EPA Proposes to Protect Bristol Bay's Salmon Fishery, Subsistence Fishing for Alaska Natives SEATTLE (May 25, 2022) – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Region 10 Office announced, for public review and comment, a revised Proposed Determination under Clean Water Act Section 404(c) to prohibit and restrict the use of certain waters in the Bristol Bay watershed as disposal sites for the discharge of dredged or fill material associated with mining the Pebble Deposit. If finalized, EPA's Section 404(c) determination would help protect the Bristol Bay watershed's rivers, streams, and wetlands that support the world's largest sockeye salmon fishery and a subsistence-based way of life that has sustained Alaska Native communities for millennia. "The Bristol Bay watershed is a shining example of how our nation's waters are essential to healthy communities, vibrant ecosystems, and a thriving economy," said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. "EPA is committed to following the science, the law, and a transparent public process to determine what is needed to ensure that this irreplaceable and invaluable resource is protected for current and future generations." "Bristol Bay supports one of the world's most important salmon fisheries," said Regional Administrator for EPA Region 10 Casey Sixkiller. "Two decades of scientific study show us that mining the Pebble Deposit would cause permanent damage to an ecosystem that supports a renewable economic powerhouse and has sustained fishing cultures since time immemorial. Clearly, Bristol Bay and the thousands of people who rely on it deserve protection."  The Proposed Determination issued by EPA's Region 10 evaluates an extensive record of scientific and technical information that spans nearly two decades. The Proposed Determination finds that the discharge of dredged or fill material associated with mining the Pebble Deposit could result in unacceptable adverse effects on salmon fishery areas in certain waters within the Bristol Bay watershed. One example of an adverse impact is the permanent loss of 8.5 miles of streams, which would result in fish displacement, injury, and death. The Proposed Determination takes into consideration information that has become available since the Agency's 2014 proposal — including new scientific analyses and the Pebble Limited Partnership's 2020 Mine Plan. Bristol Bay's salmon resources have significant nutritional, cultural, economic, and recreational value, both within and beyond the region. The total economic value, including subsistence uses, of the Bristol Bay watershed's salmon resources was estimated at more than $2.2 billion in 2019. The Bristol Bay commercial salmon fishery generates the largest component of this economic activity, resulting in 15,000 jobs and an economic impact of $2.0 billion in 2019, $990 million of which was in Alaska.  The Proposed Determination proposes to prohibit discharges of dredged or fill material associated with mining the Pebble deposit into waters of the United States within the mine site footprint for the 2020 Mine Plan located in the South Fork Koktuli River, North Fork Koktuli River, and Upper Talarik Creek watersheds. It also proposes to restrict discharges of dredged or fill material associated with any future plan to mine the Pebble deposit into certain waters of the South Fork Koktuli River, North Fork Koktuli River, and Upper Talarik Creek watersheds that would result in adverse effects similar to those associated with the 2020 Mine Plan. The prohibition and restriction in the revised Proposed Determination only apply to discharges of dredged or fill material associated with mining the Pebble Deposit. This action does not apply to any other resource development projects in the state of Alaska.  EPA Region 10 will solicit public comments on the revised Proposed Determination at public hearings in June and by written submissions through July 5. For more information, visit: www.epa.gov/bristolbay.

 

 

 

 

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Issued: May 24, 2022 (3:29pm EDT)

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EPA Regional Administrator Lisa F. Garcia Urges Eligible School Districts in EPA Region 2 to Apply for $500 Million In Available Funding for Clean School Buses

President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Creates New EPA Program to Protect Children's Health, Reduce Pollution, and Boost American Manufacturing

EPA Regional Administrator Lisa F. Garcia Urges Eligible School Districts in EPA Region 2 to Apply for $500 Million In Available Funding for Clean School Buses

President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Creates New EPA Program to Protect Children's Health, Reduce Pollution, and Boost American Manufacturing

 

Contact Information (press@epa.gov)

NEW YORK (May 23, 2022) — Today the Biden-Harris Administration through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced $500 million is now available for school districts and other eligible school bus operators and contractors to begin replacing the nation's fleet of school buses with clean, American-made, zero-emission buses. This $500 million represents the first round of funding out of the unprecedented $5 billion investment for low and zero-emission school buses over the next five years, secured through President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

Vice President Kamala Harris, Administrator Michael S. Regan and White House Infrastructure Coordinator Mitch Landrieu visited Meridian High School in Falls Church, Virginia to make the announcement and highlight how it will reduce greenhouse gas pollution, provide cleaner air around schools and communities, and better protect children's health. The investment will also drive demand for American-made batteries and vehicles, boost domestic manufacturing, and create good-paying jobs. The new funding is made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which invests an unprecedented $5 billion for low- and zero-emission school buses over the next five years.

"This new funding can make a big impact in New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands and Tribal nations. I urge all eligible school districts to apply," said EPA Regional Administrator Lisa F. Garcia. "Over the next five years, this program will deliver $5 billion to school districts to improve our bus fleets and improve health and safety for our kids and communities."

Diesel air pollution is linked to asthma and other health problems that hurt our communities and cause students to miss school, particularly in communities of color and Tribal communities. New, zero-emission and low-emission buses will not only reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but produce cleaner air for students, bus drivers, school staff working near the bus loading areas, and the communities that the buses drive through each day. The reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from these bus replacements will help to address the outsized role of the transportation sector on fueling climate change. In addition, zero-emission buses cost less for school districts to operate than diesel buses, and the electricity stored in zero-emission school buses can transmit energy back to the grid to meet extra energy demand or provide energy to communities during power outages.

