EPA Press Office:

Biden-Harris Administration Announces Availability of $12 Million Through Investing in America Agenda for Brownfields Job Training Grants

EPA seeking applications for up to $12 million in Brownfields Job Training Grants that will support local environmental job training programs and environmental workforce in underserved and overburdened communities

Contact: EPA Press Office (press@epa.gov)

WASHINGTON (May 30, 2023) – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the availability of approximately $12 million from President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda for environmental job training grants under the Fiscal Year 2024 Brownfields Job Training Program. EPA is seeking applications for the program and anticipates awarding approximately 24 grants nationwide at amounts up to $500,000 per award. Applications are due by August 2, 2023, via grants.gov. The Request for Application (RFA) notice is now posted on www.grants.gov.

“EPA’s Brownfields Program invests in communities, turning brownfield sites into new hubs of economic growth and creating new, good-paying jobs in communities where workers live,” said Barry Breen, Acting Assistant Administrator of EPA’s Office of Land and Emergency Management. “Thanks to the boost from President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda, the Brownfields Job training programs are not only providing an opportunity for residents impacted by brownfield sites to gain training and employment, but also advancing environmental justice across the country.”

The approximately $12 million in funding available during this grant cycle comes from the $1.5 billion investment from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. As a result of this historic funding, the fiscal year 2023 Brownfields Job Training Grant competition resulted in more than triple the funding compared to fiscal year 2022. This budget boost provides communities, states, and Tribes the opportunity to apply for larger grants to build and enhance the environmental curriculum in job training programs to support job creation and community revitalization at brownfield sites.

EPA is committed to meeting the Biden-Harris Administration’s Justice40 goal that 40% of the overall benefits of certain federal investments flow to disadvantaged communities. The Brownfields Program will strive to meet this commitment and advance environmental justice and equity considerations into all aspects of our work.

The RFA notice is available at www.grants.gov.  A copy of the FY24 Guidelines and other application resources are available at EPA’s Brownfields Job Training (JT) Grants webpage. The Office of Brownfields and Land Revitalization will also host an outreach webinar on June 14, 2023, from 1pm – 3:30pm EDT to explain the guidelines for interested applicants and to address commonly asked questions. The link to attend the webinar is https://usepa.zoomgov.com/j/1603942069. Prior registration is not required.

Background:

The EPA’s Brownfields Job Training (JT) grant program is a unique employment and training program. The grants allow nonprofit and other eligible organizations to recruit, train, and retain a local, skilled workforce by prioritizing unemployed and under-employed, including low-income individuals living in areas impacted by solid and hazardous waste in environmental jobs. Students learn the skills and credentials needed to secure full-time, sustainable employment in the environmental field, including brownfields assessment and cleanup. These jobs reduce environmental contamination and build more sustainable futures for communities. Communities have the flexibility to deliver eligible training that meets the local labor market demands of the environmental sector in their communities.

Since 1998, EPA has awarded 400 job training grants. With these grants, more than 20,600 individuals have completed training and over 15,300 individuals have been placed in careers related to land remediation and environmental health and safety.

The next National Brownfields Training Conference will be held on August 8-11, 2023, in Detroit, Michigan. Offered every two years, this conference is the largest gathering of stakeholders focused on cleaning up and reusing former commercial and industrial properties. EPA co-sponsors this event with the International City/County Management Association (ICMA). Conference registration is open.

Learn more on EPA’s Brownfields Program.

 EPA Press Office:

EPA to award over $800,000 in grants to support water quality monitoring at Pacific Northwest and Alaska beaches to protect public health 

SEATTLE (May 30, 2023) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced $10.6 million in BEACH Act grant funding to help coastal and Great Lakes communities protect the health of beachgoers this summer.

“Many people spend time in the summer splashing, swimming, and playing at a favorite beach, which is why EPA is providing more than $10 million to help states and local partners monitor water quality,” said EPA Assistant Administrator for Water Radhika Fox. “These grants help states, Tribes, and territories fund programs to ensure that our coastal waters are safe for swimming and recreation.”  

