Biden-Harris Administration announces over $28 million for Rhode Island lead pipe replacement to advance safe drinking water as part of Investing in America agenda

BOSTON (May 2, 2024) – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced $28,650,000 from President Biden's Investing in America agenda to help Rhode Island identify and replace lead service lines, preventing exposure to lead in drinking water. Lead can cause a range of serious health impacts, including irreversible harm to brain development in children. To protect children and families, President Biden has committed to replacing every lead pipe in the country. Today's announcement, funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and available through EPA's successful Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF), takes another major step to advance this work and the Administration's commitment to environmental justice. This funding builds on the Administration's Lead Pipe and Paint Action Plan and EPA's Get the Lead Out Initiative.

Working collaboratively, EPA and the State Revolving Funds are advancing the President's Justice40 Initiative to ensure that 40% of overall benefits from certain federal investments flow to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution. Lead exposure disproportionately affects communities of color and low-income families. The total funding announced through this program to date is expected to replace up to 1.7 million lead pipes nationwide, securing clean drinking water for countless families.

"The science is clear, there is no safe level of lead exposure, and the primary source of harmful exposure in drinking water is through lead pipes," said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. "President Biden understands it is critical to identify and remove lead pipes as quickly as possible, and he has secured significant resources for states and territories to accelerate the permanent removal of dangerous lead pipes once and for all."

"Our goal is simple, yet essential: to assure that everyone has clean, safe drinking water. That's why identifying and replacing lead service lines is crucial; it can protect our communities, especially the most vulnerable, from lead exposure," said EPA Regional Administrator David W. Cash. "New England has some of the oldest housing stock in the country, and no one—no matter where they live—should have to worry about lead in their drinking water and what comes out of the tap. This funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provides the much-needed resources to help deliver on that promise—to replace every lead pipe and ensure clean, safe drinking water for all."

"Replacing aging lead pipes is a serious public health priority for communities across the nation, including here in Rhode Island. This new wave of $28.65 million in federal funding for the Ocean State will put people to work safeguarding the health of our communities and ensuring safe drinking water for all," said U.S. Senator Jack Reed, a member of the Appropriations Committee who has championed initiatives to address lead hazards and eliminate childhood lead exposure.

"Our Bipartisan Infrastructure Law continues to deliver significant upgrades to Rhode Island's water infrastructure," said Senator Sheldon Whitehouse. "Lead poisoning is a completely preventable tragedy that can have lifelong effects on a child. As we replace old lead pipes and service lines, more families will have safe water from the tap and more kids will grow up healthy."

"Every Rhode Islander deserves access to clean drinking water, yet there are still thousands of households in our state that receive their water through lead service lines," said Rep. Seth Magaziner. "This federal funding will replace these dangerous lead pipes and upgrade our water infrastructure to protect the health and wellbeing of communities across Rhode Island."

"Toxic lead has no place in our water infrastructure," said Congressman Gabe Amo. "I'm proud Congressional Democrats passed the historic Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and that the Biden-Harris Administration has invested more than $85 million total to replace every lead pipe in Rhode Island. These are real dollars being put toward improving our communities. I will continue to work alongside my colleagues in Rhode Island and across the greater New England region who are committed to guaranteeing safe drinking water in every home and every community."

"All Rhode Islanders deserve access to drinking water that is healthy and safe," said Seema Dixit, the Deputy Director of the Rhode Island Department of Health. "A collaborative approach in which the Federal government, the State, and local water systems are all engaged is key to making this vision a reality. We look forward to helping families and communities in Rhode Island take advantage of this important opportunity."

President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law invests a historic $15 billion to identify and replace lead service lines. The law mandates that 49% of funds provided through the DWSRF General Supplemental Funding and DWSRF Lead Service Line Replacement Funding must be provided as grants and forgivable loans to disadvantaged communities, a crucial investment for communities that have been underinvested in for too long. EPA projects a national total of 9 million lead services lines across the country, based on data collected from the updated 7th Drinking Water Infrastructure Needs Survey and Assessment. The funding announced today will be provided specifically for lead service line identification and replacement and will help every state and territory fund projects to remove lead pipes and reduce exposure to lead from drinking water.

The Lead Service Line-specific formula used to allot these funds allows states to receive financial assistance commensurate with their need as soon as possible, furthering public health protection nationwide. The formula and allotments are based on need — meaning that states with more projected lead service lines receive proportionally more funding.

Alongside the funding announced today, EPA is also releasing a new memorandum that clarifies how states can use this and other funding to most effectively reduce exposure to lead in drinking water. Additionally, EPA has developed new outreach documents to help water systems educate their customers on drinking water issues, health impacts of lead exposure, service line ownership, and how customers can support the identification of potential lead service lines in their homes.

The Biden-Harris Administration's ambitious initiative to remove lead pipes has already delivered significant results for families across the nation. Today's latest funding will ensure more families benefit from these unprecedented resources, and support projects like these:

• The City of Providence has received $12,887,000 through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to replace lead service lines within the Providence Water distribution area.
• The City of East Providence has received $100,000 through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to identify and replace lead service lines as the City installs new water meters throughout their service area.

To view more stories about how the unpreceded investments from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law are transforming communities across the country, visit EPA's Investing in America's Water Infrastructure Story Map. To read more about some additional projects that are underway, see EPA's recently released Quarterly Report on Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Funded Clean Water and Drinking Water SRF projects and explore the State Revolving Funds Public Portal.

Today's allotments are based on EPA's updated 7th Drinking Water Infrastructure Needs Survey and Assessment (DWINSA) including an assessment of newly submitted information. To date, this is the best available data collected and assessed on service line materials in the United States. Later this summer, EPA will release an addendum to the 7th DWINSA Report to Congress which will include the updated lead service line projections. EPA anticipates initiating data collection, which will include information on lead service lines, for the 8th DWINSA in 2025.

For more information, including state-by-state allotment of 2024 funding, and a breakdown of EPA's lead Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, please visit EPA's Drinking Water website.

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Biden-Harris Administration announces over $28 million for Maine lead pipe replacement to advance safe drinking water as part of Investing in America agenda

BOSTON (May 2, 2024) – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced $28,650,000 from President Biden's Investing in America agenda to help Maine identify and replace lead service lines, preventing exposure to lead in drinking water. Lead can cause a range of serious health impacts, including irreversible harm to brain development in children. To protect children and families, President Biden has committed to replacing every lead pipe in the country. Today's announcement, funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and available through EPA's successful Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF), takes another major step to advance this work and the Administration's commitment to environmental justice. This funding builds on the Administration's Lead Pipe and Paint Action Plan and EPA's Get the Lead Out Initiative.

Working collaboratively, EPA and the State Revolving Funds are advancing the President's Justice40 Initiative to ensure that 40% of overall benefits from certain federal investments flow to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution. Lead exposure disproportionately affects communities of color and low-income families. The total funding announced through this program to date is expected to replace up to 1.7 million lead pipes nationwide, securing clean drinking water for countless families.

"The science is clear, there is no safe level of lead exposure, and the primary source of harmful exposure in drinking water is through lead pipes," said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. "President Biden understands it is critical to identify and remove lead pipes as quickly as possible, and he has secured significant resources for states and territories to accelerate the permanent removal of dangerous lead pipes once and for all."

"Our goal is simple, yet essential: to assure that everyone has clean, safe drinking water. That's why identifying and replacing lead service lines is crucial; it can protect our communities, especially the most vulnerable, from lead exposure," said EPA Regional Administrator David W. Cash. "New England has some of the oldest housing stock in the country, and no one—no matter where they live—should have to worry about lead in their drinking water and what comes out of the tap. This funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provides the much-needed resources to help deliver on that promise—to replace every lead pipe and ensure clean, safe drinking water for all."

