Rosebud, S.D. (September 5, 2024) – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the Rosebud Sioux Tribe in South Dakota has been selected to receive a $7,879,394 Climate Pollution Reduction Grant as part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s Investing in America agenda.   

The Tribe will use the EPA funds to install EV charging stations, purchase electric buses for transit routes and purchase and operate a heavy-duty EV garbage truck.  

“Thanks to President Biden and Vice President Harris’ leadership, today’s investment marks one of the largest climate investments EPA has ever made in Tribal and territorial communities. The ambitious projects selected will deploy community-driven solutions to fight climate change and protect public health,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “The Tribal and territory leaders selected today will fund innovative projects that improve air quality, deliver cleaner affordable electricity, and create economic and workforce opportunities that can be scaled up and replicated across Tribal lands and U.S. territories.” 

“These grants offer ways for our Tribal communities to develop new services and improve local health and environmental conditions, while also being a part of progress in developing cleaner energy,” said Regional Administrator KC Becker. “The Rosebud Sioux Tribe has an ambitious plan to transition to cleaner transportation and I’m thrilled this grant will help support that vision.” 

“This is a great opportunity for the Rosebud Sioux Tribe,” said Ivan Crow Eagle, Environmental Director of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe. “We are so humbled and grateful for the selection of the Rosebud Sioux Tribes Climate Pollution Reduction Grant application.  Words cannot express the selection to provide the Rosebud Sioux Tribe with such a glorifying opportunity to be awarded with a prestigious grant. The Rosebud Sioux Tribe is looking for more ways to provide more Green Energy opportunities and solutions to help with the structures, ecosystems, and the Environment for the people and wildlife of the Rosebud Reservation.” 

EPA has selected 34 applications to fund projects proposed by 33 Tribal recipients and the Municipality of Saipan in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands to implement community-driven solutions to tackle the climate crisis, reduce air pollution, advance environmental justice, and accelerate the clean energy transition. 

The grants for the proposed projects, which are funded by President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, will support the implementation of greenhouse gas reduction measures that were identified by Tribal and territorial communities. When estimates provided by all selected applicants are combined, the proposed projects would cumulatively reduce greenhouse gas pollution by over 7 million metric tons of carbon dioxide by 2050 – equivalent to the carbon dioxide emitted from nearly 1.4 million homes' electricity use for one year. 

Today’s selections mark the latest phase of investment under this first-of-its kind, nearly $5 billion Climate Pollution Reduction Grants program. In July, EPA announced selected applications from the CPRG Implementation Grants General Competition to receive $4.3 billion in funding. In 2023, EPA provided $250 million in planning grants to develop climate action plans. Those plans served as the basis for greenhouse gas reduction measures proposed in the CPRG implementation grant applications.  

The selected applications will target greenhouse gas pollution from six sectors of the economy with a particular focus on the transportation, electric power, and commercial and residential buildings sectors, while spurring workforce development and job creation in Indian Country and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. 

Today’s investment and ongoing CPRG technical support for planning grant recipients are consistent with President Biden’s Executive Order 14112 on Reforming Federal Funding and Support for Tribal Nations to Better Embrace Our Trust Responsibilities and Promote the Next Era of Tribal Self-Determination. The Executive Order demonstrates the Biden-Harris Administration’s respect for Tribal sovereignty and its commitment to ushering in the next era of Tribal self-determination by directing agencies to reform federal programs for greater autonomy of Tribal Nations over how Tribes can invest federal funding. The Executive Order also directs agencies to make federal funding less burdensome and more accessible for Tribal Nations. 

The Climate Pollution Reduction Grants program is also advancing President Biden’s historic Justice40 Initiative, which aims to ensure 40% of the overall benefits of certain climate, clean energy, and other federal investments flow to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution.   

EPA made its Tribes and Territories Competition selections following a review of 110 applications that requested a total of more than $1.3 billion in funding. The agency expects to award funds under both the Tribes and Territories Competition and the General Competition later this year, once all legal and administrative requirements are satisfied.  

See the complete list of selected applications. 

Learn about the CPRG program.