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Long Island Sound Climate Change Indicators - These indicators track physical changes in Long Island Sound and help resource managers asses impact on wildlife and habitats.
02.03.23
WASHINGTON — Today, the U.S.
“At EPA, we’re committed to ensuring access to clean, safe water for all.
The announcement was made by President Biden, Vice President Harris and Administrator Regan at an event in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to highlight the progress we have made and the Administration’s work implementing the Biden-Harris economic and environmental agenda that continues to deliver results for the American people. Portions of the City of Philadelphia’s drinking water systems are approaching the end of their useful life and need significant upgrades to continue to deliver clean and safe water to the residents of Philadelphia.
“This commitment will provide an immense boost to Philadelphia’s ongoing efforts to ramp up water main replacement and help sustain our recently launched 25-year, multibillion-dollar Water Revitalization Plan, investments that will result in direct health and safety benefits for all Philadelphians,” said Philadelphia Water Department Commissioner Randy E.
The Biden-Harris Administration has committed to revitalizing the nation’s water and wastewater infrastructure to ensure every community has access to clean, safe and reliable drinking water, wastewater and stormwater services.
Background Established by the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act of 2014, the WIFIA program is a federal loan and guarantee program administered by EPA.
The WIFIA program has an active pipeline of projects that will result in billions of dollars in water infrastructure investment and thousands of jobs. With this loan closing, EPA’s WIFIA program has announced 97 loans that are providing $17 billion in credit assistance to help finance $36 billion for water infrastructure while creating 122,000 jobs and saving ratepayers over $5 billion. EPA is currently accepting letters of interest for WIFIA and SWIFIA loans. Continue Reading
By financing this first project with a WIFIA loan, EPA estimates the City of Philadelphia will save approximately $4 million.
02.02.23
1023 Diesel & Fleet of Wasilla, AK., fined $65,000 for Clean Air Act Violations -
SEATTLE (February 2, 2023) – The U.S.
"Diesel emissions are known health threats," said Ed Kowalski, Director of Region 10’s Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Division.
Between January 1, 2019 and March 1, 2021 EPA found that 1023 Diesel and Fleet sold at least 211 defeat devices and installed some of those devices on at least 32 heavy-duty diesel motor vehicles.
To meet emission standards intended to protect public health, vehicle and engine manufacturers install certain hardware devices to reduce the amount of particulate matter and other harmful pollutants released into the air.
A November 2020 study found that sales of defeat devices for certain diesel trucks between 2009 and 2020 resulted in more than 570,000 tons of excess nitrogen oxide and 5,000 tons of excess particulate matter over the lifetime of the trucks.
EPA focuses its enforcement and compliance assurance resources on the most serious environmental violations by developing and implementing national program priorities, called National Compliance Initiatives.
02.01.23
EPA Opens Public Comment Period for Indoor airPLUS Program Update -
WASHINGTON — In order to advance indoor air quality protection, the U.S.
Indoor airPLUS is a voluntary partnership and labeling program designed to improve indoor air quality in homes to help reduce the likelihood of common and serious health problems like heart disease, cancer, asthma and other respiratory issues.
The updates to the program being proposed today take into consideration the broad range of feedback EPA received in response to a December 2020 opportunity for public comment on revised Indoor airPLUS Construction Specifications proposed at that time.
Under this proposed program update, builders will have an opportunity to choose between two Indoor airPLUS labels: Indoor airPLUS Certification, and Indoor airPLUS Gold.
Other features of the proposed program update include changes to the training requirements for verifiers, a Home Certification Organization model to improve quality assurance, and a five-year expiration date to the new Indoor airPLUS labels and specifications for voluntary recertification by the home/building owner after the five-year expiration. Following the 60-day comment period, EPA expects to release the final Indoor airPLUS Certification and Gold specifications in January 2024.
More about the Indoor airPLUS program: Indoor airPLUS homes are healthier by design, improving indoor air quality (IAQ) and comfort.
Find more information on:
Continue Reading
02.01.23
WASHINGTON — Today, the U.S.
“EPA is committed to ensuring all communities have access to clean water and critical water services.
When discharges from municipal wastewater treatment facilities violate the CWA, EPA sets a schedule for the municipality to implement control measures to address the discharges as soon as possible.
