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EPA issues Toxics Release Inventory 2021 report on chemical releases and waste management in Alaska and the Pacific Northwest
Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released its Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) 2021 National Analysis, which summarizes TRI activities reported during calendar year 2021. The TRI contains data on toxic chemicals that are manufactured, processed, or managed at thousands of facilities in the U.S. The TRI includes quantities of chemicals that facilities manage as waste, including waste released to the environment, treated, burned for energy, recycled, and transferred from one facility to another. The TRI is a valuable source of public information and is used by community members, researchers, government agencies, and companies to improve chemical safety and protect public health and the environment.
“Communities have a right to know how and where toxic chemicals and waste are being managed, released, or recycled," said Casey Sixkiller, EPA Region 10 Regional Administrator. “I am pleased that companies are making strides to reduce pollution, and I encourage states and Tribes to apply for EPA grant funding to help further this progress. When we work together, we can prevent pollution at the source and support business growth while also empowering nearby, often overburdened and vulnerable communities.”
The 2021 TRI Analysis shows a continued decrease in releases from facilities in EPA’s Region 10 -- which covers Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. In 2021, facilities in Region 10 managed 1.1 billion pounds of production related waste, and released or disposed of 777 million pounds of TRI chemicals into the environment. From 2012 to 2021, releases in Region 10 decreased by over 19% and production related waste decreased by over 14%, driven by typical yearly fluctuations in metal mining in Alaska. Changes in the chemical composition of ore extracted at metal mines can result in large year-to-year changes in the amount of waste metal that mines report to TRI. To learn more about metal mining operations and their TRI reporting, explore our interactive metal mining diagram. Excluding the metal mining sector, Region 10 releases have decreased by over 15% since 2012, driven by a 55% reduction in waste disposal.
The TRI also has information on how facilities are working to reduce or prevent chemical wastes, referred to as “pollution prevention or P2” and “source reduction”. In 2021, over 7% of TRI facilities in Region 10 implemented new source reduction activities, helping to prevent pollution at the source. These activities include facilities implementing strategies like replacing TRI chemicals with less hazardous alternatives. Through existing programs and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, EPA offers pollution prevention (P2) grant opportunities to state and tribal technical assistance providers to help prevent pollution.
The 2021 TRI Analysis features updated visualizations and analytical tools to make data more useful and accessible to communities, including the option to view data by region and watershed. EPA’s updated mapping tool “Where You Live” allows readers to view facility locations with overlayed demographic data to identify potential exposure to TRI chemical releases in vulnerable communities. Explore other ways to use the TRI in EPA’s online TRI Data and Tools resource.
Background
TRI was established under the Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act (EPCRA) in response to concerns regarding the environmental and safety hazards posed by the storage and handling of toxic chemicals. These concerns were triggered by the 1984 disaster in Bhopal, India, caused by an accidental release of methylisocyanate. The release killed or severely injured thousands of people.
To reduce the likelihood of such a disaster in the United States, Congress imposed requirements for federal, state, and local governments, tribes, and industry. These requirements covered emergency planning and "Community Right-to-Know" reporting on hazardous and toxic chemicals. The Community Right-to-Know provisions help increase the public's knowledge and access to information on chemicals at individual facilities, their uses, and releases into the environment.
EPA Directs Ameren to Submit Draft Focused Feasibility Study for Huster Road Substation in St. Charles, Missouri, by June 30
LENEXA, KAN. (MARCH 16, 2023) – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) directed Ameren to submit a draft Focused Feasibility Study (FFS) to the Agency by June 30, 2023. EPA required Ameren to conduct additional work in February, after field work conducted by EPA in January identified Ameren’s Huster Road Substation as a source of the new contamination in the Elm Point Wellfield in St. Charles, Missouri.
“EPA continues to hold Ameren accountable for the groundwater contamination emanating from the Huster Road Substation,” said EPA Region 7 Superfund and Emergency Management Division Director Bob Jurgens. “The Focused Feasibility Study will take into account the additionally identified contamination and evaluate various remedial technologies for groundwater cleanup. EPA will oversee all of Ameren’s work to ensure that it meets Superfund’s requirements.”
The FFS process consists of the development and detailed analysis of cleanup options to establish the basis for remedy selection decisions that will be made by EPA. The FFS will present a range of viable cleanup options that meet the site’s cleanup goals. The cleanup goals set forth in the 2021 Record of Decision (ROD) include preventing exposure to contaminants of concern (COCs) above the Safe Drinking Water Act’s maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) in groundwater; preventing potential future risks to humans from inhalation of groundwater COCs via the vapor intrusion pathway; preventing future migration of groundwater contamination off-site; and restoring groundwater to beneficial use (i.e., at or below MCLs) within a reasonable time frame.
As part of the FFS process, EPA may require Ameren to submit workplans to the Agency to define the extent of the contaminant plume. Additionally, EPA expects Ameren to use ongoing interim response actions to address the contamination. These approved response actions include the use of a permeable barrier that breaks down contaminants as they pass through it, and chemical oxidant and/or bacteria enhancement injections into the groundwater to break down the contaminants.
EPA will continue to review all future documents or plans submitted and require Ameren to correct any deficiencies before granting approval to begin future work.
The letter directing Ameren to complete the draft FFS by June 30 is available on EPA’s Site Profile page (see Site Documents & Data). Ameren must supply a written confirmation to EPA by March 24, 2023, that it agrees to perform the work described in the letter.
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EPA Report Shows Decrease in Chemical Releases, Increase in Recycling and Waste Management in Region 2 Facilities
NEW YORK – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its 2021 Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) National Analysis, which shows that environmental releases of chemicals from facilities covered by the program remained below pre-pandemic levels at facilities across the U.S. Additionally, in 2021, facilities managed 89% of their TRI chemical waste through preferred practices such as recycling, energy recovery and treatment. In the four jurisdictions of Region 2, the report shows long-term reductions in both the waste generated and the waste released from facilities.
"The latest Toxic Release Inventory report for Region 2 is encouraging news, showing decreases over time in chemical releases and an increase in recycling and waste management," said Regional Administrator Lisa F. Garcia. "The TRI data is an important tool to equip the public with the information they need and continues to ensure the community's right to know about toxic chemicals used or stored at nearby facilities. We will build on this positive momentum and continue working with facilities and industry to further reduce chemical releases."
The TRI data for 2021 reveals that facilities in Region 2, which include Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, New York, and New Jersey, used preferred practices like recycling and using waste for energy production for almost 95% of the waste they generated. Although facilities in Region 2 reported almost a 4% increase in releases of TRI chemicals into the environment in 2021 compared to the height of the pandemic in 2020, the general trend in chemicals being released into the environment is down more than 10% since 2012. Much of this decrease – about 47% -- was to emissions into the air. In 2021, 10% of facilities in Region 2 implemented new source reduction activities, higher than the nationwide average of 8%. The transportation equipment manufacturing and machinery manufacturing sectors had the highest reporting rates for source reduction activities.
More than 21,000 facilities submitted reports on over 530 chemicals they released into the environment or otherwise managed as waste. EPA, states and Indian Nations receive TRI data from facilities in sectors such as manufacturing, mining, electric utilities and commercial hazardous waste management.
The 2021 report features updated options and analytical tools to make data more useful and accessible to communities, including the option to view data by region and watershed. EPA has also updated demographic information in the “Where You Live” mapping tool and in the Chemical Profiles section. Readers can view facility locations with overlayed demographic data to identify potential exposure to TRI chemical releases in vulnerable communities. Community groups, policymakers, and other stakeholders can use this data, along with other environmental data, to better understand which communities may experience a disproportionate pollution burden and take action at the local level.
In addition, this year the TRI National Analysis Sector Profiles highlights the plastic products manufacturing sector alongside the standard profiles for electric utilities, chemical manufacturing, and metal mining. This allows readers to learn about releases and waste management of TRI chemicals, as well as greenhouse gas emissions, from facilities in these sectors.
EPA is holding a public webinar on March 28, 2023, to give an overview of the 2021 TRI National Analysis. Register for the webinar.
View the 2021 TRI National Analysis, including local data and analyses.
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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EPA Analysis Shows 2021 increase of Toxic Chemical Releases in Rhode Island
BOSTON (March 16, 2023) – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its 2021 Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) National Analysis, which shows that environmental releases of TRI chemicals from facilities covered by the program remained below pre-pandemic levels and releases in 2021 are 10% lower than 2012 releases, even with an 8% increase from 2020 to 2021. Additionally, in 2021, facilities managed 89% of their TRI chemical waste through preferred practices such as recycling, energy recovery and treatment, while reporting that they released 11% of their TRI chemical waste into the environment.
In Rhode Island, the reporting data show that overall releases of pollutants to the environment increased since the previous reporting year (2020).
TRI tracks the management of certain toxic chemicals that may pose a threat to human health and the environment. U.S. facilities in different industry sectors must report annually how much of each chemical is released to the environment and/or managed through recycling, energy recovery and treatment. A "release" of a chemical means that it is emitted to the air, water or placed in some type of land disposal.
"TRI reporting is a key part of EPA's efforts to provide greater access to vital environmental information to Americans about their neighborhoods," said EPA New England Regional Administrator David W. Cash. "Making this information publicly available also incentivizes companies to reduce pollution and gives communities tools to act locally – which is particularly important for underserved communities that have historically been disproportionately impacted by pollution."
Rhode Island: Released on and offsite
During 2021, the latest year for which data is available, 76 facilities reported approximately 276,200 pounds were released onsite to the air, water and land (such as landfills), compared to 213,000 pounds released in 2020 (an increase of 63,000 pounds). Approximately 275,900 pounds were released to the air and, 311 pounds were released to surface water. The major pollutants released to the air were ammonia at 73 % of all air releases and styrene with 6% of all air releases in the state. Ocean State Power had the highest air releases 190,414 pounds of ammonia released to the air. The major pollutant released to the water, although small was copper compounds (at 42% of all releases to water).
Rhode Island: Total Production Related Waste
During 2021, 76 facilities reported approximately 20.0 million pounds of total production related waste was managed compared to 76 facilities and 20.7 million pounds managed in 2020 (a decrease of 0.7 million pounds). Total production related waste includes chemicals released directly to the environment and wastes that are treated (such as in an incinerator or wastewater treatment system), recycled and waste that is landfilled.
Rhode Island: Top Five Companies
The companies in Rhode Island with the greatest releases included various industries including electric utilities, primary metals, fabricated metals, plastics and transportation equipment. These 5 facilities produced 71% of the releases in the state of Rhode Island in 2021.
Each year, EPA makes publicly available TRI data reported by industries throughout the United States regarding chemical releases to air, water and land by power plants, manufacturers and other facilities which employ ten or more workers, and which exceed thresholds for chemicals. Reporting includes information on chemicals released at a company's facility, as well as those transported to disposal facilities off site. TRI data do not reflect the relative toxicity of the chemicals emitted or potential exposure to people living in a community with reported releases.
Reporting under TRI does not indicate illegal discharges of pollutants to the environment. EPA works closely with states to provide regulatory oversight of facilities that generate pollution to the nation's air, land and water. Effective review and permitting programs work to ensure that the public and the environment are not subjected to unhealthful levels of pollution, even as agencies work to further reduce emissions of chemicals to the environment. Enforcement efforts by EPA and states ensure that facilities that violate their environmental permits are subject to penalties and corrective action. Yearly releases by individual facilities can vary due to factors such as power outages, production variability, lulls in the business cycle, etc., that do not reflect a facility's pollution prevention program(s).
