Issued: Jan 31, 2023 (10:53am EST)

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Protect Your Family from Radon.

January was National Radon Action Month, learn more about the health risk of radon and the importance of "testing your nest!" Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that that can enter homes from the ground and build up to dangerous levels. Radon is the number one cause of lung cancer among non-smokers and is responsible for about 21,000 lung cancer deaths every year, yet many people don't know about radon or the risk it can pose to their family and children's health.

Radon is colorless and odorless, the only way to know if you have high radon levels is to "test your nest!" Testing for radon is easy, inexpensive and you can do it yourself. Test kits can be purchased online or be performed by a qualified professional.

EPA recommends that homes with a radon test result of 4 pCi/L (picocuries per liter) or more be mitigated with a radon system installed by a professional. Because there is no known safe level of radon, consider fixing your home if it tests between 2 pCi/L and 4 pCi/L.

Contact your state or tribal radon program to learn more about programs in your area.

Learn more about radon with the following EPA resources:

• Citizen's Guide to Radon
• Consumer's Guide to Radon Reduction: How to Fix your Home
• Find a Radon Test Kit
• Health Risks of Radon
• Radon in Schools
• More Information About Radon

 

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Issued: Jan 31, 2023 (10:28am EST)

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Biden-Harris Administration Announces Action to Help Protect Bristol Bay Salmon Fisheries

WASHINGTON (January 31, 2023) — Today, EPA issued a Final Determination under the Clean Water Act to help protect Bristol Bay, the most productive wild salmon ecosystem in the world. With this action, the Biden-Harris Administration is protecting certain waters that are important to sustaining Southwest Alaska's salmon resources from disposal of dredged or fill materials associated with developing the Pebble deposit.

Protecting Bristol Bay builds on a series of recent actions the Biden-Harris Administration has taken to conserve and restore some of America's most cherished lands and waters, many of which are sacred to Tribal Nations. Last week the Administration finalized protections for the Tongass National Forest in Alaska and the Boundary Waters Area Watershed in Minnesota.

"The Bristol Bay watershed is a vital economic driver, providing jobs, sustenance, and significant ecological and cultural value to the region," said EPA Administrator Michael Regan. "With this action, EPA is advancing its commitment to help protect this one-of-a-kind ecosystem, safeguard an essential Alaskan industry, and preserve the way of life for more than two dozen Alaska Native villages."

"After reviewing the extensive scientific and technical record spanning two decades, EPA has determined that specific discharges associated with developing the Pebble deposit will have unacceptable and adverse effects on certain salmon fishery areas in the Bristol Bay watershed," said EPA Assistant Administrator for Water Radhika Fox. "Our Final Determination helps prevent those adverse effects while helping protect a vibrant and magnificent watershed. It's also important to note that EPA's action does not apply to current or future resource development projects in Alaska."

The Bristol Bay watershed's fishery resources are a thriving economic driver for the region, generating significant nutritional, cultural, economic, and recreational value. 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 and results in 15,000 jobs annually. The Bristol Bay Watershed is home to 25 Alaska Native villages and communities and supports one of the last intact, sustainable salmon-based cultures in the world. Salmon provides more than half of the subsistence harvest for some Alaska Native communities in the Bristol Bay region.

After reviewing the Recommended Determination provided by EPA's Region 10 office, including the scientific and technical information spanning nearly two decades, EPA has determined that the discharges evaluated in the Final Determination will have unacceptable adverse effects on salmon fishery areas in the South Fork Koktuli River, North Fork Koktuli River, and Upper Talarik Creek watersheds of Bristol Bay. Ecologically valuable streams, wetlands, and other aquatic habitats, like those found in these watersheds, provide the foundation for the productive fishery areas in the region.

Final Determination
The Final Determination prohibits certain waters of the United States in the South Fork Koktuli River and North Fork Koktuli River watersheds from being used as disposal sites for the discharge of dredged or fill material for the construction and routine operation of Pebble Limited Partnership's mine plan described in its June 8, 2020 CWA Section 404 permit application. It also prohibits future proposals to construct and operate a mine to develop the Pebble deposit that would result in the same or greater levels of loss or change to aquatic resources. The Final Determination also restricts the use of certain waters of the United States in the South Fork Koktuli River, North Fork Koktuli River, and Upper Talarik Creek watersheds as disposal sites for the discharge of dredged or fill material associated with future proposals to develop the Pebble deposit that would result in adverse effects similar or greater in nature and magnitude to those associated with the 2020 Mine Plan.

In the 50-year history of the Clean Water Act, EPA has used its Section 404(c) authority judiciously. Today's action marks the third time in 30 years, and only the 14^th time in the history of the Clean Water Act, that EPA has used this authority. This highlights the value of the Bristol Bay watershed's fishery resources.

The federal government, the State of Alaska, federally recognized Tribal governments, the Pebble Limited Partnership, and many interested stakeholders have devoted significant resources over many years of study, engagement, and review. Considering the extensive record, it is not reasonable or necessary to engage in additional multi-year National Environmental Policy Act or Clean Water Act Section 404 processes for future proposals to develop the Pebble deposit involving discharges of dredged or fill material that would result in adverse effects that EPA has already determined are unacceptable in this Final Determination. By acting now, based on an extensive and carefully considered record, EPA promotes regulatory certainty for all stakeholders and avoids unnecessary expenditure of additional resources by all stakeholders.

The prohibition and restriction in EPA's Final Determination only apply to certain discharges of dredged or fill material associated with developing the Pebble Deposit. This action does not apply to any current or future resource development projects in the state of Alaska.

