Issued: May 30, 2023 (3:56pm EDT)

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Biden-Harris Administration Announces Availability of $12 Million Through Investing in America Agenda for Brownfields Job Training Grants

EPA seeking applications for up to $12 million in Brownfields Job Training Grants that will support local environmental job training programs and environmental workforce in underserved and overburdened communities

Contact: EPA Press Office (press@epa.gov)

WASHINGTON (May 30, 2023) – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the availability of approximately $12 million from President Biden's Investing in America Agenda for environmental job training grants under the Fiscal Year 2024 Brownfields Job Training Program. EPA is seeking applications for the program and anticipates awarding approximately 24 grants nationwide at amounts up to $500,000 per award. Applications are due by August 2, 2023, via grants.gov. The Request for Application (RFA) notice is now posted on www.grants.gov.

"EPA's Brownfields Program invests in communities, turning brownfield sites into new hubs of economic growth and creating new, good-paying jobs in communities where workers live," said Barry Breen, Acting Assistant Administrator of EPA's Office of Land and Emergency Management. "Thanks to the boost from President Biden's Investing in America Agenda, the Brownfields Job training programs are not only providing an opportunity for residents impacted by brownfield sites to gain training and employment, but also advancing environmental justice across the country."

The approximately $12 million in funding available during this grant cycle comes from the $1.5 billion investment from President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. As a result of this historic funding, the fiscal year 2023 Brownfields Job Training Grant competition resulted in more than triple the funding compared to fiscal year 2022. This budget boost provides communities, states, and Tribes the opportunity to apply for larger grants to build and enhance the environmental curriculum in job training programs to support job creation and community revitalization at brownfield sites.

EPA is committed to meeting the Biden-Harris Administration's Justice40 goal that 40% of the overall benefits of certain federal investments flow to disadvantaged communities. The Brownfields Program will strive to meet this commitment and advance environmental justice and equity considerations into all aspects of our work.

The RFA notice is available at www.grants.gov.  A copy of the FY24 Guidelines and other application resources are available at EPA's Brownfields Job Training (JT) Grants webpage. The Office of Brownfields and Land Revitalization will also host an outreach webinar on June 14, 2023, from 1pm – 3:30pm EDT to explain the guidelines for interested applicants and to address commonly asked questions. The link to attend the webinar is https://usepa.zoomgov.com/j/1603942069. Prior registration is not required.

Background:

The EPA's Brownfields Job Training (JT) grant program is a unique employment and training program. The grants allow nonprofit and other eligible organizations to recruit, train, and retain a local, skilled workforce by prioritizing unemployed and under-employed, including low-income individuals living in areas impacted by solid and hazardous waste in environmental jobs. Students learn the skills and credentials needed to secure full-time, sustainable employment in the environmental field, including brownfields assessment and cleanup. These jobs reduce environmental contamination and build more sustainable futures for communities. Communities have the flexibility to deliver eligible training that meets the local labor market demands of the environmental sector in their communities.

Since 1998, EPA has awarded 400 job training grants. With these grants, more than 20,600 individuals have completed training and over 15,300 individuals have been placed in careers related to land remediation and environmental health and safety.

The next National Brownfields Training Conference will be held on August 8-11, 2023, in Detroit, Michigan. 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.

Learn more on EPA's Brownfields Program.

 

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Issued: May 26, 2023 (3:59pm EDT)

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EPA Encourages Sun Safety on 'Don't Fry Day' as America Heads Into Holiday Weekend

Learn more about a few simple steps to protect your skin and eye health while outdoors this summer

WASHINGTON (May 26, 2023) — Today, before the Memorial Day long weekend, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), along with the National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention, is recognizing the 15th "Don't Fry Day" to encourage Americans to take a few simple steps to protect their skin and eye health while outdoors. Overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun can increase the risk of developing skin cancer, so it is important to be aware of the strength of the sun's UV rays when enjoying your time outside.

"This long weekend, and all summer long, remember to take care of your skin and eyes when you are enjoying the outdoors," said Joseph Goffman, Principal Deputy Assistant Administrator for the Office of Air and Radiation. "Wear sunscreen, protective clothing, a hat, and sunglasses. Sun damage builds up over your lifetime, so take care of your skin every day you're outdoors."

Since most skin cancer cases and deaths are caused by exposure to UV radiation, many cases may be preventable. The American Skin Cancer Society estimates that in 2023 more than 97,600 new cases of invasive melanoma, the most dangerous form of skin cancer, will be diagnosed in the United States. This is roughly 1,400 fewer cases than were estimated in 2022.

All people are equally at risk of eye damage and developing cataracts, but some people may be at greater risk of contracting skin cancer depending on the color of their skin, a history of blistering sunburns in early childhood, the presence of many moles, or a family history of skin cancer. Also, be aware that UV may be high even in winter depending on factors such as location, elevation, and reflective surfaces.

Reduce your risk of skin cancer and eye damage by remembering to:

• SLIP! – Slip on a long-sleeved shirt or other clothing that covers your skin.
• SLOP! – Slop on a handful of sunscreen with sun protection factor (SPF) 15 or higher, and re-apply every two hours, or sooner if in the water.
• SLAP! – Slap on a broad-brimmed hat to cover the back of your neck and the tips of your ears.
• WRAP! – Wrap on a pair of sunglasses. Sunglasses that wrap around the sides of your face provide more sun protection.
• Avoid tanning beds and minimize sunbathing.
• Check the UV Index before spending time outdoors.

