EPA Press Office:

EPA Advances Enforcement Actions to Protect Communities from Hazardous Lead Paint

Enforcement Initiatives and Tools Target Noncompliance by Renovators and Property Managers

WASHINGTON (Oct. 30, 2023) – Today, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a snapshot of enforcement actions taken across the country in 2023 to protect children and their families from the health hazards posed by exposure to lead-based paint. EPA enforcement actions help ensure that renovation contractors, landlords, property management companies and realtors comply with rules that protect the public from exposure to lead from lead paint. 

 

“No family should have to suffer adverse health impacts from exposure to lead because a property manager, landlord, or renovator failed to follow lead-safe work practices,” said Assistant Administrator David M. Uhlmann, for EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. “EPA is committed to vigorous and fair enforcement of lead paint regulations and will hold companies and individuals accountable for unsafe conditions that put children at risk.”

 

The federal government banned residential use of lead paint in 1978, but old lead paint remains in over 34 million older homes, including 3.3 million homes with children under the age of six, who are more vulnerable to the health impacts from lead paint. Children can be exposed to lead from lead paint dust on the floor or windowsills, chipped or peeling paint, or old layers of lead paint disturbed by renovation work. EPA rules require renovation firms to protect their customers by using certified renovators and lead-safe work practices. They also require renovators, landlords and others to tell tenants and buyers about known lead paint in a home. 

 

The enforcement actions EPA took in 2023 reflect the agency’s continuing commitment to implementing the Federal Lead Strategy and result in reducing or eliminating lead exposures, particularly to children in communities disproportionately impacted by historic lead paint exposure.  

 

Case Highlights

• Indiana Contractor Goes to Prison for Lead Paint Violations

The U.S. Attorney in the Southern District of Indiana worked with EPA criminal enforcement personnel and the Department of Housing and Urban Development to secure a 16-month prison sentence for Jeffrey Delucio for falsifying compliance records and failing to use lead-safe work practices in multiple properties, including where a child had elevated levels of lead in their blood.

 

• EPA Settlement with Logan Square Aluminum Supply

EPA’s Region 5 and the Department of Justice settled alleged violations of lead paint renovation rules with this major Chicago-based firm. In addition to paying a $400,000 penalty and instituting a robust compliance system to protect customers, Logan Square is paying for $2 million of lead paint abatement work in lower-income properties located in Chicago and Chicago suburban communities with a high incidence of childhood lead poisoning.

 

• Administrative Hearing with GreenBuild Design and Construction, LLC

EPA’s Region 10 took this Anchorage, Alaska firm to an administrative hearing over its repeated violation of lead paint renovation rules, including work practice rules. The administrative law judge issued a decision sustaining EPA’s allegations and penalizing violator, Greenbuild, for $25,609.

 

• EPA Settlement with APEX Building Company, Inc.

In a proposed consent decree lodged for public comment, NYC general contracting firm, Apex Building Company, Inc., agreed to pay the United States $606,706 and to implement significant injunctive relief to resolve an action brought in the Southern District of New York (SDNY) for lead paint violations involving renovations of 935 apartments in New York, many occupied by low-income tenants. In addition to ensuring future compliance, the company is required to conduct tenant and worker safety information sessions to mitigate potential harms it caused. The initial penalty assessed by the EPA was reduced, as required by statute, based on the defendant’s documented inability to pay the full penalty. 

 

• Privatized Military Housing Investigations. 

EPA issued four national subpoenas to property management companies managing privatized military housing to assess compliance with the lead paint regulations and will take appropriate enforcement action as needed to ensure that our servicemembers and their families are protected from exposure to lead paint.

 

• EPA Region 1 Settlement Leads to National TV Features on Lead Safety

On October 23 and October 30, Magnolia Network will kick off Season 11 of its popular Maine Cabin Masters series with two episodes that include information about compliance with the Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Rule. On April 11, the podcast “From the Woodshed” featured an EPA inspector talking about the importance of compliance with RRP. This innovative outreach stems from an enforcement action EPA Region 1 settled in September 2022. The October episodes of Maine Cabin Masters air at 9pm Eastern/8pm Central.

