Toxics Release Inventory Website Now Available in Spanish

 U.S. EPA Region 6 News Release:

Toxics Release Inventory Website Now Available in Spanish

Today, EPA launched a Spanish version of the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) website. Spanish-speaking communities across the United States, including those in Puerto Rico, will be able to use this new website to learn about chemical releases and other waste management in their communities—expanding their access to environmental information and making TRI data easier to access.

This new website makes the most popular resources from the English version of the website available in Spanish for the first time. The newly available content includes:

• Basic resources explaining what data are available and how to access them.
• Examples of how individuals and organizations have used TRI data.
• Guidance for using TRI for research and analysis.

Also available today is the Spanish version of the 2019 TRI National Analysis released last month, which offers analysis and trends in releases, waste management practices, and pollution prevention activities that occurred during calendar year 2019.

The TRI Program plans to continue to add content to the Spanish TRI website to support more informed decision-making by communities, companies, government agencies, and others.

View the Spanish version of the TRI website.

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El sitio web del Inventario de Emisiones Tóxicas ahora está disponible en español

Hoy, la EPA publicó una versión en español del sitio web del Inventario de Emisiones Tóxicas (TRI, por sus siglas en inglés). Las comunidades hispanohablantes en los Estados Unidos, incluyendo aquellas en Puerto Rico, podrán usar este nuevo sitio web para aprender acerca de las emisiones químicas y otros metodos de manejo de desperdicios en sus comunidades—ampliando su acceso a la información ambiental y facilitando accesibilidad a los datos del TRI.

Por primera vez los recursos más populares de la versión en inglés del sitio web ahora estarán disponibles en español. El contenido ahora disponible incluye:

• Recursos básicos explicando cuáles datos están disponibles y cómo accederlos.
• Ejemplos de cómo los individuos y las organizaciones han usado los datos del TRI.
• Directrices para usar el TRI para la investigación y el análisis.

Además, hoy está disponible la versión en español del Análisis Nacional del TRI de 2019 publicado el mes pasado que ofrece análisis y tendencias sobre las emisiones, prácticas de manejo de desperdicios y actividades de prevención de contaminación que ocurrieron durante el año calendario de 2019.

El programa del TRI planea continuar añadiendo más contenido al sitio web del TRI en español para apoyar la toma de decisiones informadas que realizan las comunidades, compañías, agencias gubernamentales y otros.

Ver la versión en español del sitio web del Inventario de Emisiones Tóxicas.

EPA fines Par Hawaii refining facilities over chemical safety, hazardous waste violations in West Oahu

 U.S. EPA News Release:

For Immediate Release: February 11, 2021
Media Contact: Alejandro Diaz, 808-541-2711, diaz.alejandro@epa.gov

EPA fines Par Hawaii refining facilities over chemical safety, hazardous waste violations in West Oahu

HONOLULU — Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced settlements with Par Hawaii Refining, LLC, over violations of the federal Clean Air Act and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) at its oil refining facilities on Komohana Street and Malakole Street in Kapolei.

Par Hawaii will carry out changes to reduce the risk of chemical accidents at the Malakole Street facility and conduct sampling at the Komohana Street facility to determine whether improper management of hazardous wastes contaminated local soil. Par Hawaii will also pay a combined $219,638 civil penalty.

“We are acting to ensure that oil refining facilities reduce the risk of releases of toxic substances, and properly store, manage and dispose of hazardous wastes to protect local communities and the environment,” said EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Director of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Amy Miller. “Companies that do not comply with federal requirements will face significant fines.”

Clean Air Act violations at the Malakole Street facility

In March 2019, EPA inspectors found violations of the Clean Air Act’s chemical accident prevention requirements under the facility’s Risk Management Plans (RMPs). These included process safety errors, such as incorrect maximum inventories for some crude unit vessels and inaccurate piping and machine diagrams. EPA also found operating procedures that were unclear and not current, such as an outdated emergency shutdown operating procedure in the control room.

When properly implemented, an RMP may help prevent chemical releases and minimize impacts to public health and the environment at facilities that store large amounts of hazardous substances and flammable chemicals. Under federal law, the facility’s RMP must be up to date and resubmitted at least once every five years. RMPs are used by EPA to assess chemical risks to surrounding communities and to prepare for emergency responses.

For more information on the Risk Management Plan requirements under the Clean Air Act, please visit: https://www.epa.gov/rmp.

