The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is solidifying its use of $27 billion in climate funds that have been in GOP crosshairs.
The agency announced that Friday, the second anniversary of the Inflation Reduction Act, which designated the money, it was officially obligating the funds to recipients. These entities can now access the funds, the agency said in a press release.
The move locks in this use of the money, which Republicans have indicated they would try to repeal if they take both chambers of Congress and the White House next year. That becomes much harder if the money is already in recipients’ hands.
In a written statement, EPA Administrator Michael Regan said the funds moved rapidly out of the government due to the urgency of climate change.
“With climate impacts increasingly impacting all Americans, and especially those in communities that have been historically left behind, EPA knew it had to move swiftly and deliberately to get this historic funding out the door,” Regan said.
“Two years after he signed the law, President Biden is delivering the full $27 billion that he secured in this legislation. American families will soon feel the benefits in the form of lower energy costs and revitalized communities, while the United States leads the clean energy economy of the future,” Regan added.
The agency’s plants for the funds have been previously announced, but Friday’s announcement makes it more official.
The EPA has said the funds will go to three overarching programs aimed at mitigating climate change and fighting pollution.
Of the $27 billion total, $7 billion will be split among 60 recipients, including states, territories, tribes, local governments and nonprofits, to bring solar power to disadvantaged communities.
More than half, $14 billion, will go to three nonprofits that will partner with states and the private sector to provide financing for climate-friendly projects across the country.
The remaining $6 billion will go to five institutions to create hubs for funding and technical assistance to deploy climate-friendly projects in low-income communities.
An EPA spokesperson said that with Friday’s announcement, the eight entities that fall under the latter two programs can start using their funds for implementation right away
The 60 that fall under the solar program will be able to use a small percentage of the funds while they continue to work with the EPA on work plans and budgets. Next year, after these plans have been approved, they will be able to access the full amount.
—Updated at 2:06 p.m.