The City of Cheyenne is participating in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Climate Pollution Reduction Grant (CPRG) program and was awarded a $1 million planning grant in February 2024. The CPRG program provides federal funding for state governments, municipalities, tribes, and territories to develop and implement climate action plans that aim to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and other co-pollutants, increase workforce development, and engage the community in meaningful ways.
A Climate Action Plan is a strategic framework designed to measure, track, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions while adopting climate adaptation measures such as infrastructure improvements, ecosystem restoration, and emergency preparedness. CAPs can unlock significant economic opportunities like job creation in renewable energy sectors and cost savings from energy efficiency improvements.
Through this process, the City is focused on sustainability, prioritizing clean air, pure water, biodiversity, and natural resource conservation. The CPRG program and Climate Action Plans will help Cheyenne develop strategies and implementation plans that preserve the environment, enhance our quality of life, and promote economic prosperity.
Phase I Planning Activities
Priority Climate Action Plan (PCAP)
The first deliverable in Phase I was the Priority Climate Action Plan (due March 1st, 2024). This plan focused on high-priority, short-term, implementation-ready measures to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) Pollution within the Greater Cheyenne area. The Greater Cheyenne PCAP focused on GHG Reduction Strategies in:
- GHG Inventory for the Cheyenne MSA (Laramie County)
- Quantified GHG reduction measures
- A low-income and disadvantaged communities (LIDAC) benefits analysis
- A review of authority to implement
The PCAP also defined all activities that are eligible for Phase II implementation grants. Read the PCAP here.(PDF, 15MB)
Comprehensive Climate Action Plan (CCAP)
The second deliverable in Phase I is the Comprehensive Climate Action Plan (due February 2026). This plan will expand on the PCAP measures, touching on all significant GHG sources/sinks and industry sectors. The CCAP will establish both short-term and long-term GHG reduction targets, providing strategies and identifying implementation-ready measures across all major sectors to meet GHG reduction goals within the Greater Cheyenne area. The Greater Cheyenne CCAP will include:
- Analysis of all significant sources of GHGs and GHG emissions strategies for all sectors
- Updated GHG inventory with more state-specific data and current emissions profile
- Separate natural and working lands carbon inventory
- Continued engagement and prioritization of environmental justice communities
- Workforce planning analysis
Status Report
The third and final deliverable in Phase I is the Status Report (due February 2028). This report will include:
- Implementation status of the quantified GHG reduction measures identified in the CCAP
- Updates on all CCAP analyses and projections to support implementation
- Next steps for future budget and staffing needs to continue implementation
Sustainability Steering Committee (SSC)
Sustainability Steering Committee (SSC) Seeking Participants
We are seeking up to 15 community-based organizations and non-profits from across Laramie County to serve on the Sustainability Steering Committee (SSC) to help shape our regional climate action plan. The resulting plan will help guide the region’s efforts on sustainable industry diversification, workforce development, extreme weather adaptation, and improvements to community health. If you're interested in participating in the SSC, please email smaes@cheyennecity.org by Friday, August 31st. Committee members will be asked to participate in up to seven virtual meetings between August 2024 and February 2026.