EPA’s Methane Challenge Partners Lead in Efficiency and Emissions Reductions

 

 

 

EPA's Methane Challenge Partners Lead in Efficiency and Emissions Reductions

 

WASHINGTON (June 30, 2020) — Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published new data showing that from 2016 to 2018 oil and natural gas companies that participated in EPA's voluntary Natural Gas STAR Methane Challenge Program reduced methane emissions by the equivalent of over 5 million metric tons of carbon dioxide – all through voluntary actions to reduce emissions from key sources across their operations.

"Through voluntary partnership and private sector innovation, we have achieved a significant reduction in the emissions of methane. The program is a great example of how an EPA-industry partnership can create incentives for private industry and reduce emissions without a one-size-fits all mandate," said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler.

The extensive data provided by companies on their voluntary efforts provides important information to the public and serves as a guide for other companies looking to improve efficiencies and reduce emissions. Highlights from the reported data include the following:

• The first publication of detailed data from Methane Challenge partners in the ONE Future commitment option, covering emission sources and voluntary actions to mitigate methane emissions across their operations.
• Partners' methane reductions to-date have kept nearly $32 million worth of natural gas in the pipeline.
• Distribution segment companies reported replacement of nearly 3,000 miles of cast iron pipelines and nearly 5,000 miles of unprotected steel pipelines since the program began. These actions reduced methane emissions from old, leaky pipes by over 570,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent.
• Transmission segment companies reduced methane emissions from pipeline "blowdowns" during planned pipe replacement/maintenance activities by over 4 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent.

As the agency is in the process of re-assessing its regulatory approach to this sector, these companies are demonstrating how beneficial public-private partnerships can be. With greater industry participation, these programs can be even more impactful, which is good for business and the environment.

Background

The Natural Gas STAR Methane Challenge Program is a voluntary program launched in 2016 by the EPA in collaboration with oil and natural gas companies. It builds on the successes of the Natural Gas STAR program, through which partner companies have achieved cost-effective methane reductions for more than 25 years. The Methane Challenge Program provides partner companies a voluntary platform to make a company-wide commitment to cut methane emissions, track and report their actions, and be recognized by EPA for their achievements. More than 60 companies from all segments of the industry—production, gathering and boosting, processing, transmission and storage, and distribution—are now program partners.

To learn more about our Methane Challenge Partners, their commitments, and their achievements to date, see: https://www.epa.gov/natural-gas-star-program/methane-challenge-partners

More information on the Methane Challenge and Natural Gas STAR Programs, as well as details on how to join, can be found at: https://www.epa.gov/natural-gas-star-program

 

If you would rather not receive future communications from US EPA, Office of Public Engagement, let us know by clicking here.
US EPA, Office of Public Engagement, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20460 United States

EPA News: Two Philadelphia Organizations Receive Funding to Support Environmental Justice Projects

 

 

 

