CLEVELAND — Federal, state, and local leaders gathered together in Brooklyn on Friday to celebrate the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) nearly $130 million grant to help reduce air pollution, lower emissions, lower energy costs and tackle climate change in Northeast Ohio.
Specifically, the EPA selected a Northeast Ohio coalition led by Cuyahoga County to receive a Climate Pollution Reduction Grant, a program authorized by the Inflation Reduction Act. Cuyahoga County will receive $30 million, the city of Cleveland will get $20 million, and the city of Painesville will receive $80 million in federal funds.
According to a release, Cuyahoga County and the city of Cleveland will collaborate to deploy 28 megawatts (MW) of renewable energy through five brownfield and landfill solar projects. Two of these projects will provide "clean, behind-the-meter electricity to two critical City and County facilities, the Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, and the future Cuyahoga County Central Services complex." In addition, the city of Cleveland also plans to utilize its funding to support a community park and public art project.
Meanwhile, the city of Painesville will use its funds to replace their coal-fired power plant, which has been operational since 1888, with a 35 MW solar installation and a 10 MW battery backup system. The solar installation will be situated on a multi-acre brownfield site in the city of Painesville.
"The new solar array, supported by CPRG funding, will help Painesville Municipal Electric reduce its reliance on fossil fuels, stabilize operating costs, and decrease peak electric loads, potentially eliminating the need for the coal plant," area leaders added in the release.
According to the EPA, the grant will create over 200 new jobs, while offering "retraining and transition assistance to those employed at the Painesville coal plant.
Friday's event was attended by Rep. Shontel Brown (D-OH-11), Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne, and Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb.
“This is a big win for Cuyahoga County," Rep. Brown said in a statement. "This grant is taking coal pollution out of the air and turning brownfields into clean energy engines. Reducing air pollution, lowering energy costs, and restoring natural habitats makes Northeast Ohio a better place to live. I was excited to join County Executive Ronayne, Mayor Bibb and others to announce this important investment in Northeast Ohio, because this is tangible. This is one of many reasons I was proud to vote for the Inflation Reduction Act, because transitioning to clean energy requires money, and the Biden-Harris Administration is making sure available dollars are equitably distributed."
