Issued: Nov 18, 2021 (11:14am EST)

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Dredging and Capping Work Completed at Grasse River Superfund Site, Massena, NY

 

Contact: Larisa Romanowski, (518) 407-0400, romanowski.larisa@epa.gov

ALBANY, NY (November 18, 2021) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced today that dredging and capping work is completed at the Grasse River Superfund site (aka Alcoa Aggregation) in Massena, New York. Nearly a quarter million cubic yards of sediment contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) have been removed from the Grasse River and over 200 acres of river bottom have been capped.

"This is an important milestone at the Grasse River Superfund site," said Acting Regional Administrator Walter Mugdan. "We have removed forever about 220,000 cubic yards of PCB-contaminated sediment, which will allow for the recovery of this vital and culturally important river system. This success could not have been achieved without the work of our partners, the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe and New York State."

EPA selected a cleanup plan for the site in 2013 that called for removing contaminated sediment from near-shore areas in a 7.2-mile stretch of the lower Grasse River and placing a cap on the river bottom in the main channel. Capping material included sand and powdered carbon, which works to capture and chemically bind pollutants in place, as well as some stone and gravel. Additional dredging of contaminated sediment was added to the project in 2020 in the Snug Harbor area, which is a small embayment located on the north shore of the river, to accommodate a new, larger tugboat purchased by the St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation, which operates its tugboat out of Snug Harbor.

The dredging and capping work began in 2019 and was completed this fall. During the cleanup, contaminated soil was also removed from two areas along the north shore of the river near the Alcoa Bridge in Massena.

Dredging and capping equipment has been removed from the river and from two shoreline support areas located on Route 131 and Haverstock Road. The Haverstock Road Staging Area, which was used for storing capping material, has been fully restored. The Route 131 Staging Area will continue to be used for river monitoring activities for the next few years. 

Work to reconstruct habitat areas impacted by the project will continue in 2022. The project's long-term monitoring plan requires fish, water and habitat monitoring to track the recovery of the river over time. The fish consumption advisories established by the New York State Department of Health will remain in effect until PCB concentrations in fish are reduced to the point where the advisories are relaxed or lifted by the state. Capped areas of the river bottom will also be monitored to ensure that the caps placed on the river bottom remain intact.

Arconic (formerly Alcoa) is conducting the cleanup and the associated monitoring and habitat restoration work under a 1989 administrative order with EPA.

This fall, EPA also initiated a five-year review of the cleanup that has been conducted so far at the site. The purpose of this review, which is legally required under the Superfund law within five years after the start of on-site construction, is to ensure that the cleanup is working as intended and is protective of public health and the environment. In conducting the review, EPA is reviewing Superfund site operation, maintenance and monitoring information. 

The ongoing five-year review of the Grasse River is expected to be completed by May of 2022. The results will be shared with the public and will be available on the EPA's Grasse River site webpage at https://www.epa.gov/superfund/alcoa-aggregate and in the local repositories established for the site: Massena Public Library, 41 Glenn Street, Massena, NY; St. Regis Mohawk Tribe – Environment Division, 449 Frogtown Road, Akwesasne, NY; and EPA Region 2 Superfund Records Center, 290 Broadway – 18th Floor, New York, NY 10007.

Project information can be found on the Internet at https://www.epa.gov/superfund/alcoa-aggregate.

For questions or further information about the five-year review of the Grasse River Superfund site, please contact:

Young Chang, Remedial Project Manager

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

290 Broadway, 19th Floor

New York, NY 10007-1866

Email: chang.young@epa.gov

Phone: (212) 637-4253

Follow EPA Region 2 on Twitter at http://twitter.com/eparegion2 and visit our Facebook page, http://facebook.com/eparegion2

 

21-073

 

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Issued: Nov 16, 2021 (2:29pm EST)

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EPA Advances Science to Protect the Public from PFOA and PFOS in Drinking Water

WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is asking the agency's Science Advisory Board to review draft scientific documents regarding the health effects of certain Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS). EPA is committed to science-based approaches to protect public health from exposure to Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), including by quickly updating drinking water health advisories with new peer-reviewed approaches and expeditiously developing National Primary Drinking Water Regulations for these contaminants.

