SEATTLE (February 22, 2023) – Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 10 is announcing an upcoming virtual listening session on EPA’s PFAS Strategic Roadmap for Region 10 communities on March 15, 2023, and inviting members of the public to attend and to speak.

This engagement session will provide information about EPA’s ongoing work under the PFAS Strategic Roadmap and what it means for Region 10 communities in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington. The session will provide opportunities for communities to share feedback directly with EPA Regional and program leaders to inform the implementation of the actions described in the Roadmap.  

EPA Region 10’s virtual Regional community engagement session will be held via Zoom on March 15, 2023, from 6:00pm - 8:00pm Pacific Time. For more information and to register for the community engagement session on Zoom, visit: https://pfascommunityengagement.org/register/

Background

In October 2021, EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan announced the Agency’s PFAS Strategic Roadmap—laying out a whole-of-agency approach to addressing Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances or PFAS. The Roadmap sets timelines by which EPA plans to take specific actions and commits to new policies to safeguard public health and protect the environment. The actions described in the PFAS Roadmap represent important steps to safeguard communities from PFAS contamination.

In November 2022, EPA released “A Year of Progress Under EPA’s PFAS Strategic Roadmap” of key actions taken by the agency during the first year of implementing the PFAS Roadmap. Concurrently with this one-year progress report, EPA announced that it will hold virtual community engagement events in each EPA Region in 2023.

These engagements align with recommendations from the National Environmental Justice Advisory Council and EPA’s commitment to engage directly with stakeholders. Recognizing the unique and pervasive impacts of PFAS on Tribal communities, EPA is also planning to hold a session specifically designed to hear from our Tribal partners.

More information on this session and other virtual events will be available at https://pfascommunityengagement.org/register/

MIAMI (February 22, 2023) – On Wednesday, March 1, 2023, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in partnership with America Verde will facilitate Lead Awareness Curriculum sessions at the New Professional Technical Institute (NPTI) at 4000 W. Flagler St. Miami, FL as part of the third round of the Enhancing Lead-Safe Work Practices through Education and Outreach (ELSWPEO) initiative. These sessions aim to increase awareness of lead, its impacts, and actions to reduce and/or prevent lead exposure.

The Lead Awareness in Indian Country: Keeping our Children Healthy! Curriculum referred to as the Lead Awareness Curriculum is a set of educational tools designed to be used by any community leader to raise awareness about childhood lead exposure, expand a community’s understanding of lead’s potential impacts, especially on children’s health, and explore actions that can be taken to reduce and/or prevent childhood lead exposure. The curriculum was built with tribes but designed to be adaptable for all communities, including nontribal communities. As part of EPA’s local training and outreach initiative to reduce childhood lead exposure, we are offering the following sessions:

• Understanding Lead session for any community member interested in learning more about lead, its impacts and actions to prevent lead exposure and lead poisoning.
  • Wednesday, March 1, 2023, 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. in English
  • Location: NPTI at 4000 W. Flagler St.; Miami, FL 33134
  • Register at bit.ly/MiamiUnderstandingLead

For more information and/or to download the Lead Awareness Curriculum, visit www.epa.gov/lead/tribal-lead-curriculum.

WASHINGTON — Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ordered Norfolk Southern to conduct all necessary actions associated with the cleanup from the East Palestine, Ohio, train derailment. As part of EPA’s legally binding order, Norfolk Southern will be required to:

• Identify and clean up contaminated soil and water resources.
• Reimburse EPA for cleaning services to be offered to residents and businesses to provide an additional layer of reassurance, which will be conducted by EPA staff and contractors.
• Attend and participate in public meetings at EPA’s request and post information online.
• Pay for EPA’s costs for work performed under this order.

As part of the order, EPA will approve a workplan outlining all steps necessary to clean up the environmental damage caused by the derailment. If the company fails to complete any actions as ordered by EPA, the Agency will immediately step in, conduct the necessary work, and then seek to compel Norfolk Southern to pay triple the cost.  

“The Norfolk Southern train derailment has upended the lives of East Palestine families, and EPA’s order will ensure the company is held accountable for jeopardizing the health and safety of this community,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “Let me be clear: Norfolk Southern will pay for cleaning up the mess they created and for the trauma they’ve inflicted on this community. I’m deeply grateful to the emergency responders, including EPA personnel, who’ve been on the ground since day one and ensured there was no loss of life as a result of this disaster. As we transition from emergency response, EPA will continue to coordinate closely with our local, state, and federal partners through a whole-of-government approach to support the East Palestine community during the remediation phase. To the people of East Palestine, EPA stands with you now and for as long as it may take.”

To address the concerns of residents regarding potential indoor contamination, EPA will offer cleaning services to area businesses and families. The Agency has extensive experience with similar cleaning programs in other Midwestern communities. Under the terms of the order, Norfolk Southern will reimburse EPA for the costs of these cleaning services. More details about how community members can request this service will be available this week.

EPA’s order marks the transition of the multi-agency response from its “emergency phase” to a longer-term remediation phase. To help implement the order, EPA will establish a “unified command structure” to coordinate the clean-up related efforts of FEMA, HHS, Ohio EPA, Ohio EMA, PA DEP, as well as Norfolk Southern. This approach is frequently used in situations where multiple agencies need to work together. In this case, the response includes federal, state and local agencies across multiple states.

EPA issued this unilateral administrative order pursuant to the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, which gives EPA the authority to order those responsible for pollution to clean it up. The order takes effect two days after signature, though the cleanup work has already begun and will continue.

Background

As soon as EPA was notified of the Norfolk Southern train derailment on Friday, February 3, EPA personnel were on-site by 2 a.m. Saturday morning to assist with air monitoring. Since then, EPA has been boots-on-the-ground, leading robust air-quality testing – including with the state-of-the-art ASPECT plane and a mobile analytical laboratory – in and around East Palestine.

EPA has assisted with indoor air monitoring of more than 550 homes under a voluntary screening program offered to residents, and no detections of vinyl chloride or hydrogen chloride were identified above levels of concern. EPA is continuing to provide screening to all residents within the evacuation zone.

More information about EPA’s ongoing response to the East Palestine train derailment is available on EPA’s website: https://response.epa.gov/EastPalestineTrainDerailment.

WASHINGTON – Today, EPA is reaffirming the scientific, economic, and legal underpinnings of the 2012 Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS) for power plants, which required significant reductions of mercury, acid gases, and other harmful pollutants. Controlling these emissions improves public health by reducing fatal heart attacks, reducing cancer risks, avoiding neurodevelopmental delays in children, and helping protect our environment. These public health protections are especially important for anyone affected by hazardous air pollution, including children and particularly vulnerable segments of the population such as Indigenous communities, low-income communities, and people of color who live near power plants.

The final rule, which responds to President Biden’s January 20, 2021, Executive Order 13990, “Protecting Public Health and the Environment and Restoring Science to Tackle the Climate Crisis,” reverses a rule issued by the previous administration in May 2020, which undermined the legal basis for these vital health protections. Reaffirming the science behind these clean air standards advances the Biden-Harris Administration’s whole-of-government commitment to environmental justice.

“For years, Mercury and Air Toxics Standards have protected the health of American communities nationwide, especially children, low-income communities, and communities of color who often and unjustly live near power plants,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “This finding ensures the continuation of these critical, life-saving protections while advancing President Biden’s commitment to making science-based decisions and protecting the health and wellbeing of all people and all communities.”

