Hopi and Pima-Maricopa tribes win $30 million to help clean up pollution and transition to clean energy

The Inflation Reduction Act ensured that 41,000 Arizonans were able to keep their health insurance, reduced the cost of insulin for over 28,000 Arizona seniors, and incentivized manufacturers to invest in the state and create more clean energy jobs. (Photo by Costfoto/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

By Robert Gundran

September 11, 2024

The Inflation Reduction Act awarded grants to 33 tribes.

Nearly $30 million is going to tribes in Arizona to help them cut down on climate pollution and accelerate a transition to clean energy.

The US Environmental Protection Agency said in a press release that Hopi Utilities Corporation and the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community have been selected to receive $20.1 and $9.7 million in climate pollution reduction grants.

The Hopi Reservation is in Navajo and Coconino counties, and part of the funding will go toward providing almost 900 homes with electricity.

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The Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community in Maricopa County has a “Go Green Initiative.” That initiative includes adding electric vehicles to its reservation fleet, planting 3,000 native trees, and constructing a renewable gas plant.

“Arizona’s tribal communities have long been at the forefront of developing effective solutions to the climate crisis, and I’m proud that Inflation Reduction Act funds will continue to support that important work,” Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly said in a statement.

The Inflation Reduction Act awarded grants to 33 tribes and the Commonwealth of Northern Marianas Islands. The grants are aimed at fighting the climate crisis, reducing air pollution, and accelerating a clean energy transition.

Find other cities and agencies that received grants from the EPA here.

Author

Robert Gundran

Robert Gundran grew up in the Southwest, spending equal time in the Valley and Southern California throughout his life. He graduated from Arizona State University's Walter Cronkite School of Journalism in 2018 and wrote for The Arizona Republic and The Orange County Register.

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CATEGORIES: CLIMATE

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