LENEXA, KAN. (JAN. 4, 2023) – During January, EPA Region 7 will hold six outreach events at Kansas City Public Library branches in Missouri to raise awareness of radon exposure and encourage residents to have their homes tested for the presence of radon. January marks National Radon Action Month.

Radon, a naturally occurring radioactive gas that cannot be seen or smelled, is the leading cause of lung cancer deaths among nonsmokers in the U.S. and is responsible for about 21,000 U.S. deaths each year. Jackson County, Missouri, is in EPA Radon Zone One, meaning homes in the county have the highest potential to test above the recommended radon level assigned by EPA.

“We urge everyone, especially those residing in areas designated as EPA Radon Zone One, to protect their health and their loved ones by testing their homes for the presence of radon gas, which is the leading cause of lung cancer in nonsmoking Americans,” said EPA Region 7 Administrator Meg McCollister.

EPA Region 7 staff will be available at the following Kansas City Public Library branches to discuss the dangers of radon, encourage radon testing, and offer no-cost radon testing kits (as supplies allow):

• Thursday, Jan. 5, 1 to 5 p.m., at Central Library, 14 W. 10th St., Kansas City, MO 64105
• Thursday, Jan. 12, 2 to 6 p.m., at Trails West Branch, 11401 East 23rd St. S, Independence, MO 64052
• Saturday, Jan. 21, noon to 4 p.m., at Plaza Branch, 4801 Main St., Kansas City, MO 64112
• Tuesday, Jan. 24, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Southeast Branch, 6242 Swope Pkwy., Kansas City, MO 64130
• Saturday, Jan. 28, noon to 4 p.m., at Waldo Branch, 201 E. 75th St., Kansas City, MO 64114
• Tuesday, Jan. 31, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.,  at Westport Branch, 118 Westport Rd., Kansas City, MO 64111

Radon testing kits can also be found online or in home improvement stores. National Radon Program Services at Kansas State University offers test kits for purchase online.

Most homes throughout EPA Region 7 are located in areas designated as EPA Radon Zone One or Two, indicating high or moderate potential for elevated radon levels. EPA Region 7 encompasses Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and nine tribal nations.

A map of EPA Radon Zones was developed in 1993 to identify areas of the U.S. with the greatest potential for elevated indoor radon levels, based on indoor radon measurement data, geology, aerial radioactivity, soil parameters, and foundation types. To view a map of EPA’s Radon Zones in your state, visit EPA’s website.

For information on the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services’ radon program, visit the Missouri DHSS website.

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WASHINGTON - Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the availability of $40 million in grants for recycling infrastructure projects for Tribes and intertribal consortia. EPA published a Request for Applications to solicit interest by Tribes and intertribal consortia for the third funding opportunity in the new Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling (SWIFR) grant program funded by the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law invested $375 million in funding for new recycling, reuse and waste prevention programs and initiatives, the largest investment in recycling infrastructure to EPA in 30 years.

“EPA is committed to working collaboratively with Tribal Nations to protect public health and the environment in Indian country,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “We know that our work is strongest and most effective when it’s informed by people’s lived experiences, and we are grateful for the strong participation from Tribes during our outreach. Our priority is helping Tribal Nations improve their recycling efforts, which is critical given that half of all greenhouse gas emissions come from the creation and production of materials. And, while we have made great strides over time, we can do much more to improve the state of recycling and protect our planet for all.” 

This SWIFR grant opportunity is specifically for federally recognized Tribes, Alaskan Native Villages, and intertribal consortia. It will fund selected projects to create new capacity for Tribes and facilitate greater access to source reduction, recycling, and composting opportunities. Projects may include developing or updating plans focused on improving post-consumer materials management, planning and construction of facilities, purchasing or leasing recycling equipment or supplies, activities focused on increasing collection, and development of end-markets for materials. 

Applications are due by April 4, 2023, via www.grants.gov.

EPA is seeking projects that address environmental justice concerns such as the disproportionate and adverse health, environmental, economic, and climate-related impacts that affect Tribal and Indigenous populations. This grant opportunity aligns with the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to deliver justice and equity for all and is part of President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative.

EPA encourages interested Tribes and intertribal consortia to obtain SAM.gov and Grants.gov identification numbers, which can take a month. Interested applicants can learn how to prepare for a grant application by visiting this webpage.

To access more information and learn how to apply.

Stay connected to learn about upcoming webinars for these grants. 

Read more about the National Recycling Strategy and building a circular economy.

WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of the Army (the agencies) announced a final rule establishing a durable definition of “waters of the United States” (WOTUS) to reduce uncertainty from changing regulatory definitions, protect people’s health, and support economic opportunity. The final rule restores essential water protections that were in place prior to 2015 under the Clean Water Act for traditional navigable waters, the territorial seas, interstate waters, as well as upstream water resources that significantly affect those waters. As a result, this action will strengthen fundamental protections for waters that are sources of drinking water while supporting agriculture, local economies, and downstream communities.

“When Congress passed the Clean Water Act 50 years ago, it recognized that protecting our waters is essential to ensuring healthy communities and a thriving economy,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “Following extensive stakeholder engagement, and building on what we’ve learned from previous rules, EPA is working to deliver a durable definition of WOTUS that safeguards our nation’s waters, strengthens economic opportunity, and protects people’s health while providing greater certainty for farmers, ranchers, and landowners.”

“This final rule recognizes the essential role of the nation’s water resources in communities across the nation,” said Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works Michael L. Connor. “The rule’s clear and supportable definition of waters of the United States will allow for more efficient and effective implementation and provide the clarity long desired by farmers, industry, environmental organizations, and other stakeholders.”

This rule establishes a durable definition of “waters of the United States” that is grounded in the authority provided by Congress in the Clean Water Act, the best available science, and extensive implementation experience stewarding the nation’s waters. The rule returns to a reasonable and familiar framework founded on the pre-2015 definition with updates to reflect existing Supreme Court decisions, the latest science, and the agencies’ technical expertise. It establishes limits that appropriately draw the boundary of waters subject to federal protection.

The final rule restores fundamental protections so that the nation will be closer to achieving Congress’ goal in the Clean Water Act that American waters be fishable and swimmable, and above all, protective of public health. It will also ensure that the nation’s waters support recreation, wildlife, and agricultural activity, which is fundamental to the American economy. The final rule will cover those waters that Congress fundamentally sought to protect in the Clean Water Act—traditional navigable waters, the territorial seas, interstate waters, as well as upstream water resources that significantly affect those waters.

More information, including a pre-publication version of the Federal Register notice and fact sheets, is available at EPA’s “Waters of the United States” website.

Accompanying the issuance of the final rule, the agencies are also releasing several resources to support clear and effective implementation in communities across America. Today, a summary of 10 regional roundtables was released that synthesizes key actions the agencies will take to enhance and improve implementation of “waters of the United States.” These actions were recommendations provided during the 10 regional roundtables where the agencies heard directly from communities on what is working well from an implementation perspective and where there are opportunities for improvement. The roundtables focused on the geographic similarities and differences across regions and provided site specific feedback about the way the scope of “waters of the United States” has been implemented by the agencies.

Today, the agencies are also taking action to improve federal coordination in the ongoing implementation of “waters of the United States.” First, EPA and Army are issuing a joint coordination memo to ensure the accuracy and consistency of jurisdictional determinations under this final rule. Second, the agencies are issuing a memo with U.S. Department of Agriculture to provide clarity on the agencies’ programs under the Clean Water Act and Food Security Act.

Background
On June 9, 2021, EPA and the Department of the Army announced their intent to revise the definition of “waters of the United States” to better protect our nation’s vital water resources that support public health, environmental protection, agricultural activity, and economic growth. On Nov. 18, 2021, the agencies announced the signing of a proposed rule revising the definition of “waters of the United States.”

