U.S. EPA News Release:

The Environmental Protection Agency extends nominations deadline for the 2021 President’s Environmental Student and Teacher Awards

WASHINGTON (February 19, 2021) — Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that it’s extending the nominations deadline for their Environmental Education Presidential awards program. EPAs Office of Environmental Education will now accept applications for the 2021 President’s Environmental Youth Awards (PEYA) and Presidential Innovation Awards for Environmental Educators (PIAEE) through April 30, 2021.

“Investing in our nation’s students and teachers by creating opportunities to engage in real world issues will help build the next generation of environmental leaders,” said Rosemary Enobakhare, Associate Administrator, Office of Public Engagement and Environmental Education. “Providing an extension will allow additional time for all students and teachers to submit applications for this invaluable awards program.”

Since the establishment of the original Environmental Education Act of 1970, The President’s Environmental Youth Award (PEYA) Program has recognized outstanding community-level environmental projects by K-12 youth for over 50 years. Today, as part of the National Environmental Education Act of 1990, PEYA continues to promote awareness of natural resources and encourages positive community involvement.

PIAEE recognizes outstanding K-12 grade educators who integrate environmental, place-based experiential learning into their classrooms.

Additional Information on the Awards

EPA is seeking PEYA and PIAEE award applications for projects on a variety of environmental topics, including (but not limited to), projects on: 

• Climate Change 
• Making a visible difference in Environmental Justice communities 
• Reducing food waste and loss and excess food recovery efforts
• Reducing contributions to ocean and marine litter
• Solutions in recycling
• Using science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) to teach environmental education
• Environmental sustainability
• Sustainable agricultural practices
• Healthy school environments

The President’s Environmental Youth Awards (PEYA) recognizes outstanding environmental stewardship projects from grades K-12 by promoting environmental awareness and encouraging community involvement. EPA will select up to two winners in each of EPA’s 10 Regions – one regional winner for grades K-5, and one regional winner for grades 6-12. The winning projects will be highlighted on EPA’s website. All student projects must be sponsored by at least one adult over the age of 21. And, if the sponsor is not a teacher, the project must have a teacher as a co-sponsor. The application and eligibility information are available on EPA’s PEYA page.

The Presidential Innovation Award for Environmental Educators (PIAEE) recognizes outstanding K-12 teachers who employ innovative approaches to environmental education. Up to two teachers from each of EPA's 10 regions, from different states, will be selected to receive this award. Teachers will receive a Presidential plaque and an award of up to $2,500 cash to be used to further professional development in environmental education. Winning teachers’ local education agencies will also receive awards of up to $2,500 cash to fund environmental educational activities and programs. Next years’ winners will be highlighted on EPA’s website.

The application and eligibility information are available on EPA’s PIAEE page.

Applications for both awards programs are due no later than April 30, 2021.

For more information on the youth awards (PEYA), please contact: PEYA@epa.gov.

For more information on the teacher awards (PIAEE), please contact: PIAEE@epa.gov.

 

Watch Administrator Regan’s video on the EPA’s Presidential Student and Teacher Awards:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yIbzsbkHZAI&t=6s

 

EPA’s Office of Environmental Education (OEE) works to expand the public’s environmental knowledge and enables people to effectively solve environmental problems. OEE develops training programs, provides education materials, supports environmental education publications, holds seminars and events, and administers environmental education grants and awards, please contact: education@epa.gov.

 U.S. EPA News Release:

EPA penalizes Univar Solutions USA $165,000 for violations of federal pesticide laws

(April 19, 2021) SEATTLE --The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today announced that Univar Solutions USA, Inc. of Portland, Oregon will pay a $165,000 penalty for violating federal pesticide laws when it failed to properly label its “Woodlife 111” pesticide which is used as a wood preservative.

EPA cited the company for 33 violations of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act when Univar sold and distributed the misbranded pesticide via bulk shipments.

Under FIFRA, a pesticide is misbranded if, “the labeling accompanying it does not contain directions for use which are necessary … to protect health and the environment” and if “…the label does not contain a warning or caution statement which may be necessary … to protect health and the environment.”

