EPA-G2022-STAR-F1 Revised.pdf

COVID-19 Update: EPA is providing flexibilities to applicants experiencing challenges related to COVID-19. Please see the Flexibilities Available to Organizations Impacted by COVID-19 clause in Section IV of EPA’s Solicitation Clauses.

OVERVIEW INFORMATION

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Science Advisor, Policy and Engagement Office of Research and Development Science to Achieve Results (STAR) Program

DRIVERS AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF

ENERGY TRANSITIONS IN UNDERSERVED

COMMUNITIES

This is the initial announcement of this funding opportunity.

Funding Opportunity Number:

EPA-G2022-STAR-F1, Drivers and Environmental Impacts of Energy Transitions in Underserved Communities EPA-G2022-STAR-F2, Early Career: Drivers and Environmental Impacts of Energy Transitions in Underserved Communities

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 66.509

Solicitation Opening Date: January 18, 2022 Solicitation Closing Date: April 28, 2022: 11:59:59 pm Eastern Time

Table of Contents

SUMMARY OF PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

Synopsis of Program Award Information Eligibility Information Application Materials Agency Contacts

I. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

A. Introduction

B. Background C. Authority and Regulations D. Specific Research Areas of Interest/Expected Outputs and Outcomes E. References F. Special Requirements G. Additional Provisions for Applicants Incorporated into the Solicitation https://www.epa.gov/grants/epa-solicitation-clauses

II. AWARD INFORMATION

III. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

A. Eligible Applicants B. Cost Sharing C. Other

IV. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

A. Grants.gov Submittal Requirements and Limited Exception Procedures B. Application Package Information C. Content and Form of Application Submission D. Submission Dates and Times E. Funding Restrictions F. Submission Instructions and Other Submission Requirements

V. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

A. Peer Review B. Relevancy Review C. Past Performance History Review D. Human Subjects Research Statement (HSRS) Review E. Evaluation of the Scientific Data Management Plan F. Funding Decisions

VI. AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION

A. Award Notices B. Disputes C. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

VII. AGENCY CONTACTS

For Updates and Additional Information (https://www.epa.gov/research-grants/research-funding-opportunities) Access Standard STAR Forms (https://www.epa.gov/research-grants/research-funding-opportunities-how-apply-and-required-forms) View research awarded under previous solicitations (https://www.epa.gov/research-grants/research-grant-areas)

SUMMARY OF PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

Synopsis of Program:

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as part of its Science to Achieve Results (STAR) program, is seeking applications proposing community-engaged research that will address the drivers and environmental impacts of energy transitions in underserved communities.

For purposes of this competition and the evaluation of applications, “underserved communities” refers to populations sharing a particular characteristic, as well as geographic communities, that have been systematically denied a full opportunity to participate in aspects of economic, social, and civic life, including people of color, low income, rural, tribal, indigenous, and other populations that may be disproportionately impacted by environmental harms and risks.

Specifically, this RFA seeks research that addresses the following research areas:

https://www.epa.gov/research-grants/research-funding-opportunities https://www.epa.gov/research-grants/research-funding-opportunities https://www.epa.gov/research-grants/research-funding-opportunities-how-apply-and-required-forms https://www.epa.gov/research-grants/research-funding-opportunities-how-apply-and-required-forms https://www.epa.gov/research-grants/research-grant-areas https://www.epa.gov/research-grants/research-grant-areas

1. Understanding how air quality, the environment, and public health in underserved communities might be improved through the transformations of the energy sector (e.g., wide-spread adoption of renewable energy sources and energy efficient technologies, electrification of transportation services and household energy use) while minimizing potential negative impacts;

2. Identifying approaches or strategies to ensure that energy transitions provide air quality benefits and reduce environmental risks while meeting the energy and mobility needs of underserved communities;

3. Understanding how socioeconomic, cultural, behavioral, institutional, and systems factors drive individual and household decisions regarding the adoption of renewable energy sources, energy-efficient technologies and building modifications, and new transportation modes in underserved communities;

4. Understanding how socioeconomic, organizational, and institutional factors affect decisions at the organizational, governmental, and community levels regarding the adoption and diffusion of renewable energy sources, energy-efficient technologies, building modifications, and new transportation modes in underserved communities; and,

5. Identifying and evaluating potential multi-pollutant and/or multi-sectoral approaches to achieve climate, air quality, and other environmental goals while maximizing potential positive impacts as well as minimizing potential negative impacts to underserved communities arising from large-scale energy systems transformation.

