EPA Opens Public Comment on Proposal Granting Louisiana Primacy for Carbon Sequestration and Protection of Drinking Water Sources

DALLAS, TEXAS – (April 28, 2023) Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) opened public comment on a proposal to grant the State of Louisiana’s request for primary responsibility – or primacy – of Class VI wells under the Underground Injection Control (UIC) Program, which regulates the injection of carbon dioxide (CO2) into deep rock formation. Class VI injection wells—when used as a part of carbon capture and storage and carbon dioxide removal projects—are a critical tool for cutting carbon emissions and combatting the climate crisis.

Under the Safe Drinking Water Act, EPA has developed specific criteria to ensure that when carbon dioxide is stored underground to reduce greenhouse gases and confront climate change, underground sources of drinking water are protected. EPA’s proposal also follows guidance from the Council on Environmental Quality to ensure that the advancement of carbon capture, utilization, and sequestration technologies are done in a responsible manner that incorporates the input of communities and reflects the best available science.

“EPA is moving with urgency to combat the climate crisis, and this proposal would help leverage critical technologies to cut harmful climate pollution that jeopardizes people’s health and safety,” said EPA Region 6 Administrator Earthea Nance. “As an agency that is advancing environmental justice, EPA listened to the community voices in the region and worked extensively with the state of Louisiana to ensure its primacy application reflected essential environmental justice and equity considerations. As we work to finalize this proposal, EPA will seek and consider public feedback and continue to prioritize protections for our most vulnerable communities while ensuring they have a meaningful seat at the table.”

EPA is committed to advancing environmental justice for marginalized and overburdened communities, an essential part of the agency’s mission to protect public health and the environment. In a letter to governors and Tribal leaders in December of 2022, Administrator Michael S. Regan called for partnership to combat climate change while ensuring protections for underserved and overburdened communities. As part of this effort, EPA worked with the State of Louisiana to strengthen practices that protect the state’s vulnerable communities. Louisiana Department of Natural Resources’ application for primacy of the Class VI UIC program reflects these critical considerations, integrating environmental justice and equity considerations into their permitting process, including enhanced community engagement and evaluation of project impacts on overburdened communities.

After conducting a comprehensive technical and legal review, EPA determined that the State of Louisiana’s Class VI UIC program meets all requirements for approval and the state will implement and enforce a Class VI UIC program consistent with the Safe Drinking Water Act. EPA is requesting public comments on the Agency’s proposed decision within 60 days after date of publication in the Federal Register.

EPA will hold an in-person public hearing on June 15, 2023, in Baton Rouge, LA. To sign up for the hearing and learn more information please visit: https://www.epa.gov/uic/underground-injection-control-epa-region-6-ar-la-nm-ok-and-tx. In addition to the public hearing, EPA requests that comments be sent via the Federal Register, docket number EPA-HQ-OW-2023-0073. For more information: https://www.epa.gov/uic/primary-enforcement-authority-underground-injection-control-program-0.

Background

UIC Class VI injection wells are used to store underground carbon dioxide that has been captured from an emissions source or the atmosphere. Class VI injection wells—when used as a part of carbon capture and storage (CCS) and carbon dioxide removal (CDR) projects—are a critical tool for reducing carbon emissions to meet mid-century climate goals. CO2 is injected through specially constructed wells that deposit and store material deep beneath the earth in rock formations. These formations must be tested and evaluated to ensure that geologic formations are suitable for the safe containment of CO2 for long-term storage. This technology will provide well-paying jobs and can be implemented in an environmentally responsible way.

EPA has, under the Safe Drinking Water Act, developed stringent federal requirements for injecting CO2 that protect public health by ensuring injection wells do not contaminate underground sources of drinking water (USDWs). These UIC regulations mandate using a variety of measures to assure that injection activities will not endanger USDWs. EPA also follows guidance from the Council on Environmental Quality to ensure that the advancement of carbon capture, utilization, and sequestration technologies are done in a responsible manner that incorporates the input of communities and reflects the best available science.

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EPA Issues Emergency Fuel Waiver for E15 Sales

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today is issuing an emergency fuel waiver to allow E15 gasoline — gasoline blended with 15% ethanol — to be sold during the summer driving season.

This action will provide Americans with relief at the pump from ongoing market supply issues created by Russia’s unprovoked war in Ukraine by increasing fuel supply and offering consumers more choices at the pump. The waiver will help protect Americans from fuel supply crises by reducing our reliance on imported fossil fuels, building U.S. energy independence, and supporting American agriculture and manufacturing. Current estimates indicate that on average, E15 is about 25 cents a gallon cheaper than E10.

“The Biden-Harris Administration is committed to protecting Americans from fuel supply challenges resulting from the ongoing war in Ukraine by ensuring consumers have more choices at the pump,” said Administrator Michael S. Regan. “Allowing E15 sales during the summer driving season will not only help increase fuel supply, but support American farmers, strengthen U.S. energy security, and provide relief to drivers across the country.”

The Clean Air Act allows the EPA Administrator, in consultation with DOE, to temporarily waive certain fuel requirements to address shortages. As a result of the ongoing war in Ukraine, Administrator Regan determined that extreme and unusual fuel supply circumstances exist and has granted a temporary waiver to help ensure that an adequate supply of gasoline is available. As required by law, EPA and DOE evaluated the situation and determined that granting the waiver was in the public interest.

Currently, in roughly two-thirds of the country, E15 cannot be sold from terminals starting on May 1 and at retail stations starting on June 1. EPA is providing relief by extending the 1-psi Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP) waiver that currently applies to E10 gasoline to E15, which will enable E15 sales throughout the summer driving season in these areas, if necessary. This action only extends the 1-psi waiver to E15 in parts of the country where it already exists for E10. E15 can already be sold year-round in parts of the country that have a Reformulated Gasoline (RFG) program.

