The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced today that Northern Star (Pogo) L.L.C. was fined $600,000 for improper storage, treatment, and disposal of hazardous materials at its gold mine and laboratory in Delta Junction, Alaska.

"Strict accountability for hazardous waste is vital to protecting people and the environment at every step of the way," said EPA Region 10 Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Acting Director Stacy Murphy. “Companies are required to take responsibility for these materials for their entire lifespan and must be held accountable for failing to do so.”

Following an inspection in 2019, EPA cited Northern Star (Pogo) L.L.C. for 81 violations of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, including:

• Failure to determine if waste from laboratory testing was hazardous waste.
• Treatment, storage, and disposal of hazardous waste without a permit.
• Storage in two unlabeled 762-gallon belowground tanks, which accumulated hazardous wastes from laboratory tests. The tanks did not meet design and installation requirements, and lacked both secondary containment and a leak detection system.
• Disposal of about 364,450 tons of waste in the gold mine without proper treatment.

RCRA is designed to protect public health and the environment and avoid long and extensive cleanups by requiring the safe, environmentally sound storage and disposal of hazardous waste.

In addition to paying the $600,000 penalty, as part of the settlement the company will remove the tanks that held hazardous waste and clean up any contamination.

Full settlement details

WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing new health protections to reduce exposure to Ethylene Oxide (EtO), including more stringent air emissions standards and additional protections for workers who are exposed to the gas used to sterilize medical devices and certain spices. If finalized, EPA’s proposals are estimated to cut EtO emissions to the air from commercial sterilization facilities by 80% per year and apply more protective standards to control those emissions under the law. Together, these proposals will provide a comprehensive approach to addressing EtO pollution concerns, including cancer risk, that will increase safety in communities and for workers while providing a path to maintain a robust supply chain for sterilized medical equipment. 

The proposal advances President Biden’s commitment to ending cancer as we know it as part of the Cancer Moonshot and the Administration’s commitment to securing environmental justice and protecting public health, including for communities that are most exposed to toxic chemicals.

“EPA’s number one priority is protecting people’s health and safety, and we are committed to taking decisive action that’s informed by the best available science,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “These proposals build on EPA’s extensive outreach to communities across the nation and reflects close coordination among key federal partners. Together they would significantly reduce worker and community exposure to harmful levels of ethylene oxide. EPA will continue to use every available tool to safeguard our nation’s communities, including workers, from exposure to toxic chemicals and to deliver important public health protections.”

The two new proposals announced today mark significant progress as EPA continues to leverage the full range  of its regulatory authority under the law to protect public health by reducing the risk posed by EtO. Long-term exposure to EtO over the course of a 35-year career or 70-year lifetime in or near a commercial sterilizer can increase the risk of certain types of cancer. People who go to school near places where EtO is used are also potentially at an elevated risk of cancer due to EtO levels in the air. Actual risks will vary based upon a facility’s control measures for workers and community members and the distance and amount of time people live, work, or go to school near a facility. 

These proposals were informed by collaboration across the federal government to deliver risk reductions while maintaining critical sterilization capabilities, including consultation between EPA, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. The proposals include controls that many facilities are already using, and that EPA would apply nationwide. The Agency has also undertaken robust public engagement on this topic and will continue to provide the public, especially in impacted communities and workplaces, with access to the information they need to make informed, independent judgements about risk and to encourage public involvement in the regulatory process.

“OSHA’s mission is to ensure safe and healthful working conditions for workers,” said Doug Parker, Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health, “We will continue our partnership with EPA and other federal agencies to reduce risks for people who work every day to maintain our nation’s vital medical device supply chain.”

Reducing Air Emissions to Protect Communities

Under EPA’s Clean Air Act authority, the Agency is issuing a proposed rule outlining new requirements for 86 commercial sterilizers across the country.  If finalized, the proposal would reduce EtO emissions from these facilities by 80%, bringing emission levels down so that risk falls below the EPA’s Clean Air Act benchmark for elevated cancer risk.

While many of these facilities have already taken steps to reduce emissions, the proposal will require all 86 facilities and any new facilities to comply with these stricter pollution controls, which have already proven to be effective and achievable. All commercial sterilizers will also be required to use advanced source monitoring methods to confirm that these pollution controls are operating effectively. Facilities would be required to report results to EPA twice per year. Under the proposal, facilities would be required to comply with these new requirements within 18 months. This represents an expedited timeline under EPA authority.

EPA’s proposal is informed by the latest data, science, and extensive outreach and takes full account of the important function of medical sterilization to provide a safe supply of medical devices for patients and hospitals. EPA required all commercial sterilizers to submit detailed information about EtO emissions and control technologies as part of a 2021 Information Collection Request. EPA used this data to estimate risk to people who live near these facilities.  EPA also conducted extensive pre-proposal outreach in 2022, including community meetings and webinars, which supported state and local efforts to protect communities and generated information that informed and strengthened this proposal. 

New Safeguards to Protect Workers, Communities, and Reduce Exposure

In addition to new emissions standards, EPA is proposing a comprehensive set of new mitigation measures that will decrease risk for workers who use EtO to sterilize products and for other people in communities near sterilization facilities.

Under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), EPA approves the use of pesticides subject to certain controls through a registration decision, including antimicrobial pesticides like EtO. EPA is now proposing to increase control measures on the use of EtO in the Proposed Interim Decision, such as:

• Prohibiting certain uses of EtO where alternatives exist including use in museums, archival settings, beekeeping, some cosmetics, and musical instruments;
• Reducing the amount of EtO that may be applied for medical device sterilization while meeting applicable standards for sterility assurance;
• Requiring engineering controls that reduce worker exposures to EtO, such as automation or emissions capture technology; and
• Mandating Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in sterilization facilities when EtO is detected using state-of-the-art monitoring technology.

Some commercial sterilization facilities have already successfully implemented some of these measures, including reducing the amount of EtO used for sterilization and installing engineering controls that reduce worker  and community exposures. EPA’s proposal would now require these measures nationwide to further protect workers at EtO commercial sterilization facilities and healthcare facilities and people in communities near these facilities. The proposal includes different timelines for controls depending on their complexity and feasibility. For example, workers can use respirators far more quickly than it takes to reengineer control systems.

EPA is proposing unprecedented real-time monitoring of EtO using technology that can accurately measure EtO within sterilization facilities down to 10 parts per billion (ppb). If levels surpass 10 ppb, workers would be required to wear PPE.  EPA is also instructing industry to develop technologies and methods to identify lower concentrations of EtO, below 10 parts per billion (ppb), inside contract sterilization facilities.

EPA’s proposal also includes new data collection and reporting requirements that would help identify and improve protective monitoring technologies and assess the effectiveness of the proposed mitigation measures. Based on this data, EPA intends to initiate the next round of registration review for EtO earlier than the mandated timeframe, including assessing these measures and incorporating additional protections based on advances in technology that occur.

EPA Proposal Driven by Latest Science

EPA is moving urgently to advance these new protections based on the Agency’s latest assessment of cancer risks from EtO exposure in occupational settings, which are more significant than previously understood. Of note, EPA has not found that routine exposure to EtO from these facilities causes short-term or acute health risks. EPA’s new analysis estimates the additional lifetime cancer risk associated with continuous workplace exposure to EtO for 8 hours a day, for 240 days per year, over a period of 35 years in an occupational setting is between 1 in 36 and 1 in 10 for workers who apply EtO in sterilization facilities, and between 1 in 25 and 1 in 12 for workers who apply EtO in healthcare facilities. These risks can be reduced through measures that have already been taken or can be taken immediately by increasing access to personal protective equipment, adequate ventilation, and safety protocols to avoid direct contact with EtO.  As stated above, many facilities have already successfully implemented these measures, reducing risks.

In commercial sterilization facilities, EPA also found that continuous, long-term exposure to EtO could lead to elevated cancer risk for workers who do not directly handle EtO but work in other areas of these facilities. EPA’s proposed mitigations will reduce risk for people who may be exposed to EtO in or near these settings and many facilities are already taking these measures or can take additional measures immediately.

