|
U.S. EPA, Region 1, 5 Post Office Square - Suite 100, Boston, MA 02109-3912 United States
Cornell Pond Fishing Derby in North Dartmouth, Mass. Scheduled for Sat. Sept. 14
U.S. EPA, Region 1, 5 Post Office Square - Suite 100, Boston, MA 02109-3912 United States
EPA News: Five Star Urban Waters Grant Awarded to Anacostia Riverkeeper (D.C.)
Contact: R3press@epa.gov
Five Star Urban Waters Grant Awarded to Anacostia Riverkeeper
With support from EPA, community-led projects will restore urban waters and streams, address water quality in priority watersheds
PHILADELPHIA (August 29, 2019) – Today, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), with support from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), announced a $45,927 grant to the Anacostia Riverkeeper in Washington, D.C. to expand a water quality monitoring program.
The Anacostia Riverkeeper grant was among 46 Five Star and Urban Waters Restoration Program grants awarded this year, totaling $1.7 million to restore wildlife habitat and urban waters in 22 states and the District of Columbia. Grantees have committed an additional $4.4 million in local project support, generating a total conservation investment of more than $6.1 million. This program supports community partnerships that conserve wildlife and restore river, wetland, riparian, forest and coastal ecosystems.
"EPA is pleased to continue our support for this innovative public-private partnership that encourages community stewardship and incentivizes local solutions to today's environmental and public health challenges," said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler. "These projects will help local communities improve water quality, restore wetlands, and protect wildlife while creating additional recreational opportunities for the surrounding areas."
"The Five Star and Urban Waters Restoration Program supports community partnerships that restore and enhance our nation's fish and wildlife, while at the same time improving water quality and habitat for plants and animals," said Jeff Trandahl, executive director and CEO of NFWF. "The 46 grants announced today will help local communities thrive by increasing resilience, improving green infrastructure and supporting the people and wildlife that call these places home."
"We are excited to receive this Five Star Urban watershed grant from NFWF to extend our citizen monitoring program into Montgomery and Prince George's Counties in Maryland, building on our current citizen monitoring program across District waters," said Suzy Kelly Founding Board Member and Acting President of the Anacostia Riverkeeper.
With this funding, the Anacostia Riverkeeper will expand an existing volunteer water quality monitoring program to include waters in the District of Columbia and Maryland in the Anacostia River watershed. The project will engage 40 volunteers in monitoring water quality with results being shared at community forums.
The grant is awarded through the NFWF's Five Star and Urban Waters Restoration Program, which support projects that develop community stewardship of natural resources and address water quality issues in priority watersheds across the country. Support for the 2019 Five Star and Urban Waters Restoration Program is provided by the Wildlife Habitat Council, and major funding by EPA, the U.S. Forest Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Fedex, Shell Oil Company, Southern Company and BNSF Railway.
The 2019 grant winners were selected from a highly competitive pool of more than 190 applications. A full list of 2019 projects are available at: https://www.nfwf.org/fivestar/Pages/home.aspx .
Since 1999, the Five Star and Urban Waters Restoration Program has supported almost a thousand projects, with more than $12.8 million in federal funds, $11.3 million in private and corporate contributions, and $78.8 million in matching funds at the local level.
For more information about the Five Star and Urban Waters Restoration Grant program, visit https://www.epa.gov/urbanwaterspartners/five-star-and-urban-waters-restoration-grant-program-2019 .
Environmental Protection Agency, 1650 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103-2029 United States
EPA Proposes Updates Air Regulations for Oil and Gas to Remove Redundant Requirements, Reduce Burden
EPA Proposes Updates to Air Regulations for Oil and Gas to Remove Redundant Requirements and Reduce Burden
Contact Information:
EPA Press Office (press@epa.gov)
WASHINGTON (August 29, 2019) –The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed updates to the prior administration's national standards for the oil and natural gas industry. The proposal would remove regulatory duplication and save the industry millions of dollars in compliance costs each year – while maintaining health and environmental regulations on oil and gas sources that the agency considers appropriate.
