This agreement provides funding under the inflation reduction act (IRA) to state of maine, governor's office of policy innovation and the future to develop a comprehensive, economy-wide climate…

This Cooperative Agreement, awarded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 1 under the Climate Pollution Reduction Grants program (CFDA 66.046), provides $2,999,990 in funding to the State of Maine, Governor's Office of Policy Innovation and the Future. The agreement supports the development of a comprehensive, economy-wide climate mitigation plan or the update of an existing plan, in collaboration with local air pollution control districts, municipalities, and tribal governments. Key deliverables include a Priority Climate Action Plan (due March 1, 2024), a Comprehensive Climate Action Plan (due two years from the award date), and a final status report. The expected outcomes include quantified reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and co-pollutants, improved staff capacity, enhanced community engagement, improved air quality, and the creation of high-quality jobs with a focus on underserved populations.

This agreement provides funding under the inflation reduction act (IRA) to state of maine, governor's office of policy innovation and the future to develop a comprehensive, economy-wide climate mitigation plan or update an existing plan in collaboration with air pollution control districts, and large and small municipalities statewide, and tribal governments that will support actions to reduce greenhouse gases (GHG) and harmful air pollutants and to conduct meaningful engagement with low- income and disadvantaged communities. Activities:in general, activities include the development, updating, and evaluation of plans to reduce climate pollution (i.e., to reduce GHG emissions and/or enhance carbon sinks). Specific activities include 1) a GHG inventory; 2) GHG emissions projections; 3) GHG reduction targets; 4) quantified GHG reduction measures; 5) a benefits analysis for the full geographic scope and population covered by the plan; 6) a low-income and disadvantaged communities benefits analysis; 7) a review of authority to implement; 8) a plan to leverage other federal funding; and, 9) a workforce planning analysis. Subrecipient:no subawards are included in this assistance agreement.outcomes:three key deliverables will be produced and submitted over the course of the four-year program period, including: a priority climate action plan (PCAP), due march 1, 2024; a comprehensive climate action plan (CCAP), due two years from the date of the award; and a status report, due at the close of the grant period. The expected outcomes include a PCAP and CCAP that identifies: tons of pollution (ghgs and CO-pollutants) reduced over the lifetime of the measures; tons of pollution (ghgs and CO-pollutants) reduced annually; and tons of pollution (ghgs and CO-pollutants) reduced with respect to low-income and disadvantaged communities. Other expected outcomes include: improved staff capacity to implement policies to address climate change; enhanced community engagement; improved ambient air quality; health benefits achieved; increased public awareness of project and results; and, creation of high-quality jobs with an emphasis on workers from underserved populations. The intended beneficiaries include all residents and visitors to the state of maine through three main objectives: tackling damaging climate pollution; accelerating work to address environmental injustice and empower community-driven solutions in overburdened neighborhoods; and delivering cleaner air by reducing harmful air pollution in places where people live, work, play, and go to school.