EPA Grant to California Department of Health to Help Transition to Unleaded Aviation Gasoline in Disadvantaged Communities

SAN FRANCISCO – At an event today in San Jose with U.S. Rep. Zoe Lofgren and local officials, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Assistant Administrator for the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention Michal Freedhoff highlighted a $776,636 grant to the California Department of Public Health that will provide technical assistance to general aviation airports in California in disadvantaged communities to support the transition from leaded aviation gasoline (avgas) to unleaded avgas.

“This grant will reduce exposure to harmful pollution in disadvantaged communities across California, helping safeguard residents who have disproportionately faced health threats for too long” said EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator Martha Guzman. “EPA is proud to support projects that improve public health, prevent pollution at the source and advance environmental justice.”

“Growing up in an underserved community, I know firsthand how harmful pollutants can affect the health of our neighborhoods,” said U.S. Senator Alex Padilla. “Santa Clara County has led the nation in the transition to unleaded avgas, and I’m proud that the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is providing funding to build upon that work and help other communities in California protect public health. Too often, our most disadvantaged communities have also faced the burden of pollution from leaded aviation fuels, and this grant will help chart a thoughtful pathway to a cleaner future.”

“Investing in the transition to unleaded fuel is a smart and necessary move, and I commend the EPA for focusing its resources on this environmental justice issue. Recently, through a finalized endangerment finding, the EPA confirmed what families living in East San Jose sadly know all too well – leaded avgas is a dangerous pollutant. Leaders at all levels of government need to urgently act to free communities of airborne lead pollution,” said U.S. Rep. Zoe Lofgren.

The technical assistance California Department of Public Health will provide through the grant includes voluntary business roundtable discussions, training, and developing educational materials and case studies. The proposed project aims to improve human health and the environment in disadvantaged communities identified through the state’s CalEnviroScreen by reducing lead emissions that may harm them.

This grant is one of two pollution prevention grants in California that EPA will fund this year—the other going to the University of California at Los Angeles—and was made possible by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

EPA’s Pollution Prevention Grant Program advances President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative, which aims to deliver 40 percent of the overall benefits of certain federal investments to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution.

Ensuring greater availability and use of safer and more sustainable products can reduce harmful chemical exposures in disadvantaged communities and create a more sustainable and accessible marketplace. These efforts will continue to benefit businesses and communities across the nation by capturing what works and what can be adjusted in other communities. Recipients will share successful practices that are new or not widely known, as well as lessons learned, so that future businesses and communities can continue to innovate.

Background:

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

President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is boosting these efforts by providing a historic $100 million to support the program’s continued efforts. Thanks to this unprecedented federal investment, state and Tribal programs that are awarded grants will not be required to provide matching funds, which has helped expand access to these resources and broadened the applicant pool.

Read more about P2 and the P2 Grant Program.

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

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City of Silex, Missouri, Agrees to Remedy Alleged Safe Drinking Water Act Violations

LENEXA, KAN. (OCT. 31, 2023) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has reached an agreement with the City of Silex, Missouri, to resolve alleged violations of the federal Safe Drinking Water Act. Under an Administrative Compliance Order filed on Oct. 26, 2023, the city will develop and submit plans to EPA to address radium contamination in the city’s drinking water.

“EPA is encouraged that the City of Silex has committed to short- and long-term plans to protect its citizens,” said David Cozad, director of EPA Region 7’s Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Division. “EPA is committed to continue providing technical assistance to the city, and to keep the public informed on progress to address this problem.”

According to EPA, since 2012, Silex has reported levels of radium in its drinking water supply that exceed federal standards. Radium is a naturally occurring radioactive substance found in the subsurface. As it decays, radium emits low levels of radiation that can lead to an increased risk of cancer over long-term exposure.

EPA held a Public Meeting in Silex on Oct. 5, 2023. Representatives explained that although radium may cause health-related issues over time, the levels of radium in Silex’s drinking water do not pose a significant health risk from acute or short-term exposure, and Silex residents can continue to drink the water. However, EPA encouraged members of the Silex community who are concerned to use alternate drinking water. EPA also indicated that the Silex drinking water is safe to use for bathing, showering, hand washing, and other uses involving dermal contact.

Under the terms of the order, Silex will submit and implement a short-term plan to provide alternate drinking water to residents, while also implementing a long-term plan to bring the drinking water system into compliance with federal radium standards.

Learn more about EPA’s enforcement of the Safe Drinking Water Act.

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EPA Announces Nearly $2 Million in Cleanup and Climate Grants to Choctaw Nation

DALLAS, TEXAS (October 31, 2023) – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recognized the Choctaw Nation for two grants totaling nearly $2 million. The Nation received $1.57 million in Brownfields funding to assess and clean up abandoned properties and a $400,000 Climate Pollution Reduction grant to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Funding for the grants come from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act, part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s historic Investing in America agenda.

“The Choctaw Nation is a reliable partner with a strong environmental program that is well prepared to leverage these grants, made possible by the historic amounts of funding available through the Biden-Harris Administration’s Investing in America agenda,” said Regional Administrator Dr. Earthea Nance. “EPA is proud to continue working with the Nation on restoring abandoned Brownfields properties and finding solutions for the climate crisis.”

“Choctaws understand the importance of being good environmental stewards,” said Choctaw Nation Chief Gary Batton. “Support from the EPA enables us to continue implementing sustainable practices that benefit both our tribal members and the surrounding communities, making a lasting impact on the well-being of our people and the land we call home.”

The Choctaw Nation will use the Brownfields grant for several projects, including site assessment and cleanup of the Old Talihina Indian Hospital Campus at 13012 SE 22nd Road near Talihina in Latimer County on Choctaw Nation Tribal Trust land. The 57.5-acre site is an abandoned Indian Health Service. Grant funds also will be used to conduct community engagement activities. The grant is funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

The Nation’s Climate Pollution Reduction grant will be used to develop plans and set goals for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG)emissions. Activities include developing capacity in climate reduction pollution strategies, contracting entities to produce a Priority Climate Action Plan and Comprehensive Climate Action Plan, conducting a GHG emissions inventory and identifying interested and/or affected communities through community engagement meetings. Funding for this grant comes from the Inflation Reduction Act.

Thanks to the historic $1.5 billion boost from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, EPA’s Brownfields Program is helping more communities than ever before begin to address the economic, social, and environmental challenges caused by brownfields and stimulate economic opportunity, and environmental revitalization in historically overburdened communities.

