Sunday, February 23, 2020
Friday, February 21, 2020
EPA Honors Virginia Company for Leading the Way to a Healthy Future
EPA Honors Virginia Company for Leading the Way to a Healthy Future
PHILADELPHIA (February 19, 2020) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the 2018 Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) National Analysis with TTM Technologies, Inc., at an event in Sterling, Virginia, Feb. 11. Findings from this publicly available report show an increase in recycling of TRI chemical wastes nationwide and indicate that companies continue to find ways to implement new source reduction activities and reduce the quantities of TRI chemicals they release into the environment.
For example, continued progress in the area of wastewater treatment enabled TTM Technologies to introduce a new system in 2019. TTM invested in installing a new Ion Exchange (IX) system, which provides more than three times the capacity and improved metal recovery efficiency and reduced treatment chemical consumption.
“By providing the data in the TRI National Analysis, EPA is empowering communities to protect their environment and providing companies with the information they need to work toward a stronger future,” said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler. “The latest TRI data continue to demonstrate that under President Trump environmental stewardship and economic growth continue to go hand in hand.”
“EPA’s most recent release of TRI data illustrates continued reductions in many categories of toxic chemical releases. While in any given year there are fluctuations in reported releases, over the long term it is clear that businesses are increasing efficiency and reducing emissions of potentially harmful substances,” said EPA Regional Administrator Cosmo Servidio. “The Toxics Release Inventory is an important tool that helps citizens understand how facilities in their communities operate, which helps both the communities and the companies work together for a cleaner and safer future.”
“Printed circuit board fabrication in the United States is essential to defense systems and other critical applications. Producing these essential products reliably and without increased cost to the environment is a challenge that IPC-member company. TTM Technologies continuously strives to win,” said Kelly Scanlon, director of environment, health and safety policy and research at IPC, the association representing electronics manufacturers. “It’s great to see their sustainability efforts get recognition by the EPA.”
In 2018, facilities in EPA’s Mid-Atlantic Region reported managing 6.1 billion pounds of production-related chemical waste, 80 percent of which was managed through recycling. Also, in 2018, six percent of TRI facilities in the Mid=Atlantic implemented new source reduction activities. Source reduction reporting rates were among the highest in the plastics and rubber sector, where 12 percent of facilities reported at least one source reduction activity.
This year’s National Analysis expands the focus on geographical trends in chemical waste management across the country. New features include profiles exploring the diversity of industrial operations in each EPA region and a closer look at data from the hazardous waste management sector and the aerospace manufacturing sector.
The National Analysis showcases industry practices for managing waste and reducing pollution at nearly 22,000 facilities that submitted TRI data for calendar year 2018. EPA encourages facilities to learn from their counterparts’ best practices and adopt additional methods for reducing pollution.
To further highlight these industry best practices, EPA is holding events in EPA regions at facilities that implemented new source reduction activities. These facilities demonstrate how innovative projects can help industry reduce the generation of chemical pollution and improve their environmental performance.
2018 highlights:
Releases of TRI-covered chemicals into the environment from the manufacturing sector were lower than expected based on economic activity.
Facilities initiated 3,120 new activities to prevent or reduce the creation of chemical waste.
Nationally, the percent of industrial chemical waste that is recycled instead of released continued to increase.
Under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA), covered facilities must report their annual releases of TRI chemicals for the prior calendar year to EPA by July 1. EPA, states and tribes receive TRI data from facilities in industry sectors such as manufacturing, mining, electric utilities and commercial hazardous waste management. The Pollution Prevention Act also requires facilities to submit information on pollution prevention and other waste management activities of TRI chemicals.
To access the 2018 TRI National Analysis, including local data and analyses, visit www.epa.gov/trinationalanalysis. For more information on the TRI program, please visit: https://www.epa.gov/toxics-release-inventory-tri-program.
Information on facility efforts to reduce TRI chemical releases is available at www.epa.gov/tri/p2.
PHILADELPHIA (February 19, 2020) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the 2018 Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) National Analysis with TTM Technologies, Inc., at an event in Sterling, Virginia, Feb. 11. Findings from this publicly available report show an increase in recycling of TRI chemical wastes nationwide and indicate that companies continue to find ways to implement new source reduction activities and reduce the quantities of TRI chemicals they release into the environment.
For example, continued progress in the area of wastewater treatment enabled TTM Technologies to introduce a new system in 2019. TTM invested in installing a new Ion Exchange (IX) system, which provides more than three times the capacity and improved metal recovery efficiency and reduced treatment chemical consumption.
