A billion-dollar grant program will be awarded to climate projects across the US, which aim to reduce carbon emissions across various communities and industries.
EPA Grant Program
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The US Environmental Protection Agency has announced the winners of a competitive grant program that will allot $4.3 billion in grants for projects aiming to curb greenhouse gas emissions nationwide.
30 States, 25 Projects
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The Climate Pollution Reduction Grants will be given to 25 separate projects operating across 30 states, according to an announcement made on Monday.
Bolstering Climate Resilience
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These projects will aim to boost climate resiliency by reducing greenhouse gas pollution from electrical power, transportation, waste management, the agricultural industry, and various other sectors and industries.
2022 Inflation Reduction Act
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The Climate Pollution Reduction Grants program was established by the EPA in 2022, under the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act. The act focused on combating climate change across the US.
$400 Billion for Clean Energy
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It also allocated nearly $400 billion in funding and tax credits, approved by congressional Democrats at the time, with the goal of expanding clean and renewable energy infrastructure, particularly wind and solar power.
Second Phase
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This latest grant is the second round of funding from the Climate Pollution Reduction Grants Program. The first was a $250 Million fund given last year to help local governments reduce pollution and expand clean energy initiatives.
300 Applicants
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The 25 projects chosen for this phase of funding were picked from a list of 300 applicants, based on their emission reduction potential, the industries they will impact, and how effectively the emissions impact can be tracked in the coming years.
Pennsylvania Project
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One of the largest amounts of individual grant funding will go to Pennsylvania, which will use $396 million to target greenhouse gas emissions produced from cement, asphalt, and other material productions.
$500 Million for California
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Another $500 million will go to California to target the decarbonization of freight and transport in Los Angeles and Long Beach.
Other Projects
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Other projects include an initiative in Nebraska to reduce waste and carbon emissions in the agricultural industry, and for coastal settlements in Alaska which aim to transition from oil-burning systems to heat pumps, among others.
Major Emission Reductions Expected
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These projects are estimated to reduce carbon emissions in the US by a maximum of 150 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalents in the next 6 years.
A Benchmark for the Future
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That number could rise to 971 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalents by 2050. If successful, these 25 nationwide projects could serve as a benchmark for future pollution-reducing initiatives.
Biden Announces the Program
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“Today, my administration is empowering local communities across 30 states to cut pollution and fight the climate crisis,” said outgoing president Joe Biden in a speech announcing the grants. “From curbing greenhouse gas emissions in Pennsylvania to flood-proofing infrastructure in North Carolina.”
Protecting American Families
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“Today and every day, I will continue working to protect American families from harmful pollution and build a clean energy future,” he continued.
Scrambling Before the Election
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In the lead-up to the November presidential elections, and the wake of Biden announcing his decision to drop out of the presidential race, the current administration has been scrambling to push through climate funding, which has been a cornerstone of Biden’s term in office.
Potential Rollback
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If Donald Trump wins the election in November, his administration could roll back much of the progress made in advancing climate change laws and funding over the last four years.
“Green New Scam” According to Trump
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Trump has openly threatened to roll back these laws, referring to Biden’s climate and clean energy policies as a “Green New Scam.”
“The Largest Climate Investment in History”
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EPA Administrator Michael Regan made an announcement of his own on Friday, noting that the Biden administration “has made the largest climate investment in history, providing billions of dollars to state, local and tribal governments to tackle climate change with the urgency it demands.’’
Praise from Podesta
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White House climate advisor John Podesta has also praised the program, for helping “state and local governments improve the air quality and health of their communities while accelerating America’s progress toward our climate goals.”
Recipients Announced Monday
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Regan will appear with Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro in Pittsburgh on Monday to announce grant recipients, while other EPA leaders will do the same in California, alongside Democratic Sen. Alex Padilla.
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