EPA News Release:

Biden-Harris Administration Will Double Clean School Bus Rebate Awards to Nearly $1 Billion

WASHINGTON (September 29, 2022) — Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced it would nearly double the funding awarded for clean school buses this year following increased demand, with school districts from all 50 states applying for the 2022 Clean School Bus Rebates. This is the first round of funding from the EPA Clean School Bus Program, which President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law created with a historic $5 billion investment for low- and zero-emission school buses over the next five years.

In May, EPA had announced the availability of $500 million, but given overwhelming demand from school districts across the country, including in low-income communities, Tribal nations, and territories, EPA is nearly doubling the amount of funding that will be awarded to $965 million.

EPA will move swiftly to review applications submitted and expects to issue a robust slate of awards next month. EPA is also designing the next rounds of program funding to launch in the coming months, which will include an ambitious grant competition. Through future rounds of funding, EPA will make available another $1 billion for clean school buses in Fiscal Year 2023.

“Thanks to the leadership of the Biden-Harris Administration and the President’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we’re working across all 50 states to accelerate the transition to a future where clean, zero-emissions school buses are the American standard,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “America’s school districts delivered this message loud and clear – we must replace older, dirty diesel school buses. Together, we can reduce climate pollution, improve air quality, and reduce the risk of health impacts like asthma for as many as 25 million children who ride the bus every day.”

“Today’s announcement reflects what we know to be true—school districts across our country are eager to replace their heavy-polluting school buses with cleaner alternatives.” said Senator Carper (D-Del.), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works. “I’m especially pleased to see that there is high demand for electric buses among low income, tribal, and other disadvantaged communities. These are the very communities that stand to gain the most from our historic clean school bus investments in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Given the response to the availability of these dollars, it’s clear that more funding is needed. I look forward to working with Administrator Regan, the rest of the Biden Administration, and my colleagues in Congress to build on this progress so that more communities can realize the clean air and energy saving benefits of these cleaner vehicles.”

“This is a huge win for our nation’s children and our fight against the climate crisis,” said House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr. “School districts across the country have long recognized the tremendous benefits of zero-emission electric school buses for protecting both our environment and our children’s health. With today’s announcement, I’m thrilled we are making significant progress toward safeguarding both. I encourage every school district to apply and look forward to seeing this important program in action.”

The rebate application period closed in August with an outstanding response from school districts seeking to purchase electric and low-emission school buses across the country. EPA received around 2,000 applications requesting nearly $4 billion for over 12,000 buses. More than 90 percent of buses requested were for zero-emission electric buses.  Nearly 9 percent of applications were for propane buses and 1 percent were for compressed natural gas (CNG) buses.

The applicant pool includes submissions from all 50 states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and federally recognized Tribes.

The Clean School Bus Program will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and produce cleaner air for students, bus drivers, and school staff working near the bus loading areas, and the communities through which the buses drive each day. Diesel air pollution is linked to asthma and other conditions that harm students’ health and cause them to miss school, particularly in communities of color and Tribal communities. The reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from these bus replacements will also help to address the outsized role of the transportation sector in fueling the climate crisis.  School districts can save money by upgrading their fleets.

The 2022 Clean School Bus Rebates prioritizes low-income, rural, and Tribal communities. The vast majority of applicants met the priority definition under the 2022 Clean School Bus Rebates criteria, resulting in access to more funds for buses and electric vehicle infrastructure for schools in areas that need them the most. The program also delivers on President Biden’s Justice40 commitment, which aims to deliver 40% of benefits from certain federal programs to underserved or overburdened communities.

EPA is currently reviewing submitted applications to determine eligibility and make final selections. EPA anticipates notifying rebate applicants of their selection status in October 2022. Once notified, selected school districts can proceed with purchasing new buses and eligible infrastructure. Selectees will need to submit Payment Request Forms with purchase orders demonstrating they have ordered new buses and eligible infrastructure. After the selectees submit the proper forms, they will be eligible to receive rebate funds.

This is the first of several funding opportunities for the multi-year Clean School Bus Program. EPA anticipates running both a grant competition and another rebate program in 2023. The agency encourages school districts not selected in the first round of rebates – and those that did not apply this funding cycle – to participate in future rounds.

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provides EPA with an unprecedented $5 billion opportunity to fund the replacement of older school buses with new zero- and low-emissions buses over a five-year period and jump-start the transition to zero emission in our schools. For more information, visit the EPA Clean School Bus Program website. 

Containerboard Manufacturer Will Pay $2.5M for Violating Clean Air Act at its Louisiana Mill

 EPA News Release:

Containerboard Manufacturer Will Pay $2.5M for Violating Clean Air Act at its Louisiana Mill

DALLAS, TEXAS (September 29, 2022) – Packaging Corporation of America (PCA), headquartered in Illinois, has agreed to pay $2.5 million in civil penalties to resolve allegations that it violated the Clean Air Act’s General Duty Clause and Risk Management Program Regulations at its containerboard production mill in DeRidder, Louisiana.