The Clean Water Act prohibits the discharge of pollutants from a point source into “navigable waters” unless otherwise authorized under the Act. “Navigable waters” are defined in the Act as “the waters of the United States, including the territorial seas.” Thus, “waters of the United States” is a threshold term establishing the geographic scope of federal jurisdiction under the Clean Water Act. The term “waters of the United States” is not defined by the Act but has been defined by the agencies in regulations since the 1970s and jointly implemented in the agencies’ respective programmatic activities

DALLAS, TEXAS (December 28, 2022) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency entered into a consent agreement with Denka Performance Elastomer, LLC and issued a final order to address certain waste management practices at the company’s facility in LaPlace, Louisiana.  Denka failed to make an appropriate hazardous waste determination for “Poly Kettle Strainer Waste,” a chloroprene waste generated from the manufacturing of neoprene, which is used to create products such as wetsuits, gaskets, hoses, and adhesives. EPA has classified chloroprene as a likely carcinogen. This waste contributes to emissions of chloroprene from the plant.

EPA conducted on-site inspections of the facility in April and May 2022 and observed Denka’s process of transferring “Poly Kettle Strainer Waste” to an outside, open-air brine pit. During this process, EPA inspectors documented elevated chloroprene concentrations in the air in the vicinity of the brine pit. Pursuant to the consent agreement, beginning January 31, 2023, Denka will stop placing this waste stream in its open-air brine pit and instead meet hazardous waste regulatory requirements for both storage and ultimate disposal of the waste.  Denka must also consider EPA’s Environmental Justice Screening and Mapping Tool when choosing disposal facilities and must consider using low-emission vehicles when transporting waste for disposal. The company must also provide protective equipment to employees who handle “Poly Kettle Strainer Waste.”

The terms of the consent agreement also require Denka to manage the “Poly Kettle Strainer Waste” as hazardous waste until a more robust sampling and hazardous waste determination effort can be completed by the company through a waste determination plan. Denka will continue testing additional emissions reductions measures to reduce emissions from the management of this waste. These projects and any modifications will be subject to EPA review and approval.  If successful, the emissions reduction projects alone have the potential to eliminate approximately 2 tons of chloroprene emissions per year from poly kettle strainer clean-out, according to Denka’s reported Emissions Inventory.  

Please see the Denka Consent Agreement on our webpage.

Connect with the Environmental Protection Agency Region 6 on Facebook, Twitter, or visit our homepage.

WASHINGTON — In response to Congress passing a bipartisan funding bill, which includes $10.135 billion for EPA’s annual budget, an increase of $576 million above EPA’s previous year’s funding, provides $1 billion in much-needed relief for communities impacted by the recent Hurricanes, and invests $600 million in Jackson, Mississippi’s water system, EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan issued the following statement:

“Our work at the EPA is first and foremost about protecting the wellbeing of all communities. It’s about creating jobs and economic opportunity in every corner of the country. And it’s about safeguarding the right – the freedom – that belongs to all people by virtue of living in the United States to breathe clean air, drink clean water, and lead a healthy life. But we can only accomplish EPA’s vital mission when the agency is equipped with the necessary resources. With the bipartisan funding bill, President Biden and our partners in Congress recognize EPA’s essential role in American life.

The bipartisan funding bill includes the largest annual investment in environmental justice in the agency’s history. Combined with historic investments from the Inflation Reduction Act, EPA is poised to tackle many of our nation’s toughest environmental justice challenges and ensure that all people share in the benefits of a cleaner environment.

The bipartisan funding bill sustains support for our state and Tribal partners through key programs that address legacy pollution, reduce harmful diesel emissions, and fund storm water, wastewater, and drinking water systems. It increases funding for EPA’s Geographic Programs, which help protect and restore our nation’s precious waters – from the Great Lakes to the Puget Sound. The bipartisan funding bill also boosts funding for EPA’s enforcement and compliance work, which is critical to keeping our communities safe and holding polluters accountable.

I’m especially proud that the bipartisan funding bill provides $1 billion in much-needed relief for communities devastated by recent hurricanes and invests $600 million to respond to the drinking water emergency in Jackson, Mississippi.

This summer, the crisis of aging water infrastructure in America rose to the national conscience when more than 150,000 people in a capital city were left without clean drinking water for weeks. The people of Jackson – like all people in this country – deserve access to clean, safe, and reliable water. EPA worked diligently alongside state and local partners to secure an agreement that will help deliver a sustainable water system for Jackson for the long-term. I am grateful to our partners in Congress for sharing this commitment and recognizing the urgency of addressing this longstanding challenge.”

WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing two important documents from its Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) Program: The Office of Research and Development (ORD) Staff Handbook for Developing IRIS Assessments (IRIS Handbook) and the final IRIS Toxicological Review of Perfluorobutanoic Acid and Related Salts. These publications demonstrate EPA’s commitment to transparency and rigorous science for use in decision making.

The IRIS Handbook transparently provides procedures for staff developing IRIS assessments, including how to apply systematic review approaches. Systematic review uses prespecified scientific methods to identify, select, assess, and synthesize the findings of similar, but separate, studies. In IRIS assessments, such studies are used to identify human health hazards associated with exposure to chemicals found in the environment and derive toxicity values for health effects resulting from exposure.

The procedures set forth in the IRIS Handbook will apply to newly initiated IRIS assessments moving forward; however, many elements of the Handbook have already been incorporated in recently finalized assessments and assessments that are currently in progress. The IRIS Handbook does not supersede existing EPA guidelines and does not serve as direction for other EPA programs.

The IRIS Handbook went through public comment in 2020, and it received a favorable external peer review from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) in 2021. The Handbook will be updated as needed based on method advancements and experience gained through its application to a broader spectrum of assessments to ensure consistent application of best practices in future IRIS assessments.

“EPA is committed to developing IRIS assessments using consistent, transparent, and scientifically rigorous methods,” said Chris Frey, Assistant Administrator for EPA’s Office of Research and Development. “I am very proud of the scientists who have worked hard to produce a rigorous Handbook at the leading edge of assessment science, and of those scientists who have finalized the PFBA assessment, which will help EPA continue our important work to address PFAS.”

Today, the IRIS Program also released its final IRIS assessment of Perfluorobutanoic Acid (PFBA) and Related Salts. PFBA is a breakdown product of other PFAS that have been used in stain-resistant fabrics, paper food packaging, carpets, and consumer products; it has also been used for manufacturing photographic film.

As a scientific document, the final IRIS assessment was developed in accordance with Agency policies for scientific integrity and peer review. The PFBA assessment also incorporates best practices outlined in the IRIS Handbook. The multi-step IRIS assessment process included public comment on a systematic review protocol, public comment on the draft assessment, and external peer review prior to finalization. 

The final IRIS assessment reviews the evidence on the potential noncancer and cancer human health effects resulting from exposure to PFBA. The final assessment found that sufficient oral exposure to PFBA likely causes thyroid, liver, and developmental effects. The final assessment also includes a noncancer estimate of the amount of PFBA that one can ingest every day that is likely to be without harmful effects. These noncancer estimates can be used when conducting risk assessments to inform decision making. Regarding PFBA’s potential cancer effects, the final assessment concludes that there is “inadequate information to assess carcinogenic potential.”

The final IRIS assessment of PFBA can be used to support a wide variety of decision-making needs across EPA’s program offices and regions, and state agencies. IRIS assessments are only part of a risk assessment. The scientific conclusions regarding hazard identification and dose response from IRIS assessments are typically combined with other scientific information, including information on human exposure, to inform decisions. Such decisions incorporate risk management policy considerations and undergo separate review processes.

Background:

EPA researchers have been working on five IRIS PFAS assessments; the PFBA assessment is the first final IRIS PFAS assessment. The other four IRIS PFAS assessments in development are PFHxA, PFHxS, PFNA, and PFDA. Please see the IRIS Program Outlook for more information on the timing of these assessments. EPA has previously finalized several non-IRIS PFAS assessments and has made significant progress in addressing commitments in the EPA PFAS Strategic Roadmap.

Learn more about EPA’s IRIS Program.

Read EPA’s IRIS Handbook.

