Lehigh Times

ALLENTOWN, PA – On June 27, Congresswoman Susan Wild joined EPA Administrator Michael Regan, Allentown Mayor Matt Tuerk, Lehigh Valley Planning Commission Executive Director Becky Bradley, IBEW 375 Business Manager Paul Anthony, and additional community leaders to highlight how EPA’s $5 billion Climate Pollution Reduction Grants (CPRG) program is supporting the Greater Lehigh Valley in developing strategies to cut pollution and strengthen our regional economy.

“The Climate Pollution Reduction Grants program is going to help this city, Allentown, as well as the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, start on a path towards a more sustainable future – and will also help to create good-paying jobs in the immediate,” said Congresswoman Susan Wild. “The CPRG program was made possible by the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act last summer, which was a truly transformational law that I was proud to have fought for. And I’m proud to see investments from it come home to the Greater Lehigh Valley region.”

“We know that tackling the climate crisis demands a sense of urgency to protect people and the planet,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “Thanks to Congresswoman Wild’s leadership and President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda, we have an unprecedented opportunity to provide communities like Allentown with resources to develop innovative strategies that address worsening climate change impacts, create good paying jobs, and deliver economic benefits for all.”

The City of Allentown, through the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission, will receive $1 million in CPRG planning grant funds to foster regional collaboration and help Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton, and dozens of other boroughs and townships tackle pollution while generating economic growth. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will receive $3 million in CPRG planning grants to identify climate pollution reduction opportunities, promote clean energy, and develop strategies to drive economic benefits.

“For too long, middle-class communities like Allentown have missed out on opportunities to make investments that lower the cost of energy efficiency and ensure an equitable future for residents.” said Allentown Mayor Matt Tuerk. “It's an honor to welcome Administrator Regan to Allentown, and give him an in-person look at how the Biden administration's investments in environmental justice will help our city.”

About the Climate Pollution Reduction Grants (CPRG) Program:

• The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) provides an investment of $5 billion to support efforts by states, municipalities, air pollution control agencies, tribes, and groups thereof to develop and implement strong, local greenhouse gas reduction strategies.
• Created by the IRA, the Climate Pollution Reduction Grants (CPRG) program provides grants to states, local governments, tribes, and territories to develop and implement plans for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and other harmful air pollution. This two-staged grant program provides funding of $250 million for planning grants, and $4.6 billion for competitive implementation grants.
• The City of Allentown and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will receive $1 million and $3 million in planning grant funding, respectively, to update or create climate, energy, or sustainability plans.

• • Following the Planning Grants (Stage 1) of the program, EPA will issue a separate notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) for the Implementation Grants (Stage 2), which EPA will award under a competition process.
• The CPRG program enables EPA to work in partnership with state, territory, local, and tribal officials to provide substantial investment in climate action planning and implementation, while maintaining flexibility to pursue actions tailored to unique regional resources, delivery capacity, and key sectors responsible for emitting and absorbing greenhouse gases.

Original Source can be found here.