"We know there is no safe level of lead consumption, especially for children. And while Maine was decades ahead of the nation on banning lead pipes and plumbing fixtures, thousands of lead service lines are still in use across the state," said Senator Angus King (I-Maine) and Representatives Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) and Jared Golden (D-Maine). "Thanks to the landmark Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, this $28 million federal investment will help identify and replace remaining lead pipes across Maine so we can eradicate this known health threat for good. We're proud to see this historic law continue to deliver for Maine people."

"The Maine CDC remains committed to assisting Public Water Systems with identifying and replacing any lead service lines that may still be present across the State," said Dr. Puthiery Va, Director of the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention. "The U.S. EPA funding is available to Public Water Systems in Maine to support that important work."

President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law invests a historic $15 billion to identify and replace lead service lines. The law mandates that 49% of funds provided through the DWSRF General Supplemental Funding and DWSRF Lead Service Line Replacement Funding must be provided as grants and forgivable loans to disadvantaged communities, a crucial investment for communities that have been underinvested in for too long. EPA projects a national total of 9 million lead services lines across the country, based on data collected from the updated 7th Drinking Water Infrastructure Needs Survey and Assessment. The funding announced today will be provided specifically for lead service line identification and replacement and will help every state and territory fund projects to remove lead pipes and reduce exposure to lead from drinking water.

The Lead Service Line-specific formula used to allot these funds allows states to receive financial assistance commensurate with their need as soon as possible, furthering public health protection nationwide. The formula and allotments are based on need — meaning that states with more projected lead service lines receive proportionally more funding.

Alongside the funding announced today, EPA is also releasing a new memorandum that clarifies how states can use this and other funding to most effectively reduce exposure to lead in drinking water. Additionally, EPA has developed new outreach documents to help water systems educate their customers on drinking water issues, health impacts of lead exposure, service line ownership, and how customers can support the identification of potential lead service lines in their homes.

The Biden-Harris Administration's ambitious initiative to remove lead pipes has already delivered significant results for families across the nation. Today's latest funding will ensure more families benefit from these unprecedented resources, and support projects like these:

• The Greater Augusta Utilities District has received $1,000,000 through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for Lead Service Line Inventories including the purchase of a vacuum truck and trailer.
• The Stonington Water Company has received $65,000 through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for service line inspection and replacement associated with a transmission line replacement.
• The Presque Isle Utilities District has received $479,596 through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for Vacuum truck purchasing for Lead Service Line inventory and replacement.

To view more stories about how the unpreceded investments from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law are transforming communities across the country, visit EPA's Investing in America's Water Infrastructure Story Map. To read more about some additional projects that are underway, see EPA's recently released Quarterly Report on Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Funded Clean Water and Drinking Water SRF projects and explore the State Revolving Funds Public Portal.
Today's allotments are based on EPA's updated 7th Drinking Water Infrastructure Needs Survey and Assessment (DWINSA) including an assessment of newly submitted information. To date, this is the best available data collected and assessed on service line materials in the United States. Later this summer, EPA will release an addendum to the 7th DWINSA Report to Congress which will include the updated lead service line projections. EPA anticipates initiating data collection, which will include information on lead service lines, for the 8th DWINSA in 2025.

For more information, including state-by-state allotment of 2024 funding, and a breakdown of EPA's lead Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, please visit EPA's Drinking Water website.

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Biden-Harris Administration announces over $50 million for Massachusetts lead pipe replacement to advance safe drinking water as part of Investing in America agenda

BOSTON (May 2, 2024) – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced $50,095,000 from President Biden's Investing in America agenda to help Massachusetts identify and replace lead service lines, preventing exposure to lead in drinking water. Lead can cause a range of serious health impacts, including irreversible harm to brain development in children. To protect children and families, President Biden has committed to replacing every lead pipe in the country. Today's announcement, funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and available through EPA's successful Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF), takes another major step to advance this work and the Administration's commitment to environmental justice. This funding builds on the Administration's Lead Pipe and Paint Action Plan and EPA's Get the Lead Out Initiative.

Working collaboratively, EPA and the State Revolving Funds are advancing the President's Justice40 Initiative to ensure that 40% of overall benefits from certain federal investments flow to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution. Lead exposure disproportionately affects communities of color and low-income families. The total funding announced through this program to date is expected to replace up to 1.7 million lead pipes nationwide, securing clean drinking water for countless families.

"The science is clear, there is no safe level of lead exposure, and the primary source of harmful exposure in drinking water is through lead pipes," said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. "President Biden understands it is critical to identify and remove lead pipes as quickly as possible, and he has secured significant resources for states and territories to accelerate the permanent removal of dangerous lead pipes once and for all."

"Our goal is simple, yet essential: to assure that everyone has clean, safe drinking water. That's why identifying and replacing lead service lines is crucial; it can protect our communities, especially the most vulnerable, from lead exposure," said EPA Regional Administrator David W. Cash. "New England has some of the oldest housing stock in the country, and no one—no matter where they live—should have to worry about lead in their drinking water and what comes out of the tap. This funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provides the much-needed resources to help deliver on that promise—to replace every lead pipe and ensure clean, safe drinking water for all."

"Our Commonwealth has a high lead service line burden due to the age of our housing stock, and we know lead exposure is an environmental justice issue, as it disproportionately affects Black, Brown, and Indigenous communities," said Senator Edward J. Markey. "Massachusetts is receiving $50 million in federal investment thanks to the landmark Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, but we know much more is needed to identify and replace all remaining lead pipes across the Commonwealth to ensure public health safety. We will keep fighting to secure Massachusetts' fair share from the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund allocations."

"Every family deserves access to clean drinking water, yet dangerous lead pipes can still be found in homes across America — including right here in Massachusetts' Fifth District," said Democratic Whip Katherine Clark. "The health and safety of our communities should transcend partisan politics. Under President Biden's leadership, we're putting that principle into action. I'm proud to have helped secure this lifesaving investment in our Commonwealth's drinking water, and I will continue fighting until every kitchen faucet runs clean and clear."

"Next time you turn on the tap, remember that President Biden and House Democrats passed a bipartisan bill delivering billions of dollars in infrastructure funding to our communities to make sure that the water that comes out of the faucet is some of the safest, cleanest drinking water on Earth," said Congressman McGovern. "Thank you to EPA Administrator Michael Regan for using this funding to replace lead pipes in Massachusetts with better, safer alternatives that deliver cleaner, lead-free drinking water to every household."

"No community should have to face the serious health risks of lead exposure. I am thrilled to see Massachusetts will be receiving over $50 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund as part of the national effort to remove all lead pipes in the U.S. This move isn't just an infrastructure upgrade, it is an investment in providing safer and more equitable water access across the Commonwealth and for future generations of Americans," said Congressman Seth Moulton.

"Every family deserves access to safe, lead-free drinking water, and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is helping make that a reality for Massachusetts families," said Congresswoman Lori Trahan. "This federal investment will help complete long overdue lead pipe replacements across the Commonwealth, putting the health and wellbeing of families first."

President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law invests a historic $15 billion to identify and replace lead service lines. The law mandates that 49% of funds provided through the DWSRF General Supplemental Funding and DWSRF Lead Service Line Replacement Funding must be provided as grants and forgivable loans to disadvantaged communities, a crucial investment for communities that have been underinvested in for too long. EPA projects a national total of 9 million lead services lines across the country, based on data collected from the updated 7th Drinking Water Infrastructure Needs Survey and Assessment. The funding announced today will be provided specifically for lead service line identification and replacement and will help every state and territory fund projects to remove lead pipes and reduce exposure to lead from drinking water.

