Issued: Sep 20, 2023 (10:08am EDT)

If you wish to unsubscribe please do so here: https://epa.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=20300&unsub=1&hide_page_content=1

Biden-Harris Administration Announces Availability of $4.6 Billion in Competitive Grants to Cut Climate Pollution as Part of Investing in America Agenda

Announcement comes during Climate Week 202

WASHINGTON (Sept. 20, 2023) – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) launched $4.6 billion in competitive grants to fund state, local, and Tribal programs and policies that cut climate pollution, advance environmental justice, and deploy clean energy solutions across the country. As part of President Biden's Investing in America agenda, a key pillar of Bidenomics, EPA's Climate Pollution Reduction Grants (CPRG) competitions will enable community-driven solutions to the climate crisis, helping to accelerate America's clean energy transition. The announcement comes during Climate Week 2023 in New York City – an annual gathering of civil society leaders, business leaders, students, and advocates who are committed to taking bold climate action.

The two new competitions are part of the second tranche of funding from EPA's $5 billion Climate Pollution Reduction Grants program, which was created by President Biden's Inflation Reduction Act – the largest climate investment in history. EPA has already made $250 million available to fund the development of climate action plans, and nearly all states, plus major cities opted in to receive these flexible planning resources. The $4.6 billion implementation grant competitions launched today will fund initiatives developed under the first phase of the program. 

"Tackling the global climate crisis requires partnerships and action across the country," said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. "President Biden secured this historic funding because he knows that communities need resources to fund projects to cut climate pollution, lift up disadvantaged communities, and reap the economic and job-creation benefits of climate action. By investing in America, we're investing in communities so they can chart their own paths toward the clean energy future." 

"EPA's Climate Pollution Reduction Grants program recognizes that to tackle the climate crisis and advance environmental justice, communities need to be in the driver's seat steering toward their own clean energy future," said John Podesta, Senior Advisor to the President for Clean Energy Innovation and Implementation. "It's why these state, local, and Tribal grants are such an important part of President Biden's Investing in America agenda."

State and local action is vital to deliver on President Biden's commitment to reduce climate pollution by 50-52% by 2030. The CPRG program will enable states and local and tribal governments to take aggressive action to combat climate change by funding measures that reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, especially measures that would bring economic and health benefits to low-income and disadvantaged communities. This program will reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and other harmful air pollution for the health and wellbeing of everyone, including those most vulnerable to the flooding, heat waves, wildfires, and other destabilizing impacts of climate change on communities.

The CPRG program will also advance President Biden's Justice40 Initiative, which aims to ensure 40% of the overall benefits of certain climate, clean energy, and other Federal investments flow to disadvantaged communities that have been marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution. Justice40 is part of the Biden-Harris Administration's historic commitment to environmental justice.

The Climate Pollution Reduction Grants Competitions

EPA is announcing the availability of $4.6 billion across two implementation grant competitions, one general competition and one specifically for Tribes and territories. Under these competitions, eligible applicants will compete for CPRG implementation grants to fund measures in their state-, municipality-, Tribe-, or territory-specific climate action plans. As part of its evaluation of applications, EPA will prioritize measures that achieve the greatest amount of GHG emissions reductions.

In the grant competitions announced today, EPA describes how the agency intends to score applications and award the competitive funds to implementation grant recipients. EPA anticipates awarding approximately 30 to 115 grants ranging between $2 million and $500 million under the general competition. EPA also anticipates awarding approximately 25 to 100 grants ranging between $1 million and $25 million under the Tribes and territories competition.

The deadline to apply to the general competition is April 1, 2024. The deadline to apply to the Tribes and territories competition is May 1, 2024.

EPA estimates that the implementation grants will be awarded in Fall 2024 for the general competition and in Winter 2024-2025 for the Tribes and territories competition. 

EPA has published the two official Notice of Funding Opportunities or NOFOs for these grants competitions on grants.gov. 

General Competition NOFO 

Tribes and Territories Competition NOFO 

Webinars

EPA will hold two informational webinars about the general competition on September 21, 2023 at 2:30 pm and October 3, 2023 at 3:00 pm (same content for both), and two informational webinars about the Tribes and territories competition on September 27, 2023 at 2:00 pm and October 5, 2023 at 1:00 pm (same content for both). All times are Eastern Time. These 1-hour webinars will provide more detailed information on the implementation grants competitions. Recordings of the webinars will be posted to the Climate Pollution Reduction Grants webpage. 

