Office of Public Engagement Highlights: Winter 2019

Office of Public Engagement Highlights: Winter 2019   Statement on the U.S. Senate Confirmation of Andrew Wheeler as EPA Administrator on February 28, 2019 "It is truly humbling to serve the American public as EPA Administrator," said EPA Acting Administrator Andrew Wheeler. "I want to thank President Trump for nominating me and Leader McConnell and Chairman Barrasso for navigating my confirmation through the Senate. I am deeply honored, and I look forward to continuing the President's agenda and the work of the Agency alongside all my EPA colleagues." EPA Releases 2018 Year in Review The EPA released the 2018 Year in Review outlining major accomplishments and environmental progress during the Trump Administration. "Over the past year, the Trump Administration has continued to deliver on its promise to provide greater regulatory certainty while protecting public health and the environment," said Acting Administrator Wheeler.  In 2018, EPA's accomplishments include: Issuing Major Proposals Including the Affordable Clean Energy Rule, the SAFE Vehicles Rule, and the New Waters of the U.S. Definition Improve Risk Communication on Emerging Contaminants and Vulnerable Populations Multiple Actions to Reduce Lead Exposure, Including the Federal Lead Action Plan  Improving Enforcement Compliance and Assistance  Holding the Agency's First PFAS National Leadership Summit and Inaugural Recycling Day Summit Leading International Efforts, Including First-Ever Articles to Prevent Marine Litter Ensuring Comprehensive and Coordinated Responses to Multiple Natural Disasters  By the Numbers: REGULATORY REFORM: 13 deregulatory actions finalized in 2018. Under President Trump, EPA has finalized 33 major deregulatory actions saving Americans almost $2 billion. AIR: EPA reported that, during President Trump's first year in office, greenhouse gas emissions from major industrial sources decreased by 2.7 percent. WATER: By the end of 2018, EPA closed seven Water Infrastructure Financing and Innovation Act (WIFIA) loans totaling nearly $2 billion to help finance over $4 billion for water infrastructure projects and create up to 6,000 jobs. LAND: EPA deleted all or part of 22 sites from Superfund's National Priorities List in FY 2018 – the largest number of deletions in one year since FY 2005. CHEMICALS: After inheriting a "backlog" of 672 new chemical submissions pending review, EPA aggressively improved the review of new chemical submissions, eliminating the initial backlog and reducing the number of cases pending review to 475 submissions by August 2018. EPA completed 99.7 percent of the 2,199 pesticide registration actions on-time, registered 23 new active ingredients and 147 new uses of existing pesticides, providing new tools to growers. ENFORCEMENT: In FY 2018, EPA enforcement actions required the treatment, disposal, or elimination of 809 million pounds of pollutants and waste – almost twice as much as FY 2017. The agency also entered into the largest settlement in the history of EPA's enforcement of the Risk Management Program with the responsible party spending $150 million on major safety improvements. GRANTS: EPA awarded $4,451,520,905 in grants in FY 2018 including more than $63 million under the General Assistance Program, benefiting nearly all federally recognized tribes through awards to 500 tribal governments and approximately 25 intertribal consortia, $4.344 million in State and Tribal Assistance Grants, and 37 environmental education grants totaling $3,306,760 in 32 states to 13 colleges and universities, 23 stakeholder organizations, and one tribal community. Click here to read the full report: https://www.epa.gov/newsroom/epa-year-review-2018 Read the news release: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-releases-2018-year-review-highlighting-agency-accomplishments-and-environmental-0 EPA Hosts Western Governors On Feb. 24, Acting Administrator Wheeler hosted 14 members of the Western Governors' Association (WGA) for a breakfast roundtable discussion alongside U.S. Department of Labor Secretary Alexander Acosta and U.S. Department of the Interior Acting Secretary David Bernhardt. "It is an honor to host the Western Governors Association and their members at EPA to discuss public health and environmental issues impacting their home states," said Acting Administrator Wheeler. "From upgrading water infrastructure to addressing emerging chemicals of concern, we are delivering on President Trump's agenda and working closely with our state partners to improve public health and environmental protections for all Americans." WGA is a bipartisan group of Republican, Democratic and Independent governors from 19 western states and three U.S. territories in the Pacific. More about WGA: https://www.westgov.org/ Read the news release: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/acting-administrator-wheeler-hosts-western-governors   Participants (Left to Right): Governor Ralph Torres (C.N.M.I.), Acting Interior Secretary David Bernhardt, Governor Brad Little (Idaho), Governor Lou Leon Guerrero (Guam), Governor Kristi Noem (S.D.), Labor Secretary Alexander Acosta, Governor Kevin Stitt (Okla.), Acting EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler, Governor Doug Burgum (N.D.), Governor Gary Herbert (Utah), Governor Steve Sisolak (Nev.), Governor David Ige (Hawaii), Governor Kate Brown (Ore.), Governor Mark Gordon (Wyo.), Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham (N.M.), Governor Laura Kelly (Kan.), Not pictured: Governor Jay Inslee (Wash.). EPA Acting Administrator Wheeler Signs MOU with National FFA Organization to Enhance Environmental Education EPA Acting