Contingent upon their meeting the eligibility requirements, EPA’s 2023 BEACH Act grant funding will be allocated to the following:

• Alaska - $166,000
• Makah Tribe of the Makah Indian Reservation - $56,000
• Oregon - $247,000
• Washington - $287,000
• Swinomish Indian Tribal Community - $56,000

Under the Beaches Environmental Assessment and Coastal Health Act, EPA awards grants to eligible states, Tribal, and territorial applicants to help them and their local government partners monitor water quality at coastal and Great Lakes beaches. When bacteria levels are too high for safe swimming, these agencies notify the public and post beach warnings or closings.  

“With summer right around the corner, tens of millions of Americans are making plans to travel to our beautiful beaches in Delaware and around the country,” said Senator Carper, Chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. “Fortunately, EPA is providing states and communities with the tools to ensure the safety of the water at our nation’s beaches, which are an integral part of our tourism economy and important ecosystems for wildlife and migratory birds.”

Since 2001, EPA has awarded nearly $216 million in BEACH Act grants to test beach waters for illness-causing bacteria and help with public notification and identification of the problem. This program is essential for protecting the health of beachgoers across the country.  

Check the relevant state, Tribal, or territorial beach program website for closing or advisory information at a particular beach. 

Contact Information: EPA Region 10 Public Affairs Office (r10_press_team@epa.gov)

 EPA Press Office:

EPA awards $2.25M for cleanup and revitalization of properties across eastern Montana 

Great Northern Development Corp. to use Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funds to address contamination in Poplar, Glendive and communities in Roosevelt, Dawson Counties 

 Contacts :

U.S. EPA: Richard Mylott, mylott.richard@epa.gov  

Great Northern Development Corporation: Tori Matejovsky, Executive Director, 406-653-2590, tmatejovsky@gndc.org  

 

Glendive, Mont. (May 25, 2023) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announced the Great Northern Development Corporation (GNDC) will receive a $2,250,000 Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund grant, funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, for dozens of assessment, cleanup and redevelopment projects.  

The grant will focus on in Glendive, Poplar, Wolf Point and other eastern Montana communities. GNDC will work closely with a group of partners as the Eastern Montana Brownfields Coalition (EMBC) to identify and fund priority projects.   

“GNDC is receiving these funds as a high-performing Revolving Loan Fund program with an established record of success in cleaning up and revitalizing properties across eastern Montana,” said EPA Regional Administrator KC Becker. “We look forward to seeing these EMBC projects improve the health and safety of communities and bring new business opportunities to the area.”  

“As a third-generation farmer, I understand the challenges rural America is facing, including the lasting impacts of toxic waste,” said U.S. Senator Jon Tester. “Cleaning up and revitalizing Montana’s remaining Brownfield sites breathes new life into our communities by creating some real opportunities for economic development. That’s why I am proud to have secured this funding in my Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for cleanup projects across Big Sky Country to spur economic growth and improve the quality of life for folks from Glendive to Kalispell.” 

EPA’s award to GNDC is among six Brownfields grants announced today totaling more than $5.7 million for cleanup and revitalization projects in communities across Montana.  These funds are part of President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda to expedite the assessment and cleanup of brownfield sites while advancing environmental justice through the Multipurpose, Assessment, Revolving Loan Fund, and Cleanup (MARC) Grant programs. Thanks to the historic boost from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, this funding is the largest ever awarded by the EPA’s Brownfields MARC Grant programs. 

"The EPA Brownfields program is essential for stabilizing and improving the economic well-being and environmental quality of eastern Montana communities,” said Tori Matejovsky, Executive Director, Great Northern Development Corporation. “The EMBC plans to leverage the EPA Revolving Loan Fund supplemental award with other public and private resources to help property owners redevelop sites in some of Montana's most rural and disadvantaged communities. The coalition sincerely thanks the EPA for their continued partnership and support of the EMBC's goal to spearhead environmental cleanup and rehabilitation efforts in rural eastern Montana communities."   

EPA funding will extend the capacity of GNDC’s Revolving Loan Fund program to complete cleanups in 15 counties in eastern Montana, as well as the entire Fort Peck Sioux and Assiniboine Indian Reservation and the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation.  

