EPA Press Office:

EPA proposes stronger air pollution standards for large facilities that burn municipal solid waste

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Thursday announced a proposal to strengthen Clean Air Act standards for large facilities that burn municipal solid waste. If finalized, the updated standards would reduce emissions of nine pollutants, including smog- and soot-forming sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, by approximately 14,000 tons per year, improving air quality for overburdened communities living near these facilities. These proposed standards reflect current technologies available to control pollution in a cost-effective fashion. 

“President Biden believes every person deserves clean air to breathe and the opportunity to lead a healthy life, and EPA’s proposal is just the latest action to achieve this vision. By reducing harmful pollution and improving air quality, this rule will also advance environmental justice for nearby communities already overburdened with pollution,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “EPA is committed to working with communities and state, local, and Tribal governments to ensure that large facilities burning municipal waste utilize the most up-to-date and cost-effective control technologies to reduce pollution and protect public health.”

The proposed standards would apply to 57 facilities with 152 units that have the capacity to combust more than 250 tons per day of municipal solid waste. Nearly 4 million Americans live within 3 miles of these large facilities, which are disproportionately located in low-income communities and communities of color. Today’s proposal supports the Biden-Harris Administration’s unprecedented and ongoing efforts to protect overburdened communities from harmful pollution, and is likely to reduce existing disproportionate and adverse effects on communities with environmental justice concerns. The proposed standards are based on emission levels achieved by the best controlled and lower-emitting sources, and limit emissions of nine pollutants: particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, hydrogen chloride, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, lead, cadmium, mercury, and dioxins/furans.

The Clean Air Act requires EPA to evaluate these standards every five years in order to take into account developments in pollution control technologies and techniques. EPA last revised these standards in 2006. From day one, the Biden-Harris Administration has made advancing environmental justice a top priority, including by delivering on long overdue updates to pollution standards.

The estimated benefits of this action far outweigh the expected pollution control costs. After accounting for compliance costs of the rule, EPA estimated the net present value of health benefits from the proposed rule, due to reductions in particulate matter and ozone alone, to be up to $14 billion over 20 years. Reductions of mercury, lead, and other hazardous air pollutants required by the proposal are expected to result in additional unquantified economic and public health benefits. EPA believes this action is also likely to advance environmental justice by reducing existing disproportionate and adverse effects on overburdened communities.

EPA will accept comment on the proposal for 60 days after publication in the Federal Register. EPA will hold an informational webinar and will announce details on our website shortly.

Read more information on the proposal and upcoming webinar for large municipal waste combustors.

 EPA Press Office:

EPA Fines COIM USA for Inaccurate Reporting of Hazardous Chemical

Company Agrees to Supply Equipment to Local Fire Department as Part of Settlement

NEW YORK (January 11, 2024) - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has reached a settlement with COIM USA, Inc. (COIM) for allegedly violating the federal Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) at their chemical manufacturing facility in West Deptford, New Jersey. Failure of facilities to accurately disclose chemical information deprives local community members and officials of their right to know about releases and the presence of chemicals in their neighborhoods. Under the settlement, COIM will pay a $101,400 penalty. Additionally, the company will undertake a supplemental environmental project (SEP) estimated to cost approximately $25,000 to purchase emergency planning and preparedness equipment for the West Deptford Fire Department.

"COIM failed to meet their obligation to public safety by inaccurately reporting their activities involving 1,4-Dioxane, a hazardous chemical,” said Regional Administrator Lisa F. Garcia. "This settlement not only holds the company accountable for their violations, but also supports the local fire department in enhancing their emergency preparedness and response capabilities.”

The settlement resolves EPA’s allegations that COIM failed to accurately report the off-site transfers and disposal methods of 1,4-Dioxane, in their Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) reports for the years 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021. The TRI program requires facilities that manufacture, process, or otherwise use certain toxic chemicals above threshold levels to report annually on their releases and other waste management activities. In response to EPA’s request for the raw data and information that supported their 1,4-Dioxane TRI reports, COIM identified chemical records they had previously not considered and reevaluated their calculations and waste transfer descriptions. Accordingly, COIM updated its calculations and waste transfer descriptions, fixed its TRI reports, and set up internal controls to prevent future violations.

In addition to the penalty, COIM agreed to perform a Supplemental Environmental Project (SEP), which involves purchasing and providing fire turnout gear (safety clothing) for the West Deptford Fire Department. The SEP will help the fire department improve their ability to respond to emergencies involving hazardous chemicals such as 1,4-Dioxane in West Deptford and the surrounding communities.

