PHILADELPHIA (March 15, 2023) -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will host a community meeting for residents of Salisbury, Maryland to share information about health risks from the chemical, ethylene oxide or EtO. The community meeting will take place in the Tri-County Council for the Lower Eastern Shore of Maryland in Salisbury on March 23 at 6 p.m. During the meeting, EPA staff will discuss revised risk information related to the Trinity Sterile, Inc. commercial sterilizer facility, located at 201 Kiley Drive in Salisbury.

In the coming weeks, EPA expects to propose an air pollution regulation to protect public health by addressing EtO emissions at commercial sterilizers. EPA is sharing EtO emissions data and information with the public to solicit feedback.  The agency aims to improve public understanding of the risk; help states, Tribes, communities, and the industry reduce risk from EtO in the near-term; and hear input as the agency continues to develop regulations to reduce air pollution from commercial sterilizers.

EPA will be joined by federal and state environmental and health officials to address questions, comments, and concerns from the public, including Maryland’s Department of the Environment staff who will discuss work they are doing in partnership with Trinity Sterile to reduce emissions and risk.

Location:  Tri-County Council for the Lower Eastern Shore of Maryland

                  31901 Tri-County Way, Suite 201

                  Salisbury, Maryland 21804

Time:        6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

To register for this virtual meeting, visit:

https://www.epa.gov/hazardous-air-pollutants-ethylene-oxide/forms/salisbury-maryland-trinity-sterile-inc

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

To contact us, go to:  eto@epa.gov

WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the final Good Neighbor Plan, a rule that will significantly cut smog-forming nitrogen oxide pollution from power plants and other industrial facilities in 23 states. The final rule will improve air quality for millions of people living in downwind communities, saving thousands of lives, keeping people out of the hospital, preventing asthma attacks, and reducing sick days. 

The Clean Air Act directs EPA to issue a federal plan to address pollution that significantly contributes to unhealthy levels of ground-level ozone, or smog, formed from nitrogen oxide emissions traveling beyond certain states’ boundaries. Exposure to ground-level ozone can cause respiratory issues, aggravate asthma and other lung diseases, and lead to missed days of work or school, emergency room visits, and premature deaths. These costly public health impacts can be especially harmful to children and older adults, disproportionately affecting people of color, families with low-incomes, and other vulnerable populations.

In addressing the significant contribution of upwind states to downwind smog, the program is anticipated to deliver important emissions reductions for environmental justice communities.

“Every community deserves fresh air to breathe. EPA’s ‘Good Neighbor’ plan will lock in significant pollution reductions to ensure cleaner air and deliver public health protections for those who’ve suffered far too long from air-quality related impacts and illness,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “We know air pollution doesn’t stop at the state line. Today’s action will help our state partners meet stronger air quality health standards beyond borders, saving lives and improving public health in impacted communities across the United States.”

This action will reduce ozone season NOX pollution by approximately 70,000 tons from power plants and industrial facilities in 2026. By 2027, the emissions budget for power plants will reflect a 50% reduction from 2021 ozone season NOX emissions levels.

In 2026 alone, EPA projects that the final rule will result in significant public health benefits:

• preventing approximately 1,300 premature deaths,
• avoiding more than 2,300 hospital and emergency room visits,
• cutting asthma symptoms by 1.3 million cases,
• avoiding 430,000 school absence days,
• avoiding 25,000 lost work days.

Reducing smog also has economic benefits. Estimated annual net benefits, after taking costs into account, would be $13 billion each year over the period from 2023 to 2042.  Reducing smog also will improve visibility in national and state parks and increase protection for sensitive ecosystems, coastal waters, estuaries, and forests.

Relying on a longstanding regulatory framework and commonly used, affordable pollution controls, this action fully resolves Clean Air Act “Good Neighbor” obligations for the 2015 Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for the included states, enhancing public health and environmental protections regionally and for local communities. EPA’s approach provides a long-term planning horizon for states, grid operators, and power companies to make informed decisions and continue to ensure electric system reliability.

The Good Neighbor Plan announced today will ensure that 23 states meet the Clean Air Act’s “Good Neighbor” requirements. The rule will reduce pollution that significantly contributes to problems downwind states face in attaining and maintaining EPA’s health-based air quality standard for ground-level ozone, known as the 2015 Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). EPA’s rule uses a proven, science-based approach to limit emissions of NOX during the summertime “ozone season”: a NOX allowance trading program for fossil fuel-fired power plants in 22 states and NOX emissions standards for certain sources within nine industry categories in 20 states.

Beginning in the 2023 ozone season, power plants in 22 states will participate in a revised and strengthened Cross-State Air Pollution Rule ozone season trading program. To achieve emissions reductions as soon as possible, EPA is basing the initial control stringency on the level of reductions achievable through immediately available measures, including consistently operating emissions controls already installed at power plants. Further reductions will be phased in over several years starting in 2024 and reflect emissions levels that could be achieved through installation of new emissions controls.

The final Good Neighbor Plan builds on the demonstrated success of existing emissions trading programs by including additional features that promote consistent operation of emissions controls to enhance public health and environmental protection for affected downwind regions. These features include backstop daily emissions rates on large coal-fired units to promote more consistent operation and optimization of emissions controls, annual recalibration of the emissions allowance bank, and annual updates to the emissions budgets to account for changes in the generating fleet.

Beginning in the 2026 ozone season, EPA is setting enforceable NOX emissions control requirements for certain sources at existing and new industrial facilities that have significant impacts on downwind air quality and the ability to install cost-effective pollution controls.

These industry-specific requirements will apply in 20 states and reflect proven, cost-effective pollution reduction measures that are consistent with standards that sources throughout the country have long implemented. Collectively, these standards will reduce ozone season NOx emissions by approximately 45,000 tons from the following types of emission sources:  

• reciprocating internal combustion engines in Pipeline Transportation of Natural Gas;
• kilns in Cement and Cement Product Manufacturing;
• reheat furnaces in Iron and Steel Mills and Ferroalloy Manufacturing;
• furnaces in Glass and Glass Product Manufacturing; 
• boilers in Iron and Steel Mills and Ferroalloy Manufacturing, Metal Ore Mining, Basic Chemical Manufacturing, Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing, and Pulp, Paper, and Paperboard Mills; and
• combustors and incinerators in Solid Waste Combustors or Incinerators.

This final rule implements the Clean Air Act’s “Good Neighbor” or “interstate transport” provision, which requires each state to submit a State Implementation Plan (SIP) that ensures sources within the state do not contribute significantly to nonattainment or interfere with maintenance of the NAAQS in other states. Each state must make this new SIP submission within 3 years after promulgation of a new or revised NAAQS.

Where EPA finds that a state has not submitted a Good Neighbor SIP, or if the EPA disapproves the SIP, the EPA must issue a Federal Implementation Plan (FIP) within 2 years to assure downwind states are protected. 

More information on EPA’s final Good Neighbor Plan is available by clicking here.

BRISTOL, CONN. (March 15, 2023) – Philips North America LLC. has agreed to pay $706,175 plus interest to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to reimburse costs of removing hazardous contamination from the former Sessions Clock Site in Bristol, Conn.

"This case demonstrates that EPA takes its 'polluter pays' principle seriously and performs site cleanups as quickly as we can, while ensuring we recover costs whenever possible," said EPA New England Regional Administrator David W. Cash. "The funding recovered from this case will be returned to the U.S. Treasury for the benefit of the people we serve."

On January 31, 2023, EPA proposed an administrative cost settlement for the recovery of past costs concerning the Sessions Clock Site under the Comprehensive, Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). EPA held a 30-day comment period on the proposed agreement and then finalized the settlement on March 3, 2023. Philips North America LLC agreed to pay the funds associated with cleaning the 2.3-acre site at 164 Central Street.

The Sessions Clock Company manufactured clocks and clock components at the facility from 1903 to 1959. During this period, radioluminescent paint containing radium was used to make self-illuminating clock faces and dials. Through various investigations with partner agencies, EPA found that, based on the radium distribution over the contaminated area, some radioluminescent paint containing radium from the manufacturing activities was released to the environment. In May 1969, Sessions Clock Company merged into North American Philips Corporation which is now Philips North America LLC.

Based on these findings, EPA performed a Removal Action at the site in August 2018 to contain and remove materials that could be harmful to human health and the environment. EPA excavated 250 tons of contaminated soils and debris and transported them to an off-site disposal facility appropriately licensed to handle and store hazardous materials; installed erosion controls; backfilled the excavated area; and restored the Pequabuck riverbank.