For communities seeking extended CWA compliance schedules or certain changes to water quality standards, the updated FCA Guidance provides a clear process to demonstrate financial capability and ensure that a financial strategy is in place to support needed infrastructure upgrades without overburdening their most vulnerable ratepayers.
The FCA Guidance is a starting point for negotiations and is not legally binding.
The updated FCA Guidance provides ideas for working within legal boundaries and broadly consider how to minimize rate impacts to residents.
The FCA Guidance is available here.
Background During a 60-day public comment period on the proposed FCA Guidance, EPA received nearly 3,000 public comments from a wide range of stakeholders, including local governments, state governments, utilities and municipalities, environmental organizations, NGOs, and private citizens. Continue Reading
The Updated FCA Guidance supersedes the 1997 Guidance for Financial Capability Assessment and Schedule Development to evaluate a community’s capability to fund CWA control measures in both the permitting and enforcement context.
01.31.23
EPA Cites Flint Scrapyard for Alleged Clean Air Act Violation -
CHICAGO (Jan.
Fritz Enterprises failed to verify that all refrigerants had been properly recovered from the appliances accepted by their scrapyard.
EPA has notified Fritz Enterprises of their noncompliance and met with company representatives on Jan.18 to discuss next steps. Under the Clean Air Act, EPA has several enforcement options to address the alleged violations, including administrative or judicial civil action. Learn more about EPA’s air enforcement on the website. Potential environmental violations may be reported on EPA’s compliance website.
01.31.23
Biden-Harris Administration Announces Action to Help Protect Bristol Bay Salmon Fisheries -
WASHINGTON — Today, EPA issued a Final Determination under the Clean Water Act to help protect Bristol Bay, the most productive wild salmon ecosystem in the world.
Protecting Bristol Bay builds on a series of recent actions the Biden-Harris Administration has taken to conserve and restore some of America’s most cherished lands and waters, many of which are sacred to Tribal Nations.
“The Bristol Bay watershed is a vital economic driver, providing jobs, sustenance, and significant ecological and cultural value to the region,” said EPA Administrator Michael Regan.
“After reviewing the extensive scientific and technical record spanning two decades, EPA has determined that specific discharges associated with developing the Pebble deposit will have unacceptable and adverse effects on certain salmon fishery areas in the Bristol Bay watershed,” said EPA Assistant Administrator for Water Radhika Fox.
The Bristol Bay watershed’s fishery resources are a thriving economic driver for the region, generating significant nutritional, cultural, economic, and recreational value.
After reviewing the Recommended Determination provided by EPA’s Region 10 office, including the scientific and technical information spanning nearly two decades, EPA has determined that the discharges evaluated in the Final Determination will have unacceptable adverse effects on salmon fishery areas in the South Fork Koktuli River, North Fork Koktuli River, and Upper Talarik Creek watersheds of Bristol Bay.
Final Determination
The Final Determination prohibits certain waters of the United States in the South Fork Koktuli River and North Fork Koktuli River watersheds from being used as disposal sites for the discharge of dredged or fill material for the construction and routine operation of Pebble Limited Partnership’s mine plan described in its June 8, 2020 CWA Section 404 permit application.
In the 50-year history of the Clean Water Act, EPA has used its Section 404(c) authority judiciously.
The federal government, the State of Alaska, federally recognized Tribal governments, the Pebble Limited Partnership, and many interested stakeholders have devoted significant resources over many years of study, engagement, and review.
The prohibition and restriction in EPA’s Final Determination only apply to certain discharges of dredged or fill material associated with developing the Pebble Deposit.
A copy of the Final Determination is available on EPA’s Bristol Bay website at: www.epa.gov/bristolbay.
Background
The Pebble deposit, a large, low-grade deposit containing copper-, gold-, and molybdenum-bearing minerals, is located at the headwaters of the pristine Bristol Bay watershed in Southwest Alaska.
Efforts to evaluate the effects of developing a mine at the Pebble deposit have been underway for more than a decade.
The diverse, abundant, and high-quality streams, wetlands, and other aquatic habitats in the South Fork Koktuli River, North Fork Koktuli River, and Upper Talarik Creek watersheds provide important spawning and rearing habitat for Coho, Chinook, and Sockeye salmon and provide high-quality habitat for other fishes, such as Rainbow Trout, Dolly Varden, Arctic Grayling, and Northern Pike.
