Camden, NJ (June 12, 2023) – EPA Regional Administrator Lisa F. Garcia was joined today by U.S. Representative Donald Norcross and Camden Mayor Vic Carstarphen to announce that Camden has been selected to get $1 million from President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda to expedite the cleanup of Judge Robert B. Johnson Park. In all, EPA recently selected 262 communities to receive 267 grants totaling more than $215 million in competitive EPA Brownfields funding through the Multipurpose, Assessment, Revolving Loan Fund, and Cleanup (MARC) grant programs. Thanks to the historic boost from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, this is the most funding ever awarded in the history of this EPA Brownfields grant program. EPA anticipates making all the awards to the selectees once all legal and administrative requirements are satisfied.

Camden, New Jersey will use the $1 million to clean up the Judge Robert B. Johnson Park at 723 Carl Miller Boulevard. The 14.7-acre cleanup site was a former wetland where historic fill material was used to develop the site in the 1940s and 1950s. The site formerly contained residences and a former junkyard and was also used by a youth football league and neighborhood schools. The now-vacant site is contaminated with semi-volatile organic hydrocarbons, PCBs, metals, and pesticides. Grant funds also will be used to conduct community outreach activities including hosting three public meetings.

“We’re working across the country to revitalize what were once dangerous and polluted sites in overburdened communities into more sustainable and environmentally just places that serve as community assets. Thanks to President Biden’s historic investments in America, we’re moving further and faster than ever before to clean up contaminated sites, spur economic redevelopment, and deliver relief that so many communities have been waiting for,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “This critical wave of investments is the largest in Brownfields history and will accelerate our work to protect the people and the planet by transforming what was once blight into might.”

“Camden has such an impressive track record of success with its Brownfields program, which has helped address neglected local areas by providing a means to revitalize abandoned properties and promote environmental health, economic growth, and job creation,” said EPA Regional Administrator Lisa F. Garcia. “The Brownfields program transforms communities, and the new funding through President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law gives communities like Camden an opportunity to continue to make a real and lasting on-the-ground difference.”

“Today’s announcement will transform a once contaminated site into a new vibrant community space in Camden and I am proud to have helped secure this $1 million in federal funding from the bipartisan infrastructure bill,” said Senator Bob Menendez. “The historic investments we are making to reclaim and restore brownfields is vital to ensuring environmental justice for underserved communities and communities of color that too often shoulder the burden of legacy pollution. I am equally proud that an institution like New Jersey Institute of Technology will be receiving $5 million to provide training and technical assistance to communities conducting brownfields work across the state.” 

“In communities across New Jersey, especially those that are Black, Brown, and low-income, residents live next to harmful contaminants, breathe in dirty air, and lack access to clean water and soil,” said Senator Cory Booker.  “Thanks to the efforts of the Biden Administration, these communities are finally receiving the federal resources needed to remediate these environmental injustices. The grant funding announced today, made possible by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which I was proud to vote for, will continue this vital work by empowering the City of Camden to revitalize a former park that was polluted with toxic metals and pesticides.” 

“The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act continues to deliver for South Jersey through this Brownfield Grant that will create jobs, advance environmental justice, and spur economic revitalization,” Rep. Donald Norcross said. “Protecting our communities from harmful waste and pollution and repurposing these sites has been one of my top priorities since coming to Congress. I’m proud to have helped secure this funding, and I will continue to fight to improve our quality of life, protect our environment and ensure a healthy and safe environment for South Jersey families.” 

“New Jersey thanks the Biden Administration and our congressional delegation for prioritizing investment in environmental justice communities both within the Garden State and across the nation,” said New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy. “For far too long, communities under economic stress have lacked the resources necessary to launch large-scale environmental remediation projects. This significant Brownfields grant program funding will enable the City of Camden to promote environmental and public health while prioritizing community engagement.”

“Today we can all take pride in continuing with the transformation of Camden’s industrial history to ensure we have spectacular and tangible parks that offer diverse recreational opportunities for residents, visitors and businesses,” said Elizabeth Dragon, Assistant Commissioner for Economic Development and Community Revitalization in the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. “The DEP is committed to working with our many partners in Camden and other overburdened communities across the state to provide equitable opportunities to access and enjoy our open and green spaces. We thank the EPA for providing this brownfields grant to Camden, which is allowing the city to continue its transformation, improve the quality of life for its residents, and promote sustainable growth. Congratulations to Camden on this remarkable achievement.” 

“This park is incredibly important to the city of Camden, especially the residents of the Liberty Park and Centerville neighborhoods, which is why we are investing more than $2 million to rebuild it once the environmental remediation is completed,” said Commissioner Jeff Nash, liaison to the Camden County Parks Department. “This has long been a place for the community to gather and enjoy so ensuring that it’s safe and in the best condition possible, is a top priority for us.”

“I want to extend my deepest gratitude to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for their continued support and recognition of our efforts. This grant reinforces our commitment to creating a sustainable and vibrant future for Camden. This funding will directly contribute to the remediation of Robert B. Johnson Park, an important community space in the Liberty Park neighborhood. By reclaiming this park and making it safe and accessible for our community members, particularly our youth and families,” said Mayor Vic Carstarphen. “I would also like to acknowledge the collaborative efforts of our dedicated partners, including Congressman Donald Norcross, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Camden County Board of Commissioners, and the Camden Redevelopment Agency. Together, we are driving positive change and creating a stronger and more resilient Camden. As we move forward with this project, we remain committed to promoting environmental justice and sustainable development. Camden is a city with a rich history and strong sense of community, and this grant allows us to continue our journey towards a cleaner, healthier, and more prosperous city for all.”

“It is the Camden Redevelopment Agency’s pleasure to partner in the revitalization of Judge Robert Johnson Park. This is an iconic open space asset for the City and Liberty Park neighborhood. At a time when environmental equity is a priority throughout the nation, we are proud to be an agent for change collaborating with such a strong team,” said Olivette Simpson, Interim Executive Director and Board Secretary for Camden Redevelopment Agency. “This $1 million grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is critical to leveraging other resources that will fully fund the estimated $3 million clean-up effort, leading to the Park’s state-of-the-art re-design and construction improvements. The commissioners, staff, and I are looking forward to doing our part to transform Judge Robert B. Johnson Park in into a safe, green, recreational space.”

These investments are part of President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda to grow the American economy from the bottom up and middle-out – from rebuilding our nation’s infrastructure, to driving over $470 billion in private sector manufacturing and clean energy investments in the United States, to creating a manufacturing and innovation boom powered by good paying jobs that don’t require a four-year degree, to building a clean-energy economy that will combat climate change and make our communities more resilient.

Many communities that are under economic stress, particularly those located in areas that have experienced long periods of disinvestment, lack the resources needed to initiate brownfield cleanup and redevelopment projects. As brownfield sites are transformed into community assets, they attract jobs, promote economic revitalization and transform communities into sustainable and environmentally just places.

Thanks to the historic $1.5 billion boost from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, EPA’s Brownfields Program is helping more communities than ever before begin to address the economic, social, and environmental challenges caused by brownfields and stimulate economic opportunity, and environmental revitalization in historically overburdened communities.

EPA’s Brownfields Program also advances President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative to direct 40 percent of the overall benefits of certain Federal investments to disadvantaged communities. The Brownfields Program strives to meet this commitment and advance environmental justice and equity considerations into all aspects of its work. Approximately 84 percent of the MARC program applications selected to receive funding proposed to work in areas that include historically underserved communities.

You can read more about the most recent selectees, here.

Brownfields Technical Assistance Providers and Research Grants

EPA also previously announced funding selection for two Brownfields technical assistance opportunities. The Technical Assistance to Brownfields (TAB) selectees provide specialized technical knowledge, research, and training to help stakeholders understand brownfields-related subject matter, and guide them through the brownfield assessment, clean-up, and revitalization process. This assistance is a key part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to advance economic opportunities and address environmental justice issues in underserved communities. This technical assistance is available to all stakeholders and comes at no cost to communities. The two funding opportunities announced today include the following:

EPA selected New Jersey Institute of Technology to receive $5 million to provide training and technical assistance to communities across the state under the Technical Assistance to Brownfields (TAB) Communities Program. This funding comes entirely from the historic $1.5 billion investment from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

EPA is also expanding the scope of its technical assistance offerings under the Brownfields and Land Revitalization Program to include three new subject-specific grants totaling $2 million in three areas, including providing technical assistance to nonprofits seeking to reuse brownfields; provide research, outreach, and guidance on minimizing displacement resulting from brownfields redevelopment; and providing outreach and guidance on land banking tactics for brownfields revitalization.

More information about Brownfields Technical Assistance and Research.

Success of the Brownfields Program and National Conference

EPA has selected these organizations to receive funding to address and support the reuse of brownfield sites. EPA anticipates making all the awards announced today once all legal and administrative requirements are satisfied.

EPA’s Brownfields Program began in 1995 and has provided nearly $2.37 billion in Brownfield Grants to assess and clean up contaminated properties and return blighted properties to productive reuse. EPA’s investments in addressing brownfield sites have leveraged more than $36 billion in cleanup and redevelopment. Over the years, the relatively small investment of federal funding has leveraged, from both public and private sources, nearly 260,000 jobs. Communities that previously received Brownfields Grants used these resources to fund assessments and cleanups of brownfields, and successfully leverage an average of 10.6 jobs per $100,000 of EPA Brownfield Grant funds spent and $19.78 for every dollar.

The next National Brownfields Training Conference will be held on August 8-11, 2023, in Detroit, Michigan. Offered every two years, this conference is the largest gathering of stakeholders focused on cleaning up and reusing former commercial and industrial properties. EPA co-sponsors this event with the International City/County Management Association (ICMA).

For more on Brownfields Grants.

More on EPA’s Brownfields Program.

Follow EPA Region 2 on Twitter and visit our Facebook page. For more information about EPA Region 2, visit our website.

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Brighton, Colo. (June 9, 2023) – Today, at an event in downtown Brighton, Colorado, representatives from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) joined city officials and local leaders to announce a $500,000 Brownfields Assessment grant for the city. 

The purpose of the EPA funding is to conduct environmental site assessments, develop cleanup plans, and conduct community outreach activities at contaminated properties in the Brighton’s downtown core. Brighton will use the EPA grant to address priority sites with redevelopment potential, including a warehouse and former grain elevator destroyed by fires and an abandoned cannery and warehouse.   