“By providing the data in the TRI National Analysis, EPA is empowering communities to protect their environment and providing companies with the information they need to work toward a stronger future,” said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler. “The latest TRI data continue to demonstrate that under President Trump environmental stewardship and economic growth continue to go hand in hand.”
“EPA’s most recent release of TRI data illustrates continued reductions in many categories of toxic chemical releases. While in any given year there are fluctuations in reported releases, over the long term it is clear that businesses are increasing efficiency and reducing emissions of potentially harmful substances,” said EPA Regional Administrator Cosmo Servidio. “The Toxics Release Inventory is an important tool that helps citizens understand how facilities in their communities operate, which helps both the communities and the companies work together for a cleaner and safer future.”
“Printed circuit board fabrication in the United States is essential to defense systems and other critical applications. Producing these essential products reliably and without increased cost to the environment is a challenge that IPC-member company. TTM Technologies continuously strives to win,” said Kelly Scanlon, director of environment, health and safety policy and research at IPC, the association representing electronics manufacturers. “It’s great to see their sustainability efforts get recognition by the EPA.”
In 2018, facilities in EPA’s Mid-Atlantic Region reported managing 6.1 billion pounds of production-related chemical waste, 80 percent of which was managed through recycling. Also, in 2018, six percent of TRI facilities in the Mid=Atlantic implemented new source reduction activities. Source reduction reporting rates were among the highest in the plastics and rubber sector, where 12 percent of facilities reported at least one source reduction activity.
This year’s National Analysis expands the focus on geographical trends in chemical waste management across the country. New features include profiles exploring the diversity of industrial operations in each EPA region and a closer look at data from the hazardous waste management sector and the aerospace manufacturing sector.
The National Analysis showcases industry practices for managing waste and reducing pollution at nearly 22,000 facilities that submitted TRI data for calendar year 2018. EPA encourages facilities to learn from their counterparts’ best practices and adopt additional methods for reducing pollution.
To further highlight these industry best practices, EPA is holding events in EPA regions at facilities that implemented new source reduction activities. These facilities demonstrate how innovative projects can help industry reduce the generation of chemical pollution and improve their environmental performance.
2018 highlights:
Releases of TRI-covered chemicals into the environment from the manufacturing sector were lower than expected based on economic activity.
Facilities initiated 3,120 new activities to prevent or reduce the creation of chemical waste.
Nationally, the percent of industrial chemical waste that is recycled instead of released continued to increase.
Under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA), covered facilities must report their annual releases of TRI chemicals for the prior calendar year to EPA by July 1. EPA, states and tribes receive TRI data from facilities in industry sectors such as manufacturing, mining, electric utilities and commercial hazardous waste management. The Pollution Prevention Act also requires facilities to submit information on pollution prevention and other waste management activities of TRI chemicals.
To access the 2018 TRI National Analysis, including local data and analyses, visit www.epa.gov/trinationalanalysis. For more information on the TRI program, please visit: https://www.epa.gov/toxics-release-inventory-tri-program.
Information on facility efforts to reduce TRI chemical releases is available at www.epa.gov/tri/p2.
Thursday, February 20, 2020
University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley receives grant for innovative project
University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley receives grant for innovative project
Media contacts: Jennah Durant or Joe Hubbard, R6Press@epa.gov or 214 665-2200
DALLAS – (Feb. 19, 2020) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is awarding the University of Texas—Rio Grande Valley funding to develop a low-cost water filter. The project is provided by the People, Prosperity, and the Planet (P3) Student Design Competition Program. 18 teams across the county will will receive a Phase I grant of up to $25,000 to develop their sustainable designs that will help solve important environmental and public health challenges.
“The innovative ideas that these P3 teams are bringing out of the classroom and into the real world will help solve some of our nation’s most pressing environmental challenges,” said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler. “From creating a simple at-home test for consumers to detect lead in tap water to designing a system to remove toxic chemicals from landfill gas, the fresh thinking behind these projects will result in tangible products that will help Americans for generations to come.”
“This year’s P3 team projects represent a variety of challenges facing our communities and the environment, from sustainable infrastructure to safe drinking water to clean energy,” said Regional Administrator Ken McQueen. “The ingenuity and foresight of these student grantees show these challenges can be met with enthusiasm for improving people’s lives and creating a better future.”