Visit EPA’s Toxic Release Inventory Program webpage for additional information about the program.

Follow EPA Region 2 on X and visit our Facebook page. For more information about EPA Region 2, visit our website.

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For further information: Contact: Carlos Vega, (646) 988-2996, vega.carlos@epa.gov

 EPA Press Office:

EPA Announces Appointments to Local Government Advisory Committee

First time in LGAC history that membership will be majority female

 

Contact: EPA Press Office (press@epa.gov)

WASHINGTON (Jan. 10, 2024) – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the appointment of 16 new members to the Local Government Advisory Committee (LGAC), as well as the reappointments of 13 existing members. For the first time in the committee’s history, membership will be majority female, including all members of the committee’s leadership.  

“The Biden-Harris Administration has made a commitment to advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility across the federal government,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “Today’s announcement is the latest example of this commitment in action. In addition to a majority of female members, this important committee is comprised of individuals from across the country, representing the diversity of America, so we can reflect a range of input as we craft regulations impacting their communities.”

The 37-member LGAC will have 24 females and 13 males, including 13 people of color, and representation from 27 different states. The Administrator also appointed 5 new and 15 returning members to the LGAC’s Small Communities Advisory Subcommittee (SCAS). Read about the members and the communities they represent on EPA’s Local Government Advisory Committee Members website.

 

Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird of Lincoln, Nebraska will continue as the LGAC’s chair, with Mayor Lucy Vinis of Eugene, Oregon as vice chair. Administrator Regan also appointed Mayor Katie Rosenberg of Wausau, Wisconsin to join Ann Mallek, Supervisor of Albemarle County, Virginia, as co-chairs of the SCAS. 

 

“I am grateful to Administrator Regan for reappointment as Chair of the Local Government Advisory Committee,” said Mayor Gaylor Baird of Lincoln, Nebraska. “Members of LGAC have an historic opportunity to shape the implementation of EPA policies so that they best serve the diverse interests and concerns of the residents we represent.”

 

"EPA's LGAC is an amazing opportunity for local officials to amplify their voices and be directly engaged in the policy development process at the federal level,” said Clarence Anthony, CEO and Executive Director of National League of Cities (NLC). "At NLC, we are thrilled that these remarkable new appointees will be able to provide critical insights and recommendations to help ensure that federal policies, rules, and regulations are effective and practical for communities of all sizes. The LGAC offers local leaders a necessary seat at the table that will help deliver better outcomes for all of the residents in America's communities."

 

In 2024, the Committee will provide input on the proposed Lead and Copper Rule Improvements, the draft Strategy for Reducing Plastic Pollution, EPA’s efforts to develop a cumulative impact framework, and to improve community-level communication and engagement on climate change issues.

 

Members were chosen from a pool of more than 60 highly qualified candidates. Selections for the one- and two-year terms were made based on the applicant pool and in accordance with the LGAC charter to achieve balance and diversity in terms of geographic location, gender, ethnicity, and stakeholder perspective. 

 

The new, reappointed (denoted with *) and continuing (denoted with ^) LGAC members and their affiliations are:

 

The Honorable Ras Baraka, Mayor, Newark, NJ*

The Honorable Sharon Broome, Mayor, Baton Rouge, LA*

Gary Brown, Director of Water and Sewerage, Detroit, MI^

The Honorable Darcy Burke, Director, Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District, CA*

The Honorable Tricia Canonico, Councilmember, Ft. Collins, CO

The Honorable Wilmot Collins, Mayor, Helena, MT

The Honorable Becky Corran, Councilmember, Las Cruces, NM 

The Honorable Jim Donchess, Mayor, Nashua, NH 

The Honorable Allison Eckel, Commissioner, Mount Holly, NJ 

Miki Esposito, Assistant Director of Public Works, Los Angeles, CA

The Honorable Dawn Euer, Senator, State of Rhode Island 

Ms. Chandra Farley, Chief Sustainability Officer, Atlanta, GA 

Ms. Jessyn Farrell, Sustainability Director, Seattle, WA

The Honorable Sarah Fox, Climate Program Manager, State of Washington Department of Commerce*

