EPA Announces $22 Million WIFIA Loan to Modernize Wastewater Infrastructure in Englewood, Colorado

Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a $22 million Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) loan to the City of Englewood, Colorado to support the One Water Modernization Program. With EPA’s WIFIA loan, Englewood will modernize aging wastewater infrastructure at the South Platte Renew plant to be more resilient and better protect water quality.

“The South Platte River provides essential water for drinking, agriculture, industry, and recreation,” said EPA Assistant Administrator for Water Radhika Fox. “I want to congratulate the City of Englewood for investing in clean water and securing a low-interest WIFIA loan to help cover the costs. EPA supports water infrastructure investments and looks forward to uplifting more communities with $50 billion for water through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.” 

Englewood, Colorado, is located in a water-constrained and rapidly changing region. As a result, the city is pursuing its One Water Modernization Program, a comprehensive water infrastructure modernization plan. With this loan, Englewood will upgrade its wastewater treatment and conveyance systems by replacing outdated electrical and control systems and making treatment and process improvements to address aging infrastructure. Included in these upgrades are chemical and ultraviolet treatment improvements, which will help to assure that discharges comply with state limits for nitrates. Englewood will also establish a wastewater pilot and research center to test new technologies and treatment equipment. In addition to environmental improvements, these projects will help protect bolster the system’s resilience to climate change and extreme weather events.

"Englewood is leading the charge to modernize our water infrastructure. This investment will provide clean water, promote resiliency, and create jobs all while saving taxpayers money,” said U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper.

“This is a huge win for our community and is yet another example of the progress we’re making as a result of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law,” said U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette (CO-1). “Not only will this project help improve water quality for the residents of Englewood, it will also provide a boost to the local economy by creating jobs and further protect our community from the threat of climate change.”

“The City of Englewood is pleased to work with EPA on securing nearly $22 million in loan funds to invest in South Platte Renew,” said Englewood Mayor Othoniel Sierra. “Englewood is the first utility in the State of Colorado to use the WIFIA Loan Program for infrastructure investment. Not only does the WIFIA program provide the funds necessary to modernize our aging wastewater infrastructure to be more resilient and protect and improve water quality in the South Platte River, it allows the city to delay repayment, saving citizens money.”

“EPA’s WIFIA loans are helping Western communities make infrastructure investments that will protect critical water resources in the face of increasing climate challenges,” said EPA Regional Administrator KC Becker. “The City of Englewood’s South Platte Renew upgrades will create good-paying jobs, strengthen capacity and resilience, and secure state-of-the-art wastewater treatment for a cleaner, healthier watershed.”

Englewood will save approximately $8.5 million by financing with a WIFIA loan. Construction and operation are estimated to create approximately 282 jobs.

Englewood’s water infrastructure project compliments the work being done through EPA’s South Platte Urban Waters Partnership, a collaboration of organizations working across governmental and disciplinary boundaries. The aim of the partnership is to protect and restore lands and waters in the South Platte River watershed.

For more information about the WIFIA program, visit: WIFIA.

EPA Announces Availability of up to $1.6 Million in Environmental Justice Grants for Tribal Public Participation Project

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced the availability of up to $1.6 million in American Rescue Plan (ARP) funding to support Tribal government efforts to establish or modify programs on environmental justice water and air quality issues. Earlier this year, EPA announced spending plans for the $100 million in ARP funding appropriated by Congress in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and health outcome disparities, with $50 million being designated to improve ambient air quality monitoring, and $50 million designated to address disproportionate environmental or public health harms and risks in underserved communities. Congress made up to $1.6 million in ARP funding available to Tribes, recognizing the importance of supporting Tribal public engagement programs and related priorities that have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. EPA anticipates awarding 16 to 20 grants nationwide in amounts of up to $100,000 per award.  

“This funding opportunity will help ensure that our Tribal Nation partners and their communities are prioritized within EPA’s whole-of-government approach to address environmental challenges,” said JoAnn Chase, Director of the American Indian Environment Office. “This funding also serves as reaffirmation of EPA’s policy, and the Biden Administration’s priority, to advance and integrate environmental justice into all of our work, including our work with federally recognized Tribal governments and indigenous peoples.” 

 

“Our partners in Tribal governments recognize that they, just like us, advance justice by starting with meaningful engagement,” said Matthew Tejada, Director of the Office of Environmental Justice. “We are excited to support their efforts to lift up the voices of the people most impacted by and vulnerable to pollution.”