The top five chemicals released to surface water (note the small quantity) in Rhode Island during 2021:
The top five chemicals released to the air in Rhode Island during 2021:
Companies with the largest releases:
TRI data are submitted annually to EPA, states, and tribes by facilities in industry sectors such as manufacturing, metal mining, electric utilities, and commercial hazardous waste. Under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA), facilities must report their toxic chemical releases for the prior year to EPA by July 1 of each year. The Pollution Prevention Act of 1990 also requires facilities to submit information on pollution prevention and other waste management activities related to TRI chemicals.
The 2021 Analysis features updated visualizations and analytical tools to make data more useful and accessible to communities, including the option to view data by region and watershed. EPA has also updated demographic information in the "Where You Live" mapping tool and in the Chemical Profiles section. Readers can view facility locations with overlayed demographic data to identify potential exposure to TRI chemical releases in vulnerable communities. Community groups, policymakers, and other stakeholders can use this data, along with other environmental data, to better understand which communities may experience a disproportionate pollution burden and take action at the local level.
PFAS Reporting
For the second time, the TRI National Analysis includes reporting on perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) following the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act. For Reporting Year 2021, 176 PFAS were reportable to TRI. Facilities reported managing 1.3 million pounds of these chemicals as waste. This is an increase from the 800,000 pounds in 2020 and is largely due to reporting on one PFAS, perfluorooctyl iodide, which EPA began requiring facilities to report in 2021. Most of the facilities that manage PFAS operate in the chemical manufacturing and hazardous waste management sectors. The hazardous waste management sector accounted for roughly 80% of the 108,334 pounds of PFAS released into the environment, primarily to regulated landfills.
Last December, EPA proposed a rule that would improve reporting on PFAS to TRI by eliminating an exemption that allows facilities to avoid reporting information on PFAS when those chemicals are used in small, or de minimis, concentrations. Because PFAS are used at low concentrations in many products, this rule would ensure covered industry sectors and federal facilities that make or use TRI-listed PFAS will no longer be able to rely on the de minimis exemption to avoid disclosing their PFAS releases and other waste management quantities for these chemicals.
More information:
EPA Analysis Shows 2021 Toxic Chemical Releases in Vermont have decreased
BOSTON (March 16, 2023) – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its 2021 Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) National Analysis, which shows that environmental releases of TRI chemicals from facilities covered by the program remained below pre-pandemic levels and releases in 2021 are 10% lower than 2012 releases, even with an 8% increase from 2020 to 2021. Additionally, in 2021, facilities managed 89% of their TRI chemical waste through preferred practices such as recycling, energy recovery and treatment, while reporting that they released 11% of their TRI chemical waste into the environment.
In Vermont, the reporting data show that overall releases of pollutants to the environment decreased since the previous reporting year (2020).
TRI tracks the management of certain toxic chemicals that may pose a threat to human health and the environment. U.S. facilities in different industry sectors must report annually how much of each chemical is released to the environment and/or managed through recycling, energy recovery and treatment. A "release" of a chemical means that it is emitted to the air, water or placed in some type of land disposal.
"TRI reporting is a key part of EPA's efforts to provide greater access to vital environmental information to Americans about their neighborhoods," said EPA New England Regional Administrator David W. Cash. "Making this information publicly available also incentivizes companies to reduce pollution and gives communities tools to act locally – which is particularly important for underserved communities that have historically been disproportionately impacted by pollution."
Vermont: Released on and offsite
During 2021, the latest year for which data is available, 38 facilities reported approximately 174,800 pounds were released onsite to the air, water and land (such as landfills), compared to 214,000 pounds released in 2020 (a decrease of 39,200 pounds). Approximately 36,000 pounds were released to the air and, 131,800 pounds were released to surface water. The major pollutants released to the air were ammonia at 41 % of all air releases and styrene with 27% of all air releases in the state. The major pollutant released to the water was nitrate compounds (at 94% of all releases to water).
Vermont: Total Production Related Waste
During 2021, 38 facilities reported approximately 4.6 million pounds of total production related waste was managed compared to 38 facilities and 4.9 million pounds of total waste managed in 2021. Total production related waste includes chemicals released directly to the environment and wastes that are treated (such as in an incinerator or wastewater treatment system), recycled and waste that is landfilled.
Vermont: Top Five Companies
The companies in Vermont with the greatest releases included various industries including computers/electronics, chemicals, food, transportation equipment. These 5 facilities produced 82% of the releases in the state of Vermont in 2021.
Each year, EPA makes publicly available TRI data reported by industries throughout the United States regarding chemical releases to air, water and land by power plants, manufacturers and other facilities which employ ten or more workers, and which exceed thresholds for chemicals. Reporting includes information on chemicals released at a company's facility, as well as those transported to disposal facilities off site. TRI data do not reflect the relative toxicity of the chemicals emitted or potential exposure to people living in a community with reported releases.
Reporting under TRI does not indicate illegal discharges of pollutants to the environment. EPA works closely with states to provide regulatory oversight of facilities that generate pollution to the nation's air, land and water. Effective review and permitting programs work to ensure that the public and the environment are not subjected to unhealthful levels of pollution, even as agencies work to further reduce emissions of chemicals to the environment. Enforcement efforts by EPA and states ensure that facilities that violate their environmental permits are subject to penalties and corrective action. Yearly releases by individual facilities can vary due to factors such as power outages, production variability, lulls in the business cycle, etc., that do not reflect a facility's pollution prevention program(s).
The top five chemicals released to surface water (note the small quantity) in Vermont during 2021:
The top five chemicals released to the air in Vermont during 2021:
Companies with the largest releases:
TRI data are submitted annually to EPA, states, and tribes by facilities in industry sectors such as manufacturing, metal mining, electric utilities, and commercial hazardous waste. Under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA), facilities must report their toxic chemical releases for the prior year to EPA by July 1 of each year. The Pollution Prevention Act of 1990 also requires facilities to submit information on pollution prevention and other waste management activities related to TRI chemicals.
The 2021 Analysis features updated visualizations and analytical tools to make data more useful and accessible to communities, including the option to view data by region and watershed. EPA has also updated demographic information in the "Where You Live" mapping tool and in the Chemical Profiles section. Readers can view facility locations with overlayed demographic data to identify potential exposure to TRI chemical releases in vulnerable communities. Community groups, policymakers, and other stakeholders can use this data, along with other environmental data, to better understand which communities may experience a disproportionate pollution burden and take action at the local level.
PFAS Reporting
For the second time, the TRI National Analysis includes reporting on perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) following the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act. For Reporting Year 2021, 176 PFAS were reportable to TRI. Facilities reported managing 1.3 million pounds of these chemicals as waste. This is an increase from the 800,000 pounds in 2020 and is largely due to reporting on one PFAS, perfluorooctyl iodide, which EPA began requiring facilities to report in 2021. Most of the facilities that manage PFAS operate in the chemical manufacturing and hazardous waste management sectors. The hazardous waste management sector accounted for roughly 80% of the 108,334 pounds of PFAS released into the environment, primarily to regulated landfills.
Last December, EPA proposed a rule that would improve reporting on PFAS to TRI by eliminating an exemption that allows facilities to avoid reporting information on PFAS when those chemicals are used in small, or de minimis, concentrations. Because PFAS are used at low concentrations in many products, this rule would ensure covered industry sectors and federal facilities that make or use TRI-listed PFAS will no longer be able to rely on the de minimis exemption to avoid disclosing their PFAS releases and other waste management quantities for these chemicals.
More information:
Toxic Chemical Releases in 2021 Remained Below Pre-Pandemic Levels According to New Toxics Release Inventory Data
CHICAGO (March 16, 2023) Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its 2021 Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) National Analysis, which shows that environmental releases of TRI chemicals from facilities covered by the program remained below pre-pandemic levels and releases in 2021 are 10% lower than 2012 releases, even with an 8% increase from 2020 to 2021. The report also shows that there has been long-term decline in releases from Region 5, which includes Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin and 35 Tribal Nations. In 2021, facilities managed 89% of their TRI chemical waste through preferred practices such as recycling, energy recovery, and treatment, while reporting that they released 11% of their TRI chemical waste into the environment.
“Over the last 10 years, we have worked with industries in our Region to reduce releases of toxic chemicals by nearly 20 percent,” said Region 5 Administrator Debra Shore. “We will continue to encourage our regional industries to incorporate innovative and proactive measures to tackle pollution and protect public health, especially in Environmental Justice communities."
In 2021, 93% of TRI chemical waste from facilities in Region 5 was managed through preferable techniques such as recycling, combustion for energy recovery, and treatment, while only 7% was released into the environment. Even though facilities in Region 5 reported releasing 415.1 million pounds of TRI chemicals into the environment in 2021, which is a 10.9% increase compared to 2020, the overall releases of TRI chemicals in Region 5 have decreased by 19.6% from 2012 to 2021. This was driven by large reductions in emissions to air and off-site transfers. In 2021, 7.8% of facilities in Region 5 implemented new source reduction activities. Among sectors with the highest source reduction reporting rates were computer and electronic part manufacturing and furniture manufacturing.
The 2021 TRI National Analysis summarizes TRI chemical waste management activities, including releases, that occurred during calendar year 2021. More than 21,000 facilities submitted reports on 531 chemicals requiring TRI reporting that they released into the environment or otherwise managed as waste. EPA, states and tribes receive TRI data from facilities in sectors such as manufacturing, mining, electric utilities and commercial hazardous waste management.
The 2021 Analysis features updated visualizations and analytical tools to make data more useful and accessible to communities, including the option to view data by region and watershed. EPA has also updated demographic information in the “Where You Live” mapping tool and in the Chemical Profiles section. Readers can view facility locations with overlayed demographic data to identify potential exposure to TRI chemical releases in vulnerable communities. Community groups, policymakers, and other stakeholders can use this data, along with other environmental data, to better understand which communities may experience a disproportionate pollution burden and take action at the local level.
In addition, this year the TRI National Analysis Sector Profiles highlights the plastic products manufacturing sector alongside the standard profiles for electric utilities, chemical manufacturing, and metal mining. This allows readers to learn about releases and waste management of TRI chemicals, as well as greenhouse gas emissions, from facilities in these sectors.
EPA is holding a public webinar on March 28, 2023, to give an overview of the 2021 TRI National Analysis. Register for the webinar.
To view the 2021 TRI National Analysis, including local data and analyses, visit www.epa.gov/trinationalanalysis.
Notable Trends in 2021
The National Analysis shows a 24% increase in the number of new pollution reduction activities facilities initiated from 2020 to 2021—a strong rebound after the decrease seen from 2019 to 2020. These activities include facilities implementing strategies like replacing TRI chemicals with less hazardous alternatives or reducing the amount of scrap they produce. Through both existing programs and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, EPA offers grant opportunities to state and tribal technical assistance providers to help prevent pollution.
Industry professionals can also look at TRI reporting on pollution prevention to learn about best practices implemented at facilities.
Ethylene Oxide Reporting
TRI reporting also shows a 45% decrease in ethylene oxide releases from 2012 to 2021, driven by decreased air emissions. Although there was a 15% increase in releases compared to 2020, quantities of ethylene oxide released in 2021 are lower than pre-pandemic quantities from 2019. EPA also expanded reporting requirements for ethylene oxide and other chemicals to include additional facilities. Reporting from these facilities will appear for the first time in next year’s National Analyses.
