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EPA Announces Grant to Keep Nebraska Beautiful for Schools Chemical Cleanout Campaign

Release Date: 04/28/2008
Contact Information: Beckie Himes, 913-551-7253, 913-387-7548 (cell), [email protected]

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Environmental News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Lincoln, Neb., April 28, 2008) - EPA Region 7 celebrated National Healthy Schools Day today by presenting a $150,000 grant to help rid Nebraska schools of outdated and unsafe chemicals, and by separately recognizing Lincoln Public Schools for its continued work in implementing EPA's Tools for Schools program.

The $150,000 grant, officially accepted by Nebraska Lt. Gov. Rick Sheehy, will fund efforts by the nonprofit organization Keep Nebraska Beautiful to help public and private schools safely dispose of old and unstable chemicals from science labs, art and vocational classes, and janitorial stocks.

Funded by EPA's Schools Chemical Cleanout Campaign, the grant will also help train Nebraska's teachers and school staff on proper chemical purchase, inventory, use and storage methods.

"We're proud to support the commitment of Nebraska's schools to reduce environmental hazards and make their facilities safer for everyone," EPA Regional Administrator John Askew said.

While the grant to Keep Nebraska Beautiful will benefit public and private schools statewide, Askew singled out the host of today's presentation event, Lincoln Public Schools, as recipient of the EPA Tools for Schools Leadership Award.

The award recognizes Lincoln Public Schools for their continued work implementing EPA's Tools for Schools program, which emphasizes prevention, diagnoses and solutions for indoor air quality. Lincoln Public Schools is the second largest public school district in Nebraska, serving approximately 32,100 students through 54 neighborhood schools.