Provide funding under the inflation reduction act (IRA) to nisqually indian tribe

This $5,437,277 Cooperative Agreement awarded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Climate Pollution Reduction Grants (CFDA 66.046) program will fund the Nisqually Indian Tribe's implementation of greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction programs, policies, projects, and measures identified in a priority climate action plan. Key activities include hiring a climate resilience program manager, installing heat pumps and solar panels in tribal buildings and homes, providing residential and commercial energy efficiency incentives, and completing a GHG inventory and required federal reporting. The project aims to achieve significant GHG emissions reductions, energy cost savings, improved energy security and resiliency, and community benefits, particularly for low-income and disadvantaged populations. The Nisqually Indian Tribe has partnered with Olympia Community Solar, a nonprofit organization, to support development of the climate action plan under a previous planning grant.

Description

The purpose of this award is to provide funding under the inflation reduction act (IRA) to nisqually indian tribe. 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 olympia, washington 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 activities include hiring a climate resilience program manager to oversee the project measures and coordinate with relevant stakeholders. Complete energy efficiency upgrades to install heat pumps to four tribal buildings and up to 31 homes. Install solar panels to 4 tribal buildings and up to 30 homes and provide residential and commercial energy efficiency incentives to tribal members on/off reservation to install heat pumps, heat water pumps, and weatherization measures. Subrecipient:subawardee: olympia community solar is a nonprofit founded with the mission to steward an equitable and accessible transition to clean energy. We develop equity focused solar programs and support our partners installation of solar. OCS is the subawardee to help the nisqually tribe with the development of the pcap.outcomes:the anticipated deliverables include hiring a new staff member to oversee energy efficiency installation and project implementation. Install heat pump systems and solar arrays to commercial buildings and residential homes. Complete energy efficiency installations and community engagement efforts at community resource events to promote incentives program for heat pumps, solar, and weatherization measures to tribal members living on and off the reservation. Complete greenhouse gas inventory for building sector to benchmark progress, and complete all required federal grant reporting. The expected outcomes include substantial reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, significant energy cost savings for tribal members and the government, improved energy security and resiliency, enhanced public health and safety, and a positive environmental impact, including reduced air pollution and increased biodiversity. Expansion of the nisqually tribal capacity to implement clean energy projects to decrease propane consumption costs, electricity costs, added cooling to homes to protect vulnerable populations during heat events, including improving indoor air quality and improve the comfort of residents. The intended beneficiaries include families receiving heat pump and solar upgrades, a direct benefit through the ability to cool their homes in the summer and reduce use of wood-burning stoves and propane use. This will enhance both indoor and outdoor air quality, improving tribal member comfort and health outcome, reduced energy costs for tribal families and increase their economic resilience.