GNDC will use the EPA grant as they work with the Montana Department of Environmental Quality, the Fort Peck Tribes Economic Development Office and the Fort Peck Tribes Office of Environmental Protection to develop a cleanup plan for the Fort Peck Assiniboine and Sioux Industrial Complex, creating dozens of high-quality jobs on the Reservation.   

GNDC is also working with the City of Glendive and the Dawson County Economic Development Corporation to clean up and explore redevelopment uses for the Jordan Inn in Glendive as mixed-income rental units and retail space on nearly an entire block on the city’s main street.  

The former Jaycee Building in Glasgow, Valley County, is another target property, where site cleanup will prepare the property for reuse as multifamily housing. In addition, the VFW Building in Wolf Point, Roosevelt County, will be cleaned up and reused as a community youth facility and food bank. GNDC is also dedicating funds to the Pro-Tire property in Wolf Point, which is a candidate for potential reuse as a small business.   

Contaminants of concern at these locations include asbestos, lead, petroleum compounds and other hazardous pollutants in building materials, soil and groundwater. 

Other Brownfields grants announced in Montana today include:  

• Sweetgrass Development Corporation, north-central Montana: $1 million 

• Montana West Economic Development Foundation, Inc: Kalispell, Flathead County, $500,000  

• Big Sky Economic Development, Billings: $1 million 

• Great Falls Development Authority: $500,000 

• Beartooth Resource Conservation and Development, Stillwater, Carbon and Big Horn Counties and the Northern Cheyenne and Crow Indian Reservations: $460,000 

Background  

Thanks to the historic $1.5 billion boost from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, EPA’s Brownfields Program is helping more communities than ever begin to address the economic, social and environmental challenges caused by brownfields and stimulate economic opportunity and environmental revitalization in historically overburdened communities.  

EPA’s Brownfields Program also advances President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative to direct 40% of the overall benefits of certain federal investments to disadvantaged communities. Approximately 84% of the MARC program applications selected to receive funding proposed to work in areas that include historically underserved communities. 

EPA’s Brownfields Program began in 1995 and has provided nearly $2.37 billion in Brownfield Grants to assess and clean up contaminated properties and return blighted properties to productive reuse. EPA’s investments in addressing brownfield sites have leveraged more than $36 billion in cleanup and redevelopment. Communities that previously received Brownfields Grants used these resources to fund assessments and cleanups of brownfields, and successfully leverage an average of 10.6 jobs per $100,000 of grant funds spent and $19.78 for every dollar. 

More on Brownfields Grants.   

More on EPA’s Brownfields Program.  

EPA to Award Over $10 Million in Grants to Support Water Quality Monitoring at Beaches to Protect Public Health

 USEPA News Release:

EPA to Award Over $10 Million in Grants to Support Water Quality Monitoring at Beaches to Protect Public Health

DALLAS, TEXAS (May 25^th, 2023) – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced $10.6 million in grant funding to help coastal and Great Lakes communities protect the health of beachgoers this summer. The funding will assist many states, Tribes and territories in conducting water quality monitoring and public notification programs for their beaches.

“Many people spend time in the summer splashing, swimming, and playing at a favorite beach, which is why EPA is providing more than $10 million to help states and local partners monitor water quality,” said EPA Assistant Administrator for Water Radhika Fox. “These grants help states, Tribes, and territories fund programs to ensure that our coastal waters are safe for swimming and recreation.”

Under the Beaches Environmental Assessment and Coastal Health (BEACH) Act, EPA awards grants to eligible states, Tribal, and territorial applicants to help them and their local government partners monitor water quality at coastal and Great Lakes beaches. When bacteria levels are too high for safe swimming, these agencies notify the public and post beach warnings or closings.

Since 2001, EPA has awarded nearly $216 million in BEACH Act grants to test beach waters for illness-causing bacteria and help with public notification and identification of the problem. This program is essential for protecting the health of beachgoers across the country.

“With summer right around the corner, tens of millions of Americans are making plans to travel to our beautiful beaches in Delaware and around the country,” said Senator Carper (DE), Chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. “Fortunately, EPA is providing states and communities with the tools to ensure the safety of the water at our nation’s beaches, which are an integral part of our tourism economy and important ecosystems for wildlife and migratory birds.”