A copy of the Final Determination is available on EPA's Bristol Bay website at: www.epa.gov/bristolbay.

Background
The Pebble deposit, a large, low-grade deposit containing copper-, gold-, and molybdenum-bearing minerals, is located at the headwaters of the pristine Bristol Bay watershed in Southwest Alaska. The Pebble deposit underlies portions of the South Fork Koktuli River, North Fork Koktuli River, and Upper Talarik Creek watersheds, which drain to two of the largest rivers in the Bristol Bay watershed, the Nushagak and Kvichak Rivers.

Efforts to evaluate the effects of developing a mine at the Pebble deposit have been underway for more than a decade. The Pebble Limited Partnership's 2020 Mine Plan underwent the CWA Section 404 permit review process with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and was evaluated in the context of an Environmental Impact Statement pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act. In November 2020, USACE denied Pebble Limited Partnership's permit application; Pebble Limited Partnership appealed the permit denial with USACE, and review of the appeal is ongoing.

The diverse, abundant, and high-quality streams, wetlands, and other aquatic habitats in the South Fork Koktuli River, North Fork Koktuli River, and Upper Talarik Creek watersheds provide important spawning and rearing habitat for Coho, Chinook, and Sockeye salmon and provide high-quality habitat for other fishes, such as Rainbow Trout, Dolly Varden, Arctic Grayling, and Northern Pike. The aquatic habitats of the South Fork Koktuli River, North Fork Koktuli River, and Upper Talarik Creek watersheds also provide critical support for downstream habitats. By contributing water, organic matter, and macroinvertebrates to downstream systems, these headwater areas help maintain downstream habitats and fuel their fish productivity. Together, these functions—direct provision of high-quality habitat and indirect provision of other resources to downstream habitats— support the valuable fisheries of the Bristol Bay watershed.

The objective of the Clean Water Act is to restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the nation's waters. EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers share responsibilities for implementing Section 404 of the Clean Water Act. Section 404(a) of the Clean Water Act requires a permit from the Corps of Engineers to discharge dredged or fill material into waters of the United States. Section 404(c) of the Clean Water Act authorizes EPA to prohibit the specification of or restrict the use for specification of any defined area as a disposal site for the discharge of dredged or fill material whenever it determines that such discharges will have an unacceptable adverse effect on fishery areas (including spawning and breeding areas

For further information: EPA Press Office (press@epa.gov)

 

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Issued: Jan 27, 2023 (1:47pm EST)

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NJ Selected as One of Four States to Test New Program to Remove Lead Water Pipes in Underserved Communities

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

NEW YORK (January 27, 2023) - Today, EPA announced a major new initiative to accelerate progress toward the Biden-Harris Administration's goal of 100% lead service line removal and replacement. EPA introduced the "Lead Service Line Replacement Accelerators" initiative at a White House summit celebrating the one-year anniversary of the Lead Pipe and Paint Action Plan and convened state and local leaders to discuss the program. New Jersey is among the first states to participate in the Accelerator initiative, an ambitious program aimed at providing targeted technical assistance services to underserved communities to replace lead pipes that endanger the health of children and families. This initiative is a partnership with the Department of Labor, Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin and will work with up to 40 communities across these states in 2023. The full list of communities that will benefit from this program will be announced in the coming weeks.

"New Jersey is a trailblazer in environmental stewardship by participating in this pilot program," said Regional Administrator Lisa F. Garcia. "Far too many communities in the state and across the nation are still facing the challenge of replacing aging pipes, particularly in communities that have been historically underserved and overburdened. This program will provide crucial support and assistance to these communities and help to address this pressing issue."

"Access to safe, clean drinking water is a fundamental human right which is why replacing lead service lines and modernizing our nation's drinking water and wastewater infrastructure is a matter of public health, environmental safety, and racial and environmental justice," said Sen. Menendez. "Towns and cities across New Jersey are home to some of the oldest water infrastructure in the nation, which is why I have fought to bring hundreds of millions of dollars in federal funding back to the state for lead pipe replacements and drinking water improvements. I applaud the Biden-Harris administration for their commitment to 100% lead service line replacement nationwide and for including New Jersey in this four-state initiative that aims at providing assistance to underserved communities." 

"Since the passage of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, communities in New Jersey and across the nation have received historic levels of funding to replace lead service lines that pose a danger to the health and well-being of children and families," said Sen. Booker. "With the launch of the new Service Line Replacement Accelerators initiative in New Jersey and three other states, underserved areas will receive targeted technical assistance as part of an ongoing and critical effort to make sure all Americans have access to safe, clean drinking water."  

"Every person, school, and business in South Jersey deserves lead-free drinking water," said Representative Norcross. "I'm proud to have supported the funding that is now delivering for New Jersey communities by providing clean drinking water and creating good-paying jobs in replacing lead pipes that pose health risks to children and families."

"Lead-free drinking water shouldn't be a luxury, it should be a basic right guaranteed to everyone. I am proud to have voted for the bipartisan infrastructure law that will fund projects like this one and so many more that will work towards repairing New Jersey's crumbling infrastructure," said Congressman Andy Kim (NJ-03). "Many towns in my district know what it's like being unable to trust the water coming into their home or business. That's why I'm glad to see the EPA's new initiative is taking the step forward that we need to make sure risk-free, safe, and healthy water is a reality for everyone in New Jersey. I look forward to keeping tabs on this project through to its conclusion because everyone deserves reliable, clean water."