The Lead Service Line-specific formula used to allot these funds allows states to receive financial assistance commensurate with their need as soon as possible, furthering public health protection nationwide. The formula and allotments are based on need — meaning that states with more projected lead service lines receive proportionally more funding.

Alongside the funding announced today, EPA is also releasing a new memorandum that clarifies how states can use this and other funding to most effectively reduce exposure to lead in drinking water. Additionally, EPA has developed new outreach documents to help water systems educate their customers on drinking water issues, health impacts of lead exposure, service line ownership, and how customers can support the identification of potential lead service lines in their homes.

The Biden-Harris Administration's ambitious initiative to remove lead pipes has already delivered significant results for families across the nation. Today's latest funding will ensure more families benefit from these unprecedented resources, and support projects like these:

• Boston Water and Sewer Commission received $4,698,888 through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, including $1,879,555 in additional subsidy, to eliminate lead water services in both the public way and private property.
• The Fall River Water Department has received $4,150,000 through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, including $2,400,778 in additional subsidy, to replace 107 partial lead service lines in public-right-of-way and the public right-of-way of 533 of existing full lead service lines.
• The Methuen Water Department received $870,000 through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to develop an inventory of water service lines to identify any lead service lines that would need replacement.

To view more stories about how the unpreceded investments from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law are transforming communities across the country, visit EPA's Investing in America's Water Infrastructure Story Map. To read more about some additional projects that are underway, see EPA's recently released Quarterly Report on Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Funded Clean Water and Drinking Water SRF projects and explore the State Revolving Funds Public Portal.

Today's allotments are based on EPA's updated 7th Drinking Water Infrastructure Needs Survey and Assessment (DWINSA) including an assessment of newly submitted information. To date, this is the best available data collected and assessed on service line materials in the United States. Later this summer, EPA will release an addendum to the 7th DWINSA Report to Congress which will include the updated lead service line projections. EPA anticipates initiating data collection, which will include information on lead service lines, for the 8th DWINSA in 2025.

For more information, including state-by-state allotment of 2024 funding, and a breakdown of EPA's lead Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, please visit EPA's Drinking Water website.

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Biden-Harris Administration Announces $3 Billion for Lead Pipe Replacement to Advance Safe Drinking Water as Part of Investing in America Agenda

WASHINGTON – Today, May 2, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced $3 billion from President Biden’s Investing in America agenda to help every state and territory identify and replace lead service lines, preventing exposure to lead in drinking water. Lead can cause a range of serious health impacts, including irreversible harm to brain development in children. To protect children and families, President Biden has committed to replacing every lead pipe in the country. Today’s announcement, funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and available through EPA’s successful Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF), takes another major step to advance this work and the Administration’s commitment to environmental justice. This funding builds on the Administration’s Lead Pipe and Paint Action Plan and EPA’s Get the Lead Out Initiative.

Working collaboratively, EPA and the State Revolving Funds are advancing the President’s Justice40 Initiative to ensure that 40% of overall benefits from certain federal investments flow to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution. Lead exposure disproportionately affects communities of color and low-income families. The $9 billion in total funding announced to date through EPA’s Lead Service Line Replacement Drinking Water State Revolving Fund program is expected to replace up to 1.7 million lead pipes nationwide, securing clean drinking water for countless families.

“The science is clear, there is no safe level of lead exposure, and the primary source of harmful exposure in drinking water is through lead pipes,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “President Biden understands it is critical to identify and remove lead pipes as quickly as possible, and he has secured significant resources for states and territories to accelerate the permanent removal of dangerous lead pipes once and for all.”

President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law invests a historic $15 billion to identify and replace lead service lines. The law mandates that 49% of funds provided through the DWSRF General Supplemental Funding and DWSRF Lead Service Line Replacement Funding must be provided as grants and forgivable loans to disadvantaged communities, a crucial investment for communities that have been underinvested in for too long. EPA projects a national total of 9 million lead services lines across the country, based on data collected from the updated 7th Drinking Water Infrastructure Needs Survey and Assessment. The funding announced today will be provided specifically for lead service line identification and replacement and will help every state and territory fund projects to remove lead pipes and reduce exposure to lead from drinking water.

The Lead Service Line-specific formula used to allot these funds allows states to receive financial assistance commensurate with their need as soon as possible, furthering public health protection nationwide. The formula and allotments are based on need — meaning that states with more projected lead service lines receive proportionally more funding.

Alongside the funding announced today, EPA is also releasing a new memorandum that clarifies how states can use this and other funding to most effectively reduce exposure to lead in drinking water. Additionally, EPA has developed new outreach documents to help water systems educate their customers on drinking water issues, health impacts of lead exposure, service line ownership, and how customers can support the identification of potential lead service lines in their homes.

The Biden-Harris Administration’s ambitious initiative to remove lead pipes has already delivered significant results for families across the nation. Today’s latest funding will ensure more families benefit from these unprecedented resources, and support projects like these:

• West View Water Authority in Pennsylvania has received $8 million through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to replace 750 lead service lines in underserved areas of the community — primarily in Allegheny County. Of that funding, more than $5.4 million is forgivable, reducing the overall financial burden on ratepayers and the community.
• In Tucson, Arizona, the city received $6.95 million in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funds to develop lead service line inventories for their nine public water systems. The city will use this inventory to develop a plan to replace lead service lines in the community and improve drinking water quality for residents — many of whom live in low-income and disadvantaged communities.
• Located in between Chicago and Milwaukee, the community of Kenosha, Wisconsin has been at the forefront of the state’s efforts to remove 5,000 lead service lines in their community. To accelerate lead service line removal, Kenosha is working with EPA’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law-funded Water TA team to help customers self-inventory their service line material and apply for federal funding to remove and replace lead service lines.
• The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, located across western North Carolina, has been selected to received support from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s lead service line replacement funds to conduct service line inventories and prepare preliminary engineering reports for five of the public water systems on their land.

To view more stories about how the unpreceded investments from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law are transforming communities across the country, visit EPA’s Investing in America’s Water Infrastructure Story Map. To read more about some additional projects that are underway, see EPA’s recently released Quarterly Report on Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Funded Clean Water and Drinking Water SRF projects and explore the State Revolving Funds Public Portal.  

Today’s allotments are based on EPA’s updated 7th Drinking Water Infrastructure Needs Survey and Assessment (DWINSA) including an assessment of newly submitted information. To date, this is the best available data collected and assessed on service line materials in the United States. Later this summer, EPA will release an addendum to the 7th DWINSA Report to Congress which will include the updated lead service line projections. EPA anticipates initiating data collection, which will include information on lead service lines, for the 8th DWINSA in 2025.

For more information, including state-by-state allotment of 2024 funding, and a breakdown of EPA’s lead Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, please visit EPA’s Drinking Water website.

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EPA Issues Order to Gold Eagle Co. and West Marine Products Inc. to Stop the Sale of Unregistered Pesticide Product in Troy, Michigan

In April, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ordered Gold Eagle Co. and West Marine Products Inc. to stop the sale of “303 2-in-1 Mold & Mildew Cleaner + Blocker” distributed by Chicago company Gold Eagle and sold at West Marine’s retail location in Troy, Michigan. The order will prevent the illegal distribution and sale of this unregistered pesticide product by both companies at their respective retail locations and websites. 

