The Biden administration will announce Monday billions of dollars in climate grants to support states, local governments and tribes in their efforts to cut emissions and spur economic growth.
The Climate Pollution Reduction Grant program — which includes $4.6 billion in competitive grants — is the latest Inflation Reduction Act finance program to move forward ahead of the presidential election. EPA Administrator Michael Regan told reporters Friday that contracts would be signed and funds allocated by this fall. That would make them virtually impossible for a new administration to rescind.
Monday’s announcements will total $4.3 billion in funding and will support 25 projects in 30 states and one tribe — the Nez Perce Tribe in Idaho and Oregon. The remaining $300 million in grants to tribes and territories will be announced soon; Regan said those funds would be obligated by this fall, as well.
Competition was fierce. State and local entities submitted more than 300 applications, totaling more than $33 billion in funding requests. Regan told reporters that EPA “looked for the top performers,” who designed programs that offered both economic and environmental benefits — including solid pollution reduction targets and metrics.
