EPA extends funding of university's pollution prevention programs
MANHATTAN — A $350,000 grant from the U.S. EPA Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention will continue the Kansas State University Pollution Prevention Institute's partnerships with Kansas companies and government entities in pollution prevention efforts while providing students with real-world environmental and engineering experience.
With the grant, the Pollution Prevention Institute can advance its technical assistance program to Kansas companies through its pollution prevention intern program. For the past 15 years, the program has matched college engineering and environmental students with businesses seeking more efficient operations as well as reduced pollution and energy usage.
"During the two-year grant cycle, we will assist hundreds of Kansas businesses with pollution prevention recommendations for their operations," said Lynelle Ladd, pollution prevention specialist at the Pollution Prevention Institute and lead on the grant. "These efforts will reduce water usage, hazardous waste, air emissions and energy use while saving companies thousands of dollars."
The Pollution Prevention Institute is a part of Engineering Extension, the independent leader in technical assistance, training and outreach for the Carl R. Ice College of Engineering at Kansas State University.
"The Pollution Prevention Institute's program work is 100% grant-funded," said Nancy Larson, co-lead on the project and institute director. "Without this award from EPA, we would not be able to provide the free, expert technical assistance to Kansas companies, or hire experienced environmental staff to provide the assistance or run the program."
Other collaborators on the grant, all from K-State, include Arthur Fink, Leena Divakar and Allison Crowther, pollution prevention specialists with the institute; Trisha Moore, associate professor and Peggy and Gary Edwards Cornerstone teaching scholar in the Carl and Melinda Helwig Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering; and LaVerne Bitsie-Baldwin, director of the Multicultural Engineering Program.
Host companies who would like a pollution prevention intern for summer 2021 can apply online now through Dec. 31 at sbeap.org/intern-program/business-app. Students enrolled in any Kansas university or college, junior year through doctoral level and majoring in engineering or environmental science, can apply online for an internship with the program now through Jan. 31, 2021, at sbeap.org/intern-program/intern-app.
