Join Us For a Webcast on December 15, 2020

​Join Us For a Webcast on December 15, 2020: How's My Water Way

Date and Time: December 15th, 2020, 3 – 4:30 pm Eastern Standard Time Register in advance at: https://www.epa.gov/watershedacademy/hows-my-waterway-december-webcast    Hosted by the Watershed Academy For more Watershed Academy webcasts visit: https://www.epa.gov/watershedacademy   _______________________________________________________________________________ The newly enhanced How's My Waterway (HMW) tool was announced by EPA in June 2020. HMW assembles publicly available water quality data into a user-friendly package that provides information on the quality of our nation's waters at the community, state, and national level. HMW aggregates data from eight databases across EPA to provide unprecedented transparency that EPA's partners and the public can use to learn about water, explore data, and find out what's happening to improve the health of our waters. Please join EPA's Watershed Academy for this webcast to view a live demo of the recently enhanced How's My Waterway. This webcast will provide an overview and demonstration of the user-friendly, accessible, data-rich and map-centric HMW application. This demonstration is meant to help users: Discover which local waterways are being monitored and where. Explore information about the health of local waters, identify challenges and learn about what's being done to restore or protect the waters. Find out more about your drinking water. Discover if waters in your community are suitable for swimming or eating fish and if they support healthy aquatic life. Speakers: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Wetlands, Oceans & Watersheds Dwane Young, Chief, Water Data Integration Branch Kiki Schneider, IT Specialist, Water Data Integration Branch For more information on How's My Waterway visit: https://www.epa.gov/waterdata/hows-my-waterway   To access the tool directly visit: https://mywaterway.epa.gov/    EPA's Watershed Academy provides self-paced training modules and webcast seminars on current information from national experts across a broad range of watershed topics. www.epa.gov/watershedacademy December 15th, 2020 3 – 4:30 pm Eastern Register in advance at: https://www.epa.gov/watershedacademy/hows-my-waterway-december-webcast    Hosted by the Watershed Academy   For more Watershed Academy webcasts visit: https://www.epa.gov/watershedacademy

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EPA Announces $17.7 Million in Grants to Support Water Systems Rural and Small Communities

 

 

 

EPA Announces $17.7 Million in Grants to Support Water Systems Rural and Small Communities

 

WASHINGTON (December 10, 2020) — Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the availability of $17.7 million in grant funding for technical assistance and training providers to support small drinking water and wastewater systems that are often located in rural communities across the United States. EPA's funding will improve public health and environmental protection by helping to ensure that drinking water in these communities is safe and that wastewater is treated before it is responsibly returned to the environment.

"One of EPA's top priorities is ensuring that Americans have safe drinking water, regardless of their zip code," said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler. "The Trump Administration is helping small water systems—especially those in rural areas—get the training and technical assistance they need to support their communities."

Small water systems often face unique financial and operational challenges, including aging infrastructure, workforce shortages, increasing costs, and declining rate bases. EPA's grant funding will be used by nonprofit organizations to provide training and technical assistance to small public water systems, small wastewater systems, and private well owners across the country. Specifically, funding will help small systems achieve and maintain compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act and the Clean Water Act and improve operational performance. It will also help inform private drinking water well owners about strategies to continue protecting their drinking water supply.

Eligible applicants for this competitive agreement are nonprofit organizations, nonprofit private universities and colleges, and public institutions of higher education. The application period for these competitive grants is now open. Questions about applying for EPA funding for training and technical assistance must be received by February 2, 2021, and applications must be received by 11:59pm EST on February 12, 2021. EPA expects to award these cooperative agreements by Summer 2021 and encourages all eligible organizations who have an interest in these projects to apply.

