The Office of Environmental Justice was established in 2021 to ensure the fair and meaningful involvement of all people into the development, implementation and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations and policies across all DEQ programs. The office works collaboratively across DEQ to advance environmental justice in Virginia as well as addressing environmental justice concerns.

What is Environmental Justice?

The Virginia Environmental Justice Act states, “It is the policy of the Commonwealth to promote environmental justice and ensure that it is carried out throughout the Commonwealth, with a focus on environmental justice communities and fenceline communities.” It further defines as, “the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of every person, regardless of race, color, national origin, income, faith, or disability, regarding the development, implementation, or enforcement of any environmental law, regulation, or policy.”

Additionally, it is a purpose of DEQ to, “To further environmental justice and enhance public participation in the regulatory and permitting processes.” 

Furthering environmental justice throughout DEQ’s programs requires building trust, shared understanding, and aligning values of all parties involved.

Goals:

• Building capacity in environmental justice communities; providing communities with a stronger understanding of DEQ programs, public involvement processes, and grant and other partnership opportunities.
• Assisting environmental justice community members in navigating environmental programs in Virginia.

Environmental Justice in Action

How is DEQ and its Office of Environmental Justice meeting these goals? 

DEQ Grants, Loans, Funding & Reimbursement Opportunities

• Citizen Water Quality Monitoring Grant Program - This program supports monitoring projects of varying complexity by providing programmatic and financial support to proposals awarded funding on an annual basis. Mini grants are a great way to get your feet wet and don’t require the higher levels of quality assurance required from Regular and Coordination grants. The grant application cycle opens in the summer of 2025.

• Nonpoint Source (NPS) Management Implementation 319(h) Program - Through Section 319(h) of the Clean Water Act, Virginia is awarded grant funds to implement nonpoint source (NPS) programs. Using these funds, DEQ provides a cost-share assistance program that annually solicits applications for project proposals to implement NPS best management practices (BMPs) in designated watersheds. Information from DEQ on the next NPS Request for Applications (RFA) will be available in late spring 2025.     

• Virginia Clean Water Revolving Loan Fund

• Low-interest loans to local governments for projects such wastewater treatment facility upgrades, living shorelines, Emerging Contaminant treatment and destruction
• Low-interest Loans to small farms for Agricultural BMPs

• Water Quality Improvement Fund - Grant for Publicly Owned Treatment Works (POTW) in the Chesapeake Bay watershed to design/install nutrient reduction technology

• Stormwater Local Assistance Fund (SLAF) - Matching grants to local governments for stormwater best management practices such as stream or wetland restoration or rainwater solutions

• Waste Tire End User Reimbursement - Provides a financial rebate to recyclers who use Virginia tire material in their products or processes

• Virginia Brownfields Restoration and Economic Redevelopment Assistance Fund (VBAF) - Grants to promote the restoration and redevelopment of sites where its expansion, redevelopment, or reuse may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant.

• Virginia Petroleum Storage Tank Fund – Reimbursement Program - A Reimbursement Program that assists regulated Underground Storage Tank (UST) owners and operators to cover most, but not all environmental clean up costs when a release happens from an eligible tank.

• Litter Prevention & Recycling – Annual Competitive Grants Program - All localities currently receiving the non-competitive grant are eligible to apply for the competitive grant. Competitive grant funds can be used for implementing statewide and regional litter prevention and recycling educational programs and pilot projects. Applications for the Competitive Litter Prevention Grants Program are due by July 15 each year.  Get additional information about this grant program by clicking on the link above.

• Litter Prevention & Recycling – Annual Non-Competitive Grants Program - DEQ provides funds for litter prevention and recycling grants to localities under a non-competitive grant program based on population and road miles. These grants are awarded specifically to localities for litter prevention and recycling program implementation, continuation and/or expansion. The submission deadline for DEQ’s Non-Competitive Litter Prevention Grant Application is June 30 each year.  Use the link above to take a closer look at this grant program.

• Litter Prevention & Recycling – Public Information Campaign Funding - This portion of the Litter Control and Recycling Fund is used for public information campaigns to discourage the sale and use of expanded polystyrene products, as well as to promote alternatives to expanded polystyrene in the Commonwealth. Localities applying for non-competitive litter grants can opt to receive additional funding to implement this campaign. Please refer to the link above for more information.

• Tax Incentive Programs - Tax incentives for the purchase and development of recycling equipment and facilities, waste motor oil burning equipment, and pollution control equipment and facilities.

• Pollution Prevention – Programs & Financial Incentives - DEQ’s Office of Pollution Prevention has put together a webpage showcasing the grants, rebates, tax credits, tax deductions, and utility incentives available. The various incentives encourage the adoption of energy efficiency measures and renewable or alternative energy; however, the incentives may vary by sector. In general, there are programs for all types: residential customers, small and large businesses, and government agencies.  Click on the link above to take a look at what incentive programs might be applicable to you or your organization.