"Under our new PFAS Strategic Roadmap, EPA is moving aggressively on clear, robust, and science-based actions to protect communities suffering from legacy PFOA and PFOS contamination," said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. "This action will ensure a rigorous review from experienced scientists to strengthen our understanding of this preliminary information as the agency works toward developing revised health advisories for PFOA and PFOS, and soon establishing regulations that protect communities from these contaminants."

EPA has transmitted to the Science Advisory Board four draft documents with recent scientific data and new analyses that indicate that negative health effects may occur at much lower levels of exposure to PFOA and PFOS than previously understood and that PFOA is a likely carcinogen. The draft documents present EPA's initial analysis and findings with respect to this new information. 

Following peer review, this information will be used to inform health advisories and the development of Maximum Contaminant Level Goals and a National Primary Drinking Water Regulation for PFOA and PFOS. EPA is now seeking independent scientific review of these documents. EPA is making these draft documents available to the public to ensure a transparent and robust evaluation of the available information. 

EPA will not wait to take action to protect the public from PFAS exposure. The agency will be actively engaging with its partners regarding PFOA and PFOS in drinking water, including supporting their monitoring and remediation efforts. Importantly, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, signed by President Biden on November 15, 2021, invests $10 billion to help communities test for and clean up PFAS and other emerging contaminants in drinking water and wastewater, and can be used to support projects in disadvantaged communities.

EPA will move as quickly as possible to issue updated health advisories for PFOA and PFOS that reflect this new science and input from the SAB. Concurrently, EPA will continue to develop a proposed PFAS National Primary Drinking Water Regulation for publication in Fall 2022. 
For more information, visit www.epa.gov/pfas. 

 

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Issued: Nov 15, 2021 (2:17pm EST)

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EPA Announces Public Hearing on Proposal to Cut Methane and Other Pollution from the Oil and Natural Gas Industry

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will hold a virtual public hearing on the Agency's proposed comprehensive new protections to sharply reduce pollution from the oil and natural gas industry – including, for the first time, methane reductions from existing sources nationwide. The proposed new Clean Air Act rule would lead to significant, cost-effective reductions in methane emissions and other health-harming air pollutants that endanger nearby communities.

Hearing information:

• November 30, 2021 – 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Eastern time.
• December 1, 20201 – 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Eastern time.

Registration to speak at the hearing is now open. The hearing will be held via a virtual platform. To register to speak, or to watch a livestream of the hearing on both days, please visit https://www.epa.gov/controlling-air-pollution-oil-and-natural-gas-industry/public-hearing-epas-proposal-reduce-methane. For people who are not speaking but would like to watch the hearing, EPA will post a link to a livestream shortly before the hearing starts each day.

EPA also will accept comments on the proposal in writing until January 14, 2022. Comments the Agency receives in writing receive the same consideration as comments received at the public hearing.

Instructions for submitting written comment are available at https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2021-11/epas-2021-oil-and-gas-proposal.-how-to-comment.pdf  

 

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Issued: Nov 10, 2021 (1:40pm EST)

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EPA and DOI Announce Recommitment to Federal Partnership in Support of Urban Waters

Contact Information: EPA Press Office, press@epa.gov

LENEXA, KAN. - (NOV. 10, 2021) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the U.S. Department of the Interior, 13 other federal agencies, and non-governmental partners commemorated a decade of accomplishments under the Urban Waters Federal Partnership while pledging their recommitment to this partnership. Twenty partnership locations across the country are advancing economic, public health, environmental, and social benefits by enhancing community connections to water.

"With the 10^th anniversary of the Urban Waters Federal Partnership and the 50^th anniversary of the Clean Water Act, EPA is celebrating transformational improvements to our waters—including in our urban centers," said EPA Assistant Administrator for Water Radhika Fox. "The Urban Waters Federal Partnership is supporting communities across the country, from the Bronx to Los Angeles to our newest location—the Rio Reimagined project in Arizona. I look forward to accelerating this progress with our renewed commitment."

The Urban Waters Federal Partnership brings together 15 federal agencies to work collaboratively with local communities and partners to restore urban waterways and their environments to boost recreational opportunities, help local economies, create jobs, and protect the health of Americans. The federal agencies currently support 20 locations across the nation with financial and technical assistance to address community-driven priorities.  The Partnership also provides support to hundreds of additional underserved communities with seed funding for local projects and public education through the Urban Waters Learning Network.