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law allows EPA to prioritize applications that will replace buses serving high-need local education agencies, Tribal Schools, and rural areas. This approach supports President Biden's Justice40 initiative to direct at least 40% of the benefits of certain government investments to underserved communities. EPA's Clean School Bus Program will strive to meet this commitment and advance environmental justice and equity considerations into all aspects of our work. In addition, EPA will focus education and outreach efforts to underserved communities, including partnering with stakeholders to reach communities that may have never applied for a Federal grant or rebate. Portions of the rebates can also be used to install electric vehicle charging infrastructure  so that schools can make chargers available for the new buses. The rebate program will select awardees through a lottery system.

EPA is accepting applications from May 20, 2022 until August 19, 2022. Questions about applying may be directed to CleanSchoolBus@epa.gov.

This is the first competition that EPA is running through the Clean School Bus program. The Agency will also launch a grant competition later this year. Further Clean School Bus competitions funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will be run every year over the next five years.

To learn more about the rebate programs, applicant eligibility, selection process, and informational webinar dates, visit www.epa.gov/cleanschoolbus

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Issued: May 24, 2022 (10:26am EDT)

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EPA Orders Housing Developer to Stop Raw Sewage Discharges in Peñuelas, Puerto Rico

SAN JUAN (May 24, 2022) - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued an enforcement order under the Clean Water Act to ALV Development LLC to address untreated sewage discharges coming from a residential development in Peñuelas, Puerto Rico, that are flowing into Los Cedros Creek.

"This enforcement action will address and eliminate a public health hazard for a number of communities in the Municipality of Peñuelas while reducing pollution and protecting clean water," said EPA Regional Administrator Lisa F. García. "Wastewater poses numerous threats to public health and the environment, so it's imperative that regulated entities comply with the Clean Water Act to control pollution discharges."

On April 5, 2022, EPA inspected the Parque Miramonte residential development's pump station after the agency received a series of complaints alleging that sewage overflows were reaching a nearby creek and impacting water quality and ecosystems. EPA determined that ALV Development LLC violated the Clean Water Act for its discharges of untreated sewage from the development's pump station without a National Pollutant Elimination Discharge System permit. Discharges of untreated sewage through a pump station without the appropriate permit are a violation of the Clean Water Act.

The order requires ALV Development LLC to cease to discharge any pollutant, including untreated sewage, into waters of the United States, except with authorization under a permit. ALV Development LLC must also develop and submit for EPA's review a compliance plan to repair the development's pump station and related infrastructure to prevent sanitary sewer overflows from occurring. The plan must be completed within 45 days of the company's receipt of the order.

The EPA order also requires ALV Development LLC to develop a preventive maintenance program for the development's pump station and its sanitary sewer collection system and to submit monthly status reports documenting actions taken pursuant to the order.

The Parque de Miramonte Development's pump station and its sanitary sewer collection system were constructed to transport the sanitary wastewaters of the Parque Miramonte Residential Development into the Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority's (PRASA) Peñuelas Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Visit EPA's website about the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) to learn more.

Follow EPA Region 2 on Twitter and Facebook page. For more information about EPA Region 2, visit our website.

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EPA ordena a desarrollador de viviendas a detener descargas de aguas sanitarias en Peñuelas, Puerto Rico

SAN JUAN (24 de mayo de 2022) La Agencia de Protección Ambiental de Estados Unidos (EPA, por sus siglas en inglés) ha emitido una orden de cumplimiento en virtud de la Ley Federal de Agua Limpia a ALV Development, LLC para abordar las descargas de aguas usadas no tratadas provenientes de un desarrollo residencial en Peñuelas, Puerto Rico, que descarga hacia la quebrada Los Cedros.

"Esta acción de cumplimiento abordará y eliminará un peligro para la salud pública en varias comunidades en el municipio de Peñuelas mientras reduce la contaminación y protege el agua limpia", dijo la administradora regional de la EPA, Lisa F. García. "Las aguas usadas representan una amenaza seria para la salud pública y al medioambiente, por lo que es imperativo que las entidades reguladas cumplan con la Ley Federal de Agua Limpia para controlar las descargas de contaminación".

El pasado 5 de abril de 2022, la EPA inspeccionó la estación de bombeo de la urbanización Parque Miramonte, después de que la agencia recibiera una serie de querellas alegando que los desbordamientos de aguas sanitarias estaban llegando a una quebrada cercana y afectando la calidad del agua y de los ecosistemas. La EPA determinó que ALV Development LLC violó la Ley Federal de Agua Limpia por sus descargas de aguas residuales no tratadas desde la estación de bombeo del desarrollo sin un permiso del Sistema Nacional de Eliminación de Descargas de Contaminantes (NPDES, por sus siglas en inglés). Las descargas de aguas sanitarias no tratadas a través de una estación de bombeo sin el permiso correspondiente constituyen una violación de la Ley Federal de Agua Limpia.

La orden requiere que ALV Development LLC deje de descargar cualquier contaminante, incluidas aguas usadas no tratadas, en las aguas de los Estados Unidos, excepto con la autorización de un permiso. ALV Development LLC también debe desarrollar y presentar para la revisión de la EPA un plan de cumplimiento para reparar la estación de bombeo del desarrollo y la infraestructura relacionada para evitar que se produzcan desbordamientos del alcantarillado sanitario. El plan debe completarse dentro de los 45 días posteriores al recibo de la orden de cumplimiento por parte de la empresa.