PFAS Reporting
For the second time, the TRI National Analysis includes reporting on perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) following the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act. For Reporting Year 2021, 176 PFAS were reportable to TRI. Facilities reported managing 1.3 million pounds of these chemicals as waste. This is an increase from the 800,000 pounds in 2020 and is largely due to reporting on one PFAS, perfluorooctyl iodide, which EPA began requiring facilities to report in 2021. Most of the facilities that manage PFAS operate in the chemical manufacturing and hazardous waste management sectors. The hazardous waste management sector accounted for roughly 80% of the 108,334 pounds of PFAS released into the environment, primarily to regulated landfills.
Last December, EPA proposed a rule that would improve reporting on PFAS to TRI by eliminating an exemption that allows facilities to avoid reporting information on PFAS when those chemicals are used in small, or de minimis, concentrations. Because PFAS are used at low concentrations in many products, this rule would ensure covered industry sectors and federal facilities that make or use TRI-listed PFAS will no longer be able to rely on the de minimis exemption to avoid disclosing their PFAS releases and other waste management quantities for these chemicals.
EPA releases 2021 Toxic Release Inventory data for Region 8 states
DENVER - Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its 2021 Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) National Analysis, which shows that environmental releases of TRI chemicals from facilities across the nation covered by the program remained below pre-pandemic levels and releases in 2021 are 10% lower than 2012 releases, even with an 8% increase from 2020 to 2021. Additionally, in 2021, facilities managed more than 89% of their TRI chemical waste through preferred practices such as recycling, energy recovery and treatment, while reporting that they released 11% of their TRI chemical waste into the environment.
The report also reveals that EPA Region 8, which includes the states of Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah and Wyoming and 28 Tribal Nations, has seen long-term decline in production related waste. In 2021, facilities in EPA Region 8 reported managing 919 million pounds of production related waste and releasing 349 million pounds of TRI chemicals into the environment. From 2012 to 2021, releases increased by 8.8% while production related waste decreased by 12.7%, both driven by the metal mining and primary metal manufacturing sectors.
Changes in the chemical composition of ore extracted at metal mines can result in large year-to-year changes in the amount of waste metal mines report to TRI. Excluding the metal mining sector, releases in Region 8 have increased by 7.7% since 2012. In 2021, 6.8% of facilities in Region 8 implemented new source reduction activities. Among sectors with the highest source reduction reporting rates were plastic and rubber manufacturing and machinery manufacturing.
“The Toxics Release Inventory is a valuable tool that provides detailed information about how chemicals are used and managed in our communities,” said EPA Regional Administrator KC Becker. “These data provide a high-resolution picture of how toxic chemicals are used, managed and disposed at hundreds of facilities across our region and can help inform significant pollution prevention activities, especially in our most overburdened and vulnerable communities.”
The 2021 TRI National Analysis summarizes TRI chemical waste management activities, including releases, that occurred during calendar year 2021. More than 21,000 facilities submitted reports on 531 chemicals requiring TRI reporting that they released into the environment or otherwise managed as waste. EPA, states and tribes receive TRI data from facilities in sectors such as manufacturing, mining, electric utilities and commercial hazardous waste management.
The 2021 Analysis features updated visualizations and analytical tools to make data more useful and accessible to communities, including the option to view data by region and watershed. EPA has also updated demographic information in the “Where You Live” mapping tool and in the Chemical Profiles section. Readers can view facility locations with overlayed demographic data to identify potential exposure to TRI chemical releases in vulnerable communities. Community groups, policymakers, and other stakeholders can use this data, along with other environmental data, to better understand which communities may experience a disproportionate pollution burden and take action at the local level.
In addition, this year the TRI National Analysis Sector Profiles highlights the plastic products manufacturing sector alongside the standard profiles for electric utilities, chemical manufacturing, and metal mining. This allows readers to learn about releases and waste management of TRI chemicals, as well as greenhouse gas emissions, from facilities in these sectors.
EPA is holding a public webinar on March 28, 2023, to give an overview of the 2021 TRI National Analysis. Register for the webinar.
To view local data and analysis, 2021 TRI National Analysis
Notable Trends in 2021
The National Analysis shows a 24% increase in the number of new pollution reduction activities facilities initiated from 2020 to 2021—a strong rebound after the decrease seen from 2019 to 2020. These activities include facilities implementing strategies like replacing TRI chemicals with less hazardous alternatives or reducing the amount of scrap they produce. Through both existing programs and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, EPA offers grant opportunities to state and tribal technical assistance providers to help prevent pollution.
Industry professionals can also look at TRI reporting on pollution prevention to learn about best practices implemented at facilities.
Ethylene Oxide Reporting
TRI reporting also shows a 45% decrease in ethylene oxide releases from 2012 to 2021, driven by decreased air emissions. Although there was a 15% increase in releases compared to 2020, quantities of ethylene oxide released in 2021 are lower than pre-pandemic quantities from 2019. EPA also expanded reporting requirements for ethylene oxide and other chemicals to include additional facilities. Reporting from these facilities will appear for the first time in next year’s National Analyses.
PFAS Reporting
For the second time, the TRI National Analysis includes reporting on perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) following the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act. For Reporting Year 2021, 176 PFAS were reportable to TRI. Facilities reported managing 1.3 million pounds of these chemicals as waste. This is an increase from the 800,000 pounds in 2020 and is largely due to reporting on one PFAS, perfluorooctyl iodide, which EPA began requiring facilities to report in 2021. Most of the facilities that manage PFAS operate in the chemical manufacturing and hazardous waste management sectors. The hazardous waste management sector accounted for roughly 80% of the 108,334 pounds of PFAS released into the environment, primarily to regulated landfills.
Last December, EPA proposed a rule that would improve reporting on PFAS to TRI by eliminating an exemption that allows facilities to avoid reporting information on PFAS when those chemicals are used in small, or de minimis, concentrations. Because PFAS are used at low concentrations in many products, this rule would ensure covered industry sectors and federal facilities that make or use TRI-listed PFAS will no longer be able to rely on the de minimis exemption to avoid disclosing their PFAS releases and other waste management quantities for these chemicals.
To access the 2021 TRI Factsheets by region or state:
Region 8
EPA Analysis Shows 2021 Decrease of Toxic Chemical Releases in Connecticut
BOSTON (March 16, 2023) – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its 2021 Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) National Analysis, which shows that environmental releases of TRI chemicals from facilities covered by the program remained below pre-pandemic levels and releases in 2021 are 10% lower than 2012 releases, even with an 8% increase from 2020 to 2021. Additionally, in 2021, facilities managed 89% of their TRI chemical waste through preferred practices such as recycling, energy recovery and treatment, while reporting that they released 11% of their TRI chemical waste into the environment.
In Connecticut, the reporting data show that overall releases of pollutants to the environment decreased from the previous reporting year (2020). Additionally, in the last 10 years, air emissions in Connecticut have been reduced 37%, with several companies reducing or eliminating certain chemicals emitted to the air.
TRI tracks the management of certain toxic chemicals that may pose a threat to human health and the environment. U.S. facilities in different industry sectors must report annually how much of each chemical is released to the environment and/or managed through recycling, energy recovery and treatment. A "release" of a chemical means that it is emitted to the air, water or placed in some type of land disposal.
"TRI reporting is a key part of EPA's efforts to provide greater access to vital environmental information to Americans about their neighborhoods," said EPA New England Regional Administrator David W. Cash. "Making this information publicly available also incentivizes companies to reduce pollution and gives communities tools to act locally – which is particularly important for underserved communities that have historically been disproportionately impacted by pollution."
Connecticut: Released on and offsite
During 2021, 260 facilities reported approximately 1.6 million pounds were released onsite to the air, water, and land (such as landfills), compared to 1.8 million pounds released in 2020 (a decrease of 0.2 million pounds). Approximately 565,000 pounds were released to the air and18,700 pounds were released to surface water. The major pollutants released to the air were ammonia at 20% and methanol with 12% of all air releases in the state. The major pollutant released to the water, although small was nitrate compounds (at 75% of all releases to water).
Connecticut: Total Production Related Waste
During 2021, 260 facilities reported approximately 134.2 million pounds of total production related waste was managed compared to 365 facilities and 122 million pounds managed in 2020 (an increase of 12 million pounds). Total production related waste includes chemicals released directly to the environment and wastes that are treated (such as in an incinerator or wastewater treatment system), recycled and waste that is landfilled.
Connecticut: Top Five Companies
The companies in Connecticut with the greatest releases included fabricated metals, hazardous waste treatment, chemicals, wood treatment and transportation equipment. These 5 facilities produced 37% of the releases in the state of Connecticut in 2021. In the last ten years, total releases increased 34% from 2.2 million pounds in 2012 to 3.0 million pounds in 2020.
Each year, EPA makes publicly available TRI data reported by industries throughout the United States regarding chemical releases to air, water and land by power plants, manufacturers and other facilities which employ ten or more workers, and which exceed thresholds for chemicals. Reporting includes information on chemicals released at a company's facility, as well as those transported to disposal facilities off site. TRI data do not reflect the relative toxicity of the chemicals emitted or potential exposure to people living in a community with reported releases.
Reporting under TRI does not indicate illegal discharges of pollutants to the environment. EPA works closely with states to provide regulatory oversight of facilities that generate pollution to the nation's air, land and water. Effective review and permitting programs work to ensure that the public and the environment are not subjected to unhealthful levels of pollution, even as agencies work to further reduce emissions of chemicals to the environment. Enforcement efforts by EPA and states ensure that facilities that violate their environmental permits are subject to penalties and corrective action. Yearly releases by individual facilities can vary due to factors such as power outages, production variability, lulls in the business cycle, etc., that do not reflect a facility's pollution prevention program(s).
The top five chemicals released to surface water in Connecticut during 2021 were:
The top five chemicals released to the air in Connecticut during 2021 were:
Companies with the largest releases:
TRI data are submitted annually to EPA, states, and tribes by facilities in industry sectors such as manufacturing, metal mining, electric utilities, and commercial hazardous waste. Under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA), facilities must report their toxic chemical releases for the prior year to EPA by July 1 of each year. The Pollution Prevention Act of 1990 also requires facilities to submit information on pollution prevention and other waste management activities related to TRI chemicals.
The 2021 Analysis features updated visualizations and analytical tools to make data more useful and accessible to communities, including the option to view data by region and watershed. EPA has also updated demographic information in the "Where You Live" mapping tool and in the Chemical Profiles section. Readers can view facility locations with overlayed demographic data to identify potential exposure to TRI chemical releases in vulnerable communities. Community groups, policymakers, and other stakeholders can use this data, along with other environmental data, to better understand which communities may experience a disproportionate pollution burden and take action at the local level.
PFAS Reporting
For the second time, the TRI National Analysis includes reporting on perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) following the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act. For Reporting Year 2021, 176 PFAS were reportable to TRI. Facilities reported managing 1.3 million pounds of these chemicals as waste. This is an increase from the 800,000 pounds in 2020 and is largely due to reporting on one PFAS, perfluorooctyl iodide, which EPA began requiring facilities to report in 2021. Most of the facilities that manage PFAS operate in the chemical manufacturing and hazardous waste management sectors. The hazardous waste management sector accounted for roughly 80% of the 108,334 pounds of PFAS released into the environment, primarily to regulated landfills.