For more information visit: https://www.epa.gov/dwcapacity
 

 

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EPA Launches New Clearinghouse for Environmental Finance

 

 

 

EPA Launches New Clearinghouse for Environmental Finance

Includes Funding and Resources for Communities

 

WASHINGTON (December 10, 2020) — This week, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) launched the Clearinghouse for Environmental Finance (Clearinghouse), an online database of land, air, and water information. This new Clearinghouse catalogues available funding, financing, and instructional resources to aid communities in their efforts to improve environmental conditions. The Office of Policy collaborated with the Office of Water to launch the new Clearinghouse.

"EPA has created a one-stop shop to make it easier for communities to access available funding and other agency resources," said U.S. EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler. "Today's action builds on my commitment to tear down the silos between programs within the agency so that we can be more effective in addressing the environmental burdens that communities face."

The Administrator announced his commitment to community-based environmentalism during his speech at the Nixon Library in early September, where he charged the Office of Policy with helping to advance those goals. The Clearinghouse expands on the concept of the original Water Finance Clearinghouse, launched in 2017, that served as the one-stop shop for communities researching ways to fund and finance their water infrastructure needs to assist in local decision-making. The new Clearinghouse includes over 1,800 funding and financing opportunities and information resources from EPA's air, water and land programs. Communities can use this system to access information on funding and financing opportunities for environmental projects as well as financial research, such as case studies, white papers, and webinars. 

The public can access the Clearinghouse for Environmental Finance here: www.epa.gov/chef

Background:

EPA's Water Finance Center manages the Clearinghouse for Environmental Finance. The Center provides information on a suite of water sector financial topics, including through the Water Finance Clearinghouse, coordination among EPA and other federal water funding programs, and specialized support for communities requesting technical assistance for how to afford water infrastructure improvements. Additional information about EPA's Water Finance Center is available at: https://www.epa.gov/waterfinancecenter.

 

 

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EPA Announces $17.7 Million in Grants to Support Water Systems Rural and Small Communities

 

 

 

CONTACT: press@epa.gov   EPA Announces $17.7 Million in Grants to Support Water Systems Rural and Small Communities WASHINGTON (DECEMBER 10, 2020) — Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the availability of $17.7 million in grant funding for technical assistance and training providers to support small drinking water and wastewater systems that are often located in rural communities across the United States. EPA's funding will improve public health and environmental protection by helping to ensure that drinking water in these communities is safe and that wastewater is treated before it is responsibly returned to the environment. "One of EPA's top priorities is ensuring that Americans have safe drinking water, regardless of their zip code," said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler. "The Trump Administration is helping small water systems—especially those in rural areas—get the training and technical assistance they need to support their communities." Small water systems often face unique financial and operational challenges, including aging infrastructure, workforce shortages, increasing costs, and declining rate bases. EPA's grant funding will be used by nonprofit organizations to provide training and technical assistance to small public water systems, small wastewater systems, and private well owners across the country. Specifically, funding will help small systems achieve and maintain compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act and the Clean Water Act and improve operational performance. It will also help inform private drinking water well owners about strategies to continue protecting their drinking water supply. Eligible applicants for this competitive agreement are nonprofit organizations, nonprofit private universities and colleges, and public institutions of higher education. The application period for these competitive grants is now open. Questions about applying for EPA funding for training and technical assistance must be received by February 2, 2021, and applications must be received by 11:59pm EST on February 12, 2021. EPA expects to award these cooperative agreements by Summer 2021 and encourages all eligible organizations who have an interest in these projects to apply. For more information visit: https://www.epa.gov/dwcapacity

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EPA Seeks Information on Beneficial Use and Piles of Coal Ash

 

 

 

EPA Seeks Information on Beneficial Use and Piles of Coal Ash

 

WASHINGTON (December 9, 2020) — Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is releasing a notice seeking information and data related to the beneficial use and piles of coal combustion residuals (CCR, commonly known as coal ash).

"EPA has long promoted the beneficial use of industrial materials like coal ash, which has economic and environmental benefits," said EPA Assistant Administrator for Land and Emergency Management Peter Wright. "We are committed to listening to our stakeholders to ensure our regulations promote and not hinder environmentally responsible beneficial use and are protective of human health and the environment."