These teams will showcase their projects at EPA’s National Student Design Expo on June 29-30 at the TechConnect World Innovation Conference in National Harbor, Maryland. Following the Expo, the P3 teams may compete for Phase II awards of up to $100,000 to further implement their designs.
To learn more about the 2019 Phase I winners, visit: https://cfpub.epa.gov/ncer_abstracts/index.cfm/fuseaction/recipients.display/rfa_id/645/records_per_page/ALL
For more information on the P3 Program, visit: https://www.epa.gov/P3
Connect with EPA Region 6:
On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eparegion6
On Twitter: https://twitter.com/EPAregion6
About EPA Region 6: https://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/epa-region-6-south-central
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St. Mary’s University receives People, Prosperity and Planet grant from EPA
St. Mary’s University receives People, Prosperity and Planet grant from EPA
Media contacts: Jennah Durant or Joe Hubbard, R6Press@epa.gov or 214 665-2200
DALLAS – (Feb. 19, 2020) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is awarding St. Mary’s University funding to advance an efficient solar concentrator to produce electricity. The project is provided by the People, Prosperity, and the Planet (P3) Student Design Competition Program. 18 teams across the county will will receive a Phase I grant of up to $25,000 to develop their sustainable designs that will help solve important environmental and public health challenges.
“The innovative ideas that these P3 teams are bringing out of the classroom and into the real world will help solve some of our nation’s most pressing environmental challenges,” said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler. “From creating a simple at-home test for consumers to detect lead in tap water to designing a system to remove toxic chemicals from landfill gas, the fresh thinking behind these projects will result in tangible products that will help Americans for generations to come.”
“This year’s P3 team projects represent a variety of challenges facing our communities and the environment, from sustainable infrastructure to safe drinking water to clean energy,” said Regional Administrator Ken McQueen.“The ingenuity and foresight of these student grantees show these challenges can be met with enthusiasm for improving people’s lives and creating a better future.”
These teams will showcase their projects at EPA’s National Student Design Expo on June 29-30 at the TechConnect World Innovation Conference in National Harbor, Maryland. Following the Expo, the P3 teams may compete for Phase II awards of up to $100,000 to further implement their designs.
To learn more about the 2019 Phase I winners, visit: https://cfpub.epa.gov/ncer_abstracts/index.cfm/fuseaction/recipients.display/rfa_id/645/records_per_page/ALL
For more information on the P3 Program, visit: https://www.epa.gov/P3
Connect with EPA Region 6:
On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eparegion6
On Twitter: https://twitter.com/EPAregion6
About EPA Region 6: https://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/epa-region-6-south-central
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U.S. Navy upgrades Guam’s Apra Harbor wastewater treatment following 2011 agreement with EPA
For Immediate Release: February 20, 2020
Media Contact: Alejandro Diaz, 808-541-2711, diaz.alejandro@epa.gov
Note: Release was issued on February 20, Guam time
U.S. Navy upgrades Guam’s Apra Harbor wastewater treatment following 2011 agreement with EPA
GUAM – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that the U.S. Navy has completed Phase I of significant upgrades to the wastewater treatment plant and sewage collection system at Naval Base Guam. These updates were made following a 2011 Federal Facility Compliance Agreement (FFCA) between the EPA and the Navy.
“The upgrades at the Apra Harbor sewage treatment facilities are critical to protecting public health and water quality in Guam," said EPA Pacific Southwest Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Division Director Amy Miller. “This is a significant milestone in the Navy meeting their long-term commitments to improve their wastewater treatment plant and collection system.”
“The Navy is committed to sustainable environmental stewardship and compliance with all Federal law and local regulations,” said Naval Base Guam Commanding Officer Capt. Jeffrey Grimes. “Our Environmental Management System program allows us to achieve strategic compliance objectives with the ultimate goal of ensuring compliance, preventing pollution, and reducing risk while accomplishing our mission. We would like to thank the EPA for working with us to meet the FFCA requirements and we look forward to the completion of wastewater infrastructure upgrades which will significantly help to protect Guam’s fragile and unique environment.”
The EPA and Navy entered into the FFCA to address effluent violations at the treatment plant for solids, biological materials, and metals including aluminum, copper, nickel and zinc. The Navy agreed to upgrade its wastewater infrastructure to bring the facilities into full compliance with the Clean Water Act.
