The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced that the Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska will receive $13,196,915 in Climate Pollution Reduction Grants. This funding is part of the Biden-Harris administration’s Investing in America Agenda.
The grant will support the Tribe’s Energy Sovereignty and Community-Scale Decarbonization Project. The initiative aims to achieve energy sovereignty and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by installing a microgrid powered by renewable energy sources and providing no-cost installation of air-source heat pumps and electric water heaters for residential households on Tribal land.
“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. The ambitious projects selected will deploy community-driven solutions to fight climate change and protect public health,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “The tribal and territory leaders selected today will fund innovative projects that improve air quality, deliver cleaner affordable electricity, and create economic and workforce opportunities that can be scaled up and replicated across tribal lands and U.S. territories.”
“We are thrilled to announce the Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska’s selection for over $13 million to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote sustainability,” said EPA Region 7 Administrator Meghan A. McCollister. “By funding the installation of a solar microgrid, electric vehicle chargers, and energy efficiency upgrades, we are not only addressing climate change but also enhancing the quality of life for individual households.”
EPA has chosen 34 applications to fund projects proposed by 33 Tribal recipients as well as the Municipality of Saipan in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. These projects aim to tackle climate issues, reduce air pollution, advance environmental justice, and accelerate clean energy transition.
These grants are funded by President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act. The proposed projects collectively aim to reduce greenhouse gas pollution by over 7 million metric tons of carbon dioxide by 2050—equivalent to the carbon dioxide emitted from nearly 1.4 million homes' electricity use for one year.
This announcement follows previous investments under this nearly $5 billion Climate Pollution Reduction Grants program. In July, EPA announced selected applications from the CPRG Implementation Grants General Competition to receive $4.3 billion in funding. In 2023, EPA provided $250 million in planning grants to develop climate action plans that served as a basis for greenhouse gas reduction measures proposed in CPRG implementation grant applications.
The selected applications focus on reducing greenhouse gas pollution from six sectors of the economy with an emphasis on transportation, electric power, commercial buildings, residential buildings while promoting workforce development in Indian Country and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
This investment aligns with President Biden’s Executive Order 14112 on Reforming Federal Funding for Tribal Nations which aims at promoting greater autonomy for Tribal Nations over federal funding investments.
Additionally, this program supports President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative which ensures that 40% of certain federal investments benefit disadvantaged communities burdened by pollution.
EPA reviewed 110 applications requesting more than $1.3 billion in funding before making its selections for both Tribes and Territories Competition as well as General Competition awards expected later this year once all legal requirements are met.