The objective of the Clean Water Act is to restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the nation’s waters. Continue Reading
01.31.23
LENEXA, KAN.
“We are committed to providing the residents of St.
The purpose of the meeting is to provide members of the public with an update on the field sampling conducted by EPA to identify the source of new contamination found near the Ameren Huster Road substation.
This meeting follows a November 2022 Public Meeting in which EPA shared information about the Consent Decree for the Operable Unit 4 Remedial Design/Remedial Action and response actions at the site. Thursday, Feb.
Public Availability: 6 to 7 p.m. The meeting location will be: During the public availability portion, representatives from EPA will be available for one-on-one discussions and to answer questions.
Site project information is available to the public on EPA’s Site Profile page.
EPA is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities.
# # # Learn more about EPA Region 7 View all Region 7 news releases Connect with EPA Region 7 on Facebook Follow us on Twitter: @EPARegion7The Community Meeting will be held:
Presentation: 7 to 7:30 p.m.
Question and Answer: 7:30 to 8:30 p.m.
St.
534 N.
St.
01.30.23
EPA and DOJ Announce Settlement with Logan Square Aluminium Supply Over Lead Violations -
WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S.
Under the court settlement, Logan Square will implement a comprehensive program to ensure that its contractors are certified and trained to use lead-safe work practices to avoid creating lead dust during home renovation activities.
“Lead exposure from lead-based paint continues to be a hazard for American families living in older homes, and children in those homes are particularly vulnerable,” said Larry Starfield, EPA Acting Assistant Administrator for the Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance.
“Companies that renovate homes built before 1978 must ensure that they hire EPA-certified contractors and follow other EPA rules requiring lead safe work practices,” said Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division.
Renovation is any activity that disturbs painted surfaces and includes most repair, remodeling, and maintenance activities, such as electrical work, plumbing, carpentry and window replacement.
Logan Square will add a link on its website to EPA’s content on lead-safe work practices.
EPA first discovered the alleged violations through customer complaints about a project performed in Evanston, Illinois.
The consent decree was lodged in the U.S.
Further information is available from the National Lead Information Center (800-424-LEAD) and on EPA’s Lead webpage.
To report a possible violation of the RRP Rule requirements, please visit EPA’s website.
01.30.23
U.S. EPA begins cleanup of Nelson Knitting site in Rockford, Illinois -
CHICAGO (January 30, 2023) – Today, U.S.
During the cleanup, EPA will remove asbestos-containing material at the property.
Cleanup is anticipated to occur only inside the building. After EPA’s cleanup is complete, the Winnebago County Trust will pursue demolition and potential redevelopment. To learn more, please visit EPA’s website.
The Nelson Knitting site was referred to EPA for cleanup by Illinois EPA in July 2020, due to the presence of asbestos.
01.27.23
PUERTO RICO – Hoy, la Agencia de Protección Ambiental de Estados Unidos (EPA, por sus siglas en inglés) anunció la aprobación de una inversión de $23 millones de la Ley Bipartidista de Infraestructura para financiar proyectos de infraestructura de agua en Puerto Rico en Caguas, Coamo, Jayuya, Naranjito y Orocovis.
“Cuando falla la infraestructura hídrica, amenaza la salud y el medioambiente de las personas.
Secretaria del Departamento de Recursos Naturales y Ambientales, Anais Rodríguez Vega, señaló, “Esta histórica donación de la EPA es un importante paso adicional para mejorar la calidad de nuestras aguas al permitir el manejo de una serie de fuentes contaminantes y la renovación de infraestructura deteriorada.
El programa del Fondo Rotatorio Estatal de Agua Limpia proporciona financiamiento de bajo costo, en algunos casos a un interés del cero por ciento, para proyectos locales.
El presidente Biden firmó la Ley Bipartidista de Infraestructura el 15 de noviembre de 2021.
Para acceder a más información, visite Recursos de la Ley Bipartidista de Infrastructura para Agua Limpia. Siga a la Región 2 de la EPA en Twitter y visite nuestra página en Facebook.