Contact: R3press@epa.gov Two Philadelphia Organizations Receive Funding to Support Environmental Justice Projects PHILADELPHIA (June 30, 2020) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced today that two Philadelphia organizations – the Energy Coordinating Agency of Philadelphia and the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society – are among 12 groups nationwide receiving $30,000 each to help address environmental justice issues in their communities. "EPA works day in and day out to provide clean air, water and land, with a particular focus on environmental justice," said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler. "These grants support the Trump Administration's promise to provide critical investment in low-income and minority communities that have environmental justice concerns." The organizations announced today were selected from the large pool of applicants in 2019. This funding is in addition to 50 organizations awarded $1.5 million in grants nationwide in November 2019 "It's invigorating for EPA's Mid-Atlantic Region to provide this funding to two Philadelphia groups that have shown a commitment to addressing environmental justice issues in city neighborhoods," said EPA's mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator Cosmo Servidio. "These groups developed projects that will improve and protect the health and safety of Philadelphia families." The Energy Coordinating Agency of Philadelphia will use the funds to educate 40 families in low income neighborhoods that have a high levels of home lead contamination about how to live safely with lead.  The project will include a lead audit of their homes and education on how to contain the lead so it minimizes health risks.   The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society will use funding to address environmental issues in the Tioga and Nicetown neighborhoods in Philadelphia by working with neighborhood leaders and stakeholders on a year-long program of community engagement and education that will foster discussion on environmental justice concerns. The project will include regular meetings and workshops to inspire residents to commit to greening and cleaning efforts in their neighborhoods.  Environmental Justice Small Grants enable organizations to conduct research, provide education and training, and develop community-driven solutions to local health and environmental issues in minority, low-income, tribal and rural communities. The grants program provides critical support to organizations that otherwise lack the funding and resources to address environmental challenges in underserved and overburdened communities. Seven of the 12 grants selected, or almost 60%, will support communities with census tracts designated as federal Opportunity Zones – an economically-distressed community where new investment may be eligible for preferential tax treatment. Most often, those who reside near these sites are low-income, minority, and disadvantaged Americans. By focusing resources on these areas, we can multiply the impact of the tax incentive and attract even more economic development to these areas. This month, as part of its 50th anniversary commemoration, EPA is highlighting some of the key state, tribal, international, non-profit, and private sector partnerships that have helped our nation further its progress toward cleaner air, water, and land. As one example, EPA's Office of Environmental Justice coordinates with multiple partners that include federal and local government, business and industry, and academia to help improve environmental and public health conditions of low-income and minority communities. For more information on the Environmental Justice Small Grants Program, including descriptions of previously funded grants: https://www.epa.gov/environmentaljustice/environmental-justice-small-grants-program For more information on additional winners, please visit: https://www.epa.gov/environmentaljustice/environmental-justice-small-grants-program For more information on the Environmental Justice Small Grants Program, including descriptions of previously funded grants: https://www.epa.gov/environmentaljustice/environmental-justice-small-grants-program #   #   #

If you would rather not receive future communications from Environmental Protection Agency, let us know by clicking here.
Environmental Protection Agency, 1650 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103-2029 United States

EPA Selects Remedy to Protect Residents at Arsenic Mine Superfund Site in Kent, New York

 

 

 

CONTACT: rodriguez.elias@epa.gov   EPA Selects Remedy to Protect Residents at Arsenic Mine Superfund Site in Kent, New York   Kent, N.Y. (June 30, 2020) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has selected a remedy for the Arsenic Mine Superfund Site in Kent, N.Y. that includes offering to purchase certain contaminated properties and permanently relocate the affected residents who choose to move in order to prevent exposure to arsenic-contaminated soil. Once the properties are vacated, the homes will be demolished.   "We are pleased that EPA's outreach to impacted residents and our collaborative engagement with local, state and federal partners has brought us to a point where we can now offer property owners a remedy to protect residents from arsenic-contaminated soil," said EPA Regional Administrator Pete Lopez. "EPA previously took actions at the Arsenic Mine Site that have addressed the immediate risks by reducing residents' exposure to arsenic contamination in the short-term and, today, we offer a way forward to mitigate the risks over the long-term." EPA proposed the Arsenic Mine site to the National Priorities List (NPL) on June 3, 2019, added the site to the Administrator's Emphasis List in July 2019 to consider public comments received on the proposal and make a final listing determination, and listed the site on the NPL in November 2019. The Arsenic Mine Site includes a former mine that was operated intermittently from the mid-1800s through approximately 1918 to extract arsenic for manufacturing products, such as pesticides, pharmaceuticals and chemicals. Decades later, residential houses were built on properties around and downslope from the former mine.  Arsenic-contaminated soils are found on the residential properties. Residents with private drinking water supply wells impacted by arsenic contamination at the site are currently utilizing treatment systems or bottled water. EPA has met one-on-one with residents and government partners and repaired a drinking water system where the potable water well had been compromised. EPA continues to regularly monitor residents' drinking water supplies to ensure that treatment systems continue to be effective. To reduce the potential for local residents' short-term exposure to elevated levels of arsenic in the soil, EPA installed barriers to contaminated soil in high-use areas. EPA has also implemented measures to reduce tracking of arsenic-contaminated soil indoors by removing or replacing contaminated soil at the affected properties in gardens and areas used by pets and livestock. These specific measures vary based on the use of each property. EPA's selected remedy includes offering to buy certain properties and permanently relocate those affected residents. Permanent relocation will include federal financial and logistical support for residents to help them move away from the site permanently and residents will be assisted in the relocation process, including identifying and moving into replacement residences. The vacated homes will be demolished. This alternative includes institutional controls, such as environmental easements, that will limit the future use of the properties. Until the residents from each affected residence are permanently relocated, or until a final remedy is completed, periodic inspections and maintenance of the existing protective measures at each occupied residence will be performed, as necessary,  to ensure the effectiveness of these measures in eliminating exposure pathways in the areas where these measures were installed. The estimated cost of EPA's selected  remedy is $5.83 million.  To view the EPA's Record of Decision for the site, please visit www.epa.gov/superfund/arsenic-mine Follow EPA Region 2 on Twitter at http://twitter.com/eparegion2 and visit our Facebook page, http://facebook.com/eparegion2 20-046                                                                           #  #  #

