DEQ reports roughly $200 million in EPA climate grants and outlines statewide climate action plan process

DEQ reported on progress under EPAs Climate Pollution Reduction Grant (CPRG) program and on early work to develop a Comprehensive Climate Action Plan (CCAP).

Tom Beaulieu, air quality planning manager at DEQ, said the CPRG has two phases: a planning phase and a larger competitive implementation grant program. He said DEQ was awarded a $3,000,000 EPA planning grant in July 2023 and, through coalition applications, secured two implementation grants that together will bring about $200,000,000 in federal funding to Virginia.

"This was a very big win, for DEQ, for our partners, and for Virginia because the combination of these 2 grants are bringing about $200,000,000 of federal funds to Virginia to implement mitigation projects," Beaulieu said. He described two awarded grants: a natural working lands multi-state coalition (with an estimated $100,000,000 to Virginia) and a priority methane reduction grant (about $100,000,000) that includes an approximately $80,000,000 coal mine methane capture and utilization project administered by Virginia Energy.

Beaulieu summarized CCAP planning requirements tied to the CPRG: preparing a GHG emissions inventory and projections, setting GHG reduction targets, quantifying potential reductions from measures across sectors, assessing benefits to air quality and low-income/disadvantaged communities, and conducting workforce analysis. He outlined a tentative timeline for stakeholder outreach, technical contractor modeling, a draft plan for secretary review and a final plan submission to EPA by the EPA deadline referenced in staff materials.

Board members asked about timing and risk of funds being rescinded. Beaulieu said one grant is in hand and another is in final award stages; he said implementation must occur within the grant period but that rescission is unlikely though "never say never." The board congratulated staff on securing the grants.