Michael S. Regan 16th Administrator, United States Environmental Protection Agency | Official Website
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced a $129,396,997 Climate Pollution Reduction Grant to a coalition led by Cuyahoga County, Ohio. This grant is part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s Investing in America agenda and aims to address climate change, improve air quality, advance environmental justice, and accelerate the transition to clean energy.
Cuyahoga County, along with Cleveland and Painesville, will use the funds to support the transition away from a coal-fired power plant in Northeast Ohio. The project includes deploying 63 megawatts of solar installations on brownfield and former landfill sites and 10 megawatts of battery storage. Additionally, efforts will be made to restore natural habitats and expand tree coverage near Lake Erie while creating pollinator habitats at the solar sites.
EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan stated, “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.”
EPA Region 5 Administrator Debra Shore added, “The Biden-Harris administration is delivering unprecedented funding and resources to help fight climate change... EPA congratulates Cuyahoga County and the cities of Cleveland and Painesville for their leadership.”
Rep. Shontel Brown commented on the significance of this investment: “Reducing air pollution, deploying clean energy, and restoring natural habitats makes Northeast Ohio a better place to live.”
Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne emphasized the transformative impact of this grant: "With these resources... we will be able to expand our solar infrastructure... Thank you to the Biden-Harris administration for delivering this investment."
The EPA selected recipients through a competitive grants process that reviewed nearly 300 applications requesting almost $33 billion in funding. The chosen projects are expected to achieve significant greenhouse gas reductions by 2030 and beyond.
EPA plans additional announcements later this summer regarding up to $300 million in grants for Tribes, Tribal consortia, and territories under this program.
These initiatives align with President Biden’s goal of reducing climate pollution by over 50% by 2030 and achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. The projects are also expected to provide substantial public health benefits such as improved air quality and reduced exposure to extreme heat.
The Climate Pollution Reduction Grants support President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative aimed at ensuring that disadvantaged communities benefit from federal investments in climate action.
