eharry Medical College and EPA to Collaborate on Green Initiatives

Release Date: 01/27/2012
Contact Information: Dawn Harris-Young, (404) 562-8421, harris-young.dawn@epa.gov

ATLANTA – On Thursday, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will enter into an agreement with Meharry Medical College to support campus greening and sustainability. As part of the agreement, EPA will commit to enhance the university’s environmental policy and science curricula and offer opportunities for students interested in environmental careers. 

A Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) will be signed during a ceremony at Meharry.

WHO: Gwen Keyes Fleming, Regional Administrator, EPA Region 4; 
Dr. Wayne J. Riley, President, Meharry Medical College

WHAT: EPA and Meharry Medical College Sign MOU on Campus Greening and Environmental Careers

WHEN: Monday, Jan. 30, 2012, at 2:30 p.m. CST

WHERE: Meharry Medical College
S.S. Kresge Learning Resources Building
Royal Conference Room
Nashville, TN

Agreement Reached to Address Contamination at CTS Site in Asheville, NC

Release Date: 01/26/2012
Contact Information: James Pinkney, 404-562-9183, pinkney.james@epa.gov 

(ATLANTA – January 26, 2012) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and CTS Corporation have reached an agreement, an Administrative Order and Settlement Agreement on Consent (AOC), to conduct a Remedial Investigation and Feasibility Study (RI/FS) at the CTS of Asheville, Inc. Site in Asheville, NC. 

The RI serves as the mechanism for collecting data to characterize site conditions, determine the nature and extent of contamination, assess risks to human health and the environment, and conduct treatability testing to determine the nature and potential performance and cost of treatment technologies. The FS is the mechanism for the development, screening and detailed evaluation of alternative remedial actions.

According to the terms of the AOC, CTS Corporation will:

· Submit a Non-Aqueous Phase Liquid (NAPL)Work Plan and Health and Safety Plan within two weeks. The NAPL Work Plan will be implemented concurrently with the January 13, 2012 Soil Vapor Extraction Confirmation Sampling and Analysis Plan, Revision 7 (“CSAP”). 
· Submit a Work Plan related to monitoring of private drinking water wells that are located within a one mile radius of the former plant at the Site. 
· Submit a Vapor Intrusion Assessment Work Plan. 
· Submit a RI/FS Work Plan and a RI Sampling and Analysis Plan to address all other known or suspected exposure pathways.

EPA Announces Comment Period for Injection Well Permit Changes in Wright County, Minn.

Release Date: 01/26/2012
Contact Information: Peter Cassell, 312-886-6234, cassell.peter@epa.gov

For Immediate Release
No. 12-OPA006

CHICAGO (Jan. 26, 2012) - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today announced the start of a public comment period on a request from the Joint Powers Water Board to make changes to its current permit for injecting treated drinking water into the Mount Simon-Hinkley aquifer. EPA will accept written comments until Feb. 21. 

Comments should be addressed to William Bates, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (WU-16J), 77 W. Jackson Blvd., Chicago, IL 60604-3590 orbates.william@epa.gov. For questions and additional information, contact William Bates at 312-886-6110 or call EPA's toll-free line at 800-621-8431, 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., weekdays. 

Draft documents and more information about public comment procedures are available on EPA’s website at www.epa.gov/r5water/uic/.

Official records are also available at the Great River Regional Library, St. Michael Branch, 11800 Town Center Drive, N.E, St. Michael.

Ultra-sustainable zHome becomes the first community of WaterSense labeled new homes in the Nation

Release Date: 01/25/2012
Contact Information: Debra Sherbina, EPA WaterSense Coordinator, 206-553-0247, sherbina.debra@epa.gov; Tony Brown, EPA Public Affairs, 206-553-1203, brown.anthony@epa.gov

(Seattle – Jan. 25, 2012) zHome – the ultra-sustainable, 10-unit townhome development in Issaquah, WA that is redefining the future of housing – is also the first community in the Nation in which every home has earned the WaterSense label for new homes. EPA’s WaterSense program is modeled after its highly successful Energy Star program. The goal of WaterSense is to significantly reduce water use nationwide to save water resources for future generations.

A home that is certified to earn the WaterSense label will use at least 20 percent less water than a standard, newly-constructed home and the high-efficiency WaterSense labeled fixtures perform as well or better than their traditional counterparts. The benefits of the certification include:\

· Lower utility bills for future residents
· Reduced strain on water and wastewater systems
· More water left in streams and aquifers for salmon, recreation and other uses
· Fewer greenhouse gas emissions due to reduced energy demands from water treatment and delivery

In addition, zHome strove to demonstrate a multitude of water-efficient technologies, with a net reduction of 70 percent in potable water use compared to a typical King County home. Cascade Water Alliance provided WaterSense labeled toilets, showerheads, and bathroom faucets, as well as innovative, real-time use monitors for every unit to ensure maximum efficiency. Each zHome unit also includes a rainwater harvesting tank (ranging in size from 1,000- to 1,800-gallons) that is used for clothes washing and toilet flushing.