EPA’s Brownfields Program also advances President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative to direct 40 percent of the overall benefits of certain Federal investments to disadvantaged communities. The Brownfields Program strives to meet this commitment and advance environmental justice and equity considerations into all aspects of its work. Approximately 84 percent of the MARC program applications selected to receive funding proposed to work in areas that include historically underserved communities.

The Climate Pollution Reduction Grants program provides $5 billion in grants to states, local governments, tribes, and territories to develop and implement ambitious plans for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and other harmful air pollution. Authorized under Section 60114 of the Inflation Reduction Act, this two-phase program provides $250 million for noncompetitive planning grants, and approximately $4.6 billion for competitive implementation grants.

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

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Oil Recovery Operations and Mill Creek Restoration near Washington, Kansas, Are Complete

LENEXA, KAN. (OCT. 31, 2023) – Mill Creek, impacted by the oil spill near Washington, Kansas, in December 2022, is once again flowing naturally after EPA Region 7 confirmed that the removal of oil was complete during a final visual inspection of the creek completed on Friday, Oct. 13, 2023.

Oil recovery within Mill Creek is complete and Mill Creek flow and water levels have been returned to natural conditions. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) will continue inspections and monitoring of riparian restoration for the next five years or until it is determined that monitoring is no longer needed.

EPA Region 7 on-scene coordinators (OSCs) were deployed to the scene after the initial National Response Center (NRC) report on Dec. 8, 2022, to oversee oil containment and recovery operations. During the bulk oil recovery phase, operations were performed 24/7. This phase was completed on Jan. 29, 2023.

Following substantial construction and engineering projects, response personnel were able to access submerged oil impacts in Mill Creek. Oil recovery within Mill Creek continued until May 11, 2023, when response crews shifted their focus to stream restoration.

EPA staff worked more than 6,000 hours and took over 83 trips to the scene. EPA personnel from Regions 3, 5, and 6 supported Region 7, along with staff from the U.S. Coast Guard – Atlantic Strike Team.

In total, more than 54 million gallons of contaminated surface water were treated and discharged back into Mill Creek. Over 650,000 gallons of oil were recovered, including product remaining in the pipeline following the rupture. Approximately 200,000 tons of oil-impacted soil, sediment, and debris were excavated and sent off-site for disposal.

• Learn more about EPA’s response operations at Mill Creek.
• View photos of response operations.

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EPA, NRCS, ACOE, and Partners to Re-energize Multi-State Western Lake Erie Basin Partnership to Better Coordinate, Accelerate Nutrient Reduction Efforts

At a September 26 meeting, the leadership of the Western Lake Erie Basin Partnership voted to add the director of EPA’s Great Lakes National Program Office as a third co-chair of the organization. Chris Korleski, the current GLNPO director, joins co-chairs Natural Resources Conversation Service State Conservationist John Wilson and Lieutenant Colonel Colby K. Krug, commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Buffalo District.

“By gaining a third co-chair in the U.S. EPA, the Western Lake Erie Basin partnership hopes to bring more assets to the table as we work towards protecting this important natural resource both now and in the future,” said John Wilson, state conservationist for Natural Resources Conversation Service.

“Improving water quality across the Western Lake Erie Basin will require a whole-of-government approach,” said Lieutenant Colonel Colby Krug, Commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Buffalo District. “Applying new technology, continued effort by many partners, and resources at the federal, state and local levels to develop and implement a comprehensive plan will protect the basin’s economy, environment and fresh drinking water for millions of Americans.  Through the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has a proven track record to be able to make a difference and I welcome them to the Western Lake Erie Basin Partnership.”

The Western Lake Erie Basin Partnership is a long-standing collaboration of federal, state, and local government agencies; academia; and non-governmental organizations from the tri-state western Lake Erie watershed. The watershed encompasses 7 million acres in Ohio, Michigan and Indiana. When initially formed in 2006, the group’s focus was sediment and erosion control. In recent years the partnership has shifted its focus to nutrient reduction and addressing harmful algal blooms in western Lake Erie.

EPA already has a major role in Lake Erie nutrient reduction efforts as the lead agency responsible for coordinating the U.S. implementation of Annex 4 of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, in partnership with the states. EPA works with the states to develop and implement strategies for achieving the phosphorus reduction goals adopted by the United States and Canada in 2016. In addition, EPA oversees the implementation of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, launched in 2010 to accelerate efforts to protect and restore the Great Lakes. The initiative invests $20 million a year in Lake Erie nutrient reduction and monitoring harmful algal blooms.

“The partnership brings together federal, state, and local agency resource managers; scientists; and non-government organizations, including organizations representing agricultural producers and environmental interests, to review the latest information on the nutrients issue,” said Chris Korleski, director of EPA’s Great Lakes National Program Office. “There is a natural fit here for EPA to assist in developing, implementing, coordinating, communicating, and tracking nutrient reduction efforts, and the timing is ideal with the states and federal agencies working to update the U.S. Action Plan for Lake Erie in the coming months.”

EPA’s larger role in the partnership reflects the Administration’s desire to maximize the involvement of all the existing partners to enhance nutrient reduction efforts in Lake Erie.

For more information on the Partnership, click here.

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EPA Advances Enforcement Actions to Protect Communities from Hazardous Lead Paint

WASHINGTON – Today, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a snapshot of enforcement actions taken across the country in 2023 to protect children and their families from the health hazards posed by exposure to lead-based paint. EPA enforcement actions help ensure that renovation contractors, landlords, property management companies and realtors comply with rules that protect the public from exposure to lead from lead paint.

“No family should have to suffer adverse health impacts from exposure to lead because a property manager, landlord, or renovator failed to follow lead-safe work practices,” said Assistant Administrator David M. Uhlmann, for EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. “EPA is committed to vigorous and fair enforcement of lead paint regulations and will hold companies and individuals accountable for unsafe conditions that put children at risk.”

The federal government banned residential use of lead paint in 1978, but old lead paint remains in over 34 million older homes, including 3.3 million homes with children under the age of six, who are more vulnerable to the health impacts from lead paint. Children can be exposed to lead from lead paint dust on the floor or windowsills, chipped or peeling paint, or old layers of lead paint disturbed by renovation work. EPA rules require renovation firms to protect their customers by using certified renovators and lead-safe work practices. They also require renovators, landlords and others to tell tenants and buyers about known lead paint in a home.

The enforcement actions EPA took in 2023 reflect the agency’s continuing commitment to implementing the Federal Lead Strategy and result in reducing or eliminating lead exposures, particularly to children in communities disproportionately impacted by historic lead paint exposure. 