If you would rather not receive future communications from Environmental Protection Agency, let us know by clicking here.
Environmental Protection Agency, 290 Broadway, New York,, NY 10007-1866 United States

EPA Releases Additional Funding for 2020 Environmental Justice Small Grants

 

 

 

EPA Releases Additional Funding for 2020 Environmental Justice Small Grants

Agency selects 12 organizations to receive $360,000 nationwide

 

WASHINGTON (June 30, 2020) — Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced 12 organizations will receive a total of $360,000 to help address environmental justice issues in their communities. Each of the organizations will receive $30,000. The organizations announced today were selected from the large pool of applicants in 2019. This funding is in addition to 50 organizations awarded $1.5 million in grants nationwide in November 2019.

"Regardless of zip code, the EPA works day in and day out to provide clean air, clean water, and clean land to all Americans," said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler. "These grants further the Trump Administration's commitment to support low-income and minority communities, providing critical infrastructure to areas with environmental justice concerns."

Seven of the 12 grants selected, or almost 60%, will support communities with census tracts designated as federal Opportunity Zones – an economically-distressed community where new investment may be eligible for preferential tax treatment. Most often, those who reside near these sites are low-income, minority, and disadvantaged Americans. By focusing resources on these areas, we can multiply the impact of the tax incentive and attract even more economic development to these areas.

EPA's Environmental Justice Small Grants program provides critical support to organizations that otherwise lack the funding and resources to address environmental challenges in underserved and overburdened communities. The following organizations will receive grants:

• Groundwork Lawrence, Lawrence, MA
• Energy Coordinating Agency of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
• Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, Philadelphia, PA
• Metro Community Ministries, College Park, GA
• Sustain Charlotte, Charlotte, NC
• Heartland Communities, Inc., Fort Wayne, IN
• The IPM Institute of North America, Milwaukee, WI
• Friends of Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge, Albuquerque, NM
• Taos Valley Acequia Association, Taos, NM
• Environmental Health Coalition, San Diego, CA
• Rural Community Assistance Corporation, Yurok Indian Reservation, CA
• One Step A La Vez, Santa Clara River Valley, CA

The grants will enable these organizations to conduct research, provide education and training, and develop community-driven solutions to local health and environmental issues in minority, low-income, tribal, and rural communities.

This month, as part of its 50th anniversary commemoration, EPA is highlighting some of the key state, tribal, international, non-profit, and private sector partnerships that have helped our nation further its progress toward cleaner air, water, and land. As one example, EPA's Office of Environmental Justice coordinates with multiple partners that include federal and local government, business and industry, and academia to help improve environmental and public health conditions of low-income and minority communities.

For more information on the Environmental Justice Small Grants Program, including descriptions of previously funded grants:  https://www.epa.gov/environmentaljustice/environmental-justice-small-grants-program

For more information on additional winners, please visit:  https://www.epa.gov/environmentaljustice/environmental-justice-small-grants-program

For more information on the Environmental Justice Small Grants Program, including descriptions of previously funded grants:  https://www.epa.gov/environmentaljustice/environmental-justice-small-grants-program

 

 

If you would rather not receive future communications from US EPA, Office of Public Engagement, let us know by clicking here.
US EPA, Office of Public Engagement, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20460 United States

EPA Announces $44 Million Water Infrastructure Loan to the City of North Miami Beach

 

 

EPA Announces $44 Million Water Infrastructure Loan to the City of North Miami Beach

 

WASHINGTON (June 29, 2020) — Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a $44 million Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) loan to the City of North Miami Beach, Florida to help finance the expansion and rehabilitation of its drinking water treatment plant and distribution system. The project will help ensure that this growing city has a reliable supply of safe drinking water to meet future demand.

