Drivers and Environmental Impacts of Energy Transitions in Underserved Communities Request for Applications Informational Webinar — February 10, 2022 — ONLINE

(Environmental Protection Agency) 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.
Rapid large-scale transformations of energy and transportation systems to low-carbon, renewable, and energy efficient sources and technologies are essential to avoiding the most severe impacts of climate change. These energy transitions 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.
EPA is looking for applications that address at least two of the following research areas:
- Understanding how air quality, the environment, and public health in underserved communities might be improved through the transformations of the energy sector;
- Identifying approaches or strategies to ensure that energy transitions provide air quality benefits and reduce environmental risks while meeting the energy and transportation needs of underserved communities;
- 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;
- Understanding how socioeconomic, organizational, and institutional factors affect decisions at the organization, 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
- 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.
For information on eligibility, project specifications, or how to apply, visit: Drivers and Environmental Impacts of Energy Transitions in Underserved Communities Request for Applications (RFA) READ MORE