 

EPA is committed to assisting federally recognized Tribes in building capacity to establish public participation, community involvement, education, and communication systems to engage with tribal members and others living on tribal lands, as noted in the EPA Policy on Environmental Justice for Working with Federally Recognized Tribes and Indigenous Peoples. 

 

Projects stemming from this Tribal grant opportunity will help achieve the goals of President Biden’s Justice40 initiative, which aims to ensure that federal agencies deliver at least 40% of benefits from certain investments to underserved communities. 

 

Applicants interested in this funding opportunity must submit grant proposal packages by May 19, 2022. Applicants should plan for projects to begin on October 1, 2022. To learn more about the pre-application assistance calls and how to apply for funding, visit: Environmental Justice Small Grants Program.

EPA recognizes Colorado, South Dakota, Utah and Wyoming manufacturing plants among most energy-efficient of 2021

This week, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that 93 U.S. manufacturing plants earned the agency’s ENERGY STAR certification in 2021. ENERGY STAR certified plants are verified to be among the most energy-efficient plants within their industries. Together, they prevented more than 5 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions from the industrial sector, which is responsible for nearly a third of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions.

"As these companies demonstrate, improving energy efficiency serves to confront climate change while strengthening our economy,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “Manufacturing plants that reduce energy consumption as part of the transition to a zero-emissions future save money and create the resiliency needed for the long-term health of their operations, our economy, and our planet.”

Thanks to their superior energy performance over a single year, these plants avoided nearly 90 trillion Btus of energy consumption and prevented emissions equal to the annual energy use of nearly 650,000 American homes. Since the first plants were certified in 2006, ENERGY STAR certified plants have cumulatively saved manufacturers more than $7 billion on energy bills when compared to average-performing facilities.

Energy efficiency cuts energy waste and is an essential action for achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 for both the United States’ Long-Term Strategy and the sustainability of the manufacturing sector.

To assess energy performance, plants use EPA’s ENERGY STAR energy performance indicators (EPIs), or, in the case of petroleum refineries, the Solomon Associates Energy Intensity Index (Solomon-EII™) scoring system. Plants must score 75 or higher on these 100-point scales—indicating that they are more energy efficient than at least 75% of similar facilities nationwide—to be eligible for ENERGY STAR certification. ENERGY STAR certification is available for 20 manufacturing sectors, from cement and steel to glass and commercial bakeries.

All ENERGY STAR certified manufacturing plants in 2022:
*Represents first-time certification

Colorado:

• GCC, Pueblo (cement manufacturing)

• Mile Hi Companies, Denver (commercial bread and roll baking)

• Rocky Mountain Bottle Company, Wheat Ridge (container glass manufacturing)*

South Dakota:

• GCC, Rapid City (cement manufacturing)

Utah:

• Bimbo Bakeries USA, Inc., Salt Lake City (commercial bread and roll baking)

• TreeHouse Foods, Inc., Odgen (cookie & cracker baking)

Wyoming:

• J.R. Simplot Company, Rock Springs (nitrogenous fertilizer)*

Since 2006, the ENERGY STAR Industrial Program has annually certified manufacturing plants for performing within the top 25% of energy performance in their industries nationwide. More than 230 plants have achieved this distinction since 2006. For more information, see: ENERGY STAR plant certification. For a list of all certified plants, see: ENERGY STAR Certified Building and Plant Locator. To learn more about how EPA and industry work together, see: Industrial Energy Management.

EPA and Colorado announce enforcement partnership to advance environmental justice goals

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) have signed a memorandum of understanding  to coordinate enforcement actions that advance the environmental justice goals of both agencies. Colorado is the second state in the nation, following California, to develop a memorandum of understanding with EPA on this topic. The memorandum further enhances the agencies’ shared efforts to identify the most serious threats to public health and the environment in communities that are disproportionately impacted by pollution.

Today’s announcement initiates a partnership between the two agencies and expands collaborative activities related to enforcement, inspections, compliance assistance, communication, community engagement, and training to benefit public health and the environment in overburdened communities. EPA and CDPHE will focus on compliance across various environmental laws and regulations that secure clean air, water, soil, and drinking water and protect people from exposure to hazardous waste and toxic chemicals. These include urban and rural communities where people may be exposed to pollution from multiple sources. 

