EPA Awards over $1.3 million to Texas Universities to Research Potential Environmental Impacts in Waste Streams

EPA Press Release:

Media contacts: Joe Hubbard or Jennah Durant at r6press@epa.gov  or 214 665-2200

DALLAS (Sept. 17, 2019) – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced approximately $1.3 million to fund research by two academic institutions in Texas. Texas A&M AgriLife and Texas Tech University will work to expand the understanding of the environmental risks posed by per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in waste streams. They will also work to identify practical approaches to manage the potential impacts as PFAS enters the environment.

“We are pleased to see Texas’ top-notch researchers join others from across the country to help us better understand and address the impacts of PFAS,” said EPA Regional Administrator Ken McQueen. “The research provided by this funding will foster innovative solutions to an emerging chemical of concern.”

Taking concrete actions to address PFAS is one of EPA’s highest priorities. EPA’s recently released PFAS Action Plan identifies both short-term solutions for addressing PFAS chemicals and long-term strategies that will help provide the tools and technologies states, tribes and local communities need to clean up sites and provide clean, safe drinking water to their residents.

Texas A&M AgriLife Research in College Station, Texas plans to investigate the feasibility of electron beam technology for the destruction of PFAS compounds during the remediation of groundwater, wastewater, sewage sludges, and soils. Additionally, Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas plans to identify and quantify the occurrence of PFAS in landfill leachate, investigate the fate of PFAS passing through typical landfill liner systems, and test the ability to break down PFAS in landfill leachate using soundwaves.

Nationally, EPA awarded almost $6 million to eight recipients to receive funding through EPA’s Science to Achieve Results (STAR) Program. For more information on EPA’s recipients, visit https://cfpub.epa.gov/ncer_abstracts/index.cfm/fuseaction/recipients.display/rfa_id/643/records_per_page/ALL 

PFAS are a group of synthetic chemicals that have been in use since the 1940s. PFAS are found in a wide array of consumer and industrial products.  Due to widespread use and persistence in the environment, most people in the United States have been exposed to PFAS. EPA continues to evaluate the potential risk of these compounds to human health and the environment, but there is evidence that chronic exposure above specific levels to certain PFAS may lead to adverse health effects.

PFAS have been found in solid waste, landfills and surrounding environmental media (soil, groundwater), leachates, landfill gas, wastewater effluents, and biosolids. However, current treatment options are limited, as many conventional treatment methods are ineffective. In funding these projects, EPA is specifically supporting research to identify or develop innovative methods to treat or manage PFAS before it enters the environment to minimize its risks to humans and ecosystems. The resulting data will help researchers understand the occurrence, fate and transport of PFAS and identify methods or technologies to better manage PFAS-containing waste.

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About EPA Region 6: https://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/epa-region-6-south-central  

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Cocopah Tribe to bring drinking water facility into compliance

EPA Press Release:

For Immediate Release: September 17, 2019

Media Contact: Margot Perez-Sullivan, 415-947-4149, perezsullivan.margot@epa.gov

Cocopah Tribe to bring drinking water facility into compliance

YUMA, Ariz. —The Cocopah Tribe has agreed to bring the Cocopah Bend RV Park and Golf Resort’s drinking water system into compliance with the federal Safe Drinking Water Act as part of a settlement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The resort is located outside of Yuma, Arizona. 

“We are pleased this system will make critical investments to prevent drinking water contamination,” said EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator Mike Stoker. “EPA will ensure all requirements of this agreement will be met for the long-term protection of the community.”

During a May 2019 inspection, EPA identified significant deficiencies with the system’s elevated storage tank, including inadequately sealed hatches and tubes that could introduce contaminants into the drinking water. The system serves approximately 1,095 residents with 901 connections. The system's current source of drinking water is groundwater from two wells that serves its customers.

The system is developing a compliance plan for EPA approval and will meet federal standards by Feb. 28, 2020.

For more information on EPA's drinking water program, please visit: https://www.epa.gov/sdwa

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

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Wind Turbines in Farm Fields in Central Illinois

#WindTurbine #Wind Turbine #Renewable Energy #GreenEnergy #Farm
#Agriculture #Illinois #IL

EPA approves New Mexico’s plan to regulate emissions from landfills

EPA Press Release:

EPA Approves New Mexico’s Plan to Regulate Emissions from Landfills

Media contacts: Jennah Durant or Joe Hubbard, R6Press@epa.gov or 214 665-2200

DALLAS (Sept. 16, 2019) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently approved revisions to New Mexico’s plan to regulate methane and other emissions from municipal solid waste (MSW) landfills. The New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) submitted the revisions for the state plan to EPA, as well as another set of revisions on behalf of the city of Albuquerque-Bernalillo County for landfills under the city-county jurisdiction. EPA determined both sets of revisions were consistent with emissions guidelines under the federal Clean Air Act.

