This action approves funding in the amount of $8,739,181 under the inflation reduction act (IRA) to the central midlands council of governments

This $8,739,181 Cooperative Agreement award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Climate Pollution Reduction Grants (CFDA 66.046) program will fund the Central Midlands Council of Governments (CMCOG) to implement greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction programs, policies, projects, and measures identified in a previously developed priority climate action plan. The key activities include incentivizing municipal solar projects and smart surface projects across the Central Midlands region of South Carolina. CMCOG will utilize sub-recipients to implement the solar panel and smart surfaces installations, as well as community microgrants for outreach and an internship program. The expected outcomes include reducing CO2 emissions and increasing solar energy production, with a focus on benefiting low-income and disadvantaged communities in the Midlands area. The award period spans from November 1, 2024 to October 31, 2029.

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:the activities include two measures: consisting of incentivizing municipal solar projects and smart surface projects across the central midlands. Subrecipient:subrecipients will be implementing the solar panel and smart surfaces installation as well as community microgrants that will allow community outreach in addition to an internship program.outcomes:the anticipated deliverables include progress reports and final report submittals to EPA in a timely manner. The expected outcomes include reducing CO2E and increased production of solar energy. The intended beneficiaries include the low income and disadvantages communities (lidacs) of the midlands area.