 

Regional Geographic Initiatives

As part of EPA’s Strategy to Reduce Lead Disparities and Exposure in U.S. Communities, EPA Regional offices promoted Geographic Initiatives to focus on specific areas or communities with more than one source of lead exposure.  In 2023, each Region directed enforcement resources to communities with environmental justice concerns. Regions relied on a combination of strategies to reduce people’s exposure to lead in homes, such as compliance outreach to renovators and apartment owners; lead awareness outreach to communities and tenants; compliance inspections and follow-up enforcement actions to ensure changes in behavior and penalties for non-compliance. 

 

Environmental Justice Toolkit for Lead Paint Enforcement

In 2023, EPA also release an Environmental Justice Toolkit for Lead Paint Enforcement, which provides strategies, examples, and practices for federal, state, Tribal and local government enforcement practitioners to use during all stages of environmental enforcement and compliance monitoring activities designed to eliminate harmful exposures to lead paint in housing in overburdened communities.

 

To learn more about EPA’s lead enforcement work and for more examples of EPA lead enforcement actions in 2023, please visit EPA’s  webpage on Enforcing Lead Laws and Regulations.

 

If you suspect a violation of the EPA’s lead paint rules, you can submit tips and complaints on the EPA’s Report a Violation website. 

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

 EPA Press Release:

Underground Petroleum Storage Tank Violations result in Fines for Several Businesses in New Jersey and New York

NEW YORK (October 30, 2023) - In four separate enforcement agreements the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has taken action against several corporate entities operating in New Jersey, New York and the U.S. Virgin Islands to address alleged violations of federal laws regarding the maintenance and operation of underground petroleum storage tank systems. In separate settlements, the companies have agreed to comply and pay penalties. 

“EPA’s requirements are designed to ensure proper maintenance of underground storage tanks. When these tanks are not properly maintained, they can leak and put people and the environment at risk," said EPA Regional Administrator Lisa F. Garcia. “EPA takes these requirements very seriously and owners will face penalties if they do not comply.”

When not properly operated and maintained, underground storage tanks (USTs) can leak petroleum and other hazardous substances, threatening soil and water quality. These regulations prevent and detect fuel releases that could contaminate groundwater and pose risks to people’s health and the environment.  

In New Jersey, ADPP Enterprises, Inc., and APM Management, Inc., operators of 13 gas stations in New Jersey, settled a case with the EPA for violating federal rules on USTs storing gasoline or diesel fuel. The EPA discovered that the gas stations failed to comply with spill prevention, leak detection, inspection, and record keeping requirements for USTs between 2018 and 2020. The gas station owners have agreed to pay a $175,000 penalty and certify their compliance with the UST rules at their facilities. 

Wawa, Inc., a New Jersey-based company that operates gas stations and convenience stores, has settled with the EPA for violating federal regulations on USTs containing gasoline or diesel fuel. Following inspections at nine Wawa facilities in February and March of 2022, EPA determined the company had failed to meet operator training, record keeping, and leak detection requirements for USTs. Wawa has agreed to pay a civil penalty of $26,500 and certify its compliance with UST regulations at its facilities. 

In New York, EPA found Dutchess Terminals, Inc., ANK Realty Inc., and Fair Oak, Inc., three companies that own and operate underground storage tanks storing gasoline or diesel fuel at 11 facilities across New York State, in violation of federal rules on financial responsibility, leak detection, spill prevention, and UST inspection requirements between November 2017 and April 2019. The companies have agreed to pay a $150,000 penalty and certify their compliance with the UST rules at their facilities.  

AT&T Transoceanic Comm. LLC, which owns and operates underground tanks storing fuel for emergency power generators at 28 facilities in New York, New Jersey, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, violated federal rules on spill prevention, inspections, and operator training at three of its facilities in the U.S. Virgin Islands, which EPA inspected in 2022. The company has agreed to pay a $40,000 penalty and conduct a comprehensive audit of its compliance with all UST rules at its New York and New Jersey facilities. 

Approximately 542,000 underground storage tanks nationwide store petroleum or hazardous substances. The greatest potential threat from a leaking UST is contamination of groundwater, the source of drinking water for nearly half of all Americans. EPA, states, territories, and tribes work in partnership with industry to protect the environment and human health from potential releases. 

