EPA-R-OAR-CPRGT-23-09 Updated 2023 10 27.pdf

AGENCY: ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (EPA)

TITLE: Climate Pollution Reduction Grants Program:

Implementation Grants Competition for Tribes and Territories

ACTION: Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO): Request for

Applications

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY NUMBER: EPA-R-OAR-CPRGT-23-09

ASSISTANCE LISTING NO: 66.046

FUNDING AVAILABLE: Approximately $300 Million

KEY DATES

September 20, 2023 NOFO: REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS ISSUANCE

March 1, 2024 OPTIONAL NOTICE OF INTENT TO APPLY IS DUE

April 15, 2024 DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING QUESTIONS

May 1, 2024 NOFO CLOSES – APPLICATIONS DUE BY 11:59 PM (ET)

September 2024 ANTICIPATED NOTIFICATION OF FUNDING SELECTION

December 2024 ANTICIPATED AWARD

APPLICATION SUBMISSION DEADLINE: Application packages must be submitted electronically to EPA through Grants.gov (www.grants.gov) no later than May 1, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. (ET) in order to be considered for funding. Questions related to this NOFO should be submitted to CPRG@epa.gov. The deadline for submitting questions is April 15, 2024. EPA will not respond to questions submitted after that date.

NOTICE OF INTENT TO APPLY: To allow for efficient management of the competitive process, EPA requests submittal of an informal Notice of Intent (NOI) to Apply by March 1, 2024 to CPRG@epa.gov. Please include in the body of the email the dollar amount of the anticipated funding request and one to two sentences about the scope and sector(s) of the greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction measures likely to be included in the potential implementation grant application. Additionally, if intending to apply as the lead applicant representing a coalition, please list all anticipated coalition members (coalition members must also be eligible applicants; see Section III.A for more details). Submission of an NOI is optional and non-binding;

it is a process management tool that will allow EPA to better anticipate the resources required for efficient evaluation of submitted applications.

CONTRACTS AND SUBAWARDS: If the applicant intends to name a contractor (including an individual consultant or equipment vendor) or a subrecipient as a project partner or otherwise in the application, EPA recommends that applicants carefully review and comply with the https://www.grants.gov/ http://www.grants.gov/ mailto:CPRG@epa.gov directions contained in Section IV of this NOFO and at EPA Solicitation Clauses. Refer to EPA’s Best Practice Guide for Procuring Services, Supplies, and Equipment Under EPA Assistance Agreements for additional guidance. Applicants must demonstrate that named contractors (including individual consultants and equipment vendors) were selected in compliance with the competitive requirements of the Procurement Standards in 2 CFR Part 200 as interpreted in EPA guidance and/or that named subrecipients meet the eligibility requirements in EPA’s Subaward Policy for EPA to consider their qualifications and role in the proposed project.

http://www.epa.gov/grants/epa-solicitation-clauses https://www.epa.gov/grants/best-practice-guide-procuring-services-supplies-and-equipment-under-epa-assistance https://www.epa.gov/grants/best-practice-guide-procuring-services-supplies-and-equipment-under-epa-assistance https://www.epa.gov/grants/best-practice-guide-procuring-services-supplies-and-equipment-under-epa-assistance https://www.epa.gov/grants/grants-policy-issuance-gpi-16-01-epa-subaward-policy-epa-assistance-agreement-recipients https://www.epa.gov/grants/grants-policy-issuance-gpi-16-01-epa-subaward-policy-epa-assistance-agreement-recipients

Climate Pollution Reduction Grants Program Implementation Grants Tribes and Territories Competition

Table of Contents

I. Funding Opportunity Description

A. Background and Summary

B. Program Goals and Objectives

C. Environmental Results and Strategic Plan Information

D. Statutory Authority

E. Additional Provisions for Applicants Incorporated into the Solicitation

II. Federal Award Information

A. Amount of Funding Available

B. Number and Amount of Awards

C. Partial Funding

D. Additional Awards

E. Award Funding and Incremental/Full Funding

F. Period of Performance

G. Funding Type

III. Eligibility Information

A. Eligible Applicants

B. Voluntary Cost Sharing or Matching Funds

C. Threshold Eligibility Criteria

D. Ineligible Costs and Activities

IV. Application and Submission Information

A. How to Register to Apply for Grants Under This Competition

B. Application Process

1. Application Materials

2. Project Narrative Instructions, Format, and Content

C. Partnership and Coalition Coverage

D. Releasing Copies of Applications

V. Application Review Information

A. Evaluation Criteria

B. Review and Selection Process

C. Other Factors

D. Anticipated Announcement and Federal Award Dates

VI. Award Administration Information

A. Award Notices

B. Reporting Requirements

C. Prevailing Wage Requirements

D. Build America, Buy America Requirements

VII. EPA Contacts

Appendix A. Additional Information Regarding Contracts, Subawards, and Participant Support

Costs………

A. Background

B. Contracts

C. Subawards

D. Participant Support Costs

Appendix B. Global Warming Potentials for GHGs

Appendix C. Required Technical Appendix and Optional GHG Emission Reduction Calculations

Spreadsheet

A. Overview

B. Technical Appendix

C. GHG Emission Reduction Calculations

Appendix D. Application Submission Checklist

Appendix E. Guidelines for a Memorandum of Agreement for a Coalition

I. Funding Opportunity Description

A. Background and Summary

The 2022 Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) established the Climate Pollution Reduction Grants (CPRG) program,1 which provides funds in two distinct but related phases:

1. Planning grants: $250 million for states, U.S. territories,2 municipalities,3 air pollution control agencies, tribes,4 and groups thereof5 to develop plans to reduce greenhouse gases (GHGs).6 The Priority Climate Action Plan (PCAP) is the first deliverable due under the CPRG planning grants.