Case Highlights

• Indiana Contractor Goes to Prison for Lead Paint Violations
  The U.S. Attorney in the Southern District of Indiana worked with EPA criminal enforcement personnel and the Department of Housing and Urban Development to secure a 16-month prison sentence for Jeffrey Delucio for falsifying compliance records and failing to use lead-safe work practices in multiple properties, including where a child had elevated levels of lead in their blood.
• EPA Settlement with Logan Square Aluminum Supply
  EPA’s Region 5 and the Department of Justice settled alleged violations of lead paint renovation rules with this major Chicago-based firm. In addition to paying a $400,000 penalty and instituting a robust compliance system to protect customers, Logan Square is paying for $2 million of lead paint abatement work in lower-income properties located in Chicago and Chicago suburban communities with a high incidence of childhood lead poisoning.
• Administrative Hearing with GreenBuild Design and Construction, LLC
  EPA’s Region 10 took this Anchorage, Alaska firm to an administrative hearing over its repeated violation of lead paint renovation rules, including work practice rules. The administrative law judge issued a decision sustaining EPA’s allegations and penalizing violator, Greenbuild, for $25,609.
• EPA Settlement with APEX Building Company, Inc.
  In a proposed consent decree lodged for public comment, NYC general contracting firm, Apex Building Company, Inc., agreed to pay the United States $606,706 and to implement significant injunctive relief to resolve an action brought in the Southern District of New York (SDNY) for lead paint violations involving renovations of 935 apartments in New York, many occupied by low-income tenants. In addition to ensuring future compliance, the company is required to conduct tenant and worker safety information sessions to mitigate potential harms it caused. The initial penalty assessed by the EPA was reduced, as required by statute, based on the defendant’s documented inability to pay the full penalty.
• Privatized Military Housing Investigations.
  EPA issued four national subpoenas to property management companies managing privatized military housing to assess compliance with the lead paint regulations and will take appropriate enforcement action as needed to ensure that our servicemembers and their families are protected from exposure to lead paint.
• EPA Region 1 Settlement Leads to National TV Features on Lead Safety
  On October 23 and October 30, Magnolia Network will kick off Season 11 of its popular Maine Cabin Masters series with two episodes that include information about compliance with the Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Rule. On April 11, the podcast “From the Woodshed” featured an EPA inspector talking about the importance of compliance with RRP. This innovative outreach stems from an enforcement action EPA Region 1 settled in September 2022. The October episodes of Maine Cabin Masters air at 9pm Eastern/8pm Central.

Regional Geographic Initiatives

As part of EPA’s Strategy to Reduce Lead Disparities and Exposure in U.S. Communities, EPA Regional offices promoted Geographic Initiatives to focus on specific areas or communities with more than one source of lead exposure.  In 2023, each Region directed enforcement resources to communities with environmental justice concerns. Regions relied on a combination of strategies to reduce people’s exposure to lead in homes, such as compliance outreach to renovators and apartment owners; lead awareness outreach to communities and tenants; compliance inspections and follow-up enforcement actions to ensure changes in behavior and penalties for non-compliance.

Environmental Justice Toolkit for Lead Paint Enforcement

In 2023, EPA also release an Environmental Justice Toolkit for Lead Paint Enforcement, which provides strategies, examples, and practices for federal, state, Tribal and local government enforcement practitioners to use during all stages of environmental enforcement and compliance monitoring activities designed to eliminate harmful exposures to lead paint in housing in overburdened communities.

To learn more about EPA’s lead enforcement work and for more examples of EPA lead enforcement actions in 2023, please visit EPA’s  webpage on Enforcing Lead Laws and Regulations.

If you suspect a violation of the EPA’s lead paint rules, you can submit tips and complaints on the EPA’s Report a Violation website.

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EPA to host Public Meeting and Information Session for Billings PCE Superfund Site

Billings, Mont. — Representatives from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) invite Billings, Montana community members to attend a public meeting at Broadwater Elementary School on Wednesday, November 1st at 6:00 pm. The meeting, which will be hosted by EPA staff and contractors and attended by representatives from Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and Montana Department of Health and Human Services (DPHHS), will provide residents and stakeholders with updates on the Billings PCE Superfund Site, including current and planned sampling and cleanup efforts. 

Primary topics of discussion include an overview of potential contaminants of concern within the Site study area, this fall’s sampling and monitoring efforts, recent time-critical removal activities and the Superfund process. Residents and property owners are welcomed to ask questions throughout the meeting.  

Please join EPA at Broadwater Elementary on Wednesday, November 1st at 6:00 pm:  

15 Broadwater Ave 

Billings, MT 59101 

Background 

The Billings PCE Superfund Site (Site) consists of a plume of shallow groundwater contamination, consisting mainly of chlorinated solvents from historic laundry and dry-cleaning businesses, extending from 24th and Central Avenue approximately three miles, east-northeast, through several mixed-use neighborhoods to the east of downtown Billings. While groundwater is not used for drinking water in Billings, chlorinated solvents in the groundwater can vaporize and seep into homes and businesses, causing potential indoor air concerns that could adversely affect human health.  

In September 2021, EPA added the Site to the Superfund National Priorities List, making the Site eligible for federal funding to expand environmental investigation and cleanup activities. Since then, EPA has worked with the City of Billings, state-level agencies and contractors to conduct cleanup efforts, sample groundwater and indoor air and characterize the extent of the groundwater contamination. Major highlights from this year include screening 146 structures with EPA’s mobile laboratory, sampling existing groundwater wells and 12 existing residential irrigation wells and installing vapor mitigation systems for 15 impacted structures. Another ten vapor mitigation system installations are planned beginning November 1st. EPA is developing a proposed plan to address the indoor air exposure pathway and will continue to engage the community in the Superfund process. 

Information about the Site, including timelines, operable units and cleanup efforts, is available on the EPA Superfund page.  

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EPA Launches Prize Challenge to Showcase Electric Transportation in Action

WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) launched “My Electric Ride: An EV Transportation Video Challenge,” an exciting prize competition that encourages people to share their personal experiences with electric transportation. The challenge aims to showcase real-world experiences of those who use electrified transportation in everyday life and help inform the public about more sustainable transportation. Interested participants are asked to submit a short (1- to 2-minute) video for a chance to win up to $3,000. 

Participants can submit videos in one of three categories: 

• Personal Mobility: Electric 2- and 3-wheel personal mobility devices such as e-bikes, e-trikes, e-scooters, or e-cargo bikes. 
• Electric Vehicles: Electric vehicles such as cars, trucks, or SUVs. 
• Electric Buses: Electric buses such as school buses, shuttle buses, or transit buses. 

