Environmental Protection Agency grants $49M toward New Orleans greenhouse gas reduction projects
NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — Millions have been awarded to the City of New Orleans by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for efforts to reduce the production of greenhouse gases.
EPA officials awarded $49.9 million under the Climate Pollution Reduction Grants Program. New Orleans is one of three U.S. cities to receive funding.
The EPA reports the funding will support the efforts for the next five years and will reinforce New Orleans’ commitment to environmental sustainability and climate resilience.
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“As New Orleans works to reduce our emissions contributing to climate change, this substantial funding will fuel seven pivotal greenhouse gas reduction measures that align with a cross-section of goals from the City’s Climate Action Plan and the Southeastern Louisiana Priority Climate Action Plan (SELA PCAP),” said Mayor LaToya Cantrell.
Cantrell added that the grant also plays a significant part in the city’s health and “reaffirms our commitment to environmental stewardship and social equity.”
Congressman Troy Carter says that the grant will help to lessen the city’s carbon footprint, promote economic and green job growth and create a healthier environment.
City officials say the funding is already dedicated to seven key projects that align with the city’s Climate Action Plan and the Southeastern Louisiana Climate Action Plan:
Bike Share Expansion: Increasing the Blue Bikes bike share fleet to 2,000 and extending services to historically underserved areas
Commercial Building Benchmarking Program: Staffing and software to manage an energy benchmarking for commercial buildings
E-Bike Rebates Program: Offering 3,000 point-of-sale e-bike rebates over five years, with additional subsidies for low-to-moderate-income (LMI) residents
Municipal Building Decarbonization: Energy efficiency retrofits in 41 City buildings and installing rooftop solar panels on 14 municipal properties
Protected Bikeways: Constructing seven miles of protected bikeways adjacent to downtown New Orleans
Reforestation Plan: Planting 7,500 trees in underserved neighborhoods over five years
Solar for All (SFA) Local Subsidies: Providing subsidies for 1,400 solar installations for LMI households, supplementing state SFA funding
City officials say the projects will focus on high-impacted areas within the transportation and building sectors designed to “deliver a high return on investment in GHG reduction, helping New Orleans achieve its climate goals and enhance the quality of life for residents.”
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“This historic CPRG funding, the City’s largest ever investment in climate action, is a testament to our collaborative efforts and unwavering dedication to addressing climate change,” said Office of Resilience & Sustainability Deputy Chief Resilience Officer Greg Nichols.
To read more about the project, visit the EPA’s website.
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