BOSTON (February 13, 2023) – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced $38,204,000 from President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to address emerging contaminants, like Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in drinking water in Massachusetts. This investment, which is allocated to states and territories, will be made available to communities as grants through EPA's Emerging Contaminants in Small or Disadvantaged Communities (EC-SDC) Grant Program and will promote access to safe and clean water in small, rural, and disadvantaged communities while supporting local economies.

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

"Today's grant announcement is one significant step in EPA's comprehensive PFAS Roadmap to support our state partners as we aggressively tackle PFAS in drinking water, protect public health, and provide critical information quickly and transparently," said EPA New England Regional Administrator and Co-Chair of EPA's Council on PFAS David W. Cash. "This funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will target resources to small or disadvantaged communities most in need of assistance and will speed up our important work reducing PFAS and other emerging contaminants in drinking water, especially in communities that are challenged by lack of capacity and funding."

"Clean drinking water should be a right, not a privilege, for all people across our Commonwealth. It's time to finally make PFAS 'forever chemicals' into 'never chemicals,'" said U.S. Senator Ed Markey. "Thanks to major investments in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the EPA can now take further steps to protect the health and safety of disadvantaged and rural communities from dangerous pollutants and aging infrastructure."

"Too many children and families in Massachusetts and across the country are unknowingly exposed to dangerous PFAS contaminants that can have devastating impacts on their health and well-being," U.S. Representative Jim McGovern said. "It's clear more can be done to monitor and mediate water supplies, which is why Congress and President Biden fought hard for more funding to ensure every community has access to clean and safe drinking water. Today's investment provided by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law brings us closer to securing safe drinking water for everyone. I look forward to seeing the many positive effects this money has on our Commonwealth's communities."

"Families in Massachusetts' Fifth District know all too well the reality and risks of PFAS contamination," said U.S. Representative Katherine Clark. "I am proud to have joined President Biden and Democrats in Congress in securing transformative resources to combat this crisis through our historic Infrastructure Law. This latest investment will soon be put to work detecting and removing pollutants – helping ensure that every Massachusetts family has access to clean, safe drinking water."

"The Healey-Driscoll Administration is grateful for this important funding from President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. This will support the ongoing work to ensure clean and safe drinking water in small and disadvantaged communities," said Massachusetts Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper. "Massachusetts leads the nation in addressing PFAS contamination and supporting local water suppliers and this federal investment will continue the Commonwealth's efforts to protect the public health."

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

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

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

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

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

EPA Region 7 Administrator Meg McCollister presents the Full Employment Council of Kansas City with a ceremonial check for $500,000, joined by (right to left): KCMO Director of Public Works Michael Shaw, U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver II, and FEC President and CEO Clyde McQueen on Feb. 13, 2023. (Photo credit: U.S. EPA)

LENEXA, KAN. (FEB. 13, 2023) – Today, EPA Region 7 Administrator Meg McCollister presented a $500,000 ceremonial check to the Full Employment Council (FEC) of Kansas City, Missouri, for a Brownfields Job Training grant selection. McCollister and FEC President and CEO Clyde McQueen were joined by U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver II (MO-5) and City of Kansas City, Missouri, Director of Public Works Michael Shaw.

With this funding, FEC plans to train 60 students and place at least 38 of them in environmental jobs. FEC’s training program includes over 230 hours of instruction in areas such as hazardous waste, health and safety, and commercial driver’s licensing with certification in removal and transport of toxic materials. The program is focused on providing training and jobs for Kansas City, Missouri, residents who are unemployed, underemployed, or in low-income brackets.

“The second career chance offered by EPA’s Brownfields Job Training Program can be truly life-changing,” McCollister said. “The Full Employment Council’s program will prepare Kansas Citians to work on environmental cleanups within the city, with salary prospects averaging $20 an hour. We’re proud to deliver half a million dollars in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding to the community through this initiative.”

“The Full Employment Council is extremely pleased to receive this $500,000 grant award from the Environmental Protection Agency,” McQueen said. “This success results from a long-term, system-based partnership with the Kansas City Brownfields Initiative, City of KCMO Public Works Department, and numerous environmental contractors within the KCMO region. Further, this effort will improve urban core neighborhoods negatively impacted by contamination, blight, and pollution from decades of environmental abuse.”