EPA, the National Weather Service, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention work together to make the UV Index forecast available in the United States. EPA's UV index app (search for EPA's UV Index in the App Store and on Google Play) is a convenient tool to let you know the strength of the sun's skin cancer-causing UV rays. The app gives daily and hourly UV intensity forecasts for your location, provides recommendations on sun safety, and is also available in Spanish.

Download Don't Fry Day and sun safety posters, sign up for a daily UV Index forecast via email, or check the UV Index online daily at EPA's Sun Safety webpage.

 

Contact: EPA Press Office (press@epa.gov)

 

 

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Issued: May 26, 2023 (10:18am EDT)

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EPA Encourages Sun Safety on 'Don't Fry Day' as America Heads Into Holiday Weekend

Learn more about a few simple steps to protect your skin and eye health while outdoors this summer

New York (May 26, 2023) — Today, before the Memorial Day long weekend, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), along with the National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention, is recognizing the 15th "Don't Fry Day" to encourage Americans to take a few simple steps to protect their skin and eye health while outdoors. Overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun can increase the risk of developing skin cancer, so it is important to be aware of the strength of the sun's UV rays when enjoying your time outside. "This long weekend, and all summer long, remember to take care of your skin and eyes when you are enjoying the outdoors," said Joseph Goffman, Principal Deputy Assistant Administrator for the Office of Air and Radiation. "Wear sunscreen, protective clothing, a hat, and sunglasses. Sun damage builds up over your lifetime, so take care of your skin every day you're outdoors." Since most skin cancer cases and deaths are caused by exposure to UV radiation, many cases may be preventable. The American Skin Cancer Society estimates that in 2023 more than 97,600 new cases of invasive melanoma, the most dangerous form of skin cancer, will be diagnosed in the United States. This is roughly 1,400 fewer cases than were estimated in 2022. All people are equally at risk of eye damage and developing cataracts, but some people may be at greater risk of contracting skin cancer depending on the color of their skin, a history of blistering sunburns in early childhood, the presence of many moles, or a family history of skin cancer. Also, be aware that UV may be high even in winter depending on factors such as location, elevation, and reflective surfaces. Reduce your risk of skin cancer and eye damage by remembering to: SLIP! – Slip on a long-sleeved shirt or other clothing that covers your skin. SLOP! – Slop on a handful of sunscreen with sun protection factor (SPF) 15 or higher, and re-apply every two hours, or sooner if in the water. SLAP! – Slap on a broad-brimmed hat to cover the back of your neck and the tips of your ears. WRAP! – Wrap on a pair of sunglasses. Sunglasses that wrap around the sides of your face provide more sun protection. Avoid tanning beds and minimize sunbathing. Check the UV Index before spending time outdoors. EPA, the National Weather Service, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention work together to make the UV Index forecast available in the United States. EPA's UV index app (search for EPA's UV Index in the App Store and on Google Play) is a convenient tool to let you know the strength of the sun's skin cancer-causing UV rays. The app gives daily and hourly UV intensity forecasts for your location, provides recommendations on sun safety, and is also available in Spanish. Download Don't Fry Day and sun safety posters, sign up for a daily UV Index forecast via email, or check the UV Index online daily at EPA's Sun Safety webpage.

 

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Issued: May 25, 2023 (4:04pm EDT)

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EPA Administrator Regan Announces Critical Steps to Strengthen Technical Assistance and Provide Support Following West Virginia Journey to Justice Tour

WASHINGTON (May 25, 2023) - Following through on his commitment to deliver solutions to the people of McDowell County, West Virginia, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael S. Regan announced today a series of initial actions that respond directly to the concerns he saw and heard on the ground during his visit to the state in December 2022, which marked the Administrator's third Journey to Justice tour.

During his visit, Administrator Regan toured a hundred-year-old drinking water plant in need of repair, visited with McDowell County residents who only recently connected to their town's main water line after years of facing inadequate access to water infrastructure, and spent time with volunteers at a community food bank who have employed innovative, community-driven solutions to provide clean drinking water for their neighbors.

"Communities like McDowell County once powered our nation and helped cement America's competitiveness, and we owe it to the people of West Virginia to show our support by prioritizing the longstanding infrastructure challenges they face," said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. "During my time in McDowell, I met with folks who've struggled for years with access to basic water infrastructure. This is unacceptable in the United States of America, and that's why President Biden has made investing in water infrastructure a cornerstone of his historic policy agenda. I promised the good people of McDowell that we would work hand in hand to address these generational challenges, and these initial actions are just the beginning of that partnership. EPA will continue to work closely with our state, local, and federal partners to provide even more resources and build long-term capacity in McDowell County and in the southern coal fields of West Virginia."