Today's proposal is the result of EPA's review of the 2016 New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) for the oil and natural gas industry, which was conducted in response to President Trump's Executive Order 13783 - Promoting Energy Independence and Economic Growth. That order directs agencies to review existing regulations that potentially "burden the development or use of domestically produced energy resources," including oil and natural gas. EPA's regulatory impact analysis estimates that the proposed amendments would save the oil and natural gas industry $17-$19 million a year, for a total of $97-$123 million from 2019 through 2025.
EPA is co-proposing two actions, both of which would remove unnecessary regulatory duplication in the 2016 rule. In its primary proposal, the agency would remove sources in the transmission and storage segment of the oil and gas industry from regulation. These sources include transmission compressor stations, pneumatic controllers, and underground storage vessels. The agency is proposing that the addition of these sources to the 2016 rule was not appropriate, noting that the agency did not make a separate finding to determine that the emissions from the transmission and storage segment of the industry causes or significantly contributes to air pollution that may endanger public health or welfare.
The primary proposal also would rescind emissions limits for methane, from the production and processing segments of the industry but would keep emissions limits for ozone-forming volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These sources include well completions, pneumatic pumps, pneumatic controllers, gathering and boosting compressors, natural gas processing plants and storage tanks. The controls to reduce VOCs emissions also reduce methane at the same time, so separate methane limitations for that segment of the industry are redundant.
This proposal is in addition to a September 2018 technical action that proposed targeted improvements to help streamline implementation, reduce duplication of EPA and state requirements, and significantly decrease unnecessary burdens on domestic energy producers. EPA is currently reviewing comments received on that technical package and expects to issue a final rule in the upcoming months.
EPA will take comment on the proposal for 60 days after it is published in the Federal Register and will hold a public hearing. Details of the hearing will be announced shortly.
More information, including a pre-publication version of the Federal Register notice and a fact sheet, is available at https://www.epa.gov/controlling-air-pollution-oil-and-natural-gas-industry
Environmental Protection Agency, 1650 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103-2029 United States
EPA News: Five Star Urban Waters Grant Awarded toCanaan Valley Institute (Va.)
Contact: R3press@epa.gov
Five Star Urban Waters Grant Awarded to Canaan Valley Institute
With support from EPA, community-led projects will restore urban waters and streams, address water quality in priority watersheds
PHILADELPHIA (August 29, 2019) – Today, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), with support from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), announced a $34,172 grant to the Canaan Valley Institute in Abingdon, Virginia to help restore 3.6 acres of streambank along Wolf Creek and Town Creek by improving wildlife habitats.
The Canaan Valley Institute grant was among 46 Five Star and Urban Waters Restoration Program grants awarded this year, totaling $1.7 million to restore wildlife habitat and urban waters in 22 states and the District of Columbia. Grantees have committed an additional $4.4 million in local project support, generating a total conservation investment of more than $6.1 million. This program supports community partnerships that conserve wildlife and restore river, wetland, riparian, forest and coastal ecosystems.
"EPA is pleased to continue our support for this innovative public-private partnership that encourages community stewardship and incentivizes local solutions to today's environmental and public health challenges," said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler. "These projects will help local communities improve water quality, restore wetlands, and protect wildlife while creating additional recreational opportunities for the surrounding areas."
"The Five Star and Urban Waters Restoration Program supports community partnerships that restore and enhance our nation's fish and wildlife, while at the same time improving water quality and habitat for plants and animals," said Jeff Trandahl, executive director and CEO of NFWF. "The 46 grants announced today will help local communities thrive by increasing resilience, improving green infrastructure and supporting the people and wildlife that call these places home."
"Canaan Valley Institute, along with our watershed partners including the Town of Abingdon, VA Highlands Community College, and the USFWS Partners for Fish & Wildlife Program, are thrilled to collaborate on projects made possible by the grant awarded by the NFWF," said Missy Kalb, Habitat Restoration Specialist at the Canaan Valley Institute. "We are all excited to engage the community of Abingdon in habitat restoration projects and community conservation."
With this funding, the Canaan Valley Institute will improve the habitat for birds and pollinators and stabilize streambanks and improve instream habitat conditions for freshwater fish, mussels, and hellbenders along Wolf Creek and Town Creek. The project will restore about 3.6 acres of stream corridor and engage 600 community college students in planning, implementation, and monitoring. Outreach events are expected to reach more than 3,000 people.