Administrator Andrew Wheeler signed a first-time Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the National FFA Organization to advance educational outreach for EPA's ongoing environmental and public health initiatives. "Today's MOU will expand EPA's environmental education programs to an important and diverse new audience: the National FFA Organization's 670,000 student members," said EPA Acting Administrator Andrew Wheeler. "The MOU reflects the importance of agricultural practices in promoting environmental stewardship and builds on our recent collaborations with America's farmers and ranchers." "This agreement between FFA and EPA recognizes how FFA members are ready to be leaders in environmental fields," said National FFA President Luke O'Leary. " Click here to read the full MOU. Read the news release: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-acting-administrator-wheeler-signs-mou-national-ffa-organization-enhance National FFA President Luke O'Leary shakes hands with EPA Associate Deputy Administrator and Chief of Operations Henry Darwin after signing the MOU. Acting Administrator Wheeler meets with National FFA members. EPA Releases First Major Update to Chemicals List in 40 Years The EPA released an update of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Inventory, listing the chemicals that are actively being manufactured, processed and imported in the United States. "It's important for us to know which chemicals are actually in use today. This will help us with our work prioritizing chemicals, evaluating and addressing risks. This information also increases transparency to the public," said Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention Assistant Administrator Alexandra Dapolito Dunn. To download the public version of the initial TSCA Inventory, get more information about the TSCA Inventory Notification (Active-Inactive) Requirements rule, or requirements to notify EPA going forward: http://www.epa.gov/tsca-inventory. Read the news release: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-releases-first-major-update-chemicals-list-40-years EPA Funds Small Business to Develop Environmental Technologies The agency announced five Phase II contracts to small businesses to further develop and commercialize innovative technologies to protect the environment through EPA's Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program. "Innovation and technology are key to solving many of the environmental challenges we face today," said EPA Acting Administrator Andrew Wheeler. "Through EPA's SBIR program, we are providing small businesses with the financial support they need to develop new groundbreaking technologies, including advanced air quality monitors and mobile platforms to detect lead in drinking water." For more information on EPA's SBIR Phase II recipients, visit https://cfpub.epa.gov/ncer_abstracts/index.cfm/fuseaction/recipients.display/rfa_id/646/records_per_page/ALL.    Read the news release: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-funds-small-business-develop-environmental-technologies Learn more about EPA's SBIR program at: www.epa.gov/sbir. Learn more about SBIR across the federal government at: www.SBIR.gov. EPA Announces 2018 Annual Environmental Enforcement Results In FY 2018, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) worked in collaboration with state and tribal programs to assure compliance with federal environmental laws. "A strong enforcement and compliance assurance program is essential to achieving positive public health and environmental outcomes," said Assistant Administrator of the Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Susan Bodine. Highlights of EPA's FY 2018 enforcement accomplishments include: Commitment to treat, minimize, or properly dispose of over 540 million pounds of waste. Commitment to reduce, treat, or eliminate 268 million pounds of pollution (air, toxics, and water). Commitments to clean up over 244 million cubic yards of contaminated soil and water. Prevent illegal importation of approximately 2,200 vehicles and engines that fail to comply with EPA emissions standards.  Reduce exposure to lead through 140 enforcement actions impacting lead paint against renovation contractors, landlords, property managers, realtors, and others. Investing nearly $4 billion in actions and equipment that achieve compliance with the law and control pollution. Cleanups and redevelopment at over 150 sites through use of Superfund enforcement tools. A total of 73 years of incarceration for individual criminal defendants. EPA's Enforcement and Compliance program also established National Compliance Initiatives (NCIs). EPA's NCIs focus federal enforcement and compliance resources on the objectives of EPA's Strategic Plan.  In addition to the NCIs, EPA has made reduction of children's exposure to lead a priority. EPA's lead paint enforcement activities in FY 2018 are summarized here. The EPA also negotiated over 30 enforcement actions at sites with lead contamination. More information on the Agency's enforcement activities related to lead. (https://www.epa.gov/lead/enforcing-lead-laws-and-regulations) To see EPA's FY 2018 enforcement results, including case highlights: https://www.epa.gov/enforcement/enforcement-annual-results-fiscal-year-2018 Read the news release: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-announces-2018-annual-environmental-enforcement-results EPA Advances President Trump's Infrastructure Agenda Through Accelerated Investments in America's Water Infrastructure As highlighted in President Trump's State of the Union address and in support of the President's Infrastructure Initiative, the EPA has accelerated investment in the nation's aging water infrastructure.  "EPA is delivering on President Trump's promise to jump-start critical infrastructure projects that will not only enhance environmental protections but also grow the economy," said EPA Acting Administrator Andrew Wheeler. EPA has also taken a leading role in the administration's initiative to promote greater efficiencies in the infrastructure permitting process. These actions include working to provide a clear and predictable approach to identifying waters that are subject to federal authority through the Department of the Army's and EPA's proposed "Waters of the United States" rulemaking, implementation of the administration's One Federal Decision initiative and through other improvements to the Clean Water Act permitting process. For more information on the President's Infrastructure Initiative, visit https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/building-stronger-america-president-donald-j-trumps-american-infrastructure-initiative/ . For more information about EPA's WIFIA program, visit https://www.epa.gov/wifia  For more information on the Clean Water State Revolving Fund, visit https://www.epa.gov/cwsrf  For more information on the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, visit https://www.epa.gov/drinkingwatersrf Read the news release: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-advances-president-trumps-infrastructure-agenda-through-accelerated-investments Acting EPA Administrator Wheeler's Statement on President Trump's State of the Union Address "President Trump continues to deliver on his promise to grow the economy, upgrade our Nation's aging infrastructure, and protect the environment. From proposing the new Waters of the United States definition, to cleaning up hazardous sites, to financing new water infrastructure, EPA is fulfilling the President's commitment to provide regulatory certainty, create jobs, improve water quality, and revitalize communities that were previously neglected. The state of our union and the state of our environment are stronger, safer, and healthier thanks to President Trump's leadership." - Acting Administrator Andrew Wheeler EPA Acting Administrator Wheeler Promotes President Trump's State of the Union Address In GA Administrator Wheeler met with members of GA and SC Farm Bureaus, as well as local and state officials to discuss WOTUS and our new nutrient reduction policy Acting Administrator Andrew Wheeler visited Georgia to promote President Trump's successful State of the Union address. While meeting with local and state officials at McCorkle Nursery in Dearing, Georgia, Acting Administrator Wheeler discussed EPA's ongoing efforts to redefine the "Waters of the United States" rule as well as EPA's efforts to improve America's infrastructure through reforms in the Agency and direct funding through EPA's WIFIA program. Finally, he unveiled EPA's new nutrient reduction policy. "From proposing our new waters of the U.S. definition to accelerating permits to financing new water infrastructure, the people of Georgia are excited about the ways EPA is delivering on the bold agenda that President Trump presented in his State of the Union address," said EPA Acting Administrator Andrew Wheeler. EPA has also taken a leading role in the administration's initiative to promote greater efficiencies in the infrastructure permitting process. These actions include working to provide a clear and predictable approach to identifying waters that are subject to federal authority through the Department of the Army's and EPA's proposed "Waters of the United States" (WOTUS) rulemaking. By clearly defining where federal jurisdiction begins and ends, the new proposed WOTUS definition will provide states and the private sector the regulatory certainty they need to develop and streamline projects that will modernize our nation's aging infrastructure. For more information about EPA's WIFIA program, visit https://www.epa.gov/wifia Read the news release: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-acting-administrator-wheeler-promotes-president-trumps-state-union-address-ga                                                                                                             EPA Acting Administrator Wheeler greets the host Skeeter McCorkle and Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black in Augusta.  EPA Acting Administrator Wheeler addresses Georgia and South Carolina farmers and foresters in Augusta.   EPA Acting Administrator Wheeler meets with team members of McCorkle Nursery.    EPA Provides $202 Million Loan to Modernize Baltimore's Wastewater Infrastructure EPA announced a $202 million WIFIA loan to the City of Baltimore, Md., to help the city make system-wide upgrades to its aging wastewater infrastructure at the Back River Wastewater Treatment Plant. "This WIFIA loan will help Baltimore modernize its wastewater infrastructure, protect human health, and prevent sewage and polluted runoff from entering the Chesapeake Bay," said EPA Acting Administrator Andrew Wheeler. "Through WIFIA, EPA is playing a leading role in President Trump's efforts to upgrade our nation's infrastructure, create jobs, and safeguard public health and the environment." Background The WIFIA program plays an important part in President Trump's Infrastructure Plan, which calls for expanding project eligibility. To date, EPA has issued seven loans totaling nearly $2 billion in WIFIA credit assistance. Combined, these seven projects will create over 6,000 jobs. For more information about the WIFIA program, visit: https://www.epa.gov/wifia. Read the news release: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-provides-202-million-loan-modernize-baltimores-wastewater-infrastructure EPA Exhibit at 2019 Philadelphia Flower Show Highlights the Ecological Power of Flowers This year's Philadelphia Flower Show showcases the Power of Flowers, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's exhibit "E=mc2: Eco-Power" hits the mark. The exhibit shows how elements of a formal garden such as using native plants and on-site water management techniques can help power an ecosystem while enhancing the landscape.  "There is an intrinsic connection between diverse flora and fauna and healthy ecosystems," said EPA Regional Administrator Cosmo Servidio. "Through our exhibit, EPA is demonstrating that in addition to instilling beauty, gardens can promote clean and healthy water by incorporating sustainable landscaping practices." EPA's exhibit begins with a formal garden adorned with beautiful native trees and shrubs such as flowering dogwood and sweetly fragrant azaleas. The exhibit also includes a water garden teeming with wild and unique botanical beauties such as the carnivorous pitcher plant and exquisite swamp pinks, all receiving water from a gutter system and rain barrel.                 EPA websites provide additional information on promoting healthy water through sustainable landscaping, and how to get started. Photographs of sustainable landscaping practices used in residential settings are featured at:  https://www.epa.gov/green-infrastructure  or https://www.epa.gov/soakuptherain Read the news release: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-exhibit-2019-philadelphia-flower-show-highlights-ecological-power-flowers The Government of Puerto Rico Repays Clean Water and Drinking Water Fund Debt The Government of Puerto Rico has repaid its $194.5 million debt to the Puerto Rico Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds (SRFs). This milestone is the result of three years of dedicated effort between EPA and the Government of Puerto Rico to ensure that Puerto Rican communities can once again access low-interest loans to replace or upgrade aging or inadequate water infrastructure. "Today's announcement is a welcome and important step toward returning the Puerto Rico State Revolving Funds to financial viability," said EPA Assistant Administrator for Water David Ross. "The $194.5 million repayment to the Puerto Rico Clean Water and Drinking Water SRFs means that these funds will be available to protect public health and pay for critically-needed drinking water and wastewater infrastructure projects." "Hurricanes Irma and Maria devastated portions of Puerto Rico's infrastructure and made even more clear the critical need for lasting and sustainable improvements in Puerto Rico," said EPA Regional Administrator Pete Lopez. "The recapitalization of the Puerto Rico Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds (SRFs) proves once more the commitment of Puerto Rico and the administration of Governor Ricardo Rosselló with the implementation of federal programs and the financing of projects that benefit the most vulnerable communities in the Island," said Puerto Rico Fiscal Agency and Financial Advisory Authority Chief Executive Officer Christian Sobrino. More information on SRFs: Drinking Water: https://www.epa.gov/drinkingwatersrf Clean Water: https://www.epa.gov/cwsrf Read the news release: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/government-puerto-rico-repays-clean-water-and-drinking-water-fund-debt EPA Awards Funding to American Lung Association to Reduce Diesel Emissions in the Southeast The EPA is awarding a Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) Clean Diesel Funding Assistance Program grant totaling $716,115 to the American Lung Association to reduce diesel emissions in fleets of United Parcels Service (UPS) vehicles operating in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee.  "Region 4 is proud to support clean diesel grant investments which promote innovative air quality projects. Most importantly, these investments ultimately provide a health benefit to the Southeast by eliminating exposure to diesel exhaust," said EPA Acting Region 4 Administrator Mary S. Walker. This grant will eliminate or reduce diesel emissions through the implementation of cleaner engines, vehicles and technologies. For more information about EPA's National Clean Diesel campaign and DERA program, visit www.epa.gov/cleandiesel. Read the new release: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-awards-funding-american-lung-association-reduce-diesel-emissions-southeast Applications Now Being Accepted for K-12 Student and Teacher Awards Applications are now being accepted for the President's Environmental Youth Award (PEYA) and The Presidential Innovation Award for Environmental Educators Award (PIAEE).  Applications are due March 8, 2019.   EPA is seeking PEYA and PIAEE awards applications that highlight environmental stewardship in a variety of areas, including environmental sustainability: a healthy school environment including projects that reduce food waste in school cafeterias; environmentally friendly agriculture practices; reducing human contributions to ocean litter and how to prevent it; school gardens; recycling; or using STEM to teach environmental education. 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.  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. 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. 