BOSTON (Jan. 18, 2023) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will conduct comprehensive reviews of completed cleanup work at two National Priority List (NPL) Superfund sites in Maine this year.

The sites will undergo a legally required Five-Year Review to ensure that previous remediation efforts at the sites continue to protect public health and the environment.

"Throughout the process of designing and constructing a cleanup at a hazardous waste site, EPA's primary goal is to make sure the remedy will be protective of public health and the environment, especially for communities that have been overburdened by pollution," said EPA New England Regional Administrator David W. Cash. "It is important for EPA to regularly check on these sites to ensure the remedy is working properly and Maine communities continue to be protected."

The Superfund Sites where EPA will conduct Five-Year Reviews in 2023 are listed below with web links that provide detailed information on site status as well as past assessment and cleanup activity. Once the Five-Year Review is complete, its findings will be posted to the website in a final report.

Five-Year Reviews of Superfund sites in Maine to be completed in 2023:

McKin Co., Gray

West Site/Hows Corner, Plymouth

More information:
The Superfund program, a federal program established by Congress in 1980, investigates and cleans up the most complex, uncontrolled, or abandoned hazardous waste sites in the country and EPA endeavors to facilitate activities to return them to productive use. In total, there are 123 Superfund sites across New England.

Superfund and other cleanup sites in New England

EPA's Superfund program

NUEVA YORK – La Agencia de Protección ambiental de los Estados Unidos (EPA) ha llegado a un acuerdo con la Compañía de Fomento Industrial de Puerto Rico (PRIDCO) para el reembolso de 11 millones de dólares en costes incurridos por la EPA en la limpieza de la contaminación en el sitio de Superfondo de Aguas Subterráneas de Maunabo, en Puerto Rico.

"Nos complace haber llegado a un acuerdo con la Compañía de Fomento Industrial de Puerto Rico, responsable - de la limpieza de la contaminación (y no los contribuyentes) en su propiedad y poder así proteger a la comunidad de Maunabo", dijo la Administradora Regional Lisa F. García. "Este acuerdo reembolsa a la EPA por su trabajo en la evaluación de la contaminación, el diseño del remedio y la limpieza de la contaminación de las aguas subterráneas".

El sitio de contaminación de aguas subterráneas de Maunabo está situado en la zona costera del sureste de Puerto Rico, donde las aguas subterráneas están contaminadas con varios tipos de compuestos orgánicos volátiles (COV), incluidos el tetracloroeteno (PCE), el tricloroeteno (TCE) y el cis-1,2-dicloroeteno (cis-1,2-DCE). El lugar incluye cuatro pozos que suministran agua potable al sistema público de abastecimiento de agua de Maunabo Urbano, que actualmente obtiene su agua potable de fuentes seguras. La EPA seleccionó, diseñó y aplicó el remedio para el sitio a través de su programa Superfondo.

La EPA determinó que uno o más de los inquilinos de un parque industrial propiedad de PRIDCO era una fuente de contaminación por COV. En septiembre de 2015, PRIDCO se negó a participar en las conversaciones para llegar a un acuerdo, lo que llevó al Departamento de Justicia de los Estados Unidos (DOJ) a presentar una demanda civil ante un tribunal federal de distrito en Puerto Rico para recuperar los costes de la EPA por la limpieza del lugar. El Departamento de Justicia argumentó que PRIDCO, como propietaria del parque industrial, era legalmente responsable de las aguas subterráneas contaminadas, y el tribunal le dio la razón, adjudicando a la EPA los costos de respuesta anteriores y responsabilizando también a PRIDCO de los costos futuros. PRIDCO recurrió la decisión ante el Tribunal de Apelación del Primer Circuito de los EE.UU., que confirmó la sentencia del Tribunal de Distrito. El acuerdo resuelve las obligaciones financieras actuales de PRIDCO en relación con el sitio como resultado de la demanda.

Según los términos del acuerdo, PRIDCO pagará a la EPA un total de 11 millones de dólares en siete años para cubrir todos los costos de respuesta anteriores de la agencia y los intereses. Este pago reembolsará a la EPA los fondos que gastó en la limpieza del sitio de Superfondo de Aguas Subterráneas de Maunabo y asegurara que el agua potable de las comunidades afectadas sea segura para los residentes.

Visite la página de perfil del sitio de Superfondo de Aguas Subterráneas de Maunabo para obtener más información.

Siga a la EPA Región 2 en Twitter y visite nuestra página de Facebook. Para más información sobre la Región 2 de la EPA, visite nuestro sitio web.

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PITI, GUAM – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the recipients of its Clean School Bus Program rebate competition, awarding approximately $9,875,000 from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to the Guam Department of Education. These rebate funds will help Guam purchase 25 clean battery-electric school buses. This initiative will combat climate change by accelerating the transition to zero emissions vehicles while producing cleaner air in and around Guam’s schools and communities.

“This Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funded grant will accelerate Guam’s transition to electric school buses, ensuring a brighter, healthier future for its children,” said EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator Martha Guzman. “EPA is making an unprecedented investment in our children’s future by reducing climate pollution, and ensuring clean, breathable air.”

“As proud recipients of the EPA Clean School Bus Program, we are thankful for the Biden Harris Administration’s transformative vision with the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and for EPA Administrator Regan’s leadership to ensure speedy and equitable issuance of awards that will enhance Guam’s regional efforts in reversing the effects of climate change,” said Guam Governor Lou Leon Guerrero. “In 2019, Lieutenant Governor Josh Tenorio and I created the Climate Change Resiliency Commission on Guam, which was geared toward developing an integrated strategy to build resiliency against the adverse effects of climate change and reduce contributing factors such as greenhouse gas emissions. Thousands of our island’s school children will benefit from the cleaner fleet this award will provide, granting us a tremendous opportunity to fortify our capacity for climate change resiliency through improved air quality and reduced air emissions."

The Guam Department of Education met one or more of the EPA’s prioritization criteria for low income, high need, rural, or tribal schools. The funding will be used to purchase both zero-emission battery-electric buses and charging infrastructure. 

This investment will reduce greenhouse gas emissions, save money for Guam’s schools, protect children’s health, drive demand for American-made batteries and vehicles, boost domestic manufacturing, and create good-paying jobs. 

Guam’s Department of Public Works owns and operates the territory’s school buses and will assist with the deployment of the 25 new battery-electric school buses. 

Guam currently generates approximately 13 percent of its electricity from renewable energy and has plans to increase that to 50 percent by 2035 and 100 percent by 2045. The Guam Power Authority will be responsible for providing the electricity to power these electric school buses.

In 2022 EPA announced the availability of $500 million for its Clean School Bus Program. Given overwhelming demand from school districts across the country, including in low-income communities, Tribal nations, and U.S. territories, EPA nearly doubled the amount of funding that will be awarded to $965 million. The rebate application period closed in August 2022 after an outstanding response from school districts seeking to purchase electric and low-emission school buses. 

At this time, the agency has selected 403 applications totaling $948 million to support the purchase of 2,571 buses, 95 percent of which will be battery electric. EPA will distribute awards to school districts in all 50 states and Washington D.C., along with several federally recognized Tribes and U.S. territories. School districts identified as priority areas serving low-income, rural, and/or Tribal students make up 99 percent of the projects that were selected for funding.

Those school districts who received an award can now proceed with purchasing new buses and eligible infrastructure. Selectees will need to submit Payment Request Forms with purchase orders demonstrating they have ordered new buses and eligible infrastructure. EPA is also partnering with the U.S. Department of Energy and Department of Transportation to provide school districts with robust technical assistance to ensure effective implementation.

These awards are the first $1 billion of a five-year, $5 billion program created by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. EPA is also currently designing the next rounds of program funding to launch in the coming months, which will include an ambitious grant competition. Through future rounds of funding, EPA will make available another $1 billion for clean school buses in Fiscal Year 2023. EPA encourages school districts not selected in the first round of rebates – and those that did not apply this funding cycle – to participate in future rounds. 

View the full list of Clean School Bus award recipients here. 

To learn more about the Clean School Bus Program, applicant eligibility, webinar dates, and other key information, visit www.epa.gov/cleanschoolbus.

Learn more about EPA’s Pacific Southwest Region. Connect with us on Facebook and on Twitter.

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the appointment of 15 new and 7 returning members to the Local Government Advisory Committee (LGAC). The announcement came at a public meeting of the Committee, where members presented recommendations on implementation of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).

“Our partnerships with local governments are critical to EPA’s efforts to tackle the climate crisis and ensure that investments from President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act reach the communities that need them most,” said EPA Administrator Michael Regan. “The recommendations provided by the LGAC today demonstrate the pride we take in prioritizing local voices, and I look forward to working with the new membership over the coming year.”

The 34-member LGAC will have an even split of female and male members, including 14 people of color, and representation from 29 different states and U.S. territories. The Administrator also appointed 13 new and 5 returning members to the LGAC’s Small Communities Advisory Subcommittee.

Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird of Lincoln, Nebraska will continue to as the LGAC’s chair, and Mayor Lucy Vinis of Eugene, Oregon will serve as the LGAC’s vice chair. Administrator Regan also appointed Ann Mallek, Supervisor of Albemarle County, Virginia, as co-chair of the SCAS. Mallek will join Commissioner Christine Lowery of Cibola County, New Mexico, who has held the position for the past year.

“I look forward to continued service on the EPA’s Local Government Advisory Committee and remain committed to the important work of advancing climate security, infrastructure development, economic opportunity, environmental justice, and quality of life for people here in Lincoln and across our country,” said Mayor Gaylor Baird of Lincoln, Nebraska.

Recommendations focused on the Climate Pollution Reduction Grants and included providing funding directly to local and tribal governments, prioritizing the decarbonization of buildings, supporting meaningful engagement with disadvantaged communities in climate planning, and coordinating IRA implementation across the federal family. Regarding the IRA Heavy-Duty Vehicles program the LGAC recommended that EPA support the decarbonization of government fleets and streamline applications. The recommendations will be finalized and sent to Administrator Regan later this month.

Members were chosen from a pool of more than 80 highly qualified candidates. Selections for the one- and two-year terms were made in accordance with the LGAC charter to achieve balance and diversity in terms of geographic location, gender, ethnicity, and stakeholder perspective.

