EPA News Release:

District Court Upholds EPA Right to Enforce Against Illegal Imports from Chinese Vehicle Makers

Case Demonstrates Agency Commitment to Enforcing Requirements for Vehicles Under the Clean Air Act

WASHINGTON (April 11, 2022) - On Thursday, March 31, 2022, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia denied a challengeEXITEXIT EPA WEBSITE to EPA’s successful litigation of significant Clean Air Act vehicle importation violations, upholding the agency’s right to enforce the law and protect the public from dangerous air pollution. The challenge was brought by Taotao USA, Inc, Taotao Group Co., Ltd., and Jinyun County Xiangyuan Industry Co., Ltd. (plaintiffs).

“This case and the District Court’s decision sends a clear signal that EPA will hold companies accountable for failure to meet the requirements of the Clean Air Act, requirements designed to protect human health and reduce harmful air pollution,” said Acting Assistant Administrator Larry Starfield for EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance.

Specifically, plaintiffs challenged an Environmental Appeals Board decision that affirmed plaintiffs violated Clean Air Act sections 203(a) and 213 by importing for sale 109,964 motorcycles and recreational vehicles with catalytic converters that did not comply with certification requirements. In addition to affirming plaintiffs’ liability, the District Court also affirmed the $1,601,150 civil penalty assessed by the Administrative Law Judge. 

Certification requirements ensure that vehicles brought into commerce conform to design specifications for pollution control equipment.

Producing vehicles for sale that do not match such specifications, such as nonconforming catalytic converters, undermines the integrity of the Clean Air Act certification scheme, designed to protect human health and air quality. Catalytic converters convert toxins into less harmful byproducts, such as water vapor and carbon dioxide, and in so doing reduce harmful emissions that include hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides, and carbon monoxide.

To report a violation, please visit: https://echo.epa.gov/report-environmental-violations

 U.S. EPA News Release:

EPA to Host Question and Answer Sessions on Proposed Addition of Georgetown North Groundwater Site to EPA’s Superfund Clean-up List

PHILADELPHIA (April 7, 2022) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will host a conference call on Thursday, April 14, and an in-person session on Wednesday, April 20, to provide an opportunity for the public to ask questions about the March 18 proposed listing of the Georgetown North Groundwater Site in Kent County, Delaware, to the Superfund National Priorities List (NPL).

The NPL is EPA’s list of hazardous waste sites in the United States eligible for investigation and potential cleanup financed under the federal Superfund program.

These “open house” Q&A sessions will provide an opportunity for the Georgetown community to have their questions answered by EPA staff, and will take place:

Phone-In

Thursday, April 14: 6:00PM – 7:00PM
Phone Number: (484) 352-3221
Conference ID: 307589259#

In-Person

Wednesday, April 20: 5:30PM – 7:00 PM
Georgetown Public Library123 W. Pine Street
Georgetown DE 19947
Questions can be submitted in advance by emailing them to: 

Angela Ithier, EPA Community Involvement Coordinator, 215-814-5248, ithier.angela@epa.gov

The Site is a groundwater plume that has been polluted by a contaminant release and encompasses approximately one square-mile underlying commercial and residential areas within the town of Georgetown, in southern Delaware.  While the public drinking water in Georgetown meets state and federal standards, the groundwater is contaminated with the solvent tetrachloroethylene (PCE) and its breakdown products. PCE, sometimes referred to as perc, is an organic chemical introduced in the environment by commercial and industrial operations such as dry-cleaning facilities.  EPA considers PCE as likely to be carcinogenic to humans.

When EPA proposes to add a site to the NPL, the Agency publishes the proposed rule in the Federal Register and notifies the community through the local media so interested members of the community can comment on the proposal.  The comment period runs from March 18 until May 17, and EPA will consider those comments in the final decision on listing the Site on the NPL.

If after the formal comment period, EPA determines that the Site still qualifies for cleanup under Superfund, the Agency will publish a final rule in the Federal Register and Georgetown North Groundwater will become a Superfund Site.  EPA would then conduct a more comprehensive investigation of the Site, to determine the full nature and extent of contamination and to examine potential remedies. 