Register for the September 21st webinar here.

More information on the Climate Pollution Reduction Grants

Sign up for notifications about the Climate Pollution Reduction Grants program

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

 

To unsubscribe or change your settings click here:
https://epa.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=subscribe&code=J7aHYMybZXkxdxQBjJSxsH9yuthTob6IPA

New Factsheets Available for Schools Facing Climate Change

Tips for school staff and parents for creating cleaner air and cooling centers at schools

View as a webpage / Share New Factsheets Available for Schools Facing Climate Change Get Tips for School Staff and Parents for Creating Cleaner Air and Cooling Centers at Schools EPA's latest factsheets are designed to help schools and communities that are facing the consequences of climate change. As extreme weather events such as wildfires and heatwaves overlap with other stressors such as infectious diseases like COVID-19, it's important for schools and their partners to work together to mitigate the health risks to students and the community. Children are uniquely vulnerable to extreme heat and wildfire smoke, because of their size, physiology, and factors that include playing outdoors and having less control over their environment and exposure to harm. About the Factsheets The Schools as Cleaner Air and Cooling Centers: Tips for  Facility Managers, Principals, Teachers, and Parents and Caregivers factsheets discuss a variety of approaches for mitigating the health consequences of these natural disasters such as: HVAC and maintenance considerations; Recommendations for planning and partner coordination; Emergency checklists; and A suite of additional resources. Subscribe to the children's environmental health emails. Learn more about Children's Health and Healthy School Environments.

STAY CONNECTED:

---

Questions? Contact Us

Manage Preferences or Unsubscribe | Help

This email was sent to iswanto.denny.awil@blogger.com using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: EPA Indoor Environments Division ·1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW · Washington, DC 20460

Issued: Sep 18, 2023 (12:20pm EDT)

If you wish to unsubscribe please do so here: https://epa.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=20300&unsub=1&hide_page_content=1

EPA Kicks Off Eleventh Annual SepticSmart Week

WASHINGTON (September 18, 2023) — Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is joining state and local partners to launch SepticSmart Week 2023, a week-long annual campaign to educate homeowners and renters on how to properly maintain their septic systems. When septic systems are well-functioning, the health of the nation's communities and ecosystems is better protected. By being SepticSmart, homeowners can also avoid thousands of dollars in unnecessary repairs.

 

"Everyone plays a role in protecting themselves, their neighbors, and the environment from wastewater contamination," said EPA Assistant Administrator for Water, Radhika Fox. "During the eleventh annual SepticSmart week, I encourage homeowners to learn about EPA's simple strategies to save money and safeguard communities."

 

 

Running from September 18 through September 22 this year, SepticSmart week is a partnership between EPA, state, Tribal, and local officials, wastewater professionals, and homeowners. See below for SepticSmart tips to follow:

 

1. Think at the Sink: What goes down the drain has a big impact on your septic system. Fats, grease, and solids can clog a system's pipes and drainfield.

2. Don't Overload the Commode: A toilet is not a trash can. Disposable diapers and wipes, feminine hygiene products, coffee grounds, cigarette butts, and cat litter can damage a septic system. 

3. Don't Strain Your Drain: Use water efficiently and stagger use of water-based appliances. Too much water use at once can overload a system that hasn't been pumped recently.

4. Shield Your Field: Tree and shrub roots, cars, and livestock can damage your septic drainfield.

5. Keep It Clean: Contamination can occur when a septic system leaks due to improper maintenance. Be sure your drinking water is safe to drink by testing it regularly.

6. Protect It and Inspect It: Regular septic system maintenance can save homeowners thousands of dollars in repairs and protect public health. 

7. Pump Your Tank: Ensure your septic tank is pumped at regularly intervals as recommended by a professional and/or local permitting authority. 

 

In addition to the SepticSmart program, resources and support are available for communities that face challenges with their decentralized wastewater systems. Through the Closing America's Wastewater Access Gap Community Initiative, EPA and the U.S. Department of Agriculture are jointly leveraging technical assistance resources to help disadvantaged communities identify and pursue federal funding opportunities to address their wastewater needs. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law presents a historic opportunity to invest in septic upgrades, community wastewater systems, and sewer connections. 

 

Learn more about SepticSmart Week and Decentralized Wastewater Treatment Workforce.

