Provide funding under the inflation reduction act (IRA) to metroplan

This $100,337,499 Cooperative Agreement awarded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Climate Pollution Reduction Grants (CFDA 66.046) program will fund greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction initiatives in Arkansas. The recipient, Metroplan, will implement projects focused on green infrastructure, transportation efficiency, and building efficiency in partnership with the Northwest Arkansas Regional Planning Commission and the City of Fort Smith. Key activities include land acquisition and restoration, electric vehicle fleet conversions, and LED streetlight upgrades, with at least 50% of investments benefiting low-income and disadvantaged communities. The 5-year award period runs from October 2024 through September 2029 and aims to achieve significant cumulative GHG reductions by 2030 through innovative, replicable policies and programs.

Description

The purpose of this award is to provide funding under the inflation reduction act (IRA) to metroplan. The recipient will implement greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction programs, policies, projects, and measures identified in a priority climate action plan (PCAP) developed under a climate pollution reduction grants (CPRG) planning grant. Activities conducted through this grant will benefit all residents and visitors to arkansas through four main objectives: implementation of ambitious measures that will achieve significant cumulative GHG reductions by 2030 and beyond; pursuit of measures that will achieve substantial community benefits, particularly in low-income and disadvantaged communities; complementing other funding sources to maximize these GHG reductions and community benefits; and, pursuit of innovative policies and programs that are replicable and can be 'scaled up' across multiple jurisdictions.activities:the activities include three greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction measures, a workforce development measure, and grant administration. Metroplan (metropolitan planning organization (MPO) for central arkansas), the northwest arkansas regional planning commission (nwarpc, MPO for northwest arkansas), and the city of fort smith (COFS) - referred to collectively as 'the coalition' - propose to undertake the greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction efforts of green networks, transportation efficiency, and building efficiency. The coalition has partnered with over 50 communities, agencies, and organizations across three regions to develop projects and programs that are both effective and aligned with public and stakeholder priorities. The partnerships built through this process, along with the support and enthusiasm for this work, will undoubtedly catalyze future energy and environment innovations in the natural state. The letters of commitment included in this application detail the robust support each partner has dedicated to helping the coalition achieve its CPRG objectives. Green networks: the coalition will implement projects that sequester carbon and reduce transportation emissions by protecting and restoring natural infrastructure cores and corridors and increasing access to active transportation and transit. The measure focuses on connecting low-income and disadvantaged communities (LIDACS) to jobs, education, and essential services through safe and convenient access to bicycle-pedestrian facilities, E-bike rebates, and the natural environment. The coalition will provide funding, in collaboration with numerous conservation partners, for land acquisition, protection, and restoration, including wetlands, riparian zones, forested lands, and prairies, as well as strategic segments of trail construction and an E-bike incentive program. These projects will reduce ghgs by sequestering carbon in restored natural lands and reducing vehicle miles traveled to ensure that lidac residents reap physical, mental, and financial benefits. Projects and programs link three primary components to create a resilient 'green network': nature-based solutions, alternative transportation, and workforce training. Transportation efficiency: the coalition proposes to incentivize conversion of conventional streetlights to more efficient light emission diode (led) technologies, transition of public fleet vehicles to all-electric equivalents, and deployment of public and fleet electric vehicle charging. This measure focuses on reducing fossil-fuel energy use from the transportation system and ensuring equitable access to incentivized infrastructure. At least 50% of the investment will benefit lidac communities. - fleet vehicle replacement with electric vehicles (EVS): in central arkansas, rebates to cities, counties, special districts, and nonprofits will cover the incremental cost, after tax credits, of replacing light-duty internal combustion engine fleet vehicles with all-electric equivale