Thirteen years after a freak tornado tore through Springfield, Massachusetts, city officials thought they had a solution to replace over a thousand trees uprooted by the storm.
Using funds from an EPA grant, the city was planning to plant 1,500 trees, build a community solar project, launch a workforce development program and remove toxic lead paint, mold and mildew from people’s homes.
But local officials haven’t been able to access their $20 million grant since early March. They have received no information from EPA about why the money has been frozen and don’t know whether the agency will honor its contract with the city, said Tina Quagliato Sullivan, deputy development officer for housing, community development and neighborhoods.
It’s one of hundreds of federal grants — including some to cities and towns — that EPA is now considering terminating. While Administrator Lee Zeldin says he is committed to fostering strong partnerships with local governments, the terminations could undermine that effort.
