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Regional climate action planning takes a big step forward
Priority Climate Action Plan: reducing emissions, competing for investments, enhancing quality of life
We're celebrating the release of a Priority Climate Action Plan for the Chicago Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) that will help the region reduce greenhouse gas emissions and better position communities to compete for federal investments. The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency also created a Priority Climate Action Plan for Illinois.
The Metropolitan Mayors Caucus completed the Priority Climate Action Plan, and the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) collaborated on this important project by conducting a greenhouse gas emissions inventory, among other analyses.
The Priority Climate Action Plan supports equitable investment in policies, practices, and technologies that reduce emissions, create high-quality jobs, spur economic growth, and increase quality of life. The strategies in the plan are implementation-ready and were identified by stakeholders throughout the MSA. This plan is the first major deliverable through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Climate Pollution Reduction Grants Program.
CMAP will lead the creation of the next piece: a Comprehensive Climate Action Plan for the Chicago MSA. Due in June 2025, the plan will provide an overview of the region's significant greenhouse gas sources, sinks, and sectors. The plan will establish near-term and long-term emission reduction goals and provide strategies and measures that address the highest priority sectors to meet those goals.
Learn more about this work by watching a presentation from the March CMAP Board meeting, and stay tuned to this newsletter for more updates.
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Greenhouse gas emissions in the Chicago MSA
As part of the priority climate action planning process, CMAP's greenhouse gas inventory found that more than half of all emissions came from industry (29 percent) and transportation (23 percent) in 2020. This is likely because of the region's longstanding role as a national manufacturing and transportation hub.
Other large emissions sources were the commercial and residential building sectors, at 23 percent and 19 percent, respectively. This is likely because of our region's northern climate — requiring both heating in the winter and cooling in the summer — and older building stock.
The last four sectors contributed the smallest percentages of emissions: energy generation (5 percent), waste (0.7 percent), agriculture (0.4 percent), and wastewater (0.1 percent).
Over the next few newsletters, we'll dig deeper into these results. Until then, view ON TO 2050's strategies to intensify climate mitigation.
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$2.4 million stormwater project completed in Calumet Park
Cook County announced the completion of a $2.4 million stormwater management reconstruction project in Calumet Park that will greatly reduce flooding, increase water quality, and improve drainage.
The improved corridor on Winchester Avenue from 124th Street to 127th Street now features bioswales, permeable pavers for parking, permeable asphalt drive lanes, and a rain garden. By managing nearly 186,000 gallons of stormwater per rain event, these improvements will provide neighborhood residents with much needed flood alleviation.
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Program launches to improve safety and efficiency of suburban Cook County homes
Suburban Cook County residents now can apply for free safety, energy efficiency, water conservation, and whole-home upgrades through Healthy Homes for Healthy Families. The program uses American Rescue Plan Act funds to address home health hazards such as lead, radon, mold, and other conditions that adversely affect residents of all ages but can be especially dangerous for infants and children. Residents may be eligible for lead abatement, structural repairs, water conservation upgrades, weatherization, and installation of high-efficiency appliances.
Healthy Homes for Healthy Families is free for eligible residents, either owner or renter, of single family and multi-family (up to four-unit) residential buildings in suburban Cook County. The program is open to residents earning up to 120 percent of area median income who reside in a high-risk zip code for pediatric lead poisoning or in a disadvantaged census tract defined by the federal government.
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Lake County studying ways to reduce SOV commuter trips
The Lake County of Division of Transportation (LCDOT) has released a draft report with strategies and recommendations to reduce single-occupancy vehicle (SOV) trips in the county.
In Lake County, 80 percent of commuter trips are taken by people driving alone in their cars, trucks, and vans — or SOVs. In 2020, LCDOT launched the My Commute Lake County study to help reduce that percentage.
ON TO 2050, the region's long-range plan, sets a target to reduce SOV commute trips. Reducing SOV trips has many benefits, including reduced congestion, better air quality, and healthier residents, to name a few.
