The city of Houston and the city of Albuquerque will receive grants from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to advance greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction activities as part of EPA's Climate Showcase Communities initiative.

The EPA has provided a total of $10m to 25 communities across the US for funding projects that will increase energy efficiency, save consumers money and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The EPA will grant $423,069 to the city of Houston to reduce transportation related emissions, particularly nitrogen oxide emission through development of electric vehicle (EV) and bicycle infrastructure.

The city will use the grant to develop an EV charging infrastructure to be used by both city vehicles and commercial or residential vehicles, implement a bike-share program, and install solar-powered LED lighting on bike paths to reduce emission.

The city of Albuquerque has been chosen to receive $500,000 to generate energy from landfill gas to provide power to recycle glass, thereby reducing fuel consumption and creating a market for recycling and recycled products.

EPA region 6 administrator, Al Armendariz said that Houston and Albuquerque are leading the way with innovative projects to help EPA with its goal to reduce greenhouse gases and leveraging federal money to launch projects that will improve the environment and create jobs.