Manufacturing Publications

P²AD SUPPORTS WASTE REDUCTION RESEARCH

As a part of its core strategy for promoting pollution prevention, P²AD serves as a catalyst for the development and deployment of new manufacturing methods and technologies that save energy and reduce waste. P²AD supports these efforts by identifying research needs; locating federal, state, and private sector funding opportunities; establishing partnerships to develop research projects; providing assistance in drafting proposals; providing technical direction and administrative support for selected projects; and finding industrial applications for new and emerging technologies.

IDENTIFYING RESEARCH NEEDS

P²AD engineers conduct on-site assessments at industrial facilities throughout the state. These assessments provide the Division's engineers with the opportunity to work with CEOs, plant managers, and environmental engineers on the most pressing energy and environmental problems affecting their operations. This interaction helps P²AD identify areas where research needs exist.

Through P²AD's regional environmental network initiative, companies come together to discuss common environmental problems and share potential solutions. This initiative also provides input from the business and manufacturing communities on the types of research needed to address real world environmental management problems.

IDENTIFICATION OF FUNDING SOURCES

New concepts can only be transformed into new technologies when sufficient funding is made available. Fortunately, the federal and state government, as well the private sector, recognize the need to support applied research in environmental technologies. There are a number of grant programs specifically designed to provide funding in this area. As a service to potential grant seekers, P²AD maintains information on a variety of programs to promote the development and commercial deployment of environmental technologies. P²AD continuously reviews the available electronic and print media to identify new funding sources. In addition, P²AD disseminates information on funding opportunities through workshops, conferences, public presentations, and printed materials.

ESTABLISHING PARTNERSHIPS

A common feature of many grant programs is the mandate to develop partnerships with other organizations. Many agencies require that funded projects represent a collaborative effort between state government, private industry, research universities, and/or environmental organizations. These collaborative ventures are favored by many funding agencies because they tend to create a critical mass of industrial experience and scientific expertise.

Some programs require that the selected project be supported by some combination of grant money and contributions from project participants and third party contributors. In addition to identifying funding sources, P²AD works with potential applicants to identify other interested organizations and helps to develop viable partnership arrangements.

PROPOSAL DRAFTING

Most grants for funding environmental technology projects are awarded on a competitive basis. Applications are received and evaluated based on a detailed solicitation which outlines the purposes of the program, the selection criteria, and the data to be submitted. It is not uncommon for granting agencies to receive 15 to 20 times more applications than the number of available awards. In this intensely competitive environment only the best written proposals have a serious chance to be funded. For those grant programs in which it is directly involved, P²AD staff (including environmental specialists and engineers) provide input on the technical, financial, and administrative aspects of a proposed project.

ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT

Many federal grant programs require eligible projects to secure the active participation of a state agency. Some programs even require that applications be submitted by a specific agency of state government, in conjunction with other participants from industry and academia. In this case, the state agency is required to provide technical direction and assume administrative responsibility for the project. P²AD has significant experience in the administration of applied research grants and is proactively seeking opportunities to establish new partnerships in support of applied research initiatives.

TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER

The successful completion of a research project is only one step in bringing that technology to industry. Once its economic and technical viability is demonstrated, new technologies must be successfully deployed in the real world. P²AD, working in conjunction with its technical assistance partners in the Georgia Environmental Partnership (GEP), seeks to match industrial problems with innovative, cost-effective technological solutions. GEP conducts on-site assessments, industry-specific workshops, and regional network meetings. These events provide an opportunity to discuss new and emerging technologies that can have a positive impact on the economic competitiveness of Georgia industry.

T-12-98

On-site assessments

Sector assessments

Recycling & Solid Waste Assistance

Compliance Assistance

Georgia Environmental Partnership (GEP)

Workshops and Environmental Networks

Information Center

Publications

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