① The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will allocate $4.3 billion to fund projects to reduce climate pollution in 30 states; ② This funding will be used for 25 projects to reduce greenhouse gas emissions; ③ The latest round of funding includes $0.396 billion for Pennsylvania, a key swing state in the general election, which will be announced personally by EPA Director Michael Reagan.
Financial Services Association, July 22 (Editor Zhou Ziyi) The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will allocate 4.3 billion US dollars to fund projects to reduce climate pollution in 30 states. The funds will be used for 25 projects targeting greenhouse gas emissions in transportation, electricity, commercial and residential construction, industry, agriculture, waste and materials management.
These grants come from climate provisions in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) approved by the Democrats in 2022. The bill is used to accelerate the expansion of clean energy such as wind and solar energy, and accelerate America's transition from oil, coal, and natural gas.
EPA Director Michael Regan (Michael Regan) said on Friday (7/19) that the new funding will help implement community-led solutions, reduce air pollution, promote environmental protection, and help accelerate America's clean energy transition.
Grants to key swing states
According to reports, the latest round of funding includes 0.396 billion US dollars provided to Pennsylvania to reduce industrial greenhouse gas emissions from cement, asphalt, and other materials. The state will also partner with the RISE PA Project, a new initiative aimed at reducing emissions from Pennsylvania's industrial sector.
EPA Director Reagan will join Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro (Josh Shapiro) in Pittsburgh on Monday (7/22) local time to announce the recipients of this grant in this state and other states.
According to reports, Pennsylvania is a key political battleground in the 2024 general election, and both Democrats and Republicans are apparently trying to win over more voters in this key swing state.
After Biden withdrew from the presidential race, Democrat Shapiro was considered a possible candidate for vice president. Shapiro said the government has taken action to address climate change while continuing to create energy jobs and expand the economy.
Shapiro commented on this latest grant, which is one of the largest federal grants Pennsylvania has ever received.
Other payments
On Monday, senior EPA officials will also join California Democratic Senator Alex Padilla to announce nearly $0.5 billion in funding to decarbonize transportation and freight at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. The grant will provide incentives for the transformation of charging equipment, zero-emission freight vehicles, and cargo handling equipment to reduce emissions.
The Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy will receive $0.307 billion to promote “climate-smart” agriculture and reduce agricultural resource waste caused by livestock, fund projects to improve the energy efficiency of commercial facilities and low-income households, and projects to install solar panels and power irrigation wells.
Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, and Maine will receive a total of $0.45 billion in funding to accelerate the adoption of cold-climate heat pumps and water heaters.
Michigan will receive $0.129 billion to speed up renewable energy site selection, zoning, and licensing. This grant will help Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer achieve the goal of 60% renewable energy by 2035. Whitmer is another potential Democratic vice presidential candidate.
Additionally, nearly $0.25 billion will be used to strengthen electric vehicle infrastructure on Interstate 95 from Maryland to Connecticut. The project will provide charging infrastructure for commercial zero-emission vehicles and provide technical assistance for workforce development along I-95, one of the busiest highways in the US.