Recent announcements of governmental grants related to environmental projects include the largest grant in Clemson University history - a $45 Million grant from the US Department of Energy to test "next-generation" wind turbines and drive trains at the former Charleston Naval Complex. Clemson has secured an additional $53 Million in matching funds to construct a large-scale testing facility. Construction is scheduled to begin in early 2010 and expected to be operational by 2012.  See http://www.midlandsbiz.com/news/headlines/589/ for more information and links to relevant websites.

On a much smaller scale, but more likely to be relevant to local organizations, the EPA announced a grant of up to $160,000 to the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) for "a pilot project program utilizing collaborative problem-solving … to address the environmental and social justice concerns within the selected communities. DHEC will offer technical assistance to communities as they conduct environmental assessments and address environmental issues identified in the community. Each pilot project will meet specific criteria. There will be opportunities to participate in leadership development training designed to create organizational capacity, assist in developing strategies, and build partnerships."

Information about the EPA programs for these grants can be found at  http://www.epa.gov/compliance/environmentaljustice/grants/ej-sejca-grants.html (State grants program)  and http://www.epa.gov/compliance/environmentaljustice/grants/ej-smgrants.html (Small Grants program)

One obvious goal of these governmental grants is to stimulate private investment (both money and commitment) and the development of commercially-viable industries to meet our needs in an environmentally-friendly manner. (At least as far as we understand it at this point. You may recall that cigarettes were once promoted for their "health" benefits. See, e.g.,  http://www.frankwbaker.com/brief_history_of_tobacco_ads.htm )