The treatment system now has the capacity to treat six million gallons per day of wastewater generated at the Naval Base by residents, service members deployed to the area and their families, and the industrial support activities.
The Navy completed Phase I of the agreement which included upgrades to the wastewater treatment plant. The Navy also instituted a base-wide pollution prevention program to minimize the release of metals, oils, and other pollutants into the sewer system. To further reduce discharges of aluminum and copper, the Navy has modified the drinking water plant to curtail the loss of aluminum-based treatment chemicals and to prevent the leaching of copper from household piping.
The Navy continues to implement Phase II of the compliance agreement focusing on the replacement and rehabilitation of pipes, manholes, force mains, and pump stations along 30 miles of deteriorated sections of the sewage collection system.
To date, the upgrades have cost approximately $82 million and the Navy expects to spend another $46 million to complete the wastewater infrastructure projects. Completion of Phase II is expected by February 2021.
For more information see: https://www.epa.gov/region09/water/npdes/compliance.html#navy
Learn more about EPA’s Pacific Southwest Region. Connect with us on Facebook and on Twitter.
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Media Contact: Alejandro Diaz, 808-541-2711, diaz.alejandro@epa.gov
Note: Release was issued on February 20, Guam time
U.S. Navy upgrades Guam’s Apra Harbor wastewater treatment following 2011 agreement with EPA
GUAM – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that the U.S. Navy has completed Phase I of significant upgrades to the wastewater treatment plant and sewage collection system at Naval Base Guam. These updates were made following a 2011 Federal Facility Compliance Agreement (FFCA) between the EPA and the Navy.
“The upgrades at the Apra Harbor sewage treatment facilities are critical to protecting public health and water quality in Guam," said EPA Pacific Southwest Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Division Director Amy Miller. “This is a significant milestone in the Navy meeting their long-term commitments to improve their wastewater treatment plant and collection system.”
“The Navy is committed to sustainable environmental stewardship and compliance with all Federal law and local regulations,” said Naval Base Guam Commanding Officer Capt. Jeffrey Grimes. “Our Environmental Management System program allows us to achieve strategic compliance objectives with the ultimate goal of ensuring compliance, preventing pollution, and reducing risk while accomplishing our mission. We would like to thank the EPA for working with us to meet the FFCA requirements and we look forward to the completion of wastewater infrastructure upgrades which will significantly help to protect Guam’s fragile and unique environment.”
The EPA and Navy entered into the FFCA to address effluent violations at the treatment plant for solids, biological materials, and metals including aluminum, copper, nickel and zinc. The Navy agreed to upgrade its wastewater infrastructure to bring the facilities into full compliance with the Clean Water Act.
The treatment system now has the capacity to treat six million gallons per day of wastewater generated at the Naval Base by residents, service members deployed to the area and their families, and the industrial support activities.
The Navy completed Phase I of the agreement which included upgrades to the wastewater treatment plant. The Navy also instituted a base-wide pollution prevention program to minimize the release of metals, oils, and other pollutants into the sewer system. To further reduce discharges of aluminum and copper, the Navy has modified the drinking water plant to curtail the loss of aluminum-based treatment chemicals and to prevent the leaching of copper from household piping.
The Navy continues to implement Phase II of the compliance agreement focusing on the replacement and rehabilitation of pipes, manholes, force mains, and pump stations along 30 miles of deteriorated sections of the sewage collection system.
To date, the upgrades have cost approximately $82 million and the Navy expects to spend another $46 million to complete the wastewater infrastructure projects. Completion of Phase II is expected by February 2021.
For more information see: https://www.epa.gov/region09/water/npdes/compliance.html#navy
Learn more about EPA’s Pacific Southwest Region. Connect with us on Facebook and on Twitter.
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EPA Awards Grants to UC Berkeley and Riverside Student Teams for Innovative Technology Projects
For Immediate Release: February 19, 2020
Media Contact: Alejandro Diaz, 808-541-2711, diaz.alejandro@epa.gov
EPA Awards Grants to UC Berkeley and Riverside Student Teams for Innovative Technology Projects
SAN FRANCISCO – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced approximately $447,000 in grant funding for 18 teams of undergraduate and graduate students across the country through its People, Prosperity, and the Planet (P3) Student Design Competition Program. Grantees include student teams from the University of California, Berkeley and the University of California, Riverside. Each team will receive a Phase I grant of up to $25,000 to develop their sustainable designs that will help solve important environmental and public health challenges.
