Hickenlooper, Bennet Welcome Over $4.3 Billion in Federal Funding to Cut Climate Pollution, $325 Million for Colorado

Funding comes from senators' Inflation Reduction Act

Over $325 million headed to Colorado

WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senators John Hickenlooper and Michael Bennet celebrated the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announcementof over $4.3 billion in federal grants, including over $325 million for two Colorado organizations working to reduce air pollution, create good paying jobs, and accelerate America's clean energy transition.

"Colorado is already tackling climate change head-on, but to reach our climate goals, we'll need to continue investing in cleaner technologies and decarbonization efforts," said Hickenlooper. "We passed the historic Inflation Reduction Act to do just that. And now it's delivering millions to Colorado to help businesses and local governments measure - and cut - their carbon emissions!"

"The Inflation Reduction Act made the largest investment to confront climate change in history, and Colorado is uniquely positioned to benefit from it and lead the transition to a clean energy economy," said Bennet. "With nearly $329 million for Colorado, these Climate Pollution Reduction Grants will reduce greenhouse gas pollution by helping decarbonize homes and businesses, and addressing methane pollution from landfills, mines and other sources. I'm pleased the EPA is working with local leaders to ensure these investments reach every corner of our state."

"President Biden believes in the power of community-driven solutions to fight climate change, protect public health, and grow our economy. Thanks to his leadership, the Climate Pollution Reduction Grants program will deliver unprecedented resources to states, local governments, and Tribes to fund the solutions that work best in their communities," said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. "Selected recipients have put forward ambitious plans to advance sustainable agriculture, deploy clean industrial technologies, cut emissions and energy costs in homes and commercial buildings, and provide cost- and energy-efficient heating and cooling to communities, creating economic and workforce development opportunities along the way."

"Our guiding mission is ensuring all people in Colorado have clean air to breathe, clean water to drink and the opportunity to live healthy lives," said EPA Regional Administrator KC Becker. "These grants - unprecedented in their funding - bring us and Coloradans closer to achieving these goals. With nearly $330 million coming to Colorado, pollution that has overwhelmed communities across the state can be addressed through the selectees' thoughtful, targeted projects. The Colorado Energy Office will be aiming to reduce emissions from landfills and coal mines, while the Denver Regional Council of Governments will be focused on decarbonizing local homes and commercial buildings across the Denver Metropolitan area-collectively benefitting millions of Coloradans across the state and economic sectors."

"We are proud of all the work we have done to position ourselves as a national leader in addressing climate change through economy-wide emissions reductions," said Colorado Energy Office Executive Director Will Toor. "Local and Tribal government actions are crucial to this effort, and this funding will ensure that they can adopt and implement key policies to help us achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. This money will also help large building owners reduce their energy usage and associated emissions. We are grateful to the EPA for this award and for recognizing the great work happening across the state to protect the environment, improve air quality and save Coloradans money."

"Cutting emissions of this powerful greenhouse gas is absolutely vital to achieving our overall climate goals," said CDPHE Executive Director Jill Hunsaker Ryan. "These projects represent an extraordinary investment in Colorado's future, and I am grateful to the EPA for the funding. These projects will improve our understanding of methane emissions, enhance the accuracy and reliability of our data and ultimately result in hundreds of thousands of tons of emissions reductions annually."

Specifically, the Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG) will receive over $199 million and the Colorado Energy Office (CEO) will receive over $129 million from the Climate Pollution Reduction Grant program, which was created by the Hickenlooper-supported Inflation Reduction Act.These awards will help monitor and reduce methane emissions from landfills, coal mines, and natural seepage as well as increase energy efficiency and decarbonization efforts in the residential and commercial building sectors. They will also prepare businesses to capitalize on new opportunities, spur economic growth, and support workforce development.

EPA selected 25 applications from the nearly 300 they reviewed. Together, the proposed projects are estimated to reduce greenhouse gas pollution by as much as 971 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent by 2050.

More information on the awards available HERE and HERE.

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