News Releases from Region 01

Rhode Island Awarded $852,735 EPA Grant for Environmental Programs

BOSTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) awarded a $852,735 grant to the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RI DEM) to help protect human health and the environment throughout the state.

The funds are part of a performance partnership grants (PPG), which are given to states and some local governments to help implement environmental programs that they have authority to run. This particular grant is the second installment this year of incremental PPG funding to RI DEM bringing the total funds granted in Fiscal Year 2017 to $3,029,791.

"EPA is providing funds directly to Rhode Island so that the state may determine how best to address its unique and critical environmental challenges," said EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt. "EPA grants to our partners like RI DEM give states the flexibility to protect their resources and grow their economy while solving real environmental problems in local communities."

"EPA is an important partner in our work to promote healthy communities and to ensure clean air, water, and lands," said DEM Director Janet Coit. "Over the years, we've made tremendous strides in reducing pollution to our waterways, cleaning up contaminated properties, and managing hazardous waste. We must remain vigilant – for the benefit of our families, environment, and economy. PPG funding is critical to our ability to protecting our natural resources and building on our successes. We thank the EPA for its continued commitment to our state program."

This grant will help protect citizens and the environment in Rhode Island by supporting the state's effort to reduce air and water pollution, protect drinking water, improve waste management and promote pollution prevention and sustainable practices.

Performance partnership grants are important tools for EPA to provide financial assistance to states and tribes. These grants allow recipients to use EPA awards with greater flexibility for priority environmental problems or program needs, streamline paperwork and accounting procedures to reduce administrative costs, and try cross-program initiatives and approaches that were difficult to fund under traditional category grants.

EPA's foundational laws, including the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, allow EPA to delegate authority to the States or local governments to implement and enforce those laws. These delegated entities may also develop their own regulations if they are more stringent than federal requirements.