“I am thrilled to see more federal dollars making their way back to Missouri’s Fifth District, with the Full Employment Council of Kansas City selected as stewards of the EPA’s Brownfields Job Training Program grant,” Cleaver said. “This funding opportunity, enabled by President Biden’s historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, will not only continue to allow the Full Employment Council to provide critical opportunities to Kansas City workers, but it will also bolster their impact in neighborhoods throughout the urban core. I am proud to have supported the legislation that made this funding possible, and I will continue to work across the aisle to ensure that organizations like the Full Employment Council have the necessary resources to carry out their important mission.”

This investment is part of the $1.5 million in grants funded through President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for environmental job training programs in Missouri.

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.

For more information on this and other types of Brownfields Program grants, please visit the Brownfields Job Training Grants page.

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

Administrator Michael S. Regan announced the availability of $2 billion in water infrastructure investments at an event held in North Carolina earlier today. “Too many American communities, especially those that are small, rural, or underserved, are suffering from exposure to PFAS and other harmful contaminants in their drinking water,” said EPA Administrator Michael Regan. “Thanks to President Biden’s leadership, we are investing in America and providing billions of dollars to strengthen our nation’s water infrastructure while safeguarding people’s health and boosting local economies. These grants build on EPA’s PFAS Strategic Roadmap and will help protect our smallest and most vulnerable communities from these persistent and dangerous chemicals.”

“EPA is delivering on its strategic commitment to address PFAS and emerging contaminants with more than $18 million for infrastructure projects that will safeguard Montana’s drinking water for years to come,” said EPA Regional Administrator KC Becker. “These funds will help water providers invest in treatment technologies and solutions to contamination concerns in the communities that need them most.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

Administrator Michael S. Regan announced the availability of $2 billion in water infrastructure investments at an event held in North Carolina earlier today. “Too many American communities, especially those that are small, rural, or underserved, are suffering from exposure to PFAS and other harmful contaminants in their drinking water,” said EPA Administrator Michael Regan. “Thanks to President Biden’s leadership, we are investing in America and providing billions of dollars to strengthen our nation’s water infrastructure while safeguarding people’s health and boosting local economies. These grants build on EPA’s PFAS Strategic Roadmap and will help protect our smallest and most vulnerable communities from these persistent and dangerous chemicals.”

“EPA is delivering on its strategic commitment to address PFAS and emerging contaminants with more than $85 million for infrastructure projects that will safeguard Utah’s drinking water for years to come,” said EPA Regional Administrator KC Becker. “These funds will help water providers invest in treatment technologies and solutions to contamination concerns in the communities that need them most.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

Administrator Michael S. Regan announced the availability of $2 billion in water infrastructure investments at an event held in North Carolina earlier today. “Too many American communities, especially those that are small, rural, or underserved, are suffering from exposure to PFAS and other harmful contaminants in their drinking water,” said EPA Administrator Michael Regan. “Thanks to President Biden’s leadership, we are investing in America and providing billions of dollars to strengthen our nation’s water infrastructure while safeguarding people’s health and boosting local economies. These grants build on EPA’s PFAS Strategic Roadmap and will help protect our smallest and most vulnerable communities from these persistent and dangerous chemicals.”

“EPA is delivering on its strategic commitment to address PFAS and emerging contaminants with more than $18 million for infrastructure projects that will safeguard South Dakota’s drinking water for years to come,” said EPA Regional Administrator KC Becker. “These funds will help water providers invest in treatment technologies and solutions to contamination concerns in the communities that need them most.”

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

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

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

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

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

NEW YORK – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced more than $83.7 million from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to address emerging contaminants, like Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS), in drinking water in New York. This investment, which is allocated to states and territories, will be made available to communities as grants through EPA’s Emerging Contaminants in Small or Disadvantaged Communities (EC-SDC) Grant Program and will promote access to safe and clean water in small, rural and disadvantaged communities while supporting local economies. EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan announced the availability of $2 billion.

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

"This funding is part of the once-in-a lifetime investments we are making to transform infrastructure under the President's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law,” said U.S. EPA Regional Administrator Lisa F. Garcia. “EPA is working with our state partners to deliver clean water to communities, protect public health, and advance environmental justice across New York State and the nation.”

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

Senator Charles Schumer said, “Thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law I fought to pass, communities across New York will finally have access to the funding they need to clean-up toxic PFAS pollution and ensure safe and clean drinking water. These federal funds will jumpstart critical projects and help communities big and small on the frontlines of PFAS contamination, all while creating good paying jobs to stimulating the local economy. I am proud to deliver over $83 million for New York to directly tack the issue of emerging contaminants and PFAS and I will keep pushing for speedy cleanups across New York: from Long Island to Newburgh and Niagara.” 

