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U.S. EPA ANNOUNCES ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE GRANT FOR HAWAIIAN GROUP

Release Date: 8/10/1995
Contact Information: Lois A. Grunwald, U.S. EPA , (415) 744-1588

  (San Francisco)-- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) has announced that it has awarded $19,056 to the  community group Puna Malama Pono for its project in Pahoa, Hawaii as part of the agency's environmental justice awards grant program.

     "The grants will help these groups work in their communities to ensure that the benefits of environmental protection are shared by everyone," said Felicia Marcus, administrator of U.S. EPA's western regional office. "The aim of our environmental justice program is to achieve equal environmental protection, regardless of race, ethnicity, culture, or income."

      The Hawaii grant is part of $3 million awarded by U.S. EPA to 174 community-based organizations, tribal governments and academic institutions to address environmental justice issues and concerns in communities throughout the United States.  

      The air toxics project will help train local volunteers in the Puna District to monitor air emissions from the Puna Geothermal plant. The volunteers will use a portable recording monitor to collect data on hydrogen sulfide emissions. The community will work with air toxics experts to receive training and maintain the monitor.


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