(AGENPARL) – gio 21 novembre 2024 Biden-Harris Administration Announces Louisiana Selectees to Receive Over $1 Million in Grant Funding to Help Prevent Pollution as Part of Investing in America Agenda
DALLAS, TEXAS (November 21, 2024) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced Louisiana State University and Delgado Community College have been selected to collectively receive $1,049,700 in grants to provide technical assistance to businesses to develop and adopt pollution prevention (P2) practices in local communities.
“Since the creation of the Pollution Prevention Act of 1990, EPA has used these P2 grants across the country to substantially reduce emissions in overlooked communities,” said Regional Administrator Dr. Earthea Nance. “With this grant funding, communities can tackle air pollution problems head-on and implement long-term green solutions in their infrastructure. I would like to thank this Administration for continuing to be the leads in environmental stewardship and green advocacy.”
Louisiana State University’s (LSU) Agricultural Center will receive $350,000 to work with food and agricultural processors in rural Louisiana communities (e.g., sugar mills, seafood production). These businesses will aim to create a more sustainable manufacturing footprint with limited resources. LSU will focus on chemical reduction and bio-based substitutions as well as conduct field days to educate company staff on best practices.
Delgado Community College will receive $699,700 to develop pollution prevention practices and will partner with Louisiana Tech, Dillard University, Xavier University and the Love Your City Initiative to provide support to communities with environmental justice concerns in Louisiana. The project will provide training and technical assistance to reduce the use of toxic chemicals in food and beverage, chemical, and metal manufacturing businesses identified using publicly available tools.
In total, EPA announced 48 selectees across the country that will 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 pollution prevention (P2) practices in local communities. Thanks to President Biden’s 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.
Background
______________________
Environmental Protection Agency, 1201 Elm Street, Suite 500, Dallas, TX 75270 United States