The final rule leaves the current emissions standards unchanged and ensures the continuation of public health protections provided by these requirements. When weighing the substantial burden that hazardous air pollutants, including mercury, impose on public health against the reasonable costs of controlling these emissions, EPA finds that it is appropriate and necessary to regulate emissions of air toxics from power plants under the Clean Air Act. The Agency is also continuing to consider the MATS Risk and Technology Review, as directed by Executive Order 13990, to determine whether more stringent protections for hazardous air pollution from power plants are feasible and warranted and expects to address that review in a separate action.

The initial appropriate and necessary finding was made in 2000 and affirmed in 2012 and 2016. In May 2020, the previous administration reversed EPA’s 2016 finding, undermining the legal basis for the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards. President Biden’s Executive Order 13990 directed EPA to review that finding and consider an action to rescind it. In today’s action, EPA finds that the 2020 action was based on a fundamentally flawed interpretation of the Clean Air Act that improperly ignored or undervalued vital health benefits from reducing hazardous air pollution from power plants. Based on a thorough review of these benefits, the reasonable costs of controls, and other relevant factors, EPA reaffirms that it is appropriate and necessary to regulate emissions of hazardous air pollutants from coal- and oil-fired power plants.

The MATS, combined with advancements in the power sector, have driven sharp reductions in harmful pollutants. EPA has estimated that by 2017, mercury emissions from power plants were reduced by 86 percent, acid gas emissions were reduced by 96 percent, and non-mercury metal emissions were reduced by 81 percent compared to pre-MATS levels in 2010. After a reassessment of costs now that the MATS has been implemented, EPA concludes that the cost for the power sector to comply with the MATS was likely billions of dollars lower than originally estimated. 

Prior to the MATS, coal- and oil-fired power plants were by far the largest domestic source of mercury and other toxic pollutants such as hydrogen chloride and selenium. They were also among the largest domestic emitters of arsenic, chromium, cobalt, nickel, hydrogen cyanide, beryllium, and cadmium.

Learn more at Mercury and Air Toxics Standards.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency invites residents of Downers Grove, Illinois, to talk with EPA representatives about the investigation and cleanup of the Ellsworth Industrial Park Superfund Alternative Approach site.

During the 30-minute session, EPA representatives will ask questions to help understand community concerns about the ongoing work at the site. Feedback will be used to create a plan to help EPA involve the community throughout the Superfund investigation and cleanup process.

Kirstin Safakas, EPA community involvement coordinator, and Kevin McCartney, EPA remedial project manager, will be available to talk from February 27 to March 2, either in person at the Westmont Public Library, 428 N Cass Ave, Westmont, Illinois, or via Zoom. Zoom details will be provided when you schedule your appointment. Appointments are available both before, during, and after business hours to accommodate your schedule.

To schedule a time to speak with EPA, residents should contact:

• Caeli Cleary by phone at 224-235-5470 or email at caeli.cleary@tetratech.com
• Kirstin Safakas by phone at 312-919-4621 or email at safakas.kirstin@epa.gov

Visit EPA’s Ellsworth Industrial Park website for more information.

WASHINGTON (Feb. 16, 2023) – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced $18,914,000 from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to address emerging contaminants, like Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in drinking water in Oregon. This investment, which is allocated to states and territories, will be made available to communities as grants through EPA’s Emerging Contaminants in Small or Disadvantaged Communities (EC-SDC) Grant Program and will promote access to safe and clean water in small, rural, and disadvantaged communities while supporting local economies. 

Administrator Michael S. Regan announced the availability of $2 billion Monday. 

"Oregonians deserve clean, safe drinking water," said EPA Region 10 Administrator Casey Sixkiller. "Thanks to this historic investment from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, EPA is delivering on its commitment to address PFAS and emerging contaminants by providing more than $18 million to safeguard Oregon’s drinking water and protect communities from these dangerous chemicals.” 

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law invests $5 billion over five years to help communities that are on the frontlines of PFAS contamination reduce PFAS in drinking water. EPA announced the funds for Oregon as part of an allotment of $2 billion to states and territories that can be used to prioritize infrastructure and source water treatment for pollutants, like PFAS and other emerging contaminants, and to conduct water quality testing. 

EPA is also releasing the Emerging Contaminants in Small or Disadvantaged Communities Grant Implementation document. The implementation document provides states and communities with the information necessary to use this funding to address local water quality and public health challenges. These grants will enable communities to improve local water infrastructure and reduce emerging contaminants in drinking water by implementing solutions such as installing necessary treatment solutions. 

Today’s actions represent a significant milestone within the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitments to combat PFAS pollution and safeguard drinking water, and specifically EPA’s October 2021 PFAS Strategic Roadmap. Under the Roadmap, EPA is working across the agency to protect the public from the health impacts of PFAS. EPA has taken a number of actions to deliver progress on PFAS including:   

• Proposing to designate two PFAS as CERCLA hazardous substances. If finalized, this will be a critical step toward increasing transparency around releases of PFAS and holding polluters accountable for cleaning up their contamination. 
• Releasing drinking water health advisories. Acting in accordance with EPA’s mission to protect public health and keep communities and public health authorities informed when new science becomes available, the Agency issued drinking water health advisories for four PFAS. 
• Laying the foundation to enhance data on PFAS. This included an order under EPA’s National PFAS Testing Strategy requiring companies to conduct PFAS testing, and nationwide sampling through the Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule for 29 PFAS in public drinking water systems. 
• Expanding the scientific understanding of PFAS. The Agency issued more than 30 scientific publications by EPA researchers and released EPA’s PFAS Thermal Treatment Database. 
• Translating the latest science into EPA’s cross-agency PFAS efforts. This included updating EPA’s contaminated site cleanup tables, developing new PFAS methods and conducting toxicity assessments, and issuing draft national recommended water quality criteria to protect aquatic life. 
• Continuing engagement with the public. EPA’s PFAS work was informed by public webinars, stakeholder meetings, Congressional testimony, and engagement with EPA’s federal advisory committees. 

In addition to this new grant, EPA is also working to propose a PFAS NPDWR in the coming weeks. The draft proposed rule is currently undergoing interagency review and EPA will issue the proposed rule for public comment when it clears the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The agency anticipates finalizing the rule by the end of 2023. Together, with today’s announcement, these actions highlight EPA’s commitments outlined in the PFAS Strategic Roadmap to protect public health and the environment from the impacts of PFAS.  They also illustrate the benefits of investing in water—protecting public health and the environment, addressing key challenges facing communities, and creating jobs.  

WASHINGTON (Feb. 16, 2023) – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced $33,524,000 from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to address emerging contaminants, like Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in drinking water in Washington. This investment, which is allocated to states and territories, will be made available to communities as grants through EPA’s Emerging Contaminants in Small or Disadvantaged Communities (EC-SDC) Grant Program and will promote access to safe and clean water in small, rural, and disadvantaged communities while supporting local economies. 

Administrator Michael S. Regan announced the availability of $2 billion Monday. 

"Washingtonians deserve clean, safe drinking water," said EPA Region 10 Administrator Casey Sixkiller. "Thanks to this historic investment from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, EPA is delivering on its commitment to address PFAS and emerging contaminants by providing more than $33 million to safeguard Washington’s drinking water and protect communities from these dangerous chemicals.” 

“There are several communities in Washington impacted by PFAS contamination of groundwater sources. This funding will benefit communities across the state by providing water quality testing for PFAS and other emerging contaminants, as well as source water treatment for water systems contaminated through no fault of their own,” said Lauren Jenks, Assistant Secretary, Environmental Public Health Division, Washington State Department of Health. 

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law invests $5 billion over five years to help communities that are on the frontlines of PFAS contamination reduce PFAS in drinking water. EPA announced the funds for Washington as part of an allotment of $2 billion to states and territories that can be used to prioritize infrastructure and source water treatment for pollutants, like PFAS and other emerging contaminants, and to conduct water quality testing. 

