Office of Public Engagement December 2018 Highlights

Office of Public Engagement December 2018 Highlights Trump Administration Unveils Federal Action Plan to Reduce Childhood Lead Exposure The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Acting Administrator Andrew Wheeler, U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Ben Carson, and U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Deputy Secretary Eric Hargan unveiled the Trump Administration's Federal Lead Action Plan to Reduce Childhood Lead Exposures and Associated Health Impacts (Lead Action Plan). "The Federal Lead Action Plan will enhance the Trump Administration's efforts to identify and reduce lead contamination while ensuring children impacted by lead exposure are getting the support and care they need," said EPA Acting Administrator Andrew Wheeler.  Developed through cross-governmental collaboration of the President's Task Force on Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks to Children (Task Force), which includes 17 federal departments and offices, the Lead Action Plan is a blueprint for reducing lead exposure and associated harms by working with a range of stakeholders, including states, tribes and local communities, along with businesses, property owners and parents. The four goals of the Lead Action Plan are: Goal 1: Reduce Children's Exposure to Lead Sources Goal 2: Identify Lead-Exposed Children and Improve their Health Outcomes Goal 3: Communicate More Effectively with Stakeholders Goal 4: Support and Conduct Critical Research to Inform Efforts to Reduce Lead Exposures and Related Health Risks Click here to read the full report. Read the news release: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/trump-administration-unveils-federal-action-plan-reduce-childhood-lead-exposure More information about lead: https://www.epa.gov/lead EPA Announces $40 Million in Funding to Reduce Emissions from Diesel Engines EPA announced the availability of grant funding to implement projects aimed at reducing emissions from the nation's existing fleet of older diesel engines. EPA anticipates awarding approximately $40 million in Diesel Emission Reduction Program (DERA) grant funding to eligible applicants, subject to the availability of funds. "By financially supporting projects that upgrade aging diesel engines, EPA is helping improve their efficiency and reduce air pollution throughout the nation," said EPA Acting Administrator Andrew Wheeler. EPA is soliciting applications nationwide for projects that significantly reduce diesel emissions and exposure, especially from fleets operating at goods movements facilities in areas designated as having poor air quality. Priority for funding will also be given to projects that engage and benefit local communities. In October, during Children's Health Month, EPA announced the availability of approximately $9 million in rebates to public school bus fleet owners to help replace or upgrade older engines. This is the sixth rebate program to fund cleaner school buses under DERA, that have supported nearly 25,000 cleaner buses across the country for America's school children. Read the news release: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-announces-40-million-funding-reduce-emissions-diesel-engines For more information on the National Clean Diesel campaign, visit: www.epa.gov/cleandiesel. EPA and Army Propose New "Waters of the United States" Definition EPA and the Department of the Army (Army) proposed a clear, understandable definition of "waters of the United States" that clarifies federal authority under the Clean Water Act. Unlike the Obama administration's 2015 definition of "waters of the United States," today's proposal contains a straightforward definition that would result in significant cost savings, protect the nation's navigable waters, help sustain economic growth, and reduce barriers to business development. "Our proposal would replace the Obama EPA's 2015 definition with one that respects the limits of the Clean Water Act and provides states and landowners the certainty they need to manage their natural resources and grow local economies," said EPA Acting Administrator Andrew Wheeler. The agencies' proposal is the second step in a two-step process to review and revise the definition of "waters of the United States" consistent with President Trump's February 2017 Executive Order entitled "Restoring the Rule of Law, Federalism, and Economic Growth by Reviewing the 'Waters of the United States' Rule." More information including a pre-publication version of the Federal Register notice, the supporting analyses and fact sheets are available at: https://www.epa.gov/wotus-rule.   