La orden de la EPA también requiere que ALV Development LLC desarrolle un programa de mantenimiento preventivo para la estación de bombeo del desarrollo y su sistema de recolección de alcantarillado sanitario y que presente informes de progreso mensuales que documenten las acciones tomadas de conformidad con la orden.

La estación de bombeo del desarrollo Parque de Miramonte y su sistema de alcantarillado sanitario fueron construidos para transportar las aguas sanitarias del desarrollo residencial hacia la Planta de Tratamiento de Aguas Sanitarias de Peñuelas de la Autoridad de Acueductos y Alcantarillados de Puerto Rico (AAA).

Visite el sitio web de la EPA sobre el Sistema Nacional de Eliminación de Descargas de Contaminantes (NPDES) para obtener más información.

Siga a la Región 2 de la EPA en Twitter y en su página de Facebook. Para obtener más información sobre la Región 2 de la EPA, visite nuestro sitio web.

 

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Issued: May 20, 2022 (12:21pm EDT)

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EPA $3.5 Million Brownfields Grant Means More Contaminated Sites in Camden Will be Cleaned Up

Camden Grant is Part of $6.5 Million in New Brownfields Funding Going to Transform NJ Communities

EPA $3.5 Million Brownfields Grant Means More Contaminated Sites in Camden Will be Cleaned Up

Camden Grant is Part of $6.5 Million in New Brownfields Funding Going to Transform NJ Communities

 

Contact Information: Stephen McBay, (212)-637-3672, McBay.Stephen@epa.gov

Tracy McIntosh, (212)-637-3633, McIntosh.Tracy@epa.gov

 
NEW YORK (May 20, 2022) – The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) is transforming communities across NJ and especially in Camden. That is the message delivered today by EPA Regional Administrator Lisa F. Garcia, Senator Cory Booker, Congressmember Donald Norcross, Camden Mayor Victor Carstarphen and New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette in Elijah Perry Park in Camden. EPA will be awarding four grants totaling $6.5 million in Brownfields funding for communities across New Jersey. The largest of these grants—$3.5 million—will be awarded to the Camden Redevelopment Agency and will be loaned and granted for site cleanups, including the Elijah Perry Park. There are many communities in Camden with environmental justice concerns that experience a high concentration of vacant, contaminated and underutilized areas throughout the City of Camden.

These grants are part of the larger $254.5 million in Brownfields Grants to 265 communities across the nation. The grants are supported by President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which provides a total of $1.5 billion to advance environmental justice, spur economic revitalization, and create jobs by cleaning up contaminated, polluted, or hazardous brownfield properties. 

"With today's announcement, we're turning blight into might for communities across America," said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. "EPA's Brownfields Program breathes new life into communities by helping to turn contaminated and potentially dangerous sites into productive economic contributors. Thanks to President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we are significantly ramping up our investments in communities, with the bulk of our funding going to places that have been overburdened and underserved for far too long."

"Camden has a proven track record in transforming communities through its brownfields program, which serves as a model for other communities," said EPA Regional Administrator Lisa F. Garcia. "The Brownfields program is a powerful tool made only more potent thanks to President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which provides a total of $1.5 billion to help transform communities by promoting equitable environmental health, economic growth, and job creation across the country."

Brownfield projects can range from cleaning up buildings with asbestos or lead contamination, to assessing and cleaning up abandoned properties that once managed dangerous chemicals. Once cleaned up, former brownfield properties can be redeveloped into productive uses such as grocery stores, affordable housing, health centers, museums, parks, and solar farms.

The Brownfields Program advances President Biden's Justice40 Initiative, which aims to deliver at least 40 percent of the benefits of certain government programs to disadvantaged communities. Approximately 86 percent of the communities selected to receive funding as part of today's announcement have proposed projects in historically underserved areas.

EPA's Brownfields grants and other technical assistance programs like the RE-Powering America's Land Initiative are also helping to build the clean energy economy. Today's announcement includes a former coal mine in Greene County, Pennsylvania, that will become a 10-megawatt solar farm, and a former dump site in the Fort Belknap Indian Community in Montana that will be converted to a solar farm, saving local residents an estimated $2.8 million in energy costs over 25 years, among many others.

This announcement includes approximately $180 million from the historic $1.5 billion investment from President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to help turn brownfield sites across the nation into hubs of economic growth and job creation, along with more than $75 million from Fiscal Year 2022 appropriations. The national list of the applicants selected for funding is available here: https://www.epa.gov/brownfields/applicants-selected-fy-2022-brownfields-assessment-rlf-cleanup-arc-grants-and-rlf.

Since its inception in 1995, EPA's investments in brownfield sites have leveraged more than $35 billion in cleanup and redevelopment. This has led to significant benefits for communities across the country. For example:

• To date, this funding has led to more than 183,000 jobs in cleanup, construction, and redevelopment and more than 9,500 properties have been made ready for reuse.
• Based on grant recipient reporting, recipients leveraged on average $20.43 for each EPA Brownfields dollar and 10.3 jobs per $100,000 of EPA Brownfields Grant funds expended on assessment, cleanup, and revolving loan fund cooperative agreements.
• In addition, an academic peer-reviewed study has found that residential properties near brownfield sites increased in value by 5% to 15% as a result of cleanup activities.
• Finally, analyzing data near 48 brownfields, EPA found an estimated $29 million to $97 million in additional tax revenue for local governments in a single year after cleanup—2 to 7 times more than the $12.4 million EPA contributed to the cleanup of those brownfields sites.

