Public Asked to Provide Input at Regional Climate Pollution Reduction Grant (CPRG) Meetings
The Southwest Missouri Council of Governments (SMCOG) has partnered with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to host three regional public meetings to assess the need for climate pollution reduction, inform communities about Missouri's climate planning efforts, and identify prospective greenhouse gas emission reduction projects in our area.
Examples of eligible projects include, but are not limited to, increasing renewable energy generation (such as solar, wind, etc.), increasing energy storage capacity, increasing energy generation from sources other than carbon (such as nuclear), weatherization projects to improve a building's energy efficiency, appliance efficiency upgrades, increasing use of electric vehicles, sustainable agriculture, and increasing use of recycled materials. Attendees are requested to submit additional project ideas to be considered as allowable projects under this program. Additionally, all Missourians are asked to complete a community survey prior to November 30, 2023.
The projects proposed in the regional meetings will be evaluated in a formal report to be submitted to DNR to include in Missouri’s Priority Climate Action Plan. Next Spring, CPRG implementation funding will be released by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as part of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 with the aim of funding the proposed projects from the regional meetings. EPA has not yet released information about eligible funding recipients or specific projects for the implementation phase of the CPRG Program. Once released, more details will be added to DNR’s website. In support of EPA’s program goal of directing 40% of CPRG benefits to marginalized, underserved, and overburdened groups, we highly encourage public participation from all residents in the SMCOG 10-county region.
Meetings will be held in-person as well as virtually over Zoom. Feel free to share with interested parties.
Branson: Wednesday, November 15, 2023 | 10:00 AM | Branson City Hall, Council Chambers, 110 W Maddux St. Branson, MO 65616
Springfield: Wednesday, November 15, 2023 | 5:30 PM | Springfield Library Station, Frisco Community Room, 2535 N Kansas Expy, Springfield, MO 65803
Springfield: Wednesday, November 29, 2023 | 10:00 AM | Springfield Library Station, Frisco Community Room, 2535 N Kansas Expy, Springfield, MO 65803
Virtual meeting link: https://missouristate.zoom.us/j/2902982371
Community survey link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CPRG-Community-Engagement-Survey
The Southwest Missouri Council of Governments (SMCOG) is a regional planning commission and an association of local governments which oversees the growth and development of the region. SMCOG serves a ten-county region including Barry, Christian, Dade, Dallas, Greene, Lawrence, Polk, Stone, Taney, and Webster counties. SMCOG is one of 19 state appointed regional planning organizations throughout Missouri.
Please contact Kelsi Burton at KelsiBurton@MissouriState.edu or 417-836-3031 for more information or to request accommodations.