"Contaminated drinking water threatens the health and safety of our families, in our schools and in our homes — whether that's elevated lead levels or forever chemicals like substances known as PFAS. For years now, I've been fighting to get clean drinking water for our families, to protect our local waters, and to claw more federal tax dollars back to Jersey from Washington. The EPA's new 'Lead Service Line Replacement Accelerators' initiative will help ensure Jersey's most underserved communities receive the start-to-finish assistance they need to replace lead pipes and claw back investments from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill that I helped shape and pass. With these federal tax dollars that we get back to North Jersey, we're able to ease the burden on town and county budgets, help us lower taxes for our families, and, most importantly, protect our families," said U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5).

"Every American has a fundamental right to safe, clean drinking water. That's why I fought for funding in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to replace lead service lines quickly and equitably. No community should be left to face the health risks stemming from lead pipes any longer," said Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr., Ranking Member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. "I'm thrilled that EPA is providing much needed assistance to fast-track the removal and replacement of toxic lead pipes, and I commend Administrator Regan for working diligently to target those communities most impacted. This is another significant step toward ensuring that every family can trust the water coming out of the tap. I look forward to this resource expanding to help other communities in need."

"I commend the Biden Administration for their steadfast efforts to ensure clean and safe drinking water for our residents. I have for years led federal efforts to replace lead pipes in our communities and I am thrilled to have partners in the White House as well as on the state and local levels here in New Jersey. Last week we announced $2.4 million in federal funds to replace lead pipes in Garfield. That funding combined with this announcement today shows that Democrats on all levels of government are committed to modernizing our infrastructure and guaranteeing clean water for all. This is tremendous news for the Garden State." - U.S. Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr. 

"I applaud the Biden-Harris Administration and EPA for this new initiative to help provide clean drinking water to underserved communities," said Rep. Donald M. Payne, Jr.  "This issue is extremely important to me because underserved communities suffer the most from lead-contaminated water pipes.  I have worked diligently to provide resources to these communities to remove these dangerous pipes.  I helped secure $169 million to improve New Jersey's water infrastructure in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to help our state.  In addition, I worked to include $55 billion to replace lead-contaminated water pipes in New Jersey and nationwide.  Again, I am proud to support this initiative because all Americans deserve clean drinking water."

"Old lead pipes threaten the health and safety of too many towns and families throughout my district and New Jersey. That's why I am proud to have fought for the passage of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which provides our state with the federal support it needs to improve our water infrastructure without putting a financial burden on our local municipalities," said Rep. Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11). "I look forward to seeing this initiative come to fruition and supporting local communities."

"I'm proud to have voted for measures that would mitigate the harmful effects of lead water pipes, address potential contaminants in our water, and ensure that everyone in our state has access to clean drinking water," said Rep Watson Colman. "This historic investment made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is a crucial step toward building a sustainable, secure and healthy future for New Jersey."

"Our historically underserved communities know all too well the severe damage that lead exposure can inflict upon children and families," said New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy. "As a result of my Administration's aggressive and ongoing lead pipe replacement efforts, we also know that no state in the country is better suited to continue serving as a national model for lead remediation than New Jersey. We are eager to continue working alongside our federal and regional partners to eradicate this grave public health threat once and for all."

"In partnership with the Biden-Harris Administration, New Jersey is accelerating its efforts to better protect every resident from the risk of lead exposure by helping communities to identify lead pipes and access funding for their replacement," said Shawn M. LaTourette, New Jersey's Commissioner of Environmental Protection. "Thanks to the historic amount of investment made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, New Jersey will be home to a Lead Service Line Replacement Accelerator program that will empower communities large and small with the knowledge and resources necessary to get the lead out of our water and away from our kids. The Murphy Administration is proud to lead this new effort alongside several of our sister states and the incredible people of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and its Office of Water."

Through the Lead Service Line Replacement (LSLR) Accelerators, EPA will provide hands-on support to guide communities through the process of lead service line removals, from start to finish. This will include support in developing lead service line replacement plans, conducting inventories to identify lead pipes, increasing community outreach and education efforts, and supporting applications for Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding. As a result, more communities will be able to access their fair share of federal funds to secure a lead-free future.

Partnership is core to the LSLR Accelerators initiative. EPA will collaborate each step of the way with Connecticut, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Wisconsin and applauds their leadership in seeking innovative new ways to accelerate lead pipe removal. The Accelerators initiative will support these states in more strategically deploying funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) for lead service line replacements while developing best practices and creative approaches that can serve as a roadmap for the rest of the country. As this program moves forward, EPA and the Department of Labor will collaborate to provide tools aimed at increasing job quality standards, equity, and resources to accelerate the development of the skilled water workforce needed to undertake these community and system-wide lead service line replacement programs.

The LSLR Accelerators initiative represents another step forward by the Biden-Harris's commitment to achieve 100% lead free water systems. In November 2021 President Biden signed the historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which invested an unprecedented $50 billion in the nation's water and wastewater infrastructure, including $15 billion dedicated to lead service line replacement and $11.7 billion of general Drinking Water SRF funding that can also be used for lead service line replacement. In December 2021, the Biden-Harris Administration released its Lead Pipe and Paint Action Plan. EPA is committed to using every tool available— statutory authority under the Safe Drinking Water Act, technical assistance, funding for lead service line replacement, and more—to protect all Americans from lead in drinking water.

With the help of Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding, EPA is boosting its technical assistance efforts in order to ensure every community gets its fair share of this historic investment. For more information about water technical assistance for communities and the Lead Service Line Replacement Accelerators, please visit.  https://www.epa.gov/water-infrastructure/water-technical-assistance.