“This is a historic investment that will help clean up some of the most dangerous and widespread contaminants in our drinking water,” said Senator Kirsten Gillibrand.  “I’m proud to have fought to pass the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to provide this funding to small and disadvantaged communities across New York and I look forward to continuing to work with the Biden administration to protect the environment and fight PFAS contamination.”

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

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

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

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

To learn more about EPA’s roadmap laying out a whole-of-agency approach to addressing PFAS, visit EPA’s PFAS web page.

To learn more about New York’s PFAS efforts, visit its PFAS web site.

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

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NUEVA YORK – La Agencia de Protección Ambiental de Estados Unidos (EPA, por sus siglas en inglés) anunció hoy más de $18.9 millones de la Ley Bipartidista de Infraestructura del Presidente Biden para atender los contaminantes emergentes, como perfluoroalquiladas y polifluoroalquiladas (PFAS), en el agua potable en Puerto Rico. Esta inversión, que se asigna a los estados y territorios, se pondrá a disposición de las comunidades a modo de subvenciones mediante el Programa de Subvenciones de Contaminantes Emergentes en Comunidades Pequeñas o Desventajadas (EC-SDC) de la EPA y promoverá el acceso a agua segura y limpia en comunidades pequeñas, rurales y desventajadas, apoyando a la vez a las economías locales. El administrador de la EPA, Michael S. Regan, anunció la disponibilidad de $2 mil millones para todo Estados Unidos.

“Demasiadas comunidades estadounidenses, especialmente aquellas que son pequeñas, rurales o desatendidas, están sufriendo por la exposición a PFAS y a otros contaminantes dañinos en el agua potable”, indicó el administrador de la EPA, Michael Regan. “Gracias al liderazgo de Presidente Biden, estamos invirtiendo en Estados Unidos y proporcionando recursos sin precedentes para fortalecer la infraestructura de agua de nuestro país protegiendo a la vez la salud de las personas e impulsando las economías locales. Estas subvenciones se basan en la Hoja de Ruta Estratégica de PFAS de la EPA y ayudarán a proteger a nuestras comunidades más pequeñas y vulnerables contra estas sustancias químicas persistentes y peligrosas”.

“Este financiamiento forma parte de las inversiones históricas que estamos haciendo para transformar la infraestructura de agua, según la Ley Bipartidista de Infraestructura del Presidente”, señaló la administradora regional de la EPA de los Estados Unidos, Lisa F. García. “La EPA espera trabajar con el gobierno de Puerto Rico para asegurar el agua limpia potable, proteger la salud pública y promover la justicia ambiental en todas las comunidades”.

La Ley Bipartidista de Infraestructura invierte $5 mil millones a lo largo de cinco años para ayudar a las comunidades que están en la primera línea de la contaminación por contaminantes, como el PFAS, a reducir la presencia de PFAS en el agua potable. La EPA anunció los fondos para Puerto Rico como parte de una asignación de $2 mil millones a los estados y territorios que pueden usarse para priorizar la infraestructura y el tratamiento de fuentes de agua en cuanto a contaminantes, como PFAS y otros contaminantes emergentes, y para realizar pruebas de calidad del agua.

“El apoyo federal para abordar la contaminación del agua es fundamental, especialmente en jurisdicciones como Puerto Rico, donde muchas comunidades pequeñas y rurales carecen de recursos para detectar, rastrear y trabajar adecuadamente la presencia de sustancias químicas como PFAS”, dijo la Comisionada Residente, Jenniffer González-Colón. “La acción del Congreso en la asignación de fondos para este propósito y su designación a tales fines siempre ha contado con mi apoyo y espero seguir supervisando el trabajo que se realiza”

La EPA también está publicando el documento de Implementación de subvenciones para contaminantes emergentes en comunidades pequeñas o desventajadas. El documento de proporciona a los estados y comunidades la información necesaria para utilizar estos fondos a fin de abordar la calidad del agua local y los desafíos de salud pública. Estas subvenciones permitirán a las comunidades mejorar la infraestructura local de agua y reducir los contaminantes emergentes en el agua potable mediante la implementación de soluciones como la instalación de las soluciones de tratamiento necesarias.