“The City of Brighton has put together a comprehensive plan to strategically assess, clean up and redevelop downtown properties to contribute to the future health and vitality of the community,” said EPA Regional Administrator KC Becker. “We look forward to seeing these projects address contamination concerns at sites and pave the way for their productive reuse.”  

“I’m looking forward to the impact this funding will have on Brighton,” said Congresswoman Yadira Caraveo. “Not only will it jumpstart existing local businesses, it will help keep our community safe and healthy. Better yet, by investing in this revitalization now, we can continue to attract businesses who will serve Brighton and boost our local economy for years to come.” 

Sites prioritized for assessment and cleanup include the former Tortilleria Cuauhtemoc, the Brighton Grain Elevator, the Midland Cereal Building, the Wilmore Canning Factory (The Cannery), Petroleum Wholesale Inc., and other properties in the downtown area. Most targeted properties are adjacent to the railroad, resulting in persistent concerns about arsenic and other potential contaminants, including heavy metals, asbestos, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, dioxins and furans, polychlorinated biphenyls, polyfluorinated compounds and petroleum compounds.   

"The City is excited to be awarded this grant as it will be used to assist property owners in formulating plans to repurpose underutilized sites in Brighton," said Mayor Gregory Mills. "We feel this grant will help us attract more employment, tourism, retail options and investment in core areas of the City. We are grateful to the EPA for investing in Brighton's bright future."  

Revitalization plans for these properties include new housing, mixed-use development, industrial space, marketplaces, restaurants, breweries, community gathering and event spaces, and artisan locations.  

EPA’s award to the City of Brighton is among seven Brownfields grants totaling more than $5 million for cleanup and revitalization projects in communities across Colorado. Other grantees are receiving funds for projects in Buena Vista, Pueblo, Silverton, San Luis, San Miguel County and Trinidad.  

Background 

Thanks to the historic $1.5 billion boost from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, EPA’s Brownfields Program is helping more communities than ever begin to address the economic, social and environmental challenges caused by brownfields and stimulate economic opportunity and environmental revitalization in historically overburdened communities.  

EPA’s Brownfields Program also advances President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative to direct 40% of the overall benefits of certain federal investments to disadvantaged communities. Approximately 84% of the MARC program applications selected to receive funding proposed to work in areas that include historically underserved communities. 

EPA’s Brownfields Program began in 1995 and has provided nearly $2.37 billion in Brownfield Grants to assess and clean up contaminated properties and return blighted properties to productive reuse. EPA’s investments in addressing brownfield sites have leveraged more than $36 billion in cleanup and redevelopment. Communities that previously received Brownfields Grants used these resources to fund assessments and cleanups of brownfields, and successfully leverage an average of 10.6 jobs per $100,000 of grant funds spent and $19.78 for every dollar. 

More on Brownfields Grants.  

More on EPA’s Brownfields Program. 

DENVER (9 de junio de 2023) – La refinería de petróleo Suncor en Commerce City, Colorado, puede experimentar más incidentes de calidad del aire debido a deficiencias en el mantenimiento preventivo, las pruebas y la inspección de los sistemas de control de nivel de líquido y equipos eléctricos, según un análisis de la Agencia de Protección Ambiental de los Estados Unidos (EPA) publicado hoy.

El análisis de la EPA comparó las causas y la frecuencia de los incidentes en Suncor con otras 11 refinerías en todo el país que operan bajo requisitos similares. El objetivo es comprender lo que otras refinerías podrían estar haciendo de manera diferente para ayudar a informar las posibles medidas para reducir la contaminación del aire de las instalaciones de Suncor.

"Este análisis subraya la importancia de nuestros esfuerzos de garantía de cumplimiento en Suncor para proteger a la comunidad circundante", dijo el administrador regional de la EPA, KC Becker. "Utilizaremos esta información y otras herramientas de focalización para enfocar nuestros esfuerzos en futuras inspecciones y cumplimiento".

La EPA, con el apoyo del Departamento de Salud Pública y Medio Ambiente de Colorado (CDPHE), realizó este estudio para comprender mejor por qué Suncor continúa teniendo incidentes de contaminación del aire y cómo Suncor se compara con otras refinerías en todo el país. El análisis de la EPA consideró las causas fundamentales identificadas en una investigación realizada por el consultor de Suncor como parte del Acuerdo de Resolución de Suncor. Esa investigación previa encontró problemas subyacentes relacionados con la mala comunicación, la delimitación poco clara de las responsabilidades y los procesos y recursos insuficientes para evitar que los problemas se vuelvan más graves.

CDPHE utilizará el análisis de la EPA para informar futuras inspecciones, investigaciones, actualizaciones de permisos y acciones de cumplimiento con Suncor. CDPHE también está evaluando su autoridad para exigir a Suncor que realice cambios en las instalaciones para prevenir estos incidentes y tiene la intención de establecer un nuevo puesto de experto en refinería dentro de CDPHE para ayudar a mejorar las operaciones y la responsabilidad en Suncor.

"La calidad del aire y la salud están vinculadas de muchas maneras. Sabemos que las personas que viven cerca de múltiples fuentes de contaminación del aire enfrentan impactos desproporcionados, incluidas las comunidades que rodean Suncor ", dijo Trisha Oeth, Directora de Salud y Protección Ambiental de CDPHE. "Este importante análisis proporciona información vital para proteger el aire limpio para todos los habitantes de Colorado, sin importar dónde vivan. Anticipamos que los hallazgos resultarán en acciones directas para que Suncor realice mejoras".

La EPA analizó la frecuencia de incidentes de contaminación del aire en la refinería Suncor, comparando trastornos, mal funcionamiento y exceso de emisiones atmosféricas en Suncor con incidentes en las otras 11 refinerías. El análisis encontró que, de 2016 a 2020, Suncor tuvo el mayor número de incidentes de gases de cola que causaron liberaciones de dióxido de azufre en exceso. Suncor también tuvo el segundo mayor número de incidentes de gas ácido liberando gas de sulfuro de hidrógeno. Suncor estaba en el medio del grupo de comparación en el séptimo mayor número de incidentes de quema de hidrocarburos de las 12 refinerías.

Lea el informe completo en el sitio web de la EPA:  Suncor Informe Análisis

Para obtener más información sobre los programas, políticas y regulaciones de calidad del aire de la EPA y el trabajo de la EPA en Commerce City – North Denver, por favor visite Acerca de la Oficina de Aire y Radiación (OAR) y Justicia Ambiental en Commerce City - North Denver.

Para obtener más información sobre las acciones de Colorado para proteger el aire limpio, visite el sitio web de la División de Control de la Contaminación del Aire de CDPHE o el sitio web de Commerce City - North Denver de CDPHE.

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TEMPLE TERRACE, FLORIDA (9 de junio del 2023) - El martes, 13 de junio del 2023, la Agencia de Protección Ambiental de EE. UU. (EPA, en sus siglas en inglés) organizará reuniones comunitarias virtuales para compartir información sobre dos acciones para abordar sobre el químico, óxido de etileno (EtO, en sus siglas en inglés), emitido al ambiente por esterilizadores comerciales, incluyendo American Contract Systems, Inc. ubicada en 7802 East Telecon Pkwy en Temple Terrace, Florida.

Para acomodar a todos los que deseen participar, se ofrecen dos sesiones virtuales por teléfono o en línea. Durante las reuniones, la EPA brindará información sobre dos propuestas para limitar las emisiones de EtO y proteger a los trabajadores y compartir cómo el público puede enviar comentarios.

QUÉ:

Reuniones virtuales de la comunidad en Temple Terrace sobre EtO

CUANDO Y CÓMO:

Martes, 13 de junio del 2023, de 10:00 a.m. 12:00 p.m. hora del Este

Por teléfono: Llamar al número (646) 828-7666; ID del seminario web: 160 061 5946

Regístrese para unirse a la reunión de la comunidad virtualmente: https://bit.ly/3ONpMrk

Martes, 13 de junio del 2023, de 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. hora del Este

Por teléfono: Llamar al número (646) 828-7666; ID del seminario web: 161 978 1541

Regístrese para unirse a la reunión de la comunidad virtualmente: https://bit.ly/43vf8tm  

 

Específicamente, la EPA propone límites más estrictos para las emisiones de EtO bajo Ley Federal de Aire Limpio (CAA, en sus siglas en inglés) y un amplio conjunto de protecciones bajo la Ley Federal de Insecticides, Fungicidas y Rodenticidas (FIFRA, en sus siglas en inglés). Los períodos de comentarios para la regla propuesta por CAA y la decisión propuesta por FIFRA finalizan el 27 de junio de 2023. Durante este tiempo, cualquier persona puede proporcionar comentarios a la Agencia sobre cualquier aspecto de la regla y/o decisión propuesta. Para obtener más información, incluyendo de cómo comentar, visite: https://www.epa.gov/fl/temple-terrace-fl-american-contract-systems

WASHINGTON - Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the winners of the “Pollution Prevention Works: A Storytelling Challenge for Students.” The winning stories include essays, infographics, videos and a mock newspaper article and highlight how pollution prevention (P2) practices that were implemented at businesses benefitted communities, the environment and the businesses themselves. More than 50 high school and college students from across the nation submitted stories for consideration.

“It is exciting to celebrate these students that will help shape our future.  With their stories, we are increasing awareness of the benefits and practice of pollution prevention,” said EPA Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention Deputy Assistant Administrator Jennie Romer. “I congratulate these talented students for their creativity in highlighting innovative pollution prevention solutions that can help protect human health and the environment.”

To increase awareness and showcase P2 activities, the Challenge invited high school and college students to use EPA’s Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) P2 Search Tool to identify an industrial facility or set of facilities in the U.S. that have reported implementing P2 practices that reduced, eliminated or prevented pollution at its source. The students then were challenged to tell a compelling story about how those P2 practices resulted in positive benefits for the business and the surrounding community and environment. By sharing these stories of real life examples on YouTube and EPA’s website, students as well as the public, can learn about pollution prevention activities in their community. These stories also provide businesses insight into how others are continually improving their business practices to help protect our environment.