The grant is awarded through the NFWF's Five Star and Urban Waters Restoration Program, which support projects that develop community stewardship of natural resources and address water quality issues in priority watersheds across the country. Support for the 2019 Five Star and Urban Waters Restoration Program is provided by the Wildlife Habitat Council, and major funding by EPA, the U.S. Forest Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Fedex, Shell Oil Company, Southern Company and BNSF Railway.
The 2019 grant winners were selected from a highly competitive pool of more than 190 applications. A full list of 2019 projects are available at: https://www.nfwf.org/fivestar/Pages/home.aspx .
Since 1999, the Five Star and Urban Waters Restoration Program has supported almost a thousand projects, with more than $12.8 million in federal funds, $11.3 million in private and corporate contributions, and $78.8 million in matching funds at the local level.
For more information about the Five Star and Urban Waters Restoration Grant program, visit https://www.epa.gov/urbanwaterspartners/five-star-and-urban-waters-restoration-grant-program-2019 .
Environmental Protection Agency, 1650 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103-2029 United States
EPA Proposes Updates to Air Regulations for Oil and Gas to Remove Redundant Requirements and Reduce
EPA Proposes Updates to Air Regulations for Oil and Gas to Remove Redundant Requirements and Reduce Burden
WASHINGTON (August 29, 2019) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed updates to the prior administration's national standards for the oil and natural gas industry. The proposal would remove regulatory duplication and save the industry millions of dollars in compliance costs each year – while maintaining health and environmental regulations on oil and gas sources that the agency considers appropriate.
Today's proposal is the result of EPA's review of the 2016 New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) for the oil and natural gas industry, which was conducted in response to President Trump's Executive Order 13783 - Promoting Energy Independence and Economic Growth. That order directs agencies to review existing regulations that potentially "burden the development or use of domestically produced energy resources," including oil and natural gas.
EPA's regulatory impact analysis estimates that the proposed amendments would save the oil and natural gas industry $17-$19 million a year, for a total of $97-$123 million from 2019 through 2025.
"EPA's proposal delivers on President Trump's executive order and removes unnecessary and duplicative regulatory burdens from the oil and gas industry," said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler. "The Trump Administration recognizes that methane is valuable, and the industry has an incentive to minimize leaks and maximize its use. Since 1990, natural gas production in the United States has almost doubled while methane emissions across the natural gas industry have fallen by nearly 15%. Our regulations should not stifle this innovation and progress."
EPA is co-proposing two actions, both of which would remove unnecessary regulatory duplication in the 2016 rule. In its primary proposal, the agency would remove sources in the transmission and storage segment of the oil and gas industry from regulation. These sources include transmission compressor stations, pneumatic controllers, and underground storage vessels. The agency is proposing that the addition of these sources to the 2016 rule was not appropriate, noting that the agency did not make a separate finding to determine that the emissions from the transmission and storage segment of the industry causes or significantly contributes to air pollution that may endanger public health or welfare.
The primary proposal also would rescind emissions limits for methane, from the production and processing segments of the industry but would keep emissions limits for ozone-forming volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These sources include well completions, pneumatic pumps, pneumatic controllers, gathering and boosting compressors, natural gas processing plants and storage tanks. The controls to reduce VOCs emissions also reduce methane at the same time, so separate methane limitations for that segment of the industry are redundant.
In an alternative proposal, EPA would rescind the methane emissions limitations without removing from regulation any sources from the transmission and storage segment of the industry.
The agency also is seeking comment on alternative interpretations of EPA's legal authority to regulate pollutants under section 111(b)(1)(A) of the Clean Air Act.
This proposal is in addition to a September 2018 technical action that proposed targeted improvements to help streamline implementation, reduce duplication of EPA and state requirements, and significantly decrease unnecessary burdens on domestic energy producers. EPA is currently reviewing comments received on that technical package and expects to issue a final rule in the upcoming months.
EPA will take comment on the proposal for 60 days after it is published in the Federal Register and will hold a public hearing. Details of the hearing will be announced shortly.
More information, including a pre-publication version of the Federal Register notice and a fact sheet, is available at: https://www.epa.gov/controlling-air-pollution-oil-and-natural-gas-industry
Link to proposal: https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2019-08/documents/frn_oil_and_gas_review_2060-at90_nprm_20190828revised_d.pdf
Link to fact sheet: https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2019-08/documents/fact_sheet._proposed_amendments_to_nsps_for_oil_and_natural_gas_industry.8.28.19.pdf
US EPA, Office of Public Engagement, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20460 United States
EPA News: Five Star Urban Waters Grant Awarded to Elizabeth River Project (Va.)