 

Background

More than one-fifth of U.S. households utilize an individual onsite (septic) system or small community cluster septic system to treat their wastewater. These systems treat and dispose of relatively small volumes of wastewater and include a wide range of individual and cluster treatment options to process household and commercial sewage. These systems go by such names as septic, decentralized wastewater treatment, cluster, package plants, on-lot, individual sewage disposal, and private sewage. Onsite systems provide a cost-effective, long-term option for treating wastewater, particularly in sparsely populated areas. When properly installed, operated, and maintained, these systems help protect public health, preserve valuable water resources, and maintain a community's economic vitality.

 

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

 

To unsubscribe or change your settings click here:
https://epa.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=subscribe&code=eZyHuVJYEnlwd6EBOJRS2nQ2n3IHEEwBCg

U.S. EPA Announces NEW Environmental Education Grant Competition

EPA Seeks Applicants for 2023 Environmental Education Grants

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that up to $3.6 million in funding for locally-focused environmental education grants is now available under the 2023 Environmental Education (EE) Local Grant Program. EPA will award grants in each of EPA's 10 Regions, between $50,000-$100,000 each, for a total of 30-40 grants nationwide. Through this grant program, EPA intends to provide financial support for projects that design, demonstrate, and/or disseminate environmental education practices, methods, or techniques, that will serve to increase environmental literacy and encourage behavior that will benefit the environment in local communities, especially underserved communities. Applications are due on November 8, 2023.    "It is more important now than ever that we understand the environmental changes happening around us," said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. "Investing in environmental education is investing in America's future, and these grants will ensure that communities have access to quality tools to get involved – and stay involved – at a local level." Interested in learning more?  Read the press release announcing the open solicitation period Review the 2023 EE Local Grants Notice of Funding Opportunities (NOFOs)  Visit the EE Grant homepage

We encourage you to share EPA's Environmental Education eNewsletter with your colleagues.  To subscribe, visit: https://www.epa.gov/newsroom/email-subscriptions Office of Public Engagement and Environmental Education Office of the Administrator / U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

If you would rather not receive future communications from US EPA, Office of Environmental Education, let us know by clicking here.
US EPA, Office of Environmental Education, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20460 United States

Issued: Sep 14, 2023 (3:11pm EDT)

If you wish to unsubscribe please do so here: https://epa.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=20300&unsub=1&hide_page_content=1

EPA Seeks Applicants for 2023 Environmental Education Grants

EPA Seeks Applicants for 2023 Environmental Education Grants

WASHINGTON (Sept. 14, 2023) – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that up to $3.6 million in funding for locally-focused environmental education grants is now available under the 2023 Environmental Education (EE) Local Grant Program. EPA will award grants in each of EPA's 10 Regions, between $50,000-$100,000 each, for a total of 30-40 grants nationwide. The program includes support for projects that reflect the intersection of environmental issues with climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies, preventing future water quality and human health issues, in addition to other environmental topics. 

"It is more important now than ever that we understand the environmental changes happening around us," said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. "Investing in environmental education is investing in America's future, and these grants will ensure that communities have access to quality tools to get involved – and stay involved – at a local level."

Funded projects will increase public awareness of those topics and help participants to develop the skills needed to make informed decisions. Each of the 10 EPA Regions published a solicitation notice with their respective regional details. Applicants must apply to the Regional NOFO that corresponds with the location of their proposed project. Through this grant program, EPA intends to provide financial support for projects that design, demonstrate, and/or disseminate environmental education practices, methods, or techniques, that will serve to increase environmental literacy and encourage behavior that will benefit the environment in local communities, especially underserved communities. This grant program recognizes underserved communities as high-poverty areas, persistent poverty counties, communities the Council on Environmental Quality's Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool identifies as disadvantaged communities, and Title I schools.

Since 1992, EPA has distributed between $2 and $3.5 million in grant funding per year under this program, supporting more than 3,920 grants and making the grant program one of the most utilized in the agency.

Visit the new EPA Grants Community Library of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) and the EE grant FAQ webpages to learn more about the current competition and the federal grant process. Find out background information on the EE Grants Program and resources for applicants on EPA's EE Grant Homepage. 

Applications are due on November 8, 2023, and the Notice of Funding Opportunities are now posted on www.grants.gov and the EE Grant Solicitation Notice webpage. 