Because the RVP of E10 and E15 gasoline used by consumers will be the same (both will be 1 psi higher than otherwise required by EPA or state regulations) EPA does not expect any impact on air quality from this limited action. EPA’s research has shown no significant impact on evaporative emissions when the 1-psi waiver is extended to E15. With no significant impacts on emissions from cars and trucks, we expect consumers can continue to use E15 without concern that its use in the summer will impact air quality.

EPA’s emergency fuel waiver will go into effect on May 1 when terminal operators would otherwise no longer be able to sell E15 in the affected regions of the country and will last through May 20 which is the statutory maximum of 20 days. EPA will continue to monitor the supply with industry and federal partners, and the Agency expects to issue new waivers effectively extending the emergency fuel waiver until such time as the extreme and unusual fuel supply circumstances due to the war in Ukraine are no longer present.

For more information on this announcement, please visit EPA’s Fuel Waivers webpage.

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Tesoro to Pay $27.5 Million For Violating Previous Court Order Requiring Them to Reduce Air Pollution at Their Martinez, Calif. Refinery

WASHINGTON (April 27, 2023) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Justice today announced that Tesoro Refining and Marketing Company will pay a $27.5 million penalty for violating a 2016 consent decree ordering the company to reduce air pollution at its petroleum refinery in Martinez, Calif. In particular, according to today’s settlement, Tesoro failed to limit air emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOX), a pollutant that contributes to smog.

The settlement requires Tesoro to adhere to strict pollution controls at the facility. The facility is currently undergoing conversion into a renewable fuels plant, which will use renewable sources such as vegetable oils to produce fuels instead of crude oil. The settlement also sets up a framework for additional pollutant reductions, including significant climate co-benefits. Specifically, the settlement requires Tesoro to forego hundreds of annual emission credits that it could otherwise sell to area sources who could then increase their emissions.

“Tesoro did not meet the consent decree pollution limit because it did not install adequate pollution controls,” said Acting Assistant Administrator Larry Starfield for EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. “As this settlement shows, EPA will seek substantial penalties when companies delay installing appropriate pollution controls to meet environmental obligations.”

“Today, we are holding Tesoro accountable for its failure to implement court-ordered pollution controls,” said Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim for the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. “This settlement requires Tesoro to forfeit substantially more air emission credits than the excess emissions associated with its violations, resulting in cleaner air for those who live and work in the San Francisco area.”

“Tesoro failed to meet its requirement to reduce air pollution at the Martinez refinery, and EPA is now taking firm action to hold Tesoro accountable,” said EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator Martha Guzman. “This settlement ensures that Tesoro complies with stringent air pollution limits, to protect neighboring communities regardless of fuel type.”

In May 2020, Tesoro suspended operations at the Martinez refinery and then announced its plan to convert the refinery to a renewable fuels plant. Today’s agreement includes requirements to limit air pollution from the future renewable fuels plant. The agreement does not prohibit Tesoro from resuming petroleum refining, but if it does so, Tesoro must install specific air pollution control technology, at an expected cost of $125 million, to ensure stringent NOX emission limits are met.

To mitigate pollution resulting from its violation of the 2016 consent decree, Tesoro agreed to surrender most of its existing NOX emission trading credits. Tesoro also agreed to forego almost all trading credits from the shutdown of petroleum refining equipment should it convert to a renewable fuels plant. A company can receive emission credits by shutting down equipment and then apply such credits to offset emissions from new projects or trade such credits to other companies for their use. By requiring Tesoro to surrender existing credits and forego petroleum-related shutdown credits if it converts to a renewable fuels plant, the settlement prevents Tesoro and other local sources from using these credits. Thus, the settlement filed today will limit emissions in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Specifically, if Tesoro resumes petroleum refining, the settlement requirements will reduce annual air emissions by about 261 tons of NOX. If Tesoro converts the facility to a renewable fuels plant, the settlement will result in annual air emissions reductions of about 440 tons of NOX, 327 tons of sulfur dioxide, 697 tons of carbon monoxide, 69 tons of volatile organic compounds, 301 tons of fine particulate matter, and the equivalent of 1,342,025 metric tons of carbon dioxide. 

The terms of a 2016 federal consent decree, which resolved Clean Air Act violations at the Martinez refinery and five other refineries nationwide, established emission limits for multiple pollutants including NOX. The settlement announced today, which will modify the 2016 settlement, includes new requirements that apply whether Tesoro chooses to reopen the Martinez facility as a petroleum refinery or a renewable fuels plant.

There will be a 30-day public comment period on the modification to the 2016 settlement. Information on how to comment on the modification will be available in the Federal Register and on the Department of Justice’s website.

For more information on the 2016 federal consent decree and today’s agreement, go to 2023 Tesoro Martinez Clean Air Act Settlement Information Sheet | US EPA.

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EPA Proposes Draft Determination to Protect Cape Cod's Sole Source of Drinking Water; Seeks Public Input on Groundwater Impacts from Proposed Machine Gun Range Project

BOSTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is issuing a draft determination under the Safe Drinking Water Act that a Multi-Purpose Machine Gun Range proposed to be constructed by the Massachusetts Army National Guard may contaminate the Cape Cod Aquifer, thereby creating a significant public health hazard. There are no reasonably available alternative drinking water sources for Cape Cod residents should the aquifer become contaminated. EPA will accept public comment on this proposal for 60 days, through June 26, and will hold a formal Public Hearing on May 24, 2023.

"Cape Cod's Sole Source Aquifer is a public health resource that must be protected," said EPA Regional Administrator David W. Cash. "We have studied the proposed machine gun range very carefully, because EPA recognizes the need for our armed forces to maintain readiness and provide training to service members. However, the risk of irreparable damage to the only drinking water source on Cape Cod is too significant."