The product, “303 2-in-1 Mold & Mildew Cleaner + Blocker,” is a mold and mildew remover also marketed to prevent mold and mildew from returning. Under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act, products that claim to kill, destroy, prevent, or repel pests, which include mold and mildew, are pesticides. All pesticides distributed or sold in the United States are required to be registered by the EPA to ensure the products perform as intended and will not harm people, non-target species, or the environment when used as directed. Mold and mildew are pests of public health concern and exposure can lead to health effects like coughs, allergies, or asthma. Consumers who rely on ineffective or unregistered products to remove mold and mildew may face an increased risk of exposure.

The EPA will be in contact with Gold Eagle and West Marine to determine next steps.

For more information on the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act, visit the EPA’s website.

For more information about the EPA’s enforcement program, visit the EPA’s website.

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EPA Partners with Energy Communities to Support Community-Driven Energy Transition and Economic Revitalization Goals

WASHINGTON – Today, May 1, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced two communities will receive technical assistance through the Energy Communities Technical Assistance Pilot program. EPA and recipient communities will work together to develop implementable action plans that promote environmental and economic revitalization as part of their energy sector transformation.

“The Inflation Reduction Act provides historic incentives to increase the supply of low-carbon and renewable energy generation for the national electric grid, and many energy communities can benefit from this complementary support to plan for and develop diversified economies,” said Vicki Arroyo, EPA Associate Administrator for Policy. “Our Energy Communities pilot is delivering assistance to communities to help make their vision a reality.”

Since 2021, EPA’s Office of Policy has played a leading role in the implementation of work conducted by the Interagency Working Group on Coal and Power Plant Communities and Economic Revitalization in coal-impacted communities, supporting Rapid Response Teams in six regions of the country.

The technical assistance will enhance community planning capacity to respond to urgent needs related to the energy transition, including leveraging private sector and philanthropic funding assistance, cleaning up and redeveloping abandoned power plant and mining areas, expanding community economic revitalization opportunities, together with workforce transition, and improving overall quality of life. The project will help communities develop the necessary planning to:

• Safely and equitably reuse and redevelop sites after coal mine and power plant closures.
• Boost opportunities for workforce development, training and apprenticeships.
• Improve partnerships between local and tribal governments, organizations, residents and the private sector to ensure local investments in clean energy and manufacturing are aligned with the community’s energy transition goals.

As part of the technical assistance, EPA staff will support projects in two communities, including convening federal, state, regional and local partners, and provide contractor support, for two-day in-person workshops. After holding two workshops and having conversations with all the Rapid Response Teams, EPA will develop a playbook for use by any energy community during transition planning and implementation. The playbook will identify initial steps that communities can take to plan their energy sector transition and economic diversification to create a more resilient and robust local economy.

Recipients of the Energy Communities Technical Assistance Pilot

Webster County, KY will use the Energy Communities Pilot to empower its community to identify and leverage resources and partnerships to encourage new and diverse economic opportunities. Webster County is still experiencing the economic effects of its last mine closure in 2019 and is home to extensive abandoned mine land which the community would like to see rehabilitated and put to alternative uses.

“Our community has taken several strides toward revitalization and through the Energy Communities Pilot, we’re hoping to take steps toward giving current residents and future generations reason to stay in Webster County and have choices for a thriving economic future,” said Steve Henry, Webster County Judge Executive.

The Hopi Tribe had an economy centered around coal-related operations but the closure of the Navajo Generating Station in 2019 led to significant job and revenue loss. The Hopi Utilities Corporation was chartered by the Hopi Tribal Council in 2017 to address energy and water issues on the Reservation. The community intends to use the Energy Communities Pilot process to focus on key projects in alignment with its goals of enhancing energy sovereignty and improving energy access and reliability.

“We are rewriting Hopi Tribe’s energy story,” said Timothy Nuvangyaoma, Hopi Tribal Chairman. “The technical assistance resources provided by the program will help the Hopi Utilities Corporation engage our community and partners in workshops to make progress on leveraging the Tribe’s strengthened internal capacity, workforce and modern infrastructure to spark economic development and environmental and energy security.”

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EPA Marks Asthma Awareness Month and Honors National Leader in the Fight Against Asthma Disparities

WASHINGTON – Every year in May, EPA marks Asthma Awareness Month to raise national awareness of asthma and to highlight leading programs across the nation that serve as models for delivering outstanding improvements in asthma care and quality of life for people with asthma.

“Growing up with respiratory challenges in North Carolina, I know all too well the struggle that millions of Americans suffer daily. Asthma is a public health issue, an economic issue, and an environmental issue that impacts the entire country, especially low-income and minority communities,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “That’s why EPA is taking action to slash harmful pollution and raise awareness of the tools available for communities to manage asthma, control symptoms, and improve health.”

Asthma is a major public health issue that affects more than 25 million Americans, including four million children, and disproportionately affects certain racial and ethnic groups. The estimated economic impact of asthma is more than $80 billion per year from direct and indirect costs, such as missed school and workdays.

Fortunately, there are steps people can take as part of a comprehensive approach to manage their asthma, control symptoms, and improve health. These include following a personalized action plan to help manage asthma and avoiding triggers that can exacerbate symptoms.

EPA is taking action to reduce the pollution that causes asthma attacks while more communities, with EPA support, deploy approaches to improve the lives of people with asthma, especially in minority and low-income communities. 

People can control asthma symptoms and improve health with three straightforward strategies:

1. Identify and avoid indoor environmental asthma triggers. Dust mites, secondhand smoke, mold, pests, pet dander and other allergens and contaminants in homes, schools and other indoor spaces can trigger asthma attacks. Work with your health care provider to identify and avoid your personal indoor asthma triggers. 
2. Pay attention to outdoor air quality. Ozone and particle pollution can cause or worsen asthma attacks, even indoors. Check local air quality conditions at AirNow.gov and download the EPA AirNow app for your phone. 
3. Create a personalized asthma action plan. This will help you monitor your or your child’s asthma and take steps to reduce exposure to personal asthma triggers. Ask a health care provider to assist you in creating a plan. 

During Asthma Awareness Month, EPA recognizes leading asthma management programs for their in-home interventions through the National Environmental Leadership Award in Asthma Management. The 2024 winner is the Maine Asthma Prevention and Control Program. 

Maine’s program provides leadership and coordination for asthma care and service delivery statewide. One of MAPC’s initiatives is the In-Home Asthma Education Program, an innovative, home-based asthma program for adults, children and caregivers who, despite adequate medical management, have asthma that was not well controlled. The program connects those most in need with environmental asthma remediation tools and community resources through health educators who are highly attuned to the disparities that exist in asthma management. 

EPA works year-round to promote understanding of asthma triggers, as a part of comprehensive asthma management, through research, education and outreach. With support from EPA, more communities are deploying approaches to improve the lives of people with asthma, especially in minority and low-income communities. A focus of EPA’s work to reduce the scope of asthma is addressing the Indoor Environmental Determinants of Health. IEDOH are modifiable environmental factors indoors — such as household air pollution, the presence of pests, mold and moisture, chemicals and irritants — that influence risk and experience of chronic diseases, like asthma.

In addition to EPA’s work in raising asthma awareness, EPA is taking action to reduce the pollution that causes asthma attacks. In recent months, EPA has finalized strengthened pollution standards for cars, trucks, and power plants — as well as stronger air quality standards for particulate matter — that once fully implemented, are anticipated to prevent tens of thousands of cases of asthma each year and avoid millions of lost days of school and work due to asthma symptoms.  