The new and returning (denoted with *) LGAC members and their affiliations are:

• The Honorable Ras Baraka, Mayor, Newark, NJ*
• The Honorable Luke Bronin, Mayor, Hartford, CT
• The Honorable Sharon Broome, Mayor, Baton Rouge, LA
• Mr. Gary Brown, Director of Water and Sewerage Department, Detroit, MI*
• The Honorable Kimberly duBuclet, Water Reclamation District Commissioner, Cook County, IL
• Ms. Miki Esposito, Associate Director of Public Works, Los Angeles County
• The Honorable Sarah Fox, Councilmember, Vancouver, WA
• The Honorable Jacob Frey, Mayor, Minneapolis, MN
• The Honorable Jonathan Grieder, Councilmember, City of Waterloo, IA
• The Honorable Brenda Howerton, County Commissioner, Durham County, NC
• The Honorable Deana Holiday Ingraham, Mayor, East Point, GA*
• The Honorable Heather Kimball, Councilmember, Hawai’i County
• The Honorable Ann Mallek, Supervisor, Albemarle County, VA
• The Honorable Rachel May, State Senator, Syracuse, NY*
• The Honorable Christian Menefee, County Attorney, Harris County, TX
• The Honorable Douglas Nicholls, Mayor, Yuma, AZ*
• The Honorable Ron Nirenberg, Mayor, San Antonio, TX*
• The Honorable David Painter, County Commissioner, Clermont County, OH
• The Honorable Mary Lou Pauly, Mayor, Issaquah, WA
• Mr. Whitford Remer, Sustainability and Resilience Officer, Tampa, FL
• The Honorable Satya Rhodes-Conway, Mayor, Madison, WI*

The new and returning (denoted with *) SCAS members and their affiliations are:

• The Honorable Vincent DeSantis, Mayor, Gloversville, NY *
• Mr. Kevin Dumas, Town Manager, Mansfield, MA
• Mr. Dave Glatt, Director, Environmental Quality, ND*
• The Honorable Jonathan Godes, Mayor, Glenwood Springs, CO
• The Honorable Daniel Guzman, Tribal Councilman, Oneida Nation, WI*
• The Honorable Velma Jenkins, Mayor, Shuqualak, MS
• Ms. Meleesa Johnson, Director-Solid Waste Department, Wausau, WI
• Ms. Denis Koch, Deputy Director of Public Works and Engineering, Juneau, AK
• The Honorable Rey Leon, Mayor, Huron, CA
• The Honorable Ann Mallek, Commissioner, Albemarle County, VA*
• Mr. Tyler Palmer, Deputy City Supervisor, Moscow, ID
• The Honorable James Perkins, Mayor, Selma, AL
• The Honorable Hattie Portis-Jones, Mayor Pro Tem, Fairburn, GA*
• The Honorable Greg Puckett, County Commissioner, Mercer County, VA
• The Honorable Kimberly Rich, Alderman and Mayor Pro Tem, Willow Springs, MO
• Mr. Kevin Shropshire, Department Director, Rockledge, FL
• The Honorable Sophie Swope, City Council Member, Bethel, AK
• Ms. Michele Zolezi, Town Vice President, Manchester Township, NJ

Background
Chartered in 1993 under the Federal Advisory Committee Act, the Local Government Advisory Committee provides independent policy advice to the EPA Administrator on a broad range of issues affecting local governments. The Small Community Advisory Subcommittee was established by EPA in 1996 to advise the Administrator on environmental issues of concern to the residents of smaller communities.

For more information about the LGAC, please visit https://www.epa.gov/ocir/local-government-advisory-committee-lgac.

For more information about the SCAS, please visit: https://www.epa.gov/ocir/small-community-advisory-subcommittee-scas.
 

SAN FRANCISCO – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released its preferred cleanup plan for the Sulphur Bank Mercury Mine Superfund site and is inviting the public to review and comment on the plan. The plan proposes cleaning up significant portions of the site in Clearlake Oaks, Calif., specifically the mine area, the sovereign territory of the Elem Indian Colony Tribe, and contaminated soils in the residential area to the southwest of the site.

“This proposed plan is the first step needed to reduce mercury levels in Clear Lake and address contaminated soil. These efforts will enhance public health and environmental safeguards, and advance environmental justice in the area,” said EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator Martha Guzman. “EPA is committed to continuing to work with the Elem Indian Colony, the greater Clear Lake community and the Tribal nations as we develop a plan to clean up the Sulphur Bank site. We look forward to hearing the community’s feedback on our proposed plan.”

An extended public comment period is being provided to ensure that all impacted Tribes, communities, and stakeholders have adequate time to review the proposed plan before forming and submitting their comments. The plan is open for public comment until April 10, 2023, and the EPA Sulphur Bank team will meet with residents in the coming months and host virtual question-and-answer sessions, in-person open houses, and in-person final meetings.

Since 2021, EPA has offered monthly meetings for representatives from six of the Tribal nations that surround the lake and provided independent technical support through the Technical Assistance Serving Communities Program. Following the release of this proposed plan, EPA can continue close coordination with these tribal governments to ensure awareness of and involvement in cleanup efforts moving forward.

The 160-acre Sulphur Bank Mercury Mine Superfund site sits on the shore of Clear Lake in Lake County, Calif. Historic mining contaminated the property with unhealthy levels of mercury, arsenic and antimony. Contamination from the site also impacts the wetland area north of the mine and Clear Lake itself. Since the site was added to the Superfund cleanup program in August 1990, EPA has completed eight early cleanups to protect human health and the environment and reduce contamination in soil, lake water and sediments, fish and wildlife, and Tribal and residential properties near the mine.

The cleanup set out in the new proposed plan will protect the community and environment from the 2.5 million tons of mine waste and contaminated soil on the site, and also prevent that contaminated material from entering Clear Lake. EPA continues to study options for directly cleaning up mercury contamination in Clear Lake and wetlands near the mine site.

The goals for the proposed cleanup are:

• Combining smaller waste piles with larger piles to reduce the area of contamination.
• Putting a liner, clean earth, and clean soil over the contaminated waste and soil to: make residential areas safe for a lifetime of use; make on-mine areas safe for use by Elem Indian Colony residents (hunting, fishing, foraging, transit to nearby lands); and prevent contamination from leaving the site with stormwater or wind.
• Limiting mercury entering Clear Lake to allow mercury levels in sediments and fish to decrease over time, and help EPA determine the cleanup needed for the lake.

This project and progress towards a final cleanup decision is being supported by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law invests an additional $3.5 billion in environmental remediation at Superfund sites, making it one of the largest investments in American history to address the legacy pollution that harms the public health of communities and neighborhoods.

The public can submit comments to EPA on the proposed plan until April 10, 2023, in the following ways:

• Email comments to EPA’s Gavin Pauley and Carter Jessop
• Printed comments can be mailed to Gavin Pauley - EPA Community Involvement Coordinator, 75 Hawthorne Street (Mail Code: OPA-2) San Francisco, CA 94105. Mailed comments must be postmarked by April 10th.
• Oral comments can be left on EPA’s voicemail box at: (800) 231-3075.

Once EPA has considered public comments on the proposed cleanup plan, it will respond to them in a “responsiveness summary” and make a formal decision on the cleanup in the “record of decision” that will guide the cleanup of the Sulphur Bank Mercury Mine site. EPA aims to make the final cleanup decision within a year of the close of public comment period. The proposed plan cleanup could begin as soon as 2025.

Learn more about the Sulphur Bank Mercury Mine site.

Learn more about EPA’s Pacific Southwest Region. Connect with us on Facebook and on Twitter.

SAN FRANCISCO – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announced a proposed enforcement action related to violations of the Clean Water Act on the Sacramento River in Red Bluff, Calif. EPA is proposing an administrative settlement with Justin Jenson, the owner of a residential property in Red Bluff, for his failure to obtain a permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers before conducting work in approximately 90 linear feet of the Sacramento River. This work by Jenson was found to have the potential to harm critical habitat for several endangered or threatened fish species.

“This action demonstrates EPA’s commitment to ensure that development in waterways happens with proper permitting, to protect fish, wildlife and the environment,” said EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator Martha Guzman.

The Clean Water Act requires landowners and developers to obtain a permit from the Army Corps of Engineers before making alterations to waterbodies like the Sacramento River that are considered “waters of the United States.”

EPA’s proposal, a consent agreement and final order, is subject to a 30-day public comment period. Members of the public can read EPA’s proposal and submit comments on EPA’s website. EPA is proposing Mr. Jenson pay a $33,000 penalty to settle the violations.

The proposed settlement states that, in November 2021, Jenson conducted bank stabilization activities along the Sacramento River that disturbed 90 linear feet of the river. Jenson’s activities included the use of heavy equipment and replacement of native soil and vegetation with rock. This portion of the Sacramento River is considered critical habitat of at least four endangered or threatened species under the Endangered Species Act, including the Sacramento River Winter-run Chinook Salmon, Central Valley Spring-run Chinook Salmon, California Central Valley Steelhead, and the Southern Distinct Population Segment of North American Green Sturgeon. Jenson’s unauthorized bank stabilization activities were found to have the potential to impact this critical habitat by failing to incorporate mitigation measures. 

Learn more about EPA’s wetlands protections programs.

Report a violation on EPA’s website.

Learn more about EPA’s Pacific Southwest Region. Connect with us on Facebook and on Twitter.

PUERTO RICO – La Agencia de Protección Ambiental de Estados Unidos (EPA, por sus siglas en inglés) llevará a cabo una reunión comunitaria para residentes de Fajardo, Puerto Rico para compartir información sobre los riesgos a la salud del gas denominado óxido de etileno, también conocido como EtO, que se emite desde la instalación de esterilización comercial Customed Inc.

La reunión comunitaria se llevará a cabo el martes, 26 de enero a las 5:00 p.m. en la cancha de baloncesto de la Urbanización Altamira en Fajardo.

La Administradora Regional de la EPA Región 2 Lisa F. García; El director de Aire del Departamento de Recursos Naturales y Ambientales; el alcalde de Fajardo, Jose Aníbal Meléndez se unirán al personal de la EPA para discutir los riesgos potenciales asociados con las emisiones de la instalación de Customed ubicada en la Calle Igualdad # 7, Fajardo.

El óxido de etileno es un carcinógeno humano emitido por algunos esterilizadores comerciales. Las emisiones de EtO de los esterilizadores comerciales pueden contribuir a un riesgo elevado de cáncer para las comunidades cercanas por exposición a largo plazo.

El análisis de la EPA indica que el aire cerca de las instalaciones de Fajardo no excede los puntos de referencia de salud a corto plazo. Sin embargo, la preocupación es que una exposición a lo largo de la vida a las emisiones de EtO podría producir impactos en la salud a largo plazo si no se reducen los niveles de riesgo. La EPA está trabajando con instalaciones como esta para tomar las medidas adecuadas destinadas a reducir las emisiones. Más adelante este año, la EPA espera proponer una regulación acerca de la contaminación del aire para proteger la salud pública al exigir más controles en cuanto a las emisiones de EtO de los esterilizadores comerciales.

“La EPA quiere asegurarse de que estamos dando a las comunidades la mejor información sobre los riesgos que representa el EtO y sobre qué medidas pueden estar ya en marcha o planificadas para reducir los riesgos en estas instalaciones”, comentó Lisa F. García, administradora regional de la EPA. “También queremos involucrar al público a medida que desarrollamos nueva reglamentación basada en la ventaja de nuestra comprensión actual del riesgo que representa el EtO”.

