Biden-Harris Administration Announces the University of Texas at Arlington to Receive $349,435 in Grant Funding to Help Prevent Pollution as Part of Investing in America Agenda

Biden-Harris Administration Announces the University of Texas at Arlington to Receive $349,435 in Grant Funding to Help Prevent Pollution as Part of Investing in America Agenda

November 21, 2024

DALLAS, TEXAS (November 21, 2024)- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced University of Texas at Arlington has been selected to collectively receive$349,435 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."

The University of Texas Arlington Extension and Extended Campus will be working with automotive businesses within communities with environmental justice concerns to conduct outreach and provide technical assistance to reduce use of hazardous materials use and air admissions. They will also conduct trainings to educate workers on handling solvents, paint thinners, and product substitutions. In addition, they will pilot an internship program to train emerging environmental professionals on P2 practices and projects.

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.

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 summariescan 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 2022and the second round of 24 awards was announced October 2023.

The list of selections can be found below, and the selected project summariescan be found on EPA's Pollution Prevention website. Read more about P2 and EPA's P2 Grant Program.

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