ICYMI: Biden-Harris Administration Announces $47 Million Grant to Austin to Fight Climate Change and Slash Pollution

Austin, TX — This week, the Biden-Harris administration announced $47 million in funding to a coalition led by the City of Austin. The coalition will focus on expanding transit in low-income communities, in anticipation of a future light rail system. 

This funding comes as part of a 4.3 billion grant that will be distributed to projects in 30 states to reduce pollution and accelerate the clean energy boom across six sectors: transportation, electric power, commercial and residential buildings, industry, agriculture/ natural and working lands, and waste and materials management. 

“Since taking office, the Biden-Harris administration has prioritized the health, safety, and wallets of residents of Texas by investing in climate solutions,” said Climate Power Interim States Managing Director André Crombie. “This latest investment, designed to grow our country’s booming clean energy economy, focuses on community-driven solutions and will lead to cleaner air while creating more good-paying jobs. The Biden-Harris administration’s clean energy plan has already created more than 300,000 jobs and counting, strengthening our economy and protecting our environment for generations to come.”

The EPA funding announced this week also advances environmental justice goals by investing in communities that are disproportionately impacted by pollution and climate change. The Biden-Harris administration’s Justice40 initiative ensures that 40% of the benefits of federal climate and clean energy policies go to under-resourced communities across the country that for too long have not had a seat at the table when it comes to environmental issues. 

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