Detalles de la reunión:

Reunión comunitaria el martes, 26 de enero de 2023; a las 5:00 pm

Para inscribirse en la reunión del 26 de enero y obtener más información sobre esta instalación.

La EPA continúa actuando significativamente para abordar el EtO y avanzar en la investigación crucial del EtO. Las acciones incluyen:

• Revisar la reglamentación de la Ley Federal de Aire Limpio para las industrias que emiten EtO al aire, particularmente las directrices para controlar las emisiones tóxicas al aire de los esterilizadores comerciales y las instalaciones que fabrican productos químicos, con el objetivo de hacer que esta reglamentación proteja más la salud.
• Trabajar con agencias ambientales locales para reducir las emisiones de EtO, lo antes posible.
• Ampliar los requisitos de presentación de informes ambientales para las instalaciones de esterilización.
• Utilizar acciones de cumplimiento, según corresponda.
• Reevaluar la manera en que se utiliza el EtO dentro de las instalaciones de esterilización con el objetivo de reducir los riesgos para los trabajadores que manejan EtO y aquellos que están expuestos de otras maneras.
• Realizar investigaciones para comprender y medir mejor el EtO.

Para obtener más información sobre los esfuerzos de la EPA destinados a abordar el óxido de etileno.

Siga a la Región 2 de la EPA en Twitter y en Facebook. Para obtener más información sobre la Región 2 de la EPA, visite nuestro sitio web.

Villalba, PR – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will host a community meeting for residents of Villalba, Puerto Rico to share information about health risks from the chemical ethylene oxide or EtO, which is being emitted from a commercial sterilizer facility called Medtronics.

The community meeting will take place on Tuesday, January 24 at 5:00 p.m. at Centro de Bellas Artes Municipal, Adrian Rosado Guzman in Villalba.

EPA Region 2 Regional Administrator Lisa F. Garcia; Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources Air Director; and Villalba Mayor Luis Javier Hernández will join EPA staff to discuss potential risks associated with emissions from the Medtronics facility at Road 149 KM. 56.3, Villalba.

Ethylene oxide – also known as EtO – is a human carcinogen emitted by some commercial sterilizers. EtO emissions from commercial sterilizers can contribute to elevated cancer risks for nearby communities.

EPA analysis indicates that the air near the Villalba facility does not exceed short-term health benchmarks. However, the concern is that a lifetime of exposure to EtO emissions could lead to long-term health impacts if risk levels are not reduced. EPA is working with facilities like this one to take appropriate steps to reduce emissions. Later this year, EPA expects to propose an air pollution regulation to protect public health by requiring more controls on EtO emissions from commercial sterilizers.

“EPA wants to make sure that we are giving people the best information about the risks posed by EtO and about what actions may already be underway or planned to reduce risks at these facilities,” said Lisa F. Garcia, EPA Regional Administrator. “We also want to engage the public as we develop new regulations with the benefit of our current understanding of the risk posed by EtO.”

Meeting Details:

Community Meeting on Tuesday, January 24, 2023; 5:00 pm (Registration) and 5:30 pm (Presentation and Community Meeting).

To register for the January 24th meeting and learn more about this facility.

EPA is continuing significant action to address EtO and advance critical EtO research. These actions include:

• Reviewing Clean Air Act regulations for industries that emit EtO into the air, particularly rules to control air toxic emissions from commercial sterilizers and facilities that manufacture chemicals, with the goal of making these regulations more protective of health.
• Working with state, territory, local and tribal environmental agencies to reduce EtO emissions, as soon as possible.
• Expanding environmental reporting requirements for sterilization facilities.
• Using enforcement options as appropriate.
• Reevaluating how EtO is used within sterilization facilities with the goal of reducing risks to workers who handle EtO and those who are exposed in other ways.
• Conducting research to better understand and measure EtO.
• Using enforcement options as appropriate.

For more information about the EPA’s efforts to address ethylene oxide.

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PUERTO RICO – La Agencia de Protección Ambiental de Estados Unidos (EPA, por sus siglas en inglés) llevará a cabo una reunión comunitaria para residentes de Villalba, Puerto Rico para compartir información sobre los riesgos a la salud del gas denominado óxido de etileno, también conocido como EtO, que se emite desde la instalación de esterilización comercial Medtronics.

La reunión comunitaria se llevará a cabo el martes, 24 de enero a las 5:00 p.m. en el Centro de Bellas Artes Municipal, Adrian Rosado Guzman in Villalba.

La Administradora Regional de la EPA Región 2 Lisa F. García; El director de Aire del Departamento de Recursos Naturales y Ambientales; el alcalde de Villalba, Luis Javier Hernández se unirán al personal de la EPA para discutir los riesgos potenciales asociados con las emisiones de la instalación de Medtronics ubicada en la carretera 149 KM. 56.3, Villalba.

El óxido de etileno es un carcinógeno humano emitido por algunos esterilizadores comerciales. Las emisiones de EtO de los esterilizadores comerciales pueden contribuir a un riesgo elevado de cáncer para las comunidades cercanas por exposición a largo plazo.

El análisis de la EPA indica que el aire cerca de las instalaciones de Villalba no excede los puntos de referencia de salud a corto plazo. Sin embargo, la preocupación es que una exposición a lo largo de la vida a las emisiones de EtO podría producir impactos en la salud a largo plazo si no se reducen los niveles de riesgo. La EPA está trabajando con instalaciones como esta para tomar las medidas adecuadas destinadas a reducir las emisiones. Más adelante este año, la EPA espera proponer una regulación acerca de la contaminación del aire para proteger la salud pública al exigir más controles en cuanto a las emisiones de EtO de los esterilizadores comerciales.

“La EPA quiere asegurarse de que estamos dando a las comunidades la mejor información sobre los riesgos que representa el EtO y sobre qué medidas pueden estar ya en marcha o planificadas para reducir los riesgos en estas instalaciones”, comentó Lisa F. García, administradora regional de la EPA. “También queremos involucrar al público a medida que desarrollamos nueva reglamentación basada en la ventaja de nuestra comprensión actual del riesgo que representa el EtO”.

Detalles de la reunión:

Reunión comunitaria el martes, 24 de enero de 2023; a las 5:00 pm

Para inscribirse en la reunión del 24 de enero y obtener más información sobre esta instalación.

La EPA continúa actuando significativamente para abordar el EtO y avanzar en la investigación crucial del EtO. Las acciones incluyen:

• Revisar la reglamentación de la Ley Federal de Aire Limpio para las industrias que emiten EtO al aire, particularmente las directrices para controlar las emisiones tóxicas al aire de los esterilizadores comerciales y las instalaciones que fabrican productos químicos, con el objetivo de hacer que esta reglamentación proteja más la salud.
• Trabajar con agencias ambientales locales para reducir las emisiones de EtO, lo antes posible.
• Ampliar los requisitos de presentación de informes ambientales para las instalaciones de esterilización.
• Utilizar acciones de cumplimiento, según corresponda.
• Reevaluar la manera en que se utiliza el EtO dentro de las instalaciones de esterilización con el objetivo de reducir los riesgos para los trabajadores que manejan EtO y aquellos que están expuestos de otras maneras.
• Realizar investigaciones para comprender y medir mejor el EtO.

Para obtener más información sobre los esfuerzos de la EPA destinados a abordar el óxido de etileno.

Siga a la Región 2 de la EPA en Twitter y en Facebook. Para obtener más información sobre la Región 2 de la EPA, visite nuestro sitio web.

Fajardo, PR  – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will host a community meeting for residents of Fajardo, Puerto Rico to share information about health risks from the chemical ethylene oxide or EtO, which is being emitted from a commercial sterilizer facility called Customed Inc.

The community meeting will take place on Thursday, January 26 at 5:00 p.m. at the basketball court in Urbanización Altamira in Fajardo.

EPA Region 2 Regional Administrator Lisa F. Garcia; Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources Air Director; and Fajardo Mayor Jose Anibal Meléndez will join EPA staff to discuss potential risks associated with emissions from the Customed facility at Calle Igualdad # 7, Fajardo.

Ethylene oxide – also known as EtO – is a human carcinogen emitted by some commercial sterilizers. EtO emissions from commercial sterilizers can contribute to elevated cancer risks for nearby communities.

EPA analysis indicates that the air near the Fajardo facility does not exceed short-term health benchmarks. However, the concern is that a lifetime of exposure to EtO emissions could lead to long-term health impacts if risk levels are not reduced. EPA is working with facilities like this one to take appropriate steps to reduce emissions. Later this year, EPA expects to propose an air pollution regulation to protect public health by requiring more controls on EtO emissions from commercial sterilizers.

“EPA wants to make sure that we are giving people the best information about the risks posed by EtO and about what actions may already be underway or planned to reduce risks at these facilities,” said Lisa F. Garcia, EPA Regional Administrator. “We also want to engage the public as we develop new regulations with the benefit of our current understanding of the risk posed by EtO.”

Meeting Details:

Community Meeting on Thursday, January 26, 2023; 5:00 pm (Registration) and 5:30 pm (Presentation and Community Meeting).

To register for the January 26th meeting and learn more about this facility.

EPA is continuing significant action to address EtO and advance critical EtO research. These actions include:

• Reviewing Clean Air Act regulations for industries that emit EtO into the air, particularly rules to control air toxic emissions from commercial sterilizers and facilities that manufacture chemicals, with the goal of making these regulations more protective of health.
• Working with state, territory, local and tribal environmental agencies to reduce EtO emissions, as soon as possible.
• Expanding environmental reporting requirements for sterilization facilities.
• Using enforcement options as appropriate.
• Reevaluating how EtO is used within sterilization facilities with the goal of reducing risks to workers who handle EtO and those who are exposed in other ways.
• Conducting research to better understand and measure EtO.
• Using enforcement options, as appropriate.

For more information about the EPA’s efforts to address ethylene oxide.

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WASHINGTON – Today, the US Environmental Protection Agency announced the latest action to identify and address cumulative impacts from pollution and non-pollution sources. EPA’s Office of the General Counsel (OGC) released the Cumulative Impacts Addendum to EPA Legal Tools to Advance Environmental Justice (EJ Legal Tools), available here. The Addendum is a first-ever collection of examples of the Agency’s legal authorities to identify and address cumulative impacts through a range of actions, including permitting, regulations, and grants, in order to consider the lived experience of communities overburdened by pollution and advance environmental justice.

This Addendum builds on EJ Legal Tools, which OGC released in May 2022, by identifying for EPA decisionmakers and partners a wide range of authorities that can be deployed to address the cumulative impacts of pollutants in the environment and other factors affecting human health and well-being that have a disproportionate impact on communities with environmental justice concerns. The Addendum is the latest step in the Biden-Harris Administration’s efforts to address environmental justice and equity through federal actions.

“At EPA, we’re committed to protecting the health and environment of all communities, including those historically marginalized, overburdened, underserved, and living with the legacy of structural racism,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “That commitment means identifying and making appropriate use of every authority and tool available to EPA under the law to incorporate environmental and climate justice considerations in our work. EJ Legal Tools, and now the Cumulative Impacts Addendum, will help support EPA’s mission to advance environmental justice and deliver equitable health and environmental protections for all.”