“New Jerseyans and visitors are ready to flock to the Jersey Shore this weekend, so it’s great to see that our state is receiving federal funding to help protect public health and give beachgoers the peace of mind they deserve,” said Congressman Pallone (NJ-06). “New Jersey’s beaches are a treasure, and this funding will help make sure they remain clean and safe. I’ve long advocated for federal funding to make sure our recreational waters for swimming, surfing, and fishing are safe, and I’ll continue to fight to deliver the resources New Jersey’s towns need.”

EPA’s 2023 BEACH Act grant funding will be allocated to the following states, Tribes, and territories contingent upon their meeting the eligibility requirements:

EPA Region 1
Connecticut $236,000
Maine $272,000
Massachusetts $275,000
New Hampshire $214,000
Rhode Island $228,000

EPA Region 2
New Jersey $300,000
New York $363,000
Puerto Rico $344,000
U.S. Virgin Islands $309,000

EPA Region 3
Delaware $223,000
Maryland $283,000
Pennsylvania $235,000
Virginia $291,000

EPA Region 4
Alabama $278,000
Florida $547,000
Georgia $301,000
Mississippi $270,000
North Carolina $327,000
South Carolina $317,000

EPA Region 5
Illinois $258,000
Indiana $222,000
Michigan $298,000
Minnesota $217,000
Ohio $242,000
Wisconsin $241,000
Bad River Band of the Lake Superior Tribe of Chippewa Indians $60,000
Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa $56,000

EPA Region 6
Louisiana $381,000
Texas $405,000

EPA Region 9
American Samoa $308,000
California $536,000
Guam $309,000
Hawaii $348,000
Northern Mariana Islands $313,000

EPA Region 10
Alaska $166,000
Makah Tribe of the Makah Indian Reservation $56,000

Oregon $247,000
Washington $287,000
Swinomish Indian Tribal Community $56,000

More information on BEACH Act grants.

Check the relevant state, Tribal, or territorial beach program website for closing or advisory information at a particular beach.

 

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

 EPA Press Office:

EPA to award over $1 million in grants to support water quality monitoring at Mid-Atlantic beaches to protect swimmers’ health

Contact Information: EPA Press Office (R3press@epa.gov)

PHILADELPHIA (May 25, 2023) – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced over $1 million in grant funding to help protect public health in coastal and Great Lakes beach communities in the Mid-Atlantic Region. The funding is being awarded to Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Virginia to assist with water quality monitoring and public notification programs for local beaches.

“So many of us have a rich tradition of spending our summers splashing, swimming, and playing at our favorite beach, which is why it’s so important for EPA to help our local partners protect the water at coastal and Great Lakes beaches,” said EPA Assistant Administrator for Water Radhika Fox. “These grants help Tribes, states, and territories fund programs to test water quality at beaches to ensure it’s clean for swimming and boating.”

Under the Beaches Environmental Assessment and Coastal Health (BEACH) Act, eligible states, territories, and tribes use the grant funds to monitor their beaches for bacteria, maintain and operate a public notification system to alert beachgoers, provide technical assistance to communities to assess pollution sources at specific beaches, and report annually to EPA on the results of monitoring and notification actions.

“With summer right around the corner, tens of millions of Americans are making plans to travel to our beautiful beaches in Delaware and around the country,” said Senator Carper (DE), Chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. “Fortunately, EPA is providing states and communities with the tools to ensure the safety of the water at our nation’s beaches, which are an integral part of our tourism economy and important ecosystems for wildlife and migratory birds.”

Since 2001, EPA has awarded nearly $216 million nationwide in BEACH Act grants to test beach waters for indicators of illness-causing bacteria and help with public notification and identification of the problem. This program is essential for protecting the public health of beachgoers across the country.

Contingent upon their meeting the eligibility requirements, EPA’s 2023 BEACH Act grant funding will be allocated to as follows: Delaware - $223,000; Maryland - $283,000; Pennsylvania - $235,000; and Virginia $291,000.

More information on BEACH Act grants.

Check the relevant Tribal, state, or territorial beach program website for closing or advisory information at a particular beach.

