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US EPA, Office of Public Engagement, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20460 United States
Office of Public Engagement November Highlights
US EPA, Office of Public Engagement, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20460 United States
EPA News: EPA Settles With West Chester, Pa. Contractor for Alleged Lead Safe Renovation Violations
Contact: R3press@epa.gov
(PHILADELPHIA) November 28, 2018 – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that Chapman Windows and Doors of West Chester, Pennsylvania will pay a $17,500 penalty to resolve alleged violations of the lead-based paint Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Rule.
This rule protects the public from toxic lead hazards created by renovation activities involving lead-based paint. RRP safeguards are designed to ensure "lead safe" practices in the renovation and repair activities involving "target housing" built before the 1978 federal ban on lead-based paint.
EPA alleged during multiple renovations of target housing in West Chester in February 2017 that Chapman Windows and Doors, while working under the parent company Air Tight Home Improvements, violated the RRP "lead safe" requirements by:
* Failing to document whether target housing owners had timely received the required lead hazard information pamphlet titled "Renovate Right: Important Lead Hazard Information for Families, Child Care Providers and Schools;"
* Failing to retain records to document compliance with lead-practices during renovation; and
* Failing to ensure that the renovators conducting the work were EPA-certified to conduct lead-safe renovations.
As part of the settlement, the company did not admit these alleged violations, but has cooperated with EPA in resolving this matter and certifying its compliance with applicable RRP requirements.
Infants, children, and pregnant women are especially vulnerable to lead exposure, which can cause lifelong impacts including developmental impairment, learning disabilities, impaired hearing, reduced attention span, hyperactivity, and behavioral problems. Because of these health risks, the U.S. banned lead-based paint in 1978. However, EPA estimates that lead-based paint is still present in more than 30 million homes nationwide.
For more information on the RRP program, visit http://www.epa.gov/lead/renovation-repair-and-painting-program .
Environmental Protection Agency, 1650 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103-2029 United States
EPA Awards $4.7 Million to Curb Diesel Pollution in Mid-Atlantic Region
Contact: David Sternberg 215-814-5548 sternberg.david@epa.gov
EPA Awards $4.7 Million to Curb Diesel Pollution in Mid-Atlantic Region
PHILADELPHIA (November 13, 2018) – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced funding for three clean diesel projects totaling $4.7 million to reduce air pollution from aging diesel engines in the Mid-Atlantic region. The funding will go to the Maryland Environmental Service (MES), the Mid-Atlantic Regional Air Management Association, (MARAMA) and the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (WashCOG).
"Taking steps to reduce emissions from older diesel engines rates among some of the most cost-effective measures we can take to improve the air we all breathe," said EPA Regional Administrator Cosmo Servidio. "These grants are prioritizing clean diesel activities to areas that have complex air quality challenges in the Mid-Atlantic region, so they can help reduce health and environmental harm from diesel emissions."
EPA's Clean Diesel Program provides support for projects that protect human health and improve air quality by reducing harmful emissions from diesel engines. This program includes grants and rebates funded under the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA). DERA funding has supported nearly 25,000 cleaner buses across the country for America's schoolchildren.
Cumulatively, this funding will result in overall lifetime emissions reductions of more than 1,013 tons of ozone-forming oxides of nitrogen (NOx): 58.7 tons of particulate matter (PM); more than 240 tons of carbon monoxide (CO): 724 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2); and, will save more than 91,000 gallons of fuel.
Maryland Environmental Service (MES):
EPA will provide $2.5 million to the port of Baltimore to assist MES in its efforts to reduce diesel emissions and exposure at the port. This project will replace or repower cargo handling equipment and drayage trucks, as well as marine engines on the pleasure vessel, The Spirit of Baltimore, which will improve air quality by reducing harmful emissions by 37 tons of PM, 398 tons of NOx, 165 tons of CO, and 724 tons of CO2, as well as saving 64,450 gallons of fuel.
Mid-Atlantic Regional Air Management Association (MARAMA):
The agency will provide MARAMA with more than $1.3 million to provide incentives to dray truck owners serving the ports and railyards of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Wilmington, Delaware for voluntary early replacement of 40 drayage trucks with older (1997 – 2006) engines. Replacement trucks will have model year 2013 or newer engines with the latest particulate and NOx reducing technology. This initiative will reduce emissions by 197 tons of NOx, 11.5 tons of PM, 75 tons of CO, as well as air toxics in areas that are not currently attaining federal health-based air quality standards.
Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (WashCOG):
EPA will provide WashCOG with $882,000 to partially fund the repowering of four diesel propulsion engines and four auxiliary engines on two marine passenger vessels. These vessels are currently operating on the Potomac River in Washington, DC and surrounding communities in Maryland and Virginia. The retrofits will result in reductions of 418 tons of NOx, and 10 tons of PM.
For more information about the DERA program, visit www.epa.gov/cleandiesel.
Environmental Protection Agency, 1650 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103-2029 United States
EE at EPA: Student Award Applications Now Accepted
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Applications Now Accepted for the President's Environmental Youth Award.The application period is now open for the 2018 President's Environmental Youth Award (PEYA) program. The PEYA program recognizes outstanding environmental stewardship projects by K-12 youth, promoting awareness of our nation's natural resources and encouraging positive community involvement. Winners of this year's awards will be invited to a ceremony in Washington, D.C. in mid-2019, and have their project mentioned on EPA's website. EPA will select up to two winners in each of EPA's 10 Regions – one regional winner for Grades K-5 and one regional winner for Grades 6-12. All student projects must be sponsored by at least one adult over the age of 21. The application and eligibility information are available at: https://www.epa.gov/education/presidents-environmental-youth-award. Applications are due February 1, 2019. For questions, please contact PEYA@epa.gov. |
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| We encourage you to share EPA's Environmental Education eNewsletter with your colleagues. To subscribe, visit: https://www.epa.gov/newsroom/email-subscriptions. Office of Public Engagement and Environmental Education |
U.S. EPA, Office of Environmental Education, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20460 United States
2018 PEYA Application Period
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Environmental Protection Agency, 290 Broadway, New York,, NY 10007-1866 United States
EPA and Lincoln University Agree to Continue and Expand Partnership
Contact: David Sternberg 215-814-5548 sternberg.david@epa.gov
EPA and Lincoln University Agree to Continue and Expand Partnership
PHILADELPHIA (November 7, 2018) Yesterday, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Lincoln University signed a renewed memorandum of understanding (MOU) to work together to enhance research, teaching, outreach, career development, and stewardship in the environmental sciences at Lincoln University.
"EPA has a long history of partnership with Lincoln University, and we are pleased to build on that success today," said EPA Regional Administrator Cosmo Servidio. "The partnership between EPA and Lincoln University continues to enhance the education and training of students to prepare them to meet the environmental challenges of the future. The partnership also strives to ensure that careers in science are open to every American regardless of race or ethnicity."
"We couldn't be more excited for the renewal of this partnership with the EPA because it will provide high-impact and collaborative learning and research opportunities for our students," said Lincoln University President Brenda A. Allen. "This agreement demonstrates our commitment to developing strategic partnerships that enhance the education and professional development of our students and faculty."
Building on the success of the original MOU between EPA and Lincoln University signed in 2002, the new MOU aims to:
- Support and promote student learning, internships, career development and employment in environmental sciences and related fields;
- Enhance Lincoln University faculty and EPA employee professional development in environmental sciences, and related fields;
- Support the enhancement of Lincoln University's environmental sciences curriculum; and
- Support community development, engagement opportunities for Lincoln University students, partnerships with regional communities and potential career opportunities with the surrounding communities on environmental, health, and economic issues.
The MOU is part of EPA's Minority Academic Institutions Program which was created to increase opportunities for Minority Academic Institutions to participate in federal programs. EPA works with these schools to increase participation in ways that will strengthen them by promoting faculty development, increasing institutional capacity, and fully developing the diverse talent pool that constitutes our nation.
For more information about EPA's Minority Academic Institutions Program, visit: https://intranet.epa.gov/r3intran/ocr/minority_institutions.html
Environmental Protection Agency, 1650 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103-2029 United States
EPA and Lincoln University Agree to Continue and Expand Partnership
Contact: David Sternberg 215-814-5548 sternberg.david@epa.gov
EPA and Lincoln University Agree to Continue and Expand Partnership
PHILADELPHIA (November 7, 2018) Yesterday, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Lincoln University signed a renewed memorandum of understanding (MOU) to work together to enhance research, teaching, outreach, career development, and stewardship in the environmental sciences at Lincoln University.
"EPA has a long history of partnership with Lincoln University, and we are pleased to build on that success today," said EPA Regional Administrator Cosmo Servidio. "The partnership between EPA and Lincoln University continues to enhance the education and training of students to prepare them to meet the environmental challenges of the future. The partnership also strives to ensure that careers in science are open to every American regardless of race or ethnicity."