“The innovative ideas that these P3 teams are bringing out of the classroom and into the real world will help solve some of our nation’s most pressing environmental challenges,” said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler. “From creating a simple at-home test for consumers to detect lead in tap water to designing a system to remove toxic chemicals from landfill gas, the fresh thinking behind these projects will result in tangible products that will help Americans for generations to come.”
“We celebrate these California students for their dedication to addressing complex environmental issues,” said EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator John Busterud. “The research funded will lead to more cost-effective drinking water treatments and construction materials.”
The teams will showcase their projects at EPA’s National Student Design Expo on June 29-30 at the TechConnect World Innovation Conference in National Harbor, Maryland. Following the Expo, the P3 teams may compete for Phase II awards of up to $100,000 to further implement their designs.
The University of California, Berkeley, was awarded $25,000 to further develop a better arsenic removal technology for drinking water. Currently, an estimated 55,000 people in California depend on drinking water which is above federal drinking water limits for arsenic (10 parts per billion). This project seeks to create a cost-effective removal system that can treat water which is up to 25 times the limit, and at a capacity capable of operating within a municipal drinking water system.
Professor Ashok Gadgil of Environmental Engineering mentors the team of graduate students that won this award. He says it is a pleasure to see his graduate students excited and thrilled to get support from EPA for their vision that will eventually benefit the drinking water quality of poor and marginalized rural communities in California and other parts of the US.
The University of California, Riverside, was awarded $24,998 to develop construction material out of wheat straw. Wheat straw is often sent to landfills as a waste in the harvesting process. This project seeks to replace traditional gypsum-based drywall with a straw-based product that is more workable and has less environmental impact.
To learn more about the 2019 Phase I winners, visit: https://cfpub.epa.gov/ncer_abstracts/index.cfm/fuseaction/recipients.display/rfa_id/645/records_per_page/ALL
For more information on the P3 Program, visit: https://www.epa.gov/P3
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Media Contact: Alejandro Diaz, 808-541-2711, diaz.alejandro@epa.gov
EPA Awards Grants to UC Berkeley and Riverside Student Teams for Innovative Technology Projects
SAN FRANCISCO – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced approximately $447,000 in grant funding for 18 teams of undergraduate and graduate students across the country through its People, Prosperity, and the Planet (P3) Student Design Competition Program. Grantees include student teams from the University of California, Berkeley and the University of California, Riverside. Each team will receive a Phase I grant of up to $25,000 to develop their sustainable designs that will help solve important environmental and public health challenges.
“The innovative ideas that these P3 teams are bringing out of the classroom and into the real world will help solve some of our nation’s most pressing environmental challenges,” said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler. “From creating a simple at-home test for consumers to detect lead in tap water to designing a system to remove toxic chemicals from landfill gas, the fresh thinking behind these projects will result in tangible products that will help Americans for generations to come.”
“We celebrate these California students for their dedication to addressing complex environmental issues,” said EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator John Busterud. “The research funded will lead to more cost-effective drinking water treatments and construction materials.”
The teams will showcase their projects at EPA’s National Student Design Expo on June 29-30 at the TechConnect World Innovation Conference in National Harbor, Maryland. Following the Expo, the P3 teams may compete for Phase II awards of up to $100,000 to further implement their designs.
The University of California, Berkeley, was awarded $25,000 to further develop a better arsenic removal technology for drinking water. Currently, an estimated 55,000 people in California depend on drinking water which is above federal drinking water limits for arsenic (10 parts per billion). This project seeks to create a cost-effective removal system that can treat water which is up to 25 times the limit, and at a capacity capable of operating within a municipal drinking water system.
Professor Ashok Gadgil of Environmental Engineering mentors the team of graduate students that won this award. He says it is a pleasure to see his graduate students excited and thrilled to get support from EPA for their vision that will eventually benefit the drinking water quality of poor and marginalized rural communities in California and other parts of the US.
The University of California, Riverside, was awarded $24,998 to develop construction material out of wheat straw. Wheat straw is often sent to landfills as a waste in the harvesting process. This project seeks to replace traditional gypsum-based drywall with a straw-based product that is more workable and has less environmental impact.
To learn more about the 2019 Phase I winners, visit: https://cfpub.epa.gov/ncer_abstracts/index.cfm/fuseaction/recipients.display/rfa_id/645/records_per_page/ALL
For more information on the P3 Program, visit: https://www.epa.gov/P3
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