Last year, EPA released the latest available information on air emissions of EtO from these facilities and undertook extensive engagement with communities where EPA identified the potential for elevated lifetime cancer risks due to long-term exposure to EtO. The Clean Air Act standards EPA is proposing today would, if finalized, reduce lifetime cancer risks for people who live near all commercial sterilizers.

For more information about EPA’s risk findings, visit EPA’s webpage and/or read EPA’s Draft Risk Assessment Addendum.

Next Steps
EPA is encouraging stakeholders, including community, industry and public health leaders to participate in the public comment process for each action released today as the Agency strives to reduce risk from EtO while also ensuring continued availability of sterile medical devices that the American public relies upon. EPA’s Proposed Interim Decision and EPA’s Draft Risk Assessment Addendum, can be found on EPA’s website and will soon be in docket EPA-HQ-OPP-2013-0244 at www.regulations.gov. EPA’s proposed revisions to the air emission standards for commercial sterilization facilities, can be found by visiting docket EPA-HQ-OAR-2019-0178 at www.regulations.gov. Both dockets will be open for public comment for 60 days after publication in the Federal Register.

EPA will also host a public webinar on May 1, 2023, at 8:00 pm ET to discuss proposals and risk assessment. Information for the public to register for the webinar will be available on EPA’s Hazardous Air Pollutants: Ethylene Oxide (EtO) webpage. For those who are unable to attend, EPA will post a recording of the webinar on the Agency’s website.
In addition to the proposed measures announced today, EPA continues to take significant action to address EtO and advance critical EtO research. These actions include:

• Collaborating with local, state, and Tribal partners to reduce EtO emissions even before EPA’s Clean Air Act rulemaking is completed;
• Identifying alternatives to EtO sterilization as a long-term risk reduction strategy and learning from FDA’s Innovation Challenges and sterilization master file pilot programs;
• Reviewing and revising air emission standards for facilities that emit EtO;
• Expanding environmental reporting requirements for sterilization facilities;
• Enforcing existing regulations as appropriate; and
• Conducting research to better understand and measure EtO.

Additionally, EPA announced a separate action last week to reduce risk from EtO to people who live near facilities that make and use EtO in manufacturing.

For more information on EtO, please visit EPA’s website.

WASHINGTON — Five individuals were sentenced this week to prison for their roles in a $1 billion biofuel tax conspiracy: Lev Aslan Dermen, aka Levon Termendzhyan, 56, was sentenced to 40 years; Jacob Kingston, 46, was sentenced to 18 years; Isaiah Kingston, 42, was sentenced to 12 years; Rachel Kingston, 67, was sentenced to seven years; and Sally Kingston, 45, was sentenced to six years.

According to court documents and testimony from Dermen’s 2020 trial, from 2010 to 2018, Dermen conspired with Jacob and Isaiah Kingston, their mother, Rachel Kingston, Jacob Kingston’s wife, Sally Kingston, and others, to fraudulently claim more than $1 billion in refundable renewable fuel tax credits. The IRS ultimately paid out more than $511 million in credits to Washakie Renewable Energy (“Washakie”), a Utah biodiesel company owned by Jacob and Isaiah Kingston.  The Kingstons distributed the fraud proceeds among themselves and Dermen.

The Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program is a national policy that requires a certain volume of renewable fuel to replace or reduce the quantity of petroleum-based transportation fuel, heating oil or jet fuel. The RFS program requires producers or importers of renewable fuel to generate fuel credits, known as Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs), in proportion to the amount and type of renewable fuel they produced or imported. Congress adopted the RFS program to reduce the nation's dependence on foreign oil, help grow the nation's renewable energy industry and achieve significant greenhouse gas emissions reductions.  Congress also later  mandated the availability of refundable tax credits for the production of renewable fuel in the United States.

In one of the schemes perpetrated by the Washakie conspirators, they purchased biodiesel, (which had been produced by others who had already claimed the tax credit and RINs). The conspirators exported the biofuel to foreign countries. The conspirators then doctored transport documents to disguise and import the biodiesel as “feedstock.”  Washakie used this false paperwork to claim it produced biodiesel from the feedstock to support its filing of fraudulent claims for EPA RINs and IRS biofuel tax credits. Throughout the fraud Washakie, with other co-conspirators, fraudulently generated millions of EPA RINs that were then sold for approximately $65 million. 

Later, Dermen and the Kingstons conspired to purchase millions of gallons of biodiesel and rotate it though the U.S. shipping system to create the appearance that qualifying fuel was being produced and sold by Washakie. Washakie applied for and was paid by the IRS over $300 million for its claimed 2013 production and over $164 million for its claimed 2014 production.  Evidence at Dermen’s trial showed that, to further create the appearance of legitimate business transactions, Dermen and the Kingstons schemed to cycle their and other co-conspirators’ fraud proceeds in more than $3 billion in financial transactions through multiple bank accounts.

Throughout the scheme, Dermen falsely assured Jacob Kingston that Kingston and his family would be protected by Dermen’s “umbrella” of corrupt law enforcement and immune from criminal prosecution. In exchange, Jacob and Isaiah Kingston transferred over $134 million in fraudulent proceeds to companies in Turkey and Luxembourg that were subsequently laundered internationally and through the U.S. financial system. 

Money from the fraudulent claims were distributed to Dermen and the Kingstons and used to make lavish purchases in the United States, Turkey, and Belize.  Dermen’s associates in Turkey bought and rebuilt a 150-foot yacht named “Queen Anne.” The Queen Anne was seized by the government in Beirut, Lebanon in 2021, and then sold in Cyprus for $10.1 million.  Dermen also caused Jacob Kingston to send more than $700,000 on behalf of Dermen to purchase land in Belize for a planned casino, for which the government is seeking forfeiture. The government is also seeking the forfeiture of other assets in Turkey related to the fraud proceeds sent there.  Jacob and Isaiah Kingston sent more than $21 million in fraud proceeds to SBK Holdings USA, Inc., Dermen’s California-based company. Jacob Kingston used $1.8 million of the fraud proceeds to buy a 2010 Bugatti Veyron for Dermen as a “gift,” and Dermen gifted a chrome Lamborghini and a gold Ferrari to Jacob Kingston. Dermen and Jacob Kingston also laundered $3 million through Dermen’s company, NOIL Energy Group, to purchase a mansion in Sandy, Utah for Jacob and Sally Kingston.

The Kingston defendants sent over $35 million of their share of the fraud proceeds to their extended family and companies they owned.

Dermen also laundered $3.5 million through SBK Holdings USA, Inc., to purchase a mansion in Huntington Beach, California. The government now seeks forfeiture of this residence as well as a couple dozen other parcels of real property that were purchased with the Kingstons’ share of the proceeds.

“The defendants sought to illegally and fraudulently profit from a program that was designed to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” said Acting Assistant Administrator Larry Starfield for EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance.  “This case sends a clear message that EPA and our law enforcement partners will aggressively prosecute these crimes and violators will pay a heavy price.”

“The significant sentences imposed by the Court reflect the breathtaking scope of the defendants’ nearly decade-long tax fraud scheme – one of the largest ever,” said Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division.  “Dermen and members of the Kingston family cost law-abiding taxpayers more than $500 million and attempted to steal double that. They also sought to cover their tracks by cycling billions-of-dollars in transactions through the banking system and using fuel purchases and oil tankers to give the illusion their plant was actually producing and selling biodiesel fuel eligible for IRS credits. Tax Division prosecutors and IRS-CI Special Agents not only unraveled this scheme – they uncovered, traced and recovered millions in proceeds secreted in Turkey, the United States and elsewhere.”

“Today’s verdict further demonstrates that the EPA and its law enforcement partners are committed to protecting the integrity of programs such as EPA’s Renewable Fuel Standard and the IRS’ Refundable Renewable Fuel Tax Credit,” said Robert Marsden, EPA Acting Special Agent in Charge.  “These programs are a critical part of tackling climate change and achieving the greenhouse gas reductions Congress intended.” 

