EPA Awards $4.3 Billion in Climate Pollution Reduction Grants

The agency selected 25 projects to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality.

• By Robert Yaniz Jr.
• Jul 23, 2024

Funded by the President's Investing in America agenda, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced over $4.3 billion in Climate Pollution Reduction Grants. The agency selected 25 projects aiming to implement community-driven solutions to combat climate change, reduce air pollution, advance environmental justice, and expedite a transition to clean energy.

According to a recent release, the selected projects span 30 states and target greenhouse gas reductions in transportation, electric power, buildings, industry, agriculture and waste management. When combined, these initiatives are projected to reduce greenhouse gas pollution by up to 971 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent by 2050, comparable to the emissions from 5 million average homes' energy use annually for over 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 S. Regan said in a statement. “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.”

Among the recipients is Pennsylvania's Department of Environmental Protection, which will receive over $396 million for the RISE PA project to reduce industrial greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, the South Coast Air Quality Management District in California was awarded nearly $500 million to support transportation and freight decarbonization efforts.

The grants also support the development of Climate Action Plans in 45 states, numerous metro areas, tribes and territories. These plans are part of a broader effort to establish local climate action goals and achieve significant cumulative greenhouse gas reductions by 2030.

The EPA expects to announce up to an additional $300 million in grants for tribes, tribal consortia and territories later in summer 2024. More information on the selected projects is available on the EPA’s website.