"For years, the WVDEP has worked to provide access to clean water and address environmental and public health concerns in many communities in McDowell County," said West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WVDEP) Cabinet Secretary Harold Ward. "There is still much work to be done and we are committed to expanding our partnership with the U.S. EPA and engaging with community stakeholders to find additional avenues and resources so that we can build on the progress we've made in southern West Virginia."

The following actions reflect the initial steps EPA is taking following the Administrator's Journey to Justice tour in McDowell County, WV:

Community Solutions Coordinator

Beginning fall 2023, EPA will work with state and local agencies in West Virginia to create a full-time position dedicated to identifying and expediting eligible resource opportunities across the federal government for the state's southern coalfield counties, including McDowell. The Community Solutions Coordinator will serve as a point of contact for these counties to accelerate progress, increase investments, and strengthen existing networks in these areas.

Air Quality Monitoring

Thanks to funding from the American Rescue Plan and President Biden's Inflation Reduction Act, Appalachian Voices, an organization committed to advancing a just transition for Central and Southern Appalachia, is expected to receive a $118,297 grant to deploy low-cost air quality monitors in communities with air quality challenges across several states, including West Virginia. Air quality data will be collected and made publicly available to foster community engagement around local and regional air quality issues in communities adjacent to one or more coal mines, coal-fired plants, fossil fuel export hubs and more. A portion of this funding will be made available to McDowell County through Appalachia Mountain Flows Corps, a Keystone, West Virginia-based organization.

Dig Deep Right to Water Community Grant

During Administrator Regan's Journey to Justice tour, he met with community members who lack access to basic wastewater infrastructure, many of whom rely on straight-pipes to carry raw sewage from their homes into local waterways. To help bolster the community's wastewater infrastructure, the Dig Deep Right to Water Project will receive a $495,840 grant, funded through FY 2022 annual appropriations, for a sanitary septic and sewerage service project. Dig Deep will install approximately 35 onsite sewage systems for properties in McDowell County that are currently directly discharging to streams. 

Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Centers (TCTAC)               

Through EPA's Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Centers, which is designed to help underserved and overburdened communities across the country access funds from President Biden's Investing in America agenda, the National Wildlife Federation will receive $12 million in grants over five years to provide community resources and assistance across the Mid-Atlantic Region. West Virginia State University, a Historically Black College and University (HBCU), is a partner in this effort and will continue working to provide additional technical assistance and support to the McDowell County community – from providing training and other assistance to building capacity for navigating federal grant application systems, to writing strong grant proposals, to effectively managing grant funding.

Learn more information about Journey to Justice. 

 

Contact: EPA Press Office (press@epa.gov)

 

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Issued: May 25, 2023 (3:30pm EDT)

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New York Projects Slated to Get Over $6 Million Through Investing in America Agenda for Cleanup and Technical Assistance at Polluted Brownfield Sites

EPA announces the largest investment ever in brownfields communities made by President Biden's Investing in America Agenda

NEW YORK (May 25, 2023) – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that 7 selectees from New York will get $6.4 Million from President Biden's Investing in America Agenda to expedite the assessment and cleanup of brownfield sites in New York while advancing environmental justice. Thanks to the historic boost from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, this is the largest ever funding awarded in the history of the EPA's Brownfields MARC Grant programs.

These investments are  part of President Biden's Investing in America Agenda to grow the American economy from the bottom up and middle-out – from rebuilding our nation's infrastructure, to driving over $470 billion in private sector manufacturing and clean energy investments in the United States, to creating a manufacturing and innovation boom powered by good paying jobs that don't require a four-year degree, to building a clean-energy economy that will combat climate change and make our communities more resilient.

"We're working across the country to revitalize what were once dangerous and polluted sites in overburdened communities into more sustainable and environmentally just places that serve as community assets. Thanks to President Biden's historic investments in America, we're moving further and faster than ever before to clean up contaminated sites, spur economic redevelopment, and deliver relief that so many communities have been waiting for," said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. "This critical wave of investments is the largest in Brownfields history and will accelerate our work to protect the people and the planet by transforming what was once blight into might."

"The brownfields program is a powerful tool that helps communities in New York address local inequities by providing a means to revitalize abandoned properties and promote environmental health, economic growth, and job creation," said EPA Regional Administrator Lisa F. Garcia. "The Brownfields program transforms communities, and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding 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."

"Brownfields are much more than eyesores for Upstate NY – they devalue surrounding properties, harm the local economy, and pose potential environmental and health threats," said Majority Leader Senator Chuck Schumer. "From Syracuse to Sullivan County this critical federal investment will provide the boost that our Upstate communities need to cleanup these brownfield properties and create a better future. I am proud we secured a historic $1.5 billion for the EPA's Brownfields program in the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Law to make this funding possible, and I will keep working to return these blighted properties to productive use to breathe new life into our Upstate communities." 

"Brownfields are a serious threat to the environment and to public health," said Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. "Cleaning them up and turning them into usable spaces like parks, recreation facilities, and housing revitalizes our communities and spurs local economic development. I'm proud to have fought to pass the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that helped provide the funding for this cleanup and I applaud EPA for working to address contamination across New York State." 

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos said, "DEC applauds EPA for its sustained investments to revitalize neighborhoods and protect public health by cleaning up former industrial sites and returning them to productive use. The significant grants announced today will bolster New York State's ongoing efforts to clean up contaminated sites and DEC looks forward to continuing to work collaboratively with our federal partners to advance our shared goals to protect natural resources and communities." 

