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
PHILADELPHIA (July 23, 2024) – Today, as part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s Investing in America agenda, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced the general competition selection of the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality to receive approximately $150 million through two Climate Pollution Reduction Grants to implement community-driven solutions that tackle the climate crisis, reduce air pollution, advance environmental justice, and accelerate America’s clean energy transition.
The Virginia DEQ’s selected application, submitted as a coalition with Virginia Energy, will receive more than $99 million through a competitive grant program for projects that will capture and convert or reuse methane emissions from coal mines and landfills. The selected application will also establish a partnership with other state agencies to fund a competitive grant program for food rescue and composting programs at agencies, colleges and university campuses across Virginia.
Additionally, the Virginia DEQ will also serve as a coalition member in another selected application led by the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. The coalition is set to receive more than $420 million, with approximately $50 million allocated for Virginia DEQ to reduce GHG emissions through carbon sequestration projects on natural and working lands, including coastal wetlands, peatlands, and forests.
“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 creating economic and workforce development opportunities along the way.”
"Investments such as this are paramount to ensuring communities across the region who are impacted the most have access to reduced climate and air pollution," said EPA Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator Adam Ortiz. “We need our partners to help us in tackling climate challenges. The work of these organizations will allow them to take steps to ensure better quality air for future generations."
“I’m thrilled Virginia is receiving this nearly $100 million grant to reduce air pollution throughout the Commonwealth,” said U.S. Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA). “In addition I’m excited Virginia will serve as a coalition member in a multi-state regional application that was selected to receive more than $420 million.”
“Reducing methane emissions is critical,” said U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA). “I’m glad this federal funding is headed to Virginia.”
“The Inflation Reduction Act continues to deliver for Virginia,” said U.S. Rep. Bobby Scott (VA-3). “This funding will enable Virginia to curb heat-trapping methane emissions.”
“The Biden-Harris Administration is leading an historic fight against climate change,” said U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly (VA-11). “Today’s announcement of $150 million for the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality is just the latest investment.”
“I am pleased that Virginia will be taking advantage of EPA’s Climate Pollution Reduction Grants program,” said U.S. Rep Don Beyer (VA-8). “This investment will enable VADEQ while improving air quality.”
“I was proud to vote pass the Inflation Reduction Act — which made today’s grant announcement possible,” said U.S Rep Abigail Spanberger (VA-7). “As Ranking Member of Subcommittee on Conservation Research Biotechnology I’m focused on building healthier environment."
“I am pleased that Inflation Reduction Act once again delivering create cleaner more sustainable future,” said U.S Rep Jennifer Wexton (VA-10).
“For too long marginalized communities borne brunt worsening climate crisis,” said U.S Rep Jennifer McClellan (VA-4). "Under Biden-Harris Administration we have made historic investments."
EPA made its selections through rigorous grants competition designed fair impartial Agency reviewed nearly 300 applications submitted entities across country requested total nearly $33 billion funding.
The 25 selected applications – from states Tribe local governments coalitions these entities – will receive federal funding implement local regional solutions Many these projects can expanded provide examples other states local governments Tribes even businesses can replicate their work tackle climate crisis.
Together these selected projects implement ambitious climate pollution reduction measures designed by states Tribes local governments achieve significant cumulative GHG reductions by 2030 beyond.
When estimates provided all selected applicants combined proposed projects would reduce greenhouse gas pollution much 971 million metric tons carbon dioxide equivalent by 2050 roughly emissions from 5 million average homes’ energy use each year over 25 years.
EPA expects announce up additional $300 million selections under Climate Pollution Reduction Grants program Tribes Tribal consortia territories later summer.
State Tribal local action vital deliver President’s commitment reduce climate pollution over 50% by 2030 achieve net-zero emissions no later than 2050 innovative measures contained selected applications developed input from local communities expected achieve substantial public health benefits such reducing exposure extreme heat improving air quality reducing energy burden lower income Americans improving climate resilience providing workforce economic development opportunities particularly low-income disadvantaged communities.
The Climate Pollution Reduction Grants advance President Biden's historic Justice40 Initiative aims ensure 40% overall benefits certain climate clean energy other federal investments flow disadvantaged communities marginalized underinvestment overburdened pollution
The grants fund projects supporting deployment technologies programs reduce greenhouse gases other harmful pollution across country build infrastructure housing industry competitive economy needed clean energy future
These grants help businesses capitalize new opportunities spur economic growth job creation new growing industries support development training programs prepare workers EPA expects award funds later year once all legal administrative requirements satisfied
Many proposed projects contained selected applications announced today well as $250 million planning grant funding EPA providing under CPRG program development Climate Action Plans state local Tribal governments across country complement Biden-Harris Administration historic federal actions national climate strategies across sectors Those include US National Blueprint Transportation Decarbonization Administration efforts achieve 100% clean electricity by 2035 make zero emissions construction common practice by 2030 Industrial Decarbonization Roadmap US Buildings Decarbonization Blueprint Administration's climate-smart agriculture efforts Nature Based Solutions Roadmap US Methane Emissions Reduction Action Plan National Climate Resilience Framework
Learn more about selected applications
Learn more about CPRG program
