by Brianna Crandall — October 29, 2010—The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Department of Energy, the Department of Labor, the Department of Commerce, and the Small Business Administration recently signed a joint memorandum of understanding promoting the Economy, Energy, and Environment (E3) Initiative.
E3 projects are local public-private partnerships driven by communities to coordinate and strategically target federal and state resources to assist local businesses in becoming more efficient, competitive and sustainable. E3 Projects already under way in Alabama, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Texas, West Virginia, and Wisconsin have produced significant financial and environmental benefits, say the agencies.
For example, in Columbus, Ohio, the recurring savings for six companies participating in an E3 pilot program include $1.7 million in energy savings; environmental savings of $2.6 million; more than 20,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions avoided; 236 tons of sulfur oxide reduced; more than 250,000 pounds of water pollutants avoided; and solid waste reductions of 24,000 pounds, as well as increased sales and jobs.
