Larson Announces Selection of $1 Million Environmental Justice Grant to Address Flooding in Hartford’s North End

Washington, D.C. - Today, Rep. John B. Larson (CT-01) announced that $1 million in Inflation Reduction Act funding will be awarded to the CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (CT DEEP) in support of its partnership with the Keney Park Sustainability Project, Blue Hills Civic Association, and Hartford NEXT. As part of this project, CT DEEP will address the flooding of homes and businesses in Hartford’s North End. 

“Residents of the North End have dealt with repeated flooding due to combined sewer and sanitary sewer overflows during heavy rainfall,” said Larson. “We must advance environmental justice by ensuring all communities have the resources they need to mitigate existing hazards and thrive in America’s clean energy future. I was proud to help craft and support the Inflation Reduction Act, taking the action our nation has long demanded to combat climate change, and am thrilled to announce the selection of funding to support the Keney Park Sustainability Project, Blue Hills Civic Association, and Hartford NEXT. These organizations are on the ground working to advance sustainable climate solutions through public outreach campaigns, workforce development programs, and engineering services. This grant will allow CT DEEP and its partners to work with the North End community to tackle sewer overflows in homes and businesses as a result of severe rain fueled by climate change.” 

This initiative is one of 88 projects selected through the Environmental Justice Government-to-Government (EJG2G) program, funded by the Inflation Reduction Act, supports partnerships with community-based organizations that lead to measurable environmental or public health impacts in communities disproportionately burdened by environmental harms.