"The Urban Waters Federal Partnership Program recognizes that communities and clean water are integral to one another," said White House Council on Environmental Quality Chair Brenda Mallory. "For decades, this partnership program has demonstrated that restoring waterways reinvigorates communities by preserving areas that serve as natural flood protection, fish and wildlife habitat, and beautiful places where Americans can work and play safely outdoors. It's an honor to celebrate this milestone by reaffirming our commitment to advancing environmental justice, connecting people to nature, and tackling the climate crisis."

"The Interior Department is deeply committed to the goals and mission of the Urban Waters Federal Partnership. As we look to the future, we're particularly focused on strengthening our current locations with more resources and support, and looking to see how we can expand the impact of this innovative partnership to more communities across the country," said Tanya Trujillo, Assistant Secretary for Water and Science for the Department of the Interior. "The 10th anniversary recommitment to the program by the federal partners and non-governmental and academia partners supports the Biden-Harris administration's all-of-government approach to advancing equity and environmental justice and its goal of conserving and restoring 30 percent of lands and waters by 2030."

To learn more about collaborative efforts to uplift urban waters and their surrounding communities, visit: https://www.epa.gov/urbanwaterspartners and https://urbanwaterslearningnetwork.org/.

# # #

 

Learn more about EPA Region 7: www.epa.gov/aboutepa/epa-region-7-midwest

 

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Issued: Nov 8, 2021 (4:50pm EST)

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EPA Announces Holistic Approach to Address Water Pollution from the Tijuana River Watershed

WASHINGTON – Today, at a virtual event, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Assistant Administrator for Water Radhika Fox announced the decision to move forward with environmental review of a suite of water infrastructure projects that, pending final selection, would address transborder water pollution. This action will lead to essential public health protections for San Diego County communities.

"In order to protect public health and vital ecosystems in this vibrant area, we need a bold solution to the transboundary water pollution challenge," said EPA Assistant Administrator for Water Radhika Fox. "Today, we're announcing our intent to pursue a holistic water infrastructure strategy to address multiple facets of this challenge and make real progress for the future of the San Diego region."

"The projects considered in the EPA plan for the sanitation of the Tijuana River basin will significantly improve the quality of water in this river and on the beaches of both countries. CONAGUA, in accordance with the budget allocated to it, will provide its support for the completion of sanitation projects on the Mexican side that contribute to the fulfillment of that objective." said Dr. Humberto Marengo Mogollón, head of the General Technical Subdirectorate in CONAGUA.

EPA is initiating environmental review of the following projects that have the highest potential to stem transborder pollution and improve water quality:

• Expanding the existing South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant (ITP) owned and operated by the U.S. International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC);
• Diverting and treating Tijuana River water at a new facility adjacent to the existing ITP;
• Conveying canyon flows to the expanded ITP;
• Repairing portions of the collection system in Mexico to prevent sewage leaks;
• Beneficially reusing treated wastewater instead of discharging it into the Tijuana River;
• Installing a river trash boom; and
• Constructing a new San Antonio de los Buenos Treatment Plant in Tijuana.
• As EPA completes its assessment of infrastructure options, a National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review will move forward to reduce potential negative environmental impacts from the projects that make up the comprehensive solution. This legally mandated review is needed before design and construction can begin.

"We thank the public and federal, state, and local stakeholders who have provided valuable input during the project evaluation process, particularly through the seven meetings of the Eligible Public Entities Coordinating Group and six meetings with the public since June 2020," said EPA Pacific Southwest Acting Regional Administrator Deborah Jordan.

"For far too long, toxic waste and raw sewage has flowed across the border into Southern California, polluting our air and water and depriving communities of outdoor recreation and economic opportunities" said U.S. Senator Alex Padilla. "I'm glad we were able to work with the EPA to develop a comprehensive plan to improve sewage treatment in both San Diego County and Tijuana, and build upon the goals of the Border Water Quality Restoration and Protection Act, which I joined Senator Feinstein in introducing earlier this year. It is essential that we take action to protect the health and safety of our coastal communities."

"Communities along California's southern border have been plagued with toxic pollution from Mexico for too long, in part because no single agency was responsible for the issue," said U.S. Senator Diane Feinstein. "I'm pleased to see EPA Administrator Regan take leadership on this issue and invest in these vital projects to clean up border pollution. These projects will help significantly improve the health and quality of life for our border communities."