"To further the promise of environmental justice, we must invest in tools that help identify and remedy the disproportionate burden of pollution that is too often borne by low-income communities and communities of color," said New Jersey Commissioner of Environmental Protection Shawn M. LaTourette. "EPA's publication of EJ Legal Tools to Advance Environmental Justice, and the Cumulative Impacts Addendum released today, will further empower government entities and the communities we serve in the work to improve public health and the environment we share. New Jersey looks forward to collaborating with Administrator Regan and our EPA colleagues to develop additional cumulative impacts tools that will help enrich all communities, sow equity, and do justice."

Through Executive Orders 13985, Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government, and 14008, Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad, President Biden directed federal agencies to make achieving environmental justice part of their missions and announced the Administration’s policy of pursuing a comprehensive approach to advancing equity. To help achieve those goals, in EPA’s FY 2022–26 EPA Strategic Plan and E.O. 13985 Equity Action Plan, EPA established goals and priorities to advance environmental justice and address cumulative impacts in its actions.

Together, EJ Legal Tools and the Cumulative Impacts Addendum describe the legal foundation and pathways for EPA to implement the Agency’s Strategic Plan for integrating environmental justice and equity in agency programs across EPA headquarters and regional offices. They also serve as a guide for state and Tribal partners and provide transparency to the general public.

EJ Legal Tools and its Cumulative Impacts Addendum are crucial tools in EPA’s toolkit for promoting environmental justice and equity. They will help accelerate the integration of environmental justice and cumulative impacts considerations into EPA’s policies, programs, and activities.

Learn more about the EJ Legal Tools and the Cumulative Impacts Addendum.

Read EJ Legal Tools.

Learn more about Environmental Justice.

ВАШИНГТОН – Сегодня Агентство по охране окружающей среды США (EPA) объявило о выделении около 100 млн. долл. США на проекты, направленные на обеспечение экологической справедливости в сообществах с недостаточным уровнем обслуживания и с высоким уровнем загрязнения по всей стране. Данное финансирование, которое стало возможным благодаря принятому президентом Байденом Закону «О снижении инфляции», предоставляет наибольшую сумму гранта для экологической справедливости, когда-либо предложенную Агентством. В рамках Программы соглашения о сотрудничестве для решения проблем экологической справедливости (EJCPS) и Межправительственной программы экологической справедливости (EJG2G) EPA опубликовало два запроса на подачу заявок на получение настоящего финансирования. 

«С самого первого дня президент Байден пообещал уделять особое внимание экологической справедливости и равноправию для всех, и поэтому EPA сосредоточено на выполнении этой миссии», — сообщил администратор EPA Майкл С. Риган. «В прошлом году мы объявили о создании первого в истории управления национальной программы EPA по вопросам продвижения экологической справедливости, увековечив нашу приверженность этой важной работе. Я очень горжусь тем, что теперь могу объявить о беспрецедентном уровне финансирования благодаря Закону президента Байдена «О снижении инфляции» для решений на уровне сообществ с недостаточным уровнем обслуживания и с высоким уровнем загрязнения. Это главный шаг, который поможет поспособствовать прочным партнерским отношениям с сообществами по всей стране и приблизит нас к реализации более справедливого и равноправного будущего для всех граждан». 

Эти программы грантов способствуют достижению целей Инициативы президента Байдена «Justice40» и Указа президента США «Преодоление климатического кризиса в стране и за рубежом», согласно которым 40 процентов общей прибыли от определенных федеральных инвестиций поступает в сообщества с высоким уровнем загрязнения, которые сталкиваются с непропорционально высоким и неблагоприятным воздействием на здоровье и окружающую среду. 

Программа соглашения о сотрудничестве для решения проблем экологической справедливости (EJCPS) 

Согласно Программе EJCPS будет выделено около 30 млн. долл. США на финансирование общественных некоммерческих организаций (и их партнеров), при этом 5 млн. долл. США будут зарезервированы для небольших общественных некоммерческих организаций с пятью или менее штатными сотрудниками. В общей сложности Агентство предполагает выделить около 50 грантов на сумму 500 000 долл. США и 30 грантов на сумму 150 000 долл. США. 

Программа EJCPS EPA предоставляет финансовую помощь соответствующим организациям, работающим или планирующим работать над проектами по решению местных экологических проблем и/или проблем здоровья населения в этих сообществах. Она также способствует созданию совместных партнерских отношений с другими заинтересованными сторонами (например, местными предприятиями и промышленностью, местными органами власти, поставщиками медицинских услуг, сферой научно-исследовательской деятельности и т.д.) для разработки решений, которые в значительной степени помогут решить проблемы окружающей среды и/или здоровья населения на местном уровне. 

Межправительственная программа экологической справедливости (EJG2G) 

Согласно Программе EJG2G (ранее известная как Государственная программа соглашения о сотрудничестве в области экологической справедливости) будет выделено около 70 млн. долларов на финансирование. Из этой суммы 20 млн. долл. США будут использоваться правительствами штатов совместно с местными общественными организациями (CBO), 20 млн. долл. США будут предназначены для местных органов власти с партнерами CBO, 20 млн. долл. США будут предназначены для федерально признанных племенных наций с партнерами CBO, и 10 млн. долл. США будут предназначены для территорий США и отдаленных племен с ограниченным доступом к партнерам CBO. В общей сложности Агентство предполагает финансирование примерно 70 проектов на сумму до 1 млн. долл. США для каждого в течение 3 лет. 

Программа EJG2G работает над поддержкой и/или созданием типовых государственных мероприятий, которые приводят к существенным результатам в области охраны окружающей среды или улучшению здоровья населения в сообществах с непропорционально высоким воздействием на окружающую среду и рисками. Эти модели должны эффективно использовать или задействовать существующие ресурсы или активы государственных органов для разработки ключевых инструментов и процессов, которые интегрируют соображения экологической справедливости в правительства штатов и государственные программы. 

В рамках обеих программ (EJCPS и EJG2G) EPA будет уделять особое внимание следующим основным вопросам: 

• Проекты, направленные на изменение климата, устойчивость к стихийным бедствиям и/или готовность к чрезвычайным ситуациям; 
• Проекты, находящиеся в сельской местности и/или прибыльные проекты;  
• Проекты для проведения Оценки воздействия на здоровье населения (HIA)    

Заинтересованные кандидаты должны представить пакеты предложений не позднее 10 апреля 2023 года, чтобы их рассмотрели для последующего возможного финансирования. Кандидаты должны ожидать начало проектов с 1 октября 2023 года. 

Это финансирование основано на дополнительном финансировании из Плана спасения Америки. В декабре 2021 года EPA отобрало 154 организации, которые получат в общей сложности около 18,4 млн. долл. США в виде гранта на экологическую справедливость.

В начале 2023 года EPA планирует объявить дополнительный конкурс на получение гранта на экологическую справедливость, широко используя ресурсы Закона «О снижении инфляции», чтобы создать сеть грантодателей в Соединенных Штатах для облегчения предоставления грантов сообществам и их партнерам на оценку, планирование и разработку проектов.

Вебинары по оказанию помощи перед подачей заявки

EPA будет проводить вебинары по оказанию помощи перед подачей заявки, чтобы ответить на вопросы потенциальных заявителей о процессе получения гранта на экологическую справедливость. 

Для посещения первого вебинара, посвященного EJCPS, который состоится 24 января 2023 года, зарегистрируйтесь здесь. 

Для посещения второго вебинара, посвященного EJG2G, который состоится 26 января 2023 года, зарегистрируйтесь здесь.   

Узнать больше о получении гранта на экологическую справедливость. 

Узнать больше о Законе «О снижении инфляции». 

SEATTLE (January 10, 2023) -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today announced that it is proposing to approve portions of Alaska’s plan for combatting harmful particulate pollution in the Fairbanks-North Star Borough, and disapprove others. 

“Over the past 13-plus years, the state and borough have achieved important reductions in particulate levels, however Fairbanks residents continue to endure potentially dangerous wintertime particulate pollution,” said Casey Sixkiller, Regional Administrator of EPA’s Region 10 office in Seattle. “We look forward to working with the state and local officials to improve their plans to meet the federal air quality standards meant to protect people’s health.”

Numerous scientific studies have linked particle pollution exposure to a variety of problems, including premature death in people with heart or lung disease, nonfatal heart attacks, irregular heartbeat, aggravated asthma, decreased lung function, and increased respiratory symptoms, such as irritation of the airways, coughing or difficulty breathing.

While average PM2.5 levels in the FNSB have fallen by about half from 2015 levels of approximately 130 micrograms per cubic meter, wintertime levels during inversions remain double the federal 24-hour standard of 35 micrograms.

The Clean Air Act requires the Fairbanks-North Star Borough to be in compliance with the federal PM2.5 standard no later than October 2025, but EPA believes the plans submitted by the state will not accomplish that goal. The state has previously developed plans that failed to meet the particulate standard by two prior deadlines of 2015 and 2019.

EPA believes the approvable portions of the plans are improvements to the current plan that will make progress to attainment for some sources of emissions in the area, including  

• a baseline emissions inventory of all emission sources contributing to PM 2.5 levels in Fairbanks;
• PM2.5 precursor demonstrations (an analysis showing volatile organic compounds and nitrogen oxide do not significantly contribute to PM2.5 formation in Fairbanks); and
• portions of the emission control strategy for wood-fired heating devices. 

EPA believes significant portions of the state's plans won't achieve the particulate reductions necessary to meet the standards meant to protect public health, and is proposing to disapprove the plans' 

• Failure to adequately support its conclusion that requiring "best available control technologies" for coal and oil-fired energy electricity generating units that have either rudimentary or non-existent sulfur dioxide emission controls is economically and/or technologically infeasible; 
• Control strategies for commercial, industrial, and residential heating sources, including failing to require the use of ultra-low sulfur diesel for home heating; 
• Inadequate evaluation of emission controls for other commercial sources of PM2.5 emissions;
• Failure to demonstrate attainment of the particulate standard; and 
• Failure to adopt adequate contingency measures. Contingency measures are controls held in reserve in case the area fails to make sufficient progress towards attainment. These measures need to be able to achieve enough emission reductions so that decreases in pollution continue despite a plan failure.

EPA is making its proposal available for public comment and anticipates finalizing its action by the end of 2023. 

About electric generating units
Alaska has determined that SO2 contributes to elevated PM2.5 levels, and EPA’s latest research shows that significant percentages of PM2.5 in Fairbanks and North Pole are derived from SO2. 

