Biden-Harris Administration announces over $1.5 million grant to Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation to cut climate pollution and accelerate clean energy transition

Biden-Harris Administration announces over $1.5 million grant to Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation to cut climate pollution and accelerate clean energy transition

Funded by President Biden's Investing in America Agenda, EPA announces 34 selected Tribal and territory applications through the competitive Climate Pollution Reduction Grants program

September 5, 2024

BOSTON (SEPTEMBER 5, 2024) - Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation has been selected to receive $1,578,256 in Climate Pollution Reduction Grant funding as part of the Biden-Harris Administration's Investing in America agenda.

• The Mashantucket Pequot Climate Pollution Reduction Electric Vehicle Implementation Project will reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the transportation sector by promoting electric vehicles (EVs). It will fund EV charging stations at government buildings, transition the government fleet to electric, and offer residential rebates to replace traditional gas-powered vehicles.

"Thanks to President Biden and Vice President Harris' leadership, today's investment marks one of the largest climate investments EPA has ever made in Tribal and territorial communities. The ambitious projects selected will deploy community-driven solutions to fight climate change and protect public health," said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. "The Tribal and territory leaders selected today will fund innovative projects that improve air quality, deliver cleaner affordable electricity, and create economic and workforce opportunities that can be scaled up and replicated across Tribal lands and U.S. territories."

"Respect for Tribal sovereignty is a foundation of our work with Native Tribes. Thanks to President Biden and Vice President Harris, this investment is a major step forward in cutting climate pollution, saving on energy costs for families and accelerating the clean energy transition together with our partners," said Regional Administrator David W. Cash. "By investing in projects that matter to the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, we're supporting solutions to pollution and seizing opportunities that are important to the Tribe."

"This $1.5 million in federal funding for the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe will be hugely impactful in growing the Tribe's clean energy infrastructure. Transportation is the largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions in Connecticut, and it's critical for us to support ways to make electric vehicles more accessible for everyone. I am proud that this funding will move environmental goals forward, and I will continue fighting to deliver these investments to Connecticut," said U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal.

"Tribes in Connecticut are constantly working to combat the climate crisis and make investments in a greener future. These grants will provide more than $1.5 million in federal dollars to help the Mashantucket Pequot tribe transition to electric vehicles and reduce harmful emissions, supporting the growth of their local Tribal economy and bringing us one step closer to a cleaner, healthier future for everyone in Connecticut," said U.S. Senator Chris Murphy.

"We are honored to receive this EPA grant that will assist with our goal at Mashantucket to help reduce pollution and greenhouse gas emissions," says Rodney Butler, Chairman of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation. "The Tribe is grateful for the strong leadership exhibited by the Biden-Harris Administration to address climate pollution concerns in Indian country and beyond. We look forward to partnering with Administrator Regan and EPA in this critical initiative. Our efforts will include new electric vehicle charging stations, replacing several government vehicles with hybrid and electric options, and providing rebates for EV purchases to our community as well as educating on the importance of reducing greenhouse gas emissions."

More information:

EPA has selected 34 applications to fund projects proposed by 33 Tribal recipients and the Municipality of Saipan in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands to implement community-driven solutions to tackle the climate crisis, reduce air pollution, advance environmental justice, and accelerate the clean energy transition.

The grants for the proposed projects, which are funded by President Biden's Inflation Reduction Act, will support the implementation of greenhouse gas reduction measures that were identified by Tribal and territorial communities. When estimates provided by all selected applicants are combined, the proposed projects would cumulatively reduce greenhouse gas pollution by over 7 million metric tons of carbon dioxide by 2050-equivalent to the carbon dioxide emitted from nearly 1.4 million homes' electricity use for one year.

Today's selections mark the latest phase of investment under this first-of-its kind, nearly $5 billion Climate Pollution Reduction Grants program. In July, EPA announced selected applications from the CPRG Implementation Grants General Competition to receive $4.3 billion in funding. In 2023, EPA provided $250 million in planning grants to develop climate action plans. Those plans served as the basis for greenhouse gas reduction measures proposed in the CPRG implementation grant applications.

The selected applications will target greenhouse gas pollution from six sectors of the economy with a particular focus on the transportation, electric power, and commercial and residential buildings sectors, while spurring workforce development and job creation in Indian Country and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

Today's investment and ongoing CPRG technical support for planning grant recipients are consistent with President Biden's Executive Order 14112 on Reforming Federal Funding and Support for Tribal Nations to Better Embrace Our Trust Responsibilities and Promote the Next Era of Tribal Self-Determination. The Executive Order demonstrates the Biden-Harris Administration's respect for Tribal sovereignty and its commitment to ushering in the next era of Tribal self-determination by directing agencies to reform federal programs for greater autonomy of Tribal Nations over how Tribes can invest federal funding. The Executive Order also directs agencies to make federal funding less burdensome and more accessible for Tribal Nations.

The Climate Pollution Reduction Grants program is also advancing President Biden's historic Justice40 Initiative, which aims to ensure 40% of the overall benefits of certain climate, clean energy, and other federal investments flow to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution.

EPA made its Tribes and Territories Competition selections following a review of 110 applications that requested a total of more than $1.3 billion in funding. The agency expects to award funds under both the Tribes and Territories Competition and the General Competition later this year, once all legal and administrative requirements are satisfied.

See the complete list of selected applications.

Learn about the CPRG program.