For more information on underground storage tanks, visit http://www.epa.gov/region02/ust/.  

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

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For further information: Contact: Carlos Vega, (646) 988-2996, vega.carlos@epa.gov

 EPA Press Office:

Biden-Harris Administration Announces $120 Million WIFIA Loan to Strengthen Climate Resilience in Florida

WASHINGTON (Oct. 27, 2023) – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a $120 million Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) loan to the City of Fort Lauderdale, Florida. This funding will improve stormwater management and bolster climate resilience in the city’s most flood-prone neighborhoods. Since its creation, EPA’s WIFIA program has announced $19 billion in financing to support 114 projects that are strengthening drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure and creating tens of thousands of jobs.

“With this investment, Fort Lauderdale will strengthen its climate resilience, develop innovative green infrastructure projects and upgrade traditional stormwater systems to reduce flood risk for local residents and businesses,” said EPA Assistant Administrator for Water Radhika Fox. “Thanks to the Biden-Harris Administration’s historic $50 billion investment in America through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the availability of innovative financing options like WIFIA, EPA continues to provide funding so communities across the country can address urgent water infrastructure concerns.” 

The City of Fort Lauderdale’s Neighborhood Stormwater Improvements Project will enhance climate resilience, upgrade stormwater infrastructure, and reduce water pollution. The City of Fort Lauderdale is at elevated risk of climate impacts, including sea-level rise, elevated groundwater, and more frequent and severe rain events. This WIFIA loan supports implementation of green and gray infrastructure to help manage stormwater in impacted neighborhoods, including many with environmental justice concerns. Additionally, the city will improve water quality in intercoastal waterways by replacing aging, corroding pipelines that leach heavy metals and contaminants. 

“We are tremendously grateful to the EPA for granting our city this generous loan as we recover from April’s historic flooding and prepare for a resilient future,” said Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis. “Neighborhoods that are hardest hit by storms including River Oaks, Dorsey-Riverbend, Durrs, Progresso Village, Victoria Park, Melrose Manors, and Southeast Isles will greatly benefit from the stormwater improvements these funds will finance.”

“Fort Lauderdale continues its historic commitment to investing in climate resiliency and stormwater mitigation,” said District 1 Commissioner John Herbst. “This funding from our federal partners will assist us in doing more to improve our infrastructure for the benefit of our residents and visitors.”

“A large portion of my district is waterfront with some locations just a short walk from the ocean,” said District 2 Commissioner Steven Glassman. “As sea level rises, we are grateful for the support from our federal partners in fortifying our beautiful City and will continue to work with the EPA to keep our neighbors safe and resilient.”

“No community is left behind, including my district; 15 communities which were hit hard during April’s historic floods,” said Vice Mayor Pam Beasley-Pittman. “I am grateful as this much-needed support will help us build a stronger and more resilient community for future generations.”

“I was out there with my constituents who were some of the hardest hit during April’s historic floods, most notably in Edgewood and River Oaks, and it was heartbreaking to see the devastation,” said District 4 Commissioner Warren Sturman. “Being able to share this wonderful news with my district means so much to me as we continue to recover together.”

The City of Fort Lauderdale will save approximately $26 million by financing with a WIFIA loan. Investing in local water infrastructure will create approximately 200 jobs. 

Learn more about EPA’s WIFIA Program and water infrastructure investments under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

Background 
Established by the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act of 2014, the WIFIA program is a federal loan program administered by EPA. The WIFIA program’s aim is to accelerate investment in the nation’s water infrastructure by providing long-term, low-cost supplemental credit assistance for regionally and nationally significant projects. The WIFIA program has an active pipeline of pending applications for projects that will result in billions of dollars in water infrastructure investment and thousands of jobs.

EPA recently made the 7th round of WIFIA financing available and is currently accepting letters of interest for WIFIA and SWIFIA loans. There is $6.5 billion available through WIFIA, and $1 billion is available through SWIFIA, which is a loan program exclusively for State infrastructure financing authority borrowers. EPA is currently accepting letters of interest for WIFIA and SWIFIA loans. Learn more about submitting a letter of interest for a WIFIA loan.

