This action approves an award in the amount of $1,000,000 to the city of knoxville

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 4 has awarded a $1,000,000 Cooperative Agreement to the City of Knoxville under the Climate Pollution Reduction Grants program (CFDA 66.046). This funding will support the City of Knoxville in developing a comprehensive, economy-wide climate mitigation plan or updating an existing plan. The plan will be created in collaboration with air pollution control districts, municipalities, and tribal governments across Tennessee to quantify greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction measures and enhance carbon sinks. The project will also include outreach programs and events to encourage public involvement, particularly in low-income and disadvantaged communities. As part of this award, the City of Knoxville will sub-grant a portion of the funding to the Knoxville Regional Transportation Planning Organization to host outreach meetings and facilitate public input on the climate action plan.

This agreement provides funding under the inflation reduction act (IRA) for the recipient 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.activities:in general, activities include developing, updating, and evaluating plans to reduce climate pollution, such as GHG emissions and/or enhancing carbon sinks. Specifically, the recipient will create comprehensive GHG inventories, GHG emission projection, and GHG reduction targets to quantify reduction measures to mitigate climate change. Outreach programs and events to encourage public involvement will be implemented for public feedback and input throughout the project.subrecipient:the city of knoxville will subgrant a portion of this award to the knoxville regional transportation planning organization to host outreach meetings with jurisdictions on the importance of greenhouse gas reductions and gather input into plan development. Their funding will be used for direct staff support, the hiring of engagement consultants to facilitate public meetings, lead focus groups, and meeting-related direct costs (e.g., space rentals, print outs, etc.). Outcomes:three key deliverables include a priority climate action plan (pcap), a comprehensive climate action plan (ccap), and a status report. Expected outcomes include the reduction of tons of pollution (ghgs and CO-pollutants), with respect to low-income and disadvantaged communities. Other expected outcomes include enhanced community action, improved community empowerment and input, and improved local official and government involvement. The intended beneficiaries are residents and visitors of the state of tennessee, with an emphasis on low income and disadvantaged communities.