What is Oregon's Climate Pollution Reduction Planning Grant?
The Climate Pollution Reduction Grant Program is one of many federal funding opportunities created through the Inflation Reduction Act and run through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The first round of grants is being provided to states, local governments, tribes, and territories to develop plans for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and other harmful air pollution.
Through this grant, the state of Oregon will create a Priority Climate Action Plan (due to EPA March 1, 2024) and a Comprehensive Climate Action Plan (due to EPA fall of 2025) to highlight opportunities to reduce climate pollution. In addition to the state, the Portland-Hillsboro-Vancouver region, led by Metro, and federally recognized tribes in Oregon are eligible for planning grant funds.
The second round of Climate Pollution Reduction Grants will be to implement actions outlined in the Priority Climate Action Plan. More information is expected to be released by EPA later this year related to the second phase of funding.
Oregon's Priority Climate Action Plan
The Priority Climate Action Plan will be guided by the extensive work that Oregon, local jurisdictions, and tribes have done to date on planning for and implementing climate pollution reduction actions. DEQ is planning for extensive collaboration with state agencies, local jurisdictions, tribes, and the public to identify actions that reduce climate pollution in Oregon in ways that most benefit local communities. Oregon is a diverse state with diverse needs and goals, and we will build a plan reflecting that. The Priority Climate Action Plan will be especially important for the state, as the measures identified in it will define activities that can be submitted to EPA to compete for the $4.6 billion that EPA will allocate nationally starting next year.
Oregon's Comprehensive Climate Action Plan
Next, the state will begin developing a Comprehensive Climate Action Plan, which will include:
- Oregon's first Statewide Energy Strategy
- Emission reduction policy gap analysis
- Natural and Working Lands Carbon Sequestration Inventory
- Continued engagement and prioritization of environmental justice communities, including project prioritization for Community Climate Investments
Meetings and materials