Applicants must include at least one project aligned with at least one of the Climate Action Strategies identified below. When addressing the strategy in their application, applicants should describe relevant challenges faced in the Project Area and how the selected Climate Action Strategy(ies) and associated project(s) will address those challenges. Each Climate Action Strategy outlined below is focused on building short-term and long-term climate resilience, reducing GHGs, and providing additional co-benefits so that impacted communities can adapt to the changing climate. Applicants are also encouraged, as applicable, to integrate processes that minimize burdens to human health and the environment while maximizing benefits to the Project Area through such means as integrating nature-based solutions, utilization of low-carbon building materials, or sourcing sustainable products and materials to perform the projects.
Of the strategies recommended by the EPA, the most applicable is Strategy 3 given its relvance to building decarbonization.
Residential and commercial buildings are a significant source of GHG emissions due to the large amounts of electricity consumed for heating, cooling, lighting, and other similar functions. Many disadvantaged communities also face a disproportionately high energy burden, defined as the percentage of gross household income spent on energy costs. Many factors can influence high energy burden, including higher-cost fuels, such as propane or other bottled fuels, and energy-inefficient homes due to a lack of insulation in older homes or older appliances. Strategy 3 supports investments in low and zero-emission technologies and energy efficiency upgrades that can help decarbonize residential and commercial buildings, decrease energy burden, and increase resilience for communities. Many of these activities also contribute to positive public health outcomes by improving indoor air quality and the safety and comfort of buildings. Co-benefits associated with this strategy can be maximized by combining additional Climate Action and Pollution Reduction Strategies to improve indoor air quality and/or produce additional resiliency benefits. This strategy can support a range of residential and commercial buildings, including single-family homes, multi-family housing buildings, small businesses, community health facilities, community centers, nonprofit offices, schools, and other similar community-serving buildings.