Hazardous waste management investigation at the Komohana Street facility

A September 2018 EPA inspection found the Komohana Street facility improperly managed hazardous waste from its refinery processes. EPA inspectors documented an oily residue being released onto an unlined asphalt pad and into nearby soil. The contaminants of concern included hexavalent chromium and benzene, which can escape into the environment and groundwater through improper waste management practices. The settlement requires Par Hawaii to develop and implement a sampling plan to determine the possibility of localized hazardous waste contamination on-site.

Federal regulations under the RCRA law require the safe management of hazardous waste to protect public health and the environment, and to prevent costly cleanups. For more information on RCRA, please visit: www.epa.gov/rcra.

This settlement is part of EPA’s National Compliance Initiative (NCI): Reducing Accidental Releases at Industrial and Chemical Facilities. To learn more about this NCI: https://www.epa.gov/enforcement/national-compliance-initiative-reducing-accidental-releases-industrial-and-chemical.

Learn more about EPA’s Pacific Southwest Region. Connect with us on Facebook and on Twitter.

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EPA settlement with Fleur de Lis resolves oil spills affecting surface waters in Wyoming

 U.S. EPA News Release:

EPA settlement with Fleur de Lis resolves oil spills affecting surface waters in Wyoming 

Agreement resolves spills and lack of adequate spill prevention and response plans at facilities in Natrona and Johnson Counties 

Cheyenne, Wyo. (February 10, 2021) - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announced a Clean Water Act (CWA) settlement with Fleur de Lis Energy and Fleur de Lis Operating, LLC (Fleur de Lis) in which the companies have agreed to pay  $1.9 million for alleged Clean Water Act violations associated with the operation of oil and gas facilities in the state of Wyoming.    

The settlement, lodged today in the United States District Court for the District of Wyoming, involves six separate discharges of crude oil and produced water from Fleur de Lis operated facilities into waters of the United States and their adjoining shorelines; inadequate Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasure (SPCC) Plans for five facilities; inadequate Facility Response Plans (FRP) for three facilities; and no FRP for one facility.  

"Companies that store oil must ensure they have adequate spill prevention and discharge response plans to protect public health and the environment," said Suzanne Bohan, director of EPA Region 8’s Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Division. "EPA is committed to ensuring compliance with federal requirements that safeguard our rivers and streams.” 

EPA alleges Fleur de Lis oil and gas operations were responsible for spills of oil and produced water to surface waters in Wyoming between October 5, 2016, through May 29, 2018, including one spill in the Linch Complex Field in Johnson County and five spills in the Salt Creek Field in Natrona County. Each of the spills impacted adjoining shoreline and/or caused a sheen on tributaries to Salt Creek, a tributary of the Powder River. The two largest were reported to be 7,307 barrels (306,907 gallons) and 559 barrels (23,478 gallons).  

EPA also alleges that Fleur de Lis failed to prepare adequate SPCC plans for five facilities. Discharges from these facilities have the potential to impact tributaries to Salt Creek in the Salt Creek Field and Indian Draw, a tributary to Salt Creek in the Linch Complex Field.  

In addition, EPA alleges that Fleur de Lis failed to prepare adequate FRPs, or had no FRPs in place, from April 2015 through December 2017 at four facilities and failed to develop and implement a facility response training and drill/exercise program. The planning distance for these four facilities, which represents the extent of potential impacts associated with a worst-case spill scenario, extends over 90 miles to the Powder River.  

The Clean Water Act prohibits discharges of oil to waters of the United States that violate applicable water quality standards; or cause a film or sheen upon or discoloration of the surface of the water or adjoining shorelines; or cause a sludge or emulsion to be deposited beneath the surface of the water or upon adjoining shorelines.  

The Oil Pollution Prevention requirements of the Clean Water Act are intended to prevent and facilitate the response to the discharge of oil from non-transportation-related onshore facilities. All facilities with 1,320 gallons of oil that have the potential for a spill to reach waters of the United States are required to have an SPCC Plan. Facilities with storage capacity of one million gallons or more and have the potential to impact fish, wildlife and sensitive environments are also required to meet FRP requirements. 

The $1.9 million penalty will be deposited into the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund, a fund used by federal agencies to respond to discharges of oil and hazardous substances. Fleur de Lis has submitted SPCC and FRP plans that satisfy regulatory requirements; is satisfactorily continuing its pipeline maintenance program; and has demonstrated that it can implement its FRP and respond to discharges into Salt Creek and the Powder River.  