The Environmental Protection Agency’s Criminal Investigation Division, IRS-Criminal Investigation, and the Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS) of the Department of Defense Office of the Inspector General investigated the case.  The case was prosecuted by the Department of Justice Tax Division with assistance from the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah.

LENEXA, KAN. (APRIL 10, 2023) – Weiler Inc. in Knoxville, Iowa, will pay $54,488 in civil penalties to resolve alleged violations of the federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the company, which manufactures road construction equipment, generated hazardous waste at its facility classified as toxic and ignitable.

EPA says that the company:

• Failed to conduct hazardous waste determinations.
• Failed to ensure employee safety and coordination with first responders in case of a hazardous waste release.
• Failed to properly handle hazardous waste.

“When companies mismanage hazardous waste and fail to create contingency plans to deal with hazardous waste releases, they increase the potential for harm to human health and the environment,” said David Cozad, director of EPA Region 7’s Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Division. “EPA is committed to protecting communities from harmful chemical waste releases and leveling the playing field with companies that comply with the law.”

Upon notification to Weiler Inc. of the alleged violations, the company took immediate steps to return to compliance.

The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act creates the framework for the proper management of hazardous and non-hazardous solid waste. Learn more about the Act.

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Unified command responds to vessel fire in Tacoma, Washington

SEATTLE (April 9, 2023) — The Tacoma Fire Department, the U.S. Coast Guard, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Washington Department of Ecology and other agencies are continuing their response to the fishing vessel, Kodiak Enterprise, that caught fire early Saturday morning while moored at Trident Seafoods in the Hylebos Waterway in Tacoma.

The fire has progressed throughout the ship and was last reported approximately 100 feet from the vessel’s freon tanks.

The vessel is reported to have an estimated 55,000 gallons of diesel and 19,000 pounds of freon onboard. The heat from the fire can cause pressure to build in the freon tanks.

The freon tanks are designed with built-in heat-activated pressure relief valves which are designed to release the freon tanks’ pressure in an emergency situation. While freon can be toxic if inhaled in large quantities or in a confined space, the release of freon into the atmosphere is not expected to pose any health and safety risks to the public.

As a precautionary measure, the EPA has been conducting air monitoring to assess air quality in the surrounding areas. Today they are being augmented by contractors from CTEH to further refine air monitoring capabilities.

To ensure the safety of the public, the City of Tacoma Fire Department in coordination with the US Coast Guard and Washington Department of Ecology are issuing a temporary shelter in place order for NE Tacoma, Browns Point and Dash Point neighborhoods. People in the aforementioned areas should remain indoors and limit exposures to smoke.

In addition, the Coast Guard has closed the Hylebos Waterway for all commercial and recreational vessel traffic via a Vessel Traffic Service special measure. The Coast Guard has deployed the Coast Guard Cutter Osprey and Station Seattle to enforce the closure.

“The safety of the public and responders is our top priority,” said Coast Guard Capt. Youngmee Moon, the Federal On Scene Coordinator. “The unified command is working closely to leverage each agency’s capabilities to respond to this incident as effectively as possible and keep the public safe.”

Responders continue to fight the fire by providing cooling spray to the exterior of the vessel.

There are no reported signs of maritime pollution. As a preventive measure, responders have deployed 3 layers of containment boom around the vessel to protect the marine environment. As a precautionary measure the unified command has deployed 3 skimmers and 3 boom boats.

The cause of the incident is under investigation. Additional updates will be released as they become available.

“We want to thank everyone for their prompt response and support,” said Joe Bundrant, CEO of Trident Seafoods. “This has been a challenging containment issue and we appreciate the ongoing efforts over this Easter weekend.”

The Joint Information Center can be reached for questions at 206-605-4840 or 206-819-9154.

Officials from EPA Region 7 were joined by state and city representatives to highlight funding for Superfund sites in Kansas EPA Region 7 officials are joined by representatives from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, City of Wichita, Chisholm Creek Utility Authority, and other entities on April 7, 2023, in Wichita to recognize Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding for Superfund sites in Kansas. (Photo credit: U.S. EPA)

LENEXA, KAN. (APRIL 7, 2023) – U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 7 officials were joined by representatives from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), City of Wichita, and Chisholm Creek Utility Authority (CCUA) to recognize the second wave of Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding for Superfund sites in Kansas.

Three Superfund sites in Kansas are beginning new cleanup projects with funds from this round of Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding:

• 57th and North Broadway Streets Site in Wichita
• Caney Residential Yards Site in Caney
• Plating Inc. Site in Great Bend

A total of five Superfund sites in Kansas are receiving a total of $38 million in funding from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

“We are honored to be in the largest city in Kansas to celebrate the second round of funding for Superfund sites from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law,” said EPA Region 7 Administrator Meg McCollister. “The 57th and North Broadway Streets Site is a collaborative project between EPA, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, and Chisholm Creek Utility Authority. It is truly an example of the collaborative spirit of President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.”

The 57th and North Broadway Streets Site borders Chisholm Creek and extends from the western edge of Park City through parts of northwestern Wichita. The primary contaminants of concern at the site are tetrachloroethene (PCE) and its breakdown components of trichloroethene, dichloroethene, vinyl chloride, and dioxane.

Components of the 2019 Record of Decision for the site include the installation of a groundwater extraction-and-treatment system to provide a hydraulic barrier preventing further migration of the contaminated groundwater plume and to restore the aquifer to its beneficial reuse as a drinking water source. EPA plans to operate the treatment system for one year after construction is complete. KDHE will then operate the treatment system for 10 years before transferring ownership to the Chisholm Creek Utility Authority.

"KDHE remains committed to its mission to improve the health and environment of all Kansans," said KDHE Secretary Janet Stanek. "This investment helps spur the cleanup at this site as the agency continues other cleanup projects throughout the state."

“Addressing environmental contamination is crucial in Wichita and across Kansas,” said Wichita Mayor Brandon Whipple. “We want to thank the Biden administration and the EPA for helping spur this cleanup. Today is a day to celebrate the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. These efforts create new opportunities for economic development and will benefit our residents now and in the future.”

“Park City and the Chisholm Creek Utility Authority will benefit from one of the largest investments in American history to address the legacy pollution that harms the public health of communities and neighborhoods,” said Park City Mayor John Lehnherr. “Under this program, the construction of new water wells will not only help clean up this site at an accelerated pace, but will also ensure the process is completed more efficiently, while helping support and facilitate economic development in the area.”

“As a member of the Chisholm Creek Utility Authority, Bel Aire sincerely appreciates the partnership EPA has created with the utility authority,” said Bel Aire City Administrator Ty Lasher.  “This project will not only benefit the citizens of Bel Aire and Park City, but it is also a testament to the commitment EPA has in protecting one of the most valuable resources in Kansas – water.”

• Read more about the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
• Read more about Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding for Superfund sites.
• Learn more about the 57th and North Broadway Streets Superfund Site.

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ATLANTA (Apr. 7, 2023) – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Region 4 announces the 2023 Pollution Prevention (P2) Recognition Awards Program. EPA Region 4 will recognize organizations in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and tribal lands within the boundaries of Region 4 for demonstrated leadership in innovative P2 practices.

“EPA’s Pollution Prevention Award Program recognizes organizations that have taken the initiative to prevent pollution at the source,” said Region 4 Regional Administrator Daniel Blackman. “We look forward to celebrating these forward-thinking organizations that support EPA’s core mission of protecting human health and the environment while improving performance and reducing costs.”

P2, as defined in the Pollution Prevention Act of 1990, is any practice that reduces environmental releases of hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants prior to entering a waste stream for recycling, treatment, or disposal. P2 conserves natural resources, including water and energy, by focusing industry, government, and public attention on reducing pollution through the implementation of cost-effective changes in production, operation, and the use of raw materials. EPA’s P2 program is voluntary and encourages stakeholders to seek innovative ways to prevent pollution from entering waste streams through a competitive grant process and the provision of technical assistance to businesses.