Inthe complaint, filed today with the proposed settlement, the United States and the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) allege nine Clean Air Act violations that stem, in part, from a fatal explosion and accidental release at the DeRidder mill on Feb 8, 2017. The explosion – which killed three workers and injured seven others – launched a 100,000-gallon storage tank into the air and over a six-story building before it landed on mill equipment approximately 400 feet away. The blast also caused property damage and released extremely hazardous substances into the environment. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) inspected the DeRidder mill after the explosion, and uncovered additional Clean Air Act violations.

“This case demonstrates the tragic impacts to human life and the environment that can result from failures to follow appropriate chemical accident prevention and preparation requirements,” said Larry Starfield, Acting Assistant Administrator for EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. “This settlement both holds the Packaging Corporation of America accountable for failures that contributed to this accident and sends a clear message to corporations across the country on the importance of implementing appropriate chemical safety measures.”

“This settlement holds Packaging Corporation of America accountable for the harm it has caused to the environment and to the individuals who lost their lives on Feb. 8, 2017,” said Dr. Earthea Nance, EPA Region 6 Administrator. “Legal action will be pursued for companies who fail to safeguard their workers’ well-being. We offer our condolences for all individuals affected by this tragedy.”   

“PCA failed to comply with the General Duty Clause and Risk Management Program Regulations of the Clean Air Act at its DeRidder mill, resulting in the senseless deaths of three workers, while placing other workers and the surrounding community in danger,” said Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim of the Justice Department’s Environmental and Natural Resources Division. “This settlement furthers the department’s efforts to ensure corporate compliance with potentially life-saving environmental mandates to protect the air quality and the community in DeRidder and throughout the United States.” 

“The Clean Air Act was created to provide guidelines for companies such as PCA to adhere to in order to keep our communities safe from hazardous substances,” said U.S. Attorney Brandon Brown for the Western District of Louisiana. “Sadly, it took an explosion and the loss of lives to highlight PCA’s failure to adhere to some of these guidelines. The Civil Division in the Western District of Louisiana has an important job and welcomes the opportunity to continue to work alongside our federal and local partners to ensure these laws are abided by.”

“We join with our federal partners in taking action to ensure that this tragic occurrence is properly addressed,” said Dr. Chuck Carr Brown, LDEQ Secretary. “Those responsible must be held accountable.”

Section 112(r) of the Clean Air Act and its accompanying regulations are designed to prevent the accidental release of hazardous substances, like the explosion at the DeRidder mill. Congress added section 112(r) of the Clean Air Act in response to a 1984 catastrophic release of methyl isocyanate in Bhopal, India, that killed more than 3,400 people and caused over 200,000 others to suffer injuries. Under the Clean Air Act, facilities like PCA’s are required to identify hazards, design and maintain a safe facility, minimize the consequences of accidental releases that do occur, and comply with regulatory prevention measures. Failing to comply with these requirements increases the risk of accidents and threatens surrounding communities.

Reducing the risk to human health and the environment by decreasing the likelihood of chemical accidents at chemical facilities is a top priority for EPA’s enforcement and compliance assurance program.

The proposed stipulation of settlement is subject to a 45-day public comment period and court review and approval. A copy of the stipulation of settlement is available on the Department of Justice website here.

Connect with the Environmental Protection Agency Region 6 on Facebook, Twitter, or visit our homepage.

 EPA Press Office:

EPA Announces Billions in Economic Benefits from Resource Conservation and Recovery Act Cleanups at Hazardous Waste Facilities Across the Nation

WASHINGTON (September 28, 2022) – Today, EPA announced the results of a study that estimates the economic benefits of cleaning up facilities under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Corrective Action program.

 

EPA’s analyses of 79 cleanups revealed that these facilities support 1,028 on-site businesses, which provide economic benefits including: $39 billion in annual sales revenue; over 82,000 jobs; and $7.9 billion in estimated annual employment income. EPA also developed brief profiles for more than 40 facilities to showcase the economic benefits that can be fostered through RCRA Corrective Action cleanups.

 

“EPA’s study illustrates the incredible potential RCRA cleanups have to contribute significant environmental and economic benefits to communities across nation,” said Carlton Waterhouse, EPA Deputy Assistant Administrator for the Office of Land and Emergency Management. “While our primary focus is protecting the environment and public health, these profiles demonstrate real-world examples of development opportunities that can bolster our local economies, create job opportunities and improve the quality of life for impacted communities.”

 

EPA and states work with owners and operators of hazardous waste treatment, storage, and disposal facilities to ensure cleanups effectively protect human health and the environment and support reuse as well as continued use. Facilities that are cleaned up under RCRA are often redeveloped for a wide array of commercial, recreational, and energy production purposes. These cleanups also enable on-site industrial and commercial businesses to continue operating while protecting human health and the environment.