The Sole Source Aquifer Program, used by EPA in making this draft determination, provides EPA a proactive tool to protect this valuable water supply, thus avoiding expensive and consequential cleanups. Should this determination become final, no commitment of federal financial assistance may be allowed.

The Massachusetts Army National Guard proposed construction of a new permanent 138-acre machine gun range at Joint Base Cape Cod. In August 2021, EPA started a review of the proposed project and has now completed an exhaustive 20-month scientific review of the design and operational plans for the proposed site to evaluate potential impacts to Cape Cod's Sole Source Aquifer. The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) mandates a strong preventative approach where a drinking water supply is highly dependent on a single aquifer, and EPA's draft determination is based on protecting Cape Cod's sole source of drinking water.

During the review, EPA has carefully evaluated information submitted by and communicated with the Massachusetts Army National Guard to seek clarifying information, and reviewed thousands of pages of documents. Following this thorough evaluation, EPA has provisionally concluded that the proposed range may contaminate the aquifer, therefore causing a significant public health hazard for more than 220,000 year-round of Cape Cod residents. If the aquifer were contaminated, surrounding areas might need to construct and operate expensive advanced drinking water systems, overburdening communities that already face economic hardships.

EPA will open a 60-day public comment period, from April 27 through June 26. Further, EPA will hold a May 24th public hearing as described more fully below to accept verbal comments.

In 1982, the Cape Cod Aquifer was designated as the sole or principal source of drinking water for Cape Cod. As a result, projects proposed to be constructed on Cape Cod receiving federal financial assistance may be subject to a sole source aquifer review, at EPA's discretion, as outlined in the Safe Drinking Water Act. EPA defines a sole source aquifer as one where the aquifer supplies at least 50% of the drinking water in its service area and there are no reasonably available alternative drinking water sources should the aquifer become contaminated.

EPA's review focused primarily on the project's potential impacts to the aquifer and was not a comprehensive review of all other potential environmental or public health impacts, such as those evaluated by other agencies through their environmental reviews and their public involvement mechanisms.

Protecting Cape Cod's source of drinking water continues to be a high priority for EPA and the many parties involved in the cleanup and management of Joint Base Cape Cod. EPA appreciates the long-standing work of the Massachusetts Army National Guard, including training soldiers to secure the Commonwealth and the nation against many threats. The Environmental Management Commission and the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection are also key partners in ensuring environmental and public health protection throughout Cape Cod. Throughout the SSA project review, EPA has coordinated closely with and received input from the Massachusetts Army National Guard, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, and the state Environmental Management Commission.

Public Engagement Process

EPA will accept public comments on this proposed decision for 60 days, until June 26, 2023. During this time, the public and interested stakeholders may submit written comments for EPA's consideration. Written comments may be submitted to: R1SSAComments@epa.gov.

EPA will also hold a public hearing to receive oral comments on May 24, 2023. The public hearing will be held at:

Center for Active Living
70 Quaker Meetinghouse Road
Sandwich, Mass.

The formal public hearing will begin at 7:00 p.m. and will be preceded by a public meeting beginning at 6:30 p.m. Individuals with accessibility or translation requests may contact Melanson.Kate@epa.gov for assistance.

All comments timely received will be reviewed and considered by the Region, along with other available information. If, after evaluating this material, EPA's Regional Administrator continues to believe that the proposed project may create a significant public health hazard, he will then forward the information to the EPA Administrator with a recommended conclusion that the project may contaminate the aquifer through the recharge zone so as to create a significant hazard to public health. The EPA Administrator will then make a final determination. Should this determination become final, no commitment of federal financial assistance (through a grant, contract, loan guarantee, or otherwise) may be allowed.

More Information:

Cape Cod Sole Source Aquifer and EPA documents about this draft determination:
https://www3.epa.gov/region1/eco/drinkwater/capecod.html

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EPA Names Four Florida Cities Among 2023 Top Cities for ENERGY STAR Certified Buildings

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (April 26, 2023) – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing its annual “Top Cities” list, spotlighting the cities with the greatest number of ENERGY STAR certified commercial and multifamily buildings in 2022. Four Florida cities made the top lists, with Tampa coming in at 12th place with 184 buildings, Miami in 20th with 94 buildings and Orlando in 23rd with 64 buildings among all cities. And Punta Gorda made the list of top 10 small cities for the first time, coming in at 3rd place with 13 buildings.   

“In many cities, a majority of greenhouse gas emissions results from the energy used by buildings,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “I applaud this year’s top cities, as well as the owners and managers of each ENERGY STAR certified building in them, for taking real action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help America address the climate crisis.”  

“The Southeast shows a commitment to cutting building-related costs and reducing waste,” said EPA Region 4 Administrator Daniel Blackman. “This partnership between city and business leaders demonstrates the benefits that result from embracing energy efficiency as a simple and effective way to save money, reduce emissions and protect the environment.” 

Commercial buildings are responsible for 16% of the nation’s greenhouse gas emissions and spend more than $190 billion per year on energy. In many cities, buildings are the largest contributor of emissions—responsible for 30% to more than 70% of a city’s total emissions. ENERGY STAR certified buildings use an average of 35% less energy and are responsible for 35% less carbon dioxide emissions than typical buildings. 

