The right pollution control equipment can help you operate more efficiently, remain in compliance with federal and state regulations, and avoid downtime; it can even help you recapture operating costs when paired with energy recovery systems used to provide heat to other applications.

Overcoming Cost Challenges in Pollution Control

While many manufacturers see long term benefits from the move to update their air pollution control equipment, the capital equipment costs are often prohibitive. As we discussed in our last blog, US manufacturers spend over $24 billion per year in pollution abatement and continue to bear a significant burden in environmental regulatory costs for waste disposal, wastewater treatment, and air pollution abatement.

Luckily, the EPA and many state agencies offer grants, loans and other initiatives for reducing pollution with pollution control equipment or environmental initiatives. These could help many manufacturers to enjoy the benefits of reducing pollutants while lowering their total cost of ownership even further. Following our exploration of the state-by-state resources and regulations earlier this month, we would today like to explore potential opportunities to drive down costs.

Federal Resources

From cleanup opportunities to clean energy initiatives to other funding for pollution control one of the first places you should look is at the Federal Level.

  • Environmental Protection Agency Grant Opportunities: Every year, EPA awards more than $4 billion in funding for grants and other assistance agreements. From small non-profit organizations to large state governments, EPA works to help many visionary organizations achieve their environmental goals. With countless success stories over the years, EPA grants remain a chief tool to protect human health and the environment. Learn more about potential grants below or click here to read about the various programs offered in the past.
    • Multipurpose Grants to States and Tribes: This FY 2016 grant program provides funding to states and territories to support implementation of air and state-led climate activities and other state-defined high priority activities. Funding is also available to tribes that have obtained authorization to develop water quality standards.
    • Fellowships and other student programs: Grants, fellowships, and research associateships
    • Air Grants and Funding: includes competitive grant funding announcements for projects and programs relating to air quality, transportation, climate change, indoor air and other related topics.
    • Brownfields Grants and Funding: existing facilities where redevelopment is complicated by real or perceived contamination.
    • Environmental Education Grants: projects to help the public make informed decisions that affect environmental quality.
    • Environmental Information Exchange Network Grant Program: provides funding to develop an Internet-based, secure network that supports the electronic collection, exchange, and integration of high-quality data.
    • Environmental Justice: provides financial assistance to support community-based organizations to collaborate and partner with other stakeholders (e.g., industry, government, academia, etc.) to develop and implement solutions that will significantly address environmental and/or public health issue(s) at the local level.
    • Great Lakes Funding: includes competitive grant funding for planning, research, monitoring, outreach and implementation projects in furtherance of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative and the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement.
    • National Clean Diesel Campaign Grants and Funding: building diesel engine emission reduction programs across the country to improve air quality and protect public health.
    • People, Prosperity and the Planet: college students address challenges from a wide range of categories: agriculture, built environment, materials and chemicals, energy, and water. These can be challenges found in the developed or developing world and the solutions will move us towards a sustainable future.
    • Pollution Prevention Grant Program: provides matching funds to state and tribal programs to support pollution prevention and to develop State-based programs.
    • Research Funding Opportunities: upcoming funding opportunities from NCER and the EPA STAR program
    • Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR): competitively funds environmental technology research at small businesses.
    • Office of Land and Emergency Management (OLEM) Grants and Funding: includes competitive grant funding announcements for projects and programs relating to Brownfields, Federal Facilities Restoration and Reuse, Solid Waste management, resource conservation and recovery, Underground Storage Tanks and other related topics.
  • gov Grants and Opportunities Page: FedCenter is a centralized resource for compliance initiatives, awards, grants, loans, and links to other opportunities for business. Learn more about Grants and Opportunities by clicking the link above and click here to visit the FedCenter.gov Awards Page.
  • gov: Grants.gov is the source for all federal grants regardless of the department offering them. Search grants and follow the instructions to apply.
  • Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance: SAM provides detailed, public descriptions of federal assistance listings available to State and local governments (including the District of Columbia); federally recognized Indian tribal governments, Territories (and possessions) of the United States; domestic public, quasi- public, and private profit and nonprofit organizations and institutions; specialized groups, and individuals.

Regional EPA Grant Resources

In addition to offering a wide range of federal opportunities, many states offer grants and loans for source reduction, pollution control, and cleanup. The EPA Website offers this information, broken down by region.

Please note that each state may offer environmental assistance loans, grants, or financial incentive to improve your pollution abatement operations. For example, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency offers both Environmental Assistance Loans and Grants on their website.

For more information on loans available to organizations in the state of Wisconsin, click here.

Pollution Control Options for Your Business: The CMM Group

We understand that the decision to update your pollution control equipment isn’t a decision you should take lightly. However, if you haven’t made the decision to upgrade or improve your pollution control equipment in a while, you may be at risk for noncompliance, shutdowns due to failed machinery, or other fines and penalties.

We hope these resources will help you to save money on your move to enhance your pollution control system and we can help you identify other cost saving opportunities if you choose to work with us. Ready to learn more? Download our VOC Abatement Guide and contact us for more information.

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