EPA to Host Webinar on Climate Pollution Reduction Grants
The Environmental Protection Agency is hosting a webinar for state, territorial, tribal and local governments to summarize the $5 billion Climate Pollution Reduction Grants program. The program, created through the Inflation Reduction Act, will provide resources to eligible entities to develop and implement climate and air pollution reduction plans. The two-stage program includes $250 million in noncompetitive planning grants coming soon, followed by $4.6 billion in competitive implementation grants. The webinar is scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 15, at 2 p.m. ET.
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Agriculture Department Releases Proposed School Nutrition Standards
The proposed regulation would include new standards on sugars and sodium and would strengthen the “Buy American” provision in the school meal programs. The regulation also proposes options for long-term milk and whole grain standards. The USDA expects to release a final rule in time for schools to plan for the 2024-25 school year, though requirements would be phased in over several years. Comments on the proposed rule are due by April 10, 2023.
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DHS Briefs NCSL Members on New Border Measures
Department of Homeland Security officials briefed NCSL’s Law, Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee on new measures they will use to bolster immigration processing ahead of the predicted influx of asylum seekers at the southern border after Title 42 ends. Title 42 of the United States Code allows the government to take emergency action to stop the introduction of communicable diseases, including stopping border crossings during a public health emergency. The new measures include updated asylum application processes for refugees from Cuba, Venezuela, Haiti and Nicaragua; the introduction of a program that allows U.S. residents to financially support asylees; and a proposed rule change that would create the presumption of ineligibility for asylum seekers who don’t follow lawful application processes. Title 42 expulsions will cease after the Biden administration ends the federal COVID-19 emergency declaration in May.
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