Oregon receives nearly $200 million to fight greenhouse gas emissions

PORTLAND, Ore. ( KOIN ) – Oregon will receive $197 million from the Environmental Protection Agency as the state races to meet greenhouse gas emission reduction goals by 2035.

The funding — which stems from the EPA’s Climate Pollution Reduction Grant — is the largest award announced for the Pacific Northwest, Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek announced Monday.

“Reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is a critical strategy to mitigate the impacts of climate change,” Kotek said. “When I was Speaker of the House, I fought for ambitious GHG reduction goals. This investment is not only an affirmation of Oregon’s collective efforts to combat climate change, but a significant down payment on our ability to meet our reduction goals with a statewide approach. I want to thank Oregon’s congressional delegation for their partnership in making this key investment happen.”

EPA Regional Administrator Casey Sixkiller said every community feels the impacts of climate change from heat waves and drought to increased wildfire smoke and severe winter storms — noting communities must work together to reduce carbon emissions.

“Through the Biden Administration’s Inflation Reduction Act, EPA is partnering with states and local communities to make the largest investments ever in green buildings, clean energy transportation, and climate justice, and the State of Oregon continues to lead the way,” Sixkiller said.

Meredith Connolly, the Director of Policy and Strategy for the nonprofit Climate Solutions , added, in part, “This level of funding will enable investments in every corner of Oregon, making clean energy solutions more affordable, our air cleaner, and our economy greener. By transitioning to electric cars, buses, trucks, and heat pumps — all powered by renewable energy — we are also increasing our communities’ long-term resilience in the face of rising wildfire threats and extreme heat. Our organization along with many others stand ready to support the state’s implementation to ensure a swift reduction of climate pollution, with a strong focus on benefiting frontline communities and lower-income Oregonians across the state.”

Kotek’s office said the state will use the grant to implement measures outlined in Oregon’s Priority Climate Action Plan .

Measures in the plan are divided into three categories of some of the largest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions in Oregon: Transportation, residential and commercial buildings, and the handling of waste and materials.

The plan explains that in March 2020, former Oregon Gov. Kate Brown signed an executive order directing state agencies to take action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in order to help meet goals of reaching at least 45% below 1990 emissions levels by 2035 and an 80% reduction by 2050.

State agencies that worked on the climate plan also worked on a transportation emissions website , which states Oregon is forecast to reach 60% emissions reduction by 2050.

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