As the lead organization for CPRG planning deliverables, the City of Knoxville was awarded a CPRG planning grant in 2023 and has partnered with the Knoxville Regional Transportation Planning Organization (TPO) to conduct regional outreach. Tennessee is one of 47 states that accepted funding, and the Knoxville MSA was one of three municipalities within the state that received separate funding.

PCAP

The Priority Climate Action Plan (PCAP) was the first deliverable due under the planning grant and includes a final list of GHG reduction measures.

 Final PCAP

To complete this work, the City of Knoxville:

• Reviewed existing climate plans and planning documents to assess already identified priorities for reducing GHG emissions across the region,
• Compiled additional information on project ideas and priorities through distribution of a survey to the Stakeholder Advisory Committee,
• Created an initial list of measures categorized by sector,
• Reviewed each measure against screening criteria to prioritize the list of measures, and
• Shared the draft measures with the Stakeholder Advisory Committee to identify potential gaps and confirm agreement on the list.

CCAP

the City of Knoxville is responsible for developing a comprehensive climate plan (CCAP) by mid-2025 and a Status Report on CCAP progress due to EPA in 2027. Through this planning process, the City of Knoxville will identify opportunities for meaningful engagement with the public, stakeholders, industry, community organizations, local governments, and more. This input will be essential in implementing actions that reduce GHG emissions.

• The CCAP will include the following:
• An updated GHG inventory for the state
• Comparison of GHG projections for a business as usual scenario against an emissions reduction scenario
• GHG reduction targets for the Knoxville MSA (short- and long-term)
• A comprehensive list of GHG reduction measures that address economy-wide emissions  for each measure:
  • Quantified estimates of GHG reduction and costs
  • Key implementing agency or agencies
  • Implementation schedule and milestones
  • Expected geographic location, if applicable
  • Quantified estimates of co-pollutant reductions (e.g., PM2.5, NOx, SO2, VOCs, air toxics)
  • A more robust or quantified analysis of benefits for LIDACs
  • A review of the statutory or regulatory authority to implement the measure (and a schedule and milestones for key entities to obtain it if not existing)
  • Identification of secured funding sources
  • Metrics for tracking progress
  • A workforce planning analysis

Implementation Grants

Implementation grants distributed $4.6 billion to eligible applicants. These funds will be used to implement GHG reduction programs, policies, projects, and measures identified in a PCAP developed under a CPRG planning grant. 

Lead organizations for CPRG planning grants submitted their PCAPs to EPA by March 1, 2024, in order for lead organizations and other eligible applicants to be eligible to receive funding for measures found in those plans. EPA announced awards earlier this summer.