Specifically, the Agency alleged that during a period of 24 months between approximately January 1, 2017 and December 31, 2018, Woodlife 111 labels omitted several required sections important for the protection of the handler and for the environment, including user safety requirements, first aid directions, use of personal protective equipment, and portions of the storage and disposal section.

“By their very nature, pesticides can be dangerous to people handling them and the environment where they are used,” said Ed Kowalski, director of EPA Region 10’s Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Division. “EPA and its state partners will continue to strictly enforce pesticides laws to ensure these potentially dangerous chemicals are safely handled, used, and disposed of.”

The case resulted from an inspection of the Univar facility by Oregon Department of Agriculture’s EPA-credentialed inspectors on March 5, 2019.

 

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EPA Selects Six Organizations to Receive $11 Million in Funding to Deliver Training and Technical Assistance to Brownfield-Impacted Communities Nationwide

 U.S. EPA News Release:

EPA Selects Six Organizations to Receive $11 Million in Funding to Deliver Training and Technical Assistance to Brownfield-Impacted Communities Nationwide

SAN FRANCISCO (April 19, 2021) — Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing the selection of six organizations to receive a total of $11 million in grants to provide training and technical assistance to communities across the country under the Technical Assistance to Brownfields (TAB) Program.

Much of the technical assistance will be provided to communities in underserved and economically disadvantaged neighborhoods - places where environmental cleanup and new jobs are most needed. This assistance is available to all stakeholders and comes at no cost to communities. It is an important part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to advance economic opportunities and address environmental justice issues in disadvantaged communities.

“A primary goal of our Brownfields technical assistance program is to help communities transform environmental liabilities into community assets,” said Barry N. Breen, Acting Assistant Administrator for EPA’s Office of Land and Emergency Management.“ Today’s selected grant recipients will serve as independent resources for communities facing the challenges of assessing, cleaning up, and preparing brownfield sites for redevelopment.”

Today’s selected grant recipients are:

• The University of Connecticut -- will provide assistance in EPA’s Region 1.
• The New Jersey Institute of Technology -- will provide assistance in EPA’s Region 2.
• The West Virginia University Research Corporation -- will provide assistance in EPA’s Region 3.
• The International City/County Management Association -- will provide assistance in EPA’s Region 4.
• The Kansas State University -- will provide assistance in EPA’s Regions 5-8. The university will also coordinate with the other selected recipients on nationally led efforts and tools.
• The Center for Creative Land Recycling (CCLR) – will provide assistance in EPA’s Regions 9 and 10.

“CCLR has deep roots in the Western United States, where we've assisted communities with land revitalization projects for over 20 years,” said Jean Hamerman, The Center for Creative Land Recycling’s Acting Executive Director. “We are thrilled to have the opportunity to redouble our efforts as EPA Region 9 and Region 10’s Technical Assistance to Brownfields Communities provider and support equitable and resilient transformation through brownfields redevelopment.”

Background:

The Brownfields TAB Program helps communities, states, tribes and others understand the human health and environmental risks associated with contaminated or potentially contaminated properties, and learn how to assess, safely clean up and sustainably reuse them. For example, the training and research to be delivered by the selected TAB providers will assist communities in:

• Identifying and prioritizing brownfields for redevelopment.
• Determining the potential public health impact of brownfield sites.
• Identifying appropriate funding/financing approaches.
• Applying for and managing EPA brownfields grants.
• Evaluating economic feasibility of reuse plans.
• Interpreting technical brownfield reports, assessments, and plans.
• Understanding and navigate regulatory requirements.

This Technical Assistance for Brownfields grant is a competitive grant awarded every five years; providing

up to $200,000 per year over the course of five years.