In addition to WIFIA loans, there are many federal funding resources available for communities and utilities to improve vital water and wastewater resources. President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is a once-in-a-generation investment in our nation’s infrastructure and competitiveness. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provides a historic $50 billion investment in upgrading critical water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure.

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

 EPA Press Office:

EPA Launches Prize Challenge to Showcase Electric Transportation in Action

WASHINGTON (Oct. 27, 2023) – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) launched “My Electric Ride: An EV Transportation Video Challenge,” an exciting prize competition that encourages people to share their personal experiences with electric transportation. The challenge aims to showcase real-world experiences of those who use electrified transportation in everyday life and help inform the public about more sustainable transportation. Interested participants are asked to submit a short (1- to 2-minute) video for a chance to win up to $3,000.  

 

Participants can submit videos in one of three categories:  

• Personal Mobility: Electric 2- and 3-wheel personal mobility devices such as e-bikes, e-trikes, e-scooters, or e-cargo bikes.  

• Electric Vehicles: Electric vehicles such as cars, trucks, or SUVs.  

• Electric Buses: Electric buses such as school buses, shuttle buses, or transit buses.  

 

The videos will be judged on their creativity, originality, and effectiveness in conveying the positive aspects of electric transportation. EPA will select up to nine winning videos, with each of the three categories having a first, second, and third place winner. Selected videos may be featured on EPA's website and social media channels.  

 

Information about the video challenge and instructions on how to submit a video can be found on the EV Transportation Video Challenge webpage. 

 

Submissions are due by January 23, 2024.  

 

Background  

The transportation sector is currently the largest contributor to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the U.S. Electrifying transportation is key to a more sustainable future by moving people and goods more efficiently. With their increased energy efficiency and zero tailpipe emissions, electric vehicles (including battery electric vehicles and hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles) can help improve air quality in communities and lower total GHG emissions.  

 

For more information on why we need to lower greenhouse gas emissions from transportation (i.e., decarbonize), visit:Why We Need to Decarbonize Transportation. 

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

 EPA Press Office:

EPA Rebuilds Endocrine Disrupter Screening Program to Better Assess Human Endocrine Effects of Pesticides

WASHINGTON (Oct. 26, 2023) – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing a strategic plan to ensure that its assessments of pesticides more closely, quickly, and effectively evaluate the potential for endocrine effects in humans. These strategies will also improve EPA’s ability to protect against those effects as part of its pesticide decisions under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) and to implement the Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program (EDSP) under section 408(p) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).   
 
“This plan is a major milestone in our efforts to ensure that pesticide decisions continue to protect human health,” said Deputy Assistant Administrator for Pesticide Programs for the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention Jake Li. “Starting with our highest priority chemicals, EPA will communicate more transparently our endocrine findings for humans, pulling from existing data when possible, and requesting new data when necessary to evaluate potential estrogen, androgen, and thyroid effects.” 

Endocrine systems, also referred to as hormone systems, are found in all mammals, birds, fish, and many other living organisms. The systems regulate many biological processes in the body from conception through adulthood and into old age, including the development of the brain and nervous system, the growth and function of the reproductive system, and metabolism and blood sugar levels.  
 
Endocrine disruptors are chemicals that mimic, block, or disrupt the normal function of hormones. Following the 1996 amendment of FFDCA, EPA established EDSP to evaluate how pesticides and other chemicals may affect estrogen, androgen, and thyroid systems. Since then, EPA has encountered several challenges with implementing EDSP. For example, the Agency has historically lacked scientific methods to rapidly and cost-effectively test thousands of chemicals for endocrine-disrupting effects. Further, EPA's FIFRA decisions rarely explained whether or how they fully obtained all needed endocrine data or complied with FFDCA by protecting humans from potential endocrine effects. EPA staff also received minimal support and direction from leadership in the last Administration to implement EDSP. Because of these and other issues, the Office of Inspector General issued a report in 2021 concluding that the Agency had made limited progress in implementing EDSP and recommending, among other things, that the Agency develop an EDSP strategic plan.  
 
The strategic plan and supporting documents released today advance EDSP in several unprecedented ways.
 