The Office of Environmental Education will also host at least one webinar during the open solicitation period on how to write a competitive application and to address commonly asked questions. Once confirmed, webinar registration details will be available on https://www.epa.gov/education/grants#webinar. Stay up to date on all EE grant information, including announcements related to upcoming webinar registration, by subscribing to the EE Grants Listserv. 

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

 

To unsubscribe or change your settings click here:
https://epa.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=subscribe&code=sawTHdMu0XkXd3AB2BQSiA_f7sglF0gAUg

Issued: Sep 14, 2023 (12:05pm EDT)

If you wish to unsubscribe please do so here: https://epa.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=20300&unsub=1&hide_page_content=1

EPA Issues Final Rule to Strengthen Water Protections, Support Clear and Timely Reviews of Infrastructure and Development Projects

WASHINGTON (September 14, 2023)  – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a final rule to restore the fundamental authority granted by Congress to states, territories, and Tribes to protect water resources that are essential to healthy people and thriving communities. The agency's final Clean Water Act Section 401 Water Quality Certification Improvement Rule will support clear, efficient, and focused water quality reviews of infrastructure and development projects that are key to economic growth.

"The Biden-Harris Administration is committed to supporting economically secure, healthy, and sustainable communities" said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. "To achieve this goal, we must protect our water resources while also making investments that move our nation forward. With EPA's final Clean Water Act Section 401 rule, we are affirming the authority of states, territories, and Tribes to protect precious water resources while advancing federally permitted projects in a transparent, timely, and predictable way."

"Clean water is critical to the health and success of our communities," said North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper. "This rule will help provide North Carolina with the ability to protect our water quality and strengthen our infrastructure."

"Section 401 of the federal Clean Water Act gives states and Tribes an important role regarding federally licensed or permitted projects. As Attorney General, I stood up to efforts to undermine this and now, as Governor, I'm grateful to see it restored," said Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey. "Massachusetts thanks the U.S. EPA for strengthening the partnership envisioned by the Clean Water Act with today's rule, helping us fulfill our commitment to protecting waterways across Massachusetts."

"Connecticut is very happy to see EPA release this final rule," Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont said. "We thank EPA for partnering with states to protect our vital water resources while enabling us to move forward quickly on our critical infrastructure projects."

"EPA's action will better protect New Mexico's water quality at a time when federal and state protections are needed most," said New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham. "New Mexico must do all it can to protect our most precious resource - our water."

"In my state, clean water is the keystone of our economy - from tourism to seafood to small business growth," said Maryland Governor Wes Moore. "I applaud the Biden Administration's commitment to working in partnership with state leaders to protect our waters from harmful pollution. By collaborating across all levels of government, we will build cleaner and more economically vibrant communities that benefit everyone for decades to come."

"DEC applauds the Biden-Harris Administration and EPA Administrator Regan for continuing to prioritize the protection of water quality and giving states a critical role in protecting our natural resources," said New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos. "New York State will fully review the final requirements announced today and continue working with EPA to further implement this and other proven Clean Water Act initiatives."

"This new rule will allow states to fulfill the role Congress established for them in the Clean Water Act to protect water quality within their borders," said Laura Watson, director of the Washington Department of Ecology. "I applaud EPA's willingness to work with states and restore the partnership that Congress designed."

"The Clean Water Act has been a valuable tool for states to protect their waters," said Environmental Council of States Executive Director Ben Grumbles. "We appreciate EPA's renewed engagement under section 401 and will continue to strive for regulatory partnerships that safeguard states' rights and clean water."

For 50 years, the Clean Water Act has protected water resources that are essential to thriving communities, vibrant ecosystems, and sustainable growth. This final rule strengthens that foundation while recognizing the essential partnership among the federal government, states, territories, and Tribes in protecting our waters.

Clean Water Act Section 401 enables states, territories, and authorized Tribes to protect their water quality from adverse impacts of construction or operation of federally permitted projects. Under Section 401 of the Act, a federal agency may not issue a license or permit to conduct any activity that may result in any discharge into a water of the United States, unless the appropriate state, territory, or authorized Tribe issues a CWA Section 401 water quality certification or waives certification. EPA's 2023 rule realigns the scope of Section 401 certification with decades of established practice and restores and strengthens the role of states, territories, and authorized Tribes.