Many communities that are under economic stress, particularly those located in areas that have experienced long periods of disinvestment, lack the resources needed to initiate brownfield cleanup and redevelopment projects. As brownfield sites are transformed into community assets, they attract jobs, promote economic revitalization and transform communities into sustainable and environmentally just places.

Thanks to the historic $1.5 billion boost from President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, EPA's Brownfields Program is helping more communities than ever before begin to address the economic, social, and environmental challenges caused by brownfields and stimulate economic opportunity, and environmental revitalization in historically overburdened communities.

EPA's Brownfields Program also advances President Biden's Justice40 Initiative to direct 40 percent of the overall benefits of certain Federal investments to disadvantaged communities. The Brownfields Program strives to meet this commitment and advance environmental justice and equity considerations into all aspects of its work. Approximately 84 percent of the MARC program applications selected to receive funding proposed to work in areas that include historically underserved communities.

State Funding Breakdown:

Brownfields Multipurpose, Assessment, Revolving Loan Fund, and Cleanup (MARC) Grant Program Selection

EPA announced 262 communities that have been selected to receive 267 grants totaling more than $215 million in competitive EPA Brownfields funding through the Multipurpose, Assessment, Revolving Loan Fund, and Cleanup (MARC) Grant Programs. This represents the highest funding level ever announced in the history of the Brownfields Program.

The following organizations in New York have been selected to receive EPA Brownfields funding through the Multipurpose, Assessment, Revolving Loan Fund, and Cleanup (MARC) Grant Programs.

• Greater Syracuse Land Bank, NY has been selected to receive $1,000,000. Grant funds will be used to update an inventory of brownfield sites and conduct 20 Phase I and 18 Phase II environmental site assessments, and develop eight cleanup plans and four reuse plans. Grant funds also will be used to update an inventory of foreclosable brownfield sites and support community engagement activities. Assessment activities will focus on the South Avenue Corridor, the Near Eastside Neighborhood, the 15th Ward, and the Hawley-Green Neighborhood in the City of Syracuse, all within the city's urban core. Priority sites include a former dry cleaners and gas station, four vacant and abandoned former automobile repair shops, a vacant commercial building, and an auto garage and junkyard.

 

• Syracuse Industrial Development Agency, NY has been selected to receive $800,000. Grant funds will be used to conduct one Phase I and three Phase II environmental site assessments of sites in the target area and to clean up the 341 Peat Street site. Grant funds also will be used to conduct community engagement activities. The target area for this project is the Near Eastside neighborhood in the City of Syracuse, which is just 1.4 miles east of downtown Syracuse with dilapidated buildings, piles of illegally dumped trash and debris, and associated blight that is highly visible from Highway 690 as people travel into the city. Priority sites include the 341 Peat Street site, which was first developed in the 1890s and historically operated as a structural steel works facility, forge and foundry for an iron and steel company, machine shop, equipment repair facility, and varnish supplier. Other priority sites are located on Greenway Avenue and include the 79,600-square-foot Winkelman property, a 0.93-acre former industrial site, and a 0.29-acre site consisting of an abandoned roadway.

 

• Wayne Country Regional Land Bank Corporation, NY has been selected to receive $800,000. Grant funds will be used to conduct six Phase I and four Phase II environmental site assessments, prepare two cleanup plans and one site reuse plan, update the county's site inventory, and conduct community engagement activities. Grant funds also will be used to clean up four sites on Canal Street. The target area for this project is the Canal/Geneva Street Corridor in the City of Lyons' historic downtown district, which sits along the Erie Canal. Priority sites include five properties on Canal Street, a property at 30 Geneva Street, and one property at 1 Clyde Road. These properties include former mixed commercial row-style buildings, a former gas station, a former fueling station and convenience store, and a former restaurant and bar.

 

• Wayne County, NY has been selected to receive $1,000,000. Grant funds will be used to conduct 15 Phase I and 14 Phase II environmental site assessments and develop eight cleanup plans, two site reuse plans, and one area-wide plan. Grant funds also will be used to update a brownfield inventory and support community outreach activities. Assessment activities will focus on the Village of Newark and the Towns of Lyons, Sodus, and Wolcott. Priority sites include an underutilized industrial property, a 13,000-square-foot abandoned former two-story medical office, and a formerly occupied photo etching company in the City of Newark; a former coal-fired electric generation plant located on the Erie Canal and a 21-acre former warehouse and shipping facility in the Town of Lyons; a 3.5-acre former malt house for the Genesee Brewing Company and a 4.25-acre water treatment plant in Wayne County; and the 200-acre Former Butler State Prison in the Town of Wolcott. Non-lead coalition members include the Town of Lyons, the Village of Newark, and the Greater Rochester Enterprise.

 

• Mohawk Valley Economic Development District Inc., NY has been selected to receive $1,000,000. The grant will be used to capitalize a revolving loan fund from which the Mohawk Valley Economic Development District, Inc. will provide loans and subgrants to support cleanup activities. Grant funds also will be used to conduct community engagement activities and market the fund. RLF activities will focus on the Utica Industrial Central Corridor Brownfield Opportunity Zone (BOA), the Gloversville BOA/Local Waterfront Revitalization Program (LWRP) area, and the Ilion LWRP area.