2. Implementation grants: $4.6 billion for competitive grants to eligible applicants to implement GHG reduction programs, policies, projects, and measures (collectively referred to as “GHG reduction measures,” or “measures”) identified in a PCAP developed under a CPRG planning grant.

This notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) announces the availability of up to $300 million for the CPRG implementation grants competition exclusively for tribes and territories. Lead organizations for tribes and territories must submit their PCAPs to EPA by the deadline of April 1, 2024, in order for lead organizations and other eligible applicants under this announcement to submit grant applications to fund measures contained in those plans. EPA anticipates awarding approximately 25 to 100 grants ranging between $1 million and $25 million under this tribes and territories competition. Further detail on award tiers can be found in Table 1 of Section II.B.

A separate NOFO, issued under Funding Opportunity Number EPA-R-OAR-CPRGI-23-07, announces the availability of approximately $4.3 billion for a general competition open to states, municipalities, air pollution control agencies, tribes, and territories for CPRG implementation grants. Tribes and territories interested in the general competition should seek the CPRG implementation grant “general competition” NOFO for more information.

Applications for this implementation grants competition for tribes and territories are due on May 1, 2024. Entities eligible to apply for an implementation grant under this competition

1 See IRA section 60114, “Climate Pollution Reduction Grants.”

2 For purposes of the CPRG program, “U.S. territories” means the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands.

3 Clean Air Act section 302(f) defines “municipality” as a city, town, borough, county, parish, district, or other public body created by or pursuant to State law.

4 EPA has determined that based on the exclusion of Alaskan Native Corporations (ANCs) from the definition of “Indian tribe” in section 302(r) of the Clean Air Act that ANCs are not eligible for direct grants from EPA under this program. ANCs may, however, receive “non-coalition member” subawards from eligible CPRG grantees.

5 As of the date of publication of this announcement, CPRG planning grant funding has been or is expected to be awarded to support development of climate action plans for 46 states plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, 79 of the country’s most populous MSAs, more than 200 tribes, and four U.S. territories.

6 For purposes of the CPRG program, greenhouse gases, or GHGs, are defined as carbon dioxide, hydrofluorocarbons, methane, nitrous oxide, perfluorocarbons, and sulfur hexafluoride (see Clean Air Act section 137 (d)(2)).

https://www.law.cornell.edu/definitions/uscode.php?width=840&height=800&iframe=true&def_id=42-USC-80204913-1186899451&term_occur=999&term_src=title:42:chapter:85:subchapter:III:section:7602 include lead organizations that were direct recipients of CPRG planning grants and other tribal and territorial entities that seek to implement GHG reduction measures included in an applicable PCAP developed under a CPRG planning grant. Section III.A provides more detail on eligible applicants for this NOFO.

B. Program Goals and Objectives

Recognizing the urgency to address GHG pollution contributing to climate change, the Biden- Harris Administration and Congress established the $5 billion CPRG program as part of the 2022 IRA. EPA takes seriously its responsibility to protect human health and the environment as the United States faces the increasingly harmful impacts of climate change. Across the country, communities are experiencing more deadly wildfires and storm surges, more extreme drought and water scarcity, and dangerous levels of flooding, among other impacts. The Fourth National Climate Assessment found that intense extreme weather and climate-related events, as well as changes in average climate conditions, are expected to continue to damage infrastructure, ecosystems, and social systems that provide essential benefits to communities. If left unchecked, future climate change is expected to further disrupt many areas of life and exacerbate existing challenges to prosperity posed by aging and deteriorating infrastructure, stressed ecosystems, and long-standing inequalities. However, with this challenge comes an opportunity to invest in a cleaner economy that will spur innovation and economic growth while building more equitable, resilient communities.

Accordingly, the CPRG tribes and territories competition for implementation grants is designed to enable tribes and territories to achieve the following goals:

1. Implement ambitious measures that will achieve significant cumulative GHG reductions by 2030 and beyond;

2. Pursue measures that will achieve substantial community benefits (such as reduction of criteria air pollutants (CAPs) and hazardous air pollutants (HAPs));

3. Complement other funding sources to maximize these GHG reductions and community benefits; and,

4. Pursue innovative policies and programs that are replicable and can be “scaled up” across multiple jurisdictions.

This competition is also designed to incentivize eligible applicants to apply for funding together as a coalition to implement GHG reduction measures regionally. Details on eligible applicants and coalitions are available in Section III.A.