EPA is also releasing the Emerging Contaminants in Small or Disadvantaged Communities Grant Implementation document. The implementation document provides states and communities with the information necessary to use this funding to address local water quality and public health challenges. These grants will enable communities to improve local water infrastructure and reduce emerging contaminants in drinking water by implementing solutions such as installing necessary treatment solutions. 

Today’s actions represent a significant milestone within the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitments to combat PFAS pollution and safeguard drinking water, and specifically EPA’s October 2021 PFAS Strategic Roadmap. Under the Roadmap, EPA is working across the agency to protect the public from the health impacts of PFAS. EPA has taken a number of actions to deliver progress on PFAS including:   

• Proposing to designate two PFAS as CERCLA hazardous substances. If finalized, this will be a critical step toward increasing transparency around releases of PFAS and holding polluters accountable for cleaning up their contamination. 
• Releasing drinking water health advisories. Acting in accordance with EPA’s mission to protect public health and keep communities and public health authorities informed when new science becomes available, the Agency issued drinking water health advisories for four PFAS. 
• Laying the foundation to enhance data on PFAS. This included an order under EPA’s National PFAS Testing Strategy requiring companies to conduct PFAS testing, and nationwide sampling through the Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule for 29 PFAS in public drinking water systems. 
• Expanding the scientific understanding of PFAS. The Agency issued more than 30 scientific publications by EPA researchers and released EPA’s PFAS Thermal Treatment Database. 
• Translating the latest science into EPA’s cross-agency PFAS efforts. This included updating EPA’s contaminated site cleanup tables, developing new PFAS methods and conducting toxicity assessments, and issuing draft national recommended water quality criteria to protect aquatic life. 
• Continuing engagement with the public. EPA’s PFAS work was informed by public webinars, stakeholder meetings, Congressional testimony, and engagement with EPA’s federal advisory committees. 

In addition to this new grant, EPA is also working to propose a PFAS NPDWR in the coming weeks. The draft proposed rule is currently undergoing interagency review and EPA will issue the proposed rule for public comment when it clears the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The agency anticipates finalizing the rule by the end of 2023. Together, with today’s announcement, these actions highlight EPA’s commitments outlined in the PFAS Strategic Roadmap to protect public health and the environment from the impacts of PFAS.  They also illustrate the benefits of investing in water—protecting public health and the environment, addressing key challenges facing communities, and creating jobs.  

WASHINGTON (Feb. 16, 2023) – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced $18,914,000 from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to address emerging contaminants, like Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in drinking water in Alaska. This investment, which is allocated to states and territories, will be made available to communities as grants through EPA’s Emerging Contaminants in Small or Disadvantaged Communities (EC-SDC) Grant Program and will promote access to safe and clean water in small, rural, and disadvantaged communities while supporting local economies. 

Administrator Michael S. Regan announced the availability of $2 billion Monday. 

"Alaskans deserve clean, safe drinking water," said EPA Region 10 Administrator Casey Sixkiller. "Thanks to this historic investment from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, EPA is delivering on its commitment to address PFAS and emerging contaminants by providing more than $18 million to safeguard Alaska’s drinking water and protect communities from these dangerous chemicals.” 

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law invests $5 billion over five years to help communities that are on the frontlines of PFAS contamination reduce PFAS in drinking water. EPA announced the funds for Alaska as part of an allotment of $2 billion to states and territories that can be used to prioritize infrastructure and source water treatment for pollutants, like PFAS and other emerging contaminants, and to conduct water quality testing. 

EPA is also releasing the Emerging Contaminants in Small or Disadvantaged Communities Grant Implementation document. The implementation document provides states and communities with the information necessary to use this funding to address local water quality and public health challenges. These grants will enable communities to improve local water infrastructure and reduce emerging contaminants in drinking water by implementing solutions such as installing necessary treatment solutions. 

Today’s actions represent a significant milestone within the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitments to combat PFAS pollution and safeguard drinking water, and specifically EPA’s October 2021 PFAS Strategic Roadmap. Under the Roadmap, EPA is working across the agency to protect the public from the health impacts of PFAS. EPA has taken a number of actions to deliver progress on PFAS including:   

• Proposing to designate two PFAS as CERCLA hazardous substances. If finalized, this will be a critical step toward increasing transparency around releases of PFAS and holding polluters accountable for cleaning up their contamination. 
• Releasing drinking water health advisories. Acting in accordance with EPA’s mission to protect public health and keep communities and public health authorities informed when new science becomes available, the Agency issued drinking water health advisories for four PFAS. 
• Laying the foundation to enhance data on PFAS. This included an order under EPA’s National PFAS Testing Strategy requiring companies to conduct PFAS testing, and nationwide sampling through the Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule for 29 PFAS in public drinking water systems. 
• Expanding the scientific understanding of PFAS. The Agency issued more than 30 scientific publications by EPA researchers and released EPA’s PFAS Thermal Treatment Database. 
• Translating the latest science into EPA’s cross-agency PFAS efforts. This included updating EPA’s contaminated site cleanup tables, developing new PFAS methods and conducting toxicity assessments, and issuing draft national recommended water quality criteria to protect aquatic life. 
• Continuing engagement with the public. EPA’s PFAS work was informed by public webinars, stakeholder meetings, Congressional testimony, and engagement with EPA’s federal advisory committees. 

In addition to this new grant, EPA is also working to propose a PFAS NPDWR in the coming weeks. The draft proposed rule is currently undergoing interagency review and EPA will issue the proposed rule for public comment when it clears the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The agency anticipates finalizing the rule by the end of 2023. Together, with today’s announcement, these actions highlight EPA’s commitments outlined in the PFAS Strategic Roadmap to protect public health and the environment from the impacts of PFAS.  They also illustrate the benefits of investing in water—protecting public health and the environment, addressing key challenges facing communities, and creating jobs.  

LENEXA, KAN. (FEB. 16, 2023) – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) invoked the additional work clause of the 2018 Administrative Settlement Agreement and Order on Consent (ASAOC) for Operable Unit 4 (OU4) of the Findett Corp. Superfund Site in St. Charles, Missouri. Under the ASAOC, EPA is requiring Ameren to conduct additional investigation and interim cleanup actions at the site to address contamination.

“EPA worked quickly to complete the January field work and laboratory analysis of soil and groundwater samples collected in the Elm Point Wellfield,” said EPA Region 7 Superfund and Emergency Management Division Director Bob Jurgens. “EPA is taking swift action to ensure that Ameren addresses the newly found Elm Point Wellfield contamination.”

As a result of the investigation conducted by EPA in January 2023, the Agency has determined there is a need for additional work to be completed at OU4 of the site and has directed Ameren to implement the following actions:

• Perform cleanup pilot studies to proactively reduce contaminants and evaluate the continued applicability of these treatments to the current contaminants.
• Conduct a focused feasibility study to evaluate additional remedial actions and propose revisions to the existing remedy to address the recent identification of groundwater contaminants north of the Ameren Substation.
• While the focused feasibility study is being conducted, Ameren should work with the city to address its water supply needs in the interim; for example, by working with the city to develop a safe well-pumping regime, or other alternatives.

Now that EPA has ruled out a different source of the contamination north of Highway 370, in addition to directing Ameren to immediately address the Elm Point Wellfield contamination, the Agency has requested the U.S. Department of Justice withdraw the proposed Consent Decree for OU4. Given the work currently underway and the public comments received, the United States does not believe it is appropriate to move forward with the Consent Decree at this time.

