The agreement provides funding under the inflation reduction act (IRA) to the washington state department of commerce (wsdc) to develop a comprehensive, economy-wide climate mitigation plan or…

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) awarded a $2,999,691 Cooperative Agreement under the Climate Pollution Reduction Grants program (CFDA 66.046) to the Washington State Department of Commerce (WSDC). The funding will support the development of a Comprehensive Climate Action Plan (CCAP) and a Priority Climate Action Plan (PCAP) to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and air pollution across Washington state. WSDC will collaborate with local air pollution control districts, municipalities, and tribal governments to identify sector-specific policies and programs that can achieve emissions reductions, with a focus on engaging low-income and disadvantaged communities. A portion of the funding will be sub-awarded to the Washington Department of Ecology to assist with technical analysis, stakeholder outreach, and implementation planning. The plans are expected to quantify emissions reductions, improve air and water quality, and deliver other climate resilience and public health benefits over the four-year project period ending on July 1, 2027.

The agreement provides funding under the inflation reduction act (IRA) to the washington state department of commerce (wsdc) 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. Wsdc will draw from and compile existing state plans and strategies, which include sector-specific policies and programs. Planning activities will focus on immediate and near-term GHG emissions reduction opportunities to identify measures needed to achieve washington's statutory emissions limit of net-zero by 2050. Sectors that will be covered are transportation, buildings, power, industrial, natural working lands, and other, including short-lived climate pollutants, with the primarily goal to reduce emissions at scale in those sectors. Consistent with washington state's healthy environment for all (heal) act, climate policies and programs will be designed with the intention of addressing harm and pollution in overburdened communities.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). Wsdc will identify sector-specific policies and programs with the largest potential for reducing the state's greenhouse gas emissions. Plans will be developed in alignment with the state's environmental justice and equity goals and requirements, as outlined in the heal act and state agency-specific community engagement plans. A multi-pronged approach will be used to engage the public and stakeholder groups effectively, beginning with the formation of a stakeholder and public engagement team that will work collaboratively to design and start to implement a comprehensive engagement strategy. The team will include representatives from diverse stakeholder groups, including local community organizations, industry and business groups, environmental organizations, and, when possible, community members. To identify low-income and disadvantaged communities, wsdc will use demographic data analysis and community outreach, working closely with a communications consultant that is skilled in effective outreach to communities with high concentrations of low-income and disadvantaged residents.subrecipient:wsdc will make a subaward to the washington department of ecology to assess GHG research targets, quantify GHG reduction measures, conduct benefits analyses, review authorities to implement planned projects, and support stakeholder outreach.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. The ccap will serve as a GAP analysis to identify sectors and policies that may not yet be prime for significant emissions reductions, but with state investment and resources, could deliver meaningful emissions reductions. Both the pcap and ccap will be developed in alignment with the state's environmental justice and equity goals and requirements. 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: improved air and water quality; analysis of energy consumption data; increased air and water quality; increased climate resilience; additional health benefits achieved; decr