EPA shells out over $4B to projects targeting greenhouse gas emissions

The Environmental Protection Agency plans to distribute $4.3 billion in grants to over two dozen environmental projects across the nation, the Biden administration said Monday. The projects will focus on developing different forms of technology and infrastructure to reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions under the administration’s Inflation Reduction Act. The grants will fund 25 projects across 30 states or municipalities.

Where is the taxpayers’ money is going? About $1.18 billion would work to develop charging stations for zero-emission freight trucks on main thoroughfares and incentivize the use of electric trucks, bikes, and trains. About $372 million would suppport the cultivation of solar and wind energy.

Local governments would also use $1.06 billion incentivize energy-efficient measures in commercial and public buildings. Over $600 million would fund measures to reduce methane emissions from coal miles and other fossil fuel producers. Governments will incentivize the use of precision agriculture to maximize crop or livestock production with $931 million in funding. That money will also go towards reforesting and protecting up to 250,000 acres of coastal and forest lands. About $129 million will fund up to 100 smaller projects aimed at reducing air pollution from landfills—by diverting organic waste to decompose at seperate facilities, for example.

Dig deeper: Read my report on the Department of Energy giving California over $12 billion to build a renewable hydrogen hub.