Last December, EPA proposed a rule that would improve reporting on PFAS to TRI by eliminating an exemption that allows facilities to avoid reporting information on PFAS when those chemicals are used in small, or de minimis, concentrations. Because PFAS are used at low concentrations in many products, this rule would ensure covered industry sectors and federal facilities that make or use TRI-listed PFAS will no longer be able to rely on the de minimis exemption to avoid disclosing their PFAS releases and other waste management quantities for these chemicals.
More information:
EPA Analysis Shows 2021 Increase of Toxic Chemical Releases in Massachusetts
BOSTON (March 16, 2023) – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its 2021 Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) National Analysis, which shows that environmental releases of TRI chemicals from facilities covered by the program remained below pre-pandemic levels and releases in 2021 are 10% lower than 2012 releases, even with an 8% increase from 2020 to 2021. Additionally, in 2021, facilities managed 89% of their TRI chemical waste through preferred practices such as recycling, energy recovery and treatment, while reporting that they released 11% of their TRI chemical waste into the environment.
In Massachusetts, the reporting data show that overall releases of pollutants to the environment increased since the previous reporting year (2020). However, over the last 10 years, Massachusetts has reduced air emissions by 55% due to the closures of a coal fired power plant and aluminum can manufacturer
TRI tracks the management of certain toxic chemicals that may pose a threat to human health and the environment. U.S. facilities in different industry sectors must report annually how much of each chemical is released to the environment and/or managed through recycling, energy recovery and treatment. A "release" of a chemical means that it is emitted to the air, water or placed in some type of land disposal.
"TRI reporting is a key part of EPA's efforts to provide greater access to vital environmental information to Americans about their neighborhoods," said EPA New England Regional Administrator David W. Cash. "Making this information publicly available also incentivizes companies to reduce pollution and gives communities tools to act locally – which is particularly important for underserved communities that have historically been disproportionately impacted by pollution."
Massachusetts: Released on and offsite
During 2021, the latest year for which data is available, 357 facilities reported approximately 3.9 million pounds were released onsite to the air, water and land (such as landfills), compared to 3.0 million pounds released in 2020 (an increase of 0.9 million pounds). Approximately 667,300 pounds were released to the air, and 2,800 pounds were released to surface water. The major pollutants released to the air were toluene at 27% and ammonia with 11% of all air releases in the state. The major pollutant released to the water although small was formaldehyde (at 30% of all releases to water). In the last ten years, total releases increased 8% from 3.6 million pounds in 2011 to 3.9 million pounds in 2021.
Massachusetts: Total Production Related Waste
During 2021, 357 facilities reported approximately 50.4 million pounds of total production related waste was managed compared to 362 facilities and 43.9 million pounds managed in 2020 (an increase of 8.3 million pounds). Total production related waste includes chemicals released directly to the environment and wastes that are treated (such as in an incinerator or wastewater treatment system), recycled and waste that is landfilled.
Massachusetts: Top Five Companies
The companies in Massachusetts with the greatest releases included various industries including plastics, fabricated metals, manufacturing, and chemicals. These 5 facilities produced 44% of the releases in the state of Massachusetts in 2021.
Each year, EPA makes publicly available TRI data reported by industries throughout the United States regarding chemical releases to air, water and land by power plants, manufacturers and other facilities which employ ten or more workers, and which exceed thresholds for chemicals. Reporting includes information on chemicals released at a company's facility, as well as those transported to disposal facilities off site. TRI data do not reflect the relative toxicity of the chemicals emitted or potential exposure to people living in a community with reported releases.
Reporting under TRI does not indicate illegal discharges of pollutants to the environment. EPA works closely with states to provide regulatory oversight of facilities that generate pollution to the nation's air, land, and water. Effective review and permitting programs work to ensure that the public and the environment are not subjected to unhealthful levels of pollution, even as agencies work to further reduce emissions of chemicals to the environment. Enforcement efforts by EPA and states ensure that facilities that violate their environmental permits are subject to penalties and corrective action. Yearly releases by individual facilities can vary due to factors such as power outages, production variability, lulls in the business cycle, etc., that do not reflect a facility's pollution prevention program(s).
The top five chemicals released to surface water in Massachusetts during 2021:
The top five chemicals released to the air in Massachusetts during 2021:
Companies with the largest releases:
TRI data are submitted annually to EPA, states, and tribes by facilities in industry sectors such as manufacturing, metal mining, electric utilities, and commercial hazardous waste. Under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA), facilities must report their toxic chemical releases for the prior year to EPA by July 1 of each year. The Pollution Prevention Act of 1990 also requires facilities to submit information on pollution prevention and other waste management activities related to TRI chemicals.
The 2021 Analysis features updated visualizations and analytical tools to make data more useful and accessible to communities, including the option to view data by region and watershed. EPA has also updated demographic information in the "Where You Live" mapping tool and in the Chemical Profiles section. Readers can view facility locations with overlayed demographic data to identify potential exposure to TRI chemical releases in vulnerable communities. Community groups, policymakers, and other stakeholders can use this data, along with other environmental data, to better understand which communities may experience a disproportionate pollution burden and take action at the local level.
PFAS Reporting
For the second time, the TRI National Analysis includes reporting on perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) following the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act. For Reporting Year 2021, 176 PFAS were reportable to TRI. Facilities reported managing 1.3 million pounds of these chemicals as waste. This is an increase from the 800,000 pounds in 2020 and is largely due to reporting on one PFAS, perfluorooctyl iodide, which EPA began requiring facilities to report in 2021. Most of the facilities that manage PFAS operate in the chemical manufacturing and hazardous waste management sectors. The hazardous waste management sector accounted for roughly 80% of the 108,334 pounds of PFAS released into the environment, primarily to regulated landfills.
Last December, EPA proposed a rule that would improve reporting on PFAS to TRI by eliminating an exemption that allows facilities to avoid reporting information on PFAS when those chemicals are used in small, or de minimis, concentrations. Because PFAS are used at low concentrations in many products, this rule would ensure covered industry sectors and federal facilities that make or use TRI-listed PFAS will no longer be able to rely on the de minimis exemption to avoid disclosing their PFAS releases and other waste management quantities for these chemicals.
More information:
EPA Analysis Shows 2021 Decrease of Toxic Chemical Releases in New Hampshire, but generated waste increased
BOSTON (March 16, 2023) – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its 2021 Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) National Analysis, which shows that environmental releases of TRI chemicals from facilities covered by the program remained below pre-pandemic levels and releases in 2021 are 10% lower than 2012 releases, even with an 8% increase from 2020 to 2021. Additionally, in 2021, facilities managed 89% of their TRI chemical waste through preferred practices such as recycling, energy recovery and treatment, while reporting that they released 11% of their TRI chemical waste into the environment.
In New Hampshire, the reporting data show that overall releases of toxic pollutants to the air, land and water decreased since the previous reporting year (2020). Additionally, over the last 10 years, New Hampshire has reduced air emissions 76%, due to the significant reductions of certain TRI chemicals at two manufacturing facilities and significant reductions from power plants.
TRI tracks the management of certain toxic chemicals that may pose a threat to human health and the environment. U.S. facilities in different industry sectors must report annually how much of each chemical is released to the environment and/or managed through recycling, energy recovery and treatment. A "release" of a chemical means that it is emitted to the air, water or placed in some type of land disposal.
"TRI reporting is a key part of EPA's efforts to provide greater access to vital environmental information to Americans about their neighborhoods," said EPA New England Regional Administrator David W. Cash. "Making this information publicly available also incentivizes companies to reduce pollution and gives communities tools to act locally – which is particularly important for underserved communities that have historically been disproportionately impacted by pollution."
New Hampshire: Released on and offsite
During 2021, the latest year for which data is available, 123 facilities reported approximately 144,800 pounds were released onsite to the air, water, and land, compared to 100,000 pounds released in 2020 (an increase of 44,800 pounds). Note that 698,800 pounds were released ten years ago in 2012. Approximately 99,000 pounds were released to the air and, 274 pounds were released to surface water. The major pollutants released to the air were sulfuric acid at 25% and toluene at 23% of all air releases in the state. The major pollutant released to the water, although small was ammonia (at 72% of all releases to water).
New Hampshire: Total Production Related Waste
During 2021, 123 facilities reported approximately 22.3 million pounds of total production related waste was managed compared to 117 facilities and 21.7 million pounds managed in 2020 (an increase of 0.6 million pounds). Total production related waste includes chemicals released directly to the environment and wastes that are treated (such as in an incinerator or wastewater treatment system), recycled and waste that is landfilled.
New Hampshire: Top Five Companies
The companies in New Hampshire with the greatest releases included various industries including fabricated metals, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, electric utilities and computer and electronics. These 5 facilities produced 60% of the releases in the state of New Hampshire in 2021. Over the last ten years, total releases decreased 51% from 825,600 pounds in 2012 to 407,700 pounds in 2021.
Each year, EPA makes publicly available TRI data reported by industries throughout the United States regarding chemical releases to air, water and land by power plants, manufacturers and other facilities which employ ten or more workers, and which exceed thresholds for chemicals. Reporting includes information on chemicals released at a company's facility, as well as those transported to disposal facilities off site. TRI data do not reflect the relative toxicity of the chemicals emitted or potential exposure to people living in a community with reported releases.
Reporting under TRI does not indicate illegal discharges of pollutants to the environment. EPA works closely with states to provide regulatory oversight of facilities that generate pollution to the nation's air, land, and water. Effective review and permitting programs work to ensure that the public and the environment are not subjected to unhealthful levels of pollution, even as agencies work to further reduce emissions of chemicals to the environment. Enforcement efforts by EPA and states ensure that facilities that violate their environmental permits are subject to penalties and corrective action. Yearly releases by individual facilities can vary due to factors such as power outages, production variability, lulls in the business cycle, etc., that do not reflect a facility's pollution prevention program(s).
The top five chemicals released to surface water in New Hampshire during 2021:
The top five chemicals released to the air in New Hampshire during 2020:
Companies with the largest releases:
TRI data are submitted annually to EPA, states, and tribes by facilities in industry sectors such as manufacturing, metal mining, electric utilities, and commercial hazardous waste. Under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA), facilities must report their toxic chemical releases for the prior year to EPA by July 1 of each year. The Pollution Prevention Act of 1990 also requires facilities to submit information on pollution prevention and other waste management activities related to TRI chemicals.
The 2021 Analysis features updated visualizations and analytical tools to make data more useful and accessible to communities, including the option to view data by region and watershed. EPA has also updated demographic information in the "Where You Live" mapping tool and in the Chemical Profiles section. Readers can view facility locations with overlayed demographic data to identify potential exposure to TRI chemical releases in vulnerable communities. Community groups, policymakers, and other stakeholders can use this data, along with other environmental data, to better understand which communities may experience a disproportionate pollution burden and take action at the local level.
PFAS Reporting
For the second time, the TRI National Analysis includes reporting on perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) following the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act. For Reporting Year 2021, 176 PFAS were reportable to TRI. Facilities reported managing 1.3 million pounds of these chemicals as waste. This is an increase from the 800,000 pounds in 2020 and is largely due to reporting on one PFAS, perfluorooctyl iodide, which EPA began requiring facilities to report in 2021. Most of the facilities that manage PFAS operate in the chemical manufacturing and hazardous waste management sectors. The hazardous waste management sector accounted for roughly 80% of the 108,334 pounds of PFAS released into the environment, primarily to regulated landfills.