###

 EPA Press Office:

EPA awards $500K for cleanup and revitalization of properties in Great Falls and Cascade County, Montana 

Great Falls Development Authority to use Brownfields grant to address contamination, advance redevelopment

Contacts: 

U.S. EPA: Richard Mylott, mylott.richard@epa.gov  

Great Falls Development Authority: Lillian Sunwall, Vice President Business Strategy, 406-750-1253, lsunwall@growgreatfalls.org  

  

Great Falls, Mont. (May 25, 2023) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announced the Great Falls Development Authority will receive a $500,000 Brownfields Assessment Grant to conduct environmental site assessments and develop reuse plans at more than a dozen locations across Cascade County, Montana. The target area for these projects includes downtown Great Falls and small communities throughout the county.  

“The Great Falls Development Authority continues to be a high-performing partner in using EPA Brownfields funds to complete cleanup and redevelopment projects in the city and throughout Cascade County,” said EPA Regional Administrator KC Becker. “We look forward to these efforts as they address contamination and create new opportunities for the residents of Belt, Cascade, Great Falls, Monarch, Sun River, Ulm and Vaughn.”  

“As a third-generation farmer, I understand the challenges rural America is facing, including the lasting impacts of toxic waste,” said U.S. Senator Jon Tester. “Cleaning up and revitalizing Montana’s remaining Brownfield sites breathes new life into our communities by creating some real opportunities for economic development. That’s why I am proud to have secured this funding in my Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for cleanup projects across Big Sky Country to spur economic growth and improve the quality of life for folks from Glendive to Kalispell.” 

EPA’s award to the Great Falls Development Authority is among six grants announced today totaling more than $5.7 million for cleanup and revitalization projects in communities across Montana. These funds are part of President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda to expedite the assessment and cleanup of brownfield sites while advancing environmental justice through the Multipurpose, Assessment, Revolving Loan Fund, and Cleanup (MARC) Grant programs. Thanks to the historic boost from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, this funding is the largest ever awarded by the EPA’s Brownfields MARC Grant programs.  

“The team at Great Falls Development Authority is delighted to be awarded this Brownfields Assessment Grant from EPA,” said Lillian Sunwall, Vice President of the Great Falls Development Authority. “This assessment grant will be a great tool to leverage our Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund along with public and private investment to push the assessed sites into cleanup and redevelopment. We look forward to building on the success that has already been created by our completed brownfields projects.” 

Great Falls Development Authority will use the EPA funding to address several priority properties selected because they offer significant redevelopment potential, lack traditional economic support and/or are located near sensitive populations. These sites include, but are not limited to:  

• Energy West Gas Manufacturing Plant, Great Falls  

• Former Dick Grieb Buick, Great Falls   

• Quality Life Concepts, Great Falls   

• Westside Animal Clinic, Great Falls  

• Discount Parts, Belt   

• Antiques Café, Sun River   

Contaminants associated with the properties listed above include gasoline and diesel fuels, metals, pesticides, wood treatment chemicals, asbestos, lead-based-paint and methamphetamine.   

The Great Falls Development Authority identified several reuse opportunities for these sites. For example, cleanup of potential petroleum contamination at the Dick Grieb Buick property will remove obstacles to redevelopment opportunities as a storefront and residential housing. Additional Brownfields throughout the county include railroad property and fuel warehouses and storage sites, which represent possible sources of petroleum and hazardous substance contamination.   

Other Brownfields grants announced in Montana today include:  

• Sweetgrass Development Corporation, north-central Montana: $1 million 

• Montana West Economic Development Foundation, Inc, Kalispell, Flathead County: $500,000  

• Big Sky Economic Development, Billings: $1 million 

• Great Northern Development Corporation, Glendive: $2,250,000  

• Beartooth Resource Conservation and Development, Stillwater, Carbon and Big Horn Counties and the Northern Cheyenne and Crow Indian Reservations: $460,000 

Background  

Thanks to the historic $1.5 billion boost from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, EPA’s Brownfields Program is helping more communities than ever begin to address the economic, social and environmental challenges caused by brownfields and stimulate economic opportunity and environmental revitalization in historically overburdened communities.  

EPA’s Brownfields Program also advances President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative to direct 40% of the overall benefits of certain federal investments to disadvantaged communities. Approximately 84% of the MARC program applications selected to receive funding proposed to work in areas that include historically underserved communities. 

