New EPA Initiative Aims to Aid Tribal Nations

Montana State University (MSU) became the focal point for a significant announcement by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The university was chosen to lead a pioneering initiative aimed at aiding communities and tribal nations across six states to navigate the complexities of environmental and energy challenges.

With a grant of at least $10 million, MSU is set to establish a regional partnership under the EPA’s Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Centers Program. This program represents a vital step towards addressing the needs of underserved and indigenous groups within EPA Region 8, which encompasses Montana, Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, South Dakota, and North Dakota.

The partnership will see the creation of a hub at MSU, facilitating a network of resources and assistance to communities historically marginalized and burdened by environmental issues. Offices on the MSU campus will serve as the program’s operational heart, with outreach and engagement specialists positioned throughout the region to bolster the initiative’s reach and efficacy.

KC Becker, the EPA regional administrator, underscored the transformative potential of this collaboration, stating, “Together, EPA and MSU will help break down the barriers to resources that underserved and overburdened communities have always faced. These communities deserve support and fair access to the historic levels of funding EPA offers to protect families’ health and homes.”

Julia Haggerty, an associate professor in MSU’s Department of Earth Sciences, College of Letters and Science, takes the reins as the acting manager of the new program. Haggerty, whose work has extensively focused on aiding communities and tribal nations in adapting to the shifts in energy and natural resource markets and policies, views this initiative as a conduit for positive change. The program is expected to launch its operations this spring, promising a new era of community engagement and support.

Haggerty’s vision for the program extends beyond mere technical assistance; it aims to foster a deep connection between MSU’s academic community and the broader societal efforts towards environmental justice.

“What excites me as a faculty member is that this creates an incredible opportunity to elevate our game when it comes to identifying service-learning opportunities for students as we support program participants,” she remarked. “Many students and faculty care deeply about doing work to improve well-being in the region. There will be tremendous opportunities for students to learn from and participate in these efforts.”

This initiative is part of a larger, nationwide effort by the EPA to establish 13 regional centers under the White House’s Investing in America agenda. MSU’s selection was based on its demonstrated capacity to provide crucial technical assistance related to energy and environmental justice.

The centers are designed to offer a broad spectrum of support, including training in federal grant application processes, development of strong grant proposals, and effective funding management. An additional layer of support will focus on community engagement, facilitation of meetings, and the provision of translation and interpretation services, ensuring inclusivity and accessibility for all program participants.

A noteworthy aspect of MSU’s program is its collaborative approach, leveraging the expertise of partner agencies and organizations. Among these partners, the Extension programs at MSU, Colorado State University, Utah State University, and the University of Wyoming stand out, receiving funding under the five-year grant to supervise the community engagement specialists in their respective areas.

Haggerty emphasized the role of these specialists, stating, “The specialists – five new positions in total – will connect the knowledge and leadership in Region 8 communities with resources to empower local solutions.” She highlighted a pervasive issue: the fleeting nature of funding opportunities for environmental and energy projects, which often bypass underserved communities due to a lack of necessary resources to apply and manage such funds.

The collaborative effort is further bolstered by the involvement of entities like the Colorado State University Center for Environmental Justice, serving as the executive co-lead alongside MSU.

Funded partners extend beyond land-grant schools, including the Alliance for Tribal Clean Energy and The Center for Social Creativity, among others. This extensive network of organizations underscores the comprehensive approach taken to address environmental and energy issues facing the region.

At the heart of MSU’s strategy lies a commitment to enhancing community vitality and leadership, particularly within rural and tribal contexts. Cody Stone, Extension executive director, spoke to this commitment, highlighting the role of MSU Extension in using its expertise for the benefit of these communities.

This effort aligns with the Montana IDeA Community Engagement Core’s mission to foster tribal and rural community partnerships, aiming to mitigate health disparities and promote health equity.

The establishment of the Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Center at MSU represents a crucial step forward in the collective journey towards environmental and energy justice. By pooling resources, expertise, and a shared vision for a more equitable future, MSU and its partners are set to make a lasting impact on the lives and well-being of countless communities and tribal nations in EPA Region 8 and beyond.