More information about the proposal can be found at: www.epa.gov/superfund/georgetowngroundwater

All comments received will be treated equally. During the comment period, comments may be submitted in one of two ways:

Online:  http://www.regulations.gov   Search for EPA-HQ-OLEM-2022-0190 

Mail:  U.S. Environmental Protection Agency  

           EPA Docket Center  

            Docket # EPA-HQ-OLEM-2022-0190 

           Mailcode 28221T  

           1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW  

           Washington, DC 20460   

 

For information about Superfund and the NPL: http://www.epa.gov/superfund

EPA Recognizes Titan America LLC, of Troutville, Virginia, Among Nation’s Most Energy–Efficient Manufacturing Facilities

 U.S. EPA News Release:

EPA Recognizes  Titan America LLC, of Troutville, Virginia, Among Nation’s Most Energy–Efficient Manufacturing Facilities

PHILADELPHIA (April 5, 2022) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has recognized     Titan America LLC, a cement manufacturing facility in Troutville, Virginia, as one of 93 U.S. manufacturing plants that earned the agency’s ENERGY STAR certification in 2021.

ENERGY STAR certified plants are verified to be among the most energy-efficient plants within their industries. Together, they prevented more than 5 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions from the industrial sector, which is responsible for nearly a third of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions.

“Companies like Titan America are improving energy efficiency, confronting climate change and strengthening our economy,” said EPA Mid-Atlantic Regional Atlantic Regional Administrator Adam Ortiz.  “Reducing energy consumption is a critical component of the transition to a zero-emissions future, while saving money and creating resiliency for businesses and our planet.”

Thanks to their superior energy performance over a single year, these plants avoided nearly 90 trillion Btus of energy consumption and prevented emissions equal to the annual energy use of nearly 650,000 American homes. Since the first plants were certified in 2006, ENERGY STAR certified plants have cumulatively saved manufacturers more than $7 billion on energy bills when compared to average-performing facilities. Energy efficiency cuts energy waste and is an essential action for achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 for both the United States and the sustainability of the manufacturing sector.  Net zero is the balance between the amount of greenhouse gas produced and the amount removed from the atmosphere.

About ENERGY STAR
ENERGY STAR® is the government-backed symbol for energy efficiency, providing simple, credible, and unbiased information that consumers and businesses rely on to make well-informed decisions. Thousands of industrial, commercial, utility, state, and local organizations—including about 40 percent of the Fortune 500®—rely on their partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to deliver cost-saving energy efficiency solutions. Since 1992, ENERGY STAR and its partners helped American families and businesses avoid more than $450 billion in energy costs and achieve 4 billion metric tons of greenhouse gas reductions.

For more information visit: https://www.energystar.gov/industrial_plants/earn-recognition/plant-certification#:~:text=EPA%20distinguishes%20the%20best%20performing,an

EPA Recognizes Flowers Baking Company of Norfolk, Virginia, Among Nation’s Most Energy–Efficient Manufacturing Facilities

 U.S. EPA News Release:

EPA Recognizes Flowers Baking Company of Norfolk, Virginia,  Among Nation’s Most Energy–Efficient Manufacturing Facilities

PHILADELPHIA (April 5, 2022) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has recognized Flowers Baking Co. of Norfolk, LLC, a commercial bread and roll baking plant, as one of 93 U.S. manufacturing plants that earned the agency’s ENERGY STAR certification in 2021.

ENERGY STAR certified plants are verified to be among the most energy-efficient plants within their industries. Together, they prevented more than 5 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions from the industrial sector, which is responsible for nearly a third of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions.

“Companies like Flowers Baking are improving energy efficiency, confronting climate change and strengthening our economy,” said EPA Mid-Atlantic Regional Atlantic Regional Administrator Adam Ortiz.  “Reducing energy consumption is a critical component of the transition to a zero-emissions future, while saving money and creating resiliency for businesses and our planet.”