 

• Sullivan County, NY has been selected to receive $800,000. The grant will be used to capitalize a revolving loan fund from which Sullivan County will provide ten loans and ten subgrants to support cleanup activities. Grant funds also will be used to market the RLF program. RLF activities will target the entire county with a focus on the housing projects and multi-owner Turick site. Priority sites include vacant homes in the Towns of Bethel, Liberty, Thompson, and the Village of Monticello.

 

• Syracuse Economic Development Corporation, NY has been selected to receive $1,000,000. The grant will be used to capitalize a revolving loan fund from which the Syracuse Economic Development Corporation will provide loans and subgrants to support cleanup activities. Grant funds also will be used to conduct cleanup planning and community engagement activities and market the fund. RLF activities will focus on the East Adams and Hawley-Green neighborhoods, which are in some of the City of Syracuse's densest urban areas.

You can read more about this year's MARC selectees, here.

Additional Background:

EPA has selected these organizations to receive funding to address and support the reuse of brownfield sites. EPA anticipates making all the awards announced today once all legal and administrative requirements are satisfied.

EPA's Brownfields Program began in 1995 and has provided nearly $2.37 billion in Brownfield Grants to assess and clean up contaminated properties and return blighted properties to productive reuse. EPA's investments in addressing brownfield sites have leveraged more than $36 billion in cleanup and redevelopment. Over the years, the relatively small investment of federal funding has leveraged, from both public and private sources, nearly 260,000 jobs. Communities that previously received Brownfields Grants used these resources to fund assessments and cleanups of brownfields, and successfully leverage an average of 10.6 jobs per $100,000 of EPA Brownfield Grant funds spent and $19.78 for every dollar.

The next National Brownfields Training Conference will be held on August 8-11, 2023, in Detroit, Michigan. 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).

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

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: May 25, 2023 (1:59pm EDT)

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EPA to award over $1 million in grants to support water quality monitoring at Mid-Atlantic beaches to protect swimmers' health

Contact Information: EPA Press Office (R3press@epa.gov)

PHILADELPHIA (May 25, 2023) – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced over $1 million in grant funding to help protect public health in coastal and Great Lakes beach communities in the Mid-Atlantic Region. The funding is being awarded to Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Virginia to assist with water quality monitoring and public notification programs for local beaches.

"So many of us have a rich tradition of spending our summers splashing, swimming, and playing at our favorite beach, which is why it's so important for EPA to help our local partners protect the water at coastal and Great Lakes beaches," said EPA Assistant Administrator for Water Radhika Fox. "These grants help Tribes, states, and territories fund programs to test water quality at beaches to ensure it's clean for swimming and boating."

Under the Beaches Environmental Assessment and Coastal Health (BEACH) Act, eligible states, territories, and tribes use the grant funds to monitor their beaches for bacteria, maintain and operate a public notification system to alert beachgoers, provide technical assistance to communities to assess pollution sources at specific beaches, and report annually to EPA on the results of monitoring and notification actions.

"With summer right around the corner, tens of millions of Americans are making plans to travel to our beautiful beaches in Delaware and around the country," said Senator Carper (DE), Chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. "Fortunately, EPA is providing states and communities with the tools to ensure the safety of the water at our nation's beaches, which are an integral part of our tourism economy and important ecosystems for wildlife and migratory birds."

Since 2001, EPA has awarded nearly $216 million nationwide in BEACH Act grants to test beach waters for indicators of illness-causing bacteria and help with public notification and identification of the problem. This program is essential for protecting the public health of beachgoers across the country.

Contingent upon their meeting the eligibility requirements, EPA's 2023 BEACH Act grant funding will be allocated to as follows: Delaware - $223,000; Maryland - $283,000; Pennsylvania - $235,000; and Virginia $291,000.

More information on BEACH Act grants.

Check the relevant Tribal, state, or territorial beach program website for closing or advisory information at a particular beach.

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Issued: May 25, 2023 (12:46pm EDT)

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Biden-Harris Administration Announces More than $315 Million Through Investing in America Agenda for Cleanup and Technical Assistance at Polluted Brownfield Sites

EPA announces the largest investment ever in brownfields communities made by President Biden's Investing in America Agenda

WASHINGTON (May 25, 2023) – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced more than $315 million from President Biden's Investing in America Agenda to expedite the assessment and cleanup of brownfield sites across the country while advancing environmental justice.

EPA selected 262 communities to receive 267 grants totaling more than $215 million in competitive EPA Brownfields funding through the Multipurpose, Assessment, Revolving Loan Fund, and Cleanup (MARC) Grant programs. Thanks to the historic boost from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, this is the largest ever funding awarded in the history of the EPA's Brownfields MARC Grant programs. In addition, the agency is announcing $45 million in non-competitive supplemental funding to 22 successful existing Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) Grant programs to help expedite their continued work at sites across the country by extending the capacity of the program to provide more funding for additional cleanups. EPA is also announcing selections of five Brownfields Technical Assistance Providers and three recipients of Brownfields Research Grants, who are receiving $55 million to strengthen technical assistance.