 

Representative Donald Norcross said: "I helped pass the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to improve the quality of life for residents in South Jersey. Cleaning up old commercial and industrial sites to protect our neighborhoods from hazardous waste and polluted environments has been a longtime priority for me. I'm proud to have supported this funding and will continue to fight in Congress for policies that protect our environment and reduce the health burdens that Brownfield sites place on our communities."

"Our path toward continued, equitable economic growth is paved by the steps we take today to clean up and cultivate a healthy, safe environment," said New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy. "This funding will allow New Jersey to transform brownfields into vibrant, productive assets, especially in under-resourced communities. Investments in the remediation of these sites are investments in future opportunities for all New Jersey residents and businesses."

"Economic development and environmental protection go hand-in-hand, and in New Jersey, EPA's robust brownfields cleanup incentives serve as a vital resource for revitalizing vacant properties," said New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette. "This funding will be especially critical in Camden, which has been undergoing a significant transformation by cleaning up brownfield sites, combatting illegal dumping and turning vacant properties into community assets, such as the Kroc Community Center. For too long, financial barriers have prevented entities from developing contaminated sites due to the limited funding available for site assessments, planning, and cleanup. Today's funding announcement will allow the DEP and the EDA to increase current programmatic efforts to remediate and redevelop contaminated sites, sparking community-wide economic revitalization and furthering Governor Murphy's commitment to a stronger and fairer New Jersey economy and environment."

Senator Cory Booker said: "During my time as Mayor and as Senator, I have seen firsthand how the Brownfields program revitalizes communities. I am proud that the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is delivering significant investment in restoring brownfield sites across New Jersey. These federal dollars will protect the health and well-being of communities and promote unrealized economic opportunity."

Senator Bob Menendez said: "I have long championed critical federal programs like Brownfields and Superfund that help clean up contaminated waste sites, and I'm proud to have helped secure this funding in the bipartisan infrastructure bill. Today's announcement will help communities across the state not only protect the environment and improve public health, but also spur new growth and economic opportunity for residents. I thank the Biden Administration for their continued support for our families and their steadfast commitment to environmental justice for underserved communities and communities of color that too often shoulder the burden of legacy pollution."

Camden Mayor Victor Carstarphen said: "I commend President Biden's Administration and our congressional delegation of Senator Bob Menendez, Senator Cory Booker, and Congressman Donald Norcross for their efforts to ensure Camden receives this critical allocation.  These contaminated sites are tremendous environmental challenges, public health risks, and problematic for future growth. The $3.5 million Brownfields Revolving Loan funding will help to provide a solution to these longtime nuisance properties.  The US Environmental Protection Agency have been an outstanding partner, and this is yet another example of their pledge to our City. This program is a step in the right direction as we improve the quality of life throughout Camden."

Camden City Council President Angel Fuentes said: "This is great news for Camden and our residents. Environmentally challenged communities like Camden have been viewed as dumping ground for far too long. This funding will go a long way to change that mindset and clean up our City. These otherwise useless sites can now be transformed into community assists and catalysts for new development opportunities."

Camden Redevelopment Agency Board Chairperson Ian Leonard said: "The Camden Redevelopment Agency ("CRA") is pleased to receive a $3.5 million in supplemental Brownfield Revolving Loan Funds awarded by the EPA. EPA has long been such a staunch supporter of the City of Camden, the CRA, and its strategic partners' collective efforts to uplift and improve the quality of life for Camden residents.  As an industrial legacy city, development in Camden almost always involves addressing contaminated property. The ability to effectuate positive change in redeveloping our city with partners like the EPA and the DEP at the state and federal level is key to achieving those environmental justice changes in Camden that we all envision." 

Camden Redevelopment Agency Interim Executive Director Olivette Simpson said: "The Camden Redevelopment Agency and the City of Camden are excited to have the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) select us for an award of $3.5 million in additional Brownfields Revolving Loan funding (RLF). For several decades, EPA has been a committed partner to the City and a true champion for the residents of Camden. EPA's support has helped the CRA and the City to make substantial investments within our residential neighborhoods that have suffered the injustices associated with living among high concentrations of vacant, contaminated and underutilized property. These investments have allowed for the cleanup of new and existing recreation and park spaces and former abandoned factories where new housing will be constructed. With the supplemental EPA RLF funding, we are able to continue this important work to remediate former industrial and illegal dumping sites for productive and equitable reuse."

"Supporting communities as they work to clean up, revitalize, and redevelop contaminated properties is critical for stimulating economic growth and building a stronger and fairer New Jersey economy," said NJEDA Chief Executive Officer Tim Sullivan. "Under Governor Murphy's leadership, New Jersey has made great strides to ensure the equitable environmental and economic well-being of every New Jersey resident, regardless of zip-code. Funding from the EPA Brownfields Community-wide Assessment Grant will allow the NJEDA to provide greater support for communities looking to remediate vacant and underutilized properties, therefore prioritizing the environmental, social, and economic needs of New Jersey's neighborhoods and distressed communities."

Additional Background

A brownfield is a property for which the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant. Redevelopment made possible through the program includes everything from grocery stores and affordable housing to health centers, museums, greenways, and solar farms.   

