Monday, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced $3 million each to Missouri and Nebraska to develop innovative strategies to cut climate pollution and build clean energy economies across these states.
Earlier this month, EPA announced the availability of the funds, which are a part of the first allotment of funding from the Climate Pollution Reduction Grants (CPRG) program created by President Biden's Inflation Reduction Act. All 50 states, District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico are eligible to receive $3 million in CPRG planning grants.
"These $3 million Climate Pollution Reduction Grants will allow Missouri and Nebraska to plan for climate impacts with the speed in which this pressing issue demands," said EPA Region 7 Administrator Meg McCollister. "We hope that all states will follow their lead in leveraging the historic Inflation Reduction Act funds to protect communities and create jobs."
The Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MoDNR) and the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (NDEE) will participate in this new program that provides flexible planning resources for the states to develop and implement scalable solutions that protect people from pollution and advance environmental justice.
"As we begin planning this effort, we look forward to engaging partners and stakeholders from across Missouri," said MoDNR Director Dru Buntin. "Missouri's plan will help industry to finance voluntary projects that will enhance their ability to meet the state's future energy needs. We will also work to provide new tools and funding opportunities for projects to reduce pollution and improve the environment for all Missourians. Finally, we are committed to improving community engagement efforts so that everyone has a seat at the table."
MoDNR and NDEE will use these funds to develop a climate action plan in collaboration with municipalities and organizations in their states, and to conduct meaningful engagement, especially with low-income and disadvantaged communities.
Later this year, EPA will launch a $4.6 billion CPRG implementation grant competition to implement projects and initiatives outlined in the climate action plans developed using funding from the CPRG planning grants. Missouri and Nebraska will be eligible to receive funds from this competition, as will the other states that submit their intention to apply prior to the March 31 deadline.
More on Climate Pollution Reduction Grants
The CPRG planning grants will support states, territories, tribes, municipalities, and air agencies in the creation of comprehensive, innovative strategies for reducing pollution and ensuring that investments maximize benefits, especially for low-income and disadvantaged communities.
These climate plans could include:
- Greenhouse gas emissions inventories.
- Emissions projections and reduction targets.
- Economic, health, and social benefits, including to low-income and disadvantaged communities.
- Plans to leverage other sources of federal funding including the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act.
- Workforce needs to support decarbonization and a clean energy economy.
- Future government staffing and budget needs.
In program guidance released earlier this month, EPA describes how the Agency intends to award and manage CPRG funds to eligible entities, including states, metropolitan areas, tribes, and territories.
By summer 2023, EPA regional offices expect to award and administer the funding agreements.
This funding for climate planning will be followed later this year by $4.6 billion in implementation grant funding that will support the expeditious implementation of investment-ready policies created by the CPRG planning grants, programs, and projects to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the near term.
Through the CPRG program, EPA will support the development and deployment of technologies and solutions that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and harmful air pollution, as well as transition America to a clean energy economy that benefits all Americans.
President Biden's Inflation Reduction Act includes historic funding to combat climate change while creating good-paying jobs and advancing environmental justice. Earlier this year, EPA announced $550 million toward the new Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmaking program, and $100 million for environmental justice grants to support underserved and overburdened communities. Additionally, the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund will award nearly $27 billion to leverage private capital for clean energy and clean air investments across the country.
Categories: Missouri, Sustainable Agriculture