More information on the TAB program: https://www.epa.gov/brownfields/brownfields-technical-assistance

More information on EPA’s Brownfields program: http://www.epa.gov/brownfields/

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

Kansas State University to receive $5M to support property assessment and cleanup in communities across EPA Regions 5, 6, 7 and 8

 U.S. EPA News Release:

Kansas State University to receive $5M to support property assessment and cleanup in communities across EPA Regions 5, 6, 7 and 8 

University among six organizations to receive $11 million to deliver training and technical assistance to Brownfield-impacted communities nationwide 

DENVER (April 19, 2021) — Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing the selection of six organizations to receive a total of $11 million in grants, including $5 million to Kansas State University, to provide training and technical assistance to communities across the country under the Technical Assistance to Brownfields (TAB) Program.  

Much of the technical assistance will be provided to communities in underserved and economically disadvantaged neighborhoods - places where environmental cleanup and new jobs are most needed. This assistance is available to all stakeholders and comes at no cost to communities. It is an important part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to advance economic opportunities and address environmental justice issues in disadvantaged communities. 

“A primary goal of our Brownfields technical assistance program is to help communities transform environmental liabilities into community assets,” said Barry N. Breen, Acting Assistant Administrator for EPA’s Office of Land and Emergency Management.“ Today’s selected grant recipients will serve as independent resources for communities facing the challenges of assessing, cleaning up, and preparing brownfield sites for redevelopment.”  

"We are privileged and honored to be selected to continue serving communities and tribes across EPA Regions 5, 6, 7, and 8,” said Blase Leven, Kansas State University TAB Program Director. “This area is like none other; we can't wait to make new friends, and work with old ones, to bring brownfields revitalization dreams to life!"  

The Brownfields TAB Program helps communities, states, tribes and others understand the human health and environmental risks associated with contaminated or potentially contaminated properties, and learn how to assess, safely clean up and sustainably reuse them. For example, the training and research to be delivered by the selected TAB providers will assist communities in: 

• Identifying and prioritizing brownfields for redevelopment. 

• Determining the potential public health impact of brownfield sites.  

• Identifying appropriate funding/financing approaches. 

• Applying for and managing EPA brownfields grants. 

• Evaluating economic feasibility of reuse plans. 

• Interpreting technical brownfield reports, assessments, and plans. 

• Understanding and navigate regulatory requirements. 

Today’s selected grant recipients are: 

• The University of Connecticut -- will provide assistance in EPA’s Region 1.  

• The New Jersey Institute of Technology -- will provide assistance in EPA’s Region 2.  

• The West Virginia University Research Corporation -- will provide assistance in EPA’s Region 3.  

• The International City/County Management Association -- will provide assistance in EPA’s Region 4. 

• The Kansas State University -- will provide assistance in EPA’s Regions 5-8. The university will also coordinate with the other selected recipients on nationally led efforts and tools. 

• The Center for Creative Land Recycling – will provide assistance in EPA’s Regions 9 and 10.  

Background:  

This Technical Assistance for Brownfields grant is a competitive grant awarded every five years; providing up to $200,000 per year over the course of five years.  

More information on the TAB program: https://www.epa.gov/brownfields/brownfields-technical-assistance 

More information on EPA’s Brownfields program: http://www.epa.gov/brownfields/ 

More information on EPA Regions: https://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/regional-and-geographic-offices 

EPA and PADEP to hold virtual public meeting to take comment on federal, state settlement with American Zinc Recycling Corp.

 U.S. EPA News Release:

EPA and PADEP to hold virtual public meeting
to take comment on federal, state settlement
with American Zinc Recycling Corp.

Settlement to result in 47 million pounds of pollution reduction from AZR facility in Palmerton, Pa

PHILADELPHIA (April 16, 2021) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) will hold a virtual public meeting May 4 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. to take comment from the public on a proposed settlement with American Zinc Recycling Corp. (AZR).  In February, EPA announced the U.S. and PADEP had settled a federal-state lawsuit citing violations of air, water and hazardous waste environmental laws at AZR’s facility in Palmerton, Pennsylvania.

