Environmental Task Force

The Environmental Task Force (ETF) committee, working with the Bridgeport Economic Development Corporation (BEDCO), is managing a $2 Million Community Environmental Benefits Fund. That funding process was established by the Community Environmental Benefit Agreement (CEBA) between PSEG Power Connecticut, the City of Bridgeport, and representative community organizations on February 26, 2016. The ETF, along with BEDCO, are requesting Proposals from individuals and organizations serving the Bridgeport community, including departments of the City’s government that are referenced in the CEBA. For funding consideration, the proposals must advance “the intents and purposes underlying the adoption of the US Environmental Justice Act including, but not limited to, achieving maximum public health and environmental benefit for the air quality in the neighborhoods surrounding Bridgeport Harbor Station.” Proposals should detail programs, projects, and/or other initiatives that will contribute to the long-term public benefit and wellbeing of the community by addressing health and environmental needs relating to infrastructure, health services, outreach, education, and energy efficiency. The CEBA emphasizes the attraction of non-local funding sources to supplement the Community Environmental Benefits Fund: “The funding agreement shall include provisions to encourage the Designated Organization (BEDCO), the City and the ETF to seek and apply for additional funding as available from governmental, quasi-governmental, and charitable entities and institutions and other programs to increase or supplement the funds available for the purposes stated therein and described above.” The ETF and BEDCO plan to do that as separate entities, and also require selected proposers to do that as well; proposals that provide evidence of the attraction or leveraged funding from non-local sources will receive more favorable consideration than proposals that do not.