Learn more about EPA’s IRIS assessment of Perfluorobutanoic Acid (PFBA) and Related Salts.

KAUAI – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing a proposed settlement with Olegario and Anne Rivera Joint Trust (Rivera Trust), the owner and operator of Koloa Zipline and Kauai ATV, to resolve a claim of violation of the Safe Drinking Water Act’s Underground Injection Control regulations. Since 2006, Rivera Trust has owned and operated an illegal, pollution-causing large capacity cesspool (LCC) serving a retail store and check-in site for Kauai Zipline and ATV Company adventure tours. Use of an LCC after April 5, 2005 is a violation of federal regulations.

“Operation of any large capacity cesspool has been banned in Kauai for many years,” said EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator Martha Guzman. “EPA intends to bring enforcement actions against operators who use these unlawful cesspools, which pose a serious risk of contaminating Hawaii’s precious groundwater resources.”

EPA is authorized to issue compliance orders and/or assess penalties to violators of the Safe Drinking Water Act’s cesspool regulations. EPA engaged with the Rivera Trust in April 2021 to seek information on wastewater disposal at the property. The two parties have now reached a settlement which includes a $45,000 penalty and agreement to properly close the LCC by June 1, 2023 and replace it with a state approved wastewater system.

Cesspools collect and release untreated raw sewage into the ground, where disease-causing pathogens and harmful chemicals can contaminate groundwater, streams, and the ocean.

Since the 2005 federal ban, more than 3,750 large capacity cesspools in Hawaii have been closed; however, hundreds remain in operation. Cesspools are used more widely in Hawaii than any other state and pose a unique challenge as groundwater provides 95 percent of all water supply for the islands.

To encourage regulated entities to voluntarily discover, promptly disclose, and expeditiously close these pollution-causing systems, EPA provides penalty mitigation and other incentives for companies that proactively find and close LCCs on their property. Information on how to self-disclose potential large-capacity cesspool violations is available here. 

You can view the Public Notice: Proposed Settlement of Safe Drinking Water Act Administrative Penalty; Olegario and Anne Rivera Joint Trust here.

Learn more about the federal ban and definition of a large-capacity cesspool.

Learn more about cesspools in Hawai’i.

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.

SAN FRANCISCO – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is putting forward a proposed consent order with the U.S. Department of the Navy and the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) that requires steps to ensure the safe defueling and closure of the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam (JBPHH). The proposed order will also require the Navy to properly operate and maintain the JBPHH drinking water system to protect the health and safety of its consumers. This proposed order is the latest step in EPA’s work to oversee the Navy’s response to the November 2021 fuel release from Red Hill and subsequent Department of Defense decision to close Red Hill. Read the proposed order on EPA’s website.

“This order demonstrates EPA’s commitment to protect the O’ahu aquifer from contamination,” said EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator Martha Guzman. “Our proposed order requires the Navy and DLA to safely and expeditiously defuel and close the storage tanks at Red Hill, while also ensuring that the Navy will properly maintain and monitor the Base’s drinking water system. Such efforts are essential to safeguarding the health and the environment of communities around O’ahu.”

EPA is asking for comments on the proposed order and will host a public meeting the week of January 16, 2023, to go over details of the order and answer questions. Formal comments may be submitted on Regulations.gov from now until February 6, 2023. 

Under the requirements established by the proposed order, the Navy will take significant steps towards addressing the contamination of JBPHH’s drinking water system, and the Navy and DLA will take steps to prevent and contain any future leaks from Red Hill. Actions include:

• Creating a source water protection plan to identify and implement all protective measures available for the Red Hill Shaft and all JBPHH drinking water system wells.
• Mandating regular flushing of the JBPHH drinking water system to eliminate any contamination.
• Conducting sampling of residents, businesses and schools to assure no residual contamination remains in the JBPHH drinking water system.
• Planning for infrastructure and financial needs to assess and secure resources necessary to make any needed upgrades to the JBPHH drinking water system.
• Conducting semi-annual tightness testing of each fuel storage tank at Red Hill to actively diagnose potential for leaks and proactively correct any defects until closure is complete.
• Weekly soil vapor testing for all fuel storage tanks at Red Hill to detect any contaminated soils or groundwater.
• Establishing a defueling preparedness report certifying that all repairs to Red Hill have been completed and plans have been established in preparation for defueling.
• Requiring closure plans and documentation for each tank at Red Hill that is taken out of service to verify there is no remaining fuel and that work has been complete.

Following the November 2021 contamination of JBPHH’s drinking water system, Hawaiʻi Department of Health (DOH) issued an emergency order to the Navy that required the Navy to cease all operations at Red Hill and defuel and close the 20 underground storage tanks, surge tanks, and associated piping at Red Hill. DOH’s first emergency order was issued on December 6, 2021, and a superseding order was issued on May 6, 2022. The actions required by the proposed EPA order support DOH’s emergency order by requiring the Navy and DLA to minimize risks from the movement of fuel throughout the Red Hill facility during defueling and closure.

This proposed order will not impact the existing 2015 administrative order on consent (AOC) between EPA, Hawaii DOH, the Navy and DLA which requires investigation and cleanup of releases. The 2015 AOC is still in effect and is available on EPA’s website.

Read about EPA’s work at the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility in Hawaii.

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

WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced $2,497,134 in research funding for 25 small businesses to develop technologies that address some of our most pressing environmental problems. Projects include technologies for detecting methane emissions, methods to prolong the shelf life of foods and reduce food waste, software systems to improve recycling and materials management, and a water sampling device to detect the presence of PFAS.

“Congratulations to these small businesses for spurring innovation with their exciting ideas,” said EPA Assistant Administrator for the Office of Research and Development Chris Frey. “We are excited to see how they develop their technologies as they address critical environmental issues.”

These awards are part of EPA’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program which runs an annual, two-phase competition for funding. The 25 small businesses below are receiving up to $100,000 in Phase I funding for six months for “proof of concept” of their proposed technology. Companies that complete Phase I can then apply to receive Phase II funding of up to $400,000 to further develop and commercialize their technology.

SBIR Phase I winners and their proposed technologies are below:

• Beta Analytic (Miami, Fla.) to develop a novel method to trace fugitive sources of methane in atmospheric gas mixtures.
• Can I Recycle This, Inc. (Athens, Ga.) to develop a circular economy solution that provides real-time, geospatial materials recovery information.
• Censys Technologies Corporation (Daytona Beach, Fla.) to develop an innovative system for remote sensing of fugitive methane.
• City of Roses Disposal and Recycling, Inc. (Portland, Ore.) to develop a real-time recycling inventory aggregation and management software for construction and demolition waste.
• Cleaned and Green, LLC (Indian Springs Village, Ala.) to develop ann enhanced efficiency poultry litter-based fertilizer that is cost-effective and environmentally friendly.
• Aquarius Systems (North Prairie, Wis.) to develop an in-water collection and removal device to capture floating debris.
• EIC Laboratories, Inc. (Norwood, Mass.) to develop a novel technique for rapid, on-site analysis of water quality.
• Forever Analytical Services, Inc. (South Bend, Ind.) to develop a rapid, field-deployable water sampling device to measure PFAS.
• GoodGames (Freeport, Maine) to develop a social networking platform to help build community resilience to disasters, threats, and extreme weather.
• HJ Science & Technology, Inc. (San Leandro, Calif.) to develop a portable, on-site technology to detect PFAS in complex water environments. 
• Hydrova Inc. (San Diego, Calif.) to develop a novel process for complete resource recovery and hydrogen production from secondary aluminum processing waste.
• Imvela Corp (Brooklyn, N.Y.) to develop a novel, natural ingredient that reduces microbial spoilage and extends shelf life of fresh fruit.
• Iterant, Inc. (Berkeley, Calif.) to develop an online platform for regional plastic packaging reuse systems.
• J-Tech LLC (Lakewood, Colo.) to develop a septic tank technology that enables low-cost, sustainable disinfection of wastewater for on-site non-potable reuse.
• Kamilo, Inc. (San Francisco, Calif.) to develop a digital verification system to confirm the percentage of recycled content in products to advance plastic circularity.
• Mesa Photonics, LLC (Santa Fe, N.M.) to develop a methane monitoring network for continuous measurement of methane emissions.
• Optimized Thermal Systems, Inc. (Beltsville, Md.) to optimize a machine for improved recovery of a refrigerant with high global warming potential.
• LeapFrog Design (Bend, Ore.) to develop a modular ecological water treatment system for onsite capture and non-potable reuse from single-family residences.
• Seacoast Science, Inc. (Carlsbad, Calif.) to develop a fully automated analyzer to monitor air toxics in indoor spaces.
• Sporian Microsystems, Inc. (Lafayette, Colo.) to develop a high-speed, low-cost imaging system for improved identification of microplastics.
• Ourobio (Charlottesville, Va.) to produce sustainable indigoid dyes and bioplastics using byproducts of dairy processing
• UES, Inc. (Dayton, Ohio) to develop an innovative air toxic monitoring system for neighborhood-level monitoring.
• VISIMO, LLC (Coraopolis, Pa.) to develop a machine learning toolkit for screening research published outside of commercial or academic publishing to improve systematic reviews for chemical risk assessment.
• Wisely, Inc. (Wilmington, N.C.) to develop a smart food storage system to reduce household food waste by allowing users to track perishables.
• Zabble Inc. (Walnut Creek, Calif.) to develop an artificial intelligence-based tagging platform for contamination monitoring audits to improve recycling.