For more information on the Clean Water Act, visit EPA's compliance web page: http://www.epa.gov/compliance/civil/cwa/index.html   

For more information on SPCC and FRP regulatory requirements visit EPA's compliance web page: http://www.epa.gov/oil-spills-prevention-and-preparedness-regulations 

Help EPA protect our nation's land, air and water by reporting violations: http://www.epa.gov/tips/ 

EPA Registers Copper Surfaces for Residual Use Against Coronavirus

 U.S. EPA News Release:

EPA Registers Copper Surfaces for Residual Use Against Coronavirus

 

WASHINGTON (February 10, 2021) — Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing that certain copper alloys provide long-term effectiveness against viruses, including SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. As a result of EPA’s approval, products containing these copper alloys can now be sold and distributed with claims that they kill certain viruses that come into contact with them. This is the first product with residual claims against viruses to be registered for use nationwide. Testing to demonstrate this effectiveness was conducted on harder-to-kill viruses.

“Providing Americans with new tools and information to fight the virus that causes COVID-19 is one of EPA’s top priorities,” said Acting Assistant Administrator for EPA’s Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention Michal Freedhoff. “Today’s action marks another step forward in EPA’s efforts to listen to the science and provide effective tools to help protect human health.”

In today’s action, EPA is granting an amended registration to the Copper Development Association for an emerging viral pathogen claim to be added to the label of Antimicrobial Copper Alloys- Group 1 (EPA Reg. No. 82012-1), which is made of at least 95.6 percent copper. Amended registrations allow previously registered products to make label changes (e.g., changes to product claims, precautions and/or use directions) and/or formulation changes. In this case, the amended registration is adding virus claims to the product registration.

New efficacy testing supported by the Copper Development Association and conducted according to EPA’s protocols demonstrated certain high-percentage copper alloy products can continuously kill viruses that come into contact with them. Based on testing against harder-to-kill viruses, EPA expects these products to eliminate 99.9 percent of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, within two hours.

Antimicrobial copper alloys can be manufactured into a wide range of surfaces, including doorknobs and handrails. These high-percentage copper alloy products will be added to the List N Appendix, the Agency’s list of residual antiviral products that can be used to supplement routine cleaning and disinfection to combat SARS-CoV-2. To find products for routine cleaning and disinfection, see EPA’s List N.

The use of antimicrobial copper alloy products supplements but does not replace standard infection control practices. Individuals should continue to follow Centers for Disease Control (CDC), state, and local public health guidelines, including critical precautions like mask wearing, social distancing, and ventilation. According to the CDC, COVID-19 is thought to spread mainly through close contact from person to person.

For more information on how copper alloy products can be used against viruses, see EPA’s website or the product’s label in the Pesticide Product and Label System. 

EPA, NFWF Fund Actions to Improve Water Quality in Bay-Linked Rivers and Streams in Pennsylvania

 U.S. EPA News Release:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: R3Press@epa.gov

EPA, NFWF Fund Actions to Improve Water Quality in Bay-Linked Rivers and

Streams in Pennsylvania

PHILADELPHIA (Feb. 10, 2021) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in partnership with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), today announced the award of approximately $1.2 million for eight projects in Pennsylvania to improve rivers and streams that connect to the Chesapeake Bay.

The funds are part of nearly $5 million provided by EPA as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2014 to the six Bay watershed states and the District of Columbia for the implementation of restoration projects by local governments.

The Pennsylvania funds, administered by NFWF, will generate more than $2.2 million in matching contributions for a total impact of nearly $3.5 million.

 Among the projects are:

• Implement stream restoration along a tributary of Codorus Creek in York County to remove more than a half million pounds of sediment per year. ($200,000 award; $620,757 match)
• Restore the floodplain of the Conewago Creek and its tributary, Brills Run, in Londonderry and Mount Joy townships (Dauphin and Lancaster counties), reducing the annual sediment load by 1,524 tons. ($200,000 award; $30,000 match)
• Expand a cover crop incentive program on farms in Cumberland County. ($54,600 award; $27,300 match)
• Install animal waste management facilities and barnyard runoff controls as part of a Plain Sect Clean Water Demonstration Farm in Paradise Township, Lancaster County. ($200,000 award; $170,000 match)

A full list and descriptions of the Pennsylvania projects are available at: https://www.nfwf.org/sites/default/files/2021-02/chesapeake-pennsylvania-2020-grant-slate.pdf  .

“EPA is pleased to support home-grown projects that reflect local needs and improve local water quality,” said EPA Acting Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator Diana Esher.  “Our success in restoring the Chesapeake Bay relies on improving the streams and rivers that connect to it.  These projects will help Pennsylvania take the next steps in meeting its shared commitment to restoring the Bay.  We appreciate the support of NFWF in this effort.”

“Local governments are critical partners in identifying and advancing watershed restoration efforts that align with local needs, concerns, and resources,” said Amanda Bassow, NFWF’s Northeast Regional Director. “NFWF is pleased to continue partnering with EPA in delivering funding and technical assistance that supports municipalities and conservation districts at the front lines of implementing our local and regional restoration goals.”