The Honorable Jacob Frey, Mayor, Minneapolis, MN*

The Honorable Leirion Gaylor Baird, Lincoln, NE*

The Honorable Evan Glass, Councilmember, Montgomery County, MD

The Honorable Evan Hansen, House Delegate, State of West Virginia*

The Honorable Deana Holiday Ingraham, Mayor, East Point, GA^

The Honorable Heather Kimball, Councilmember, Hawai’i County*

The Honorable Ruthzee Louijeune, City Council President, Boston, MA 

The Honorable Ann Mallek, Supervisor, Albemarle County, VA^

The Honorable Christian Menefee, County Attorney, Harris County, TX*

The Honorable Douglas Nicholls, Mayor, Yuma, AZ^

The Honorable Ron Nirenberg, Mayor, San Antonio, TX^

The Honorable David Painter, County Commissioner, Clermont County, OH*

The Honorable Shawyn Patterson-Howard, Mayor, Mount Vernon, NY 

The Honorable Mary Lou Pauly, Mayor, Issaquah, WA*

The Honorable Evan Pratt, Water Resources Commissioner, Washtenaw County, MI 

Mr. Whitford Remer, Sustainability and Resilience Officer, Tampa, FL*

The Honorable Satya Rhodes-Conway, Mayor, Madison, WI^

The Honorable Katie Rosenberg, Mayor, Wausau, WI 

The Honorable Danene Sorace, Mayor, Lancaster, PA 

The Honorable Ashley Stolzmann, Commissioner, Boulder County, CO

The Honorable Lucy Vinis, Mayor, Eugene, OR*

Ms. La’Meshia Whittington, Water Treatment Facility Operator Certification Board, North Carolina

Mr. Jeff Witte, Secretary of Agriculture, State of New Mexico^  

 

The new, reappointed (denoted with *) SCAS members and their affiliations are:

 

The Honorable Mila Besich, Mayor, Superior, AZ

The Honorable Becky Corran, Councilmember, Las Cruces, NM

The Honorable Vincent DeSantis, Mayor, Gloversville, NY*

Mr. Kevin Dumas, Town Manager, Mansfield, MA*

The Honorable Jonathan Godes, Councilmember, Glenwood Springs, CO*

The Honorable Velma Jenkins, Mayor, Shuqualak, MS*

Ms. Denise Koch, Deputy Director of Engineering and Public Works, City and Borough of Juneau, AK* 

The Honorable Nicole LaChappelle, Mayor, Easthampton, MA

The Honorable Rey Leon, Mayor, Huron, CA*

The Honorable Ann Mallek, Commissioner, Albemarle County, VA*

Mr. Tyler Palmer, Deputy City Supervisor, Moscow, ID*

The Honorable James Perkins, Mayor, Selma, AL*

The Honorable Hattie Portis-Jones, Mayor Pro Tem, Fairburn, GA*

The Honorable Greg Puckett, Commissioner, Mercer County, WV*

The Honorable Kimberly Rich, Mayor Pro Tem, Willow Springs, MO*

The Honorable Katie Rosenberg, Mayor, Wausau, WI

The Honorable Kyle Shipp, Mayor, Pittsboro, NC

Mr. Kevin Shropshire, Pretreatment Coordinator, Rockledge, FL*

The Honorable Sophie Swope, City Councilor, Bethel, AK*

The Honorable Michele Zolezi, Vice President, Manchester Township, NJ*

 

Background

Chartered in 1993 under the Federal Advisory Committee Act, the Local Government Advisory Committee is comprised of elected and appointed officials at local, state, tribal and territorial governments within the U.S., who provide independent policy advice to the EPA Administrator on a broad range of issues affecting local governments. The Small Community Advisory Subcommittee was established by EPA in 1996 to advise the Administrator on environmental issues of concern to the residents of smaller communities. New members are recruited every fall.

For more information about the LGAC, visit EPA’s Local Government Advisory Committee (LGAC) website.

For more information about the SCAS, visit EPA’s Small Community Advisory Subcommittee (SCAS) website

Discover The Coolest Winter Plants!

 EPA Press Office:

Join Us in Albany for the First Regional Roadshow, Part of a Series Happening Across the Nation to Showcase Historic Environmental Justice Funding Opportunities

On January 18th in Albany’s South End, EPA’s new Community, Equity & Resiliency Initiative will share how to Access Unprecedented Inflation Reduction Act Resources for Local Climate and Environmental Justice Solutions

New York, NY – (January 10^th, 2023)  The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will host its first in a nationwide series of Regional Roadshow events, in Albany, New York on Thursday January 18, 2024. This in-person, community-based, round-table style event is part of the Community, Equity & Resiliency initiative which seeks to provide a roadmap to the resources available by way of the Inflation Reduction Act, such as grant programs and technical assistance. Additionally, the in-person gathering will provide community members with the opportunity to engage with their peers and develop or leverage community-based partnerships.

