The Environmental Protection Agency has announced an additional 25 recipients in 30 states and one tribe for the second phase of its Climate Pollution Reduction Grants.
The grants total about $4.3 billion to fund projects to cut greenhouse gas emission in six sectors, including agriculture, transportation and commercial and residential buildings. The program, funded by the Inflation Reduction Act, received nearly 300 applications.
Combined, the projects are expected to cut pollution by as much as 971 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent by 2050, according to the EPA.
Some projects directly address agricultural emissions. The Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy was selected for more than $300 million to increase adoption of climate-smart and precision agriculture. Among other tasks, the project will reduce waste from livestock.
The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation was selected to get almost $50 million to improve forest management, expand urban and community forests and support local initiatives to improve soil health and cut agricultural pollution.
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In Minnesota, the Climate-Smart Food Systems project will work to "decarbonize" the food system. It includes peatland restoration, climate-smart agriculture, energy efficiency, vehicle electrification and food waste prevention. The project is slated to receive nearly $200 million.
Illinois is to receive more than $430 million for initiatives including climate-smart agriculture.
The EPA’ grants "put state and local governments in the driver's seat so that as a nation, we can accelerate our progress towards President Biden's climate goals and better protect our planet,” said John Podesta, senior advisor to the president for international climate policy.
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