Current Funding Opportunities for Energy and Environment 10 08 2024

Current Funding Opportunities for Energy and the Environment
October 8
This webinar explores current funding opportunities for green infrastructure, clean energy projects, and brownfields revitalization and cleanup. Our speakers will provide details on program requirements, eligibility, application processes, and available resources for these open funding opportunities.
The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) administers the Green Infrastructure Grant Opportunities (GIGO) program to support the construction of green infrastructure best management practices (BMPs) aimed at reducing stormwater runoff before it reaches rivers, streams, and lakes. Examples of BMPs include rainwater harvesting, detention ponds, wetland creation, and more. This program offers a total of $5 million in funding, with grant awards ranging from a minimum of $75,000 to a maximum of $2.5 million.
The Energy Improvements in Rural or Remote Areas (ERA) program aims to build energy independence, increase tax revenue, stimulate economic development, and create local jobs. This program is available to communities with populations of 10,000 or fewer. It includes up to $400 million in funding, with individual grant awards ranging from a minimum of $2 million to a maximum of $50 million.
The EPA offers several grant opportunities to revitalize brownfields - proprieties that are abandoned or underutilized that may contain a hazardous substance, pollutants, or contaminants, which can hinder redevelopment, expansion, or reuse. These programs support the cleanup and revitalization of these properties. This enables their reuse to generate community benefits such as job growth, increased tax revenue, and new economic development opportunities.

Presenters:
Christine Davis is the Manager for the Watershed Management Section of the Bureau of Water at Illinois EPA’s Springfield Headquarters. The Watershed Management Section has voluntary and regulatory programs to help protect Illinois’ surface and groundwater resources. Ms. Davis routinely works with not-for-profit organizations and local governments to successfully implement site-specific and watershed-wide nonpoint source pollution control practices, projects and programs. Prior to working at Illinois EPA, Christine was a Resource Conservationist for the Macon, Sangamon and Macoupin County Soil & Water Conservation Districts for more than eight years. During that time, she developed and delivered a variety of environmental education programs for students and adults and devoted a great deal of her time developing conservation farm plans and designing conservation practices for local farmers. Ms. Davis has a Bachelor of Science degree in Agronomy from Western Illinois University and has invested thousands of volunteer hours to support environmental organizations in Sangamon County.

Monika Vadali is Senior Program Manager of the Renewable Energy Team at Great Plains Institute (GPI). She will speak about the Energy in Remote and Rural Areas program. Her work involves developing state, local, and national collaborations for renewable energy grant projects as well as federal projects with an environmental justice and energy equity focus. She is currently involved in several agri-voltaic projects as well as federal projects with an environmental justice and energy equity focus. Before joining GPI, Monika worked at the MPCA as an environmental research scientist doing facility air toxics risk assessments and community-focused air sensors program development. Monika has a master’s of public affairs from the University of Minnesota’s Humphrey School of Public Affairs with a minor in science, technology, and environmental policy and a doctorate from the University of Minnesota’s School of Public Health. Dr. Vadali also currently sits on the Environmental Quality Committee for the city of Plymouth as a commissioner and serves as an alternate commissioner for the Basset Creek Watershed Management Commission, also for the city of Plymouth. She is an advisor for the Women in Leadership Certificate Program at Minnesota State University, Mankato (2023).

Roxanne Anderson is Regional Director for EPA Region 5 at the Kansas State University Technical Assistance to Brownfields (KSU TAB). She will speak about the Brownfields opportunities. Her career has focused on providing technical expertise, securing funding, and offering resource assistance to diverse communities. Her work has allowed her to witness firsthand the transformative impact of collaboration, empathy, and shared purpose. With experience working for both state and federal governments, as well as with non-profit organizations, Roxanne brings a wide perspective to her problem-solving approach. She believes in addressing challenges holistically, breaking down perceived barriers, and finding innovative solutions.