News Releases from Region 01
New Hampshire DES to Receive $160,000 EPA Pollution Prevention Grant
BOSTON - The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) has been selected to receive $160,000 over two years as one of five Pollution Prevention grants being awarded by EPA's New England Regional Office for the FY2016-FY2017 Pollution Prevention Grants cycle.
Pollution Prevention grants fund programs or projects that measurably reduce the environmental footprints of local and regional businesses through projects that significantly reduce or eliminate pollution from air, water and/or land prior to relying on recycling or waste clean-up. In total EPA is awarding approximately $689,000 for Pollution Prevention grants in New England over the next two years.
NHDES will promote climate change mitigation for the hospitality industry through pollution prevention assistance to implement energy efficiency, water conservation and waste reduction projects. It will also promote stormwater pollution prevention by helping New Hampshire businesses install rain gardens or other "best management practices" to control stormwater.
"EPA is pleased to support our partner NHDES by funding this effective and well-designed project," said Curt Spalding, regional administrator of EPA's New England office. "Our Pollution Prevention Grants reduce pollution at its source, which is the best way to create a cleaner environment and sustainable economy."
Under this grant, NHDES's pollution prevention program will conduct two projects:
Hospitality Sector – NHDES's pollution prevention program will promote climate change mitigation for the hospitality industry through pollution prevention assistance to implement energy efficiency, water conservation and waste reduction projects. The state pollution prevention program will take responsibility for operating the New Hampshire Green Hospitality Program, offering all hospitality facilities throughout the state the opportunity to become recognized as program participants. The New Hampshire Lodging and Restaurant Association will continue to promote the program and encourage participation by its members.
Rain Garden Installations - NHDES's pollution prevention program will work with the New Hampshire Soak up the Rain program ("NHSOAK") to engage six businesses located in sensitive and flood-prone areas to install rain gardens or other stormwater best management practices. The NHSOAK program will provide expertise, educational outreach, and recognition for participants through its website, and assist with labor to install stormwater best management practices at participating facilities. The New Hampshire pollution prevention program's role will be to encourage businesses to contribute participation by their employees to help construct the best management practice, to purchase any plantings necessary to complete the installation, and to participate in installation.
More information about EPA's Pollution Prevention Grant Program (www.epa.gov/p2/grant-programs-pollution-prevention)