“Controlling and reducing emissions from landfills greatly improves air quality,” said Regional Administrator Ken McQueen. “NMED and Albuquerque-Bernalillo County have the right plan to accomplish our clean air goals.”

The emissions guidelines require the state to develop plans to reduce air emissions from all affected MSW landfills within its jurisdiction. EPA’s approval allows NMED and the city of Albuquerque-Bernalillo County to regulate methane and other non-methane organic gas emissions from existing MSW landfills. The approval meets a court-ordered deadline for EPA to act on state plan submittals for MSW landfills.

Landfill gas is produced when organic material in landfills decomposes. It is composed of about 50% methane, 50% carbon dioxide (CO2) and a small amount of non-methane organic compounds. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas 28 to 36 times more effective than CO2 at trapping heat in the atmosphere over a 100-year period. Municipal solid waste landfills are the third largest source of human-related methane emissions in the United States, accounting for approximately 14.1% of these emissions in 2017. 

More about EPA’s work in New Mexico: https://www.epa.gov/nm

More about landfill emissions: https://www.epa.gov/lmop/basic-information-about-landfill-gas

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About EPA Region 6: https://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/epa-region-6-south-central  

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EPA, U.S. Army Repeal 2015 Rule Defining “Waters of the United States”

EPA News Release:

EPA, U.S. Army Repeal 2015 Rule Defining “Waters of the United States” Ending Regulatory Patchwork

Media contacts: Jennah Durant or Joe Hubbard at r6press@epa.gov or 214 665-2200

DALLAS – (Sept. 12, 2019) At an event at the Dallas Builders Association, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 6 Administrator Ken McQueen announced EPA and the Department of the Army are repealing a 2015 rule that impermissibly expanded the definition of “waters of the United States” (WOTUS) under the Clean Water Act. The agencies are also recodifying the longstanding and familiar regulatory text that existed prior to the 2015 rule—ending a regulatory patchwork that required implementing two competing Clean Water Act regulations, which has created regulatory uncertainty across the United States.

“Today, EPA and the Department of the Army finalized a rule to repeal the previous administration’s overreach in the federal regulation of U.S. waters and recodify the longstanding and familiar regulatory text that previously existed,” said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler. “Today’s Step 1 action fulfills a key promise of President Trump and sets the stage for Step 2 – a new WOTUS definition that will provide greater regulatory certainty for farmers, landowners, home builders, and developers nationwide.”

“Today, Administrator Wheeler and I signed a final rule that repeals the 2015 Rule and restores the previous regulatory regime exactly how it existed prior to finalization of the 2015 Rule,” said R.D. James, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works. “Before this final rule, a patchwork of regulations existed across the country as a result of various judicial decisions enjoining the 2015 Rule. This final rule reestablishes national consistency across the country by returning all jurisdictions to the longstanding regulatory framework that existed prior to the 2015 Rule, which is more familiar to the agencies, States, Tribes, local governments, regulated entities, and the public while the agencies engage in a second rulemaking to revise the definition of ‘waters of the United States.’”

“Hardworking Americans will be able to build a better future for themselves and their communities as a result of today’s action,” said Regional Administrator Ken McQueen. “I look forward to working with our state partners and our stakeholders as we move forward.”

“Texans know better than most the importance of protecting water sources, but the 2015 ‘Waters of the U.S.’ rule prevents farmers, landowners, and job creators from taking care of their land how they know best,” said U.S. Senator John Cornyn. “Today’s announcement represents another success in breaking down President Obama’s misguided regulatory regime that harmed Texans of all walks of life.”

“TCEQ supports the decision to repeal the 2015 Waters of the United States rule,” said Texas Commission on Environmental Quality Executive Director Toby Baker. “The rule expanded coverage of the Clean Water Act in a haphazard and unsupported manner increasing regulatory uncertainty. The revised rule proposed earlier this year provides the appropriate level of clarity and coverage.”

“The Dallas Builders Association believes that everyone deserves a roof over their head and an affordable place to live. And we will continue our advocacy with that in mind,” said Dallas Builders Association President Matt Robinson. “We appreciate that this Administration is also showing the same commitment."

Today’s rule is the first step—Step 1—in a two-step rulemaking process to define the scope of “waters of the United States” that are regulated under the Clean Water Act. Step 1 provides regulatory certainty as to the definition of “waters of the United States” following years of litigation surrounding the 2015 Rule. The two federal district courts that have reviewed the merits of the 2015 Rule found that the rule suffered from certain errors and issued orders remanding the 2015 Rule back to the agencies. Multiple other federal district courts have preliminarily enjoined the 2015 Rule pending a decision on the merits of the rule. In this action, EPA and the Army jointly conclude that multiple substantive and procedural errors warrant a repeal of the 2015 Rule. For example, the 2015 Rule:

• Did not implement the legal limits on the scope of the agencies’ authority under the Clean Water Act as intended by Congress and reflected in Supreme Court cases.
• Failed to adequately recognize, preserve, and protect the primary responsibilities and rights of states to manage their own land and water resources.
• Approached the limits of the agencies’ constitutional and statutory authority absent a clear statement from Congress.
• Suffered from certain procedural errors and a lack of adequate record support as it relates to the 2015 rule’s distance-based limitations.