"This WIFIA loan is the latest investment by the Trump Administration in Florida, and the country's, water infrastructure," said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler. "This low-cost and effective investment tool is being used to upgrade wastewater and drinking water infrastructure – supporting public health, the environment, and the local economy in this rapidly growing area – all while saving local taxpayers $130 million." 

Through WIFIA, EPA is playing a key role in President Trump's efforts to improve and upgrade our nation's water infrastructure in communities across the country. With this loan closing, EPA has now issued 24 WIFIA loans totaling $5.3 billion in credit assistance to help finance $11.7 billion for water infrastructure projects while creating 25,000 jobs.

The North Miami Beach Water Regional Potable Water Improvements project will expand capacity and rehabilitate the Norwood Water Treatment Plant and upgrade the city's water main distribution system.  These improvements will allow the city to meet current and projected 2030 average daily demand and maximum daily demand. The project will also improve overall reliability of the water supply, improve treatment and distribution systems, and reduce the frequency of pressure drops in the water distribution system and main breaks.

"Across the Southeast, WIFIA Loans are supporting cities like North Miami Beach in their efforts to modernize and upgrade water infrastructure," said EPA Region 4 Administrator Mary S. Walker. "These upgrades are key to providing Floridians with clean and safe water while protecting human health and the environment."

 "The City of North Miami Beach is dedicated in taking all necessary measures to improve its water utility infrastructure and to improve the lives of its residents and customers in northern Miami-Dade County. This project will help maintain predictability in bringing sustainable, clean, safe, drinking water to taps. In conjunction with the EPA WIFIA program, we are furthering this mission," said Esmond K. Scott, City Manager, City of North Miami Beach.

This project will cost $90 million, and EPA's WIFIA loan will finance nearly half of that figure. Additionally, the remaining project funds will come from a combination of revenue bonds and borrower cash. The WIFIA loan will save the City of North Miami Beach an estimated $11.5 million compared to typical bond financing. Project construction and operation are expected to create 288 jobs.

Background on WIFIA

Established by the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act of 2014, the WIFIA program is a federal loan and guarantee program administered by EPA. WIFIA's aim is to accelerate investment in the nation's water infrastructure by providing long-term and low-cost supplemental credit assistance for regionally and nationally significant projects. EPA's WIFIA program plays an important part in President Trump's infrastructure plan, which calls for expanding project eligibility. The WIFIA program has an active pipeline of pending applications for projects that will result in billions of dollars in water infrastructure investment and thousands of jobs.

For more information about the WIFIA program's accomplishments through 2019, visit: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-announces-first-wifia-annual-report-highlighting-35-billion-infrastructure-funding.

For more information about the WIFIA program, visit https://www.epa.gov/wifia.

 

 

If you would rather not receive future communications from US EPA, Office of Public Engagement, let us know by clicking here.
US EPA, Office of Public Engagement, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20460 United States

EPA Continues to Implement Administrator Wheeler’s Directive to Reduce Animal Testing

 

 

 

EPA Continues to Implement Administrator Wheeler's Directive to Reduce Animal Testing

 

WASHINGTON (June 24, 2020) — Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a work plan that serves as a roadmap for meeting its animal testing reduction goals set forth in Administrator Andrew Wheeler's 2019 Directive  . The release of this New Approach Methods (NAMs) Work Plan coincides with the 4th anniversary of the Frank. R. Lautenberg Amendments to the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), which required that EPA take similar actions to reduce reliance on animal testing.

"The use of alternative testing methods will better predict chemical or pesticide hazards without relying on potentially fatal testing on mammals," said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler. "I'm proud to announce this work plan that can both decrease the use of animals in testing while being fully protective of human health and the environment."

The work plan  describes how the agency plans to develop, test, and apply chemical safety testing approaches that reduce or replace the use of animals. Compared to traditional animal testing, NAMs allow researchers to better predict potential hazards for risk assessment purposes without the use of traditional methods that rely on animal testing.

To develop the work plan, EPA convened experts across the agency to identify objectives and milestones that ensure regulatory, compliance, and enforcement activities – including chemical and pesticide approvals and research – remain fully protective of human health and the environment while pursuing the Administrator's Directive goals.