Coal ash can be beneficially used to make new products, such as wallboard or concrete. Due to the many potentially useful properties of coal ash, a vast array of businesses from construction to agriculture and manufacturing choose coal ash as a substitute for other materials. In 2015, EPA published a final rule that encouraged the continued beneficial uses of coal ash. Certain provisions were subsequently challenged in court.

In August 2019, EPA proposed a rule to address two provisions of the 2015 coal ash rule remanded to the agency by the DC Circuit Court:

1. 12,400-ton threshold for an environmental demonstration in the beneficial use definition; and
2. Different requirements for "piles" of coal ash located on-site of a utility and those that are located off-site but destined for beneficial use.

EPA has held further technical discussions with a broad array of stakeholders and has decided to defer finalizing the rule to gather additional information and data, including: 

• Information on how coal ash is beneficially used to help the Agency distinguish among the different types of beneficial use applications.
• Information on the management of coal ash at each point in its distribution system. 
• Information on federal, state and local program provisions and regulations related to beneficial use and piles of coal ash.

EPA will use this new information to help inform the reconsideration of the beneficial use definition and provisions for piles of coal ash. There will be a 60-day comment period following Federal Register publication.   

All comments on the notice should be submitted by 60 days from publication and should be identified by Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OLEM-2020-0463.

For more information on coal ash and to read a pre-publication version of the notice: https://www.epa.gov/coalash/notice-data-availability-disposal-coal-combustion-residuals-electric-utilities.

 

 

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EPA, Members of Congress, Partners and Stakeholders celebrate a decade of GLRI success

 

 

 

EPA, Members of Congress, Partners and Stakeholders celebrate a decade of GLRI success 

 

Launched in 2010, GLRI has funded over 5,400 projects totaling more than $2.7 billion; $16 million slated for two newly selected projects

 

CHICAGO (Dec. 9, 2020) — Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) joined elected officials, key partners and stakeholders at a virtual event to mark the 10^th anniversary of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) and celebrate its unparalleled successes.

"The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative has made a critical difference in dramatically improved water quality and sustainable habitat across the Great Lakes region," said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler. "In 2010, Congress and EPA started to take action, and a decade later, the environmental and economic benefits of the Initiative are now a major source of pride for everyone involved."

"The Great Lakes are the largest freshwater system on Earth, providing drinking water to more than 30 million Americans and supporting nearly 1.5 million jobs that generate over $80 billion in wages every year. The crucial importance of our shared success cannot be overstated," said EPA Region 5 Administrator and Great Lakes National Program Manager Kurt Thiede. "The preservation and protection of this binational treasure has been a top priority in the Trump Administration, and EPA is leading efforts to restore and maintain the overall health and ecosystems of the Great Lakes watershed."

The Trump Administration's EPA has accelerated efforts to protect and restore the Great Lakes. In October 2019, EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler announced the GLRI Action Plan III, an aggressive plan that will guide Great Lakes restoration and protection activities by EPA and its many partners over the next 4 years. This strategic investment of GLRI dollars is key to building upon the agency's results in providing a cleaner, safer environment and fueling the historic economic growth of the Great Lakes region.

"For the last 10 years, the GLRI has been critical in bringing together federal agencies like EPA, states, Tribes, local communities, academic institutions, and non-profit organizations to accelerate restoration efforts that preserve the national treasure that is the Great Lakes system," said Rep. Dave Joyce (OH-14). "As someone who grew up on the shores of Lake Erie, I am proud to lead the effort in Congress to secure the necessary funding for this critical initiative. By providing the resources needed to support the GLRI's more than 5,400 projects, we have been able to mitigate human impacts on the Lakes, clean up and delist Areas of Concern, reduce nutrient discharges and prevent harmful algal blooms, control invasive species like Asian carp, and improve water quality. The GLRI's success is a great example of what we can accomplish when we work together to address the issues facing our communities. I look forward to working with my colleagues in Congress to ensure it is reauthorized and continues to receive the investments necessary to protect the Lakes for future generations of Americans."