Last December, EPA proposed a rule that would improve reporting on PFAS to TRI by eliminating an exemption that allows facilities to avoid reporting information on PFAS when those chemicals are used in small, or de minimis, concentrations. Because PFAS are used at low concentrations in many products, this rule would ensure covered industry sectors and federal facilities that make or use TRI-listed PFAS will no longer be able to rely on the de minimis exemption to avoid disclosing their PFAS releases and other waste management quantities for these chemicals.
More information:
EPA Analysis Shows 2021 Increase of Toxic Chemical Releases in Maine
BOSTON (March 16, 2023) – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its 2021 Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) National Analysis, which shows that environmental releases of TRI chemicals from facilities covered by the program remained below pre-pandemic levels and releases in 2021 are 10% lower than 2012 releases, even with an 8% increase from 2020 to 2021. Additionally, in 2021, facilities managed 89% of their TRI chemical waste through preferred practices such as recycling, energy recovery and treatment, while reporting that they released 11% of their TRI chemical waste into the environment.
In Maine, the reporting data show that overall releases of pollutants to the environment decreased since the previous reporting year (2020). Additionally, over the last 10 years, Maine has reduced air emissions 34%, due to paper mill air emission reductions and reduced production from paper mills.
TRI tracks the management of certain toxic chemicals that may pose a threat to human health and the environment. U.S. facilities in different industry sectors must report annually how much of each chemical is released to the environment and/or managed through recycling, energy recovery and treatment. A "release" of a chemical means that it is emitted to the air, water or placed in some type of land disposal.
"TRI reporting is a key part of EPA's efforts to provide greater access to vital environmental information to Americans about their neighborhoods," said EPA New England Regional Administrator David W. Cash. "Making this information publicly available also incentivizes companies to reduce pollution and gives communities tools to act locally – which is particularly important for underserved communities that have historically been disproportionately impacted by pollution."
Maine: Released on and offsite
During 2021, the latest year for which data is available, 79 facilities reported approximately 7.4 million pounds were released onsite to the air, water and land (such as landfills), compared to 5.9 million pounds released in 2020 (an increase of 1.5 million pounds). Approximately 2.9 million pounds were released to the air and 2.2 million pounds were released to surface water. The major pollutants released to the air were hydrogen sulfide at 31% and ammonia with 27% of all air releases in the state. The major pollutant released to the water was nitrate compounds (at 79% of all releases to water) which can promote algal growth in surface waters. From 2012, on-site and off-site releases decreased from 12 million pounds in 2012 to 7.4 million pounds in 2021.
Maine: Total Production Related Waste
During 2021, 79 facilities reported approximately 51.1 million pounds of total production related waste was managed compared to 79 facilities and 53.8 million pounds managed in 2020 (a decrease of 2.7 million pounds). Total production related waste includes chemicals released directly to the environment and wastes that are treated (such as in an incinerator or wastewater treatment system), recycled and waste that is landfilled.
Maine: Top Five Companies
The companies in Maine with the greatest releases included four paper mills and one food processor, and while the order of top the top five releases changed over the last ten years, they remail the same five companies. These 5 facilities produce d 92% of the releases in the state of Maine.
Each year, EPA makes publicly available TRI data reported by industries throughout the United States regarding chemical releases to air, water and land by power plants, manufacturers and other facilities which employ ten or more workers, and which exceed thresholds for chemicals. Reporting includes information on chemicals released at a company's facility, as well as those transported to disposal facilities off site. TRI data do not reflect the relative toxicity of the chemicals emitted or potential exposure to people living in a community with reported releases.
Reporting under TRI does not indicate illegal discharges of pollutants to the environment. EPA works closely with states to provide regulatory oversight of facilities that generate pollution to the nation's air, land and water. Effective review and permitting programs work to ensure that the public and the environment are not subjected to unhealthful levels of pollution, even as agencies work to further reduce emissions of chemicals to the environment. Enforcement efforts by EPA and states ensure that facilities that violate their environmental permits are subject to penalties and corrective action. Yearly releases by individual facilities can vary due to factors such as power outages, production variability, lulls in the business cycle, etc., that do not reflect a facility's pollution prevention program(s).
The top five chemicals released to surface water in Maine during 2021:
The top five chemicals released to the air in Maine during 2021:
Companies with the largest releases:
TRI data are submitted annually to EPA, states, and tribes by facilities in industry sectors such as manufacturing, metal mining, electric utilities, and commercial hazardous waste. Under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA), facilities must report their toxic chemical releases for the prior year to EPA by July 1 of each year. The Pollution Prevention Act of 1990 also requires facilities to submit information on pollution prevention and other waste management activities related to TRI chemicals.
The 2021 Analysis features updated visualizations and analytical tools to make data more useful and accessible to communities, including the option to view data by region and watershed. EPA has also updated demographic information in the "Where You Live" mapping tool and in the Chemical Profiles section. Readers can view facility locations with overlayed demographic data to identify potential exposure to TRI chemical releases in vulnerable communities. Community groups, policymakers, and other stakeholders can use this data, along with other environmental data, to better understand which communities may experience a disproportionate pollution burden and take action at the local level.
PFAS Reporting
For the second time, the TRI National Analysis includes reporting on perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) following the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act. For Reporting Year 2021, 176 PFAS were reportable to TRI. Facilities reported managing 1.3 million pounds of these chemicals as waste. This is an increase from the 800,000 pounds in 2020 and is largely due to reporting on one PFAS, perfluorooctyl iodide, which EPA began requiring facilities to report in 2021. Most of the facilities that manage PFAS operate in the chemical manufacturing and hazardous waste management sectors. The hazardous waste management sector accounted for roughly 80% of the 108,334 pounds of PFAS released into the environment, primarily to regulated landfills.
Last December, EPA proposed a rule that would improve reporting on PFAS to TRI by eliminating an exemption that allows facilities to avoid reporting information on PFAS when those chemicals are used in small, or de minimis, concentrations. Because PFAS are used at low concentrations in many products, this rule would ensure covered industry sectors and federal facilities that make or use TRI-listed PFAS will no longer be able to rely on the de minimis exemption to avoid disclosing their PFAS releases and other waste management quantities for these chemicals.
More information:
EPA recognizes 15 organizations for certifying the most buildings as ENERGY STAR in 2022
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced the names of 15 organizations that each earned EPA’s ENERGY STAR certification for more than 150 commercial, multifamily, and industrial buildings in 2022. In total, the top certifiers collectively certified more than 3,700 buildings representing over 800 million square feet of floor space. EPA is highlighting the organizations that are the most active certifiers in recognition of the 30th anniversary of the ENERGY STAR program. Any organization that certified five buildings or more in 2022 was eligible for special recognition as a member of the ENERGY STAR Certification Nation.
“Improving the energy efficiency of America’s buildings is essential to fighting the climate crisis,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “By certifying the most ENERGY STAR buildings last year, these companies are helping lead the way to a clean energy future and are demonstrating that building efficiency isn’t just good for the climate, but also good for our economy.”
The group of top certifiers includes a diverse set of energy services companies that help their clients improve the energy performance of their buildings as well as large commercial real estate companies, a healthcare real estate capital provider, a public utility, and a regional bank holding company:
Organization Buildings Certified as ENERGY STAR in 2022
Conservice
815
RE Tech Advisors
794
Cenergistic
504
Sustainable Investment Group
483
UL Solutions
330
Environmental SAVE
234
Maximum Energy Professionals
217
Cushman & Wakefield U.S., Inc.
194
CodeGreen Solutions Inc.
180
Schneider Electric
173
Servidyne
167
Energent Solutions
158
Ventas, Inc.
154
Consumers Energy
153
Huntington National Bank
151
To earn EPA’s ENERGY STAR, a building must first measure its energy performance using EPA’s online energy management and tracking tool, ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager®. The building then receives an ENERGY STAR score of 1-100, signifying how it performs relative to similar buildings nationwide. If the building both earns a score of 75 or higher and a professional engineer or registered architect verifies that its energy data and operating characteristics are correct and meets indoor air quality standards, EPA awards the ENERGY STAR to that building. More than 7,000 commercial, multifamily, and industrial buildings earned the ENERGY STAR for superior energy efficiency in 2022.
Energy use in commercial buildings accounts for 17% of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions and costs more than $100 billion per year. ENERGY STAR certified buildings are verified to perform better than 75% of similar buildings nationwide, they use an average of 35% less energy, and are responsible for 35% fewer carbon dioxide emissions than typical buildings. Many common building types can earn ENERGY STAR certification, including office buildings, multifamily housing, K-12 schools, hotels, hospitals, data centers, and retail stores.
Earning the ENERGY STAR is the simple way building owners and managers can demonstrate their commitment to environmental responsibility to their customers, stakeholders, and communities. More than 40,000 buildings across America have earned EPA’s ENERGY STAR certification since 1999.
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 — including nearly 40% of the Fortune 500® — 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 4 billion metric tons of greenhouse gas reductions. More background information about ENERGY STAR’s impacts.
More on the 2022 Top Certifiers.
Search for ENERGY STAR certified buildings.
More about earning the ENERGY STAR for buildings and plants.
Toxic Chemical Releases in 2021 Remained Below Pre-Pandemic Levels According to New Toxics Release Inventory Data
WASHINGTON — Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its 2021 Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) National Analysis, which shows that environmental releases of TRI chemicals from facilities covered by the program remained below pre-pandemic levels and releases in 2021 are 10% lower than 2012 releases, even with an 8% increase from 2020 to 2021. Additionally, in 2021, facilities managed 89% of their TRI chemical waste through preferred practices such as recycling, energy recovery and treatment, while reporting that they released 11% of their TRI chemical waste into the environment.
The 2021 TRI National Analysis summarizes TRI chemical waste management activities, including releases, that occurred during calendar year 2021. More than 21,000 facilities submitted reports on 531 chemicals requiring TRI reporting that they released into the environment or otherwise managed as waste. EPA, states and Tribes receive TRI data from facilities in sectors such as manufacturing, mining, electric utilities and commercial hazardous waste management.
“It’s absolutely essential that people have access to information about the chemicals being used in their communities,” said Assistant Administrator for the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention Michal Freedhoff. “By making this information publicly available, EPA is advancing its commitment to reduce pollution and give communities tools to help them make better informed decisions to protect people and the planet.”
The 2021 Analysis features updated visualizations and analytical tools to make data more useful and accessible to communities, including the option to view data by region and watershed. EPA has also updated demographic information in the “Where You Live” mapping tool and in the Chemical Profiles section. Readers can view facility locations with overlayed demographic data to identify potential exposure to TRI chemical releases in disadvantaged communities. Community groups, policymakers, and other stakeholders can use this data, along with other environmental data, to better understand which communities may experience a disproportionate pollution burden and take action at the local level.
In addition, this year the TRI National Analysis Sector Profiles highlights the plastic products manufacturing sector alongside the standard profiles for electric utilities, chemical manufacturing, and metal mining. This allows readers to learn about releases and waste management of TRI chemicals, as well as greenhouse gas emissions, from facilities in these sectors.
EPA is holding a public webinar on March 28, 2023, to give an overview of the 2021 TRI National Analysis. Register for the webinar.
