Merkley, Wyden: $350,000 in Pollution Prevention Planning Headed to Oregon
Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today announced the Environmental Protection Agency has awarded the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality $350,000 to implement two pollution prevention projects in the state. These awards are intended to help states and tribes provide businesses with technical assistance to help develop and adopt practices to prevent or reduce pollution before it is created, while reducing business and liability costs.
“When you turn on the tap or open your window, you deserve to know that the water and air aren’t going to compromise your health,” said Merkley. “This federal award will help provide financial support for crucial pollution prevention measures around Oregon. I look forward to seeing our businesses, families, and communities benefit from these projects.”
“Clean air and clean water are essential for communities throughout Oregon to thrive,” Wyden said. “I’m gratified our state has secured this federal investment to prevent pollution and build an even stronger and healthier quality of life for Oregonians.”
Oregon’s funded award will allow the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to deliver technical assistance on the following projects:
1. The P2 Internship Program that places paid students with businesses to conduct on-site P2 research
2. The Metals Manufacturing Outreach Initiative, which promotes source reduction within the metals manufacturing sector, and
3. The Product Certification Assistance Program that will assist business to obtain the EPA Safer Choice label or add chemicals to the Safer Chemical Ingredient List.
The funds will also allow The Oregon DEQ to Conduct on-site, P2 technical assistance assessments in order to enhance Oregon’s EcoBiz certification program and support a regional green chemistry collaboration initiative.
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