The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has selected the University of Southern Maine to receive a $350,000 Pollution Prevention grant made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s historic $100 million investment in the program.
The university’s project will provide onsite and offsite technical assistance to the Maine craft breweries to increase operational efficiencies, limit pollution and create a healthier working environment and community.
“Funding authorized by Congress and the Biden Administration in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will reduce pollution in many communities, including some of Maine’s urban neighborhoods,” said EPA New England Regional Administrator David W. Cash.” This will, in turn, protect people’s health where they live, work, and play.”
USM’s student interns and the project team will assist 15 to 20 craft beverage businesses with technical assistance, including a New England Sustainable Craft Beverage recognition program, best practices, benchmarking tools, alternative cleaners and sanitizers. The program will also help finance Pollution Prevention upgrades, including more environmentally friendly refrigerants.
“Maine’s craft beverage industry is an important economic driver in Maine,” said Martha Sheils, director of the New England Environmental Finance Center. “With over 145 breweries and growing, this sector added more than $600 million to the Maine economy in 2021 alone.”
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is awarding four additional Pollution Prevention grants in New England worth $80,000.
“As Maine’s craft beer industry grows, we are not just committed to following the rules but leading the way on efforts to protect our Maine land, air, and water,” Sean Sullivan, executive director of the Maine Brewers’ Guild, told Mainebiz. “I applaud the hard work of the New England Environmental Finance Center and congratulate them on this grant.”
–Renee Cordes contributed to this report.