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Kansas State University, Kansas Department of Health and Environment Receive Grants for Pollution Prevention Projects

Release Date: 11/24/2009
Contact Information: Chris Whitley, 913-551-7394, whitley.christopher@epa.gov


Environmental News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Kansas City, Kan., Nov. 24, 2009) - EPA Region 7 has awarded grants totaling $154,332 to Kansas State University and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) for separate projects aimed at pollution prevention.

Both grants are authorized by the Pollution Prevention Act, which allows EPA to provide funding to states, their entities, and tribal governments for technical assistance projects that address source reduction or elimination of pollution by businesses across all environmental media--air, water and land.

Kansas State University will receive $55,882 from EPA and provide additional funds for a total of $61,882 to support its Pollution Prevention Institute's efforts to continue offering source reduction technical assistance for the healthcare and hospitality industries. This project includes five strategies: building and expanding a healthcare advisory board, providing direct technical assistance through an internship program, delivering healthcare webinars and workshops, supporting the EPA Region 7 Mercury Task Force, and launching a green lodging pilot program to recruit business participation, provide interns and prepare a foundation for a comprehensive green lodging program in 2011.

KSU's project is expected to result in reductions of 200,000 pounds of solid wastes, 1,000 pounds of hazardous medical wastes, and 5,000 grams of mercury, as well as energy savings of 3.4 billion BTUs and cost savings of $300,000.

Key partners for the project include Associated Purchasing Services, Hays Medical Center, Via Christi Health Systems of Wichita, Hampton Inn & Suites, Iowa Department of Natural Resources' Pollution Prevention Services, Pollution Prevention Resource Information Network, Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital, Missouri Extension Service's Environmental Assistance Center, Kansas Hospital Association, Iowa Hospital Association, Kansas Veterans Administration, Iowa Veterans Administration, Nebraska Medical Center, PharmEcology, and Kansas City Area Healthcare Engineers.

KDHE will receive $98,450 from EPA and provide matching funds for a total of $209,627 directed at providing multimedia pollution prevention technical assistance. KDHE and its contractor, the Pollution Prevention Institute of Kansas State University, will offer assistance in several areas, including management of an internship program to help companies assess and implement pollution prevention opportunities, education of targeted audiences through an environmental conference on pollution prevention accomplishments, publication of a newsletter, and provision of technical assistance specifically aimed at reducing toxic pollution, including pollution that results from energy demand.

KDHE's project is expected to result in the reduction of 100 pounds of hazardous wastes or materials, energy savings of 6.8 billion BTUs, and cost savings of $1 million.

Key partners for the project include Haldex Brakes, Frito-Lay, Kansas State University Engineering Department, iSi Environmental, and Geotechnical Services.