Relationship Between CPRG PCAPs and Implementation Grant Eligibility

Applications for grants under this NOFO must seek funding to implement measures that are included in a PCAP developed with funding from a CPRG planning grant. Implementation grant applications can be submitted not just by the lead organization that received CPRG planning grant funds (“lead organization”), but also by tribes, territorial municipalities, and tribal and territorial agencies that did not directly receive planning grant funds but that seek funding to implement one or more measures included in an applicable PCAP.

https://www.globalchange.gov/nca4 https://www.globalchange.gov/nca4

The CPRG planning grant program guidance specified that when developing a PCAP, lead organizations must coordinate and collaborate with other eligible entities within their jurisdictions and ensure that priority measures are included in the plan that are implementable by those entities. In all cases, the lead organizations for CPRG planning grants are required to make their PCAPs available to other entities for their use in developing implementation grant applications, and EPA will publicly post all PCAPs received on the CPRG website.

EPA strongly encourages lead organizations to make draft versions of their PCAPs available as early as possible so that entities considering whether to submit an implementation grant application can begin development of their applications well before the May 1, 2024, application deadline. EPA also encourages eligible applicants that are considering applying for a CPRG implementation grant to participate in the PCAP development process and provide input on priority measures to include in the plan, in collaboration with other participants and stakeholders. EPA will not award multiple grants to implement the same measure in the same location; therefore, communication and coordination between entities that may be considering applying to fund similar measures should occur prior to applications being submitted. See Section III of this NOFO for more details on eligible applicants.

GHG Reduction Measures in CPRG Implementation Grant Applications

EPA encourages eligible applicants to seek implementation funds for GHG reduction measures that will significantly reduce cumulative GHG emissions by 2030 and beyond, and that will accelerate decarbonization across one or more major sectors responsible for GHG emissions (i.e., industry, electric power, transportation, commercial and residential buildings, agriculture/natural and working lands, and waste and materials management). EPA will score grant applications based on multiple evaluation criteria described in Section V.A of this NOFO, with an emphasis on the magnitude of GHG reductions that will be achieved by the proposed measures.

Applications may include one or more proposed GHG reduction measures. A GHG reduction measure may reduce GHG emissions or enhance carbon removal.7 Documentation must be provided to support the estimated GHG emission reductions for each proposed measure. In general, EPA anticipates that applications may seek funding for the following types of measures:

• A new, stand-alone GHG reduction measure that will be implemented solely through CPRG funding;

• An expansion of a GHG reduction measure that is already being implemented, where the expansion of the measure will be funded through CPRG funding; and,

• A new GHG reduction measure for which the applicant has already secured partial funding and needs additional funding from the CPRG program to secure the total funding needed to fully implement the measure.

7 Measures that enhance “carbon removal” are those that increase the removal of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere through, for example, the uptake of carbon and storage in soils, vegetation, and forests. Such measures may include actions related to management of lands in their current use, or as lands are converted to other uses.

https://www.epa.gov/inflation-reduction-act/climate-pollution-reduction-grants

Applications should provide details on each measure as laid out in Section IV.B. Applications will be evaluated as a whole and will not be assessed by individual GHG reduction measures;

therefore, applicants should include only those measures that are eligible and meet the requirements described in this announcement.

EPA expects to receive implementation grant applications covering a broad range of potential GHG reduction measures. Applicants have flexibility to tailor the new or expanded GHG reduction measures included in their applications to the specific plans and needs of their jurisdictions. Applications that successfully address the specific evaluation criteria in Section V will also be consistent with the following program objectives:

• Stimulate transformation toward a decarbonized economy and demonstrate approaches that are replicable to unlock opportunities for even greater emissions reductions;

• Result in benefits (and do not result in negative impacts) to low-income and disadvantaged communities, such as CAP and HAP reductions, equitable economic growth, and improved quality of life outcomes, where applicable;

• Support measures for which dedicated funding or financing from other sources (e.g., under other provisions of the 2022 IRA, the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), the 2021 American Rescue Plan Act (ARP), and the 2021 Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors and Science Act (CHIPS)) is unavailable or that leverage other sources of public and private funding to the fullest extent possible prior to seeking CPRG funding;

• Achieve GHG emission reductions that are long-lasting and certain;

• Incorporate high labor standards, emphasize job quality, and support equitable workforce development; and,

• Ensure accountability by providing clear assumptions, metrics, timelines, authorities, and budget details.

EPA is partnering with other federal agencies to strategically design funding opportunities and efficiently deploy resources provided by the IRA, BIL, ARP, and CHIPS, among others.

Applications for CPRG implementation grants will be evaluated on the degree to which they demonstrate a strong need for CPRG implementation funding that is unmet by other funding sources. Applicants should explain how they have explored the availability of other federal grants, tax incentives, and other funding streams to implement their GHG reduction measure(s) and why these sources are not sufficient (see Section IV.B and criterion 1.b in Section V.A).

