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EPA Awards North Central Texas Council of Governments Over $480,000 in Climate Showcase Communities Grant

Release Date: 11/10/2011
Contact Information: Dave Bary or Joe Hubbard at 214-665-2200 or r6press@epa.gov

(DALLAS – November 10, 2011) The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced today the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) is receiving $486,767 in Climate Showcase Communities grant funding to establish a Freight Efficiency Outreach Center in North Central Texas. This center will support NCTCOG’s current role as an affiliate of the EPA SmartWay Transport Partnership, which focuses on increasing efficiency and reducing emissions from the freight sector.
 
The Climate Showcase Communities Program consists of 50 local and tribal governments that received $20 million in EPA grant funding in 2009 and 2010 to pilot innovative, cost-effective and replicable community-based greenhouse gas reduction projects. These projects will help their communities increase energy efficiency and save consumers money with new practices involving waste management, energy production and land use management.
 
These Climate Showcase Communities are showing their commitment to combat climate change by contributing matching funds as well as sharing lessons learned to help other communities replicate successful projects. Communities selected for the Climate Showcase funds were required to show their ability to track, measure and show progress toward achieving ongoing greenhouse gas reductions.
 
“I am pleased that the North Central Texas Council of Governments is one of the organizations leading the way in saving energy and reducing pollution,” said EPA Regional Administrator Al Armendariz. “This is a great example for others to follow in reducing energy use, saving money and improving our environment.”
 
The pilot communities estimate that by 2014 the projects will avoid more than 350,000 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions each year. This is equivalent to the annual emissions from almost 70,000 passenger vehicles or the energy used by 30,000 homes and would save nearly $19 million per year in energy costs. The projects will improve public health and quality of life by improving indoor and outdoor air quality, increasing walk-ability and reducing household energy bills.
 
In North Texas, greenhouse gas emissions are expected to be reduced by about 2,540 metric tons per year, and the freight industry is projected to save 277,102 gallons of diesel fuel per year.
 
“The North Central Texas Council of Governments is very appreciative of the EPA for selecting us to receive a Climate Showcase Communities grant to help fund the Dallas-Fort Worth area’s first Freight Efficiency Outreach Center,” said Mike Eastland, executive director of the NCTCOG. “This center will benefit both the freight operators and the region by improving fuel efficiency and reducing ozone-causing pollution. This grant will enable us to continue our cooperative effort with the freight industry to improve the air quality in North Texas and to ensure that this region remains a place of choice for job creation and livability.”
 
The Climate Showcase Communities Grant Program is administered by the EPA, providing technical assistance, tools and guidance to help state, local and tribal governments implement policies and programs to mitigate climate change.
 
More information of the grants and grant recipients is available at https://www.epa.gov/statelocalclimate/local/showcase/
 
More about activities in EPA Region 6 is available at https://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/region6.html
 
EPA audio file is available at https://www.epa.gov/region6/6xa/podcast/nov2011.html