This is an annual, voluntary, and non-monetary awards program. Those interested in applying for an award should submit a complete application describing their P2 efforts, activities, cost savings, and the replicability of their approach. Application deadline is May 19, 2023. For information on how to apply and the application form visit: https://www.epa.gov/p2/epa-regional-pollution-prevention-recognition-awards-program

In 2021, EPA R4 recognized companies in Kentucky, Mississippi and South Carolina as winners of the P2 Award Program. Siemens Energy Inc in Richland, Mississippi, Shutterfly, LLC in Fort Mill, South Carolina and Ford Motor Company in Louisville, Kentucky—all showed a commitment to pollution prevention by reducing, eliminating, or preventing pollution at its source. For more information on R4’s past winners visit: https://www.epa.gov/ga/southeast-regions-pollution-prevention-recognition-awards

Find information on Pollution Prevention Technical Assistance in Region 4: https://www.epa.gov/p2/p2-technical-assistance-resources

Read more about P2 and the P2 Grant Program: https://www.epa.gov/p2

PHILADELPHIA (April 7, 2023) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Mid-Atlantic Region and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) are honoring seven ENERGY STAR partners in Pennsylvania for their outstanding leadership in promoting energy efficiency and tackling climate change.

“As we accelerate historic efforts to address climate change, public-private partnerships will be essential to realizing the scale of our ambition,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “I applaud this year’s ENERGY STAR award winners for working with EPA to deliver a clean energy future that saves American consumers and businesses money and creates jobs.”

For more than 30 years, EPA’s ENERGY STAR program has supported the transition to a clean energy economy by fostering innovation, jobs, and economic development, while protecting public health. ENERGY STAR certified products, homes, buildings, and plants helped save American families and businesses more than 520 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity and avoid $42 billion in energy costs in 2020 alone. 

Here are a few examples of how 2023 ENERGY STAR Award Winners in Pennsylvania are taking action:

• Air King America (West Chester, Pennsylvania), a U.S. based manufacturer of ventilation and indoor air-quality products, emphasized the benefits of ENERGY STAR certified products to staff, distributors, and customers, and increased sales of an affordable line of ENERGY STAR fans by 15%.

• Bimbo Bakeries USA (Horsham, Pennsylvania), a food processing company, demonstrated leadership in energy management through its continued use of ENERGY STAR tools and resources and actions to decarbonize manufacturing operations.

• Bradford White Corporation (Ambler, Pennsylvania), a manufacturer of products for water heating, space heating, combination heating, and storage applications, developed compelling online content to engage and educate consumers and professionals on the merits of ENERGY STAR certified products.

• PECO Energy Company (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania), an electric and natural gas utility, effectively leveraged ENERGY STAR throughout its residential portfolio and introduced a bonus rebate strategy to motivate customers to move forward with deeper energy-saving measures including ENERGY STAR certified ductless mini-split and air-source heat pumps, heat pump water heaters, and heat pump clothes dryers.

• PPL Electric Utilities (Allentown, Pennsylvania), an electric utility, effectively leveraged the ENERGY STAR brand and certifications to encourage residential customers to upgrade energy intensive heating, cooling, and water heating systems.

• Rhode Island Energy (Allentown, Pennsylvania), an electricity and gas company, performed more than 11,000 energy assessments and created incentives to gain participation in underserved neighborhoods through the Home Performance with ENERGY STAR program.

• Ricoh USA, Inc. (Exton, Pennsylvania), a global technology company, updated its carbon calculator and intranet site to provide improved information to its customers and employees on the ENERGY STAR value proposition, the benefits of ENERGY STAR certified remanufactured equipment and the impact of making imaging product settings more efficient.

Read more about the ENERGY STAR Awards and Award Winners’ achievements.

About ENERGY STAR

ENERGY STAR® is the government-backed symbol for energy efficiency, providing simple, credible, and unbiased information that consumers and businesses rely on to make well-informed decisions. Thousands of industrial, commercial, utility, state, and local organizations rely on their partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to deliver cost-saving energy efficiency solutions. Since 1992, ENERGY STAR and its partners helped American families and businesses avoid more than $500 billion in energy costs and achieve more than 4 billion metric tons of greenhouse gas reductions. More background information about ENERGY STAR’s impacts can be found at www.energystar.gov/impacts

JAKARTA, INDONESIA — This week, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Indonesian Ministry of Environment and Forestry (MOEF) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to strengthen bilateral cooperation on environmental protection and climate action.

The MOU establishes a framework for collaboration on a range of environmental issues, such as climate change, air quality management, water quality management, waste management, environmental education, and environmental law enforcement. The MOU also aims to promote technical exchanges and information sharing between the two countries.

"EPA greatly values our productive and sustained history of environmental cooperation with Indonesia, particularly with the Ministry of Environment and Forestry," said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “We’re proud to partner with the ministry to advance our shared goals of protecting human health and the environment, and to address the global environmental challenges we face today and in the future."

"Indonesia and the United States have a long history of cooperation on environmental issues, and this MOU will further enhance our collaboration and mutual learning," said MOEF Minister Siti Nurbaya. "We look forward to working with EPA on implementing concrete actions that will benefit both our countries and the planet."

“This MOU will expand our collaboration on a range of environmental pollution issues to help both our countries achieve our objectives of improving air quality, waste management, and water sanitation, and reducing plastic pollution,” said U.S. Ambassador to Indonesia Sung Kim.

Many Indonesian environmental regulations have been inspired by US EPA regulations, which have served as an academic reference for Indonesian environmental regulations since the early 2000s.

The MOU builds on the existing partnership between EPA and MOEF under the U.S.-Indonesia Strategic Partnership, which was established in 2015 to elevate bilateral relations to a higher level. The MOU also supports the implementation of the Paris Agreement on climate change, which both countries have ratified.

For more information: https://www.epa.gov/international-cooperation

More information about MOEF: https://www.menlhk.go.id/

CHICAGO (April 6, 2023) – U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has issued orders to drinking water systems in Justice, Millstadt, Harrisburg, Brownstown and Bridgeport, Illinois, and the University of Illinois in Champaign for failing to meet requirements under America’s Water Infrastructure Act of 2018. EPA took action to ensure all six systems certify their emergency response plans and the city of Harrisburg certifies its risk assessment.

An emergency response plan describes strategies, resources, plans, and procedures that systems can use to prepare for and respond to an incident, natural or man-made, that threatens life, property, or the environment. Incidents can range from localized flooding or hacking of cybersecurity systems to large scale hurricanes, earthquakes, or terrorist attacks, among other examples. A risk and resilience assessment evaluates the vulnerabilities, threats, and consequences from potential hazards to drinking water systems. 

Under AWIA, any drinking water system which serves more than 3,300 people must develop or update a risk and resilience assessment and an emergency response plan. The law also establishes deadlines for certifying completion to EPA. Nationwide, more than 95% of water systems have complied with the requirements under AWIA. 

EPA is ordering each system to submit a detailed compliance plan within 30 days for review and approval.  

EPA continues to work with drinking water systems to ensure that they are compliant. EPA previously issued orders to drinking water systems in Caro and Worth Township, Michigan, and in Lansing, Maywood and Bellwood, Illinois. Bellwood submitted a compliance plan; the other four orders were terminated after the systems returned to compliance. 

More information on AWIA requirements is available on EPA’s website. 

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a settlement with Valero Refining-California to resolve violations of the Clean Air Act's Chemical Accident Prevention regulations at their Benicia Refinery. The company will pay a $1,224,550 penalty and make changes to improve process safety at the refinery.

“This settlement sends a clear message that EPA will prosecute companies that fail to expend the resources needed to have a compliant, well-functioning Risk Management Plan to the fullest extent of the law,” said Acting Assistant Administrator Larry Starfield for EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance.

“Failure to properly manage hazardous materials can pose serious risks to our California communities,” said Martha Guzman, Regional Administrator of EPA Region 9. “This settlement will help protect Valero workers, the Benicia community, and the environment more broadly.”