The objectives of the work plan include:

• Evaluating regulatory flexibility for the use of NAMs.
• Establishing baselines and metrics for assessing progress.
• Developing NAMs that fill critical information gaps.
• Establishing scientific confidence in NAMs.
• Demonstrating NAMs application to regulatory decisions.
• Engaging with stakeholders to incorporates their knowledge and address their concerns regarding EPA's phase out of mammalian testing.

The work plan will evolve as EPA's knowledge and experience grows and as outside experts offer their perspectives and contributions. EPA will regularly review the work plan to ensure the efforts involved provide the best path to success. EPA will host a webinar for the public and all interested stakeholders on June 30 at 9:30 AM EDT to discuss its NAM Work Plan. To register, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/us-epa-new-approach-methods-work-plan-release-webinar-tickets-109687299666.

Feedback on the work plan can be provided to EPA by sending an email to NAM@epa.gov.

Follow the hashtag #TSCAis4 to hear about the agency's TSCA 4th anniversary celebrations and #EPANAM to stay engaged in the agency's actions to reduce the use of animals in chemical testing.

Background

In September 2019, Administrator Wheeler issued a directive that called for the agency to reduce animal testing and funding 30 percent by 2025 and eliminate it by 2035. To support these efforts, EPA announced $4.25 million in funding for five universities to research and develop alternative test methods for evaluating chemical safety. The agency alsoconvened a conference in December 2019 to discuss New Approach Methods (NAMS).   for achieving reduced animal testing in chemical safety research and issued a policy in February 2020 waiving the testing of pesticides on birds when the additional information is unnecessary to support a pesticide registration decision.

In support of this directive, EPA has been working to reduce animal testing in the TSCA program. In 2018, the agency published a strategy to reduce the use of vertebrate animals in chemical testing, fulfilling another requirement of the Lautenberg Act amendments to TSCA. In 2019, EPA updated its list of NAMs that could be used in the TSCA program, including adding 21 new test guidelines related to health and ecological effects and six additional EPA policies that reduce the use of animal testing.

To learn more about the agency's efforts to reduce animal testing, visit:  https://www.epa.gov/nam 

 

If you would rather not receive future communications from US EPA, Office of Public Engagement, let us know by clicking here.
US EPA, Office of Public Engagement, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20460 United States

EPA Administrator Signs Proclamation Marking National Pollinator Week

 First-ever pollinator proclamation for the agency in its 50-year history

 

 

EPA Administrator Signs Proclamation Marking National Pollinator Week

First-ever pollinator proclamation for the agency in its 50-year history

 

WASHINGTON (June 22, 2020) — Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Andrew Wheeler signed a proclamation designating the week of June 22 as National Pollinator Week. Administrator Wheeler is the first EPA Administrator to sign such a proclamation – joining leadership from the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), all 50 Governors and hundreds of governments and organizations around the world.

"Pollinators like bees and hummingbirds sustain nearly 80 percent of the food in our diets," said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler. "I am proud to join Secretary Perdue, Secretary Bernhardt and our state and local partners in reaffirming our commitment to promoting pollinator health. By doing so, we are protecting human health, the environment and our nation's food supply."

Three-fourths of the world's flowering plants and about 35 percent of the world's food crops depend on animal pollinators to reproduce. Yet, pollinator populations are on the decline due to many stressors, including pests, poor nutrition due to loss of habitat, unnecessary pesticide exposure, pathogens and viruses.

EPA is leading several efforts to protect bees and other pollinators from pesticide exposure to ensure they can thrive in their habitats. In 2019, the agency updated its bee mortality data table to help farmers and beekeepers estimate how long a specific pesticide may remain toxic to bees and other insect pollinators following application to crops.

EPA is also focused on advancing public awareness of the importance of protecting pollinators. In March 2020, EPA launched a free webinar series highlighting ongoing work to promote pollinator health and habitat, which will continue through September 2020. This week the agency also renewed its memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Pollinator Partnership, a nonprofit organization that facilitates actions that benefit pollinator habitats.

To learn more about what EPA is doing to protect pollinators and what you can do help protect them, visit https://www.epa.gov/pollinator-protection . More information is also available about how DOI and USDA are celebrating the week.

