H.R. 6615

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 6615 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 6615

To require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to 
carry out a grant program for projects and activities to address 
climate justice concerns of environmental justice communities, and for 
other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

December 11, 2025

Ms. Barragan introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on 
Natural Resources, for a period to be subsequently determined by the 
Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall 
within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

A BILL

To require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to 
carry out a grant program for projects and activities to address 
climate justice concerns of environmental justice communities, and for 
other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``Climate Justice Grants Act''.

SEC. 2. CLIMATE JUSTICE GRANT PROGRAM.

(a) Establishment.--The Administrator shall establish a program 
under which the Administrator shall provide grants to eligible entities 
to assist the eligible entities in--
(1) building capacity to address issues relating to climate 
justice; and
(2) carrying out any activity described in subsection (d).
(b) Eligibility.--To be eligible to receive a grant under 
subsection (a), an eligible entity shall be a Tribal government, local 
government, or nonprofit, community-based organization.
(c) Application.--To be eligible to receive a grant under 
subsection (a), an eligible entity shall submit to the Administrator an 
application at such time, in such manner, and containing such 
information as the Administrator may require, including--
(1) an outline describing the means by which the project 
proposed by the eligible entity will--
(A) with respect to climate justice issues at the 
local level, increase the understanding of the 
environmental justice community at which the eligible 
entity will conduct the project;
(B) improve the ability of the environmental 
justice community to address each issue described in 
subparagraph (A);
(C) facilitate collaboration and cooperation among 
various stakeholders (including members of the 
environmental justice community); and
(D) support the ability of the environmental 
justice community to proactively plan and implement 
climate justice initiatives;
(2) a proposed budget for each activity of the project that 
is the subject of the application;
(3) a list of proposed outcomes with respect to the 
proposed project;
(4) a description of the ways by which the eligible entity 
may leverage the funds of the eligible entity, or the funds 
made available through a grant under this subsection, to 
develop a project that is capable of being sustained beyond the 
period of the grant; and
(5) a description of the ways by which the eligible entity 
is linked to, and representative of, the environmental justice 
community at which the eligible entity will conduct the 
project.
(d) Use of Funds.--An eligible entity may only use a grant under 
this subsection to carry out culturally and linguistically appropriate 
projects and activities that are driven by the needs, opportunities, 
and priorities of the environmental justice community at which the 
eligible entity proposes to conduct the project or activity to address 
climate justice concerns of the environmental justice community, 
including activities--
(1) to create or develop collaborative partnerships;
(2) to educate and provide outreach services to the 
environmental justice community on climate justice; and
(3) to identify and implement projects to address climate 
justice concerns, including community solar and wind energy 
projects, energy efficiency, home and building electrification, 
home and building weatherization, energy storage, solar and 
wind energy supported microgrids, battery electric vehicles, 
electric vehicle charging infrastructure, natural 
infrastructure, and climate resilient infrastructure.
(e) Limitations on Amount.--The amount of a grant under this 
section may not exceed $2,000,000 for any grant recipient.
(f) Report.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the 
Administrator shall submit to the Committees on Energy and 
Commerce and Natural Resources of the House of Representatives 
and the Committees on Environment and Public Works and Energy 
and Natural Resources of the Senate a report describing the 
ways by which the grant program under this subsection has 
helped eligible entities address issues relating to energy and 
climate justice.
(2) Public availability.--The Administrator shall make each 
report required under paragraph (1) available to the public 
(including by posting a copy of the report on the website of 
the Environmental Protection Agency).
(g) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be 
appropriated to carry out this section $1,000,000,000 for each of 
fiscal years 2026 through 2035. The Administrator may not use more than 
2 percent of the amount appropriated for each fiscal year for 
administrative expenses, including outreach and technical assistance to 
eligible entities.

SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

In this Act:
(1) Administrator.--The term ``Administrator'' means the 
Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.
(2) Climate justice.--The term ``climate justice'' means 
the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all 
individuals, regardless of race, color, culture, national 
origin, educational level, or income, with respect to the 
development, implementation, and enforcement of policies and 
projects that address climate change, a recognition of the 
historical responsibilities for climate change, and a 
commitment that the people and communities least responsible 
for climate change, and most vulnerable to the impacts of 
climate change, do not suffer disproportionately as a result of 
historical injustice and disinvestment.
(3) Environmental justice community.--The term 
``environmental justice community'' means any population of 
color, community of color, indigenous community, or low-income 
community that experiences a disproportionate burden of the 
negative human health and environmental impacts of pollution or 
other environmental hazards.
(4) Indigenous community.--The term ``indigenous 
community'' means--
(A) a federally recognized Indian Tribe;
(B) a State-recognized Indian Tribe;
(C) an Alaska Native or Native Hawaiian community 
or organization; and
(D) any other community of indigenous people, 
including communities in other countries.
(5) Low income.--The term ``low income'' means an annual 
household income equal to, or less than, the greater of--
(A) an amount equal to 80 percent of the median 
income of the area in which the household is located, 
as reported by the Department of Housing and Urban 
Development; and
(B) 200 percent of the Federal poverty line.
(6) Low-income community.--The term ``low-income 
community'' means any census block group in which 30 percent or 
more of the population are individuals with low income.
(7) Natural infrastructure.--The term ``natural 
infrastructure'' means infrastructure that uses, restores, or 
emulates natural ecological processes and--
(A) is created through the action of natural 
physical, geological, biological, and chemical 
processes over time;
(B) is created by human design, engineering, and 
construction to emulate or act in concert with natural 
processes; or
(C) involves the use of plants, soils, and other 
natural features, including through the creation, 
restoration, or preservation of vegetated areas using 
materials appropriate to the region to manage 
stormwater and runoff, to attenuate flooding and storm 
surges, and for other related purposes.
(8) Population of color.--The term ``population of color'' 
means a population of individuals who identify as--
(A) Black;
(B) African American;
(C) Asian;
(D) Pacific Islander;
(E) another non-White race;
(F) Hispanic;
(G) Latino; or
(H) linguistically isolated.
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