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

 EPA News Release:

EPA Announces Strategy to Protect Water Quality by Accelerating Nutrient Pollution Reductions

WASHINGTON (Apr 5, 2022) – Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Assistant Administrator for Water, Radhika Fox, released a new policy memorandum on Accelerating Nutrient Pollution Reductions in the Nation’s Waters. This memo reaffirms EPA’s commitment to working with federal agencies, state co-regulators, Tribes, water stakeholders, and the agricultural community to advance progress in reducing excess nutrients in our nation’s waters.

 

“Nutrient pollution is one of America's most widespread, costly, and challenging environmental problems,”  said EPA Assistant Administrator for Water Radhika Fox. “At the same time, promising innovations, creative partnerships, holistic One Water solutions, and unprecedented opportunities to invest in clean and safe water through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law have the potential to rapidly accelerate progress on nutrient pollution. Our nutrients memo is a call for scaling up the innovative approaches being used by farmers, ranchers, water agencies, local municipalities, industry, and communities to make progress.”

 

In the memo issued today, EPA commits to deepening existing partnerships and fostering new collaboratives with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), states, Tribes, territories, agriculture, industry, and the broader water sector. The agency will support innovation and pursue science-based and data-driven strategies to reduce excess nutrients in our nation’s waters. Critically, EPA will also provide technical assistance and other support to help states, Tribes, and territories scale effective nutrient loss reduction strategies. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law also provides dedicated resources to accelerate efforts, such as the work happening through the Gulf Hypoxia Taskforce on state nutrient reduction strategies. EPA will also continue to evolve and implement the Clean Water Act regulatory framework to holistically address nutrient pollution. 

 

“Through voluntary, incentive-based conservation programs, USDA helps agricultural producers improve the timing and application method of nutrients, which supports food and fiber production while also reducing the impacts on the environment,” said Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation Robert Bonnie.  “USDA is proud to partner with EPA, farmers, ranchers and others to reduce excess nutrients in America’s waters. Effective nutrient management not only improves plant health and productivity, but also reduces excess nutrients in surface and ground water as well as emissions of greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change.”

 

“In Wisconsin, we are dedicated to ensuring everyone has access to clean, safe water. Nitrates in our drinking water and other nutrient pollution impacts Wisconsin residents every day,” said Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Preston Cole. “Wisconsin welcomes EPA’s commitment to partnering with states and with agriculture to tackle the challenge of nutrient pollution. We also appreciate the leverage that the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law offers to address nutrient pollution from a variety of sources. The strategies outlined in EPA’s nutrients memo will help all of us make progress to protect public health and our Nation’s waters.”

 

Additionally, under this policy memo, EPA will prioritize nutrient pollution reduction, treatment, and mitigation activities that help protect public health and the environment in our most vulnerable communities. Disadvantaged communities across the country disproportionately bear the brunt of environmental impacts from nutrient pollution and lack the resources to address these issues on their own.

 

View EPA’s memo at: https://www.epa.gov/nutrient-policy-data/2022-epa-nutrient-reduction-memorandum.

 

Learn more about EPA’s efforts to address excess nutrients at: https://www.epa.gov/nutrient-policy-data.

 

Background

Nutrient pollution is a continuing and growing challenge with profound implications for public health, water quality, and the economy. In a changing climate, the complexity and severity of the problem is increasing. Nutrients are the most widespread stressor impacting rivers and streams.  Fifty eight percent of the nation’s rivers and streams and 45% of our lakes have excess levels of phosphorus. About two-thirds of the nation's coastal areas and more than one-third of the nation's estuaries are impaired by nutrients. 

 EPA News Release:

EPA Proposes to Ban Ongoing Uses of Asbestos, Taking Historic Step to Protect People from Cancer Risk

Proposed Rule is First-Ever Risk Management Rule Issued Under New Process in 2016 Lautenberg Chemical Safety Act

WASHINGTON - Today the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is taking action to protect people from asbestos exposure by releasing a proposed rule to prohibit ongoing uses of the only known form of asbestos currently imported into the U.S. This proposed rule is the first-ever risk management rule issued under the new process for evaluating and addressing the safety of existing chemicals under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) that was enacted in 2016.

