Dept of Energy & Environmental Protection

Description:this Agreement Provides Funding Under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) to Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (CT Deep) to Develop a Comprehensive, Economy-wide Climate Mitigation Plan or Update an Existing Plan in Collaboration With Air Pollution Control Districts, and Large and Small Municipalities Statewide, and Tribal Governments That Will Support Actions to Reduce Greenhouse Gases (GHG) and Harmful Air Pollutants and to Conduct Meaningful Engagement With Low- Income and Disadvantaged Communities. Specifically, the Recipient Will Build Upon CT'S Existing Climate Planning Efforts and GHG Reduction Goals, Summarize Implementable Policies, Programs and Actions to Reduce Emissions, and Develop New Analyses and Planning Where Needed. the Recipient Will Identify Policies, Programs, Projects, and Regulatory Actions That in Combination Are Likely to Achieve the State Climate Targets. All Analyses, Modeling Exercises, and Policy Research to Inform Deliverables Will Build Upon and Be Shaped by Robust Stakeholder Engagement Across the State. Activities:in General, Activities Include the Development, Updating, and Evaluation of Plans to Reduce Climate Pollution (i.e., to Reduce GHG Emissions And/or Enhance Carbon Sinks). Specific Activities Include Building Upon Existing Strategic Plans to Re-affirm and Refine, as Needed, a Priority List of Mitigation Actions That Will Also Look to Unlock Cutting Edge Decarbonization Strategies, Capitalizing on the Important Planning and Coordinating Role Councils of Governments (COGS) Play in Connecticut, and Coordinating With the CT Department of Transportation as They Develop a Carbon Reduction Strategy. CT Deep Will Assess Mitigation Actions and Sinks of GHGS and Criteria Air Pollutant Sources and May Address a Variety of Sub-sectors Not Yet Robustly Studied Within CT, Such as, But Not Limited to, Waste Planning, Natural and Working Lands; Off-road and Non-road Engines; Locomotives, Marine, Aircraft and Airports to the Extent Not Federally Preempted; Industrial Processes; Government-owned Property and Assets; and Natural Gas Supply, Distribution and Service. CT Deep Will Also Provide Quantitative and Qualitative Analyses to Help All Levels of CT Government Determine the Benefits of GHG Reductions for the State. Cost-benefit Analyses Will Also Quantify the Impacts of GHG Reductions in Low-income and Disadvantaged Communities. a Thorough Review of Federal, State, and Local Funding and Financing Opportunities Will Accompany Policy Recommendations, and a Review of State and Local Authority to Implement Each Policy or Program Will Also Be Incorporated Into Each Recommendation. All Analyses, Modeling Exercises, and Policy Research Will Build Upon and Be Shaped by Robust Stakeholder Engagement Across the State. at Minimum, the CT Deep Expects to Collaborate With Sister State Agencies, Tribal Nations, Regional Cogs, Municipalities, and the Broader Public. Where Possible, Public Meetings Will Likely Be Held in Collaboration With Existing Climate, Equity, and Energy Organizations. to Support the Participation of Disadvantaged Communities in These Forums and Public Meetings, CT Deep Will Leverage the Expertise of Their Environmental Justice Office.subrecipient:no Subawards Are Included in This Assistance Agreement.outcomes:three Key Deliverables Will Be Produced and Submitted Over the Course of the Four-year Program Period, Including: a Priority Climate Action Plan (pcap), Due March 1, 2024; a Comprehensive Climate Action Plan (ccap), Due Two Years From the Date of the Award; and a Status Report, Due at the Close of the Grant Period. Other Expected Outputs Include: GHG and Criteria Air Pollution Reduction Targets to Support Compliance With State Climate Goals, Changes to Sector Emissions Trajectories, Benefit Analyses Including Cost Savings, Economic Development, Health, Electric Grid Reliability, And/or Resilience, Assessment of Workforce