The agreement provides funding under the inflation reduction act (IRA) to pennsylvania department of environmental protection (DEP) to develop a comprehensive, economy-wide climate mitigation plan…

The agreement provides funding under the inflation reduction act (IRA) to pennsylvania department of environmental protection (DEP) to develop a comprehensive, economy-wide climate mitigation plan or update an existing plan in collaboration with air pollution control districts and large and small municipalities statewide that will support actions to reduce greenhouse gases (GHG) and harmful air pollutants and to conduct meaningful engagement with low-income and disadvantaged communities. DEP will primarily utilize this funding to conduct and deliver inclusive and thorough stakeholder outreach focusing on climate pollution reduction planning commonwealth wide.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). DEP will use grant funding to hire additional staff and secure contractors to assist with the production of the plans. DEP will also identify and assess intersections between this grant and other funding sources with potential for reducing GHG emissions and increasing resilience in order to maximize the impact of grant funding. DEP will work with coordinating entities and other stakeholders to identify funding opportunities available for the implementation of each priority action, and complementary actions, identified in the plans. Subrecipient:no subawards are included in this assistance agreement.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. DEP will also prepare a stakeholder outreach plan that focuses on environmental justice communities that may be affected by or benefit from the outcomes of the pcap and ccap. These efforts will build upon DEP's energy programs office's current outreach program, climate action for environmental justice communities, and incorporate any lessons learned from those activities. 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 ambient air quality; improved staff capacity to implement policies to address climate change; enhanced community engagement; health benefits; increased public awareness of project and results; and creation of high-quality jobs with an emphasis on workers from underserved populations. The intended beneficiaries include all residents of and visitors to pennsylvania, particularly low income and disadvantaged communities.