In support of the Narragansett Indian Tribe’s initiative to quantify its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and other air pollutants, VHB is inventorying the Tribe’s emissions sources in the preparation of a Priority Climate Action Plan (PCAP). This also includes identifying and quantifying the benefits of key mitigation measures, such as energy efficiency measures, building systems electrification, solar plus battery storage, and fleet electrification. VHB will then develop a Comprehensive Climate Action Plan (CCAP) using the completed baseline emissions inventories to prepare emissions forecasts and set reduction targets. The CCAP will expand on the PCAP’s mitigation measures to create a comprehensive set of strategies aimed at achieving the emissions reduction targets, while also defining their implementation conditions. The PCAP and CCAP are funded through a planning grant under the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Climate Pollution Reduction Grant (CPRG) program. VHB is also leading stakeholder engagement for the project, focusing on collaboration with a variety of internal departments and members of the Narragansett Indian Tribal community.
To support the implementation of the Climate Action Plan, VHB assisted the Tribe in securing a $6.6 million implementation grant, also provided through the EPA CPRG program. This grant will fund several energy efficiency, renewable energy and storage, and community education measures identified in the PCAP. VHB assisted with preparing the grant application narrative, quantifying emissions reductions, and assigning the budget. We will be assisting in developing the program work plan.
