EPA Awards $1 Million to San Juan to Tackle Climate Pollution
Funding made possible by President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act
SAN JUAN - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded $1 million from the agency’s Climate Pollution Reduction Grants (CPRG) program to the Municipality of San Juan to develop climate action plans with innovative strategies to cut climate pollution and scale San Juan metropolitan area’s clean energy economy. The funding is in addition to the $3 million that the Government of Puerto Rico will receive for climate action planning through the CPRG program.
The money going to San Juan and to the broader Puerto Rico is part of the first phase of funding from EPA’s $5 billion Climate Pollution Reduction Grants program, which was created by President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act – the largest climate investment in history. EPA recently launched the second phase -- $4.6 billion in competitive grants to implement state, local, Tribal, and territorial programs and policies that cut climate pollution, advance environmental justice, and deploy clean energy solutions across the country.
“With programs like the Climate Pollution Reduction Grants, EPA is boosting climate planning and advancing environmental justice for overburdened and vulnerable community members in partnership with Puerto Rico,” said EPA Regional Administrator Lisa F. Garcia. “We’re pleased to provide the Municipality of San Juan and other partners that are on the frontlines of climate change impacts this unique funding opportunity through President Biden’s Investing in America agenda to expand resources, create jobs, and build out clean energy infrastructure.”
“I want to thank President Biden and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for this important award for our capital city. We will work, with transparency and responsibility on initiatives and projects to transition to a clean-energy economy in our communities of San Juan and combat the climate crisis,” indicated Mayor Miguel Romero of the Municipality of San Juan.
“Securing this grant and spearheading it for the Metropolitan Statistical Area marks a significant milestone. This environmental planning tool will aid us in implementing the strategies outlined by the Municipality of San Juan, aiming to enhance the quality of life for our citizens amidst the challenges of climate change,” highlighted Tamara Gonzalez, Director of the Municipality’s Planning Office.
The Municipality of San Juan Planning Office is using the EPA funding to lead the climate pollution reduction planning efforts and develop a climate plan in collaboration with the Puerto Rico Planning Board, the Puerto Rico Department of Transportation and Public Works, municipalities and communities across the metropolitan area. These agencies hope to get meaningful public engagement on the plan, focusing on low-income and disadvantaged communities.
On September 20, 2023, EPA announced the availability of $4.6 billion across two implementation grant competitions, one general competition and one specifically for Indian Nations and smaller territories, under the program’s second phase, which focuses on implementation. Under these competitions, eligible applicants will compete for CPRG implementation grants to fund measures in their state-, municipality-, Indian Nation, or territory-specific climate action plans. As part of its evaluation of applications, EPA will prioritize measures that achieve the greatest amount of greenhouse gas emissions reductions. The deadline for states and local governments to apply is April 1, 2024.
See this website for more information on the Climate Pollution Reduction Grants.
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