The Environmental Protection Agency on Monday awarded $4.3 billion to dozens of climate programs across the country. But none of that money is headed to Arizona.
The historic investment in greenhouse gas reduction programs was outlined in the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. States, local governments and tribes were invited to apply this spring for Climate Pollution Reduction Grants from the EPA to address climate change in their communities. Most states and many major cities in the U.S. submitted applications. The EPA awarded 25 grants.
The city of Phoenix, in partnership with Maricopa County, Mesa and Tempe, had asked for $454 million for climate initiatives. The application proposed 15 programs ranging from switching public buses and government-owned vehicles to zero emissions models, to helping homeowners with energy efficiency upgrades, to reducing food waste, to establishing “microgrids” to keep some public spaces electrified by solar power or batteries in the event of a natural disaster.
In a statement to KJZZ News, Mayor Kate Gallego said she was extremely disappointed Phoenix was not awarded a Climate Pollution Reduction Grant.
“In the coming months, we will evaluate the many projects submitted as part of our application and determine how we can incorporate them into future strategies, such as our Climate Action Plan update next year,” Gallego said via email. “Phoenicians want to see projects that result in cleaner air and healthier neighborhoods, and we’ll continue acting with urgency.”
Grant applications from the state and Pima County also didn’t make the cut.
The Governor’s Office of Resiliency wrote in a statement to KJZZ News, “Although we weren’t selected for these awards, it’s important to remember that they are just a few of the opportunities made possible through the Biden Administration’s signature laws: the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act. Through these once in a generation funding opportunities, to date, over 15,000 quality, clean energy jobs have been created and $11.24 billion has been invested in Arizona.”The Office of Resiliency said it would continue to seek other funding opportunities to allow the projects proposed in Arizona’s Climate Pollution Reduction Grant applications to move forward.
The EPA is expected to announce an additional $300 million later this summer for tribal programs. Several Arizona tribes have submitted applications.
