On March 27, 2023, EPA announced three awards of $3 million in climate planning grants to Minnesota, Nebraska, and Missouri from the IRA section 60114 Climate Pollution Reduction Grant program (CPRG). The CPRG program supports states, territories, Tribes, municipalities, and air agencies in the creation of comprehensive and innovative pollution reduction strategies that maximize benefits, especially for low-income and disadvantaged communities.
Minnesota’s funds will be used to support the state’s Climate Action Framework that identifies immediate actions needed to achieve a carbon-neutral and equitable future for the state, along with conducting meaningful engagement with low income and disadvantaged communities across the state.
The Missouri Department of Natural Resources and the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy will participate in this new program that provides flexible planning resources for the states to develop and implement scalable solutions that protect people from pollution and advance environmental justice.
As recipients of the planning grants worth $3 million, Minnesota, Nebraska, and Missouri are each eligible to apply for implementation grants, also authorized by the IRA, which will be subject to a competitive national grant competition later this year.