View the 2021 TRI National Analysis, including local data and analyses.
Notable Trend in 2021
The National Analysis shows a 24% increase in the number of new pollution reduction activities facilities initiated from 2020 to 2021 — a strong rebound after the decrease seen from 2019 to 2020. These activities include facilities implementing strategies like replacing TRI chemicals with less hazardous alternatives or reducing the amount of scrap they produce. Through both existing programs and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, EPA offers grant opportunities to state and Tribal technical assistance providers to help prevent pollution.
Industry professionals can also look at TRI reporting on pollution prevention to learn about best practices implemented at facilities.
Ethylene Oxide Reporting
TRI reporting also shows a 45% decrease in ethylene oxide releases from 2012 to 2021, driven by decreased air emissions. Although there was a 15% increase in releases compared to 2020, quantities of ethylene oxide released in 2021 are lower than pre-pandemic quantities from 2019. EPA also expanded reporting requirements for ethylene oxide and other chemicals to include additional facilities. Reporting from these facilities will appear for the first time in next year’s National Analyses.
PFAS Reporting
For the second time, the TRI National Analysis includes reporting on perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) following the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act. For Reporting Year 2021, 176 PFAS were reportable to TRI. Facilities reported managing 1.3 million pounds of these chemicals as waste. This is an increase from the 800,000 pounds in 2020 and is largely due to reporting on one PFAS, perfluorooctyl iodide, which EPA began requiring facilities to report in 2021. Most of the facilities that manage PFAS operate in the chemical manufacturing and hazardous waste management sectors. The hazardous waste management sector accounted for roughly 80% of the 108,334 pounds of PFAS released into the environment, primarily to regulated landfills.
Last December, EPA proposed a rule that would improve reporting on PFAS to TRI by eliminating an exemption that allows facilities to avoid reporting information on PFAS when those chemicals are used in small, or de minimis, concentrations. Because PFAS are used at low concentrations in many products, this rule would ensure covered industry sectors and federal facilities that make or use TRI-listed PFAS will no longer be able to rely on the de minimis exemption to avoid disclosing their PFAS releases and other waste management quantities for these chemicals.
Las emisiones de sustancias químicas tóxicas en 2021 se mantuvieron por debajo de los niveles anteriores a la pandemia según los nuevos datos del Inventario de Emisiones Tóxicas
Hoy, la Agencia de Protección Ambiental de Estados Unidos (EPA, por sus siglas en inglés) publicó su Análisis Nacional del Inventario de Emisiones Tóxicas (TRI) de 2021, que muestra que las emisiones ambientales de productos químicos TRI de las instalaciones cubiertas por el programa se mantuvieron por debajo de los niveles anteriores a la pandemia y las emisiones en 2021 son un 10% más bajas que las emisiones de 2012, incluso con un aumento del 8% de 2020 a 2021. Además, en 2021, las instalaciones controlaron 89% de sus residuos químicos TRI gracias a prácticas preferidas como el reciclaje, la recuperación de energía y el tratamiento, informando a la vez que emitieron el 11% de sus residuos químicos TRI al medioambiente.
El Análisis Nacional del TRI 2021 resume las actividades de gestión de residuos químicos del TRI, incluidas las emanaciones, que ocurrieron durante el año calendario 2021. Más de 21,000 instalaciones presentaron informes sobre 531 productos químicos que requerían que el TRI informara que se liberaban al medioambiente o se gestionaban como desechos. La EPA, los estados y las tribus reciben datos del TRI de instalaciones en sectores como la manufactura, la minería, los servicios eléctricos y la gestión comercial de residuos peligrosos.
“Es absolutamente esencial que las personas tengan acceso a la información sobre los productos químicos que se utilizan en sus comunidades”, señaló la subadministradora de la Oficina de Seguridad Química y Prevención de la Contaminación, Michal Freedhoff. “Al hacer que esta información esté disponible públicamente, la EPA avanza en su compromiso de reducir la contaminación y entregar herramientas a las comunidades para ayudarlas a tomar decisiones mejor informadas destinadas a proteger a las personas y al planeta”.
El Análisis de 2021 presenta visualizaciones actualizadas y herramientas analíticas para hacer que los datos sean más útiles y accesibles para las comunidades, incluida la opción de ver los datos por región y cuenca. La EPA también ha actualizado la información demográfica en la herramienta de mapeo “Dónde vive” y en la sección Perfiles químicos. Los lectores pueden ver las ubicaciones de las instalaciones con datos demográficos superpuestos para identificar la posible exposición a las emisiones químicas del TRI en comunidades desventajadas. Los grupos comunitarios, los formuladores de políticas y otras partes interesadas pueden usar estos datos, junto con otros datos ambientales, para comprender mejor qué comunidades pueden experimentar una carga de contaminación desproporcionada y tomar medidas a nivel local.
Además, este año, los Perfiles Sectoriales de Análisis Nacional del TRI destacan el sector de fabricación de productos plásticos junto con los perfiles estándar para empresas eléctricas, fabricación de productos químicos y minería de metales. Esto permite a los lectores enterarse de las emisiones y la gestión de residuos de productos químicos TRI, así como las emisiones de gases de efecto invernadero, de las instalaciones en estos sectores.
La EPA llevará a cabo un seminario web público el 28 de marzo de 2023 para ofrecer una visión general del Análisis Nacional del TRI 2021. Inscríbase para el seminario web.
Para ver el Análisis Nacional del TRI 2021, incluidos los datos y análisis locales, visite www.epa.gov/trinationalanalysis .
Tendencia notable en 2021
El Análisis Nacional muestra un aumento del 24% en el número de instalaciones con nuevas actividades de reducción de la contaminación iniciadas de 2020 a 2021, un fuerte repunte después de la disminución observada de 2019 a 2020. Estas actividades incluyen la implementación de estrategias como la sustitución de los productos químicos del TRI por alternativas menos peligrosas o la reducción de la cantidad de chatarra que producen. A través de los programas existentes y la Ley Bipartidista de Infraestructura, la EPA ofrece oportunidades de subvención a proveedores de asistencia técnica estatales y tribales para ayudar a prevenir la contaminación.
Los profesionales de la industria también pueden consultar los informes del TRI sobre prevención de la contaminación para conocer las mejores prácticas implementadas en las instalaciones.
Informes de óxido de etileno
Los informes del TRI también muestran una disminución del 45% en las emisiones de óxido de etileno de 2012 a 2021, impulsada por la disminución de las emisiones atmosféricas. Aunque hubo un aumento del 15% en las emanaciones en comparación con 2020, las cantidades de óxido de etileno liberadas en 2021 son inferiores a las cantidades anteriores a la pandemia de 2019. La EPA también amplió los requisitos de presentación de informes para el óxido de etileno y otros productos químicos para incluir instalaciones adicionales. Los informes de estas instalaciones aparecerán por primera vez en los Análisis Nacionales del próximo año.
Informes sobre PFAS
Por segunda vez, el Análisis Nacional del TRI incluye informes sobre sustancias perfluoroalquiladas (PFAS) siguiendo la Ley de Autorización de Defensa Nacional de 2020. Para el año de informe 2021, 176 PFAS fueron reportables al TRI. Las instalaciones informaron que gestionan 1.3 millones de libras de estos productos químicos como desechos. Este es un aumento de las 800,000 libras en 2020 y se debe en gran parte a los informes sobre un tipo de PFAS, yoduro de perfluorooctilo, que la EPA comenzó a exigir que las instalaciones informaran en 2021. La mayoría de las instalaciones que gestionan PFAS operan en los sectores de fabricación de productos químicos y gestión de residuos peligrosos. El sector de gestión de residuos peligrosos representó aproximadamente el 80% de las 108,334 libras de PFAS liberadas al medioambiente, principalmente a rellenos sanitarios regulados.
En diciembre pasado, la EPA propuso una regla que mejoraría la presentación de informes sobre PFAS al TRI al eliminar una exención que permite a las instalaciones evitar reportar información sobre PFAS cuando se usan dichos productos químicos en concentraciones pequeñas o de minimis. Debido a que las PFAS se usan en bajas concentraciones en muchos productos, esta regla garantizaría que los sectores industriales cubiertos y las instalaciones federales que fabrican o usan PFAS listadas por el TRI ya no puedan contar con la exención de minimis para evitar divulgar sus emisiones de PFAS y otras cantidades de gestión de desechos correspondientes a estos productos químicos.
EPA Region 2 Announces Virtual Listening Session on PFAS Strategic Roadmap
NEW YORK - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 2 will host a virtual listening session on March 30, 2023 to get feedback on EPA’s PFAS Strategic Roadmap from residents in EPA Region 2, which includes New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands communities and eight Indian Nations. In the session, EPA will provide information about EPA’s ongoing work under the PFAS Strategic Roadmap (2021-2024) and will ask for feedback on this work. In November 2022, EPA announced that the Agency would hold a series of virtual regional community engagement sessions in 2023 to fulfill a key commitment outlined in the PFAS Strategic Roadmap.
“We have made significant progress since EPA developed its PFAS Strategic Roadmap, which outlines specific commitments to address the risks posed by PFAS to people’s health,” said EPA Regional Administrator Lisa F. Garcia. “This session will give community members and stakeholders a chance to hear about that progress and most importantly to share with us their thoughts on actions we should take moving forward.”
EPA Region 2’s virtual regional community engagement session will be held via Zoom on Thursday, March 30, 2023, from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. EST.
Attendees are encouraged to register to participate in the community engagement session. Spanish interpretation services will be available for those listening via online audio in Zoom, and live closed captioning will be available through Zoom.
Background
In October 2021, EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan launched? the Agency’s PFAS Strategic Roadmap (2021-2024)—laying out a whole-of-agency approach to addressing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS. The roadmap sets timelines by which EPA plans to take specific actions and commits to bolder new policies to safeguard public health, protect the environment, and hold polluters accountable over three years. The actions described in the PFAS Roadmap each represent important and meaningful steps to safeguard communities from PFAS contamination. Cumulatively, these actions will build upon one another and lead to more enduring and protective solutions.
In November 2022, EPA released “A Year of Progress Under EPA’s PFAS Strategic Roadmap,” which underscores key actions taken by the agency during the first year of implementing the PFAS Roadmap. EPA continues to implement a whole-of-agency approach, advancing science, and following the law to safeguard public health, protect the environment, and hold polluters accountable. Concurrently with this one-year progress report, EPA announced that it will hold virtual community engagement events in each EPA Region in 2023, which EPA Region 2 is announcing today.
These engagements align with recommendations from the National Environmental Justice Advisory Council and EPA’s Roadmap commitment to engage directly with communities and stakeholders. Recognizing the unique and pervasive impacts of PFAS on Indian Nations, EPA is also planning to hold a session specifically designed to hear from our Indian Nation partners.
More information on EPA’s efforts on PFAS.
Follow EPA Region 2 on Twitter and visit our Facebook page. For more information about EPA Region 2, visit our website.
