March 25, 2004

Applications are now available from the Department of Environmental Quality for funding under the Scrap Tire Market Development Grant Program and the Scrap Tire End-User Grant Program, authorized by Part 169, Scrap Tires, of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, 1994 PA 451, as amended.

The Legislature appropriated up to $500,000 from the Scrap Tire Regulatory Fund for the Scrap Tire Market Development Grant Program in Fiscal Year 2004. An additional amount, up to $500,000 from the Scrap Tire Regulatory Fund, will be available during Fiscal Year 2004 under the Scrap Tire End-User Grant Program for grants to end-users who receive scrap tires or tire chips.

“These grant funds will encourage the creation of additional markets and products made from Michigan’s scrap tires and further promote an increase in the appropriate use of scrap tire material in Michigan,” said DEQ Director Steven E. Chester. “This will mean more value-added items are made from recycled tire material and fewer tires are simply thrown away."

This is the first year these grant programs are available. Grant funds will help develop new markets for material derived from scrap tires by reimbursing part of the cost of such material when used to develop new products. Use as tire-derived fuel is not eligible for funding under the Scrap Tire Market Development Grant Program. Under the Scrap Tire End-User Grant Program, the DEQ will reimburse end-users of scrap tires or tire chips including tire-derived fuel to promote increased end-use of scrap tire material. The Scrap Tire Market Development Grant Program and the Scrap Tire End-User Grant Program are designed to supplement the Scrap Tire Cleanup Grant Program to promote proper use of scrap tire material in Michigan. The Scrap Tire Regulatory Fund, which provides monetary support for all three grant programs, is funded by a $1.50 vehicle title certificate fee collected by the Secretary of State.

The DEQ will accept applications and all supporting documents received or postmarked on or before May 7, 2004. The DEQ will not accept applications submitted by e-mail or fax.

To receive an application, please contact the Scrap Tire Regulatory Program, Waste and Hazardous Materials Division, Department of Environmental Quality, P.O. Box 30241, Lansing, Michigan 48909 7741, at 517 335 4035; or an application packet may be downloaded from the DEQ Web site at http://www.michigan.gov/deq.

Editor’s note: DEQ news releases are available on the department’s Internet home page at www.michigan.gov/deq.

Revised March 25, 2004 by Pat Watson