More information:

Sessions Clock

EPA's Emergency Response and Removal Program

WASHINGTON – Hoy, la Administración Biden-Harris anunció que propone la primera norma nacional de agua potable para seis sustancias perfluoroalquiladas y polifluoroalquiladas (PFAS) en la última acción bajo el plan del presidente Biden para combatir la contaminación por PFAS y la Hoja de Ruta Estratégica de PFAS del administrador Regan. A través de esta acción, la Agencia de Protección Ambiental de Estados Unidos (EPA, por sus siglas en inglés) está dando un paso importante para proteger la salud pública de la contaminación por PFAS, aprovechando los datos científicos más recientes y complementando los esfuerzos estatales para limitar las PFAS al proponer establecer niveles legalmente exigibles para seis PFAS que se sabe que están presentes en el agua potable. 

Esta propuesta se basa en otros hitos clave para combatir las PFAS, incluida la propuesta de la EPA de designar dos PFAS como sustancias peligrosas CERCLA; mejorar los datos sobre PFAS conforme a la Estrategia Nacional de Pruebas de PFAS de la EPA y a través del muestreo nacional de 29 PFAS en sistemas públicos de agua potable; usar los programas regulatorios y de permisos de la Ley de Agua Limpia de la EPA para reducir la contaminación de PFAS en el medioambiente por parte de la industria; e iniciar la distribución de $10 mil millones en fondos para abordar los contaminantes emergentes según la Ley Bipartidista de Infraestructura (BIL).  

“Las comunidades de todo el país han sufrido demasiado tiempo por la amenaza siempre presente de la contaminación por PFAS. Es por eso que el presidente Biden lanzó un enfoque de todo el gobierno para enfrentar agresivamente estos productos químicos dañinos, y la EPA está liderando el camino a seguir”, explicó el administrador de la EPA, Michael S. Regan. “La propuesta de la EPA de establecer una norma nacional para PFAS en el agua potable se basa en la mejor ciencia disponible y ayudaría a proporcionar a los estados la orientación que necesitan para tomar decisiones que protejan mejor a sus comunidades. Esta acción tiene el potencial de prevenir decenas de miles de enfermedades relacionadas con PFAS y marca un paso importante para proteger a todas nuestras comunidades de estos contaminantes peligrosos.

La propuesta, si se finaliza, regularía el PFOA y PFOS como contaminantes individuales, y regularía otras cuatro PFAS (PFNA, PFHxS, PFBS y productos químicos GenX) como mezcla. 

• PFOA y PFOS: La EPA propone regular el PFOA y PFOS a un nivel que puedan medirse de manera confiable en 4 partes por un millón de millones.  

• PFNA, PFHxS, PFBS, y productos químicos GenX: La EPA también propone una regulación para limitar cualquier mezcla que contenga uno o más PFNA, PFHxS, PFBS y/o productos químicos GenX. Para estas PFAS, los sistemas de agua utilizarían un enfoque establecido llamado cálculo del índice de peligro, definido en la regla propuesta, para determinar si los niveles combinados de estas PFAS representan un riesgo potencial. 

Si se finaliza, la regulación propuesta requerirá que los sistemas públicos de agua monitoreen estos productos químicos. También requerirá que los sistemas notifiquen al público y reduzcan la contaminación por PFAS si los niveles exceden las normas regulatorias propuestas. La EPA prevé que si se implementa por completo, la regla, con el tiempo, evitará miles de muertes y reducirá decenas de miles de enfermedades graves atribuibles a PFAS. Esta acción establece una protección nacional contra la contaminación por PFAS para todas las personas, incluidas las comunidades de justicia ambiental.

“Aplaudo al administrador Regan y al presidente Biden por tomar este paso audaz hacia adelante que ayudará a asegurar que nuestra agua sea segura para las familias de New Hampshire y que los padres tengan la paz mental que merecen cuando abren el grifo”, declaró la senadora de New Hampshire Jeanne Shaheen. “Esta ha sido una gran preocupación para mí por mucho tiempo y por ser una de las negociadoras clave de las disposiciones de agua en el proyecto de infraestructura bipartidista, luché para incluir un nivel histórico de financiamiento -- $10 mil millones – para combatir la exposición a PFAS. Estos dólares serán cruciales en proveer a nuestros municipios con los recursos que necesitarán para cumplir con estas nuevas normas para que juntos podamos priorizar el agua limpia para nuevas comunidades. A medida que este proceso avanza hacia adelante y con la anticipación de que se finalice la norma, insto a la administración Biden a que se mueva rápidamente y asegure la asignación oportuna de fondos del proyecto de infraestructura para ayudar a los operadores de sistemas públicos de agua a medida que comienzan su labor para cumplir con los nuevos niveles exigibles de agua potable”. 

“Por largo tiempo he apoyado la implementación de un estándar nacional de agua potable que asegure que el agua en nuestras comunidades sea limpia y segura para consumir”, sostuvo el congresista Brian Fitzpatrick, copresidente del Grupo de Trabajo Congresional Bipartidista. “El anuncio de hoy es un paso en la dirección correcta mientras trabajamos para prevenir la contaminación futura proveniente de las ‘sustancias químicas eternas’ PFAS en nuestra agua y espero continuar trabajando con la Administración para cumplir con este alto nivel de calidad de agua”. 

“Después de décadas de retraso, la EPA del presidente Biden ha producido un estándar de agua potable para PFOA y PFOS el cual, una vez finalizado, será el más estricto en la nación” dijo el activista y actor Mark Ruffalo. “Al proponer la reglamentación para otras 4 PFAS como una mezcla la EPA de Biden está colocando a nuestras comunidades por encima de los contaminadores. El presidente Biden y su equipo se han comprometido a dar prioridad a PFAS y él ha cumplido. Ninguna administración ha hecho más para abordar la amenaza urgente que presentan estas sustancias tóxicas eternas que la administración Biden. Mi mensaje para los contaminadores es sencillo: después de envenenar a sus trabajadores y vecinos por décadas, ha llegado el momento para darle la más alta prioridad a nuestra salud pública y no a sus ganancias. Mi mensaje para las comunidades devastadas por la contaminación por PFAS es igualmente de sencillo: la ayuda va de camino finalmente”. 

“Nadie debería tener que preguntarse si las PFAS en su agua potable les enfermarán algún día”, dijo la cofundadora de Clean Cape Fear Emily Donovan. “Todos merecemos tener acceso al agua potable protectora de la salud. Ese es un derecho humano básico. Aplaudimos a la EPA de Biden por tener la valentía de hacer lo que múltiples administraciones no habían podido hacer. Hoy, sus oraciones han sido contestadas”. 

Las acciones de hoy representan un hito importante en los compromisos de la Administración Biden-Harris para combatir la contaminación por PFAS y proteger el agua potable. El presidente Biden ha asegurado fondos históricos para abordar contaminantes emergentes como PFAS, incluidos $10 mil millones de la Ley Bipartidista de Infraestructura. En febrero de 2023, la EPA anunció la disponibilidad de $2 mil millones de la Ley Bipartidista de Infraestructura del presidente Biden para abordar los contaminantes emergentes, incluidas las PFAS, en el agua potable en todo el país. Estos fondos promoverán el acceso al agua potable y segura en comunidades pequeñas, rurales y desfavorecidas, apoyando a la vez a las economías locales. 

La EPA solicita comentarios sobre la propuesta de todas las partes interesadas, incluido el público, los administradores de sistemas de agua y los profesionales de la salud pública. Los comentarios pueden enviarse a través del expediente público, identificado por el número de identificación del expediente EPA-HQ-OW-2022-0114, en https://www.regulations.gov. 

Para más información sobre esta propuesta, favor de visitar la página web de la EPA sobre las sustancias perfluoroalquiladas y polifluoroalquiladas (PFAS). (En inglés) 

Antecedentes

Las PFAS son una categoría de productos químicos fabricados que pueden causar problemas de salud graves, incluido el cáncer, si las personas están expuestas a ellos durante un largo período de tiempo. Desde que el administrador de la EPA, Michael S. Regan, anunció la Hoja de Ruta Estratégica de PFAS de la Agencia en octubre de 2021, la EPA ha continuado implementando un enfoque de toda la agencia al avanzar en la ciencia y seguir la ley para salvaguardar la salud pública, proteger el medioambiente y responsabilizar a los contaminadores. 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. Acumulativamente, 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 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 continuará trabajando con los gobiernos federales, estatales, territoriales y tribales y los sistemas de agua potable para abordar PFAS en el agua potable e implementar soluciones a fin de reducir los riesgos para la salud humana. Además, la EPA se compromete a tomar medidas más amplias para ayudar a reducir la exposición de los estadounidenses a las PFAS, incluyendo:

• Monitorear miles de sistemas de agua potable en todo el país para docenas de PFAS, a partir de este año;

• Tomar acción final sobre una propuesta para designar dos PFAS como “sustancias peligrosas” a fin de ayudar a responsabilizar a los contaminadores;
• Restringir descargas de PFAS a nuestras vías fluviales mediante el fortalecimiento de las normas de la Ley de Agua Limpia;  
• Finalizar datos químicos y reglas de seguridad que aumentarán nuestro conocimiento sobre PFAS, nos permitirán actuar de manera más rápida y estratégica, y restringirán las PFAS existentes para que no vuelvan a entrar en producción; y
• Considerar comentarios públicos presentados sobre la regla propuesta hoy para tomar medidas finales sobre las normas nacionales de agua potable sobre PFAS. 