Contact: R3press@epa.gov
Five Star Urban Waters Grant Awarded to Elizabeth River Project
With support from EPA, community-led projects will restore urban waters and streams, address water quality in priority watersheds
PHILADELPHIA (August 29, 2019) – Today, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), with support from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), announced a $49,968 grant to the Elizabeth River Project in Norfolk, Virginia to help create oyster habitats in the Eastern Branch of the Elizabeth River.
The Elizabeth River Project grant was among 46 Five Star and Urban Waters Restoration Program grants awarded this year, totaling $1.7 million to restore wildlife habitat and urban waters in 22 states and the District of Columbia. Grantees have committed an additional $4.4 million in local project support, generating a total conservation investment of more than $6.1 million. This program supports community partnerships that conserve wildlife and restore river, wetland, riparian, forest and coastal ecosystems.
"EPA is pleased to continue our support for this innovative public-private partnership that encourages community stewardship and incentivizes local solutions to today's environmental and public health challenges," said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler. "These projects will help local communities improve water quality, restore wetlands, and protect wildlife while creating additional recreational opportunities for the surrounding areas."
"The Five Star and Urban Waters Restoration Program supports community partnerships that restore and enhance our nation's fish and wildlife, while at the same time improving water quality and habitat for plants and animals," said Jeff Trandahl, executive director and CEO of NFWF. "The 46 grants announced today will help local communities thrive by increasing resilience, improving green infrastructure and supporting the people and wildlife that call these places home."
With this funding, the Elizabeth River Project will deploy the latest technologies for creating oyster habitats in the Eastern Branch of the Elizabeth River to create five acres of robust habitat for the keystone species of the Chesapeake Bay, the native oyster. The project will include adding 86 cubic yards of material ranging from "oyster castles" to a new design for "oyster discs" that mimic natural reefs.
The grant is awarded through the NFWF's Five Star and Urban Waters Restoration Program, which support projects that develop community stewardship of natural resources and address water quality issues in priority watersheds across the country. Support for the 2019 Five Star and Urban Waters Restoration Program is provided by the Wildlife Habitat Council, and major funding by EPA, the U.S. Forest Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Fedex, Shell Oil Company, Southern Company and BNSF Railway.
The 2019 grant winners were selected from a highly competitive pool of more than 190 applications. A full list of 2019 projects are available at: https://www.nfwf.org/fivestar/Pages/home.aspx .
Since 1999, the Five Star and Urban Waters Restoration Program has supported almost a thousand projects, with more than $12.8 million in federal funds, $11.3 million in private and corporate contributions, and $78.8 million in matching funds at the local level.
For more information about the Five Star and Urban Waters Restoration Grant program, visit https://www.epa.gov/urbanwaterspartners/five-star-and-urban-waters-restoration-grant-program-2019 .
Environmental Protection Agency, 1650 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103-2029 United States
Five-Star Urban Grants Award $1.7 Million to Help Restore Urban Waters and Streams
Five-Star Urban Grants Award $1.7 Million to Help Restore Urban Waters and Streams
WASHINGTON (August 28, 2019) - Today, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), with support from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), announced grants totaling $1.7 million under NFWF's Five Star and Urban Waters Restoration Program. The grants support public-private partnerships that help restore wildlife habitat and urban waters across the country.
"EPA is pleased to continue our support for this innovative public-private partnership that encourages community stewardship and incentivizes local solutions to today's environmental and public health challenges," said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler. "These projects will help local communities improve water quality, restore wetlands and protect wildlife while creating additional recreational opportunities for the surrounding areas."
"The Five Star and Urban Waters Restoration Program supports community partnerships that restore and enhance our nation's fish and wildlife, while at the same time improving water quality and habitat for plants and animals," said Jeff Trandahl, executive director and CEO of NFWF. "The 46 grants announced today will help local communities thrive by increasing resilience, improving green infrastructure and supporting the people and wildlife that call these places home."
