TL/DR –
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced that over 200 tribes, along with the territories of American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, have prepared climate action plans with help from President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act. These plans were developed as part of the EPA’s Climate Pollution Reduction Grants program, designed to help tribal and territorial governments reduce pollution and address environmental justice issues. The program, part of Biden’s Investing in America agenda, aims to transition America to clean energy and ensure 40% of federal climate, clean energy, and other investments benefit disadvantaged communities.
Over 200 Tribes and Four Territories Develop Climate Action Plans with Support from Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act
May 6, 2024 – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announced that over 200 Tribes, American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands have published climate action plans under President Biden’s Investing in America agenda. This initiative is supported by the EPA’s Climate Pollution Reduction Grants program.
“Climate change disproportionately affects Tribes. An unprecedented number of Tribes and intertribal partnerships created Priority Climate Action Plans to combat climate pollution. This is a milestone in climate action planning across tribes,” said Kenneth Martin, Director of the EPA’s American Indian Environmental Office.
These Climate Pollution Reduction Grants are the largest climate investment in U.S. history, fostering community-driven solutions to the climate crisis and speeding up America’s clean energy transition. The program also aligns with President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative, which ensures that 40% of climate, clean energy, and other federal investments benefit disadvantaged communities.
In 2023, the first phase of the $5 billion program provided $250 million to develop ambitious climate action plans across 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, 82 metropolitan statistical areas, four territories, and over 200 Tribes.
The grant recipients were tasked with developing Priority Climate Action Plans focused on high-priority, implementation-ready activities to reduce GHG emissions. Many Tribes and territories created their first climate action plans, while others expanded on previous climate and energy planning efforts.
The program also supports other efforts, including ensuring Tribes and territories participate in climate discussions at all levels, reducing toxic air pollutants, and creating economic opportunities and jobs in new industries.
The second phase of the program includes $4.6 billion in competitive implementation grants for planning grant recipients and other eligible entities. In addition, Tribes and territories are eligible to apply for a $300 million competition.
Over the coming months, all planning grant recipients will develop Comprehensive Climate Action Plans, which will include GHG emissions projections and reduction targets, and workforce planning assessments. EPA remains committed to providing technical support and resources throughout these planning processes.
View the Priority Climate Action Plans from CPRG planning grantees. For more information on the Climate Pollution Reduction Grants, click here.
Read More US Economic News