23-008-S
01.27.23
WASHINGTON (January 27, 2023) – Today, EPA announced a major new initiative to accelerate progress toward the Biden-Harris Administration’s goal of achieving 100% lead service line removal and replacement. The “Lead Service Line Replacement Accelerators” initiative was introduced during a White House convening with Vice President Kamala Harris and EPA Administrator Michael S.
“With its dedicated funding for lead pipe replacement, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will help remove this toxin from homes and from our communities.
“The science is clear—there is no safe level of exposure to lead,” said EPA Administrator Michael S.
Through the Lead Service Line Replacement (LSLR) Accelerators, EPA will provide hands-on support to guide communities through the process of lead service line removals, from start to finish.
Partnership is core to the LSLR Accelerators initiative.
“Every Wisconsinite deserves access to safe, clean drinking water.
The LSLR Accelerators initiative represents another step forward by the Biden-Harris Administration to achieve 100% lead free water systems.
With the help of Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding, EPA is strengthening its technical assistance efforts in order to ensure every community gets its fair share of this historic investment.
Background
All communities deserve access to safe, clean, lead-free water.
The primary source of lead in drinking water, when present, is pipes. Continue Reading
01.27.23
PHILADELPHIA (January 27, 2023) – Today, EPA announced a major new initiative to accelerate progress toward the Biden-Harris Administration’s goal of achieving 100% lead service line removal and replacement. The “Lead Service Line Replacement Accelerators” initiative was introduced during a White House convening with Vice President Kamala Harris and EPA Administrator Michael S.
“Too many people and families in Pennsylvania and across the Nation don’t have reliable access to safe drinking water.
“This initiative is a home-run to provide clean drinking water to communities in Pennsylvania and throughout the region.
“EPA’s partnership with Pennsylvania will go a long way in helping thousands of small drinking water systems begin to address aging lead pipes and ultimately provide safe drinking water to their communities,” said EPA’s Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator Adam Ortiz. “This historic funding is going to improve lives and we’re eager to get started in the Commonwealth.” The LSLR Accelerators initiative represents another step forward by the Biden-Harris Administration to achieve 100% lead free water systems. President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law invested an unprecedented $50 billion in the nation’s water and wastewater infrastructure, including $15 billion dedicated to lead service line replacement and $11.7 billion of general Drinking Water State Revolving Funds that can also be used for lead service line replacement.
Additional Quotes: “One intention of the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act was to modernize our region so that our communities are not just better connected but better protected — and I’m glad to see these historic investments being used to replace lead pipes in Pennsylvania,” U.S.
“I’m proud to have voted for the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, and its funding to address lead pollution in our water is one of the many reasons why I voted for this law,” said U.S.
“It’s unacceptable that any Pennsylvanian still has to deal with lead-contaminated water pipes and faucets,” said U.S.
"I'm thrilled to see funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law flowing into Pennsylvania to address lead contamination in our water supply," said U.S.
“Drinking a glass of water from your own sink or giving your children a bath in your own home should not constitute a health risk, which is why it is urgent to deploy the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s investment in replacing lead pipes across the United States. Continue Reading
“The science is clear—there is no safe level of exposure to lead,” said EPA Administrator Michael S.
Through the Lead Service Line Replacement (LSLR) Accelerators, EPA will provide hands-on support to guide communities through the process of lead service line removals, from start to finish.
Partnership is core to the LSLR Accelerators initiative.
“Pennsylvanians have a constitutional right to clean air and pure water, but far too many communities here in Pennsylvania suffer from old and outdated lead pipes that endanger the health of our children and families,” said Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro. “My Administration is ready to work with President Biden, Vice President Harris, and our federal partners to make life-saving investments that will deliver clean drinking to families across the Commonwealth, especially in communities that have been left behind for too long.
With the help of Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding, EPA is strengthening its technical assistance efforts in order to ensure every community gets its fair share of this historic investment.
01.27.23
Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Funds $23 Million of Water Infrastructure Projects in Puerto Rico -
PUERTO RICO – Today, the U.S.
“When water infrastructure fails, it threatens people’s health and the environment.
