Michael S. Regan 16th Administrator, United States Environmental Protection Agency | Official Website
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced the allocation of a $38,646,534 Climate Pollution Reduction Grant to the Southeast Conference of Alaska. This grant is part of a broader initiative in which 25 selected applications will receive a total of $4.3 billion for community-driven solutions aimed at addressing climate change, reducing air pollution, and advancing environmental justice.
The grant awarded to the Southeast Conference (Alaskan Southern Coastal Communities) will support the Accelerating Clean Energy Savings in Alaska's Coastal Communities project. This initiative aims to provide advisory services and incentives to replace residential oil-burning systems with energy-efficient heat pumps in 50 Alaskan communities.
"Every community is feeling the impacts of climate change, from heat waves and drought conditions to increased wildfire smoke and severe winter storms. We must act collaboratively to reduce carbon emissions and address the adverse impacts on people’s health and our economic prosperity," said EPA Regional Administrator Casey Sixkiller. "Through the Biden Administration’s Inflation Reduction Act, EPA is partnering with states and local communities to make the largest investments ever in green buildings, clean energy transportation, and climate justice, and the Pacific Northwest continues to lead the way."
"Southeast Conference has long worked with Alaska’s distressed coastal communities to displace imported fossil fuels and utilize clean, renewable resources," stated Southeast Conference Executive Director Robert Venables. "We are grateful for this award which will make transformational changes toward our shared mission of sustainable, vibrant communities with a healthy environment."
The selection process for these grants involved a rigorous competition that reviewed nearly 300 applications from entities across the country requesting almost $33 billion in funding. The chosen projects include those from states, a Tribe, local governments, and coalitions of these entities.
These projects are expected to implement ambitious climate pollution reduction measures designed by states, Tribes, and local governments aiming for significant greenhouse gas reductions by 2030 and beyond. Estimates suggest that these grants could reduce greenhouse gas pollution by up to 148 million metric tons by 2030 and up to 971 million metric tons by 2050.
In addition to this announcement, EPA plans to allocate an additional $300 million under the Climate Pollution Reduction Grants program for Tribes, Tribal consortia, and territories in upcoming weeks.
The grants aim not only at reducing greenhouse gases but also at building infrastructure needed for a clean energy future while supporting economic growth through new job creation opportunities.
EPA expects all funds will be awarded later this year after meeting all legal and administrative requirements.