 

EPA collected economic data for 79 facilities, a subset of all the Corrective Action facilities, for this study to assess the number of jobs and magnitude of economic benefits from these facilities post cleanup. Since the analysis is from a small subset of the nearly 4,000 facilities being cleaned up, the benefits associated with all RCRA Corrective Action cleanups are likely much greater. EPA plans to continue to evaluate economic benefits and develop more profiles in the future.

 

Additionally, Corrective Action cleanups are an important part of EPA’s focus on environmental justice to help correct disparities in access to a clean and safe environment. EPA found that approximately 25% of the facilities in this study are located within communities with potential environmental justice concerns. More than 170 businesses are operating at these facilities, helping to generate 7,900 jobs and more than $522 million in annual income for these communities.

 

Finally, the economic benefits from RCRA Corrective Action cleanups go beyond those associated with on-site businesses. According to recent research, EPA’s Corrective Action program contributed to a $323 million increase in the value of homes near the completed cleanups studied. By identifying and completing the cleanup of contamination, homeowners near the cleanups experience an average of a six to seven percent increase in the value of their homes. Another recent study notes that housing price increases are largest for lower-cost homes.

 

Background

Signed into law in 1976 with Corrective Action provisions added in 1984, RCRA set standards for responsible solid waste management and established safeguards for hazardous wastes, from generation to transportation, treatment, storage, and disposal. Corrective Action is a requirement under the law that facilities that treat, store, or dispose of hazardous wastes investigate and clean up hazardous releases into soil, ground water, surface water, and air. EPA and states currently oversee cleanups at almost 4,000 facilities across the country under the RCRA Corrective Action program. Approximately 111 million people live within three miles of a RCRA Corrective Action cleanup.

 

Learn more about corrective action on our website

 EPA Press Office:

EPA’s Clean Air Act Enforcement Action Will Result in $1.3 Million of Fixes at Puerto Rico Petroleum Storage Facility

EPA’s Clean Air Act Enforcement Action Will Result in $1.3 Million of Fixes at Puerto Rico Petroleum Storage Facility

 

Contacts: John Senn, 212-637-3662, senn.john@epa.gov; Brenda Reyes, reyes.brenda@epa.gov, 787-977-5869

PUERTO RICO (Sept. 27, 2022) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announced that TotalEnergies Marketing Puerto Rico Corp. will implement compliance measures valued at approximately $1.3 million to resolve violations of the Clean Air Act at its petroleum storage facility in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico. The settlement requires measures and actions to resolve serious problems and inadequate maintenance at the company’s petroleum storage facility in Guaynabo. The company will also pay a civil penalty of $500,000.

“Reducing risks from releases of hazardous substances at industrial and chemical facilities such as Total Energies is a top priority for EPA. This settlement requires Total Energies to manage its storage tanks in a way that protects people living and working near their facility,” said EPA Regional Administrator Lisa F. Garcia. “Proper maintenance, operations and equipment at petroleum facilities is essential to controlling emissions of chemicals such as benzene, xylene and toluene. Reducing risks from releases of hazardous substances at industrial and chemical facilities is a top priority for EPA.”

TotalEnergies operates a large bulk storage facility in Guaynabo. EPA issued a Clean Air Act emergency order to the company in 2019 for its failure to adequately respond when it was informed by EPA that its gasoline storage operation resulted in vapor concentrations high enough to pose unacceptable fire and explosion risks. The company previously addressed the immediate dangers posed by its facility.

The violations addressed in the settlement include failure to use good air pollution control practices at the petroleum storage tanks; failure to follow regulatory requirements after liquid was found on an internal floating roof within one petroleum storage tank; and violations related to the vapor recovery system at the site’s truck loading racks, which resulted in excess emissions of hazardous air pollutants.

Under the settlement, the company must replace parts of some tanks that are defective before using them further and improve monitoring. vapor concentrations in tanks build to a certain level. This includes repairing or making operational adjustments to the tanks or removing tanks from service, as well as safety testing. The settlement includes other improvement measures and reporting to EPA.

Total is a subsidiary of The Total Group, a large global petroleum company. In addition to the Guaynabo bulk storage facility, Total also has a network of approximately 210 retail gas stations across Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

The consent decree is subject to a 30-day public comment period and approval by the federal court. Once it is published in the Federal Register, a copy of the consent decree will be available on the Justice Department web site.

Follow EPA Region 2 on Twitter and visit our Facebook page.

 

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 EPA Press Office:

EPA and Colorado seek community input on Workplan to advance environmental justice goals

Contact: Laura Jenkins (jenkins.laura@epa.gov); 

720-519-5504

 

DENVER — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment are seeking public feedback on a draft Workplan to implement a memorandum of understandingEXITEXIT EPA WEBSITE signed on March 8, 2022, which advances environmental justice through enforcement and compliance assurance. The partnership expresses a shared commitment to work together to engage and serve communities that are disproportionately impacted by pollution, historically marginalized, overburdened, or underserved. To advance this effort, the agencies are asking community members to review and provide feedback on a draft Workplan that will guide the agencies’ efforts and ensure they honor the commitments outlined in the agreement. 