In settlement papers filed on January 19th in federal court in Scranton, Pa., AZR has agreed to carry out an estimated $4.3 million in measures to comply with federal and state environmental laws. This settlement is expected to result in an estimated 47 million pounds of reductions of pollution from the AZR facility, including 25 million pounds of electric arc furnace dust over three years. AZR also will pay a $3.3 million penalty. The complaint and proposed consent decree were filed by the U.S. Justice Department, on behalf of the EPA and PADEP.

The $3.3 million penalty will be divided equally between the U.S. and Pennsylvania.

The proposed consent decree, was subject to a 30-day public comment period, which has since closed.  During the open comment period, EPA received three requests for a public meeting.  The May 4^th virtual meeting is in response to those requests.  The proposed consent decree is available for review at www.justice.gov/enrd/Consent_Decrees.html

To participate in the virtual public meeting:

Microsoft Teams Meeting

Join on your computer or mobile app

Click here to join the meeting

Or call in (audio only)

+1 484-352-3221,,581309786#   United States, Philadelphia

Phone Conference ID: 581 309 786#

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By participating in EPA hosted virtual meetings and events, you are consenting to abide by the agency's terms of use. In addition, you acknowledge that content you post may be collected and used in support of FOIA and eDiscovery activities.

Administrator Regan Announces $156 Million Loan to DC Water to Accelerate Critical Infrastructure Repairs

 U.S. EPA News Release:

Administrator Regan Announces $156 Million Loan
to DC Water to Accelerate Critical Infrastructure Repairs

WIFIA loan supports essential improvements to DC’s water system at affordable cost

WASHINGTON (April 15, 2021) – Today, at an event with Washington D.C. mayor Muriel Bowser, U.S. Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, D.C. Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie, DC Water Chief Executive Officer and General Manager David L. Gadis, and other local officials, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael S. Regan announced a $156 million Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) loan to the District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority (DC Water). This loan will help finance water infrastructure improvements throughout the city, including new water mains to improve drinking water quality and reduce service disruptions resulting from breaks in aged pipes.

“EPA’s WIFIA program demonstrates that investments in water infrastructure—just like those called for under the American Jobs Plan—can help our nation build back stronger while supporting lower income communities and communities of color,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “DC Water’s improvement projects will revitalize water infrastructure in this historic city and EPA’s WIFIA loan will provide significant cost-savings—providing a win-win for local communities.”

DC Water serves more than 700,000 residents, including many lower income communities and communities of color. EPA’s WIFIA loan provides significant cost-savings—helping DC Water meet its water affordability goals. DC Water’s Comprehensive Infrastructure Repair, Rehabilitation and Replacement Program will cost $319 million and EPA’s WIFIA loan will finance nearly half of that figure—saving DC Water an estimated $30 million. These savings can be passed on to customers through continued service improvements from additional infrastructure investment or greater rate stability throughout the life of the loan. Additionally, with the savings realized from the low costs associated with the WIFIA loan, DC Water is able to continue its support for assistance programs to help customers in need.

“Especially right now, it is critical that we are able to continue making progress on projects that improve our region’s infrastructure and help us build a more resilient city – and to be able to do so without creating a new financial burden for residents, especially those who have been hit the hardest by this pandemic,” said D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser. “We thank the Biden Administration and Administrator Regan for recognizing this need and for investing in our shared goal to build back better.”

“Today’s news will have a real impact on District residents and visitors. With this federal loan, DC Water will be able to improve service, pass on savings to their customers and put greater investment into clean infrastructure,” said U.S. Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton. “Improvements to our stormwater management system will have the added benefit of helping us achieve another goal of mine, making our rivers fishable and swimmable again.”

“Environmental justice has been a top priority of mine since I was first elected to the Council. The $156 million WIFIA loan to DC will fund initiatives that increase public health protections through improved water quality, cut costs for consumers, and protect our rivers from sewage contamination,” said Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie. “These are significant wins for District residents.”

“Rebuilding our infrastructure and providing District residents, businesses and visitors with the highest quality drinking water and wastewater treatment is our top focus,” said DC Water CEO and General Manager David L. Gadis. “This funding provides for a system-wide comprehensive infrastructure repair, rehabilitation, and replacement program. It funds small-diameter water main replacements, wastewater treatment plant upgrades, and sewer rehabilitation projects—all necessary for us to provide critical services that are vital to public health.”

