EPA has locally active programs to help make your community a greener and safer place to live. Learn more and see other community success stories by topic.
Air Quality
Community-Based Childhood Asthma Program - This online Network is designed for community-based asthma programs and organizations that sponsor them—including representatives of health plans and providers, government health and environmental agencies, nonprofits, coalitions, schools and more.
EPA School Monitoring Initiative - As part of an air toxics monitoring initiative, EPA, state and local air pollution control agencies are monitoring the outdoor air around schools for pollutants known as toxic air pollutants, or air toxics. The Clean Air Act includes a list of 187 of these pollutants.
Sustainability
Local Climate and Energy Program (Climate Showcase Communities) - In 2009 and 2010, EPA awarded $20 million in competitive grants to help local and tribal governments establish and implement climate change initiatives. The overall goal of the program is to create replicable models of cost-effective and persistent greenhouse gas reductions that will facilitate broader local government actions to stabilize the climate and improve environmental, economic, health, and social conditions.
Economy, Energy, and Environment (E3) Initiative - The Green Suppliers Network is a collaboration between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Commerce (DoC) and was established to help small and medium-sized manufacturers stay competitive and profitable while reducing their impact on the environment.
Community Action for Renewed Environment (CARE) Is a competitive grant program that provides on-the-ground support and funding to help revitalize and improve the health of communities in sustainable ways.
SmartGrowth -- EPA's Office of Sustainable Communities (Smart Growth program) helps communities grow in ways that expand economic opportunity, protect public health and the environment, and create and enhance the places that people love.
Environmental Justice
EJ Showcase Communities - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has committed $1,000,000 to address environmental justice challenges in ten communities across the nation. The Agency is providing $100,000 per project over the next two years to help alleviate the environmental and human health challenges facing many American communities.
EJ Small Grants Program - Since its inception in 1994, the Environmental Justice Small Grants Program has awarded more than $23 million in funding to 1,253 community-based organizations, and local and tribal organizations working with communities facing environmental justice issues.
Indian Environmental General Assistance Program - In 1992, Congress passed the Indian Environmental General Assistance Program Act (42 U.S.C. 4368b) which authorizes EPA to provide grants to federally-recognized tribes and tribal consortia for planning, developing, and establishing environmental protection programs in Indian country, as well as for developing and implementing solid and hazardous waste programs on tribal lands.
Urban Waters Initiative This program supports communities in their efforts to access, improve, and benefit from their urban waters and the surrounding land.
Superfund JobTraining Initiative -- SuperJTI is a job readiness program that provides training and employment opportunities for citizens living in communities affected by Superfund sites.
Healthy Schools
Healthy School Environments - The healthy school environments web site is designed to provide one-stop access to the many programs and resources available to help prevent and resolve environmental issues in schools.
Drinking Water in Schools - This one-stop EPA site provides information about drinking water quality in schools and child care facilities.
Environmental Education - Through environmental education, people gain an understanding of how individual actions affect the environment, acquire skills to weigh various sides of issues, and become better equipped to make informed decisions.
Water
Five Star Restoration Grants Program -- Brings together students, conservation corps, other youth groups, citizen groups, corporations, landowners and government agencies to provide environmental education and training through projects that restore wetlands and streams.
Urban Waters Initiative -- Support communities in their efforts to access, improve, and benefit from their urban waters and the surrounding land.
Stormwater/SSO/CSO permits -- The Clean Water Act authorizes EPA and states to regulate point sources that discharge pollutants into waters of the United States through the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program. So-called "point sources" are generated from a variety of municipal and industrial operations, including treated wastewater, process water, cooling water, and stormwater runoff from drainage systems.