Clean Energy: Illinois receiving $500 million from EPA to combat climate change

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — The federal government awarded Illinois over $500 million in grant funding to address climate change Friday. Gov. JB Pritzker plans to use the money to improve the state's zero emission technology and resources.

The Climate Pollution Reduction Grant will help implement projects aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions across the state. Pritzker said a portion of the funding will go towards heavy electric vehicles and charging equipment. Farmers will receive financial support to start sustainable climate-smart agricultural practices.

The state also plans to use funding for clean building technology to lower energy bills and make homes more comfortable.

"These projects will dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions and keep us on track to meet our climate goals that we set in the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act," Pritzker said.

The Environmental Protection Agency's Clean Ports Program could help Illinois upgrade and decarbonize port equipment, vehicles and infrastructure. Pritzker and Sen. Dick Durbin said this money will create good clean jobs to increase quality of life.

"If you look at the extreme weather events that are taking place around the country and around the world, if you hear that this may be the warmest year in recorded history, and you think this has consequences for our children and grandchildren, then what we're doing today could not be more important," Durbin said.

The EPA is on track to obligate nearly all of the funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act before the end of President Joe Biden's term. Leader said this is critical as the Trump administration may roll back clean energy regulations.

"I can't speak to what might happen," said EPA Regional Administrator Debra Shore. "We are just working as hard as possible to make sure that those funds that Congress allocated get disbursed and deployed in a way that make a difference in people's lives."

Shore said the federal government cannot take back this funding if the Trump administration decides to repeal the Inflation Reduction Act. The $500 million is already in the state's bank account.