More than $200 million of the state’s cap-and-trade funds is to be allocated to select communities in the Central and San Joaquin valleys identified as disadvantaged by the California Environmental Protection Agency. The “disadvantaged community” designation creates eligibility for funding but does not entitle or guarantee it,” said Arsenio Mataka, CalEPA assistant secretary for environmental justice, said Oct. 31. The swath of identified communities, representing one-fourth of the polluted communities tagged by the California environmental agency, must compete for a slice of the2014-15 cap-and-trade revenue. The total amount to be allocated during this fiscal year is $832 million. Of that, $272 million of the carbon market auction revenue is earmarked for communities in the 25 percent of those identified in the agency’s census track as disadvantaged pursuant to enacted legislation, SB 535. Some of the funds for disadvantaged communities that successfully compete may be dispersed in the next month or two to successful disadvantaged communities. “The overall hope is to the extent possible get money to areas that need it in a timely manner,” said Mataka. The timing of disbursement depends on the agency holding the funds. The agencies include the California Air Resources Board, Energy Commission, Cal Fire, and Community Development Services, each with their own funding cycle. * * * * * The Department of Energy and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released greenhouse gas reduction plans for their facilities and programs Oct. 31. The department has cut greenhouse gas emissions by 34 percent since 2008, stated Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz. Its plan notes the agency is “committed to demonstrating continued progress in our sustainability efforts, saving taxpayer dollars by reducing energy use and cutting waste, while also protecting the environment by further cutting carbon emissions,” he added. That includes increasing the number of “green” department buildings. The last year, the Department of Energy “added 33 buildings to its green building portfolio, for a total of 101 buildings that meet the federal guiding principles for high performance and sustainable buildings, representing a 49 percent increase” over 2012. It also cut its fleet’s petroleum use by 8 percent during the same period. The federal program “provides the agency with a roadmap for how we will anticipate and plan for a changing climate, while our Sustainability Plan identifies specific ways we will help slow the rate of climate change by reducing our own carbon footprint.” said U.S. EPA administrator Gina McCarthy. The agency is integrating climate change criteria into its water infrastructure investments under its Clean Water State Revolving Fund. It also is providing tools to communities to help adapt to an altered climate, including increased storm water runoff, according to the agency.