The videos will be judged on their creativity, originality, and effectiveness in conveying the positive aspects of electric transportation. EPA will select up to nine winning videos, with each of the three categories having a first, second, and third place winner. Selected videos may be featured on EPA's website and social media channels. 

Information about the video challenge and instructions on how to submit a video can be found on the EV Transportation Video Challenge webpage.

Submissions are due by January 23, 2024. 

Background 

The transportation sector is currently the largest contributor to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the U.S. Electrifying transportation is key to a more sustainable future by moving people and goods more efficiently. With their increased energy efficiency and zero tailpipe emissions, electric vehicles (including battery electric vehicles and hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles) can help improve air quality in communities and lower total GHG emissions. 

For more information on why we need to lower greenhouse gas emissions from transportation (i.e., decarbonize), visit: Why We Need to Decarbonize Transportation. 

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Two Westbrook, Maine Companies Fined for Failing to Warn Tenants about Lead Paint

BOSTON (Oct. 26, 2023) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently reached a settlement with two Maine-based companies that violated federal lead-based paint disclosure requirements, potentially putting tenants at risk of exposure to lead-based paint.
Under the terms of the settlement, both companies collectively agreed to pay a penalty of $37,459, spend $57,700 to perform two lead-based paint abatement supplemental environmental projects, and come into compliance with the federal lead-based paint Disclosure Rule.

The two companies, 80 Brown Street, LLC and Sherwood Properties, LLC, own and lease, respectively, four apartments in a residential building located at 80 Brown Street in Westbrook, Maine.

In early 2020, EPA received a tip about a lead-based paint hazard at one of the four units at the location; shortly after, a two-year-old was tested and found to have an elevated blood lead level. The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) ordered abatement of the unit and relocation of the family. EPA learned that in 2017, representatives of the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) inspected the four units in the 80 Brown Street building and determined that all four contained lead-based paint and that one of the units contained lead-based paint hazards that required abatement which was subsequently completed.

After investigating the matter in 2020, EPA learned that 80 Brown Street, LLC and Sherwood Properties, LLC leased the four apartments at 80 Brown Street without having disclosed to tenants the proper information about the presence of lead-based paint at the property. Two of the four units were leased to families with children.

"Every family deserves to live free of exposures to lead-based paint. It is the responsibility of landlords and property sellers to provide prospective tenants or homeowners with a notification about possible lead paint hazards in the property," said EPA New England Regional Administrator David W. Cash.  "EPA will always advocate for families, including people who are most vulnerable and over-burdened by environmental hazards. We especially appreciate the collaborative effort with state and local partners to gather information and evidence, and the steps taken to hold these companies accountable. Every family should be able to expect that their home is free from hazards and that a landlord will make them aware of potential hazards in their living situation. That failed to happen here."

The violations alleged against 80 Brown Street, LLC and Sherwood Properties, LLC include the landlords' failure to inform tenants of known lead-based paint and lead-based paint hazards in their apartment building, failure to provide tenants with copies of records and reports regarding lead-based paint, failure to provide tenants with a statement within or attached to the lease contract that disclosed the presence of lead-based paint and lead-based paint hazards, and failure to provide to tenants a list of records and reports pertaining to lead-based paint and lead-based paint hazards.

As part of the settlement, the companies have agreed to hire a licensed lead-abatement contractor to perform abatement at two residential properties near the 80 Brown Street property, as follows: encapsulate outdoor wood siding containing lead-based paint with vinyl siding at a four-unit property located in Westbrook, Maine and abate lead-based paint and lead-based paint hazards on an outdoor wood fire escape at a two-unit property in Biddeford, Maine.

Background

Infants and young children are especially vulnerable to lead paint exposure, which can cause developmental impairment, reading and learning disabilities; impaired hearing; reduced attention span, hyperactivity and behavioral problems. Adults with high lead levels can suffer difficulties during pregnancy, high blood pressure, nerve disorders, memory problems and muscle and joint pain.

EPA Region 1 ultimately seeks compliance with federal lead-based paint regulations to prevent harmful exposures. Thus, prior to conducting compliance inspections, staff work with state and local public health agencies to provide outreach and compliance assistance information to raise awareness about lead-based paint hazards among painters and home renovation companies, property managers and landlords, as well as private homeowners.

EPA's Lead Disclosure Rule is designed to ensure that potential buyers and renters of housing built prior to 1978 receive certain information about lead-based paint and lead-based paint hazards in the residence prior to becoming obligated to buy or rent, and provides the opportunity for an independent lead inspection for buyers. Sellers, landlords, and agents are responsible for compliance.

More information: EPA requirements for lead paint disclosure for renters and purchasers: https://www.epa.gov/lead/real-estate-disclosures-about-potential-lead-hazards

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EPA penalizes Town of Coulee Dam over $70,000 for Clean Water Act violations

SEATTLE – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced today that the Town of Coulee Dam, Washington will pay $70,881 for violations of Section 402 of the Clean Water Act at the town’s wastewater treatment plant.

The wastewater treatment plant failed to meet the following requirements of their National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit:

• Submit monthly Discharge Monitoring Reports to EPA and the Colville Tribes
• Notify EPA and the Colville Tribes that their Operations and Maintenance Plan was developed and implemented
• Inform EPA and the Colville Tribes that their new plant had begun operations and their old plant had closed
• Apply for a new permit on time
• Provide the correct location of the discharge point

“The cultural, economic and environmental significance of the Columbia River to the western U.S. cannot be overstated,” said EPA Region 10 Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Director Ed Kowalski. “All facilities operating on the river must comply with the law to safeguard this critical watershed and be good neighbors to the Colville Tribes and the many other communities that depend on it.” 

EPA investigations began in 2019 when the treatment plant did not submit required Discharge Monitoring Reports. DMRs help track the amount of pollution discharged from permitted facilities into waterways like the Columbia River. A facility’s permit assigns values for the type and amount of pollutants it is allowed to discharge. Without the timely submittal of DMRs, EPA cannot monitor if wastewater treatment plants are complying with permits, effectively treating wastewater, and preventing excess pollution from entering the river. Follow-up investigations found that the wastewater treatment plant failed additional conditions of the NPDES permit.

EPA’s technical assistance webinars on improving NPDES compliance are available to plant operators, municipal leaders, technical assistance providers, and compliance inspection staff from federal, state, tribal and local governments.

Additional details can be found in the Consent Agreement and Final Order.