Las acciones de hoy representan un hito importante dentro de los compromisos de la Administración Biden-Harris para combatir la contaminación por PFAS y proteger el agua potable, y específicamente la Hoja de Ruta Estratégica de PFAS de octubre de 2021 de la EPA. Según la Hoja de Ruta, la EPA está trabajando en toda la agencia para proteger al público de los impactos de PFAS en la salud. La EPA ha tomado una serie de medidas para lograr avances en cuanto a PFAS, como:  

• Proponer designar dos PFAS como sustancias peligrosas según CERCLA. Si se finaliza, este será un paso crucial para aumentar la transparencia en torno a las emisiones de PFAS y para responsabilizar a los contaminadores por limpiar su contaminación.
• Publicar avisos de salud acerca del agua potable. Actuando de acuerdo con la misión de la EPA de proteger la salud pública y mantener informadas a las comunidades y autoridades de salud pública cuando haya nueva ciencia disponible, la Agencia emitió avisos de salud del agua potable en cuanto a cuatro PFAS.
• Establecer las bases para mejorar los datos sobre PFAS. Esto incluyó una orden según la Estrategia Nacional de Pruebas de PFAS de la EPA que requiere que las compañías realicen pruebas de PFAS y muestreo a nivel nacional mediante la Regla de Monitoreo de Contaminantes No Regulados para 29 PFAS en sistemas públicos de agua potable.
• Ampliar la comprensión científica de PFAS. La Agencia emitió más de 30 publicaciones científicas de investigadores de la EPA y publicó la Base de Datos de Tratamiento Térmico de PFAS de la EPA.
• Convertir los datos científicos más recientes en esfuerzos de la EPA sobre PFAS entre agencias. Esto incluyó actualizar las tablas de limpieza de sitios contaminados de la EPA, desarrollar nuevos métodos para PFAS y realizar evaluaciones de toxicidad, y emitir criterios preliminares nacionales recomendados sobre calidad del agua para proteger la vida acuática.
• Continuar el compromiso con el público. El trabajo de PFAS de la EPA fue informado a través de seminarios web públicos, reuniones de partes interesadas, testimonios del Congreso y participación con los comités asesores federales de la EPA.

Además de esta nueva subvención, la EPA también está trabajando para proponer una NPDWR de PFAS en las próximas semanas. La regla preliminar propuesta se encuentra actualmente en revisión interinstitucional y la EPA emitirá la regla propuesta para recibir comentarios públicos cuando sea aprobada por la Oficina de Administración y Presupuesto (OMB). La agencia prevé finalizar la regla para fines de 2023. Junto con el anuncio de hoy, estas acciones resaltan los compromisos de la EPA descritos en la Hoja de Ruta Estratégica de PFAS para proteger la salud pública y el medioambiente de los impactos de PFAS. También ilustran los beneficios de invertir en el agua, como: proteger la salud pública y el medioambiente, abordar los desafíos clave que enfrentan las comunidades y crear empleos.

Para obtener más información sobre la hoja de ruta de la EPA que establece un enfoque de toda la agencia para abordar PFAS, visite la página web de PFAS de la EPA.  

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

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NEW YORK – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced more than $66.1 million from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to address emerging contaminants, like Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS), in drinking water in New Jersey. This investment, which is allocated to states and territories, will be made available to communities as grants through EPA’s Emerging Contaminants in Small or Disadvantaged Communities (EC-SDC) Grant Program and will promote access to safe and clean water in small, rural and disadvantaged communities while supporting local economies. EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan announced the availability of $2 billion.

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

"This funding is part of the once-in-a lifetime investments we are making to transform infrastructure under the President's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law,” said U.S. EPA Regional Administrator Lisa F. Garcia. “EPA is working with our state partners to deliver clean water to communities, protect public health, and advance environmental justice across New Jersey and the nation.”

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

“I’m proud to work to deliver resources that ensure everyone has access to safe, clean drinking water. We know disadvantaged communities disproportionately bear the impact of contaminants in water, such as PFAS and lead. This latest infusion of federal funds—part of the historic investment in our water infrastructure under the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act—will allow New Jersey to expand access to clean water for everyone,” said Senator Cory Booker.  

“Safe drinking water is a basic human right. That’s why I fought to ensure that the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law included significant funding to address PFAS contamination, especially in overburdened communities, and I’m glad to see that funding continues to make its way to New Jersey to do just that,” Congressman Frank Pallone said. “New Jersey has some of the highest levels of PFAS contamination in the country. While the state is working to address this public health threat by adopting protective state drinking water standards and pursuing natural resource damage cases, I’ve led efforts in Congress to address these toxic chemicals and ensure that everyone can trust the water coming out of the tap.” 