The rule enhances certification review and provides regulatory certainty to advance federally permitted projects. For example, the rule establishes a 6-month default timeframe (when the federal agency and certifying authority fail to reach an agreement) and a 1-year maximum timeframe for certification review (the statutory maximum). The rule emphasizes that states, territories, and Tribes may only consider the adverse water quality-impacts from the activity. To limit delays, the rule also provides a clear approach to defining the required contents in a request for certification.

For more information, including a pre-publication version of the Federal Register notice, fact sheets, and information on upcoming trainings on the final rule, visit EPA's CWA section 401 website.

Background
Executive Order 13990 on Protecting Public Health and the Environment and Restoring Science to Tackle the Climate Crisis directed EPA to review and, as appropriate and consistent with applicable law, take action to revise or replace the 2020 CWA Section 401 Certification Rule. On June 2, 2022, EPA announced the signing of a proposed rule to update the regulatory requirements for water quality certification under Clean Water Act Section 401. EPA conducted pre-proposal engagement and provided a 60-day public comment period on the proposed rule to help inform the content of the final rule.

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

 

To unsubscribe or change your settings click here:
https://epa.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=subscribe&code=VjWcnA8kr3mBd5wBkdc5v0FEG10VyS88Ng

Issued: Sep 14, 2023 (11:09am EDT)

If you wish to unsubscribe please do so here: https://epa.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=20300&unsub=1&hide_page_content=1

EPA Completes Mercury Cleanup at Vo-Toys Site in Harrison, New Jersey

 

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

NEW YORK (September 14, 2023) – Today, EPA announced that it has completed a major milestone in the cleanup of the Vo-Toys site in Harrison, New Jersey. Under EPA oversight, General Electric Company (GE) contractors have successfully decontaminated and demolished all three mercury-contaminated buildings at the site and have removed building debris.

"After years of hard work, EPA has mitigated the mercury threats from the Vo-Toys site and ensured the safety of this community," said Regional Administrator Lisa F. Garcia. "This project will have a positive impact on the health and economy of Harrison and its surrounding areas."

The Vo-Toys site is a former manufacturing facility that occupied a city block in a mixed residential and commercial neighborhood just north of Route 280. The site had three large, empty buildings that had been contaminated with mercury from past industrial practices. Exposure to mercury can be harmful to human health and the environment.

In response to the May 2018 request of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), EPA became involved in the cleanup of the site. EPA and GE conducted a series of assessments to determine the amount of mercury within the buildings and the potential impact on the neighborhood in case of a fire. The results showed that a fire could expose people to a significant amount of mercury. To prevent this, EPA and NJDEP collaborated with local officials and first responders to create a plan to protect the public from a mercury release. GE, which was responsible for performing the removal action at the site, placed a 24-hour fire watch at the site until a plan for site cleanup was finalized.

Under a legal agreement with EPA, GE began removing mercury-contaminated structures at the site in March 2020. Decontamination and demolition of the above grade structures was completed in May 2022. In 2023, GE removed and disposed of numerous mercury-contaminated concrete footers and related contaminated soil. Below-slab piping contaminated with mercury was also removed and disposed of off-site. During all the work EPA and GE contractors monitored the air for mercury vapor and dust and collected air samples in the community to ensure that air quality was safe.

Today's announcement marks the end of the cleanup work overseen by EPA at the Vo-Toys site, which has successfully removed the risk of mercury exposure from the three contaminated buildings. GE will submit a final report on the removal action to EPA as the site is transitioned to NJDEP oversight for further action to ensure the safe redevelopment and future use of the site.

For more information, site documents and photos, please visit the Vo Toys site response page.

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

23-081

 

To unsubscribe or change your settings click here:
https://epa.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=subscribe&code=KyXZgHuNHnnfd7IBvblpTT3VIUMFbNXyLA

Issued: Sep 13, 2023 (4:17pm EDT)

If you wish to unsubscribe please do so here: https://epa.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=20300&unsub=1&hide_page_content=1

EPA Resolves Longstanding Litigation to Protect Endangered Species, Ensure Pesticides That Feed and Fuel America Remain Available

WASHINGTON [September 13, 2023] – This week, the U.S. Department of Justice, on behalf of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) resolved longstanding litigation covering over 1,000 pesticide products, allowing EPA to fulfill its obligations to protect endangered species while conducting reviews and approvals of pesticides in a safe and protective manner.

