PA Environment Digest Blog: EPA Awards $3 Million Grant To DEP To Support Development Of Climate Action Plan, Grant Program To Reduce Emissions In Heavy Industry; Public Input Needed By Jan. 22

Friday, January 12, 2024

EPA Awards $3 Million Grant To DEP To Support Development Of Climate Action Plan, Grant Program To Reduce Emissions In Heavy Industry; Public Input Needed By Jan. 22

On January 12, the Department of Environmental Protection announced it received $3 million from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to develop a Priority Climate Action Plan focused on reducing emissions in the Commonwealth’s industrial sector.

Upon completing the plan, DEP will be eligible to apply for up to $500 million to implement it.

DEP’s plan will focus on a statewide industrial decarbonization grant program, known as Reducing Industrial Sector Emissions in Pennsylvania (RISE PA), that will provide funding for industries to reduce carbon and benefit the health and safety of surrounding communities.

DEP is seeking funding for RISE PA from the federal Climate Pollution Reduction Grants (CPRG) through the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).

According to the 2023 Pennsylvania Greenhouse Gas Inventory Report, the industrial sector is the highest greenhouse gas (GHG) emitting sector, accounting for just over 30 percent of Pennsylvania’s total GHG emissions.

“RISE PA aims to help spur private sector investment in greenhouse gas emissions technologies by helping to offset the upfront costs of large-scale, transformative projects,” said DEP Interim Acting Secretary Jessica Shirley. “We are not just reducing emissions but also reducing barriers by turning high abatement costs into high-impact solutions that shape a cleaner, more prosperous future for industry and Pennsylvania communities alike.”

Public Input Invited

DEP is also looking for input from industry, academia, community-based organizations, and other interested stakeholders on issues related to the design and implementation of RISE PA.

DEP is specifically interested in receiving input on program design, size, scope, scale, and award structure as well as the potential outputs and metrics, including emissions reductions and community benefits.

If DEP receives CPRG funding for RISE PA, prospective projects would need to satisfy the following proposed criteria--

-- Benefit (and not negatively impact) low-income and disadvantaged communities

-- Achieve GHG emission reductions that are long-lasting and certain

-- Incorporate high labor standards, emphasize job quality, and support equitable workforce development

“The Climate Pollution Reduction Grants present a unique opportunity for Pennsylvania to become a national leader in industrial decarbonization,” said Brian Regli, Executive Director of Critical Investments. “By mitigating greenhouse gas emissions and curbing harmful co-pollutants, RISE PA seeks to champion environmental protection and invites industry leaders to become pioneers in shaping a sustainable future.”

DEP is requesting responses to 10 questions to inform the development of program solicitation guidelines for RISE PA.

Those questions, and additional information about the Department’s general goals and objectives for RISE PA program development, can be found in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.

Interested persons may submit information by e-mail to RA-EP-CPRG@pa.gov. Information must be received no later than Monday, January 22, 2024.

Use ''Request for Information: Proposed RISE PA Grant Program'' as the subject line in written communication.

Visit DEP’s Climate Change webpage for more information on climate initiatives.

For more information on environmental programs in Pennsylvania, visit DEP’s website, Report Emergencies, Submit Environmental Complaints; Click Here to sign up for DEP’s newsletter; sign up for DEP’s eNotice; visit DEP’s Blog, Like DEP on Facebook, Follow DEP on Twitter and visit DEP’s YouTube Channel.