With funding from President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda, EPA is also working to improve the lives of millions of Americans by reducing pollution in neighborhoods where people live, work, play, and go to school. EPA is providing billions of dollars through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act to help schools and communities purchase clean school buses and clean heavy-duty vehicles that will reduce the air pollution from older diesel engines that is linked to asthma. Phasing out these older diesel engines, which disproportionally affect communities of color and Tribal communities, will ensure cleaner air for students and communities near these transportation routes. In addition, projects developed under the Inflation Reduction Act’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund and the Climate Pollution Reduction Grants Program are expected to fund projects that will provide even more clean-air benefits.

Throughout May, EPA will release content on social media and its asthma website to provide additional tips and guidance to improve well-being. 

Learn more about asthma and environmental triggers and read about the 2024 National Environmental Leadership Award winner.

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EPA to host public forum in Africatown, Alabama to discuss environmental and health challenges, solutions

Mobile, Ala. (April 30, 2024) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and local stakeholders will host a public forum on Saturday focused on advancing environmental justice and revitalizing Africatown, Alabama. The meeting is open to Africatown residents, non-profit organizations, local and state government, academia, churches, business owners and others.

Participants will have the opportunity to discuss community environmental concerns, including public health and air quality issues, and also learn about federal, state and local ideas to respond to the concerns raised. Pre-registration is encouraged (see link below).

WHO:             EPA and local Africatown partners

WHAT:            Africatown Community Conversation

WHEN:            Saturday, May 4, 2024, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. CST

WHERE:         Robert Hope Community Center, 850 Edwards St, Mobile, AL

REGISTER:     https://app.mirialiti.net/surveys/ad93d0e3-9e2c-44a4-90eb-9dc0776c0422

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EPA Highlights Biden-Harris Administration’s New National Security Memorandum on Critical Infrastructure

WASHINGTON – Today, April 30, 2024, the White House issued a new National Security Memorandum (NSM) to secure and enhance the resilience of U.S. critical infrastructure. The NSM will replace a decade-old presidential policy document on critical infrastructure protection and launch a comprehensive effort to protect U.S. infrastructure against all threats and hazards, current and future.

“Cybersecurity and climate change threats pose serious risks to the drinking water and wastewater services that people in this country rely on every day, and recent cyber attacks on water systems underscore the urgency of increased and coordinated action to protect public health and the environment,” said EPA Deputy Administrator Janet McCabe. “The Biden-Harris Administration is leading a comprehensive effort to secure our nation’s critical infrastructure against all threats, and the efforts outlined in the new National Security Memorandum are vital to ensuring that EPA and other federal entities are taking the necessary steps to safeguard public health and our economy.”

The NSM will help ensure U.S. critical infrastructure can provide the nation a strong and innovative economy, protect American families, and enhance our collective resilience to disasters before they happen – strengthening the nation for generations to come. This NSM specifically clarifies the roles and responsibilities of the lead federal agencies identified to improve the resilience of our critical infrastructure sectors against all hazards. EPA is the official sector risk management agency with respect to the water sector. The NSM also implements a coordinated national approach to assess and manage sector-specific risks. 

Thanks to the President’s Investing in America agenda, as well as the emergence of new technologies, America has a historic opportunity to build for the future. Good investments require taking steps to manage risk, and for our water infrastructure, that means building in resilience to all hazards upfront and by-design. Through the President’s Investing in America agenda, the Biden-Harris Administration has announced nearly $50 billion to modernize the nation’s water infrastructure. These resources, including more than $23 billion in drinking water and clean water State Revolving Funds, can be used to support a broad range of approaches to build resilience to all hazards, including climate resilience and cybersecurity threats.

The nation faces an era of strategic competition where state actors will continue to target American critical infrastructure – and tolerate or enable malicious activity conducted by non-state actors. In the event of crisis or conflict, America’s adversaries may attempt to compromise our critical infrastructure to undermine the will of the American public and impede the projection of U.S. military power abroad. Resilience, particularly for our most sensitive assets and systems, is the cornerstone of homeland defense and security.

Further, the growing impact of climate change, including changes to the frequency and intensity of natural hazards, as well as supply chain shocks and the potential for instability, conflict, or mass displacement, places strain on the infrastructure that Americans depend upon to live and do business.

National Security Memorandum

2023 National Intelligence Strategy

EPA Cybersecurity for the Water Sector

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Biden-Harris Administration Finalizes Ban on Most Uses of Methylene Chloride, Protecting Workers and Communities from Fatal Exposure

WASHINGTON – Today, April 30, 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency finalized a ban on most uses of methylene chloride, a dangerous chemical known to cause liver cancer, lung cancer, breast cancer, brain cancer, cancer of the blood, and cancer of the central nervous system, as well as neurotoxicity, liver harm and even death. Ending most uses of methylene chloride will save lives and complements President Biden’s Cancer Moonshot, a whole-of-government initiative to end cancer as we know it.

EPA’s final action, also known as a risk management rule under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), will protect people from health risks while allowing key uses to continue safely with a robust new worker protection program. This is the second risk management rule to be finalized using the process created by the 2016 TSCA amendments.

“Exposure to methylene chloride has devastated families across this country for too long, including some who saw loved ones go to work and never come home,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “EPA’s final action brings an end to unsafe methylene chloride practices and implements the strongest worker protections possible for the few remaining industrial uses, ensuring no one in this country is put in harm’s way by this dangerous chemical.”

“The USW applauds EPA’s final rule banning certain uses of methylene chloride and lowering allowable workplace exposure levels. More than 100,000 workers die from occupational disease each year, including those sickened by harmful chemical exposures. Our union fought for the updated Toxic Substances Control Act so that we could ensure that worker exposures to harmful substances like methylene chloride are appropriately assessed and regulated at harmful levels. Now, thanks to the current administration, workers are safer and better protected,” said David McCall, International President, United Steelworkers.

“Today’s announcement to ban most commercial uses of the toxic chemical methylene chloride in paint strippers is a significant step to protect more workers from this deadly chemical,” said Sarah Vogel, Senior Vice President for Healthy Communities at Environmental Defense Fund. “We are honored to stand beside the Hartley family, who has bravely shared their story to encourage this long overdue action that will save lives.”

Methylene chloride is used by consumers for aerosol degreasing and paint and coating brush cleaners, in commercial applications such as adhesives and sealants, and in industrial settings for making other chemicals. For example, methylene chloride is used in the production of more climate-friendly refrigerant chemicals.

“My son, Kevin, died in 2017 from methylene chloride exposure from refinishing a bathtub at work. I am pleased that the EPA is finally taking action and banning methylene chloride as a commercial bathtub stripper. This is a huge step that will protect vulnerable workers,” said Wendy Hartley, mother of Kevin Hartley, who died from methylene chloride poisoning.

Since 1980, at least 88 people have died from acute exposure to methylene chloride, largely workers engaged in bathtub refinishing or other paint stripping, even, in some cases, while fully trained and equipped with personal protective equipment. While EPA banned one consumer use of methylene chloride in 2019, use of the chemical has remained widespread and continues to pose significant and sometimes fatal danger to workers. EPA’s final risk management rule requires companies to rapidly phase down manufacturing, processing and distribution of methylene chloride for all consumer uses and most industrial and commercial uses, including its use in home renovations. Consumer use will be phased out within a year, and most industrial and commercial uses will be prohibited within two years.

EPA’s methylene chloride rulemaking also establishes landmark worker protections under the nation’s premier chemical safety law. For a handful of highly industrialized uses, EPA has created a Workplace Chemical Protection Program. This workplace chemical protection program has strict exposure limits, monitoring requirements, and worker training and notification requirements that will protect workers from cancer and other adverse health effects caused by methylene chloride exposure.