 

If you would rather not receive future communications from US EPA, Office of Public Engagement, let us know by clicking here.
US EPA, Office of Public Engagement, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20460 United States

EPA at 50: Celebrating Partnerships

 

 

 

EPA at 50: Celebrating Partnerships

 

WASHINGTON  — As part of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) 50^th anniversary commemoration, this week, the agency is highlighting key partnerships with state and local governments as our nation continues to work toward a cleaner, healthier environment for all.

"EPA's mission is to protect human health and the environment. Congress intended the agency to collaborate with state and local governments to achieve this goal. Like other complex issues that our nation faces, environmental protection is a shared responsibility. We can only be successful by working together with our state and local partners," said EPA Office of Congressional and Intergovernmental Relations Associate Administrator Joe Brazauskas.

After 50 years of environmental protection, EPA understands that making progress requires strong cooperation and coordination between Washington, D.C., and the states. Much progress has been made over the past three years to restore the balance of responsibility shared between the federal government and states, which together have a robust network of regulations that protect our waterways and improve our air quality.

The first EPA Administrator, the late William Ruckelshaus, established EPA regional offices to empower states and local governments to implement the agency's major authorizing statutes, including the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water and Safe Drinking Water Acts, and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act.

States are now responsible for implementing over 96% of authorities available under federal environmental law. The result of our 50-year partnership is a clear and unambiguous success:

• From 1970 to 2019, U.S. criteria air pollutants decreased by 77% thanks to federal, state and local efforts while the economy grew 285%.
• In the 1960s, more than 40% of our nation's drinking water systems failed to meet even the most basic health standards. Today, thanks to EPA's strong partnerships with states, tribes, water systems, and other stakeholders, over 92% of community water systems meet all health-based standards.
• Since 1988, EPA has contributed $45 billion to the Clean Water State Revolving Fund, which have provided more than $138 billion in financial assistance through 41,000 low-cost loans for wastewater and stormwater infrastructure projects. Similarly, since 1997, EPA has contributed $21 billion to the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, which have provided more than $41 billion in financial assistance to over 15,000 drinking water projects across the country.
• Since EPA's Brownfields Program began in 1995, it has provided nearly $1.6 billion in grants to assess and clean up contaminated properties and return blighted properties to productive reuse. These investments have leveraged more than $32.6 billion in cleanup and redevelopment and created more than 167,487 jobs. Today, EPA continues its effort to revitalize communities with a particular focus in supporting reinvestment in federally designated Opportunity Zones.

Under the Trump Administration, EPA has made significant progress on restoring Federal Implementation Plans (FIPs) to State Implementation Plans (SIPs) to establish a path forward for bringing non-attainment areas into attainment with federal air quality standards, reducing the SIP backlog, and approving new SIPs. Since 2017, the agency has approved over 1,200 new and backlogged SIPs and converted 30 FIPs to SIPs; the agency has re-designated 40 areas across the country from non-attainment to attainment of certain federal air quality standards. By 2022, working with state partners, EPA is on track to re-designate at least 65 of the 166 nonattainment areas that were identified for tracking as of October 2017.

One of the most significant milestones in the effort to rebalance the relationship between the federal government and the states in managing land and water resources is the EPA's and the Army Corps of Engineers' Navigable Waters Protection Rule. Signed in January of this year, the final rule ensures America's water protections remain strong while giving states and tribes the flexibility and certainty they need to manage their waters in ways that best protect their natural resources and local economies. The rule provides certainty and predictability that will save Americans time and money while accelerating infrastructure projects and economic development.

As EPA celebrates its 50^th Anniversary, the agency recognizes the value of its partnerships with states and local governments in fulfilling our mission to protect human health and the environment.

Background

In 1970, the President's Advisory Council on Executive Organization (the "Ash Council") wrote: "Federal anti-pollution programs must rely heavily on state and local efforts. The trend toward merger and coordination of environmental efforts at the state and local level is often inhibited by present Federal fragmentation. The EPA will simplify relationships with state and local governments and reduce the need to shop around for grant programs and other assistance."[1]

For more on EPA's 50^th Anniversary and how the agency is protecting America's public health and the environment, visit: https://www.epa.gov/50.

Follow EPA's 50^th Anniversary celebration on social media using #EPAat50.

 

If you would rather not receive future communications from US EPA, Office of Public Engagement, let us know by clicking here.
US EPA, Office of Public Engagement, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20460 United States