"This decades-long problem is an environmental and public health catastrophe that endangers lives on both sides of our border, from the waters of Baja California to my district in Coronado," said U.S. Representative Scott Peters. "I thank Administrator Regan for accepting my invitation to see this crisis in person earlier this year, and the EPA for proposing bold solutions. I remain committed to solving this crisis."

"Pollution along the Tijuana River Valley has plagued our region for years, harming our environment, public health, and our local economy. It's long past time we stop the flow of this pollution from Mexico for good," said U.S. Representative Mike Levin. "I commend the EPA for advancing an aggressive and comprehensive solution to this crisis. Now it's paramount that we move forward as quickly as possible to break ground on this project. I'll continue to work with my colleagues to ensure the EPA has the resources it needs to finish the job."

"Clean water is fundamental to the health of our community and that is true on both sides of the border. It is encouraging to see the EPA present a comprehensive plan to address the decades-long issue of pollution in the Tijuana River Valley and I am proud to have worked with my colleagues to raise this issue with federal officials," said U.S. Representative Sara Jacobs. "Now it is important for the agency to move forward with projects that will protect our communities and for us in Congress to continue to perform oversight and provide any necessary legislative actions." 

"The San Diego region has been plagued by cross-border pollution for decades, posing a significant risk to human health and resulting in beach closures and degraded wildlife habitats," said San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria. "I appreciate the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's work throughout the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement process, which has further demonstrated the need for long-term, comprehensive investments. That's why this announcement today is welcome news that will move us even closer to solving this public health and environmental crisis."

"I am deeply grateful to the EPA for supporting a comprehensive plan that will help to resolve the decades long Tijuana River sewage crisis," said Imperial Beach Mayor Serge Dedina. "This far-reaching plan will involve significant sewage infrastructure fixes on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border so that residents of Imperial Beach, Coronado, South San Diego County and Tijuana have access to clean beaches year-round."

Congress appropriated $300 million for infrastructure to address transborder pollution in 2020 through the U.S.–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA) implementing legislation. While the overall cost of the comprehensive solution exceeds the appropriated amount, EPA will implement a phased approach in the design and construction of the various infrastructure projects. EPA will continue to engage the public and stakeholders during the NEPA review process and will work with our counterparts in Mexico to ensure binational support for the comprehensive solution.

 

For more information on the USMCA process, visit: https://www.epa.gov/sustainable-water-infrastructure/usmca-tijuana-river-watershed.

 

Background

The Tijuana River carries untreated wastewater, trash, and sediment from Mexico across the border into the United States. In addition, polluted discharge into the Pacific Ocean from Tijuana's wastewater treatment plant is carried northward during the summer, impacting beaches in southern San Diego County. The comprehensive infrastructure solution being announced today is expected to substantially reduce impacts to the U.S.

In 2020, the USMCA was finalized to update and replace the North American Free Trade Agreement. The USMCA implementing legislation Section 821 directs EPA to coordinate with Eligible Public Entities to identify infrastructure solutions that address polluted transboundary flows in the Tijuana River Watershed and the legislation included an appropriation of $300 million for infrastructure projects in connection with wastewater facilities in the area of the United States–Mexico Border. These Entities include senior-level members from several cities in San Diego County (Imperial Beach, San Diego, Coronado, and Chula Vista), the County of San Diego, the State of California, and federal agencies.

 

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Issued: Nov 3, 2021 (4:11pm EDT)

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EPA Announces $20 Million WIFIA Loan to Upgrade Aging Water Infrastructure, Improve Climate Resiliency in Evanston, Illinois

Nationally, 62 WIFIA loans are financing over $25 billion in water infrastructure upgrades, creating 71,000 jobs

WASHINGTON — Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a $20 million Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) loan to the City of Evanston, Illinois to upgrade aging infrastructure that brings water from Lake Michigan to the city's drinking water treatment plant. This project, supported by EPA's WIFIA loan, will help provide safe drinking water from a more climate-resilient system to the residents of ten Chicago-area suburbs.

"In Evanston, water infrastructure funding from EPA's WIFIA program and the State Revolving Fund is poised to upgrade drinking water infrastructure that is a century-old," said EPA Assistant Administrator for Water Radhika Fox. "Across the country, we must invest in our aging and failing water infrastructure. Today's announcement exemplifies benefits that would come under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal." 