EPA Region 7 will hold a Community Meeting at the St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Parish on Thursday, Feb. 23. The session will begin at 6 p.m. with a formal presentation held at 7 p.m. Following the presentation, EPA staff will facilitate a question-and-answer session until 8:30 p.m.

Additional information regarding the Findett Corp. Superfund Site is available on EPA’s Site Profile page.

# # #

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WASHINGTON (Feb. 16, 2023) – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced $18,014,000 from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to address emerging contaminants, like Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in drinking water in Idaho. This investment, which is allocated to states and territories, will be made available to communities as grants through EPA’s Emerging Contaminants in Small or Disadvantaged Communities (EC-SDC) Grant Program and will promote access to safe and clean water in small, rural, and disadvantaged communities while supporting local economies. 

Administrator Michael S. Regan announced the availability of $2 billion Monday. 

"Idahoans deserve clean, safe drinking water," said EPA Region 10 Administrator Casey Sixkiller. "Thanks to this historic investment from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, EPA is delivering on its commitment to address PFAS and emerging contaminants by providing more than $18 million to safeguard Idaho’s drinking water and protect communities from these dangerous chemicals.” 

"We are grateful to the EPA for helping us protect public health and the quality of Idaho’s air, land, and water. This funding will help us better understand the extent of PFAS contamination in our state and will provide us with the resources necessary to take meaningful action to address this important issue,” said Idaho Department of Environmental Quality Director Jess Byrne.  

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law invests $5 billion over five years to help communities that are on the frontlines of PFAS contamination reduce PFAS in drinking water. EPA announced the funds for Idaho as part of an allotment of $2 billion to states and territories that can be used to prioritize infrastructure and source water treatment for pollutants, like PFAS and other emerging contaminants, and to conduct water quality testing. 

EPA is also releasing the Emerging Contaminants in Small or Disadvantaged Communities Grant Implementation document. The implementation document provides states and communities with the information necessary to use this funding to address local water quality and public health challenges. These grants will enable communities to improve local water infrastructure and reduce emerging contaminants in drinking water by implementing solutions such as installing necessary treatment solutions. 

Today’s actions represent a significant milestone within the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitments to combat PFAS pollution and safeguard drinking water, and specifically EPA’s October 2021 PFAS Strategic Roadmap. Under the Roadmap, EPA is working across the agency to protect the public from the health impacts of PFAS. EPA has taken a number of actions to deliver progress on PFAS including:   

• Proposing to designate two PFAS as CERCLA hazardous substances. If finalized, this will be a critical step toward increasing transparency around releases of PFAS and holding polluters accountable for cleaning up their contamination. 
• Releasing drinking water health advisories. Acting in accordance with EPA’s mission to protect public health and keep communities and public health authorities informed when new science becomes available, the Agency issued drinking water health advisories for four PFAS. 
• Laying the foundation to enhance data on PFAS. This included an order under EPA’s National PFAS Testing Strategy requiring companies to conduct PFAS testing, and nationwide sampling through the Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule for 29 PFAS in public drinking water systems. 
• Expanding the scientific understanding of PFAS. The Agency issued more than 30 scientific publications by EPA researchers and released EPA’s PFAS Thermal Treatment Database. 
• Translating the latest science into EPA’s cross-agency PFAS efforts. This included updating EPA’s contaminated site cleanup tables, developing new PFAS methods and conducting toxicity assessments, and issuing draft national recommended water quality criteria to protect aquatic life. 
• Continuing engagement with the public. EPA’s PFAS work was informed by public webinars, stakeholder meetings, Congressional testimony, and engagement with EPA’s federal advisory committees. 

In addition to this new grant, EPA is also working to propose a PFAS NPDWR in the coming weeks. The draft proposed rule is currently undergoing interagency review and EPA will issue the proposed rule for public comment when it clears the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The agency anticipates finalizing the rule by the end of 2023. Together, with today’s announcement, these actions highlight EPA’s commitments outlined in the PFAS Strategic Roadmap to protect public health and the environment from the impacts of PFAS.  They also illustrate the benefits of investing in water—protecting public health and the environment, addressing key challenges facing communities, and creating jobs.  

DENVER – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 8 is announcing an upcoming virtual listening session on EPA’s PFAS Strategic Roadmap for Region 8 communities on March 8, 2023, and inviting members of the public to attend and to speak. EPA Region 8 includes the states of Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming and 28 Tribal Nations.

This engagement session will provide information about EPA’s ongoing work under the PFAS Strategic Roadmap and what it means for communities in Region 8. The session will also provide opportunities for individuals to share feedback directly with EPA Regional and program leaders to inform the implementation of the actions described in the Roadmap.

EPA Region 8’s virtual community engagement session will be held via Zoom on March 8, 2023, from 6-8 pm MDT. The public can register here to participate.

Background

PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a group of manufactured chemicals that have been used in industry and consumer products since the 1940s. There are thousands of different PFAS, some of which have been more widely used and studied than others. One common characteristic of concern of PFAS is that many break down very slowly and can build up in people, animals, and the environment over time. PFAS can be present in water, soil, air, and food as well as in materials found in homes or workplaces.

In October 2021, EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan announced the Agency’s PFAS Strategic Roadmap—laying out a whole-of-agency approach to addressing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. The Roadmap sets timelines by which EPA plans to take specific actions and commits to bolder new policies to safeguard public health, protect the environment, and hold polluters accountable. The actions described in the PFAS Roadmap each represent important and meaningful steps to safeguard communities from PFAS contamination. Cumulatively, these actions will build upon one another and lead to more enduring and protective solutions.

In November 2022, EPA released “A Year of Progress Under EPA’s PFAS Strategic Roadmap,” which underscores key actions taken by the agency during the first year of implementing the PFAS Roadmap. EPA continues to implement a whole-of-agency approach, advancing science, and following the law to safeguard public health, protect the environment, and hold polluters accountable. Concurrently with this one-year progress report, EPA announced that it will hold virtual community engagement events in each EPA Region in 2023, which EPA Region 8 is announcing today.

These engagements align with recommendations from the National Environmental Justice Advisory Council and EPA’s Roadmap commitment to engage directly with stakeholders. Recognizing the unique and pervasive impacts of PFAS on Tribal communities, EPA is also planning to hold a session specifically designed to hear from our Tribal partners.

Read more about EPA’s efforts on PFAS.

WASHINGTON (16 de febrero de 2023) – Hoy, la Agencia de Protección Ambiental de Estados Unidos (EPA, por sus siglas en inglés) anunció una regla propuesta que mejoraría y modernizaría los requisitos de la Zona de Exclusión de Aplicaciones de Pesticidas (AEZ, por sus siglas en inglés) según el Estándar de Protección de Trabajadores Agrícolas (WPS, por sus siglas en inglés) de 2015, reafirmando el compromiso de la agencia de proteger a los trabajadores agrícolas, aplicadores de pesticidas, sus familias y comunidades agrícolas contra la exposición a pesticidas durante el Mes Nacional de Educación sobre Seguridad de Pesticidas.

“La principal prioridad de la EPA es proteger la salud pública y el medioambiente, y la propuesta de hoy es un importante paso adelante para proteger aún más a los trabajadores agrícolas, agricultores y  aplicadores de pesticidas que entregan el combustible, la fibra y los alimentos que hacen funcionar al país”, dijo el administrador de la EPA, Michael S. Regan. “La justicia de los trabajadores agrícolas es justicia ambiental, y continuamos tomando medidas para asegurarnos de que estas comunidades estén protegidas por igual bajo la ley contra la exposición a los pesticidas”.

