on key definitions, climate adaption at EPA, and additional climate topics.

• Program Overviews: All the EPA's programs that provided financial assistance for climate related investments.
• Climate Risk Tools: An organized selection of climate risk tools that can be utilized for project development, design, and implementation.
• Communications Materials: Prepared resources to support conversations arounds various climate-related topics.
• Meaningful Engagement Resources: Technical assistance for community engagement as climate projects are implemented.
• Definitions: Must know keywords and definitions relating to technical assistance.

To learn more about CRAFT click here.

Clean Heat Rhode Island

As temperatures start to drop, consider installing a heat pump. Heat pumps function by moving heat from outside to inside while in heating mode or indoors to outdoors while in cooling mode and can be installed in home with or without ducts.

Clean Heat RI gives incentives for the installation of high efficiency heat pumps for households, small to mid-sized businesses, and non-profits. There are three kinds of incentives under Clean Heat RI. They are the residential incentive, the income eligible incentive, and the commercial/non-profit incentive.

Under the income eligible incentive, 100% of the cost is covered for homeowners who meet low-income requirements, heat with oil or propane, and whose homes have been weatherized.

Subscribe to the Clean Heat mailing list to stay updated on program development and rebates. Visit CleanHeatRI.com for program information or to sign up for a free consultation. Apply today!

Home Electrification And Appliance Rebates Program

The latest program from OER, the Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates (HEAR) Program, supports electrification and the adoption of ENERGY STAR certified appliances for residents in Rhode Island. OER will prioritize start the programming by distributing rebates to low-income households through six Community Action Partnerships (CAPs).

Eligible Rhode Islanders eligible will be able to save up to: 

• $4,000 for electric panel upgrades. 
• $2,500 for electrical wiring. 
• $1,840 for an ENERGY STAR electric stove, cooktop, range, or oven and/or an ENERGY STAR-certified electric heat pump clothes dryer.  

In 2025, this program will also be expanded to moderate-income households earning between 80% to 150% of the area median income. Learn more about OER's Home Energy Rebates here.

PowerUpRI Rebate Program

OER's PowerUpRI program incentivizes Rhode Island residents and landlords to install electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure within residential properties across the Ocean State. The program's tailored rebates aim to increase the adoption of clean transportation, reduce transportation emissions, and make EV charging more convenient and accessible for Rhode Islanders.

PowerUpRI offers a standard rebate and an income-qualified rebate. Both rebates consider the potential need for electrical upgrades.

Standard Rebate (No Electrical Upgrade):

Up to $350.00, or 50% (whichever is less), of the purchase price of a Level 2 residential EV charger.

Standard Rebate (With Electrical Upgrade):

Up to $700.00, or 50% (whichever is less), of the purchase and installation costs of a Level 2 residential EV charger.

Income-Qualified Rebate (No Electrical Upgrade):

Up to $500.00, or 75% (whichever is less), of the purchase price of a Level 2 residential EV charger.

Income-Qualified Rebate (With Electrical Upgrade):

Up to $1,000.00, or 75% (whichever is less), of the purchase and installation costs of a Level 2 residential EV charger.

The expansion of residential EV charging infrastructure across Rhode Island is a critical component in combating climate change and meeting greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction targets. To learn more about PowerUpRI, click here.

Employment & Training Opportunities



RI Commerce - Climate Change Business Outreach Coordinator: Work at Rhode Island Commerce as a Climate Change Business Outreach Coordinator. The role entails analyzing climate change and the Act on Climate's impacts on Rhode Island businesses.

Clean Energy Internship Program: Sponsored by OER and RI Commerce, the Clean Energy Internship Program is a paid 12 week program that pairs undergraduate students with various entities in Rhode Island's green energy industry. The internship runs in the summer, fall, and spring. Applications for the spring are open until December 13.

Building Futures: Building Futures focuses on apprenticeships to support professional development in Rhode Island across 12 trades.

Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management: Interested in working at RI DEM click here to see ongoing seasonal and full-time employment opportunities.

2025 Temporary Collections MSR: Rhode Island Energy is seeking Temporary Collections Meter Service Representatives for the upcoming year. Work full time in Providence and Lincoln, Rhode Island.

Growing Futures RI: With a focus on sustainability, Growing Futures RI supports professional development for those who protect and tend to the state's changing environmental needs. They offer numerous education and training opportunities which can be found here.

Previously Listed

American Climate Corps: The American Climate Corps lists job opportunities geared towards tackling the climate crisis and creating a more sustainable and just future.

Employ RI: The Rhode Island Department of Labor Training's job database, Employ RI, provides current job opportunities, training programs, and virtual job fairs.

RISE Engineering - HVAC/R Technician: Work as a HVAC/R Technician in Cranston, RI, and be eligible for a $2,500 sign on bonus at RISE Engineering. Visit all opportunities at RISE here.

Global Wind Organization – Basic Safety Training: The Global Wind Organization's Basic Safety Training supports professional development for the future workforce of Rhode Island's growing offshore wind sector.

Grant Funding Opportunities

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Exchange: This database includes a funding navigator for grants, loans, tax credits, and rebates across areas such as energy efficiency, climate resiliency, environmental justice, and much more.