"Thank you to the EPA for convening the celebration of the GLRI's decade worth of outstanding progress to restore our region's most treasured natural resource, our Great Lakes," said Rep. Marcy Kaptur (OH-09). "As Co-chair of the Great Lakes Task Force, I am grateful for the GLRI as a catalyst of progress. The program is instrumental in controlling invasive species, rehabilitating our waters, and preventing nutrient runoffs that lead to harmful algal blooms. Every GLRI dollar produces more than $3 dollars in economic activity. This is why our bipartisan delegation fights so hard to make sure the program stays fully funded. I am delighted with what we have accomplished in the last 10 years, and I am excited to see where we can take the program in the next 10 years and beyond."

"Growing up on the shores of Lake Michigan has given me a deep appreciation for the Great Lakes and all they have to offer," said Rep. Fred Upton (MI-06). "For the past ten years, the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative has helped protect, preserve, and clean up our lakes by addressing a wide range of issues, including invasive species, non-point source pollution, and contaminated sediment. 'Don't mess with the Great Lakes' is our rallying cry as we continue our work defending of one of our nation's most treasured national resources for generations to come."

"Lake Superior and the rest of the St. Lawrence Seaway are national treasures," said Rep. Pete Stauber (MN-08). "Implementation of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) in my district alone will benefit several Areas of Concern, from the St. Louis River up to the tip of the Arrowhead. Thank you to Administrator Wheeler and this EPA for making the Great Lakes a clean and healthy place to live."

"The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative has been the most significant investment the federal government has made to protect and preserve the Great Lakes," said Congressman Bill Huizenga, who serves as Co-Chair of the House Great Lakes Task Force. "Studies from Grand Valley State University and the University of Michigan continue to show that investing in the ecology of the Great Lakes yields a significant benefit to our economy. Over the past 10 years, the GLRI has made significant leaps forward in cleaning up legacy pollution, stopping the spread of invasive species, and restoring critical habitat.  I look forward to continuing to support this bipartisan initiative because of its positive impact on Muskegon, Holland, and communities across the Great Lakes Region." 

"The Great Lakes are an unparalleled natural resource we are entrusted to protect for the health of our people, our environment, and our economy," said Rep. Debbie Dingell (MI-12). "With water that binds our region across 8 states, 2 provinces, and 2 countries, we cannot afford to let artificial divides like partisan politics hinder our efforts to protect them. As we celebrate a decade of success under the GLRI, we must continue to uphold our Great Lakes as one of the true vestiges of bipartisanship so that future generations can enjoy these precious resources that will long outlive us."

"In Michigan, the Great Lakes are a critical part of our economy, environment and way of life. We must protect the Great Lakes from harm," said Congressman Kildee. "For the past ten years the GLRI has made tremendous progress defending our Great Lakes against climate change, invasive species and pollution. Protecting our Great Lakes has never been a partisan issue and I will continue working with my colleagues at the EPA and in Congress to support this vital program."

"EPA's success in restoring and protecting the Great Lakes highlights work we are doing to improve water quality in communities across the country—including efforts to reduce excess nutrients in the water, remove lead from drinking water, and modernize our nation's water infrastructure," said EPA's Office of Water Senior Policy Counsel Jessica Kramer. "We look forward to advancing this progress with our federal, state, and local partners under the new Executive Order on Modernizing America's Water Resource Management and Water Infrastructure."