First released in 2009, EPA’s list of cities with the most ENERGY STAR certified buildings shows how buildings across America are embracing energy efficiency as a simple and effective way to save money and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. To create the annual list, EPA tallies the number of ENERGY STAR certified buildings within each metropolitan area, as defined by the U.S. Census, which includes the city itself as well as surrounding suburbs. EPA creates separate rankings for mid-sized and small cities. This year’s list includes buildings that earned EPA’s ENERGY STAR during the year 2022. This year’s Top Cities are: 

Top 25 Cities Overall

Rank     Metro Area                      Building Count                Last Year’s Rank

1            Los Angeles                      748                                     1

2            Washington DC               555                                     2

3            Atlanta                              376                                     3

4            San Francisco                   343                                     4

5            New York                          256                                     6

6            Riverside                           230                                     18

6            Denver                              230                                     8

8            Dallas                                221                                     5

8            Chicago                             221                                     7

10          Boston                              205                                    10

11          Houston                            195                                     9

12          Tampa                               184                                     15

13          Seattle                               180                                     13

14          San Diego                         170                                     11

15          Austin                                168                                     12

16          Minneapolis                     156                                     14

17          Phoenix                            131                                     16

18          San Jose                            110                                     16

19          Charlotte                          105                                     19

20          Miami                                94                                       20

21          Sacramento                     88                                       23

22          Philadelphia                     76                                       22

23          Orlando                            64                                       24

24          Portland                            63                                       n/a

25          Raleigh                              59                                       n/a

25          Cincinnati                         59                                       25

Top 10 Mid-Sized Cities

Rank     Metro Area                      Building Count                Last Year’s Rank

1            Raleigh, N.C.                    59                                       3

2            Des Moines, Iowa           49                                       9

3            Provo, Utah                      47                                       2

4            Grand Rapids, Mich.       37                                       n/a

5            Bakersfield, Calif.            35                                       n/a

5            Salt Lake City, Utah         35                                       8

5            Louisville, Ky.                   35                                       4

8            Boulder, Colo.                  31                                       6

8            Milwaukee, Wis.             31                                       n/a

10          Visalia, Calif.                    27                                       n/a

Top 10 Small Cities

Rank     Metro Area                      Building Count                Last Year’s Rank

1            Jackson, Mich.                 41                                       1

2            Sioux City, Iowa               16                                       3

3            Punta Gorda, Fla.            13                                       n/a

4            Dubuque, Iowa               12                                       n/a

5            Saginaw, Mich                 11                                       7

5            Carson City, Nev.             11                                       4

7            Elizabethtown, Ky.          10                                       4

7            Midland, Mich.                10                                       n/a

9            Owensboro, Ky.               9                                         n/a

10          Richmond-Berea, Ky       8                                         n/a

Across the country, more than 7,000 commercial buildings earned the EPA’s ENERGY STAR last year. As of the end of 2022, nearly 41,000 buildings across America have earned ENERGY STAR certification. Together, these buildings have saved $5.4 billion on energy bills and prevented more than 22 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions—equal to the annual emissions of more than 2.7 million homes.   

To earn the ENERGY STAR, a commercial building must achieve an ENERGY STAR score of 75 or higher on EPA’s 1 – 100 scale, indicating that it is more energy efficient than 75% of similar buildings nationwide. A building’s ENERGY STAR score is calculated based on a number of factors, including energy use, hours of operation, and a variety of other operating characteristics.  

• More on ENERGY STAR Top Cities, including this year’s ranking of top small and mid-sized cities, as well as last year’s rankings: www.energystar.gov/topcities. 

• Search for ENERGY STAR certified buildings: www.energystar.gov/buildinglocator. 

• More about earning the ENERGY STAR certification for commercial buildings: www.energystar.gov/buildingcertification. 

• More about EPA’s ENERGY STAR program: www.energystar.gov/about. 

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 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.  

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EPA Lists Two Michigan Cities as ‘Top Cities’ for ENERGY STAR Buildings

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today congratulates Jackson, Michigan for ranking first among small cities, and Grand Rapids, Michigan for ranking fourth among mid-sized cities on the annual ENERGY STAR ‘Top Cities’ list.  Jackson had 41 certified ENERGY STAR commercial and multifamily buildings in 2022, while Grand Rapids had 37.

“In many cities, a majority of greenhouse gas emissions results from the energy used by buildings,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “I applaud this year’s top cities, as well as the owners and managers of each ENERGY STAR certified building in them, for taking real action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help America address the climate crisis.”

Commercial buildings are responsible for 16% of the nation’s greenhouse gas emissions and spend more than $190 billion per year on energy. In many cities, buildings are the largest contributor of emissions—responsible for 30-70% of a city’s total emissions. On average, ENERGY STAR buildings use 35% less energy and cut carbon dioxide emissions by 35% compared to typical buildings.

First released in 2009, EPA’s annual ‘Top Cities’ list spotlights how buildings across the U.S. are embracing energy efficiency as a simple and effective way to save money and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. EPA tallies the number of ENERGY STAR buildings in each metropolitan area, as defined by the U.S. Census. 

In 2022, more than 7,000 commercial buildings earned EPA’s ENERGY STAR certification bringing the nation’s total to nearly 41,000.  Together, these buildings have saved $5.4 billion on energy bills and prevented more than 22 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions—equal to the annual emissions from more than 2.7 million homes. 

To earn the ENERGY STAR, a commercial building must achieve a score of 75 or higher on EPA’s 100-point scale.  Ranking is based on several factors including energy use, hours of operation and other characteristics.

To learn more about EPA’s ENERGY STAR Program, click here.

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Denver among 2023 Top Cities for ENERGY STAR Certified Buildings

DENVER — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing its annual “Top Cities” list, spotlighting the cities with the greatest number of ENERGY STAR certified commercial and multifamily buildings in 2022. In EPA Region 8, Denver moves up to 6^th on the list this year, with Salt Lake City and Provo, Utah, and Boulder, Colo. ranked among the top ten in the mid-sized city category.