The 2023 winners of the Pollution Prevention Works: A Storytelling Challenge for Students are:

First Place ($5,000)

• Shreya Daggolu, Stuyvesant High School, New York, created a video that focuses on the Ravenswood Generating Station in Long Island City, New York. The video details efforts to reduce toxic chemical emissions at the facility and improve the health of the 1.2 million people who live within three miles of the plant - including many low-income and minority residents.
• Annaliese Persaud, Francisco Suriel, Jasmin Tiong-Smith, Samaya Lindo-Smellie, and Jordyn Faria, Baldwin School, New York, created a mock newscast that highlights P2 practices implemented at the Ravenswood Generating Station in Long Island City, New York. In the video, a mock news reporter interviews students playing a host of characters including local residents and a scientist about how the P2 improvements positively impacted the public and environmental health in nearby neighborhoods.
• Noah Arbuckle, Lincoln Academy, Maine, created a video that features the semiconductor manufacturing company GlobalFoundries and the P2 activities implemented at its facility in Essex Junction, Vermont. The video describes activities to reduce releases of chemicals on the TRI list including ethylene glycol, fluorine, hydrochloric acid and ammonia, resulting in reduced impacts on the environment, especially on local waterways.
• Athitiya Singhapan, Michael E. DeBakey High School for the Health Professions, Texas, created a video that illustrates P2 practices implemented at the Danone Milk Manufacturing Facility in Fort Worth, Texas. The video explains how Danone reduced its nitric acid releases, benefiting local communities. 

Second Place ($2,500)

• Angela Zhan, Logan High School, Utah
• Kelvin Zhang, North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics, North Carolina
• Tahmina Emu, Fairfield University, Connecticut

Third Place ($1,500)

• Nirja Trivedi, Westview High School, California
• Calla Shosh, Natrona County High School, Wyoming
• Aditi Adapala, Lynbrook High School, California
• Joseph Bartash, Samueli Academy, California
• Miranda Moreno, Jesus Moreno, Stefany Duran Rios, Vanessa Martinez, and Carolina Naranjo, Garey High School, California
• Arin Harkawat, Watchung Hills Regional High School, New Jersey
• Charlotte Walton, Lloyd C. Bird High School, Virginia
• Arun Sood, Georgetown University, Washington, D.C.
• Diane Frola, Christopher Newport University, Virginia
• Fatou Mbaye, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, North Carolina

See the winning entries and read more about the winners.

Read more about EPA’s Pollution Prevention program.

Read more about EPA’s Toxics Release Inventory program.

Details on the Pollution Prevention Works: A Storytelling Challenge for Students.

DENVER (June 9, 2023) – The Suncor petroleum refinery in Commerce City, Colorado, may experience more air quality incidents because of inadequacies in preventative maintenance, testing and inspection of liquid level control systems and electrical equipment, according to a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) analysis released today.

EPA’s analysis compared the causes and frequency of incidents at Suncor to 11 other refineries nationwide that operate under similar requirements. The goal is to understand what other refineries might be doing differently to help inform potential measures to reduce air pollution from the Suncor facility.

“This analysis underscores the importance of our compliance assurance efforts at Suncor in protecting the surrounding community,” said EPA Regional Administrator KC Becker. “We will use this information and other targeting tools to focus our efforts for future inspections and enforcement.”

The EPA with support from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) undertook this study to better understand why Suncor continues to have air pollution incidents and how Suncor compares to other refineries across the country. EPA’s analysis considered the root causes identified in an investigation conducted by Suncor’s consultant as part of  Suncor’s Settlement Agreement. That previous investigation found underlying issues related to poor communication, unclear delineation of responsibilities and insufficient processes and resources to prevent issues from becoming more severe.

CDPHE will use EPA’s analysis to inform future inspections, investigations, permit updates and enforcement actions with Suncor. CDPHE is also evaluating its authority to require Suncor to make changes at the facility to prevent these incidents and intends to establish a new refinery expert position within CDPHE to help improve operations and accountability at Suncor.

“Air quality and health are linked in so many ways. We know people who live near multiple air pollution sources face disproportionate impacts, including the communities surrounding Suncor,” said CDPHE Director of Environmental Health and Protection Trisha Oeth. “This important analysis provides vital information to protect clean air for all Coloradans, no matter where they live. We anticipate the findings will result in direct actions for Suncor to make improvements.”

The EPA analyzed the frequency of air pollution incidents at the Suncor Refinery, comparing upsets, malfunctions and excess air emissions at Suncor to incidents at the 11 other refineries. The analysis found that, from 2016-2020, Suncor had the greatest number of tail gas incidents that caused releases of excess sulfur dioxide. Suncor also had the second greatest number of acid gas incidents releasing hydrogen sulfide gas. Suncor was in the middle of the comparison group at the seventh greatest number of hydrocarbon flaring incidents out of the 12 refineries.

Read the Suncor Report Analysis.

For more information about EPA’s air quality programs, policies and regulations and EPA’s work in Commerce City – North Denver, please visit About the Office of Air and Radiation (OAR) and Environmental Justice in Commerce City - North Denver.

For more information on Colorado’s actions to protect clean air, visit the CDPHE’s Air Pollution Control Division website or the CDPHE’s Commerce City - North Denver website.

TEMPLE TERRACE, Fla. (June 9, 2023) - On Tuesday, June 13, 2023, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will host virtual community meetings to share information about two actions to address a chemical, ethylene oxide (EtO), released from commercial sterilizers, including American Contract Systems, Inc. located at 7802 East Telecon Pkwy in Temple Terrace. 

To accommodate everyone who would like to participate, two sessions are being offered virtually by phone or online. During the meetings, EPA will provide information about two proposals to limit EtO emissions and protect workers and share how the public can submit comments.

WHAT:  

Temple Terrace Virtual Community Meetings on EtO 

WHEN AND HOW:  

Tuesday, June 13, 2023, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. ET

By phone: Call in number (646) 828-7666; Webinar ID: 160 061 5946

Register to join the community meeting virtually: https://bit.ly/3ONpMrk

 

Tuesday, June 13, 2023, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. ET

By phone: Call in number (646) 828-7666; Webinar ID: 161 978 1541

Register to join the community meeting virtually: https://bit.ly/43vf8tm

 

Specifically, the EPA proposing to stronger limits on EtO emissions under the Clean Air Act (CAA) and a broad set of protections under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). The comment periods for the CAA proposed rule and the FIFRA proposed decision close on June 27, 2023. During this time, any person can provide comments to the Agency about any aspect of the proposed rule and/or decision. To learn more, including how to comment, please visit: https://www.epa.gov/fl/temple-terrace-fl-american-contract-systems

PITTSBURGH — Today in Pittsburgh, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Assistant Administrator for Water Radhika Fox, joined by U.S. Representative Summer Lee, Mayor Ed Gainey and local leaders announced a $52 million Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) loan to the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority (PWSA). This investment will help upgrade and replace aging water infrastructure to ensure that residents and businesses can rely on safe drinking water. When combined with other funding sources, the WIFIA program has supported more than $38 billion for America’s water infrastructure. EPA estimates that associated infrastructure projects will create 500 jobs.

“Here in Pittsburgh, decades-old water infrastructure threatens drinking water that is essential to healthy residents and thriving communities,” said EPA Assistant Administrator for Water Radhika Fox. “EPA’s $52 million WIFIA loan alongside an investment from the state revolving fund (SRF) will support critical infrastructure upgrades to help the city achieve long-term water resilience. Under President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, EPA is strengthening water infrastructure and creating jobs in communities across the country through an additional $50 billion under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to support the SRFs and water grant programs.”

President Biden’s Investing in America agenda is rebuilding infrastructure and boosting U.S. competitiveness while creating good-paying jobs. EPA’s WIFIA loan will help modernize Pittsburgh’s drinking water distribution infrastructure, including upgrading the Bruecken Pump Station, replacing two water mains, and rehabilitating the Highland II Reservoir liner and cover.

These projects are also critical for the eventual replacement of the city’s 115-year-old clearwell that stores treated water before it is distributed throughout the city. The Clearwell Replacement Project will improve the reliability and redundancy of the drinking water supply system, support compliance with regulatory requirements, and improve water quality.

“Every Pennsylvanian has the right to clean, safe water,” said U.S. Senator Bob Casey (PA). “This major federal investment in Pittsburgh’s water infrastructure will upgrade or replace aging water mains, water storage facilities, and more to expand access to clean drinking water for children and families across the city—and create jobs while doing it.”

“This federal funding will help Pittsburgh provide clean and safe water to residents and businesses across the region,” said U.S. Senator John Fetterman (PA). “We’ve got to do everything we can to make sure our communities everywhere, no matter how rural, urban, or suburban, have clean drinking water. This critical investment, combined with unprecedented funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, will upgrade aging infrastructure and help get us there.”

“I’m proud to help deliver a $52 million WIFIA funding award to Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority to make sure every household has clean water and to modernize the drinking water infrastructure in the city,” said U.S. Representative Summer Lee (PA-12). “A few months ago, we celebrated a significant milestone, the replacement of 10,000 lead service lines in Pittsburgh, which is a testament to accountability, action, and the acknowledgment of past wrongs. This funding represents a monumental effort in partnership across all levels of government, demonstrating our commitment to righting an injustice and ensuring clean and safe water for every single household and every one of our communities.”

In addition to EPA’s $52 million WIFIA loan, PWSA secured $93 million for this project through the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (also known as the state revolving fund). These low-cost funding programs allow PWSA to make critical infrastructure investments while supporting water affordability goals. EPA’s WIFIA loan itself will save the city approximately $20 million.

“Every Pennsylvanian has a constitutional right to clean air and pure water, and the Shapiro Administration is working with our federal partners to safeguard this right all across the Commonwealth,” said Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Acting Secretary Rich Negrin. “This WIFIA loan will allow Pittsburgh to protect its water infrastructure and deliver clean water to residents and business owners while saving taxpayer money.  We’re grateful for the EPA’s critical investment in the Pittsburgh community and look forward to working together to improve infrastructure across the Commonwealth as we ensure every Pennsylvanian has access to a clean water supply.”