"The Cities on the Great Lakes and St Lawrence River appreciate the GLRI funding to assist them in the cleanup of Areas of Concern," said Sheboygan Mayor Mike Vandersteen, who also serves as the chairman of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative. "These Cities are not in the financial position to undertake cleanup projects and many sites lay vacant because of this stigma. Working with the EPA and financial assistance from the GLRI to restore these sites, the cities have rebounded with new development and economic growth that makes these cities more livable."

GLRI was launched in 2010 with the goal of protecting and restoring the chemical, physical and biological integrity of the Great Lakes basin. Over the past 10 years, the ambitious work of EPA and the hundreds of GLRI partners has resulted in tremendous progress, including funding more than 5,400 projects totaling over $2.7 billion to improve water quality, protect and restore habitat, control invasive species and manage other challenges in the Great Lakes ecosystem.

In the past four years, preserving and protecting the Great Lakes has continued to be a top priority as EPA leads GLRI efforts to restore and maintain the overall health of the ecosystem. Recent accomplishments include:

• Last August, EPA announced the delisting of the Lower Menominee River Area of Concern (AOC), making it the fifth U.S. area to be removed from the list of heavily polluted sites. Prior to the GLRI, only one site had been removed from the list of 31 U.S. AOCs identified in the 1980s.
• In FY20, EPA removed eight beneficial use impairments at seven AOCs in five states, including the removal of the final beneficial use impairment at the Ashtabula River AOC. This brings the total to 88 beneficial uses restored since the start of the GLRI, more than 8 times what had been accomplished in the previous 23 years. Restoring beneficial uses is a key step towards delisting these AOCs and promoting community revitalization.
• After Administrator Wheeler established the first-ever Great Lakes Trash-Free Waters program in 2019, the agency awarded seven grants totaling nearly $2.1 million to support community efforts to clean up beaches and water bodies. EPA will soon announce a second opportunity to apply for Trash-Free Waters program grants totaling $5 million intended to fund projects that use mechanical devices, vessels and other technology to remove trash from Great Lakes harbors and waterfronts.
• This year, EPA also provided $11 million in competitive grant funding for 20 projects that will reduce excess nutrients in the Great Lakes. This included $1.8 million for funding innovative market-based nutrient reduction projects in the Great Lakes.
• EPA also strongly supports critical activities to prevent Asian carp from establishing self-sustaining populations in the Great Lakes. In March, Administrator Wheeler sent a letter to the chairs of the Congressional Great Lakes Task Force underscoring EPA's enhanced and vigorous role as co-chair of the Asian Carp Regional Coordinating Committee. This was demonstrated in October when EPA, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Ohio Dept. of Natural Resources and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service completed the Ohio Erie Canal Barrier to block one the last remaining potential points of entry.
• EPA also announced that Clarkson University has been selected as the successful competitive applicant to receive $5.9 million of GLRI funding to support a project to monitor legacy and emerging contaminants in top predator fish in each of the Great Lakes. In addition, EPA has selected Central Michigan University (CMU) as the successful competitive applicant to receive $10 million of GLRI funding to support a project to monitor Great Lakes coastal wetlands. EPA anticipates awarding Clarkson University and CMU cooperative agreements once all legal and administrative requirements are satisfied.

BACKGROUND

The GLRI accelerates efforts to protect and restore the largest system of fresh surface water in the world – the Great Lakes. Since 2010 EPA has chaired the interagency task force of 16 federal agencies strategically targeting the biggest threats to the Great Lakes ecosystem and accelerating progress toward achieving long-term goals:

• Fish safe to eat
• Water safe for recreation
• Safe source of drinking water
• All Areas of Concern delisted
• Harmful/nuisance algal blooms eliminated
• No new self-sustaining invasive species
• Existing invasive species controlled
• Native habitat protected and restored to sustain native species

GLRI Action Plan III was developed with input from states, tribes, local governments, universities, business and others. It outlines priorities and goals for the GLRI for fiscal years 2020-2024, working to accelerate environmental progress in five Focus Areas:

• Toxic Substances and Areas of Concern
• Invasive Species
• Nonpoint Source Pollution Impacts on Nearshore Health
• Habitats and Species
• Foundations for Future Restoration Actions

For more information on GLRI, visit: https://www.glri.us/

 

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EPA Finalizes Benefit-Cost Analyses Procedures to Increase Consistency, Honest Accounting in Future

 

 

 

EPA Finalizes Benefit-Cost Analyses Procedures to Increase Consistency, Honest Accounting in Future Clean Air Act Rulemakings

 

WASHINGTON (December 9, 2020) — Today, at a virtual event with the Heritage Foundation, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Andrew Wheeler announced the finalization of a rule to improve the rulemaking process under the Clean Air Act by establishing requirements to ensure that high-quality analyses of benefits and costs are developed for all significant Clean Air Act rules, and considered to the extent allowed by law. This rule will help ensure that Clean Air Act rules are analyzed consistently, transparently, and appropriately. It also outlines best-practice procedures for assessing benefits and costs when developing regulatory actions.

"Today's action ensures that EPA is consistent in evaluating costs and benefits when developing broad-reaching policies that affect the American public," said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler. "Thanks to President Trump's leadership, we are ensuring that future rulemakings under the Clean Air Act are transparent, fair, and consistent with EPA governing statutes, the American public deserves to know the benefits and costs of federal regulations."

This procedural rule will provide clarity for states, local communities, industry, and other stakeholders regarding EPA's rulemaking considerations.

As a part of a larger effort of regulatory reform under the Trump Administration, EPA has taken a close look at how to improve assessments of benefits and costs that accompany regulatory actions. Many EPA statutes, including the Clean Air Act, contain language regarding cost consideration, but there are no regulations that ensure that EPA conducts an analysis of the benefits and costs in a consistent manner. This rule provides more consistent and transparent procedures to provide benefit cost analyses for significant rules promulgated under Clean Air Act.

Background

In 2018, EPA issued an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to solicit public input on whether and how to change the way it considers benefits and costs in making regulatory decisions. 

In response to comment received, in May 2019, Administrator Wheeler sent a memo directing agency leadership to develop rules for notice and comment that outline how benefit-cost considerations will be applied to future rulemakings in a more consistent and transparent manner.

For more information: https://www.epa.gov/air-and-radiation/final-rule-increasing-consistency-considering-benefits-and-costs-clean-air-act

 

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EPA highlights recent major accomplishments in Flint, Michigan

 

 

 

EPA highlights recent major accomplishments in Flint, Michigan

 

FLINT, Mich (Dec. 7, 2020) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the City of Flint celebrated recent progress being made to improve and safeguard the quality of drinking water in Flint. Regional Administrator Kurt Thiede also announced a new partnership to train local high school graduates for careers in the water sector workforce.

"Thanks to years of hard work, Flint's water infrastructure has greatly improved," said Region 5 Administrator Kurt Thiede. "The important steps that Flint is taking will make the city a model for other communities on how to safeguard residents from lead exposure."

"Partnerships are key to building a better, stronger community. Working with the EPA and our other partners, we will continue moving this community forward," said Flint Mayor Sheldon Neeley. "We still have work to do, but we are proud of the progress we are making on behalf of the residents of Flint."

Over the past four years, EPA has worked hand in hand with the city to make tremendous improvements for drinking water quality. Specific efforts include:

• Using funding from a $100 million grant provided through the federal Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act, the city has been rapidly replacing lead and galvanized service lines throughout the city. More than 26,000 excavations were completed, resulting in the identification and replacement of over 9,700 lead service lines. Fewer than 500 service lines are left to be checked.
• In September, the city completed a landmark study on optimal corrosion control dosages for use in the drinking water distribution system. This study provides important insight to protect and prevent lead from entering the water.
• Under the federal Lead and Copper Rule, every six months the city is required to sample the drinking water of 60 homes for lead, including from homes with lead service lines. As more and more lead service lines are removed from the city, this has become difficult, but with technical assistance from EPA, the city is ahead of schedule and expects to complete this testing soon.
• The city and state recently finalized a "technical, managerial and financial capacity" agreement, which documents the city's plan to continue to meet all Safe Drinking Water Act requirements.
• In the past year, important progress has been made on a number of infrastructure improvement projects that had been previously delayed. Construction has started on the city's backup water source, which will provide additional reliability for the system. The city expects to complete the backup water source pipeline in May 2021. Construction also has started on a new chemical feed building, which is planned for completion in November 2021.