Uses that will continue under the Workplace Chemical Protection Program are highly industrialized and important to national security and the economy. These are uses for which EPA received data and other information that shows workplace safety measures to fully address the unreasonable risk could be achieved. These uses include:

1. Use in the production of other chemicals, including refrigerant chemicals that are important in efforts to phase down climate-damaging hydrofluorocarbons under the bipartisan American Innovation and Manufacturing Act.
2. Production of battery separators for electric vehicles.
3. Use as a processing aid in a closed system.
4. Use as a laboratory chemical.
5. Use in plastic and rubber manufacturing, including polycarbonate production.
6. Use in solvent welding.

Additionally, specific uses of methylene chloride required by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the Department of Defense, and the Federal Aviation Administration will also continue with strict workplace controls because sufficient reductions in exposure are possible in these highly sophisticated environments, minimizing risks to workers. 

For uses of methylene chloride continuing under the Workplace Chemical Protection Program, most workplaces will have 18 months after the finalization of the risk management rule to comply with the program and would be required to periodically monitor their workplace to ensure that workers are not being exposed to levels of methylene chloride that would lead to an unreasonable risk. In consideration of public comments on the proposal, EPA extended the compliance timeframe to give workplaces ample time to put worker protections in place. EPA also revised several other aspects from the proposal including ensuring the Workplace Chemical Protection Program applies to the same uses whether they are federal or commercial uses, establishing a de minimis concentration, and provisions to strengthen and clarify aspects of the Workplace Chemical Protection Program such as monitoring requirements.

EPA will also host a public webinar to explain what is in the final rule and how it will be implemented. The agency will announce the date and time in the coming weeks.

For more information, please read the Risk Management for Methylene Chloride page.

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State of Washington, federal agencies agree on future of tank waste cleanup at Hanford Site

State of Washington, federal agencies agree on future of tank waste cleanup at Hanford Site

Proposed amendments to cleanup agreements to go out for 60-day public comment period May 30.

SEATTLE -- Today, the U.S. Department of Energy (USDOE), Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology), and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a landmark agreement that proposes a realistic and achievable course for cleaning up millions of gallons of radioactive and chemical waste from large, underground tanks at the Hanford Site.

Following voluntary, mediated negotiations that began in 2020, also known as Holistic Negotiations, the agencies have signed a settlement agreement and are proposing new and revised cleanup deadlines in the Tri-Party Agreement and Washington v. Granholm consent decree. The proposed changes uphold a shared commitment to the safe and effective cleanup of tank waste.

Highlights of the proposed modifications include the following:

• Maintaining existing timeframes for starting treatment of both low-activity and high-level waste by immobilizing it in glass via vitrification
• Using a direct-feed approach for immobilizing high-level waste in glass, similar to the Direct-Feed Low-Activity Waste Program
• Building a vault storage system and second effluent management facility to support treating high-level waste
• Retrieving waste from 22 tanks in Hanford’s 200 West Area by 2040, including grouting the low-activity portion of the waste for offsite disposal
• Designing and constructing 1-million gallons of additional capacity for multi-purpose storage of tank waste
• Evaluating and developing new technologies for retrieving waste from tanks

Under the settlement agreement, USDOE has also committed to refrain from applying its interpretation of what constitutes “high-level waste” when disposing of treated waste or closing tank systems at Hanford.

Proposed changes to the Tri-Party Agreement and consent decree will go out for a 60-day public comment period May 30. During the comment period, the three agencies will hold regional public meetings in Washington and Oregon. Detailed information on these meetings will be available when the comment period begins.

Changes to milestones and deadlines are not final until the public comment period is complete, a response to comments is issued, the federal district court accepts the proposed amendments to the consent decree, and the agencies implement the proposed revisions.

• Read the settlement agreement, proposed changes to the Tri-Party Agreement, and proposed changes to the Consent Decree

Statements from TPA agency leadership:

“We have alignment on a plan that lays out a realistic and achievable path forward for Hanford’s tank waste mission,” said Brian Vance, Hanford’s DOE manager of the River Protection and Richland Operations offices. “Our One Hanford team is ready to get down to the business of more fully conducting the tank waste mission resulting in benefits for the environment, the people of Washington state and the nation.”

“We’ve negotiated a durable framework that aligns our agencies and accelerates work while maintaining a robust and safe cleanup. The communities we all serve deserve no less,” said Ecology Director Laura Watson. “This agreement will get more tank waste retrieved, treated, and disposed of on schedule and gives us a roadmap for Hanford cleanup through 2040 and beyond.”

“The disposal of tank waste is a critical component of the complex, site-wide cleanup efforts at Hanford,” said EPA Region 10 Administrator Casey Sixkiller. “This agreement builds on decades of work and collaboration between the Department of Energy, State of Washington, and the EPA, and will guide the tank waste mission as it enters a new phase of operation. We encourage all impacted Tribes, community members, and other stakeholders to participate in the public review process.”

Background

Producing plutonium at the Hanford Site left a legacy of about 56 million gallons of radioactive and chemically hazardous waste stored in 177 underground tanks. USDOE is responsible for the Hanford Site and its cleanup. Ecology and EPA are regulatory agencies overseeing USDOE’s cleanup under the Tri-Party Agreement, a judicial consent decree, and various permits.

For background information on Hanford, visit USDOE’s Hanford website and Ecology’s website.

Media Contacts

• Ryan Miller, Washington Department of Ecology, Ryan.Miller@ecy.wa.gov, 509-537-2228
• Geoffrey Tyree, U.S. Department of Energy, Geoffrey.Tyree@rl.doe.gov, 509-308-4287
• Beth Clemons, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Clemons.Beth@epa.gov, 206-553-1193

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EPA salutes citizen scientists' water quality monitoring of the Merrimack

BOSTON (April 29, 2024) – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) joined safe water guardians along the banks of the Merrimack River to acknowledge their water quality protection efforts and share results of water sampling data collected by so many. Those who participated in the routine monthly water testing today included scientists, stewards, and students from Lawrence High School.

"Without good science, how can we protect human health and the environment? It's an extraordinary effort to collect water samples, take field measurements, and get the samples to EPA's North Chelmsford laboratory within six hours for accurate analysis, all under strict quality assurance protocols every month," said EPA Regional Administrator David W. Cash. "The collaborative efforts of all the volunteers and the Merrimack River Watershed Council are invaluable."

"We can't manage what we don't measure, and we can't treat what we don't know. That's why this citizen science water sampling effort will unlock the knowledge necessary to help safeguard the Merrimack River for decades to come. I thank all the volunteers, from students to stewards, for helping make Massachusetts a cleaner, healthier place," said Senator Ed Markey.

Merrimack River Watershed Council Executive Director Curt Rogers underscored the importance of their partnership with EPA, "We simply could not do our intensive water monitoring program without EPA's robust collaboration – from assisting in drafting the sampling protocols to running the lab analysis throughout the year. This sampling program identifies areas of high concern for pathogens,    such as E. coli and Enterococcus, which gives us a better understanding of the impacts on recreation and wildlife."

The Merrimack River and its watershed is one of New England's iconic waterways. The watershed is a recreational resource for nearly 200 communities and 2.6 million people and is the primary drinking water source for about 550,000 people in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. The vast two-state watershed covers 5,010 square miles and is home to a variety of sensitive species and habitats.

