Congresswoman Summer Lee Helps Secure $14 Million for Environmental and Workforce Development in Pittsburgh

**For Immediate Release**

Kyla Gill, Kyla.Gill@mail.house.gov 

Vaibhav Vijay, Vaibhav.Vijay@mail.house.gov 

Congresswoman Summer Lee Helps Secure $14 Million for Environmental and Workforce Development in Pittsburgh

Washington, DC – July 25, 2024 – Today, Congresswoman Summer Lee is proud to announce the successful securing of approximately $14 million in funding for the Pittsburgh Conservation Corps and PowerCorpsPHL. This grant, awarded as part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s Community Change Grants Program, will significantly enhance workforce programs around urban forestry and wood waste reduction in Pittsburgh, while also addressing critical environmental challenges.

Congresswoman Lee actively supported this project by sending a letter of support to EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan, advocating for the vital impact this funding would have on her district. Congresswoman Lee’s letter highlighted the importance of the grant in improving both environmental quality and workforce development opportunities in Pittsburgh.

“This grant is a significant victory for Pittsburgh, addressing both our environmental challenges and economic needs,” said Congresswoman Lee. “I am proud to have supported this initiative and to see such a substantial investment in our community’s future. These funds will help us build a greener, healthier, and more resilient Pittsburgh, and is a crucial step in ensuring that all our communities, especially those that have been historically marginalized, are equipped to thrive and overcome the injustices of the past. On top of that, this investment in workforce development will help create sustainable job opportunities and will provide our residents with the skills needed for the green economy of the future. My team and I are very proud that we were able to help get this one done!”

The Pittsburgh Conservation Corps and PowerCorpsPHL’s project will include:

• Expanding workforce programs around urban forestry and wood waste reduction.
• Increasing the urban tree canopy in Pittsburgh, enhancing green spaces and air quality.
• Reducing lead pollution in Pittsburgh soils by leveraging biochar, improving public health and safety.

Made possible through President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, the Community Change Grants Program represents the largest single investment in environmental and climate justice in history. This funding is part of the initial $325 million announced by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to help disadvantaged communities tackle environmental and climate justice challenges. The Community Change Grants Program will continue to accept applications through November 21, 2024, and additional selections will be made on a rolling basis throughout the year.

Congresswoman Lee is committed to advocating for resources and opportunities that benefit her district and the broader community. For more information on the Community Change Grants Program and how to apply, visit the EPA’s Inflation Reduction Act Community Change Grants Program webpage.

---

Since taking office in January 2023, Lee, who serves on the House Oversight Committee and Space, Science and Technology Committee, has delivered historic levels of federal investment totaling over $1.85 Billion brought back to Western PA, including over $580 million for infrastructure, over $110 million for affordable transit, over $500 million to keep clean energy manufacturing at home in Pennsylvania, and over $55 million on clean energy efforts in and around schools to help keep our kids and communities safe. These investments will help improve Western Pennsylvania’s infrastructure and transit, ensure cleaner air and drinking water, lower housing costs, fund research institutions, fuel clean manufacturing, fund STEM innovation and entrepreneurship, boost workforce development, and create thousands of good paying union jobs.  Lee and her team have also delivered casework and constituent services to over 2,300 constituents with issues ranging from helping our seniors and disabled community access Medicare and social security to helping folks secure housing and helping families with immigration support and passports.