After significant chemical incidents at the Benicia Refinery in 2017 and 2019, a 2019 EPA inspection at the facility identified several areas of noncompliance, including that Valero failed to immediately report releases of hazardous substances, update certain process safety information, adequately analyze certain process hazards, and develop and implement certain written operating procedures.

Under the terms of the settlement, Valero has agreed to make significant chemical safety improvements at the Benicia Refinery. The company has already made several of these changes, related to chemical safety, in response to EPA’s inspection. These improvements include updating and modifying process hazard analyses, modifying operating procedures, modifying reporting policies, and improving employee training. The settlement also requires Valero to modify several pressure-relief valves and update process hazard analyses to consider hazards of power loss at the facility. As part of the settlement, Valero will continue to implement safety improvements through June 2025.

The Benicia Refinery is one of thousands of facilities nationwide that make, use, and store extremely hazardous substances. Reducing the risk of accidental releases at industrial and chemical facilities like the Benicia Refinery is one of EPA’s National Enforcement and Compliance Initiatives. Catastrophic accidents at these facilities can result in death or serious injuries; impacts to the community, including orders to evacuate or shelter-in-place; and other harm to human health and the environment. The Clean Air Act requires that industrial and chemical facilities that store large amounts of hazardous substances develop and implement a Risk Management Plan to reduce the risk of accidental releases.

For more information on the Clean Air Act’s Risk Management Plan Program, please visit EPA’s Risk Management Program (RMP) Rule webpage.

For more information on reporting possible violations of environmental laws and regulations visit EPA’s enforcement reporting website.

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

CHICAGO (April 6, 2023) – Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency was joined by elected officials to highlight $90 million to clean up the remaining area contaminated with radium as part of the Ottawa Radiation Areas site in Ottawa, Illinois. The funding is part of approximately $1 billion under President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) to start new cleanup projects at 22 Superfund sites and expedite over 100 other ongoing cleanups across the country.
 

EPA joined Rep. Lauren Underwood and Ottawa Finance Commissioner Wayne Eichelkraut in Ottawa to celebrate the investment.
 

“Thanks to the unprecedented funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, completing cleanup of this site will permit the city of Ottawa to reclaim valuable land and transform it into a community asset for generations to come,” said EPA Region 5 Administrator Debra Shore. “The funding enables EPA to accelerate the pace of Superfund cleanups across the country –and offers more communities, like Ottawa, new opportunities to thrive.”
 

“As a nurse, I know having a safe environment for families to live, work, and grow is essential to public health,” said Rep. Lauren Underwood. “Thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which I am proud to have helped pass, $90 million is coming home to clean up Ottawa’s last remaining radium sites and protect families from legacy pollution. This project and so many others like it show the real difference that the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is making in communities in Illinois and across the country, and I’m pleased to deliver this important funding to ensure Ottawa remains a place where current and future residents can call home.”
 

“For the past 35 years, U.S. EPA and IEMA have been working together to clean up radium sites in Ottawa,” said Ottawa Finance Commissioner Wayne Eichelkraut. “We are very thankful for their help and the help of our legislators to fund this important work to protect her citizens now, and into the future. When the cleanup here at NPL-8 is finished, the last chapter in the Ottawa Radium story will be complete and the book can be closed.”

“Over the last century, Ottawa has been burdened with contamination sites across the community,” said Sen. Dick Durbin. “Thanks to funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, they can now make much-needed progress on their clean-up efforts that will prioritize the health and safety of their current and future residents.”
 

“I’m proud to see the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is continuing to support critical projects throughout Illinois, and I’m pleased this Superfund site in Ottawa will benefit,” said Sen. Tammy Duckworth. “Eliminating contaminated sites is an important part of protecting the health of children and families, and it is also a necessary part of helping spur development, job creation and economic growth for affected communities. I’ll keep working to help ensure that all Illinoisans can breathe clean air and live in a safe environment without fear of toxins and pollution.”
 

EPA will use the BIL funding to start a new project to complete cleanup at the last contaminated area of the Ottawa Radiation Areas Superfund site – the landfill on NPL-8. The former landfill sits on 17 acres along state Route 71, about one mile east of the Ottawa city limits. Radioactive contaminated soils containing radium-226 will be excavated from the former landfill and transported off-site for disposal at a licensed facility. Upon completion of the excavation activities, the area will be backfilled and regraded to restore the site. Cleanup activities are anticipated to begin in 2024.
 

The Ottawa Radiation Areas site consists of 16 areas contaminated by radioactive materials. These contaminated areas are scattered throughout the city of Ottawa as well as locations outside the city. EPA added the areas to the Superfund program’s National Priorities List because they are contaminated by the same wastes, involve the same potentially responsible parties and require similar cleanups. The contamination originated from businesses that used radium-based paint to produce luminous dials for clocks and watches from 1918 to 1937. Following actions to protect human health and the environment in the short term, EPA developed long-term remedies for the site. To date, EPA has completed cleanup at 15 of the 16 contaminated areas.
 

More information on the Ottawa Radiation Areas site
 

Highlights from the first year of Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding at Superfund sites

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is inviting small businesses, small governments, and small not-for-profit organizations to participate as Small Entity Representatives (SERs) for a Small Business Advocacy Review (SBAR) Panel. This Panel will focus on the Agency’s development of a rule, “Standards of Performance for New Stationary Sources and Emission Guidelines for Existing Sources: Other Solid Waste Incineration Units Review,” that would revise standards and other regulatory requirements for other solid waste incineration (OSWI) units such as very small municipal waste combustion (VSMWC) and institutional waste incineration (IWI) units.

In 2005, EPA established New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) and Emission Guidelines (EG) for new and existing OSWI units. In accordance with requirements under section 129 of the Clean Air Act (CAA), EPA is completing a periodic review of emission standards and other requirements for OSWI units. As part of that review, on August 31, 2020, EPA proposed to determine that no new cost-effective controls are available. In addition, based on supplementary information the Agency obtained since the 2005 final rule, EPA proposed to amend the standards for small OSWI units (with capacities equal to or less than 10 tons per day) by:
 

• amending rule applicability provisions for units based on the type of waste being combusted and daily combustion capacity;
• increasing testing and monitoring flexibilities so that small units with rudimentary designs can demonstrate compliance with the OSWI rule;
• revising regulatory provisions related to emissions during periods of startup, shutdown, and malfunction; and
• adding provisions for electronic reporting of certain notifications and reports.
• The public comment period for the proposed rule closed on October 15, 2020. In response to public comments and additional information received during the comment period, EPA is interested in convening an SBAR Panel.

The Panel will include representatives from the federal Small Business Administration (SBA), the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), and EPA. The Panel members ask a selected group of SERs to provide advice and recommendations on behalf of their companies, governments, or organizations to inform the Panel members about the potential impacts of the proposed rule on small entities.

EPA seeks self-nominations directly from small entities that may be subject to the rule. Other representatives, such as trade associations that exclusively or at least primarily represent potentially regulated small entities, may also self-nominate to serve as SERs.

Self-nominations may be submitted through the link below and must be received by April 20, 2023.

Nominate yourself to serve as an SER: https://www.epa.gov/reg-flex/potential-sbar-panel-standards-performance-new-stationary-sources-and-emission-guidelines.

More information about the OSWI NSPS and EG proposed rule may be found at: https://www.epa.gov/stationary-sources-air-pollution/other-solid-waste-incinerators-oswi-new-source-performance.

Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced $3 million to develop innovative strategies to cut climate pollution and build clean energy economies across Washington. Additionally, the Seattle metro area was allotted $1 million. 

“This funding sends a clear message that everyone deserves a seat at the table as we tackle the climate crisis,” said EPA Region 10 Administrator Casey Sixkiller. “This effort builds on an aggressive climate strategy already underway in Washington, providing additional resources to the state to engage urban and rural communities, and develop climate solutions.”    