“The Biden Administration’s allocation of more than $66 million demonstrates our shared commitment to clean water and healthy environments for all community members,” said New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy. “Thanks to the historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the determined advocacy of our congressional delegation, New Jersey can now double its efforts to protect our children and families from emerging contaminants like PFAS. These efforts will prove especially vital for our state’s rural and underserved communities, which deserve equitable and reliable access to safe water regardless of their zip code.” 

“In New Jersey, we are paving the way for the nation in addressing PFAS in our water supplies and our environment,” said New Jersey Commissioner of Environmental Protection Shawn M. LaTourette. “We are very grateful to the EPA and to our congressional delegation who share our commitment to protecting public health by making Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funds available to help small and disadvantaged communities take steps to protect their water supplies.” 

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

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

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

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

To learn more about EPA’s roadmap laying out a whole-of-agency approach to addressing PFAS, visit EPA’s PFAS web page.

To learn more about New Jersey’s PFAS efforts, visit its PFAS web site.

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

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NEW YORK – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced more than $18.9 million from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to address emerging contaminants, like Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS), in drinking water in Puerto Rico. This investment, which is allocated to states and territories, will be made available to communities as grants through EPA’s Emerging Contaminants in Small or Disadvantaged Communities (EC-SDC) Grant Program and will promote access to safe and clean water in small, rural, and disadvantaged communities while supporting local economies. EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan announced the availability of $2 billion.

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

"This funding is part of the once-in-a lifetime investments we are making to transform infrastructure under the President's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law,” said U.S. EPA Regional Administrator Lisa F. Garcia. “EPA looks forward to working with the government in Puerto Rico to deliver clean water, protect public health and advance environmental justice in all communities.”

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

“Federal support for addressing ground water contamination is critical, especially in jurisdictions like Puerto Rico where many small and rural communities lack resources to properly detect, track and address the presence of chemicals like PFAS,” said Congresswoman Jenniffer González-Colón. “Congress’ action in allocating funds for this purpose in authorizing and appropriating has always counted on my support and I look forward to continuing to oversee the work that is done.”    

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

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

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

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

To learn more about EPA’s roadmap laying out a whole-of-agency approach to addressing PFAS, visit EPA’s PFAS web page.

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

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LENEXA, KAN. (FEB. 13, 2023) – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 7 is announcing an upcoming virtual listening session on EPA’s PFAS Strategic Roadmap for Region 7 communities on Feb. 28, and inviting members of the public to attend and speak.

This engagement session will provide information about EPA’s ongoing work under the PFAS Strategic Roadmap and what it means for Region 7. The session will provide opportunities for communities to share feedback directly with EPA Regional and program leaders to inform the implementation of the actions described in the Roadmap. In November 2022, EPA announced that the Agency would hold a series of virtual Regional community engagement sessions in 2023 to fulfill a key commitment outlined in the PFAS Strategic Roadmap.

EPA Region 7’s virtual Regional community engagement session will be held via Zoom on Tuesday, Feb. 28, from 6 to 8 p.m. CST.

The public can register online to participate in the community engagement session.

Background

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

In November 2022, EPA released “EPA's PFAS Strategic Roadmap: A Year of Progress,” which underscores key actions taken by the Agency during the first year of implementing the PFAS Roadmap. EPA continues to implement a whole-of-agency approach, advancing science, and following the law to safeguard public health, protect the environment, and hold polluters accountable. Concurrently with this one-year progress report, EPA announced that it will hold virtual community engagement events in each EPA Region in 2023, which EPA Region 7 is announcing today.

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

Read more about EPA’s efforts on PFAS.

# # #

Learn more about EPA Region 7

View all Region 7 news releases

Connect with EPA Region 7 on Facebook: www.facebook.com/eparegion7

Follow us on Twitter: @EPARegion7

NEW YORK – U.S. EPA Regional Administrator Lisa F. Garcia was joined by U.S. Representative Frank Pallone and New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Deputy Commissioner Sean Moriarty to announce that the Cornell Dubilier Electronics Superfund site in South Plainfield, NJ, is one of three sites in New Jersey to get funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) to bolster cleanup progress. The BIL funding will be used to continue work already underway to dig up and dispose of PCB-contaminated soil and sediment in Bound Brook and nearby areas. This work has already started and is estimated to cost $152 million. The BIL funding will ensure the continuation of the project along the length of the brook.