“We know the burdens of pollution are often heavier in disadvantaged and vulnerable communities, which may result in significant impacts on health and quality of life,” said KC Becker, EPA regional administrator. “This agreement with Colorado focuses our compliance assurance, communication, community engagement and training efforts to address the disparities that exist in overburdened communities.” 

“Environmental justice and health equity are core to everything we do. Prioritizing enforcement of our environmental laws in areas with the greatest health disparities is a direct step toward eliminating systemic inequities that result in poorer health outcomes for too many Coloradans,” said Jill Hunsaker Ryan, CDPHE executive director. “We are going to work closely with communities to determine their priorities and concerns so we can more effectively use resources to eliminate threats to public health.” 

Members of the State of Colorado’s EJ Action Task Force and EJ Advisory Board also weighed in:

"The MOU created by CDPHE and the EPA Region 8 is an important step forward for disproportionately affected communities. As a lifelong Puebloan, taking steps to ensure our citizens have clean air, water, and safe places to live and work should be everyone's top priority. I am excited about the outreach portion of this MOU and the opportunity to have tough conversations in areas outside the Denver Metro area. House Bill 21-1266 is going to open up even more doors for disproportionately impacted communities and move us to a more equitable state. I am thrilled at the work that is happening out of CDPHE and now the EPA Region 8 office,” said Josette Jaramillo, co-chair, Environmental Justice Advisory Board.

"This new agreement is an important recognition that our federal and state agencies must partner with disproportionately impacted communities in an all-hands-on-deck approach to a pollution-free future for ALL Coloradans. For generations, our communities — Latino, low-income, and Black, Indigenous, and communities of color — have carried the burden of pollution, to this day, we continue to fight unjust barriers to eliminating the health and economic impacts of multiple sources of pollution in our neighborhoods and workspaces. I applaud our federal and state leaders for acknowledging and taking steps to reverse that harm,” said Beatriz Soto, member, Environmental Justice Action Task Force.

"This is a critical step towards environmental justice for those harmed by government permitted toxics. We must improve our enforcement and compliance. We should always put health and safety first. This should be step one for the EPA and CDPHE. Communities have long advocated for stronger accountability. Impacted communities see the stark difference between how the law is applied to our communities.  As a member of the Environmental Justice Action Taskforce, I am committed to the community and to work with you and government agencies on real measures of accountability and transparency,” said Hilda Nucete, member, Environmental Justice Action Task Force.

The memorandum contains several provisions, including:

• Strategically prioritizing inspections at facilities located in communities that are disproportionately impacted by pollution.
• Enhancing enforcement coordination between CDPHE and EPA to reduce pollution burdens in disproportionately impacted communities.
• Expanding transparency through public engagement about enforcement and compliance actions in impacted communities.

The memorandum is set to run five years. 

EPA and CDPHE will facilitate a series of community listening sessions and meetings and provide many channels for receiving community input on the scope of work and a concrete plan for implementation. 

CDPHE has made environmental justice a core priority, recognizing that the department has an obligation to address long-standing inequities throughout the state. In 2021, Governor Polis signed the Environmental Justice Act (HB21-1266) into law.  Later that year, Governor Polis and CDPHE executive director Jill Hunsaker Ryan appointed members to Colorado’s first Environmental Justice Advisory Board, and CDPHE launched the new Environmental Justice Action Task Force.

In 2021, CDPHE also created a new Environmental Justice Unit to reduce environmental health disparities for communities of color and low-income communities across Colorado. 

EPA awards $540,000 to Colorado schools for clean buses that reduce diesel emissions and protect children’s health

Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced Colorado school districts in Adams County, Boulder County, Otero County, and Weld County will receive $540,000 in rebates to support the replacement of 27 old diesel school buses with newer, low-emission buses.  The Colorado recipients are among $10 million provided to schools across the nation to reduce pollution from 444 school buses to protect children’s health and improve regional air quality through the agency’s Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) program.

 

These DERA rebates will help fund 27 clean school buses in Colorado and reduce emissions of particulates, nitrogen oxides, other harmful pollutants, including in communities in areas which are currently not attaining Clean Air Act ozone standards. Recipients will use the funds to replace old diesel school buses in their fleets with new electric, diesel, gasoline, propane, or compressed natural gas school buses meeting current emission standards.

 

“These clean buses will deliver healthier rides for hundreds of Colorado school children and reduce pollution in Front Range communities addressing ozone and other air quality challenges,” said EPA Regional Administrator KC Becker. “The projects we are announcing today are just the beginning of a historic $5 billion investment on the way for clean and zero-emission school buses across the nation from the Biden Administration and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.”

