ABQ Times

The City of Albuquerque has unveiled the initial deliverable for the Climate Pollution Reduction Grant’s Planning Program, following the receipt of a substantial $1 million in funding earlier this year. Referred to as the Priority Climate Action Plan (PCAP), this document serves as the first step towards mitigating climate pollution and advancing the interests of frontline communities within the Albuquerque Metro Statistical Area.

In a statement, Mayor Tim Keller emphasized the importance of addressing climate injustices, stating, "Climate change impacts us all, but we know that our frontline communities take on the largest burden of climate injustices." Keller highlighted the city's commitment to fostering equity and resilience across the entire Albuquerque metro area.

The release of the PCAP report signifies the commencement of a comprehensive four-year planning initiative involving multiple jurisdictions. Alice Main, the City of Albuquerque’s Carbon Pollution Reduction Grant Manager, expressed confidence in the city's approach to developing impactful climate action plans. Main stated, “We demonstrated that the City of Albuquerque has an effective method for developing meaningful community-driven climate action plans with the successful development and application of our 2021 Climate Action Plan.”

Moving forward, the next phase of the EPA’s Climate Pollution Reduction Grant will focus on coordinating regional collaborations and establishing the metro area's first greenhouse gas inventory. This data-driven approach aims to empower governments, industries, and individuals to make informed decisions that contribute to pollution reduction and community upliftment.

The planning grant is set to kick off a comprehensive public engagement campaign in the upcoming summer months. Interested parties can access the full PCAP report to explore the initial roster of implementation-ready projects and delve deeper into the grant's objectives by visiting cabq.gov/CPRG.