"The unprecedented funding available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is making a real difference for people across the country, including right here in South Plainfield, NJ. This funding will allow the removal of contaminated soil and sediment along the length of Bound Brook and its tributaries to continue at pace without interruption," said Regional Administrator Lisa F. Garcia. "In a state like NJ, where we have the most Superfund sites, this new money allows us to continue our work of cleaning up sites in communities across the state.”

“New Jersey is home to the most Superfund sites in the nation, and I am proud to have helped secure the vital funding in the bipartisan infrastructure bill that will fund this work,” said Senator Bob Menendez. “Today’s announcement means even more New Jersey communities will benefit from groundwater and soil remediation and improved public health, which will lead to cleaner and healthier communities and enhanced economic opportunity for residents, particularly here in South Plainfield, Byram and West Deptford. I want to thank the Biden Administration for their continued commitment to transforming communities who have been impacted by toxic contamination.”

“New Jersey has the most Superfund sites of any state in America,” said Senator Cory Booker. “These sites, disproportionately located in Black, Brown, and low-income communities, contain toxic substances that expose nearby residents to elevated risks of cancers, birth defects, and other serious health problems. Since the passage of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, our state has received the federal support and resources necessary to remediate these sites, and today’s announcement will ensure that we continue our vital progress.”

“I’m proud to announce that help is on the way to clean up Superfund sites in New Jersey, including the Cornell-Dubilier Superfund Site in my district. Superfund sites threaten public and environmental health in New Jersey and across the country. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is delivering on the promise we made to clean up backlogged sites and give our communities the peace of mind they deserve,” Congressmember Frank Pallone said. “I’m grateful to Administrators Regan and Garcia for working with us to get these sites cleaned up.”

“For years, we’ve been trying to get this contaminated site cleaned up. Thanks to President Biden and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which I proudly helped pass in Congress, we’re finally getting the job done,” said Representative Donald Norcross. “West Deptford families and business community don’t want to live and work near contaminated Superfund sites. It’s bad for our health and it’s bad for business. I’ll continue fighting in Congress to improve the environmental health and safety of South Jersey communities.”

“New Jersey thanks its congressional delegation for securing funds that will further advance efforts by the EPA and DEP to foster healthy neighborhoods in our state,” said New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy. “Together with our federal partners, my Administration has worked tirelessly to confront legacy environmental hazards that for far too long have limited the potential of New Jersey communities. Remediating contaminated soil and water in every corner of our state will safeguard the growth and development of our children for generations to come.”

“New Jersey boasts the most Superfund sites in the country because we seek them out and clean them up—a mark not of indignity, but of our resolve,” said State Commissioner of Environmental Protection Shawn M. LaTourette. “Thanks to the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Garden State champions in Congress like Rep. Frank Pallone, who fought for its passage, our partners at USEPA now have the resources to accelerate long-overdue cleanup activities, including the removal of toxic contaminants from sediments of the Bound Brook in South Plainfield. On behalf of the people of New Jersey, and their environment, I thank our partners at USEPA for this and other critical work to clean up past environmental harms all across our state.”

Cornell-Dubilier Electronics, Inc. manufactured electronics parts at a 26-acre facility in South Plainfield from 1936 to 1962, after which it was converted to an industrial park. PCBs and solvents were used in the manufacturing process, and the company disposed of PCB-contaminated materials and other hazardous waste at the facility, contaminating the soil, groundwater, and nearby areas, including Bound Brook. In 1998, EPA added the site to the National Priorities List and has been cleaning it up in phases.

In the latest phase, contaminated sediment is being removed from Bound Brook. Nearby soil, starting from the upstream and proceeding downstream, is also being removed. To allow for the excavation, EPA removed trees and plants from the most upstream Bound Brook area near the site in February 2023. That work continues and the excavation is scheduled to begin in late March 2023. The sediment and floodplain soil are contaminated with PCBs from the former Cornell Dubilier Electronics operations. Once the material is excavated, it will be taken to and disposed of at a licensed disposal facility. EPA will conduct real-time air monitoring during excavation and handling activities for the safety of the workers and community and replace the trees and plants upon completion. This phase of the project is expected to take a year to complete. EPA will use the BIL funding to continue future phases of work further downstream at least as far as New Market Pond in Piscataway over the next several years.

