EEI Plan Complete!
The Central Arkansas Energy & Environment Innovation Comprehensive Action Plan was adopted by Metroplan’s Board of Directors on July 23, 2025, and submitted to the Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment on August 1, 2025. Read the plan.
Energizing Change for a Healthier Region
Energy & Environment Innovation Planning
Metroplan has adopted a regional Energy and Environment Innovation (EEI) Comprehensive Action Plan (CAP). This plan analyzes five measures for their potential to strengthen Central Arkansas’ economy and improve air quality:
1. Promoting Active Transportation by Investing in Green Corridors
2. Increasing Energy Savings, Independence, and Resilience by Investing in Local Energy Resources
3. Improving Local Air and Water Quality by Investing in Recycling and Waste Reduction
4. Revitalizing Communities through Infill Development
5. Regional Electric Vehicle Charging Access: Investing in Clean Transportation
This regional plan will be included as a supplement in the Arkansas Department of Energy & Environment’s statewide EEI Comprehensive Action Plan, which was funded by an EPA CPRG planning grant.
The plan consists of:
- Regional greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory and projections – download in Excel
- GHG reduction measures with implementation details
- Low-income and Rural Community (LIRC) benefits analysis
- Workforce needs analysis
Project Background
Metroplan is collaborating with state and regional agencies to develop the Arkansas Energy and Environment Innovation (EEI) plan, which will guide investments and incentives to keep the state’s air clean, protect its natural resources, and electrify economic development in Arkansas.
Funding for this plan is provided by a Climate Pollution Reduction Grant (CPRG) from the United States Environmental Protection Agency. The Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment’s Office of Air Quality received a four-year, $3,000,000 CPRG planning grant in Summer 2023. The state subawarded $440,000 each to Metroplan, the Northwest Arkansas Regional Planning Commission (NWARPC), and the City of Fort Smith to complete regional supplements to the statewide plan for Central Arkansas, Northwest Arkansas, and the Arkansas River Valley.
Information about the statewide plan is available on the Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment’s website.
| ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT INNOVATION PLANNING MILESTONES | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Central Arkansas EEI Priority Action Plan Regional Supplement submitted to Arkansas Department of Energy & Environment | December 1, 2023 | ✓ |
| Arkansas EEI Priority Action Plan Due to EPA | March 1, 2024 | ✓ |
| $99.9 million CPRG Implementation Grant Application Submitted (joint application between Metroplan, NWARPC, and City of Fort Smith) | April 1, 2024 | ✓ |
| CPRG Implementation Grant Awarded to Arkansas Tri-Region (lead agency: Metroplan) | July 2024 | ✓ |
| Central Arkansas EEI Comprehensive Action Plan Regional Supplement submitted to Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment | August 1, 2025 | ✓ |
| Arkansas EEI Comprehensive Action Plan Due to EPA | December 1, 2025 | in progress |
| EEI Status Report Regional Supplement Due to State | March 1, 2027 | - |
| Arkansas EEI Status Report Due to EPA | July 5, 2027 | - |
EEI Planning Updates
Central Arkansas’ EEI CAP was adopted by the Metroplan Board of Directors on July 23, 2025, and submitted to the Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment on August 1, 2025.
Project Background
How We Got Here
Metroplan is collaborating with state and regional agencies to develop the Arkansas Energy and Environment Innovation (EEI) plan, which will guide investments and incentives to keep the state’s air clean, protect its natural resources, and electrify economic development in Arkansas.
Funding for this plan is provided by a Climate Pollution Reduction Grant (CPRG) from the United States Environmental Protection Agency. The Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment’s Office of Air Quality received a four-year, $3,000,000 CPRG planning grant in Summer 2023. The state subawarded $440,000 each to Metroplan, the Northwest Arkansas Regional Planning Commission (NWARPC), and the City of Fort Smith to complete regional supplements to the statewide plan for Central Arkansas, Northwest Arkansas, and the Arkansas River Valley.
Information about the statewide plan is available on the Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment’s website.
Central Arkansas Comprehensive Plan
Metroplan has adopted a regional Energy and Environment Innovation (EEI) Comprehensive Action Plan (CAP). This plan analyzes five measures for their potential to strengthen Central Arkansas’ economy and improve air quality:
This regional plan will be included as a supplement in the Arkansas Department of Energy & Environment’s statewide EEI Comprehensive Action Plan, which was funded by an EPA CPRG planning grant.
The plan consists of:
- Regional greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory and projections – download in Excel
- GHG reduction measures with implementation details
- Low-income and Rural Community (LIRC) benefits analysis
- Workforce needs analysis