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WASHINGTON, D.C. — Yesterday, members of the U.S. Climate Alliance, a bipartisan coalition of governors representing approximately 60 percent of the U.S. economy and 55 percent of the U.S. population, collectively secured approximately $2.6 billion in historic funding as part of the second phase of the Biden-Harris administration’s Climate Pollution Reduction Grants (CPRG) program. These awards, made possible by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), will provide direct funding to 14 Alliance states to implement ambitious measures that deliver significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and substantial community benefits.
In total, these grants are expected to collectively reduce greenhouse gas emissions by over 600 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent by 2050.
Here’s what the Alliance’s governors are saying about this historic climate investment:
📢 BREAKING: Alliance members have collectively secured more than $2.5 billion in historic funding from @EPA’s Climate Pollution Reduction Grants program.
— U.S. Climate Alliance (@USClimate) July 22, 2024
➡️ https://t.co/MSmkn0nLqL pic.twitter.com/e4EhISZRTO
“Thanks to @POTUS, California and @SouthCoastAQMD are getting $500 million to help cut pollution in our transportation and freight sector.
Read more via @CAgovernor on Twitter.
Thanks to @POTUS, California and @SouthCoastAQMD are getting $500 million to help cut pollution in our transportation and freight sector.https://t.co/SLzAV6FaaV
— California Governor (@CAgovernor) July 22, 2024
“Colorado continues to lead the nation in climate initiatives that reduce air pollution, and move us closer to our climate goals. Investing in clean energy is an investment in Colorado, and we are grateful to be recognized by the federal government for our landmark plans to reduce emissions by creating more transit oriented communities while continuing to save Coloradans money.”
Read more via the Office of Colorado Governor Jared Polis.
Investing in clean energy is an investment in Colorado, and we are grateful to be recognized by the federal government for our landmark plans to reduce emissions by creating more transit oriented communities while continuing to save Coloradans money. pic.twitter.com/SjnoBiikzk
— Governor Jared Polis (@GovofCO) July 23, 2024
“This funding means more residents in Connecticut – and more importantly, more low-income residents in our state – will be able to realize the benefits of truly clean, safe, healthy, and energy-efficient heating and cooling. This multi-state initiative will also enable more equitable participation in the green economy. Thank you to the Biden-Haris administration and the EPA for this Inflation Reduction Act opportunity, our Congressional delegation for their support and efforts to pass the underlying legislation, DEEP for taking the lead, and our partner states across the region for their collaboration.”
Read more via the Office of Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont.
“When I signed the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act, I did it knowing that there we could not move into a clean energy future without ensuring that no one was left behind—and with this grant award, the Biden-Harris administration have made it clear that their priorities are the same. This grant will fund clean buildings, agriculture, and transport, and further position Illinois as the hub for smart, clean development that we have strived to become.”
Read more via EPA’s press release.
“Maine’s nation-leading transition to heat pumps is creating good-paying jobs, curbing our reliance on expensive and harmful fossil fuels, and cutting costs for Maine families. This significant award will continue our momentum and ensure folks across Maine, particularly those in rural Maine, stay comfortable and safe in their homes and save them money in the process. I thank the Biden-Harris Administration for this funding and for its support of our work to expand the use of heat pumps to lower energy costs, strengthen our economy, and protect our environment.”
Read more via the Office of Maine Governor Janet Mills.
“It isn’t enough to ask people to see themselves in the consequences of climate change — they also need to see themselves in the progress of climate action. By moving in partnership with leaders at the local, state, and federal levels, we are creating new green jobs, driving economic growth, and building new pathways to prosperity for all, while protecting our planet. That’s what today’s announcement is all about.”
Read more via the Office of Maryland Governor Wes Moore.
“Through the Accelerator, we’ll be able to deliver affordable and cutting-edge heating and cooling technologies to families and businesses across New England. Our administration is proud of the bipartisan collaboration with our partner states that is delivering $450 million at this critical juncture in our response to climate change. We believe that climate change is our greatest threat and greatest opportunity – with the Climate Pollution Reduction Grant, this is an opportunity to lower costs, increase comfort, and drive down emissions.”
Read more via the Office of Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey.
“Great news! Working together with our New England neighbors, we just won $450 million from @epagov to accelerate the adoption of heat pumps! Through a nation-leading new program, we’ll be able to deliver affordable and cutting-edge heating and cooling technologies to families and businesses across our region.”
Read more via @massgovernor on Instagram.
“Michigan is committed to leading the future of clean energy so we can drive down utility costs for families, create good-paying jobs, and grow our advanced manufacturing economy. Thanks to our congressional delegation and the Biden-Harris administration’s investment in Michigan, we are ready to launch the Renewables Ready Communities Program to meet our renewable energy and MI Healthy Climate Plan goals. Together, we can install more solar panels and wind turbines using well-paid American workers. We can make clean, reliable energy right here in America while lowering costs and keeping our natural resources safe for future generations. Together, let’s keep leading the future of clean energy manufacturing and move towards our goal of 100% clean energy by 2040. Let’s get it done.”
Read more via the Office of Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer.
“With these new federal grants, we’re ready to launch the Renewables Ready Communities Program to meet our renewable energy and MI Healthy Climate Plan goals. Let’s keep leading the future of clean energy manufacturing and keep moving toward our goal of 100% clean energy by 2040.”
