The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded the Hudson Valley Regional Council a $3 million grant through the Climate Pollution Reduction Grant program, part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s Investing in America Agenda and funded under the Inflation Reduction Act. The announcement was made at an event held at the Hudson Valley Regional Airport in Poughkeepsie, New York.
“Across the nation EPA is funding projects to reduce greenhouse gases and empower community-led solutions to succeed in the fight against climate change,” said Regional Administrator Lisa F. Garcia. “We are so pleased to bring that funding to local efforts right here in the beautiful Hudson Valley of New York State. Under this project, innovative and sustainable clean energy solutions will go into effect at over a dozen closed landfills in the area to improve air quality.”
The grant will be used by the Hudson Valley Regional Council (HVRC) to install biofilters aimed at reducing methane emissions from closed landfills across the Mid-Hudson Valley region. Additional initiatives include promoting solar arrays, battery storage systems, native pollinator gardens, and creating long-term ecosystem stewardship plans for former landfills. HVRC will also provide technical assistance to municipalities interested in leasing their landfill sites for community solar or battery storage installations.
“This critical federal grant, created by the Inflation Reduction Act I led to passage, will enable the Mid-Hudson Municipal Landfill Emissions Mitigation program to utilize biofilters to reduce noxious and potent methane emissions from closed landfills,” stated Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer.
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand expressed her support: “Investing in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and harmful air pollution is critical to combat climate change and create a greener future for all.”
Representative Pat Ryan (NY-18) emphasized urgency: “With the Hudson Valley experiencing yet another historic heat wave, the health of our families and climate can’t wait any longer.”
Dutchess County Executive Sue Serino highlighted local leadership: “Dutchess County continues to be a leader of environmental stewardship and sustainability efforts.”
Carla Castillo, executive director of HVRC, noted: “With this funding, more residents in the Mid-Hudson Region – especially residents in historically disadvantaged communities – will be able to breathe cleaner air while enabling significant reductions in GHG emissions.”
Christopher Kennan, Supervisor of North East Town added: “We are proud to be part of a cohort focused on mitigating GHG emissions from our closed landfills.”
Earlier this year, EPA selected 25 applications nationwide through a competitive process involving nearly 300 submissions requesting almost $33 billion total funding. These grants aim for significant cumulative greenhouse gas reductions by 2030 and beyond.
These grants align with President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative ensuring benefits flow particularly towards disadvantaged communities affected by underinvestment and pollution.
EPA expects funds disbursement later this year after fulfilling legal requirements.