Learn more about the winning companies.

Learn more about EPA’s SBIR program.

NEW YORK - Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced $2,497,134 in research funding for 25 small businesses to develop technologies that address some of our most pressing environmental problems. Projects include technologies for detecting methane emissions, methods to prolong the shelf life of foods and reduce food waste, software systems to improve recycling and materials management, and a water sampling device to detect the presence of PFAS.

“Congratulations to these small businesses for spurring innovation with their exciting ideas,” said EPA Assistant Administrator for the Office of Research and Development Chris Frey. “We are excited to see how they develop their technologies as they address critical environmental issues.”

These awards are part of EPA’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program which runs an annual, two-phase competition for funding. The 25 small businesses below are receiving up to $100,000 in Phase I funding for six months for “proof of concept” of their proposed technology. Companies that complete Phase I can then apply to receive Phase II funding of up to $400,000 to further develop and commercialize their technology.

SBIR Phase I winners and their proposed technologies are below:

• Beta Analytic (Miami, Fla.) to develop a novel method to trace fugitive sources of methane in atmospheric gas mixtures.
• Can I Recycle This, Inc. (Athens, Ga.) to develop a circular economy solution that provides real-time, geospatial materials recovery information.
• Censys Technologies Corporation (Daytona Beach, Fla.) to develop an innovative system for remote sensing of fugitive methane.
• City of Roses Disposal and Recycling, Inc. (Portland, Ore.) to develop a real-time recycling inventory aggregation and management software for construction and demolition waste.
• Cleaned and Green, LLC (Indian Springs Village, Ala.) to develop ann enhanced efficiency poultry litter-based fertilizer that is cost-effective and environmentally friendly.
• Aquarius Systems (North Prairie, Wis.) to develop an in-water collection and removal device to capture floating debris.
• EIC Laboratories, Inc. (Norwood, Mass.) to develop a novel technique for rapid, on-site analysis of water quality.
• Forever Analytical Services, Inc. (South Bend, Ind.) to develop a rapid, field-deployable water sampling device to measure PFAS.
• GoodGames (Freeport, Maine) to develop a social networking platform to help build community resilience to disasters, threats, and extreme weather.
• HJ Science & Technology, Inc. (San Leandro, Calif.) to develop a portable, on-site technology to detect PFAS in complex water environments. 
• Hydrova Inc. (San Diego, Calif.) to develop a novel process for complete resource recovery and hydrogen peroxide production from secondary aluminum processing waste.
• Imvela Corp (Brooklyn, N.Y.) to develop a novel, natural ingredient that reduces microbial spoilage and extends shelf life of fresh fruit.
• Iterant, Inc. (Berkeley, Calif.) to develop an online platform for regional plastic packaging reuse systems.
• J-Tech LLC (Lakewood, Colo.) to develop a septic tank technology that enables low-cost, sustainable disinfection of wastewater for on-site non-potable reuse.
• Kamilo, Inc. (San Francisco, Calif.) to develop a digital verification system to confirm the percentage of recycled content in products to advance plastic circularity.
• Mesa Photonics, LLC (Santa Fe, N.M.) to develop a methane monitoring network for continuous measurement of methane emissions.
• Optimized Thermal Systems, Inc. (Beltsville, Md.) to optimize a machine for improved recovery of a refrigerant with high global warming potential.
• LeapFrog Design (Bend, Ore.) to develop a modular ecological water treatment system for onsite capture and non-potable reuse from single-family residences.
• Seacoast Science, Inc. (Carlsbad, Calif.) to develop a fully automated analyzer to monitor air toxics in indoor spaces.
• Sporian Microsystems, Inc. (Lafayette, Colo.) to develop a high-speed, low-cost imaging system for improved identification of microplastics.
• Ourobio (Charlottesville, Va.) to produce sustainable indigoid dyes and bioplastics using byproducts of dairy processing
• UES, Inc. (Dayton, Ohio) to develop an innovative air toxic monitoring system for neighborhood-level monitoring.
• VISIMO, LLC (Coraopolis, Pa.) to develop a machine learning toolkit for screening research published outside of commercial or academic publishing to improve systematic reviews for chemical risk assessment.
• Wisely, Inc. (Wilmington, N.C.) to develop a smart food storage system to reduce household food waste by allowing users to track perishables.
• Zabble Inc. (Walnut Creek, Calif.) to develop an artificial intelligence-based tagging platform for contamination monitoring audits to improve recycling.

Learn more about the winning companies.

Learn more about EPA’s SBIR program.

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

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WASHINGTON — Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that it has added two sites to the Superfund National Priorities List (NPL) where releases of contamination pose significant human health and environmental risks. The addition of Hercules Inc. in Hattiesburg, Mississippi and PCE Carriage Cleaners in Bellevue, Nebraska will prioritize cleanup for these contaminated sites and is important for the health, safety, and revitalization of communities in these areas.

“EPA remains committed to ensuring communities living near the most serious uncontrolled or abandoned releases of contamination get the health and environmental protections they deserve,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “Adding the Hattiesburg and Bellevue locations to our National Priorities List will advance environmental justice and help address longstanding pollution that has impacted these communities for far too long.”

Thousands of contaminated sites, from landfills, to processing plants, to manufacturing facilities, exist nationally due to hazardous waste being dumped, left out in the open, or otherwise improperly managed. President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law accelerates EPA’s work to clean up this pollution with a $3.5 billion investment in the Superfund Remedial Program. The law also reinstates the Superfund chemical excise taxes, making it one of the largest investments in American history to address legacy pollution. This historic investment strengthens EPA’s ability to tackle threats to human health and the environment, and EPA has already set action in motion to clear the backlog of the 49 contaminated sites which had been awaiting funding to start remedial action.

In addition to funding remediation projects, this investment is enabling EPA to dedicate more of its Congressionally appropriated funds and funds available from Superfund tax revenues for all other Superfund remedial activities, including remedial investigations, feasibility studies, remedial designs, and community involvement activities – thus accelerating cleanup efforts across the country.

EPA is adding the following sites to the NPL:

• Hercules Inc., Hattiesburg, Mississippi: The Hercules Inc. site was home to a former 200-acre chemical manufacturer located in a mixed residential, commercial, and industrial area. During operations, over 250 chemical products, including paper and textile chemicals, paints, varnishes, pesticides, and insecticides were produced. Improper handling and disposal of these chemicals led to soil, waste and groundwater contamination in amounts that exceed EPA’s Regional Screening Levels (RSL) and Safe Drinking Water Act Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs).
• PCE Carriage Cleaners, Bellevue, Nebraska: The PCE Carriage Cleaners site was home to a dry cleaner business that resulted in the release of tetrachloroethene (PCE) and trichloroethene (TCE) at the site. This contamination caused overlying commercial and residential properties to have contaminated indoor air due to vapor intrusion. Superfund’s removal program has already installed 21 vapor mitigation systems at mixed commercial and residential buildings to address the contaminated indoor air.

