Money Available for Methane Reduction Projects
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is making up to $5 million in grants available to U.S. and international organizations to fund innovative, international methane reduction and use projects that cut global climate pollution.
The grants will be issued through the Methane to Markets Partnership, a public-private partnership that reduces greenhouse gas (GHG) pollution by promoting the cost-effective, near-term recovery and use of methane, a GHG that is more than 20 times more potent than carbon dioxide.
Proposals are due by April 15, at 1 p.m. EST. EPA estimates that awards would be made at the end of 2010.
Methane capture and use projects supported by the partnership through grants and other means are currently reducing emissions by more than 27.3 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent annually – equivalent to the annual emissions from 5 million passenger vehicles.
Non-profit or government organizations in any country may apply for grant funding, but projects should take place in the following Methane to Markets Partner countries: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, China, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Georgia, India, Kazakhstan, Republic of Korea, Mexico, Mongolia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Poland, Russia, Thailand, Ukraine, and Vietnam. If an organization wishes to submit an application for a project in a developing country or a country with an economy in transition that is not listed above, the country must first apply to the Methane to Markets Partnership before the project can be considered for funding.
Grant proposals should support feasibility studies, technology transfer, deployment of technology, training, methane emissions inventories, and other activities that promote methane capture and use. The agency expects to award up to 35 cooperative assistance agreements ranging from approximately $100,000 to $750,000.