The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced Massachusetts will be taking part in the Climate Pollution Reduction Grants program.
Through the CPRG program, EPA is working with states, local governments, Tribes and territories to explore and develop innovative strategies to reduce climate pollution while building clean energy economies, according to a May 9 news release.
"Tackling the climate crisis demands a sense of urgency to protect people and the planet,” EPA Deputy Administrator Janet McCabe said in the release.
McCabe and Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey announced the program during a visit to Finch Cambridge, a Massachusetts-certified Passive House offering 98 mixed-income units which meets the highest energy-efficiency and sustainability standards, the release said.
Massachusetts is one of 48 states taking part in the program, created under President Biden's Inflation Reduction Act, to combat climate change, according to the release. McCabe commended Massachusetts for pursuing innovative strategies to reduce climate emissions and build clean energy economies.
The state will receive $3 million in initial grant funds and plans to engage municipalities and environmental justice communities in its work plan, the release said. Massachusetts will compete for $4.6 billion in funding to implement projects aligned with its plans and achieve clean energy and environmental justice goals.
The CPRG program aims to support states, territories, Tribes and municipalities in developing comprehensive strategies to reduce pollution and maximize benefits, especially for low-income and disadvantaged communities, the release reported. The plans include greenhouse gas inventories, emission reduction targets, economic and social benefits analysis, leveraging other federal funding sources, workforce needs assessment and government staffing and budget requirements.
The initial planning grants will be followed by implementation grant funding to support the swift execution of investment-ready policies and programs, according to the release.
The Inflation Reduction Act provides historic funding to address climate change, create jobs and promote environmental justice, the release said. Massachusetts' participation in the CPRG program adds to the significant financial commitments made by the administration for environmental justice grants and clean energy investments.
EPA Regional Offices will administer the funding agreements by summer 2023, facilitating the deployment of technologies and solutions that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and transition the nation to a clean energy economy, the release reported.