EPA has discussed with Alaska its belief that the state must identify, adopt, and implement technologically and economically feasible control measures on sources of SO2 emissions, including coal and oil-fired energy generating units which produce large amounts of SO2 and have either rudimentary or no SO2 emission controls. These include:

• Coal-fired units
  • Aurora’s Chena Power Plant; 
  • Doyon’s Fort Wainwright power plant; and 
  • University of Alaska Fairbanks’ Campus Power Plant
• Oil-fired units
  • Golden Valley Electric Authority’s Zehnder Power Plant and 
  • North Pole Power Plant

What’s next
Following publication of this proposed action, EPA will open a 60-day public comment period seeking comments on the proposed rulemaking and will hold a public hearing during the public comment period in February in Fairbanks. 

The agency will then review the public comments and finalize the action. If EPA finalizes disapproval of the state's plan, the Clean air Act mandates a freeze in transportation planning, the imposition after 18 months of a permitting requirement that, for every unit of emissions from a new or modified source in the area, two units must be reduced, and restriction of funding for highway projects after 24 months. However, the state can avoid sanctions by submitting a revised plan that corrects the deficiencies and EPA approving the revised plan. 

워싱턴 – 오늘 미국 환경보호국(EPA)에서는 국가 전반에 걸쳐 지원이 부족하고 부담이 가중된 지역사회에서 환경정의를 발전시키는 프로젝트에 약 1억 달러를 지원하겠다고 발표했습니다. 바이든 대통령의 인플레이션 감소법을 통해 가능하게 된 이 자금 지원은 환경보호국에서 제공하는 최대 환경정의 보조금 지원으로 기록되었습니다. EPA에서는 환경정의 협력적 문제해결(EJCPS) 협력 협정 프로그램 및 환경정의 정부 간 거래(EJG2G) 프로그램을 통해 이 보조금 신청에 대한 두 가지 지원 요청서를 게시했습니다. 

“바이든 대통령은 1일 차부터 환경정의와 공정성이 모두에게 우선되게 할 것을 약속했으며, EPA는 이 임무를 달성하는 중심 역할을 합니다.” Michael S. Regan 환경보호국장. “저희는 작년 환경정의 발전을 담당하는 최초의 국가 프로그램 부서를 발표했고, 이 중요한 업무에 대한 헌신을 기념하였습니다. 지원이 부족하고 부담이 가중된 지역사회를 지원하는 지역사회 기반 해결책을 위한 바이든 대통령의 인플레이션 감소법 덕분에 유례 없는 수준의 자금 지원을 발표하게 되어 매우 자랑스럽습니다. 이는 국가 전반의 지역사회들이 강한 파트너십을 구축하도록 도움을 주고 모두가 보다 공정하고 평등한 미래를 실현하도록 진전시키는 중요한 단계입니다.” 

이 보조금 프로그램은 바이든 대통령의 저스티스40 이니셔티브와 행정 명령 목표인 국내 및 해외 기수 위기 해결을 발전시키며, 이는 특정 연방 투자의 전체 혜택 중 40%가 불균형적으로 높고 불합리한 건강 및 환경 영향을 겪는, 과도한 부담을 안고 있는 지역사회로 흘러가게 했습니다.

환경정의 협력적 문제해결(EJCPS) 협력 협정 프로그램 

EJCPS 프로그램을 통해 지역사회 기반 비영리 조직들에게 약 3천 만 달러가 직접 지원되며, 5백 만 달러는 5인 이하 정규직이 있는 소규모 지역사회 기반 비영리 조직들을 위해 별도 비축하게 됩니다. 기관에서는 전체적으로 약 50개의 지원금 50만 달러와 30개의 지원금 15만 달러를 지원할 것으로 예상됩니다.  

EPA의 EJCPS 협력 협정 프로그램은 지역사회의 환경 및/또는 공공 보건 문제를 해결하기 위한 프로젝트 진행 작업 혹은 계획 중인 적격 조직들에게 재정적 지원을 합니다. 이 프로그램은 다른 이해당사자의 협력적 제휴 관계를 구축할 경우 수혜자들을 도와(예: 지역 비즈니스 및 산업, 지역 당국, 의료 기관, 학계) 지역 수준에서 환경 및/또는 공공 보건 문제를 상당히 해결하게 되는 해결책을 개발합니다. 

환경정의 정부 간 거래(EJG2G) 프로그램 

이전에 주 환경정의 협력 협정 프로그램이었던 EJG2G 프로그램을 통해 약 7천 만 달러를 지원하게 됩니다. 이 중 2천만 달러는 지역사회 기반 조직(CBO) 파트너와 함께 사용되는 주 정부에, 2천만 달러는 CBO 파트너와 함께 지방 정부에, 2천만 달러는 CBO 파트너와 함께 연방 정부 인정 부족 국가에 사용됩니다. 1천만 달러는 CBO 파트너에 접근이 제한된 미국 영토 및 외딴 부족에 사용될 것입니다. 기관에서는 3년 프로젝트에 대해 약 70개 프로젝트에 각각 최대 1백만 달러를 지원할 것으로 예상합니다.  

EJG2G 프로그램은 환경 유해성과 위험을 불균형적으로 안고 있는 지역사회에서 눈에 띄는 환경 혹은 공공 보건 결과를 이끌어내는 모델 주 활동을 지원 및/혹은 생성하려고 합니다. 해당 모델은 환경정의 고려사항을 주 정부와 정부 프로그램으로 통합하는 주요 도구와 과정을 개발하기 위해 기존 자산이나 주 기관 자산을 활용 혹은 이용해야 합니다. 

EJCPS 및 EJG2G 프로그램에 따라 EPA에서는 다음 중점 영역을 특별히 고려하게 됩니다. 

• 기후 변화 해결 프로젝트, 재난 복원력 및/또는 비상대비
• 지방에 소재하거나 지방에 혜택을 제공하는 프로젝트
• 건강영향평가제도(HIA) 실시 프로젝트  

관심 있는 신청자는 보조금 지원 여부 심사를 위해 2023년 4월 10일 당일 혹은 그 전까지 제안서들을 제출해야 합니다. 신청자는 2023년 10월 1일에 프로젝트가 시작하도록 계획해야 합니다. 

본 자금 지원은 미국 구조 계획의 추가 자금 지원을 기반으로 구성됩니다. EPA에서는 2021년 12월에 환경정의 보조금 지원으로 대략 총 1,840만 달러를 수령할 조직 154곳을 선정했습니다.

EPA에서는 2023년 초에 IRA 자원을 광범위하게 사용하는 추가 환경정의 보조금 경쟁을 발표하여 미국 전역의 보조금 제공자 네트워크를 구축하고 지역사회와 파트너에 대한 평가, 계획, 프로젝트 개발 보조금 수여를 용이하게 할 계획입니다. 

신청 전 지원 웨비나 

EPA에서는 EJ 보조금 절차에 대한 신청자의 예상 질문에 답변하기 위해 신청 전 지원 웨비나를 주최합니다. 

2023년 1월 24일, EJCPS에 집중한 첫 번째 웨비나에 참여하려면 여기에서 등록하십시오. 

2023년 1월 26일, EJG2G에 집중한 두 번째 웨비나에 참여하려면 여기에서 등록하십시오.  

환경정의 보조금 지원에 대해 자세히 알아보십시오. 

인플레이션 감소법에 대해 자세히 알아보십시오. 

LENEXA, KAN. (JAN. 10, 2023) – Today at the Missouri Job Center in Springfield, Missouri, EPA Region 7 Administrator Meg McCollister presented a $500,000 ceremonial check to the City of Springfield, Missouri, as a Brownfields Job Training grant selectee. McCollister was joined by city leaders Mayor Ken McClure, City Manager Jason Gage, and Interim Director of Workforce Development Ericka Schmeeckle.

With this funding, the city plans to train 112 students and place at least 70 of them in environmental jobs. The city’s training program, Green for Greene, includes over 300 hours of instruction in areas such as hazardous waste, health and safety, lead and mold abatement, and first aid. Green for Greene is tuition-free to accepted students and targets residents of Springfield who are unemployed or underemployed, veterans, and individuals with justice system involvement.

“The City of Springfield’s Green for Greene program is a leader in recruiting and training students from underserved populations,” said McCollister. “EPA’s Brownfields Program is known for giving a fresh start to blighted sites, and that’s what the city is offering to its student trainees through this program. We’re proud to continue this much-needed investment in a skilled environmental workforce in partnership with the city.”

“We are so pleased with our relationship with the EPA and the ongoing work to help provide environmental jobs in Springfield,” said McClure. “This funding will be life changing for many of our residents, while also helping to fill a worker shortage in our community. It is exciting to expand Green for Greene, which in turn will expand our skilled workforce.”

“We are incredibly grateful to receive this $500,000 grant from the Environmental Protection Agency to continue and expand our Green for Greene environmental job training program,” said Maurice Jones, deputy city manager of Springfield. “Nationally as well as regionally, demand for a skilled workforce has risen. This program provides participants the opportunity to become a part of the growing supply of skilled workers, a supply that has not grown fast enough in recent years to keep pace with labor market demand. We are excited about our continued partnership with the EPA and look forward to working together to build a skilled workforce for our region.”

This grant is part of the $1.5 million in grants funded through President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for environmental job training programs in Missouri. Springfield plans to expand its Green for Greene program at the Ozark Correctional Facility. To date, over 30 justice-involved individuals have completed the job training program.

Background

President Biden’s leadership and bipartisan Congressional action have delivered the single largest investment in U.S. brownfields infrastructure ever through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which invests more than $1.5 billion over five years through EPA’s highly successful Brownfields Program. This historic investment enables EPA to fund more communities, states, and tribes, and provides the opportunity for grantees to build and enhance the environmental curriculum in job training programs that support job creation and community revitalization.

The Brownfields Jobs Training Program also advances President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative, which aims to deliver at least 40% of the benefits of certain government programs to disadvantaged communities. Based on data from the Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool, approximately 97% of the communities selected to receive funding as part of EPA’s December 2022 announcement have proposed projects in historically underserved areas.

Individuals completing a job training program funded by EPA often overcome a variety of barriers to employment. Many trainees are from historically underserved neighborhoods or reside in areas that are overburdened by pollution.

Graduates of Brownfields Job Training programs learn valuable, sought-after skills and have the opportunity to earn a variety of certifications, ensuring that employment opportunities result not just in temporary contractual work, but in long-term environmental careers. This includes certifications in:

• Lead and asbestos abatement
• Hazardous waste operations and emergency response
• Mold remediation
• Environmental sampling and analysis
• Other environmental health and safety training

Brownfields Job Training (JT) grants allow nonprofits, local governments, and other organizations to recruit, train, and place unemployed and underemployed residents of areas affected by the presence of brownfield sites. Through the JT Program, graduates develop the skills needed to secure full-time, sustainable employment in various aspects of hazardous and solid waste management and within the larger environmental field, including sustainable cleanup and reuse, and chemical safety. These green jobs reduce environmental contamination and build more sustainable futures for communities.

Since 1998, EPA has awarded 371 Brownfields Job Training grants. With these grants, over 20,341 individuals have completed trainings and over 15,168 individuals have been placed in careers related to land remediation and environmental health and safety.