Coming in at first place nationally for the fourth year in a row, Los Angeles leads with nearly 750 ENERGY STAR certified buildings. In second place is Washington, D.C. with 555 buildings, followed by Atlanta in third place with 376 buildings.

“In many cities, a majority of greenhouse gas emissions results from the energy used by buildings,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “I applaud this year’s top cities, as well as the owners and managers of each ENERGY STAR certified building in them, for taking real action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help America address the climate crisis.”

Commercial buildings are responsible for 16% of the nation’s greenhouse gas emissions and spend more than $190 billion per year on energy. In many cities, buildings are the largest contributor of emissions — responsible for 30% to more than 70% of a city’s total emissions. ENERGY STAR certified buildings use an average of 35% less energy and are responsible for 35% less carbon dioxide emissions than typical buildings.

First released in 2009, EPA’s list of cities with the most ENERGY STAR certified buildings shows how buildings across America are embracing energy efficiency as a simple and effective way to save money and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. To create the annual list, EPA tallies the number of ENERGY STAR certified buildings within each metropolitan area, as defined by the U.S. Census, which includes the city itself as well as surrounding suburbs. EPA creates separate rankings for mid-sized and small cities. This year’s list includes buildings that earned EPA’s ENERGY STAR during the year 2022. This year’s Top Cities are:

Top 25 Cities Overall

Rank	Metro Area	Building Count	Last Year's Rank
1	Los Angeles	748	1
2	Washington DC	555	2
3	Atlanta	376	3
4	San Francisco	343	4
5	New York	256	6
6	Riverside	230	18
7	Denver	230	8
8	Dallas	221	5
9	Chicago	221	7
10	Boston	205	10
11	Houston	198	9
12	Tampa	184	15
13	Seattle	180	13
14	San Diego	170	11
15	Austin	168	12
16	Minneapolis	156	14
17	Phoenix	131	16
18	San Jose	110	16
19	Charlotte	105	19
20	Miami	94	20
21	Sacramento	88	23
22	Philadelphia	76	22
23	Orlando	64	24
24	Portland	63	n/a
25	Raleigh	59	n/a
25	Cincinnati	59	25

Top 10 Mid-Sized Cities

Rank	Metro Area	Building Count	Last Year's Rank
1	Raleigh, N.C.	59	3
2	Des Moines, Iowa	49	9
3	Provo, Utah	47	2
4	Grand Rapids, Mich.	37	n/a
5	Bakersfield, Calif.	35	n/a
5	Salt Lake City, Utah	35	8
5	Louisville, Ky.	35	4
8	Boulder, Colo.	31	6
8	Milwaukee, Wis.	31	n/a
10	Visalia, Calif.	27	n/a

Top 10 Small Cities

Rank	Metro Area	Building Count	Last Year's Rank
1	Jackson, Mich.	41	1
2	Sioux City, Iowa	16	3
3	Punta Gorda, Fla.	13	n/a
4	Dubuque, Iowa	12	n/a
5	Saginaw, Mich	11	7
5	Carson City, Nev.	11	4
7	Elizabethtown, Ky.	10	4
7	Midland, Mich.	10	n/a
9	Owensboro, Ky.	9	n/a
10	Richmond-Berea, Ky	8	n/a

Across the country, more than 7,000 commercial buildings earned the EPA’s ENERGY STAR last year. As of the end of 2022, nearly 41,000 buildings across America have earned ENERGY STAR certification. Together, these buildings have saved $5.4 billion on energy bills and prevented more than 22 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions — equal to the annual emissions of more than 2.7 million homes. 

To earn the ENERGY STAR, a commercial building must achieve an ENERGY STAR score of 75 or higher on EPA’s 1 – 100 scale, indicating that it is more energy efficient than 75% of similar buildings nationwide. A building’s ENERGY STAR score is calculated based on a number of factors, including energy use, hours of operation, and a variety of other operating characteristics.

• More on ENERGY STAR Top Cities, including this year’s ranking of top small and mid-sized cities, as well as last year’s rankings.
• Search for ENERGY STAR certified buildings.
• More about earning the ENERGY STAR certification for commercial buildings.
• More about EPA’s ENERGY STAR program.

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 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. 

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EPA Names 2023 Top Cities for ENERGY STAR Certified Buildings

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing its annual “Top Cities” list, spotlighting the cities with the greatest number of ENERGY STAR certified commercial and multifamily buildings in 2022. Coming in at first place for the fourth year in a row, Los Angeles leads with nearly 750 ENERGY STAR certified buildings. In second place is Washington, D.C. with 555 buildings, followed by Atlanta in third place with 376 buildings.

“In many cities, a majority of greenhouse gas emissions results from the energy used by buildings,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “I applaud this year’s top cities, as well as the owners and managers of each ENERGY STAR certified building in them, for taking real action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help America address the climate crisis.”

Commercial buildings are responsible for 16% of the nation’s greenhouse gas emissions and spend more than $190 billion per year on energy. In many cities, buildings are the largest contributor of emissions — responsible for 30% to more than 70% of a city’s total emissions. ENERGY STAR certified buildings use an average of 35% less energy and are responsible for 35% less carbon dioxide emissions than typical buildings.