The Local Government Implementation (LGI) funds are part of broader grant programs funded and administered by EPA through its Chesapeake Bay Program Office (CBPO) – the Chesapeake Bay Implementation Grant (CBIG), the Chesapeake Bay Regulatory and Accountability Program (CBRAP), or both. 

 U.S. EPA News Release:

EPA offers $120,000 in grant funds to support healthy, resilient, and sustainable communities in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington

 

Contact: Suzanne Skadowski, 206-553-2160, skadowski.suzanne@epa.gov

 

SEATTLE (February 9, 2021) – Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced that $120,000 in grant funding is now available for local organizations to support projects that build community health and resilience in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. The Region 10 Healthy, Resilient and Sustainable Communities grant program will support Northwest communities as they develop and implement pollution prevention or sustainable materials management systems that help make their communities safer, healthier, and more resilient.

 

Grant awards of $30,000 to $60,000 will be available for up to four community projects. Eligible entities include Region 10 states, local governments, city or township governments, independent school district governments, state-controlled institutions of higher education, non-profit organizations, nonprofit private institutions of higher education, community-based grassroots organizations, and federally recognized tribes and intertribal consortia. Applications for grant awards must be submitted by April 30, 2021.

 

EPA will be hosting two information webinars on February 25th and March 3rd for prospective applicants to learn more about the grant opportunity, submission requirements and review criteria for this new opportunity for states, local governments, federally recognized tribes and others. For more information: www.epa.gov/healthy-resilient-and-sustainable-communities-grants-region-10.

 

EPA is seeking applications for projects that support Pollution Prevention (P2) and Sustainable Materials Management (SMM) through research, investigation, study, demonstration, education and training. EPA’s P2 and SMM programs support efforts and projects to help build community health by reducing the use, release, and exposure to toxic chemicals; using life cycle approaches to reduce the health and environmental impacts of materials use; and employing upstream solutions that reduce the need and cost of environmental cleanup and pollution management.

 

EPA is particularly interested in applications for projects that offer hands-on practical P2 tools, information or innovative P2 approaches to measurably improve public health and the health of the environment, by reducing the use of hazardous substances, reducing toxic pollutants, supporting water and energy efficiency, and reducing business costs. P2 projects can include, but are not limited to training and pollution prevention outreach to help businesses and communities to reduce the use of hazardous chemicals, water, and energy including EPA’s Safer Choice, ENERGY STAR, and WaterSense programs. 

 

EPA is also seeking SMM project proposals to promote waste prevention, waste minimization, and recovery and reuse of materials. SMM projects could include supporting market development for salvaged construction materials. Other projects could include reducing wasted food through outreach and tools for schools such as EPA’s School Food Share program, state, local and tribal governments, and private businesses following EPA’s food recovery hierarchy. SMM projects could also include outreach to public or private buyers of materials or products about buying packaging products with recycled content, or investigating process innovations, e.g., reusable packaging systems or zero packaging.

 

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EPA settles with Emerald Kalama Chemical, LLC over hazardous waste handling, storage violations

 U.S. EPA News Release:

EPA settles with Emerald Kalama Chemical, LLC over hazardous waste handling, storage violations 

Facility agrees to modify practice and pay penalty to settle alleged violations 

Seattle – (February 8, 2021) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has settled with Emerald Kalama Chemical for alleged hazardous waste storage and handling violations at their Kalama, Washington facility. Emerald Kalama Chemical has agreed to pay a $121,478 penalty as part of the agreement.  

During the visits, inspectors found multiple violations of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) and Washington’s EPA-approved Dangerous Waste program. These violations related to the storage and handling of hazardous wastes containing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and the emissions standards applicable to storage containers and equipment. 

Emerald Kalama Chemical shares the airshed with the town of Kalama (home to over 2,000 residents) in Cowlitz County, Washington. Failure to manage these wastes appropriately can lead to emissions of VOCs and hazardous air pollutants to nearby communities.   

RCRA gives EPA the authority to control hazardous waste from the "cradle-to-grave." This includes the generation, transportation, treatment, storage, and disposal of hazardous wastes containing VOCs. The Department of Ecology administers RCRA within Washington State via its Dangerous Waste program. EPA has the authority to enforce Washington’s Dangerous Waste program.  

For more on EPA’s National Compliance Initiative, please see the following link: 

https://www.epa.gov/enforcement/national-compliance-initiative-reducing-hazardous-air-toxic-emissions-hazardous-waste  

 

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