North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality officials are interested in ideas from low-income, disadvantaged communities and communities experiencing environmental justice concerns to help guide its application for the federal Climate Pollution Reduction Grant.
As part of the federal Inflation Reduction Act, the grant program, awarded through the Environmental Protection Agency, provides states, local governments, territories and tribes with funds to develop and implement plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other harmful air pollutants.
Sponsor Spotlight
NCDEQ is the lead for the interagency North Carolina Climate Pollution Reduction Grant project. The state anticipates receiving $3 million this year for planning activities and is eligible to compete for the $4.6 billion that EPA will award starting next year, officials said.
As part of the program, the state is to develop two plans. The priority climate action plan is to identify the highest priority greenhouse gas reduction measures and determine the method for ensuring equitable implementation. The comprehensive climate action plan is to update and expand the state’s existing climate strategies to be inline with the most recent available science, modeling and best practices.
NCDEQ officials are asking any individual or group to submit ideas on projects and greenhouse gas reduction measures to implement through the program. Responses will help the agency identify opportunities to collaborate on new or existing projects. To submit a project idea, fill out this form.
The department also is accepting comments and suggestions via email at cprg@deq.nc.gov and at the coming public information sessions in January. These sessions are in addition to three held earlier this year.
Attendees will hear about the Climate Pollution Reduction Grant and will help NCDEQ determine priorities for the application and funding if awarded. Participants will learn about the types of projects that qualify for the grant funding and will be asked to describe eligible projects that would be most useful in their communities.
Sponsor Spotlight
The first session is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 4. Information is online on how to receive a reminder and to join the meeting, or use this link. The webinar number is 2434 444 8544 and the password is S5153pr7, or 75153777 from phones and video systems. To join by phone, dial 415-655-0003 or 904-900-2303 and use access code 243 444 48544.
The next session is to take place at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 9. Attendees can register online to receive a meeting reminder and information on how to join, or use this link and webinar number 2438 976 9622 with password MMqmV5hrn77, or 66768547 from phones and video systems. to join by phone, use 415-655-0003 or 904-900-2303 with access code 243 897 69622.
More information about the grant program and material from previous information sessions available online.
If you need this information in Spanish or another language, call 919-609-2189 or send an email to Guadalupe.Jimenez@deq.nc.gov.
