Hear from the Steering Committee

Earlier this year, the US EPA established the Climate Pollution Reduction Grant (CPRG) program to help metropolitan areas address greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in ways that are sensitive to local needs and that reflect local priorities. The Cincinnati metropolitan statistical area has received a $1 million planning grant to collaborate on regional level strategies to reduce harmful emissions and produce a plan that will lead to more sustainable communities.

With the OKI Regional Council of Governments, Green Umbrella, Southwest Ohio Air Quality Agency, Northern Kentucky Area Development District, Indiana University Environmental Resilience Institute, and the City of Cincinnati leading the regional planning partnership, the Greater Cincinnati Region is embarking on the path to produce the ThriveTogether plan. This plan operates as the doorway to highly competitive implementation grant funding that can be transformative for our region. The total amount of money that has been allocated to the CPRG program is $4.3 billion. The EPA anticipates awarding individual grants between $2 million and $500 million in 2024.

ThriveTogether wants to ensure the plan and any implementation dollars prioritizes the voice and climate justice needs of communities across Greater Cincinnati. To ensure a regional and diverse perspective throughout the planning process, OKI is convening a Steering Committee to provide guidance and input at key moments in the plan development process, as well as a regional submission for implementation funds. The first Steering Committee meeting will be held in December 12, 2023 and will be followed by six additional meetings through spring 2027.

Please view the recording of the meeting here.