WASHINGTON – Today, the Biden-Harris Administration announced it is proposing the first-ever national drinking water standard for six per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the latest action under President Biden’s plan to combat PFAS pollution and Administrator Regan’s PFAS Strategic Roadmap. Through this action, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is taking a major step to protect public health from PFAS pollution, leveraging the latest science and complementing state efforts to limit PFAS by proposing to establish legally enforceable levels for six PFAS known to occur in drinking water.

This proposal builds on other key milestones to combat PFAS, including EPA’s proposal to designate two PFAS as CERCLA hazardous substances; enhancing data on PFAS under EPA’s National PFAS Testing Strategy and through nationwide sampling for 29 PFAS in public drinking water systems; using EPA’s Clean Water Act permitting and regulatory programs to reduce PFAS pollution in the environment from industry; and initiating the distribution of $10 billion in funding to address emerging contaminants under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL).

“Communities across this country have suffered far too long from the ever-present threat of PFAS pollution. That’s why President Biden launched a whole-of-government approach to aggressively confront these harmful chemicals, and EPA is leading the way forward,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “EPA’s proposal to establish a national standard for PFAS in drinking water is informed by the best available science, and would help provide states with the guidance they need to make decisions that best protect their communities. This action has the potential to prevent tens of thousands of PFAS-related illnesses and marks a major step toward safeguarding all our communities from these dangerous contaminants.”

The proposal, if finalized, would regulate PFOA and PFOS as individual contaminants, and will regulate four other PFAS – PFNA, PFHxS, PFBS, and GenX Chemicals – as a mixture.

• PFOA and PFOS: EPA is proposing to regulate PFOA and PFOS at a level they can be reliably measured at 4 parts per trillion.
• PFNA, PFHxS, PFBS, and GenX Chemicals: EPA is also proposing a regulation to limit any mixture containing one or more of PFNA, PFHxS, PFBS, and/or GenX Chemicals. For these PFAS, water systems would use an established approach called a hazard index calculation, defined in the proposed rule, to determine if the combined levels of these PFAS pose a potential risk.

If finalized, the proposed regulation will require public water systems to monitor for these chemicals. It will also require systems to notify the public and reduce PFAS contamination if levels exceed the proposed regulatory standards. EPA anticipates that if fully implemented, the rule will, over time, prevent thousands of deaths and reduce tens of thousands of serious PFAS-attributable illnesses. This action establishes nationwide protection from PFAS pollution for all people, including environmental justice communities.

“I applaud Administrator Regan and President Biden for taking this bold step forward that will help ensure our water is safe for New Hampshire families and that parents have the peace of mind they deserve when they turn on the tap,” said New Hampshire Senator Jeanne Shaheen. “This has long been a top concern for me and is why as a lead negotiator of the water provisions in the bipartisan infrastructure bill, I fought to include a historic level of funding – $10 billion – to combat PFAS exposure. These dollars will be crucial in providing our municipalities with the resources they will need to comply with these new regulations so that together we can prioritize clean water for our communities. As this process moves forward and with the anticipation of the rule being finalized, I urge the Biden administration to move swiftly and ensure timely allocation of funds from the infrastructure bill to assist public water operators as they begin work to meet these new enforceable drinking water levels.”

“I have long supported the implementation of a national drinking water standard to ensure that the water in our communities is clean and safe for consumption,” said Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick, Co-Chair of the Bipartisan Congressional PFAS Taskforce. “Today’s announcement is a step in the right direction as we work to prevent the future contamination of PFAS ‘forever chemicals’ in our water and I look forward to continuing to work with the Administration to enforce a high standard of water quality.”

“After decades of delay, President Biden’s EPA has delivered a drinking water standard for PFOA and PFOS which, when finalized, will be the toughest in the nation,” said activist and actor Mark Ruffalo. “By proposing to regulate four other PFAS as a mixture, the Biden EPA is also putting our communities ahead of the polluters. President Biden and his team pledged to make PFAS a priority and he has delivered. No Administration has done more to address the urgent threat posed by these toxic forever chemicals than the Biden Administration. My message to polluters is simple: after poisoning your workers and neighbors for decades, it is time to make our public health, not your profits, our top priority. My message to communities devastated by PFAS pollution is equally simple: help is finally on the way.”

"No one should ever wonder if the PFAS in their tap water will one day make them sick,” said Clean Cape Fear co-founder Emily Donovan. “We all deserve access to health-protective drinking water. It's a basic human right. We applaud the Biden EPA for having the courage to do what multiple administrations could not. Today, prayers were answered.”

Today’s actions represent a significant milestone for the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitments to combat PFAS pollution and safeguard drinking water. President Biden has secured historic funding to address emerging contaminants like PFAS, including $10 billion from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. In February 2023, EPA announced the availability of $2 billion from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to address emerging contaminants, including PFAS, in drinking water across the country. These funds will promote access to safe and clean water in small, rural, and disadvantaged communities while supporting local economies.

EPA requests input on the proposal from all stakeholders, including the public, water system managers, and public health professionals. Comments may be submitted through the public docket, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OW-2022-0114, at www.regulations.gov.

For more information on this proposal, please visit EPA’s Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) webpage.

Background

PFAS are a category of manufactured chemicals that can cause serious health problems, including cancer, if people are exposed to them over a long period of time.  Since EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan announced the Agency’s PFAS Strategic Roadmap in October 2021, EPA has continued to implement a whole-of-agency approach by advancing science and following the law to safeguard public health, protect the environment, and hold polluters accountable. The actions described in the PFAS Roadmap each represent important and meaningful steps to safeguard communities from PFAS contamination. Cumulatively, these actions will build upon one another and lead to more enduring and protective solutions. In November 2022, EPA released “A Year of Progress Under EPA’s PFAS Strategic Roadmap,” which underscores key actions taken by the agency during the first year of implementing the PFAS Roadmap.

EPA will continue to work with federal, state, territorial, and Tribal governments and drinking water systems to address PFAS in drinking water and implement solutions to reduce human health risks. And EPA is committed to taking broader actions to help reduce Americans’ exposure to PFAS, including:

• Monitoring thousands of drinking water systems across the country for dozens of PFAS, beginning this year;
• Taking final action on a proposal to designate two PFAS as “hazardous substances” to help hold polluters accountable;
• Restricting PFAS discharges to our waterways by strengthening Clean Water Act standards;
• Finalizing chemical data and safety rules that will increase our knowledge about PFAS, allow us to act faster and more strategically, and restrict legacy PFAS from reentering production; and
• Considering public comments submitted on today’s proposed rule toward taking final action on nationwide PFAS drinking water standards.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is accepting applications from Tribal and state governments, nonprofits and universities for a $15 million grant opportunity to administer a national program on education and training for people that apply restricted use pesticides (RUPs), meaning pesticides that can only be applied by people that are specially certified and trained to handle them. This grant program will help ensure that RUPs are used safely by teaching applicators how to avoid pesticide misuse, clean up spills, and properly use personal protective equipment.

“Pesticides are an important agricultural tool, and we must make sure that the people using them are trained to do so safely,” said Assistant Administrator for the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention Michal Freedhoff. “The work done through this grant will help enhance pesticide safety and protect workers, communities and the environment from pesticide exposure.”

Federal law requires any person who uses or supervises the use of RUPs to be certified in accordance with EPA regulations and state, territorial and tribal laws. RUPs are not available for purchase or use by the general public because of their potential to cause unreasonable adverse effects to the environment, and injury to applicators or bystanders, without added restrictions. Pesticide Safety Education Programs (PSEPs) at land-grant universities train and educate applicators on RUP use in agricultural, commercial, and residential settings. 