NFWF's Five Star and Urban Waters Restoration Program supports projects that develop community stewardship of natural resources and address water quality issues in priority watersheds across the country. In total, the Five Star and Urban Waters Restoration Program is awarding 46 grants this year. EPA's funding will go toward 24 of those projects in 16 states and the District of Columbia. Program wide, grantees have committed an additional $4.4 million in local project support, generating a total conservation investment of more than $6.1 million.
The Five Star and Urban Waters Restoration program supports community partnerships that conserve wildlife and restore river, wetland, riparian, forest and coastal ecosystems. Support for the 2019 grants are provided by the Wildlife Habitat Council, and major funding by EPA, the U.S. Forest Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Fedex, Shell Oil Company, Southern Company and BNSF Railway.
The 2019 grant winners were selected from a highly competitive pool of more than 190 applications. A full list of 2019 projects are available here.
For more information about the Five Star and Urban Waters Restoration Grant program, visit: https://www.epa.gov/urbanwaterspartners/five-star-and-urban-waters-restoration-grant-program-2019.
US EPA, Office of Public Engagement, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20460 United States
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Renews Task Force with the Interstate Oil and Gas Commision
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Renews Task Force with the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission
Medora, N.D. (August 27, 2019) – At a four-day event hosted in Medora, North Dakota, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that it is renewing its commitment to collaborate with the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission (IOGCC) through the EPA-IOGCC Task Force. First established in 2002, the task force is made up of EPA's senior leaders and state oil and gas leadership and is a mechanism for better communication and collaboration between the federal government and the states. Together, EPA and IOGCC leadership will continue to promote protection of human health and the environment, while recognizing each other's missions, responsibilities and authorities, increasing efficiencies and facilitating the exchange of information and expertise.
"Referring to collaboration in the abstract does not go far enough," said EPA Senior Counselor for Regional Management and State Affairs Doug Benevento. "Instead, it's important to memorialize our intentions to work together with our state oil and gas co-regulators through the renewed Memorandum of Understanding we will sign later this year. The agency looks forward to strengthening its relationship with IOGCC."
"Having worked in oil and gas production for most of my career, as a state agency cabinet secretary and in the private sector, I know firsthand how important it is for state and federal agencies to work together to serve the communities where this vital part of our economy is taking place," said EPA Region 6 Administrator Ken McQueen. "Federal-state partnerships have allowed us to work together on reasonable, responsible actions to protect people and natural resources while continuing economic growth."
"Opportunities such as the recent IOGCC conference in Medora are absolutely invaluable as we continue to build positive relationships between federal agencies and our state partners," said EPA Region 8 Administrator Greg Sopkin. "Listening to state leaders, such as North Dakota Governor Burgum, highlight the accomplishments of the oil and gas sector in the state and engaging with the energy sector regarding the latest technologies available are critical as all parties strive for environmentally responsible production of oil and natural gas."
Produced water generated from oil and gas production was one of many topics covered at the IOGCC annual meeting in Medora earlier this week. Both EPA and certain IOGCC member regulators maintain authority and responsibility over produced water, making federal and state collaboration on the management and regulation of produced water essential. For more information, see EPA's Study of Oil and Gas Extraction Wastewater Management Under the Clean Water Act (Draft May 2019) and the forthcoming draft Water Reuse Action Plan, highlighting produced water reuse and recycling opportunities.
EPA's efforts to facilitate compliance in the oil and natural gas industry also creates opportunities to collaborate with our state co-regulators. EPA's New Owner Audit Program for Oil and Gas encourages environmental audits and self-disclosure of noncompliance, consistent with many of our state co-regulators' audit programs. Another example is EPA's Environmental Compliance Information for Energy Extraction website, an online portal intended to help the regulated community comply with both federal and state environmental regulations.
In addition, EPA will soon be proposing changes to the new source performance standards applicable to the oil and natural gas industry. EPA's proposal will deliver on President Trump's executive order by removing unnecessary and duplicative regulatory burdens from the oil and gas industry, saving millions in regulatory costs from 2019 to 2025.