The Superfund Program also advances President Biden’s Justice40 initiative, which aims ensure that federal agencies deliver at least 40% of benefits from certain investments to underserved communities.

Background: 

The NPL includes the nation’s most serious uncontrolled or abandoned releases of contamination. This list serves as the basis for prioritizing EPA Superfund cleanup funding and enforcement actions. Only releases at non-federal sites included on the NPL are eligible to receive federal funding for long-term, permanent cleanup.

Superfund cleanups provide health and economic benefits to communities. The program is credited for significant reductions in both birth defects and blood-lead levels among children living near sites, and research has shown residential property values increase up to 24% within three miles of sites after cleanup.

Since taking office, the Biden-Harris Administration has followed through on updating the NPL twice a year, as opposed to once per year. However, EPA has the discretion to update the list more frequently to address unique circumstances for sites needing cleanup. Today’s announcement marks the third time in 2022 that EPA has updated the NPL.

For information about Superfund and the NPL, please visit EPA’s Superfund webpage.

For Federal Register notices and supporting documents for the NPL and proposed sites, please visit: New Proposed and New Superfund National Priorities List Sites.

HATTIESBURG, Miss. (December 20, 2022) – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that it has added two sites to the Superfund National Priorities List (NPL) where releases of contamination pose significant human health and environmental risks. The addition of Hercules Inc. in Hattiesburg, Mississippi and PCE Carriage Cleaners in Bellevue, Nebraska will prioritize cleanup for these contaminated sites and is important for the health, safety, and revitalization of communities in these areas.

“EPA remains committed to ensuring communities living near the most serious uncontrolled or abandoned releases of contamination get the health and environmental protections they deserve,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “Adding the Hattiesburg and Bellevue locations to our National Priorities List will advance environmental justice and help address longstanding pollution that has impacted these communities for far too long.”

“One of EPA’s highest priorities is protecting overburdened communities from the toxic effects of Superfund sites,” said EPA Region 4 Administrator Daniel Blackman. “By adding Hercules Inc. to the Superfund NPL, we are making good on our commitment to protect the people we serve and support local community revitalization by allowing land to be safely redeveloped for productive use.”

Thousands of contaminated sites, from landfills, to processing plants, to manufacturing facilities, exist nationally due to hazardous waste being dumped, left out in the open, or otherwise improperly managed. President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law accelerates EPA’s work to clean up this pollution with a $3.5 billion investment in the Superfund Remedial Program. The law also reinstates the Superfund chemical excise taxes, making it one of the largest investments in American history to address legacy pollution. This historic investment strengthens EPA’s ability to tackle threats to human health and the environment, and EPA has already set action in motion to clear the backlog of the 49 contaminated sites which had been awaiting funding to start remedial action.

In addition to funding remediation projects, this investment is enabling EPA to dedicate more of its Congressionally appropriated funds and funds available from Superfund tax revenues for all other Superfund remedial activities, including remedial investigations, feasibility studies, remedial designs, and community involvement activities – thus accelerating cleanup efforts across the country.

EPA is adding the following sites to the NPL:

• Hercules Inc., Hattiesburg, Mississippi: The Hercules Inc. site was home to a former 200-acre chemical manufacturer located in a mixed residential, commercial, and industrial area. During operations, over 250 chemical products, including paper and textile chemicals, paints, varnishes, pesticides and insecticides were produced. Improper handling and disposal of these chemicals led to soil, waste and groundwater contamination in amounts that exceed EPA’s Regional Screening Levels (RSL) and Safe Drinking Water Act Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs).

• PCE Carriage Cleaners, Bellevue, Nebraska: The PCE Carriage Cleaners site was home to a dry cleaner business that resulted in the release of tetrachloroethene (PCE) and trichloroethene (TCE) at the site. This contamination caused overlying commercial and residential properties to have contaminated indoor air due to vapor intrusion. Superfund’s removal program has already installed 21 vapor mitigation systems at mixed commercial and residential buildings to address the contaminated indoor air.

The Superfund Program also advances President Biden’s Justice40 initiative, which aims ensure that federal agencies deliver at least 40 percent of benefits from certain investments to underserved communities.

Background: 

The NPL includes the nation’s most serious uncontrolled or abandoned releases of contamination. This list serves as the basis for prioritizing EPA Superfund cleanup funding and enforcement actions. Only releases at non-federal sites included on the NPL are eligible to receive federal funding for long-term, permanent cleanup.

Superfund cleanups provide health and economic benefits to communities. The program is credited for significant reductions in both birth defects and blood-lead levels among children living near sites, and research has shown residential property values increase up to 24 percent within three miles of sites after cleanup.

Since taking office, the Biden-Harris Administration has followed through on updating the NPL twice a year, as opposed to once per year. However, EPA has the discretion to update the list more frequently to address unique circumstances for sites needing cleanup. Today’s announcement marks the third time in 2022 that EPA has updated the NPL.

For information about Superfund and the NPL, please visit: https://www.epa.gov/superfund.

For Federal Register notices and supporting documents for the NPL and proposed sites, please visit:

New Proposed and New Superfund National Priorities List Sites

###

LENEXA, KAN. (DEC. 20, 2022) – Today, the PCE Carriage Cleaners Site in Bellevue, Nebraska, has been added to the Superfund National Priorities List (NPL), following its listing in the Federal Register for a 60-day public comment period.

Historic dry-cleaning operations at the site, now a vacant lot, released tetrachloroethene (PCE) and its breakdown products and trichloroethene (TCE) into the soil and groundwater. Both PCE and TCE are exceeding the maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) in sub-slab soil gas and indoor air in residential and commercial properties.

Long-term remedial action is needed to permanently clean up the contaminated soil and groundwater at the site that is causing the vapor intrusion.

The placement of the PCE Carriage Cleaners Site on the NPL makes it eligible to receive federal funding for long-term, permanent cleanup.

The NPL includes the nation’s most serious uncontrolled or abandoned releases of contamination. This list serves as the basis for prioritizing EPA Superfund cleanup funding and enforcement actions. Only releases at non-federal sites included on the NPL are eligible to receive federal funding for long-term, permanent cleanup.

Superfund cleanups provide health and economic benefits to communities. The program is credited for significant reductions in both birth defects and blood lead levels among children living near sites, and research has shown residential property values increase up to 24% within 3 miles of sites after cleanup.

Since taking office, the Biden-Harris administration has followed through on updating the NPL twice a year, as opposed to once a year. However, EPA has the discretion to update the list more frequently to address unique circumstances for sites needing cleanup. Today’s announcement marks the third time in 2022 that EPA has updated the NPL.

• Learn more about the Superfund program.
• For more information, please visit the New Proposed NPL Sites and New NPL Sites page.
• Learn more about the PCE Carriage Cleaners Site in Bellevue, Nebraska.

# # #

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Helena, Mont. (Dec. 20, 2022) – Today the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a proposed Clean Water Act (CWA) settlement with the tribal utility Two Medicine Water Company (Company) in which the Company will pay a $40,000 penalty for unpermitted discharges and past violations of water discharge permits at the Browning Lagoon Wastewater Treatment Facility and Two Medicine Water Treatment Plant on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation in Montana.  

“This proposed settlement follows EPA’s significant compliance assistance efforts to address violations and protect public health and the environment,” said EPA Region 8 Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Division Director Suzanne Bohan. “EPA is committed to ensuring compliance with Clean Water Act requirements that safeguard our rivers, lakes and streams and protect tribal communities.”