Background

All communities deserve access to safe, clean, lead-free water. Yet too many families and children across America are still impacted by lead pipes. The science is clear that lead pipes pose serious health risks, particularly for children. However, many communities, particularly underserved communities and communities in rural and inner urban areas, lack necessary tools and resources to make rapid progress on lead service line replacement.

The primary source of lead in drinking water, when present, is pipes. Lead can be harmful to human health even at low exposure levels and can accumulate in the body over time. In children, low levels of exposure have been linked to damage to the central and peripheral nervous system, learning disabilities, shorter stature, impaired hearing, and impaired formation and function of blood cells.

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

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Issued: Jan 27, 2023 (1:48pm EST)

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Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Funds $23 Million of Water Infrastructure Projects in Puerto Rico -- Spanish Translation Continues Below

EPA Calls for Prioritizing Underserved Communities

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

PUERTO RICO (January 27, 2023) – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced approval of $23 million investment from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to fund Puerto Rico water infrastructure projects in Caguas, Coamo, Jayuya, Naranjito and Orocovis. EPA has formally approved work plans that will allow the Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources to proceed with the projects under this historic investment.

"When water infrastructure fails, it threatens people's health and the environment. This Bipartisan Infrastructure Law investment will improve the lives of Puerto Rico communities facing major water challenges," said EPA Regional Administrator Lisa F. Garcia. "The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is a unique and historic opportunity to correct longstanding environmental and economic injustices across America. This funding will create jobs while upgrading the island's aging water infrastructure."

The Secretary for the Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources, Anais Vega Rodríguez, stated, "This historic EPA grant is an important additional step to improve the quality of our waters by allowing the management of a series of polluting sources and renewing deteriorated infrastructure.  Likewise, projects like these are truly essential for environmental protection and contribute to the socioeconomic development of the impacted regions. The close collaboration between EPA and the DNER to solve specific problems will continue with another series of projects during the next years."

The Clean Water State Revolving Fund program provides low-cost financing, in some cases at zero percent interest, for local projects. To allow for the program to support more water quality and infrastructure improvement projects, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provides additional capitalization grants to each state for the recipient's program. Puerto Rico will receive $23,214,000 to use on the planning, design, and construction of eligible water quality improvement and protection projects in the five targeted municipalities. After consultation, EPA and the government of Puerto Rico have identified specific projects which are vital to protect and improve water quality, aquatic life, recreation, and natural habitat. Specifically, the EPA approved projects are for the design and construction of sanitary sewer systems in four municipalities (Coamo, Jayuya, Naranjito and Orocovis and), eliminating many private septic systems and sewer discharge around the Island. A fifth project will eliminate a Caguas wastewater treatment facility that will turn into a wastewater pump station, thereby eliminating a major discharge point.

President Biden signed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law on November 15, 2021. The law's investment in the water sector is nothing short of transformational. It includes $50 billion to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to strengthen the nation's drinking water and wastewater systems—the single largest investment in clean water that the federal government has ever made. A significant portion of water infrastructure dollars will flow through the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds, which represent a partnership between the Agency, states, tribes, territories, and local communities. Under this funding, Puerto Rico will receive $78,404,000 in total in fiscal year 2022. The $23,214,000 is a portion of this total. More projects will be announced in the future and EPA is committed to maximizing the impact of these funds in addressing urgent water challenges facing communities.

To access more information, visit Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Resources for Clean Water.

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Ley bipartidista de infraestructura financia $23 millones en proyectos de infraestructura de agua en Puerto Rico

La EPA pide priorizar a las comunidades desaventajadas

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

PUERTO RICO (27 de enero de 2023) – Hoy, la Agencia de Protección Ambiental de Estados Unidos (EPA, por sus siglas en inglés) anunció la aprobación de una inversión de $23 millones de la Ley Bipartidista de Infraestructura para financiar proyectos de infraestructura de agua en Puerto Rico en Caguas, Coamo, Jayuya, Naranjito y Orocovis. La EPA ha aprobado formalmente los planes de trabajo que permitirán al Departamento de Recursos Naturales y Ambientales de Puerto Rico proceder con los proyectos conforme a esta inversión histórica.

"Cuando falla la infraestructura hídrica, amenaza la salud y el medioambiente de las personas. Esta inversión de la Ley Bipartidista de Infraestructura mejorará las vidas de las comunidades de Puerto Rico que enfrentan grandes retos relacionados con el agua," dijo la Administradora Regional de la EPA, Lisa F. García. "La Ley Bipartidista de Infraestructura es una oportunidad única e histórica para corregir injusticias ambientales y económicas de larga data en todo Estados Unidos. Estos fondos crearán empleos y a la vez mejorarán la infraestructura de agua envejecida de la isla."

Secretaria del Departamento de Recursos Naturales y Ambientales, Anais Rodríguez Vega, señaló, "Esta histórica donación de la EPA es un importante paso adicional para mejorar la calidad de nuestras aguas al permitir el manejo de una serie de fuentes contaminantes y la renovación de infraestructura deteriorada. Asimismo, proyectos como estos son verdaderamente esenciales para la protección del medio ambiente y contribuyen al desarrollo socioeconómico de las regiones impactadas. La colaboración cercana entre la EPA y el DRNA para resolver problemas específicos continuará con otra serie de proyectos durante los próximos años."