For more information on the selected Brownfields Job Training grant recipients, including past grant recipients, please visit the Brownfields Grant Fact Sheet Search page.

For more information on this and other types of Brownfields Program grants, please visit the Brownfields Job Training Grants page.

# # #

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WASHINGTON – Hôm nay, Cơ quan Bảo vệ Môi trường Hoa Kỳ (EPA) đã thông báo về việc cung cấp khoảng 100 triệu đô la cho các dự án thúc đẩy công lý môi trường ở các cộng đồng không được phục vụ đầy đủ và quá tải trên toàn quốc. Khoản tài trợ này, được thực hiện thông qua Đạo luật Giảm lạm phát của Tổng thống Biden, đánh dấu khoản tài trợ cho công lý môi trường lớn nhất từng được Cơ quan cung cấp. EPA đã công bố hai Yêu cầu đăng ký tài trợ này thông qua Chương trình Thỏa thuận hợp tác giải quyết vấn đề hợp tác về công lý môi trường (EJCPS) và Chương trình giữa chính phủ với chính phủ về công lý môi trường (EJG2G).  

“Kể từ ngày đầu tiên, Tổng thống Biden đã cam kết ưu tiên công bằng và công lý môi trường cho tất cả mọi người, và EPA là trung tâm thực hiện sứ mệnh đó,” Quản Trị ViênEPA Michael S. Regan nói. “Năm ngoái, chúng tôi đã công bố văn phòng chương trình quốc gia đầu tiên của EPA chuyên thúc đẩy công lý môi trường, ghi nhớ cam kết của chúng tôi đối với công việc quan trọng này. Tôi không thể tự hào hơn khi được công bố mức tài trợ chưa từng có nhờ Đạo luật Giảm thiểu Lạm phát của Tổng thống Biden cho các giải pháp dựa vào cộng đồng nhằm hỗ trợ các cộng đồng chưa được phục vụ đầy đủ và chịu quá nhiều gánh nặng. Đây là một bước quan trọng sẽ giúp xây dựng mối quan hệ đối tác bền chặt với các cộng đồng trên khắp đất nước và đưa chúng ta đến gần hơn với việc hiện thực hóa một tương lai công bằng và bình đẳng hơn cho tất cả mọi người.” 

Các chương trình tài trợ này tiếp tục thực hiện các mục tiêu của Sáng kiến ​​Công lý40 và Sắc lệnh Hành pháp của Tổng thống Biden, Giải quyết Khủng hoảng Khí hậu trong và ngoài nước, chỉ đạo rằng 40 phần trăm lợi ích tổng thể của một số khoản đầu tư Liên bang nhất định được chuyển đến các cộng đồng quá tải đang phải đối mặt với các tác động đến tình trạng sức khỏe và môi trường cao và bất lợi một cách bất cân xứng . 

Chương trình Thỏa thuận Hợp tác Chương trình Giải quyết Vấn đề Hợp tác về Công lý Môi trường (EJCPS) 

Chương trìnhEJCPSsẽ cung cấp khoản tài trợ ước tính trị giá 30 triệu đô la trực tiếp cho các tổ chức phi lợi nhuận dựa vào cộng đồng (và quan hệ đối tác của các tổ chức này), với 5 triệu đô la dành riêng cho các tổ chức phi lợi nhuận nhỏ dựa vào cộng đồng có năm nhân viên toàn thời gian trở xuống. Tổng cộng, Cơ quan dự kiến ​​tài trợ khoảng 50 khoản trợ cấp trị giá $500,000 đô la và 30 khoản trợ cấp trị giá $150,000 đô la. 

Chương trình Thỏa thuận Hợp tác EJCPS của EPA cung cấp hỗ trợ tài chính cho các tổ chức đủ điều kiện đang thực hiện hoặc dự định thực hiện các dự án nhằm giải quyết các vấn đề về môi trường và/hoặc sức khỏe cộng đồng tại địa phương trong các cộng đồng của họ. Chương trình hỗ trợ người nhận xây dựng quan hệ đối tác hợp tác với các bên liên quan khác (ví dụ: doanh nghiệp và ngành công nghiệp địa phương, chính quyền địa phương, nhà cung cấp dịch vụ y tế, học viện, v.v.) để phát triển các giải pháp giải quyết đáng kể các vấn đề về môi trường và/hoặc sức khỏe cộng đồng ở cấp địa phương. 

Chương trình Chính phủ với Chính phủ về Công Lý Môi trường (EJG2G)  

Chương trình EJG2G (trước đây gọi là chương trình Thỏa thuận Hợp tác Công lý Môi trường Tiểu bang) sẽ cung cấp khoản tài trợ ước tính 70 triệu đô la. Trong số này, 20 triệu đô la sẽ dành cho các chính quyền Tiểu bang được sử dụng cùng với các đối tác của Tổ chức Dựa vào Cộng đồng (Community-Based Organization-CBO), $20 triệu đô la sẽ dành cho chính quyền địa phương với các đối tác CBO, $20 triệu đô la sẽ dành cho các Quốc gia Bộ lạc được Liên bang công nhận với các đối tác CBO, và $10 triệu đô la sẽ dành cho các lãnh thổ và bộ lạc xa xôi của Hoa Kỳ bị hạn chế tiếp cận với các đối tác CBO. Tổng cộng, Cơ quan dự kiến ​​tài trợ cho khoảng 70 dự án với số tiền lên tới $1 triệu đô la cho mỗi dự án trong 3 năm.   

Chương trình EJG2G hoạt động để hỗ trợ và/hoặc tạo ra các hoạt động kiểu mẫu của tiểu bang dẫn đến các kết quả có thể đo lường được về môi trường hoặc sức khỏe cộng đồng trong các cộng đồng chịu gánh nặng không cân xứng bởi các tác hại và rủi ro môi trường. Các mô hình này nên tận dụng hoặc sử dụng các nguồn lực hoặc tài sản hiện có của các cơ quan tiểu bang để phát triển các công cụ và quy trình chính nhằm tích hợp các cân nhắc về công lý môi trường vào chính quyền tiểu bang và các chương trình của chính phủ. 

Trong cả hai chương trình EJCPS và EJG2G, EPA sẽ đặc biệt xem xét các lĩnh vực trọng tâm sau: 

• Các dự án giải quyết vấn đề biến đổi khí hậu, khả năng phục hồi sau thảm họa và/hoặc chuẩn bị cho trường hợp khẩn cấp  
• Các dự án nằm trong và/hoặc mang lại lợi ích cho các vùng nông thôn  
• Các dự án tiến hành Đánh giá Tác động Sức khỏe (Health Impact Assessments - HIA)   

Các ứng viên quan tâm phải gửi các gói đề xuất vào hoặc trước ngày 10 tháng 4 năm 2023, để được xem xét cấp vốn khả dụng. Các ứng viên nên lập kế hoạch cho các dự án bắt đầu vào ngày 1 tháng 10 năm 2023. 

Khoản tài trợ này được xây dựng dựa trên nguồn tài trợ bổ sung từ American Rescue Plan (Kế hoạch Giải Cứu Người Mỹ). Vào tháng 12 năm 2021, EPA đã chọn 154 tổ chức để nhận tổng số tiền khoảng $18.4 triệu đô la tài trợ cho công lý môi trường.

EPA đang có kế hoạch công bố một cuộc thi tài trợ công bằng môi trường bổ sung, sử dụng rộng rãi các nguồn lực của IRA, vào đầu năm 2023 để thiết lập một mạng lưới các nhà tài trợ trên khắp Hoa Kỳ nhằm tạo điều kiện trao các khoản tài trợ đánh giá, lập kế hoạch và phát triển dự án cho cộng đồng và các đối tác của họ . 

Hội thảo trực tuyến hỗ trợ trước khi đăng ký 

EPA sẽ tổ chức các hội thảo trực tuyến hỗ trợ trước khi đăng ký để trả lời các câu hỏi của người đăng ký tiềm năng về quy trình cấp EJ. 

Để tham dự hội thảo trực tuyến đầu tiên vào ngày 24 tháng 1 năm 2023 tập trung vào EJCPS, hãy đăng ký ở đây. 

Để tham dự hội thảo trực tuyến lần thứ hai vào ngày 26 tháng 1 năm 2023 tập trung vào EJG2G, hãy đăng ký ở đây.   

Tìm hiểu thêm thông tin về tài trợ khoản trợ cấp công lý môi trường. 

Tìm hiểu thêm thông tin về Đạo luật giảm lạm phát. 

華盛頓 – EPA（美國國家環境保護局）今日宣布將提撥約 1 億美元的預算，旨在為國內服務不足及負擔過重的社區推動環境正義之專案提供協助。這項透過《降低通膨法案》提供的補助款係由拜登總統決議通過，是 EPA 史上金額最高的環境正義補助資金。EPA 日前也公佈透過環境正義合作問題解決 (EJCPS) 合作協議計畫，以及環境正義政府對政府 (EJG2G) 計畫申請此補助款的兩項資格要求。  

「上任第一天起，拜登總統便承諾優先為全民提供環境正義和環境平等，而 EPA 正是實踐這項使命的核心角色。」EPA 政務官 Michael S. Regan 表示。「去年，我們宣布成立 EPA 史上第一個專為推動環境正義的國家計畫辦事處，由此展現我們逐步實現這項重責大任的決心。如今，多虧拜登總統的《降低通膨法案》，我得以在此宣布社區解決方案由此獲得了史無前例的龐大補助款，以支援服務不足及負擔過重的社區。對此，我感到與有榮焉。這關鍵的一步將有助為國內社區建立穩固的合作關係，讓我們朝更正義且平等的未來邁進。」

這些補助款計畫將進一步實現拜登總統「應對國內外氣候危機」正義 40 措施與行政命令的目標；該命令明定將特定聯邦投資整體收益的百分之 40，提撥予面臨極高與有害健康及環境影響且負擔過重的社區。

環境正義合作問題解決計畫 (EJCPS) 合作協議計畫 

EJCPS 計畫預計將直接為社區非營利組織（以及這些組織的合作對象）提供約 3 千萬美元的補助款，其中 5 百萬美元特別提供給全職員工五人以下的小型社區非營利組織。整體而言，EPA 預計將針對 500,000 美元的補助款提供 50 個名額，150,000 美元的補助款則有 30 個名額。 

EPA 的 EJCPS 合作協議計畫將為執行中或預計執行專案的合格組織提供財務援助，以解決其社區的當地環境及/或公共衛生問題。該計畫將協助受補助人與其他利益相關者建立合作夥伴關係（例如當地企業和產業、當地政府、醫療服務供應商、學術機構等），制定能有效解決當地環境及/或公共衛生問題的解決方案。 