EPA’s Brownfields Program began in 1995 and has provided nearly $2.37 billion in Brownfield Grants to assess and clean up contaminated properties and return blighted properties to productive reuse. EPA’s investments in addressing brownfield sites have leveraged more than $36 billion in cleanup and redevelopment. Communities that previously received Brownfields Grants used these resources to fund assessments and cleanups of brownfields, and successfully leverage an average of 10.6 jobs per $100,000 of grant funds spent and $19.78 for every dollar. 

More on Brownfields Grants.   

More on EPA’s Brownfields Program.  

 EPA Press Office:

EPA awards $1M to clean up and revitalize properties in downtown Billings, Montana 

Big Sky Economic Development Authority to use Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding to address contamination, advance new development

Contacts:  

U.S. EPA: Richard Mylott, mylott.richard@epa.gov  

Big Sky Economic Development Authority: Thom McLean, thom@bigskyeda.com, 406-869-8407  

 

Billings, Mont. (May 25, 2023) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announced the Big Sky Economic Development Authority will receive a $1 million Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) Grant, funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, to conduct cleanup and revitalization at several properties in downtown Billings, Montana. Targeted properties include an aging industrial area characterized by rail distribution facilities, building supply companies and automotive service centers.   

“This EPA Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding is supporting critical cleanup projects that will address known health concerns and revive historic locations in the City of Billings’ Downtown Core,” said EPA Regional Administrator KC Becker. “We look forward to seeing these efforts transform blighted properties into new community assets.”  

“As a third-generation farmer, I understand the challenges rural America is facing, including the lasting impacts of toxic waste,” said U.S. Senator Jon Tester. “Cleaning up and revitalizing Montana’s remaining Brownfield sites breathes new life into our communities by creating some real opportunities for economic development. That’s why I am proud to have secured this funding in my Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for cleanup projects across Big Sky Country to spur economic growth and improve the quality of life for folks from Glendive to Kalispell.” 

EPA’s award to Big Sky Economic Development is among six grants announced today totaling more than $5.7 million for cleanup and revitalization projects in communities across Montana. These funds are part of President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda to expedite the assessment and cleanup of brownfield sites while advancing environmental justice through the Multipurpose, Assessment, Revolving Loan Fund, and Cleanup (MARC) Grant programs. Thanks to the historic boost from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, this funding is the largest ever awarded by the EPA’s Brownfields MARC Grant programs.  

“Outstanding! This will be a tremendous tool to support the community’s redevelopment goals,” said Steve Arveschoug, Executive Director, Big Sky Economic Development. “The Big Sky Economic Development team has had successful experience providing Brownfields assessments for development projects, now totaling over $1.5 million. This new loan program allows us to move these assessments to cleanup projects that facilitate new private investment in the heart of our community.”  

Big Sky Economic Redevelopment will use the EPA funds to address several priority sites for cleanup, including historic buildings in downtown Billings and former industrial locations with potential for renovation into affordable housing, commercial space and recreational uses. These sites include the 1.3-acre Stockton Oil Company property, a former 28,000-square-foot Masonic Temple, the former City Hall, the 92,000-square-foot Billings Gazette building and the 75-acre coal-fired Corette Power Plant, which was decommissioned in 2015. Contaminants of concern at these properties include petroleum compounds, asbestos, lead-based paints, fly ash waste and metals.   

Reuse plans for these properties include opportunities for the creation of new businesses, jobs and greenspace. The Masonic Temple, City Hall and the Billings Gazette building are located within two blocks of each other in the historic downtown center. These iconic buildings have generated strong community interest in their reuse, with significant potential as affordable, high-density housing with ground-level retail and office space. These three properties represent a unique opportunity to create a connected, walkable community with housing, commerce, entertainment and job opportunities. In addition, the former Stockton Oil Company Property offers a prime opportunity for mixed-use industrial and commercial redevelopment due to its central location.  

The cleanup of the 75-acre Corette Power Plant property on the western bank of the Yellowstone River offers an opportunity to transform the large site into greenspace and a community park, linking downtown to the riverfront and providing community gathering and recreational opportunities for the Billings community.   

