Written by Valerie Volcovici
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The Biden administration on Monday announced 25 projects set up by 30 different local governments that have applied for $4.3 billion in grants created by the president's signature climate change legislation.
The grants, which will be awarded to winners in early fall, will support the deployment of clean energy technologies in sectors ranging from housing to agriculture. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said it has reviewed nearly 300 requests for more than $30 billion.
WHY IT IS IMPORTANT
The administration said the selected projects combined would reduce greenhouse gas pollution by up to 150 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) by 2030, or about 2 percentage points. The US has promised to reduce its CO2e emissions by 50%-52% that year.
CONTEXT
As the 2024 election approaches and heats up, the EPA and other federal agencies are scrambling to distribute grants earmarked for the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act. Former President Donald Trump and Republican lawmakers are looking forward to repealing several IRA grant and loan programs.
KEY QUOTE
“These grants will help state and local governments improve the air quality and health of their communities, while accelerating America's progress toward achieving our climate goals,” said John Podesta, President Joe Biden's senior adviser on International Climate Policy.
