Environmental Assistance Grants and Loans Program

On September 20, 2010, with the publication of the Request for Proposals (RFP) Notice in the State Register, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has officially announced the opening of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2011 Environmental Assistance Grant Round for application. The deadline for submittal of applications is November 1, 2010, by 3:00 p.m. Central Standard Time, except where specified otherwise.

Approximately $1,208,770 is available for EA grant awards among the following four (4) Focus Areas to encourage outcome-oriented, economically driven approaches to pollution prevention, waste reduction, toxicity reduction, water quality protection, and resource conservation:

1. Resource Conservation and Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Reduction: focus on providing assistance in identified regions of the State for implementing projects achieving measurable outcomes in waste and toxicity reduction, reuse, and/or recycling that advance the Minnesota Climate Change Advisory Council (MCCAG) and Integrated Solid Waste Management Stakeholder Process goals of a 0% increase in waste generation per capita by 2020, a reduction of 3% in waste generation per capita by 2025, achievement of a 50% recycling rate by 2011 and a 60% recycling rate by 2025.  
2. Source-Separated Composting: focus on providing assistance to Minnesota political subdivisions to reduce the amount of organic wastes entering disposal facilities that advance the Minnesota Climate Change Advisory Council (MCCAG) and Integrated Solid Waste Management Stakeholder Process goals of a 10% composting rate by 2012 and 15% by 2020.
3. PAH Contaminated Stormwater Pond Sediment: focus on providing assistance to municipalities for the removal and management of stormwater pond sediments contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). 
4. Metropolitan Landfill Abatement: focus on providing assistance to the seven metropolitan counties of Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, and Washington for implementation of projects featuring resource conservation, reuse, waste and toxicity reduction, and /or recycling activities that advance the goals, policies, and objectives identified in the 2010 Metropolitan Solid Waste Management Policy Plan (applications due by 3:00 p.m. CST, November 15, 2010).

The FY11 EA RFP, application forms, and other relevant information are available from the Environmental Assistance Grant Program. The MPCA will consider other projects that further the Agency’s mission to protect, conserve, and improve the environment if deemed by the Agency to be “time-sensitive.” Prior to the FY11 application submittal deadline, potential applicants may request consideration of their project proposals as time-sensitive if the grant request is less than $10,000, and the applicant can demonstrate why they cannot reasonably abide by the FY11 EA Grant process and timelines. For more information on time-sensitive requests or program assistance, contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 651-757-2208; toll free 1-800-657-3864. Summaries of grants funded previously, going back to Fiscal Year 1997, can be found on our Awarded Grants page.