[文盲打工仔] 凡事毋須專精 而在於重點知悉

The Pollution Prevention Grants Program, announced by the Biden-Harris Administration, aims to provide financial support to states, U.S. territories, and Tribes in assisting businesses to adopt pollution prevention practices. Here are the key points highlighted in the announcement:

1. **Grant Availability**: Nearly $24 million in grants are available through two Notice of Funding Opportunities (NOFOs) for the EPA's Pollution Prevention program. Approximately $14 million is available with no cost share/match requirement, thanks to funding provided by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

2. **Purpose of the Grants**: The grants aim to support businesses in developing and adopting pollution prevention practices, which are cost-effective strategies to protect communities and the environment by preventing pollution before it's created.

3. **Grant Opportunities**: There are two grant opportunities announced:
   - $14 million P2 Grant Opportunity: This opportunity does not require a matching fund from grantees and is fully funded at the time of award. The maximum grant amount is $350,000.
   - $9.94 million P2 Grant Opportunity: This is part of the traditional P2 grants program, with individual grant awards up to $700,000 for a two-year funding period. It includes a cost share/match requirement of fifty percent.

4. **Focus Areas**: Grant applications must address at least one of six National Emphasis Areas (NEAs), including food and beverage manufacturing, chemical manufacturing, automotive manufacturing, aerospace product manufacturing, metal manufacturing, and supporting pollution prevention in Indian Country and for Alaska Native Villages.

5. **Eligibility**: Eligible applicants include states, state entities, U.S. territories, and federally recognized Tribes and intertribal consortia. Collaboration among stakeholders is encouraged to strengthen the ability to provide pollution prevention technical assistance to businesses.

6. **Application Deadline**: Applications are due by May 17, 2024. Interested parties can find additional information on grants.gov under Funding Opportunity Announcements EPA-HQ-OCSPP-OPPT-FY2024-001 and EPA-I-HQ-OCSPP-OPPT-FY2024-002.

7. **Informational Webinars**: EPA will host informational webinars to provide guidance on the application process and answer questions from participants. The webinars are scheduled for March 26, March 27 (for Tribal entities), and April 11, 2024.

Overall, these grants aim to advance pollution prevention practices, support economic growth, and address environmental justice concerns in disadvantaged communities.