by University Communications
October 13th 2023
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Community Environmental Services Director Christa McDermott shares news that U.S. Environmental Protection Agency awarded PSU more than $700,000 to address pollution prevention in Tribal communities at the Native American Student and Community Center on Oct. 12, 2023.
Portland State University was awarded $716,484 from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as part of an effort to address pollution prevention in local communities.
The focus of the project is working with Native American owned and serving businesses to develop sustainable procurement plans and assistance to switch to safer, more sustainable products. The project, a partnership between PSU’s Community Environmental Services unit, PSU’s Institute on Tribal Governance, the Northwest Native American Chamber of Commerce and the Sustainable Purchasing Leadership Council, will provide technical assistance to Native‐owned/‐serving businesses. Technical assistance will include culturally relevant sustainable product curriculum, industry‐specific procurement resources, support for implementing new technologies and webinars, co-created with community members.
“PSU's Community Environmental Services has a legacy of putting our expertise in sustainable materials management to use to benefit all people. We're excited about this opportunity to connect with and learn from Native American businesses in this mission,” said PSU Community Environmental Services Director Christa McDermott.
EPA Region 10 Administrator Casey Sixkiller said this project is a great example of how the federal government can partner with higher education and nonprofits to improve people’s lives — particularly those in Tribal communities that have greater exposure to toxins and routinely experience more health impacts related to environmental pollution.
"PSU's motto is ‘Let Knowledge Serve the City’ and Community Environmental Services has exhibited that ethos for decades," said PSU President Ann Cudd. "I am thrilled to celebrate this grant and the capacity it will add to our work with Indigenous communities and to promote environmental justice."