Read the news release: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-and-army-propose-new-waters-united-states-definition EPA Announces 2018 Safer Choice Partner of the Year Award Winners EPA recognized 12 Safer Choice Partner of the Year award winners across eight states for outstanding achievement in 2017 for the design, manufacture, and promotion of cleaning and other products that carry the Safer Choice label for use in households and facilities nationwide. The 2018 Partner of the Year award winners represent leadership organizations, including small- and medium-sized businesses, universities and local governments. More on the 2018 Safer Choice Partner of the Year award winners at: http://www.epa.gov/saferchoice/safer-choice-partner-year-awards Read the news release: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-announces-2018-safer-choice-partner-year-award-winners   EPA Streamlines Hazardous Waste Pharmaceuticals Regulations for Healthcare Sector----Rule Expected to Save Up to $15 million Annually Acting Administrator Andrew Wheeler signed a final rule streamlining standards for managing hazardous waste pharmaceuticals in the healthcare sector. "These common-sense updates will help the healthcare sector safely manage hazardous waste pharmaceuticals and will reduce the amount of pharmaceutical waste entering our waterways by roughly 2,000 tons," said EPA Acting Administrator Andrew Wheeler.  The final rule offers streamlined standards for handling pharmaceutical wastes to better fit the operations of the healthcare sector while maintaining protection of human health and the environment. This will make drinking and surface water safer and healthier by reducing the amount of hazardous waste pharmaceuticals entering our waterways by an estimated 1,600 – 2,300 tons annually. EPA has a long-standing policy of strongly discouraging the flushing of pharmaceuticals down the drain in any situation. For more information on the rule, visit: https://www.epa.gov/hwgenerators/final-rule-management-standards-hazardous-waste-pharmaceuticals-and-amendment-p075 Read the news release: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-streamlines-hazardous-waste-pharmaceuticals-regulations-healthcare-sector EPA Re-Establishes Great Lakes Advisory Board EPA is announcing the re-establishment of the Great Lakes Advisory Board (GLAB) following EPA Acting Administrator Andrew Wheeler's approval of the Board's charter.  "Thanks to Acting Administrator Wheeler, we will continue to benefit from the Board's leadership and expertise on matters affecting the Great Lakes basin," said EPA Region 5 Administrator and Great Lakes National Program Manager Cathy Stepp. Re-establishing the GLAB, will provide recommendations to the EPA Administrator through the Great Lakes National Program Manager, and advise on the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative and the implementation of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement between the United States and Canada. For more information on the GLAB re-establishment, visit: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2018/12/13/2018-27050/re-establishment-of-the-great-lakes-advisory-board Read the news release: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-re-establishes-great-lakes-advisory-board EPA Names Dana Aunkst Director of Chesapeake Bay Program Dana Aunkst has been named as the new Director of EPA's Chesapeake Bay Program. "Dana has the leadership skills, experience and commitment we need to lead the Chesapeake Bay Office," said EPA Regional Administrator Cosmo Servidio. "His experience and relationships with multiple agencies will serve us and our partners well as we accelerate efforts to safeguard the Chesapeake Bay and its living resources." "This is a tremendous opportunity to build upon the accomplishments to date by EPA and its partners," said Dana Aunkst.  "I look forward to working collaboratively with our stakeholders in protecting our nation's largest estuary and the local waterways throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed." Aunkst has extensive environmental and regulatory experience working 33 years in private industry and local and state government. During his tenure at the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) which began in 2002, Aunkst served in executive level positions as Deputy Secretary and Acting Secretary. As the Deputy Secretary for Field Operations, he directed the operations of six regional offices in implementing the full array of state and federal environmental regulations. Read the news release: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-names-dana-aunkst-director-chesapeake-bay-program EPA Celebrates One Year Of New Source Review Modernization EPA celebrated one year of New Source Review modernization and highlighted steps taken within the last year to update and modernize the New Source Review (NSR) process. In the past year EPA has taken steps to provide more regulatory certainty while achieving positive environmental outcomes.  "Previously, NSR regularly discouraged companies from investing in and deploying the cleanest and most efficient technologies. Through our NSR reforms, we are providing clarity to permitting requirements, improving the overall process, and incentivizing investments in the latest energy technologies," said EPA Acting Administrator Andrew Wheeler. "NSR reform is a key part of President Trump's agenda to revitalize American manufacturing and grow our economy while continuing to protect and improve the environment." Congress established New Source Review as a preconstruction permitting program in the 1977 Clean Air Act Amendments. The program serves to ensure the maintenance of air quality standards around the country and that innovative technology is installed at new plants or existing plants undergoing major modifications. Learn more at: https://www.epa.gov/nsr/nsr-regulatory-actions. Read the news release: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-celebrates-one-year-new-source-review-modernization   EPA Finds States Meet "Good Neighbor" Obligations for the 2008 Ozone Standard---Eastern States on Track to Attain 2008 Ozone Standards Based on Continued Air Quality Progress EPA acknowledged the progress states have made reducing ozone concentrations. Based on EPA air quality projections, the Agency has determined that the 2016 Cross State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR) Update satisfies "good neighbor" obligations for the 2008 national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) for ground-level ozone. "Good neighbor" obligations under the Clean Air Act (CAA) require upwind states to control their emissions so as not to cause air quality problems in downwind states. "Under President Trump, EPA has reformed the way we set and implement national standards for ground-level ozone. These reforms are helping states meet these standards and avoid additional costly requirements," said EPA Acting Administrator Andrew Wheeler. The latest EPA air quality data and modeling predict that, by 2023, there will be no remaining nonattainment or maintenance areas for the 2008 Ozone NAAQS in the CSAPR Update region (which encompasses most of the eastern United States). Earlier this year, EPA provided projected air quality modeling results for ozone in 2023, including a list of potential flexibilities, for "good neighbor" state plans under the 2015 ozone NAAQS. For more information visit: https://www.epa.gov/airmarkets/final-csapr-close-out Read the news release: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-finds-states-meet-good-neighbor-obligations-2008-ozone-standard   EPA Proposes 111(b) Revisions to Advance Clean Energy Technology-- Proposal Supports President Trump's Energy Dominance Agenda EPA proposed to revise the New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) for greenhouse gas emissions from new, modified, and reconstructed fossil fuel-fired power plants. This would replace EPA's 2015 determination that partial carbon capture and storage technology was the best system of emission reduction or BSER for new coal units. "Consistent with President Trump's executive order promoting energy independence, EPA's proposal would rescind excessive burdens on America's energy providers and level the playing field so that new energy technologies can be a part of America's future," said EPA Acting Administrator Andrew Wheeler. This proposal will ensure that any new coal plants built in the United States use the most advanced, clean coal technologies that have been adequately demonstrated. EPA will protect the environment while helping to provide room for American energy production to continue to grow and diversify. EPA projects this proposed rule will not result in any significant carbon dioxide emissions changes or costs. More information, including a pre-publication version of the Federal Register notice and a fact sheet, are available at: https://www.epa.gov/stationary-sources-air-pollution/proposal-nsps-ghg-emissions-new-modified-and-reconstructed-egus Read the news release: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-proposes-111b-revisions-advance-clean-energy-technology EPA to host additional public hearing Jan. 10, on the proposed cleanup plan for zone 1 of the USS Lead Superfund site, East Chicago, Ind. EPA will host a second public hearing to accept additional comments on the proposed cleanup plan for zone 1 of the USS Lead Superfund site in East Chicago, Ind. The public hearing in January will allow residents a second opportunity to ask questions and provide comments on EPA's proposal to clean up zone 1 to meet residential standards. Comments on the proposal will be accepted until Jan. 14, 2019. To submit comments visit EPA's website at: https://www.epa.gov/uss-lead-superfund-site, or send written comments postmarked no later than Jan. 14, 2019, to Janet Pope, EPA Region 5, Superfund Division (SI-6J), 77 W. Jackson Blvd., Chicago, IL 60604, or email pope.janet@epa.gov. Read the news release: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-host-additional-public-hearing-jan-10-proposed-cleanup-plan-zone-1-uss-lead

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