“We thank the EPA for recognizing the importance of our infrastructure investments and supporting the series of large-scale upgrades to Pittsburgh’s water system in the coming years,” said CEO for Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority Will Pickering. “Pursuing alternative funding methods for system improvements is crucial for water utilities to make needed investments while saving ratepayers money. This funding will allow us to move from a reactive mode to a proactive one, ensuring safe and reliable water service for future generations.”

Learn more about EPA’s WIFIA Program and water infrastructure investments under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

Background
Established by the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act of 2014, the WIFIA program is a federal loan program administered by EPA. The WIFIA program’s aim is to accelerate investment in the nation’s water infrastructure by providing long-term, low-cost supplemental credit assistance for regionally and nationally significant projects. The WIFIA program has an active pipeline of pending applications for projects that will result in billions of dollars in water infrastructure investment and thousands of jobs. EPA is currently accepting letters of interest for WIFIA and SWIFIA loans. Learn more about submitting a letter of interest for a WIFIA loan.

In addition to WIFIA loans, there are many federal funding resources available for communities and utilities to improve vital water and wastewater resources. It’s been almost 19 months since President Biden signed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law – a once-in-a-generation investment in our nation’s infrastructure and competitiveness. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provides a historic $50 billion investment in upgrading critical water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure.

BOSTON (June 9, 2023) – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced $7,128,850 from President Biden's Investing in America Agenda to expedite the assessment and cleanup of brownfields sites in New Hampshire while advancing environmental justice.

EPA selected eight communities in New Hampshire to receive eight grants totaling $7,128,850 in competitive EPA Brownfields funding through the Multipurpose, Assessment, Revolving Loan Fund, and Cleanup (MARC) Grant programs. Thanks to the historic boost from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, this is the largest ever funding awarded in the history of the EPA's Brownfields MARC Grant programs.

These investments are part of President Biden's Investing in America Agenda to grow the American economy from the bottom up and middle-out – from rebuilding our nation's infrastructure, to driving over $470 billion in private sector manufacturing and clean energy investments in the United States, to creating a manufacturing and innovation boom powered by good paying jobs that don't require a four-year degree, to building a clean-energy economy that will combat climate change and make our communities more resilient.

"We're working across the country to revitalize what were once dangerous and polluted sites in overburdened communities into more sustainable and environmentally just places that serve as community assets. Thanks to President Biden's historic investments in America, we're moving further and faster than ever before to clean up contaminated sites, spur economic redevelopment, and deliver relief that so many communities have been waiting for," said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. "This critical wave of investments is the largest in Brownfields history and will accelerate our work to protect the people and the planet by transforming what was once blight into might."

"Congratulations to the eight New Hampshire organizations who will receive these new Brownfields grants this year," said EPA New England Regional Administrator David W. Cash. "Thanks to the Biden-Harris Administration, EPA will be making the single largest investment in Brownfields in history. This funding will revitalize communities across New England, and jump start economic redevelopment and job creation in many of New England's hardest hit and underserved communities."

"As a lead negotiator of the bipartisan infrastructure law, I'm thrilled to see these critical funds heading to New Hampshire to invest in the remediation of contaminated sites across our state," said U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen. "This federal funding is essential to identifying, assessing and cleaning contaminated properties which will in turn create new opportunities for economic growth. This latest allocation of resources from the bipartisan infrastructure law reaffirms how this historic investment will continue to improve the lives of New Hampshire residents for years to come.

"Cleaning and revitalizing contaminated sites will help stimulate economic growth and reduce environmental hazards in communities across New Hampshire," said U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan. "I was glad to help negotiate and pass into law the bipartisan infrastructure law to get funding like this to our state, and I look forward to seeing the impact of these newest projects."

"These significant investments heading to New Hampshire will help clean up our environment, preserve our waterways, strengthen local engagement, and improve the safety of our soil and groundwater," said U.S. Representative Annie Kuster. "I am proud to see these funds coming to our state and I look forward to the positive impact of these projects."

"New Hampshire's economy and way of life are rooted in our surroundings, and it's important we safeguard our natural environment for future generations," said U.S. Representative Chris Pappas. "This funding from the bipartisan infrastructure law will provide communities in New Hampshire the resources they need to clean up contaminated sites, protect public health and the environment, and spur economic growth. I look forward to seeing the benefits of these cleanups come to fruition, and I will keep working to ensure the needs of our communities in New Hampshire are met."

Many communities that are under economic stress, particularly those located in areas that have experienced long periods of disinvestment, lack the resources needed to initiate brownfields cleanup and redevelopment projects. As brownfields sites are transformed into community assets, they attract jobs, promote economic revitalization, and transform communities into sustainable and environmentally just places.

Thanks to the historic $1.5 billion boost from President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, EPA's Brownfields Program is helping more communities than ever before begin to address the economic, social, and environmental challenges caused by brownfields and stimulate economic opportunity, and environmental revitalization in historically overburdened communities.

EPA's Brownfields Program also advances President Biden's Justice40 Initiative to direct 40 percent of the overall benefits of certain Federal investments to disadvantaged communities. The Brownfields Program strives to meet this commitment and advance environmental justice and equity considerations into all aspects of its work. Approximately 84 percent of the MARC program applications selected to receive funding proposed to work in areas that include historically underserved communities.

State Funding Breakdown:

Brownfields Multipurpose, Assessment, Revolving Loan Fund, and Cleanup (MARC) Grant Program Selection

The following organizations in New Hampshire have been selected to receive EPA Brownfields funding through the Multipurpose, Assessment, Revolving Loan Fund, and Cleanup (MARC) Grant Programs.

• The City of Claremont has been selected to receive $800,000 for a Brownfields Multipurpose Grant. Grant funds will be used to conduct environmental assessments at sites such as the Joy Manufacturing/Foundry, the former Synergy site, and other sites as needed and cleanup at the former Synergy site. Grant funds also will be used for public meetings, design charrettes, and other community engagement and reuse planning activities. The target area for this project is the Claremont Historic District, which includes the Central Business District, the Lower Village District, and the Monadnock Mills textile complex. The priority sites are part of the city's redevelopment strategy to provide open space, riverfront access, redeveloped parcels on Main Street and downtown, and electric vehicle charging station points.

• The City of Franklin has been selected to receive $1,923,850 for a Brownfields Cleanup Grant. Grant funds will be used to clean up the Ferrari Mill Site at 93-119 Memorial Street, which is currently contaminated with hazardous substances, chlorinated volatile organic compounds, polyaromatic hydrocarbons, and heavy metals. Grant funds also will be used to prepare a Community Relations Plan and provide technical updates on the city's website.

• Lakes Region Planning Commission, of Meredith, NH, has been selected to receive $475,000 for a Brownfields Assessment Grant. Community-wide grant funds will be used to conduct environmental site assessments, prepare cleanup plans, and conduct community engagement activities including public meetings and workshops. The target areas for this grant are the Town of Ashland, the City of Franklin, and the City of Laconia. Priority sites include former mill buildings, a former gasoline service garage, a former state school property, and buildings within a former mill district.

• Monadnock Economic Development Commission, of Keene, NH, has been selected to receive a $1,000,000 Revolving Loan Fund grant. The grant will be used to capitalize a new revolving loan fund from which the Monadnock Economic Development Corporation will provide loans and subgrants to support cleanup activities. Grant funds also will be used to support community outreach and community engagement activities. RLF activities will focus on five river towns within the lower Ashuelot River Valley, an area in southern New Hampshire that is impacted by many abandoned historic mills, an aging population, a globalizing economy, and climate change. Priority sites include the former McGoldrick Paper Company site in Hinsdale, the former A.C. Lawrence Tannery in Winchester, the former Homestead Woolen Mill in Swanzey, the former Kingsbury Manufacturing site in Keene, and the former WW Cross Company site in Jaffrey.

• The Town of Newport has been selected to receive $750,000 for a Brownfields Cleanup Grant. Grant funds will be used to clean up the Ambargis Mill site at 8 Greenwood Road, which is currently contaminated with hydrocarbons, heavy metals, PCBs, and inorganic contaminants. Grant funds also will be used to conduct community engagement activities.

• Strafford Regional Planning Commission, of Rochester, NH, has been selected to receive $500,000 for a Brownfields Assessment Grant. Community-wide grant funds will be used to conduct environmental site assessments, prepare cleanup plans, and conduct community engagement activities. The target areas for this grant are Strafford County, Rockingham County, and Carroll County with a focus on the City of Dover's Central Business District and the Town of Farmington Town Center. Priority sites include a former fire department, a former Eastern States coal storage facility, and the Dover Transportation Center, which houses a rail station.

• Upper Valley Lake Sunapee Regional Planning Commission, of Lebanon, NH, has been selected to receive $500,000 for a Brownfields Assessment Grant. Community-wide grant funds will be used to conduct environmental site assessments, prepare cleanup and reuse plans, and conduct community outreach activities. The target areas for this grant are the City of Claremont and the Town of Newport. Priority sites include the Sullivan Machinery site, the Topstone Mill, the Dorr Woolen Mill Lagoons, and downtown area commercial buildings on Sunapee Street in Newport.

• The Town of Winchester has been selected to receive $1,180,000 for a Brownfields Cleanup Grant. Grant funds will be used to clean up the former A.C. Lawrence Tannery located at 15 Bridge Street. The soil and groundwater at the site are currently contaminated with petroleum solvents, chlorinated solvents, chromium, polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons, metals, and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Grant funds also will be used to support community outreach and engagement activities.

You can read more about this year's MARC selectees.

Brownfields Technical Assistance Provider for New England

EPA is also announcing funding selection for two Brownfields technical assistance opportunities. The Technical Assistance to Brownfields (TAB) selectees provide specialized technical knowledge, research, and training to help stakeholders understand brownfields-related subject matter, and guide them through the brownfields assessment, clean-up, and revitalization process. This assistance is a key part of the Biden-Harris Administration's commitment to advance economic opportunities and address environmental justice issues in underserved communities. This technical assistance is available to all stakeholders and comes at no cost to communities. The two funding opportunities announced today include the following:

1. EPA selected the University of Connecticut (UConn) to receive $5,000,000 to provide training and technical assistance to communities across the state under the Technical Assistance to Brownfields (TAB) Communities Program. This funding comes entirely from the historic $1.5 billion investment from President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Read more about this year's TAB selectees.