Additionally, like many water utilities across the country, Flint has struggled to attract the skilled workers needed to keep the water system operating. To address this issue, EPA, the City of Flint, and Delta College developed a program to train Flint high school students to work in this important field.

"Delta College will introduce students to this important and rewarding career opportunity, giving them a clear path to earn a degree in this field and potentially pursue a long-term career at the Flint Public Water System," said Dr. Jean Goodnow, president of Delta College. "We're pleased to be involved in this partnership because Delta is one of the few colleges in Michigan to offer a two-year program focused on providing the education and training necessary to work at a public water or wastewater treatment facility."

EPA has prioritized addressing lead in communities across the nation including: $40 million grant funding under the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act's Reduction in Lead Exposure via Drinking Water, which included $10.7 million for the replacement of lead service lines in Grand Rapids and Benton Harbor, Michigan; implementing an Executive Order on "Modernizing America's Water Resource Management and Water Infrastructure;" and is working to update the existing Lead and Copper Rule for the first time in nearly three decades to better protect families from lead in drinking water.

Background

In 2016, EPA issued an emergency order to guide the response to the Flint water crisis and high levels of lead in the City's water system. Almost all the order's requirements have been accomplished, and once construction of the backup water supply is completed next year, the order can be officially lifted.

While the City of Flint has not had an exceedance of the Lead and Copper Rule's action level (15 ppb) in the last four years, out of an abundance of caution related to construction continuing across the city that can temporarily elevate lead entering the drinking water, EPA continues to recommend residents use certified drinking-water filters at this time.

In addition to the coordination with Delta College to address water workforce challenges in Flint, EPA is taking actions to address these challenges across the nation. Specifically, on October 5, 2020 EPA released America's Water Sector Workforce Initiative.

Working with federal agencies and state, local, and tribal partners, America's Water Sector Workforce Initiative highlights the vital work of the water workforce and will serve as a catalyst to encourage the choice of water careers through education and public outreach. The Initiative reflects the Trump EPA's commitment to ensure that our water workforce is prepared to help meet 21st century water demands while operating and maintaining our nation's critical water infrastructure investments. The Initiative includes three goals:

• Provide federal leadership to create national momentum and coordinate efforts.
• Partner to build the water workforce of the future.
• Bolster education and outreach to make water a career of choice.

Currently, water utilities face challenges in recruiting, training, and retaining employees. These challenges are exacerbated with roughly one-third of the water sector workforce eligible to retire in the next 10 years. Additionally, as the technologies that are used in the water sector become more advanced (e.g., state of the art water reuse technology), there is a growing need to train and employ water protection specialists with specialized technical skills.

A copy of the Initiative can be found at: https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2020-11/documents/americas_water_sector_workforce_initative_final.pdf.

 

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EPA Finalizes NAAQS for Particulate Matter

 

 

 

EPA Finalizes NAAQS for Particulate Matter

 

WASHINGTON (December 7, 2020) — Today, at a virtual press conference with Governor Jim Justice, U.S. Congressman Alex Mooney (WV-02), West Virginia Department of Environmental Quality Secretary Austin Caperton, and Senior Deputy Attorney General Douglas Buffington, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Andrew Wheeler announced the agency's final decision to retain the existing National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for particulate matter (PM) set by the Obama-Biden Administration without changes.

