DALLAS - (Nov. 10, 2015) The E.P.A. (EPA) is awarding in excess of $521,000 to 14 organizations in Texas, New Mexico and Mexico. The funds will support plans such as conservation, waste collection, water quality protection, recycling expansion, green infrastructure and improving environmental education in the region.
"Addressing the environmental issues along the border has long been a priority we share with our colleagues in Mexico," said Regional Administrator Ron Curry. "These plans will make a difference and demonstrate innovative solutions to enhance the lives of our border residents."
The funds are a part of the Border 2020 initiative, in partnership with the Border Environment Cooperation Commission (BECC). The plans will address the public health and environmental protection goals of the initiative and recipient organizations will match federal funds with over $589,000.
The following organizations received grants:
Federación Mexicana de Asociaciones Privadas de Salud y Desarrollo Comunitario, A.C. - Received $50,000 for sustainable and resilience housing
Subsecretaria de Medio Ambiente, Tamaulipas - Received $20,866 to strengthen solid waste programs
Secretaría de Medio Ambiente del Estado de Coahuila de Zaragoza - Received $16,777 for electronic waste recycling
City of Harlingen Fire Department - Received $60,000 to support binational tabletop exercises
Instituto Tecnológico de Ciudad Juárez - Received $43,204 for a green infrastructure and sustainability plan
Universidad Autónoma de Chihuahua - Facultad de Zootecnia y Ecología - Received $41,388 for a soil conservation and management plan
Secretaría de Desarrollo Urbano y Medio Ambiente, Tamaluipas - Received $9,385 for energy efficient lighting
Texas A&M University-Kingsville - Received $38,885 for storm water enhancements
Grupo Ecológico Green Tec-Osos del Instituto Tecnológico de Piedras Negras - Received $36,054 for electronic waste recycling
The University of Texas at Austin - Received $58,575 for a water quality improvement initiative
Brownsville Public Utilities Board - Received $25,000 for an educational campaign to help eliminate water discharges
Junta de Aguas y Drenaje de Matamoros - Received $25,000 for an educational campaign to help eliminate water discharges
City of Pharr, Recycling Center- Received $36,390 for a green campaign
Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas, Facultad de Comercio, Administración y Ciencias Sociales de Nuevo Laredo - Received $11,000 for Environmental Education and Legislative action reforms
The Border 2020 Plan is a bi-national collaborative effort with a mission to protect human health and the environment in the U.S.-Mexico border region. BECC is an international organization established for the purpose of preserving, protecting and enhancing the environment in the U.S. - Mexico border region.
The Border Plan also strengthens its focus in regional areas where environmental enhancements are needed most: establishing thematic goals, supporting the implementation of projects, considering new fundamental strategies, and encouraging the achievement of more ambitious environmental and public health goals.
For more information on the Border 2020 Program, please visit: http://www2.epa.gov/border2020/forms/contact-border-2020
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Activities in E.P.A. Region 6: http://www2.epa.gov/aboutepa/epa-region-6-south-central
