The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced that the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation will receive $200,000 in grants. These funds are intended to help businesses in local communities develop and adopt pollution prevention (P2) practices.
The Office of Sustainable Practices within the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation will provide technical assistance to food, beverage, and chemical manufacturing businesses across Tennessee. The focus will be on those in disadvantaged communities that report Toxic Release Inventory data to the EPA. The department plans to offer P2 strategies through various educational methods, including webinars, workshops, and a collaborative demonstration workshop with Oak Ridge National Lab’s Manufacturing Demonstration Facility. Additionally, they will promote P2 successes through social media platforms such as the Tennessee Green Star Partnership and Governor’s Environmental Stewardship Awards.
Acting Regional Administrator Jeaneanne Gettle stated, “We are gratified to see so many selectees for these pollution prevention grants in EPA’s Southeast Region.” Congressman Steve Cohen added that “the EPA continues to provide important resources to reduce pollution in Tennessee.”
Nationwide, 48 selectees will share nearly $19 million in grants from the EPA. This funding aims to support states, Tribal Nations, and U.S. territories by providing technical assistance for developing P2 practices. Thanks to President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, a significant portion of this year's funds was made available without a cost-share requirement.
Pollution prevention focuses on reducing or eliminating pollution at its source before recycling or disposal. This approach supports businesses' efforts to cut costs while protecting communities from toxic exposure and conserving natural resources.
From 2011-2022, over 500 grants totaling more than $54 million were issued under the EPA's Pollution Prevention program. These initiatives have led to substantial energy savings and reductions in greenhouse gases and hazardous materials.
Once all legal requirements are met, selected grantees will document their findings on best practices so others can replicate them. Each grantee is expected to develop at least one case study during the grant period focusing on new or underutilized P2 practices.
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has enabled full funding for these awards upon being granted, with individual awards reaching up to $350,000. Traditional P2 program grants require a fifty percent cost share/match over a two-year cycle.
This initiative aligns with President Biden's Justice40 Initiative aiming to deliver 40% of federal investment benefits to marginalized communities affected by pollution.
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