SPOKANE, Wash. – Gonzaga University’s Institute for Climate, Water, and the Environment received a $19.9 million grant from the EPA to help reduce pollution and other climate projects.
The university applied for the funding with plans to create the “Spokane Climate Resilience Project,” hoping to increase community climate resilience and build capacity to address environmental and climate justice challenges in the Spokane community.
The award is the largest federal grant in the university’s history, pushing the Spokane community in the right direction.
“In collaboration with our partners, this grant will be a much-needed catalyst that will set Spokane on the path to being a more environmentally just and climate-resilient community,” said Brian G. Henning, Director of the Climate Institute.
The funding will directly impact low-income families, as $8 million will be used to install electric heat pumps and HVAC systems in 300 homes.
The grant also aims to inspire students within the Gonzaga community. Gonzaga will provide scholarships for nine Spokane residents to join the certificate program in climate action planning at the university.
Spokane leaders commended the grant and the work that Gonzaga is doing in research and serving the community.
“This award is an important achievement for our city as we work to mitigate the effects of climate change,” said Spokane Mayor Lisa Brown. “The Spokane Climate Resilience Project will help our most vulnerable families and neighborhoods be more healthy and resilient.”
