MDE and MDOT are part of coalitions selected to receive over $670 million in Climate Pollution Reduction Grants, $130 million coming directly to the state.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced Maryland Department of the Environment and Maryland Department of Transportation as partners in coalitions that will receive a total of more than $670 million in Climate Pollution Reduction Grants to implement community-driven solutions that tackle the climate crisis, reduce air pollution, advance environmental justice, and accelerate America’s clean energy transition. The state of Maryland alone is set to receive $130 million as part of this broader effort.
According to the press release:
The Clean Corridor Coalition project will deploy electric vehicle charging infrastructure for commercial zero-emission medium- and heavy-duty vehicles on the Interstate-95 freight corridor as a joint venture among the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, Delaware Department of Transportation, and Maryland Departments of the Environment and Transportation, as well as provide technical assistance for workforce development and corridor planning across New Jersey, Connecticut, Delaware, and Maryland.
The Atlantic Conservation Coalition is a regional approach focused on natural climate solutions to reduce GHG emissions. The project will fund efforts across North Carolina, South Carolina, Maryland, and Virginia to leverage the carbon sequestration power of natural and working lands, including coastal wetlands, peatlands, forests, and urban forestry. The Atlantic Conservation Coalition is a partnership among the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, South Carolina Office of Resilience, Maryland Department of the Environment, and Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources.
“Investments such as this are paramount to ensuring communities across the region who are impacted the most have access to reduced climate and air pollution,” said EPA Regional Administrator Adam Ortiz. “We need our partners to help us in tackling climate challenges. The work of these organizations will allow them to take the steps to ensure better quality air for future generations.”
“The impact of Maryland’s transition to clean energy – from electric vehicles to investments in renewable energy – extends beyond our state’s borders. This funding will help accelerate our effort to protect our environment, reduce our carbon emissions and expand these efforts along I-95 corridor,” said Senator Cardin. “In partnering with our neighboring states and with federal investment, we can create a more sustainable region.”
“The Inflation Reduction Act is the single biggest investment we’ve made in fighting the climate crisis – and it is powering key projects like these that bring together neighboring states to tackle pollution, restore landscapes that store carbon, and put cleaner vehicles on our roads. As these initiatives show: in fighting the climate crisis we’re not just working to protect our environment – we’re also creating jobs and building a better, healthier future for our communities,” said Senator Van Hollen.
The 25 selected applications – from states, a Tribe, local governments, and coalitions of these entities – will receive federal funding to implement local and regional solutions. Many of these projects can be expanded and provide examples that other states, local governments, Tribes, and even businesses can replicate in their work to tackle the climate crisis.
Together, these selected projects will implement ambitious climate pollution reduction measures designed by states, Tribes and local governments that will achieve significant cumulative GHG reductions by 2030 and beyond. When estimates provided by all selected applicants are combined, the proposed projects would reduce greenhouse gas pollution by as much as 971 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent by 2050, roughly the emissions from 5 million average homes’ energy use each year for over 25 years.
Coalitions Projects Involving Maryland
- Clean Corridor Coalition: A Proposal for ZE-MHDV Infrastructure Along the I-95 Corridor
The Clean Corridor Coalition: A Proposal for ZE-MHDV Infrastructure Along the I-95 Corridor project will deploy electric vehicle charging infrastructure for commercial zero-emission medium- and heavy-duty vehicles on the Interstate-95 freight corridor as a joint venture among New Jersey, Connecticut, Delaware, and Maryland. The selected application will provide technical assistance for workforce development and corridor planning. Anticipated award of $248,900,000. - The Atlantic Conservation Coalition
The Atlantic Conservation Coalition is a regional approach focused on natural climate solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The selected application will fund efforts to leverage the carbon sequestration power of natural and working lands, including coastal wetlands, peatlands, forests, and urban forestry. Anticipated award of $421,328,074.
Learn more about the selected applications