This solicitation provides the opportunity for the submission of applications for projects that may involve human subjects research. Human subjects research supported by the EPA is governed by EPA Regulation 40 CFR Part 26 (Protection of Human Subjects). This includes the Common Rule at subpart A and prohibitions and additional protections for pregnant women and fetuses, nursing women, and children at subparts B, C, and D. Research meeting the regulatory definition of intentional exposure research found in subpart B is prohibited by that subpart in pregnant women, nursing women, and children. Research meeting the regulatory definition of observational research found in subparts C and D is subject to the additional protections found in those subparts for pregnant women and fetuses (subpart C) and children (subpart D). All applications must include a Human Subjects Research Statement (HSRS, as described in Section IV.C.6.c of this solicitation), and if the project involves human subjects research, it will be subject to an additional level of review prior to funding decisions being made as described in Sections V.D and V.F of this solicitation.

Guidance and training for investigators conducting EPA-funded research involving human subjects may be obtained here:

https://www.epa.gov/osa/basic-information-about-human-subjects-research-0 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title40/40cfr26_main_02.tpl

In addition to regular awards, this solicitation includes the opportunity for early career awards.

The purpose of the early career award is to fund research projects smaller in scope and budget by early career PIs. It is expected that the majority of the research will be performed by early career https://www.epa.gov/osa/basic-information-about-human-subjects-research-0 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title40/40cfr26_main_02.tpl investigators. Further, it is expected that significant resources will be allotted to early career investigators to perform the research. Please see Section III of this Request for Applications (RFA) for details on the early career eligibility criteria.

Award Information:

Anticipated Type of Award: Grant or cooperative agreement Estimated Number of Awards: Approximately 11 awards EPA intends to award 6 regular applications and 5 early career applications (as defined in Section III.A). This is an estimate and is subject to change based on funding levels, the quality of applications received, and other applicable considerations. See Section V.F. Funding Decisions for additional information.

Anticipated Funding Amount: Approximately $10 million total for all awards Potential Funding per Award: Up to a total of $1,125,000 per regular award, and up to a total of $650,000 per early career award, including direct and indirect costs, with a maximum duration of four years. Cost-sharing is not required. Applications with budgets exceeding the total award limits will not be considered.

Eligibility Information:

Public and private nonprofit institutions/organizations, public and private institutions of higher education, and hospitals located in the U.S. and its territories or possessions; state and local governments; Federally Recognized Indian Tribal Governments; and U.S. territories or possessions are eligible to apply. Special eligibility criteria apply to the early career award portion of this RFA. See full announcement for more details.

Application Materials:

To apply under this solicitation, use the application package available at Grants.gov (for further submission information see Section IV.F. “Submission Instructions and other Submission Requirements”). Note: With the exception of the current and pending support form (available at https://www.epa.gov/research-grants/research-funding-opportunities-how-apply-and-required-forms), all necessary forms are included in the electronic application package. Make sure to include the current and pending support form in your Grants.gov submission.

If your organization is not currently registered with Grants.gov, you need to allow approximately one month to complete the registration process. Applicants must ensure that all registration requirements are met in order to apply for this opportunity through Grants.gov and should ensure that all such requirements have been met well in advance of the submission deadline. This registration, and electronic submission of your application, must be performed by an authorized representative of your organization.

If you do not have the appropriate internet access to utilize the Grants.gov application submission process for this solicitation, see Section IV.A below for additional guidance and instructions.

Agency Contacts:

Technical Contact: Serena Chung; phone: 202-564-6069; email: chung.serena@epa.gov Eligibility Contact: Ron Josephson; phone: 202-564-7823; email: josephson.ron@epa.gov https://www.epa.gov/research-grants/research-funding-opportunities-how-apply-and-required-forms https://www.epa.gov/research-grants/research-funding-opportunities-how-apply-and-required-forms mailto:chung.serena@epa.gov mailto:josephson.ron@epa.gov

Electronic Submissions Contact: Debra M. Jones; phone: 202-564-7839; email:

jones.debram@epa.gov

I. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

A. Introduction

Climate change mitigation and adaptation is a high priority for the United States and the EPA.

Rapid large-scale transformations of energy systems and transportation services to low-carbon, renewable, and energy efficient sources and technologies are essential to achieving deep reductions in carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions necessary to avoid the most severe impacts of climate change. These energy transitions are underway, but the pace and trajectories remain uncertain. The uncertainties provide challenges and opportunities to improve environmental and public health in ways that also reduce the inequities prevalent in the current energy and transportation systems, such as the disproportionate impact of environmental hazards on minority and low-income populations.