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Biden-Harris Administration announces over $3.5 million for environmental justice projects in communities across Maine as part of Investing in America agenda

BOSTON (Oct. 25, 2023) — Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced over $3.5 million to fund six projects across Maine that advance environmental justice as part of President Biden's Investing in America agenda. The organizations, which EPA has selected through its Environmental Justice Collaborative Problem Solving Cooperative Agreement and Environmental Justice Government-to-Government programs, will use the funds to ensure disadvantaged communities that have historically suffered from underinvestment have access to clean air and water and climate resilience solutions in alignment with the Biden-Harris administration's Justice40 Initiative.

Thanks to President Biden's Inflation Reduction Act—the largest climate investment in U.S. history—this funding is a part of the largest investment ever announced under these two longstanding EPA programs. This is the first in a series of environmental justice grant announcements the agency will announce before the end of the year.

"No President has invested more in environmental justice than President Biden, and under his leadership we're removing longstanding barriers and meaningfully collaborating with communities to build a healthier future for all," said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. "Together, these community-driven projects will improve the health, equity, and resilience of communities while setting a blueprint for local solutions that can be applied across the nation."

"EPA strongly believes that historically disadvantaged and overburdened communities must have a place at the table as we work toward climate and environmental justice. Successful environmental justice programs are built with community collaboration, common goals, and community empowerment," said EPA New England Regional Administrator David Cash. "Across New England, these selectees are poised to catalyze lasting change and make a profound difference, bringing cleaner air and water to their communities, combatting climate change, creating green jobs, and improving environmental health. We eagerly anticipate the enduring impact the grants in Maine will have in our region, advancing our common goal of environmental justice."

"Mainers from the coast to the mountains are already experiencing the impacts of climate change. As the Gulf of Maine warms and more frequent extreme weather events affect our fisheries, farmers, and businesses, federal investments are critical to not only mitigating the climate crisis but making our communities more resilient to its impacts," said Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine). "From strengthening working waterfronts and developing a clean energy workforce to improving environmental public health and advancing environmental justice, these significant investments made possible by the historic Inflation Reduction Act will go a long way in helping our overburdened communities and will also help Maine achieve our climate goals."

"Keeping Maine's environment healthy not only benefits our great outdoors, but also strengthens our local communities and businesses," said Congressman Golden (ME-02). "This set of EPA grants will boost severe weather resilience, reduce pollution, and improve food security for families all across the Second District."

The grants announced today deliver on President Biden's commitment to advance equity and justice throughout the United States. The two grant programs directly advance the President's transformational Justice40 initiative to deliver 40 percent of the overall benefits of certain federal investments to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution.

The Environmental Justice Collaborative Problem Solving (EJCPS) Program

EPA's EJCPS program provides financial assistance to eligible organizations working to address local environmental or public health issues in their communities. The program builds upon President Biden's Executive Orders 13985 and 14008, creating a designation of funds exclusively for small nonprofit organizations, which are defined as having 5 or fewer full-time employees, thus ensuring that grant resources reach organizations of lower capacity that historically struggle to receive federal funding. Eleven of the organizations selected for EJCPS this year are small nonprofit organizations, receiving over $1.6 million in total.

EPA EJCPS grant selections in Maine:

• Gulf of Maine Research Institute in Portland, Maine has been selected to receive $500,000 for building capacity for disadvantaged working waterfront communities to engage constructively in offshore wind development in the Gulf of Maine.
• United Charitable has been selected to receive $500,000 for supporting the ReTreeUS project in Auburn, Maine to work with 11 partner organizations to develop 8 food forests, providing benefits such as improvement of public and environmental health, while serving communities with high rates of food insecurity.
• Maine People's Resource Center in Bangor, Maine has been selected to receive $500,000 for a community-led program to invest in the workforce development necessary to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other air pollutants through clean energy projects.
• Center for an Ecology-Based Economy in the Western Maine Foothills Region has been selected to receive $150,000 for increasing community resilience across municipalities, schools, and public land through education, planning and technical assistance.

Environmental Justice Government-to-Government (EJG2G)

EPA's EJG2G provides funding at the state, local, territorial, and Tribal level to support government activities in partnership with community-based organizations that lead to measurable environmental or public health impacts in communities disproportionately burdened by environmental harms.

EPA EJG2G grant selections within Maine's boundaries:

• The Penobscot Indian Nation has been selected to receive $1,000,000 for installing a minimum of 150 heat pumps in Tribal housing units and private housing units occupied by Tribal citizens with the greatest need – elderly, veterans, and families with young children.
• Greater Portland Council of Governments has been selected to receive $886,014 for assisting communities in creating and implementing action steps to respond to climate change with a special focus on addressing energy insecurity and climate adaptation for underserved, disadvantaged, and rural populations in Cumberland and York Counties in Maine.

Additional Background:

From day one of his administration, President Biden has made achieving environmental justice a top priority. And in August 2022, Congress passed, and President Biden signed, the Inflation Reduction Act into law, creating the largest investment in environmental and climate justice in U.S. history. EPA received $3 billion in appropriations to provide grants and technical assistance for activities advancing environmental and climate justice.

Under the Inflation Reduction Act, EPA has launched and expanded innovative programs to provide more support than ever before to communities that unjustly bear the burdens of environmental harm and pollution. This includes the $177 million for the creation of 16 Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Centers (EJ TCTACs) to remove barriers to federal resources and help communities pursue funding opportunities like those made available through President Biden's Investing in America Agenda. EPA has also launched and will award funds through the $550 million Thriving Communities Grantmaking Program before the end of 2023.

To learn more about environmental justice at EPA, visit: https://www.epa.gov/environmentaljustice

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EPA Highlights Importance of Children’s Health Month with North Philadelphia Day Care Visit

EPA Highlights Importance of Children’s Health Month with North Philadelphia Day Care Visit 

PHILADELPHIA (October 25, 2023) – U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Regional Administrator Adam Ortiz visited the KenCrest North Daycare Center in North Philadelphia today in honor of Children’s Health Month. While there, he visited with students to read “Why is Coco Orange?”, a story of a chameleon with asthma and discussed the importance of keeping children safe with staff and parents.

The visit was scheduled to celebrate a nearly $200,000 Healthy Learning Environments Grant issued to Women for a Healthy Environment (WHE). Funded by the American Rescue Plan, this 2-year award provides capacity building support to educate Philadelphia’s early learning community about environmental hazards in childcare centers and provide action steps to mitigate hazards, including addressing concerns associated with climate change and Covid-19.

"Visiting schools and daycare centers like KenCrest are great reminders of the impact our grants have and that each dollar has the power to improve lives and communities," said Ortiz. "Children are one of our most important populations and ensuring they have safe places to live, learn, and play is a top priority for EPA."

