This agreement provides funding under the inflation reduction act (IRA) to the international center for appropriate and sustainable technology (ICAST)

This $500,000 Project Grant award under the Environmental Justice Collaborative Problem-Solving (EJCPS) Cooperative Agreement Program, administered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), will fund a three-year program led by the International Center for Appropriate and Sustainable Technology (ICAST) to decrease reliance on propane heating among four partnering New Mexico tribes. The program will retrofit and replace existing propane heating systems in at least 10 tribal properties with beneficial electrification alternatives, such as electric heat pumps, hot water systems, and induction stoves. The project aims to reduce energy costs, address environmental health and justice issues, and establish a model for potential future expansion. Key activities include conducting energy audits and health assessments, performing outreach and education initiatives, and developing a feasibility study and resource guide for community-wide implementation.

The recipient will plan, pilot, and evaluate a three-year program with partnering new mexico tribes (including jemez pueblo, ZIA pueblo, mescalero apache nation, and taos pueblo), and other entities, to decrease the tribes' reliance on propane heating via retrofit/replacement of extant propane heating systems in tribal buildings with beneficial electrification (be) alternatives. The recipient aims, not only to reduce energy costs, but to address environmental health and justice issues by increasing public health and safety over the course of the three-year projectmdash; with the added benefit of establishing a model for potential future programs and/or expansion of the pilot. Through a series of consecutive project phases, the recipient will raise public awareness via education and outreach initiatives; conduct energy audits and health assessments of tribal properties; replace propane heating systems at a minimum of 10 tribal properties; and create a feasibility study and resource guide for the purpose of community-wide implementation at the pilot's conclusion.activities:the activities include: partnering with tribes and other entities to identify financing and technical assistance solutions, as well as develop and perform outreach and education initiatives; analyzing tribal residential, government, and commercial buildings to evaluate properties at which propane heating systems can be replaced with beneficial electrification (be) solutions; planning individual retrofits and replacements, and conducting energy audits and health assessments of the tribal properties selected; replacing propane furnaces with electric heat pump heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVACS), propane water heaters with heat pump hot water systems, and propane stoves with induction stoves at a minimum of 10 tribal properties; and producing a feasibility study and resource guide from the recorded data and monitored findings at the conclusion of the pilot program. Subrecipient:the triple bottom line (TBL) fund will aid in providing technical assistance and developing education/outreach materials for the tribal community leaders and members. Outcomes:the anticipated deliverables include: creation of a coalition of tribes meant to address and develop environmental justice solutions within the new mexico region; formalized trainings for tribal leaders and community members on the process and benefits of switching from propane to beneficial electrification (be); technical assistance in applying for resources and financing from external funding sources; financial assistance utilizing the triple bottom line foundation (TBL) fund; a project management plan (PMP); energy audits and health assessments of selected tribal properties; weekly management reviews, including project performance updates; removal of propane systems and installment of be alternative systems at 10 properties; a feasibility study, followed by a cumulative, conclusory resource guide. The expected outcomes include: providing education to at least 400 members and directly impact at least 50 members of associated tribes; reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by at least 51.35 tons; improve health and safety of eight (8) to 10 buildings; reduce energy cost by $435,000 over the life of the upgrades; and create and disburse a cumulative resource guide. The intended beneficiaries of this project are residents; locally-owned companies/businesses; agencies; and other entities of federally recognized new mexico tribes, including jemez pueblo, ZIA pueblo, mescalero apache nation, and taos pueblo.