The Secretary for the Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources, Anais Vega Rodríguez, stated, “This historic EPA grant is an important additional step to improve the quality of our waters by allowing the management of a series of polluting sources and renewing deteriorated infrastructure. Likewise, projects like these are truly essential for environmental protection and contribute to the socioeconomic development of the impacted regions.
The Clean Water State Revolving Fund program provides low-cost financing, in some cases at zero percent interest, for local projects.
President Biden signed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law on November 15, 2021.
To access more information, visit Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Resources for Clean Water. Follow EPA Region 2 on Twitter and visit our Facebook.
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01.27.23
CONNECTICUT (January 27, 2023) – Today, the U.S.
"The science is clear—there is no safe level of exposure to lead," said EPA Administrator Michael S.
"Protecting children and families by reducing lead exposure is a top priority for EPA under the Biden-Harris Administration, and when you turn on your tap you should never have to worry about what's in the water," said EPA New England Regional Administrator David W.
Through the Lead Service Line Replacement (LSLR) Accelerators, EPA will provide hands-on support to guide communities through the process of lead service line removals, from start to finish.
Partnership is core to the LSLR Accelerators initiative.
"Connecticut is proud to be one of the four states involved with the Lead Service Line Replacement Accelerators Community Initiative which is critical toward investing in safe drinking water and ultimately protecting the health of our communities," said Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont. "The Lead Service Line Accelerators will address existing barriers and accelerate progress on these projects.
"This initiative will help rid water of one of the most pernicious poisons— lead— that can do irreversible, crippling damage to children and families.
"Too many families in Connecticut face serious health risks because their water flows through old lead pipes.
"Lead service removal is pivotal to keeping families and our communities safe," said U.S.
"The Connecticut Congressional delegation worked together to secure a historic investment in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to improve our state's water infrastructure," said U.S.
"People throughout eastern Connecticut are seeing long-overdue infrastructure projects finally getting underway and completed thanks to the bipartisan infrastructure law we passed in late 2021," said U.S.
"It is unconscionable that all communities in our state do not have access to clean, safe drinking water.
"Every community deserves access to clean drinking water.
The LSLR Accelerators initiative represents another step forward by the Biden-Harris Administration to achieve 100% lead free water systems.
With the help of Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding, EPA is strengthening its technical assistance efforts in order to ensure every community gets its fair share of this historic investment.
Background All communities deserve access to safe, clean, lead-free water.
The primary source of lead in drinking water, when present, is pipes. Continue Reading
01.27.23
EPA Launches New Initiative to Accelerate Lead Pipe Replacement to Protect Underserved Communities -
WASHINGTON – Today, EPA will announce a major new initiative to accelerate progress toward the Biden-Harris Administration’s goal of achieving 100% lead service line removal and replacement. The “Lead Service Line Replacement Accelerators” initiative will be introduced during a White House convening with Vice President Kamala Harris and EPA Administrator Michael S.
“The science is clear—there is no safe level of exposure to lead,” said EPA Administrator Michael S.
Through the Lead Service Line Replacement (LSLR) Accelerators, EPA will provide hands-on support to guide communities through the process of lead service line removals, from start to finish.
Partnership is core to the LSLR Accelerators initiative.
“Connecticut is proud to be one of the four states involved with the Lead Service Line Replacement Accelerators Community Initiative which is critical toward investing in safe drinking water and ultimately protecting the health of our communities,” said Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont. “The Lead Service Line Accelerators will address existing barriers and accelerate progress on these projects.
“Our historically underserved communities know all too well the severe damage that lead exposure can inflict upon children and families,” said New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy. “As a result of my Administration’s aggressive and ongoing lead pipe replacement efforts, we also know that no state in the country is better suited to continue serving as a national model for lead remediation than New Jersey.
“Pennsylvanians have a constitutional right to clean air and pure water, but far too many communities here in Pennsylvania suffer from old and outdated lead pipes that endanger the health of our children and families,” said Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro.
“Every Wisconsinite deserves access to safe, clean drinking water.
The LSLR Accelerators initiative represents another step forward by the Biden-Harris Administration to achieve 100% lead free water systems.
With the help of Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding, EPA is strengthening its technical assistance efforts in order to ensure every community gets its fair share of this historic investment.
Background
All communities deserve access to safe, clean, lead-free water.
The primary source of lead in drinking water, when present, is pipes. Continue Reading
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