 

Colorado winners include:

 

• Adams 12 Five Star Schools: $200,000 to replace 10 buses
• Boulder Valley School District: $120,000 to replace 6 buses
• Cheraw School District 31: $20,000 to replace 1 bus
• Weld County School District 6: $200,000 to replace 10 buses

 

In addition to the rebates announced today, in the coming weeks, EPA plans to announce a new Clean School Bus rebate program under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which provides an unprecedented $5 billion over five years, to replace existing school buses with low- or zero-emission school buses. Replacing these buses will improve air quality in and around schools and communities, reduce greenhouse gas pollution, and better protect children’s health overall. Since 2012, EPA’s school bus rebates have awarded, or are in the process of awarding, over $73 million to replace more than 3,000 old diesel school buses.

This program will also prioritize projects that help achieve the goals of President Biden’s Justice40 initiative, which aims to ensure that federal agencies deliver at least 40 percent of benefits from certain investments to underserved communities.

 

EPA may prioritize applications that replace school buses in high need local educational agencies, low-income and rural areas, Tribal schools, and applications that provide cost share. To learn more about the upcoming Clean School Bus Program, please visit http://www.epa.gov/cleanschoolbus.

New EPA Toxics Release Inventory data show continued reductions in toxic chemical releases in Region 8

Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its 2020 Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) National Analysis, which shows that companies that manage chemicals continue to make progress in preventing pollution and reducing chemical releases into the environment. The report shows continued reductions in toxic chemical releases in Region 8 and that, between 2019 and 2020, total releases of TRI chemicals nationwide decreased by 10 percent.

This 2020 Analysis includes enhancements to make data more useful and accessible to communities, including communities with environmental justice concerns. EPA has added demographic information to the “Where You Live” mapping tool, making it easy to overlay maps of facility locations with maps of overburdened and vulnerable communities. Community groups, policymakers, and other stakeholders can use this information to identify potential exposures to air and water pollution, better understand which communities are experiencing a disproportionate pollution burden and take action at the local level.

To assist communities with reducing pollution, EPA is offering $23 million in grant funding opportunities for states and Tribes to develop and provide businesses with information, training, and tools to help them adopt pollution prevention (P2) practices. For the first time, approximately $14 million in grant funding provided by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is available with no cost sharing/matching requirement, increasing access to funding for all communities. These grants are also a critical component of the President’s Justice40 initiative, providing a meaningful benefit to communities impacted by legacy pollution issues. As such, EPA will administer this program in accordance with this initiative to ensure at least 40% of the benefits are delivered to underserved communities.

“I am pleased that companies are making strides to reduce pollution, and I encourage states and Tribes to apply for EPA grant funding to help further this progress,” said Deputy Regional Administrator Debra H. Thomas. “When we work together, we can prevent pollution at the source and support business growth while also supporting nearby, often overburdened and vulnerable communities.”  

In 2020, facilities in Region 8 managed 917 million pounds of production-related waste and released or otherwise disposed of 335 million pounds (37 percent). Primary metal manufacturers and metal mines drive the quantity of chemical waste managed and released in Region 8. At metal mines, changes in production volumes and in the chemical composition of the extracted ore can vary substantially from year to year, impacting waste quantities reported to TRI and accounting for annual fluctuations in release quantities. Excluding the metal mining sector, releases in Region 8 decreased by 16 percent since 2011. For 2020, 5 percent of Region 8 facilities reported implementing new source reduction activities. 

In addition to the new community mapping tools, the National Analysis also includes a new map in the data visualization dashboard that displays international transfers of chemical waste by facilities in each state. Additionally, the National Analysis includes a new profile of the cement manufacturing sector and the addition of greenhouse gas reporting information in certain sector profiles. Users will be able to track greenhouse gas emissions for electric utilities, chemical manufacturing, cement manufacturing, and other sectors. This section will also include information on the benefits of source reduction in these industries.

To access the 2020 TRI National Analysis, visit www.epa.gov/trinationalanalysis.