Environmental Health Disparities Centers (P50) Clinical Trial Optional: The Department of Health and Human Services, through the Environmental Health Disparities Centers (P50) Clinical Trial Optional Grant, aims to support research on environmental health disparities and other health disparities in environmental justice zones. Applications close December 5.

The Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund: Funded by the Inflation Reduction Act, the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund consists of $27 billion in funding designated to foster clean energy solutions, lessen the impacts of climate change, and help Americans save money.

Previously Listed

Healthy Communities Grant Program for New England: The EPA's main grant for New England, the Healthy Communities Grant Program for New England reduces environmental risks and improves health and quality of life through direct collaboration with communities. Current Request for Applications (RFA) must be completed by November 1.

Brownfields Program: The EPA's Brownfields Program provides communities with various grants and technical assistance to clean and repurpose contaminated land. EPA is offering several new grants due November 14. Find them here.

Inflation Reduction Act Community Change Grants Program: Open until November 21, the Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grants program provides funds to reduce pollution, increase resiliency and strengthen disadvantaged communities.

Low-Income Communities Bonus Credit Program: Offered by the Office of Energy Justice and Equity on a rolling basis, the Low-Income Communities Bonus Credit Program supports investments cutting energy costs for low-income communities.

The Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmaking (EJ TCGM) Program: The EPA has announced $600 million in funding to 11 Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmakers through the EJ TCGM Program. Subgrants are expected to be available by Fall 2024.

*Employment, training, and grant funding opportunities are subject to change. Always check the website for updated information.

Environmental Justice

Environmental Justice Hotline: Publicly accessible during traditional business hours, the EJ Hotline supports communities with information that aids in addressing potential environmental and/or public health issues.

Environmental Justice Updates from the White House Council on Environmental Quality: Sign up for Environmental Justice Updates from the White House Council on Environmental Quality to receive the latest on federal funding opportunities. 

Environmental Justice Scorecard: The EJ Scorecard tracks the efforts of federal agencies as they advance environmental justice across communities.

CEQ Summit - White House Summit on Environmental Justice in Action: Watch the first ever White House Environmental Justice Summit in Action discussing environmental justice in policies, practices and operations.

Justice40 Initiative Covered Program List: This document lists all the federal agencies and programs that comply with the Justice40 Initiative.

EnvironmentalJustice.gov: The EJ.gov website has all things environmental justice related including tools, resources, and funding opportunities.

Environmental Justice Clearinghouse: An online database, EJ Clearinghouse provides numerous resources related to environmental justice.

Equitable Transportation Community (ETC) Explorer: The U.S. Department of Transportation provides the ETC Explorer in both English and Spanish. Its purpose is to provide communities with information about disadvantages they face as a result of a lack of transportation.

Guides

Guide to Finding Federal Assistance and Resources for Environmental Justice Efforts: From the EPA, this guide provides resources, tools, and training to better help communities address their environmental justice needs. It also serves as a source with tips on searching for funding opportunities.

Creating the Healthiest Nation: Environmental Justice for All: Created by the American Public Health Association, this factsheet analyzes the connection between health and environmental justice.

Technical Assistance Guide: The Technical Assistance Guide from the White House aims to help disadvantaged communities apply to federal funding.

Climate Capital Guidebook: The Climate Capital Guidebook is a resource for climate-related businesses and their investors with a guide on federal capital programs across the country.

Wetland and Water Protection Resource Guide: The Wetland and Water Protection Resource Guide consists of numerous federal funding and technical assistance opportunities with the goal of protecting and restoring freshwater resources.

Maps

EPA EJScreen 2.3: Newly updated, the EJScreen 2.3 blends environmental and demographic socioeconomic indicators and visualizes them. This update includes a redesigned and enhanced report, a new environmental indicator with accompanying indexes, and renewed data.

DOE Interactive Map: This interactive map from the DOE creates a visual highlighting areas around the country where clean energy investments are taking place.

National Environmental Public Health Tracking Network: This database consists of health, exposure, and hazard information. It creates maps, tables, and charts covering topics such as chemicals and substances found in the environment, chronic diseases and conditions, and the area where you live.

OER Dashboards

Clean Heat RI Dashboard: Updated monthly, the Clean Heat RI Dashboard displays the rebate program database of information gathered since its launch.

DRIVE EV Dashboard: This dashboard depicts statistics for the DRIVE EV Rebate Project covering the vehicle type and the rebate used.

Websites

Investing In America – Cleanenergy.gov: Discover clean energy programs you are eligible for at the Investing in America website. See ways you can save on utilities bills, adopt TVs and electric appliances, and more.

Conservation.gov: One stop shop for all things related to conservation. Conservation.gov aims to restore America's wildlife in a way that is equitable through local led efforts.

Other

Readout of First-Ever White House Summit on Extreme Heat: As summer starts to cool off, check out the White House Summit on Extreme Heat to learn about steps being taken to address the nation's deadliest weather-related hazards.

*Events are subject to change. Always check the event website for updated times, dates and location details before you attend.

Would you like to add your job and training, funding opportunity, or energy-related event to our newsletter? Send the details or event URL to Natalie.Bishop.CTR@energy.ri.gov.

Missed the last Climate Justice Newsletter? See it here.

STAY CONNECTED