This funding is no longer available, but there are opportunities for public input and subgrants below. If you want more incentives like this, tell your Federal, North Carolina, and South Carolina legislators. Click here to see how this program benefited the Carolinas.
What does this funding get me?
$5 billion was available to develop and implement ambitious plans for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and other harmful air pollution: $250 million for noncompetitive planning grants and approximately $4.6 billion for competitive implementation grants.
Am I eligible?
States, local governments, Tribes, and air pollution control agencies were eligible for this grant.
How can I access the money?
Phase 1 of this program provided flexible support to applicants regardless of where they were in the climate planning and implementation process. All planning grantees received their awards in the summer/fall of 2023, submitted Priority Climate Action Plans in March and April 2024, and will submit Comprehensive Climate Action Plans in 2025.
Phase 2 implementation grant applications were open to entities that received planning grants to develop Priority Climate Action Plans under phase 1 of the CPRG program, as well as entities that did not directly receive a planning grant but applied for funds to implement measures included in an applicable Priority Climate Action Plan. Applications were due in April and May 2024.
What is the timeline?
These grants have all been awarded.
What other incentives could I use to help me accomplish my goals?
- South Carolinians may be interested in the Climate Conversations Mini-Grant program through the Central Midlands Council of Governments.
- Check the Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (DSIRE) for additional incentives that may be offered by your state, local government, or utility, as well as important federal, state, and local policies. For questions regarding DSIRE, contact Justin Lindemann (NC Clean Energy Technology Center) at jplindem@ncsu.edu.
- Check out our (non-exhaustive) list of non-federal funding from other sources that may fit your energy and cost-saving goals.
What are examples of projects that have been selected for awards?
North Carolina:
- The Department of Environmental Quality received a planning grant. Learn more on DEQ’s CPRG web page. Between Feb. 25 and March 13, 2025, DEQ will hold public input sessions on its Comprehensive Climate Action Plan, due to the EPA later this year. See a list of input sessions and register to participate here.
- The Central Pines Regional Council in the Triangle also received a CPRG planning grant.
- A third planning grant was received by the Centralina Regional Council in Charlotte.
South Carolina:
- SC’s state CPRG program is a 4-year planning initiative called the Palmetto Air Quality Collaborative (PAQC). Visit the website to learn more.
- The Appalachian Council of Governments in the Greenville-Anderson, SC Metro Area received a CPRG planning grant.
- The Central Midlands Council of Governments also received a planning grant. The CMCOG covers Fairfield, Lexington, Newberry and Richland Counties.
EPA awarded 25 Phase 2 implementation grants, including these in the Carolinas:
- Central Midlands Council of Governments (SC): Fund for Municipal Solar + Smart Surfaces (S3) Projects covering projects in Newberry, Saluda, Richland, Lexington, and Fairfield Counties ($8,739,181)
- Atlantic Conservation Coalition (multistate) initiative to protect and restore high-carbon polluted coastal habitats and peatlands and manage the protection, use, and restoration of forested lands in NC, SC, VA, and MD (total award $421,238,074)
Where can I get more information?
- For specific questions on this program, contact Meech Carter at info@energyfundsforall.org.