“Women for a Healthy Environment (WHE) educates the early learning community about environmental risks to human health, provides action steps providers can take to mitigate those risks and advocates for solutions that better protect young children and staff,” said Healthy Buildings Program Manager Lorna Rosenberg. “We serve parents, students/children, school and early learning personnel, health, and community-based organizations, through our Healthy Childcare Champions program, with an emphasis on those living in underserved communities. “

Women for a Healthy Environment utilizes the Children’s Environmental Health Network’s Eco-Healthy Checklist in childcares in Philadelphia neighborhoods, like they did at KenCrest North Childcare Center. Select childcares, including KenCrest North, are also participating in an indoor air quality study that utilizes indoor air monitors, observed by Women for a Healthy Environment in real-time. The results from this study will be announced at a later date.  

“We’ve learned through numerous studies that there is a significant correlation between air quality, city living, and asthma, and its impact on a child’s ability to thrive in an educational setting. We’re grateful to the EPA and WHE for their continued investment in creating safe and healthy environments for all children to learn, play, and grow,” said KenCrest Executive Director Melanie Brennan.

To learn more about Children’s Health Month, visit: https://www.epa.gov/children

About Women for a Healthy Environment

Women for a Healthy Environment (WHE) educates communities about environmental risks to human health, provides action steps to mitigate those risks, and advocates for solutions to better protect the region. WHE serves parents, students, children, school, and early learning personnel, as well as health and community-based organizations, with an emphasis on those living in underserved communities. Creating healthy spaces for children to live, learn and play is at the core of our work. For more info: https://womenforahealthyenvironment.org/.

About KenCrest

KenCrest is an early education provider in Philadelphia, and a human services organization for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities throughout Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Connecticut; that supports over 12,500 people per year with a dedicated staff of 2,100 employees. For more information, visit www.KenCrest.org.

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Puerto Rico Organizations and Agencies Slated to Get Over $2.4 Million in EPA Funding to Support Environmental Justice Work

SAN JUAN – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced $2.4 million to fund four projects across Puerto Rico that advance environmental justice as part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda. The EPA has selected three community organizations and a municipality to receive funding through the Environmental Justice Collaborative Problem Solving Cooperative Agreement (EJCPS) and the Environmental Justice Government-to-Government (EJG2G) programs. These projects will support disadvantaged communities that have historically suffered from underinvestment to achieve cleaner air and water, and implement climate resilience solutions. The selected projects will focus on community outreach, climate resilience and nature-based programming among other focuses and goals.  

 “These grants show our continuing commitment to advancing environmental justice in communities across Puerto Rico,” said Lisa F. Garcia, EPA Regional Administrator. “EPA Administrator Regan toured areas of Puerto Rico as part of his Journey to Justice, and made a commitment to take actions side by side and assist communities that have borne an unfair burden of environmental pollution. These grants further build on our efforts to support environmental and climate justice efforts here in Puerto Rico.”  

 “I welcome this announcement and congratulate the nonprofit organizations and municipalities for their successful participation in these programs,” said Resident Commissioner Jenniffer González Colón. “The federal resources made available by Congress will enable them to continue supporting their projects of environmental improvement for our communities.  We all look forward to the fruits of this effort in a better quality of life for our residents.” 

 The two grant programs directly advance the President’s transformational Justice40 initiative to deliver 40 percent of the overall benefits of certain federal investments to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution.  

 EPA’s EJCPS program provides financial assistance to eligible organizations working to address local environmental or public health issues in their communities. The program builds upon President Biden’s Executive Orders 13985 and 14008, creating a designation of funds exclusively for small nonprofit organizations, which are defined as having 5 or fewer full-time employees, thus ensuring that grant resources reach organizations of lower capacity that historically struggle to receive federal funding. Eleven of the organizations selected for EJCPS this year are small nonprofit organizations, receiving over $1.6 million in total.  

EPA EJCPS Puerto Rico selectees:  

 Atma Connect: San Juan, Puerto Rico has been chosen to receive $500,000 for its Grassroots Leadership, Education, and a Safe Water Quality Network in Puerto Rico. 

 PathStone Corporation: Rochester, NY and Puerto Rico has been chosen to receive $500,000 for its project, Environmental Justice Collaborative Problem-Solving project in Arecibo, Barceloneta and Utuado, Puerto Rico. 

 Sociedad Ambiente Marino: San Juan, Puerto Rico has been chosen to receive $500,000 for its project, Puerto Rico Planning for Locally Led Adaptation. 

 The EJG2G grant will support the selected entities at the local, state, tribal and territorial level to lead measurable positive public health and environmental impacts for communities at higher risk for environmental harm. While helping community-based organizations build partnerships among each other, the grant program seeks to help selectees create meaningful and replicable approaches to achieving environmental justice.  

 EPA EJG2G Puerto Rico selectee:  

 The Municipality of Vega Baja: Vega Baja, Puerto Rico has been chosen to receive over $978,000 for its project, Assisting communities in identifying, preventing and eliminating blighted properties and associated health and environmental risks through education, training, civic engagement and community planning. 

 As selectees begin their projects once funds are awarded the EPA hopes to see more environmental justice centered in the decision-making process and further embedded into agency programs.  

 From day one of his administration, President Biden has made achieving environmental justice a top priority. And in August 2022, Congress passed, and President Biden signed, the Inflation Reduction Act into law, creating the largest investment in environmental and climate justice in U.S. history. EPA received $3 billion in appropriations to provide grants and technical assistance for activities advancing environmental and climate justice. 

 Under the Inflation Reduction Act, EPA has launched and expanded innovative programs to provide more support than ever before to communities that unjustly bear the burdens of environmental harm and pollution. This includes the $177 million for the creation of 16 Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Centers (EJ TCTACs) to remove barriers to federal resources and help communities pursue funding opportunities like those made available through President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda. EPA has also launched and will award funds through the $550 million  Thriving Communities Grantmaking Program before the end of 2023. 

 To learn more about more opportunities for funding and about what EPA is doing to bring environmental justice to communities, visit EPA’s website.  

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

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EPA Launches Online Tool Providing Energy Use Data and Insights from ENERGY STAR® Portfolio Manager®

WASHINGTON — Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing the launch of a web-based tool that enables users to explore aggregate energy use data from more than 150,000 commercial and multi-family buildings in the United States. The new Data Explorer tool will help building managers unlock potential savings based on the data from ENERGY STAR® Portfolio Manager®, the nation’s largest energy benchmarking platform for commercial and multifamily buildings. The Portfolio Manager Data Explorer is the latest in a suite of tools from EPA to help propel the adoption of energy-efficiency practices through market-based information. 