環境正義政府對政府 (EJG2G) 計畫  

EJG2G 計畫（舊稱國家環境正義合作協議計畫）將提供約 7 千萬美元的補助款，其中 2 千萬將用於州政府與社區組織 (CBO) 夥伴合作，2 千萬用於當地政府與 CBO 夥伴合作，2 千萬用於聯邦認證的部落國與 CBO 夥伴合作，1 千萬用於與 CBO 夥伴合作途徑有限之美國領土與偏遠部落之用。整體而言，EPA 預計將為約 70 個專案提供最多 1 百萬美元的補助款，各項專案皆為期 3 年。   

EJG2G 計畫旨在支援及/或建立模範州內活動，以期為承受環境危害和風險的社區，締造可供衡量的環境或公共衛生成果。這些模範活動應運用國家機構的既有資源或資產來發展重要工具與流程，將環境正義相關考量納入州政府及政府計畫之中。

透過 EJCPS 和 EJG2G 計畫，EPA 將特別著重下列焦點領域： 

• 針對氣候變遷、災害復原力及/或應急準備的專案  
• 位於及/或有利偏遠地區的專案  
• 落實健康影響評估 (HIA) 的專案   

欲申請者須於 2023 年 4 月 10 日前繳交提案文件，方可列入資助候選名單。申請者應規劃於 2023 年 10 月 1 日開始啟動專案。 

本資助款係利用《美國救援方案法》的其他資金。2021 年 12 月，EPA 遴選了 154 間組織，給予總計約 1840 萬美元的環境正義補助款。

EPA 預計於 2023 年初宣布其他環境正義補助大賽，進一步運用 IRA 資源建立國內的補助款收受人網路，以利為社區及其合作夥伴促進獲獎評估與規劃，並加速撥放專案發展補助款。

申請前可供協助的網路研討會 

EPA 將舉辦申請前可供協助的網路研討會，為有意的申請人回答 EJ 補助流程的相關問題。

若要參加於 2023 年 1 月 24 日舉辦的第一場 EJCPS 主題研討會，請按此處報名。

若要參加於 2023 年 1 月 26 日舉辦的第二場 EJG2G 主題研討會，請按此處報名。  

深入瞭解環境正義補助款的更多資訊。 

深入瞭解《降低通膨法案》的更多資訊。 

华盛顿 – 今天，EPA（美国国家环境保护局）宣布，将提供约 1 亿美元的拨款，用于在全美服务欠佳并且负担过重的社区推动环境正义项目。通过拜登总统的《降低通货膨胀法案》实现的这笔资金将成为 EPA 有史以来提供的金额最大的环境正义拨款。EPA 已通过环境正义协作问题解决 (EJCPS) 合作协议计划以及环境正义政府间 (EJG2G) 计划发布了两项此类资金的申请要求。  

EPA 局长 Michael S. Regan说：“上任伊始，拜登总统就承诺将优先考虑所有人的环境正义和公平，而 EPA 是履行这一使命的核心。去年，我们宣布成立了 EPA 有史以来第一个致力于推进环境正义的国家项目办公室，以彰显我们对这一重要工作的承诺。在此，我非常自豪地宣布，得益于拜登总统的《降低通货膨胀法案》，这一前所未有的资助将用于为服务欠佳和负担过重的社区提供基于社区的解决方案。这是非常关键的一步，它将有助于全美各地社区建立牢固的合作伙伴关系，并助力我们进一步实现让所有人获得更公正和公平未来的理想。”

这些拨款推进了拜登总统 Justice40 计划和行政令的目标，即应对国内外气候危机，并将某些联邦投资总收益的 40% 引向负担过重，且不良健康或环境影响占比过高的社区。

环境正义协作问题解决 (EJCPS) 合作协议计划 

EJCPS 计划将直接向社区型非盈利组织（以及这些组织的合作伙伴）提供约 3000 万美元的资金，其中的 500 万美元预留给全职员工不超过 5 人的小型社区非营利组织。EPA 预计总共将资助大约 50 个 50 万美元的奖项和 30 个 15 万美元的奖项。 

EPA 的 EJCPS 合作协议计划向符合资格的组织提供财务援助，这些组织计划或正在通过开展各类项目，以解决社区当地的环境和/或公共健康问题。该合作协议计划帮助受助者与其他利益相关者（例如，当地商业和工业、当地政府、医疗服务提供者、学术界等）建立合作伙伴关系，共同制定解决方案，从地方层面大力解决环境和/或公共健康问题。 

环境正义政府间 (EJG2G) 计划  

EJG2G 计划（以前称为州环境正义合作协议计划）将提供约 7000 万美元的资金。其中，2000 万美元将供州政府与社区型组织 (CBO) 合作伙伴共同使用，2000 万美元供地方政府与 CBO 合作伙伴共同使用，2000 万美元供联邦承认的部落与 CBO 合作伙伴共同使用，最后 1000 万美元则用于与 CBO 合作伙伴接触有限的美属领地和偏远部落。EPA 预计总共将为大约 70 个项目提供资金，每个项目为期 3 年，金额不超过 100 万美元。 

EJG2G 计划致力于支持和/或创建示范性的州级活动，帮助因环境危害和风险而负担过重的社区取得可衡量的环境或公共健康成果。这些示范性活动应利用或使用州政府机构的现有资源或资产来开发关键工具和流程，并将对环境正义的考量纳入州政府和政府计划中。

根据 EJCPS 和 EJG2G 计划，EPA 将特别考虑以下重点领域： 

• 应对气候变化、提高抗灾能力和/或有关应急准备的项目  
• 位于和/或惠及农村地区的项目  
• 执行健康影响评估 (HIA) 的项目  

请有意参与的申请人务必在 2023 年 4 月 10 日前提交整套提案，等待审核决定是否予以拨款。申请人应做好计划，于 2023 年 10 月 1 日开始项目。 

这笔资金来自《美国救援方案法》额外提供的资金。2021 年 12 月，EPA 选择了 154 个组织，并为其提供了总额约 1840 万美元的环境正义拨款。

EPA 正在计划在 2023 年初宣布一项额外的环境正义拨款竞赛，充分利用 IRA 的资源，在全美建立拨款组织网络，以促进向社区及其合作伙伴发放评估、规划和项目开发拨款的活动。

申请前协助网络研讨会 

为了回答潜在申请人提出的 EJ 拨款程序的相关问题，EPA 将举办申请前协助网络研讨会。

如需参加 2023 年 1 月 24 日的第一场网络研讨会（主题为 EJCPS），请在此处注册。

如需参加 2023 年 1 月 26 日的第二场网络研讨会（主题为 EJG2G），请在此处注册。  

了解有关环境正义拨款的更多信息。 

了解有关《降低通货膨胀法案》的更多信 。

واشنطن - أعلنت وكالة حماية البيئة الأمريكية (EPA) اليوم عن توفر ما يقرب من 100 مليون دولار، للمشاريع التي تعزز العدالة البيئية في المجتمعات التي تعاني من نقص الخدمات والمثقلة بالأعباء في جميع أنحاء البلاد. يمثل هذا التمويل، الذي أصبح ممكنًا من خلال قانون تخفيض التضخم الذي أصدره الرئيس بايدن، أكبر مبلغ في تمويل منح العدالة البيئية الذي قدمته الوكالة على الإطلاق. وقد نشرت وكالة حماية البيئة طلبين مقدمين للحصول على هذا التمويل من خلال برنامج الاتفاقية التعاونية لحل المشكلات في مجال العدالة البيئية (EJCPS)، وبرنامج العدالة البيئية بين الحكومات (EJG2G).  

قال مدير وكالة حماية البيئة مايكل إس ريغان "إن الرئيس بايدن تعهد منذ اليوم الأول بإعطاء الأولوية للعدالة البيئية والإنصاف للجميع، ووكالة حماية البيئة في صميم تنفيذ هذه المهمة". "في العام الماضي، أعلنا عن أول مكتب برنامج وطني لوكالة حماية البيئة مخصص لتعزيز العدالة البيئية، إحياءً لذكرى التزامنا بهذا العمل المهم. فلا يمكنني أن أكون أكثر فخراً بالإعلان الآن عن مستوى التمويل غير المسبوق بفضل قانون الرئيس بايدن لتخفيض التضخم، لتقديم الحلول المجتمعية لدعم المجتمعات التي تعاني من نقص والمثقلة بالأعباء. تعتبر هذه خطوة أساسية ستساعد في بناء شراكات قوية مع المجتمعات في جميع أنحاء البلاد، وتقربنا من تحقيق مستقبل أكثر عدلاً وإنصافًا للجميع ".

تعزز برامج المنح هذه أهداف مبادرة العدالة 40 والأمر التنفيذي للرئيس بايدن، معالجة أزمة المناخ في داخل البلاد وخارجها، والتي أشارت بأن 40 في المائة من المكاسب الإجمالية لبعض الاستثمارات الفيدرالية تتدفق إلى المجتمعات المثقلة بالأعباء لمواجهة التأثيرات ضارة والمرتفعة على الصحة والبيئة بشكل غير متناسب.

البرنامج التعاوني لحل المشكلات في مجال العدالة البيئية (EJCPS)

سيقدم البرنامج التعاوني لحل المشكلات في مجال العدالة البيئية (EJCPS) تمويلًا مباشرًا بحوالي 30 مليون دولار للمنظمات غير الربحية المجتمعية (وشراكات هذه المنظمات)، مع تخصيص 5 ملايين دولار للمنظمات غير الربحية المجتمعية الصغيرة التي تضم خمسة موظفين أو أقل بدوام كامل. وتتوقع الوكالة تمويل ما يقرب من 50 مكافأة بقيمة 500000 دولار و30 مكافأة بقيمة 150 ألف دولار بشكل إجمالي.

يقدم برنامج الاتفاقية التعاونية لحل المشكلات في مجال العدالة البيئية التابع لوكالة حماية البيئة المساعدة المالية للمنظمات المؤهلة التي تعمل أو تخطط للعمل في مشاريع لمعالجة قضايا البيئة المحلية و / أو الصحة العامة في مجتمعاتهم. يساعد البرنامج المستفيدين في بناء شراكات تعاونية مع أصحاب المصلحة الآخرين (على سبيل المثال، الشركات المحلية والصناعة والحكومة المحلية، ومقدمي الخدمات الطبية والأوساط الأكاديمية، وغير ذلك الكثير)؛ لتطوير الحلول التي ستعالج بشكل كبير القضايا البيئية و / أو الصحة العامة على المستوى المحلي. 

برنامج العدالة البيئية بين الحكومات  

سيقدم برنامج العدالة البيئية بين الحكومات (المعروف سابقًا باسم برنامج الاتفاقية التعاونية للعدالة البيئية الحكومية) تمويلًا بنحو 70 مليون دولار. سيُستخدم من هذا المبلغ 20 مليون دولار لحكومات الولايات بالاشتراك مع شركاء المنظمات المجتمعية، و20 مليون دولار للحكومة المحلية مع شركاء المجتمع المحلي، و20 مليون دولار ستكون للدول القبلية المعترف بها اتحاديًا مع شركاء المنظمات المجتمعية، وسيُخصص 10 ملايين دولار للأراضي الأمريكية والقبائل النائية ذات الوصول المحدود إلى شركاء المنظمات المجتمعية. وتتوقع الوكالة تمويل ما يقرب من 70 مشروعًا تصل قيمتها إلى مليون دولار لكل منها لمدة 3 سنوات بشكل إجمالي.