El programa del Fondo Rotatorio Estatal de Agua Limpia proporciona financiamiento de bajo costo, en algunos casos a un interés del cero por ciento, para proyectos locales. A fin de permitir que el programa apoye más proyectos de mejora de la calidad del agua y la infraestructura, la Ley Bipartidista de Infraestructura proporciona subvenciones de capitalización adicionales a cada estado para el programa del beneficiario. Puerto Rico recibirá $23,214,000 para usar en la planificación, diseño y construcción de proyectos elegibles de mejora y protección de la calidad del agua en los cinco municipios seleccionados. Después de consultar, la EPA y el gobierno de Puerto Rico han identificado proyectos específicos que son vitales para proteger y mejorar la calidad del agua, la vida acuática, la recreación y el hábitat natural. Específicamente, los proyectos aprobados por la EPA son para el diseño y la construcción de sistemas de alcantarillado sanitario en cuatro municipios (Coamo, Jayuya, Naranjito y Orocovis), eliminando muchos sistemas sépticos privados y descarga de alcantarillado alrededor de la isla. Un quinto proyecto eliminará una planta de tratamiento de aguas residuales de Caguas que se convertirá en una estación de bombeo de aguas residuales, eliminando así un importante punto de descarga.

El presidente Biden firmó la Ley Bipartidista de Infraestructura el 15 de noviembre de 2021. La inversión de la ley en el sector del agua es nada menos que transformadora. Incluye $50 mil millones para la Agencia de Protección Ambiental (EPA) a fin de fortalecer los sistemas de agua potable y aguas residuales del país, la mayor inversión en agua limpia que el gobierno federal haya realizado. Una parte significativa de los dólares de infraestructura de agua se canalizará a través de los Fondos Rotatorios Estatales de Agua Limpia y Agua Potable, que representan una asociación entre la Agencia, los estados, las tribus, los territorios y las comunidades locales. Con este financiamiento, Puerto Rico recibirá un total de $78,404,000 en el año fiscal 2022. Los $23,214,000 son una parte de este total. Se anunciarán más proyectos en el futuro y la EPA se compromete a maximizar el impacto de estos fondos para abordar los desafíos urgentes del agua que enfrentan las comunidades.

Para acceder a más información, visite Recursos de la Ley Bipartidista de Infrastructura para Agua Limpia.

Siga a la Región 2 de la EPA en Twitter y visite nuestra página en Facebook.

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Issued: Jan 27, 2023 (7:30am EST)

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EPA Launches New Initiative to Accelerate Lead Pipe Replacement to Protect Underserved Communities

New partnership with states will help communities access funds from President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for lead service line removal and replacement

WASHINGTON (January 27, 2023) – Today, EPA will announce a major new initiative to accelerate progress toward the Biden-Harris Administration's goal of achieving 100% lead service line removal and replacement.  The "Lead Service Line Replacement Accelerators" initiative will be introduced during a White House convening with Vice President Kamala Harris and EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan, alongside state and local leaders celebrating the one-year anniversary of the Lead Pipe and Paint Action Plan. The new Accelerator will provide targeted technical assistance services to help underserved communities access funds from President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and replace lead pipes that pose risks to the health of children and families. The initiative is a partnership with the Department of Labor, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Wisconsin and will work with 40 communities across those states in 2023.

"The science is clear—there is no safe level of exposure to lead," said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. "EPA is committed to partnering with states and communities to protect children and families and ensure our nation's drinking water pipes are lead-free. Our Lead Service Line Replacement Accelerators demonstrate our commitment to ensuring every community has access to safe, clean drinking water. By leveraging the historic investment made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we are moving one step closer to achieving President Biden's vision of 100% lead-free water systems for all."

Through the Lead Service Line Replacement (LSLR) Accelerators, EPA will provide hands-on support to guide communities through the process of lead service line removals, from start to finish. This will include support in developing lead service line replacement plans, conducting inventories to identify lead pipes, increasing community outreach and education efforts, and supporting applications for Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding. As a result, more communities will be able to access their fair share of federal funds to secure a lead-free future.

Partnership is core to the LSLR Accelerators initiative. EPA will collaborate each step of the way with Connecticut, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Wisconsin and applauds their leadership in seeking innovative new ways to accelerate lead pipe removal. The Accelerators initiative will support these states in more strategically deploying funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) for lead service line replacements while developing best practices and creative approaches that can serve as a roadmap for the rest of the country. As this program moves forward, EPA and the Department of Labor will collaborate to provide tools aimed at increasing job quality standards, equity, and resources to accelerate the development of the skilled water workforce needed to undertake these community and system-wide lead service line replacement programs.

"Connecticut is proud to be one of the four states involved with the Lead Service Line Replacement Accelerators Community Initiative which is critical toward investing in safe drinking water and ultimately protecting the health of our communities," said Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont. "The Lead Service Line Accelerators will address existing barriers and accelerate progress on these projects. Inviting input from our residents, providing educational resources, and engaging affected members of the community are necessary components in identifying and ultimately replacing these lead service lines."

"Our historically underserved communities know all too well the severe damage that lead exposure can inflict upon children and families," said New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy. "As a result of my Administration's aggressive and ongoing lead pipe replacement efforts, we also know that no state in the country is better suited to continue serving as a national model for lead remediation than New Jersey. We are eager to continue working alongside our federal and regional partners to eradicate this grave public health threat once and for all."

"Pennsylvanians have a constitutional right to clean air and pure water, but far too many communities here in Pennsylvania suffer from old and outdated lead pipes that endanger the health of our children and families," said Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro. "My Administration is ready to work with President Biden, Vice President Harris, and our federal partners to make life-saving investments that will deliver clean drinking to families across the Commonwealth, especially in communities that have been left behind for too long. Working with our federal partners, we can rebuild our infrastructure, create good-paying jobs, and guarantee that constitutional right holds for all Pennsylvania, regardless of their zip code."

