The Environmental Protection Agency recently stated it is canceling more than $1.7B worth of “DEI and Environmental Protection” grants, resulting in the cancellation of a $20M grant toward the Walker River Paiute Tribe’s infrastructure projects.
The funding would have allowed the tribe to fix its low water pressure, which has several concerns ranging from health to fire hazards. Water issues also stunt development growth, as new homes’ demand would exceed the existing water supply.
The funding was awarded to the tribe through the Inflation Reduction Act’s Community Change Grants Program. The lead applicant, the Nevada Clean Energy Fund, discovered it no longer had access to the funding as of March 7. The EPA then announced it was rescinding funding for a multitude of projects on March 10.
The projects are currently frozen, as courts have previously overturned the Trump administration’s funding freezes, and numerous elected officials are working to return funding to the project. Many projects are reliant on construction starting by September due to the necessity of other funding streams.
If the funding is returned prior to the deadline, the project will consist of a variety of water and energy infrastructure projects.
The Department of Agriculture also canceled an agreement to distribute local food to the Tribe’s food pantry. The food pantry is used by approximately 40% of the Tribe’s population. (Source)
