Enhancing Austin’s climate goals through grant funding and regional collaboration
Background
The City of Austin is proud to be a recipient of a $1 million grant from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), funded through the federal Inflation Reduction Act. This grant, part of the $5 billion allocated to the Climate Pollution Reduction Grants (CPRG) program, is designed to support states, local governments, tribes, and territories in developing and implementing robust plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and harmful air pollution. Our city plans to use these funds to collaborate with regional partners and neighboring cities, extending our climate planning and action beyond Austin’s borders.
Austin’s Office of Sustainability is leading this initiative for our region and has engaged a community and stakeholder advisory group to help along the way.
Priority Climate Action Plan
The first deliverable, a Priority Climate Action Plan, helps identify high-priority, ready-to-implement measures to lower emissions at a regional level.
- Plan Highlights
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The first-ever regional greenhouse gas emissions inventory for the five-county Austin area.
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Six priority greenhouse gas reduction measures, which can be implemented quickly, benefit multiple communities and stakeholders, and have a clear implementation lead:
1. Implement Transportation Demand Management programs
2. Encourage and subsidize Renewable Diesel fuel (R99) availability
3. Install community solar and battery storage
4. Implement holistic building-wide upgrades to municipal buildings
5. Implement water conservation programs
6. Implement community-driven tree planting and forest restoration program
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Read the full Priority Climate Action Plan (PDF, 5.2 MB)
CPRG Timeline
August 31, 2023 |
City of Austin notified of $1 million grant award |
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September 21, 2023 |
City Council approved accepting of funds |
October 1, 2023 |
Project Kickoff |
November 20, 2023 |
New staff brought on board to help lead this work. Meet the team! |
March 1, 2024 |
Priority Climate Action Plan due. Read the plan. |
April 1, 2024 |
CPRG Implementation Grant Applications due |
Mid-2025 |
Comprehensive Climate Action Plan due |
2027 |
Project Closeout |
Questions?
For information or to learn how to get more involved in the project, contact Rohan Lilauwala.