Zona de exclusión de aplicaciones

Las regulaciones de la Estándar de Protección de Trabajadores Agrícolas ofrecen protecciones a más de dos millones de trabajadores agrícolas y aplicadores de pesticidas que trabajan en más de 600,000 establecimientos agrícolas. En 2015, la EPA hizo cambios significativos al estándar para disminuir la exposición a pesticidas entre los trabajadores agrícolas y sus familiares. Menos exposición a pesticidas significa una fuerza laboral más saludable y menos salarios perdidos, facturas médicas y ausentismo laboral.

Entre los cambios, el estándar revisado incluyó una nueva disposición que requiere que los empleadores agrícolas mantengan a los trabajadores y a todas las demás personas fuera de un área llamada AEZ durante las aplicaciones de pesticidas al aire libre. La AEZ es el área que rodea una aplicación continua de pesticidas a la que las personas no deben ingresar para evitar la exposición. Una AEZ se desplaza con el equipo durante las aplicaciones para proteger a los trabajadores agrícolas y transeúntes que podrían entrar en contacto con los pesticidas.

En 2020, la administración anterior publicó una regla específica para los requisitos de AEZ, limitando la aplicabilidad de las protecciones a la propiedad del empleador agrícola y reduciendo el tamaño de AEZ de 100 pies a 25 pies para algunas aplicaciones de pulverización terrestre. Antes de la fecha de vigencia de la Regla AEZ 2020, se presentaron peticiones en el Tribunal de Distrito de los EE. UU. para el Distrito Sur de Nueva York (SDNY, por sus siglas en inglés) y en el Tribunal de Apelaciones del Segundo Circuito de los EE. UU. que impugnan la Regla de 2020 (ahora consolidada como caso número 20 Civ. 10642). El SDNY emitió una orden concediendo la solicitud de los peticionarios de una orden de restricción temporal. Como resultado, la Regla AEZ 2020 no ha entrado en vigencia, y las disposiciones AEZ contenidas en la WPS 2015 permanecen vigentes.

A través de su evaluación, la EPA ha determinado que las disposiciones de la Regla AEZ 2020 que debilitaron las protecciones para los trabajadores agrícolas y las comunidades cercanas de la exposición a pesticidas deben rescindirse para proteger la salud de los trabajadores agrícolas, sus familias y las comunidades cercanas.

Cambios y flexibilidades que se proponen

Con la acción de hoy, la Agencia propone restablecer varias disposiciones de la WPS 2015 para reforzar las protecciones para los trabajadores agrícolas y transeúntes, incluyendo:

• Aplicar la AEZ
  • más allá de los límites de un establecimiento; y
  • cuando las personas están dentro de servidumbres (como servidumbres para que los trabajadores de servicios públicos accedan a las líneas telefónicas).
• Establecer distancias de AEZ para aplicaciones de pulverización terrestre de
  • 25 pies para rociadores medianos o grandes cuando se rocían desde una altura superior a 12 pulgadas de la superficie del suelo o medio de cultivo; y
  • 100 pies para pulverizaciones finas.

Además, la EPA propone mantener dos disposiciones contenidas en la Regla AEZ 2020 que la Agencia cree que concuerdan con la intención de los requisitos de AEZ de la WPS 2015 y están respaldadas por la información de que dispone la Agencia para aportar más claridad y flexibilidad para las familias agricultoras. La EPA propone mantener:

• una clarificación de que pueden reanudarse las aplicaciones suspendidas de pesticida después de que las personas salgan de la AEZ; y,
• una “exención familiar inmediata” que permite que solo los propietarios de granjas y la familia inmediata de los propietarios de granjas permanezcan dentro de estructuras cerradas o de sus hogares mientras se realizan las aplicaciones de pesticidas, brindando a los miembros de la familia la flexibilidad para decidir si permanecer en el sitio durante las aplicaciones de pesticidas, en lugar de obligarlos a irse incluso cuando se sientan seguros permaneciendo en sus propios hogares.

Los cambios propuestos son una parte crucial de los esfuerzos de la EPA para proteger la salud de los trabajadores agrícolas y apoyar la prioridad de la Agencia para promover la equidad y la justicia para todas las comunidades. Obtenga más información sobre los extensos esfuerzos de la EPA para capacitar, apoyar y mejorar las condiciones de trabajo seguras para los trabajadores agrícolas a nivel local, estatal y nacional en el sitio web de la EPA en español y en inglés.

Tras la publicación de la notificación del registro federal, la regla propuesta estará disponible para comentario público durante 60 días en el expediente EPA-HQ-OPP-2022-0133 en www.regulations.gov.

WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a proposed rule that would improve and modernize the pesticide Application Exclusion Zone (AEZ) requirements under the 2015 Agricultural Worker Protection Standard (WPS), reaffirming the Agency’s commitment to protecting farmworkers, pesticide handlers, their families, and agricultural communities from pesticide exposure during National Pesticide Safety Education Month.

“EPA’s top priority is to protect public health and the environment, and today’s proposal is a significant step forward to further protect the farmworkers, farmers and pesticide handlers who deliver the fuel, fiber and food that runs America,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “Farmworker justice is environmental justice, and we’re continuing to take action to make sure these communities are protected equally under the law from pesticide exposure.”

Application Exclusion Zone

The Worker Protection Standard regulations offer protections to over two million agricultural workers and pesticide handlers who work at over 600,000 agricultural establishments. In 2015, EPA made significant changes to the standard to decrease pesticide exposure among farmworkers and their family members. Less pesticide exposure means a healthier workforce and fewer lost wages, medical bills and absences from work.

Among the changes, the revised standard included a new provision requiring agricultural employers to keep workers and all other individuals out of an area called the AEZ during outdoor pesticide applications. The AEZ is the area surrounding an ongoing pesticide application that people must not enter to avoid exposure. An AEZ moves with the equipment during applications to protect farmworkers and bystanders that could be contacted by pesticides.

In 2020, the previous administration published a rule specific to the AEZ requirements, limiting the applicability of the protections to the agricultural employer’s property and shrinking the AEZ size from 100 feet to 25 feet for some ground-based spray applications. Prior to the effective date of the 2020 AEZ Rule, petitions were filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York (SDNY) and in the U.S. Second Circuit Court of Appeals challenging the 2020 Rule (now consolidated as case number 20 Civ. 10642). The SDNY issued an order granting the petitioners’ request for a temporary restraining order. As a result, the 2020 AEZ Rule has not gone into effect, and the AEZ provisions in the 2015 WPS remain in effect.

Through its review, EPA has determined that the provisions in the 2020 AEZ Rule that weakened protections for farmworkers and nearby communities from pesticide exposure should be rescinded to protect the health of farmworkers, their families, and nearby communities.

Proposed Changes and Flexibilities

With today’s action, the Agency is proposing to reinstate several provisions from the 2015 WPS to strengthen protections for farmworkers and bystanders including:

• Applying the AEZ
  • beyond an establishment’s boundaries; and
  • when individuals are within easements (such as easement for utility workers to access telephone lines).
•  Establishing AEZ distances for ground-based spray applications of
  • 25 feet for medium or larger sprays when sprayed from a height greater than 12 inches from the soil surface or planting medium; and
  • 100 feet for fine sprays.

Additionally, EPA is proposing to retain two provisions in the 2020 AEZ Rule that the Agency believes are consistent with the intent of the 2015 WPS AEZ requirements and are supported by information available to the Agency to provide more clarity and flexibility for farming families. EPA proposes to retain:

• a clarification that suspended pesticide applications can resume after people leave the AEZ; and,
• an “immediate family exemption” that allows only farm owners and the farm owners’ immediate family to remain inside enclosed structures or homes while pesticide applications are made, providing family members flexibility to decide whether to stay on-site during pesticide applications, rather than compelling them to leave even when they feel safe remaining in their own homes.