EPA created an interactive StoryMap that highlights maps and important themes such as flooding risk, water quality risks from developed land, and a new section on water quality monitoring resources for the Merrimack River Watershed.

EPA and partners have been working to improve the ease with which organizations large and small can store their water quality monitoring data in the Water Quality Portal by submitting data to EPA's Water Quality Exchange (WQX). Once there, data become accessible to scientists, government policy makers, and the public in a permanent archive. From the Portal, data can be integrated into a variety of viewers, data analytical tools, portals, and data assessment products.

For more information, visit: https://www.epa.gov/merrimackriver/water-quality-monitoring-resources-merrimack-river.

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EPA Issues Consent Order to MAX Environmental Technologies to Ensure Compliance with Hazardous Waste Rules at Yukon, PA, Facility

PHILADELPHIA (April 29, 2024) - Max Environmental Technologies, Inc. (MAX) has agreed to several actions to ensure compliance with federal and state hazardous waste safeguards at the company’s waste facility in Yukon, PA, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced today. 

MAX owns and operates a 160-acre facility, surrounded by agricultural and residential properties, about 30 miles southeast of Pittsburgh, PA in Westmoreland County. According to EPA, this site is an area with potential environmental justice concerns. MAX conducts waste operations under permits issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PA DEP) pursuant to the federal Clean Water Act (CWA) and the Resource Conservation Recovery Act (RCRA). RCRA is the principal federal hazardous waste storage and disposal statute.

Among the hazardous wastes at the MAX facility are wastewater treatment sludge, corrosives, arsenic, barium, cadmium, chromium, lead, selenium, silver, electric arc furnace dust, and waste acid/pickle liquor.  Waste management units include five closed impoundments, an active solid waste landfill, waste storage tanks and containers, hazardous waste treatment units, and a leachate management system that generates sludge from wastewater treatment.

EPA officials inspected the facility in March 20-24, 2023, to determine MAX’s compliance with environmental regulations, including the terms of its PA DEP-issued CWA and RCRA permits. According to EPA, its inspectors documented several RCRA permit violations, including but not limited to: (1) unlawful disposal of hazardous waste in the solid waste landfill at the facility, (2) failure to maintain a containment building, and (3) failure to keep the hazardous waste containers closed to prevent hazardous waste release.

The Consent Order announced today addresses RCRA and state hazardous waste requirements.  MAX has agreed to immediate measures to eliminate the potential release of solid and hazardous waste into the environment and to ensure that future ongoing operations do not cause or contribute to releases at the facility.   The RCRA consent order requirements include, but are not limited to:   

• Prohibition of disposal of untreated and treated hazardous waste in the facility’s landfill unless it has been reviewed and analyzed by a third-party auditor and unaffiliated PA DEP-accredited laboratory.  
• Retention of an EPA approved third party Professional Engineer to perform a structural evaluation and recommendations to repair or modify the containment and processing building and containment pads.
• Monitoring and sampling of residential wells adjacent to the facility.
• Monthly progress reports and meetings with EPA project managers to evaluate the compliance actions stated in the Consent Order 

EPA worked closely with PA DEP in investigating conditions and negotiating this consent order that addresses compliance with RCRA and state hazardous waste compliance.  EPA and PA DEP are currently reviewing MAX’s compliance with its CWA permit.  

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EPA Celebrates Earth Week and Agency Efforts to Prevent Plastic Pollution

WASHINGTON – Today, April 26, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is wrapping up Earth Week by highlighting the work the agency is doing to prevent plastic pollution. 

“Plastic waste is growing and so is the impact it has on public health and the environment,” said Cliff Villa, EPA Deputy Assistant Administrator for the Office of Land and Emergency Management. “This Earth Week, I challenge everyone to do their part to reduce plastic waste to protect our health and ensure that future generations can continue to enjoy a safe and healthy planet.”

Together, everyone can prevent plastic waste from entering the environment by reducing the waste they generate, reusing or recycling plastic products, and picking up littered materials. EPA strongly supports an innovative, equitable and circular approach to preventing plastic pollution from harming human health and the environment, particularly in already overburdened communities.

The agency’s Draft National Strategy to Prevent Plastic Pollution, together with the National Recycling Strategy, identifies actions that governments, businesses, industry, and nonprofits in the U.S. can take to:

• Reduce pollution from plastic production.
• Decrease plastic waste generation by encouraging reuse.
• Capture and remove plastics and other materials from the environment, including waterways and oceans.
• Expand markets for recycled goods.
• Improve materials management infrastructure and increase collection.
• Reduce contamination in the recycled materials stream.

Recently, the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provided the largest EPA investment in recycling in 30 years, supporting improvements to waste management systems and programs. Just this past year in September, EPA selected 25 communities to receive grants totaling more than $73 million under the newly created Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling funding opportunity. In addition, EPA made available about $32 million for states and territories to improve solid waste management planning, data collection and implementation of plans.

In November, the agency announced 59 selectees to receive over $60 million in SWIFR grants for Tribes and Intertribal Consortia and 25 selectees to receive over $33 million in Recycling Education and Outreach grants. These grants will expand recycling infrastructure and education for waste management systems across the country. EPA also created a Model Recycling Program Toolkit to help communities increase participation in recycling programs and reduce contamination in the recycling stream.

Everyday ways to combat plastic pollution

• Support policies and programs that aim to reduce plastic pollution.
• Purchase products that are designed to be easily reusable or recyclable.
• Participate in community recycling programs if they are available and learn which types of materials the local recycling program accepts.
• Pick up litter in the environment and make sure it can be collected for recycling or proper disposal.
• Reduce and reuse materials in everyday life. The most effective way to prevent plastic pollution is to not create plastic waste in the first place.

Additional Information on Plastic Waste

Plastic is one of the most prevalent materials in daily life—most people don’t go a single day without encountering plastic. And while it’s a valuable resource that can be put to so many uses (and reuses), it’s also a key contributor to pollution. EPA’s estimates show that plastic waste generation in the United States increased from 0.4% of total municipal solid waste generated in 1960 to 12.2% in 2018. Plastic waste that does not make it into the U.S. waste management system often ends up in the environment as plastic pollution.

Plastic pollution is particularly concerning because plastic materials do not fully biodegrade in the environment. Land-based sources account for up to 80% of plastic waste that pollutes waterways and oceans. Plastic pollution has been found in a wide range of organisms and habitats, including coral reefs, estuaries, beaches, and the deep sea. Since plastic material does not decompose, it accumulates in landfills and in the environment. Plastic products also contribute to global greenhouse gas emissions throughout their life cycles, with most of these emissions coming from the production and conversion of fossil fuels into new plastic products. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development estimates that in 2019, plastic products were responsible for 3.4% of global greenhouse gas emissions throughout their life cycles, with 90% of these emissions coming from the production and conversion of fossil fuels into new plastic products.

• Visit EPA’s webpage on plastics to learn more about plastic pollution and ways to combat it.
• Visit EPA’s webpage on materials and waste to learn more. 
• Visit EPA’s webpage on circular economy to learn more. 
• Visit EPA’s webpage on Bipartisan Infrastructure Law initiatives to learn more. 

Visit EPA’s Trash Free Waters program webpage to learn more. 

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Американское Агентство по охране окружающей среды объявило о создании онлайн-коллекции ресурсов по вопросам экологической справедливости

ВАШИНГТОН — Сегодня, 23 апреля, Агентство по охране окружающей среды США (АООС) объявило о создании Справочно-информационного портала по вопросам экологической справедливости – первой в своем роде онлайн-коллекции ресурсов, посвященных проблеме экологической справедливости. Созданный в соответствии с указом президента Байдена об активизации приверженности нашей страны экологической справедливости для всех Справочно-информационный портал по вопросам экологической справедливости призван обеспечить общественности доступ к федеральным и нефедеральным онлайн-ресурсам в рамках амбициозной программы Администрации Байдена-Харрис по обеспечению экологической справедливости.

