The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced that three entities in North Carolina will receive over $1.2 million in grants aimed at helping businesses adopt pollution prevention practices. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, East Carolina University, and the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality have been selected for these grants.
East Carolina University (ECU) is set to receive $652,664. The university will provide technical assistance to businesses located in areas with environmental justice concerns. ECU's efforts will focus on reducing toxic chemicals, hazardous air emissions, greenhouse gases, and water usage across all five National Emphasis Areas. Additionally, ECU plans to offer training courses on pollution prevention and lean manufacturing for workers and engineers throughout the state.
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill will be granted $350,000. Partnering with the University of Southern Maine, the University of Maryland, and the Toxics Use Reduction Institute at the University of Massachusetts Lowell, they aim to assist breweries in reducing hazardous chemical use and improving water management.
The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ) will receive $242,220 to support its Environmental Stewardship Initiative. This program encourages superior environmental performance among regulated communities by offering training on environmental management systems and regulatory compliance guidance.
Acting Regional Administrator Jeaneanne Gettle expressed satisfaction with the selection: “We are gratified to see so many selectees for these pollution prevention grants in EPA’s Southeast Region.” She emphasized that "pollution prevention is an important component in addressing environmental issues."
Nationally, 48 selectees were announced by the EPA to receive nearly $19 million in total grant funding as part of a broader initiative supported by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Nearly half of this year's funds were made available without a cost share requirement.
Pollution prevention involves practices that reduce or eliminate waste before it is recycled or disposed of. These methods help protect communities from toxic exposure while conserving resources like wetlands and groundwater sources.
From 2011-2022, EPA's Pollution Prevention program awarded over 500 grants totaling more than $54 million. These initiatives have saved energy equivalent to 31.9 billion kWh and reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 20.8 million metric tons among other achievements.
Selected grantees are expected to document best practices identified through these grants for wider replication. Each grantee will also develop case studies on innovative pollution prevention practices during their grant period.
These efforts align with President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative which aims to direct federal investment benefits towards disadvantaged communities affected by pollution.