2. EPA is also expanding the scope of its technical assistance offerings under the Brownfields and Land Revitalization Program to include three new subject-specific grants totaling $2 million in three areas, including providing technical assistance to nonprofits seeking to reuse brownfields; provide research, outreach, and guidance on minimizing displacement resulting from brownfields redevelopment; and providing outreach and guidance on land banking tactics for brownfields revitalization. Read more on the Brownfields Technical Assistance and Research cooperative agreement recipients.

More information about Brownfields Technical Assistance and Research.

Additional Background:

EPA has selected these organizations to receive funding to address and support the reuse of brownfields sites. EPA anticipates making all the awards announced today once all legal and administrative requirements are satisfied.

EPA's Brownfields Program began in 1995 and has provided nearly $2.37 billion in Brownfields Grants to assess and clean up contaminated properties and return blighted properties to productive reuse. EPA's investments in addressing brownfields sites have leveraged more than $36 billion in cleanup and redevelopment. Over the years, the relatively small investment of federal funding has leveraged, from both public and private sources, nearly 260,000 jobs. Communities that previously received Brownfields Grants used these resources to fund assessments and cleanups of brownfields, and successfully leverage an average of 10.6 jobs per $100,000 of EPA Brownfields Grant funds spent and $19.78 for every dollar.

The next National Brownfields Training Conference will be held on August 8-11, 2023, in Detroit, Michigan. Offered every two years, this conference is the largest gathering of stakeholders focused on cleaning up and reusing former commercial and industrial properties. EPA co-sponsors this event with the International City/County Management Association (ICMA).

• More on Brownfields Grants.
• More on EPA's Brownfields Program.

TEMPLE TERRACE, Fla. (June 9, 2023) - On Tuesday, June 13, 2023, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will host virtual community meetings to share information about two actions to address a chemical, ethylene oxide (EtO), released from commercial sterilizers, including American Contract Systems, Inc. located at 7802 East Telecon Pkwy in Temple Terrace. 

To accommodate everyone who would like to participate, two sessions are being offered virtually by phone or online. During the meetings, EPA will provide information about two proposals to limit EtO emissions and protect workers and share how the public can submit comments.

WHAT:  

Temple Terrace Virtual Community Meetings on EtO 

WHEN AND HOW:  

Tuesday, June 13, 2023, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. ET

By phone: Call in number (646) 828-7666; Webinar ID: 160 061 5946

Register to join the community meeting virtually: https://bit.ly/3ONpMrk

 

Tuesday, June 13, 2023, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. ET

By phone: Call in number (646) 828-7666; Webinar ID: 161 978 1541

Register to join the community meeting virtually: https://bit.ly/43vf8tm

 

Specifically, the EPA proposing to stronger limits on EtO emissions under the Clean Air Act (CAA) and a broad set of protections under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). The comment periods for the CAA proposed rule and the FIFRA proposed decision close on June 27, 2023. During this time, any person can provide comments to the Agency about any aspect of the proposed rule and/or decision. To learn more, including how to comment, please visit: https://www.epa.gov/fl/temple-terrace-fl-american-contract-systems

DENVER (9 de junio de 2023) – La refinería de petróleo Suncor en Commerce City, Colorado, puede experimentar más incidentes de calidad del aire debido a deficiencias en el mantenimiento preventivo, las pruebas y la inspección de los sistemas de control de nivel de líquido y equipos eléctricos, según un análisis de la Agencia de Protección Ambiental de los Estados Unidos (EPA) publicado hoy.

El análisis de la EPA comparó las causas y la frecuencia de los incidentes en Suncor con otras 11 refinerías en todo el país que operan bajo requisitos similares. El objetivo es comprender lo que otras refinerías podrían estar haciendo de manera diferente para ayudar a informar las posibles medidas para reducir la contaminación del aire de las instalaciones de Suncor.

"Este análisis subraya la importancia de nuestros esfuerzos de garantía de cumplimiento en Suncor para proteger a la comunidad circundante", dijo el administrador regional de la EPA, KC Becker. "Utilizaremos esta información y otras herramientas de focalización para enfocar nuestros esfuerzos en futuras inspecciones y cumplimiento".

La EPA, con el apoyo del Departamento de Salud Pública y Medio Ambiente de Colorado (CDPHE), realizó este estudio para comprender mejor por qué Suncor continúa teniendo incidentes de contaminación del aire y cómo Suncor se compara con otras refinerías en todo el país. El análisis de la EPA consideró las causas fundamentales identificadas en una investigación realizada por el consultor de Suncor como parte del Acuerdo de Resolución de Suncor. Esa investigación previa encontró problemas subyacentes relacionados con la mala comunicación, la delimitación poco clara de las responsabilidades y los procesos y recursos insuficientes para evitar que los problemas se vuelvan más graves.

CDPHE utilizará el análisis de la EPA para informar futuras inspecciones, investigaciones, actualizaciones de permisos y acciones de cumplimiento con Suncor. CDPHE también está evaluando su autoridad para exigir a Suncor que realice cambios en las instalaciones para prevenir estos incidentes y tiene la intención de establecer un nuevo puesto de experto en refinería dentro de CDPHE para ayudar a mejorar las operaciones y la responsabilidad en Suncor.

"La calidad del aire y la salud están vinculadas de muchas maneras. Sabemos que las personas que viven cerca de múltiples fuentes de contaminación del aire enfrentan impactos desproporcionados, incluidas las comunidades que rodean Suncor ", dijo Trisha Oeth, Directora de Salud y Protección Ambiental de CDPHE. "Este importante análisis proporciona información vital para proteger el aire limpio para todos los habitantes de Colorado, sin importar dónde vivan. Anticipamos que los hallazgos resultarán en acciones directas para que Suncor realice mejoras".

La EPA analizó la frecuencia de incidentes de contaminación del aire en la refinería Suncor, comparando trastornos, mal funcionamiento y exceso de emisiones atmosféricas en Suncor con incidentes en las otras 11 refinerías. El análisis encontró que, de 2016 a 2020, Suncor tuvo el mayor número de incidentes de gases de cola que causaron liberaciones de dióxido de azufre en exceso. Suncor también tuvo el segundo mayor número de incidentes de gas ácido liberando gas de sulfuro de hidrógeno. Suncor estaba en el medio del grupo de comparación en el séptimo mayor número de incidentes de quema de hidrocarburos de las 12 refinerías.

Lea el informe completo en el sitio web de la EPA:  Suncor Informe Análisis

Para obtener más información sobre los programas, políticas y regulaciones de calidad del aire de la EPA y el trabajo de la EPA en Commerce City – North Denver, por favor visite Acerca de la Oficina de Aire y Radiación (OAR) y Justicia Ambiental en Commerce City - North Denver.

Para obtener más información sobre las acciones de Colorado para proteger el aire limpio, visite el sitio web de la División de Control de la Contaminación del Aire de CDPHE o el sitio web de Commerce City - North Denver de CDPHE.

####

TEMPLE TERRACE, FLORIDA (9 de junio del 2023) - El martes, 13 de junio del 2023, la Agencia de Protección Ambiental de EE. UU. (EPA, en sus siglas en inglés) organizará reuniones comunitarias virtuales para compartir información sobre dos acciones para abordar sobre el químico, óxido de etileno (EtO, en sus siglas en inglés), emitido al ambiente por esterilizadores comerciales, incluyendo American Contract Systems, Inc. ubicada en 7802 East Telecon Pkwy en Temple Terrace, Florida.

Para acomodar a todos los que deseen participar, se ofrecen dos sesiones virtuales por teléfono o en línea. Durante las reuniones, la EPA brindará información sobre dos propuestas para limitar las emisiones de EtO y proteger a los trabajadores y compartir cómo el público puede enviar comentarios.

QUÉ:

Reuniones virtuales de la comunidad en Temple Terrace sobre EtO

CUANDO Y CÓMO:

Martes, 13 de junio del 2023, de 10:00 a.m. 12:00 p.m. hora del Este

Por teléfono: Llamar al número (646) 828-7666; ID del seminario web: 160 061 5946

Regístrese para unirse a la reunión de la comunidad virtualmente: https://bit.ly/3ONpMrk

Martes, 13 de junio del 2023, de 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. hora del Este

Por teléfono: Llamar al número (646) 828-7666; ID del seminario web: 161 978 1541

Regístrese para unirse a la reunión de la comunidad virtualmente: https://bit.ly/43vf8tm  

 

Específicamente, la EPA propone límites más estrictos para las emisiones de EtO bajo Ley Federal de Aire Limpio (CAA, en sus siglas en inglés) y un amplio conjunto de protecciones bajo la Ley Federal de Insecticides, Fungicidas y Rodenticidas (FIFRA, en sus siglas en inglés). Los períodos de comentarios para la regla propuesta por CAA y la decisión propuesta por FIFRA finalizan el 27 de junio de 2023. Durante este tiempo, cualquier persona puede proporcionar comentarios a la Agencia sobre cualquier aspecto de la regla y/o decisión propuesta. Para obtener más información, incluyendo de cómo comentar, visite: https://www.epa.gov/fl/temple-terrace-fl-american-contract-systems

BOSTON (June 9, 2023) – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced $7,128,850 from President Biden's Investing in America Agenda to expedite the assessment and cleanup of brownfields sites in New Hampshire while advancing environmental justice.

EPA selected eight communities in New Hampshire to receive eight grants totaling $7,128,850 in competitive EPA Brownfields funding through the Multipurpose, Assessment, Revolving Loan Fund, and Cleanup (MARC) Grant programs. Thanks to the historic boost from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, this is the largest ever funding awarded in the history of the EPA's Brownfields MARC Grant programs.

These investments are part of President Biden's Investing in America Agenda to grow the American economy from the bottom up and middle-out – from rebuilding our nation's infrastructure, to driving over $470 billion in private sector manufacturing and clean energy investments in the United States, to creating a manufacturing and innovation boom powered by good paying jobs that don't require a four-year degree, to building a clean-energy economy that will combat climate change and make our communities more resilient.

"We're working across the country to revitalize what were once dangerous and polluted sites in overburdened communities into more sustainable and environmentally just places that serve as community assets. Thanks to President Biden's historic investments in America, we're moving further and faster than ever before to clean up contaminated sites, spur economic redevelopment, and deliver relief that so many communities have been waiting for," said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. "This critical wave of investments is the largest in Brownfields history and will accelerate our work to protect the people and the planet by transforming what was once blight into might."