Thanks to their superior energy performance over a single year, these plants avoided nearly 90 trillion BTUs of energy consumption and prevented emissions equal to the annual energy use of nearly 650,000 American homes. Since the first plants were certified in 2006, ENERGY STAR certified plants have cumulatively saved manufacturers more than $7 billion on energy bills when compared to average-performing facilities. Energy efficiency cuts energy waste and is an essential action for achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 for both the United States and the sustainability of the manufacturing sector.  Net zero is the balance between the amount of greenhouse gas produced and the amount removed from the atmosphere. 

About ENERGY STAR
ENERGY STAR® is the government-backed symbol for energy efficiency, providing simple, credible, and unbiased information that consumers and businesses rely on to make well-informed decisions. Thousands of industrial, commercial, utility, state, and local organizations—including about 40 percent of the Fortune 500®—rely on their partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to deliver cost-saving energy efficiency solutions. Since 1992, ENERGY STAR and its partners helped American families and businesses avoid more than $450 billion in energy costs and achieve 4 billion metric tons of greenhouse gas reductions.

For more information visit: https://www.energystar.gov/industrial_plants/earn-recognition/plant-certification#:~:text=EPA%20distinguishes%20the%20best%20performing,an

EPA Recognizes Bimbo Bakeries USA, Inc., of Reading, Pennsylvania, Among Nation’s Most Energy–Efficient Manufacturing Facilities

 U.S. EPA News Release:

EPA Recognizes Bimbo Bakeries USA, Inc., of Reading, Pennsylvania, Among

 Nation’s Most Energy–Efficient Manufacturing Facilities

PHILADELPHIA (April 5, 2022) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has recognized Bimbo Bakeries USA, Inc., a commercial bread and roll baking plant in Reading, Pennsylvania, as one of 93 U.S. manufacturing plants that earned the agency’s ENERGY STAR certification in 2021.

ENERGY STAR certified plants are verified to be among the most energy-efficient plants within their industries. Together, they prevented more than 5 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions from the industrial sector, which is responsible for nearly a third of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions.

“Companies like Bimbo Bakeries are improving energy efficiency, confronting climate change and strengthening our economy,” said EPA Mid-Atlantic Regional Atlantic Regional Administrator Adam Ortiz.  “Reducing energy consumption is a critical component of the transition to a zero-emissions future, while saving money and creating resiliency for businesses and our planet.”

Thanks to their superior energy performance over a single year, these plants avoided nearly 90 trillion Btus of energy consumption and prevented emissions equal to the annual energy use of nearly 650,000 American homes. Since the first plants were certified in 2006, ENERGY STAR certified plants have cumulatively saved manufacturers more than $7 billion on energy bills when compared to average-performing facilities. Energy efficiency cuts energy waste and is an essential action for achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 for both the United States and the sustainability of the manufacturing sector.  Net zero is the balance between the amount of greenhouse gas produced and the amount removed from the atmosphere.

ENERGY STAR® is the government-backed symbol for energy efficiency, providing simple, credible, and unbiased information that consumers and businesses rely on to make well-informed decisions. Thousands of industrial, commercial, utility, state, and local organizations—including about 40 percent of the Fortune 500®—rely on their partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to deliver cost-saving energy efficiency solutions. Since 1992, ENERGY STAR and its partners helped American families and businesses avoid more than $450 billion in energy costs and achieve 4 billion metric tons of greenhouse gas reductions.

For more information visit: https://www.energystar.gov/industrial_plants/earn-recognition/plant-certification#:~:text=EPA%20distinguishes%20the%20best%20performing,an

 U.S. EPA News Release:

EPA Recognizes AstraZeneca Plant of Newark, Delaware, Among Nation’s Most Energy – Efficient Manufacturing Facilities

PHILADELPHIA (April 5, 2022) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has recognized the AstraZeneca pharmaceutical facility in Newark, Delaware, as one of 93 U.S. manufacturing plants that earned the agency’s ENERGY STAR certification in 2021.

