Contact:      Sharon Goble (517) 241-8280

DEQ Announces Small Business Pollution Prevention Loan Approval

Dr. Thomas Herremans, D.D.S., is the second orthodontist to have a project approved under the Department of Environmental Quality’s Small Business Pollution Prevention (P2) Loan Program.

The P2 Loan Program is part of the Clean Michigan Initiative, a $675 million environmental bond proposed by Governor John Engler, and overwhelmingly approved by voters in 1998. Small businesses with less than 100 employees can qualify for the low-interest loan program by submitting a short application describing how their project meets the definition of pollution prevention. Projects that eliminate or reduce waste through source reduction or environmentally sound reuse or recycling are considered for loan funding.

DEQ Director Russell Harding’s approval of the project clears the way for finalizing a $100,000 loan to Dr. Herremans, of Grand Rapids. Dr. Herremans requested a loan to install a digital radiograph (x-ray) machine, and upgrade an on-site radiograph to digital capability. The digital machinery purchase and upgrade will completely eliminate the need for radiographic film, lead-lined film containers, and the chemicals and heavy metals used to develop the film.

"The economics of pollution prevention just make sense," said Director Harding.  "With so many costs going up, this is one sure way to bring them down while protecting the environment."

"With this equipment, we can eliminate the annual purchase of 88 gallons of radiographic fixer and developer solution," said Dr. Herremans. "It’s also a good feeling to be making business decisions that have a positive impact on the environment."

Eligible projects must reduce waste at the point of generation, or reuse or recycle materials. The program is based on a match partnership where the loan is split between participating lending institutions and the DEQ CMI fund.

Loans of up to $100,000 are available to all private business sectors including manufacturing, farming, retail, and service. The DEQ’s Environmental Assistance Division administers the program.

For more information on the program, contact the DEQ at 1-800-662-9278.