The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced the selection of 48 applicants to receive nearly $19 million in grants aimed at supporting pollution prevention practices across the United States. This initiative is part of President Biden's Investing in America Agenda and is funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
"Thanks to President Biden and Vice President Harris’ leadership, EPA has provided unprecedented support for innovative approaches that prevent pollution and protect the environment," stated Jennie Romer, Deputy Assistant Administrator for Pollution Prevention at the EPA Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention. She emphasized that empowering businesses through these grant projects benefits both communities and businesses.
Pollution prevention, also known as P2 or source reduction, involves practices that reduce or eliminate pollution at its source before recycling, treatment, or disposal. The goal is to help American businesses reduce costs while protecting communities from toxic chemicals and conserving natural resources.
From 2011 to 2022, the EPA's Pollution Prevention program issued over 500 grants totaling more than $54 million. These efforts have resulted in significant environmental benefits including energy savings, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, water conservation, hazardous material reduction, and cost savings for businesses.
The newly selected recipients include a variety of projects focused on community-level pollution prevention. For example:
- Kansas State University will conduct workshops with disadvantaged communities and nearby businesses to implement P2 practices.
- The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation will work with the Rochester Institute of Technology to promote green chemistry practices.
- Georgia Institute of Technology will assist metal manufacturing businesses in tracking and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
- University of Massachusetts Lowell will help metalworking sectors reduce toxic solvent use by establishing a Vacuum Vapor Degreasing Validation Hub.
These grants are expected to be awarded once all legal requirements are met. Selected grantees will document best practices identified through these grants so others can replicate successful outcomes. Each grantee will also develop case studies on new or underutilized P2 practices.
Grants funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law do not require a cost share/match and can be as high as $350,000 each. Traditional P2 grants require a fifty percent cost share/match over a two-year cycle. This funding supports President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative which aims to deliver 40% of federal investment benefits to disadvantaged communities affected by pollution.
A detailed list of selections includes institutions such as Kansas State University, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Georgia Institute of Technology, University of Massachusetts Lowell among others across various states.
This announcement follows previous rounds funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law which made significant investments in EPA’s P2 Program since September 2022.
