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US EPA funds project to expand green business in California. 

11/03/2016

Contact Information: 
Michele Huitric (huitric.michele@epa.gov)
415-972-3165

SAN FRANCISCO – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has
awarded $173,479 to the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to
help small and medium-size businesses across the state reduce
their environmental impacts. Alexis Strauss, EPA's Acting
Regional Administrator for the Pacific Southwest, announced the
grant at Mandela Foods Cooperative, in West Oakland, one of
several local businesses to “go green” with CARB’s assistance.

“Pollution prevention efforts can save money by increasing
efficiency and lowering utility and waste disposal costs,” said
Ms. Strauss. “I encourage all California businesses looking to
reduce their environmental footprint and improve their
bottom-line to become certified Green Businesses.”

CARB will use the funds to improve the technical assistance and
training efforts of the California Green Business Network, a
non-profit organization that helps businesses adopt green
practices. The program has expanded to support sustainable
businesses in economically-disadvantaged communities. To receive
Green Business certification, companies must demonstrate how they
conserve resources and prevent pollution, such as using LED
lighting and purchasing ENERGY STAR products.

“Small business operators are not only real, local, economic
assets, they are community role models, daily demonstrating
climate leadership one step at a time,” said La Ronda Bowen,
CARB’s Ombudsman.

The California Green Business Network oversees 25 green business
programs operated by chambers of commerce, cities and counties
throughout California. To date, 3,396 California Green Business
participants have saved more than $41 million through green
practices. They have also prevented emissions of more than one
million tons of greenhouse gases, diverted more than 1.5 million
tons of waste from landfills, and saved more than 754 million
gallons of water.

EPA’s Pollution Prevention grant program supports projects that
reduce or eliminate pollution from air, water, or land. Since
2014, EPA has awarded three Pollution Prevention grants to CARB,
totaling $478,641, to expand and improve the California Green
Business Network. The funding has supported enhancements in the
program’s data system, outreach efforts, and provision of
technical assistance and training.

Learn more about the Pollution Prevention grant program:
https://www.epa.gov/p2/grant-programs-pollution-prevention

Learn more about the California Green Business Program:
http://www.greenbusinessca.org/ (note: link goes to non-federal
Web site)


California is in a drought emergency.
Visit www.SaveOurH2O.org for water conservation tips.