Michael S. Regan 16th Administrator, United States Environmental Protection Agency | Official Website
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced that the Fort Independence Indian Community (FIIC) in California will receive a $1,362,172 Climate Pollution Reduction Grant as part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s Investing in America agenda.
The project aims to extend the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power Service (LADWP) to the FIIC Grinding Rock Aggregates operation. This initiative is expected to deliver renewable electrical power, eliminate diesel generators used for rock processing, and mitigate toxic air pollution. The anticipated benefits include reduced greenhouse gas emissions and improved community health, particularly for vulnerable populations such as elders and children.
“The Climate Pollution Reduction Grants being unveiled today will deliver unprecedented resources to Tribes here in California for local solutions that can provide national examples for how to transition off of fossil fuels,” said EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator Martha Guzman. “These investments, which deliver on the Biden-Harris Administration’s Justice40 Initiative, will create jobs and reduce the emissions fueling climate change.”
“California Tribes are on the frontlines of the climate crisis, developing their own solutions to reduce greenhouse gas pollution, improve air quality, and bolster climate resilience,” said U.S. Senator Alex Padilla. “I’m grateful to the Biden-Harris Administration for providing tens of millions in direct federal funding from the Inflation Reduction Act to the Fort Independence Indian Community to support their sovereignty and locally led solutions.”
Nationwide, 34 applications were selected by the EPA through a competitive process to fund projects across 31 Tribal Nations, two Tribal consortia, and the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands. These projects aim to address climate issues by reducing air pollution, advancing environmental justice, and accelerating clean energy transitions.
The grants are supported by funds from the historic Inflation Reduction Act. Combined estimates from all selected applicants suggest these projects will reduce harmful greenhouse gas pollution by over seven million metric tons of carbon dioxide by 2050 – equivalent to emissions from nearly 1.4 million homes' electricity use for one year.
This announcement is part of a nearly $5 billion Climate Pollution Reduction Grants program initiated earlier this year. In July, $4.3 billion was allocated for CPRG Implementation Grants General Competition selected applicants. In 2023, $250 million in planning grants were provided as a basis for proposed greenhouse gas reduction measures in CPRG implementation grant applications.
Selected applications target greenhouse gas pollution from various economic sectors with an emphasis on transportation, electric power, commercial and residential buildings while promoting workforce development and job creation in Indian Country and Northern Mariana Islands.
Today's announcement aligns with President Biden's Executive Order 14112 on Reforming Federal Funding and Support for Tribal Nations aimed at enhancing Tribal self-determination by reforming federal programs for greater autonomy over federal funding investments.
The Climate Pollution Reduction Grants program also supports President Biden's Justice40 Initiative ensuring that 40% of specific federal investment benefits flow to disadvantaged communities marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution.
EPA reviewed 110 applications requesting more than $1.3 billion before making its selections under both Tribes and Territories Competition and General Competition later this year once all legal requirements are met.
For more information about EPA’s Pacific Southwest Region visit their Instagram, Facebook page or website.
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