First released in 2009, EPA’s list of cities with the most ENERGY STAR certified buildings shows how buildings across America are embracing energy efficiency as a simple and effective way to save money and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. To create the annual list, EPA tallies the number of ENERGY STAR certified buildings within each metropolitan area, as defined by the U.S. Census, which includes the city itself as well as surrounding suburbs. EPA creates separate rankings for mid-sized and small cities. This year’s list includes buildings that earned EPA’s ENERGY STAR during the year 2022. This year’s Top Cities are:

Top 25 Cities Overall

Rank	Metro Area	Building Count	Last Year's Rank
1	Los Angeles	748	1
2	Washington DC	555	2
3	Atlanta	376	3
4	San Francisco	343	4
5	New York	256	6
6	Riverside	230	18
7	Denver	230	8
8	Dallas	221	5
9	Chicago	221	7
10	Boston	205	10
11	Houston	198	9
12	Tampa	184	15
13	Seattle	180	13
14	San Diego	170	11
15	Austin	168	12
16	Minneapolis	156	14
17	Phoenix	131	16
18	San Jose	110	16
19	Charlotte	105	19
20	Miami	94	20
21	Sacramento	88	23
22	Philadelphia	76	22
23	Orlando	64	24
24	Portland	63	n/a
25	Raleigh	59	n/a
25	Cincinnati	59	25

Top 10 Mid-Sized Cities

Rank	Metro Area	Building Count	Last Year's Rank
1	Raleigh, N.C.	59	3
2	Des Moines, Iowa	49	9
3	Provo, Utah	47	2
4	Grand Rapids, Mich.	37	n/a
5	Bakersfield, Calif.	35	n/a
5	Salt Lake City, Utah	35	8
5	Louisville, Ky.	35	4
8	Boulder, Colo.	31	6
8	Milwaukee, Wis.	31	n/a
10	Visalia, Calif.	27	n/a

Top 10 Small Cities

Rank	Metro Area	Building Count	Last Year's Rank
1	Jackson, Mich.	41	1
2	Sioux City, Iowa	16	3
3	Punta Gorda, Fla.	13	n/a
4	Dubuque, Iowa	12	n/a
5	Saginaw, Mich	11	7
5	Carson City, Nev.	11	4
7	Elizabethtown, Ky.	10	4
7	Midland, Mich.	10	n/a
9	Owensboro, Ky.	9	n/a
10	Richmond-Berea, Ky	8	n/a

Across the country, more than 7,000 commercial buildings earned the EPA’s ENERGY STAR last year. As of the end of 2022, nearly 41,000 buildings across America have earned ENERGY STAR certification. Together, these buildings have saved $5.4 billion on energy bills and prevented more than 22 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions — equal to the annual emissions of more than 2.7 million homes. 

To earn the ENERGY STAR, a commercial building must achieve an ENERGY STAR score of 75 or higher on EPA’s 1 – 100 scale, indicating that it is more energy efficient than 75% of similar buildings nationwide. A building’s ENERGY STAR score is calculated based on a number of factors, including energy use, hours of operation, and a variety of other operating characteristics.

• More on ENERGY STAR Top Cities, including this year’s ranking of top small and mid-sized cities, as well as last year’s rankings.
• Search for ENERGY STAR certified buildings.
• More about earning the ENERGY STAR certification for commercial buildings.
• More about EPA’s ENERGY STAR program.

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 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. 

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EPA Announces Public Hearing on Proposal to Strengthen Standards for Chemical and Polymers Plants

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

Hearing information:

• Date: Tuesday May 16, 2023
• Time: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET
• Location: Virtual platform

Registration to speak at the hearing is now open. To register to speak, or for information about watching a livestream of the hearing, please visit EPA’s Proposal to Strengthen Standards for Synthetic Organic Chemical Plants and Polymers and Resins Plants webpage.

Language/Reasonable Accommodation Request: If you need assistance in a language other than English or if you need a reasonable accommodation, please contact SPPDpublichearing@epa.gov or 888-372-8699. EPA must receive this request by May 2, 2023, in order to provide accommodations.

Comment in writing: EPA also will accept comments on the proposal in writing until June 26, 2023. Comments the Agency receives in writing receive the same consideration as comments received at the public hearing.

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Eni US Operating Company pays $113K penalty for Beaufort Sea waste injection violations

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced today that Eni US Operating Company paid a $113,000 penalty for failing to comply with Safe Drinking Water Act requirements at its Spy Island Drill Site, a man-made island in the Beaufort Sea approximately 40 miles north of Prudhoe Bay.

Eni US Operating Company received U.S. Department of Interior permits in 2017 to conduct exploration activities at Spy Island. Eni and other oilfield operators are also required to comply with an EPA-issued Underground Injection Control permit which sets strict conditions on the operation of underground injection wells for disposal of non-hazardous waste such as drilling muds, a common waste stream that may contain salts, heavy metals, petroleum residue, and other compounds that may present negative impacts to aquifers.  

EPA’s UIC permit also prescribes specific actions operators must take when a failure occurs. For example, injection cannot occur if a well is unable to demonstrate “mechanical integrity,” a term which refers to the proper construction and operations of well components to ensure injected fluids do not migrate outside of the approved injection zone. Upon discovery of failure of mechanical components, fluid injection must stop and may not commence until the integrity is returned to the well and injection is once again approved by EPA.

Continued injection during a loss of mechanical integrity creates a higher risk of injection fluids migrating to shallow aquifers or the surface, presenting a risk of contamination and a possible health and safety concern for workers. In this case, the company’s violations created potential risk to the fragile Beaufort Sea ecosystem.

EPA and Eni US Operating Company resolved this matter through a Consent Agreement and Final Order, which included the assessment of a $113,000 penalty and alleged the following violations of the Underground Injection Control provisions of the SDWA:

• Unauthorized injection during loss of mechanical integrity;
• Injection pressures allowed to exceed allowable limits;
• Failure to continually monitor injection rates;
• Failure to maintain continuous monitoring device; and
• Failure to properly maintain the facility.

