State Seeks EPA Grant Ideas for Pollution Reduction

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TL/DR –

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ) is seeking ideas from low-income and disadvantaged communities to guide its application for the federal Climate Pollution Reduction Grant, a program aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and other harmful air pollutants. The state expects to receive $3 million this year for planning and can compete for a portion of the $4.6 billion that the Environmental Protection Agency will award next year. The NCDEQ is developing two action plans, seeking to identify high-priority greenhouse gas reduction measures, determine strategies for equitable implementation, and align the state’s climate strategies with the latest science and best practices.


N.C. Environmental Officials seek Public Input on Climate Pollution Reduction Grant Application

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ) is soliciting project ideas to guide their application for the federal Climate Pollution Reduction Grant. They’re particularly interested in ideas from low-income, disadvantaged communities and those with environmental justice concerns.

Part of the federal Inflation Reduction Act, the grant program provides funds for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and other harmful air pollutants. NCDEQ, leading the North Carolina Climate Pollution Reduction Grant project, anticipates receiving $3 million this year for planning activities and could compete for $4.6 billion from the EPA next year.

The program requires the development of two plans – the priority climate action plan for identifying high-priority greenhouse gas reduction measures and ensuring equitable implementation, and the comprehensive climate action plan for updating and expanding the state’s existing climate strategies.

NCDEQ invites any individual or group to submit ideas for projects and greenhouse gas reduction measures. To submit a project idea, complete this form.

The department also welcomes comments and suggestions via email at cprg@deq.nc.gov and at upcoming public information sessions in January, which will supplement three sessions held earlier this year. The sessions will cover the Climate Pollution Reduction Grant, types of eligible projects, and gathering input for application priorities and potential funding use.

The first session is at 6:30 p.m. on Jan. 4. To receive a reminder and join the meeting, register online or use this link. The next is at 6:30 p.m. on Jan. 9. Attendees can register online or follow this link.

More details about the grant program and material from previous sessions are available online.

For information in Spanish or another language, contact Guadalupe.Jimenez@deq.nc.gov or call 919-609-2189.


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