In 2022, The U.S. EPA announced the Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Centers (EJ TCTAC) program. The program provides $177 million to help underserved and overburdened communities access funding and build capacity for their initiatives. In 2023, EPA announced 16 TCTAC centers, each receiving $10 million or more in funding to remove barriers and improve accessibility to EPA grants for communities with environmental justice concerns. Among the awardees was San Diego State University’s Center for Community Energy and Environmental Justice (CCEEJ “CJ”). The Center for Creative Land Recycling is a partner of SDSU on this grant and supports CCEEJ by providing specialized knowledge and technical assistance to R9 communities taking on land reuse projects. CCLR works with CCEEJ to:
- Identify and address environmental and energy justice needs and challenges in brownfields communities
- Inform and educate on environmental and energy justice-related grant programs and how they can be leveraged to help underserved communities address environmental health, pollution, and justice challenges
- Place solar and EV charging stations on brownfield properties through a robust network of environmental, legal and alternative energy experts
- Facilitate community engagement and partnership to build capacity in communities to focus on environmental justice and energy justice issues and fostering “community champions” to productively engage in the brownfields redevelopment and community revitalization process
CCEEJ is committed to providing support to community organizations, nonprofits, overburdened communities and other eligible entities so they can build more just and sustainable places in their communities to improve equity for residents. Brownfields are an important catalyst for this transformative work. By working as a specialized partner to the broader CCEEJ program, CCLR can help communities access funding, leverage brownfield sites, and address community needs such as housing, healthcare, education and jobs, while eradicating pollution and the associated harms. When you request technical assistance through CCEEJ, their team will work with you to identify your needs and goals, and connect you with the partner that can best assist you. Connect with CCEEJ to see how we can help you create the thriving, vibrant, healthy community you deserve.
How CCLR Helps
CCLR works with entities who request assistance through CCEEJ, including nonprofits, underserved, rural and remote communities, disadvantaged businesses, state and local governments, and tribal nations/ organizations to identify grant opportunities, grant-writing coaching and grant application review among other services.
CCLR routinely hosts webinars detailing the TCTAC program and the opportunities it provides. Visit our Events & Webinar page to see our full training offerings.
Overburdened communities often have reduced capacity to make the changes they have envisioned. CCEEJ and CCLR can help fill your capacity gaps, leverage community members to increase your capacity and help your organization operate at full efficiency, regardless of your staff size
Devyn Rainwater
Senior Program Associate
Devyn serves as a project lead for various programs at CCLR, including the USEPA R9 Vacant to Vibrant outreach effort and an equity-focused learning module with Groundwork USA. She supports CCLR’s land-reuse TA delivery for EPA R9 and as a partner to the Center for Community Energy and Environmental Justice (CCEEJ). She has coordinated many CCLR-led webinars and workshops for events including the National Brownfields Conference. Devyn is passionate about CCLR’s environmental justice work!
Claire Weston
Claire manages CCLR’s EPA cooperative agreements, leading program development, strategy, reporting, and success story preparation. She has extensive EPA grant management experience and oversees workshop/webinar planning, resource development, and partnership cultivation in CCLR’s Technical Assistance to Brownfields (TAB) Provider role. Prior to CCLR, Claire directed public outreach initiatives and coordinated citizen science programs in upstate NY.
Lujain Altawarah
Lujain focuses on programming development and coordination at CCLR. She began her journey in sustainability during college, coordinating programs on climate resilience and community empowerment. With a passion for promoting sustainable societies globally, Lujain aims to leverage her language skills and cultural knowledge. She brings expertise in curriculum development and project management.