The program administered under this grant will help support over 50 land-grant university PSEPs nationwide that provide this important training. Certification and training programs ensure pesticide applicators are trained to apply RUPs properly, in accordance with the label. In addition to core pesticide safety and practical use concepts, these programs provide applicators with critical information on a wide range of environmental issues, such as the protection of endangered species, water quality, workers and bystanders, and non-target organisms. Through previous cooperative agreements, EPA supported PSEPs provided workshops and educational tools and assisted in meeting certification requirements for more than 825,000 certified pesticide applicators.

EPA anticipates awarding the recipient up to $3 million per year in a five-year cooperative agreement, depending on the Agency’s budget. Total funding for the five-year cooperative agreement (2023 through 2027) is not to exceed $15 million.

Based on previous results from this funding, expected accomplishments by the grantee include:

• Enhanced and increased education and training opportunities for pesticide applicators.
• Increased collaboration among PSEPs.
• Education of pesticide handlers, including certified and noncertified pesticide applicators.
• Enhanced capabilities of partners and stakeholders to develop and implement programs and activities that prevent and reduce pesticide risks to humans, communities and ecosystems.
• Incorporation of Environmental Justice principles through partnerships, in educational materials and programs, or in the design of the subaward program.
• Protection of humans, communities, and ecosystems from illness and injury caused by exposure to pesticides.

Eligible entities can now apply at www.grants.gov. Applications must be submitted no later than 5:00 p.m. EDT on April 27, 2023, to be considered.

Learn more about pesticide related grants.

EPA Pursues Closure of Two Illegal Cesspools at Mobile Home Park in Los Angeles County

SAN FRANCISCO – Today the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the filing of a complaint against Eric Hauck for operating two illegal large capacity cesspools at the Cactus Creek Mobile Home Park in Acton, California. The complaint requires closure of the unlawful cesspools, which can cause water pollution linked to disease, and seeks a civil penalty up to the statutory maximum of $337,725.

“It is crucial that businesses use proper wastewater treatment systems to protect groundwater from disease-causing pollution,” said EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator Martha Guzman. “EPA will continue to pursue enforcement actions to close illegal large capacity cesspools and thereby safeguard our communities.”

The EPA banned large capacity cesspools in April 2005 under the Safe Drinking Water Act’s Underground Injection Control program. Cesspools collect and discharge waterborne pollutants like untreated raw sewage into the ground, where disease-causing pathogens can contaminate groundwater, streams and rivers, and the ocean.

The EPA enforces environmental laws to protect human health and the environment, and the agency works to ensure compliance with environmental requirements. When warranted, EPA will take civil or criminal enforcement action against violators of environmental laws.

In this case, Mr. Hauck has been unwilling to engage EPA on the cesspools in question, and he continues to operate Cactus Creek Mobile Home Park despite a 2016 California Superior Court order requiring him to cease park operations. Mr. Hauck is cited in the complaint individually and as trustee of Acton Holding Trust.

Learn more about large capacity cesspools and the Safe Drinking Water Act.

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

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

Fourteen students from the Ozark Correctional Center are graduating from the Springfield, Missouri, Green for Greene Program EPA Region 7 Administrator Meg McCollister speaks to graduates of the Green for Greene Program at the Ozark Correctional Center near Springfield, Missouri, on March 10, 2023. (Photo credit: U.S. EPA)

LENEXA, KAN. (MARCH 10, 2023) – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 7 Administrator Meg McCollister joined Springfield city leaders at a Green for Greene Program graduation ceremony at the Ozark Correctional Center near Springfield, Missouri. This program is made possible through EPA’s Brownfields Job Training program with funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

The Green for Greene Program has trained 48 students, including the 14 new students today. The Ozark Correctional Center is the only state prison to offer the Green for Greene Program.

“Through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we can fund grants that enable programs such as the Green for Greene Program to succeed,” said EPA Region 7 Administrator Meg McCollister. “The graduates of this program can take their newly learned skills to improve not just their lives, but also the health and environment of their communities.”

“We are grateful to the EPA for providing the funding for this program and for our partnership with Ozark Correctional Center. It is our goal to provide job readiness and training certifications that allow the justice involved to obtain meaningful employment upon release,” said Carmen May, City of Springfield program supervisor. “We know that one of the biggest barriers after release is finding employment that provides financial security, and we work tirelessly to ensure that happens.”

In January 2023, EPA announced that the city of Springfield was selected to receive a $500,000 Brownfields Job Training grant. This grant funding will be used to expand the Green for Greene Program, which offers free instruction and certifications to students that enable them to find jobs in environmental fields such as hazardous waste; lead and mold abatement; lead renovation, repair, and painting; and asbestos abatement. Green for Greene is tuition-free for accepted students, and the program targets residents of Springfield who are unemployed or underemployed, veterans, and individuals with justice system involvement.

Background

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Learn more about Brownfields Job Training Grants. Learn more about the Green for Greene Program.

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BOSTON - The Lepage Bakery of Lewiston was recently recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as one of 86 U.S. manufacturing plants that earned the agency's 2022 ENERGY STAR certification.

The bakery was the only facility recognized in New England. The designation is reserved for manufacturing plants in the top 25% of energy efficiency in their sector. Along with the other 85 manufacturing plants which earned a 2022 ENERGY STAR certification nationally in 2022, these plants saved over 105 trillion British thermal units (Btus) of energy and prevented more than 6 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions, equivalent to the emissions from the electricity use of more than 1.1 million American homes.

"Leadership in energy efficiency is critical to achieving our nation's climate goals," said EPA New England Regional Administrator David W. Cash. "The savings from ENERGY STAR certified plants demonstrate how energy efficiency is both helping our manufacturing sector reduce costs and propelling America's transition to a clean energy future.  Energy efficiency is good for the bottom line, and good for the environment."

The industrial sector accounts for 30% of U.S. greenhouse emissions, primarily from energy use in manufacturing plants. ENERGY STAR certified plants have reduced their energy consumption through a variety of energy efficiency projects and management practices.  

Manufacturing plants use EPA's ENERGY STAR energy performance indicators or, in the case of petroleum refineries, the Solomon Associates Energy Intensity Index scoring system to assess their energy performance. Plants that score a 75 out of 100 or higher—indicating that they are more energy efficient than 75% of similar facilities nationwide—are eligible to earn ENERGY STAR certification. ENERGY STAR certification is available for 20 manufacturing sectors, from cement and steel to glass and commercial bakeries.

2022 ENERGY STAR certified manufacturing plants in Region 1:

Maine:
Lepage Bakeries Park Street, LLC (commercial bread and roll baking)

About the ENERGY STAR Industrial Program
Since 2006, the ENERGY STAR Industrial Program has annually certified manufacturing plants for performing within the top 25% of energy performance in their industries nationwide. ENERGY STAR certification is available for 20 manufacturing sectors. More than 250 plants have achieved this distinction since 2006. For more information, see: ENERGY STAR plant certification. For a list of all certified plants, see: ENERGY STAR Certified Building and Plant Locator. To learn more about how EPA and industry work together, see: Industrial Energy Management.

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 can be found at www.energystar.gov/impacts.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today signed a Joint Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to guide new clean energy opportunities that will support access to reliable, affordable electricity and advance the United States toward the Biden-Harris Administration’s goal of a net-zero economy by 2050. With the power sector facing rising challenges to reliability—from the increasing frequency of extreme weather events to higher energy demand—this agreement provides a framework for both agencies to unlock the reliability advantages of the growing clean energy economy. 

“The clean energy transition is an amazing opportunity to add a diverse range of energy sources to our power systems, making them more resilient and reliable,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm. “I am proud that DOE and EPA are partnering together with industry and communities to help equip the grid to deliver affordable, clean electricity to all Americans.”

“A reliable electric power system is essential to our national security, continued economic growth and the protection of public health. That’s why DOE and EPA are uniting our long-standing efforts to ensure a robust and resilient system, especially as the power sector accelerates the transition to low- and zero-carbon energy sources,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “Under this partnership with DOE, we will provide needed regulatory certainty and support grid reliability and resiliency at every stage as the agency advances efforts to reduce pollution, protect public health, and deliver environmental and economic benefits for all.”  

“EEI and our member electric companies are focused on affordability and reliability as we work to get the energy we provide to customers as clean as we can as fast as we can,” said Edison Electric Institute President Tom Kuhn. “Both the Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency are critical partners in these efforts, and we applaud increased coordination to support the ongoing clean energy transition that electric companies are leading.” 

“As we have seen in recent years, the reliability of the electric grid is tied directly to the safety and well-being of our communities,” said National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners Executive Director Greg R. White. “Maintaining electricity system reliability during the transition to cleaner energy is critical to NARUC’s members and is in everyone’s best interest. As such, we applaud the DOE and EPA for taking this initiative.” 

