Colorado, Montana and Utah to receive over $1.6M in EPA grants to prevent pollution

Colorado, Montana and Utah to receive over $1.6M in EPA grants to prevent pollution

November 4, 2024

Contact: Honor Morgan, [email protected]

DENVER (November 4, 2024) - Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that the Colorado Department of Public Health and the Environment (CDPHE), Montana State University (MSU) and University of Utah have been selected to receive over $1.6 million in grant funding to support pollution prevention practices in communities.

"We're proud to support projects that continue to help businesses develop and implement strategies to reduce hazardous material usage and improve energy and water efficiency, all while lowering business costs," said EPA Regional Administrator KC Becker. "These projects highlight the important work of small businesses and the positive impact they have in preventing pollution in their communities."

Under the traditional Pollution Prevention (P2) grant program, CDPHE will receive $507,118 and partner with the Colorado Green Business Network to provide technical assistance on hazardous material reduction, energy and water efficiency, emissions reduction and waste minimization to businesses in local communities.

"I'm pleased that the Colorado Department of Public Health and the Environment will be able to harness this funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to help businesses across our state prevent pollution, avoid waste, and lower their energy costs," said U.S. Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO).

"Preventing pollution starts at the local level. Our businesses already know the importance of reducing waste, increasing energy efficiency, and emitting less," said U.S. Senator Hickenlooper (D-CO). "Now, our BIL is helping make it all easier and more cost effective!"

"Colorado has long been a leader in sustainability, and today's announcement will drive us even closer to a pollution-free future," said U.S. Representative Diana DeGette (CO-01). "I applaud the EPA and the Biden-Harris Administration for their commitment to Colorado's environmental goals and for investing in the health and well-being of our communities. Together, we're building a stronger, cleaner Colorado for generations to come."

MSU will receive $406,882 under the tradition P2 grant program to provide support to food and beverage manufacturing and processing businesses with their P2 summer college intern program. Interns will provide businesses with P2 best practices and will gain valuable real-world experience in implementing P2 principles to minimize environmental impacts.

Montana State University was also selected to receive $349,727 under the BIL funded P2 grant program to organize a summit of Native Science Advisors to lead and improve air quality in American Indian communities using both western science and Traditional Indigenous knowledge. The funding will also be used to continue their Ecostar award program that recognizes small businesses for their P2 efforts.

Under the P2 grant program funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), the University of Utah's (UoU) Department of Chemical Engineering will receive $350,000 to assist businesses in reducing the use of hazardous chemicals, water consumption and air emissions for a cleaner, safer and more sustainable environment. In collaboration with the Utah Department of Energy's Intermountain Industrial Assessment Center, they will provide technical assistance, resources, and training in P2 strategies.

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 practices in local communities. Thanks to President Biden's BIL, 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 P2 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 kilowatts-hour 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.

Background
President Biden's BIL made a historic $100 million investment in EPA's P2 Program, more than doubling the funding for P2 grants. The first round of 39 awards funded by BIL was announced in September 2022 and the second round of 24 awards was announced October 2023.

The selected project summaries can be found on EPA's Pollution Prevention website.

Read more about P2 and EPA's P2 Grant Program.

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