These investments totaling $315 million are part of President Biden's Investing in America Agenda to grow the American economy from the bottom up and middle-out – from rebuilding our nation's infrastructure, to driving over $470 billion in private sector manufacturing and clean energy investments in the United States, to creating a manufacturing and innovation boom powered by good paying jobs that don't require a four-year degree, to building a clean-energy economy that will combat climate change and make our communities more resilient.

"We're working across the country to revitalize what were once dangerous and polluted sites in overburdened communities into more sustainable and environmentally just places that serve as community assets. Thanks to President Biden's historic investments in America, we're moving further and faster than ever before to clean up contaminated sites, spur economic redevelopment, and deliver relief that so many communities have been waiting for," said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. "This critical wave of investments is the largest in Brownfields history and will accelerate our work to protect the people and the planet by transforming what was once blight into might."

EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan announced the brownfields funding for communities with U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (WI) in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where the EPA has selected the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Milwaukee (RACM) to receive $5.5 million in funds as part of the MARC Grant program for brownfields assessment and clean up. Administrator Regan and Senator Baldwin visited one of the sites that will be cleaned up thanks to today's investment. The cleanup of this site will complement other EPA investments in the 30th Street Industrial Corridor, which is a key area disproportionately impacted by legacy pollution. 

"I voted for the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to fix our nation's infrastructure, create good paying jobs, and build a cleaner, safer, and more resilient environment for the next generation. This funding will allow communities across Wisconsin to address legacy pollution that prevents these sites from being redeveloped into affordable housing, new businesses, or green spaces," said Senator Tammy Baldwin. "By cleaning up legacy pollution, we can attract businesses to invest in and develop these sites, increase the tax base for cities like Milwaukee, spur job creation, and revitalize our neighborhoods."

"The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is transforming brownfields into areas of growth and promise," said Representative Gwen Moore. "I am so proud to support these investments in Milwaukee, which will support healthier communities and lift up the well-being of my constituents."

Many communities that are under economic stress, particularly those located in areas that have experienced long periods of disinvestment, lack the resources needed to initiate brownfield cleanup and redevelopment projects. As brownfield sites are transformed into community assets, they attract jobs, promote economic revitalization and transform communities into sustainable and environmentally just places.

Thanks to the historic $1.5 billion boost from President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, EPA's Brownfields Program is helping more communities than ever before begin to address the economic, social, and environmental challenges caused by brownfields and stimulate economic opportunity, and environmental revitalization in historically overburdened communities.

EPA's Brownfields Program also advances President Biden's Justice40 Initiative to direct 40% of the overall benefits of certain Federal investments to disadvantaged communities. The Brownfields Program strives to meet this commitment and advance environmental justice and equity considerations into all aspects of its work. Approximately 84% of the MARC and RLF Supplemental program applications selected to receive funding proposed to work in areas that include historically underserved communities.

Funding Breakdown:

Brownfields Multipurpose, Assessment, Revolving Loan Fund, and Cleanup (MARC) Grant Program Selection

EPA announced 262 communities that have been selected to receive 267 grants totaling more than $215 million in competitive EPA Brownfields funding through the Multipurpose, Assessment, Revolving Loan Fund, and Cleanup (MARC) Grant Programs. This represents the highest funding level ever announced in the history of the Brownfields Program.

You can read more about this year's MARC selectees.

Non-competitive Supplemental Funding Through the Existing Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) Grant Program

The Agency is announcing $45 million in non-competitive supplemental funding to 22 successful existing Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) Grant programs that have already achieved success in their work to clean up and redevelop brownfield sites. RLF Grants provide funding for recipients to offer loans and subgrants to carry out cleanup activities at brownfield sites. The funding announced today will help communities continue to address the economic, social, and environmental challenges caused by brownfield sites.

Read more about this year's RLF recipients.

Brownfields Technical Assistance Providers and Research Grants

EPA is also announcing funding selection for two Brownfields technical assistance opportunities. The Technical Assistance to Brownfields (TAB) selectees provide specialized technical knowledge, research, and training to help stakeholders understand brownfields-related subject matter, and guide them through the brownfield assessment, clean-up, and revitalization process. This assistance is a key part of the Biden-Harris Administration's commitment to advance economic opportunities and address environmental justice issues in underserved communities. This technical assistance is available to all stakeholders and comes at no cost to communities. The two funding opportunities announced today come entirely from the historic $1.5 billion investment from President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and include the following:

1. EPA selected five Technical Assistance Providers for a total of $53 million in grants to provide training and technical assistance to communities across the country under the Technical Assistance to Brownfields (TAB) Program. This investment will fund non-profit technical assistance providers in all ten EPA regions. Read more about this year's TAB selectees.
2. EPA is also expanding the scope of its technical assistance offerings under the Brownfields and Land Revitalization Program to include three new subject-specific grants totaling $2 million in three areas, including providing technical assistance to nonprofits seeking to reuse Brownfields; provide research, outreach, and guidance on minimizing displacement resulting from brownfields redevelopment; and providing outreach and guidance on land banking tactics for brownfields revitalization. Read more on the Brownfields Technical Assistance and Research cooperative agreement recipients. 

