EPA Joins Minnesota Leaders to Highlight Climate Pollution Reduction Grants
Publilshed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency joined Minnesota leaders at the Metropolitan Council’s Blue Lake Wastewater Treatment Plant in Shakopee, Minnesota, to highlight how organizations in the state are using more than $4 million in federal Climate Pollution Reduction Grants to develop plans for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and other harmful air pollution.
“Thanks to the Biden-Harris Administration’s Investing in America agenda, EPA is able to provide funding for large-scale greenhouse gas reduction to mitigate climate pollution at the source,” said EPA Region 5 Administrator Debra Shore. “Our partners will use this funding to reduce harmful air pollution in our most vulnerable communities, while supporting our overall greenhouse gas reduction goals.”
The CPRG planning grants will support the creation of comprehensive, innovative strategies for reducing pollution, especially for low-income and disadvantaged communities. Grant recipients include Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, Metropolitan Council, Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community, Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe and Midwest Tribal Energy Resources Association.
“Environmental conservation is a fundamental part of Minnesota’s heritage and we need to come together to combat climate pollution,” said Sen. Amy Klobuchar. “These grants will help organizations across the state continue to preserve Minnesota’s natural beauty and protect our communities for generations to come.”
“Taking action on climate is a win-win situation: it presents enormous and exciting opportunities while helping to prevent an economic, environmental and public health disaster,” said Sen. Tina Smith. “I was thrilled to hear about the grants Minnesota recently received from the Climate Pollution Reduction program. This funding, which was made possible by the Inflation Reduction Act, will help Minnesota build on all the great work we’re doing to cut greenhouse emissions, reduce air pollution, lower energy bills, and build out a clean energy economy. I look forward to working with state and local leaders to make sure everyone in Minnesota, especially low-income and other overburdened communities, benefits from these investments.”
“The new Climate Pollution Reduction Grants program, created when Democrats passed the Inflation Reduction Act into law, helps states, local governments, and tribes reduce emissions and air pollution,” said Rep. Betty McCollum. “These investments help protect clean air for our families and give communities flexibility to tackle their most pressing needs. It takes all of us to fight climate change, and I’m proud to help bring these strategic investments to Minnesota.”
“In Minnesota, we’re taking bold steps to address the climate crisis. The Climate Pollution Reduction Grants represent a milestone in our ongoing efforts to create a greener future,” said Rep. Ilhan Omar. “These grants, funded through the Inflation Reduction Act, will make a tangible impact on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and enhance the overall quality of our environment through decarbonization. As the world faces the undeniable challenges posed by climate change, the collective efforts of Minnesotan organizations, fueled by this grant, serve as a beacon of progress.”
“Our tribe is committed to being a good steward of the Earth, and we hope to build on this work as we look to a carbon-neutral future,” said Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community Chairman Keith Anderson. “Climate action plans are an important step in this process. We are honored to receive this support as we plan for future generations.”
“The Climate Pollution Reduction Grants program will empower cities, towns, tribal nations, low-income communities, and communities of color to chart their own course for a healthier future,” said MPCA Commissioner Katrina Kessler. “These partnerships, with support from the EPA, present an exciting opportunity for Minnesota to accomplish our climate goals and achieve the vision of Minnesota’s Climate Action Framework.”
“We at the Met Council are very grateful to the EPA for the Climate Pollution Reduction Grant,” said Metropolitan Council Chair Charlie Zelle. “These flexible planning resources will increase our capacity to collaborate with partners. Together we can drive transformative, scalable decarbonization efforts, especially for the benefit of low-income and underserved communities. Our local government partners are already doing great climate work, and this will allow us to further identify strategies to impact our region sooner.”
MTERA is leveraging its collective strength to coordinate the CPRG planning deliverables for eight of our 21 Member Tribes. This is a great example of how intertribal collaboration can benefit Tribes in the Midwest,” said Charlie Lippert, Treasurer of the Midwest Tribal Energy Resources Association.
Speaking as Air Quality Specialist for the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, Charlie Lippert added, “Mille Lacs is excited to begin our climate pollutant reduction planning activities with our two-pronged approach: as a lead agency on our Tribal lands, and as a partner agency to state and regional agencies for all other Band-owned properties.”
Through the CPRG program, EPA will support the development and deployment of technologies and solutions that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and harmful air pollution, as well as transition America to a clean energy economy that benefits all Americans. The program provides support to states, local governments, and tribes regardless of where they are in their climate planning and implementation process. Planning funds can be used to update existing climate, energy, or sustainability plans, or to develop new plans.
More information on the Climate Pollution Reduction Grants
Read the full article at: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-joins-minnesota-leaders-highlight-climate-pollution-reduction-grants