With this final repeal, the agencies will implement the pre-2015 regulations, that are currently in place in more than half of the states, informed by applicable agency guidance documents and consistent with Supreme Court decisions and longstanding agency practice. The final rule takes effect 60 days after publication in the Federal Register.

In December 2018, EPA and the Army proposed a new definition—Step 2—that would clearly define where federal jurisdiction begins and ends in accordance with the Clean Water Act and Supreme Court precedent. In the proposal, the agencies provide a clear definition of the difference between federally regulated waterways and those waters that rightfully remain solely under state authority.

Additional information is available at: http://www.epa.gov/wotus-rule.

Background

The final Step 1 rule follows President Trump’s Executive Order 13778, “Restoring the Rule of Law, Federalism, and Economic Growth by Reviewing the ‘Waters of the United States’ Rule.” Section 1 of the Executive Order states that “[i]t is in the national interest to ensure that the Nation’s navigable waters are kept free from pollution, while at the same time promoting economic growth, minimizing regulatory uncertainty, and showing due regard for the roles of Congress and the States under the Constitution.” The Executive Order also directs the EPA and the Department of the Army to review the 2015 Rule for consistency with the policy outlined in Section 1 of the Order and to issue a proposed rule rescinding or revising the 2015 Rule as appropriate and consistent with law.

Connect with EPA Region 6:

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EPA News: EPA Approves West Virginia Plan to Improve Water Quality

EPA Press Release:

Contact: R3press@epa.gov                    

EPA Approves West Virginia Plan to Improve Water Quality                                                                                                                   

PHILADELPHIA (September 12, 2019) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today announced it has approved and helped fund a $55 million plan by West Virginia to implement key water infrastructure projects, including new and upgraded wastewater treatment plants to better serve residents, increase efficiency and reduce pollution.                                                                                    

West Virginia’s Intended Use Plan includes a $24.77 million grant from EPA’s Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF), $4.9 million in state matching funds, repayments from prior CWSRF loans, and interest earnings.

“The revolving fund program is essential to providing all Americans the clean and safe water they deserve,” said EPA Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator Cosmo Servidio. “EPA is proud to support West Virginia’s plan and remains committed to helping communities with infrastructure improvements that protect their water resources.”

Some of the projects targeted for funding in the state’s CWSRF plan include:

• $2.7 million to the Century Volga Public Service District (PSD) to install a wastewater collection system and new wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) to eliminate failing septic tanks in Barbour County.
• $600,000 to the McDowell County PSD to construct a centralized wastewater collection and treatment system to eliminate failing on-site septic systems.
• $2.4 million to the Town of Auburn to install 50 individual septic systems to eliminate raw sewage discharges to the Bone Creek in Richie County.
• $1.7 million to the Culloden PSD for upgrades to its sewer collection system and pump station in Cabell County.
• $2.7 million to the Webster Springs PSD for the construction of a new wastewater collection system and WWTP to reduce individual failing septic systems which are discharging to the Leatherwood Creek and Elk River in Webster County.
• $2.34 million to the Pea Ridge PSD to replace an existing wastewater collection system, decommission and removing the existing Holiday Park WWTP and install a new, larger-capacity WWTP in its place in Cabell County.
• $18 million to the Pea Ridge PSD to construct a sewage collection and treatment system and to upgrade an existing treatment plant to increase capacity and eliminate overflows in the Kyle Industrial Park and Cox Landing areas, located in Cabell County.
• $848,000 to the Colfax PSD for sewer line improvements and connection to a neighboring treatment plant in Marion County.
• $2.4 million to the Town of Elizabeth for sewer collection system upgrades in Wirt County.
• $7.7 million to the Greater Harrison County PSD for a new WWTP and sewer extension in Harrison County.

A full list of CWSRF projects to be funded can be found at:  https://dep.wv.gov/WWE/Programs/SRF/Pages/default.aspx

The CWSRF program provides low interest loans for the construction of wastewater treatment facilities and other projects vital to protecting and improving water quality in rivers, lakes and streams for drinking water, recreation and natural habitat.  The loans help communities keep water and sewer rates more affordable while addressing local water quality problems.

For more information about EPA’s Clean Water State Revolving Fund Program: https://www.epa.gov/cwsrf

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