“PJM supports the Memorandum of Understanding between EPA and DOE, as well as the close involvement of FERC, in addressing electric sector reliability during the energy transition,” said PJM Interconnection LLC. “PJM is grateful for the support for reliability that the DOE and EPA have shown in our ongoing collaboration efforts surrounding the development and implementation of federal policy and regulations.” 

“The complex transitions underway in the nation’s electric system can only occur on a foundation of superb reliability,” said Analysis Group Senior Advisor Dr. Susan Tierney. “Secretary Granholm and Administrator Regan underscore the importance of this fact in committing DOE and EPA staff to work together as they carry out their old and new authorities to help ready the U.S. power sector for the needs of Americans today and tomorrow.” 

The new MOU on Interagency Communication and Consultation on Electric Reliability, signed by Secretary Granholm and Administrator Regan, comes as President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act provided unprecedented support for American infrastructure, including DOE’s new Grid Deployment Office. It also builds upon longstanding engagement from DOE and EPA with the power sector and further commits the agencies to routine and comprehensive communication about policies, programs, and activities regarding electric reliability. This includes sharing information and analysis, and ongoing monitoring and outreach to key stakeholders to proactively address reliability challenges. 

Both agencies have designated a team of experts on electric reliability to serve as points of contact for routine communications across the agencies. In addition, the agencies will meet on an at least semiannual basis to provide updates about policies, programs, and activities pertaining to electric reliability, share information and analysis, and discuss ongoing monitoring and outreach activities. 

The United States already has in place a multilayered system of institutions, policies, and practices to ensure that our infrastructure for generating, transmitting, and distributing electric power maintains the highest standards of reliability. The MOU ensures that, with the sound application of existing authorities and policy tools, DOE and EPA can continue to support the ability of the power sector to maintain electric reliability and seize new reliability opportunities presented by clean energy advancement. EPA and DOE anticipate continued consultation with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) on electric reliability challenges.  

The MOU will support the work of the two agencies as EPA develops new health and environmental protections for the power sector and as DOE works to implement President Biden’s historic investments in America, including resources for clean energy deployment and grid reliability and resilience from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act.  

DALLAS, TEXAS (March 9th, 2023) –The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced $176,868,000 from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for the states; Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas for this year’s Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF). The funding will support communities in upgrading essential water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure that protects public health and treasured water bodies across the region. Nearly half of this funding will be available as grants or principal forgiveness loans helping underserved communities across America invest in water infrastructure, while creating good-paying jobs.

“President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is delivering an unprecedented investment in America that will revitalize essential water and wastewater infrastructure across the country,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “Not only will these funds expand access to clean water and safeguard the environment, but more underserved communities that have been left behind for far too long will be able to access them.”

“This announcement is not only an EPA achievement but an achievement for all communities,” said Region 6 Administrator Dr. Earthea Nance. “In order to ensure our growth on a national and state level, water quality must continue to be maintained to a high standard. As climate change continues to impact vulnerable communities, it is imperative EPA maintains funding to critical water infrastructure to safeguard public health and improve community wellbeing.”

The $2.4 billion announced today is the second wave of funding made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and builds on the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to invest in America. In May 2022, EPA announced the initial allotment of $1.9 billion from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to states, Tribes and territories through the CWSRF. That money is supporting hundreds of critical water infrastructure projects around the country.

The breakdown of funding for each state is below:

•            Arkansas will receive $15,178,000

•            Louisiana will receive $25,506,000

•            New Mexico will receive $11,390,000

•            Oklahoma will receive $18,745,000

•            Texas will receive $106,049,000

President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law makes over $50 billion available for water and wastewater infrastructure improvements across the country between FY2022 and FY2026. EPA is committed to ensuring every community has access to this historic investment and has centralized increasing investment in disadvantaged communities within its implementation. This investment in water infrastructure is creating jobs while addressing key challenges, including climate change and emerging contaminants like per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The implementation of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law calls for strong collaboration, and EPA continues to work in partnership with states, Tribes, and territories to ensure that communities see the full benefits of this investment.

In addition to today’s announcement, the 2023 Drinking Water State Revolving Fund allocations and program updates are forthcoming, pending the release of the seventh Drinking Water Infrastructure Needs Survey and Assessment. EPA anticipates releasing the information in the coming weeks.

The CWSRFs have been the foundation of water infrastructure investments for more than 30 years, providing low-cost financing for local projects across America. For more information, including state-by-state allocation of 2023 funding, and a breakdown of EPA CWSRF funding available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, please visit the following webpage.

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

BOSTON – Under a recent settlement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Precise Packaging LLC. (a subsidiary of Delaware-based PLZ Corp.) of Fall River, Mass. will now perform training, oversight, and reporting to regulators necessary to comply with federal and state laws regulating the management of hazardous waste.

The company will also pay a penalty of $43,877 under the terms of the settlement and has agreed to additional measures benefiting the local community.

"EPA's action underscores the importance of the safe management of chemicals, and when a company like Precise Packaging does not comply with its safety obligations, it threatens the safety of our communities," said EPA New England Regional Administrator David W. Cash. "EPA's work is designed to protect all communities from chemical releases, and we have a special responsibility to reduce the burden of environmental pollution and risks of chemical accidents to the workers and residents of communities that have shouldered a greater share of these impacts."

An EPA inspection of Precise Packaging's hazardous waste management practices identified violations of state and federal hazardous waste management laws, including the federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) and the State of Massachusetts Hazardous Waste Rules. Specifically, EPA alleged that the facility failed to: provide required hazardous waste management training to employees; maintain a sufficient contingency plan designed to prevent and to minimize hazards to public health, safety, or welfare or the environment from unplanned sudden or non-sudden release of hazardous waste or hazardous waste constituents; conduct weekly inspections of the containers that held hazardous waste at the facility; maintain accurate records or provide accurate reporting to the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP), including regarding its status as a "large quantity generator."

The Precise Packaging facility is an aerosol and liquid product manufacturing plant, where the company manufactures an assortment of consumer products. As part of the settlement, the company has confirmed that the facility is complying with state and federal hazardous waste management laws.

In addition, under this settlement Precise Packaging has agreed spend no less than $57,114 on a supplemental environmental project that will provide the Fall River Fire Department with two handheld chemical detection units that permit more effective responses to hazardous-waste-related emergencies, including through better detection of the kind of hazardous waste generated at this facility. This equipment will benefit the community at large, including historically-disadvantaged neighborhoods.

Without proper training, employees may not know how to handle hazardous waste safely and how to respond in an emergency, thereby increasing the likelihood of a release and worker exposure. Not having a complete contingency plan makes responding to a chemical emergency more difficult for both the facility staff and local emergency responders. Conducting regularly scheduled inspections of hazardous waste storage areas is critical to ensuring that problems are identified and rectified in a timely manner in order to prevent a release of hazardous wastes.

More information on EPA enforcement of hazardous waste requirements: https://www.epa.gov/enforcement/waste-chemical-and-cleanup-enforcement#waste

PHOENIX – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released its cleanup plan for addressing the Iron King Mine-Humboldt Superfund site in Dewey-Humboldt, Arizona. EPA invites the public to review and comment on the proposed plan until May 13, 2023. The efforts envisioned in the plan will clean up millions of tons of mine and smelter waste, as well as contaminated soils.

“This proposed plan is an important next step in our ongoing work to protect people and wildlife from contacting toxic mine materials,” said EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator Martha Guzman. “EPA is committed to partnering with the Dewey-Humboldt community to clean up the site. We look forward to hearing the community’s feedback on our plan.”

The public comment period has been extended to ensure community members and stakeholders have enough time to review the plan and give feedback. EPA will hold a public meeting on the plan on March 29, 2023, at the Humboldt Elementary School gymnasium. The community may give comments orally at the meeting or send written or emailed comments to EPA.

The proposed plan includes:

1. Digging up and consolidating mine waste and contaminated soils from different parts of the site.
2. Preventing people and wildlife from contacting contamination and waste materials by putting a permanent engineered cap over them.
3. Preventing waste materials and contamination from moving.
4. Stopping mine waste from polluting the Agua Fria River.

The public can submit comments to EPA on the proposed plan until May 13, 2023, by:

1. Mailing comments (postmarked by May 13th) to:

        Jeff Dhont (Phone: 415-972-3020)

        Remedial Project Manager

        EPA Region 9

        Mail Code SFD-8-1

        75 Hawthorne Street

        San Francisco, CA 94105

2. Emailing comments to Thompson.Georgia@epa.gov and Dhont.Jeff@epa.gov.
3. Leaving oral comments on EPA’s voicemail box at: (800) 231-3075.

