BOSTON (Sept. 8, 2023) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Region 1 has awarded a total of $1,285,120 million from the agency's Climate Pollution Reduction Grants (CPRG) program to seven New England tribes.
The awards will fund the development of plans and innovative strategies to cut climate pollution and build clean energy economies for Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, Mohegan Tribe, Passamaquoddy Tribe at Indian Township, Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, Narragansett Indian Tribe, Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head Aquinnah, and the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians which is working in partnership with Mi'kmaq Nation and Passamaquoddy Tribe at Pleasant Point. Working in tandem with other programs also funded by the Inflation Reduction Act, CPRG provides flexible planning resources to local governments, states, Tribes and territories for climate solutions that protect communities from pollution and advance environmental justice.
"Congratulations to the seven of our 10 federally-recognized Tribes in New England for receiving almost $1.3 million to develop comprehensive strategies to address climate change, reduce local air pollution, and build clean energy economies in their Tribal lands," said EPA New England Regional Administrator David W. Cash. "Thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act, and the Biden-Harris Administration's Investing in America agenda, our Tribal nations will be meaningfully engaged to ensure they benefit from the creation of good jobs, lower energy costs, and cleaner air through the climate pollution mitigation measures planned through these grants."
A total of $25 million was made available to tribes and tribal consortia across the country. This funding for climate planning will be followed later this year by a national grant competition for $4.6 billion in implementation grant funding that will support the expeditious implementation of investment-ready policies, programs and projects outlined in the CPRG planning grants to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the near term.
About the Climate Pollution Reduction Grant Program
On March 1, EPA announced the availability of these funds, which are the first series of climate pollution funding opportunities for states, local governments, territories and Tribes under Section 60114 of the Inflation Reduction Act. The CPRG planning grants will support states, territories, Tribes, municipalities, and air agencies, in the creation of comprehensive, innovative strategies for reducing pollution and ensuring that investments maximize benefits, especially for low-income and disadvantaged communities. 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.
Climate plans will include:
Greenhouse gas emissions inventories.
Emissions projections and reduction targets.
Economic, health, and social benefits, including to low-income and disadvantaged communities.
Plans to leverage other sources of federal funding, including the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act.
Workforce needs to support decarbonization and a clean energy economy.
Future government staffing and budget needs.
