This assistance agreement provides funding under the inflation reduction act (IRA) to delaware department of natural resources and environmental control (dnrec) to develop a comprehensive,…

This Cooperative Agreement award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Climate Pollution Reduction Grants program (CFDA 66.046) provides $3,000,000 to the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) to develop a comprehensive, economy-wide climate mitigation plan for the state.

DNREC will collaborate with local air pollution control districts, municipalities, and tribal governments to identify greenhouse gas reduction measures, conduct benefits analysis, and engage with low-income and disadvantaged communities. The key deliverables include a Priority Climate Action Plan, a Comprehensive Climate Action Plan, and a final status report. The expected outcomes include reduced greenhouse gas and co-pollutant emissions, increased access to clean energy, job creation, and public health benefits, with a focus on supporting underserved communities.

This assistance agreement provides funding under the inflation reduction act (IRA) to delaware department of natural resources and environmental control (dnrec) 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, and tribal governments that will support actions to reduce greenhouse gases (GHG) and harmful air pollutants and to conduct meaningful engagement with low- income and disadvantaged communities. Specifically, dnrec will use this funding to collaborate with coordinating entities, contract a technical consultant, and hire staff to increase capacity. Through this, they will identify other funding to leverage and develop required deliverables that outline priority climate action goals.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). Specific activities include identifying GHG reduction measures, benefits analysis, low-income and disadvantaged communities, funding availability, and workforce planning. Challenges and opportunities will be identified through the stakeholder engagement activities that will be included into the development of the ccap. Key considerations that will be analyzed in the ccap lidc benefits analysis include quantitative measures such as health benefits, economic benefits, and energy savings. Proposed actions in the plan include increasing renewable energy generation, electrifying the transportation sector, reducing vehicle miles traveled, and expanding energy efficiency efforts. Analysis will be performed to identify priority sectors through joint efforts of the lead agency, collaborating entities, and stakeholder communities.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. Dnrec will also produce climate jobs and workforce development assessment and GAP analysis, benefits analysis for low-income and disadvantaged communities, analysis of funding opportunities, benefits analysis for full scope of the ccap, and stakeholder and public engagement outcomes reports. The plan includes conducting in-person and online workshops, as well as surveys, to solicit feedback at key milestones in plan development. The 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 improvements in air and water quality, increased access to clean energy, job creation, and public health benefits. The intended beneficiaries include all residents of and visitors to delaware with priority to low-income and disadvantaged communities.