US EPA, Office of Public Engagement, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20460 United States
HOUSTON, TEXAS AGREES TO IMPLEMENT COMPREHENSIVE MEASURES AIMED AT ELIMINATING SSOs
HOUSTON, TEXAS AGREES TO IMPLEMENT COMPREHENSIVE MEASURES AIMED AT ELIMINATING SANITARY SEWER OVERFLOWS AND ILLEGAL DISCHARGES FROM WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANTS
WASHINGTON (August 26, 2019) — In a settlement agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), the city of Houston, Texas, has agreed to implement a comprehensive set of corrective measures and improvements to the city's sewer system to resolve longstanding problems with sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs) and discharges into various water bodies of pollutants in excess of permitted limits from the city's 39 wastewater treatment plants.
The agreement, upon final approval by a U.S. District Court Judge, will resolve the city's noncompliance with the Clean Water Act (CWA) and provisions of the Texas Water Code (TWC). These violations were alleged in a joint Complaint filed on Sept. 20, 2018, by the U.S. Department of Justice, on behalf of EPA, and the state of Texas, on behalf of the TCEQ. The city also has agreed to pay a civil penalty of $4.4 million, which will be shared equally with the State of Texas.
"Fixing Houston's sewer system will be a massive undertaking. But it is necessary to protect public health and the environment," said Susan P. Bodine, EPA Assistant Administrator for the Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. "EPA and the State of Texas worked with the City to develop a comprehensive solution that will improve the quality of life of Houston's citizens as well as the quality of water in and around Houston."
"The settlement, done in partnership with the state of Texas, will see that the city of Houston attains compliance with state and federal environmental laws by expanding its wastewater treatment capacity and thus reducing sewage overflows into city streets and waterways," said Assistant Attorney General Jeffrey Bossert Clark of the Justice Department's Environment and Natural Resources Division. "The city should have acted faster to make the necessary infrastructure investments to avoid public health problems but today's settlement is a substantial step towards meeting the legal requirements enacted to protect the public from unsanitary conditions, dangerous bacteria, and the contagious diseases that pose intolerable risks to the city's residents and visitors."
"This settlement sets a roadmap of what needs to be done to preserve health and safety for millions of Texans and protect our state's water resources for generations to come," said Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. "We will continue working alongside our federal partner to assure the City of Houston fulfills all its obligations under this agreement and the laws of Texas."
The city of Houston operates one of the largest sewer systems in the nation, which serves nearly two million people. The system includes more than 6,000 miles of sewer lines, 390 lift stations, and more than 120,000 manholes.
To come into compliance with the CWA and the TWC, the city will implement over a period of 15 years extensive measures to prevent SSOs and effluent violations, at an estimated cost of $2 billion.
Preventing raw sewage in the form of SSOs from going onto the streets of the city and from entering waters of the United States and waters of the state eliminates a significant threat to human health and the environment. These discharges have contributed to bacteria contamination of Houston water bodies, degraded water quality, and contain viruses that may cause illnesses.
During implementation of the work required under the consent decree the release of raw sewage from the city's sewer system will be reduced by approximately six million gallons a year. Currently, this sewage is entering various water bodies in, around and near the city, including the Buffalo Bayou and the Houston Ship Channel.
Under the consent decree, Houston will address the insufficient capacity of its sewer system in identified areas where large-volume SSOs have occurred during major rain events. In addition, some non-wet weather SSOs occurring in the city over the years have been caused by defective conditions such as cracked and broken sewer lines. The city has agreed to conduct a system-wide inspection of all its gravity sewer lines and manholes to assess their structural condition. The city will annually remediate no less than 150 miles of sewer lines based upon the results of the inspection and assessment. Further, to address another major cause of SSOs in the form of blockages caused by debris and fats, oil and grease (FOG), the city will implement two major cleaning programs. Under the first program, the city will target SSO-prone areas for cleaning in the first two years and complete cleaning of all gravity sewer lines in the first 10 years of the consent decree with additional cleaning requirements thereafter. A second cleaning program will target areas that require more frequent cleaning to prevent SSOs from occurring, primarily due to FOG.
Finally, the city has agreed to implement a number of measures as early action projects to address SSOs and effluent violations within the first few years of the consent decree. Several of the early action projects involve wastewater treatment plants. The city, the United States and the state identified 10 wastewater treatment plants that have experienced a significant number of effluent violations, including such pollutants as E. Coli, ammonia and total suspended solids. The city will implement improvements and repairs that will address the causes of violations at these plants, as well as implement a maintenance program to cover all of its wastewater treatment plants. As additional early action projects, the City will renew / replace more than 100 lift stations and more than 35 miles of the sewer system's force main sewer lines, which transmit wastewater under pressure.
