An initiative to promote cleaner air, economic development, and thriving communities throughout South Carolina

What is the Palmetto Air Quality Collaborative?

The Palmetto Air Quality Collaborative (PAQC) is a 4-year planning initiative to develop innovative strategies to reduce greenhouse gases (GHG) and air pollution in South Carolina. This initiative intends to lay the groundwork for lowering air emissions, engaging communities, and supporting workforce and economic development opportunities. The PAQC is led by the SC Office of Resilience (SCOR) and is funded through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Climate Pollution Reduction Grant (CPRG) program.

Current Initiative: Clean Air Strategies for South Carolina (CASSC)

The PAQC is in the process of developing the Clean Air Strategies for South Carolina (CASSC), the second deliverable due to EPA under the CPRG program. The CASSC is due on June 1, 2026, and will include a greenhouse gas emissions inventory, projections of future emissions, and strategies to reduce emissions. The strategies will highlight the associated economic, community, and environmental benefits and potential funding opportunities. 

 South Carolina Priority Climate Action Plan

South Carolina Priority Climate Action Plan, 2024 (PDF)

Following several months of stakeholder and community engagement, intergovernmental and interagency coordination, input survey feedback, and Action Team meetings, the Palmetto Air Quality Collaborative produced the South Carolina Priority Climate Action Plan. It was submitted to the U.S. EPA on March 1, 2024.

Sign Up for the PAQC Mailing List

If you are interested in receiving updates and information about the PAQC initiative, please use the button below to sign up for the PAQC mailing list.

Resources

Program Introduction

• This presentation is an overview of the Palmetto Air Quality Collaborative (PAQC) and the process to develop the Priority Climate Action Plan (PCAP). These slides were presented at webinars during the week of December 11, 2023.
  • Presentation Slides link: PAQC Overview Presentation (PDF)

 

Public Outreach Webinars

• SCOR hosted two “open house” webinars on January 30 and January 31, 2024. Webinars provided an overview of the SC Office of Resilience, the CPRG program, the Palmetto Air Quality Collaborative, and the key contents of the  Draft Priority Climate Action Plan.
  • Presentation slides link: PAQC Open House Webinars

FAQs

What is the CPRG program?

The Climate Pollution Reduction Grant (CPRG) is administered and funded through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). States, regional governments, Tribes, and U.S. territories were eligible to receive funding to develop strategies for improving air quality and increasing other benefits for their communities. CPRG consists of two phases: 1) planning grants, and 2) implementation grants.

How is South Carolina involved in the two phases of CPRG?

South Carolina is participating in the CPRG Phase I program. In addition, the Catawba Indian Nation, Berkeley-Charleston-Dorchester (BCD) Council of Governments (COG), Catawba Regional COG, and Central Midlands COG received CPRG funding for planning. CPRG Phase I planning grants provided state governments with $3 million and regional governments with $1 million. The SC Office of Resilience (SCOR) formed the Palmetto Air Quality Collaborative with CPRG Phase I funding to complete the EPA program deliverables and requirements.

CPRG Phase II implementation grants provided $4.6 billion nationwide through a competitive application process. The State of South Carolina, through the SC Office of Resilience, and the Central Midlands COG were awarded implementation grants. Overall, South Carolina will receive approximately $89 million as part of the Atlantic Conservation Coalition for land conservation activities. The Central Midlands COG will receive approximately $8.7 million for smart surfaces and solar projects.

What are the CPRG Phase I requirements?

During the 4-year planning grant period, the PAQC must provide EPA with three deliverables: 1) the Priority Climate Action Plan (PCAP), due March 1, 2024; 2) the Clean Air Strategies for South Carolina (CASSC), due June 1, 2026; and 3) the Final Status Report, due June 2027. More on the grant requirements can be found in the planning guidance published by EPA.