The agreement provides funding under the inflation reduction act (IRA) to the northwestern band of the shoshone nation to develop a comprehensive, economy-wide climate mitigation plan or update an…

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) awarded a $371,750 Cooperative Agreement under the Climate Pollution Reduction Grants (CFDA 66.046) program to the Northwestern Band of Shoshone Nation. The agreement provides funding to develop a comprehensive, economy-wide climate mitigation plan or update an existing plan that will support actions to reduce greenhouse gases (GHG) and harmful air pollutants within the Washakie Reservation located near the Idaho and Utah border.

Over the 4-year project period, the Northwestern Band of Shoshone Nation will produce two key deliverables - a Priority Climate Action Plan (PCAP) and a Comprehensive Climate Action Plan (CCAP). The PCAP, due in April 2024, will include a GHG inventory, quantitative GHG reduction measures, a benefits analysis, and a review of authority to implement activities. The CCAP, due at the end of the grant period, will provide an overview of GHG sources/sinks, near-term and long-term GHG emission reduction goals, and strategies to address priority sectors. The plans will also include a workforce planning analysis and strategies to leverage additional funding. Expected outcomes include reduced air pollution, improved public health, economic benefits, increased climate resilience, enhanced staff capacity, creation of green jobs, and greater community engagement.

The agreement provides funding under the inflation reduction act (IRA) to the northwestern band of the shoshone nation to develop a comprehensive, economy-wide climate mitigation plan or update an existing plan that will support actions to reduce greenhouse gases (GHG) and harmful air pollutants. The northwestern band of the shoshone nation's (nwbsn) washakie reservation is located near the idaho and utah border in box elder county in northern utah and the bear river in southeastern idaho. The nwbsn will utilize grant funds to develop a GHG emissions inventory, assess GHG emissions projections, identify GHG emissions reduction targets, and quantify GHG reduction measures. Activities:in general, activities include the development, updating, and evaluation of plans to reduce climate pollution, to reduce GHG emissions, and enhance carbon sinks. The nwbsn will seek tribal member and public input to ascertain concerns and ideas for plan development. This will be done through public meetings, outreach activities and public notices through the tribal website and social media.subrecipient:no subawards are included in this assistance agreement.outcomes:two key deliverables will be produced and submitted over the course of the four-year program period, including: a priority climate action plan (pcap), due april 1, 2024, and a comprehensive climate action plan (ccap), due at the end of the grant period. The pcap will include a GHG inventory, quantitative GHG reduction measures, a benefits analysis, and a review of authority to implement activities. The ccap will include an overview of significant GHG sources/sinks and sectors within the washakie reservation, near-term and long-term GHG emission reduction goals, and strategies and measures to address the highest priority sectors. A workforce planning analysis and plan to leverage other funding will also be conducted. Expected outcomes include a pcap and ccap that identifies: tons of pollution (ghgs and CO-pollutants) reduced over the lifetime of the measures and tons of pollution (ghgs and CO-pollutants) reduced annually. Other expected outcomes include: improved ambient air quality; health benefits achieved; economic benefits achieved; increased climate resilience; improved staff capacity to implement policies to address climate change; creation of high-quality jobs; enhanced community engagement; and increased public awareness of project and results. The intended beneficiaries include all residents of and visitors to the washakie reservation.