Congresswoman Shontel Brown Announces $129 Million in Federal Funding to Reduce Air Pollution in Northeast Ohio Thanks to Inflation Reduction Act

Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Shontel Brown (OH-11) and the Biden-Harris Administration announce$129,396,997 in federal funding to reduce air pollution, lower emissions and tackle the climate crisis in Northeast Ohio. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has selected a coalition led by Cuyahoga County to receive aClimate Pollution Reduction Grant. This grant program is authorized by the Inflation Reduction Act, which Congresswoman Brown proudly voted for.

With support from the federal grant, Cuyahoga County, along with the cities of Cleveland and Painesville, will support the transition from a coal-fired power plant in Northeast Ohio by funding the deployment of 63 megawatts of solar installations on brownfields and previous landfill sites and 10 megawatts of battery storage. The coalition will also restore natural habitat and expand tree coverage on a brownfield near Lake Erie and create pollinator habitats at the selected solar sites. According to the EPA, the grant will create over 200 new jobs and offer retraining and transition assistance for individuals employed at the coal plant in Painesville. For more information click here.  

“This is a big win for Cuyahoga County and a major investment in our future. Reducing air pollution, deploying clean energy, and restoring natural habitats makes Northeast Ohio a better place to live. I’m excited to join the EPA in announcing such a significant investment in our local community and commend Cuyahoga County leadership for securing this funding. 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,” said Congresswoman Shontel Brown. 

The Climate Pollution Reduction Grants advance President Biden’s historic Justice40 Initiative, which aims to ensure 40% of the overall benefits of certain climate, clean energy, and other federal investments flow to disadvantaged communities that are overburdened by pollution.  

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