The proposed changes are a critical part of EPA’s efforts to protect the health of farmworkers and support the Agency’s priority to advance equity and justice for all communities. Learn more about EPA’s extensive efforts to train, support and enhance safe working conditions for agricultural workers at local, state, and national levels on EPA’s website.

Upon publication of the federal register notice, the proposed rule will be available for public comment for 60 days in docket EPA-HQ-OPP-2022-0133 at www.regulations.gov.

PHILADELPHIA (February 16, 2023) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is holding a virtual listening session on EPA’s PFAS Strategic Roadmap for residents living in EPA’s Mid-Atlantic Region on Thursday, March 2 from 6-8 p.m.

This Zoom meeting will provide information about EPA’s ongoing work under the PFAS Strategic Roadmap and what it means for the mid-Atlantic region, which includes Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia and Washington, D.C.  

The session will provide opportunities for communities to share feedback directly with EPA representatives about the actions described in the Roadmap. Residents interested in participating can register online at: https://pfascommunityengagement.org/register .

Background

In October 2021, EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan announced the Agency’s PFAS Strategic Roadmap—laying out a whole-of-agency approach to addressing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS. The Roadmap sets timelines by which EPA plans to take specific actions and commits to bolder new policies to safeguard public health, protect the environment, and hold polluters accountable. The actions described in the PFAS Roadmap each represent important and meaningful steps to safeguard communities from PFAS contamination. Cumulatively, these actions will build upon one another and lead to more enduring and protective solutions.

In November 2022, EPA released “A Year of Progress Under EPA’s PFAS Strategic Roadmap,” which underscores key actions taken by the agency during the first year of implementing the PFAS Roadmap. EPA continues to implement a whole-of-agency approach, advancing science, and following the law to safeguard public health, protect the environment, and hold polluters accountable. Concurrently with this one-year progress report, EPA announced that it will hold virtual community engagement events in each EPA Region in 2023, which EPA’s Mid-Atlantic Region is announcing today.

These engagements align with recommendations from the National Environmental Justice Advisory Council and EPA’s Roadmap commitment to engage directly with stakeholders. Recognizing the unique and pervasive impacts of PFAS on Tribal communities, EPA is also planning to hold a session specifically designed to hear from our Tribal partners.

More information on EPA’s efforts on PFAS is available at www.epa.gov/pfas

Las declaraciones serán pronunciadas en inglés y español, habrán funcionarios hispanohablantes de la EPA disponibles para contestar preguntas

Washington (15 de febrero de 2023)—Mañana, 16 de febrero a las 12:30 PM ET, la administradora asociada de la Oficina de Seguridad Química y Prevención de la Contaminación Michal Freedhoff, la administradora regional del sudoeste del Pacífico Martha Guzmán y el congresista Raul Ruiz, M.D. (ca-25) celebrarán una rueda de prensa para el récord, embargada, para anunciar la propuesta regla que mejoraría y modernizaría los requisitos sobre la zona de exclusión de la aplicación  (AEZ, por sus siglas en inglés) conforme al Estándar para la Protección del Trabajador Agrícola de 2015 (WPS, por sus siglas en inglés).

Los participantes harán declaraciones y estarán disponibles para contestar preguntas en español.

Quién:

• Administradora asociada Michal Freedhoff
• Administradora regional para el sudoeste del Pacífico Martha Guzmán
• Congresista Raul Ruiz, M.D.

Qué:

Conferencia de prensa y sesión de preguntas y respuestas con la administradora asociada Michal Freedhoff, la administradora regional Martha Guzmán, y el congresista Raul Ruiz sobre la propuesta norma sobre la zona de exclusión de la aplicación.

Cuándo:

Mañana, jueves, 16 de febrero a las 12:30 PM hora del este.

RSVP: Los medios que deseen participar deberán de inscribirse aquí no más tarde de las 8:30 AM ET mañana, jueves, 16 de febrero.

https://usepa.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_Sq3pEN3STIaUYkDg78agzw

Los medios que envíen el RSVP recibirán un comunicado de prensa embargado con detalles adicionales sobre la llamada.  Estos detalles y la llamada estarán embargados hasta la 1:00 PM del jueves, 16 de febrero.

Al enviar su RSVP y participar en la llamada, se estará comprometiendo con cumplir con estas reglas del juego.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Feb. 15, 2023) – On Monday February 13, 2023, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced $26,676,000 from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to address emerging contaminants, like Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in drinking water in Tennessee. This investment, which is allocated to states and territories, will be made available to communities as grants through EPA’s Emerging Contaminants in Small or Disadvantaged Communities (EC-SDC) Grant Program and will promote access to safe and clean water in small, rural, and disadvantaged communities while supporting local economies.

“Too many American communities, especially those that are small, rural, or underserved, are suffering from exposure to PFAS and other harmful contaminants in their drinking water,” said EPA Administrator Michael Regan. “Thanks to President Biden’s leadership, we are investing in America and providing unprecedented resources to strengthen our nation’s water infrastructure while safeguarding people’s health and boosting local economies. These grants build on EPA’s PFAS Strategic Roadmap and will help protect our smallest and most vulnerable communities from these persistent and dangerous chemicals.”

“EPA’s Emerging Contaminants Grant Program is a solid community investment for the Southeast region,” said EPA Region 4 Administrator Daniel Blackman. “The expansion of safe and clean water access to small, rural, and disadvantaged communities is crucial to the protection of human health and the environment.”

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law invests $5 billion over five years to help communities that are on the frontlines of PFAS contamination reduce PFAS in drinking water. EPA announced the funds for Tennessee as part of an allotment of $2 billion to states and territories that can be used to prioritize infrastructure and source water treatment for pollutants, like PFAS and other emerging contaminants, and to conduct water quality testing.

EPA is also releasing the Emerging Contaminants in Small or Disadvantaged Communities Grant Implementation document. The implementation document provides states and communities with the information necessary to use this funding to address local water quality and public health challenges. These grants will enable communities to improve local water infrastructure and reduce emerging contaminants in drinking water by implementing solutions such as installing necessary treatment solutions.

Today’s actions represent a significant milestone within the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitments to combat PFAS pollution and safeguard drinking water, and specifically EPA’s October 2021 PFAS Strategic Roadmap. Under the Roadmap, EPA is working across the agency to protect the public from the health impacts of PFAS. EPA has taken a number of actions to deliver progress on PFAS including: 

• Proposing to designate two PFAS as CERCLA hazardous substances. If finalized, this will be a critical step toward increasing transparency around releases of PFAS and holding polluters accountable for cleaning up their contamination.
• Releasing drinking water health advisories. Acting in accordance with EPA’s mission to protect public health and keep communities and public health authorities informed when new science becomes available, the Agency issued drinking water health advisories for four PFAS.
• Laying the foundation to enhance data on PFAS. This included an order under EPA’s National PFAS Testing Strategy requiring companies to conduct PFAS testing, and nationwide sampling through the Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule for 29 PFAS in public drinking water systems .
• Expanding the scientific understanding of PFAS. The Agency issued more than 30 scientific publications by EPA researchers and released EPA’s PFAS Thermal Treatment Database.
• Translating the latest science into EPA’s cross-agency PFAS efforts. This included updating EPA’s contaminated site cleanup tables, developing new PFAS methods and conducting toxicity assessments, and issuing draft national recommended water quality criteria to protect aquatic life.
• Continuing engagement with the public. EPA’s PFAS work was informed by public webinars, stakeholder meetings, Congressional testimony, and engagement with EPA’s federal advisory committees.