 

يعمل برنامج العدالة البيئية بين الحكومات على دعم و / أو إنشاء نموذج للأنشطة التي تقوم بها الدولة، وتؤدي إلى نتائج بيئية أو صحية عامة قابلة للقياس في المجتمعات المثقلة بالأضرار والمخاطر البيئية بشكل غير متناسب. يجب أن تستفيد هذه النماذج من الموارد أو الأصول الموجودة في أجهزة الدولة أو تستخدمها لتطوير الأدوات والعمليات الرئيسية، التي تدمج الجوانب المتعلقة بالعدالة البيئية في حكومات الولايات والبرامج الحكومية.

في إطار كل من برامج الاتفاقية التعاونية لحل المشكلات في مجال العدالة البيئية والعدالة البيئية بين الحكومات، ستولي وكالة حماية البيئة اهتمامًا خاصًا لمحاور التركيز الآتية: 

• المشاريع التي تعالج تغير المناخ ومقاومة الكوارث، و / أو التأهب للطوارئ  
• المشاريع الموجودة في و / أو التي تعود بالفائدة على المناطق الريفية  
• المشاريع المنفذة تقييم التأثير البيئي  

 

يجب على المتقدمين المهتمين تقديم حزم الاقتراحات في 10 أبريل 2023 أو قبل هذا الموعد، للنظر في التمويل المتاح. يجب على المتقدمين التخطيط لبدء المشاريع في 1 أكتوبر 2023. 

يعتمد هذا التمويل على تمويل إضافي من قبل خطة الإنقاذ الأمريكية. في ديسمبر 2021، اختارت وكالة حماية البيئة 154 منظمة لتلقي ما يقرب من 18.4 مليون دولار على هيئة منح تمويل للعدالة البيئية.

تخطط وكالة حماية البيئة للإعلان عن منافسة إضافية لمنح العدالة البيئية، والاستفادة بشكل مكثف من موارد قانون تخفيض التضخم، في أوائل عام 2023 لإنشاء شبكة من صانعي المنح عبر الولايات المتحدة؛ لتسهيل منح التقييم والتخطيط ومنح تطوير المشاريع للمجتمعات وشركائها.

ندوات عبر الإنترنت للمساعدة قبل التقديم

ستستضيف وكالة حماية البيئة ندوات عبر الإنترنت للمساعدة قبل تقديم الطلب للإجابة على أسئلة المتقدمين المحتملين حول عملية منح العدالة البيئية.  

لحضور الندوة الأولى عبر الإنترنت في 24 يناير 2023 والتي ركزت على البرنامج التعاوني لحل المشكلات في مجال العدالة البيئية، سجل هنا.

لحضور الندوة الثانية عبر الإنترنت في 26 يناير 2023 والتي ركزت على برنامج العدالة البيئية بين الحكومات، سجل هنا.

  

تعرف على المزيد من المعلومات عن تمويل العدالة البيئية.

تعرف على المزيد من المعلومات عن قانون تخفيض التضخم.

WASHINGTON – Sa araw na ito, ang U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ay nagpahayag na may handang magagamit na humigit kumulang sa $100 milyon para sa mga proyektong magpapasulong sa environmental justice sa mga di masyado napaglilingkuran at hirap na hirap na mga komunidad sa buong bansa. Ang pagpopondong ito, na naging posible sa pamamagitan ng Inflation Reduction Act ni Presient Biden ay makasaysayang naglalaan ng pinakamalaking halaga para sa environmental justice grant na pagpopondo na di pa kahit kailan naipagkaloob ng agency. Naglathala ang EPA ng dalawang Request for Applications (Kahilingan para sa Mga Application) para sa pagpopondong ito sa pamamagitan ng Environmental Justice Collaborative Problem-Solving (EJCPS) Cooperative Agreement Program and the Environmental Justice Government-to-Government (EJG2G) Program.  

“Mula pa noong unang araw, nangako si President Biden na bibigyan nito ng priyoridad ang environmental justice at pagkakapantay-pantay ng lahat, at ang EPA ang nasa gitna ng paghahatid ng misyong ito,” sinabi ni EPA Administrator na si Michael S. Regan. “Noong isang taon, aming ipinahayag ang kauna-unahang opisina ng pambansang programa ng EPA na nakalaan para sa pagpapasulong ng environmental justice, na pinapahalagahan ang aming pananagutan sa kritikal na trabahong ito. Lubos kong ipinagmamalaking ipahayag ang isang di pa nagagawang antas ng pagpopondo salamat sa Inflation Reduction Act ni President Biden para sa mga solusyon na batay sa komunidad na nagbibigay suporta sa mga di masyado napaglilingkuran at lubos na nahihirapang mga komunidad. Ito ay isang pangunahing hakbang na makakatulong mapatatag ang matitibay na ugnayan sa mga komunidad sa buong bansa at mas mailalapit tayo na mas maraming maisakatuparan ang isang mas makatarungan at patas na kinabukasan para sa lahat. 

Ang mga grant program na ito ay nagpapasulong pa lalo sa mga layunin ng Justice40 Initiative at Executive Order ni President Biden, ang Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad, na namamahala sa 40 porsiyento ng mga pangkalahatang benepisyo ng ilang mga Pederal na pamumuhunan na dumadating sa mga sobrang nahihirapan na mga komunidad na humaharap sa di makatarungang matataas at salungat na mga epekto sa kalusugan at mga epekto sa kapaligiran. 

The Environmental Justice Collaborative Problem-Solving Program (EJCPS) Cooperative Agreement Program 

Ang EJCPS Program ay nagkakaloob ng tinatantiyang $30 milyon na pagpopondo na direktang mapupunta sa mga non-profit na organisasyon na batay sa komunidad (at mga partnership sa mga organisasyon n aito), na may $5 milyong nakareserba paa sa maliliit na non-profit na organisasyon na batay sa komunidad na may lima o mas kaunting mga full-time na empleyado. Sa total, inaasahan ng Agency ang pagpopondo na humigit-kumulang sa 50 mga gantimpala na $500,000 at 30 gantimpala na $150,000.  

Ang EJCPS Cooperative Agreement Program ng EPA ay nagkakaloob ng pinansiyal na tulong sa mga karapat-dapat na organisasyon na nagtatrabaho o nagpaplano na magtrabaho sa mga proyekto upang matugunan ang lokal na mga isyu sa kapaligiran at/o pampublikong kalusugan sa kanilang mga komunidad. Ang program ay tumutulong sa mga tumatanggap na magtatag ng nagkakaisang partnership sa iba pang mga stakeholder (hal. mga lokal na negosyo at industriya, lokal na gobyerno, mga medical service provider, academia, atbp.) upang makapag-develop ng mga solusyon na lubos na makakatugon sa mga isyu sa kapaligiran at/o pampublikong isyu sa kalusugan sa lokal na antas. 

Ang Environmental Justice Government-to-Government (EJG2G) Program  

Ang EJG2G Program (na dating kilala bilang State Environmental Justice Cooperative Agreement program) ay magkakaloob ng tinatantiyang $70 milyon sa pagpopondo. Mula dito, ang $20 milyon ay para sa mga gobyerno ng Estado upang magamit ito kasama ng mga kapartner na Community-Based Organization (CBO), $20 milyon ay para sa lokal na pamahalaan kasama ng mga CBO partner, $20 milyon para sa Federally Recognized Tribal Nations kasama ng mga CBO partner, at $10 milyon ay para sa mga teritoryo ng Estados Unidos at mga remote tribe na may limitadong access sa mga CBO partner. Sa total, inaasahan ng Agency ang humigit-kumulang na pagpopondo na 70 proyekto na hanggang $1 milyon bawat isa para sa 3 taon na proyekto.   

Ang EJG2G Program ay nagtatrabaho para suportahan at/o lumikha ng mga modelong aktibidad ng estado na mamumuno sa malalaking mga resulta sa kapaligiran o kalusugang pampubliko sa mga komunidad na di makatarungang nahihirapan dulot ng mga panganib at peligro sa kapaligiran. Ang mga modelong ito ay dapat magbigay ng tulong o makakagamit ng mga kasalukuyang dulugan o asset ng mga ahensya ng estado upang makapag-develop ng mga pangunahing tools at proseso na isinasama sa environmental justice ang mga konsiderasyon patungo sa mga gobyerno ng estado at mga programa ng gobyerno. 

Sa ilalim ng parehong EJCPS at EJG2G program, ang EPA ay magbibigay ng espesyal na konsiderasyon sa mga sumusunod na area na pagtutuunan ng pansin: 

• Mga proyektong tumutugon sa pagbabago ng klima, mabilis na pagbangon sa kaganapan ng isang likas na sakuna, at/o paghahanda sa isang emergency  
• Ang mga proyektong matatagpuan sa at/o nakikinabang sa mga rural na area  

Mga proyektong nagsasagawa ng Health Impact Assessments (HIA)  (Sa ingles)  

Ang mga aplikante na interesado ay dapat mag-sumite ng mga namungkahing package sa pagsapit o bago ang Abril 10, 2023, upang maikonsidera sa handang magagamit na pagpopondo. Ang mga aplikante ay dapat mag-plano sa pagsisimula ng mga proyekto sa Oktubre 1, 2023. 

Ang pagpopondong ito ay magtatatag sa higit pang pondo mula sa American Rescue Plan. Noong Disyembre 2021, ang EPA ay pumili ng 154 mga organnisasyon upang makatanggap ng total na humigit kumulang sa $18.4 milyon sa environmental justice grant funding.

Plano ng EPA na ipahayag ang isang dagdag na environmental justice grant competition, na lubos na ginagamit ang mga dulugan ng IRA, sa umpisa ng taong 2023 upang makapagtatag ng isang network ng mga grant-maker sa kabuuan ng Estados Unidos upang mapadali ang awarding assessment, pagpaplano, at project development grants sa mga komunidad at sa mga kapartner nito. 

Mga Webinar Bago ang Application 

Ang EPA ay mamumuno sa mga webinar ng tulong bago ang application upang masagot ang mga tanong ng mga posibleng aplikante tungkol sa proseso ng EJ grant. 

Upang makadalo sa unang webinar sa Enero 24, 2023 na nakatuon sa EJCPS, magparehistro dito. (Sa ingles)

Upang makadalo sa ikalawang webinar sa Enero 26, 2023 na nakatuon sa EJG2G, magparehistro dito. (Sa ingles)   

Lubos pang makakuha ng impormasyon tungkol sa environmental justice grant funding. (Sa ingles) 

Lubos pang impormasyon tungkol sa Inflation Reduction Act. (Sa ingles)