Remarks for the Climate Pollution Reduction Grants Selectees Announcement, As Prepared for Delivery
Michael Regan
Pittsburgh, PA
Good afternoon, everyone!
Listen, before we begin...let me just say I’ve never been prouder to work for President Joe Biden.
From prioritizing disadvantaged communities to investing in a clean energy future...he has delivered on the most ambitious climate and environmental justice agenda in United States history — and this administration will continue to finish the job and sprint thru the tape.
Thank you, President Kelly, for that kind introduction...unions play such a critical role in shaping our country's efforts to build healthier communities and a strong economy. Thank you for your leadership.
Governor Shapiro, it’s great to have you here with us today. We’re so grateful for your leadership, and your continued partnership with this administration … whether its responding to disaster or bringing in billions of dollars to you state... your commitment to the health and vitality of all Pennsylvanians is unwavering.
I’d also like to thank Allegheny County Executive Innamorato (In-ah-moh-rah-toe) for being here. Thank you for your efforts to reduce local air pollution, and strategically embed a climate lens in everything the County does.
Noah, and the rest of the folks at Lindy, thank you for hosting us here today.
With each passing day, all around the globe, we are all seeing and feeling the impacts of the climate crisis.
Extreme weather events, like hurricanes and intense storms, flooding, heat waves, wildfires, and droughts have become more frequent and more destructive.
Right now, across the country, the impacts of the climate crisis are being felt in real-time.
Our nation’s most recent heat wave is causing extreme temperatures that are putting the health of tens of millions of people in danger...and here in Pennsylvania, the heat wave has brought weeks of sweltering and unbearable conditions in communities across the state.
President Biden and Vice President Harris understand that we need to fight this climate crisis with the sense of urgency it demands...and that’s why...together...they’ve put forth the most ambitious climate agenda in history.
Thanks to their leadership, the Biden-Harris administration has made the largest climate investment in history — providing billions of dollars to state, local, and Tribal governments.
So that we can build from the bottom up and not the top down...giving the power to our state and local governments who know their communities better than we ever could.
One of EPA’s most powerful tools is our Climate Pollution Reduction Grants Program...investing billions of dollars to help implement community-driven solutions that reduce air pollution...advance environmental justice...and help accelerate America’s clean energy transition.
And today, we are excited to announce that EPA has selected 25 recipients for our CPRG program...receiving over $4.3 billion dollars to fund climate solutions that work for their communities.
Today’s investment builds on the $250 million dollars in planning grants we provided last year to help communities develop locally led action plans that reduce climate pollution.
And folks, I’m proud to say these plans now cover 96% of the US population.
In what was a highly competitive application process, we selected 25 applications from across the country to fund investment-ready projects...targeting climate pollution reduction from: transportation...the electric power sector...commercial and residential buildings...industry...agriculture and natural lands...and waste and materials management.
Together, these grants will fund innovative projects that stimulate economic growth...spur the creation of new industries and good-paying jobs...all while enabling communities — especially low-income and disadvantaged communities — to chart a path toward emissions reductions.
One of the best examples is right here in Pennsylvania...EPA is delivering nearly $400 million dollars to help decarbonize the state’s industrial sector...reducing 9 million metric tons of carbon pollution.
Not only will this result in cleaner air for fence line communities, but it will support new and growing industries, job creation, and workforce development.
And not just for Pennsylvania...but for communities all across the country.
From supporting sustainable agriculture projects in Nebraska...
To developing pathways for zero-emission goods movement in disadvantaged communities across Southern California...
To shifting to cleaner heating sources for homes in New England and Alaska...
The potential health, environmental, and economic benefits of this program are endless.
And I want to recognize that this is only possible because of the work of leaders like Governor Josh Shapiro who is standing with us in the fight against climate change.
These grants are projected to reduce greenhouse gas pollution by an estimated 971 million metric tons – that is equivalent to the pollution generated by five million homes each year, for 25 years.
Folks, these grants present an opportunity for communities to chart their own path toward a cleaner and more sustainable future...
An opportunity for all levels of government to develop and implement climate solutions that work for their communities...
An opportunity to help businesses remain competitive in an increasingly decarbonizing world...
And an opportunity to give communities, particularly low-income and disadvantaged communities with environmental justice concerns, the clean air they deserve and a seat at the table.
EPA’s greatest privilege and responsibility is ensuring that all people in this country — no matter the color of their skin, the community they live in, or how much money they have in their pocket — have clean air to breathe, clean water to drink and an opportunity to live a healthy life...
And thanks to President Biden and Vice President Harris, we are one step closer to that goal.
Thank you.