The Mid-South Climate Action Plan is a collection of targets and recommendations that will guide the Memphis Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) toward a low-carbon economy, combat the adverse effects of climate change, and promote a sustainable future for the greater Memphis area.
Working alongside 20 committed jurisdictions, the OSR team is preparing a regional greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory, GHG reduction goals, a list of high-priority, implementation-ready measures that may achieve these reduction goals, and an explanation of how these measures may benefit low-income and disadvantaged communities. Throughout this multi-year process, OSR will be organizing meaningful engagement opportunities with stakeholders and community members to ensure these GHG reduction plans reflect the needs of residents across the region.
This project is funded by the EPA’s Climate Pollution Reduction Grants (CPRG) program. This grant is intended to support a wide range of pollution reduction efforts, such as transitioning to renewable energy sources, implementing energy-efficient technologies, promoting sustainable transportation options, and adopting environmentally friendly practices across various sectors. As of September 2023, Memphis and surrounding municipalities are one of seventy-nine MSAs to receive funding to complete the grant’s first phase, the development of two climate action plans. After submitting the first Phase I materials in Summer 2024, OSR will apply for competitive funding to implement the measures identified in the climate action plans.
What is the Climate Pollution Reduction Grants Program?
The Climate Pollution Reduction Grants (CPRG) program is a two-phase initiative seeking to provide $5 billion in grants to states, local governments, tribes, and territories to develop and implement ambitious plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other harmful air pollution. Phase 1 of this program is offering $250 million for noncompetitive planning grants, and Phase 2 will award approximately $4.6 billion for competitive implementation grants to jurisdictions across the country. Currently, OSR and committed jurisdictions are working to complete the Priority Climate Action Plan (PCAP) by March 2024. PCAP deliverables include a GHG inventory, GHG reduction goals and strategies, and an explanation of how these measures may benefit low-income and disadvantaged communities. After completing the PCAP, OSR will begin work on the Comprehensive Climate Action Plan (CCAP) due in the fall of 2025. The CCAP is an expansion of the PCAP, but it incorporates more long-term GHG emission reduction goals.
Mid-South Climate Action Plan Area
The geographic extent of our work plan is the Memphis, TN-MS-AR Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), which includes Shelby County, TN; Tipton County, TN; Fayette County, TN; DeSoto County, MS; Tunica County, MS; Tate County, MS; Marshall County, MS; and Crittenden County, AR. Our office is coordinating with various entities to ensure the completion of the deliverables associated with the CPRG program. Updates will be made periodically as we move further along with this grant.