Over the past two months the deadlines for both tracks of the Climate Pollution Reduction Grants (CPRG) passed. And now we’re in the waiting game, while applications are reviewed.
Five Tribes partnered closely with the Great Lakes TCTAC to complete their applications. Their projects, if funded, would have significant impact on each Tribes’ goals to reduce climate pollution and increase resiliency in the clean energy transition, including: building or expanding solar arrays and battery storage, increasing home energy efficiency by conducting residential energy audits, pre-weatherization and weatherization activities, and more. If all of these proposals are funded, the estimated collective impact will reduce 347,413 metric tons of CO2 emissions by 2050. That’s the equivalent of taking an estimated 75,000 cars off the road for a year.
Robust collaboration throughout the application process included support through one on one consultations to assess grant requirements with community priorities, concept development, GHG reduction calculations, connections to potential partners for implementation, work plan development, budget development, and review of final grant application drafts.
On one project, volunteers that are part of the Community Engineering Corps provided significant engineering consultation, and cost estimates.
Early in the process, we fielded questions from many organizations about eligibility and process, and provided timely information. The Midwest Tribal Energy Resources Association (MTERA), Environmental Protection Network (EPN), and the University of Minnesota (UMN) all provided tailored information including a Priority Climate Action Plan (PCAP),and a step-by-step guide CPRG guide for Tribes in the Great Lakes.
The CPRG program provides $5 Billion to states, local governments, Tribes, and territories to develop and implement ambitious plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) and other harmful air pollution. In many states, CPRG planning has been a powerful moment when communities at all levels gathered to share knowledge, worked together to prioritize which opportunities would be most impactful, and identified key opportunities for equity in the climate transition.
This made supporting community groups and Tribes with their CPRG applications a top priority for the Great Lakes TCTAC.
Thank you to each of the Tribes who engaged the Great Lakes TCTAC in supporting your work. It is an honor to support your vision and leadership.