Hello John,

Lenise Peterman here, Stewardship Utah’s Rural Director. This week has been turbulent, to say the least, but we want to share some good news with you. Since the merger between the Rural Utah Project and O2 Utah, we’ve been working nonstop to apply for a $20 million Community Change Grant through the EPA to improve homes on the Navajo Nation and we finally submitted it on Tuesday, Nov 5th!

As part of the Inflation Reduction Act, millions of dollars in federal grants are available to improve climate change resiliency in rural communities nationwide. Some of this funding is available through the EPA’s Community Change Grant program, which allows community-based nonprofit organizations like Stewardship Utah to apply for grants in partnership with a local, tribal government. Communities within the Navajo Nation rely heavily on wood and coal-burning furnaces for wintertime heat, worsening indoor air quality, and resulting in high rates of asthma. Stewardship Utah has partnered with the Navajo Utah Commission, an entity of the Navajo Nation’s legislative branch, to apply for this grant to improve home heating infrastructure, weatherization, and help stimulate the local economy. These improvements reduce greenhouse gas emissions while improving indoor air quality and quality of life for community members.

In collaboration with the residents of the Navajo Nation, we have spent the last six years facilitating engagement with democracy and working towards environmental justice. These previous projects deeply informed the work on this EPA Community Change Grant opportunity. Working on the ground in these communities, we were able to gain firsthand experience of the climate issues and lack of environmental justice those in the Navajo Nation must overcome daily. Everything from inadequate structures with improper sealing, to outdated wood stoves are commonplace in this community. Through this experience, we can bring to light the needs of the people and build on the foundation of trust fostered between the Rural Utah Project Education Fund and Navajo residents. The Community Change Grant presents the next step in our efforts to collaborate with residents and improve their living conditions as well as develop an engine for local economic growth. 

Given the magnitude of this project, we have brought in several other partners for their expertise and capacity. Entities such as Utah State University, Building Professional Association, Utah Clean Energy and more all pitched in to create the proper infrastructure for a successful bid. If received, this three-year, $20 Million grant will focus on local job development, weatherizing 300 homes, and building sustainable local businesses and training opportunities for the community beyond the cycle of the grant.

At times like this, when the national stage feels unsafe or overwhelming, concrete actions like providing safe and healthy homes for communities with whom we have worked for many years keep Stewardship Utah moving forward. Not all battles are won in elections. Sometimes the simple act of showing up to support our communities in whatever way we know how is the best course forward.

Onwards,

Lenise Peterman,

Rural Director

[email protected]

www.stewardshiputah.org