ENERGY STAR certified plants are verified to be among the most energy-efficient plants within their industries. Together, they prevented more than 5 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions from the industrial sector, which is responsible for nearly a third of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions.

“Companies like AstraZeneca are improving energy efficiency, confronting climate change and strengthening our economy,” said EPA Mid-Atlantic Regional Atlantic Regional Administrator Adam Ortiz.  “Reducing energy consumption is a critical component of the transition to a zero-emissions future, while saving money and creating resiliency for businesses and our planet.”

Thanks to their superior energy performance over a single year, these plants avoided nearly 90 trillion Btus of energy consumption and prevented emissions equal to the annual energy use of nearly 650,000 American homes. Since the first plants were certified in 2006, ENERGY STAR certified plants have cumulatively saved manufacturers more than $7 billion on energy bills when compared to average-performing facilities. Energy efficiency cuts energy waste and is an essential action for achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 for both the United States and the sustainability of the manufacturing sector.  Net zero is the balance between the amount of greenhouse gas produced and the amount removed from the atmosphere.

ENERGY STAR® is the government-backed symbol for energy efficiency, providing simple, credible, and unbiased information that consumers and businesses rely on to make well-informed decisions. Thousands of industrial, commercial, utility, state, and local organizations—including about 40 percent of the Fortune 500®—rely on their partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to deliver cost-saving energy efficiency solutions. Since 1992, ENERGY STAR and its partners helped American families and businesses avoid more than $450 billion in energy costs and achieve 4 billion metric tons of greenhouse gas reductions. For more information visit: https://www.energystar.gov/industrial_plants/earn-recognition/plant-certification#:~:text=EPA%20distinguishes%20the%20best%20performing,an

EPA Recognizes O-I, Brockway, of Jefferson County, Pennsylvania, Among Nation’s Most Energy–Efficient Manufacturing Facilities

 U.S. EPA News Release:

EPA Recognizes O-I, Brockway, of Jefferson County, Pennsylvania, Among Nation’s Most Energy–Efficient Manufacturing Facilities

PHILADELPHIA (April 5, 2022) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has recognized O-I, Brockway, a container glass manufacturing plant in Jefferson County, Pennsylvania, as one of 93 U.S. manufacturing plants that earned the agency’s ENERGY STAR certification in 2021.

This was the first time the company received ENERGY STAR certification. ENERGY STAR certified plants are verified to be among the most energy-efficient plants within their industries. Together, they prevented more than 5 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions from the industrial sector, which is responsible for nearly a third of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions.

“Companies like O-I, Brockway are improving energy efficiency, confronting climate change and strengthening our economy,” said EPA Mid-Atlantic Regional Atlantic Regional Administrator Adam Ortiz.  “Reducing energy consumption is a critical component of the transition to a zero-emissions future, while saving money and creating resiliency for businesses and our planet.”

Thanks to their superior energy performance over a single year, these plants avoided nearly 90 trillion Btus of energy consumption and prevented emissions equal to the annual energy use of nearly 650,000 American homes. Since the first plants were certified in 2006, ENERGY STAR certified plants have cumulatively saved manufacturers more than $7 billion on energy bills when compared to average-performing facilities. Energy efficiency cuts energy waste and is an essential action for achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 for both the United States and the sustainability of the manufacturing sector.  Net zero is the balance between the amount of greenhouse gas produced and the amount removed from the atmosphere.

ENERGY STAR® is the government-backed symbol for energy efficiency, providing simple, credible, and unbiased information that consumers and businesses rely on to make well-informed decisions. Thousands of industrial, commercial, utility, state, and local organizations—including about 40 percent of the Fortune 500®—rely on their partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to deliver cost-saving energy efficiency solutions. Since 1992, ENERGY STAR and its partners helped American families and businesses avoid more than $450 billion in energy costs and achieve 4 billion metric tons of greenhouse gas reductions.

For more information visit: https://www.energystar.gov/industrial_plants/earn-recognition/plant-certification#:~:text=EPA%20distinguishes%20the%20best%20performing,an