On Wednesday, May 31, 2023, the County of Ventura CEO Sustainability Division applied as the lead agency for the Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) for a non-competitive $1M planning grant under the Climate Pollution Reduction Grants (CPRG). The CPRG is a dual-phased grant program offered by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to assist States, MSAs, Territories and Tribes with developing and implementing plans to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and other harmful pollutants.

Sustainability plans to develop a Regional Climate Action Plan for Ventura County, in partnership with cities, non-profit organizations and community-based organizations, and other agencies. Confirmed partners include the Ventura County Air Pollution Control District (VCAPCD), Ventura County Transportation Commission (VCTC), City of Fillmore, City of Moorpark, City of Oxnard, City of Santa Paula, City of Simi Valley, City of Thousand Oaks, and City of Ventura.

EPA expects to distribute awards in summer 2023 and will post more information about the implementation grants on the CPRG website when it becomes available.