Read more via @GovWhitmer on Twitter.
With these new federal grants, we’re ready to launch the Renewables Ready Communities Program to meet our renewable energy and MI Healthy Climate Plan goals. Let’s keep leading the future of clean energy manufacturing and keep moving toward our goal of 100% clean energy by 2040. https://t.co/4bgfPo6pes
— Governor Gretchen Whitmer (@GovWhitmer) July 22, 2024
“Minnesota is a national leader in developing sustainable solutions to address climate change and ensure a safe and healthy future for our kids. This funding will help us continue this work and implement a wide range of improvements to our food system: from climate-smart farming practices to scaling up food waste prevention programs. The Inflation Reduction Act is helping Minnesota make great strides on climate change.”
Learn more via EPA’s press release.
“Protecting our natural lands for future generations is not only critical to our fight against climate change but also our state’s economy and tourism industries. This major award from the Biden-Harris administration will strengthen our bipartisan partnership to conserve and restore public and private lands across state lines.”
Read more via the Office of North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper.
“Protecting our natural lands for future generations is not only critical to our fight against climate change but also our state’s economy and tourism industries. Today, Gov. Cooper and @ncculture announced a historic $421 million grant from the Biden-Harris administration to help converse and restore public and private lands across state lines.”
Read more via @nc_governor on Instagram.
“Reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is a critical strategy to mitigate the impacts of climate change. When I was Speaker of the House, I fought for ambitious GHG reduction goals. This investment is not only an affirmation of Oregon’s collective efforts to combat climate change, but a significant downpayment on our ability to meet our reduction goals with a statewide approach. I want to thank Oregon’s congressional delegation for their partnership in making this key investment happen.”
Read more via EPA’s press release.
“The @EPA awarded Oregon $197 million to fight climate change. This is the largest investment in the Pacific Northwest and an affirmation of Oregon’s leadership on climate. Now, let’s do more to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions!”
Read more via @GovTinaKotek on Twitter.
The @EPA awarded Oregon $197 million to fight climate change. This is the largest investment in the Pacific Northwest and an affirmation of Oregon’s leadership on climate. Now, let’s do more to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions! https://t.co/AFu3VOHwgy pic.twitter.com/AfKLwjAeYV
— Governor Tina Kotek (@GovTinaKotek) July 23, 2024
“My Administration is taking real action to address climate change while continuing to create energy jobs and grow the economy – and today, I’m proud to announce that thanks to our partnership with the Biden-Harris Administration, Pennsylvania has been awarded $396 million in federal funding to start a new initiative called RISE PA. This is one of the largest federal grants Pennsylvania has ever received, and through RISE PA, we will offer grants for companies working to make their operations more efficient. This investment will help us reduce toxic air pollution, create thousands of jobs, invest in our energy sector, and continue Pennsylvania’s legacy of energy leadership.”
Read more via the Office of Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro.
“Here in Pennsylvania, we’re going to protect the jobs we have — and create the jobs of tomorrow that will help make our planet cleaner and safer for generations to come. The $396 million in funding from the @epagov is going to build on that work, and reduce emissions while creating jobs. And without the leadership of President Biden and Administrator Regan, it wouldn’t be getting done.”
Read more via @governorshapiro on Instagram.
“This federal grant will help Rhode Island build on our successful Clean Heat RI program which is already helping to deploy heat pump installations across the state, lower costs for residents, and advance our Act on Climate emission reduction objectives. Today’s announcement is a big climate win for Team Rhode Island and our partnering states. Together, we are proud to receive the only award in New England and the second largest in the nation from today’s EPA Climate Pollution Reduction Grant awards. We thank the Biden-Harris Administration, our congressional delegation, and all federal partners for continuing to invest in Rhode Island’s future.”
Read more via the Office of Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee.
“Big news for Rhode Island! We’re continuing to advance our clean energy economy and Act on Climate goals thanks to a $450M regional grant from @EPA. These funds will help us accelerate the adoption of heat pumps, lower costs for Rhode Islanders and cut emissions.”
Learn more via @GovDanMckee on Twitter.
Big news for Rhode Island!
— Governor Dan McKee (@GovDanMcKee) July 22, 2024
We’re continuing to advance our clean energy economy and Act on Climate goals thanks to a $450M regional grant from @EPA.
These funds will help us accelerate the adoption of heat pumps, lower costs for Rhode Islanders and cut emissions. pic.twitter.com/fITJRo5jPB
Launched on June 1, 2017 by the governors of Washington, New York, and California to help fill the void left by the previous administration’s decision to withdraw the U.S. from the Paris Agreement, the Alliance has grown to include 24 governors from across the U.S. representing approximately 60% of the U.S. economy and 55% of the U.S. population. Governors in the Alliance have pledged to collectively reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 26-28% below 2005 levels by 2025, at least 50-52% below 2005 levels by 2030, and collectively achieve overall net-zero greenhouse gas emissions as soon as practicable, and no later than 2050.
The Alliance’s states and territories continue to demonstrate that climate action goes hand-in-hand with economic growth, job creation, and better public health. While reducing emissions by 18% between 2005 and 2021, Alliance members grew their collective GDP by nearly 30%. The coalition’s states and territories are employing more workers in the clean energy sector, achieving lower levels of dangerous air pollutants, and preparing more effectively for climate impacts and executing more pre-disaster planning than the rest of the country.
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