August 3, 2026
Business owners are constantly looking for ways to reduce costs, improve operations, and remain competitive. One valuable resource available to businesses across West Virginia is the West Virginia University Pollution Prevention (P2) Program, which provides technical assistance to help companies identify opportunities for energy savings, waste reduction, operational efficiency, and sustainability improvements.
This program is available to any for profit businesses in our three-county area.
What Is the WVU Pollution Prevention Program?
The WVU Pollution Prevention (P2) Program helps businesses identify ways to reduce pollution at its source by decreasing energy use, water consumption, material waste, and disposal costs before they become expensive operational challenges. The program’s goal is to help businesses improve efficiency while maintaining—or even increasing—productivity.
Participating businesses typically receive:
- On-site facility assessments
- Analysis of energy, water, and material usage
- Recommendations for operational improvements
- Opportunities to reduce waste and utility costs
- Strategies to improve sustainability and efficiency
- A detailed report outlining findings and suggested actions including timelines necessary to recoup investments.
These recommendations can often result in measurable cost savings while helping businesses modernize their operations.
Not Just for Manufacturers
Although the program highlights key industries such as manufacturing, food processing, chemicals, aerospace, automotive, and metal fabrication, the underlying concepts apply to virtually any for-profit business.
Main Street businesses often have opportunities to:
- Lower utility expenses
- Improve lighting and HVAC efficiency
- Reduce water consumption
- Minimize waste disposal costs
- Improve operational processes
- Explore renewable energy opportunities
For small businesses operating on tight margins, even modest improvements can produce significant savings over time.
A Strong First Step Toward Future Grant Funding
One often-overlooked benefit of participating in programs like the WVU P2 initiative is that the assessment process can help businesses better understand their current energy usage and identify projects that may be eligible for future funding opportunities.
For example, many businesses have previously utilized the USDA Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) to help fund renewable energy systems and energy-efficiency improvements. While program funding availability can change from year to year, businesses that have already identified efficiency projects and gathered operational data are often better positioned to pursue opportunities when funding rounds become available.
A P2 assessment can help business owners:
- Identify potential efficiency projects
- Prioritize capital improvements
- Document energy-saving opportunities
- Develop a roadmap for future investments
- Prepare for applications to programs such as USDA REAP or other state and federal energy initiatives
Being proactive today can make it much easier to act quickly when grant or loan opportunities become available in the future.
Greenbrier Valley EDC Can Help Connect You
The Greenbrier Valley Economic Development Corporation regularly works with businesses to identify programs, technical assistance, financing opportunities, and incentives that support growth and competitiveness.
If you are interested in learning more about the WVU Pollution Prevention Program, contact Greenbrier Valley EDC. We can help connect your business with the appropriate program representatives. You will need to gather the last 12 months of utility bills for their review, before they schedule a site visit.
Whether you operate a manufacturing facility, a restaurant, retail store, office, warehouse, or any other for-profit business, there may be opportunities to reduce costs and improve operations through programs like WVU’s Pollution Prevention Program.
Learn more about the WVU Pollution Prevention Program: https://epawvppp.faculty.wvu.edu/
Interested in learning more? Contact Greenbrier Valley EDC and we’ll help connect you with the right resource for your business.
