Christopher Schuler, christopher.schuler@sierraclub.org
Washington, DC – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency completed the public release of all state and municipal Priority Climate Action Plans submitted within the Inflation Reduction Act’s Climate Pollution Reduction Grant (CPRG) program. The plans—created by 45 states, 80 local municipal governments, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico—aim to serve as effective, locally-driven roadmaps for protecting clean air and reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and other harmful air pollutants.
The Sierra Club has been engaged throughout the planning process across the nation, with volunteers from its Community Advocates program—as well as members of its Environmental Law Program, Building Electrification campaign, and Chapter staff—providing input to help shape plans at the state and local level.
“Today is a historic day and I am thrilled to see nearly every state in the nation submitting comprehensive plans that would allow them to drastically cut emissions that threaten our health and endanger our environment,” said Sierra Club Executive Director Ben Jealous. “The best way to take action is by first having a good plan, and these plans are a meaningful step toward addressing our shared duty to protect our environment for future generations. The Sierra Club fought hard to help pass the Inflation Reduction Act, which gives communities and community members the tools they need to transform their towns, cities, and states to help us avoid the very worst of the climate crisis. These plans represent that law in action, and we look forward to seeing these efforts rewarded with federal funding.”
The CPRG program will provide $5 billion in grants to states, local governments, tribes, and U.S. territories to develop and implement ambitious plans for reducing GHG emissions with investments to address transportation, food waste, renewable energy, and more. Tribal and territory primary climate action plans must be submitted by April 1. After plan submission, states, localities, and tribes will apply for funding to implement the elements of their plan that achieve greenhouse gas reductions, improve the health of our communities, and create family-sustaining jobs.
EPA grants will be tiered allowing comparably sized projects to compete. The awards will range from $2 million to $500 million for states and units of local government. For the competition for tribes and territories, EPA anticipates awarding individual grants ranging between $1 million to $25 million.
To view your state or metropolitan area’s action plan, click here.
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About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.