In addition to this new grant, EPA is also working to propose a PFAS NPDWR in the coming weeks. The draft proposed rule is currently undergoing interagency review and EPA will issue the proposed rule for public comment when it clears the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The agency anticipates finalizing the rule by the end of 2023. Together, with today’s announcement, these actions highlight EPA’s commitments outlined in the PFAS Strategic Roadmap to protect public health and the environment from the impacts of PFAS.  They also illustrate the benefits of investing in water—protecting public health and the environment, addressing key challenges facing communities, and creating jobs.

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (Feb. 15, 2023) –On Monday February 13, 2023, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced $52,638,000 from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to address emerging contaminants, like Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in drinking water in Alabama. This investment, which is allocated to states and territories, will be made available to communities as grants through EPA’s Emerging Contaminants in Small or Disadvantaged Communities (EC-SDC) Grant Program and will promote access to safe and clean water in small, rural, and disadvantaged communities while supporting local economies.

“Too many American communities, especially those that are small, rural, or underserved, are suffering from exposure to PFAS and other harmful contaminants in their drinking water,” said EPA Administrator Michael Regan. “Thanks to President Biden’s leadership, we are investing in America and providing unprecedented resources to strengthen our nation’s water infrastructure while safeguarding people’s health and boosting local economies. These grants build on EPA’s PFAS Strategic Roadmap and will help protect our smallest and most vulnerable communities from these persistent and dangerous chemicals.”

“EPA’s Emerging Contaminants Grant Program is a solid community investment for the Southeast region,” said EPA Region 4 Administrator Daniel Blackman. “The expansion of safe and clean water access to small, rural, and disadvantaged communities is crucial to the protection of human health and the environment.”

“I am thrilled that the Environmental Protection Agency is providing over $52 million to Alabama communities to expand access to clean water in our rural and underserved communities,” said Rep. Terri A. Sewell. “I was proud to vote for President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law because grant programs like this will make a world of difference in the lives of Alabamians. Every American deserves access to safe and clean water, and this investment is a transformative step forward.”

“Emerging contaminants such as PFAS have been widely detected in Alabama as well as many other parts of the nation”, according to ADEM Director Lance LeFleur.  “Investments such as these grants will be critical in small and disadvantaged communities as they work to address these contaminants in their water sources.”

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law invests $5 billion over five years to help communities that are on the frontlines of PFAS contamination reduce PFAS in drinking water. EPA announced the funds for Alabama as part of an allotment of $2 billion to states and territories that can be used to prioritize infrastructure and source water treatment for pollutants, like PFAS and other emerging contaminants, and to conduct water quality testing.

EPA is also releasing the Emerging Contaminants in Small or Disadvantaged Communities Grant Implementation document. The implementation document provides states and communities with the information necessary to use this funding to address local water quality and public health challenges. These grants will enable communities to improve local water infrastructure and reduce emerging contaminants in drinking water by implementing solutions such as installing necessary treatment solutions.

Today’s actions represent a significant milestone within the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitments to combat PFAS pollution and safeguard drinking water, and specifically EPA’s October 2021 PFAS Strategic Roadmap. Under the Roadmap, EPA is working across the agency to protect the public from the health impacts of PFAS. EPA has taken a number of actions to deliver progress on PFAS including: 

• Proposing to designate two PFAS as CERCLA hazardous substances. If finalized, this will be a critical step toward increasing transparency around releases of PFAS and holding polluters accountable for cleaning up their contamination.
• Releasing drinking water health advisories. Acting in accordance with EPA’s mission to protect public health and keep communities and public health authorities informed when new science becomes available, the Agency issued drinking water health advisories for four PFAS.
• Laying the foundation to enhance data on PFAS. This included an order under EPA’s National PFAS Testing Strategy requiring companies to conduct PFAS testing, and nationwide sampling through the Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule for 29 PFAS in public drinking water systems .
• Expanding the scientific understanding of PFAS. The Agency issued more than 30 scientific publications by EPA researchers and released EPA’s PFAS Thermal Treatment Database.
• Translating the latest science into EPA’s cross-agency PFAS efforts. This included updating EPA’s contaminated site cleanup tables, developing new PFAS methods and conducting toxicity assessments, and issuing draft national recommended water quality criteria to protect aquatic life.
• Continuing engagement with the public. EPA’s PFAS work was informed by public webinars, stakeholder meetings, Congressional testimony, and engagement with EPA’s federal advisory committees.

In addition to this new grant, EPA is also working to propose a PFAS NPDWR in the coming weeks. The draft proposed rule is currently undergoing interagency review and EPA will issue the proposed rule for public comment when it clears the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The agency anticipates finalizing the rule by the end of 2023. Together, with today’s announcement, these actions highlight EPA’s commitments outlined in the PFAS Strategic Roadmap to protect public health and the environment from the impacts of PFAS.  They also illustrate the benefits of investing in water—protecting public health and the environment, addressing key challenges facing communities, and creating jobs.

###

FORT VALLEY (February 15, 2023) – Today, in recognition of Black History Month, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 4 Administrator Daniel Blackman and USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) Georgia State Executive Director Arthur Tripp co-hosted a roundtable discussion at Fort Valley State University directly engaging with underserved and/or underrepresented agricultural producers to learn about challenges, concerns and opportunities where the EPA and USDA FSA can provide support.  

“The responsibility of feeding, clothing and fueling America is such a tremendous challenge farmers face every day. Additionally, dealing with variables like weather, pests, labor, cost of inputs, and regulatory compliance- underrepresented and underserved farmers face supplemental challenges like disparate access to resources and education. That is why it is so important for us to hear and directly engage with these producers to better understand how we can help and provide support,” said EPA 4 Region Administrator Daniel Blackman.

“Farming is inherently risky. It is incredibly important that our producers are aware of all of the resources that the USDA provides,” said USDA Farm Service Agency Georgia State Executive Director Arthur Tripp. “From access to capital options, to federal disaster programs, we are proud to support our agricultural producers.”

The event was an opportunity to hear from underrepresented stakeholders about challenges and concerns faced, provide information on federal roles and resources, and discuss opportunities where the EPA and USDA FSA can provide assistance and support. In addition to the roundtable, EPA Region 4 signed a Memorandum of Agreement with Fort Valley State University, to demonstrate both parties’ commitment to partnership, and the principals met with Fort Valley State University students to discuss federal career opportunities. Finally, EPA Regional Administrator Blackman and State Executive Director Tripp toured a farming operation in Hawkinsville, GA.

TALLAHASEE, Fla. (Feb. 15, 2023)- On Monday February 13, 2023, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced $52,638,000 from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to address emerging contaminants, like Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in drinking water in Florida. This investment, which is allocated to states and territories, will be made available to communities as grants through EPA’s Emerging Contaminants in Small or Disadvantaged Communities (EC-SDC) Grant Program and will promote access to safe and clean water in small, rural, and disadvantaged communities while supporting local economies.

“Too many American communities, especially those that are small, rural, or underserved, are suffering from exposure to PFAS and other harmful contaminants in their drinking water,” said EPA Administrator Michael Regan. “Thanks to President Biden’s leadership, we are investing in America and providing unprecedented resources to strengthen our nation’s water infrastructure while safeguarding people’s health and boosting local economies. These grants build on EPA’s PFAS Strategic Roadmap and will help protect our smallest and most vulnerable communities from these persistent and dangerous chemicals.”

“EPA’s Emerging Contaminants Grant Program is a solid community investment for the Southeast region,” said EPA Region 4 Administrator Daniel Blackman. “The expansion of safe and clean water access to small, rural, and disadvantaged communities is crucial to the protection of human health and the environment.”