EPA and the Company reached the proposed penalty agreement to address the Company’s past violations at its two treatment facilities. These violations included unpermitted discharges of pollutants to surface waters, including a tributary of Willow Creek and a tributary of Two Medicine River, and the failure to complete required monitoring, reporting, and facility operations and maintenance activities. The Company has taken productive steps to remedy past violations, including obtaining discharge permits for both facilities and submitting documentation of required weekly inspections and monitoring conducted by the Company.

The penalty amount was determined using factors in the Clean Water Act for the extent and severity of violations, among others, and it accounts for the Company’s financial ability to pay.

The Clean Water Act prohibits the discharge of pollutants into waters of the U.S. without a permit. These permits establish specific limits for pollutants and other requirements, such as monitoring and reporting, to ensure that discharges do not impact water quality, aquatic life, or human health.

EPA is taking public comments on this proposed settlement and will continue to evaluate and ensure future compliance at these facilities. This proposed agreement is subject to a 30-day public comment period and final approval by the EPA’s Regional Judicial Officer. The public comment period runs from December 20, 2022 through January 19, 2023.  Read the public notice and learn how to provide comments.  

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Indian Health Service completed a formal agreement that provides more than $23 million to build a new water treatment plant at the Warm Springs Indian Reservation.  

IHS obligated $13,601,000 toward the project and EPA provided $10,262,000. Nearly all the funding is the result of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

“The Interagency Agreement between EPA and IHS fully funds a new, modern plant that will ensure access to clean and safe drinking water for the 3,800 people in the Warm Springs community,” said EPA Region 10 Administrator Casey Sixkiller. “This is the largest tribal water system award in Region 10 and we’re proud to be a part of such a historic investment in our community.”

The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs’ leadership prioritized work with EPA, IHS, and other federal and state agencies over several years to plan the project. The Warm Springs Public Water System currently operates an aging water treatment plant that was temporarily shut down earlier this year due to a fire.

“I am grateful that our senators, EPA and IHS have all stepped up to tackle the water quality challenge at Warm Springs.” said Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation Tribal Council Chairman Jonathan Smith. “This is an historic investment that will be deeply appreciated by Warm Springs people for decades to come."

“The IHS is very happy and proud to have been able to work with the CTWS, EPA, and other partners in order to secure funding that will provide the Tribal community members of the Warm Springs Reservation with a long-term and reliable source of safe, clean drinking water.” said IHS Area Director, CAPT Marcus Martinez

The new plant will treat water from the Deschutes River using up-to-date technologies and ensure consistent high quality drinking water standards. The design phase is expected to begin in 2023.

“Access to safe and dependable drinking water and sanitation is essential. The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs are in critical need of a new water treatment plant for residents’ health and safety,” said Senator Jeff Merkley. “I saw first-hand the state of the existing water treatment facility when I toured it with senior administration and tribal officials, and I am pleased to see the EPA join IHS to fund a new, modern treatment plant. Ensuring a reliable supply of clean drinking water is important to meeting our trust obligation to the Warm Springs and to protecting the health of the community.”

 “Water is a human right, and investment in this human right for Tribal communities like the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs has been neglected by the federal government for far too long,” said Senator Ron Wyden. “These much-needed resources for a water treatment plant will help to reverse this shameful injustice for the Warm Springs, and I’ll keep battling until this community can count on a dependable and safe water supply.”

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law presents the largest-ever funding opportunity for investing in water infrastructure. EPA is committed to a productive partnership with tribal governments and other federal agencies to maximize the impact of these funds in addressing water challenges. Find out more about programs that help communities manage their water resource on EPA’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law page.

WASHINGTON (20 de diciembre de 2022) – Hoy, la Agencia de Protección Ambiental de Estados Unidos (EPA, por sus siglas en inglés) finalizó las normas nacionales de aire limpio más estrictas que se han dictado para reducir las emisiones generadoras de esmog y hollín de los camiones pesados a partir del año modelo 2027. Las nuevas normas, que representan la primera actualización de las normas de aire limpio para camiones pesados en más de 20 años, son más del 80% más estrictas que las actuales.

Esta reglamentación final es el último paso hacia la implementación del histórico Plan de Camiones Limpios, que está avanzando la flota de camiones pesados altamente contaminantes de Estados Unidos hacia tecnologías eléctricas y bajas en carbono. Además, las inversiones históricas de la Ley de Reducción de la Inflación del presidente Biden y la Ley de Infraestructura Bipartidista están acelerando la innovación en la tecnología de camiones de cero emisiones, ampliando el acceso a autobuses escolares y de transporte limpios, y capacitando a los trabajadores para instalar y mantener la infraestructura de carga.

“La EPA está tomando medidas significativas para proteger la salud pública, especialmente la salud de 72 millones de personas que viven cerca de las rutas de carga de camiones en Estados Unidos, incluidas nuestras poblaciones más vulnerables en comunidades históricamente sobrecargadas”, señaló el administrador de la EPA, Michael S. Regan. “Pero no nos detenemos ahí. Esta es solo la primera acción conforme al Plan de Camiones Limpios de la EPA para abrir el camino hacia un futuro de cero emisiones. Estas rigurosas normas, junto con las inversiones históricas de la Ley de Reducción de la Inflación y la Ley de Infraestructura Bipartidista, acelerarán la ambiciosa agenda del presidente Biden para transformar la flota de camiones del país, ofrecer un aire más limpio y proteger a las personas y al planeta”

Las normas finales reducirán el smog y el hollín mortales de los nuevos camiones pesados a partir del año modelo 2027. La EPA estima que para 2045, la regla resultará en los siguientes beneficios anuales de salud pública:

• Hasta 2,900 menos muertes prematuras
• 6,700 menos ingresos hospitalarios y visitas al departamento de emergencias  
• 18,000 menos casos de asma infantil
• 3.1 millones menos de casos de síntomas de asma y rinitis alérgica
• 78,000 menos días de trabajo perdidos
• 1.1 millones menos de días escolares perdidos para los niños
• $29 miles de millones en beneficios netos anuales

En relación con las reglas actuales, las nuevas normas son más del 80% más estrictas, aumentan la vida útil de los vehículos regulados en 1.5-2.5 veces y producirán garantías de emisiones que son 2.8-4.5 veces más largas. Esta regla final incluye disposiciones para una vida útil y periodos de garantía de mayor duración. Estas disposiciones garantizan que a medida que los vehículos objetivo envejecen, continuarán cumpliendo con las normas de emisiones más estrictas de la EPA durante un periodo de tiempo más largo. La regla también requiere que los fabricantes se aseguren mejor de que los motores de los vehículos y los sistemas de control de emisiones funcionen correctamente en la carretera. Por ejemplo, los fabricantes deben demostrar que los motores están diseñados para evitar que los conductores de vehículos alteren los controles de emisiones al limitar el acceso propenso a la manipulación en los controles electrónicos de contaminación.

Esta reglamentación se basa en un registro técnico sólido y completo conforme a la autoridad establecida en la Ley de Aire Limpio. La EPA involucró a una amplia variedad de partes interesadas, incluidas las comunidades afectadas, los gobiernos tribales, estatales y locales, los líderes de la industria, las organizaciones ambientales, las organizaciones de justicia ambiental, los grupos laborales y otros para desarrollar normas finales que sean lo más estrictas posible, surtan efecto lo antes posible y duren el mayor tiempo posible.

Aceleramos un futuro de cero emisiones

El anuncio de hoy es la primera de tres acciones importantes que se están tomando según el Plan de Camiones Limpios de la EPA. En los próximos meses, la EPA tiene la intención de publicar las propuestas para los dos pasos restantes en el Plan de Camiones Limpios. Estos incluyen las normas de gases de efecto invernadero (GEI) propuestos “Fase 3” para vehículos pesados a partir del año modelo 2027, así como las normas multicontaminantes propuestas para vehículos ligeros y medianos a partir del año modelo 2027. Estas reglamentaciones adicionales considerarán la acción reciente del Congreso, incluidos los recursos históricos para la electrificación de la Ley de Reducción de la Inflación y la Ley de Infraestructura Bipartidista que la EPA prevé que conducirá a una rápida adopción de tecnologías de vehículos de cero emisiones. En conjunto, estas reglamentaciones establecerán normas estrictas a largo plazo que reducirán el peligro de esmog, hollín y contaminación climática de los vehículos pesados.  