For more information about EPA’s Underground Injection Control program visit: www.https://www.epa.gov/uic

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EPA Names Los Angeles as 2023 Top City for ENERGY STAR Certified Buildings

SAN FRANCISCO — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing its annual ENERGY STAR “Top Cities” list, spotlighting the cities with the greatest number of ENERGY STAR certified commercial and multifamily buildings in 2022. Coming in at first place for the third year in a row, Los Angeles leads the nation with nearly 750 ENERGY STAR certified buildings. In fourth place is San Francisco with 343 buildings, giving California two cities in the top five.

“In many cities, a majority of greenhouse gas emissions results from the energy used by buildings,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “I applaud this year’s top cities, as well as the owners and managers of each ENERGY STAR certified building in them, for taking real action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help America address the climate crisis.”

“I congratulate Los Angeles on continuing to lead the way nationally when it comes to ENERGY STAR buildings,” said EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator Martha Guzman. “This distinction speaks to the city’s commitment to reduce harmful emissions while consuming less energy – necessary steps for tackling climate change and advancing toward a more sustainable future.”

Starting in 2023, Los Angeles’ building decarbonization ordinance comes into effect, requiring all new building construction to be all-electric.

"I am so proud that Los Angeles continues to lead in sustainability and energy efficiency,” said Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass. “We remain committed to furthering our efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from our buildings and to create a safer, healthier, and more livable Los Angeles."

First released in 2009, EPA’s list of cities with the most ENERGY STAR certified buildings shows how buildings across America are embracing energy efficiency as a simple and effective way to save money and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. To create the annual list, EPA tallies the number of ENERGY STAR certified buildings within each metropolitan area, as defined by the U.S. Census, which includes the city itself as well as surrounding suburbs. EPA creates separate rankings for mid-sized and small cities. This year’s list includes buildings that earned EPA’s ENERGY STAR during the year 2022:

Top 10 Cities Overall

Rank	Metro Area	Building Count	Last Year’s Rank
1	Los Angeles	748	1
2	Washington DC	555	2
3	Atlanta	376	3
4	San Francisco	343	4
5	New York	256	6
6	Riverside	230	18
6	Denver	230	8
8	Dallas	221	5
8	Chicago	221	7
10	Boston	205	10

Commercial buildings are responsible for 16% of the nation’s greenhouse gas emissions and spend more than $190 billion per year on energy. In many cities, buildings are the largest contributor of emissions—responsible for 30% to more than 70% of a city’s total emissions. ENERGY STAR certified buildings use an average of 35% less energy and are responsible for 35% less carbon dioxide emissions than typical buildings.

 Across the country, more than 7,000 commercial buildings earned the EPA’s ENERGY STAR last year. As of the end of 2022, nearly 41,000 buildings across America have earned ENERGY STAR certification. Together, these buildings have saved $5.4 billion on energy bills and prevented more than 22 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions—equal to the annual emissions of more than 2.7 million homes. 

To earn the ENERGY STAR, a commercial building must achieve an ENERGY STAR score of 75 or higher on EPA’s 1 – 100 scale, indicating that it is more energy efficient than 75% of similar buildings nationwide. A building’s ENERGY STAR score is calculated based on a number of factors, including energy use, hours of operation, and a variety of other operating characteristics.

• More on ENERGY STAR Top Cities, including this year’s ranking of top small and mid-sized cities, as well as last year’s rankings.
• Search for ENERGY STAR certified buildings.
• More about earning the ENERGY STAR certification for commercial buildings.

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

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EPA Celebrates the 2023 Winners of the Presidential Environmental Youth and Educator Awards in Florida, North Carolina and South Carolina

ATLANTA (April 26, 2023) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in partnership with the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ), announced the 2023 recipients of the Presidential Innovation Awards for Environmental Educators (PIAEE) and the President’s Environmental Youth Awards (PEYA). This year’s winners from the Southeast include Kelly Dillman (PIAEE) of Jacksonville, N.C.; Katherine Nicole Torres Haragutchi (PEYA) from St. Augustine, Florida; and Roman Kenneth Phillips (PEYA) from Fort Mill, South Carolina.

“We are thrilled to honor the crucial work that students and teachers are doing in every corner of our nation,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “Our awardees represent bold and dedicated leaders who are ready to tackle the biggest climate challenges, and we are so grateful for their commitment to environmental education. Congratulations to all the award winners – we can’t wait to see what you do next.”

“Environmental stewardship begins in the classroom through the passion and creativity of educators and young leaders who are dedicated to achieving a healthy, prosperous, and more equitable future,” said White House Council on Environmental Quality Chair Brenda Mallory. “From climate change to environmental injustice, this year’s award winners are tackling our planet’s most pressing environmental challenges.”

“The PIAEE awards to teachers and PEYA awards to students promote environmental awareness and action in schools and communities,” said EPA Region 4 Administrator Daniel Blackman. “We are proud of the remarkable youth and educators being recognized for their work to make a difference in the Southeast.”

The PIAEE were established by the 1990 National Environmental Education Act and seeks to recognize, support, and bring public attention to the outstanding environmental projects performed by teachers who go beyond textbook instruction to incorporate methods and materials that utilize creative experiences and enrich student learning in K-12 education. CEQ, in partnership with EPA, administers these awards.

PIAEE award recipient Kelly Dillman is a STEM coach for the Onslow County Schools in Jacksonville, North Carolina, and leads the laboratories in every middle school in the system. She understands her responsibility to inspire the next generation of STEM researchers, so she crafts her projects with creative engagement while discussing relevant, real-world environmental problems. Dillman’s interactive projects have spanned ocean floor mapping, soil quality analysis, solar energy efficiency and acid precipitation. Her investigative style uses open-ended questions—which encourage discussion and critical thinking—and experimental simulations that mimic scientific activity in the field. These projects give students a sense of ownership over their ideas and accomplishments, spurring them further to carve their own corner in the scientific world. Dillman also brings science outside the classroom by helping organize district-wide science competitions and fairs. Most recently, she supported the North Carolina STEM Research Academy and a Robotics Expo for students.