EPA staff and Albany community members will also be joined by WE ACT , one of EPA Region 2’s Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Centers (TCTAC) who will help facilitate the discussion portion of the event.  As a technical assistance center, WE ACT will serve as a resource around navigating the federal grant system, can provide guidance on grant writing, facilitate environmental justice training and other means of support to the Albany community.

With support from President Biden’s Investing in America agenda and Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), the Albany Regional Roadshow invites community members to engage with their peers and develop or leverage community-based partnerships to access historic IRA funding opportunities and technical assistance.  

WHO:  EPA, WE ACT for Environmental Justice

WHAT: Community, Equity, and Resilience Initiative Kickoff Roadshow Event.

WHEN January 18 at 5:00pm - 7:30pm ET

WHERE: Albany Housing Authority – 200 South Pearl Street, Albany NY 11202

Register today as space is limited.  Spanish Language and American Sign Language will be provided.

Visit the Community, Equity & Resiliency website to learn more, watch the recorded Virtual Open House panel discussions and fireside chats, access resources, and find out more about the in-person events to come. 

For further information: Iris M. Crawford 212 637-4360 (crawford.iris@epa.gov)

VW ID 7: Hands-On With the First ChatGPT-Enabled Electric Car

 EPA Press Office:

EPA announces $51M in grants for 144 new school buses in PNW

SEATTLE (Jan. 9) – Yesterday, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced Oregon and Washington will receive $51,148,500 for the purchase of 144 clean school buses.

Across the Nation, 67 applicants will receive nearly $1 billion through EPA’s Clean School Bus Program. In the Pacific Northwest:

• Beaverton School District, Oregon, will receive $19,750,000 to purchase 50 buses
• First Student Inc. will receive $16,500,000 to purchase 46 buses for both states
• RWC Group will receive $11,148,500 to purchase 33 buses across Washington
• Walla Walla Public Schools, Washington, will receive $3,750,000 to purchase 15 buses

“EPA is proud to partner with local school districts to bring electric school buses and cleaner air to communities throughout the Pacific Northwest. Children are most at risk for respiratory illnesses caused by diesel particulates so helping electrify school bus fleets is an investment in our kids’ health and their future,” said EPA Region 10 Administrator Casey Sixkiller. “Any action we can take to reduce the incidence of asthma and other health issues children experience is the right thing to do.”

“We are thrilled by today’s announcement. These additional 40 buses are critical for our children and schools. We’ve seen tremendous benefits to our kids’ physical and mental health. Not only do we see fewer asthma attacks because of electric buses, we also see calmer, happier kids because they no longer have to shout to hear each other over noisy diesel engines,” said Governor Jay Inslee. “These awards supercharge Washington’s efforts to be a leader in converting to clean, quiet electric buses. I’ve proposed $30 million in my budget to fund 80 additional electric buses and charging infrastructure. Thanks to Senator Murray, Administrator Regan, EPA, and President Biden for their partnership in building the future our children and communities deserve.”

“Students across the state rely on school buses to get them to and from school safely every day. The Clean School Bus grants announced by the Biden-Harris Administration will make those buses cleaner for more students. The grants will improve air quality to protect the health of our students and aid in our efforts to combat climate change in Oregon,” said Governor Tina Kotek

EPA’s Clean School Bus Program will reduce greenhouse gas emissions, save money for school districts, and produce cleaner air. Air pollution from older diesel engines is linked to asthma and other conditions that harm students’ health and cause them to miss school, particularly in communities of color and Tribal communities. Efforts to minimize the effects of these older diesel engines will ensure cleaner air for students, bus drivers, and school staff working near the bus loading areas, and the communities through which the buses drive each day.

“Getting more clean school buses on our roads is a win for students, our planet, and our economy—and that’s exactly what I had in mind when I created this program,” Sen. Patty Murray said. “Out of every 20 school buses in our country, 19 still use diesel fuel, and that means far too many kids and drivers are breathing in polluted air every time they board an old diesel school bus. Replacing these buses with cleaner alternatives just makes sense, and I’m thrilled to see that $15 million from my Clean School Bus Program is going out the door to help school districts across Washington state electrify their fleets.”