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. For more information, please contact PEYA@epa.gov. For information on recent winners, visit: https://www.epa.gov/education/presidential-innovation-award-environmental-educators-piaee-winners Details regarding application requirements and descriptions of winning projects since 2002 can be found at: https://www.epa.gov/education/application-requirements-and-form-presidential-innovation-award-environmental-educators For more information, please contact PIAEE@epa.gov. Read the news release: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/applications-now-being-accepted-k-12-student-and-teacher-awards EPA Partners with Second Helpings Atlanta to Reduce Food Waste and Fight Hunger at Super Bowl LIII Move over, Belichick-Brady. Super Bowl LIII had an even bigger save with the EPA-Second Helpings Atlanta partnership that prevented 17,044 pounds of food from going to waste. This year, EPA's Atlanta office worked closely with the non-profit food rescue organization Second Helpings Atlanta to recover surplus food from corporate events leading up to and including Super Bowl LIII held at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. "Food waste is the single largest type of waste thrown away in our household trash," said EPA Acting Administrator Andrew Wheeler. "EPA is proud to partner with Second Helpings Atlanta to make sure edible food doesn't go to waste, but instead goes to those in need." EPA is part of the Winning on Reducing Food Waste Initiative, a collaborative effort among the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the Food and Drug Administration to reduce food loss and waste through combined and agency-specific action. EPA's Food Recovery Challenge (FRC) has over 1,000 businesses, governments and organizations participating. In 2017, FRC participants prevented or diverted almost 648,000 tons of food from entering landfills or incinerators, saving participants up to $31.2 million in avoided landfill tipping fees. The Patriot's To learn more about Second Helpings Atlanta, visit: www.secondhelpingsatlanta.org For more information on EPA's work in the Sustainable Management of Food, visit: https://www.epa.gov/sustainable-management-food EPA Retains National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Sulfur Dioxide EPA announced its final decision to retain without changes to the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for sulfur dioxide (SO2). This decision comes after carefully reviewing the most recent available scientific evidence and risk and exposure information and consulting with the agency's independent science advisors. "The United States has made great strides in reducing SO2 concentrations," said EPA Assistant Administrator for the Office of Air and Radiation Bill Wehrum. "Based on review of the scientific literature, recommendation from our independent science advisors, and public comment, we have concluded that the existing standard continues to provide adequate health protection to our most vulnerable populations." As a result of Clean Air Act programs and efforts by state, local and tribal governments as well as technological improvements, SO2 concentrations in the U.S. fell by more than 85 percent between 1990 and 2017 and more than 60 percent since 2010. More information about the rule can be found at: https://www.epa.gov/so2-pollution/primary-national-ambient-air-quality-standard-naaqs-sulfur-dioxide. Read the news release: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-retains-national-ambient-air-quality-standards-sulfur-dioxide EPA Announces First-Ever Comprehensive Nationwide PFAS Action Plan On February 14, at an event in Philadelphia, EPA Acting Administrator Wheeler announced EPA's Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Action Plan. This PFAS Action Plan represents the first time EPA has built a multi-media, multi-program, national communication and research plan to address an emerging environmental challenge like PFAS. "The PFAS Action Plan is the most comprehensive cross-agency plan to address an emerging chemical of concern ever undertaken by EPA," said EPA Acting Administrator Andrew Wheeler. "We are moving forward with several important actions, including the maximum contaminant level process, that will help affected communities better monitor, detect, and address PFAS." Read the news release: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-acting-administrator-announces-first-ever-comprehensive-nationwide-pfas-action-plan EPA Announces Development of Water Reuse Action Plan At a summit in San Francisco, EPA announced the development of a Water Reuse Action Plan that will leverage the expertise of both industry and government to ensure the effective use of the nation's water resources. "The Nation's water resources are the lifeblood of our communities, and the federal government has the responsibility to ensure all Americans have access to reliable sources of clean and safe water," said EPA Assistant Administrator for Water David Ross. Under EPA's leadership, the Water Reuse Action Plan (WRAP) will seek to foster water reuse as a component of integrated water resource management. A draft of the plan is scheduled for release and public review in September at the Annual WateReuse Symposium in San Diego. EPA's actions are part of a larger effort by the Trump Administration to better coordinate and focus resources and activities on some of the nation's most challenging water resource concerns, including ensuring water availability and mitigating the risks posed by droughts, saltwater intrusion of fresh groundwater, groundwater scarcity, climate change, and several other site-specific stressors. For more information, including opportunities to engage with EPA on this effort, visit: www.epa.gov/waterreuse/water-reuse-action-plan. Read the news release: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-announces-development-water-reuse-action-plan

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