The PEYA were established by the Environmental Education Act of 1970 and recognizes outstanding community-level environmental projects by K-12 youth. Each year, PEYA honors a variety of local projects developed by students, school classes, summer camp attendees and youth organizations to promote engagement in environmental stewardship and protection.

This year’s K-5^th grade PEYA award recipient Katherine Nicole Torres Haragutchi from St. Augustine, Florida, created the Extinction Club at her Timberlin Creek Elementary School with the objective of raising awareness of endangered species. Taking specific interest in the Araucaria angustifolia, a native brazillian tree classified as “critically endangered” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List of Threatened Species. She raised funds, contacted the Environment Secretary of Cascavel City, Brazil and defined several locations where the Araucaria angustifolia would be planted with focus on municipal parks to raise even more awareness and get participation from the local community. She worked to plant Araucaria angustifolia in a total of nine locations and raised awareness on local TV, radio, newspaper and online news.

After installing wood duck boxes as part of his Eagle Scout project, this year’s 6^th-12^th grade PEYA award recipient Roman Kenneth Phillips from Fort Mill, South Carolina, often visited Lake Elliot to watch the ducks but the trash that had accumulated was quite an eyesore. After realizing that the lake’s adjacent stream eventually flows into the Catawba River—the area’s main source of drinking water—he decided to take matters into his own hands and launch a cleanup initiative. Since then, and with the help of some friends, Phillips recruited volunteers from the Eagle Scouts, the Alpha Soccer Academy, the South Carolina School of the Deaf and Blind, and other organizations to clean up over 16,000 pounds of waste in the Lake Elliot area. Phillips’s effort had a ripple effect throughout his community. The Environmental Toxicology Lab at Clemson University, for example, worked with him to collect soil and water samples for and analysis of microplastics. Phillips hopes this research will lead to cleaner streams, not only in his community but across the nation as well.

To read about the winning projects in detail, visit: https://www.epa.gov/education/presidential-innovation-award-environmental-educators-piaee-winners and https://www.epa.gov/education/presidents-environmental-youth-award-peya-winners.

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EPA Will Hold Virtual Community “Coffee and Chat” Sessions on the Olin Chemical Superfund Site in Wilmington, Mass.

BOSTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will hold two virtual community events – “Coffee and Chat” sessions – for the Olin Chemical Superfund Site. The informal discussions are an opportunity for community members to interact with project staff and ask questions about the site from representatives from EPA and Massachusetts Dept. of Environmental Protection (MassDEP).

What:              Olin Chemical Superfund Site Virtual Chat Sessions

When:             Coffee and Chat Session No. 1 – Tues. May 2, 2023 from 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

                        Coffee and Chat Session No. 2 – Wed. May 3, 2023 from 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Where:            Virtual, using the Microsoft Teams platform

Registration:  To receive a link to attend one of the sessions, register with Eventbrite at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/615107893267  

For more information about these events, please contact:

     Charlotte Gray, EPA’s Community Involvement Coordinator

     gray.charlotte@epa.gov or (617) 918-1243

Closed captioning will be provided. If additional accommodations are necessary, please contact EPA by May 1^st to EPA. More information on the Site can be found below or by going to www.epa.gov/superfund/olin.

 Background:

The Site is comprised of the Olin property, an approximately 50-acre parcel located at 51 Eames Street in Wilmington, and the surrounding areas where contamination has migrated.

Chemical manufacturing by a series of owners and operators began at the Site in 1953 and continued until 1986. The facility was used to produce blowing agents, stabilizers, antioxidants, and other specialized chemicals for the rubber and plastics industry. Prior to the early 1970s, chemicals were discharged into several unlined pits and ponds in the central portion of the property, and later even when lined lagoons were used, leaks in the liners resulted in additional releases of fluids. The wastes percolated into the soil or overflowed into streams. As the liquid materials moved downward through the soil, they reached the groundwater table – because the liquids were denser than water, they continued to sink downward, pooling in a series of cascading depressions on the bedrock surface.

Ultimately, contaminated groundwater migrated nearly a mile to the north and northwest of the property and resulted in the Town of Wilmington placing its municipal drinking water supply wells in the Maple Meadow Brook aquifer off-line due to contamination from the Site.

EPA added the Site to the Superfund program’s National Priorities List in April 2006. The cleanup plan for the Site (Record of Decision or ROD) was selected by EPA in March 2021 and includes interim actions to remove ongoing sources of contamination in groundwater and final cleanup actions for addressing contaminated soil, sediments, and surface water at the Site:

• Construction and operation of new groundwater extraction and treatment systems.
• Capture and treatment of oily waste and contaminated groundwater that flows into surface water by construction and operation of new multi-phase extraction and treatment systems.
• Construction and maintenance of caps and cover systems on areas of soil contamination, including an impermeable cap over the feature on the Olin property known as the “Containment Area.”
• Remediation and restoration of contaminated wetlands.  
• Long-term monitoring and land use controls.

EPA and the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) continue negotiations with the Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs) for the Site, with the goal of reaching an agreement (a Consent Decree) to conduct or finance the cleanup actions selected in EPA’s March 2021 ROD.

In parallel to the cleanup, studies are ongoing to improve the characterization of the bedrock and further define the extent of groundwater contamination. These studies will be used to evaluate long-term groundwater remedial alternatives, leading to the selection in the future of a final cleanup plan for groundwater. In the near term, these aquifer surveys will be helpful in  identifying the best places to locate groundwater extraction wells for the selected cleanup.

For more information on EPA’s investigation and cleanup of the Olin Chemical Superfund Site, visit https://www.epa.gov/superfund/olin.

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