"We couldn't be more excited for the renewal of this partnership with the EPA because it will provide high-impact and collaborative learning and research opportunities for our students," said Lincoln University President Brenda A. Allen. "This agreement demonstrates our commitment to developing strategic partnerships that enhance the education and professional development of our students and faculty."
Building on the success of the original MOU between EPA and Lincoln University signed in 2002, the new MOU aims to:
- Support and promote student learning, internships, career development and employment in environmental sciences and related fields;
- Enhance Lincoln University faculty and EPA employee professional development in environmental sciences, and related fields;
- Support the enhancement of Lincoln University's environmental sciences curriculum; and
- Support community development, engagement opportunities for Lincoln University students, partnerships with regional communities and potential career opportunities with the surrounding communities on environmental, health, and economic issues.
The MOU is part of EPA's Minority Academic Institutions Program which was created to increase opportunities for Minority Academic Institutions to participate in federal programs. EPA works with these schools to increase participation in ways that will strengthen them by promoting faculty development, increasing institutional capacity, and fully developing the diverse talent pool that constitutes our nation.
For more information about EPA's Minority Academic Institutions Program, visit: https://intranet.epa.gov/r3intran/ocr/minority_institutions.html
Environmental Protection Agency, 1650 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103-2029 United States
EPA Invites Lancaster, Pennsylvania and District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority to Apply for
Contact: R3press@epa.gov
EPA Invites Lancaster, Pennsylvania and District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority to Apply for WIFIA Water Infrastructure Loans
Loans will help make critical investments to improve water quality
PHILADELPHIA (November 1, 2018) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is inviting the City of Lancaster, Pennsylvania and the District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority to apply for Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) loans. Lancaster has been invited to apply for a $22 million loan to implement sewer system improvements. The District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority has been invited to apply for $144 million to conduct a comprehensive infrastructure repair, rehabilitation and replacement program.
"Through WIFIA, EPA is playing an integral role in President Trump's efforts to improve and upgrade our nation's water infrastructure and ensure all Americans have access to clean and safe water," said EPA Acting Administrator Andrew Wheeler. "This year, EPA will help finance over $10 billion in water infrastructure investments that will create up to 155,000 jobs, upgrade aging infrastructure, reduce lead exposure, and improve the lives of millions of Americans across the country."
After a robust, statutorily required review process, Lancaster, Pennsylvania and the District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority were among 39 projects selected nationwide from a group of 62 prospective borrowers, representing large and small communities, who submitted letters of interest to EPA in response to the 2018 WIFIA Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA). Together, the selected borrowers will receive WIFIA loans totaling up to $5 billion to help finance over $10 billion in water infrastructure investments and create up to 155,000 jobs.
The Lancaster sewer system improvement would contribute to the potential elimination of two combined sewer overflows (CSOs) to improve water quality, evaluate, and implement groundwater removal from the sewer system, and provide a conduit for the re-direction of stormwater currently entering the combined sewer system.
The District Water and Sewer Authority's comprehensive infrastructure repair, rehabilitation and replacement program will rehabilitate, upgrade, and/or replace aging water and wastewater infrastructure throughout the system. The purpose of the program is to efficiently distribute drinking water and collect, treat, and discharge wastewater to protect the public and reduce nutrient loads and combined sewer overflows to local water bodies.
Background
Established by the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act of 2014, the WIFIA program is a federal loan and guarantee program at EPA that aims to accelerate investment in the nation's water infrastructure by providing long-term, low-cost supplemental credit assistance for regionally and nationally significant projects. EPA's WIFIA loans will allow large and small communities across the country to implement projects to address two national water priorities – providing for clean and safe drinking water including reducing exposure to lead and other contaminants and addressing aging water infrastructure.
To date, EPA has issued four loans totaling over $1 billion in WIFIA credit assistance. Combined, these four projects will create over 5,000 jobs.
According to EPA's estimate of national drinking water and wastewater needs, over $743 billion is needed for water infrastructure improvements. EPA's WIFIA program plays an important part in fulfilling this need and in the President's Infrastructure Plan, which calls for expanding project eligibility.
To learn more about the 39 projects that are invited to apply and about EPA's WIFIA program, visit : https://www.epa.gov/wifia/wifia-selected-projects.
Environmental Protection Agency, 1650 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103-2029 United States