Environmental Justice (EJ) is an integral part of EPA’s mission to protect human health and the environment. EJ is achieved when all people are fully protected from environmental and health hazards and have equitable access to decision-making processes to maintain a healthy environment in which to live, learn, and work. The EPA defines EJ as the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income with respect to the development, implementation and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies. Fair treatment means no group of people should bear a disproportionate share of the negative environmental consequences resulting from industrial, governmental, and commercial operations or policies. Meaningful involvement means people have an opportunity to participate in decisions about activities that may affect their environment and/or health; the public's contribution can influence the regulatory agency's decision; community concerns will be considered in the decision-making process; and decision makers will seek out and facilitate the involvement of those potentially affected. In addition, EPA recognizes the right of Federally recognized tribes as sovereign governments to self-determination and acknowledges the federal government’s trust responsibility to tribes.

This research solicitation supports the Administration’s priorities to address environmental justice and the climate crisis, such as described in the following Executive Orders (EOs):

• EO 13985: Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities through the Federal Government

• EO 13990: Protecting Public Health and the Environment and Restoring Science to Tackle the Climate Crisis

• EO 14008: Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad

The Science to Achieve Results (STAR) Program’s goal is to stimulate and support scientific and engineering research that advances EPA’s mission to protect human health and the environment.

It is a competitive, peer-reviewed, extramural research program that provides access to the nation’s best scientists and engineers in academic and other nonprofit research institutions.

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STAR funds research on the environmental and public health effects of air quality, environmental changes, water quality and quantity, hazardous waste, toxic substances, and pesticides.

In addition to regular awards, this solicitation includes the opportunity for early career awards.

The purpose of the early career award is to fund research projects smaller in scope and budget by early career PIs. Please see Section III of this RFA for details on the early career eligibility criteria.

EPA recognizes that it is important to engage all available minds to address the environmental challenges the Nation faces. At the same time, EPA seeks to expand the environmental conversation by including members of communities which may have not previously participated in such dialogues to participate in EPA programs. For this reason, EPA strongly encourages all eligible applicants identified in Section III, including minority serving institutions (MSIs), to apply under this opportunity.

For purposes of this solicitation, the following are considered MSIs:

1. Historically Black Colleges and Universities, as defined by the Higher Education Act (20 U.S.C. § 1061(2)). A list of these schools can be found at Historically Black Colleges and Universities;

2. Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs), as defined by the Higher Education Act (20 U.S.C. § 1059c(b)(3) and (d)(1)). A list of these schools can be found at American Indian Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities;

3. Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs), as defined by the Higher Education Act (20 U.S.C. § 1101a(a)(5)). A list of these schools can be found at Hispanic-Serving Institutions;

4. Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions; (AANAPISIs), as defined by the Higher Education Act (20 U.S.C. § 1059g(b)(2)). A list of these schools can be found at Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions; and

5. Predominately Black Institutions (PBIs), as defined by the Higher Education Act of 2008, 20 U.S.C. 1059e(b)(6). A list of these schools can be found at Predominately Black Institutions.

B. Background

Energy and transportation systems are rapidly shifting away from fossil-based systems of energy production and consumption. These changes are central to mitigating climate change as scientific evidence continues to emphasize the urgent need to reduce GHG emissions (IPCC, 2021). As energy systems and transportation landscapes evolve, the type, magnitude, and distribution of environmental and public health benefits and burdens will also evolve spatially and temporally, and actions at the local and state levels can play a pivotal role in determining the distribution of benefits and risks across communities. To address environmental and public health challenges associated with energy transitions, actions must be taken to address the diverse sets of https://sites.ed.gov/whhbcu/one-hundred-and-five-historically-black-colleges-and-universities/ https://sites.ed.gov/whhbcu/one-hundred-and-five-historically-black-colleges-and-universities/ https://sites.ed.gov/whiaiane/tribes-tcus/tribal-colleges-and-universities/ https://sites.ed.gov/whiaiane/tribes-tcus/tribal-colleges-and-universities/ https://sites.ed.gov/hispanic-initiative/hispanic-serving-institutions-hsis/ https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1XVkOWKMDORm53pvU0L8EPsrJC94&msa=0&ie=UTF8&t=m&z=3&source=embed&ll=40.58644586187277%2C-148.28228249999984 https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1wlIi3j7gtlNq_w-0NKAb2bF2VmY&ie=UTF&msa=0&ll=37.35160769312532%2C-96.17229800000001&z=4 community needs and concerns, which are dependent on geographic, socioeconomic, demographic, governmental, and other contexts and vary with time. The focus of this research solicitation is on underserved communities, where “underserved communities” refers to populations sharing a particular characteristic, as well as geographic communities, that have been systematically denied a full opportunity to participate in aspects of economic, social, and civic life, including people of color, low income, rural, tribal, indigenous, and other populations that may be disproportionately impacted by environmental harms and risks. Given the differences in needs, opportunities, and potential impacts across different types of underserved communities, this solicitation seeks research that involves substantial engagement with communities, community-based organizations, and/or tribes to leverage the experience and expertise of the affected communities.