Workplan en EspañolEXITEXIT EPA WEBSITE

Workplan in EnglishEXITEXIT EPA WEBSITE

The two agencies sought community feedback before drafting the Workplan, and used it to identify actions that will improve how the agencies work with each other, and with communities, to identify and address environmental problems. The focus areas of the draft Workplan include:  

• Strategically targeting inspections in disproportionately impacted communities. 
• Collaborating on enforcement and compliance assurance actions to reduce pollution burdens.  
• Creating equitable opportunities for communities across Colorado to learn and engage with us about enforcement and compliance issues. 

EPA and CDPHE are seeking additional feedback now that the draft Workplan is complete.   

“Public input is critical to the success of our efforts to improve health, the environment, and quality of life in overburdened communities, where the impacts of pollution are often heaviest,” said EPA Regional Administrator KC Becker. “I encourage those living and working in impacted communities to review the Workplan and provide input to help us deliver results as we move forward under this joint agreement.”   

“This draft Workplan will give our agencies the framework to make a real difference in reducing the disproportionate share of pollution in communities throughout Colorado,” said CDPHE Director of Environmental Health and Protection Trisha Oeth. “It’s a critical step in the right direction and hearing from Coloradans will ensure the Workplan is representative of the communities most impacted by pollution.” 

 Engaging with disproportionately impacted communities is a priority for EPA and CDPHE. They welcome input from members of the public and want to ensure that enforcement and compliance assurance activities encourage community engagement and benefit those most harmed by environmental pollution. Please email cdphe_ej@state.co.us to share your thoughts about the draft WEXIT EPA WEBSITEorkplanEXITEXIT EPA WEBSITE. You can also fill out a surveyEXITEXIT EPA WEBSITE and answer specific questions about the Workplan. We are seeking public comment on the draft Workplan through November 22, 2022. 

 EPA Press Office:

Oakridge-Westfir communities attain Clean Air Act standards for fine particle pollution

Local collaborative efforts result in cleaner and healthier air during winter months

Contact: Meshach A. Padilla, 206-553-2762, padilla.meshach@epa.gov

Seattle (Sept 23, 2022) - Today the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is announcing that the air quality in the Oakridge-Westfir communities of southern Oregon now meets the fine particulate National Ambient Air Quality Standard under the Clean Air Act. 

“This milestone demonstrates that working together on creative, locally driven solutions is the best way to make progress and improve people’s health and quality of life,” said Casey Sixkiller, EPA Regional Administrator for the Pacific Northwest and Alaska. “Thanks to the tireless collaboration between LRAPA and local communities, residents of Oakridge-Westfir are breathing cleaner and healthier air during winter months. EPA is proud to have been a partner in these efforts.”

“The redesignation of the Oakridge-Westfir airshed to attainment for the federal National Ambient Air Quality Standards marks an outstanding improvement in air quality. This accomplishment is the culmination of years of effort and cooperation from local partners and the people of Oakridge-Westfir to reduce particulate air pollution from wood stoves,” said Steve Dietrich, LRAPA Executive Director. “LRAPA is grateful these relationships have been effective and looks forward to our continued effort maintaining the air quality standards together.”

“Oakridge is grateful for the redesignation and the improvement in air quality,” commented Chrissy Hollett, Oakridge Mayor “Achieving this milestone is a great example of how complicated problems can be resolved through public partnership and collaboration. Oakridge’s air is cleaner and we believe we will see a healthier impact on our community for years to come.”

“Becoming redesignated as a community that meets the air quality standards for Particulate Matter is exciting because it shows that working together as individuals and as a community we can make change to improve daily life in Oakridge,” said Sarah Altemus-Pope, Southern Willamette Solutions Executive Director. “Now, by being in attainment, Oakridge can look forward to healthier winter air, tools to cope with winter and summer smoke when it happens, and less red tape for economic development."

The Oakridge-Westfir airshed, a mile-wide valley along the middle fork of the Willamette River, has been a “nonattainment area” for particulate matter since 1987,  meaning it did not meet the federal health-based Clean Air Act standard for that pollutant. 

Particulate matter pollution, or PM2.5, contains tiny particles about 1/30 the size of a human hair and comes from wildfires, car exhaust, crop burning, and smoke from woodstoves. Scientific studies have linked PM exposure to a variety problems, including: eye, nose and throat irritation; coughing or difficulty breathing; decreased lung function; aggravated asthma; irregular heartbeat; and premature death in people with heart or lung disease.

The Lane Regional Air Protection Agency, with help from two EPA Targeted Airshed Grants totaling nearly $8 million, led an ambitious air quality improvement program. Efforts included replacing old woodstoves, weatherizing homes, reducing emissions and adopting pollution control measures. LRAPA also partnered with the Middle Fork Willamette Watershed Council, in coordination with the Oakridge School District, to provide community and school-based education on improving air quality.

