953A0097

**Description:** This agreement provides funding under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) to Rector and Visitors of the University of Virginia (UVA).

Specifically, the project will implement climate resilience planning in ten communities through Southwest (Appalachian) Virginia and advance projects that reduce pollution and carbon emissions while simultaneously advancing critical community needs: climate-resilient affordable housing, energy-efficient and carbon-neutral childcare and workforce training, and climate-resilient gathering spaces that double as community capacity building spaces and healthcare access points.

**Activities:** The activities include 1) partner with United Way of Southwest Virginia/Endless Opportunities (UW/EO), Buchanan County, and Dickenson County to support electric vehicle transportation options as well as EV charging units;

2) partner with Buchanan County and the Southern Gap Development Area to build energy-efficient, healthy and climate-resilient workforce housing;

3) partner with UW/EO to increase the energy efficiencies of their workforce and childcare centers;

4) partner with the UW/EO to support the installation of community solar on their affiliated workforce development and childcare centers;

5) partner with Dickenson County and the Town of Haysi to develop a community resilience hub that can also be a center for community engagement and capacity;

6) partner with Healthy Appalachia Institute to renovate 10 locations to double as community resilience hubs and healthcare outposts;

7) conduct feasibility studies of advancing mixed renewable energy developments on brownfield sites in Buchanan and Dickenson counties; and

8) partner with James Madison University's Center for the Advancement of Sustainable Energy and the network of local community colleges to advance clean energy career development.

**Subrecipient:** Subaward of $4,594,245 to United Way (formerly EO) for the decarbonization and carbon mitigation of childcare centers.

This project includes solar installation and energy efficiency upgrades to childcare facilities, outdoor classrooms, and building out programming for the renewable energy sector workforce.

Subaward of $1,757,708 to Dickenson County for building a climate resilience hub in the Town of Haysi outside of the floodplain.

This project includes engineering and architectural design and permits, construction of the facility, and installation of EV fast charger.

Subaward of $4,847,841 to Buchanan County for the building of climate resilient housing in Southern Gap outside of the floodplain.

This project includes construction extension of infrastructure (water, sewer, power and telecom) to subdivision lots, construction of interior roadways and walkways, construction of two single family dwelling units, construction of multi-family townhouse rental units, and an EV charging station at the regional office park office building.

Subaward of $132,000 to Virginia Tech for a community engagement project on climate resilience strategic planning.

This community-based climate resilience planning process involves the RAFT (Resilience Adaptation Feasibility Tool).

Subaward of $1,973,797 to James Madison University (JMU) Center for the Advancement of Sustainable Energy for developing clean energy careers.

This project includes building or expanding a regional energy workforce hub in Abingdon in partnership with Virginia Highlands Community College (VHCC) and New River Community College (NRCC) to develop green jobs pipeline, from entry level installation, to project management, to advanced managerial and leadership in renewable energy careers.

Programs supported at the regional hub will address renewable energy skill development for K-12 students, teacher trainings for K-12 faculty, renewable energy kit and curriculum distribution, summer camps, and support for KidWind Challenge teams.

**Outcomes:** The anticipated deliverables include solar installation, energy efficiency upgrades,

Rector & Visitors Of The University Of Virginia

2 - TAKE DECISIVE ACTION TO ADVANCE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AND CIVIL RIGHTS 2.1 - PROMOTE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AND CIVIL RIGHTS AT THE FEDERAL, TRIBAL, STATE, AND LOCAL LEVELS S - CROSS AGENCY STRATEGY S.1 - ENSURE SCIENTIFIC INTEGRITY AND SCIENCE-BASED DECISION MAKING S - CROSS AGENCY STRATEGY S.1 - ENSURE SCIENTIFIC INTEGRITY AND SCIENCE-BASED DECISION MAKING 6 - SAFEGUARD AND REVITALIZE COMMUNITIES 6.1 - CLEAN UP AND RESTORE LAND FOR PRODUCTIVE USES AND HEALTHY COMMUNITIES 2 - TAKE DECISIVE ACTION TO ADVANCE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AND CIVIL RIGHTS 2.1 - PROMOTE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AND CIVIL RIGHTS AT THE FEDERAL, TRIBAL, STATE, AND LOCAL LEVELS 4 - ENSURE CLEAN AND HEALTHY AIR FOR ALL COMMUNITIES 4.1 - IMPROVE AIR QUALITY AND REDUCE LOCALIZED POLLUTION AND HEALTH IMPACTS 5 - ENSURE CLEAN AND SAFE WATER FOR ALL COMMUNITIES 5.1 - ENSURE SAFE DRINKING WATER AND RELIABLE WATER INFRASTRUCTURE 5.2 - PROTECT AND RESTORE WATERBODIES AND WATERSHEDS 6 - SAFEGUARD AND REVITALIZE COMMUNITIES 6.2 - REDUCE WASTE AND PREVENT ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION 5 - ENSURE CLEAN AND SAFE WATER FOR ALL COMMUNITIES 5.1 - ENSURE SAFE DRINKING WATER AND RELIABLE WATER INFRASTRUCTURE 2 - TAKE DECISIVE ACTION TO ADVANCE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AND CIVIL RIGHTS 2.2 - EMBED ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AND CIVIL RIGHTS INTO EPA’S PROGRAMS, POLICIES, AND ACTIVITIES 5 - ENSURE CLEAN AND SAFE WATER FOR ALL COMMUNITIES 5.1 - ENSURE SAFE DRINKING WATER AND RELIABLE WATER INFRASTRUCTURE 2 - TAKE DECISIVE ACTION TO ADVANCE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AND CIVIL RIGHTS 2.1 - PROMOTE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AND CIVIL RIGHTS AT THE FEDERAL, TRIBAL, STATE, AND LOCAL LEVELS S - CROSS AGENCY STRATEGY S.1 - ENSURE SCIENTIFIC INTEGRITY AND SCIENCE-BASED DECISION MAKING S - CROSS AGENCY STRATEGY S.1 - ENSURE SCIENTIFIC INT

66.616 - Environmental and Climate Justice Block Grant Program

EPA Region 3: Philadelphia [EPA - RO]

Virginia United States

State-Wide

Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grants Program (EPA-R-OEJECR-OCS-23-04)

Termination This project grant was reported as terminated by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) in July 2025. See All
Amendment Since initial award the End Date has been shortened from 01/31/28 to 05/01/25.