Energy Transitions and Potential Environmental Impacts

Energy transitions are occurring throughout the built environment, including residential buildings, commercial buildings, industrial facilities, and transportation systems; and are centered around increasing use of low-carbon and renewable energy sources and technologies, increasing energy efficiency, lowering energy intensity, and reducing energy demand.

Electrification of appliances and vehicles, and advancement in energy storage technologies are increasing electricity demand while enabling incorporation of renewable resources. Hydrogen, when produced using electricity from renewable energy sources, has the potential to greatly reduce greenhouse gas emissions from industrial production processes and heavy-duty transportation. These changes are transforming the electrical power grids as they expand, interconnect, distribute generation, incorporate storage, and decarbonize.

In addition to providing climate benefit by reducing GHG emissions, the energy transitions also provide co-benefits in improving air quality and reducing related public health burdens. Studies have typically concluded that the monetized value of air quality co-benefits exceeds implementation costs; though some studies indicate a mix of benefits and disbenefits, due to the complexity of economic feedback from changing fuel prices, sectoral shifts in energy demand, and/or non-linear chemical processes associated with atmospheric ozone formation (Gallagher and Holloway, 2020). Air quality benefits of energy transitions also carry over to indoor environments, where building electrification reduces the release of toxic pollutants from gas stoves and other gas appliances. However, reduced ventilation rates from energy efficiency measures may increase indoor air pollution in some cases.

The impacts of energy transitions touch on all environmental media and are not always positive.

For example, the production of photovoltaic cells for solar panels and mining metals for batteries can generate toxic substances that contaminate the environment. Additionally, electrification not only increases electricity demand, but could also change the temporal and spatial patterns of demand, putting stress on existing infrastructure (Wang et al. 2021; Muratori 2018). Increasing power generation capacity could lead to an expansion of energy generating facilities on rural lands (including tribal), with consequences for air quality, land-use, ecosystems, and water resources. Eventually, end-of-life recycling and disposal issues for used solar panels, wind turbine blades, batteries, and other components will increase in scale and, if poorly managed, present environmental and public health burdens. As newer energy technologies gain market share, older infrastructures are being displaced – some coal plants and mines are closing, some oil and gas wells are being abandoned, and underground storage tanks may remain in abandoned gasoline stations. These changes may pose both risks and opportunities to nearby communities and/or tribes.

Changes in the transportation sector play a significant role in energy transitions. Automakers are increasingly making announcements about their commitment to an electrified future. Electric vehicles (EVs) produce no tailpipe emissions and, thus, will remove a major local source of ambient air pollution that currently disproportionally affects many underserved communities.

While charging the battery may increase air pollutant emissions from power plants, driving electric instead of gasoline vehicles leads to reductions in total emissions and improved air quality, especially if the electricity is generated from renewable energy sources (Isik et al., 2021;

Ou et al., 2021; Schnell et al., 2019; Nopmongcol et al., 2017). The climate and air quality benefits will grow in the future as electricity generation is decarbonized. However, in the near term, EVs may contribute to increased air pollution emissions at existing coal-fired power plants and worsen air quality of downwind underserved communities. Non-tailpipe emissions of particulate matter from EVs may also differ from the internal combustion engine vehicles they displace due to differences in braking systems, vehicle weights, and other factors.

Other changes in the transportation sector, such as the emergence of new mobility providers and automated technologies, and associated vehicle types – including microtransit vans, city cars, autocycles, cargo trikes, e-bikes, and scooters – are underway. Collectively, a new mobility future of shared, automated, electric vehicles (SAEVs) and on-demand transportation services (or Mobility-as-a-Service [MaaS]) is developing. These trends could create a cleaner, more efficient, more affordable, more accessible, and more equitable transportation future; but they could also create negative consequences that disproportionally impact underserved communities.