"Congratulations to the eight New Hampshire organizations who will receive these new Brownfields grants this year," said EPA New England Regional Administrator David W. Cash. "Thanks to the Biden-Harris Administration, EPA will be making the single largest investment in Brownfields in history. This funding will revitalize communities across New England, and jump start economic redevelopment and job creation in many of New England's hardest hit and underserved communities."

"As a lead negotiator of the bipartisan infrastructure law, I'm thrilled to see these critical funds heading to New Hampshire to invest in the remediation of contaminated sites across our state," said U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen. "This federal funding is essential to identifying, assessing and cleaning contaminated properties which will in turn create new opportunities for economic growth. This latest allocation of resources from the bipartisan infrastructure law reaffirms how this historic investment will continue to improve the lives of New Hampshire residents for years to come.

"Cleaning and revitalizing contaminated sites will help stimulate economic growth and reduce environmental hazards in communities across New Hampshire," said U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan. "I was glad to help negotiate and pass into law the bipartisan infrastructure law to get funding like this to our state, and I look forward to seeing the impact of these newest projects."

"These significant investments heading to New Hampshire will help clean up our environment, preserve our waterways, strengthen local engagement, and improve the safety of our soil and groundwater," said U.S. Representative Annie Kuster. "I am proud to see these funds coming to our state and I look forward to the positive impact of these projects."

"New Hampshire's economy and way of life are rooted in our surroundings, and it's important we safeguard our natural environment for future generations," said U.S. Representative Chris Pappas. "This funding from the bipartisan infrastructure law will provide communities in New Hampshire the resources they need to clean up contaminated sites, protect public health and the environment, and spur economic growth. I look forward to seeing the benefits of these cleanups come to fruition, and I will keep working to ensure the needs of our communities in New Hampshire are met."

Many communities that are under economic stress, particularly those located in areas that have experienced long periods of disinvestment, lack the resources needed to initiate brownfields cleanup and redevelopment projects. As brownfields sites are transformed into community assets, they attract jobs, promote economic revitalization, and transform communities into sustainable and environmentally just places.

Thanks to the historic $1.5 billion boost from President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, EPA's Brownfields Program is helping more communities than ever before begin to address the economic, social, and environmental challenges caused by brownfields and stimulate economic opportunity, and environmental revitalization in historically overburdened communities.

EPA's Brownfields Program also advances President Biden's Justice40 Initiative to direct 40 percent of the overall benefits of certain Federal investments to disadvantaged communities. The Brownfields Program strives to meet this commitment and advance environmental justice and equity considerations into all aspects of its work. Approximately 84 percent of the MARC program applications selected to receive funding proposed to work in areas that include historically underserved communities.

State Funding Breakdown:

Brownfields Multipurpose, Assessment, Revolving Loan Fund, and Cleanup (MARC) Grant Program Selection

The following organizations in New Hampshire have been selected to receive EPA Brownfields funding through the Multipurpose, Assessment, Revolving Loan Fund, and Cleanup (MARC) Grant Programs.

• The City of Claremont has been selected to receive $800,000 for a Brownfields Multipurpose Grant. Grant funds will be used to conduct environmental assessments at sites such as the Joy Manufacturing/Foundry, the former Synergy site, and other sites as needed and cleanup at the former Synergy site. Grant funds also will be used for public meetings, design charrettes, and other community engagement and reuse planning activities. The target area for this project is the Claremont Historic District, which includes the Central Business District, the Lower Village District, and the Monadnock Mills textile complex. The priority sites are part of the city's redevelopment strategy to provide open space, riverfront access, redeveloped parcels on Main Street and downtown, and electric vehicle charging station points.

• The City of Franklin has been selected to receive $1,923,850 for a Brownfields Cleanup Grant. Grant funds will be used to clean up the Ferrari Mill Site at 93-119 Memorial Street, which is currently contaminated with hazardous substances, chlorinated volatile organic compounds, polyaromatic hydrocarbons, and heavy metals. Grant funds also will be used to prepare a Community Relations Plan and provide technical updates on the city's website.

• Lakes Region Planning Commission, of Meredith, NH, has been selected to receive $475,000 for a Brownfields Assessment Grant. Community-wide grant funds will be used to conduct environmental site assessments, prepare cleanup plans, and conduct community engagement activities including public meetings and workshops. The target areas for this grant are the Town of Ashland, the City of Franklin, and the City of Laconia. Priority sites include former mill buildings, a former gasoline service garage, a former state school property, and buildings within a former mill district.

• Monadnock Economic Development Commission, of Keene, NH, has been selected to receive a $1,000,000 Revolving Loan Fund grant. The grant will be used to capitalize a new revolving loan fund from which the Monadnock Economic Development Corporation will provide loans and subgrants to support cleanup activities. Grant funds also will be used to support community outreach and community engagement activities. RLF activities will focus on five river towns within the lower Ashuelot River Valley, an area in southern New Hampshire that is impacted by many abandoned historic mills, an aging population, a globalizing economy, and climate change. Priority sites include the former McGoldrick Paper Company site in Hinsdale, the former A.C. Lawrence Tannery in Winchester, the former Homestead Woolen Mill in Swanzey, the former Kingsbury Manufacturing site in Keene, and the former WW Cross Company site in Jaffrey.

• The Town of Newport has been selected to receive $750,000 for a Brownfields Cleanup Grant. Grant funds will be used to clean up the Ambargis Mill site at 8 Greenwood Road, which is currently contaminated with hydrocarbons, heavy metals, PCBs, and inorganic contaminants. Grant funds also will be used to conduct community engagement activities.

• Strafford Regional Planning Commission, of Rochester, NH, has been selected to receive $500,000 for a Brownfields Assessment Grant. Community-wide grant funds will be used to conduct environmental site assessments, prepare cleanup plans, and conduct community engagement activities. The target areas for this grant are Strafford County, Rockingham County, and Carroll County with a focus on the City of Dover's Central Business District and the Town of Farmington Town Center. Priority sites include a former fire department, a former Eastern States coal storage facility, and the Dover Transportation Center, which houses a rail station.

• Upper Valley Lake Sunapee Regional Planning Commission, of Lebanon, NH, has been selected to receive $500,000 for a Brownfields Assessment Grant. Community-wide grant funds will be used to conduct environmental site assessments, prepare cleanup and reuse plans, and conduct community outreach activities. The target areas for this grant are the City of Claremont and the Town of Newport. Priority sites include the Sullivan Machinery site, the Topstone Mill, the Dorr Woolen Mill Lagoons, and downtown area commercial buildings on Sunapee Street in Newport.

• The Town of Winchester has been selected to receive $1,180,000 for a Brownfields Cleanup Grant. Grant funds will be used to clean up the former A.C. Lawrence Tannery located at 15 Bridge Street. The soil and groundwater at the site are currently contaminated with petroleum solvents, chlorinated solvents, chromium, polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons, metals, and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Grant funds also will be used to support community outreach and engagement activities.

You can read more about this year's MARC selectees.

Brownfields Technical Assistance Provider for New England

EPA is also announcing funding selection for two Brownfields technical assistance opportunities. The Technical Assistance to Brownfields (TAB) selectees provide specialized technical knowledge, research, and training to help stakeholders understand brownfields-related subject matter, and guide them through the brownfields assessment, clean-up, and revitalization process. This assistance is a key part of the Biden-Harris Administration's commitment to advance economic opportunities and address environmental justice issues in underserved communities. This technical assistance is available to all stakeholders and comes at no cost to communities. The two funding opportunities announced today include the following:

1. EPA selected the University of Connecticut (UConn) to receive $5,000,000 to provide training and technical assistance to communities across the state under the Technical Assistance to Brownfields (TAB) Communities Program. This funding comes entirely from the historic $1.5 billion investment from President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Read more about this year's TAB selectees.

2. EPA is also expanding the scope of its technical assistance offerings under the Brownfields and Land Revitalization Program to include three new subject-specific grants totaling $2 million in three areas, including providing technical assistance to nonprofits seeking to reuse brownfields; provide research, outreach, and guidance on minimizing displacement resulting from brownfields redevelopment; and providing outreach and guidance on land banking tactics for brownfields revitalization. Read more on the Brownfields Technical Assistance and Research cooperative agreement recipients.

More information about Brownfields Technical Assistance and Research.

Additional Background:

EPA has selected these organizations to receive funding to address and support the reuse of brownfields sites. EPA anticipates making all the awards announced today once all legal and administrative requirements are satisfied.

EPA's Brownfields Program began in 1995 and has provided nearly $2.37 billion in Brownfields Grants to assess and clean up contaminated properties and return blighted properties to productive reuse. EPA's investments in addressing brownfields sites have leveraged more than $36 billion in cleanup and redevelopment. Over the years, the relatively small investment of federal funding has leveraged, from both public and private sources, nearly 260,000 jobs. Communities that previously received Brownfields Grants used these resources to fund assessments and cleanups of brownfields, and successfully leverage an average of 10.6 jobs per $100,000 of EPA Brownfields Grant funds spent and $19.78 for every dollar.

The next National Brownfields Training Conference will be held on August 8-11, 2023, in Detroit, Michigan. Offered every two years, this conference is the largest gathering of stakeholders focused on cleaning up and reusing former commercial and industrial properties. EPA co-sponsors this event with the International City/County Management Association (ICMA).

• More on Brownfields Grants.
• More on EPA's Brownfields Program.

Brighton, Colo. (June 9, 2023) – Today, at an event in downtown Brighton, Colorado, representatives from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) joined city officials and local leaders to announce a $500,000 Brownfields Assessment grant for the city. 

The purpose of the EPA funding is to conduct environmental site assessments, develop cleanup plans, and conduct community outreach activities at contaminated properties in the Brighton’s downtown core. Brighton will use the EPA grant to address priority sites with redevelopment potential, including a warehouse and former grain elevator destroyed by fires and an abandoned cannery and warehouse.   

“The City of Brighton has put together a comprehensive plan to strategically assess, clean up and redevelop downtown properties to contribute to the future health and vitality of the community,” said EPA Regional Administrator KC Becker. “We look forward to seeing these projects address contamination concerns at sites and pave the way for their productive reuse.”  