EPA announced the availability of the funds through Climate Pollution Reduction Grants earlier this month. Washington submitted the state’s intent to participate in the new program the notice March 1, the very same day the grant was announced. Washington will use the funds to update its existing climate action plan.

“Washington state is ready and excited to put the Climate Pollution Reduction grants to work,” said Governor Jay Inslee. “These funds enable us to build upon the comprehensive clean energy and climate justice laws our state has enacted in recent years, like the Healthy Environment for All (HEAL) Act, the Climate Commitment Act, and our recent suite of transportation and building decarbonization policies. We look forward to partnering with the Environmental Protection Agency, as well as our local government, clean air district, and tribal leaders to power investments in Washington state and deliver meaningful emissions reductions to the communities that need it most.” 

Through the CPRG program, EPA will support the development and deployment of technologies and solutions that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and harmful air pollution, as well as transition America to a clean energy economy that benefits all Americans. 

“We are grateful to EPA for this funding. The Climate Pollution Reduction Fund represents a significant opportunity to help catalyze Washington’s clean, affordable, and just energy future,” said Acting Commerce Director Kendrick Stewart. “This funding will ensure the benefits of transitioning to a clean energy economy are realized in communities that have been most harmed by the effects of pollution from greenhouse gas emissions.”

"We are thankful for the unprecedented federal funding that the Inflation Reduction Act is unlocking for states to address the climate crisis,” said Laura Watson, director of the Washington Department of Ecology. “This first wave of planning funding will help Washington create a Climate Action Plan that prioritizes additional projects that can quickly reduce the pollution that is heating the planet.”

The CPRG planning grants will support states, territories, Tribes, municipalities and air agencies, in the creation of comprehensive, innovative strategies for reducing pollution and ensuring that investments maximize benefits, especially for low-income and disadvantaged communities.  

“Thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act, states like Washington, local communities and Tribes have the funding they need to develop, improve and deploy climate action plans to reduce pollution, create green jobs and protect the environment,” said Congressman Rick Larsen. “Taken together with the bold, long-term investments in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, this critical funding will help build a cleaner and greener Pacific Northwest.”

“The Inflation Reduction Act continues to provide federal funding for projects that will help communities across Washington state,” said Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland. “Reducing pollution and investing in our clean energy future is an equity issue. This federal investment from the EPA will help communities across our state that need it most.”

EPA Region 10 expects to award and administer the funding agreements in summer 2023. 

More information on the Climate Pollution Reduction Grants 

For the latest news and information from EPA Region 10, visit our website, subscribe to our news releases and follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Contacto: Carlos Vega, (212)-637-3662, vega.carlos@epa.gov

NUEVA YORK – (4 de abril de 2023) Hoy, la Agencia de Protección Ambiental de Estados Unidos (EPA, por sus siglas en inglés) anunció $62,283,000 para mejoras esenciales de infraestructura de agua potable en Puerto Rico así como en todo el país a través del Fondo Rotativo Estatal de Agua Potable (DWSRF). Gracias a un impulso de $6 mil millones dado por la Ley Bipartidista de Infraestructura de la Administración Biden-Harris, la EPA está aumentando las inversiones disponibles para reconstruir la infraestructura de agua del país.

“Cada comunidad merece acceso a agua potable segura y limpia”, comentó el administrador de la EPA, Michael S. Regan. “Gracias a las históricas inversiones en infraestructura del presidente Biden en Estados Unidos, tenemos una oportunidad sin precedentes para revitalizar los sistemas de agua potable de Estados Unidos, apoyar el objetivo de la Administración Biden-Harris de eliminar el 100% de las tuberías de plomo en todo nuestro país y proteger a las comunidades de la contaminación por PFAS”.

“La EPA está aportando los fondos donde existen necesidades prioridades al trabajar con nuestras estatales para servir agua limpia a las comunidades, proteger la salud pública y promover la justicia ambiental en Puerto Rico y todo el país” señaló la administradora regional de la EPA, Lisa F. García. “Este financiamiento forma parte de las inversiones únicas en la vida que estamos haciendo para transformar la infraestructura conforme a la Ley Bipartidista de Infraestructura”.

“Como gobierno, continuaremos reconstruyendo nuestra infraestructura de agua potable para que sea más sólida y resistente. El apoyo que Puerto Rico está recibiendo del gobierno federal a través de la Agencia de Protección Ambiental de Estados Unidos con la Ley Bipartidista de Infraestructura y el Fondo Rotativo de Agua Potable es fundamental para nuestras comunidades más desventajadas y significará una mejor calidad de vida para todos. En nombre de todos los ciudadanos estadounidenses que viven en Puerto Rico agradecemos a la administración Biden-Harris y continuaremos trabajando con la EPA y el gobierno federal por el bienestar de todos los residentes en la Isla”, indicó el Gobernador de Puerto Rico, Pedro R. Pierluisi.

“Doy la bienvenida a esta nueva asignación de $62.2 millones en recursos federales de la Ley Bipartidista de Infraestructura para mejorar la infraestructura de agua en Puerto Rico. Después del huracán María, vimos la necesidad de fortalecer dicha infraestructura para evitar interrupciones en el servicio de agua y garantizar que nuestras comunidades tengan acceso a agua potable en todo momento”, comentó la Congresista Jenniffer González Colón.

Entre los ejemplos recientes del tipo de trabajo que se financia se incluyen el uso planificado de fondos por parte del gobierno de Puerto Rico en la planificación, diseño, construcción y reemplazo de sistemas elegibles de agua potable que se enfocan en comunidades desventajadas en todas las islas. Además, se realizarán estudios a fin de definir la potencial presencia de plomo para el posible reemplazo de tuberías en toda la Isla. Mientras tanto, los fondos de la Ley Bipartidista de Infraestructura se utilizarán también para evaluar el posible impacto de contaminantes emergentes en 5 sistemas de agua potable propiedad de la Autoridad de Acueductos y Alcantarillados de Puerto Rico.

La Administración Biden-Harris está comprometida a fortalecer la infraestructura hídrica del país, proporcionando a la vez recursos significativos para atender retos como el cambio climático, contaminantes emergentes como sustancias perfluoroalquiladas y polifluoroalquiladas (PFAS), tuberías de plomo y seguridad cibernética.

Las asignaciones de DWSRF a los estados se basan en los resultados de la 7maª Encuesta y Evaluación de Necesidades de Infraestructura de Agua Potable (DWINSA) de la EPA. La encuesta, que es requerida por la Ley de Agua Potable Segura de 1996, evalúa las necesidades de infraestructura de los sistemas públicos de agua del país cada cuatro años y los hallazgos se utilizan para asignar subvenciones de DWSRF a los estados. Las utilidades de agua potable necesitan $625 mil millones en inversiones en infraestructura durante los próximos 20 años para garantizar la salud pública, la seguridad y el bienestar económico de la nación.

Bajo la dirección del Congreso, la 7maª Evaluación de Agua Potable de la EPA, por primera vez incluyó preguntas de encuesta centradas en las tuberías de servicio de plomo y está proyectando un total nacional de 9.2 millones de tuberías de servicio de plomo en todo el país. Estas proyecciones a nivel nacional y estatal de los recuentos de líneas de servicio ayudarán a promover una oportunidad única de emplear una fórmula de asignación de tubería de servicio principal separada para el financiamiento de reemplazo de tuberías de servicio de plomo de DWSRF de la Ley de Infraestructura Bipartidista que se basa en la necesidad. Casi $3 mil millones de los fondos anunciados hoy se destinarán específicamente a identificar y reemplazar tuberías de servicio de plomo, dando un paso clave hacia el objetivo de la Administración Biden-Harris de lograr sistemas de agua 100% libres de plomo.

