EPA Announces $4.3 Billion for Climate and Pollution Improvement Projects Across 30 States

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced on Monday $4.3 billion in funding that will go toward 25 projects across 30 states. The projects will address climate pollution and environmental justice.

The EPA announced the funding through Climate Pollution Reduction Grants, made available through the Inflation Reduction Act. According to the agency, estimates for the selected projects could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by the equivalent of 971 million metric tons by 2050. This would equate to the emissions from energy consumption of 5 million homes for 25 years. 

“President Biden believes in the power of community-driven solutions to fight climate change, protect public health, and grow our economy. Thanks to his leadership, the Climate Pollution Reduction Grants program will deliver unprecedented resources to states, local governments, and Tribes to fund the solutions that work best in their communities,” EPA Administrator Michael Regan said in a press release. “Selected recipients have put forward ambitious plans to advance sustainable agriculture, deploy clean industrial technologies, cut emissions and energy costs in homes and commercial buildings, and provide cost- and energy-efficient heating and cooling to communities, creating economic and workforce development opportunities along the way.”

According to the Climate Pollution Reduction Grants program webpage, the selected projects are designed to bring climate benefits, cleaner air and water, lower energy bills and more access to green spaces and public transit. Additionally, the projects are expected to create jobs, particularly in under-served and rural communities.

As The Associated Press reported, one of the awards includes $396 million for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from cement, asphalt and other industrial facilities in Pennsylvania. Another $500 million will go toward reducing emissions from freight in Los Angeles and Long Beach ports. In Nebraska, $307 million will go toward sustainable agriculture improvements and boosting the energy efficiency of businesses, industry and low-income households.

In total, the grants will fund projects addressing six key sectors: transportation, energy, industry, agriculture, commercial and residential buildings, and waste management. According to the EPA, the selected projects were also chosen in accordance with President Joe Biden’s Justice40 Initiative, which has a goal for 40% of climate benefits provided through federal funding to go to communities that bear the brunt of pollution and climate change.

“These awards will supercharge American climate progress across sectors — from reaching 100% clean electricity to slashing super-pollutants like methane to harnessing the power of nature across our farms and forests in the fight against climate change,” said White House national climate advisor Ali Zaidi. “This is a big deal.”

Those interested can learn more about the selected projects, including a breakdown of project funding by sector, on the program webpage.