More information about Brownfields Technical Assistance and Research.

Additional Background:

EPA has selected these organizations to receive funding to address and support the reuse of brownfield sites. EPA anticipates making all the awards announced today once all legal and administrative requirements are satisfied. 

EPA's Brownfields Program began in 1995 and has provided nearly $2.37 billion in Brownfield Grants to assess and clean up contaminated properties and return blighted properties to productive reuse. EPA's investments in addressing brownfield sites have leveraged more than $36 billion in cleanup and redevelopment. Over the years, the relatively small investment of federal funding has leveraged, from both public and private sources, nearly 260,000 jobs. Communities that previously received Brownfields Grants used these resources to fund assessments and cleanups of brownfields, and successfully leverage an average of 10.6 jobs per $100,000 of EPA Brownfield Grant funds spent and $19.78 for every dollar.

The next National Brownfields Training Conference will be held on August 8-11, 2023, in Detroit, Michigan. 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).

• More on Brownfields Grants.
• More on EPA's Brownfields Program.

 

Contact: EPA Press Office (press@epa.gov)

 

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Issued: May 25, 2023 (12:38pm EDT)

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EPA to Award Over $10 Million in Grants to Support Water Quality Monitoring at Beaches to Protect Public Health

WASHINGTON (May 25, 2023) – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced $10.6 million in grant funding to help coastal and Great Lakes communities protect the health of beachgoers this summer. The funding will assist many states, Tribes and territories in conducting water quality monitoring and public notification programs for their beaches.

"Many people spend time in the summer splashing, swimming, and playing at a favorite beach, which is why EPA is providing more than $10 million to help states and local partners monitor water quality," said EPA Assistant Administrator for Water Radhika Fox. "These grants help states, Tribes, and territories fund programs to ensure that our coastal waters are safe for swimming and recreation."

Under the Beaches Environmental Assessment and Coastal Health (BEACH) Act, EPA awards grants to eligible states, Tribal, and territorial applicants to help them and their local government partners monitor water quality at coastal and Great Lakes beaches. When bacteria levels are too high for safe swimming, these agencies notify the public and post beach warnings or closings.

Since 2001, EPA has awarded nearly $216 million in BEACH Act grants to test beach waters for illness-causing bacteria and help with public notification and identification of the problem. This program is essential for protecting the health of beachgoers across the country.

"With summer right around the corner, tens of millions of Americans are making plans to travel to our beautiful beaches in Delaware and around the country," said Senator Carper (DE), Chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. "Fortunately, EPA is providing states and communities with the tools to ensure the safety of the water at our nation's beaches, which are an integral part of our tourism economy and important ecosystems for wildlife and migratory birds."

"New Jerseyans and visitors are ready to flock to the Jersey Shore this weekend, so it's great to see that our state is receiving federal funding to help protect public health and give beachgoers the peace of mind they deserve," said Congressman Pallone (NJ-06). "New Jersey's beaches are a treasure, and this funding will help make sure they remain clean and safe. I've long advocated for federal funding to make sure our recreational waters for swimming, surfing, and fishing are safe, and I'll continue to fight to deliver the resources New Jersey's towns need."

EPA's 2023 BEACH Act grant funding will be allocated to the following states, Tribes, and territories contingent upon their meeting the eligibility requirements:

EPA Region 1
Connecticut $236,000
Maine $272,000
Massachusetts $275,000
New Hampshire $214,000
Rhode Island $228,000

EPA Region 2
New Jersey $300,000
New York $363,000
Puerto Rico $344,000
U.S. Virgin Islands $309,000

EPA Region 3
Delaware $223,000
Maryland $283,000
Pennsylvania $235,000
Virginia $291,000

EPA Region 4
Alabama $278,000
Florida $547,000
Georgia $301,000
Mississippi $270,000
North Carolina $327,000
South Carolina $317,000

EPA Region 5
Illinois $258,000
Indiana $222,000
Michigan $298,000
Minnesota $217,000
Ohio $242,000
Wisconsin $241,000
Bad River Band of the Lake Superior Tribe of Chippewa Indians $60,000
Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa $56,000

EPA Region 6
Louisiana $381,000
Texas $405,000

EPA Region 9
American Samoa $308,000
California $536,000
Guam $309,000
Hawaii $348,000
Northern Mariana Islands $313,000

EPA Region 10
Alaska $166,000
Makah Tribe of the Makah Indian Reservation $56,000

Oregon $247,000
Washington $287,000
Swinomish Indian Tribal Community $56,000

More information on BEACH Act grants.

Check the relevant state, Tribal, or territorial beach program website for closing or advisory information at a particular beach.

 

Contact Information: EPA Press Office (press@epa.gov)

 

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Issued: May 24, 2023 (4:34pm EDT)

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Listening Session on Climate Justice in the Climate Literacy Guide — Thursday, May 25

The U.S. Global Change Research Program (USGCRP) is updating the Climate Literacy Guide, and we need your help to determine what a new guide should include, focus on, and look like.

