Funded by President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda, EPA announces selected applications through competitive Climate Pollution Reduction Grants program to tackle climate change, improve air quality, and advance environmental justice
DALLAS, TEXAS (July 23, 2024) – As part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s Investing in America agenda, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced that the City of Austin will receive $47,854,062 from the Climate Pollution Reduction Grant to implement community-driven solutions aimed at addressing the climate crisis. These efforts will also reduce air pollution, advance environmental justice, and accelerate America’s clean energy transition.
The application led by the City of Austin aims to expand transit services and develop consolidated information resources for residents. The project is expected to benefit low-income and disadvantaged communities across five counties with a planned multimodal transportation network that includes a light rail system. This initiative represents a coalition partnership among the City of Austin, the Capital Area Council of Governments, Cap Area Rural Transportation Service, CapMetro, and the Texas Department of Transportation.
“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, and provide cost- and energy-efficient heating and cooling to communities while creating economic and workforce development opportunities.”
“As the climate crisis continues,” said Regional Administrator Dr. Earthea Nance. “EPA funding from the Inflation Reduction Act is going directly to communities that feel the most impact so they can implement solutions they know will lead to significant pollution reduction.” She added that this grant would help Austin build climate resilience while reducing pollution.
Representative Doggett (TX-37) remarked on federal funding aiding Austin's leadership in protecting both planet and society: "I am pleased to work with the City of Austin, EPA, and all local partners on these important efforts."
Rep. Greg Casar (TX-35) emphasized collaboration with federal initiatives: “Alongside the Biden Administration we are going to deliver clean air and truly reliable public transportation for Texas."
Austin Mayor Kirk Watson highlighted regional cooperation: "Working with our regional coalition...we plan to use this grant...promoting adoption of transit leading long-lasting impacts on congestion," he stated.
The EPA made its selections through a rigorous competition process designed for fairness. Nearly 300 applications were reviewed nationwide requesting almost $33 billion in funding.
Twenty-five selected applications from states as well as tribal entities will receive federal funds for implementing local/regional solutions. These projects aim for significant cumulative GHG reductions by 2030; estimates suggest up-to 971 million metric tons CO2 equivalent reduced by 2050—comparable annually powering over five million homes.
Additional $300 million selections under CPRG program targeting Tribes/territories are expected later this summer—key towards meeting President's goal reducing climate pollution over half-by-2030 achieving net-zero-emissions no later than mid-century providing substantial public health benefits particularly disadvantaged communities affected disproportionately through systemic issues historic inequities.
The grants align with President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative ensuring overall benefits flow marginalized overburdened areas supporting deployment reducing harmful pollutants building infrastructure housing industry competitive clean-energy future fostering economic/job growth developing worker-training programs expected awarded once legal/admin requirements satisfied complementing national strategies across sectors like US National Blueprint Transportation Decarbonization making zero-emissions construction common practice Industrial Decarbonization Roadmap Buildings Decarbonization Blueprint climate-smart agriculture Nature-Based Solutions Methane Emissions Reduction Action Plan National Climate Resilience Framework among others.
