Sec. 6. Federal assistance grants to address extreme heat and health risks
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Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the National Integrated Heat Health Information System Interagency Committee (in this section referred to as the Committee ) shall establish and administer a community heat resilience grant program to provide Federal grants to ameliorate human health impacts of extreme heat events. Projects eligible to receive a grant under this section may include the following: Projects for cool roofs, cool pavements, urban forestry or tree plantings, the provision of shade, cooling centers that abide by applicable guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention relating to COVID–19, building retrofitting for cooling, and high-efficiency air conditioning acquisitions or upgrades.
Projects— to expand public awareness of heat risks; to communicate risks and warnings to isolated communities; and to educate such communities about how to respond to extreme heat events. Other projects that the Committee determines will achieve a significant reduction in heat exposure or resilience to extreme heat events. To be eligible to receive a grant under this section, an entity shall— demonstrate that the entity has any permits or other authorizations from local, State, Federal, and Tribal government agencies necessary to carry out the project or provide evidence demonstrating general support from such agencies; demonstrate community engagement and partnerships; provide to the Committee environmental and demographic information, using EJSCREEN data or a similar environmental justice mapping and screening tool, for the community in which the project is located; and provide to the Committee any other information the Committee determines appropriate.
The Committee shall develop criteria for the selection of entities to receive grants under this section for proposed projects. In developing criteria under subparagraph (A), the Committee shall take into account the following: Extent of heat risk reduction, including temperature difference or number of people affected. Risk reduction for the most vulnerable groups, including low-income communities, communities of color, Tribal communities, elderly individuals, and individuals on medications.
Cost-effectiveness. Efforts to ensure that projects do not contribute to gentrification. Equitable distribution of heat mitigation benefits. Co-benefits such as other climate, health, or environmental benefits such as air quality improvement, energy efficiency, or reduced energy use. In selecting entities to receive grants under this section, the Committee shall prioritize projects that provide the following: Benefits for historically disadvantaged communities and communities with significant heat disparities associated with race or income.
Benefits to regions identified in the study under section 5(a)(2)(A)(i) as having large preparedness gaps. A grant awarded under this section to an entity to carry out a project may be used by the entity only— to carry out the project, including administration, design, permitting, entry into negotiated indirect cost rate agreements, and construction; and to monitor, collect, and report data on the performance (including performance over time) of the project. Except as provided in paragraph (2), an entity that receives a grant under this section to carry out a project shall provide, from non-Federal sources, funds or other resources (such as in-kind matching from private entities) valued at not less than 25 percent of the total cost, including administrative costs, of the project.
The Committee may reduce or waive the matching requirement under paragraph
(1)for an entity representing a community or nonprofit organization if— the entity submits to the Committee in writing— a request for such a reduction or waiver and, in the case of a request for a reduction, the amount of the reduction; and a justification for why the entity cannot meet the matching requirement; and the Committee agrees with the justification. In carrying out this section, the Committee may not award to an entity— more than 1 grant for which the entity is the lead applicant; or a grant that is in an amount that is more than $2,500,000. The Committee shall require each entity receiving a grant under this section to, not later than 1 year after the date on which the entity receives the grant, and annually thereafter until the completion of the project, submit to the Committee a report on— the activities carried out under the project; and the effectiveness of the project in reducing heat risk or promoting heat awareness and response.