U.S. EPA's Climate Pollution Reduction Grants Program
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California appreciates the unprecedented lift by the Biden Administration to tackle climate change, as evidenced by the passing of the Inflation Reduction Act and the creation of the Climate Pollution Reduction Grants program (CPRG), among other investments. California values its long-standing relationship with the U.S. EPA and is submitting this workplan for the CPRG planning grants with the hope that together we deliver real greenhouse gas reductions as called for by the latest science, while supporting a resilient economy and reducing disparate air pollution and climate impacts faced by our most vulnerable populations. With the CPRG, California sees an opportunity to not only leverage funding for the specific intended and authorized purposes of this program, but also to deliver the steep greenhouse gas reductions needed to contribute to the United States commitment under the Paris Agreement.
Most recently, California passed Assembly Bill 1279 (AB 1279) (Muratsuchi, Chapter 337, Statutes of 2022). This bill establishes the State’s science-based policy to achieve carbon neutrality no later than 2045 and to ensure that by 2045 statewide anthropogenic GHG emissions are reduced at least 85 percent below 1990 levels. California’s 2022 Scoping Plan Update[1] lays out the sector-by-sector roadmap for California to achieve the mandates in AB 1279, outlining a technologically feasible, and cost-effective path to achieve the State’s climate target. The 2022 Scoping Plan Update also highlights how increased climate ambition can address persistent air pollution and opportunity gaps faced by low-income communities and communities of color.
Under the CPRG program, California will leverage the substantial work of the 2022 Scoping Plan Update, the directives and sector-specific plans and reports it incorporates,[2] as well as local Climate Action Plans as appropriate. The 2022 Scoping Plan Update covers the geographic extent of California, every economic sector, and all greenhouse gas sources and sinks across the State.[3] Under the CPRG program, California will similarly deliver a Priority Climate Action Plan (PCAP), Comprehensive Climate Action Plan (CCAP), and Status Report that reflects actions and emissions reductions statewide. Our deliverables under the CPRG program will elevate the most impactful actions needed to help California and the U.S. achieve a historic rate of clean technology production, deployment, and rapid consumer adoption, while ensuring affordability and maximizing myriad co-benefits.
Because California has been a leader in climate planning and policy efforts for many years, developing CPRG deliverables, particularly the PCAP, will require substantial synthesis of existing policies, regulations, plans and additional federal funding program through the lens of the CPRG opportunity, as well as prioritization and coordination across dozens of State agencies, tribal, and local agencies and stakeholders. Our budget and timeline, included in this package, reflect the nature of the tasks ahead of us.
[1]The 2022 Scoping Plan Update
[2] A partial list of these reports includes California’s 2022 State Strategy for the State Implementation Plan, SB 100 Joint Agency Report, Climate Action Plan for Transportation and Infrastructure, AB 74 Studies on Vehicle Emissions and Fuel Demand and Supply, Short-Lived Climate Pollution Strategy, Achieving Carbon Neutrality Report, Climate Smart Lands Strategy, California Climate Insurance Report: Protecting Communities, Preserving Nature, and Building Resiliency, State Agency Sustainability Roadmaps, and more.