[ST. PAUL, MN] – Governor Tim Walz today announced the State of Minnesota has submitted three proposals for funding through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Climate Pollution Reduction Grant (CPRG) program. The program, created through the Inflation Reduction Act , will distribute $4.6 billion in competitive grants for states, local governments, and Tribes to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other harmful air pollution.

“Acting on climate change is critical not only to protect our lakes, rivers, and great outdoors, but also for Minnesotans’ health and economic future,”  said Governor Walz.  “This funding will reduce climate pollution, lower energy bills, create jobs, improve our health and air quality, reduce hunger, and ultimately ensure Minnesota remains a great place to raise a family for generations to come.”

Minnesota’s applications for this federal grant funding were developed with extensive engagement among state agencies, cities, counties, Tribes, businesses, residents, and nonprofit organizations. Minnesotans contributed over 350 project ideas that provided the foundation for the initiatives included in these plans.

The result is three ambitious proposals, each laying the groundwork for necessary, transformative change in Minnesota’s transportation, housing, and food sectors to reduce climate pollution while empowering communities across our state.

The REACH Homes Minnesota proposal, submitted by a coalition of Tribes, local governments, and the state, will center the values of resilience, equity, affordability, carbon-Free, and health as we connect Minnesotans with climate-friendly housing. The project seeks $385 million to slash climate pollution from Minnesota’s residential buildings, one of two sectors where greenhouse gases are rising in the state.

The Minnesota Climate-Smart Food Systemsproposal will empower growers, processors, partners, and local communities to build a food system that reduces waste and climate pollution while nourishing Minnesotans statewide. The project seeks $200 million to implement a wide range of improvements to Minnesota’s food system including climate-smart farming practices, electrifying vehicles that transport food, and scaling up food waste prevention programs.

The Developing Regional Infrastructure for Vehicle Electrification (DRIVE) Midwest proposal is seeking $39 million to connect Midwestern states through an electric truck charging network for the heavy-duty vehicles we use to transport goods across state lines. The Minnesota Department of Transportation submitted this application in collaboration with peer agencies in Wisconsin and Michigan.

Learn more about Minnesota’s CPRG proposals.

Transportation remains Minnesota’s largest source of climate pollution , accounting for approximately 25% of the state’s greenhouse gas emissions. The agriculture, forestry, and land use sector is Minnesota’s second-largest source of greenhouse gases, with emission rates remaining stagnant in recent years. Climate pollution from Minnesota’s homes and apartment buildings has increased 14% over the past 15 years, one of two sectors where emissions are rising in the state.

In 2022 Minnesota launched the Climate Action Framework , which sets new goals to reduce climate pollution 50% by 2030 and achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions across the state by 2050. In 2023, the Walz-Flanagan administration passed the most ambitious climate agenda in the country, including a policy to power the state with carbon-free electricity by 2040 and close to $1 billion worth of investments in climate-related programs.

The EPA will review applications over the coming months. Awardees are expected to be announced by July 2024.