«Воплощение в жизнь амбициозной программы Администрации Байдена-Харрис по обеспечению экологической справедливости требует совместной приверженности налаживанию тесного сотрудничества и реализации программ, ориентированных на решение экологических проблем. Справочно-информационный портал по вопросам экологической справедливости – это принципиально новое справочное пособие, призванное помочь нам достичь общеорганизационных целей в области экологической справедливости», – Тереза Сеговия, первый заместитель помощника директора Управления по вопросам продвижения экологической справедливости и защиты гражданских прав. «Наличие легкодоступной информационной онлайн-библиотеки позволит всем участникам и сторонникам экологической справедливости иметь под рукой ресурсы со всей страны. И она будет только расширяться благодаря инициативам американского народа».

Управление по вопросам продвижения экологической справедливости и защиты гражданских прав АООС будет непрерывно пополнять справочно-информационный ресурс новыми материалами и приветствует любые инициативы со стороны общественности для рассмотрения и возможного включения.

Изначально в Справочно-информационный портал по вопросам экологической справедливости были включены ресурсы, представленные федеральными ведомствами, включая возможности финансирования, инструменты анализа и планирования, а также техническую помощь. В Справочно-информационном портале по вопросам экологической справедливости предусмотрены категории для поиска, что упрощает получение результатов для общественности и обеспечивает более эффективный и доступный процесс получения информации, касающейся экологической справедливости. 

«Президент Байден поручил всему федеральному правительству устранить барьеры на пути к ресурсам и информации, которые помогают сообществам добиваться экологической справедливости. Справочно-информационный портал АООС по вопросам экологической справедливости станет полезным онлайн-инструментом, объединяющим многочисленные источники информации, чтобы все, кто проявляют интерес к проблеме экологической справедливости, могли найти материалы на одном сайте», – отметила д-р Джалонн Л. Уайт-Ньюсом, главный федеральный специалист по вопросам экологической справедливости Совета Белого дома по качеству окружающей среды.

Посетите веб-сайт АООС, чтобы ознакомиться со Справочно-информационным порталом по вопросам экологической справедливости или представить потенциальный ресурс.

Предпосылки

21 апреля 2023 года президент Байден подписал Указ № 14906 «Об активизации приверженности нашей страны экологической справедливости для всех», который предусматривал создание Справочно-информационного портала по вопросам экологической справедливости в качестве общедоступного, общеправительственного справочного онлайн-ресурса, содержащего доступные и приемлемые в культурном и языковом отношении материалы, касающиеся экологической справедливости, в том числе:

• Информацию о деятельности членов Межведомственного совета Белого дома по вопросам экологической справедливости, направленной на решение вопросов, связанных с экологической справедливостью.
• Информацию о технической помощи, инструментах и ресурсах для оказания помощи сообществам, сталкивающимся с проблемами экологической справедливости, в создании потенциала для вовлечения общественности.
• Копии учебно-методических материалов, разработанных Межведомственным советом Белого дома по вопросам экологической справедливости или его членами с целью помочь отдельным лицам и сотрудникам разобраться в вопросах экологической справедливости и осуществлять деятельность в этой области.
• Любую другую информацию, которую Администратор АООС сочтет необходимой, в координации с Межведомственным советом Белого дома по вопросам экологической справедливости.

Подробнее об экологической справедливости в АООС можно узнать здесь.

Узнайте больше о Межведомственном совете Белого дома по вопросам экологической справедливости и об общеправительственной приверженности Администрации Байдена-Харрис к принципам экологической справедливости.

Чтобы получить актуальную информацию о возможностях финансирования, мероприятиях и вебинарах по вопросам экологической справедливости, подпишитесь на рассылку Управления по вопросам продвижения экологической справедливости и защиты гражданских прав, отправив пустое электронное письмо по адресу: join-epa-ej@lists.epa.gov. Следите за нами в социальной сети X (бывший Twitter) @EPAEnvJustice.

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EPA（美國國家環境保護局）發布線上環境正義資源集合

華盛頓特區—今天（4 月 23 日），EPA 宣布成立 Environmental Justice Clearinghouse（環境正義資訊交換中心），這是首個集結所有環境正義相關資源的線上中心。根據拜登總統重振國家對全民環境正義承諾的行政命令，環境正義資訊交換中心將協助大眾在線上取得聯邦與非聯邦資源，以此作為拜登與賀錦麗政府遠大的環境正義計畫的舉措之一。

「推動拜登與賀錦麗政府的遠大環境正義計畫，需要大家一同決心締結更穩固的關係，以及解決方案導向的計畫。環境正義資訊交換中心提供開創性的資源指南，旨在幫助我們實現全機構共同的環境正義目標。」—The Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights（環境正義與外部公民權利辦公室）首席副總德瑞莎·賽葛維亞 (Theresa Segovia) 表示。「建立容易存取的線上資訊庫，可確保所有環境正義相關人士和倡議者只需動動手指即可輕鬆取得全國資源。且在納入美國人民的建議後，這項資訊庫將變得更加強大。」

EPA 環境正義與外部公民權利辦公室會持續在資訊交換中心增添資訊，也歡迎大眾提供意見和任何資訊以供審查，以及可收錄其中的潛在資訊。

環境正義資訊交換中心所列的初步資源由各聯邦政府機構提交，包含資金補助機會、篩選與製圖工具還有技術協助。環境正義資訊交換中心提供可搜尋的分類，以簡化結果，讓大眾能更有效率也更輕鬆地存取環境正義相關資訊。 

「拜登總統要求聯邦政府上下打破資源和資訊藩籬，幫助社群追求環境正義。EPA 的環境正義資訊交換中心將成為實用的線上工具，整合多種資訊來源，讓所有對環境正義有興趣者，皆可在網站上找到資源。」White House Council on Environmental Quality（白宮環境品質委員會）聯邦環境正義官員雅隆·L·懷特-紐斯姆 (Jalonne L. White-Newsome) 博士說道。

請造訪 EPA 網站，查看環境正義資訊交換中心或提交潛在資源。

背景

2023 年 4 月 21 日，拜登總統簽署了重振國家對全民環境正義承諾的 14906 號行政命令，其中包括成立「環境正義資訊交換中心」，此為公開的線上全政府資訊交換中心，其中收錄的環境正義相關資料不僅兼具文化和語言適當性且容易取得，包括：

• White House Environmental Justice Interagency Council（白宮環境正義跨部門委員會）成員的環境正義相關活動資訊。
• 協助有環境正義疑慮的社群培養公眾參與能力的技術支援、工具和資源等資訊。
• 白宮環境正義跨部門委員會或其成員制定的訓練素材，可協助個人與員工理解和落實環境正義活動。
• EPA 局長與白宮環境正義跨部門委員會協調後認為適當的任何其他資訊。

詳細瞭解 EPA 在推動環境正義方面的措施。

參閱白宮環境正義跨部門委員會以及拜登-賀錦麗政府的整體政府環境正義承諾。

如需環境正義資金補助機會、活動與網路研討會的最新資訊，請將自己加入環境正義與外部公民權利辦公室的郵寄名單，方法為寄送空白電子郵件至 join-epa-ej@lists.epa.gov。在 X（前身為推特）上追蹤 @EPAEnvJustice。

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