 

In 2011, the Center for Biological Diversity and Pesticide Action Network (Plaintiffs) filed a complaint in Federal Court in California against EPA alleging that it was violating the Endangered Species Act (ESA) when it registered or reevaluated the registration of 382 pesticide active ingredients, which was ultimately reduced to 35 active ingredients covering over 1,000 pesticide products containing one or more of these active ingredients. This became known as the "megasuit" because of the number of pesticides it covered. The settlement entered by the Court this week resolves all outstanding claims.

 

"This agreement is a win-win-win to protect endangered species, ensure the availability of pesticides needed to grow food across America, and save considerable time and taxpayer expenses required to further litigate this case," said Assistant Administrator for EPA's Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention Michal Freedhoff. "This settlement allows EPA adequate time to fulfill its obligations under the Endangered Species Act and adopt key elements from the Agency's 2022 ESA Workplan, which a wide range of stakeholders support."

 

In 2022, EPA issued its ESA Workplan, Balancing Wildlife Protection and Responsible Pesticide Use: How EPA's Pesticide Program Will Meet its Endangered Species Act Obligations, which describes how EPA will address the challenge of protecting ESA-listed species from pesticides. The ESA Workplan was developed with public listening sessions and public comment. This settlement is consistent with EPA's ongoing efforts to develop a multichemical, multispecies approach to meeting its ESA obligations under the workplan. EPA's traditional chemical-by-chemical, species-by-species approach to meeting these obligations has been slow and costly, with ESA work on each pesticide typically taking many years to complete. As a result, EPA has completed its ESA obligations for less than 5% of its actions, creating legal vulnerabilities, the potential for adverse impacts to listed species, and uncertainty for farmers and other pesticide users that use many pesticides. Resolving the remaining claims in this lawsuit and establishing a path forward under the settlement is a significant step to overcoming these challenges.

 

This agreement and the prior partial settlement include obligations for EPA, many of which are also described in the ESA Workplan. Those actions include:

 

· Development of mitigation measures for listed species that are particularly vulnerable to exposures from pesticides and determine how to apply these mitigations to future pesticide actions, as well as whether this Vulnerable Species Pilot should be expanded to more species. EPA met its first deadline (June 30, 2023) for this action by conducting public outreach on the mitigation measures identified for the first set of species.

· Development and implementation of an Herbicide Strategy (draft released for public comment), a Rodenticide Strategy, Insecticide Strategy, and Fungicide strategy (the latter three are still under development) which will identify mitigation measures for entire classes of pesticides to address their potential impacts to hundreds of ESA-listed species

· Completion of the ESA work for eight organophosphates and four rodenticides; 

· Hosting of a workshop for stakeholders to explore how to offset pesticide impacts on ESA-listed species in situations where eliminating or modifying pesticide use may not be feasible, and how EPA could incorporate those offsets into its process for registering or reregistering pesticides. Offsets could include restoring wetland habitat or funding breeding programs for affected species.

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

 

To unsubscribe or change your settings click here:
https://epa.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=subscribe&code=RY9E3f8t4nk5d4kBQ6yIOj_3F2oRmIeh9w

Issued: Sep 13, 2023 (2:34pm EDT)

If you wish to unsubscribe please do so here: https://epa.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=20300&unsub=1&hide_page_content=1

U.S. Virgin Islands Slated to Get Funding to Promote Less Waste

NEW YORK (Sept. 13, 2023) - Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) will receive almost $675,000 to help it reduce waste across its islands. The grant from EPA will be awarded using funding from the Biden Administration's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL).

The grant to the U.S. Virgin Islands will support ongoing efforts to address its solid waste crisis. Landfills in the USVI are quickly reaching their capacity. Reducing waste and bolstering recycling are critical components to addressing this crisis.

"President Biden's Investing in America Agenda tackles our most pressing environmental challenges including climate change and lead in drinking water, and today we add another historic investment to better manage waste in communities across America," said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. "By investing in better recycling, EPA is deploying resources to provide recycling services across the country, including in disadvantaged communities, while preventing waste that contributes to the climate crisis, supporting local economies and creating good-paying jobs."

"Previous generations have had a throw away mentality that just simply does not match our needs or help us reach out goals for a healthy environment that can be enjoyed for generations to come," said EPA Regional Administrator Lisa F. Garcia. "The SWIFR grant program seeks to put the common adage 'waste not want not' into action. This funding will support the work that EPA is already doing with the U.S. Virgin Islands to help reduce waste and improve the way materials are managed."