EPA will respond to all public comments in a document called a “Responsiveness Summary.” After considering all comments, EPA will issue a final plan to address the site in a document called the “Record of Decision.” EPA aims to issue the Record of Decision within a year after the comment period closes.

Decades ago, the former Iron King Mine and Humboldt Smelter left behind eight million tons of mining waste, including mine tailings, smelter waste, and contaminated soils. Waste washed into water drainages leading to the Agua Fria River. As a result, soil and surface water were contaminated. The mine waste, which contains arsenic and lead, can pose a health threat to people and wildlife that contact it. Since the site was added to the Superfund cleanup program in 2008, EPA has completed five early cleanups to protect human health and the environment, including three that involved residential soil cleanup. This plan is a long-term solution to address site contamination.

Learn more about this cleanup on EPA’s Iron King Mine - Humboldt Smelter Dewey-Humboldt webpage.

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

WASHINGTON – Today, the Biden-Harris Administration released the President’s Budget for fiscal year 2024 to the Congress. The Budget requests over $12 billion in discretionary budget authority for the EPA in 2024, a $1.9 billion or 19-percent increase from the fiscal year 2023 enacted level. EPA will release the full Congressional Justification and Budget in Brief materials soon.

The President’s Budget makes historic investments to support the Agency’s ongoing work to tackle the climate crisis, advance environmental justice, protect air quality across the nation, invest in critical water infrastructure and increase support for our state and Tribal partners in their efforts to implement environmental laws, and continue to rebuild core functions at the Agency.

“EPA is at the center of President Biden’s ambitious environmental agenda and the FY 2024 Budget will ensure the Agency delivers bold environmental actions and economic benefits for all. Coupled with the President’s historic investments in America through significant legislative accomplishments, the Budget will advance EPA’s mission across the board, boosting everything from our efforts to combat climate change, to delivering clean air, safe water, and healthy lands, to protecting communities from harmful chemicals, and to the continued restoration of capacity necessary to effectively implement these programs,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “Importantly, the Budget also supports our work to center environmental justice across all of the Agency’s programs, ensuring that no family, especially those living in overburdened and underserved areas, has to worry about the air they breathe, the water they drink, or the environmental safety of their communities.”

Highlights of the President’s FY 2024 Budget include:

• Tackling the Climate Crisis with Urgency. The EPA’s Budget prioritizes combatting climate change with the urgency that science demands. The Budget includes $5 billion, a $757 million increase over the 2023 enacted level, to support work reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, building resilience in the face of climate impacts, and engaging with the global community to respond to this shared challenge, while also providing resources to spur economic progress and create good-paying jobs. The Budget proposes a $64.4 million increase over the 2023 enacted budget to implement the American Innovation and Manufacturing Act to continue phasing out potent GHGs known as hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). It also invests $7 million in wildfire smoke preparedness.

• Advancing Environmental Justice. The Budget bolsters the Agency’s efforts to achieve environmental justice in communities across the Nation by investing nearly $1.8 billion across numerous programs in support of environmental justice efforts. This investment supports the implementation of the President’s Justice40 commitment, which ensures at least 40 percent of the benefits of Federal investments in climate and clean energy, as well as infrastructure work such as Superfund, Brownfields, and SRFs, reach disadvantaged communities, including rural and Tribal communities. Additionally, this Budget will support activities creating good-paying jobs, cleaning up pollution, advancing equity, and securing environmental justice for communities that often bear the brunt of toxic pollution and impacts of climate change. The Budget also includes $91 million for technical assistance to support capacity building for communities to advance equity and justice.

• Upgrading Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure and Replacing Lead Pipes Nationwide. The Budget provides more than $4 billion for water infrastructure, an increase of $1 billion over the 2023 enacted level. These resources foster water infrastructure upgrades, with a focus on underserved and rural communities that have historically been overlooked. The Budget funds all authorizations in the original Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act of 2021 and maintains funding for EPA’s State Revolving Funds at the total 2023 enacted level, which complements funds provided for water infrastructure programs in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The Budget also provides $219 million for two grant programs dedicated to reducing lead in drinking water and lead testing in schools (an increase of $163 million over the 2023 enacted level). It also funds other grants and loans to advance the goal of replacing all lead pipes.

• Ensuring Clean and Healthy Air for All Communities. The Budget allocates $1.4 billion to improve air quality and reduce localized pollution, reduce exposure to radiation, and improve indoor air for communities across the country. This includes $180 million to support the development and implementation of national emission standards to reduce air pollution from vehicles, engines and fuels. The Budget also supports $367 million to assist air pollution control agencies in the development, implementation, and evaluation of programs for the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) and to establish standards for reducing air toxics.

• Protecting Communities from Hazardous Waste and Environmental Damage. The prevention and cleanup of harmful environmental damage that poses a risk to public health and safety continues to be a top priority for EPA. In addition to an estimated $2.5 billion in Superfund tax revenue that will be available to EPA in 2024, the Budget provides over $350 million for the Superfund program to continue cleaning up some of the Nation’s most contaminated land and respond to environmental emergencies and natural disasters. The Budget also provides over $215 million for EPA’s Brownfields program to provide technical assistance and grants to communities, including overburdened and underserved communities, so they can safely clean up and reuse contaminated properties, as well as $20 million for the Alaska Contaminated Lands program. These programs support the President’s Cancer Moonshot initiative by reducing human exposure to harmful contaminants that are correlated with an increased risk for cancer.

• Ensuring Safety of Chemicals for People and the Environment. The Budget provides an investment of $130 million, $49 million more than the 2023 enacted level to build core capacity to implement the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). Under TSCA, EPA has a responsibility to ensure the safety of chemicals in or entering commerce. In FY 2024, EPA will focus on evaluating, assessing, and managing risks from exposure to new and existing industrial chemicals to advance human health protection in our communities. Another priority is to implement FIFRA to ensure pesticides pose no unreasonable risks to human health and the environment.

• Tackling Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Pollution. The Budget provides approximately $170 million to combat PFAS pollution. PFAS substances are a group of chemicals that threaten the health and safety of all communities. This request allows the EPA to continue working toward commitments made under EPA’s 2021 PFAS Strategic Roadmap, including: increasing our knowledge of PFAS impacts to human health and ecological effects, restricting use to prevent PFAS from entering the air, land, and water, and remediating PFAS that have been released into the environment.

• Enforcing and Assuring Compliance with the Nation’s Environmental Laws. The Budget provides $246 million for civil enforcement efforts, crucial funding for enforcement in communities with high pollution exposure, and for preventing the illegal importation and use of climate super-pollutant HFCs in the United States. The Budget also includes: $165 million for compliance monitoring efforts, including funds to conduct inspections in underserved and overburdened communities, and funds to rebuild the agency’s inspector corps; and $75 million for criminal enforcement efforts, which includes funding to increase outreach to victims of environmental crimes and develop a specialized criminal enforcement task force to address environmental justice issues in partnership with the Department of Justice.

• Restoring Critical Capacity to Carry Out EPA’s Core Mission. To position the Agency with the workforce required to address emerging and ongoing challenges, the Budget added nearly 2,000 Full Time Equivalents (FTEs) relative to the current level, for a total of more than 17,000 FTEs, to help rebuild the Agency’s workforce. Developing staffing capacity across the Agency would enable EPA to better protect our Nation’s health, while also providing avenues to strengthen and advance diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. Staffing resources would additionally fund a significant expansion of EPA’s paid student internship program to develop a pipeline of qualified staff.

The Budget makes these smart investments to address emerging and ongoing environmental challenges while creating good-paying jobs and improving our country’s long-term fiscal outlook.

Building on the President’s strong record of fiscal responsibility, the Budget more than fully pays for its investments — reducing deficits by nearly $3 trillion over the next decade by asking the wealthy and big corporations to pay their fair share.

Read more information on the President’s FY 2024 Budget request.

Full details on the budget will be available later this month at the following link: EPA’s FY 2024 Congressional Justification (CJ) and Budget in Brief.

SEATTLE (March 8, 2023) – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced $16 million in new grant funding opportunities for states and tribes to provide technical assistance to help local businesses develop and adopt pollution prevention or P2 practices and to better address environmental justice concerns in disadvantaged communities. This additional $16 million builds on the nearly $14 million in P2 grants funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law last year.

“With this historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding we’re bringing the benefits of pollution prevention practices to disadvantaged communities that have for too long been disproportionately overburdened by the effects of pollution,” said Casey Sixkiller, EPA Region 10 Regional Administrator. “Working with states, tribes and businesses, we can help reduce toxic chemicals and hazardous materials to better protect people’s health and our environment.”