“Currently Washington state students rely on a fleet of 10,000 buses powered by costly diesel fuel. Investing in cleaner school buses will help lower air pollution around schools and reduce school district fueling and maintenance expenses,” Sen. Maria Cantwell said.

"Every child—regardless of the color of their skin, their zip code, or how much money their parents make—should be able to travel to and from school without having to be exposed to toxins and dangerous air pollution that drives asthma and other diseases," said Sen. Jeff Merkley. “This historic investment will secure support for several Oregon school districts to purchase electric school buses to keep the air cleaner for our kids and save school districts money. I'll keep fighting for the investments and legislation we need to upgrade school bus fleets around Oregon.”

“In my many open-to-all town hall meetings throughout the state, I hear from Oregonians concerned about climate change, which is why I am a strong supporter of the Clean School Bus Program and authored historic clean energy provisions in the Inflation Reduction Act,” said Sen. Ron Wyden. “These clean-bus resources will go a long way in increasing school transit services while helping to ensure a brighter future for our students.”

The reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from these bus replacements will also help to address the outsized role of the transportation sector in fueling the climate crisis. EPA’s Clean School Bus Program will benefit school districts as they upgrade to cost saving and fuel-efficient school bus fleets, by replacing existing buses with brand new zero-emission and clean school buses and freeing up needed resources for schools.

“Old, diesel school buses are a threat to air quality and the health and safety of our children. Our community is well positioned to help accelerate the transition to electrification and today’s grants are a reflection of our leadership in this vital effort. I’m hopeful that this is just the beginning of a cleaner, more efficient transportation system,” said Rep. Earl Blumenauer.

“It’s exciting that Portland Public Schools and Beaverton School District students will be able to ride in clean school buses in the years to come because of funding from this program,” said Rep. Suzanne Bonamici. “These buses reduce harmful air pollution and improve the health of students and the community.

"This $15 million in federal funding, made possible by the bipartisan infrastructure law, will help several Washington school districts, including Snohomish and Lake Washington School Districts, upgrade their bus fleets,” said Rep. Suzan DelBene. “This investment will support cleaner, greener buses, foster a healthier environment that promotes the well-being of our students, and is a significant stride toward a brighter, more sustainable future."

“I’m thrilled to see millions of dollars in federal funding headed to Washington’s 7th district to support the purchase of clean school buses for our region,” said Rep. Pramila Jayapal. “Every child deserves to breathe clean air, and these dollars will go a long way toward improving air quality for our community while helping kids get to and from school. I’m proud to have voted for the Infrastructure Law as this legislation continues to deliver funding for important clean energy projects across America.”

“We know that investing in a clean energy transportation economy can create green jobs and help our environment,” said Rep. Derek Kilmer. “And when we invest in cleaner school buses, we improve air quality for students, parents, and others across our region. Thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we’re seeing investments in places like Tacoma that have put our state on the path to being a leading example in sustainable transportation.”

“Thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Everett School District and South Whidbey School District will be able to safely transport kids while pulling more pollution out of transportation,” said Rep. Rick Larsen. “Investing in cleaner and greener school bus fleets in Everett, Island County and across Washington state enables communities to build more efficient transportation networks while reducing maintenance costs, creating jobs and improving public health.”

“Making the switch to cleaner, greener school buses is good for our children’s health and good for our environment,” said Rep. Andrea Salinas. “That’s why I’m excited to announce Oregon's Sixth District will be receiving millions of dollars in Clean School Bus Awards, funding that will help the cities of Amity, McMinnville, Dayton, and Willamina purchase electric and low-emissions school buses. I’m grateful to the Biden Administration and the EPA for investing in Oregon’s future, and I look forward to seeing these dollars put to good use in our communities.”

Background

EPA’s $5 billion Clean School Bus program created by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law includes both a grant program where selected applicants are awarded funds to purchase buses and a rebate program that allows selectees to receive awards before purchasing eligible buses that replaces existing school buses with clean and zero-emission models. Today’s Clean School Bus grants are the second round of selections announced for the newly created program. EPA will make more funds available for clean school buses in additional rounds of funding.

EPA is currently accepting applications for the 2023 Clean School Bus Rebate Program until January 31, 2024. EPA encourages applicants not selected for the 2023 Clean School Bus Grant Program – and those that did not apply – to participate in current and future funding rounds.

Contact Information: EPA R10 Press Office (r10_Press_team@epa.gov)