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Navigating the low-impact solar development process
Join Great Plains Institute for the second workshop in its Illinois Low-Impact Solar series! This free workshop, focusing on community engagement, planning, and tools, takes place Monday, April 8, at 10:30 a.m.
Featuring speakers from government agencies, the solar industry, The Nature Conservancy, and the Great Lakes Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Center, the workshop addresses:
- The importance of proactively engaging the community in the low-impact solar energy development process.
- Technical assistance to help understand opportunities and learn from previous projects.
- Accessing funding from the federal and state governments that prioritize remediation and energy redevelopment of marginal lands.
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Technical assistance available for Community Change Grants Program
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) is accepting applications for the Community Change Grant Program for local governments, community-based nonprofit organizations, and institutions of higher education to address climate challenges and reduce pollution. The notice of funding opportunity closes Thursday, November 21. The USEPA reviews grant applications on a rolling basis.
Communities in disaster-prone and disadvantaged areas can receive free technical assistance to support their pursuit of a grant, especially for projects related to climate resilience and long-term natural disaster recovery.
Over the course of about four months, the USEPA offers free design assistance, community engagement, and partnership development workshops that result in shovel-ready climate resilience projects and supportive coalitions eligible for Community Change Grant funding.
The USEPA will accept requests for assistance on a rolling basis until 50 recipients have been identified.
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Grants available to enhance coastal protection through nature-based solutions
The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) is accepting grant proposals for nature-based solution plans, designs, and implementation through the National Coastal Resilience Fund. The goal is to enhance protection for coastal communities from the impacts of storms, floods, and other natural coastal hazards and to improve habitats for fish and wildlife.
The NFWF will award about $140 million to create and restore natural systems to increase protection for communities from current and future coastal hazards and improve habitats for fish and wildlife species. Pre-proposal are due Wednesday, April 10.
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USEPA offers pollution reduction assistance grants
The USEPA is accepting applications for pollution prevention projects in midwestern states, including Illinois. This competitive grant, through the Source Reduction Assistance Grant Program, provides funding for projects that promote practical source reduction practices, tools, and training to improve human and environmental health.
Pollution prevention, also known as source reduction, is any practice that reduces, eliminates, or prevents pollution at its source prior to recycling, treatment or disposal. Pollution prevention conserves natural resources, including water and energy, by focusing industry, government and public attention on reducing pollution through cost-effective changes in production, operation, and the use of raw materials. The deadline to apply is Monday, April 15.
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NEVI program accepting applications for EV charging stations
The Illinois Department of Transportation is accepting applications for Round 1 of the Illinois National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Program, which will provide up to $50 million for the construction of 46 charging stations across the state.
The Illinois NEVI program aims to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles by providing reliable access to charging on Illinois interstates and is part of a series of comprehensive initiatives to achieve the state's goal of becoming a leader in manufacturing and deploying electric vehicles.
Applications for funding must be submitted by Tuesday, May 7, at 5:00 p.m.
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Community Solar Energy Sovereignty Grant Program
The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity is accepting applications to the Community Solar Energy Sovereignty Grant Program, which provides grants to plan, develop, and execute community solar projects. The grant program provides upfront capital to support the development of community solar projects and provides seed capital and pre-development funding to support community ownership of renewable energy projects. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until Monday, July 1.
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Transition planning assistance available for clean buses
Applications are open for the Clean Bus Planning Awards, which provide school and transit bus fleets with free technical assistance to develop comprehensive and customized fleet electrification transition plans.
Clean Bus Planning Awards connect transit and school bus fleets with technical experts to support planning for bus electrification. Fleets also have the option to receive free deployment assistance from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) at the completion of their plan. The NREL manages the program and accepts applications on a rolling basis.
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USEPA launches EJ grants news and updates webpage
The USEPA's Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights created an environmental justice (EJ) grants news and updates webpage where they will post program deadline reminders and updates, upcoming and past engagement opportunities, and grantee success stories.
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