"Every Wisconsinite deserves access to safe, clean drinking water. We've been working to address the lead crisis and other water quality issues affecting our state since Day One of my administration—from declaring 2019 the Year of Clean Drinking Water to our ongoing work with the EPA to replace lead service lines across our state," said Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers. "The Biden Administration and the EPA have been critical partners in these efforts. I look forward to continuing our work together to ensure Wisconsinites can trust the water coming from their taps."

The LSLR Accelerators initiative represents another step forward by the Biden-Harris Administration to achieve 100% lead free water systems. President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law invested an unprecedented $50 billion in the nation's water and wastewater infrastructure, including $15 billion dedicated to lead service line replacement and $11.7 billion of general Drinking Water State Revolving Funds that can also be used for lead service line replacement. And in 2021, with the boost from these water infrastructure investments, the Biden-Harris Administration released its Lead Pipe and Paint Action Plan. EPA is committed to this work and using every tool available— statutory authority under the Safe Drinking Water Act, technical assistance, funding for lead service line replacement, and more—to protect all Americans from lead in drinking water.

With the help of Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding, EPA is strengthening its technical assistance efforts in order to ensure every community gets its fair share of this historic investment. For more information about water technical assistance for communities and the Lead Service Line Replacement Accelerators, please visit.  https://www.epa.gov/water-infrastructure/water-technical-assistance.

Background
All communities deserve access to safe, clean, lead-free water. Yet too many families and children across America are still impacted by lead pipes. The science is clear that lead pipes pose serious health risks, particularly for children. However, many communities, particularly underserved communities and communities in rural and inner urban areas, lack necessary tools and resources to make rapid progress on lead service line replacement.

The primary source of lead in drinking water, when present, is pipes. Lead can be harmful to human health even at low exposure levels and can accumulate in the body over time. In children, low levels of exposure have been linked to damage to the central and peripheral nervous system, learning disabilities, shorter stature, impaired hearing, and impaired formation and function of blood cells.

For further information: EPA Press Office (press@epa.gov)

 

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Issued: Jan 26, 2023 (11:35am EST)

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Fight Asthma Attacks this Winter with the Breathe-Easies!

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an estimated 25.2 million people, including 4.2 million children, suffer from asthma. 

Asthma is a serious, sometimes life-threatening chronic respiratory disease. During the winter months, children who are especially sensitive to indoor asthma triggers like mold and pet dander could experience increased or worsened asthma attacks after spending extra time indoors.  

Kids and parents can learn how to reduce indoor asthma triggers the fun way, with the Breathe-Easies! The world's first and only asthma kid's rock band. Their hit music videos are available to watch on YouTube in both English and Spanish. 

Follow these 3 steps this winter to prevent asthma attacks!

Step 1 - Talk to a Healthcare Provider

If you think that you or your child may have asthma, talk to a healthcare provider. They will diagnose asthma and help you or your child prevent asthma attacks.

Step 2 - Make a Plan

Get help from your healthcare provider to create an asthma action plan.

Step 3 - Asthma-Proof Your Home

Triggers are a part of everyday life. Asthma attacks can be triggered by things like mold growing on your shower curtain or tiny dust mites that live in blankets, pillows, or your child's stuffed animals. Learn more about what might trigger an asthma attack and what you can do to get rid of them and stay healthy.

 

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Issued: Jan 25, 2023 (2:54pm EST)

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PathStone Corporation to Receive $500,000 for Job Training in Puerto Rico -- Spanish Translation Continues Below

Among 29 grants funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law

Contact: Barbara Khan, khan.barbara@epa.gov, 720-595-8698

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

 

PUERTO RICO (January 25, 2023) - PathStone Corporation is one of among 29 organizations receiving $14.3 million across the country through EPA's Brownfields Job Training Program to recruit, train and place workers for community revitalization and cleanup projects at brownfield sites. The organization will get a $500,000 grant for job training funded through President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. This funding triples the amount normally granted by EPA for Brownfields job training, ensuring stronger environmental benefits and more economic opportunities in overburdened and underserved areas.

EPA Region 2 Regional Administrator Lisa F. Garcia highlighted the work on a visit today in Juncos, Puerto Rico. Other participants included Manuel Cidre, Secretary Department of Economic Development and Commerce; Anais Vega Rodríguez, Secretary Department of Natural and Environmental Resources; Hon. Alfredo Alejandro Carrión, Mayor of Juncos, Brenda Soto Colón, Senior Vice President, PathStone, Mr. Alberto Grau, General Manager DANA Puerto Rico and Magaly Méndez from the office of the Housing and Urban Developement.

"President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is supercharging EPA's Brownfields Program, which is transforming blighted sites, protecting public health, and creating economic opportunities in more overburdened communities than ever before," said EPA Deputy Administrator Janet McCabe. "The investments announced will not only support the cleanup of some of our nation's most polluted areas, but they will also equip a new generation of workers to take on the significant environmental challenges that plague overburdened neighborhoods, and jumpstart sustainable, long-term careers in the communities that need these jobs the most."

"With this unprecedented amount of funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we can provide people the tools and skills they need to find long-term employment," said EPA Region 2 Regional Administrator Lisa F. Garcia. "This funding will provide under- and unemployed people in Puerto Rico critical training so they can reimagine and revitalize their neighborhoods and bring environmental justice to their communities, which have been so often overlooked."