The 1909 Raw Drinking Water Intake Replacement Project will replace the oldest of Evanston's three raw water intakes in Lake Michigan. By replacing the 110-year-old intake with modern infrastructure, the city will ensure sufficient drinking water quantity and quality for decades to come. The new water intake will be buried under the lakebed so that it is protected from impacts of lake currents and is sized to account for fluctuating lake levels, making the system more resilient to the impacts of climate change on Lake Michigan.

"Modernizing our aging water infrastructure is critical to ensuring that the City of Evanston and our more than 400,000 water customers enjoy continued access to safe, reliable, high-quality drinking water amid the ongoing climate crisis," said Mayor Daniel Biss. "I'm grateful to our federal and state partners for their collaboration and support for this historic infrastructure improvement project."

The $20 million WIFIA loan will finance nearly half of the $41 million project costs. The City is working to secure funding for the remaining project costs from an Illinois Environmental Protection Agency State Revolving Fund loan. The City of Evanston will save nearly $5 million by financing with a WIFIA loan. Project construction and operation are expected to create an estimated 130 jobs and construction is expected to be completed in 2024.

Background

Established by the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act of 2014, the WIFIA program is a federal loan and guarantee program administered by EPA. WIFIA'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. With this WIFIA loan closing, EPA has announced 62 WIFIA loans that are providing $11.7 billion in credit assistance to help finance approximately over $25 billion for water infrastructure while creating approximately 71,000 jobs and saving ratepayers over $4.5 billion.

For more information about the WIFIA program, visit: https://www.epa.gov/wifia

 

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Issued: Nov 3, 2021 (1:08pm EDT)

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Federal Interagency Working Group Reconvened to Improve Protections for Endangered Species and Enhance Transparency

WASHINGTON (Nov. 3, 2021) – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ), Department of Agriculture, Department of Commerce, and Department of the Interior are reaffirming their commitment to working together and with stakeholders to protect endangered species, provide effective pest control tools, and regulate pesticide use in a fair, transparent, and predictable manner. Last month, all five agencies met as part of the Interagency Working Group (IWG) created under the 2018 Farm Bill to discuss improvements to the Endangered Species Act (ESA) section 7 consultation process for pesticide registration and registration review. The group's first meeting under the Biden-Harris Administration resulted in specific commitments to improve the pesticide consultation process for endangered species and engaging stakeholders, including by capitalizing on the strong interest among stakeholders for a workable process. "Protecting endangered species and their habitats is a priority for EPA and vitally important to restoring the balance of our country's ecosystem," said Ya-Wei (Jake) Li, EPA Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention Deputy Assistant Administrator for Pesticide Programs. "Reconvening the IWG with a focus on interagency collaboration, open and honest stakeholder engagement, and transparency is a critical step forward to meet our ESA obligations in a way that's practical and protective." "This coordinated effort to protect our endangered species and our ecosystems lays the groundwork to avoid and minimize the impacts of pesticides," said Stephenne Harding, CEQ Senior Director for Lands. "By working across the federal government and engaging stakeholders early in the process, we can better protect wildlife from extinction and reduce impacts on local communities, all while advancing environmental justice and improving sustainability." "USDA welcomes the collaboration and collective communication of the ESA-FIRFA Interagency workgroup," said Gloria Montaño Greene, Deputy Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation. "We appreciate the engagement across the federal family and the opportunity to ensure that the knowledge and impact on agricultural communities are part of the discussion." "NOAA Fisheries supports the efforts of the ESA-FIFRA Interagency Workgroup as a valuable forum for collaborating with the Environmental Protection Agency, US Fish and Wildlife Service, and the US Department of Agriculture," said Janet Coit, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries Assistant Administrator. "We look forward to working with our sister agencies, states, and stakeholders to support actions that avoid and minimize the impacts of pesticides to threatened and endangered species and their habitats." "The Department of the Interior looks forward to these constructive meetings and working in this collaborative, transparent way with our sister agencies," said Martha Williams, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Principal Deputy Director. Overall, the IWG is optimistic about its ability to collaborate on improvements that the Biden-Harris Administration can implement. Its actions focused on improving processes that will contribute to tangible benefits for species conservation and for stakeholders. The IWG is intent to adopt improvements expeditiously and that endure across administrations. To guide its future work, the IWG has identified the following initial priorities and approaches: Focus on improvements that deliver real world benefits for species conservation, public health, and food production. Examples include: Use pilot projects to begin implementing mitigation measures as part of upcoming pesticide consultations and to demonstrate process improvements. Adopt measures early in the pesticide consultation process to avoid, minimize, and offset the effects of pesticide use on ESA-listed species. Ensure that mitigation measures are effective and practical to implement. Consider opportunities to engage with stakeholders as an interagency body to complement the stakeholder activities of each agency. Communicate the IWG's work to stakeholders in a transparent manner. To promote transparency, the meeting agenda and participants list are provided below. Effective endangered species protection cannot be accomplished solely by federal agencies. It also requires open and continuous engagement with stakeholders on practical solutions to harmonizing species conservation with pesticide use. To that end, the IWG plans to hold its first stakeholder listening session in early 2022 and will provide details on the proposed session before the end of 2021. Background – IWG Meeting Agenda and Participants List October 15, 2021. Meeting held virtually. Introductions IWG role and perspectives of each federal agency  Developing shared goals for IWG   Discuss IWG stakeholder engagement and public messaging about meeting   Coordinate on December progress report to Congress     Discuss goals, date, and logistics of next IWG meeting  CEQ EPA Interior-FWS Stephenne Harding Jake Li  Jan Matuszko Jonah Richmond   Martha Williams Gina Shultz   Commerce-NOAA Fisheries USDA   Janet Coit Walker Smith Samuel Rauch Kristen Gustafson   Gloria Montano Elyssa Arnold Martin Lowenfish

