PORTLAND, OR -- Oregon is getting one of 25 federal grants to reduce carbon emissions. EPA Regional Administrator Casey Sixkiller announced the state's nearly $200 million award Monday in Portland, "A truly historic investment by the United State Environmental Protection Agency in supporting efforts on the ground, here in the state of Oregon that recognizes the role the state of Oregon plays as a leader, not just here in the Pacific Northwest, but around the country, in curbing carbon emissions and working to address climate change that so many of our communities are facing today."

Sixkiller says the Oregon secured the Climate Pollution Reduction Grant with a strong proposal, "Oregon's plan to invest in building de-carbonization, electric vehicle incentives and infrastructure, and other scalable approaches will be a guide to other states and regions as they seek to implement strategies that truly make a difference."

Leah Feldon, Director of Oregon's Department of Environmental Quality, says the money will be used to substantially decrease greenhouse gas emissions, "With this funding, Oregon is focused on three categories of work that are among the largest contributors to Oregon's greenhouse gas emissions: waste and materials, buildings and transportation." Oregon Housing and Community Services will receive $11 million of the award, to increase energy efficiencies in affordable housing. OHCS officials say it will help decrease utility bills for low-income families.

Governor Tina Kotek says the investment affirms the work the state is already doing to fight climate change. "These new dollars from the federal government, through the Inflation Reduction Act, will accelerate our ability to do more with the effective programs that are already on the ground, here in Oregon." She went on to say, "This work will go hand in hand with our forthcoming energy strategy, our future comprehensive climate action plan and our state environmental justice mapping tool," adding, "Mitigating climate change by reducing our greenhouse gas emissions requires enormous effort and prioritization of our resources. And to meet the ambitious climate reduction goals we have set, we have to make sure these resources are accessible to all communities around our state."

The EPA received more than 300 applications for Climate Pollution Reduction Grant, doling out $4.3 billion to 25 recipients.