Colorado will receive up to $3 million to work toward cutting climate pollution and building clean energy economies.
The funding comes from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Climate Pollution Reduction Grants program, according to a March 17 EPA news release. The program provides flexible planning resources for climate solutions to protect Colorado residents from pollution and help advance environmental justice.
“This is the first step in a strategic effort to help states build common-sense solutions to reduce climate pollution,” EPA Regional Administrator KC Becker said in the release.
The announcement was made by Becker and Gov. Jared Polis at the International Academy of Denver at Harrington Elementary School, according to the release.
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 investments maximize benefits, especially for low-income and disadvantaged communities, the release reported. The climate plans will include greenhouse gas emissions inventories; emissions projections and reduction targets; economic, health and social benefits; plans to leverage other sources of federal funding; workforce needs to support decarbonization and a clean energy economy; and future government staffing and budget needs.
Colorado is among the 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico eligible to receive $3 million each in grant funds, the release reported. By summer 2023, the EPA Regional Offices expect to award and administer the funding agreements.
The state is also eligible to receive $4.6 billion in follow-up funding to implement projects and initiatives in state, Tribal and territorial climate action plans, which the EPA will launch later this year, according to the release.
“Colorado’s nation-leading work to fight for clean air and reduce emissions are part of our commitment to protect the community we love now and for generations to come," Polis said in the release. "This exciting new funding supported by the majority of our federal delegation and the EPA helps to build upon our important work as we make bold progress toward achieving ambitious climate goals including 100% renewable energy by 2040, and we appreciate this federal support."