 

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U.S. to Sharply Cut Methane Pollution that Threatens the Climate and Public Health WASHINGTON (Nov. 2, 2021) Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) took an important step forward to advance President Biden's commitment to action on climate change and protect people's health by proposing comprehensive new protections to sharply reduce pollution from the oil and natural gas industry – including, for the first time, reductions from existing sources nationwide. The proposed new Clean Air Act rule would lead to significant, cost-effective reductions in methane emissions and other health-harming air pollutants that endanger nearby communities. As part of today's action, to inform a supplemental proposal, EPA is seeking comment on additional sources of methane to further strengthen emission controls and increase reductions from oil and gas operations. EPA is issuing the proposal in response to President Biden's Executive Order on Protecting Public Health and the Environment and Restoring Science to Tackle the Climate Crisis.  "As global leaders convene at this pivotal moment in Glasgow for COP26, it is now abundantly clear that America is back and leading by example in confronting the climate crisis with bold ambition," said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. "With this historic action, EPA is addressing existing sources from the oil and natural gas industry nationwide, in addition to updating rules for new sources, to ensure robust and lasting cuts in pollution across the country. By building on existing technologies and encouraging innovative new solutions, we are committed to a durable final rule that is anchored in science and the law, that protects communities living near oil and natural gas facilities, and that advances our nation's climate goals under the Paris Agreement." One third of the warming from greenhouse gases occurring today is due to human-caused emissions of methane, a potent greenhouse gas that traps about 30 times as much heat as carbon dioxide over 100 years, and sharp cuts over the next decade will have a near-term beneficial impact on the climate. In the United States, the oil and natural gas industry is the largest industrial source of methane emissions, emitting more methane than the total emissions of all greenhouse gases from 164 countries combined. Oil and natural gas operations also emit smog-forming volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and toxic air pollutants such as benzene that harm public health. The proposal builds on the work of leading companies that are using the latest cost-effective technology to reduce methane emissions in the field and leverages lessons from the work of some major oil- and gas- producing states that require, or are proposing to require, oil and gas operations to reduce methane emissions. EPA analyzed the proposed rule's impact on natural gas and oil prices from 2023 to 2035 and estimates that changes would be small – pennies per barrel of oil or thousand cubic feet of gas.   The proposed rule would reduce 41 million tons of methane emissions from 2023 to 2035, the equivalent of 920 million metric tons of carbon dioxide. That's more than the amount of carbon dioxide emitted from all U.S. passenger cars and commercial aircraft in 2019.  In 2030 alone, the rule would reduce methane emissions from sources covered in the proposal by 74 percent compared to 2005.   Pollution from oil and gas activities can occur in or near communities where people live, work and go to school – including minority and low-income communities, which are especially vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Based on an analysis of populations exposed to oil and gas pollution, EPA believes the proposed rule is likely to reduce these harmful effects.    EPA's Regulatory Impact Analysis estimates the value of cumulative net climate benefits from the proposed rule, after taking into account the costs of compliance as well as savings from recovered natural gas, is $48 to $49 billion from 2023 to 2035 ­- the equivalent of about $4.5 billion a year. The climate benefits are estimated using the social cost of greenhouse gases and represent the monetary value of avoided climate damages associated with a decrease in emissions of a greenhouse gas. In addition to these benefits, EPA estimates that from 2023 to 2025, the proposal would reduce VOC emissions by 12 million tons and hazardous air pollution by 480,000 tons. It would accomplish this through 1) updated and broadened methane and VOC emission reduction requirements for new, modified, and reconstructed oil and gas sources, including standards that limit emissions from additional types of sources (such as intermittent vent pneumatic controllers, associated gas, and well liquids unloading) for the first time under the Clean Air Act; and 2) requirements that states develop plans to limit methane emissions from hundreds of thousands of existing sources nationwide, along with presumptive standards for existing sources to assist in the planning process.    