Visit the Cornell-Dubilier Electronics Inc. Superfund site profile page for additional background and site documents.

The other two sites in NJ receiving funding are Mansfield Trail Dump in Byram and Matteo & Sons Inc in West Deptford/Thorofare.

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

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NEW YORK - Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the second wave of approximately $1 billion in funding from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) to start new cleanup projects at 22 Superfund sites and expedite over 100 other ongoing cleanups across the country. The New Jersey sites included are the Cornell-Dubilier Electronics Inc. Superfund site in South Plainfield, the Mansfield Trail Dump Superfund site in Byram Township and the Matteo & Sons, Inc. Superfund site in West Deptford, New Jersey.

Thousands of contaminated sites exist nationally due to hazardous waste being dumped, left out in the open, or otherwise improperly managed, including in manufacturing facilities, processing plants, landfills, and mining sites. Superfund cleanups help transform contaminated properties and create jobs in overburdened communities, while repurposing these sites for a wide range of uses, including public parks, retail businesses, office space, residences, warehouses, and solar power generation. In addition, these sites can support natural areas, parks, and recreation facilities, providing greenspace and safe places for families to play outside.

“Thanks to President Biden’s historic investments in America, we are moving faster than ever before to progress clean up at contaminated sites – from manufacturing facilities to landfills – in communities across the country,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan “But our work is not yet finished – we’re continuing to build on this momentum to ensure that communities living near many of the most serious uncontrolled or abandoned releases of contamination finally get the investments and protections they deserve.”

"Today marks another important step in our ongoing efforts to clean up contaminated sites in New Jersey, which has the most Superfund sites in the country," said Regional Administrator Lisa F. Garcia. "With these new funds from President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we are excited to continue our cleanup efforts by removing contaminated waste and soil, ensuring access to clean drinking water, and bringing more sites closer to finishing cleanup."

“New Jersey is home to the most Superfund sites in the nation, and I am proud to have helped secure the vital funding in the bipartisan infrastructure bill that will fund this work,” said Senator Bob Menendez. “Today’s announcement means even more New Jersey communities will benefit from groundwater and soil remediation and improved public health, which will lead to cleaner and healthier communities and enhanced economic opportunity for residents, particularly here in South Plainfield, Byram and West Deptford. I want to thank the Biden Administration for their continued commitment to transforming communities who have been impacted by toxic contamination.” 

“New Jersey has the most Superfund sites of any state in America,” said Senator Cory Booker. “These sites, disproportionately located in Black, Brown, and low-income communities, contain toxic substances that expose nearby residents to elevated risks of cancers, birth defects, and other serious health problems. Since the passage of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, our state has received the federal support and resources necessary to remediate these sites, and today’s announcement will ensure that we continue our vital progress.” 

“For years, we’ve been trying to get this contaminated site cleaned up. Thanks to President Biden and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which I proudly helped pass in Congress, we’re finally getting the job done,” said Representative Donald Norcross. “West Deptford families and business community don’t want to live and work near contaminated Superfund sites. It’s bad for our health and it’s bad for business. I’ll continue fighting in Congress to improve the environmental health and safety of South Jersey communities.” 

“I’m proud to announce that help is on the way to clean up Superfund sites in New Jersey, including the Cornell-Dubilier Superfund Site in my district. Superfund sites threaten public and environmental health in New Jersey and across the country. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is delivering on the promise we made to clean up backlogged sites and give our communities the peace of mind they deserve,” Congressman Frank Pallone said. “I’m grateful to Administrators Regan and Garcia for working with us to get these sites cleaned up.” 

“New Jersey thanks its congressional delegation for securing funds that will further advance efforts by the EPA and DEP to foster healthy neighborhoods in our state,” said New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy. “Together with our federal partners, my Administration has worked tirelessly to confront legacy environmental hazards that for far too long have limited the potential of New Jersey communities. Remediating contaminated soil and water in every corner of our state will safeguard the growth and development of our children for generations to come.”

“New Jersey boasts the most Superfund sites in the country because we seek them out and clean them up—a mark not of indignity, but of our resolve,” said State Commissioner of Environmental Protection Shawn M. LaTourette. “Thanks to the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Garden State champions in Congress like Rep. Frank Pallone, who fought for its passage, our partners at USEPA now have the resources to accelerate long-overdue cleanup activities, including the removal of toxic contaminants from sediments of the Bound Brook in South Plainfield. On behalf of the people of New Jersey, and their environment, I thank our partners at USEPA for this and other critical work to clean up past environmental harms all across our state.” 