Ahora que la Agencia ha tomado esta acción final para reducir las emisiones de NOx a nivel nacional de los camiones pesados, la EPA completará la evaluación del registro técnico y legal ante la Agencia y priorizará emitir decisiones sobre las tres solicitudes pendientes de exención del programa de servicio pesado del Estado de California a principios de 2023.

Para obtener más información sobre la regla de NOx de servicio pesado, visite: https://www.epa.gov/regulations-emissions-vehicles-and-engines/final-rule-and-related-materials-control-air-pollution  (en inglés) 

Para obtener más información sobre el resto del Plan de Camiones Limpios, visite: https://www.epa.gov/regulations-emissions-vehicles-and-engines/clean-trucks-plan (en inglés)

WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized the strongest-ever national clean air standards to cut smog- and soot-forming emissions from heavy-duty trucks beginning with model year 2027. The new standards, which is the first update to clean air standards for heavy duty trucks in more than 20 years, are more than 80% stronger than current standards.

This final rulemaking is the latest step toward implementing the historic Clean Truck Plan, which is moving America’s highly polluting heavy-duty trucking fleet towards low-carbon and electric technologies. Additionally, historic investments from President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law are accelerating innovation in zero-emissions truck technology, expanding access to clean school and transit buses, and training workers to install and maintain charging infrastructure.

“EPA is taking significant action to protect public health, especially the health of 72 million people living near truck freight routes in America, including our most vulnerable populations in historically overburdened communities,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “But we’re not stopping there. This is just the first action under EPA’s Clean Trucks Plan to pave the way toward a zero-emission future. These rigorous standards, coupled with historic investments from the Inflation Reduction Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, will accelerate President Biden’s ambitious agenda to overhaul the nation’s trucking fleet, deliver cleaner air, and protect people and the planet.”

The final standards will reduce deadly smog and soot from new heavy-duty trucks starting with Model Year 2027. EPA estimates that by 2045, the rule will result in the following annual public health benefits:

• Up to 2,900 fewer premature deaths
• 6,700 fewer hospital admissions and emergency department visits
• 18,000 fewer cases of childhood asthma
• 3.1 million fewer cases of asthma symptoms and allergic rhinitis symptoms
• 78,000 fewer lost days of work
• 1.1 million fewer lost school days for children
• $29 billion in annual net benefits

Relative to current rules, the new standards are more than 80% stronger, increase useful life of governed vehicles by 1.5–2.5 times, and will yield emissions warranties that are 2.8–4.5 times longer. This final rule includes provisions for longer useful life and warranty periods. These provisions guarantee that as target vehicles age, they will continue to meet EPA’s more stringent emissions standards for a longer period of time. The rule also requires manufacturers to better ensure that vehicle engines and emission control systems work properly on the road. For example, manufacturers must demonstrate that engines are designed to prevent vehicle drivers from tampering with emission controls by limiting tamper-prone access to electronic pollution controls.

This rulemaking is based on a robust, complete technical record consistent with the authority set forth in the Clean Air Act. EPA engaged a wide variety of stakeholders, including impacted communities, Tribal, state and local governments, industry leaders, environmental organizations, environmental justice organizations, labor groups, and others to develop final standards that are as strong as possible, take effect as soon as possible and will last as long as possible.

Accelerating a Zero Emissions Future

Today’s announcement is the first of three major actions being taken under EPA’s Clean Trucks Plan. In the coming months, EPA intends to release the proposals for the remaining two steps in the Clean Trucks Plan. These include the proposed “Phase 3” greenhouse gas (GHG) standards for heavy-duty vehicles beginning in Model Year 2027, as well as the proposed multipollutant standards for light- and medium-duty vehicles beginning in Model Year 2027. These additional rulemakings will consider recent Congressional action, including historic resources for electrification from the Inflation Reduction Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that EPA anticipates will lead to swift adoption of zero-emission vehicle technologies. Taken together, these rulemakings will put in place stringent long-term standards that will reduce dangerous smog, soot, and climate pollution from heavy-duty vehicles.

Now that the Agency has taken this final action on reducing NOx emissions nationally from Heavy-Duty trucks, EPA will complete the assessment of the technical and legal record before the Agency and prioritize issuing decisions on the three pending Heavy-Duty program waiver requests from the State of California in early 2023.

Learn more information on the Heavy-Duty NOx rule.

Learn more information on the rest of the Clean Trucks Plan.

Puerto Rico - PathStone Corporation es una de las 29 organizaciones que recibirán $14.3 millones en todos los Estados Unidos a través del Programa de Capacitación Laboral sobre terrenos abandonados o contaminados (“Brownfields”) de la EPA para reclutar, capacitar e integrar a trabajadores para proyectos de revitalización y limpieza. La organización recibirá una subvención de $500,000 para capacitación laboral financiada a través de la Ley de Infraestructura Bipartidista del presidente Biden. Este financiamiento triplica la cantidad normalmente otorgada por la EPA para la capacitación laboral sobre terrenos “brownfields”, garantizando beneficios ambientales más fuertes y más oportunidades económicas en áreas impactadas y desatendidas.

"La Ley de Infraestructura Bipartidista del presidente Biden está apoyando significativamente al Programa de “Brownfields” de la EPA, que está transformando terrenos deteriorados, protegiendo la salud pública y creando oportunidades económicas en comunidades ", dijo la subadministradora de la EPA, Janet McCabe.  "Las inversiones anunciadas hoy no solo apoyarán la limpieza de algunas de las áreas más contaminadas en los Estados Unidos, sino que también equiparán a una nueva generación de trabajadores para enfrentar los importantes desafíos ambientales que afectan las comunidades desventajadas e impulsar carreras sostenibles a largo plazo en las áreas donde más se necesitan estos trabajos".

"Con esta cantidad sin precedentes de fondos a través de la Ley de Infraestructura Bipartidista, podemos proporcionar a las personas las herramientas y habilidades que necesitan para encontrar empleo a largo plazo", dijo la Administradora Regional de la Región 2 de la EPA, Lisa F. García.  "Estos fondos proporcionarán a las personas subempleadas y desempleadas en Puerto Rico capacitación crítica para que puedan reimaginar y revitalizar sus vecindarios y llevar justicia ambiental a sus comunidades, que tan a menudo se han pasado por alto".

PathStone Corporation, una organización con sede en Rochester, Nueva York, utilizará los fondos para capacitar hasta 120 estudiantes en Puerto Rico y establecer al menos 80 en empleos ambientales. El programa estará dirigido a estudiantes de los municipios rurales de Caguas, Guaynabo, Humacao, Juncos y Las Piedras y la ciudad de San Juan. El programa de capacitación incluye 334 horas de instrucción en 40 horas de capacitación en Operaciones de Desechos Peligrosos y Respuesta a Emergencias (HAZWOPER), Estándar de Protección de Trabajadores de Seguridad de Pesticidas, DEA y Capacitación en RCP, entre muchos otros. Los estudiantes que completen la capacitación obtendrán hasta nueve certificaciones estatales y una federal. Esta es la quinta subvención de PathStone Corporation bajo el Programa de Trabajo de terrenos “Brownfields” de la EPA, por un total de más de $ 1,2 millones en fondos.

"La misión de construir familia y autosuficiencia solo se puede lograr empoderando a las personas para que hagan un cambio en sus vidas", dijo Brenda Lee Soto Colón, vicepresidenta senior de Servicios Directos de PathStone Corporation.  "Tener la oportunidad de continuar nuestra asociación con la EPA para proporcionar oportunidades de capacitación y empleo en la industria ambiental es clave para el cambio que queremos ver en las vidas de aquellos a quienes servimos. Nuestro objetivo es ayudar a los participantes a mejorar sus habilidades educativas y de empleabilidad. Estamos agradecidos por esta nueva oportunidad".