“Today, we’re taking an important step forward to protect public health and finally put an end to the use of dangerous asbestos in the United States,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “This historic proposed ban would protect the American people from exposure to chrysotile asbestos, a known carcinogen, and demonstrates significant progress in our work to implement the TSCA law and take bold, long-overdue actions to protect those most vulnerable among us.”

The proposed rule would ban chrysotile asbestos, the only known form of asbestos that’s currently imported into the U.S., which is found in products like asbestos diaphragms, sheet gaskets, brake blocks, aftermarket automotive brakes/linings, other vehicle friction products, and other gaskets also imported into the U.S.

This proposal would rectify a 1991 court decisionEXITEXIT EPA WEBSITE that largely overturned EPA’s 1989 ban on asbestos that significantly weakened EPA’s authority under TSCA to address risks to human health from asbestos or from any other existing chemical. With the 2016 amendments to TSCA, the law was radically transformed with clear requirements and a mandate to comprehensively prioritize and evaluate chemicals and put in place strong and timely protections against any unreasonable risks.

EPA is also proposing targeted disposal and recordkeeping requirements in line with industry standards, Occupational Safety and Health Administration requirements, and the Asbestos National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP). The proposed disposal and recordkeeping requirements would take effect 180 days after the effective date of the final rule.

Use of asbestos in the U.S. has been declining for decades, and its use is banned in over 50 countries. Although there are several known types, the only form of asbestos known to be currently imported, processed, or distributed for use in the United States is chrysotile. Raw chrysotile asbestos currently imported into the U.S. is used exclusively by the chlor-alkali industry. Most consumer products that historically contained chrysotile asbestos have been discontinued. In December 2020, EPA issued a final risk evaluation that found unreasonable risks to human health from conditions of use associated with six categories of products.

To address these unreasonable risks, the proposed rule would prohibit manufacture (including import), processing, distribution in commerce, and commercial use of chrysotile asbestos for six categories of chrysotile asbestos-containing products: asbestos diaphragms, sheet gaskets, oilfield brake blocks, aftermarket automotive brakes and linings, other vehicle friction products, and other gaskets. The proposed prohibition on the manufacture, processing, and distribution in commerce will also address consumer exposure to chrysotile asbestos. The prohibitions relating to asbestos diaphragms and sheet gaskets for commercial use are proposed to take effect two years after the effective date of the final rule; the proposed prohibitions relating to oilfield brake blocks, aftermarket automotive brakes and linings, other vehicle friction products, and other gaskets for commercial use are proposed to take effect 180 days after the effective date of the final rule.

Chlor-alkali chemicals are used in sectors important to the national economy and in operations that can help protect human health such as drinking water treatment, which uses chlorine manufactured through the chlor-alkali process. While chlorine is a commonly used disinfectant in water treatment, there are only 10 chlor-alkali plants in the U.S. that still use asbestos diaphragms to produce chlorine and sodium hydroxide. One plant is expected to close this year. The nine remaining chlor-alkali plants using asbestos diaphragms range in age from 40 to 123 years old and none have increased use of asbestos diaphragms in approximately 17 years. The use of asbestos diaphragms has been declining and these remaining plants only account for about one-third of the chlor-alkali production in the country. Alternatives to asbestos-containing diaphragms for chlor-alkali plants exist, and the use of alternatives, specifically membrane cells, accounts for almost half of the country’s chlor-alkali production. 

In addition to addressing the significant human health effects of chrysotile asbestos exposure, today’s proposal, if finalized, is also expected to generate health benefits from reduced air pollution associated with electricity generation as chlor-alkali production is one of the most energy-intensive industrial operations. Environmental justice concerns in communities surrounding some of the affected chlor-alkali facilities and other chemical manufacturers would also benefit from reduced levels of soot and other air pollution from the electricity generation needed to support these facilities.

Separately, EPA is also evaluating legacy uses and associated disposals, other types of asbestos fibers in addition to chrysotile, and conditions of use of asbestos in talc and talc-containing products in a supplemental risk evaluation for asbestos. EPA released the draft scope for the second part of the asbestos risk evaluation in December 2021 and will publish the final risk evaluation by December 1, 2024.

EPA will accept public comments on the proposed rule for chrysotile asbestos for 60 days following publication in the Federal Register via docket EPA-HQ-OPPT-2021-0057 at https://www.regulations.gov/EXITEXIT EPA WEBSITE.

Learn more about EPA actions to protect the public from exposure to asbestos.