For more information about particulate matter, visit https://www.epa.gov/pm-pollution/particulate-matter-pm-basics.

To learn how you can help improve air quality in Lane County, go to https://www.lrapa.org/.

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 EPA Press Office:

EPA News: Biden-Harris Administration and EPA Announce Delivery of Historic Water Infrastructure BIL Funding to D.C.

PHILADELPHIA (Sept. 23, 2022) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency awarded $10 million Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) funding to the District of Columbia today for water infrastructure improvements. President Biden’s BIL allocates more than $50 billion to EPA toward repairing the nation’s essential water infrastructure, which helps communities access clean, safe and reliable drinking water, increase resilience, collect and treat wastewater to protect public health, clean up pollution and safeguard vital waterways. These grants mark the first significant distribution of water infrastructure funds thanks to the BIL and will supplement the $12.7 million in fiscal year (FY) 2022 funding awarded to the district to improve infrastructure across the city. State and district allocations were previously announced.   “All communities need access to clean, reliable, safe water,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “Thanks to President Biden’s leadership and the resources from the historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we are repairing aging water infrastructure, replacing lead service lines, cleaning up contaminants, and making our communities more resilient in the face of floods and climate impacts.” “Help is on the way to the District of Columbia,” said Adam Ortiz, EPA Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator.  “This funding represents ‘delivery on a promise’ that the Biden administration made to help our communities most in need of clean drinking water and programs to control contaminants and harmful stormwater runoff.  EPA Mid-Atlantic looks forward to assisting and partnering with D.C. and our states to expedite this critical work.”  “The District of Columbia is committed to restoring our waters to swimmable and fishable conditions so that all residents and visitors can enjoy these valuable resources,” said D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser.  “Further, the restoration of our rivers represents an opportunity to address environmental justice for vulnerable communities who have been most burdened by pollution. The investments made by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will accelerate the District’s progress toward meeting these goals by restoring streams, repairing and improving the District’s stormwater system, and designing and installing green infrastructure projects at schools, parks, and in the public right-of-way.” Funding announced today represents FY 2022 awards for the district plans that have been submitted and approved by EPA. The district will also receive awards over the course of the next four years. As grants are awarded, the district will continue to fund infrastructure projects across the city. The BIL presents the largest ever funding opportunity for investing in water infrastructure. Find out more about BIL programs and other programs that help communities manage their water at www.epa.gov/infrastructure. For more information on the intended use of this funding in the district, please visit: https://doee.dc.gov/service/cwc https://www.dcwater.com/approved-fiscal-year-2021-2022-priority-project-list-intended-use-plan

 EPA News Release:

EPA Takes Enforcement Action Against Two New Jersey Companies for Violations Related to Misbranded Pesticide Spray

Contact: Elias Rodriguez, 212-637-3664, rodriguez.elias@epa.gov

NEW YORK (Sept. 21, 2022) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announced settlements with two New Jersey companies for violations of federal laws related to the distribution and sale of Zoono Microbe Shield, a registered pesticide, with false and misleading claims about its effectiveness and suitability for use as a disinfectant or sanitizer, including against the virus that causes COVID-19. The two settlements require the parties to pay significant civil penalties and reflect actions taken by each to come into compliance with the Federal Insecticide Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). Zoono USA will pay a $205,000 penalty and Zoono Holdings will pay $120,000.

“With settlements like these, EPA is making sure that consumers can safely rely on the claims made for pesticides registered by the EPA, while also encouraging regulated entities to come into compliance with critical environmental laws that protect public health,” said EPA Regional Administrator Lisa F. Garcia. “We are also committed to guarding against companies taking advantage of the fact that COVID-19 continues to pose a risk and to ensure consumer confidence and protect people’s health.”

Zoono Microbe Shield sprays were advertised and offered for sale on various websites, including Zoonousa.com, Zoono.com and Amazon websites. EPA’s review of the product’s labeling revealed that the companies had each sold the product with public health claims that substantially differed from statements submitted in connection with its registration with EPA and with other false and misleading claims, which is illegal under FIFRA. Numerous online purchases were made by individual consumers and institutions – such as community centers – located in areas with potential environmental justice concerns.

These violations raised particularly serious concerns as Zoono Microbe Shield labeling, particularly its online advertising, appeared to have diverged from allowable claims during the pandemic, increasing the likelihood that unsuspecting consumers purchased the Zoono Microbe Shield spray with the false expectations that it could be used as a sanitizer or disinfectant to prevent SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, as well as other germs, viruses and pathogens. Claims allowed for Zoono Microbe Shield as part of its registration include effectiveness against odor causing bacteria, bacteria which cause staining and discoloration, fungi and algae as a static agent. Significantly, approved uses allowed on Zoono Microbe Shield labeling do not include use as a disinfectant or sanitizer or any public health claims.

For more information on FIFRA, visit: https://www.epa.gov/laws-regulations/summary-federal-insecticide-fungicide-and-rodenticide-act.