Key features of the proposed rule include: a comprehensive monitoring program for new and existing well sites and compressor stations; a compliance option that allows owners and operators the flexibility to use advanced technology that can find major leaks more rapidly and at lower cost than ever before;   a zero-emissions standard for new and existing pneumatic controllers (with a limited alternative standard for sites in Alaska), certain types of which account for approximately 30 percent of current methane emissions from the oil and natural gas sector; standards to eliminate venting of associated gas, and require capture and sale of gas where a sales line is available, at new and existing oil wells; proposed performance standards and presumptive standards for other new and existing sources, including storage tanks, pneumatic pumps, and compressors; and a requirement that states meaningfully engage with overburdened and underserved communities, among other stakeholders, in developing state plans. EPA also is requesting information on additional sources of methane for the Agency to consider in developing a supplemental proposal to reduce emissions even further.  In addition, EPA is taking comment on how to structure a community monitoring program that would empower the public to detect and report large emission events for appropriate follow-up by owners and operators for possible further development in a supplemental proposal.  EPA intends to issue the supplemental proposal in 2022, and to issue a final rule before the end of 2022.   As it developed the rule, EPA conducted extensive public outreach to hear from the public and diverse perspectives including states, Tribal nations, communities affected by oil and gas pollution, environmental and public health organizations, and representatives of the oil and natural gas industry, all of which provided ideas and information that helped shape and inform the proposal.    EPA will take comment on the proposed rule for 60 days after it is published in the Federal Register. The Agency also will hold a virtual public hearing, and will host virtual trainings to help communities, Tribes and small businesses learn more about the proposed rule and participating in the public comment process. Those trainings begin November 16.  For more information on today's proposed rule and to register to attend a training, visit https://www.epa.gov/controlling-air-pollution-oil-and-natural-gas-industry

 

 

 

 

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Issued: Nov 2, 2021 (7:00am EDT)

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U.S. to Sharply Cut Methane Pollution that Threatens the Climate and Public Health

WASHINGTON - Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) took an important step forward to advance President Biden's commitment to action on climate change and protect people's health by proposing comprehensive new protections to sharply reduce pollution from the oil and natural gas industry – including, for the first time, reductions from existing sources nationwide. The proposed new Clean Air Act rule would lead to significant, cost-effective reductions in methane emissions and other health-harming air pollutants that endanger nearby communities. As part of today's action, to inform a supplemental proposal, EPA is seeking comment on additional sources of methane to further strengthen emission controls and increase reductions from oil and gas operations. EPA is issuing the proposal in response to President Biden's Executive Order on Protecting Public Health and the Environment and Restoring Science to Tackle the Climate Crisis. 

"As global leaders convene at this pivotal moment in Glasgow for COP26, it is now abundantly clear that America is back and leading by example in confronting the climate crisis with bold ambition," said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. "With this historic action, EPA is addressing existing sources from the oil and natural gas industry nationwide, in addition to updating rules for new sources, to ensure robust and lasting cuts in pollution across the country. By building on existing technologies and encouraging innovative new solutions, we are committed to a durable final rule that is anchored in science and the law, that protects communities living near oil and natural gas facilities, and that advances our nation's climate goals under the Paris Agreement."

