State grants totaling $4.3 billion have been announced by the Biden administration in an effort to lessen climate change and cut greenhouse gas emissions.

The 25 projects in 30 states that are funded by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) through its Climate Pollution Reduction Grants fall into categories such as clean energy, agriculture, EV charging, and natural CO2-reducing initiatives.

The Clean Corridor Coalition’s proposal for an electric vehicle charger network along I-95 and a Nebraska plan to increase solar power and energy efficiency on farms are two of the Biden EPA’s climate initiatives. States like the Carolinas, Maryland, Montana, and Virginia have also developed forests and wetlands.

According to the EPA, the combined efforts might reduce CO2 emissions by up to 971 million metric tons by 2050, which is the same as the energy use of 5 million average households at that time.

There aren’t many reductions overall. The US generated more than 6.3 billion metric tons of CO2-equivalent emissions in 2022 alone, according to the EPA. But this is also a component of the larger Inflation Reduction Act, which invested $783 billion in energy and climate initiatives.

There is a demand to allocate funds for environmental goals from a number of sources. Biden has promised to cut greenhouse emissions in half by 2030 in order to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. That may be the aim of every funded project.

Additionally, if the Republicans win in 2024, there is fear that investment plans may be shortened. The party has a history of supporting increased oil extraction while opposing financing for climate change initiatives. Regardless of whether a party controls the federal government, pledges made now could ensure that the projects proceed.

The $7.5 billion EV program, despite its initial $7.5 billion investment, has faced criticism from Republicans due to its phased implementation and the lack of nationwide charging stations. Critics demand the removal of subsidies and other incentives, and some even propose laws to achieve this goal.