The West MI Healthy Climate Plan

GVMC Receives $1 Million from U.S. EPA's Climate Pollution Reduction Grant (CPRG) Program 

With funding from the Inflation Reduction Act through the US EPA’s Climate Pollution Reduction Grant (CPRG), GVMC and KERAMIDA are developing a comprehensive plan, known as the West Michigan Healthy Climate Plan (WMHCP), to reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions throughout Ionia, Kent, Montcalm, & Ottawa Counties.​ The goal of the WMHCP is to connect and uplift existing state, regional and local plans for the policies and programs it identifies.

Priority Climate Action Plan (PCAP)

The West Michigan Healthy Climate Plan is organized into two phases. The first phase began with the Priority Climate Action Plan (PCAP), which included a greenhouse gas inventory and technical working groups (action planning teams) that helped to identify high-priority, implementation-ready measures to reduce the rate of harmful emissions across the four county region. The PCAP was completed in March 2024.

The West Michigan Healthy Climate Plan PCAP can be found here.

Comprehensive Climate Action Plan (CCAP)

The second phase, known as the Comprehensive Climate Action Plan (CCAP), will focus on quantifying the measures identified in the PCAP to meet our targets. In other words, numbers will be put behind the ideas from the PCAP. Throughout this phase, policies and programs will be refined to illustrate an accurate roadmap to create a sustainable and resilient west Michigan.

Community engagement is one of the center pieces of this phase, facilitated through our Community Ambassador Program. The second opportunity for public comment during this phase will be from September through October 2025. More information coming soon.

The CCAP is currently under development.

Interested in Becoming a West Michigan Community Ambassador?

Local input will be used every step of the way. To ensure broad and inclusive participation, GVMC is developing a Community Ambassador program, where Ambassadors will gather input and feedback from their unique communities on the first draft of the WMHCP. Ambassadors will be compensated for attending training and community events to share this important work with the public. Public input from this phase will then be used to shape the final WMHCP.

Are you passionate about your community and the environment? We’re recruiting Community Ambassadors from Kent, Ottawa, Ionia, and Montcalm counties to gather ideas and feedback from local residents on important climate issues like waste, energy, transportation, and agriculture. See the video below to learn more.

👉 Program Details:

✔️ Runs from May 5 to June 22

✔️ Paid opportunity – earn $30 per hour, not to exceed $600

✔️ Flexible schedule – attend local events and engage with residents

✔️ No prior environmental experience required – just a passion for your community!

🌟 What You’ll Do:

✅ Attend a one-hour virtual training session on April 

✅ Collect ideas and feedback at community events

✅ Engage with local residents to gather insights on sustainability topics issues

✅ Help shape the West Michigan Healthy Climate Plan

💬 We’re looking for people who:

✔️ Care about their community

✔️ Communicate well with neighbors and friends

✔️ Want to make a real difference in West Michigan

📢 Ready to make an impact? Fill out our Ambassador interest form today to apply and help build a healthier future for West Michigan!

➡️https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfY55X_xA_WFoX2asf_-aqwj6344kMzhYhD4UjWNqy_BHzJqQ/viewform 

Project Timeline

Check out more details for each one of the listed categories here.

Key Milestones: 

• July 2023: EPA awarded grant money to GVMC 

• January 2024: First Public Engagement Meeting 

• March 1, 2024: Priority Climate Action Plan (PCAP) due to EPA 

• April 2024: Implementation Grant application due to EPA 

• August 2024 Working Group Kickoff

• April 2025 Community Surveys Launch  

• Fall 2025: Comprehensive Climate Action Plan (CCAP) due to EPA 

• Summer/Fall 2027: Status Report due to EPA 

Outreach and Engagement 

As GVMC moves forward, it is essential to prioritize low-income and disadvantaged communities, who are often the most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. This process will actively involve and empower these communities to help shape the actions and policies that will directly affect them across the four counties.

GVMC is committed to engaging the public through a series of meetings, starting in January 2024 and continuing throughout the planning process. These meetings allow stakeholders to share feedback and help shape our region's plan. Below, you'll find photos, videos from past meetings in Kent, Ottawa, and Ionia Counties, and an update on next steps.

Stay updated on future meeting dates, locations, and more ways to get involved on this page!

For More Information

• Climate Pollution Reduction Grants | US EPA. 

  • FAQ: Climate Pollution Reduction Grants
    

• MI Healthy Climate Plan

  • Please see EGLE’s most recent updates on the progress of the State’s MI Healthy Climate Plan here.

• What Are Greenhouse Gases and Why Do They Matter | NOAA Climate.gov

• Climate Change Connections: Michigan (The Great Lakes) | US EPA

Contact Us

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