Provide funding under the inflation reduction act (IRA) to the southeast conference

This $38,646,534 Cooperative Agreement awarded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Climate Pollution Reduction Grants (CFDA 66.046) program will fund the implementation of greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction programs, policies, and measures identified in a priority climate action plan developed by the Southeast Conference in Alaska.

The key objectives are to achieve significant cumulative GHG reductions by 2030, deliver substantial community benefits particularly in low-income and disadvantaged areas, complement other funding sources, and pursue innovative replicable policies and programs. Activities will focus on pre-award planning, program design, and community outreach in the first year, followed by full implementation over the next four years. Specific outcomes include installing heat pumps in 100% of oil-heated homes, reducing GHG emissions by over 80,000 metric tons by 2030, and providing heating cost savings and job creation benefits. The Southeast Conference will sub-award $4,893,097 to Alaska Heat Smart and the Alaska Municipal League to support statewide implementation.

Description

The purpose of this award is to provide funding under the inflation reduction act (IRA) to the southeast conference. 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 the state of alaska 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 aces - AK program is just over five years with four budget periods. Budget period one includes a pre-award negotiation period where pre-award costs will be incurred and documented for reimbursement and is longer than one year. Subsequent budget periods (2-5) are each one year in length. Budget period one will focus on pre-award negotiation, team building, program design, community outreach, and initial implementation. Budget periods two through five (2026-2029) will see full program implementation. With overall project outcomes targets for percent of homes having completed heat pump installation of 10% completion in year 2, 35% in year 3, 60% in year 4, and 100% in year 5.subrecipient:through the aces program SEC will award funds to two sub-recipients, alaska heat smart and alaska municipal league, for a total cost of $4,893,097. Sub-recipients will support the state-wide implementation of the program with expenses are outlined extensively within the budget narrative under subsection 'other'. Outcomes:the anticipated deliverables include the number of heat pumps installed in oil-heated houses through 2030 (including installations incentivized by income levels and disadvantaged classification), long-term contractor businesses, heat pumps in continuing use, consumer information and education to ensure ongoing heat pump use, the amount of heat and energy cost savings per year, the reduction in gallons of oil, and job availability. The expected outcomes include a reduction of 80,253 cumulative metric tons of GHG emissions from 2025 through 2030 and 633,858.30 cumulative metric tons of GHG emissions from 2025 through 2050. Reduction in heating costs, including benefits to low-income households and disadvantaged communities, a high level of satisfaction with heat pumps, increased number of jobs, and money circulating within the community. With overall project outcomes targets for percent of homes having completed heat pump installation of 10% completion in year 2, 35% in year 3, 60% in year 4, and 100% in year 5. The intended beneficiaries include the state of alaska.