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La EPA toma medidas de cumplimiento contra dos compañías de Nueva Jersey por infracciones relacionadas con aerosol pesticida mal etiquetado

Contacto: Elías Rodríguez, 212-637-3664, rodriguez.elias@epa.gov

NUEVA YORK (21 de septiembre de 2022) – La Agencia de Protección Ambiental de Estados Unidos (EPA, por sus siglas en inglés) anunció hoy acuerdos con dos compañías de Nueva Jersey por infringir las leyes federales relacionadas con la distribución y venta de Zoono Microbe Shield, un pesticida registrado, con afirmaciones falsas y engañosas sobre su efectividad e idoneidad para su uso como desinfectante o higienizador, incluso contra el virus que causa COVID-19. Los dos acuerdos exigen que las partes paguen sanciones civiles significativas y reflejen las medidas tomadas por cada una de las partes para cumplir con la Ley Federal de Fungicidas Insecticidas y Rodenticidas (FIFRA). Zoono USA pagará una multa de $205,000 y Zoono Holdings pagará $120,000.

“Con acuerdos como estos, la EPA se asegura de que los consumidores puedan confiar de manera segura en las afirmaciones hechas acerca de los pesticidas registrados por la EPA, a la vez que alienta a las entidades reguladas a cumplir con las leyes ambientales críticas que protegen la salud pública”, señaló la Administradora Regional de la EPA, Lisa F. García. “También estamos comprometidos a proteger contra las empresas que se aprovechan del hecho de que el virus de COVID-19 continúa representando un riesgo, garantizando así la confianza del consumidor y resguardando la salud de las personas”.

Los aerosoles Zoono Microbe Shield se anunciaron y se ofrecieron a la venta en varios sitios web, incluidos los sitios web de Zoonousa.com, Zoono.com y Amazon. La evaluación realizada por la EPA del etiquetado del producto reveló que cada una de las compañías había vendido el producto con declaraciones de salud pública que diferían sustancialmente de las declaraciones presentadas en relación con su registro en la EPA y con otras afirmaciones falsas y engañosas, lo cual es ilegal según FIFRA. Numerosas compras en línea fueron realizadas por consumidores individuales e instituciones, como centros comunitarios, ubicados en áreas con posibles preocupaciones de justicia ambiental.

Estas infracciones plantean preocupaciones particularmente graves ya que el etiquetado de Zoono Microbe Shield, particularmente su publicidad en línea, parecía haberse desviado de las afirmaciones permitidas durante la pandemia, lo que aumenta la probabilidad de que los consumidores desprevenidos compraran el aerosol Zoono Microbe Shield  con las falsas expectativas de que podría usarse como desinfectante o higienizador para prevenir el SARS-CoV-2, el virus causante de COVID-19, así como otros gérmenes, virus y patógenos. Las afirmaciones permitidas para Zoono Microbe Shield como parte de su registro incluyen la efectividad contra las bacterias que causan olores, las bacterias que causan manchas y decoloración, los hongos y las algas como agente estático. Significativamente, los usos aprobados permitidos en el etiquetado de Zoono Microbe Shield no incluyen el uso como desinfectante o higienizador ni ninguna declaración de salud pública.

Para obtener más información sobre FIFRA, visite: https://www.epa.gov/laws-regulations/summary-federal-insecticide-fungicide-and-rodenticide-act.

Siga a la Región 2 de la EPA en Twitter y visite nuestra página de Facebook.

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 EPA News Release:

EPA’s GreenChill Program Celebrates 15 Years of Supporting Smart Refrigerant Management Across the Supermarket Industry

Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) issued a report celebrating the GreenChill Advanced Refrigeration Partnership’s (GreenChill) 15^th Anniversary that highlights Partner achievements in supermarket refrigerant management. EPA also presented the annual GreenChill awards for achievements made during the 2021 program year at FMI – The Food Industry Association’s Energy and Store Development Conference in Orlando, Fla. This year GreenChill honored 13 supermarket industry organizations and one advanced refrigeration system manufacturer for exceptional achievements in effectively managing refrigerants and reducing emissions of ozone-depleting substances and high global warming potential gases such as hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) to reduce the impacts of commercial refrigeration systems on the environment.

 

“As we celebrate the 15^th Anniversary of GreenChill, I want to thank our Partners for the leadership they have shown in choosing to go above and beyond to reduce refrigerant emissions,” said Joe Goffman, Principal Deputy Assistant Administrator for EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation. “Their commitment over the past decade and a half has resulted in huge benefits to the climate system and the ozone layer. As we continue phasing down climate-damaging HFCs under the American Innovation and Manufacturing Act, we look to industry leaders like our GreenChill Partners to once again lead the way with the technological innovation and creativity needed to tackle this hurdle.”