EPA will use its FIFRA process to obtain endocrine data and make endocrine decisions for human health. Going forward, EPA will use its existing FIFRA data collection authorities to obtain the data it needs to make both FIFRA and EDSP decisions on whether the pesticide impacts the human estrogen, androgen, and thyroid systems, and will require any needed protections. Given the large number of pesticides awaiting these decisions, EPA is prioritizing the approximately 400 conventional pesticide active ingredients that are being registered for the first time or undergoing registration review.  
 
EPA will make endocrine decisions related to human health more expeditiously by using existing data when possible. EPA routinely obtains data under FIFRA that are identical or comparable to data that EPA would have obtained through EDSP. Additionally, other existing studies may also inform EDSP findings. Where these data are sufficient to support EDSP findings under FFDCA, EPA will make those findings without seeking additional data. This minimizes duplicative and expensive animal testing and expedites EPA’s ability to make those findings without waiting for new studies. To support the strategic plan, EPA is releasing a science paper that addresses longstanding questions about which types of existing data can inform endocrine findings under FIFRA and FFDCA.  
 
After evaluating available data for 403 conventional pesticides, EPA has determined it has adequate estrogen and androgen data for 86 of these chemicals. Thus, as part of registration review, after assessing for potential thyroid effects, EPA can make final EDSP decisions on the potential for these chemicals to impact the human estrogen, androgen, and thyroid systems. Similarly, EPA has determined it has sufficient data for 52 pesticide chemicals (50 conventional active ingredients and two inert ingredients) it prioritized in 2009 to assess the potential for these chemicals to impact the human estrogen, androgen, and thyroid systems. Now, as a supplement to the strategic plan, the Agency is communicating its final EDSP decisions relating to impacts on the human estrogen, androgen, and thyroid pathways for these 52 chemicals.  
 
Because the science on the human endocrine system evolves constantly, especially for thyroid, EPA anticipates seeking in 2025 scientific peer review on scientific advancements and on its current approach to thyroid assessments. The Agency will then determine whether to update its approach.  
 
In the near-term, EPA will require additional endocrine data for human health for 30 pesticides. EPA has identified 30 high-priority pesticides that require additional data on potential human estrogen and/or androgen effects. These pesticides are considered high priority because preliminary data indicate the chemicals may cause activity in the endocrine system. EPA is seeking available data or information on these chemicals for 60 days as part of a public comment period. Additionally, to fill any remaining data gaps, the Agency intends to issue FIFRA human health data requests for these chemicals in the spring of 2024. EPA is also seeking available data or other information to evaluate endocrine data needs for a second group of 126 conventional pesticides for which the Agency’s initial analysis has found limited endocrine data. For 161 additional conventional pesticides, the Agency will determine which ones it needs to obtain updated endocrine data for in the coming years as part of registration review.  
 
The comment period for this action will open Friday, October 27. Once available, interested parties can submit data or a comment in docket EPA-HQ-OPP-2023-0474 at the Regulations page.
    

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

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 EPA Press Office:

EPA penalizes Town of Coulee Dam over $70,000 for Clean Water Act violations

Wastewater plant failed to meet basic requirements of pollutant discharge permit

SEATTLE – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced today that the Town of Coulee Dam, Washington will pay $70,881 for violations of Section 402 of the Clean Water Act at the town’s wastewater treatment plant.

The wastewater treatment plant failed to meet the following requirements of their National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit:

• Submit monthly Discharge Monitoring Reports to EPA and the Colville Tribes
• Notify EPA and the Colville Tribes that their Operations and Maintenance Plan was developed and implemented
• Inform EPA and the Colville Tribes that their new plant had begun operations and their old plant had closed
• Apply for a new permit on time
• Provide the correct location of the discharge point

“The cultural, economic and environmental significance of the Columbia River to the western U.S. cannot be overstated,” said EPA Region 10 Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Director Ed Kowalski. “All facilities operating on the river must comply with the law to safeguard this critical watershed and be good neighbors to the Colville Tribes and the many other communities that depend on it.” 

EPA investigations began in 2019 when the treatment plant did not submit required Discharge Monitoring Reports. DMRs help track the amount of pollution discharged from permitted facilities into waterways like the Columbia River. A facility’s permit assigns values for the type and amount of pollutants it is allowed to discharge. Without the timely submittal of DMRs, EPA cannot monitor if wastewater treatment plants are complying with permits, effectively treating wastewater, and preventing excess pollution from entering the river. Follow-up investigations found that the wastewater treatment plant failed additional conditions of the NPDES permit.

