On September 5, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the recipients of $300 million in Climate Pollution Reduction Grants for Tribes and U.S. territories. This funding is part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s Investing in America agenda. The EPA selected 34 applications from 33 Tribal recipients and the Municipality of Saipan in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands to address climate change, reduce air pollution, advance environmental justice, and accelerate clean energy transitions.
The grants are funded by President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act and will support greenhouse gas reduction measures identified by Tribal and territorial communities. Combined estimates from all selected applicants suggest that these projects could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by over 7 million metric tons of carbon dioxide by 2050, equivalent to the annual electricity use of nearly 1.4 million homes.
This announcement marks a significant phase in the nearly $5 billion Climate Pollution Reduction Grants program. In July, EPA allocated $4.3 billion through the CPRG Implementation Grants General Competition. Additionally, in 2023, EPA provided $250 million in planning grants to develop climate action plans that formed the basis for these implementation grant applications.
The selected projects target greenhouse gas pollution across six economic sectors with a focus on transportation, electric power, and commercial and residential buildings. These initiatives also aim to spur workforce development and job creation within Indian Country and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan will announce these selections alongside Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland at an event in Flagstaff, Arizona. They will be joined by leadership from the Hopi Tribe, whose Utilities Corporation has been awarded over $20 million to provide renewable electricity to nearly 900 homes.
“Thanks to President Biden and Vice President Harris’ leadership, today’s investment marks one of the largest climate investments EPA has ever made in Tribal and territorial communities,” said Regan. “The ambitious projects selected will deploy community-driven solutions to fight climate change and protect public health.”
Secretary Haaland emphasized the administration's commitment: “Through President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, our administration continues to make transformational investments to strengthen Indian Country... Today’s announcement builds on our work at the Interior Department to electrify Tribal homes...and invest in climate resilience.”
John Podesta, Senior Advisor to the President for International Climate Policy, added: “Today’s grants put Tribes and territories in the driver’s seat... These grants will help Tribal Nations and U.S. territories create jobs...improve air quality...and accelerate America’s progress toward our climate goals.”
Examples of funded projects include:
- The Hopi Coal to Solar Transition project aims to provide renewable electricity on the Hopi Reservation.
- The Municipality of Saipan is modernizing its lighting system under a project expected to reduce electricity consumption significantly.
- The Kituwah Electrification project supports solar microgrid development for Eastern Band Cherokee Indians.
- The Decarbonize Lac Vieux Desert project focuses on energy efficiency upgrades for low-income housing.
- An Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium initiative aims to increase wind power usage in Western Alaska communities.
- Passamaquoddy Tribe Indian Township plans a community microgrid construction with solar photovoltaic systems.
These investments align with President Biden’s Executive Order on Reforming Federal Funding for Tribal Nations aimed at enhancing Tribal self-determination through more accessible federal funding programs.
The Climate Pollution Reduction Grants program also advances President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative which ensures that disadvantaged communities benefit from federal investments related to climate change and clean energy.
Funds under both competitions are expected later this year after fulfilling legal requirements.