La Región 2 de la EPA anuncia una sesión de escucha virtual sobre la hoja de ruta estratégica de PFAS
NUEVA YORK - La Región 2 de la Agencia de Protección Ambiental de Estados Unidos (EPA, por sus siglas en inglés) llevará a cabo una sesión de a virtual para escuchar al público el 30 de marzo de 2023 a fin de obtener comentarios sobre la Hoja de Ruta Estratégica de PFAS de la EPA de los residentes de la Región 2 de la EPA, que incluye las comunidades de Nueva Jersey, Nueva York, Puerto Rico, las Islas Vírgenes de los Estados Unidos y ocho naciones indígenas. En la sesión, la EPA proporcionará información sobre el trabajo en curso de la agencia bajo la Hoja de Ruta Estratégica de PFAS (2021-2024) y solicitará comentarios sobre este trabajo. En noviembre de 2022, la EPA anunció que la Agencia celebraría una serie de sesiones virtuales de participación comunitaria regional en 2023 para cumplir con un compromiso clave descrito en la Hoja de Ruta Estratégica de PFAS.
“Hemos logrado un progreso significativo desde que la EPA desarrolló su Hoja de Ruta Estratégica PFAS, que describe compromisos específicos para abordar los riesgos que representan las PFAS para la salud de las personas”, señaló la administradora regional de la EPA, Lisa F. García. “Esta sesión brindará a los miembros de la comunidad y a las partes interesadas la oportunidad de conocer sobre dicho progreso y, lo que es más importante, de compartir con nosotros lo que piensa sobre las acciones que debemos tomar.”.
La sesión virtual de participación comunitaria regional de la Región 2 de la EPA se llevará a cabo a través de Zoom el jueves 30 de marzo de 2023, de 6:00 p.m. a 8:00 p.m., hora local del Este.
Se alienta a los asistentes a registrarse para participar en la sesión de participación comunitaria. Habrá servicios de interpretación en español disponibles para quienes escuchen a través de audio en línea en Zoom, y habrá subtítulos en vivo disponibles a través de Zoom.
Antecedentes
En octubre de 2021, el administrador de la EPA, Michael S. Regan lanzó la Hoja de Ruta Estratégica de PFAS (2021-2024) de la Agencia, la cual establece un enfoque de toda la agencia para abordar las sustancias perfluoroalquiladas y polifluoroalquiladas, o PFAS. La Hoja de Ruta establece plazos conforme a los cuales la EPA planifica tomar medidas específicas y se compromete a nuevas políticas encaminadas a proteger la salud pública y el medioambiente y responsabilizar a los responsables de la contaminacion durante tres años. Las acciones descritas en la Hoja de Ruta de PFAS representan pasos importantes y significativos para proteger a las comunidades de la contaminación por PFAS. A largo plazo, estas acciones irán construyendo unas sobre otras y conducirán a soluciones más duraderas y protectoras.
En noviembre de 2022, la EPA publicó “Un año de progreso con la Hoja de Ruta Estratégica de PFAS de la EPA”, que subraya las acciones clave tomadas por la agencia durante el primer año de implementación de la Hoja de Ruta de PFAS. La EPA continúa implementando un enfoque de toda la agencia, avanzando en la ciencia y respetando la ley para resguardar la salud pública, proteger el medioambiente y responsabilizar a los contaminadores. Simultáneamente con este informe de progreso de un año, la EPA anunció que llevará a cabo eventos virtuales de participación comunitaria en cada región de la EPA en 2023, que la Región 2 de la EPA anuncia hoy.
Estos compromisos son cónsonos con las recomendaciones del Consejo Asesor Nacional de Justicia Ambiental y el compromiso de la Hoja de Ruta de la EPA de involucrarse directamente con las comunidades y las partes interesadas. Reconociendo los impactos únicos y generalizados de PFAS en las naciones indígenas, la EPA también planea celebrar una sesión específicamente diseñada para escuchar a nuestros socios de las naciones indígenas.
Más información sobre los esfuerzos de la EPA acerca de las PFAS.
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.
EPA Announces $3 Million For New Jersey to Plan Innovative Climate Projects Across the State
NEW YORK - Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced it will award $3 million for New Jersey to plan innovative strategies to cut climate pollution and build clean energy economies across the state. Earlier this month, EPA announced the availability of the funds, which represent the first funding going to states, local governments, Tribes, and territories from the Climate Pollution Reduction Grants (CPRG) program created by President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act. Later this year, EPA will launch a competition for $4.6 billion in funding to implement projects and initiatives included in the plans. New Jersey will be eligible to receive that implementation funding also because it has opted in to receive the planning grant.
New Jersey is among the 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico that are eligible to receive $3 million each in EPA Climate Pollution Reduction planning grant funds. New Jersey will use the funds to augment planning already underway in the state in collaboration with partners, including municipalities statewide, and conduct meaningful engagement, including with overburdened communities throughout the state that are often the most impacted by climate change. New Jersey met its 2020 greenhouse gas reduction goal years ahead of schedule and has multiple efforts underway to mitigate the impacts of climate change. New Jersey will use these funds to support its ongoing effort to achieve a low carbon economy and reduce carbon emissions by 80% by 2050. This includes expanding clean energy infrastructure and building resilient communities across the state.
“I want to congratulate the State of New Jersey for being among the first states to sign on to this substantial opportunity. New Jersey is a national climate leader and model for other states searching for ways to make the most out of the once-in-a-generation Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law resources,” said EPA Regional Administrator Lisa F. Garcia. “It is so important that states and local governments across the country take advantage of this planning funding, because behind it comes an even more substantial investment to do the work and governments that don’t opt in now can’t take advantage of that implementation funding later this year.”
“New Jersey thanks its congressional delegation and the EPA for once again prioritizing and supporting innovative climate action,” said New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy. “Now more than ever, it’s clear that we must confront the urgency of the worsening climate crisis by leveraging every resource and tool at our disposal. Made possible by President Biden’s historic Inflation Reduction Act, these funds will provide support for updates to our foundational climate plans and allow us to further prioritize and implement our accelerated clean energy goals and ongoing efforts to build resilient communities across the state.”
"New Jersey is excited to advance its critical work of reducing and responding to climate change in partnership with our colleagues at USEPA whose support will bring more resources to our collective efforts," said State Commissioner of Environmental Protection Shawn M. LaTourette. "This historic program will enable us to accelerate New Jersey's Global Warming Response Act initiatives, which are centered on planning and implementing measures that reduce emissions of climate pollutants, improve air quality and public health, and better serve our communities."
“The state of New Jersey, having met its greenhouse gas reduction goals set in 2020 ahead of schedule, will utilize these funds to craft modernized approaches that will continue reducing carbon emissions, harmful air pollution, and aid the state in achieving a low carbon economy for its citizens by 2050,” said Senator Bob Menendez. “The Climate Pollution Reduction Grants program will provide New Jerseyans and their families the clean energy infrastructure, and the successful clean energy economy they deserve, especially those communities overburdened by the impacts of climate change.”
“Rising sea levels, storm surge, and pollution highlight the urgency of tackling climate change and investing in protecting New Jersey communities, including communities of color that disproportionally face these environmental, health, and economic impacts,” said Senator Cory Booker. “This funding will help our state plan for a low-carbon future by building more clean energy infrastructure and more resilient communities.”
“The Inflation Reduction Act is about creating an American Made economy, and today’s announcement shows these historic investments are coming to South Jersey,” said Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ-01). “South Jersey has proven time and again to be a leader in fostering a cleaner, more reliable economy for our families and workers. By supporting our state’s best and brightest, we will continue to harness the power of our offshore wind industry and create good-paying jobs that last. I will continue fighting to ensure South Jersey and its workers get their fair share of these historic investments.”
“Our actions combating climate change today will define the health of our environment for our children and generations to follow. When I voted for the Inflation Reduction Act, I knew that projects like this would change people’s lives and would help clean our air,” said Congressman Andy Kim (NJ-03). “We’re investing more now to combat climate change than we ever have and I look forward to seeing our air, our water, and our climate heal while we also transition to a greener, more sustainable economy and clean energy infrastructure.”
“For years now, I’ve been working to protect our environment for future generations and to claw more federal tax dollars back to Jersey from Washington. This federal investment — secured through legislation I helped pass — will help protect our air and drinking water, combat pollution, fight climate change, and create jobs. The more federal tax dollars that we get back to Jersey, the less our communities have to charge in local taxes — and I’m all about lowering taxes,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05).
“The Inflation Reduction Act was a historic investment in our efforts to tackle the worsening climate crisis, and I’m glad New Jersey opted in to receive critical new funding to develop and expand comprehensive greenhouse gas reduction plans. As Chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee last Congress, I fought hard for the Climate Pollution Reduction Grants so that states like New Jersey can continue to make progress toward their climate goals and transition to a clean economy. I’m pleased to see that progress take shape today and will keep working to ensure communities across New Jersey have the necessary resources to fight the climate crisis,” said Congressman Frank Pallone (NJ-06).
“Today’s announcement of $3 million from the Climate Pollution Reduction Grant is welcome news for our communities that have suffered from the impacts of greenhouse gases and air pollution for far too long,” said Congressman Rob Menendez (NJ-08). “These funds will support New Jersey’s plans to reduce carbon emissions and mitigate the impacts of climate change. In order to advance environmental justice in communities that have historically had to shoulder the burden of pollution, we must continue working towards reducing greenhouse gases while paving the way for a clean energy future in New Jersey. This is yet another example of the Inflation Reduction Act delivering for our constituents and our environment.”
“We included climate funding when we passed President Biden’s American Rescue Plan so our nation could fight climate change with every tool at our disposal. With these funds we’re announcing today, New Jersey will be able to continue leading the way on cutting pollution and building clean energy economies. Most importantly, these funds will help us secure a healthier, more prosperous future for our children and our grandchildren. The American Rescue Plan continues to deliver," said Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr. (NJ-09).
“I was proud to help New Jersey secure this $3 million award to develop plans to cut pollution and invest in clean energy across the state,” said Congressman Donald M. Payne, Jr. (NJ-10). “This funding and the Climate Pollution Reduction Grants program are great examples of the Biden Administration’s leadership in the fight against climate change, especially in low income and underserved areas of the country. New Jersey achieved its latest greenhouse gas emissions goal ahead of schedule and this funding will help it improve the state’s clean energy infrastructure to meet its next goal by 2050. Climate change is damaging the world’s environment already and we must do everything we can to reverse these effects before it’s too late.”
“New Jersey families struggle every day with the effects of climate change, including flooding, heat waves, extreme storms, and rising energy costs,” said Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11). “The Inflation Reduction Act, which I was proud to champion in Congress, is providing critical federal support to state and local governments in the fight against climate change without raising taxes. These federal grants provide New Jersey communities with the resources to grow clean energy jobs, build healthier neighborhoods, and reduce climate emissions.”
“I’m proud to represent a state that takes the climate crisis seriously. New Jersey met its 2020 greenhouse gas reduction goal ahead of schedule, and thanks to this Climate Pollution Reduction funding, we are on track to reduce carbon emissions by 80 percent by 2050,” said Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12). “New Jersey will put this investment to work for those who need it most. Low-income, Black, and brown communities disproportionately bear the burden of pollution and climate change. This EPA grant, which comes as part of Democrats’ Inflation Reduction Act, recognizes the unique needs of overburdened communities and will give them the economic, health, and social support they have historically lacked.”
President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act includes historic funding to combat climate change while creating good-paying jobs and advancing environmental justice. Today’s announcement builds on $550 million announced last week for EPA’s new Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmaking program and $100 million announced earlier this year for environmental justice grants to support underserved and overburdened communities. Additionally, the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund will award nearly $27 billion to leverage private capital for clean energy and clean air investments across the country.
