Four metropolitan areas in New York state are receiving $1 million each from the federal government to develop ways to cut climate pollution and create clean-energy economies.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) awarded the funding from the agency’s Climate Pollution Reduction Grants (CPRG) program to Albany, Buffalo, New York City and Rochester, the agency announced May 18, in addition to the $3 million yet to be awarded to both New York and New Jersey through the program.
“The selected lead agency for each metropolitan statistical area will use the funds to update existing climate, energy, or sustainability plans, or to develop new plans in collaboration with municipalities and communities across the metropolitan areas and conduct meaningful public engagement on the plan, focusing on low-income and disadvantaged communities,” the release states. “EPA expects to award and administer the funding agreements later this summer once all legal and administrative requirements are satisfied.”
The selected metropolitan areas - Albany-Schenectady-Troy; Buffalo-Cheektowaga; New York-Newark-Jersey City; and Rochester - will work with their municipalities to develop or update climate, energy and sustainability plans that focus on community engagement, particularly in disadvantaged and low-income communities, the release reports.
The Capital District Regional Planning Commission (CDRPC), Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA), New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), and Genesee/Finger Lakes Regional Planning Council will serve as lead agencies for their respective areas.
Local leaders said in the release that they are grateful for the EPA’s support in advancing climate initiatives.
“Combating climate change and creating new clean energy industries is not only good for our environment and our economy, but they help improve the lives of everyone - especially those who live in our environmental justice communities,” Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan said in the release.
EPA Regional Administrator Lisa Garcia said in the release that the EPA is providing $10 million in funding through the Inflation Reduction Act to develop strategies to mitigate the damages caused by climate pollution in the region.
“The States of New York and New Jersey both stepped up to the plate earlier this year," Garcia said in the news release, "and now all of the largest metro areas in the region are following suit and showing up as real local climate leaders.”