The next National Brownfields Training Conference will be held on August 16-19, 2022, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Offered every two years, this conference is the largest gathering of stakeholders focused on cleaning up and reusing former commercial and industrial properties. EPA co-sponsors this event with the International City/County Management Association (ICMA). Conference registration is open at www.brownfields2022.org.

For more on Brownfields Grants: https://www.epa.gov/brownfields/types-brownfields-grant-funding

For more on EPA's Brownfields Program: https://www.epa.gov/brownfields

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Biden-Harris Administration Makes $500 Million Available for Clean School Buses Through EPA President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Creates New EPA Program to Protect Children's Health, Reduce Pollution, and Boost American Manufacturing WASHINGTON (May 20, 2022) — Today the Biden-Harris Administration through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced $500 million is now available for school districts and other eligible school bus operators and contractors to begin replacing the nation's fleet of school buses with clean, American-made, zero-emission buses. This $500 million represents the first round of funding out of the unprecedented $5 billion investment for low and zero-emission school buses over the next five years, secured through President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Vice President Kamala Harris, Administrator Michael S. Regan and White House Infrastructure Coordinator Mitch Landrieu will visit Meridian High School in Falls Church, Virginia to make the announcement and highlight how it will reduce greenhouse gas pollution, provide cleaner air around schools and communities, and better protect children's health. The investment will also drive demand for American-made batteries and vehicles, boost domestic manufacturing, and create good-paying jobs. "This historic investment under President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will forever transform school bus fleets across the United States," said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. "These funding opportunities to replace older, heavily-polluting buses will result in healthier air for many of the 25 million American children who rely on school buses, many of whom live in overburdened and underserved communities. Today we take a major step toward a future where clean, zero-emissions school buses are the American standard." Diesel air pollution is linked to asthma and other health problems that hurt our communities and cause students to miss school, particularly in communities of color and Tribal communities. New, zero-emission and low-emission buses will not only reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but produce cleaner air for students, bus drivers, school staff working near the bus loading areas, and the communities that the buses drive through each day. The reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from these bus replacements will help to address the outsized role of the transportation sector on fueling climate change. In addition, zero-emission buses cost less for school districts to operate than diesel buses, and the electricity stored in zero-emission school buses can transmit energy back to the grid to meet extra energy demand or provide energy to communities during power outages. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law allows EPA to prioritize applications that will replace buses serving high-need local education agencies, Tribal Schools, and rural areas. This approach supports President Biden's Justice40 initiative to direct at least 40% of the benefits of certain government investments to underserved communities. EPA's Clean School Bus Program will strive to meet this commitment and advance environmental justice and equity considerations into all aspects of our work. In addition, EPA will focus education and outreach efforts to underserved communities, including partnering with stakeholders to reach communities that may have never applied for a Federal grant or rebate. Portions of the rebates can also be used to install electric vehicle charging infrastructure  so that schools can make chargers available for the new buses. The rebate program will select awardees through a lottery system. "Every dollar we invest in clean school buses means cleaner air, healthier students, and a brighter future for our nation. That's exactly why we fought to include historic funding for electric and other zero-emitting clean school buses in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, targeting schools that serve our most vulnerable children," said Senate Environment and Public Works Chairman Tom Carper. "For those of us who have spent years working to clean up our nation's school buses, we know there are millions of dirty buses that need replacing, especially in our most disadvantaged communities. Today's announcement represents real potential progress in terms of cleaner air for all and a better economy. American-made clean school buses are good for communities, good for our economy, and good for our planet—a true win-win-win." "Right now, most school buses are powered by dirty diesel engines that exacerbate climate change and emit dangerous air pollution. With these funds from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we are beginning to change that, paving the way for cleaner air and healthier communities – especially for frontline communities who are at greater risk," said House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr. "These investments will also help spur the development and deployment of American-made clean technology, creating more good paying jobs right here at home. This is a win for our economy, our environment, and most of all, our nation's children, all of whom deserve to breathe clean, safe air." "Too many American children are forced to breathe dirty air on their commutes to and from school. This announcement is a major down payment on ensuring that our children and grandchildren can experience pollution-free rides," said House Energy and Commerce Environment and Climate Subcommittee Chairman Paul Tonko. "I'm proud that our Bipartisan Infrastructure Law makes this investment, driving innovation, creating good jobs, reducing pollution, and prioritizing communities that need the help most. I'm heartened by today's announcement that will set us on a path to build a cleaner, healthier, better world for our kids." "Clean air for our children is fundamental to their healthy development and success in life. Clean, quiet, and pollution-free electric school buses will improve air quality and the lives of our kids. Electrifying medium- and heavy-duty vehicles also is a key strategy to reduce transportation costs, improve quality of life in communities, protect public health, and tackle the climate crisis," said House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis Chair Kathy Castor. "I applaud Administrator Regan's efforts to implement the groundbreaking funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law." EPA is accepting applications from May 20, 2022 until August 19, 2022. Questions about applying may be directed to CleanSchoolBus@epa.gov. This is the first competition that EPA is running through the Clean School Bus program. The Agency will also launch a grant competition later this year. Further Clean School Bus competitions funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will be run every year over the next five years. To learn more about the rebate programs, applicant eligibility, selection process, and informational webinar dates, visit www.epa.gov/cleanschoolbus

 

 

 

 

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Issued: May 17, 2022 (11:21am EDT)

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EPA to Award over $1.6 Million to Address Contaminated Sites in Puerto Rico

Funding Includes First-Ever Brownfields-Specific Funding under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law

EPA to Award over $1.6 Million to Address Contaminated Sites in Puerto Rico

Funding Includes First-Ever Brownfields-Specific Funding under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law

 

Contact Information:  John Senn, 212-637-3662, senn.john@epa.gov

Brenda Reyes, 787-977-5869, reyes.brenda@epa.gov

SAN JUAN, P.R. (May 17, 2022) – The Biden Administration through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently announced that it is awarding $254.5 million in Brownfields Grants to 265 communities, including four grants totaling $1,600,400 across Puerto Rico. These grants are supported by President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which provides a total of $1.5 billion to advance environmental justice, spur economic revitalization, and create jobs by cleaning up contaminated, polluted, or hazardous brownfield properties. 