 

Since its founding in 2007, GreenChill has grown from 10 Partners representing about 4,500 stores to 33 food retail partners representing over one-third of all U.S. supermarkets, or over 13,000 stores.  On average, GreenChill food retailers maintain emissions rates that are approximately half the industry average. Over the past 15 years, Partners have avoided emissions of over 500 metric tons of ozone-depleting substances and roughly 100 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent. This is roughly equivalent to the greenhouse gas emissions from consuming over 11 billion gallons of gasoline.

 

Each year, EPA recognizes GreenChill Partners for outstanding refrigerant management at both the corporate level and at the individual store certification level.

 

2022 GreenChill Corporate Partner Awardees:

 

Best Corporate Emissions Rate

• Ashland Food Co-Op (Ashland, Ore.)
• Meijer (Grand Rapids, Mich.)

 

Most Improved Emissions Rate

• PCC Community Markets (Seattle, Wash.)
• Weis Markets (Sunbury, Pa.)

 

Superior Goal Achievement

• Ashland Food Co-Op (Ashland, Ore.)
• BJ’s (Westborough, Mass.)
• Coborn’s Inc. (St. Cloud, Minn.)
• Food Lion (Salisbury, N.C.)
• The GIANT Company (Carlisle, Pa.)
• Giant Eagle (Pittsburg, Pa.)
• Hy-Vee (Des Moines, Iowa)
• Meijer (Grand Rapids, Mich.)
• Target (Minneapolis, Minn.)

 

Exceptional Goal Achievement

• Ashland Food Co-Op (Ashland, Ore.)
• Coborn’s Inc. (St. Cloud, Minn.)
• Giant Eagle (Pittsburg, Pa.)
• Meijer (Grand Rapids, Mich.)

 

2022 GreenChill Store Certification Program Awardees:

 

Store Leadership

 

• Target’s Vista, Calif. location was honored for the innovative design as the company’s first net-zero energy store (Target has applied for net-zero certification from the International Future Living Institute). The pursuit of this certification is a first among GreenChill certified stores.

 

Store Certification Excellence

 

• ALDI (Batavia, Ill.) ALDI certified 505 stores at the Platinum-Level. This is the highest number of Platinum level stores certified in one year by any company in GreenChill’s history.
• Hillphoenix (Conyers, Ga.) installed the most systems in GreenChill Certified Stores in 2021. This is the 10th consecutive year Hillphoenix has won this award. 

 

Store Re-Certification Excellence

 

• Sprouts Farmers Market – One store in Whittier, California, achieved GreenChill Store Certification for 10 consecutive years. Seventeen additional Sprouts Farmers Market stores in Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Maryland, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee earned recognition for five consecutive years of certification.
• ALDI – Twenty-one stores across California, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia achieved GreenChill Store Certification for five consecutive years.
• Weis Markets – Two stores in Maryland achieved GreenChill Store Certification for five consecutive years.
• Meijer – One store in Indiana achieved GreenChill Store Certification for five consecutive years.
• Target – One store in Minnesota achieved GreenChill Store Certification for five consecutive years.

 

About GreenChill

 

GreenChill is a voluntary partnership program that works cooperatively with the food retail industry to reduce refrigerant emissions and decrease their impact on the environment. Leaky systems can come at a high price, requiring retailers to pay for replacement refrigerant, system maintenance, and repairs. Reducing leaks is also beneficial to the environment, as some refrigerants deplete the stratospheric ozone layer and are potent greenhouse gases. In addition to reducing leaks, GreenChill participants are leaders in transitioning to environmentally friendlier refrigerants and adopting advanced refrigeration technologies.  

 

Learn more about the GreenChill 15^th anniversary report and today’s awardees.

 EPA Press Office:

Biden-Harris Administration and EPA Announce Delivery of Historic Water Infrastructure BIL Funding to Virginia