La Ley Bipartidista de Infraestructura de la Administración Biden-Harris está invirtiendo más de $50 mil millones en mejoras de infraestructura de agua y aguas residuales en todo el país entre el año fiscal 2022 y el año fiscal 2026. En su segundo año de implementación, habrá $6 mil millones en fondos de la Ley Bipartidista de Infraestructura disponibles para los estados, tribus y territorios a través del DWSRF. De ese financiamiento, la Ley Bipartidista de Infraestructura invertirá $3 mil millones para identificar y mejorar las tuberías de servicio principales, $800 millones para abordar PFAS y otros contaminantes emergentes, y $2.2 mil millones en otras mejoras críticas del sistema de agua potable. Además, aproximadamente $500 millones estarán disponibles también a través de las asignaciones anuales de DWSRF, establecidas por la Ley de Agua Potable Segura.

La EPA se compromete a garantizar que cada comunidad tenga acceso a esta inversión histórica y ha centralizado la creciente inversión en comunidades desventajadas dentro de su implementación. La implementación de la Ley Bipartidista de Infraestructura requiere una fuerte colaboración, y la EPA continúa trabajando en asociación con los estados, tribus y territorios para garantizar que las comunidades perciban todos los beneficios de esta inversión. Además, la EPA está fortaleciendo sus programas de asistencia técnica de agua para apoyar a las comunidades en la evaluación de sus necesidades de agua y en solicitar su parte justa de esta inversión histórica.

La agenda Invertir en Estados Unidos del presidente Biden está haciendo crecer la economía estadounidense de abajo hacia arriba y desde el medio hacia fuera, desde la reconstrucción de la infraestructura de nuestra nación, hasta la creación de un auge de fabricación e innovación impulsado por empleos bien remunerados que no requieren un título de cuatro años, hasta la construcción de una economía de energía limpia que combatirá el cambio climático y hará que nuestras comunidades sean más resilientes.

Más detalles, incluida la asignación estado por estado de fondos para 2023 e información sobre DWINSA.

Más información sobre la Ley Bipartidista de Infraestructura.

Transfondo

Las enmiendas de la Ley de Agua Potable Segura (SDWA) de 1996 ordenaron que la EPA realizara una evaluación de las necesidades de infraestructura de los sistemas públicos de agua del país cada cuatro años y utilizara los hallazgos para asignar subvenciones de capitalización de DWSRF a los estados.

Los DWSRF han sido la base de la inversión en infraestructura de agua durante más de 25 años, proporcionando financiamiento de bajo costo para proyectos locales en todo Estados Unidos. Desde su creación, los estados han proporcionado casi $53 mil millones a través de programas de DWSRF a los sistemas de agua para aproximadamente 18,000 proyectos. Cada estado recibe un porcentaje de asignación que se basa directamente en su parte proporcional de la necesidad total de los 50 estados y Puerto Rico. El porcentaje puesto a disposición de cualquier estado individual oscila entre el 1% y casi el 11%, y a cada estado se garantiza un mínimo del 1% de la cantidad total disponible para los estados. Debido a la participación de cualquier estado individual en la necesidad total del estado, algunos estados verán aumentos o disminuciones en el porcentaje de fondos que reciben.

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

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EPA hosts virtual award ceremony, opens application period for 2023 Pollution Prevention Awards

LENEXA, KAN. (APRIL 6, 2023) – Grandview Cabinetry in Parsons, Kansas, has been selected to receive an EPA Region 7 2022 Pollution Prevention Award.

Cabinet manufacturer Grandview Cabinetry is being recognized for their solvent and water conservation practices. The company implemented a solvent-recovery system that repurposes the solvent used while finishing cabinets to clean factory equipment. The system is estimated to save 1,000 gallons of solvent; 1,400 gallons of water; 3.3 tons of volatile organic compounds; and over $15,000 per year.

The award presentation and an informational session on the 2023 Pollution Prevention Award cycle will take place on April 11, 2023, at noon CDT. Registration is required.

“Grandview Cabinetry’s voluntary steps to reduce solvent and water use have decreased pollution while saving this family-owned business money,” said EPA Region 7 Administrator Meg McCollister. “We’re proud to recognize this exemplary work with the EPA Region 7 2022 Pollution Prevention Award. Job well done!”

The Pollution Prevention Awards program is an annual, voluntary, and non-monetary recognition program. Those interested in applying for the 2023 award cycle can submit a complete application describing the organization's P2 efforts, activities, cost savings, pounds of hazardous chemicals reduced, energy conserved, or gallons of water saved, as well as the replicability of their approach. The 2023 award cycle application deadline is May 19, 2023. For information on the program and how to apply, visit EPA Region 7's P2 Recognition Awards page.

Background

The United States produces billions of pounds of pollution each year and spends billions of dollars per year controlling this pollution. Preventing pollution at the source, also known as P2 or source reduction, rather than managing waste after it is produced is an important part of advancing a sustainable economic and environmental infrastructure. P2 can lessen exposure to toxic chemicals, conserve natural resources, and reduce financial costs for businesses, particularly costs associated with waste management, disposal, and cleanup. These practices are essential for protecting health, improving environmental conditions in and around disadvantaged communities, and preserving natural resources like wetlands, groundwater sources, and other critical ecosystems.

EPA’s P2 program is voluntary and encourages stakeholders to seek innovative ways to prevent pollution from entering waste streams through a competitive grant process and the provision of technical assistance to businesses.

Learn more about P2 Recognition Awards. 

Learn more about P2.

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WASHINGTON – Today the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a proposal to significantly reduce hazardous air pollutants from chemical plants, including the highly toxic chemicals ethylene oxide (EtO) and chloroprene. The reductions would dramatically reduce the number of people with elevated air toxics-related cancer risks in communities surrounding the plants that use those two chemicals, especially communities historically overburdened by air toxics pollution, and cut more than 6,000 tons of toxic air pollution a year.

The proposal advances President Biden’s commitment to ending cancer as we know it as part of the Cancer Moonshot and to securing environmental justice and protecting public health, including for communities that are most exposed to toxic chemicals. Administrator Michael Regan made the announcement at an event in St. John the Baptist Parish, Louisiana – one of the communities the Administrator visited during his November 2021 Journey to Justice tour.

“For generations, our most vulnerable communities have unjustly borne the burden of breathing unsafe, polluted air,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “When I visited St. John the Baptist Parish during my first Journey to Justice tour, I pledged to prioritize and protect the health and safety of this community and so many others that live in the shadows of chemical plants. I’m proud that this proposal would help deliver on that commitment and protect people from toxic air pollution in communities across the country –   from Louisiana and Texas, to Kentucky, West Virginia, and Ohio. Every child in this country deserves clean air to breathe, and EPA will use every available tool to make that vision a reality.” 

EPA’s proposal would update several regulations that apply to chemical plants, including plants that make synthetic organic chemicals, and regulations that apply to plants that make polymers such as neoprene. The proposed updates would reduce 6,053 tons of air toxics emissions each year, which are known or suspected to cause cancer and other serious health effects. Those reductions include a 58 ton per year reduction in ethylene oxide (EtO) and a reduction of 14 tons per year in chloroprene.

Other air toxics the rule would reduce include benzene, 1,3-butadiene, ethylene dichloride and vinyl chloride. The proposal would also reduce emissions of smog-forming volatile organic compounds by more than 23,000 tons a year.

Facilities that make, store, use or emit EtO, chloroprene, benzene, 1,3-butadiene, ethylene dichloride or vinyl chloride would be required to monitor levels of these air pollutants entering the air at the fenceline of the facility, a requirement that would deliver on one of the commitments the Administrator made following his 2021 Journey to Justice tour. This powerful tool would help make sure EPA’s rules deliver: if annual average air concentrations of the chemicals are higher than an action level at the fenceline, owners and operators would have to find the source and make repairs. The proposed action levels vary depending on the chemical. For EtO, EPA is proposing an action level of 0.2 micrograms per cubic meter of air. For chloroprene, the proposed action level is 0.3 micrograms per cubic meter of air.

In order to ensure this data is transparent and available to communities, EPA would make the monitoring data public through its WebFiRE database tool.  These fenceline monitoring provisions are based on similar Clean Air Act requirements for petroleum refineries nationwide, which have been highly successful in identifying and reducing emissions of benzene for more than four years.