GHG Reduction Measure Examples

Drawing on a variety of information – including workplans submitted by CPRG planning grantees, measures highlighted in the CPRG Request for Information, and input received during CPRG stakeholder listening sessions – EPA has prepared the following illustrative list of potential GHG reduction measures for which applicants may choose to seek CPRG implementation grant funding. This list is neither exhaustive nor definitive with respect to the measures that may be included in competitive applications under this NOFO. Applicants should https://www.regulations.gov/docket/EPA-HQ-OAR-2022-0873 consider the evaluation criteria in Section V.A when deciding on which measure or measures to include in their applications.

Transportation Sector

• Programs to increase the share of electric light-, medium-, and heavy-duty vehicles, and to expand electric vehicle charging infrastructure

• Electrification requirements for tribal or territorial government-owned vehicle, transit, or equipment fleets

• Transportation pricing programs that reduce vehicle miles traveled (VMT), such as parking pricing and congestion and road pricing

• Policies to support transportation management incentive programs to reduce vehicle trips or travel and expand transit use, such as van-pool programs, ridesharing, transit fare subsidies, and bicycle facilities

• New or expanded transportation infrastructure projects to facilitate public transit, micro-mobility, car sharing, bicycle, and pedestrian modes

• Incentive programs to purchase zero-emission vehicles and equipment to replace older heavy-duty diesel vehicles and equipment

• Programs to increase efficiency and reduce GHG emissions at ports and freight terminals, such as vehicle or equipment idle reduction, vessel-speed reduction, equipment electrification, and shore power

• Update building and zoning codes to encourage walkable, bikeable, and transit-oriented development

• Encourage mode shift from private vehicles to walking, biking, and public transportation (e.g., complete streets, bike share programs, bike storage facilities, low-speed electric bicycle subsidies, public transit subsidies)

Electric Power Sector

• Renewable portfolio standards and/or clean electricity standards

• Energy efficiency portfolio standards

• Emission trading systems (e.g., cap-and-trade programs) and carbon pricing measures

• GHG performance standards for electric generating units

• Installation of renewable energy and energy storage systems on government-owned facilities

• Programs to support smart-grid and/or behind-the-meter technologies to reduce power losses, reduce peak demand, and enable consumer participation in distributed generation

• Targeted incentives for installation of renewable energy and energy storage systems on commercial and residential buildings, such as net metering, tax credits, rebates, and streamlined interconnection standards

• Policies and measures to streamline permitting for renewable energy projects

• Development of distributed or community-scale renewable energy generation, microgrids, or vehicle-to-grid infrastructure in disadvantaged communities, including remote and rural regions

Buildings Sector

• Adoption and implementation of the most up-to-date building energy codes or stretch codes for new commercial and residential buildings

• Implementation of a clean heat standard

• Incentive programs for implementation of end-use energy efficiency measures in existing government-owned, commercial, and residential buildings

• Incentive programs for the purchase of certified energy-efficient appliances, heating and cooling equipment, lighting, and building products to replace inefficient products

• Programs and policies to promote electrification of government-owned, commercial, and residential buildings

• Programs and policies to accelerate the incorporation of efficient electric technologies and electric vehicle charging at new single-family, multi-unit, or affordable residential buildings and commercial buildings, including building codes related to electric vehicle charging

• Implementation of a building energy performance management program for government-owned buildings

• Implementation of a new benchmarking and building performance standards

• Programs to promote recovery and destruction of high-global warming potential (GWP) hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) used in existing appliances, air conditioning systems, and commercial chillers

Industrial Sector

• Standards addressing GHG emissions from industrial facilities and from energy production sectors, including emissions from industrial process heat and industrial processes

• Programs to support or incentivize implementation of energy efficiency measures in industry, including energy audits, strategic energy management, equipment upgrades, and waste heat utilization

• Programs to support or incentivize GHG reductions in industrial energy use and industrial processes, including use of low/no carbon fuels, electrification, renewable energy, and process improvements

• Programs to develop, expand, and support markets for low-embodied carbon materials and products, such as cement and steel

Waste, Water, and Sustainable Materials Management Sector

• Standards and incentives to reduce methane emissions from landfills and wastewater treatment facilities, including through collection for use or destruction

• Programs and incentives to reduce or divert waste (including food and/or yard waste) through improved production practices, improved collection services, and increased reuse or recycling rates

• Programs and incentives to reduce GHG emissions associated with plastics production, use, and waste management

• Programs to expand composting and bio-digestion infrastructure to reduce GHG emissions and increase beneficial use of organic waste

• Policies and programs to reduce construction and demolition waste through building reuse, deconstruction, and material diversion and reuse

• Installation of renewable energy and energy efficiency measures at wastewater treatment facilities

Agricultural Sector

• Incentive programs to fund electric agricultural equipment technologies

• Incentives for technologies and techniques that reduce nitrous oxide emissions from fertilizer application

• Incentives to promote anaerobic digesters to capture methane and generate renewable energy or produce renewable fuel

Carbon Removal Measures

• Policies to promote improved forest management to enhance carbon stocks on forested land

• Urban afforestation and green infrastructure programs and projects

• Restoration of degraded lands (e.g., brownfields, mine reclamation) and forested lands to enhance carbon sequestration

• Policies to enhance carbon stocks in coastal estuaries, such as wetlands and mangroves.

