Fort Smith Board moves forward with federal climate grant participation

The Fort Smith Board of Directors on Tuesday (Nov. 19) approved moving forward in the process to accept a $14.5 million grant that is part of the federal Climate Pollution Reduction Grant (CPRG) program.

The CPRG program, administered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, provides nearly $5 billion in grants to states, local governments, tribes, and territories to develop and implement plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other harmful air pollution.

In July 2024, the EPA announced a total award of $99,999,999 to the Tri-Region Arkansas Coalition, of which $14.5 million was allocated specifically to the City of Fort Smith. The other partners are the Northwest Arkansas Planning Commission, and Metroplan in central Arkansas.

Part of the plan includes work on nearly three miles of alleywork networks on the north side of the city that will become paved greenways connecting the northside of town to grocery stores, Northside High School, places around Grand Avenue and more. Three alleyways – North E Street to North O Street, North 16th Street to Belle Avenue, and North C Street to Tilles Avenue – are included in the plan with a total estimated cost of $5.1 million. The alleyways will be a shared use facility but more like a trail or greenway.

The board on Tuesday was asked to ratify memorandum of agreements between the City of Fort Smith, the Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment, Metroplan, and the Northwest Arkansas Planning Commission.

“The proposed resolution will ratify and formally approve all actions taken by the City Administrator and staff in executing these agreements, confirming fund allocation for CPRG-related projects in alignment with the Board’s oversight with the authorization of the EPA Award Agreement,” noted a memo from Joshua Robertson, the city’s director of citizen and city services.

Directors Christina Catsavis, André Good, Lavon Morton and Jarred Rego voted to ratify the agreements. Directors George Catsavis, Neal Martin and Kevin Settle voted against.

The board’s approval followed a lengthy input session from citizens. Some residents are concerned the grant is part a conspiracy by the United Nations and others to force all city residents to use electric vehicles only, or that the grant award was made without board approval and could force the city to abide by what they believe could be cumbersome and costly federal requirements.

Residents for the grant noted that it’s important for the city to have federal funds for electric vehicle charging stations, and a solar farm that will help lower-income residents in the 280 units managed by the Fort Smith Housing Authority achieve savings of up to 90% on their electric bills. The board passed an ordinance Sept. 17 approving a project to construct a solar array at a public housing facility in Fort Smith, which will be funded by money from the CPRG program.

Directors Morton and Rego outlined several steps in which the board has been engaged in the process, and how the city will have numerous opportunities to approve or reject grant money from the CPRG.