The consent decree was lodged in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Houston Division. The consent decree is subject to a 30-day public comment period before the court can give final approval and enter the consent decree as a final judgment, at which time it will become effective. The consent decree is available at: www.justice.gov/enrd/consent-decrees.
For more information on the settlement, please visit: https://www.epa.gov/enforcement/city-houston-clean-water-act-settlement-information-sheet
US EPA, Office of Public Engagement, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20460 United States
EPA selects Virginia’s Friends of the Rappahannock for $100,000 Environmental Education grant
Contact: R3press@epa.gov
EPA selects Virginia's Friends of the Rappahannock for $100,000 Environmental Education grant,
professional development for teachers
PHILADELPHIA (Aug. 27, 2019) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has selected Friends of the Rappahannock in Fredericksburg, Va., to receive a $100,000 Environmental Education grant to provide training for teachers. This non-profit was selected through a competitive process and is one of the four grantees this year in EPA's Mid-Atlantic Region.
"EPA is glad to support professional development for teachers to experience ways to build environmental literacy," said EPA Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator Cosmo Servidio. "We need more teachers who can help students learn, both inside the classroom and outdoors, about environmental science and environmental issues."
The training will focus on the importance, and challenges, of local watersheds and how to use a hands-on, region-based approach. Teachers will learn how to share this knowledge with their students and how to engage students in local problem-solving and stewardship activities. In addition, student projects have great potential to bring tangible restoration benefits to the Rappahannock River and Chesapeake Bay.
Since 1992, EPA's Environmental Education program seeks grant proposals from eligible applicants to support environmental education projects that promote environmental awareness and stewardship and help provide people with the skills to take responsible actions to protect the environment. This grant program provides financial support for projects that design, demonstrate, and/or disseminate environmental education practices, methods or techniques.
For more information visit: https://www.epa.gov/education
Environmental Protection Agency, 1650 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103-2029 United States
EPA selects Virginia’s Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden for $100,000 for community education program
Contact: R3press@epa.gov
EPA selects Virginia's Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden for $100,000 for community
education program to reduce stormwater run-off
PHILADELPHIA (Aug. 27, 2019) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency awarded the Richmond, Va.-based Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden a $100,000 Environmental Education grant to lead educational opportunities for community volunteers to help reduce stormwater runoff pollution and create water-friendly landscapes. This grantee was selected through a competitive process and is one of four awarded this year in EPA's Mid-Atlantic region.
"Uncontrolled stormwater runoff can lead to flooding, reduced recreational use and health impacts on people, waterways and the Chesapeake Bay," said EPA Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator Cosmo Servidio. "It's a smart way to bring residents together to learn and also to roll up their sleeves and work on local projects to reduce stormwater runoff in Richmond."
The Botanical Garden's program will teach best management practices and restoration -- planting native plants along the shoreline, removing invasive plants, correcting soil gradation, and installing a rain garden. Volunteers will learn about the value of rain gardens' function and the diverse palette of native plants that can be used in these challenging conditions. The program will focus on the Sydnor Lake shoreline, which will have local benefits, but can also help improve water quality in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
Since 1992, EPA's Environmental Education program seeks grant proposals from eligible applicants to support environmental education projects that promote environmental awareness and stewardship and help provide people with the skills to take responsible actions to protect the environment. This grant program provides financial support for projects that design, demonstrate, and/or disseminate environmental education practices, methods or techniques.
For more information visit: https://www.epa.gov/education.
Environmental Protection Agency, 1650 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103-2029 United States
EPA awards Living Classrooms Foundation a $60,000 Environmental Education grant for South Baltimore
Contact: R3press@epa.gov
EPA awards Living Classrooms Foundation a $60,000 Environmental Education grant for South Baltimore program
PHILADELPHIA (Aug. 27, 2019) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has selected the Living Classroom Foundation in Baltimore to receive a $60,000 Environmental Education grant to expand environmental service learning for students and community members in South Baltimore. The Living Classrooms Foundation was selected through a competitive process and is one of four grantees this year in EPA's Mid-Atlantic region.
