The agreement provides funding under the inflation reduction act (IRA) to the montana department of environmental quality (DEQ) to develop a comprehensive, economy-wide climate mitigation plan or…

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has awarded a $3,000,000 Cooperative Agreement to the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) under the Climate Pollution Reduction Grants program (CFDA 66.046). This 4-year award will fund the development of a comprehensive, economy-wide climate mitigation plan for the state of Montana in collaboration with local air pollution control districts, municipalities, and tribal governments. Key deliverables include a Priority Climate Action Plan (PCAP) due in 2024 and a Comprehensive Climate Action Plan (CCAP) due within 2 years of the award. The project aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and harmful air pollutants, with a focus on engaging with low-income and disadvantaged communities. DEQ will serve as the administrative lead and anticipates providing sub-awards to other state agencies, universities, and the Governor's Office of Indian Affairs to support the planning activities.

The agreement provides funding under the inflation reduction act (IRA) to the montana department of environmental quality (DEQ) to develop a comprehensive, economy-wide climate mitigation plan or update an existing plan in collaboration with air pollution control districts, 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. Montana seeks to build the strength and sustainability of its communities through research and investment, innovation, and workforce planning within a framework of climate resilient development. The development of a montana climate action plan will be a rigorous process that engages state agencies, tribal nations, local air pollution control programs, universities, associations, non-governmental organizations, and the public.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). Montana DEQ will serve as administrative lead by providing contract management, public outreach, meeting facilitation, and general oversight. An interagency planning team will be formed to analyze GHG emissions and carbon sinks from land management practices, energy and resource production, prescribed fire, transportation, and sustainable agriculture, beginning with determining the priority areas based on previously developed action plans and inventories. Montana DEQ will coordinate with the interagency planning team to collect input from existing stakeholders and interest groups. To prepare the comprehensive GHG inventory, projections, and quantitative reduction targets, montana DEQ will contract with a consulting firm experienced in greenhouse gas inventories and modeling and provide subawards to supporting state agencies. Public and stakeholder engagement activities will be focused on sharing information about the plans, requesting input from communities, and using stakeholder input to help prioritize areas to address in the planning. Montana DEQ will identify how best to ensure that representatives of low-income and disadvantaged communities are identified and engaged. To ensure tribes have the capacity to participate in the planning process and future implementation projects, the governor's office of indian affairs will also be included in coordination with state agencies and the rocky mountain tribal leaders council will be included to support outreach, engagement, and technical assistance.subrecipient:MT DEQ anticipates subawards to other executive branch agencies or university systems for cprg-related planning activities and staffing. MT DEQ anticipates providing transfers to six agencies in year 1; six agencies, two universities, and the governor's office of indian affairs in year 2; and six agencies in years 3-4.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. 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: increased understanding amongst state agencies and public awareness of current GHG emissions and sinks in montana; improved understanding of realistic GHG goals for montana; increased public awareness of planning and implementation options; broad understanding across executive and legislative branches of state government of existi