Michael S. Regan 16th Administrator, United States Environmental Protection Agency | Official Website
Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources is part of a coalition selected by the EPA to receive a $450 million Climate Pollution Reduction Grant to tackle climate change, improve air quality, and advance environmental justice.
BOSTON (JULY 22, 2024) – As part of the Biden-Harris Administration's Investing in America agenda, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced the selection of the New England Heat Pump Accelerator to receive a $450 million Climate Pollution Reduction Grant. The grant aims to implement community-driven solutions addressing the climate crisis, reducing air pollution, advancing environmental justice, and accelerating America's clean energy transition.
The New England Heat Pump Accelerator is led by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, in partnership with the Maine Governor's Office of Policy Innovation and the Future, Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources, New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services, and Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources. The project will fund initiatives across Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island to accelerate the adoption of cold-climate air-source heat pumps, heat pump water heaters, and ground source heat pumps. These resources will be provided for over 500,000 single-family and multifamily residential buildings.
"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," said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. "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."
"No community should have to worry about a future of heat waves or flooding; every community should be able to seize opportunities for a clean energy future. Today's announcement underscores our commitment to addressing the climate crisis head-on through collaborative solutions," said EPA Regional Administrator David W. Cash. "The $450 million Climate Pollution Reduction Grant for the New England Heat Pump Accelerator will advance our region's clean energy transition while creating jobs and improving air quality."
"This grant will be transformational for Massachusetts' families," said U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren.
"We worked hard to build historic programs like this into the Inflation Reduction Act," said Senator Edward J. Markey.
"Through community-driven grants we are helping families lower their energy bills while protecting our planet," said Democratic Whip Katherine Clark.
"Heat pumps are critical tools in making it more affordable for Massachusetts families," said Congresswoman Lori Trahan.
"Through this Accelerator we'll deliver affordable heating and cooling technologies across New England," said Governor Maura Healey.
EPA made its selections through a rigorous grants competition that reviewed nearly 300 applications requesting almost $33 billion in funding. The 25 selected applications—from states, a Tribe, local governments—will receive federal funding for local and regional solutions that can serve as examples for others tackling climate issues.
Together these projects aim for significant greenhouse gas reductions by 2030 and beyond. Estimates suggest they could reduce greenhouse gas pollution by up to 971 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent by 2050.
EPA expects additional announcements under this program later this summer for Tribes and territories.
State-level action is crucial for achieving President Biden's goal of reducing climate pollution by over 50 percent by 2030 and reaching net-zero emissions by 2050. The selected applications are expected to provide substantial public health benefits including reduced exposure to extreme heat and improved air quality.
The Climate Pollution Reduction Grants support President Biden's Justice40 Initiative which ensures that at least 40 percent of certain federal investments benefit disadvantaged communities affected by underinvestment and pollution.
These grants will fund projects aimed at reducing greenhouse gases nationwide while building necessary infrastructure for a clean energy future. They also support economic growth through new job creation in emerging industries along with training programs preparing workers for these opportunities.
Many proposed projects from today's announced applications complement federal actions such as:
- U.S National Blueprint for Transportation Decarbonization
- Efforts towards achieving 100% clean electricity by 2035
- Industrial Decarbonization Roadmap
- U.S Buildings Decarbonization Blueprint
- Climate-smart agriculture efforts
Learn more about the selected applications
Learn more about the CPRG program