In addition to passenger travel, movement of goods and services is also undergoing radical change due to the emergence of SAEV technologies and business strategies (e.g., e-commerce) taking advantage of these technologies. Long haul trucking may be an ideal target for automation, as evidenced by efforts to develop, test, and deploy trucks with driving automation (Heilweil, 2020). Local delivery fleets, buses, and shared mobility vehicles that return to a common depot can benefit greatly from the lower fuel and maintenance cost of electric vehicles.

Growing demand for faster goods delivery and e-commerce growth are also reshaping goods movement and creating opportunities for SAEVs and other innovations. These positive innovations are already beginning to place an unequal burden on underserved communities. For example, growth in e-commerce has led to increases in warehouses and distribution facilities, which are disproportionately located in low-income and minority neighborhoods, who then bear the brunt of increased noise and air pollution from increased truck traffic (Jaller et al., 2020;

Yuan, 2019). The combination of passenger and goods delivery could increase synergies with supply chain efficiency and may be a more sustainable approach to the “First-Last Mile” problem (Bruzzone et al, 2021).

Social Dimensions of Energy Transitions and Environmental Justice

Energy transitions require a wide range of socioeconomic, institutional, and behavioral changes that cannot be accomplished with technical innovations alone (Sovacool and Griffiths, 2020;

Hoppe and de Vries, 2019; Steg et al., 2015; Nye el al., 2010). As energy systems are woven into the interconnected social, economic, and political structures, new ways of organizing and governing energy systems will be necessary (Miller et al., 2013). The ability and willingness to adopt new technologies and change behaviors and acceptance of new initiatives are dependent on economic, social, cultural, and political contexts, and can be influenced by the degree of control that individuals have over their environments. To propel sustainable energy transitions and address potential environmental and public health impacts, we must understand and consider the ability and willingness of individuals, private and public organizations, businesses, tribes, and communities to adopt new technologies and implement energy efficiency measures. In addition, we must also understand and consider how individual and household behavior may change in the new built environment in order to achieve intended goals while avoiding unintended consequences.

Understanding the human and social dimensions of energy transitions in underserved communities is also critical in finding an equitable pathway to a clean energy future. Many studies have established that minority and low-income populations are more likely to live in close proximity to major roadways, industrial facilities, and other environmental hazards (Tessum et al., 2021; Mikati et al., 2018; Johnson et al., 2016; Pastor et al 2016; Mohai and Saha, 2015; Mohai et al, 2009). At the same time, underserved communities often are in transit deserts, where mobility access and vehicle affordability are key barriers to economic opportunity. The existing transportation paradigm – based on personally owned, internal combustion engine vehicles, and the roadways and parking spaces to support them – has created an infrastructure and exposure burden that has fallen disproportionately on people of color, low-income, and indigenous communities. In addition to being burdened disproportionally by environmental hazards and underserved by infrastructure, many low-income and minority communities are also located in areas at high risk for natural hazards that might increase in frequency and intensity due to climate change (U.S. EPA 2021) and may have less adaptive capacity to respond to and cope with natural disasters and emerging stressors caused by climate change (Chakraborty et al. 2019; Davies et al., 2018).

The social, political, and economic factors that contribute to environmental inequalities are also indicators of energy injustice in that minority and low-income populations are more likely to be exposed to air and water pollution from energy development, live in energy inefficient dwelling units with poorer structural building conditions and less efficient appliances, spend a greater portion of their income on energy related expenditures than the average family, and have less access to energy efficiency technologies (Kontokosta et al., 2020; Reames et al., 2018; Jessel et al., 2019; Drehobl and Ross, 2016; Reames 2016). Similarly, tribal communities face unique challenges on energy access and environmental justice issues due to political and cultural dynamics (Sandoval 2018; Vickery and Hunter, 2016); and many are disproportionately impacted by a number of environmental and health challenges that work against the safe practice of their traditional lifeways and achieving their sustainability goals.

Energy transitions may provide opportunities for underserved communities. As communities, states, and tribes consider new plans for housing, land use, and transportation development, involving the impacted communities in the decision-making process could help address the legacy of underinvestment and reduce the injustices prevalent in the current systems. Tribal land provides big potential for renewable projects; Native American land comprises approximately 2% of U.S. land but contains an estimated 5% of all renewable energy resources (U.S.

Department of Energy, 2013). Distributed, low-carbon energy generation in underserved communities has the potential to provide economic benefits, for example, by reducing electricity cost and creating new jobs. Distributed energy could also increase local autonomy by reducing reliance on electric utilities, including in the event of grid-scale power outages during extreme weather events. Investment in energy efficiency measures can be a cost-effective way to reduce utility bills in the long-term and improve occupant health. The emergence of technology-enabled on-demand transportation services could reduce the dependence on owning private vehicles and provide opportunities to design improved access to public transportation and individual mobility.

