Oregon will receive nearly $200 million for climate action

On Monday, the Environmental Protection Agency announced that it has awarded Oregon $197 million from the federal Climate Pollution Reduction Grant program to help Oregon reduce our greenhouse gas emissions from transportation, buildings and waste. 

Specifically, the grant will:

• Reduce GHG emissions from the transportation sector by installing charging infrastructure for both light- and heavy-duty vehicles and offering zero emission rebates for vehicles of all classes, such as through Oregon’s Medium-Heavy-Duty ZEV Rebate Program.
• Provide nearly 4,500 electric vehicle rebates to lower-income households.
• Improve the efficiency of existing and new buildings including the construction of 10,000 affordable, high-efficiency rental housing units.  
• Expand weatherization assistance for nearly 3,000 homes prioritizing environmental justice communities and low-income households.  
• Install 12,000 heat pumps in homes and community buildings.
• Invest in composting, food waste recovery infrastructure, and landfill methane controls at landfill sites. 

“We are thrilled to see such a big federal investment in key climate solutions coming to Oregon,” said Celeste Meiffren-Swango, state director of Environment Oregon. “This money will help our state electrify our transportation system, increase energy efficiency in our buildings, reduce food waste, and make it more affordable for Oregonians to invest in clean energy solutions– all really important steps to reduce our climate pollution here in the Beaver State. Thank you to Governor Kotek and state agency staff for their leadership in making this happen.”