Cornell-Dubilier Electronics, Inc. Superfund site is located in Middlesex County, New Jersey and addresses contamination from an electronic components manufacturer, which operated at a 26-acre facility in South Plainfield from 1936 to 1962. Use and improper disposal of PCBs and solvents during the production process led to the contamination of soil, groundwater, and nearby areas, including Bound Brook, a tributary of the Raritan River. The latest phase of the cleanup includes the removal of contaminated sediment from Bound Brook and nearby soil, proceeding downstream. This work has already started and is estimated to cost $152 million. BIL funding will support future cleanup project phases, extending as far as New Market Pond in Piscataway over the next several years.

The Mansfield Trail Dump Superfund site is located in a residential neighborhood in Byram Township, Sussex County, New Jersey. The site includes former waste disposal trenches that have contaminated the soil with lead (Pb) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and the groundwater with trichloroethylene (TCE), causing drinking water quality issues for nearby residents. EPA will use BIL funding to build a new waterline for impacted residents, providing them with secure access to clean drinking water. EPA will also remove soil that has been contaminated and begin capping and removing harmful vapors at the source of the contamination, as well as treating the groundwater to remove any harmful pollutants. Until EPA installs the new waterline, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection will continue to monitor and maintain the water filtration systems at affected properties, ensuring they are functioning properly. EPA will continue the work for the waterline estimated to cost $8.7 million, and begin the other work at the site estimated to cost $11.5 million for the cleanup of soil and groundwater contamination with funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

The Matteo & Sons Inc Superfund site is an 80-acre area in West Deptford, NJ that was previously used for lead battery recycling and waste disposal. These activities contaminated the soil, sediment, and groundwater, leading to environmental concerns at the site and in the surrounding community. The EPA will use funding from BIL to clean up the site by removing contaminated waste and soil and placing an asphalt cap over the affected area within the scrap metal recycling facility. EPA will begin the cleanup work estimated to cost $72.2 million with funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

The $1 billion investment announced today is the second wave of funding from the $3.5 billion allocated for Superfund cleanup work in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. With the first wave of funding announced in December 2021, EPA deployed more than $1 billion for cleanup activities at more than 100 Superfund National Priorities List sites across the country. Thanks to this historic funding, EPA started 81 new cleanup projects in 2022, including projects at 44 sites previously on the backlog. By starting four times as many construction projects as the year before, EPA is aggressively bringing more sites across the country closer to finishing cleanup. In addition to funding cleanup construction work, this investment is enabling EPA to increase funding for and accelerate essential work needed to prepare sites for construction and ensure that communities are meaningfully involved in the cleanup process. In 2022, EPA more than doubled its spending for Superfund pre-construction activities like remedial investigations, feasibility studies, remedial designs, and community involvement.

EPA is committed to carrying out this work in line with President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative by advancing environmental justice and incorporating equity considerations into all aspects of the Superfund cleanup process. This will help ensure that historic and ongoing impacts of contamination on overburdened communities are fully considered and addressed. Out of the 22 sites to receive funding for new cleanup projects, 60% are in communities with the potential for environmental justice concerns based on data from EJSCREEN, an environmental justice mapping and screening tool that provides EPA with a nationally consistent dataset and approach for combining environmental and demographic socioeconomic indicators.

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.

For more information on each site, please visit: https://www.epa.gov/superfund/superfund-sites-new-construction-projects-receive-bipartisan-infrastructure-law-funding

To see highlights from the first year of Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding at Superfund sites, please visit: https://www.epa.gov/infrastructure/cleaning-superfund-sites-highlights-bipartisan-infrastructure-law-funding

For more information about EPA’s Superfund program, please visit: https://www.epa.gov/superfund

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WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael S. Regan announced the availability of $2 billion from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to address emerging contaminants, like Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in drinking water across the country. This investment, which is allocated to states and territories, will be made available to communities as grants through EPA’s Emerging Contaminants in Small or Disadvantaged Communities (EC-SDC) Grant Program and will promote access to safe and clean water in small, rural, and disadvantaged communities while supporting local economies. Administrator Regan announced the water infrastructure investments in Maysville, North Carolina while holding a community roundtable with North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality Secretary Elizabeth S. Biser and other state and local leaders. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

Visit EPA’s website for more information.