“Improving the energy efficiency of our commercial and multifamily buildings is critical to reaching our nation’s ambitious climate goals,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “By providing greater transparency into energy use trends across regions and building types, users will be better equipped to target investment, shape policy, and unlock the untapped savings potential of more than 6 million buildings across the nation.”

With the Portfolio Manager Data Explorer, users can quickly understand how the energy use of buildings in Portfolio Manager varies based on the type of building, where it is located, its size, and a variety of key metrics. Building owners and managers can access more granular comparative metrics to see how their buildings perform against similar buildings in their area, and policymakers can view and download energy use metrics at the local and state level to refine building performance policies. 

Data in the Portfolio Manager Data Explorer comes from EPA’s ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager, an online energy measurement and tracking tool that serves as a trusted platform for building owners and managers, energy service and product providers, and building performance policies across the nation. EPA conducted a rigorous process to clean the data, with the final dataset for each year including over 150,000 U.S. properties of all types. To ensure privacy, searching for an individual property is not possible and a query must return six or more properties to show aggregated results.

Access the tool and user guide.

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 rely on their partnership with EPA to deliver cost-saving energy efficiency solutions. Since 1992, ENERGY STAR and its partners helped American families and businesses avoid more than $500 billion in energy costs and achieve more than 4 billion metric tons of greenhouse gas reductions. More background information about ENERGY STAR’s impacts.

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Biden-Harris Administration Announces $2.5 Million for Environmental Justice Projects in Communities Across Michigan as Part of Investing in America Agenda

Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced $2.5 million to fund three projects in Michigan that advance environmental justice as part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda. The cities of Ann Arbor and Flint and the non-profit One Love Global, which EPA has selected through its Environmental Justice Collaborative Problem Solving Cooperative Agreement and Environmental Justice Government-to-Government programs, will use the funds to ensure disadvantaged communities that have historically suffered from underinvestment have access to clean air and water and climate resilience solutions in alignment with the Biden-Harris administration’s Justice40 Initiative. 

Thanks to President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act—the largest climate investment in U.S. history—this funding is a part the largest investment ever announced under these two longstanding EPA programs. This is the first in a series of environmental justice grant announcements the agency will announce before the end of the year.

“No President has invested more in environmental justice than President Biden, and under his leadership we’re removing longstanding barriers and meaningfully collaborating with communities to build a healthier future for all,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “Together, these community-driven projects will improve the health, equity, and resilience of communities while setting a blueprint for local solutions that can be applied across the nation.”

“Today’s historic announcement is one part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to ensuring all Americans have equal access to clean and safe communities," said EPA Region 5 Administrator Debra Shore. "Thanks to these transformative investments, EPA is empowering overburdened communities to address environmental or public health issues in their communities.”

“For far too long, marginalized communities across Michigan and the United States have been disproportionately impacted by environmental and public health policy,” said Sen. Gary Peters. “Thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act, which I helped pass into law, residents of Ann Arbor, Flint and Detroit will receive the resources they need to ensure their communities are equitably protected from environmental hazards.”

 “For too long, older, industrial communities like Flint have disproportionately been affected by pollution and lack of clean drinking water,” said Rep. Dan Kildee. “In Congress, I am proud to have secured new federal funding to fight climate change and ensure clean air and drinking water for all Michiganders, regardless of their zip code.”

“Michigan is leading the nation in taking strong action to combat the climate crisis,” said Rep. Debbie Dingell. “I’m proud of Ann Arbor’s commitment to environmental justice and prioritizing historically underrepresented communities as we transition to a clean energy future. I look forward to continuing to work closely with Mayors Taylor and Brown, Supervisor Hathaway, and all county and township leadership, along with the many different groups, nonprofits, the University of Michigan, and all the other organizations committed to this effort.”

"It's incredibly uplifting to see One Love Global receive close to $500,000 for their important work right here in Michigan's 13th District,” said Rep. Shri Thanedar. “This grant will directly benefit our Black and Brown youth, giving them the tools to advance water equity and public health. I'm proud to represent a community that champions such crucial initiatives, and I'll continue to support and amplify efforts that bring positive change to our district."

The grants announced today deliver on President Biden’s commitment to advance equity and justice throughout the United States. The two grant programs directly advance the President’s  Justice40 initiative to deliver 40 percent of the overall benefits of certain federal investments to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution.

The Environmental Justice Collaborative Problem Solving (EJCPS) Program

EPA’s EJCPS program provides financial assistance to eligible organizations working to address local environmental or public health issues in their communities. The program builds upon President Biden’s Executive Orders 13985 and 14008, creating a designation of funds exclusively for small nonprofit organizations, which are defined as having 5 or fewer full-time employees, thus ensuring that grant resources reach organizations of lower capacity that historically struggle to receive federal funding. Eleven of the organizations selected for EJCPS this year are small nonprofit organizations, receiving over $1.6 million in total.

In Michigan, One Love Global has been selected to receive $500,000 for their project “Building Power among Black and Brown Youth for Water and Public Health Equity in Detroit.”

Environmental Justice Government-to-Government (EJG2G)

EPA’s EJG2G program provides funding at the state, local, territorial, and Tribal level to support government activities in partnership with community-based organizations that lead to measurable environmental or public health impacts in communities disproportionately burdened by environmental harms.

In Michigan, the city of Ann Arbor has been selected to receive $1 million to create a regional climate resilience network.

The city of Flint has been selected to receive $1 million to create a community engagement process for the Flint Climate Change and Resiliency Plan.

Additional Background:  

From day one of his administration, President Biden has made achieving environmental justice a top priority. And in August 2022, Congress passed, and President Biden signed, the Inflation Reduction Act into law, creating the largest investment in environmental and climate justice in U.S. history. EPA received $3 billion in appropriations to provide grants and technical assistance for activities advancing environmental and climate justice.

Under the Inflation Reduction Act, EPA has launched and expanded innovative programs to provide more support than ever before to communities that unjustly bear the burdens of environmental harm and pollution. This includes the $177 million for the creation of 16 Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Centers (EJ TCTACs) to remove barriers to federal resources and help communities pursue funding opportunities like those made available through President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda. EPA has also launched and will award funds through the $550 million  Thriving Communities Grantmaking Program before the end of 2023.

 To learn more about environmental justice at EPA, visit our website.

