Illinois EPA interns begin summer Pollution Prevention jobs at companies across the state

SPRINGFIELD—This summer, 16 upper-level university students are taking the skills they learn in the classroom and apply them in the real world as members of Illinois EPA's Pollution Prevention Internship Program, also known as the P2 program.  Since 1989, Illinois EPA has placed over 300 students at manufacturing facilities, small business development centers, trade associations, local government facilities, environmental groups and military installations across the state. 

 

"These are financially difficult times for industry and organizations.  With a combination of classroom theory and exposure to industry best practices provided through training and guidance, these interns are bringing practical solutions that help companies and organizations look at ways to better serve their customers, reduce their bottom line and remain viable and competitive," said Illinois EPA Associate Director Elmo Dowd.

 

The group of selected students will work in a practical setting to help companies and organizations throughout Illinois identify, develop and implement environmentally-friendly technologies and practices in cost-saving ways.  Following completion of the P2 training program in Springfield, students will spend the remainder of the 12-week summer session working as a temporary, full-time employee at the sponsoring facility.  This year's students have backgrounds in various fields of engineering and chemistry.

 

The P2 intern students will help Illinois industries and organizations identify and carry out pollution prevention opportunities, which reduce the generation of waste, increase energy efficiency and conserve water.  These practices not only can help businesses and others achieve better environmental protection, but it can also help them save money, improve efficiency and ease regulatory concerns.

 

"The positive effects of this internship program are considerable.  Energy costs are reduced, solid and hazardous wastes are diverted from landfills, and millions of gallons of water are saved," said P2 program manager Kevin Greene.  "Companies benefit through cost savings, and the environment benefits by way of reductions in emissions and wastes that would be created during manufacturing operations."

The students, universities and specialties, and the companies they will be working for are:

 

 

Since the P2 Intern program has been in existence, over 200 companies have taken advantage of the intern assistance, including Peoria-based Caterpillar, which has welcomed P2 interns at several of its Illinois plants, to family-owned companies with less than 100 employees. 

 

Illinois EPA recruits, trains and pays the salaries and expenses of the interns.  The host facilities will provide oversight and monitor their performance.

For more information on the Illinois EPA's Pollution Prevention program can be found at: http://www.epa.state.il.us/p2/index.html.  For information on the P2 Internship Program, you can contact Richard Reese, (217) 786-7489, or Richard.Reese@Illinois.gov.  Please Note: The deadline for both the student and host facility to apply each year is January 31^st.

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