(New York, N.Y.) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has awarded $80,000 to the nonprofit environmental organization Manomet for its program to help grocery stores and dairy farms in New Jersey and New York conserve energy and reduce the amount of hazardous materials they handle. Many businesses that handle hazardous materials are unprepared to withstand severe storms, which can release toxic materials into the environment.

"Pollution prevention is some of the most important work being done to protect the environment," said EPA Regional Administrator Judith A. Enck. "This project will help business owners reduce their use of chemicals and conserve energy. By taking steps to reduce waste at the source, businesses can improve the environment and their bottom line at the same time."

Under the program, Manomet will provide on-site technical assistance to as many as 40 ShopRite grocery stores, which are operated by the Wakefern Food Corporation, and up to five dairy farms. Training will focus on strategies to conserve energy and reduce the generation and the release of hazardous materials. Grocery store and dairy farm managers will receive training specifically tailored for their business. This grant is part of the approximately $5 million in grants the EPA awards each year to prevent pollution across the nation.

Manomet is a nonprofit environmental conservation organization based in Massachusetts whose mission is to conserve natural resources for the benefit of wildlife and human populations. The organization focuses on science-based solutions to environmental problems through research and collaboration.

For more information on the EPA's pollution prevention program, visit http://www2.epa.gov/p2.

Follow EPA Region 2 on Twitter at http://twitter.com/eparegion2 and Facebook at http://facebook.com/eparegion2.

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