The new guide will set out the key principles that everyone needs to know about climate, including science, justice, impacts, and solutions - and the perspectives and experiences of climate justice communities and scholars are critical to creating a useful guide. Your feedback will be used to inform the structure and content of the new guide to create an accessible, relevant guide to climate change for all people in the United States and around the world.

The Department of State, NOAA, the EPA, and the Smithsonian are hosting a session focused on including climate justice in the guide on May 25^th at 6pm ET, which you can sign up for here; please join and share your thoughts. You can also submit written comments here until 11:59 PM ET on May 31, 2023. Comments from people outside the U.S. are welcome.

 

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Issued: May 23, 2023 (3:36pm EDT)

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EPA Announces $173 Million Investment to Strengthen Drought Resilience in Ventura, California

This investment is part of a $38 billion for America's water infrastructure through WIFIA

WASHINGTON (May 23, 2023) — At an event in Ventura, California, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Assistant Administrator for Water Radhika Fox today announced two Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) loans totaling $173 million. With these loans, the City of Ventura will establish a new, local drought-resistant water supply to enhance the city's resilience to climate change while creating good paying jobs.

"Here in Ventura, drought is a significant issue that threatens the security of this great community. The upgrades made possible by EPA's $173 million WIFIA loans will help the city increase its water supply by an incredible 20 percent and strengthen the area's economic vitality," said EPA Assistant Administrator for Water Radhika Fox. "This announcement demonstrates why water infrastructure investments are so central to President Biden's Investing in America agenda. Thanks to programs like WIFIA and the historic $50 billion for water under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, EPA is rebuilding essential water infrastructure to address community needs while creating good-paying jobs in the process."

Due to local drought conditions, the City of Ventura is facing a projected water supply shortfall by 2035. EPA's WIFIA loans totaling $173 million will support the city in designing and constructing projects to increase potable water supplies by 20% with a combination of purified local recycled water and groundwater. A new Advanced Water Purification Facility will produce up to 5,400 acre-feet of potable water per year. The project will upgrade the existing Ventura Water Reclamation Facility with up to six new groundwater injection and extraction wells, and an ocean outfall and discharge pipeline.

President Biden's Investing in America agenda is rebuilding infrastructure and boosting U.S. competitiveness while creating good-paying jobs. In Ventura, EPA's WIFIA loans will save the city approximately $53 million while construction and operation are estimated to create approximately 1,100 jobs. EPA is accelerating upgrades to critical drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure with a historic $50 billion investment provided by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

"Climate change has made access to clean water and the health of our waterways two of the most critical issues facing the Central Coast. That's why, as my colleagues and I have crafted laws like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Inflation Reduction Act, Water Resources Development Act, and our recent federal budgets, we have made sure to include robust investments in the drought resiliency and environmental preservation efforts that will help our communities," said U.S. Congressman Salud Carbajal. "I'm pleased to see those efforts result in more than $170 million for the City of Ventura exactly for these purposes: guaranteeing a reliable and drought-resistant water supply for our neighborhoods and protecting a key estuary and its habitats. As weather patterns continue to swing to heavier extremes – like we've seen with historic drought giving way to nearly three months of atmospheric rivers – the more we will need forward-looking investments in resiliency for the Central Coast."

"In these unprecedented times, where we face more frequent and rapidly intensifying threats to our nation's infrastructure, it is imperative that we continue to invest in climate-resilient projects and a clean-energy economy. As part of President Biden's Investing in America agenda, the City of Ventura has secured critical funding to protect our water supply from persistent drought conditions and preserve an important environmental habitat, while creating good-paying local jobs," said U.S. Congresswoman Julia Brownley. "In strong partnership with the Biden-Harris administration, I stand ready to deliver the federal resources our communities need to not only grow the American economy, but uplift America's working families."

Assistant Administrator Fox was joined at the event by Ventura Mayor Joe Schroeder, California Water Board Chair Joaquin Esquivel, and other local officials.

"We are grateful to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for awarding the City of Ventura a transformative $173 million WIFIA loan. This funding is a vital investment in our community's water infrastructure, ensuring the well-being and prosperity of our residents. With the EPA's support, we can now embark on crucial projects that will enhance our drinking water systems, improve wastewater treatment, and promote sustainable water practices," said Ventura Mayor Joe Schroeder. "This partnership exemplifies the power of collaboration and sets us on a path towards a resilient, thriving future."

"Adapting to California's hotter, drier climate requires investing in local efforts to create water supplies that can withstand drought and other extreme conditions. By managing water more holistically and connecting the drops across our watersheds, solutions like Ventura's advanced purification plant help ensure that people have access to clean water for the long-term," said E. Joaquin Esquivel, Chair of the California Water Boards. "This federal investment goes a long way toward making water more affordable, especially when combined with California's recent, historic water investments."

In addition to bolstering potable water supplies, this project will protect valuable habitat for numerous sensitive and native species and support compliance with a consent decree by diverting flows away from the Santa Clara Estuary to be treated at the new Advanced Water Purification Facility.

Learn more about EPA's WIFIA Program and water infrastructure investments under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

Background  

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

EPA is currently accepting letters of interest for WIFIA loans. Learn more about submitting a letter of interest for a WIFIA loan.

 

Contact: EPA Press Office (press@epa.gov)

 

 

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