"These forever chemicals represent an urgent public health concern to our children, our seniors, and our community. When exposed to these chemicals, Floridians have a much higher risk of developing cancer, liver damage, decreased fertility, and increased risk of asthma and thyroid disease. These are real-life health concerns that cannot go ignored," said Congressman Jared Moskowitz. "These funds delivered by the Biden Administration will help ensure everyone has access to clean drinking water that's free of these deadly chemicals."

“Florida's small, rural, and underserved communities deserve clean, safe drinking water free of harmful chemicals and pollutants. I applaud President Biden’s commitment to our environment and public health,” stated Congresswoman Frederica Wilson (FL-24). “These grants are a pivotal step toward strengthening our water infrastructure and protecting the health and safety of our communities.”

“Clean drinking water is essential for our health, our security, and our economy,” said Rep. Lois Frankel.

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law invests $5 billion over five years to help communities that are on the frontlines of PFAS contamination reduce PFAS in drinking water. EPA announced the funds for Florida as part of an allotment of $2 billion to states and territories that can be used to prioritize infrastructure and source water treatment for pollutants, like PFAS and other emerging contaminants, and to conduct water quality testing.

EPA is also releasing the Emerging Contaminants in Small or Disadvantaged Communities Grant Implementation document. The implementation document provides states and communities with the information necessary to use this funding to address local water quality and public health challenges. These grants will enable communities to improve local water infrastructure and reduce emerging contaminants in drinking water by implementing solutions such as installing necessary treatment solutions.

Today’s actions represent a significant milestone within the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitments to combat PFAS pollution and safeguard drinking water, and specifically EPA’s October 2021 PFAS Strategic Roadmap. Under the Roadmap, EPA is working across the agency to protect the public from the health impacts of PFAS. EPA has taken a number of actions to deliver progress on PFAS including: 

• Proposing to designate two PFAS as CERCLA hazardous substances. If finalized, this will be a critical step toward increasing transparency around releases of PFAS and holding polluters accountable for cleaning up their contamination.
• Releasing drinking water health advisories. Acting in accordance with EPA’s mission to protect public health and keep communities and public health authorities informed when new science becomes available, the Agency issued drinking water health advisories for four PFAS.
• Laying the foundation to enhance data on PFAS. This included an order under EPA’s National PFAS Testing Strategy requiring companies to conduct PFAS testing, and nationwide sampling through the Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule for 29 PFAS in public drinking water systems .
• Expanding the scientific understanding of PFAS. The Agency issued more than 30 scientific publications by EPA researchers and released EPA’s PFAS Thermal Treatment Database.
• Translating the latest science into EPA’s cross-agency PFAS efforts. This included updating EPA’s contaminated site cleanup tables, developing new PFAS methods and conducting toxicity assessments, and issuing draft national recommended water quality criteria to protect aquatic life.
• Continuing engagement with the public. EPA’s PFAS work was informed by public webinars, stakeholder meetings, Congressional testimony, and engagement with EPA’s federal advisory committees.

In addition to this new grant, EPA is also working to propose a PFAS NPDWR in the coming weeks. The draft proposed rule is currently undergoing interagency review and EPA will issue the proposed rule for public comment when it clears the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The agency anticipates finalizing the rule by the end of 2023. Together, with today’s announcement, these actions highlight EPA’s commitments outlined in the PFAS Strategic Roadmap to protect public health and the environment from the impacts of PFAS.  They also illustrate the benefits of investing in water—protecting public health and the environment, addressing key challenges facing communities, and creating jobs.

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Feb. 15, 2023) – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced $22,245,000 from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to address emerging contaminants, like Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in drinking water in Kentucky. This investment, which is allocated to states and territories, will be made available to communities as grants through EPA’s Emerging Contaminants in Small or Disadvantaged Communities (EC-SDC) Grant Program and will promote access to safe and clean water in small, rural, and disadvantaged communities while supporting local economies.

“Too many American communities, especially those that are small, rural, or underserved, are suffering from exposure to PFAS and other harmful contaminants in their drinking water,” said EPA Administrator Michael Regan. “Thanks to President Biden’s leadership, we are investing in America and providing unprecedented resources to strengthen our nation’s water infrastructure while safeguarding people’s health and boosting local economies. These grants build on EPA’s PFAS Strategic Roadmap and will help protect our smallest and most vulnerable communities from these persistent and dangerous chemicals.”

“EPA’s Emerging Contaminants Grant Program is a solid community investment for the Southeast region,” said EPA Region 4 Administrator Daniel Blackman. “The expansion of safe and clean water access to small, rural, and disadvantaged communities is crucial to the protection of human health and the environment.”

“Access to clean drinking water is a basic human right,” said Gov. Andy Beshear. “We are thankful for the continued funding to improve our water infrastructure for all our families.” 

“Kentucky has tested for Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in drinking and surface water, since 2019,” said Energy and Environment Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Goodman. “This grant will certainly help small communities identified in our investigations as having PFAS in their systems deal with this emerging contaminant.”

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law invests $5 billion over five years to help communities that are on the frontlines of PFAS contamination reduce PFAS in drinking water. EPA announced the funds for Kentucky as part of an allotment of $2 billion to states and territories that can be used to prioritize infrastructure and source water treatment for pollutants, like PFAS and other emerging contaminants, and to conduct water quality testing.

EPA is also releasing the Emerging Contaminants in Small or Disadvantaged Communities Grant Implementation document. The implementation document provides states and communities with the information necessary to use this funding to address local water quality and public health challenges. These grants will enable communities to improve local water infrastructure and reduce emerging contaminants in drinking water by implementing solutions such as installing necessary treatment solutions.

Today’s actions represent a significant milestone within the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitments to combat PFAS pollution and safeguard drinking water, and specifically EPA’s October 2021 PFAS Strategic Roadmap. Under the Roadmap, EPA is working across the agency to protect the public from the health impacts of PFAS. EPA has taken a number of actions to deliver progress on PFAS including: 

• Proposing to designate two PFAS as CERCLA hazardous substances. If finalized, this will be a critical step toward increasing transparency around releases of PFAS and holding polluters accountable for cleaning up their contamination.
• Releasing drinking water health advisories. Acting in accordance with EPA’s mission to protect public health and keep communities and public health authorities informed when new science becomes available, the Agency issued drinking water health advisories for four PFAS.
• Laying the foundation to enhance data on PFAS. This included an order under EPA’s National PFAS Testing Strategy requiring companies to conduct PFAS testing, and nationwide sampling through the Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule for 29 PFAS in public drinking water systems .
• Expanding the scientific understanding of PFAS. The Agency issued more than 30 scientific publications by EPA researchers and released EPA’s PFAS Thermal Treatment Database.
• Translating the latest science into EPA’s cross-agency PFAS efforts. This included updating EPA’s contaminated site cleanup tables, developing new PFAS methods and conducting toxicity assessments, and issuing draft national recommended water quality criteria to protect aquatic life.
• Continuing engagement with the public. EPA’s PFAS work was informed by public webinars, stakeholder meetings, Congressional testimony, and engagement with EPA’s federal advisory committees.

In addition to this new grant, EPA is also working to propose a PFAS NPDWR in the coming weeks. The draft proposed rule is currently undergoing interagency review and EPA will issue the proposed rule for public comment when it clears the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The agency anticipates finalizing the rule by the end of 2023. Together, with today’s announcement, these actions highlight EPA’s commitments outlined in the PFAS Strategic Roadmap to protect public health and the environment from the impacts of PFAS.  They also illustrate the benefits of investing in water—protecting public health and the environment, addressing key challenges facing communities, and creating jobs.

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