EPA announces $1.8M in grants to help businesses prevent pollution in Alaska, Oregon and Washington
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced that the Knik Tribe in Alaska, Portland State University, Oregon State University, BRING Recycling, and the Washington Department of Ecology have been selected to collectively receive more than $1.8 million in grants to provide technical assistance to businesses to develop and adopt pollution prevention (P2) practices in local communities.
“Thanks to funding made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, EPA has provided unprecedented support for innovative approaches that prevent pollution and protect the environment,” said Regional Administrator Casey Sixkiller. “Empowering businesses through these grant projects is a win-win that protects communities while also cutting costs for businesses.”
“Keeping our communities healthy starts with reducing pollution before it’s even generated,” said Senator Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.). “These federal awards will aid Portland State University and Oregon State University in their work to help assist businesses with efforts for toxic reduction. I’ll keep fighting to fund pollution prevention measures that benefit businesses and families across Oregon.”
“Today’s great news for both PSU and OSU reaffirms how both of these Oregon universities are leading the way to prevent pollution that threatens both public health and our state’s natural treasures,” said Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.). “I’m gratified that both schools have earned these federal investments and will keep working to secure similar federal resources for our state’s colleges and universities.”
EPA selected the Knik Tribe, in partnership with the Alaska Forum, to receive $349,822 in P2 program funding to conduct outreach to Alaska rural communities to educate businesses and residents on Safer Choice products. They will provide technical assistance to Alaskan Native villages and communities through in-person assistance, technical webinars, and through the Alaska Forum on the Environment’s annual conference.
EPA selected Portland State University’s Institute for Sustainable Solutions to receive $348,050 in P2 funding to implement the Toxics Prevention in the Columbia Corridor program, a community-industry-university partnership approach to P2 in industrial facilities. They will work with Neighbors for Clean Air, and the Columbia Corridor Association to conduct outreach and technical assistance to targeted businesses in the food and beverage sector and metal manufacturing and fabrication sector in the Columbia Corridor which is adjacent to numerous low- and middle-income neighborhoods.
Oregon State University’s Oregon Sea Grant internship program was selected to receive $450,610 in P2 funding to work with selected interns to provide technical assistance to food and beverage, chemical, aerospace, and metal manufacturing businesses. The project will focus on reducing usage of toxic chemicals by substituting with safer alternatives and reduction of greenhouse gases, water usage and hazardous waste.
BRING Recycling in Oregon was selected to receive $152,520 in P2 source reduction assistance funding to create a statewide network of member agencies that share knowledge on P2 methods and best practices. They will establish a shared online platform through the Greenbiz Tracker to measure and report on environmental impact, develop a network that can innovate and share knowledge of best practices with rural communities, and incentivize business participation through the program.
The Washington State Department of Ecology was selected to receive $239,961 in P2 funding to help to reduce worker exposure and water releases of toxic chemicals by working with companies to implement clean-in-place systems. These systems reduce the need for manual cleaning and help to minimize or eliminate the use of toxic chemicals. The program will include virtual reality trainings to educate automotive and aerospace workers on more efficient spray-painting techniques which will reduce toxic air emissions and generated hazardous waste. EPA also selected the state to receive an additional $327,570 in P2 funding to reduce toxic chemical releases to air, water, and land from chemical manufacturing and processing businesses. The program will focus on toxic chemical alternatives, reduction of waste, energy and water use, as well as reduction of hazardous air emissions via their Lean and Green program and manufacturing extension partnership.
In total, 48 selectees across the country were selected to collectively receive nearly $19 million in grants to support states, Tribal Nations, and U.S. territories in providing technical assistance to businesses to develop and adopt P2 practices in local communities. Thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, nearly half of the funds awarded this year were made available with no cost share/match requirement.
Pollution prevention, also known as P2 or source reduction, is any practice that reduces, eliminates, or prevents pollution at its source prior to recycling, treatment, or disposal. Preventing pollution at the source rather than managing waste afterwards is an important way to support American business’ efforts to reduce costs, while protecting communities from exposure to toxic chemicals and conserving natural resources. These practices are essential for protecting health, improving environmental conditions–including in and around disadvantaged communities–and preserving natural resources like wetlands, groundwater sources, and other critical ecosystems.
Between 2011-2022, EPA’s Pollution Prevention program issued over 500 grants totaling more than $54 million, which have helped businesses identify, develop, and adopt P2 approaches. These approaches have resulted in 31.9 billion kWh in energy savings, eliminated 20.8 million metric tons of greenhouse gases, saved 52 billion gallons of water, reduced 1 billion pounds of hazardous materials, and saved businesses more than $2.3 billion.
The agency expects to award funds once all legal and administrative requirements are satisfied. Once awarded, selected grantees will document and share P2 best practices that they identify and develop through these grants, so that others can replicate these practices and outcomes. Each selected grantee will also develop at least one case study during the grant period on P2 practices that are new or not widely known or adopted, or where detailed information on the P2 practices could benefit other businesses or P2 technical assistance providers.
The full list of selections nationwide and the selected project summaries can be found on EPA’s Pollution Prevention website.