EPA Region 8 hosting public listening session March 1 on the Draft Strategy to Reduce Lead Exposures and Disparities in U.S. Communities

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently announced a series of upcoming public listening sessions on the Draft Strategy to Reduce Lead Exposures and Disparities in U.S. Communities (Lead Strategy), so communities and stakeholders can provide their comments on the Agency’s plan. Ongoing exposures to lead in the environment present a health risk to too many people nationwide. Very low levels of lead in children’s blood have been linked to adverse effects on intellect, concentration and academic achievement. The draft Lead Strategy lays out approaches to strengthen public health protections, address legacy lead contamination for communities with the greatest exposures and promote environmental justice.

“Communities of color and low-income communities are often disproportionately exposed to lead, which can cause life-long negative effects,” said Carlton Waterhouse, EPA deputy assistant administrator for the Office of Land and Emergency Management. “Today, we are inviting all communities exposed to lead and other stakeholders to share their perspectives so that EPA can ensure that our Draft Strategy to Reduce Lead Exposures and Disparities in U.S. Communities is as comprehensive as possible.”

 

“Public input is an essential element of the important work we do at EPA to make sure communities have lead-free environments,” said EPA Regional Administrator KC Becker. “We encourage people to attend on March 1 and provide public comment so that together we can work to reduce lead exposure in our communities.”

 

Virtual public listening sessions will be held in all 10 of EPA’s geographic offices. EPA Region 8, which serves Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, Wyoming and 28 Tribal Nations, will hold a listening session on March 1 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. mountain standard time. Registration will be required to attend the event. Registration links to each regional listening session can be found on EPA’s website at: https://www.epa.gov/lead/draft-strategy-reduce-lead-exposures-and-disparities-us-communities. Interpretation and disability access support will be provided.

During this event, registered members of the public will have an opportunity to share their comments on EPA’s draft Lead Strategy with EPA senior officials and managers. Those interested in speaking may sign up for a 3-minute speaking slot at the time of registration.

Members of the public who are unable to attend this event are encouraged to attend any of the 10 listening sessions or to submit comments via the docket at: http://www.regulations.gov,  Docket ID: EPA-HQ-OLEM-2021-0762 until March 16, 2022.

EPA Region 8 to host public listening session March 1 on the Draft Strategy to Reduce Lead Exposures and Disparities in U.S. Communities

Last month, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a series of upcoming public listening sessions on the Draft Strategy to Reduce Lead Exposures and Disparities in U.S. Communities (Lead Strategy), so communities and stakeholders can provide their comments on the Agency’s plan. Ongoing exposures to lead in the environment present a health risk to too many people nationwide. Very low levels of lead in children’s blood have been linked to adverse effects on intellect, concentration and academic achievement. The draft Lead Strategy lays out approaches to strengthen public health protections, address legacy lead contamination for communities with the greatest exposures and promote environmental justice. 

“Underserved and overburdened communities are often disproportionately exposed to lead, which can cause life-long negative effects,” said Carlton Waterhouse, EPA deputy assistant administrator for the Office of Land and Emergency Management. “Today, we are inviting all communities exposed to lead and other stakeholders to share their perspectives so that EPA can ensure that our Draft Strategy to Reduce Lead Exposures and Disparities in U.S. Communities is as comprehensive as possible.”  

“Public input is an essential element of the important work we do at EPA to make sure communities have lead-free environments,” said EPA Regional Administrator KC Becker. “We encourage people to attend on March 1 and provide public comment so that together we can work to reduce lead exposure in our communities.” 

Virtual public listening sessions will be held in all 10 of EPA’s geographic offices. EPA Region 8, which serves Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, Wyoming and 28 Tribal Nations, will hold a listening session on March 1 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. mountain standard time. Registration will be required to attend the event. Registration links to each regional listening session can be found on EPA’s website at: https://www.epa.gov/lead/draft-strategy-reduce-lead-exposures-and-disparities-us-communities. Interpretation and disability access support will be provided. 

During this event, registered members of the public will have an opportunity to share their comments on EPA’s draft Lead Strategy with EPA senior officials and managers. Those interested in speaking may sign up for a 3-minute speaking slot at the time of registration. 

EPA Announces Availability of $20 Million to Reduce Lead in Drinking Water

Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced $20 million in available grant funding to assist communities and schools with removing sources of lead in drinking water.  This grant funding, and additional funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, will help make rapid progress on the goal of addressing lead and removing lead pipes across the country.

 

“A pillar of our work at EPA is ensuring that every person in every community has safe drinking water,” said EPA Assistant Administrator for Water Radhika Fox. “This grant funding will help reduce exposure to lead in drinking water and should be used to support underserved communities that are most at risk for exposure.”