About the Climate Pollution Reduction Grant Program
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. These climate plans will include:
- Greenhouse gas emissions inventories;
- Emissions projections and reduction targets;
- Economic, health, and social benefits, including to low-income and disadvantaged communities;
- Plans to leverage other sources of federal funding including the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act;
- Workforce needs to support decarbonization and a clean energy economy; and
- Future government staffing and budget needs.
In program guidance released earlier this month, EPA describes how the agency intends to award and manage CPRG funds to eligible entities, including states, metropolitan areas, Tribes, and territories.
Next Steps
This funding for climate planning will be followed later this year by a national grant competition for $4.6 billion in implementation grant funding that will support the expeditious implementation of investment-ready policies created by the CPRG planning grants, programs, and projects to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the near term. 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.
By summer 2023, EPA Regional Offices expect to award and administer the funding agreements once all legal and administrative requirements are satisfied.
More information on the Climate Pollution Reduction Grants
CPRG Planning Grant Program Guidances
Sign up for notifications about the Climate Pollution Reduction Grants
Follow EPA Region 2 on Twitter and visit our Facebook page. For more information about EPA Region 2, visit our website.
EPA Announces Accelerated Action on Four Organophosphate Pesticides Based on Updated Exposure Assessments
SACRAMENTO, CALIF. – Today in Sacramento, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced an effort to expedite protections on some high-risk uses of four organophosphate pesticides. The Agency is releasing the updated occupational and non-occupational spray drift exposure risk assessments for these four pesticides – diazinon, ethoprop, tribufos and phosmet – several years ahead of the scheduled completion of EPA’s work on these chemicals in order to seek early mitigation prior to completing the standard registration review process.
“The science is clear: some uses of these four pesticides pose a serious health risk to the people that are exposed to them,” said Michal Freedhoff, Assistant Administrator for the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention. “That's why we’re taking early action now. While we know there’s still a lot of work to finish our review of these pesticides, today’s announcement helps deliver on our promise to protect farmworkers and uphold our commitment to environmental justice.”
Diazinon, ethoprop, tribufos and phosmet are part of the group of pesticides known as organophosphates. These pesticides are used in both agricultural (e.g., fruit and nut trees, vegetables and herbs, cotton) and non-agricultural settings for a range of purposes. Diazinon and phosmet controls insects, ethoprop controls worms and other soil pests, and tribufos defoliates cotton prior to harvest. These pesticides are currently undergoing registration review, a process that requires EPA to reevaluate pesticides every 15 years to ensure that as the ability to assess risk evolves and as policies and practices change, pesticides continue to meet the statutory standard of causing no unreasonable adverse effects on human health or the environment.
As part of the registration review process, EPA assessed the potential risks to people who mix, load, and apply the four pesticides, farmworkers who work with crops that have been treated with these pesticides, and bystanders who are potentially exposed to spray drift, including families living in agricultural communities.
The Agency identified the following potential risks for each pesticide:
- The diazinon assessment identified potential risks to workers who mix, load, and apply the pesticide, and to bystanders (including farmworkers) who could be exposed to spray drift.
- The ethoprop assessment identified potential risks to workers who mix, load, and apply the pesticide, and to bystanders (including farmworkers) who could be exposed to spray drift.
- The phosmet assessment identified potential risks to workers who mix, load, and apply the pesticide, workers conducting certain post-application activities (e.g., weeding, hand harvesting, or workers re-entering treated areas), and bystanders (including farmworkers) who may be exposed to spray drift.
- The tribufos assessment identified potential risks to workers who mix, load, and apply the pesticide, and to bystanders (including farmworkers) who may be exposed to spray drift.
Although registration review for these pesticides was not scheduled to be completed until 2025-2026, after recognizing that several of uses of these four pesticides present significant human health risks, EPA is taking accelerated and early action to address these risks. This will allow the Agency to put important protections in place quickly for some high-risk uses of these pesticides, while allowing time to work through the complicated scientific issues that need to be addressed before completing registration review.
EPA is currently meeting with the technical registrants of the four pesticides about early risk mitigation. The types of mitigation under consideration include cancellation of uses and formulation types, prohibition of application methods, increased personal protective equipment for pesticide handlers, spray drift requirements, and new restrictions on when workers can reenter treated fields and perform harvesting and other types of post-application activities. The Agency is asking the registrants to submit label amendments that reflect the necessary risk mitigation measures for each of these four organophosphates and is prepared to expedite label reviews in order to implement the protections as quickly as possible.
The updated exposure risk assessments are now available in the registration review dockets, EPA-HQ-OPP-2008-0351 (diazinon), EPA-HQ-OPP-2008-0560 (ethoprop), EPA-HQ-OPP-2008-0883 (tribufos) and EPA-HQ-OPP-2009-0316 (phosmet) at www.regulations.gov. Given the expedited nature of this effort, the Agency is not taking comment on these assessments. Stakeholders will have an opportunity to comment on the four occupational and non-occupational spray drift risk assessments when the cases progress through the next step of registration review with the proposed interim decision, which will include the full updated human health risk assessment for each. EPA expects to issue the proposed interim decisions in fiscal year 2025 (tribufos) and fiscal year 2026 (ethoprop, diazinon and phosmet).
EPA Announces Accelerated Action on Four Organophosphate Pesticides Based on Updated Exposure Assessments
WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing an effort to expedite protections on some high-risk uses of four organophosphate pesticides. The Agency is releasing the updated occupational and non-occupational spray drift exposure risk assessments for these four pesticides – diazinon, ethoprop, tribufos and phosmet – several years ahead of the scheduled completion of EPA’s work on these chemicals in order to seek early mitigation prior to completing the standard registration review process.
“The science is clear: some uses of these four pesticides pose a serious health risk to the people that are exposed to them,” said Michal Freedhoff, Assistant Administrator for the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention. “That's why we’re taking early action now. While we know there’s still a lot of work to finish our review of these pesticides, today’s announcement helps deliver on our promise to protect farmworkers and uphold our commitment to environmental justice.”
Diazinon, ethoprop, tribufos and phosmet are part of the group of pesticides known as organophosphates. These pesticides are used in both agricultural (e.g., fruit and nut trees, vegetables and herbs, cotton) and non-agricultural settings for a range of purposes. Diazinon and phosmet controls insects, ethoprop controls worms and other soil pests, and tribufos defoliates cotton prior to harvest. These pesticides are currently undergoing registration review, a process that requires EPA to reevaluate pesticides every 15 years to ensure that as the ability to assess risk evolves and as policies and practices change, pesticides continue to meet the statutory standard of causing no unreasonable adverse effects on human health or the environment.
As part of the registration review process, EPA assessed the potential risks to people who mix, load, and apply the four pesticides, farmworkers who work with crops that have been treated with these pesticides, and bystanders who are potentially exposed to spray drift, including families living in agricultural communities.
The Agency identified the following potential risks for each pesticide:
- The diazinon assessment identified potential risks to workers who mix, load, and apply the pesticide, and to bystanders (including farmworkers) who could be exposed to spray drift.
- The ethoprop assessment identified potential risks to workers who mix, load, and apply the pesticide, and to bystanders (including farmworkers) who could be exposed to spray drift.
- The phosmet assessment identified potential risks to workers who mix, load, and apply the pesticide, workers conducting certain post-application activities (e.g., weeding, hand harvesting, or workers re-entering treated areas), and bystanders (including farmworkers) who may be exposed to spray drift.
- The tribufos assessment identified potential risks to workers who mix, load, and apply the pesticide, and to bystanders (including farmworkers) who may be exposed to spray drift.
Although registration review for these pesticides was not scheduled to be completed until 2025-2026, after recognizing that several of uses of these four pesticides present significant human health risks, EPA is taking accelerated and early action to address these risks. This will allow the Agency to put important protections in place quickly for some high-risk uses of these pesticides, while allowing time to work through the complicated scientific issues that need to be addressed before completing registration review.
EPA is currently meeting with the technical registrants of the four pesticides about early risk mitigation. The types of mitigation under consideration include cancellation of uses and formulation types, prohibition of application methods, increased personal protective equipment for pesticide handlers, spray drift requirements, and new restrictions on when workers can reenter treated fields and perform harvesting and other types of post-application activities. The Agency is asking the registrants to submit label amendments that reflect the necessary risk mitigation measures for each of these four organophosphates and is prepared to expedite label reviews in order to implement the protections as quickly as possible.
The updated exposure risk assessments are now available in the registration review dockets, EPA-HQ-OPP-2008-0351 (diazinon), EPA-HQ-OPP-2008-0560 (ethoprop), EPA-HQ-OPP-2008-0883 (tribufos) and EPA-HQ-OPP-2009-0316 (phosmet) at www.regulations.gov. Given the expedited nature of this effort, the Agency is not taking comment on these assessments. Stakeholders will have an opportunity to comment on the four occupational and non-occupational spray drift risk assessments when the cases progress through the next step of registration review with the proposed interim decision, which will include the full updated human health risk assessment for each. EPA expects to issue the proposed interim decisions in fiscal year 2025 (tribufos) and fiscal year 2026 (ethoprop, diazinon and phosmet).
La EPA organizará una reunión comunitaria en marzo para los residentes de Salisbury
FILADELFIA (15 de marzo de 2023) – La Agencia de Protección Ambiental de Estados Unidos (EPA, por sus siglas en inglés) organizará una reunión comunitaria para los residentes de Salisbury, Maryland, a fin de comunicar información sobre los riesgos para la salud del producto químico, óxido de etileno o EtO. La reunión comunitaria tendrá lugar en el Consejo de los Tres Condados para la Costa Este Baja de Maryland en Salisbury el 23 de marzo a las 6 p.m. Durante la reunión, el personal de la EPA reportará la información revisada de riesgos relacionada con la instalación de esterilizadores comerciales de Trinity Sterile, Inc., ubicada en 201 Kiley Drive in Salisbury.
En las próximas semanas, la EPA espera proponer una regulación sobre la contaminación del aire para proteger la salud pública abordando las emisiones de EtO en los esterilizadores comerciales. La EPA está comunicando datos e información sobre las emisiones de EtO al público para solicitar comentarios. La agencia tiene como objetivo mejorar la comprensión pública del riesgo; ayudar a los estados, tribus, comunidades y la industria a reducir el riesgo de EtO en el corto plazo; y escuchar comentarios a medida que la agencia continúa desarrollando regulaciones para reducir la contaminación del aire de los esterilizadores comerciales.
La EPA se unirá a funcionarios federales y estatales de medioambiente y salud para responder preguntas, comentarios e inquietudes del público, incluido el personal del Departamento de Medioambiente de Maryland que mencionará el trabajo que están haciendo en asociación con Trinity Sterile para reducir las emisiones y el riesgo.
Ubicación: Tri-County Council for the Lower Eastern Shore of Maryland
31901 Tri-County Way, Suite 201
Salisbury, Maryland 21804
Hora: 6:00 p.m. a 8:30 p.m.
Para registrarse en esta reunión virtual, visite: https://www.epa.gov/hazardous-air-pollutants-ethylene-oxide/forms/salisbury-maryland-trinity-sterile-inc
Para obtener más información sobre los esfuerzos de la EPA para abordar el óxido de etileno.
Para ponerse en contacto con nosotros, escriba a: eto@epa.gov