Low-Income and Disadvantaged Communities

As stated previously, the CPRG program is prioritizing the funding of measures that result in benefits to low-income and disadvantaged communities, such as reductions in CAPs and HAPs, equitable economic growth, and improved quality of life outcomes. EPA recognizes that these communities include communities with environmental justice concerns, traditional energy communities, and rural communities. All federally recognized tribes meet the definition of disadvantaged communities for the purposes of this program. EPA encourages applicants under this announcement to pursue GHG reduction measures that provide benefits to communities including low-income and disadvantaged communities.

EPA is committed to meeting the objectives of the Justice40 Initiative set forth in Executive Order 14008, which sets the goal that 40 percent of the overall benefits of relevant federal investments flow to disadvantaged communities, which have been or are marginalized, underserved, and overburdened by pollution. Individual applicants do not have to explicitly demonstrate that 40 percent of the benefits of each measure or project will flow to disadvantaged communities. Instead, EPA will conduct an analysis of the GHG emission reduction measures and the benefits to disadvantaged communities resulting from the CPRG program as a whole.

https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/01/27/executive-order-on-tackling-the-climate-crisis-at-home-and-abroad/ https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/01/27/executive-order-on-tackling-the-climate-crisis-at-home-and-abroad/

Environmental Justice

EPA is committed to accelerating environmental justice (EJ) in communities overburdened by pollution through its IRA investments, including through the CPRG program. This program is responsive to the Administration’s call for agencies to advance EJ in Executive Order 14096:

Revitalizing Our Nation's Commitment to Environmental Justice for All.

C. Environmental Results and Strategic Plan Information

Pursuant to Section 6.a of EPA Order 5700.7A1, “Environmental Results under EPA Assistance Agreements,” EPA must align proposed grant programs and assistance agreements with the Agency’s Strategic Plan. EPA also requires that grant applicants and recipients adequately describe environmental outputs and outcomes to be achieved under assistance agreements.

Applicants must include specific statements describing the environmental results of the proposed project in terms of well-defined outputs and, to the maximum extent practicable, well-defined outcomes that will demonstrate how the project will contribute to the Strategic Plan goals listed below. EPA will evaluate “outputs and outcomes” under criterion 3 in Section V. More guidance on outputs and outcomes is provided in Section IV.B.

(1) Linkage to EPA Strategic Plan: The activities to be funded under this announcement must support EPA’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2022-2026 Strategic Plan. Awards made under this announcement will support Goal 1, “Tackle the Climate Crisis”; Objective 1.1, “Reduce Emissions that Cause Climate Change.” Under this objective, EPA will “aggressively reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases from all sectors while increasing energy and resource efficiency and the use of renewable energy.” All applications must be for projects that support this goal and objective. For more information see EPA’s FY 2022 – 2026 EPA Strategic Plan.

(2) Outputs: The term “output” means an environmental activity, effort, and/or associated work product related to an environmental goal and objective that will be produced or provided over a period of time or by a specified date. Outputs may be quantitative or qualitative but must be able to be assessed during an assistance agreement funding period.

Examples of outputs from the implementation of GHG reduction measures funded under this announcement may include, but are not limited to:

• Number of: equipment or technology installations, such as zero-emission vehicles;

renewable energy installations and smart meters; electrified appliances (e.g., heat pumps) installed; buildings retrofitted; industrial equipment electrified; biodigesters installed; trees planted;

• Policies and measures enacted, adopted, and/or expanded, and related procedural milestones in implementing GHG reduction measures; and/or,

• Staff hired to implement GHG reduction measures, associated low-income and disadvantaged community provisions, and associated trainings for workforce development.

Progress reports and a final report will also be required outputs, as specified in Section VI.B.

(3) Outcomes: The term “outcome” means the result, effect, or consequence that will occur https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2023/04/26/2023-08955/revitalizing-our-nations-commitment-to-environmental-justice-for-all https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2015-03/documents/epa_order_5700_7a1.pdf https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2015-03/documents/epa_order_5700_7a1.pdf https://www.epa.gov/planandbudget/strategicplan from carrying out an environmental program or activity that is related to an environmental or programmatic goal or objective. Outcomes may be environmental, behavioral, health-related, or programmatic in nature but must also be quantifiable. They may not necessarily be achievable within a grant funding period.

At a minimum, the application should list the following outcomes from the GHG reduction measures proposed for CPRG implementation grant funding:

• Reduction in cumulative metric tons of GHG emissions:

o From 2025 through calendar year 2030, and o From 2025 through calendar year 2050.

If applicable, the application should also list the following outcomes from the GHG reduction measures proposed for CPRG grant funding:

• Reduction in annual amount of CAP and/or HAP emissions in 2030.