 

Under the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation (WIIN) Act, EPA is announcing the availability of $10 million for projects to conduct lead service line replacements or implement corrosion control improvements and $10 million for projects that remove sources of lead in drinking water (e.g., fixtures, fountains, outlets and plumbing materials) in schools or childcare facilities.

 

EPA will award this funding in alignment with the goals of the Biden-Harris Administration’s Justice40 Initiative, which seeks to deliver at least 40 percent of the benefits of certain federal investments to underserved communities. The agency encourages applications that support equity by prioritizing underserved communities, those with lead reduction projects at drinking water systems with at least one lead action level exceedance within the last three years, as well as those with schools with at least 50% of the children receiving free and reduced lunch, in Head Start facilities, and/or in areas with additional environmental health burdens (e.g., areas with older buildings likely to have lead-based paint).

 

This WIIN grant will be competed through a Request for Application process. The funding opportunity will remain open for 60 days on www.grants.gov.

EPA recognizes four Colorado companies for distinguished efforts to prevent pollution

Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 8 recognized four Colorado companies as winners of the 2021 Regional Pollution Prevention (P2) Award Program. This year’s awardees—Leprino Foods Company, Management and Engineering Services LLC, PCs for People and Taco Star—have all shown a commitment to pollution prevention by reducing, eliminating or preventing pollution at its source prior to recycling, treatment or disposal.  

“I’m happy to recognize the leadership and accomplishments of businesses that are actively working to prevent pollution and make a positive impact in their communities,” said EPA Regional Administrator KC Becker. “The work done by this year’s awardees supports EPA’s goals of reducing pollution and addressing climate change.”  

Leprino Foods Company in Fort Morgan, Colorado is a dairy ingredients manufacturer that produces mozzarella cheese, milk proteins and lactose. To reduce its greenhouse gas and water footprint, Leprino installed modern equipment and implemented cleaning system and production process improvements to minimize waste brine and process cleaning water generation. The improvements reduced waste hauling and water, electrical and gas consumption. 

“The company views pollution prevention efforts as a critical factor in manufacturing products for the overall benefit of the consumer and play an important part in meeting climate action commitments,” said Leprino Foods Fort Morgan Plant Manager David Merriam. “As water scarcity concerns escalate in the local watershed, and throughout the country, every effort we can make to reduce water demand in our processes helps to lessen the strain on water supplies. Reductions in electrical, gas and transportation help to minimize air quality impacts across the region and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Future projects planned for this coming year include upgrading LED lighting, upgrading internal water reuse projects, as well as optimizing the ammonia system efficiency.” 

Management and Engineering Services, LLC in Longmont is a small business that provides specialized environmental and business planning support solutions to government agencies and private companies operating on government lands. Over the past three years, Management and Engineering Services implemented water reduction equipment and techniques, instituted a composting program, eliminated disposable food service ware and paper towels, purchased 100% renewable energy, as well as Renewable Energy Certificates for all purchased electricity, and provided employee bicycles as part of its bike-to-work promotion. 

PCs for People in Denver, Colorado provides opportunities for greater Denver’s individuals and families with low income to benefit from the life-changing impacts of computer and internet access. PCs for People Denver diverts over a million pounds of electronic waste from Colorado landfills every year and repurposes the waste to support digital inclusion. In the last three years, PCs for People Colorado has refurbished over 24,814 computers and responsibly recycled over 2 million pounds of electronics, providing second life to these devices that may have otherwise ended up in a landfill. Not only do they prevent hazardous waste from entering the waste stream, but they also reduce the demand for manufacturing new computers. 

“We are humbled and honored to receive this award in recognition of our positive environmental impact,” said PCs for People Denver Executive Director Alejandro Dopico. “Every time a business recycles their technology with us, we feel excited about the opportunity to give it a second life as a valuable device for a family while also keeping it out of a landfill. We are grateful to the many partners who make our work possible, from businesses to community organizations to our customers.”  

Taco Star in Longmont, Colorado is a family-owned Mexican restaurant. By working with Longmont’s Sustainable Business Program, Efficiency Works, and Boulder County Partners for a Clean Environment, Taco Star updated older compact fluorescent interior and exterior lighting to new LED fixtures, replaced less efficient hand sink aerators with low-flow aerators, and replaced 20-year-old refrigeration equipment with new ENERGY STAR® units.