One third of the warming from greenhouse gases occurring today is due to human-caused emissions of methane, a potent greenhouse gas that traps about 30 times as much heat as carbon dioxide over 100 years, and sharp cuts over the next decade will have a near-term beneficial impact on the climate. In the United States, the oil and natural gas industry is the largest industrial source of methane emissions, emitting more methane than the total emissions of all greenhouse gases from 164 countries combined. Oil and natural gas operations also emit smog-forming volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and toxic air pollutants such as benzene that harm public health.

The proposal builds on the work of leading companies that are using the latest cost-effective technology to reduce methane emissions in the field and leverages lessons from the work of some major oil- and gas- producing states that require, or are proposing to require, oil and gas operations to reduce methane emissions. EPA analyzed the proposed rule's impact on natural gas and oil prices from 2023 to 2035 and estimates that changes would be small – pennies per barrel of oil or thousand cubic feet of gas.  

The proposed rule would reduce 41 million tons of methane emissions from 2023 to 2035, the equivalent of 920 million metric tons of carbon dioxide. That's more than the amount of carbon dioxide emitted from all U.S. passenger cars and commercial aircraft in 2019.  In 2030 alone, the rule would reduce methane emissions from sources covered in the proposal by 74 percent compared to 2005.  

Pollution from oil and gas activities can occur in or near communities where people live, work and go to school – including minority and low-income communities, which are especially vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Based on an analysis of populations exposed to oil and gas pollution, EPA believes the proposed rule is likely to reduce these harmful effects.   

EPA's Regulatory Impact Analysis estimates the value of cumulative net climate benefits from the proposed rule, after taking into account the costs of compliance as well as savings from recovered natural gas, is $48 to $49 billion from 2023 to 2035 ­- the equivalent of about $4.5 billion a year. The climate benefits are estimated using the social cost of greenhouse gases and represent the monetary value of avoided climate damages associated with a decrease in emissions of a greenhouse gas. In addition to these benefits, EPA estimates that from 2023 to 2025, the proposal would reduce VOC emissions by 12 million tons and hazardous air pollution by 480,000 tons.

It would accomplish this through 1) updated and broadened methane and VOC emission reduction requirements for new, modified, and reconstructed oil and gas sources, including standards that limit emissions from additional types of sources (such as intermittent vent pneumatic controllers, associated gas, and well liquids unloading) for the first time under the Clean Air Act; and 2) requirements that states develop plans to limit methane emissions from hundreds of thousands of existing sources nationwide, along with presumptive standards for existing sources to assist in the planning process.   

Key features of the proposed rule include:

• a comprehensive monitoring program for new and existing well sites and compressor stations;
• a compliance option that allows owners and operators the flexibility to use advanced technology that can find major leaks more rapidly and at lower cost than ever before;  
• a zero-emissions standard for new and existing pneumatic controllers (with a limited alternative standard for sites in Alaska), certain types of which account for approximately 30 percent of current methane emissions from the oil and natural gas sector;
• standards to eliminate venting of associated gas, and require capture and sale of gas where a sales line is available, at new and existing oil wells;
• proposed performance standards and presumptive standards for other new and existing sources, including storage tanks, pneumatic pumps, and compressors; and
• a requirement that states meaningfully engage with overburdened and underserved communities, among other stakeholders, in developing state plans.

 

EPA also is requesting information on additional sources of methane for the Agency to consider in developing a supplemental proposal to reduce emissions even further.  In addition, EPA is taking comment on how to structure a community monitoring program that would empower the public to detect and report large emission events for appropriate follow-up by owners and operators for possible further development in a supplemental proposal.  EPA intends to issue the supplemental proposal in 2022, and to issue a final rule before the end of 2022.  

As it developed the rule, EPA conducted extensive public outreach to hear from the public and diverse perspectives including states, Tribal nations, communities affected by oil and gas pollution, environmental and public health organizations, and representatives of the oil and natural gas industry, all of which provided ideas and information that helped shape and inform the proposal.   

EPA will take comment on the proposed rule for 60 days after it is published in the Federal Register. The Agency also will hold a virtual public hearing, and will host virtual trainings to help communities, Tribes and small businesses learn more about the proposed rule and participating in the public comment process. Those trainings begin November 16. 

For more information on today's proposed rule and to register to attend a training, visit https://www.epa.gov/controlling-air-pollution-oil-and-natural-gas-industry

 

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