PathStone Corporation, a Rochester, New York-based organization, will use the funding to train up to 120 students in Puerto Rico and place at least 80 in environmental jobs. The program will target students from the rural municipalities of Caguas, Guaynabo, Humacao, Juncos, and Las Piedras and the City of San Juan. The training program includes 334 hours of instruction in 40-Hour Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) training, Pesticide Safety Worker Protection Standard, AED and CPR Training, among many others. Students who complete the training will earn up to nine state and one federal certification. This is PathStone Corporation's fifth grant under the EPA Brownfields Job Program, totaling over $1.2 million in funding.

"The mission of building family and self-sufficiency can only be achieved by empowering individuals to make a change in their lives," said Brenda Lee Soto Colón, senior vice president of Direct Services at PathStone Corporation. "Having the opportunity to continue our partnership with EPA in order to provide training and employment opportunities in the environmental industry is key to the change we want to see in the lives of those we serve. Our goal is to assist participants with improving their education and employability skills. We are appreciative of this new opportunity." 

President Biden's leadership and bipartisan Congressional action have delivered the single-largest investment in U.S. brownfields infrastructure ever through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which invests more than $1.5 billion over five years through EPA's highly successful Brownfields Program. This historic investment enables EPA to fund more communities, states, and Tribes, and provides the opportunity for grantees to build and enhance the environmental curriculum in job training programs that support job creation and community revitalization.

The Brownfields Job Training Program also advances President Biden's Justice40 Initiative, which aims to deliver at least 40 percent of the benefits of certain government programs to disadvantaged communities. Based on data from the Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool, approximately 97 percent of the communities selected to receive funding as part of today's announcement have proposed projects in historically underserved areas.

Individuals completing a job training program funded by the EPA often overcome a variety of barriers to employment. Many trainees are from historically underserved neighborhoods or reside in areas that are overburdened by pollution.

Graduates of Brownfields Job Training programs learn valuable, sought-after skills and have the opportunity to earn a variety of certifications, ensuring employment opportunities result not just in temporary contractual work, but in long-term environmental careers. This includes certifications in:

• Lead and asbestos abatement,
• Hazardous waste operations and emergency response,
• Mold remediation,
• Environmental sampling and analysis, and
• Other environmental health and safety training

Background:

Brownfields Job Training (JT) grants allow nonprofits, local governments, and other organizations to recruit, train, and place unemployed and under-employed residents of areas affected by the presence of brownfield sites. Through the JT Program, graduates develop the skills needed to secure full-time, sustainable employment in various aspects of hazardous and solid waste management and within the larger environmental field, including sustainable cleanup and reuse, and chemical safety. These green jobs reduce environmental contamination and build more sustainable futures for communities.

Since 1998, the EPA has awarded 371 Brownfields Job Training grants. With these grants, more than 20,341 individuals have completed trainings and over 15,168 individuals have been placed in careers related to land remediation and environmental health and safety.

For more information on the selected Brownfields Job Training grant recipients, including past grant recipients, please visit the Brownfields Grant Fact Sheet Search

For more information on this, and other types of Brownfields Program grants, please visit the Brownfields Job Training Grants webpage.

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

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PathStone Corporation recibirá $500,000 para capacitación laboral en Puerto Rico

Entre 29 subvenciones financiadas por la Ley de Infraestructura Bipartidista

Información de contacto: Barbara Khan, khan.barbara@epa.gov, 720-595-8698; Brenda Reyes, reyes.brenda@epa.gov, 787-977-5869

PUERTO RICO (25 de enero de 2023) - PathStone Corporation es una de las 29 organizaciones que recibirán $14.3 millones en todos los Estados Unidos a través del Programa de Capacitación Laboral sobre terrenos abandonados o contaminados ("Brownfields") de la EPA para reclutar, capacitar e integrar a trabajadores para proyectos de revitalización y limpieza. La organización recibirá una subvención de $500,000 para capacitación laboral financiada a través de la Ley de Infraestructura Bipartidista del presidente Biden. Este financiamiento triplica la cantidad normalmente otorgada por la EPA para la capacitación laboral sobre terrenos "brownfields", garantizando beneficios ambientales más fuertes y más oportunidades económicas en áreas impactadas y desatendidas.

La Administradora Regional de la Región 2 de la EPA, Lisa F. García, realzo el trabajo en una visita realizada hoy en Juncos, Puerto Rico. Otros participantes hoy fueron Manuel Cidre, Secretario del Departamento de Desarrollo Económico y Comercio de Puerto Rico; Anais Rodríguez Vega, Secretaria Departamento de Recursos Naturales y Ambientales; Honorable Alfredo Alejandro Carrión, Alcalde de Juncos, Brenda Soto Colón, Vicepresidenta, PathStone, Sr. Alberto Grau, Gerente General DANA Puerto Rico y Magaly Méndez de la oficina del Departamento de Vivienda y Desarrollo Urbano.

"La Ley de Infraestructura Bipartidista del presidente Biden está apoyando significativamente al Programa de "Brownfields" de la EPA, que está transformando terrenos deteriorados, protegiendo la salud pública y creando oportunidades económicas en comunidades," dijo la subadministradora de la EPA, Janet McCabe.  "Las inversiones anunciadas no solo apoyarán la limpieza de algunas de las áreas más contaminadas en los Estados Unidos, sino que también equiparán a una nueva generación de trabajadores para enfrentar los importantes desafíos ambientales que afectan las comunidades desventajadas e impulsar carreras sostenibles a largo plazo en las áreas donde más se necesitan estos trabajos."