Other potential outcomes may include, but are not limited to:

• Lower energy demand and residential/commercial energy expenditures;

• Reduced energy bills for residents;

• Reduced exposure to hazardous air pollution or unhealthy ambient air quality;

• Increased staff capacity to implement GHG reduction measures;

• Enhanced level of community engagement, as measured by an increased number of ongoing actions to engage with organizations and residents of communities, and other interested parties;

• Number of high-quality jobs created throughout the applicant’s jurisdiction or community; and/or,

• Increased resilience to climate change impacts as measured by the number of buildings or Census tracts that meet certain resiliency standards.8

D. Statutory Authority

The IRA (Public Law 117-169) amended the Clean Air Act (CAA) (42 U.S.C. § 7401 et seq.) to include section 137 (42 U.S.C. § 7437), which authorizes EPA to make grants for greenhouse gas air pollution reduction plans and implementation activities. CAA section 137(a)(1) appropriates $250 million to EPA to award climate pollution planning grants to eligible entities comprised of states, air pollution control agencies, municipalities, tribes, or a group of one or more of these entities. CAA sections 137(a)(2) and (c) appropriate $4.75 billion (less three percent to EPA for administrative costs) to EPA to make competitive grants to states, air pollution control agencies, municipalities, tribes, or a group of one or more of these entities to implement the

8 The U.S. Climate Resilience Toolkit defines climate resilience as “the capacity of a community, business, or natural environment to prevent, withstand, respond to, and recover from a disruption.” To find EPA resources for local governments on climate resilience, including strategies, tools, and case studies, visit the Climate Change Adaptation Resource Center (ARC-X). To find tools specific to tribal nations, visit the Tribal Nations Climate Resilience Toolkit.

https://toolkit.climate.gov/content/glossary https://www.epa.gov/arc-x https://www.epa.gov/arc-x https://www.epa.gov/arc-x https://toolkit.climate.gov/topics/tribal-nations https://toolkit.climate.gov/topics/tribal-nations programs, policies, measures, and projects developed under a climate pollution planning grant.

CAA section 137 also requires that implementation grant applicants address the degree to which a grant application would reduce GHG emissions in total and with respect to low-income and disadvantaged communities. CAA section 137(d)(2) defines “greenhouse gas” as the air pollutants carbon dioxide, hydrofluorocarbons, methane, nitrous oxide, perfluorocarbons, and sulfur hexafluoride.

E. Additional Provisions for Applicants Incorporated into the Solicitation

Additional provisions that apply to Sections III, IV, V, and VI, and/or awards made under this solicitation can be found at EPA Solicitation Clauses. These provisions are important for applying to this solicitation and applicants must review them when preparing applications for this solicitation. They include requirements and restrictions applicable to all EPA grant funding.

If an applicant is unable to access these provisions electronically at the website above, please contact the EPA point of contact listed in Section VII of this solicitation to obtain a copy of the provisions.

II. Federal Award Information

A. Amount of Funding Available

The total funding expected to be available for awards under the CPRG implementation grants competition for tribes and territories is approximately $300 million. Funding is dependent upon Agency appropriations, funding availability, Agency priorities, and other applicable considerations. EPA has issued a separate NOFO under Funding Opportunity Number EPA-R- OAR-CPRGI-23-07 for a general competition under which tribes and territories may also apply for implementation grant funding. For more information about the general competition, applicants should seek the “general competition” NOFO.

B. Number and Amount of Awards

EPA anticipates awarding a total of approximately 25 to 100 grants under this announcement subject to the availability of funds, the quantity and quality of applications received, Agency priorities, and other applicable considerations. Awards are expected to range between $1 million and $25 million. EPA expects to award grants within three tiers described in Table 1 with funds targeted for each tier. EPA has established these tiers to provide funding opportunities for a range of potential applicants. These ranges reflect differences in the scope, scale, and cost of GHG reduction measures and are intended to help applicants structure their applications to best reflect the cost of their proposed measures and their ability to implement the grant. The total grant amount requested in an application will determine the tier within which the application will be evaluated. Applications will be evaluated against other applications within the same tier.

http://www.epa.gov/grants/epa-solicitation-clauses

Table 1: Grants Ranges and Funding by Tier

Tier

Grant Ranges

Funds Targeted for Each Tier

Anticipated Number of Grants to be Awarded

Tier A $15,000,000 – $25,000,000 $125 million 5-8

Tier B $5,000,000 – $14,999,999 $100 million 7-20

Tier C $1,000,000 – $4,999,999 $75 million 15-75

The actual award amounts, total amount of funding, and number of awards made under each of the tiers described in this section may differ from the estimated amounts for many reasons including but not limited to the number of meritorious applications received in each tier, Agency priorities, and funding availability. In addition, EPA reserves the right to increase or decrease (including decreasing to zero) the total dollar amount for awards under each tier.

C. Partial Funding

In appropriate circumstances, EPA reserves the right to partially fund applications by funding discrete portions or phases of proposed GHG reduction measures in overall applications. If EPA decides to partially fund an application, it will do so in a manner that does not prejudice any applicants or affect the basis upon which the application, or portion thereof, was evaluated and selected for award, thereby maintaining the integrity of the competition and selection process.