PHILADELPHIA (Sept. 20, 2022) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) awarded $46.3 million in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) funding to Virginia today for water infrastructure improvements. An additional $80 million will be awarded in the coming weeks.  President Biden’s BIL allocates more than $50 billion to EPA toward repairing the nation’s essential water infrastructure, which helps communities access clean, safe and reliable drinking water, increase resilience, collect and treat wastewater to protect public health, clean up pollution and safeguard vital waterways. These grants will supplement the $35 million in fiscal year (FY) 2022 funding that will be awarded for Virginia’s Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds (SRFs) and mark the first significant distribution of water infrastructure funds thanks to the BIL. State allocations were previously announced.   “All communities need access to clean, reliable, safe water,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “Thanks to President Biden’s leadership and the resources from the historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we are repairing aging water infrastructure, replacing lead service lines, cleaning up contaminants, and making our communities more resilient in the face of floods and climate impacts.” “President Biden has been clear—we cannot leave any community behind as we rebuild America’s infrastructure with the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law,” said White House Infrastructure Coordinator Mitch Landrieu.  “Because of his Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, nearly half of the additional SRF funding will now be grants or forgivable loans, making accessing these critical water resources easier for small, rural and disadvantaged communities.” “Help is on the way to the state of Virginia,” said Adam Ortiz, EPA Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator.  “This funding represents ‘delivery on a promise’ that the Biden administration made to help our communities most in need of clean drinking water and programs to control contaminants and harmful stormwater runoff.  EPA Mid-Atlantic looks forward to assisting and partnering with our states to expedite this critical work.” EPA’s SRFs are part of President Biden’s Justice40 initiative, which aims to deliver at least 40% of the benefits from certain federal programs flow to underserved communities. Furthermore, nearly half the funding available through the SRFs thanks to the BIL must be grants or principal forgiveness loans that remove barriers to investing in essential water infrastructure in underserved communities across rural America and in urban centers. Funding announced today represents the FY22 BIL awards for states that have submitted and obtained EPA’s approval of their plans for use of the funding. SRF capitalization grants will continue to be awarded, on a rolling state-by-state basis, as more states receive approval throughout FY22; states will also receive awards over the course of the next four years. As grants are awarded, the state SRF programs can begin to distribute the funds as grants and loans to communities across their state. “Reliable water infrastructure is critical to safeguard public health,” said Senator Tim Kaine (D-Va.). “I was glad to vote to pass the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and I’m glad Virginia is receiving federal funding to repair our water systems thanks to this landmark legislation. This funding will help ensure Virginians have access to safe, clean, and reliable water for decades to come.” The BIL presents the largest ever funding opportunity for investing in water infrastructure. Find out more about Bipartisan Infrastructure Law programs and other programs that help communities manage their water at www.epa.gov/infrastructure. For more information about intended projects for this funding in Virginia, please visit: Clean Water SRF: https://www.deq.virginia.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/15137/637909016771770000 and Drinking Water SRF: https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/drinking-water/drinking-water-state-revolving-fund-program/

 EPA Press Office:

Biden-Harris Administration and EPA Announce Delivery of Historic Water Infrastructure BIL Funding to Pennsylvania

PHILADELPHIA (Sept. 20, 2022) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) awarded $240 million in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) funding to Pennsylvania today for water infrastructure improvements. President Biden’s BIL allocates more than $50 billion to EPA toward repairing the nation’s essential water infrastructure, which helps communities access clean, safe and reliable drinking water, increase resilience, collect and treat wastewater to protect public health, clean up pollution and safeguard vital waterways. These grants will supplement the $67 million in fiscal year (FY) 2022 funding awarded for Pennsylvania’s Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds (SRFs) and mark the first significant distribution of water infrastructure funds thanks to the BIL. State allocations were previously announced.   “All communities need access to clean, reliable, safe water,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “Thanks to President Biden’s leadership and the resources from the historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we are repairing aging water infrastructure, replacing lead service lines, cleaning up contaminants, and making our communities more resilient in the face of floods and climate impacts.” “President Biden has been clear—we cannot leave any community behind as we rebuild America’s infrastructure with the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law,” said White House Infrastructure Coordinator Mitch Landrieu.  “Because of his Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, nearly half of the additional SRF funding will now be grants or forgivable loans, making accessing these critical water resources easier for small, rural and disadvantaged communities.” “Help is on the way to the state of Pennsylvania,” said Adam Ortiz, EPA Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator.  “This funding represents ‘delivery on a promise’ that the Biden administration made to help our communities most in need of clean drinking water and programs to control contaminants and harmful stormwater runoff.  EPA Mid-Atlantic looks forward to assisting and partnering with our states to expedite this critical work.”    “This is a tremendous investment in ensuring that Pennsylvanians have safe water to drink and clean, fishable, swimmable rivers and streams. These funds will help protect drinking water from old threats like lead pipes and new and emerging concerns like PFAS contamination,” said Acting DEP Secretary Ramez Ziadeh. “It will also help with investments into new and upgraded infrastructure like drinking water mains and treatment plants, conveyance and collection systems, wastewater treatment plants, and stormwater systems to help restore and grow Pennsylvania. The investment also provides a source of funding for non-point source pollution reduction projects located inside and outside of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.” EPA’s SRFs are part of President Biden’s Justice40 initiative, which aims to deliver at least 40% of the benefits from certain federal programs flow to underserved communities. Furthermore, nearly half the funding available through the SRFs thanks to the BIL must be grants or principal forgiveness loans that remove barriers to investing in essential water infrastructure in underserved communities across rural America and in urban centers. Funding announced today represents the FY22 BIL awards for states that have submitted and obtained EPA’s approval of their plans for use of the funding. SRF capitalization grants will continue to be awarded, on a rolling state-by-state basis, as more states receive approval throughout FY22; states will also receive awards over the course of the next four years. As grants are awarded, the state SRF programs can begin to distribute the funds as grants and loans to communities across their state. The BIL presents the largest ever funding opportunity for investing in water infrastructure. Find out more about BIL programs and other programs that help communities manage their water at www.epa.gov/infrastructure. For more information on intended use of this funding in Pennsylvania, please visit: https://www.dep.pa.gov/Business/Water/CleanWater/InfrastructureFinance/Pages/State-Revolving-Fund.aspx