"I am pleased to join the Environmental Protection Agency in announcing that the Virgin Islands will receive $673,004 through the newly created Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling Grants. We are grateful to EPA for providing the necessary resources to improve solid waste data collection, plan implementation, and management, which includes source reduction, recycling, and composting. This funding, which will go to the VI Department of Planning and Natural Resources (DPNR), with sub-awards to the VI Waste Management Authority, will go a long way to help maintain the Virgin Islands environment. This grant opportunity was authorized by the Save Our Seas 2.0 Act of 2019 and funded through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021, both bipartisan bills. I am grateful for the Biden-Harris Administration's commitment to improving the resiliency and infrastructure of underserved communities," said Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett (USVI). 

Commissioner Jean-Pierre L. Oriol said, "DPNR is extremely grateful for the continued support of our federal partners on the department's mission to safeguard and revitalize our communities by increasing recycling and waste reduction initiatives. This funding will allow us to outfit new convenience centers and train solid waste staff in new Zero waste technologies. It will also afford us more opportunities for outreach and education to promote reducing, reusing, recycling and composting."  

All states and territories also received SWIFR funding. The money for states and territories will help support their efforts to improve post-consumer materials management programs through planning, data collection, and the implementation of plans. The funding is part of EPA's overall efforts to invest in America by strengthening infrastructure and implementing programs for lasting change. It will aid communities and states in modeling what's known as a "circular economy" by building a program to keep materials and products in circulation for as long as possible.

EPA's Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling Grant Program is also advancing President's Justice40 Initiative, which aims to ensure that 40% of the overall benefits of certain federal investments flow to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized, underserved, and overburdened by pollution. Approximately $56 million out of the $73 million – or 76% - of the total funding for communities will go toward projects that benefit disadvantaged communities.

Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling Grants for Communities

More than two thirds of the funding for the projects announced today are going toward projects that benefit disadvantaged communities. The recycling grants for communities will support improvements to waste management systems across the country and will range from $500,000 to $4 million per grant. This will allow resources to be used more efficiently and reduce the impact have on our planet and the climate. Projects that will be supported by this investment include purchasing new fleets of recycling collection vehicles and bins to provide curbside recycling services for communities currently lacking access; upgrades to material recovery facilities to reduce contamination; enhancements to composting and organics programs and infrastructure, and construction of various types of facilities that improve recycling, composting, and reuse infrastructure for materials such as plastics and food waste. Collectively, these grants from EPA's Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling Grant Program will keep valuable resources out of our landfills and will significantly contribute to our efforts to reduce our carbon footprint. This grant will also help fund recycling services to disadvantaged communities that have been traditionally underserved by recycling services. And they will create good-paying jobs in rural and urban communities across the country.

Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling Grants for States and Territories

The recycling grants for states and territories will provide funding to all 56 states, territories, and the District of Columbia via grants ranging from $360,000 to $750,000; with the highest grant amounts supporting those states and territories that need it the most. These grants represent important steps toward achieving the EPA's National Recycling Goal and Food Loss and Waste Reduction Goal. Funded activities include improving post-consumer materials management programs through developing or updating solid waste management plans and strengthening data collection efforts.

Additional Background:

Today's announcement for states, territories, and communities is the first round of funding from this new grant program. In the coming months, EPA will announce the selected recipients of the recycling grants for Tribes and intertribal consortia, as well as the recipients of EPA's new Recycling Education and Outreach grant program. 

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provides $275 million total from fiscal year 2022 to fiscal year 2026 for grants authorized under the Save Our Seas 2.0 Act - the largest investment in recycling in 30 years. The recycling grants are supplemented with additional funding provided through EPA's annual appropriations. EPA has selected these entities to receive funding for recycling infrastructure projects and anticipates making all the awards announced today once all legal and administrative requirements are satisfied. 

For details about the Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling Grant Program selectees and other Bipartisan Infrastructure Law-related funding opportunities, visit the EPA recycling grants webpage.

For more information about SWIFR visit the SWIFR website. To learn more about how EPA is Investing in America visit Investing in America.

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

23-80

For further information: Elias Rodriguez; (212) 637-3664 or Rodriguez.Elias@epa.gov

 

To unsubscribe or change your settings click here:
https://epa.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=subscribe&code=PhCcBX3k7HkLd-cBXpB9mV3ZcHKA8DNKrg