This action approves an award in the amount of $999,380 under the inflation reduction act (IRA) to the lexington-fayette urban county government (lfucg) to develop a comprehensive, economy-wide…

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) awarded a $999,380 Cooperative Agreement under the Climate Pollution Reduction Grants program (CFDA 66.046) to the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government (LFUCG) to develop a comprehensive climate action plan for the Lexington, Kentucky metropolitan area. The plan will identify voluntary greenhouse gas (GHG) and air pollution reduction measures through stakeholder engagement, with a focus on benefits to low-income and disadvantaged communities. Key deliverables over the 4-year project period include a Priority Climate Action Plan, a Comprehensive Climate Action Plan, and a final status report. Expected outcomes involve quantifying pollution reductions, estimating benefits to underserved communities, and enhancing overall community engagement around climate mitigation strategies.

This action approves an award in the amount of $999,380 under the inflation reduction act (IRA) to the lexington-fayette urban county government (lfucg) 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. Lfucg climate mitigation plans will support existing and new projects while engaging stakeholders for the purpose of reducing emissions and improving air quality. Plans will focus on voluntary reduction measures and will incorporate the feedback from stakeholders. Lfucg intends to design plans that may be used regionally and by each individual county in the MSA. 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). Specifically, the lfugc will identify voluntary emission reduction measures through stakeholder input, convene meetings, lead community engagement, and engage disadvantaged communities through leveraging existing relationships. A professional services firm will be contracted to calculate community-wide GHG emissions, identify target reductions, perform benefits analyses for low-income and disadvantaged communities, and develop an outreach and engagement plan to share information with community stakeholders. Other activities will include community meetings, stakeholder sessions, information dissemination through list serves, website development, and journal postings. 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), 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. Another expected outcome is enhanced community engagement. The intended beneficiaries include all residents and visitors to the lexington-fayette county MSA. LFU CG will identify low-income and disadvantaged communities using available tools (e.g., ejscreen) and will assist the consultant to estimate CO-pollution reductions and other benefits associated with plan activities.