Warner & Kaine Announce Nearly $20 Million in Federal Funding to Promote Climate Resilience and Lower Energy Costs in Southwest Virginia

WASHINGTON, - Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) announced $19,886,658 in federal funding for the University of Virginia's College at Wise in conjunction with the University of Virginia and key partners in the region to enhance resilient infrastructure and help lower energy costs for communities in Southwest Virginia. This funding was awarded through the Environmental Protection Agency's Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grant Program, which was created by the Inflation Reduction Act that both senators cast a deciding vote for.

"Resiliency and energy efficiency are crucial ways to make our communities more safe while also lowering costs," the senators said. "We're glad this funding, which was made possible by the Inflation Reduction Act, will help advance those goals in Southwest Virginia and address important community needs."

This funding will implement Climate Resilience Planning in 10 communities throughout Southwest Virginia and fund resilient affordable housing, electric vehicle charging stations, energy-efficient and carbon-neutral child care and workforce training, and resilient gathering spaces that double as community capacity building spaces and health care access points. The projects receiving this funding are expected to mitigate over 40,000 metric tons of CO2 in the next 25 years and save child care centers over $50,000 in energy costs, allowing more funding to be directed toward child care worker salaries.

$13,305,591 of the $19,886,658 announced today will be allocated as follows:

• $4,594,245 for United Way of Southwest Virginia to improve energy efficiency at care centers, including through solar installation and upgrades to child care facilities, outdoor classrooms, and other initiatives.
• $1,757,708 for Dickenson County to build a resilience hub in the Town of Haysi outside of the floodplain. This project includes engineering and architectural design and permits, construction of the facility, and the installation of an EV fast charger.
• $4,847,841 for Buchanan County to build housing in Southern Gap outside of the floodplain. This project includes construction of water, sewer, power and telecommunications infrastructure; interior roadways and walkways; two single family dwelling units; multi-family town house rental units; and an EV charging station at the Regional Office Park Office Building.
• $132,000 for Virginia Tech for a community engagement project on resilience strategic planning. This community-based resilience planning process involves the University of Virginia's Resilience Adaptation Feasibility Tool (RAFT), which helps climate planners and localities pinpoint and evaluate environmental risks, including drought, flooding, and extreme weather, in different communities.
• $1,973,797 for James Madison University to advance energy career development.

Sens. Warner and Kaine have long supported efforts to expand and promote energy infrastructure throughout the Commonwealth. Earlier this week, Warner and Kaine announced over $10 million in federal funding for electric vehicle charging ports in Virginia.

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