96276500

**Description:** This agreement provides funding under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) to Asociación de Residentes de La Margarita, Inc. (ARLM).

Specifically, the project will implement 'Community Leadership Initiatives for Mitigation and Adaptation' (CLIMA) to address critical climate and pollution challenges facing low-income older adults in Salinas, Puerto Rico through four main strategies:

(1) Installing a community-led La Margarita centralized solar/battery microgrid to provide clean, resilient power to 700 households, 12 critical facilities and other establishments, along with 'microgrid-ready' residential rooftop systems for 15 vulnerable households;

(2) Establishing 20 solar-powered resilience hubs across the project area to provide shelter and essential services to 60,000 disadvantaged residents during climate emergencies;

(3) Installing barriers at 100 homes, constructing 800 feet of natural berm and masonry wall, and improving 3,000 sq. feet of drainage to mitigate exposure to toxic flood waters; and

(4) Installing the first EV charging infrastructure in southern and eastern Puerto Rico to reduce transportation-based air pollution.

The project will reduce an estimated 7,000 tons of CO2 equivalent emissions in three years while building community capacity through training 400 community members in resilience and solar energy skills.

**Activities:** The activities include:

(1) Implementing the La Margarita microgrid by installing centralized solar/battery infrastructure to provide power service to 700 households and 12 critical facilities, plus installing 'microgrid-ready' rooftop solar systems on 15 vulnerable households;

(2) Establishing 20 resilience hubs across the project area by installing solar and storage equipment, setting up the ATMAGO digital disaster communication platform, and conducting 40 workshops to train 400 community members in disaster management, digital literacy, renewable energy, and pollution reduction;

(3) Reducing water pollution exposure by installing flood barriers at 100 home entrances, constructing 800 feet of natural berm and masonry wall water control infrastructure, and improving 3,000 square feet of drainage systems; and

(4) Reducing air pollution by transitioning users away from the coal-fired AES power plant to clean solar power through the microgrid implementation and installing 3 EV charging stations to support adoption of electric vehicles in southern and eastern Puerto Rico.

The project also includes developing traditional and social media campaigns to reach at least 200,000 viewers with information about project impacts.

**Subrecipient:**

Solar United Neighbors (SUN) - Statutory partner will:

- Lead implementation of resilience hubs including solar/battery installations.
- Conduct Solar 101 certification workshops and installer training.
- Provide technical assistance for microgrid development.
- Lead community education and training activities.

Solar Village Partners (SVP) will:

- Support establishment of 20 resilience hubs.
- Conduct focus groups and surveys to evaluate community impact.
- Partner with local institutions for long-term hub sustainability.

EarthSpark International will:

- Support development and implementation of the La Margarita microgrid.
- Provide technical expertise for microgrid operations and scaling.

Atma will:

- Adapt and implement the ATMAGO digital disaster communication platform.
- Set up online disaster warning system.
- Support community coordination and mutual aid networks.
- Implement clean water network activities in collaboration with existing EPA community problem-solving grant.

**Outcomes:** The anticipated deliverables include:

(1) One operational community-led microgrid serving 700 households, 12 critical facilities, and other establishments in La Margarita;

(2) 15 residential rooftop solar+battery systems installed for vulnerable households;

(3) 20 equipped resilience hubs established across the project area;

(4) 100 residential flood barriers installed.

Asociacion De Residentes De La Margarita

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 2: New York City [EPA - RO]

Salinas Zona Urbana, Puerto Rico United States

City-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 01/14/28 to 05/02/25.