"It's encouraging to know that students and community members in South Baltimore will work together on urban environmental challenges," said EPA Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator Cosmo Servidio. "EPA is proud to support this collaboration which helps build understanding and appreciation for different perspectives and advances environmental stewardship."
Living Classroom's program is providing informal hands-on environmental education to students to advance their knowledge of real-world environmental issues and implement solutions to runoff pollution through three community service projects. High school students and community members will focus on managing storm water runoff, reducing litter, and reducing the harmful effects of various types of land use.
Since 1992, EPA's Environmental Education program seeks grant proposals from eligible applicants to support environmental education projects that promote environmental awareness and stewardship and help provide people with the skills to take responsible actions to protect the environment. This grant program provides financial support for projects that design, demonstrate, and/or disseminate environmental education practices, methods or techniques.
For more information visit: https://www.epa.gov/education.
Environmental Protection Agency, 1650 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103-2029 United States
Baltimore’s Parks & People Foundation awarded $60,000 EPA Environmental Education grant
Contact: R3press@epa.gov
Baltimore's Parks & People Foundation awarded
$60,000 EPA Environmental Education grant
Professionals help high school students learn green design
PHILADELPHIA (Aug. 27, 2019) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has selected the Parks & People Foundation to receive a $60,000 Environmental Education grant to fund a program where high school students explore and design green spaces. The Baltimore non-profit was selected through a competitive process and is one of four grants awarded in EPA's Mid-Atlantic Region.
"EPA encourages green and healthy school environments because studies show they positively affect attendance, concentration, performance and wellness of both students and teachers," said EPA Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator Cosmo Servidio. "This experiential-learning program can tap into students' creativity and also help them understand more about the value of integrating the natural and built environments in their community."
In this program students will team up with professional researchers and environmental engineers to design, plan and construct four school-based greening projects in Baltimore City elementary or middle schools. By working with professionals, students will also learn first-hand about career opportunities in this field.
Since 1992, EPA's Environmental Education (EE) program seeks grant proposals from eligible applicants to support environmental education projects that promote environmental awareness and stewardship and help provide people with the skills to take responsible actions to protect the environment. This grant program provides financial support for projects that design, demonstrate, and/or disseminate environmental education practices, methods or techniques.
For more information on EPA's EE program visit: https://www.epa.gov/education.
For more information about Parks and People Foundation: https://parksandpeople.org/
Environmental Protection Agency, 1650 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103-2029 United States
EPA Addresses Violations for Formaldehyde Emissions for Imported Composite Wood Products
EPA Addresses Violations of Requirements for Formaldehyde Emissions for Imported Composite Wood Products
WASHINGTON (August 26, 2019) —Last week the Environmental Appeals Board approved a settlement resolving violations of the Formaldehyde Standards for Composite Wood Products Act of 2010 and its implementing Formaldehyde Rule (effective June 1, 2018). This is the first enforcement action taken by the agency for violations of the Formaldehyde regulations.
Formaldehyde is a colorless, flammable gas at room temperature and has a strong odor. The chemical is found in resins used in the manufacture of composite wood products (i.e., hardwood plywood, particleboard and medium-density fiberboard), among others. Exposure to formaldehyde may cause adverse health effects including irritation of the skin, eyes, nose, and throat and at high exposure levels may cause some types of cancers. The Formaldehyde Rule sets limits on how much formaldehyde can be released from composite wood products and establishes a program in which independent certifying organizations will verify that composite wood panel producers comply with the limits on formaldehyde releases.
The settlement with Global Sourcing Solutions, A Division of Turner Logistics, LLC (GSS) of Montvale, New Jersey, resolves violations associated with the importation of noncompliant composite wood products. Under the Consent Agreement, GSS agreed to take corrective actions to come into compliance and will pay a penalty of $544,064. The settlement reflects the company's cooperation with EPA, its immediate efforts to come into compliance, and its implementation of the corrective action plan. As part of the settlement GSS, although not admitting liability, has modified its practices in construction projects across the country to assure future compliance with the Formaldehyde Rule requirements.
To read the Consent Agreement: https://yosemite.epa.gov/oa/EAB_Web_Docket.nsf/RecentAdditionsv2/35EF5959F6E2771685258457006C2202/$File/Final%20Order%20and%20Attachments.pdf
US EPA, Office of Public Engagement, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20460 United States