The United States produces billions of pounds of pollution each year and spends billions of dollars per year controlling this pollution. Preventing pollution at the source, also known as P2 or source reduction, rather than managing waste after it is produced, helps to advance a sustainable economic and environmental infrastructure. P2 can reduce exposure to toxic chemicals, conserve natural resources, and reduce cleanup and financial costs for businesses, particularly for waste management and environmental liability. Practicing P2 is essential for protecting public health and improving environmental conditions in and around disadvantaged communities.

The two new grant opportunities announced today will provide up to $16 million for state and tribal programs to help businesses adopt pollution prevention practices to advance environmental justice. Individual grant awards may range from $100,000 to $800,000 for the funding period, or up to $1.2 million for multi-state or multi-tribal projects. The two grant programs include:

• Pollution Prevention Grants: Environmental Justice in Communities to support technical assistance for businesses to specifically target and improve human health and the environment in disadvantaged communities. Find more information at: grants.gov, Funding Announcement EPA-I-OCSPP-OPPT-FY2023-001.

• Pollution Prevention Grants: Environmental Justice Through Safer and More Sustainable Products to support P2 technical assistance to businesses to increase the supply, demand or use of safer and more sustainable products, such as those that are certified by EPA’s Safer Choice program or conform to EPA’s Recommendations for Specifications, Standards and Ecolabels for Federal Purchasing. Find more information at: grants.gov, Funding Announcement EPA-I-OCSPP-OPPT-FY2023-002.

Eligibility and Applications

For both grant opportunities, applicants are encouraged to target their projects to help communities overburdened by a legacy of pollution using geographic, demographic, environmental or other appropriate indicators. Disadvantaged communities can be identified through several public mapping tools including:

• The Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool, a geospatial mapping tool developed by the Council on Environmental Quality
• EPA’s EJScreen which combines environmental and socioeconomic indicators in maps and reports
• The P2 EJ Facility Mapping Tool which helps users to identify industrial businesses located in or adjacent to disadvantaged communities

Eligible applicants include states, state entities such as universities, federally recognized tribes and tribal consortia. Applicants are strongly encouraged to consider partnering with other P2 stakeholders and with community organizations to strengthen their ability to jointly develop and provide P2 technical assistance to businesses and help develop and adopt P2 solutions. Community groups and trade associations are not directly eligible to apply, but EPA encourages these groups to partner with eligible applicants.

Informational Webinars

EPA’s P2 Program will host four informational webinars to provide information on both grant opportunities, the P2 grant programs and the application process. Email p2hub@epa.gov with questions about P2 grants or for help applying for a P2 grant.

• March 21, 2023, 11am – 12:30 p.m. PST: Register here
• March 23, 2023, 11am – 12:30 p.m. PST (for tribes): Register here 
• March 28, 2023, 11am – 12:30 p.m. PST: Register here
• March 30, 2023, 11am – 12:30 p.m. PST: Register here 

Background P2 Program Results

EPA’s P2 program has issued nearly 500 grants between 2011-2021, totaling more than $50 million, which have helped businesses identify, develop, and adopt P2 approaches. These efforts have eliminated 19.8 million metric tons of greenhouse gases, saved 49 billion gallons of water, reduced 917 million pounds of hazardous materials and pollutants, and saved more than $2.2 billion for businesses.

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EPA’s Region 10 serves communities in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, and 271 Tribal Nations. Learn more about EPA’s work in the Pacific Northwest at: epa.gov/epa-region-10-pacific-northwest. Connect with us on Twitter: @EPAnorthwest and Facebook: @eparegion10.

EPA protects Hawaii Island water resources, orders closure of illegal cesspools at My Self Storage

Owner of self-storage business will close cesspools and pay $53,011 penalty

HONOLULU (March 8, 2023) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has taken an enforcement action to close two illegal large-capacity cesspools at the My Self Storage locations in Kailua-Kona and Kealakekua. Under the Safe Drinking Water Act, EPA banned such cesspools in 2005.

“Hawai‘i companies must protect our surface water and groundwater resources from the disease-causing pollution found in large-capacity cesspools,” said EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator Martha Guzman. “EPA will continue to find and require the closure of all remaining illegal cesspools throughout Hawai‘i.”

Both locations are less than two miles from important fishing and recreation areas on Hawai‘i Island’s leeward coast. In July 2021, EPA inspected both self-storage locations and found two unlawful cesspools serving the properties. SC Kona Self Storage LP—which owns the My Self Storage locations on Hawai‘i Island—settled the case, agreeing to close the illegal cesspools by April 1, 2023, and pay a $53,011 penalty.

Background

These cesspools meet the regulatory criteria of unlawful non-residential large-capacity cesspools because they could serve 20 or more persons per day. EPA is authorized to issue compliance orders and/or assess penalties to violators of the Safe Drinking Water Act’s cesspool regulations.

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

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

Information on the federal ban and a definition of a large-capacity cesspool is available on the EPA’s LCC website. Also, click here for more information on cesspools in Hawai’i.

Self-Disclosure

To encourage regulated entities to voluntarily discover, promptly disclose and expeditiously close these pollution-causing systems, EPA provides penalty mitigation and other incentives for companies that proactively find and close large-capacity cesspools on their property.

Information on how to self-disclose potential large-capacity cesspool violations is available at  EPA's eDisclosure website.

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

WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the availability of $16 million for two new grant opportunities to support states and Tribes in providing technical assistance to businesses seeking to develop and adopt pollution prevention (P2) practices that advance environmental justice in underserved communities. EPA has published two Request for Applications for P2 investments, which were made possible by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, including the Pollution Prevention Grant: Environmental Justice in Communities, and the Pollution Prevention Grant: Environmental Justice Through Safer and More Sustainable Products programs.

“For too long, underserved communities have suffered the harmful effects of pollution across the country,” said EPA Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention Deputy Assistant Administrator for Pollution Prevention Jennie Romer. “President Biden’s investment in America is supercharging our efforts to protect more communities than ever before. These new grants will advance environmental justice by equipping American businesses with resources that save money, prevent pollution at the source, reduce the use of hazardous materials, and cut climate pollution.”

The United States produces billions of pounds of pollution each year and spends billions of dollars per year controlling this pollution. Preventing pollution at the source, also known as P2 or source reduction, rather than managing waste after it is produced, is an important part of advancing a sustainable economic and environmental infrastructure. P2 practices can reduce exposure to toxic chemicals, conserve natural resources, and reduce cleanup and financial costs for businesses, particularly for waste management and environmental liability. Practicing P2 is essential for protecting public health and improving environmental conditions in and around disadvantaged communities that have long been overburdened by pollution.

The two grant opportunities being announced today will provide up to $16 million for state and Tribal programs to help businesses adopt pollution prevention practices to advance environmental justice. These grants will be fully funded at the time the grants are awarded, as is required by traditional P2 grants. Individual grant awards may range from $100,000 to $800,000 for the funding period, or up to $1.2 million for multi-state or multi-Tribal projects.

• The Pollution Prevention Grant: Environmental Justice in Communities is a new P2 grant opportunity to support technical assistance for businesses to specifically target and improve human health and the environment in disadvantaged communities.  Applications for this grant are due by June 6, 2023. Additional information is available at grants.gov under Funding Opportunity Announcement EPA-I-OCSPP-OPPT-FY2023-001.

• The Pollution Prevention Grant: Environmental Justice Through Safer and More Sustainable Products will support P2 technical assistance to businesses to increase the supply, demand and or use of safer and more sustainable products, such as those that are certified by EPA’s Safer Choice program, or those that conform to EPA’s Recommendations for Specifications, Standards and Ecolabels for Federal Purchasing. Applications for this grant are due by June 20, 2023. Additional information is available at grants.gov under Funding Opportunity Announcement EPA-I-OCSPP-OPPT-FY2023-002.

These two-year grants are a critical component of the Biden-Harris Administration’s Justice40 Initiative which aims to deliver 40% of the overall benefits of climate, clean energy and other investments to disadvantaged communities. Selected grantees will not be required to provide matching funds for these grants.

Eligibility and Applications

For both grant funding opportunities, EPA requests that applicants target their projects to help communities overburdened by a legacy of pollution using geographic, demographic, environmental or other appropriate indicators. Disadvantaged communities can be identified through several publicly available mapping tools including:

• The Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool, a geospatial mapping tool developed by the Council on Environmental Quality;
• EPA’s EJScreen which combines environmental and socioeconomic indicators in maps and reports; and
• The P2 EJ Facility Mapping Tool which allows users to identify industrial businesses located in or adjacent to disadvantaged communities

Eligible applicants include states, state entities such as universities, U.S. territories and possessions, and federally recognized Tribes and intertribal consortia. Applicants are strongly encouraged to consider partnering with other P2 stakeholders and with community organizations to strengthen their ability to jointly develop and provide P2 technical assistance to businesses and facilitate the development, adoption, and dissemination of P2 solutions. Local governments, community groups, labeling organizations, and trade associations are not directly eligible to apply, but EPA encourages these groups to partner with eligible applicants.

