North Dakota has been selected to receive a $7.28 million Climate Pollution Reduction Grant as part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s Investing in America agenda, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced in a news release.

The tribe will use the EPA funds to install new solar arrays and a community solar garden; retrofit existing housing to improve weatherization and energy efficiency of appliances and lighting; purchase electric vans for Tribal Health to transport elders, handicapped and vulnerable residents; install electric vehicle charging stations; promote waste-prevention and recycling practices for households, commercial and tribal offices; and install geothermal heat pumps.

“The Spirit Lake Tribe is very grateful for having the opportunity to be awarded the Climate Pollution Reduction Planning and Implementation grant funding,” said Joshua Tweeton, environmental director for the Spirit Lake Tribe. “This has given us an opportunity to sit down and analyze our major greenhouse gas emissions as well as come up with strategies to reduce these sources. With this newly awarded funding we will be able to put the plans and strategies into action. We hope this is only the beginning as we aim to continue to expand our initiatives in creating more energy efficient homes, clean affordable energy, while reducing pollution for future generations.”

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 are funded by the Inflation Reduction Act.