EPA’s technical assistance webinars on improving NPDES compliance are available to plant operators, municipal leaders, technical assistance providers, and compliance inspection staff from federal, state, tribal and local governments.

Additional details can be found in the Consent Agreement and Final Order.

Contact: R10 Public Affairs Office, R10_Press_Team@epa.gov

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 EPA Press Office:

EPA Awards $1 Million to San Juan to Tackle Climate Pollution (Spanish Translation Below)

Funding made possible by President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act

Contact: Brenda Reyes, (202) 834-1290, (787) 977-5869, reyes.brenda@epa.gov

SAN JUAN (October 25, 2023) - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded $1 million from the agency’s Climate Pollution Reduction Grants (CPRG) program to the Municipality of San Juan to develop climate action plans with innovative strategies to cut climate pollution and scale San Juan metropolitan area’s clean energy economy. The funding is in addition to the $3 million that the Government of Puerto Rico will receive for climate action planning through the CPRG program.

The money going to San Juan and to the broader Puerto Rico is part of the first phase of funding from EPA’s $5 billion Climate Pollution Reduction Grants program, which was created by President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act – the largest climate investment in history.  EPA recently launched the second phase -- $4.6 billion in competitive grants to implement state, local, Tribal, and territorial programs and policies that cut climate pollution, advance environmental justice, and deploy clean energy solutions across the country.

“With programs like the Climate Pollution Reduction Grants, EPA is boosting climate planning and advancing environmental justice for overburdened and vulnerable community members in partnership with Puerto Rico,” said EPA Regional Administrator Lisa F. Garcia. “We’re pleased to provide the Municipality of San Juan and other partners that are on the frontlines of climate change impacts this unique funding opportunity through President Biden’s Investing in America agenda to expand resources, create jobs, and build out clean energy infrastructure.”

“I want to thank President Biden and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for this important award for our capital city. We will work, with transparency and responsibility on initiatives and projects to transition to a clean-energy economy in our communities of San Juan and combat the climate crisis,” indicated Mayor Miguel Romero of the Municipality of San Juan.

“Securing this grant and spearheading it for the Metropolitan Statistical Area marks a significant milestone. This environmental planning tool will aid us in implementing the strategies outlined by the Municipality of San Juan, aiming to enhance the quality of life for our citizens amidst the challenges of climate change,” highlighted Tamara Gonzalez, Director of the Municipality’s Planning Office.

The Municipality of San Juan Planning Office is using the EPA funding to lead the climate pollution reduction planning efforts and develop a climate plan in collaboration with the Puerto Rico Planning Board, the Puerto Rico Department of Transportation and Public Works, municipalities and communities across the metropolitan area. These agencies hope to get meaningful public engagement on the plan, focusing on low-income and disadvantaged communities.

On September 20, 2023, EPA announced the availability of $4.6 billion across two implementation grant competitions, one general competition and one specifically for Indian Nations and smaller territories, under the program’s second phase, which focuses on implementation. Under these competitions, eligible applicants will compete for CPRG implementation grants to fund measures in their state-, municipality-, Indian Nation, or territory-specific climate action plans. As part of its evaluation of applications, EPA will prioritize measures that achieve the greatest amount of greenhouse gas emissions reductions. The deadline for states and local governments to apply is April 1, 2024.

See this website for more information on the Climate Pollution Reduction Grants.

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

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La EPA otorga $1 millón en fondos a San Juan para

combatir el cambio climático

Este financiamiento es posible gracias a la

Ley de Reducción de la Inflación del Presidente Biden

Contacto: Brenda Reyes, (202) 834-1290, (787) 977-5869, reyes.brenda@epa.gov

SAN JUAN (25 de octubre de 2023) - La Agencia Federal de Protección Ambiental (EPA, por sus siglas en inglés) otorgó $1 millón del programa de la agencia destinado a Subvenciones para la Reducción de la Contaminación Climática (Climate Pollution Reduction Grants (CPRG), por sus siglas en inglés) al Municipio de San Juan a fin de desarrollar planes de acción climática con estrategias innovadoras para reducir la contaminación climática y construir la economía de energía limpia en el área metropolitana de San Juan. Este financiamiento se suma a los $3 millones que recibirá el Gobierno de Puerto Rico para la planificación de la acción climática a través del programa CPRG.