"The EPA under the Trump Administration has continued America's leadership in clear air, lowering our particulate matter levels to well below those of many of our global competitors," said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler. "Maintaining these important standards will ensure Americans can continue to breathe some of the cleanest air on the planet."

"I am very proud to join EPA Administrator Wheeler for this important announcement for our whole country. The fact that the U.S. has the most vibrant economy in the world, and yet our particulate matter is five times lower than the global average, is a testament to the leadership of President Trump, the U.S. EPA, and the entire Trump Administration," said West Virginia Governor Jim Justice. "In West Virginia, our air is the cleanest it's been in over 40 years and our economy is on the move. The outside world is learning that West Virginia is the diamond in the rough that they may have missed, and an excellent place to raise a family and grow a business in one of the most beautiful places on Earth. I couldn't be happier to celebrate this great accomplishment." 

"This is an important announcement for West Virginia. We need to continue to support policies that keep our air clean, while protecting the job producers in our state. This regulation accomplishes those goals," said West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey.

"Today's announcement by the EPA of the finalization of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards rule is a big win for West Virginia. As crafted this rule well balances the need for a cleaner environment with the need for continued economic development. Under the leadership of President Trump, America has cleaner air and is energy independent, with West Virginia serving as the backbone for our nation's energy production," said Congressman Alex X. Mooney (WV-02).

The U.S. has some of the lowest fine particulate matter levels in the world – approximately five times below the global average, six times below Chinese levels, and 20 percent lower than France, Germany, and Great Britain. Between 2000 and 2019, average PM2.5 concentrations in the U.S. fell by 44 percent and average PM10 concentrations similarly fell by 46 percent.

The decision to retain existing standards set by the Obama-Biden Administration, which applies to the NAAQS for both fine and coarse particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), comes after careful review and consideration of the most recent available scientific evidence and technical information, consultation with the agency's independent scientific advisors, and consideration of more than 60,000 public comments on the proposal.

Under President Trump, EPA has redesignated 57 nonattainment areas to attainment with standards for six key criteria air pollutants: carbon monoxide, ground-level ozone, lead, nitrogen oxides, PM, and sulfur oxides. This includes nine areas for PM2.5 and twelve areas for PM10. These redesignations mean cleaner air, improved health outcomes, and greater economic opportunities for cities and communities across the country.

In October, EPA Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator Cosmo Servidio announced that the State of West Virginia meets all current air quality standards after the approval of the redesignation of Marshall County, West Virginia to attainment for the 2010 federal sulfur dioxide NAAQS. This redesignation marks the first time since 1978 that all the national air quality standards statewide for West Virginia have been attained. In addition, West Virginia is now the only state in the EPA Mid-Atlantic region where the entire state meets all the national standards for air pollutants under the Clean Air Act.

In May 2018, EPA issued a "Back-to-Basics" memo to improve EPA's process for reviewing the NAAQS. The memo laid out goals to get EPA back on track with Clean Air requirements, statutory deadlines, and the issuance of timely implementation rules, to ensure continued improvements in air quality across the country. 

Today's action follows the principles established in the earliest days of this administration to streamline the NAAQS review process. By implementing these principles, EPA was able to issue the final PM standards earlier than initially anticipated. The agency expects to meet the five-year review deadline going forward.

For more information about the decision to retain the standards, visit: https://www.epa.gov/naaqs/particulate-matter-pm-air-quality-standards.

Background

Particulate matter, also known as PM, includes fine particles, which are 2.5 micrometers in diameter and smaller. They can be emitted directly from a variety of sources, including vehicles, smokestacks, and fires. They also form when gases emitted by power plants, industrial processes, and gasoline and diesel engines react in the atmosphere. Coarse particles, which have diameters between 2.5 and 10 micrometers, include road dust that is kicked up by traffic, some agricultural operations, construction and demolition operations, industrial processes, and biomass burning.

 

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