Brownfield projects can range from cleaning up buildings with asbestos or lead contamination, to assessing and cleaning up abandoned properties that once managed dangerous chemicals. Once cleaned up, former brownfield properties can be redeveloped into productive uses such as grocery stores, affordable housing, health centers, museums, parks, and solar farms.

The Brownfields Program advances President Biden's Justice40 Initiative, which aims to deliver at least 40 percent of the benefits of certain government programs to disadvantaged communities. Approximately 86 percent of the communities selected to receive funding as part of today's announcement have proposed projects in historically underserved areas.

"With today's announcement, we're turning blight into might for communities across America," said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. "EPA's Brownfields Program breathes new life into communities by helping to turn contaminated and potentially dangerous sites into productive economic contributors. Thanks to President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we are significantly ramping up our investments in communities, with the bulk of our funding going to places that have been overburdened and underserved for far too long."

"The brownfields program is a powerful tool that helps overburdened communities in Puerto Rico address local inequities by providing a means to revitalize properties and promote environmental health, economic growth, and job creation," said EPA Regional Administrator Lisa F. Garcia. "The Brownfields program transforms communities, and BIL gives the program a huge shot in the arm – with a historic $1.5 billion dollars that will be leveraged to make a real and lasting on-the-ground difference for communities across the country."

EPA's Brownfields grants and other technical assistance programs like the RE-Powering America's Land Initiative are also helping to build the clean energy economy. This announcement includes a former coal mine in Greene County, Pennsylvania, that will become a 10-megawatt solar farm, and a former dump site in the Fort Belknap Indian Community in Montana that will be converted to a solar farm, saving local residents an estimated $2.8 million in energy costs over 25 years, among many others.

This announcement includes approximately $180 million from the historic $1.5 billion investment from President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to help turn brownfield sites across the nation into hubs of economic growth and job creation, along with more than $75 million from Fiscal Year 2022 appropriations.  

The funding includes:

• $112.8 million for 183 selectees for Assessment Grants, which will provide funding for brownfield inventories, planning, environmental assessments, and community outreach.
• $18.2 million for 36 selectees for Cleanup Grants, which will provide funding to carry out cleanup activities at brownfield sites owned by the recipient.
• $16.3 million for 17 selectees for Revolving Loan Fund grants that will provide funding for recipients to offer loans and subgrants to carry out cleanup activities at brownfield sites.
• $107 million for 39 high-performing Revolving Loan Fund Grant recipients to help communities continue their work to carry out cleanup and redevelopment projects on contaminated brownfield properties. Supplemental funding for Revolving Loan Fund Grants is available to recipients that have depleted their funds and have viable cleanup projects ready for work. 

Communities selected for funding in Puerto Rico are:

• Municipality of Aguas Buenas, Site Assessment Grant of $400,100
• Municipality of Aibonito, Site Assessment Grant of $400,100
• Municipality of Corozal, Site Assessment Grant of $400,100
• Municipality of Las Piedras, Site Assessment Grant of $400,100

The national list of the applicants selected for funding is available here: https://www.epa.gov/brownfields/applicants-selected-fy-2022-brownfields-assessment-rlf-cleanup-arc-grants-and-rlf

Since its inception in 1995, EPA's investments in brownfield sites have leveraged more than $35 billion in cleanup and redevelopment. This has led to significant benefits for communities across the country. For example:

• To date, this funding has led to more than 183,000 jobs in cleanup, construction, and redevelopment and more than 9,500 properties have been made ready for reuse.
• Based on grant recipient reporting, recipients leveraged on average $20.43 for each EPA Brownfields dollar and 10.3 jobs per $100,000 of EPA Brownfields Grant funds expended on assessment, cleanup, and revolving loan fund cooperative agreements.
• In addition, an academic peer-reviewed study has found that residential properties near brownfield sites increased in value by 5% to 15% as a result of cleanup activities.
• Finally, analyzing data near 48 brownfields, EPA found an estimated $29 million to $97 million in additional tax revenue for local governments in a single year after cleanup—2 to 7 times more than the $12.4 million EPA contributed to the cleanup of those brownfields sites.

"The EPA Brownfields program is of great value in places like Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, where our development in the twentieth century involved a rapid industrialization, much of it happening before the establishment of our current environmental protection standards. Today, four communities in Puerto Rico are awarded funds through this important program to support clean-up efforts. I congratulate the awardees, urge other municipalities to learn and participate, and reiterate my commitment to support and my continued wish for success for EPA and the communities in this joint effort," said Rep. Jenniffer González-Colón.

