WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Energy has awarded more than $369,000 in funding to the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development, for a study of ways to reduce energy use in paper industry wastewater processes, according to U.S. Sens. Olympia Snow and Susan Collins.

“We are delighted that the Department of Energy will support this innovative examination of energy use in the pulp and paper industry. In cooperation with [Scarborough-based] Kady International, the state is pursuing ways to reduce the use of energy for wastewater treatment by paper mills throughout the state,” the senators said in a joint statement.

“Selection by energy officials for this highly competitive grant gives a boost to energy conservation efforts in Maine, and has the potential to improve competitiveness for pulp and paper production facilities in our state.”

The DOE grant, awarded under the National Industrial Competitiveness Through Energy, Environment and Economics program, will provide $369,661 to support the Maine DECD’s project, “Reduce Energy in Pulp and Paper Plants Using Particle Size Reduction in the Wastewater Treatment Process.” DECD is collaborating with Kady International on the project.

Using grant funds, officials will provide the first commercial demonstration of new technologies that improve the efficiency of pulp and paper wastewater systems through improved aeration and reduced particle size.