D. Additional Awards

EPA reserves the right to make additional awards under this solicitation, consistent with Agency policy and guidance, if additional funding remains or becomes available after the original selections are made. EPA intends that any additional selections for awards may be made no later than six months after the original selection decisions. In addition, EPA reserves the right to reject all applications and make no awards under this announcement or to make fewer awards than anticipated.

E. Award Funding and Incremental/Full Funding

Awards will be fully funded at the start of the grant period. EPA award recipients may incur allowable costs 90 calendar days before EPA makes the award. Pre-award expenses more than 90 calendar days prior to the date of award require prior approval by EPA. All costs incurred before EPA makes the award are at the applicant’s risk. EPA is under no obligation to reimburse such costs if for any reason the applicant does not receive a federal award, or if the federal award is less than anticipated and inadequate to cover such costs. See 2 CFR 1500.9.

F. Period of Performance

The estimated period of performance for awards resulting from this solicitation will be up to five years. The estimated project start date for awards is December 1, 2024.

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-B/chapter-XV/part-1500/subpart-D/subject-group-ECFRafb95c49532a236/section-1500.9

G. Funding Type

Successful applicants will be awarded funding as a grant.

III. Eligibility Information

Note: Additional provisions that apply to this section can be found at EPA Solicitation Clauses.

A. Eligible Applicants

Section 137(c)(1) of the CAA states that CPRG implementation grants shall be awarded to eligible entities to implement plans developed under CPRG planning grants. The eligible entities under this competition are consistent with assistance listing 66.046 and CAA section 137.

Table 2 describes the eligible applicants for the CPRG implementation grants competition under this NOFO. In general, entities eligible to apply for an implementation grant under this announcement are federally recognized tribes,9 tribal consortia, and territories. More specifically, tribes, tribal consortia, and territories that directly received a CPRG planning grant are eligible to apply for an implementation grant. In addition, tribes, tribal agencies, tribal consortia, and territorial municipal agencies, departments, or other municipal government offices in Guam, American Samoa, Northern Mariana Islands, and U.S. Virgin Islands that did not directly receive a planning grant but that seek funding to implement one or more GHG reduction measures that are included in an applicable PCAP (submitted to EPA by April 1, 2024) are eligible to apply. An applicable PCAP is one that geographically covers the entity and contains GHG reduction measures that can be implemented by the entity.

Table 2. Entities Eligible to Apply for CPRG Implementation Grants

Entity Eligible Ineligible

Tribe or Tribal Consortium

A tribe or tribal consortium can apply for funding to implement measures included in an applicable tribal, state, or MSA PCAP.

Eligible applicants are:

• Lead organizations for tribal CPRG planning grants

• Other tribal agencies (including tribal air pollution control agencies), departments, or other tribal government offices or tribal consortia

• Non federally recognized tribes

• Alaska Native Corporations

• Tribes or tribal consortia not covered by a state, MSA, or tribal PCAP

9 EPA has determined that based on the exclusion of Alaskan Native Corporations (ANCs) from the definition of “Indian tribe” in section 302(r) of the Clean Air Act that ANCs are not eligible for direct grants from EPA under this program. ANCs may, however, receive “non-coalition member” subawards from eligible CPRG grantees.

https://www.epa.gov/grants/epa-solicitation-clauses

Entity Eligible Ineligible

Territory Each territory covered by CPRG (American Samoa, Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands) can apply for funding to implement measures included in its PCAP. A territorial municipality can also apply for funding to implement measures included in an applicable territorial PCAP. Eligible applicants are:

• Lead organizations for CPRG planning grants for one of the territories above

• Other territorial agencies (including territorial air pollution control agencies), departments, or other territorial government offices

• Territorial municipal agencies (including local air pollution control agencies), departments, or other territorial municipal government offices

Coalition of Eligible Applicants

• A coalition consisting of two or more eligible applicants (including tribal agencies, tribal consortia, and territorial municipal agencies, departments, or other municipal government offices in one of the four territories listed above) can apply to jointly implement one or more measures included in an applicable

PCAP

An eligible applicant may apply to this competition either as an individual applicant or as a “lead applicant” in a coalition. An individual applicant may make subawards to partners (subrecipients) to carry out a portion of the grant’s activities provided that the subawards are consistent with the grant’s terms and conditions and with all applicable requirements, including the EPA Subaward Policy. For individual applicants that plan to make subawards to partners, EPA encourages those applicants to include letters of commitment from such partners.

A coalition is a special type of partnership, also subject to subaward requirements, including the EPA Subaward Policy. However, for purposes of this grant program, a coalition is a group of two https://www.epa.gov/grants/grants-policy-issuance-gpi-16-01-epa-subaward-policy-epa-assistance-agreement-recipients or more eligible applicants10 that share a strong and substantial commitment to the proposed measures (e.g., financially, materially, or operationally) such that withdrawal by any single member from the coalition would fundamentally alter the design or expected outputs and outcomes of the proposed measures. Coalition members must demonstrate their commitment to the coalition and to fulfilling their role to ensure success of the proposed measures through a signed Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), or through another written instrument or documented arrangement. The MOA or other written instrument or documented arrangement should clarify the roles and responsibilities of all coalition members. The lead applicant for the coalition should submit the MOA or other written instrument or documented arrangement as an attachment as described in Section IV.B and Appendix E (“Guidelines for a Memorandum of Agreement for a Coalition”), as applicable. See Section IV.C for more information about partnership and coalition coverage.

