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<span style="font-size:22.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#0A779C">DEQ Offers Funding Opportunities in Solid Waste Management<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:7.5pt;background:white"><b><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#333333">For Immediate Release:</span></b><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#333333"> July
8, 2019<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:7.5pt;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#333333">Contact: Erin Hatfield, (405) 702-7119<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:7.5pt;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#333333">Local governments can submit an application to the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) for funds aimed
at solid waste improvements. The Oklahoma Solid Waste Management Act (Act) affords DEQ resources that can help local governments with things such as cleaning up illegal dumps, hiring environmental enforcement officers, and developing centers to manage bulky
waste. The Act created a system of state solid waste fees that help fund DEQ’s environmental protection programs. The funds can also help local governments develop better methods of handling solid waste including brush.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:7.5pt;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#333333">The Act directs DEQ to invest in projects to help implement county solid waste management plans. The funding program
is administered directly by county governments through the Oklahoma Cooperative Circuit Engineering Districts Board. The funds from this program are limited.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:7.5pt;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#333333">This Act also seeks to stimulate recycling by helping governmental agencies acquire recycling equipment. During this
fiscal year approximately $200,000 may be available for local governmental agencies to help purchase recycling equipment.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:7.5pt;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#333333">Partnerships with local governments allow DEQ to make the best use of available resources. “Local governments understand
local environmental needs. From assistance in hosting household hazardous or e-waste collection, or aid in investigating illegal dumping, DEQ solid waste funding agreements are a tool we offer to help drive locally initiated environmental improvement projects”
said Patrick Riley, DEQ manager of Solid Waste and Sustainability.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:7.5pt;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#333333">Applications for funding are now being accepted by DEQ. Assistance will be provided to local governments until the
funds are exhausted. Anyone interested in taking advantage of these programs can contact Patrick Riley at P.O. Box 1677, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73101-1677. Interested individuals can contact Patrick Riley at 405-702-5100 or by e-mail at patrick.riley@deq.ok.gov.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:7.5pt;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#333333">###<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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