Aguas Buenas acting Mayor Mayra Dias Camacho said: "Having applied for the Brownfields program grant funds from the United States Environmental Protection Agency, we are extremely appreciative of the news of the award of funds under the requested grant. It is extremely important for us since we will be carrying out a work plan for the development of the program in the autonomous municipality of Aguas Buenas. This will be a great opportunity for the environmental and economic development of the municipality"

Aibonito Mayor William Alicea Pérez said: "We are happy to have obtained this grant. With these funds we will carry out Phase I and Phase II environmental studies on contaminated properties in Aibonito, with the EPA providing this initial investment necessary for the reuse and redevelopment of the properties. This grant will help better inform us about environmental conditions in brownfields and help reduce risk of exposure, eliminate sources of contamination, improve community ecological health, and incorporate principles of livability and equitable development. One of the properties that we plan to impact is the Old Preventorio, which is located in the urban area and has been in disuse for years. We are sure that we will maximize the allocated funds to promote the economic development of this and other properties."

Jorge A. Martinez, Director Federal Programs for Corozal, said: "For the residents of Corozal it is a unique opportunity, and we are very grateful to be part of this program for the first time. We are happy and willing to work in the right way since we have several plans for the benefit of the development of our people."

Marianito Ruiz, Director of Planning for Las Piedras, said: "The municipality of Las Piedras has received approval of the proposal we submitted to serve several brownfields. Today we celebrate with great satisfaction and pride that we can receive these funds that benefit the citizen of Las Piedras."

Additional Background

A brownfield is a property for which the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant. Redevelopment made possible through the program includes everything from grocery stores and affordable housing to health centers, museums, greenways, and solar farms.    

The next National Brownfields Training Conference will be held on August 16-19, 2022 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Offered every two years, this conference is the largest gathering of stakeholders focused on cleaning up and reusing former commercial and industrial properties. EPA co-sponsors this event with the International City/County Management Association (ICMA). Conference registration is open at www.brownfields2022.org.

For more on Brownfields Grants: https://www.epa.gov/brownfields/types-brownfields-grant-funding

For more on EPA's Brownfields Program: https://www.epa.gov/brownfields

 

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Issued: May 16, 2022 (4:28pm EDT)

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EPA Celebrates 25 Years of Children's Environmental Health Protection

WASHINGTON — To commemorate the 25th Anniversary of the landmark Executive Order Protection of Children from Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks signed in 1997, today the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the award of the first four cooperative agreements under the Children's Healthy Learning Environments in Low-Income and/or Minority Communities competition. This $2 million grant program competition was funded by the American Rescue Plan (ARP) to support children's environmental health by building capacity through activities that identify and address disproportionate environmental or public health harms and risks in underserved communities.

"We know children are especially vulnerable to environmental health risks as they grow, and we also know not all children face the same risks – black and Latino children still have higher rates of asthma compared to white children and have higher rates of lead exposure," said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. "It's time to focus on addressing those disparities so that all children, no matter their race or income, have a safe, level playing field."

The four grantees who have been awarded $200,000 each are:

• Health Resources in Action whose project, "Healthy Environments Advance Learning (HEAL): Building Capacity for Resilient Schools in Massachusetts," will build knowledge and capacity to improve environmental health conditions within schools across Massachusetts, optimizing outcomes related to healthy childhood development particularly for districts where students are most burdened by asthma and extreme heat. HEAL will provide training and technical assistance on policies and practices to address environmental asthma triggers, extreme heat, and ventilation to 5-7 school districts in low-income communities. HEAL will also leverage partner networks to disseminate resources to all MA public school districts and across New England.
• Women for a Healthy Environment whose project will complete over 200 eco-healthy assessments and offer solutions and technical assistance to address environmental risks at childcare centers in low-income and minority communities across Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Additionally, childcare center staff across Philadelphia will participate in webinars focused on relevant environmental health topics. Through this cooperative agreement, Women for a Healthy Environment will form a statewide partnership with childcare centers to strategize bringing additional resources and mitigation strategies to centers across the commonwealth.
• The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston whose project will conduct "Outreach for Healthy Learning Environments in West Texas." Through this project, UTHealth will partner with the Southwest Center for Pediatric Environmental Health to build capacity for healthier learning environments within low-income schools in the Paso del Norte Region. The main objectives are to provide culturally relevant information for school decision-makers to identify health risk drivers, demonstrate best practices for maintaining an environmentally safe school, and share preparedness procedures in anticipation of an adverse event. 
• The American Lung Association's "Breathe Well Learn Well" project will build awareness and capacity for schools in Tribal communities on the Fort Peck, Blackfeet, and Crow/Northern Cheyenne reservations in Montana to establish lung-friendly schools (LFS) policies and practices, thereby reducing children's exposure to environmental health contaminants. These tribal communities are on the front-line of climate change-related health impacts and face disproportionate environmental health hazards from intense wildfire smoke episodes. Bolstering the role of schools to provide a clean air respite based on their own priorities will improve the health of everyone at the school. Many of the mitigation strategies and trainings available through the ALA provide evidence-based and best practice efforts that also help reduce COVID-19 transmission risk. Montana also has naturally high levels of radon, prompting the need for education and awareness on this EH hazard that can work to improve public health.

EPA is currently processing six additional cooperative agreements of $200,000 each from the competition which will fulfill the objective of funding one cooperative agreement per EPA region. EPA is pleased to announce that the following recipients have been selected to receive funding to support children's environmental health in learning environments. EPA anticipates it will award these organizations cooperative agreements of $200,000 each once all legal and administrative requirements are satisfied.