“I’m looking forward to the impact this funding will have on Brighton,” said Congresswoman Yadira Caraveo. “Not only will it jumpstart existing local businesses, it will help keep our community safe and healthy. Better yet, by investing in this revitalization now, we can continue to attract businesses who will serve Brighton and boost our local economy for years to come.” 

Sites prioritized for assessment and cleanup include the former Tortilleria Cuauhtemoc, the Brighton Grain Elevator, the Midland Cereal Building, the Wilmore Canning Factory (The Cannery), Petroleum Wholesale Inc., and other properties in the downtown area. Most targeted properties are adjacent to the railroad, resulting in persistent concerns about arsenic and other potential contaminants, including heavy metals, asbestos, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, dioxins and furans, polychlorinated biphenyls, polyfluorinated compounds and petroleum compounds.   

"The City is excited to be awarded this grant as it will be used to assist property owners in formulating plans to repurpose underutilized sites in Brighton," said Mayor Gregory Mills. "We feel this grant will help us attract more employment, tourism, retail options and investment in core areas of the City. We are grateful to the EPA for investing in Brighton's bright future."  

Revitalization plans for these properties include new housing, mixed-use development, industrial space, marketplaces, restaurants, breweries, community gathering and event spaces, and artisan locations.  

EPA’s award to the City of Brighton is among seven Brownfields grants totaling more than $5 million for cleanup and revitalization projects in communities across Colorado. Other grantees are receiving funds for projects in Buena Vista, Pueblo, Silverton, San Luis, San Miguel County and Trinidad.  

Background 

Thanks to the historic $1.5 billion boost from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, EPA’s Brownfields Program is helping more communities than ever begin to address the economic, social and environmental challenges caused by brownfields and stimulate economic opportunity and environmental revitalization in historically overburdened communities.  

EPA’s Brownfields Program also advances President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative to direct 40% of the overall benefits of certain federal investments to disadvantaged communities. Approximately 84% of the MARC program applications selected to receive funding proposed to work in areas that include historically underserved communities. 

EPA’s Brownfields Program began in 1995 and has provided nearly $2.37 billion in Brownfield Grants to assess and clean up contaminated properties and return blighted properties to productive reuse. EPA’s investments in addressing brownfield sites have leveraged more than $36 billion in cleanup and redevelopment. Communities that previously received Brownfields Grants used these resources to fund assessments and cleanups of brownfields, and successfully leverage an average of 10.6 jobs per $100,000 of grant funds spent and $19.78 for every dollar. 

More on Brownfields Grants.  

More on EPA’s Brownfields Program. 

DENVER (June 9, 2023) – The Suncor petroleum refinery in Commerce City, Colorado, may experience more air quality incidents because of inadequacies in preventative maintenance, testing and inspection of liquid level control systems and electrical equipment, according to a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) analysis released today.

EPA’s analysis compared the causes and frequency of incidents at Suncor to 11 other refineries nationwide that operate under similar requirements. The goal is to understand what other refineries might be doing differently to help inform potential measures to reduce air pollution from the Suncor facility.

“This analysis underscores the importance of our compliance assurance efforts at Suncor in protecting the surrounding community,” said EPA Regional Administrator KC Becker. “We will use this information and other targeting tools to focus our efforts for future inspections and enforcement.”

The EPA with support from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) undertook this study to better understand why Suncor continues to have air pollution incidents and how Suncor compares to other refineries across the country. EPA’s analysis considered the root causes identified in an investigation conducted by Suncor’s consultant as part of  Suncor’s Settlement Agreement. That previous investigation found underlying issues related to poor communication, unclear delineation of responsibilities and insufficient processes and resources to prevent issues from becoming more severe.

CDPHE will use EPA’s analysis to inform future inspections, investigations, permit updates and enforcement actions with Suncor. CDPHE is also evaluating its authority to require Suncor to make changes at the facility to prevent these incidents and intends to establish a new refinery expert position within CDPHE to help improve operations and accountability at Suncor.

“Air quality and health are linked in so many ways. We know people who live near multiple air pollution sources face disproportionate impacts, including the communities surrounding Suncor,” said CDPHE Director of Environmental Health and Protection Trisha Oeth. “This important analysis provides vital information to protect clean air for all Coloradans, no matter where they live. We anticipate the findings will result in direct actions for Suncor to make improvements.”

The EPA analyzed the frequency of air pollution incidents at the Suncor Refinery, comparing upsets, malfunctions and excess air emissions at Suncor to incidents at the 11 other refineries. The analysis found that, from 2016-2020, Suncor had the greatest number of tail gas incidents that caused releases of excess sulfur dioxide. Suncor also had the second greatest number of acid gas incidents releasing hydrogen sulfide gas. Suncor was in the middle of the comparison group at the seventh greatest number of hydrocarbon flaring incidents out of the 12 refineries.

Read the Suncor Report Analysis.

For more information about EPA’s air quality programs, policies and regulations and EPA’s work in Commerce City – North Denver, please visit About the Office of Air and Radiation (OAR) and Environmental Justice in Commerce City - North Denver.

For more information on Colorado’s actions to protect clean air, visit the CDPHE’s Air Pollution Control Division website or the CDPHE’s Commerce City - North Denver website.

PITTSBURGH — Today in Pittsburgh, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Assistant Administrator for Water Radhika Fox, joined by U.S. Representative Summer Lee, Mayor Ed Gainey and local leaders announced a $52 million Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) loan to the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority (PWSA). This investment will help upgrade and replace aging water infrastructure to ensure that residents and businesses can rely on safe drinking water. When combined with other funding sources, the WIFIA program has supported more than $38 billion for America’s water infrastructure. EPA estimates that associated infrastructure projects will create 500 jobs.

“Here in Pittsburgh, decades-old water infrastructure threatens drinking water that is essential to healthy residents and thriving communities,” said EPA Assistant Administrator for Water Radhika Fox. “EPA’s $52 million WIFIA loan alongside an investment from the state revolving fund (SRF) will support critical infrastructure upgrades to help the city achieve long-term water resilience. Under President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, EPA is strengthening water infrastructure and creating jobs in communities across the country through an additional $50 billion under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to support the SRFs and water grant programs.”

President Biden’s Investing in America agenda is rebuilding infrastructure and boosting U.S. competitiveness while creating good-paying jobs. EPA’s WIFIA loan will help modernize Pittsburgh’s drinking water distribution infrastructure, including upgrading the Bruecken Pump Station, replacing two water mains, and rehabilitating the Highland II Reservoir liner and cover.

These projects are also critical for the eventual replacement of the city’s 115-year-old clearwell that stores treated water before it is distributed throughout the city. The Clearwell Replacement Project will improve the reliability and redundancy of the drinking water supply system, support compliance with regulatory requirements, and improve water quality.

“Every Pennsylvanian has the right to clean, safe water,” said U.S. Senator Bob Casey (PA). “This major federal investment in Pittsburgh’s water infrastructure will upgrade or replace aging water mains, water storage facilities, and more to expand access to clean drinking water for children and families across the city—and create jobs while doing it.”

“This federal funding will help Pittsburgh provide clean and safe water to residents and businesses across the region,” said U.S. Senator John Fetterman (PA). “We’ve got to do everything we can to make sure our communities everywhere, no matter how rural, urban, or suburban, have clean drinking water. This critical investment, combined with unprecedented funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, will upgrade aging infrastructure and help get us there.”

“I’m proud to help deliver a $52 million WIFIA funding award to Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority to make sure every household has clean water and to modernize the drinking water infrastructure in the city,” said U.S. Representative Summer Lee (PA-12). “A few months ago, we celebrated a significant milestone, the replacement of 10,000 lead service lines in Pittsburgh, which is a testament to accountability, action, and the acknowledgment of past wrongs. This funding represents a monumental effort in partnership across all levels of government, demonstrating our commitment to righting an injustice and ensuring clean and safe water for every single household and every one of our communities.”

In addition to EPA’s $52 million WIFIA loan, PWSA secured $93 million for this project through the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (also known as the state revolving fund). These low-cost funding programs allow PWSA to make critical infrastructure investments while supporting water affordability goals. EPA’s WIFIA loan itself will save the city approximately $20 million.

“Every Pennsylvanian has a constitutional right to clean air and pure water, and the Shapiro Administration is working with our federal partners to safeguard this right all across the Commonwealth,” said Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Acting Secretary Rich Negrin. “This WIFIA loan will allow Pittsburgh to protect its water infrastructure and deliver clean water to residents and business owners while saving taxpayer money.  We’re grateful for the EPA’s critical investment in the Pittsburgh community and look forward to working together to improve infrastructure across the Commonwealth as we ensure every Pennsylvanian has access to a clean water supply.”

“We thank the EPA for recognizing the importance of our infrastructure investments and supporting the series of large-scale upgrades to Pittsburgh’s water system in the coming years,” said CEO for Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority Will Pickering. “Pursuing alternative funding methods for system improvements is crucial for water utilities to make needed investments while saving ratepayers money. This funding will allow us to move from a reactive mode to a proactive one, ensuring safe and reliable water service for future generations.”

Learn more about EPA’s WIFIA Program and water infrastructure investments under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

Background
Established by the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act of 2014, the WIFIA program is a federal loan program administered by EPA. The WIFIA program’s aim is to accelerate investment in the nation’s water infrastructure by providing long-term, low-cost supplemental credit assistance for regionally and nationally significant projects. The WIFIA program has an active pipeline of pending applications for projects that will result in billions of dollars in water infrastructure investment and thousands of jobs. EPA is currently accepting letters of interest for WIFIA and SWIFIA loans. Learn more about submitting a letter of interest for a WIFIA loan.

In addition to WIFIA loans, there are many federal funding resources available for communities and utilities to improve vital water and wastewater resources. It’s been almost 19 months since President Biden signed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law – a once-in-a-generation investment in our nation’s infrastructure and competitiveness. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provides a historic $50 billion investment in upgrading critical water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure.

WASHINGTON - Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the winners of the “Pollution Prevention Works: A Storytelling Challenge for Students.” The winning stories include essays, infographics, videos and a mock newspaper article and highlight how pollution prevention (P2) practices that were implemented at businesses benefitted communities, the environment and the businesses themselves. More than 50 high school and college students from across the nation submitted stories for consideration.