Other Brownfields grants announced today in Montana include:  

• Sweet Grass Development Corporation, north-central Montana: $1 million 

• Montana West Economic Development Foundation Inc., Flathead County: $500,000  

• Great Falls Development Authority, Inc:  $500,00  

• Great Northern Development Corporation, Glendive: $2,250,00  

• Beartooth Resource Conservation and Development Area, Stillwater, Carbon and Big Horn Counties and the Northern Cheyenne and Crow Indian Reservations: $460,000  

Background  

Thanks to the historic $1.5 billion boost from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, EPA’s Brownfields Program is helping more communities than ever begin to address the economic, social and environmental challenges caused by brownfields and stimulate economic opportunity and environmental revitalization in historically overburdened communities.  

EPA’s Brownfields Program also advances President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative to direct 40% of the overall benefits of certain federal investments to disadvantaged communities. Approximately 84% of the MARC program applications selected to receive funding proposed to work in areas that include historically underserved communities. 

EPA’s Brownfields Program began in 1995 and has provided nearly $2.37 billion in Brownfield Grants to assess and clean up contaminated properties and return blighted properties to productive reuse. EPA’s investments in addressing brownfield sites have leveraged more than $36 billion in cleanup and redevelopment. Communities that previously received Brownfields Grants used these resources to fund assessments and cleanups of brownfields, and successfully leverage an average of 10.6 jobs per $100,000 of grant funds spent and $19.78 for every dollar. 

More on Brownfields Grants.   

More on EPA’s Brownfields Program. 

 EPA Press Office:

EPA Takes Action to Protect Sandberg Creek and Fines Newburg Egg Processing Corp. for Violating Clean Water Act

NEW YORK (May 23, 2023) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has settled an administrative case against Newburg Egg Processing Corp. for allegedly failing to meet standards in the wastewater it treats and sends to a wastewater treatment plant. The company’s alleged failures led to excessive nitrogen and ammonia pollution that passed through the wastewater treatment plant and into Sandburg Creek in the Village of Woodridge, NY. The company will pay a penalty of $100,000 for not meeting the pollution limits and has already taken steps to address the cause of the violations.

“Newburg Egg and other companies must comply with all aspects of the Clean Water Act including properly treating their industrial wastewater,” said EPA Regional Administrator Lisa F. Garcia. “EPA will hold companies accountable when they violate critical laws that protect public health and the environment. We are glad that the company chose to cooperate and is investing in needed equipment.”

As an industrial source, the company must first treat its waste stream – a process referred to as pre-treatment -- before discharging it to the municipal wastewater treatment plant. This pre-treatment prevents excessive pollution levels, which can interfere with the effectiveness of the  wastewater treatment plant. In this case the pollution levels that Newburg Egg discharged caused the Woodbridge, NY treatment plant to exceed pollution limits set by a New York wastewater permit.

As a result of these violations, excessive amounts of nitrogen, ammonia, phosphorus and other materials were discharged into Sandburg Creek between January 2018 to June 2021. To prevent this from happening again, Newburg Egg has added additional capacity to hold their wastewater and properly pretreat it before discharging to the Woodridge wastewater treatment plant. Newburg Egg has separately agreed to install a new polymer mix and feed system to provide better treatment to remove contaminants like nitrogen, ammonia and phosphorus at its pretreatment plant. This will improve its process wastewater treatment prior to discharge to the village wastewater treatment plant.

For further information: Contact: Carlos Vega, vega.carlos@epa.gov, 212-637-3662

Federal and State Agencies Prepare for Hurricane Season in Corpus Christi

 From U.S. EPA:

Federal and State Agencies Prepare for Hurricane Season in Corpus Christi

Natural Disaster Operational Workgroup conducts annual preparedness exercises

CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS (MAY 23, 2023) – This week, agencies from the federal government and the state of Texas will participate in a hurricane-preparedness exercise in and around Corpus Christi, Texas, from May 22-26. The agencies are part of the Natural Disaster Operational Workgroup (NDOW) formed to improve coordination and communication during responses to hurricanes or other large-scale emergencies.