• Environmental Protection in the Caribbean (U.S. Virgin Islands)
• University of Mississippi Medical Center (central Mississippi)
• Milwaukee Public Schools (Milwaukee, Wisconsin)
• Wichita State University (Kansas)
• Northern Arizona University (Cocopah Tribe)
• Child Care Aware of America (Oregon)

This grant program is part of EPA's funding to address environmental health disparities head on; in addition, EPA also used ARP funding to support the Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Units across the country, a network of health care practitioners who address children's health issues that arise through environmental exposures.  PEHSUs work to "address historical injustices and ongoing environmental racism and address the existential threat of climate change."

In 1997, EPA established the Office of Children's Health Protection (OCHP). OCHP leads the Agency's work to ensure that all children, especially those in underserved communities, thrive by living, learning, and playing free from environmental exposures like hazardous chemicals, indoor and outdoor air pollution, and unsafe drinking water that contribute to harmful health effects. Watch this video to learn more about the importance of children's environmental health and EPA's role in protecting it. 

Last October, EPA issued its first-ever revision to the Policy on Children's Health. The 2021 policy expands the definition of children's environmental health to include not only conception, infancy, adolescence, and early adulthood, but also the impact that early exposures may have later in life. This policy also reinforces the Biden-Harris Administration's commitment to equity and threats to children's health caused by climate change.

Background

The 1997 Executive Order instructed all federal agencies to "make it a high priority to identify and assess environmental health risks and safety risks that may disproportionately affect children;" and "ensure that its policies, programs, activities, and standards address disproportionate risks to children that result from environmental health or safety risks." This order brought increased federal focus on the crucial topic of children's health, the foundation of all people's growth and development.

The Executive Order also established the President's Task Force on Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks to Children, a cabinet level group of 17 agencies and departments co-chaired by EPA Administrator Regan and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra. The principals of the Task Force met in October 2021 to renew the federal commitment to the goals of the interagency workgroup. The Task Force leverages each Agency's unique expertise to address issues such as childhood asthma disparities, lead poisoning, and climate and disasters, and exposure of children to pesticides and other harmful chemicals.

To commemorate the past 25 years of children's health at EPA, OCHP Director Jeanne Briskin published an EPA Perspectives article on children's environmental health. It includes resources for parents, caregivers and teachers on protecting children from environmental threats where they live, learn and play. Director Briskin also hosted a discussion with former EPA Administrator Carol Browner, current deputy EPA Administrator Janet McCabe and Ramona Trovato, the first OCHP Director, to discuss EPA's work to protect children's health. The discussion highlighted key milestones that influenced how EPA protects children from environmental exposures, actions to protect children's health in the future, and emerging children's environmental health issues. View the discussion broadcast.

America's Children and the Environment, a useful tool for evaluating children's environmental health, was recently updated with the latest data and enhanced the online features. The update features a modernized digital format to analyze trends, download data, inform decisions to improve children's health, and identify ways to minimize environmental impacts on children. EPA has maintained this data for nearly 20 years and will continue to add additional updates in the years to come.

 

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Issued: May 16, 2022 (1:55pm EDT)

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EPA Seeks Input from Small Businesses on Potential Multi-Pollutant Emissions Standards for Light-Duty and Medium-Duty Vehicles for Model Years 2027 and Later

WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is inviting small businesses to participate as Small Entity Representatives (SERs) for a Small Business Advocacy Review (SBAR) Panel. This Panel will focus on the agency's development of a rule that would propose to reduce air pollutant emissions, including greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and criteria air pollutants (such as nitrogen oxides, hydrocarbons, and particulate matter) from light-duty (LD) vehicles and medium-duty (MD) vehicles. As with other EPA motor vehicle regulatory programs, these standards would affect companies that manufacture or sell passenger cars and light trucks (LD vehicles) and certain larger pickups, vans, and trucks (MD vehicles).

 

There is a need for deeper emission reductions from the LD and MD vehicle sectors to protect public health and welfare. EPA recently finalized more stringent GHG emission standards for LD vehicles through model year 2026. That action serves as an important launch point for this new rulemaking addressing model year 2027 and later.  EPA is taking this action under its authority under the Clean Air Act, and it is also responsive to Executive Order 14037. 

 

Three categories of small entities may be affected by the proposed new emission standards.

• Small entities that seek EPA Certificates of Conformity in order to sell new light-duty and medium-duty vehicles in the U.S. This includes companies that produce and sell vehicles directly (Small-Entity LD/MD Vehicle Manufacturers) and those that import vehicles from outside the U.S. and adapt them to meet EPA emission standards (Small-Entity LD/MD Independent Commercial Importers).
• Small entities that convert previously certified vehicles to operate partially or fully on alternative fuels (Small-Entity LD/MD Alternative Fuel Converters).

 

The Panel will include federal representatives from the Small Business Administration (SBA), the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), and EPA. The Panel members will ask a selected group of SERs to provide advice and recommendations on behalf of their company to inform the Panel members about the potential impacts of the proposed rule on small entities. 

 

EPA seeks self-nominations directly from the small businesses that may be subject to the rule requirements. Other representatives, such as trade associations that exclusively or at least primarily represent potentially regulated small businesses, may also serve as SERs. 

 

Self-nominations may be submitted through the link below and must be received by May 31.

 

Nominate yourself as a SER:  https://www.epa.gov/reg-flex/potential-sbar-panel-multi-pollutant-emissions-standards-model-years-2027-and-later-light 

 

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