The agreement provides funding under the inflation reduction act (IRA) to the upper snake river tribes (usrt) foundation to develop a comprehensive, economy-wide climate mitigation plan or update an…

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) awarded a $524,220 Cooperative Agreement to the Upper Snake River Tribes (USRT) Foundation under the EPA's Climate Pollution Reduction Grants program (CFDA 66.046). The funding will support the development of a comprehensive Climate Action Plan (CAP) for USRT's four member tribes located across Oregon, Nevada, and Idaho. Key activities include conducting greenhouse gas inventories, identifying quantifiable emissions reduction measures, analyzing costs and benefits, and developing near-term and long-term strategies to improve air quality, energy efficiency, and renewable energy capacity across the tribal reservations. The project aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, decrease the tribes' reliance on unreliable electric cooperatives, and increase their energy independence. No sub-awards are included in this agreement. The CAP deliverables are expected by March 2024 and the end of the 4-year grant period in June 2027.

The agreement provides funding under the inflation reduction act (IRA) to the upper snake river tribes (usrt) foundation to develop a comprehensive, economy-wide climate mitigation plan or update an existing plan that will support actions to reduce greenhouse gases (GHG) and harmful air pollutants. The usrt is composed of four upper snake river tribes, including the burns paiute tribe, the fort mcdermitt paiute and shoshone tribe, the shoshone-paiute tribes, and the shoshone-bannock tribes. The four member tribes, which are located across portions of oregon, nevada, and idaho, are rural, underserved communities in which the members experience high rates of poverty. The project will address the severe lack of reliable, energy efficient resources, reduce GHG emissions, decrease the tribes' reliance on unreliable electric cooperative, and increase the tribes' capacities to become more energy independent. 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). Usrt will guide the climate action plan development based on input from tribal members to determine the prioritization of GHG reduction and energy independence projects. Activities will focus on upgrading antiquated wood burning stoves with high efficiency wood burning stoves and installing high efficiency heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems to ensure tribal members have reliable and efficient energy sources during the winter and summer which will reduce GHG emissions. Research will be conducted to identify additional reliable, renewable energy sources on the reservation lands to help usrt's tribes become a reliable energy source for their members, recognizing that reservation-specific environmental conditions and opportunities exist for each tribe. Comprehensive outreach to the tribes' members will include in person, and virtual meetings, distribution of online and phone- accessible surveys and an e-mail newsletter, and technical working groups. Subrecipient:no subawards are included in this assistance agreement.outcomes:two 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, and a comprehensive climate action plan (ccap), due at the end of the grant period. The pcap will include a GHG inventory, quantitative GHG reduction measures, a benefits analysis, and a review of authority to implement activities. The ccap will include an overview of significant GHG sources/sinks and sectors within usrt's reservations and tribal lands, near-term and long-term GHG emission reduction goals, and strategies and measures to address the highest-priority sectors. Expected outcomes include a pcap and ccap that identifies: tons of pollution (ghgs and CO-pollutants) reduced over the lifetime of the measures and tons of pollution (ghgs and CO-pollutants) reduced annually. Other expected outcomes include: improved air quality and improved health, behavioral health, and well-being of tribal members. The intended beneficiaries include all residents of and visitors to the upper snake river tribes foundations reservations and tribal lands.