Biden-Harris Administration Announces $3 Million to Illinois to Plan Innovative Projects to Tackle Climate Pollution Across the State
Funds from EPA’s New Climate Pollution Reduction Grant Program were made possible by President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act
Today, the Biden-Harris Administration announced Illinois would receive a $3 million planning grant to develop innovative strategies to cut climate pollution and build clean energy economies. Earlier this month, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the availability of the funds from the Climate Pollution Reduction Grants program created by President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act.
“We know that tackling the climate crisis demands a sense of urgency to protect people and the planet,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act is a historic opportunity to provide communities across the country with the resources they need to protect people from harmful climate pollution and improve our economy. These Climate Pollution Reduction Grants are an important first step to equip communities with the resources to create innovative strategies that reduce climate emissions and drive benefits across the country.”
On March 23, 2023, Illinois submitted the state’s intent to participate in the new program. The state will use the funds to develop a climate action plan. The funds will also be used to conduct meaningful engagement including with low income and disadvantaged communities throughout Illinois.
Later this year, EPA will launch a competition for an additional $4.6 billion in funding to implement projects and initiatives included in the plans, which Illinois is eligible to receive. The state can also use this funding to develop strategies for using the other grant, loan, and tax provisions secured by President Biden’s historic legislation, including the Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, to achieve its clean energy, climate, and environmental justice goals.
“Climate change is already hurting Americans throughout the country,” said EPA Region 5 Administrator Debra Shore. “The Climate Pollution Reduction grants made possible by the Inflation Reduction Act will help urban and rural residents, cities and states become more resilient so that Americans can live in healthy, vibrant communities for generations to come.”
“Illinois EPA’s participation in the Climate Pollution Reduction Grant program is a renewed commitment to bring environmental and economic benefits to the communities in Illinois,” said Illinois EPA Director John J. Kim. “We will utilize this initial funding to develop a thoughtful plan to address climate related issues, especially in our disadvantaged communities.”
“For every moment we delay action on the climate crisis, the consequences become exponentially worse,” said Sen. Dick Durbin. “This federal investment from President Biden and Congressional Democrats’ Inflation Reduction Act allows us to support overburdened and frontline communities with environmental best practices, while spurring economic growth across Illinois. I’ll keep working to bring home federal dollars that ensure current and future generations have a more sustainable future.”
“I am thrilled to hear that the state of Illinois was awarded $3 million to help develop a strategy to reduce emissions and clean our air. The state of Illinois has set the ambitious goal of relying 100% on clean energy by 2045, and this $3 million grant will help us achieve that goal,” said Rep. Jan Schakowsky. “Thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act, which is the largest ever federal investment in our climate, we can now devote the resources necessary to protect and preserve our environment. I am proud to live in a state that prioritizes meaningful investments in our climate. Future generations are counting on us, we must deliver.”
“The climate crisis requires us to act now to reduce emissions and I’m thrilled to see $3 million in funding coming to Illinois for this needed climate action,” said Rep. Sean Casten. “I proudly advocated for clean energy provisions in the Inflation Reduction Act to fund opportunities for innovation just like this. This planning grant will allow communities across Illinois to develop strategies that will reduce climate pollution and assist in combatting the climate crisis.”
“Climate change is an urgent public health crisis, and we need bold and innovative solutions to tackle it,” said Rep. Lauren Underwood. “Investments like these are exactly why we worked so hard to pass the Inflation Reduction Act, and I am pleased that this law is already delivering for our communities. These federal funds will help us develop climate action plans that are unique to our communities, making sure that we are making smart and strategic investments in our fight against pollution and greenhouse gases.”
President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act includes historic funding to combat climate change while creating good-paying jobs and advancing environmental justice. Today’s announcement builds on $550 million announced in February for EPA’s new Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmaking program and $100 million announced earlier this year for environmental justice grants to support underserved and overburdened communities. Additionally, the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund will award nearly $27 billion to leverage private capital for clean energy and clean air investments across the country.
About the Climate Pollution Reduction Grant Program
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. These 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.
In program guidance released earlier this month, EPA describes how the agency intends to award and manage CPRG funds to eligible entities, including states, metropolitan areas, Tribes, and territories.
Next Steps
This funding for climate planning will be followed later this year by $4.6 billion in implementation grant funding that will support the expeditious implementation of investment-ready policies, programs, and projects created by the CPRG planning grants to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the near term. 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.
By summer 2023, EPA regional offices expect to award and administer the funding agreements.
More information on the Climate Pollution Reduction Grants
CPRG Planning Grant Program Guidances
Sign up for notifications about the Climate Pollution Reduction Grants