North Carolina is among the recipients of a $421 million grant from the Environmental Protection Agency in order to combat climate change, reduce air pollution, advance environmental justice, and improve climate resilience.
Rep. Deborah Ross announced the EPA funding on Monday, which is intended to reduce greenhouse gas admissions across North Carolina, South Carolina, Maryland, and Virginia, and preserve and restore thousands of acres of coastal wetlands and forests. North Carolina is expected to receive over $50 million from the grant.
The grant was awarded to the Atlantic Conservation Coalition, a partnership between the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, South Carolina Office of Resilience, Maryland Department of the Environment, and Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources. Ross joined Sen. Thom Tillis and representatives Valerie Foushee, Jeff Jackson, and Wiley Nickel in supporting the coalition’s application for the grant, according to her office.
According to Ross’ office, the Atlantic Conservation Coalition will partner with the The Nature Conservancy.
“I’m incredibly excited to see an historic $421 million coming to North Carolina and other mid-Atlantic states to combat the climate crisis and protect our rich environmental heritage through the Climate Pollution Reduction Grant program,” Ross said in a statement. “I supported our state’s application for this grant and fought to pass the Inflation Reduction Act to deliver transformative investments that will improve air and water quality, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and preserve our environment for generations to come. I’m proud to support this bold initiative and will continue working to create a better, more sustainable future for all North Carolinians.”