EPA Announces Nearly $335,000 in Grants to Help Minnesota Businesses Prevent Pollution as Part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s Investing in America Agenda

EPA Announces Nearly $335,000 in Grants to Help Minnesota Businesses Prevent Pollution as Part of the Biden-Harris Administration's Investing in America Agenda

November 4, 2024

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has been selected to receive $101,111 to work with metal manufacturing and fabrication businesses to reduce or eliminate the use and release of PFAS through identification and substitution of safer alternatives. MPCA will use literature reviews, data analysis, and incorporate successful technical assistance activities to identify areas for potential source reduction techniques and other options through on-site assessments.

"Thanks to President Biden and Vice President Harris' leadership, EPA has provided unprecedented support for innovative approaches that prevent pollution and protect the environment," said EPA Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention Deputy Assistant Administrator for Pollution Prevention Jennie Romer. "Empowering businesses through these grant projects is a win-win that protects communities while also cutting costs forbusinesses."

"Everyone deserves to be safe from chemicals that pose a danger to our health," said Sen. Tina Smith. "These investments in the University of Minnesota and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency make sure businesses and food manufacturers have the tools they need to prevent pollution from harmful chemicals like PFAS, conserve water and energy, protect our environment and prioritize the health of our communities."

"Minnesotans know all too well how harmful PFAS are for our air, water, and health," said Rep. Betty McCollum. "Thanks to Democrats in Congress and the leadership of the Biden-Harris administration, our state is set to receive over $100K from the EPA to significantly reduce PFAS use in metal manufacturing. This critical funding is an important investment in the health and well-being of all Minnesotans."

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 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.

The grants funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will be fully funded upon being awarded, with individual grant awards as high as $350,000. Grants that are a part of the traditional P2 grants program will be funded over a two-year funding cycle and require a cost share/match of fifty percent. EPA's Pollution Prevention Grant Program advances President Biden's Justice40 Initiative which set a goal to deliver 40% of the overall benefits from certain federal investments to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution. The full list of selections can be found below, and the selected project summaries can be found on EPA's Pollution Prevention website.

Background
President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law 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 the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law was announced in September 2022 and the second round of 24 awards was announced October 2023.

The list of selections can be found below, and the selected project summaries can be found on EPA's Pollution Prevention website.

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