“These low-interest funds help us advance critical infrastructure projects, providing much-needed upgrades and rehabilitation to the District’s water, sewer, and wastewater treatment facilities and infrastructure,” said DC Water Chief Financial Officer Matthew Brown. “At the same time, paying lower interest rates on loans saves us money on debt service that we can pass along to customers in the form of less steep rate increases.”  

DC Water’s Comprehensive Infrastructure Repair, Rehabilitation, and Replacement Program will advance infrastructure projects that will increase public health protection and benefit water quality in local rivers. Upgrades to water mains and pumps throughout the system will improve drinking water distribution for better public health protection. The project will also protect the Potomac and Anacostia Rivers from sewage contamination by upgrading stormwater management systems and collecting and treating wastewater at the Blue Plains Treatment Plant. The program includes a combination of 20 drinking water and wastewater projects to rehabilitate, upgrade, and/or replace aging infrastructure throughout the system. Project construction and operation are expected to create more than 1,000 jobs.

With EPA’s WIFIA loan to DC Water, and two other WIFIA loans announced today, the agency has announced 49 WIFIA loans that are providing over $9.3 billion in credit assistance to help finance nearly $20 billion for water infrastructure while creating approximately 49,000 jobs and saving ratepayers over $4 billion.

Background on WIFIA

Established by the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act of 2014, the WIFIA program is a federal loan and guarantee program administered by EPA. WIFIA’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.

For more information about the WIFIA program, visit https://www.epa.gov/wifia.

 U.S. EPA News Release:

EPA cites Idaho Transportation Department facility in Rigby for federal asbestos violations

Unauthorized and untrained employees net ITD sizeable penalty
 

(SEATTLE – April 14, 2021) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has settled with the Idaho Transportation Department over federal asbestos violations at an ITD building in Rigby, an eastern Idaho community approximately 90 miles from Yellowstone Park. The settlement includes a $61,250 penalty.

According to related case documents, two untrained ITD workers improperly removed asbestos-containing materials from a break room, contaminating the space in the process. Violations took place in one of a group of maintenance buildings used for highway maintenance.

Ed Kowalski, Director of EPA's Regional Enforcement and Compliance Assistance Division, noted the importance of following proper removal and handling techniques when working with materials containing asbestos.

"Before undertaking renovations or demolition in any commercial or residential setting, it’s important to understand what materials might be involved,” said EPA’s Kowalski. “Asbestos floor tile is in wide-spread use and can be safely removed if proper procedures are followed. Training is essential to ensure asbestos fibers are not released during the removal and disposal process.”

EPA noted that ITD management promptly notified the agency of the alleged violations and had the space promptly cleaned by a qualified contractor who kept EPA informed of their progress. The contractor later provided testing results to show the area was safe to reenter and that all waste was properly handled and disposed of. ITD has advised EPA that it is now training all employees to help them better understand the dangers of asbestos, the federal regulations designed to keep people safe, and how they can help ITD avoid costly penalties in the future .

Under federal asbestos law, building owners or operators must notify the appropriate state agency before any demolition, or before any renovations of buildings that could contain a certain threshold amount of asbestos or asbestos-containing material. ITD did not inspect the building prior to the renovation or report the anticipated removal of asbestos-containing material to EPA.

Asbestos are fibers that occur in rocks and soil, and are commonly found in building materials such as floor tiles, roofing shingles, paper products, heat resistant fabrics, packaging, gaskets and coatings. Inhaling asbestos fibers can cause lung disease, lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis. EPA has regulated asbestos since the 1970's to protect public health.

ITD previously settled with EPA for similar violations at the same facility in 2014 ($55,800 penalty) and in 2015 ($51,986 penalty) at a facility in Priest River.

For more information on how to keep your family safe from asbestos in your community and home, please visit EPA's asbestos website. 

 

 

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