“It is exciting to celebrate these students that will help shape our future.  With their stories, we are increasing awareness of the benefits and practice of pollution prevention,” said EPA Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention Deputy Assistant Administrator Jennie Romer. “I congratulate these talented students for their creativity in highlighting innovative pollution prevention solutions that can help protect human health and the environment.”

To increase awareness and showcase P2 activities, the Challenge invited high school and college students to use EPA’s Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) P2 Search Tool to identify an industrial facility or set of facilities in the U.S. that have reported implementing P2 practices that reduced, eliminated or prevented pollution at its source. The students then were challenged to tell a compelling story about how those P2 practices resulted in positive benefits for the business and the surrounding community and environment. By sharing these stories of real life examples on YouTube and EPA’s website, students as well as the public, can learn about pollution prevention activities in their community. These stories also provide businesses insight into how others are continually improving their business practices to help protect our environment.

The 2023 winners of the Pollution Prevention Works: A Storytelling Challenge for Students are:

First Place ($5,000)

• Shreya Daggolu, Stuyvesant High School, New York, created a video that focuses on the Ravenswood Generating Station in Long Island City, New York. The video details efforts to reduce toxic chemical emissions at the facility and improve the health of the 1.2 million people who live within three miles of the plant - including many low-income and minority residents.
• Annaliese Persaud, Francisco Suriel, Jasmin Tiong-Smith, Samaya Lindo-Smellie, and Jordyn Faria, Baldwin School, New York, created a mock newscast that highlights P2 practices implemented at the Ravenswood Generating Station in Long Island City, New York. In the video, a mock news reporter interviews students playing a host of characters including local residents and a scientist about how the P2 improvements positively impacted the public and environmental health in nearby neighborhoods.
• Noah Arbuckle, Lincoln Academy, Maine, created a video that features the semiconductor manufacturing company GlobalFoundries and the P2 activities implemented at its facility in Essex Junction, Vermont. The video describes activities to reduce releases of chemicals on the TRI list including ethylene glycol, fluorine, hydrochloric acid and ammonia, resulting in reduced impacts on the environment, especially on local waterways.
• Athitiya Singhapan, Michael E. DeBakey High School for the Health Professions, Texas, created a video that illustrates P2 practices implemented at the Danone Milk Manufacturing Facility in Fort Worth, Texas. The video explains how Danone reduced its nitric acid releases, benefiting local communities. 

Second Place ($2,500)

• Angela Zhan, Logan High School, Utah
• Kelvin Zhang, North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics, North Carolina
• Tahmina Emu, Fairfield University, Connecticut

Third Place ($1,500)

• Nirja Trivedi, Westview High School, California
• Calla Shosh, Natrona County High School, Wyoming
• Aditi Adapala, Lynbrook High School, California
• Joseph Bartash, Samueli Academy, California
• Miranda Moreno, Jesus Moreno, Stefany Duran Rios, Vanessa Martinez, and Carolina Naranjo, Garey High School, California
• Arin Harkawat, Watchung Hills Regional High School, New Jersey
• Charlotte Walton, Lloyd C. Bird High School, Virginia
• Arun Sood, Georgetown University, Washington, D.C.
• Diane Frola, Christopher Newport University, Virginia
• Fatou Mbaye, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, North Carolina

See the winning entries and read more about the winners.

Read more about EPA’s Pollution Prevention program.

Read more about EPA’s Toxics Release Inventory program.

Details on the Pollution Prevention Works: A Storytelling Challenge for Students.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (June 8, 2023) – Next week, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will hold community lead awareness seminars in Memphis, Tennessee, in partnership with the City of Memphis, the Memphis Shelby County Health Department and local nonprofits. These include hold two lead awareness seminars for the general public – one in English and one in Spanish – on Thursday June 15, 2023, and a train-the-trainer seminar for community leaders on Friday, June 16, 2023.

Community members interested in learning more about lead can join an Understanding Lead Session on Thursday, June 15, 2023, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. Participants will use the Lead Awareness in Indian Country: Keeping our Children Healthy! Curriculum (commonly referred to as the Lead Awareness Curriculum) to learn about actions they can take to reduce lead exposure, be familiar with all materials included within the Lead Awareness Curriculum, understand how the curriculum is designed to be modified to fit an individual community’s needs and have a plan for how to facilitate sessions in their own communities.

Sign-up link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lead-awareness-curriculum-understanding-lead-tickets-632927993667

Understanding Lead is also being offered in Spanish on Thursday, June 15, 2023, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/informacion-sobre-el-plomo-memphis-tn-tickets-632932416897

Community leaders with experience educating and training community members who would like to educate others about lead, can join the Lead Awareness Curriculum Train-the-Trainer on Friday, June 16, 2023, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Sign-up link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lead-awareness-curriculum-train-the-trainer-tickets-632935145057

To learn more, visit https://www.epa.gov/lead/community-lead-awareness-sessions.
 

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) collects data from hundreds of air quality monitors provided by state, local and Tribal air quality agencies, along with crowd-sourced data from air quality sensors. This data underpins the AirNow Fire and Smoke Map, which EPA developed in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service. This tool provides current air quality information, smoke plume locations and recommended actions to take to protect your health – all in one place. The map is available in English and Spanish. In addition to being accessible through EPA’s webpage, the map also is available through the AirNow smartphone app. EPA is promoting these resources through digital channels (see tweet thread from the EPA account, and this thread from the Administrator, and this thread from the AirNow account). EPA has more detailed information resources tailored to specific audiences.[1] EPA will continue to maintain close contact with our state and local partners throughout the region. EPA also provided the statement below to a network of interested reporters.

EPA June 7 Desk Statement

A weather system carries smoke from wildfires in Canada hundreds of miles into the U.S., pushing air quality into the unhealthy or worse categories in areas from the mid-Atlantic through the Northeast and parts of the Upper Great Lakes. EPA encourages people living in these areas to check their Air Quality Index (AQI) throughout the day to see their local air quality and steps to take to reduce smoke exposure and protect their health. Pay attention to any health symptoms if you have asthma, COPD, heart disease, or are pregnant. Get medical help if you need it.

Smoke can cause air quality to change rapidly. Stay up to date on current air quality and forecasts near you through the AirNow app, available for free on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. You also can use the app to check the AirNow Fire and Smoke Map. EPA and the U.S. Forest Service developed the map to give the public information on fire locations, smoke plumes, near real-time air quality and actions to take to protect your health -- all in one place. The map is available at the AirNow Fire and Smoke Map webpage, or by tapping the Smoke icon in the AirNow app. It includes data from hundreds of air quality monitors provided by state and local air quality agencies, along with crowd-sourced data from air quality sensors.

Most healthy adults and children will recover quickly from smoke exposure and will not have long-lasting health effects. But people with chronic diseases, such as asthma, other lung disease, or cardiovascular disease are at greater risk of experiencing more severe health effects. Children, pregnant people, and people over 65 also are more vulnerable to health effects from smoke exposure Limit your outdoor exercise when it is smoky or choose lower-intensity activities to reduce your smoke exposure. When indoors, take steps to keep your indoor air cool and clean. For more tips, see AirNow’s When Smoke is in the Air webpage.

Larger and more intense wildfires are creating the potential for greater smoke production and chronic exposures in the U.S., particularly in the West. Wildfires increase air pollution in surrounding areas and can affect regional air quality. If you have to be outdoors when wildfire smoke is in the air, an N-95 mask can help reduce the smoke you breathe in and potential health risks. 

State, local and tribal governments work closely with EPA, the Forest Service, and other departments to maintain a strong monitoring network to help inform the public about local air quality conditions and what steps to take to protect themselves from air pollution and wildfire smoke. This partnership is what makes AirNow.gov work.

[1] Wildfires and Indoor Air Quality for the general public; Wildfires and Indoor Air Quality in Schools and Commercial Buildings; Wildfire Smoke Guide for Public Health Officials and associated factsheets.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (8 de junio del 2023) – La próxima semana, la Agencia de Protección Ambiental de EE. UU. (con sus siglas en inglés, EPA) llevará a cabo seminarios comunitarios de concientización sobre los efectos del plomo en la ciudad Memphis, Tennessee, en asociación con la ciudad de Memphis, el Departamento de Salud del condado de Memphis Shelby y organizaciones locales sin fines de lucro. Estos incluyen la realización de dos seminarios de concientización sobre el plomo para el público en general, uno en inglés y otro en español, el jueves 15 de junio del 2023, y un seminario de capacitación de capacitadores para líderes comunitarios el viernes 16 de junio del 2023.

Los miembros de la comunidad interesados en obtener más información sobre el plomo pueden unirse a una sesión sobre la comprensión del plomo el jueves 15 de junio del 2023, de 1:00 a 3:00 p.m. Los participantes utilizarán el Plan de estudios de concientización sobre el plomo en los terrenos indígenas: ¡Mantener sanos a nuestros niños! (comúnmente conocido como el Plan de estudios de concientización sobre el plomo) para conocer las acciones que pueden tomar para reducir la exposición al plomo, familiarizarse con todos los materiales incluidos en el Currículo de Concientización sobre el Plomo, comprender cómo el currículo está diseñado para ser modificado para adaptarse a las necesidades de una comunidad individual y tener un plan sobre cómo facilitar sesiones en sus propias comunidades.

Enlace de registro: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lead-awareness-curriculum-understanding-lead-tickets-632927993667

Sesión sobre Comprensión del Plomo también se ofrecerá en español el jueves 15 de junio del 2023, de 4:00 a 6:00 p.m.: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/informacion-sobre-el-plomo-memphis-tn-tickets-632932416897

Los líderes comunitarios con experiencia en educación y capacitación a miembros de la comunidad que deseen educar a otros sobre el plomo pueden unirse a el Currículo de Concientización sobre el Plomo - Capacitación para Capacitadores, el viernes 16 de junio del 2023, de 9:00 a.m. a 12:00 p.m.

Currículo de Concientización sobre el Plomo - Capacitación para Capacitadores Enlace de registro: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lead-awareness-curriculum-train-the-trainer-tickets-632935145057

Para obtener más información, visite https://www.epa.gov/lead/community-lead-awareness-sessions