"Con esta cantidad sin precedentes de fondos a través de la Ley de Infraestructura Bipartidista, podemos proporcionar a las personas las herramientas y habilidades que necesitan para encontrar empleo a largo plazo", dijo la Administradora Regional de la Región 2 de la EPA, Lisa F. García.  "Estos fondos proporcionarán a las personas subempleadas y desempleadas en Puerto Rico capacitación crítica para que puedan reimaginar y revitalizar sus vecindarios y llevar justicia ambiental a sus comunidades, que tan a menudo se han pasado por alto."

PathStone Corporation, una organización con sede en Rochester, Nueva York, utilizará los fondos para capacitar hasta 120 estudiantes en Puerto Rico y establecer al menos 80 en empleos ambientales. El programa estará dirigido a estudiantes de los municipios rurales de Caguas, Guaynabo, Humacao, Juncos y Las Piedras y la ciudad de San Juan. El programa de capacitación incluye 334 horas de instrucción en 40 horas de capacitación en Operaciones de Desechos Peligrosos y Respuesta a Emergencias (HAZWOPER), Estándar de Protección de Trabajadores de Seguridad de Pesticidas, DEA y Capacitación en RCP, entre muchos otros. Los estudiantes que completen la capacitación obtendrán hasta nueve certificaciones estatales y una federal. Esta es la quinta subvención de PathStone Corporation bajo el Programa de Trabajo de terrenos "Brownfields" de la EPA, por un total de más de $ 1,2 millones en fondos.

"La misión de construir familia y autosuficiencia solo se puede lograr empoderando a las personas para que hagan un cambio en sus vidas", dijo Brenda Lee Soto Colón, vicepresidenta senior de Servicios Directos de PathStone Corporation.  "Tener la oportunidad de continuar nuestra asociación con la EPA para proporcionar oportunidades de capacitación y empleo en la industria ambiental es clave para el cambio que queremos ver en las vidas de aquellos a quienes servimos. Nuestro objetivo es ayudar a los participantes a mejorar sus habilidades educativas y de empleabilidad. Estamos agradecidos por esta nueva oportunidad".

El liderazgo del presidente Biden y la acción bipartidista del Congreso han generado la mayor inversión en infraestructura de terrenos "Brownfields" de los Estados Unidos a través de la Ley de Infraestructura Bipartidista, que invierte más de $1,500 millones en cinco años a través del exitoso Programa de terrenos "Brownfields" de la EPA. Esta inversión histórica permite a la EPA financiar más comunidades, estados y tribus, y brinda la oportunidad a los concesionarios de construir y mejorar el currículo ambiental en programas de capacitación laboral que apoyan la creación de empleos y la revitalización de la comunidad.

El Programa de Capacitación Laboral sobre terrenos "Brownfields" también promueve la Iniciativa Justice40 del presidente Biden, que tiene como objetivo otorgar al menos el 40 por ciento de los beneficios de ciertos programas gubernamentales a las comunidades menos favorecidas. Con base en los datos de la Herramienta de Evaluación de Justicia Climática y Económica, aproximadamente el 97 por ciento de las comunidades seleccionadas para recibir fondos como parte del anuncio de hoy han propuesto proyectos en áreas históricamente desatendidas.

Las personas que completan un programa de capacitación laboral financiado por la EPA a menudo superan una variedad de barreras para el empleo. Muchos aprendices provienen de vecindarios históricamente desatendidos o residen en áreas sobrecargadas por la contaminación.

Los graduados de los programas de capacitación laboral sobre terrenos baldíos aprenden habilidades valiosas y buscadas y tienen la oportunidad de obtener una variedad de certificaciones, asegurando que las oportunidades de empleo resulten no solo en trabajo contractual temporal, sino en carreras ambientales a largo plazo. Esto incluye certificaciones en:

• Reducción del plomo y del amianto,
• Operaciones de residuos peligrosos y respuesta a emergencias,
• Remediación de moho,
• Muestreo y análisis ambiental, y
• Otra formación en materia de salud y seguridad ambiental

Antecedentes:

Las subvenciones del Programa de Capacitación Laboral en terrenos "Brownfields" permiten a las organizaciones sin fines de lucro, gobiernos locales y otras organizaciones reclutar, capacitar y colocar a residentes desempleados y subempleados de áreas afectadas por la presencia de terrenos abandonados. A través del Programa de Capacitación Laboral, los graduados desarrollan las habilidades necesarias para asegurar un empleo sostenible a tiempo completo en diversos aspectos de la gestión de residuos peligrosos y sólidos y dentro del campo ambiental más amplio, incluida la limpieza y reutilización sostenibles y la seguridad química. Estos empleos verdes reducen la contaminación ambiental y construyen futuros más sostenibles para las comunidades.

Desde 1998, la EPA ha otorgado 371 subvenciones de capacitación laboral sobre terrenos "Brownfields". Con estas subvenciones, más de 20,341 personas han terminado capacitaciones y más de 15,168 personas han sido asignadas en carreras relacionadas con la remediación de tierras y la salud y seguridad ambiental.

Para obtener más información sobre los beneficiarios seleccionados de la subvención de capacitación laboral sobre terrenos "Brownfields", incluidos los beneficiarios de subvenciones anteriores, visite la Búsqueda de la hoja informativa de subvenciones sobre terrenos baldíos

Para obtener más información sobre esta y otros tipos de subvenciones del Programa de terrenos baldíos, visite la página web de Subvenciones de capacitación laboral sobre terrenos baldíos.

23-006-SP

 

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