While energy transitions provide opportunities to reduce the inequities prevalent in the current systems, without concerted efforts, energy transitions, even when beneficial in aggregate, may perpetuate and even aggravate existing inequalities (Carley and Konisky, 2020; Fournier et al., 2020). Accessing the benefits of new technologies can be more difficult for some underserved communities due to up front-capital costs, restrictive eligibility requirements for incentives for purchasing technologies, inadequate or older housing stock, the necessary time and ownership aspects for accruing benefits, grid access, the availability of enabling infrastructure, and access to transportation services. As summarized by Carley and Konisky (2020), adopters of renewable and low-carbon energy technologies skew towards higher incomes. Low-income houseowners may lack funds to make the upfront investments for new technologies, and renters may not have the authority to make decisions on building changes. Access to public charging stations for EVs is less for low-income communities and communities of color; and the disparities are even larger in areas with a higher proportion of multi-unit housing (Hsu and Fingerman, 2021). People who have limited access to credit or do not have a smartphone may be locked out of new mobility options. While there are financial incentive programs to encourage adoption, they are also disproportionally utilized by higher-income groups (Ju et al., 2020; Borenstein and Davis, 2016).

Barriers for lower-income households include not being able to benefit from certain tax credits in the same way as higher-income households.

Low-income communities not only face barriers to accessing new technologies, they may also disproportionally bear the costs of cleaner energy and new mobility services. For example, California’s renewable-energy mandates and carbon cap-and-trade program have created a regressive energy tax, resulting in higher electricity cost in certain counties where household incomes are the lowest (Lesser, 2015). The growing adoption of solar by affluent households can potentially reduce sales for utilities and increase the share of fixed utility costs that low-income households have to pay (Brown et al., 2020). There are also concerns that transportation network companies (TNCs) could potentially displace public transit (Diao et al., 2021; Clewlow and Mishra, 2017). This displacement could potentially lead to a downward cycle of reduced funding for public transit services for those most in need of them.

Community Engagement

Realizing the benefits of energy transitions while avoiding adverse and unintended consequences requires engagement with affected communities, such as with tribes in ways that advance tribal sovereignty and self-determination. This engagement can help build awareness of needs, opportunities, and barriers in an evolving technical, social, and climate-altered environment. This also requires the acknowledgement and study of differences in needs, opportunities, potential impacts, susceptibilities, and vulnerabilities across different types of communities. Relevant community differences may be geographic (e.g., rural and urban areas), socioeconomic, demographic, governmental (e.g., tribal), or other types of characteristics. Research that engages the impacted communities and/or tribes throughout the research process – from defining the research questions and objectives to co-production, translation and dissemination of knowledge, such as building partnerships with local community groups, environmental organizations, public health and environmental agencies, local or tribal governments, and tribal consortia – may enhance scientific research pertinent to providing insights and developing solutions needed for placing us on an equitable pathway to a clean energy and climate resilient future. The enhancement may also help to build capacity for impacted communities or community-based organizations to address their needs and concerns beyond the lifetime of the project.

More information about the community engagement plan requirement is given below, under “Specific Research Areas of Interest/Expected Outputs and Outcomes” (Section I.D) and in the instructions for the “Community Engagement Plan” (Section IV.C.6.e).

C. Authority and Regulations

The authority for this RFA and resulting awards is contained in the Clean Air Act, 42 U.S.C.

7403, Section 103(b)(3).

For research with an international aspect, the above statutes are supplemented, as appropriate, by the National Environmental Policy Act, Section 102(2)(F).

Note that a project’s focus is to consist of activities within the statutory terms of EPA’s financial assistance authorities; specifically, the statute(s) listed above. Generally, a project must address the causes, effects, extent, prevention, reduction, and elimination of air pollution, water pollution, solid/hazardous waste pollution, toxic substances control, or pesticide control depending on which statute(s) is listed above. Further note applications dealing with any aspect of or related to hydraulic fracking will not be funded by EPA through this program.

Additional applicable regulations include: 2 CFR Part 200, 2 CFR Part 1500, and 40 CFR Part 40 (Research and Demonstration Grants).

D. Specific Research Areas of Interest/Expected Outputs and Outcomes Note to applicant: The term “output” means an environmental activity, effort, and/or associated work products related to an environmental goal or objective, that will be produced or provided over a period of time or by a specified date. The term “outcome” means the result, effect, or consequence that will occur from carrying out an environmental program or activity that is related to an environmental or programmatic goal or objective.

