PITTSBURGH, PA — On Monday, Governor Josh Shapiro, alongside U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael S. Regan, announced a landmark $396 million grant aimed at helping Pennsylvania tackle climate emissions and stimulate job creation. The funding, part of the Climate Pollution Reduction Grant (CPRG) program under the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, will support the Reducing Industrial Sector Emissions in Pennsylvania (RISE PA) initiative.
Governor Shapiro emphasized the grant’s significance. “My Administration is taking real action to address climate change while continuing to create energy jobs and grow the economy,” he said. “Thanks to our partnership with the Biden-Harris Administration, Pennsylvania has been awarded $396 million to start RISE PA. This investment will help us reduce toxic air pollution, create thousands of jobs, and continue Pennsylvania’s legacy of energy leadership.”
The RISE PA program aims to reduce industrial pollution, Pennsylvania’s largest source of greenhouse gases, which accounts for over 30% of the state’s total emissions. The initiative is expected to cut 5.2 million tons of carbon emissions by 2050, which is about 10% of the annual industrial emissions in the state. Projects eligible for funding include installing energy-efficient systems, electrifying industrial plants, and capturing methane from coal mines.
EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan highlighted the broader impact of the grant. “President Biden believes in the power of community-driven solutions to fight climate change, protect public health, and grow our economy,” Regan said. “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.”
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) will administer the RISE PA program. Acting Secretary Jessica Shirley noted the dual benefits of the initiative. “This grant has the potential to create good-paying union jobs, reduce millions of tons of greenhouse gases, and increase manufacturing competitiveness in Pennsylvania,” she said.
Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato also praised the initiative. “By helping the industry decarbonize, reducing their emissions and reducing pollution, we are going to invest in businesses, create good jobs, and improve air quality. It’s a win, win, win across the board,” she said.
The RISE PA program builds on Governor Shapiro’s energy plan, which aims to protect and create over 14,500 energy jobs, lower utility bills, and attract $5.1 billion in clean energy investments.
As Pennsylvania continues its legacy as one of the nation’s top energy producers, the RISE PA program promises to play a crucial role in securing a sustainable and prosperous future for the state.
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