Los fondos que se destinan a San Juan y a Puerto Rico forman parte de la primera fase de financiamiento del programa de CPRG de un total de $5 mil millones de la EPA, que fue creado por la Ley de Reducción de la Inflación del Presidente Biden, la mayor inversión en acción climática de la historia. La EPA lanzó recientemente la segunda fase de este programa, específicamente $4.6 mil millones en subvenciones competitivas para implementar programas y políticas estatales, locales, tribales y territoriales que reduzcan la contaminación climática, promuevan la justicia ambiental y desplieguen soluciones de energía limpia en todo el país.

“Con programas como las Subvenciones para la Reducción de la Contaminación Climática, la EPA está impulsando la planificación climática y promoviendo la justicia ambiental para las comunidades sobrecargadas y vulnerables al cambio climático en colaboración con Puerto Rico",”, indicó la administradora regional de la EPA, Lisa F. García. “Nos complace brindar al Municipio de San Juan y a nuestros colaboradores en Puerto Rico que reciben los impactos mayores del cambio climático esta oportunidad única de financiamiento a través de la agenda Investing in America del Presidente Biden para expandir recursos, crear empleos y construir infraestructura de energía limpia”.

"Quiero agradecer al presidente Biden y a la Agencia Federal de Protección Ambiental por este importante premio para nuestra ciudad capital. Trabajaremos, con transparencia y responsabilidad en iniciativas y proyectos para transitar a una economía de energía limpia en nuestras comunidades de San Juan y combatir la crisis climática," indicó el alcalde Miguel Romero del Municipio de San Juan.

"Asegurar esta subvención y encabezarla para el Área Estadística Metropolitana marca un hito significativo. Esta herramienta de planificación ambiental nos ayudará a implementar las estrategias trazadas por el Municipio de San Juan, con el objetivo de mejorar la calidad de vida de nuestros ciudadanos en medio de los desafíos del cambio climático," destacó Tamara González, Directora de la Oficina de Planificación y Ordenación Territorial del Municipio de San Juan.

La Oficina de Planificación del Municipio de San Juan estará utilizando los fondos de la EPA para liderar los esfuerzos de planificación destinados a reducir la contaminación climática y desarrollar un plan climático en colaboración con la Junta de Planificación de Puerto Rico, el Departamento de Transportación y Obras Públicas de Puerto Rico, municipios y comunidades en toda el área metropolitana. Obtendrán una participación pública significativa en el plan, centrándose en las comunidades de bajos ingresos y desventajadas.

El 20 de septiembre de 2023, la EPA anunció la disponibilidad de $4.6 mil millones en dos competencias de subvenciones para la implementación, una competencia general y otra específica para las naciones indígenas y los territorios más pequeños, en el marco de la segunda fase del programa de CPRG centrada en la implementación. En estas competencias de fondos, los solicitantes elegibles competirán por subvenciones de implementación de CPRG para financiar medidas en sus planes de acción climática específicos de su estado, municipio, nación indígena o territorio. Como parte de su evaluación de las solicitudes, la EPA priorizará las medidas que logren la mayor cantidad de reducciones de emisiones de gases de invernadero. La fecha límite para que los gobiernos estatales y locales presenten su solicitud al programa de implementación de CPRG es el 1 de abril de 2024.

Visite este sitio web para ver más información sobre las Subvenciones para la Reducción de la Contaminación Climática.

Siga a la Región 2 de la EPA en X y visite nuestra página de Facebook. Para ver más detalles sobre la Región 2 de la EPA, visite nuestro sitio web.