The activities to be funded under this solicitation support EPA’s Draft FY 2022-2026 Strategic Plan (https://www.epa.gov/planandbudget/strategicplan). Awards made under this solicitation https://www.epa.gov/planandbudget/strategicplan will support: Goal 1: Tackle the Climate Crisis, Objective: 1.1 Reduce Emissions that Cause Climate Change and Objective 1.2: Accelerate Resilience and Adaptation to Climate Change Impacts; and Goal 4: Ensure Clean and Healthy Air for All Communities, Objective 4.1:

Improve Air Quality and Reduce Localized Pollution and Health Impacts and Objective 4.2:

Reduce Exposure to Radiation and Improve Indoor Air, of the Draft Plan. All applications must be for projects that support the goal(s) and objective(s) identified above. The proposed research awards support the STAR Program’s goal of stimulating and supporting scientific and engineering research that advances EPA’s mission to protect human health and the environment in the area of air quality by supporting measures and strategies for use by state, tribal, and local programs and communities to reduce air pollution.

EPA also requires that grant applicants adequately describe environmental outputs and outcomes to be achieved under assistance agreements (see EPA Order 5700.7A1, Environmental Results under Assistance Agreements, https://www.epa.gov/grants/epa-order-57007a1-epas-policy-environmental-results-under-epa-assistance-agreements). Applicants must include specific statements describing the environmental results of the proposed project in terms of well-defined outputs and, to the maximum extent practicable, well-defined outcomes that will demonstrate how the project will contribute to the goal(s) and objective(s) described above.

Applicants for regular awards should address at least two of the five research areas described below; and early career applicants should address at least one of the five research areas. Applications not addressing the minimum number of research areas may not be rated as highly as those that do. Applications should clearly indicate which research area(s) the application is addressing. Applications addressing more research areas will not necessarily be rated more highly than those that address fewer research areas.

Applicants for regular awards are strongly encouraged to approach the research areas from a multi-disciplinary perspective (e.g., including both social and natural science disciplines).

While the proposed research may focus on a specific geographic (e.g., rural and urban areas), socioeconomic, demographic, governmental (e.g., tribal), or other contexts, and recognizing that each community may have its unique set of contexts, research addressing how the results could be applied or generalized to other locations, demographic groups, etc., or linked to broader theoretical frameworks is encouraged.

In addressing each of the research areas below, applicants are strongly encouraged to consider the resiliency of future energy systems, impacted communities and/or tribes, and policy frameworks. Resiliency is the capacity to adapt to and to recover from unexpected and changing conditions or a range of shocks and stresses (Redman 2014). Applicants are encouraged to consider how energy system transformations affect the resiliency of systems that produce and consume energy and the resiliency of populations and ecosystems with respect to public health and environmental risks, including risks that are anticipated to increase due to climate change.

Research Areas https://www.epa.gov/grants/epa-order-57007a1-epas-policy-environmental-results-under-epa-assistance-agreements https://www.epa.gov/grants/epa-order-57007a1-epas-policy-environmental-results-under-epa-assistance-agreements

1. How might air quality, the environment, and public health in underserved communities be improved through the large-scale transformation of the energy sector (e.g., wide-spread adoption of renewable energy sources and energy efficient technologies, electrification of transportation services, and household energy use) while minimizing potential negative impacts (e.g., from disuse or abandonment of obsolete fossil energy infrastructure)? How can existing or new data sources and methods be used to measure impacts and track progress?

2. What approaches or strategies can be employed during and after energy transitions to meet the goals of improving air quality and reducing other environmental health burdens while meeting the energy and mobility needs of underserved communities? How do these approaches impact air quality and health burdens over time as the energy system evolves?

How can existing or new data sources and methods be used to measure progress towards these goals?

3. How do socioeconomic, cultural, behavioral, institutional, and systems factors drive individual and household decisions regarding the adoption of renewable energy sources, energy-efficient technologies and building modifications, and new transportation modes in underserved communities? What are the barriers and enablers of adoption? How do behavioral responses influence the effectiveness of strategies and policies aimed at achieving energy savings and greenhouse gas emission reduction goals?

4. How do socioeconomic, organizational, and institutional factors affect decisions at the organizational, governmental and community levels regarding the adoption and diffusion of renewable energy sources, energy-efficient technologies, building modifications, and new transportation modes in underserved communities?

