Climate Pollution Reduction Grant (CPRG)
The Climate Pollution Reduction Grant (CPRG) is a competitive nationwide grant opportunity established under the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act which is available to states, tribes and territories for the purpose of evaluating and developing projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other harmful air pollution.The Southern Ute Air Quality Division (AQD) received a CPRG planning grant and is in the beginning phases of developing long-term planning strategies to aid in the global challenge of mitigating human caused climate change and for maintaining healthy air quality on the Reservation. The first plan being developed is called the Priority Climate Action Plan, and will include the AQD’s “shovel ready” priority measures for reducing greenhouse gas emissions on the Reservation. The AQD is soliciting public comment on potential greenhouse gas emission reduction measures that could be implemented on the Reservation, in the survey located here:
Priority Climate Action Plan
If the AQD is successful in obtaining funding under the second phase of competitive CPRG funding in 2024, the AQD will implement, to the extent funded, the measures outlined in the Priority Climate Action Plan, and over the course of the next several years, develop a long term greenhouse gas reduction strategy for the Reservation, called a Comprehensive Climate Action Plan. The Comprehensive Climate Action Plan would, among other things, quantify greenhouse gas emissions on the Reservation and identify and evaluate projects that could be implemented on the Reservation to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and other harmful pollutants.
For more information on the EPA CPRG, please view the following EPA webpage: Climate Pollution Reduction Grants | US EPA
Greenhouse Gases
A greenhouse gas is any gas that traps heat in the atmosphere. These gases include carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and fluorinated gases. Although these gases play an important role in reflecting some of the harmful radiation emitted from the sun; an overabundance of these gases in the atmosphere absorbs and traps heat, like a greenhouse, this resulting in global warming.Carbon Dioxide: CO2 is the main greenhouse gas and is the most prevalently emitted gas due to human activities. Carbon dioxide is naturally present in the atmosphere and is essential in the carbon cycle, but excess quantity and the destruction of carbon sinks have altered the balance of carbon. Human caused carbon dioxide is mainly emitted through the combustion of fossil fuels such as gas, oil, and coal.Methane: Human caused methane emissions CH4 accounts for 12% of all greenhouse gas emissions in the United States according to the EPA. Methane is linked to natural gas systems and raising livestock. Although methane has a shorter lifetime in the atmosphere compared to carbon dioxide, it is 28 times more efficient at trapping radiation from the sun’s rays over a 100 – year period.Nitrous Oxide: N2O makes up 6% of greenhouse gases in the United States. Main sources for nitrous oxide include agriculture, fuel combustion, wastewater management, and various industrial processes. This gas can remain in the atmosphere for up to 121 years before being removed by a sink or chemical processes.Fluorinated Gases: Hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, sulfur hexafluoride, and nitrogen trifluoride make up fluorinated gases. These synthetic gases are the only greenhouse gases that do not occur through natural processes. These gases are emitted from ozone depleting substances such as refrigerants and through various industrial processes. These gases are the most potent and longest lasting of all greenhouse gases.For more information on greenhouse gases please visit: Overview of Greenhouse Gases | US EPAFor any questions or comments regarding the Climate Pollution Reduction Grant, please contact Michael Kirsch, Air Quality Scientist II – Planning.Phone: 970-563-2258Email: mjkirsch@southernute-nsn.gov