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Biden-Harris Administration Announces Nearly $3.2 Million for Environmental Justice Projects in Communities Across Maryland as Part of Investing in America Agenda

Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced nearly $3.2 million to fund 5 projects in Maryland that advance environmental justice as part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda. The organizations, which EPA has selected through its Environmental Justice Collaborative Problem Solving Cooperative Agreement and Environmental Justice Government-to-Government programs, will use the funds to ensure disadvantaged communities that have historically suffered from underinvestment have access to clean air and water and climate resilience solutions in alignment with the Biden-Harris administration’s Justice40 Initiative. 

Thanks to President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act—the largest climate investment in U.S. history—this funding is a part the largest investment ever announced under these two longstanding EPA programs. This is the first in a series of environmental justice grant announcements the agency will announce before the end of the year.

“No President has invested more in environmental justice than President Biden, and under his leadership we’re removing longstanding barriers and meaningfully collaborating with communities to build a healthier future for all,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “Together, these community-driven projects will improve the health, equity, and resilience of communities while setting a blueprint for local solutions that can be applied across the nation.”

“This funding to Maryland is another example of how the Biden-Harris Administration is investing in our most vulnerable places and the governments that serve them,” said EPA Regional Administrator Adam Ortiz.  “Everyone deserves a future with clean water, climate resiliency, and most importantly – a government that has the best interest of its communities front of mind.”

“We know that decades of environmental racism have led to disproportionate health and economic burdens on Black, Brown, Indigenous communities in Maryland and nationwide,” said Senator Ben Cardin. “The Inflation Reduction Act made possible much of this historic investment in environmental and climate justice. These federal funds represent critical support for organizations across Maryland working to reverse the impacts of environmental racism in their communities, including smaller groups that often have difficulty accessing federal funding. This is an important step towards redressing historic injustice and supporting a healthier and more equitable Maryland.”

“Too many minority and low-income communities have been further marginalized by decades of pollution and harmed by the health hazards that come with it. We made sure that the Inflation Reduction Act would begin righting these wrongs. These investments will bolster community-based organizations’ efforts to advance equity, create jobs, and tackle longstanding pollution in historically underserved Maryland communities,” said Senator Chris Van Hollen. 

"Every Marylander – and every American – deserves to drink safe water, breathe clean air, and live in a healthy environment," said Congressman Steny Hoyer (MD-5). "After bringing the Inflation Reduction Act to the House Floor as Majority Leader last Congress, I am now working as Chair of the Regional Leadership Council to ensure the law's historic environmental polices reach every community in America. We are coordinating with the Biden-Harris Administration and House Democrats to promote environmental justice in the underserved communities throughout our state and country that have long borne the brunt of the pollution and environmental devastation. I am pleased that Nanjemoy and Eagle Harbor, both located in my district, are among the many communities receiving the EPA's latest Environmental Justice Grants. We need to continue to tackle the climate crisis in the most effective and equitable manner possible, and I appreciate the EPA's leadership in that effort."

"For decades, communities – disproportionately communities of color – have been overburdened by pollution and other negative environmental impacts. That’s just not right, so I proudly voted for the Inflation Reduction Act to help end this pattern of injustice and make long overdue investments in Maryland communities,” said Congressman David Trone (MD-6). “These grants will go a long way in ensuring that everyone can grow up with access to clear air and water, which is far too often a privilege rather than a right. In Congress, I have fought and will always fight to protect our environment for generations to come. You have my word."

“With today’s announcement, we are again witnessing the Inflation Reduction Act come to fruition, right here in Baltimore City. This multifaceted federal investment will help our young people secure quality employment in the growing green jobs industry, while simultaneously protecting our water supply which is essential for all. These efforts mark undeniable wins for our City,” said Congressman Kweisi Mfume (MD-7). 

The grants announced today deliver on President Biden’s commitment to advance equity and justice throughout the United States. The two grant programs directly advance the President’s transformational Justice40 initiative to deliver 40 percent of the overall benefits of certain federal investments to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution.

The Environmental Justice Collaborative Problem Solving (EJCPS) Program

EPA’s EJCPS program provides financial assistance to eligible organizations working to address local environmental or public health issues in their communities. The program builds upon President Biden’s Executive Orders 13985 and 14008, creating a designation of funds exclusively for small nonprofit organizations, which are defined as having 5 or fewer full-time employees, thus ensuring that grant resources reach organizations of lower capacity that historically struggle to receive federal funding. Eleven of the organizations selected for EJCPS this year are small nonprofit organizations, receiving over $1.6 million in total.

EPA EJCPS grant selections in Maryland include the following:

• Ridge to Reefs in Eagle Harbor, MD has been selected to receive $370,775 to address legacy air and water pollution contamination impacts from the Chalk Point Generating Station, a formerly coal-fired power plant located adjacent to the community of Eagle Harbor, MD, the last historically African American waterfront community in the entire Chesapeake Bay.
   
• YESS! of Charles County, Inc. in Charles County, MD has been selected to receive $500,000 to support the historically underserved rural community of Nanjemoy in Southern Maryland and identify the environmental and public health issues facing the community.

Environmental Justice Government-to-Government (EJG2G)

EPA’s EJG2G provides funding at the state, local, territorial, and Tribal level to support government activities in partnership with community-based organizations that lead to measurable environmental or public health impacts in communities disproportionately burdened by environmental harms.

EPA EJG2G grant selections in Maryland include the following:

• The Maryland Department of the Environment has been selected to receive $1 million for work together to advance a multidimensional environmental justice initiative focused on empowering local community-based organizations in South Baltimore and Maryland’s Eastern Shore to further greening projects
   
• The Frederick County Government in Frederick, Maryland has been selected to receive $997,466 to provide these community-based organizations with program resources to build resilience, educate on air quality and climate, and engage community members.
   
• The City of Baltimore has been selected to receive $324,000 to continue and expand their successful YH2O program designed to provide green jobs training to the City’s youth and youth from the region where appropriate, related primarily to the provision of safe drinking water.

Additional Background:  

From day one of his administration, President Biden has made achieving environmental justice a top priority. And in August 2022, Congress passed, and President Biden signed, the Inflation Reduction Act into law, creating the largest investment in environmental and climate justice in U.S. history. EPA received $3 billion in appropriations to provide grants and technical assistance for activities advancing environmental and climate justice.

Under the Inflation Reduction Act, EPA has launched and expanded innovative programs to provide more support than ever before to communities that unjustly bear the burdens of environmental harm and pollution. This includes the $177 million for the creation of 16 Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Centers (EJ TCTACs) to remove barriers to federal resources and help communities pursue funding opportunities like those made available through President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda. EPA has also launched and will award funds through the $550 million  Thriving Communities Grantmaking Program before the end of 2023.

 To learn more about environmental justice at EPA, visit: https://www.epa.gov/environmentaljustice

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