Each eligible applicant is limited to submitting two grant applications: one as the individual applicant and one as the lead applicant for a coalition. Applicants may participate in more than one coalition but may only serve as lead applicant for one coalition.

B. Voluntary Cost Sharing or Matching Funds

No cost sharing/matching funds or leveraged resources are required as a condition of eligibility under this competition. Funds awarded under this program cannot be used to meet the matching funds requirement under another federal grant program.

C. Threshold Eligibility Criteria

All applications will be reviewed for eligibility and must meet the eligibility requirements described in Section III to be considered eligible. If necessary, EPA may contact applicants to clarify threshold eligibility questions prior to making an eligibility determination. Applicants deemed ineligible for funding consideration due to the threshold eligibility review or due to a lack of timely response to EPA inquiries will be notified within 15 calendar days of the ineligibility determination.

1. Applications must substantially comply with the application submission instructions and requirements set forth in Section IV or else they will be rejected. Pages in excess of the page limitations expressed in Section IV.B, including the 15-page limitation for the workplan, will not be reviewed. Applications should use a legible font type and size.

2. All applications must be submitted through Grants.gov as stated in Sections IV.A and B (except in the limited circumstances where another mode of submission is specifically allowed for as explained in Section IV) on or before the application submission deadline of May 1, 2024, 11:59 PM ET (see Section IV.A). Applicants are responsible for following the submission instructions in Section IV.A to ensure that the application is timely and properly submitted. Please note that applicants experiencing technical issues with submitting through Grants.gov should follow the instructions provided in Section IV.A, 10 For purposes of this program, a tribal consortium is an eligible applicant and as such may participate as a member and/or a lead applicant for a coalition.

http://www.grants.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/ which include both the requirement to contact Grants.gov and the requirement to email a full application to EPA at CPRG@epa.gov prior to the May 1, 2024, deadline.

EPA will only consider accepting applications outside of Grants.gov from applicants that are able to demonstrate that they are unable to submit through Grants.gov due to Grants.gov or relevant SAM.gov system issues or for unforeseen exigent circumstances, such as extreme weather interfering with internet access. Failure of an applicant to submit prior to the application submission deadline because they did not properly or timely register in SAM.gov or Grants.gov is not an acceptable reason to justify acceptance of an application outside of Grants.gov. NOTE: Registering in SAM.gov or Grants.gov can take a month or more. Applicants are advised to begin their registration process early so it does not interfere with drafting the application near the deadline.

3. Applications must support Goal 1, “Tackle the Climate Crisis;” Objective 1.1, “Reduce Emissions that Cause Climate Change” of EPA’s Strategic Plan described in Section I.C.

4. Applications must request EPA assistance funds to implement GHG reduction measures contained in a PCAP developed under a CPRG planning grant.

5. Applications must request EPA assistance funds within the range of $1 million to $25 million, as specified in Section II.B. Applications that request EPA assistance funds less than $1 million or in excess of $25 million are not eligible and will not be reviewed.

6. Applications may only be submitted by eligible applicants as described in Section III.A.

7. A group of eligible applicants applying as a coalition as defined in Section III.A may not submit multiple applications for the same set of GHG reduction measures using different lead applicants (i.e., submitting the same application under different lead applicants). In the event that EPA receives more than one such application, EPA will review the most recent application submitted and will disregard all others.

8. An eligible applicant as defined in Section III.A may submit one application as the individual applicant and one application as the lead applicant for a coalition. In the event that an applicant exceeds these limits, EPA will contact the applicant prior to review to determine which application(s) to withdraw from the competition. If the applicant does not respond to EPA within two business days of being contacted, EPA will review the last application(s) submitted and will disregard all others.

D. Ineligible Costs and Activities

All expenses must meet the allowability requirements in 2 CFR Part 200, Subpart E and applicable provisions of 2 CFR Part 1500. To be considered eligible, costs must be necessary and reasonable to implement the GHG reduction measures described in the application.

Applications that include ineligible expenses are ineligible to receive funding for such costs, and inclusion of ineligible expenses may render the full application unsuitable for funding.

mailto:CPRG@epa.gov https://www.grants.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/

Successful applications for this program must focus on the implementation of PCAPs for tribes and territories to reduce climate pollution through GHG reduction measures and include the required elements and qualities outlined in Section IV.B. If an application is submitted that includes any ineligible tasks or activities, that portion of the application will be ineligible for funding and may, depending on the extent to which it affects the integrity of the application, render the entire application ineligible for funding. Applications that include measures not considered to be GHG reduction measures, and those that do not include elements required in the application, may be considered ineligible for funding for this reason.

Using CPRG funds to aid regulated entities (e.g., subaward from a tribe or territory to private entity) to comply with EPA regulatory requirements is not an eligible activity under this program.

Applicants may seek funding for projects outside the scope of this grant program by applying for federal grant programs better tailored to their needs.