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 EPA Press Office:

Puerto Rico Organizations and Agencies Slated to Get Over $2.4 Million in EPA Funding to Support Environmental Justice Work

Contacts: Brenda Reyes - (202) 834-1290, reyes.brenda@epa.gov 

Lilliana Alemán - (787) 977-5816, alemanroman.lilliana@epa.gov  

SAN JUAN (October 25, 2023) – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced $2.4 million to fund four projects across Puerto Rico that advance environmental justice as part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda. The EPA has selected three community organizations and a municipality to receive funding through the Environmental Justice Collaborative Problem Solving Cooperative Agreement (EJCPS) and the Environmental Justice Government-to-Government (EJG2G) programs. These projects will support disadvantaged communities that have historically suffered from underinvestment to achieve cleaner air and water, and implement climate resilience solutions. The selected projects will focus on community outreach, climate resilience and nature-based programming among other focuses and goals.  

“These grants show our continuing commitment to advancing environmental justice in communities across Puerto Rico,” said Lisa F. Garcia, EPA Regional Administrator. “EPA Administrator Regan toured areas of Puerto Rico as part of his Journey to Justice, and made a commitment to take actions side by side and assist communities that have borne an unfair burden of environmental pollution. These grants further build on our efforts to support environmental and climate justice efforts here in Puerto Rico.”  

“I welcome this announcement and congratulate the nonprofit organizations and municipalities for their successful participation in these programs,” said Resident Commissioner Jenniffer González Colón. “The federal resources made available by Congress will enable them to continue supporting their projects of environmental improvement for our communities.  We all look forward to the fruits of this effort in a better quality of life for our residents.” 

The two grant programs directly advance the President’s transformational Justice40 initiative to deliver 40 percent of the overall benefits of certain federal investments to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution.  

EPA’s EJCPS program provides financial assistance to eligible organizations working to address local environmental or public health issues in their communities. The program builds upon President Biden’s Executive Orders 13985 and 14008, creating a designation of funds exclusively for small nonprofit organizations, which are defined as having 5 or fewer full-time employees, thus ensuring that grant resources reach organizations of lower capacity that historically struggle to receive federal funding. Eleven of the organizations selected for EJCPS this year are small nonprofit organizations, receiving over $1.6 million in total.  

EPA EJCPS Puerto Rico selectees:  

Atma Connect: San Juan, Puerto Rico has been chosen to receive $500,000 for its Grassroots Leadership, Education, and a Safe Water Quality Network in Puerto Rico. 

PathStone Corporation: Rochester, NY and Puerto Rico has been chosen to receive $500,000 for its project, Environmental Justice Collaborative Problem-Solving project in Arecibo, Barceloneta and Utuado, Puerto Rico. 

Sociedad Ambiente Marino: San Juan, Puerto Rico has been chosen to receive $500,000 for its project, Puerto Rico Planning for Locally Led Adaptation. 

The EJG2G grant will support the selected entities at the local, state, tribal and territorial level to lead measurable positive public health and environmental impacts for communities at higher risk for environmental harm. While helping community-based organizations build partnerships among each other, the grant program seeks to help selectees create meaningful and replicable approaches to achieving environmental justice.  

EPA EJG2G Puerto Rico selectee:  

The Municipality of Vega Baja: Vega Baja, Puerto Rico has been chosen to receive over $978,000 for its project, Assisting communities in identifying, preventing and eliminating blighted properties and associated health and environmental risks through education, training, civic engagement and community planning. 

As selectees begin their projects once funds are awarded the EPA hopes to see more environmental justice centered in the decision-making process and further embedded into agency programs.  

From day one of his administration, President Biden has made achieving environmental justice a top priority. And in August 2022, Congress passed, and President Biden signed, the Inflation Reduction Act into law, creating the largest investment in environmental and climate justice in U.S. history. EPA received $3 billion in appropriations to provide grants and technical assistance for activities advancing environmental and climate justice. 

Under the Inflation Reduction Act, EPA has launched and expanded innovative programs to provide more support than ever before to communities that unjustly bear the burdens of environmental harm and pollution. This includes the $177 million for the creation of 16 Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Centers (EJ TCTACs) to remove barriers to federal resources and help communities pursue funding opportunities like those made available through President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda. EPA has also launched and will award funds through the $550 million  Thriving Communities Grantmaking Program before the end of 2023. 

To learn more about more opportunities for funding and about what EPA is doing to bring environmental justice to communities, visit EPA’s website.  

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