The exercise will simulate a multi-agency response following a Category 4 hurricane impacting the Texas coast. Participants will set up three operations bases for activities including hazard evaluation, orphan container recovery, vessel assessment and recovery, oil spill assessment and recovery, water and wastewater system assessments, and air monitoring. This exercise will allow the agencies to practice unified response techniques and data sharing to help streamline joint field operations and communications during future large-scale events. Participants will also test protocols designed to assess air emissions and data sharing between agencies for environmental justice areas affected from the storm.

Residents of Corpus Christi should be aware that response officials and equipment could be visible to the public during this exercise, but their activities will be for training and preparedness purposes only.

Participating agencies include:

• U. S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 6
• U. S. Coast Guard
• U.S. Department of Homeland Security
• Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
• Texas General Land Office
• Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
• Texas Department of Public Safety
• Texas Civil Support Team
• National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration
• U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Background

The Natural Disaster Operational Workgroup (NDOW) was formed after Hurricane Ike in 2008. NDOW’s goal is to improve coordination between state and federal agencies involved in large-scale disaster response. NDOW seeks to establish an operational structure and common planning framework, including procedures, standardized data quality objectives, training and exercises for effective coordination of multi-agency response to man-made and natural disasters. In support of the National Incident Management System (NIMS), the NDOW framework engages existing state and federal resources and authorities to incorporate the full capabilities of all sectors. The NDOW intends to institutionalize and expand use of standardized procedures throughout all Gulf Coast Regional Response Team (RRT) agencies to ensure effective incident response in support of community recovery.

For more information on NDOW, please see: http://ndow.net/

 EPA Press Office:

EPA Releases Annual Air Report, Highlighting Trends through 2022

WASHINGTON (May 23, 2023) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its annual interactive report tracking America’s progress in controlling air pollution. “Our Nation’s Air: Trends Through 2022” offers readers an opportunity to learn about the health and environmental impacts of air pollution; track trends in air quality and emissions data, explore efforts to improve visibility in treasured national parks; and explore community-level health impacts of air toxics emissions reported for 2020.

“This report highlights the crucial role EPA’s work – coupled with the unrelenting efforts of our state, tribal, community and industry partners – have played in improving air quality across the country,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “Even as the economy grows, we continue to see dramatic long-term reductions in air emissions. This progress is encouraging, and we will continue to collaborate with our partners to protect public health and ensure clean air for all.”

EPA examines long-term trends to track the nation's progress toward clean air. The report released today shows that, between 1970 and 2022, the combined emissions of six key pollutants dropped by 78%, while the U.S. economy remained strong — growing 304% over the same time.

In addition, national average concentrations of harmful air pollutants decreased considerably across our nation between 1990 and 2022: 

• Carbon Monoxide (CO) 8-Hour,81%
• Lead (Pb) 3-Month Average,88% (from 2010)
• Nitrogen Dioxide (NO₂) Annual,60%
• Nitrogen Dioxide (NO₂) 1-Hour,54%
• Ozone (O₃) 8-Hour,22%
• Particulate Matter 10 microns (PM₁₀) 24-Hour,34%
• Particulate Matter 2.5 microns (PM_2.5) Annual,42% (from 2000)
• Particulate Matter 2.5 microns (PM_2.5) 24-Hour,42% (from 2000)
• Sulfur Dioxide (SO₂) 1-Hour,90%

It is important to note that air quality concentrations can vary year to year, even as human-caused emissions continue to decline. In 2022, national average concentrations of lead and nitrogen dioxide increased slightly over 2021 levels. Variations in weather, and events such as dust storms and wildfires can have an impact on air quality in affected areas. Many environmental impacts associated with climate change can impact air quality particularly affecting the severity and timing of the wildfire season, including changes in temperature, precipitation, and drought.

The report spotlights the projects selected as part of EPA’s Enhanced Air Quality Monitoring Competitive Grants, providing information for each project as of November 2022 when selections were announced. These funds will enhance air quality monitoring in communities across the United States – particularly those that are underserved, historically marginalized, and overburdened by pollution.

The report includes interactive graphics that enable citizens, policymakers and stakeholders to view and download detailed information by pollutant, geographic location and year. 

Explore the report and download graphics and data. 

 

Contact: EPA Press Office (press@epa.gov)