The proposal would reduce cancer risks from breathing in toxic air pollutants that are emitted from the specific processes and equipment covered under the rules. These pollutants are linked to a number of cancers, including lymphoma, leukemia, breast cancer and liver cancer, among others. EPA also expects the proposal to benefit children, who are more susceptible to the effects of EtO and chloroprene.

To provide the public with the best possible information about the impact of the proposed updates, EPA has conducted a first-of-its kind community risk assessment. That assessment evaluated the impacts of the proposed emissions reductions from synthetic organic chemical manufacturing on the total air toxics-related cancer risks from all large industrial facilities in an area combined – not just from the equipment and processes covered by today’s proposal. The community risk assessment shows that the numbers of people with elevated cancer risk could drop by 96 percent in communities surrounding chemical plants, if the proposal is finalized.

The community assessment also shows there is more work to do, finding that EtO is the largest driver of the remaining risks. In the coming weeks, EPA expects to announce proposed updates to its regulations for commercial sterilization facilities that emit EtO. In addition, the Agency   is working to develop proposed rules for other sources of EtO, including polyether polyols production, hospital sterilizers, and smaller chemical manufacturers known as “area sources.” 

EPA will accept written comments for 60 days after the proposal is published in the Federal Register and will hold a virtual public hearing. The Agency also will hold a training for communities on April 13, 2023, to review the proposal and answer questions. Learn more. 

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (April 6, 2023) - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announced a settlement with Seal Shield, LLC (Seal Shield), headquartered in the state of Florida, for alleged violations of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). As part of the settlement, Seal Shield will pay $321,000 in civil penalties.  

“The sale and distribution of unregistered pesticides and misbranded pesticide devices is unlawful and presents a risk of harm to people and the environment,” said Region 4 Administrator Daniel Blackman. “Users rely on accurate, up-to-date information about ingredients, directions for use, as well as hazards and safety precautions. This settlement sends a strong message to regulated companies who sell and distribute pesticides and devices to maintain compliance with FIFRA.” 

Pursuant to FIFRA, products that claim to kill or repel bacteria or viruses on surfaces are considered pesticides and must be registered by the EPA prior to distribution or sale. 

 Based on an investigation by the EPA Region 4 office, the EPA determined that Seal Shield was making pesticidal claims for various products it was selling and distributing, including keyboards, computer mice and screen protectors. Seal Shield made public health claims that the keyboards, computer mice and screen protectors prevent the transmission of infections and viruses, including hospital acquired infections. Seal Shield had not registered these products with the EPA prior to selling and distributing them in violation of FIFRA.  

 The EPA also concluded that Seal Shield sold a misbranded pesticide device, the ElectroClave UV Disinfection/Device Manager, that included false and misleading claims on its labeling. While pesticide devices are not required to be registered by the EPA, companies who sell or distribute them may not make any false or misleading claims, and all public health claims must be supported by scientific studies.  

 The settlement agreement was filed and became effective on March 16, 2023, at the EPA’s regional office in Atlanta. Seal Shield must submit payment of the penalty to the U.S. Department of Treasury within 30 days of the effective date. 

PHILADELPHIA (April 5, 2023) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Mid-Atlantic Region and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) are honoring nine ENERGY STAR partners for their outstanding leadership in promoting energy efficiency and tackling climate change.

“As we accelerate historic efforts to address climate change, public-private partnerships will be essential to realizing the scale of our ambition,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “I applaud this year’s ENERGY STAR award winners for working with EPA to deliver a clean energy future that saves American consumers and businesses money and creates jobs.”

For more than 30 years, EPA’s ENERGY STAR program has supported the transition to a clean energy economy by fostering innovation, jobs, and economic development, while protecting public health. ENERGY STAR certified products, homes, buildings, and plants helped save American families and businesses more than 520 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity and avoid $42 billion in energy costs in 2020 alone. 

Here are a few examples of how 2023 ENERGY STAR Award Winners in the District of Columbia are taking action:

• BOMA International: A trade association for commercial real estate professionals, maintained its leadership in promoting ENERGY STAR resources to the real estate industry and developed new initiatives to help members meet sustainability objectives and decarbonization goals.

• DC Sustainable Energy Utility: An energy efficiency and renewable energy programs implementor, initiated multiple innovative strategies and programs incorporating ENERGY STAR to help residents experiencing low incomes save energy.

• Delmarva Power & Light (DPL): An electricity and natural gas company, supported and promoted ENERGY STAR initiatives across multiple program areas, increasing total energy savings to more than 780,000 megawatt hours.

• Fannie Mae: A federally sponsored financial institution for multifamily housing, continued to expand on its green financing programs using ENERGY STAR® tools and resources, raising awareness of the benefits of benchmarking and certification in the multifamily housing market and reaching thousands of owners and tenants. 

• Institute for Market Transformation: A national nonprofit organization, expanded its engagement with the ENERGY STAR program and the commercial real estate industry to advance high performing buildings.

• Potomac Electric Power Company (Pepco) An electric utility, continued to offer ENERGY STAR initiatives across multiple program areas, reducing energy output by more than 3 million megawatt hours.

• The Distilled Spirits Council of the United States: An organization which represents producers and marketers of distilled spirits, worked in partnership with ENERGY STAR to promote an energy efficiency guide for distilleries and the development of an energy benchmarking tool for the industry.

• The Portland Cement Association: An organization serving America’s cement manufacturers, provided pivotal leadership within the cement industry by ensuring energy efficiency is represented as a key decarbonization pathway and promoting activities.

• Urban Land Institute: A real estate industry group, promoted the use of ENERGY STAR tools and resources through its robust network of real estate partners, driving program participation and best practices in energy management, and developed its decarbonization strategy to help advance the industry.

Read more about the ENERGY STAR Awards and Award Winners’ achievements.

About ENERGY STAR

ENERGY STAR® is the government-backed symbol for energy efficiency, providing simple, credible, and unbiased information that consumers and businesses rely on to make well-informed decisions. Thousands of industrial, commercial, utility, state, and local organizations rely on their partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to deliver cost-saving energy efficiency solutions. Since 1992, ENERGY STAR and its partners helped American families and businesses avoid more than $500 billion in energy costs and achieve more than 4 billion metric tons of greenhouse gas reductions. More background information about ENERGY STAR’s impacts can be found at www.energystar.gov/impacts.

PHILADELPHIA (April 5, 2023) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Mid-Atlantic Region and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) are honoring Energize Delaware in Dover, Delaware as an ENERGY STAR partner for their outstanding leadership in promoting energy efficiency and tackling climate change.

“As we accelerate historic efforts to address climate change, public-private partnerships will be essential to realizing the scale of our ambition,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “I applaud this year’s ENERGY STAR award winners for working with EPA to deliver a clean energy future that saves American consumers and businesses money and creates jobs.”

Energize Delaware of Dover, Delaware, an initiative of the nonprofit Delaware Sustainable Energy Utility, surpassed Home Performance with ENERGY STAR® assessments and projects completed in 2021 and reported electricity savings of close to 3.6 million kilowatt hours.

For more than 30 years, EPA’s ENERGY STAR program has supported the transition to a clean energy economy by fostering innovation, jobs, and economic development, while protecting public health. ENERGY STAR certified products, homes, buildings, and plants helped save American families and businesses more than 520 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity and avoid $42 billion in energy costs in 2020 alone. 

Read more about the ENERGY STAR Awards and Award Winners’ achievements.

About ENERGY STAR

ENERGY STAR® is the government-backed symbol for energy efficiency, providing simple, credible, and unbiased information that consumers and businesses rely on to make well-informed decisions. Thousands of industrial, commercial, utility, state, and local organizations rely on their partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to deliver cost-saving energy efficiency solutions. Since 1992, ENERGY STAR and its partners helped American families and businesses avoid more than $500 billion in energy costs and achieve more than 4 billion metric tons of greenhouse gas reductions. More background information about ENERGY STAR’s impacts can be found at www.energystar.gov/impacts.