Informational Webinars

EPA’s national P2 Program will host four informational webinars to provide information on both grant opportunities, the P2 grant programs, and the application process. Time will be provided during the webinars for questions from participants, which include:

• March 21, 2023, 2 – 3:30 p.m. ET

Register here

• March 23, 2023, 2 – 3:30 p.m. ET (for Tribal entities)

Register here 

• March 28, 2023, 2 – 3:30 p.m. ET

Register here

• March 30, 2023, 2 – 3:30 p.m. ET

Register here 

Tools and resources for prospective grantees, including webinars, writing guidance, networking tools, and helpful templates can be found on EPA’s P2 grants webpage.

Additional Background

EPA’s P2 program has issued nearly 500 grants between 2011-2021, totaling more than $50 million, which have helped businesses identify, develop and adopt P2 approaches. These approaches have resulted in eliminating 19.8 million metric tons of greenhouse gases, saving 49 billion gallons of water, reducing 917 million pounds of hazardous materials and pollutants, and saving of more than $2.2 billion for business.

Read more about P2 and the P2 grant program.

Email p2hub@epa.gov with questions about P2 grants or for help applying for a P2 grant.

WASHINGTON – Today the Biden-Harris Administration announced it is proposing to strengthen wastewater discharge standards that apply to coal-fired power plants. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposal follows the latest science and applies EPA’s longstanding authority under the Clean Water Act to reduce discharges of toxic metals and other pollutants from these power plants into lakes, streams, and other waterbodies. The proposed rule would help protect our nation’s vital water resources that support safe drinking water, agriculture, and healthy communities while providing greater certainty for industry.

“Ensuring the health and safety of all people is EPA’s top priority, and this proposed rule represents an ambitious step toward protecting communities from harmful pollution while providing greater certainty for industry,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “EPA’s proposed science-based limits will reduce water contamination from coal-fired power plants and help deliver clean air, clean water, and healthy land for all.” 

Coal-fired power plants discharge large volumes of wastewater into waterways such as ponds, lakes, rivers, and streams. The discharges include pollutants such as selenium, mercury, arsenic, nickel, bromide, chloride, and iodide, nutrient pollution, and total dissolved solids. Exposure to these pollutants can harm people and ecosystems through contamination of drinking water sources, recreational waters, and aquatic life.

EPA’s proposed rule would establish more stringent discharge standards for three types of wastewater generated at coal fired power plants: flue gas desulfurization wastewater, bottom ash transport water, and combustion residual leachate. The proposed rule also addresses wastewater produced by coal fired power plants that is stored in surface impoundments (for example, ash ponds). The proposal would define these “legacy” wastewaters and seeks comment on whether to develop more stringent discharge standards for these wastewaters.

EPA is also proposing changes to specific compliance paths for certain “subcategories” of power plants. The Agency's proposal would retain and refresh a compliance path for coal-fired power plants that commit to stop burning coal by 2028. The Agency is issuing a direct final rule and parallel proposal to allow power plants to opt into this compliance path. Additionally, power plants that are in the process of complying with existing regulations and plan to stop burning coal by 2032, would be able to comply with the proposed rule.

EPA estimates that the proposed rule would reduce pollutants discharged through wastewater from coal-fired power plants by approximately 584 million pounds per year. This means that communities across the country would benefit from cleaner and more resilient water resources, especially low-income communities and communities of color that are disproportionately impacted by pollution from coal-fired power plants.

Learn more about the proposed Effluent Limitations Guidelines and Standards for the Steam Electric Power Generating Category and direct final rule, including how to comment or participate in an online public hearing.

Background

Effluent Limitations Guidelines (ELGs) are national industry-specific wastewater regulations based on the performance of demonstrated wastewater treatment technologies (also called “technology-based limits”). They are intended to represent the greatest pollutant reductions that are economically achievable for an entire industry.

Steam electric plants use fossil fuels (such as coal, oil, and natural gas) or nuclear reactions to heat water in boilers, which generates steam. The steam is used to drive turbines connected to electric generators. The plants generate wastewater in the form of chemical pollutants and thermal pollution from their water treatment, power cycle, ash handling and air pollution control systems, as well as from coal piles, yard and floor drainage, and other miscellaneous wastes.

In September 2015, EPA finalized a rule revising the ELGs for the Steam Electric Power Generating category, setting the first federal limits on toxic metals in wastewater that can be discharged from power plants. In August 2020, the Agency finalized a “reconsideration” rule revising the 2015 requirements for FGD wastewater and BA transport water. EPA reviewed the 2020 reconsideration rule in accordance with President Biden’s Executive Order 13990 directing the Agency to review all regulations and policies undertaken by the previous administration and rescind or revise any that do not protect public health and the environment. In July 2021, EPA announced its intent to develop the rulemaking it is proposing today.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced a settlement with Global Xpress Parts LLC of Elwood, Indiana, and Extra Power Performance LLC of Carmel, Indiana to resolve alleged Clean Air Act violations involving the sale of “defeat devices” designed to bypass or disable vehicle emissions control systems. 

Under the settlement, the companies will pay a combined $552,590 penalty. The companies have also agreed to cease all tampering – and to stop manufacturing or selling defeat devices.  

As a result of EPA's efforts to improve air quality and fuel efficiency, cars and trucks manufactured today emit far less pollution than older vehicles. To meet EPA's emission standards, engine manufacturers have carefully calibrated their engines and installed sophisticated emissions control systems. 

EPA testing shows that defeat devices can substantially increase vehicle pollution which contributes to a variety of health problems. These include premature death in people with heart or lung disease, heart attacks, irregular heartbeat, aggravated asthma and decreased lung function. Because excess emissions from vehicles with defeat devices can disproportionately affect communities near highways and freight facilities, EPA regards halting the manufacture, sale, offering for sale, and installation of defeat devices as a key issue in working toward environmental justice. 

More information regarding this action and EPA’s National Compliance Initiative for Stopping Aftermarket Defeat Devices for Vehicles and Engines can be found here. 

HELENA -The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announced approximately $65 million in funding from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to address cleanup projects at three Superfund sites across Montana: the Basin Mining Area, in Jefferson County; the Carpenter Snow Creek Mining District, in Cascade County; and the Upper Ten Mile Creek Mining Area in Lewis and Clark County.

“This announcement ensures these Superfund mining sites and watersheds will continue to receive funding to address long-standing contamination,” said EPA Regional Administrator KC Becker. “Through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, EPA is delivering much-needed resources to improve the environment, public health, and quality of life in Montana communities.”

Mine waste site in the Upper Ten Mile Mining District.

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provided a historic investment of $3.5 billion for Superfund cleanup work. In addition to funding activity at the three mining sites, this investment is enabling EPA to increase funding for and accelerate essential work needed to prepare sites across the state for construction and ensure that communities are meaningfully involved in the cleanup process. 

“Montanans shouldn’t have to worry about whether their communities are clean, safe places to live, work, and raise their families,” said U.S. Senator Jon Tester. “It’s past time we get these cleanups done, and make the affected communities in Jefferson, Cascade, and Lewis and Clark Counties whole. I’m proud to have secured this funding through my Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and am working closely with EPA to ensure these dollars get where they need to go as soon as possible.”

“Montana DEQ is committed to protecting our communities and championing a healthy environment,” said DEQ Director Chris Dorrington. “This funding will enable us to make significant progress and ensure cleanup at three important Superfund sites in Montana.”

EPA is finalizing cleanup plans and preparing funding mechanisms to get construction work started at these sites as soon as possible.

Background:
In 1980, Congress passed the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, known as Superfund. The law gave EPA the authority and funds to hold polluters accountable for cleaning up the most contaminated sites across the country. When no viable responsible party is found or cannot afford the cleanup, EPA steps in to address risks to human health and the environment using funds appropriated by Congress, like the funding provided by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is a once-in-a-generation investment that will create millions of jobs modernizing our infrastructure, turn the climate crisis into an opportunity, and put us on a path to win the economic competition for the 21st century. 

More information about EPA’s Superfund program.  

More on the Basin Mining Area Superfund site.

More on the Carpenter Snow Creek Mining District Superfund site.

More on the Upper Ten Mile Creek Mining Area Superfund site.