5. What multi-pollutant and/or multi-sectoral approaches could be effective at the community, state, or national level in achieving climate, air quality, and other environmental goals in ways that maximize potential positive impacts and minimize potential negative impacts to underserved communities arising from such large-scale transformation? How can existing or new data sources and methods be used to measure these goals?

Expected Outputs and Outcomes

EPA anticipates research funded under this solicitation to result in an improved scientific foundation for the design of robust, behaviorally-informed policies and programs to support sustainable transitions to renewable and low-carbon energy systems such that these transitions will increase the resiliency of underserved communities and bring about equitable distribution of costs and benefits. Specific outcomes may include, but are not limited to: improved awareness, understanding, and ability to predict the potential public health and environmental risk tradeoffs in underserved communities due to the energy transitions; and enhanced socioeconomic, cultural and behavioral insights that can be applied to increase the adoption and diffusion of desired energy efficient measures, new energy technologies and mobility options.

Expected outputs that contribute to these outcomes may include, but are not limited to:

• reports, presentations, and peer-reviewed journal publications describing improved understanding of how energy system transformation impacts air pollutant emissions, air quality, human health, and the environment; and social science insights that can be applied to the design and implementation of robust, behaviorally-informed policies or efficient markets to support sustainable large-scale energy system transformation that bring about equitable distribution of costs and benefits across populations and socioeconomic groups;

• predictive tools that can be utilized by communities and states, local, and tribal agencies to enable decisions that maximize the public health and environmental benefits of energy transitions;

• communication or education materials that translate research findings into appropriate information for affected populations or communities, public health and environmental professionals, tribes, decision makers and the public; and

• reports documenting lessons learned and best practices for engagement and co-production of knowledge with communities, community-based organizations, and/or tribes.

Environmental Justice

To the maximum extent practicable, research applications should demonstrate how they will advance environmental justice for underserved communities, as defined in the Synopsis of this solicitation. Underserved communities are often affected by disproportionate impacts.

Disproportionate and adverse environmental, human health, climate-related, and other cumulative impacts, as well the accompanying economic challenges of such impacts, may result when greater pollution burdens and/or consequences, and the impact of them, are more likely to affect or have affected the underserved communities described in this solicitation. The impacts may result from various factors including but not limited to being a function of historical trends and policy decisions.

Factors that may indicate disproportionate and adverse impacts as referenced above include:

differential proximity and exposure to adverse environmental hazards; greater susceptibility to adverse effects from environmental hazards (due to causes such as age, chronic medical conditions, lack of health care access, or limited access to quality nutrition); unique environmental exposures because of practices linked to cultural background or socioeconomic status (for example, subsistence fishing or farming); cumulative effects from multiple stressors;

reduced ability to effectively participate in decision-making processes (due to causes such as lack of or ineffective language access programs, lack of programs to make processes accessible to persons with disabilities, inability to access traditional communication channels, or limited capacity to access technical and legal resources); and degraded physical infrastructure, such as poor housing, poorly maintained public buildings (e.g., schools), or lack of access to transportation.

In addressing the research areas described above in applications, applicants should demonstrate how their project will address the disproportionate and adverse human health, environmental, climate-related and other cumulative impacts, as well as the accompanying economic challenges of such impacts, resulting from industrial, governmental, commercial, and/or other actions that have affected and/or currently affect the underserved communities. Applicants should also demonstrate how the project benefits the underserved communities, including those that have experienced a lack of resources or other impediments to addressing the impacts identified above that affect their community.

Community Engagement Plan

A community engagement plan is required. See Section IV.C.6.e. Realizing the benefits of the energy transitions – and avoiding adverse and unintended consequences – necessitates engagement with affected communities, such as with tribes in ways that advance tribal sovereignty and self-determination. This engagement can help build awareness of needs, opportunities, and barriers in a dynamic technical, social, and climate-altered environment. This also requires the acknowledgement and study of differences in needs, opportunities, potential impacts, susceptibilities, and vulnerabilities across different types of communities, whether it is geographic (e.g., rural and urban areas), socioeconomic, demographic, governmental (e.g., tribal), or other types of characteristics.

Therefore, researchers should involve underserved communities, as well as community-based organizations and/or tribes in the design and execution of research objectives. Applications must include a Community Engagement Plan that should, at minimum, describe how the applicants will: a) work in partnership with appropriate partners (MSIs, states, tribes, academia, industry groups, non-profit organizations, associations, and local communities/community-based organizations) to effectively design and implement the proposed project; b) to the extent possible, coordinate with and/or complement other projects or activities being performed by others that will result in a greater…