The agreement provides funding under the inflation reduction act (IRA) to the puget sound clean air agency (pscaa) to develop a comprehensive, economy-wide climate mitigation plan or update an…

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) awarded a $999,549 Cooperative Agreement under the Climate Pollution Reduction Grants program (CFDA 66.046) to the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency (PSCAA) to develop a comprehensive, economy-wide climate mitigation plan for the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue metropolitan area. The four-year grant period runs from July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2027.

The key deliverables under this award include a Priority Climate Action Plan due in March 2024, a Comprehensive Climate Action Plan due two years after the award date, and a final status report at the end of the grant period. The planning efforts will focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and harmful air pollutants, particularly in the transportation and built environment sectors, while prioritizing engagement and benefits for low-income and disadvantaged communities. The award also includes a sub-award to King County to support development of a greenhouse gas reduction plan for the built environment sector.

The agreement provides funding under the inflation reduction act (IRA) to the puget sound clean air agency (pscaa) 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. Planning activities will cover the seattle-tacoma-bellevue metropolitan statistical area (MSA), which covers the geographic area of king, kitsap, pierce and snohomish counties. The pscaa will focus on the transportation and built environment sectors to reduce GHG emissions, drawing from existing regional, county, and city climate plans, inventories, and strategies, including the inventories and analyses contained in the 2022 puget sound regional emissions analysis. Outreach efforts will engage the entire geographic area to promote inclusion and environmental equity. 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 pscaa will create comprehensive GHG inventories, update historical trends and progress in each county's GHG emissions; and analyze and leverage existing policies. Pscaa will also continue to host interagency working groups and leverage existing forums for ongoing outreach and information gathering; host issue-specific cprg subcommittees; establish partnerships with local and regional governments; and develop website to make information available to all jurisdictions. Subrecipient:subaward to king county to support development of a GHG reduction plan for the built environment sector. 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. 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 quality and health benefits (specifically in overburdened communities); increased job creation with an emphasis for low income and disadvantaged communities; enhanced community engagement and awareness; and increased climate resilience; and increased public awareness of project and results. The intended beneficiaries include all residents and visitors of the oregon area, with an emphasis on low income and disadvantaged communities. The pscaa will specifically engage these communities to have increased involvement and awareness with expected outcomes of economic benefits and job creation.