More than $216 million in environmental and climate justice grants will be coming to communities in the Golden State – including nearly $63 million to several organizations in Los Angeles and Riverside counties – to combat pollution, advance climate resiliency efforts and strengthen the local workforce. U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla, of Los Angeles, announced this week that the Environmental Protection Agency awarded $216.5 million to 15 projects in California through the federal Inflation Reduction Act’s Community Change Grants Program. “Overlooked communities across California have struggled for generations with air pollution and unaffordable water and energy bills. The climate crisis has only underscored these vulnerabilities,” Padilla said in a statement. “Thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act, we’re delivering millions in environmental justice investments to reduce energy costs and improve air quality, while developing climate-resilient community workforces.” The grant dollars will be used to reduce air, water and soil pollution; build climate-resilient infrastructure; and help with local workforce development in disadvantaged communities. Below are a handful of projects specific to Los Angeles and Riverside counties that will receive funding. South Los Angeles All In – Good Jobs, Healthy Communities: $20 million for the Coalition for Responsible Community Development and Los Angeles Trade-Technical College to support workforce development along four career tracks, including lead abatement in buildings, welding for clean energy and transportation projects, hybrid and electric vehicle maintenance, and weatherization and energy auditing of buildings. Grant recipients will help recruit high-need individuals for training and assist them with finding jobs. Los Angeles Coalition for Resilient and Healthy Homes: $3 million to create this coalition, which will focus on efforts to reduce carbon emissions by switching to carbon-free or renewable energy in multi-family residential buildings and schools in northeast, southeast and South Central communities in L.A. The coalition will conduct community outreach and recruit community leaders. The project will also offer union-led training in the construction trades. “GREEN” San Gabriel Valley: $20 million for the nonprofits Day One and Active San Gabriel Valley, along with their partners, to implement several projects. This includes expanding tree canopy and greening schoolyards; providing incentives to purchase e-bikes and installing charging infrastructure; installing solar and energy storage systems and cooling the roofs of homes; and installing 60 public water stations to cut down on single-use plastic water bottles and to ensure access to clean drinking water. Mobilizing Youth Advocates for Resilient Communities: $1.2 million will go to Special Service for Groups, Inc. and the Center for Asian Americans United for Self Empowerment to work with youth in the San Gabriel Valley. The educational curriculum will blend leadership training, community engagement and practical experiences so that youth can participate in decision-making processes affecting their communities. Participants will engage with local governmental officials on environmental and climate issues. Building Climate Resilient Communities in the ECV: Nearly $18.8 million for a project in Riverside County’s Eastern Coachella Valley that will include building four geothermal, solar-powered commercial greenhouses for vertical hydroponic farming plus a tree nursery. The project will also offer free training and 15 living-wage jobs to newly trained workers and pay for the building of a new Center for Community Development and Resilience focused on rural workforce development. Pueblo Unido, a nonprofit, will partner with UC Riverside to provide free workforce development opportunities. Related Articles Environment | Once cold and lonely, ‘snow management’ at Tahoe resorts goes high-tech with lasers Environment | France rushes aid to Mayotte after Cyclone Chido leaves hundreds feared dead Environment | Here’s where burrowing owls have disappeared in California Environment | US hikes tariffs on imports of Chinese solar wafers, polysilicon and tungsten products Environment | Monarch butterflies to be listed as a threatened species in US