El liderazgo del presidente Biden y la acción bipartidista del Congreso han generado la mayor inversión en infraestructura de terrenos "Brownfields” de los Estados Unidos a través de la Ley de Infraestructura Bipartidista, que invierte más de $1,500 millones en cinco años a través del exitoso Programa de terrenos "Brownfields” de la EPA. Esta inversión histórica permite a la EPA financiar más comunidades, estados y tribus, y brinda la oportunidad a los concesionarios de construir y mejorar el currículo ambiental en programas de capacitación laboral que apoyan la creación de empleos y la revitalización de la comunidad.

El Programa de Capacitación Laboral sobre terrenos "Brownfields” también promueve la Iniciativa Justice40 del presidente Biden, que tiene como objetivo otorgar al menos el 40 por ciento de los beneficios de ciertos programas gubernamentales a las comunidades menos favorecidas. Con base en los datos de la Herramienta de Evaluación de Justicia Climática y Económica, aproximadamente el 97 por ciento de las comunidades seleccionadas para recibir fondos como parte del anuncio de hoy han propuesto proyectos en áreas históricamente desatendidas.

Las personas que completan un programa de capacitación laboral financiado por la EPA a menudo superan una variedad de barreras para el empleo. Muchos aprendices provienen de vecindarios históricamente desatendidos o residen en áreas sobrecargadas por la contaminación.

Los graduados de los programas de capacitación laboral sobre terrenos baldíos aprenden habilidades valiosas y buscadas y tienen la oportunidad de obtener una variedad de certificaciones, asegurando que las oportunidades de empleo resulten no solo en trabajo contractual temporal, sino en carreras ambientales a largo plazo. Esto incluye certificaciones en:

• Reducción del plomo y del amianto,
• Operaciones de residuos peligrosos y respuesta a emergencias,
• Remediación de moho,
• Muestreo y análisis ambiental, y
• Otra formación en materia de salud y seguridad ambiental

Antecedentes:

Las subvenciones del Programa de Capacitación Laboral en terrenos "Brownfields” permiten a las organizaciones sin fines de lucro, gobiernos locales y otras organizaciones reclutar, capacitar y colocar a residentes desempleados y subempleados de áreas afectadas por la presencia de terrenos abandonados. A través del Programa de Capacitación Laboral, los graduados desarrollan las habilidades necesarias para asegurar un empleo sostenible a tiempo completo en diversos aspectos de la gestión de residuos peligrosos y sólidos y dentro del campo ambiental más amplio, incluida la limpieza y reutilización sostenibles y la seguridad química. Estos empleos verdes reducen la contaminación ambiental y construyen futuros más sostenibles para las comunidades.

Desde 1998, la EPA ha otorgado 371 subvenciones de capacitación laboral sobre terrenos "Brownfields”. Con estas subvenciones, más de 20,341 personas han terminado capacitaciones y más de 15,168 personas han sido asignadas en carreras relacionadas con la remediación de tierras y la salud y seguridad ambiental.

Para obtener más información sobre los beneficiarios seleccionados de la subvención de capacitación laboral sobre terrenos "Brownfields”, incluidos los beneficiarios de subvenciones anteriores, visite la Búsqueda de la hoja informativa de subvenciones sobre terrenos baldíos

Para obtener más información sobre esta y otros tipos de subvenciones del Programa de terrenos baldíos, visite la página web de Subvenciones de capacitación laboral sobre terrenos baldíos.

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

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WASHINGTON — Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a $263 million Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) loan to the City of Boise, Idaho, to support its Water Renewal Services Capital Investments Project. With this WIFIA loan, EPA is helping the City of Boise improve wastewater treatment processes to protect the Boise River’s water quality and ultimately recharge the drought burdened Boise River with high quality effluent.

“Maintaining and upgrading water infrastructure is essential for the health of a community like Boise, which is a fast-growing city struggling with drought,” EPA Assistant Administrator for Water Radhika Fox said. “Thanks to this WIFIA loan, the City of Boise can upgrade wastewater treatment technology to better safeguard the Boise River and even help recharge its water supply while providing good-paying jobs.”

Frequent drought conditions and increased demand on water for irrigation have resulted in poorer water quality and lower levels of water in the Boise River. The City of Boise will use this WIFIA loan to implement its Water Renewal Services Capital Investments Project to modernize the city’s wastewater conveyance and treatment facilities. The city will incorporate advanced treatment processes at its wastewater treatment facilities so that the high-quality effluent can be discharged into the Boise River to help increase water levels and protect water quality. By maintaining discharge levels into the river, the city will enhance the community’s resilience to climate change.

"It's an incredible opportunity and honor to have been invited to participate in the WIFIA program," said Boise Mayor Lauren McLean. "Partnering with the EPA on this low-cost loan will help keep our water renewal rates affordable for Boiseans, protect our clean water and help ensure we have the water we need as our community grows."

This is the first of two WIFIA loans that will commit a total of nearly $400 million in credit assistance and will provide funding certainty for the largest capital investment in the City of Boise’s history. By financing this first loan with WIFIA, the City of Boise will save approximately $80 million. Construction and operation under this first loan are estimated to create approximately 1,700 jobs.

Background

Established by the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act of 2014, the WIFIA program is a federal loan and guarantee program administered by EPA. The WIFIA program’s aim is to accelerate investment in the nation’s water infrastructure by providing long-term, low-cost supplemental credit assistance for regionally and nationally significant projects. 

The WIFIA program has an active pipeline of pending applications for projects that will result in billions of dollars in water infrastructure investment and thousands of jobs. With this WIFIA loan closing, EPA has announced 95 WIFIA loans that are providing $16 billion in credit assistance to help finance $35 billion for water infrastructure while creating 106,000 jobs and saving ratepayers over $5 billion.

EPA is currently accepting letters of interest for WIFIA and SWIFIA loans. In June, EPA announced the availability of $5.5 billion under the 2022 WIFIA Notice of Funding Availability and an additional $1 billion under the State Infrastructure Financing Authority WIFIA (SWIFIA) program. Together, this newly available funding will support more than $13 billion in water infrastructure projects while creating more than 40,000 jobs.

Learn more information about submitting a letter of interest for a WIFIA or SWIFIA loan.

BUTTE, MT – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced a Clean Water Act (CWA) settlement with Red Mountain Truck Lines, Inc. (Red Mountain), in which Red Mountain agreed to pay $18,000 for alleged Clean Water Act violations associated with a gas station transfer incident which spilled diesel fuel into Blacktail Creek in Butte, Montana in 2021.

“EPA takes our role of protecting public health and our environmental resources very seriously in all the communities we serve,” said EPA Region 8 Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Division Director Suzanne Bohan. “Companies that handle, store and transport oil must carefully follow safety measures to prevent oil spills from occurring, and Red Mountain failed to take the necessary care.”

On January 30, 2021, a fuel delivery involving a truck owned by Red Mountain released approximately 450 to 485 gallons of diesel fuel into Blacktail Creek. The spill occurred as a result of an overfill of an underground storage tank at a Town Pump Convenience Store in Butte. The diesel fuel traveled down a storm drain into wetlands adjacent to the creek and into the creek itself.

Red Mountain’s environmental consultant reported the spill to the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) on January 30, 2021, and to the National Response Center on February 3, 2021.  Red Mountain worked with the MDEQ Underground Storage Tank Division to contain and clean up the spill.  There were no reported impacts to drinking water or downstream users.

The Clean Water Act prohibits discharging oil, including fuel products, into navigable waters of the United States in quantities with the potential to harm public health or the environment. Additional Federal requirements exist to prevent oil spills and to help facilities prepare to for how to respond to an oil spill. These include oil spill prevention, control, and countermeasure rules as well as Federal Facility Response Plans. 

Read the Consent Agreement and Final Order.

Learn more about the Clean Water Act’s regulations concerning oil spills and spill prevention.