Heavy rain throughout the summer of 2023 caused severe flooding in Vermont, leaving lasting damage. Climate change means that extreme storms and hazardous weather patterns are the new normal. Vermonters are experiencing prolonged drought, extreme temperatures, and poor air quality due to wildfire smoke. To respond, we urgently need to invest in climate solutions.
In 2020, the Vermont legislature adopted the Vermont Global Warming Solutions Act, which requires Vermont to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. The Initial Vermont Climate Action Plan was then adopted on December 1, 2021 and includes 234 unique actions to lessen our climate pollution and become more resilient to climate change. Significant work is underway to achieve these goals. Yet we need additional, enormous investment in Vermont’s economy and landscape to make these goals.
The Vermont Agency of Natural Resources’ Climate Action Office is applying to the Environmental Protection Agency’s Climate Pollution Reduction Grant Program (CPRG). Part of the federal Inflation Reduction Act, states can apply through a competitive process to receive CPRG funds to achieve maximum reductions in greenhouse gas emissions in ways that directly, tangibly benefit local communities.
The Climate Action Office received the CPRG Phase 1 Planning Grant in 2023. The Office has now applied for the Phase 2 Implementation Grant. Vermont's application seeks funding for 15 specific climate action priorities. Vermont applied for the Tier C funding category, which may award between $50 million and $99,999,999 to applicants.
What's next? The Environmental Protection Agency expects to announce CPRG awardees and award amounts by July 2024, and tentatively plans to distribute awards by October 2024. In the meantime, Vermont will be refining how to implement this funding, should our state receive it. You can weigh in with your thoughts about implementing CPRG funds by emailing anr.cao@vermont.gov or by taking the survey below.