In a sweeping effort to reduce pollution, the state of Illinois is getting more than half a billion dollars from the federal government to put toward clean energy investments.

Gov. JB Pritzker and U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, both of Illinois, celebrated the two grants, per WGEM. The grants support the state's efforts to curb pollution and transition toward renewable energy.

The first grant is a $430 million Climate Pollution Reduction Grant, and the second grant amounts to $95 million from the Environmental Protection Agency's Clean Ports Program.

🗣️ Do you think America could ever go zero-waste?

Money from the grants will help fund sustainable initiatives across sectors, including the transportation, agriculture, and construction industries. Per WGEM, the money will go toward charging infrastructure for heavy-duty vehicles, clean building technology, and the transition toward sustainable agriculture.

"This tremendous partnership between state and federal agencies has once again yielded tremendous results for our state, cleaner air and water, stronger and more sustainable infrastructure and further economic growth and opportunity," Pritzker said, per WGEM.

The state of Illinois can thank the Inflation Reduction Act for these grants. Under the IRA, these climate grants and investments were made possible.

FROM OUR PARTNER

Stay warm all winter long with the Apple of intelligent space heaters

Kelvin is the Apple of space heaters, designed for energy efficiency and maximum comfort. It's completely silent and intelligently controlled, with setup taking just 5 minutes.

Built from premium materials like aluminum and glass, Kelvin works beautifully as a full-home heating system or as the perfect solution for that one room that never feels warm enough.

Watch now: Would you live in a building made of weed?

What's more, the climate investment will help the state reach its goal of transitioning toward 100% clean energy by 2050. Widespread adoption of clean energy will significantly reduce the total amount of pollution heating the planet, protecting the environment while safeguarding communities from extreme weather.

"The Inflation Reduction Act invested in communities, clean energy jobs and manufacturing for all Americans regardless of whether they live or what their party affiliation may be," Durbin said, per WGEM.

The Inflation Reduction Act does not just benefit states as a whole, though. Homeowners across the U.S. can take advantage of IRA tax credits and rebates, earning thousands of dollars when they make eco-friendly updates to their homes. By making environmentally conscious updates, such as installing solar panels or switching to an induction stove, you can significantly reduce your household's carbon footprint while saving hundreds of dollars on your utility bills.

Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.

💡Solar quotes you can trust

Want to go solar but not sure who to trust? EnergySage has your back with free and transparent quotes from fully vetted providers in your area.

To get started, just answer a few questions about your home — no phone number required. Within a day or two, EnergySage will email you the best options for your needs, and their expert advisers can help you compare quotes and pick a winner.

The Cool Down may receive a commission on signups made through links on this page, but we only promote partners we vet and believe in. For more cool tips like this one, check out our solutions marketplace here.