“EPA is proud to recognize the zHome project, built and developed by Ichijo USA and Seattle builder Matt Howland, as one of the leaders in the Pacific Northwest in helping to advance water efficiency,” said Paula vanHaagen, EPA’s Manager, Grants and Planning Unit in Seattle.

zHome was brought to life through a highly collaborative public/private partnership spearheaded by the City of Issaquah, in conjunction with Built Green, King County, Port Blakely Communities, Puget Sound Energy and the Washington State University Energy Program.

“We are extremely excited that the zHome units received the new WaterSense New Homes certification,” said Issaquah Mayor Ava Frisinger. “We hope zHome inspires homebuilders and homeowners to take advantage of the same water-saving benefits with their projects.”

Cascade Water Alliance, a long-time WaterSense promotional partner, is a non-profit corporation with the goal of providing safe, clean, and reliable water to its 400,000 residents and 22,000 businesses. Cascade is made up of the cities of Bellevue, Redmond, Kirkland, Issaquah, Tukwila, the Covington Water District, and the Sammamish Plateau and Skyway Water and Sewer Districts.

To find out more about Cascade Water Alliance, visit: www.cascadewater.org

To find out more about WaterSense, visit: www.epa.gov/watersense

To find out more about zHome, visit: www.z-home.org

EPA Announces Millions in Grants to Clean Air Projects in San Joaquin Valley

Release Date: 01/24/2012
Contact Information: Nahal Mogharabi, 213-514- 4361, mogharabi.nahal@epa.gov 

SAN FRANCISCO—U.S. EPA Regional Administrator Jared Blumenfeld today announced $5 million in funding that will pay for cleaner locomotives throughout the San Joaquin Valley, including a state-of-the art locomotive operating between the Port of Stockton and Lodi. EPA and its partners in the valley, the California Air Resources Board and the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District made the announcement at the Central California Traction Rail Company in Stockton, CA.

In addition, approximately $16 million in grants was announced to slash diesel emissions, advance air quality and improve public health throughout the state of California. The San Joaquin Valley, one of the most productive agricultural areas in the country, also has some of the nation’s worst air quality and highest rates of asthma. Federal, local and state partners are working to alleviate these problems by channeling significant funds into new clear air technologies.

“EPA’s goal is to reduce the public health impact of diesel emissions from the trucks and trains moving goods through the San Joaquin Valley,” said Jared Blumenfeld, EPA’s Regional Administrator for the Pacific Southwest. “This funding will reduce particulate matter emissions by 210 tons statewide for the lifetime of these projects—the equivalent of removing 1,000 heavy-duty trucks off the road.”

The state of the art locomotive unveiled in Stockton uses significantly less fuel than its 1953 model year predecessor and emits 90 percent less particulate matter and 92 percent less nitrogen oxides into the environment. This locomotive also uses a regenerative braking system, in which energy otherwise lost as the train slows down is captured and reused. New technologies such as these significantly cut emissions, while creating new jobs and revitalizing local economies.

"The Air Resources Board is committed to slashing diesel emissions throughout California," said Air Resources Board Member Dorene D'Adamo. "By adopting effective regulations and working with our local and federal partners to bring projects like clean locomotives to the Central Valley, we are making great progress. Our air is quantifiably cleaner than it was back in the last decade, and everyone here today has contributed to that achievement." 

These EPA clean diesel grant funds will eliminate approximately 210 tons of particulate matter, 4,500 tons of nitrogen oxides and 130,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions for the lifetime of these projects. 

“The challenges we face in the Valley are unmatched by any other region in the nation, and we highly value our partnership with the EPA in our joint efforts to reach our clean air goals,” said Seyed Sadredin, Executive Director and Air Pollution Control Officer of the San Joaquin Valley Air District. “Achieving zero emission goods movement is a key component of our clean air 
strategy.”

Pollution from dirty diesel engines remains one of the most significant health risks in California. The California Air Resources Board estimates that approximately 9,000 people in California die prematurely each year as a result of exposure to fine particle pollution like diesel exhaust.

The $21 million in funds will go to new projects throughout the state and existing locomotives in San Joaquin Valley including: 

San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District: $2,000,000 to repower two older locomotives with newer, cleaner engines. 

California Air Resources Board: $14 million to replace 18 older with ultra-low emitting genset locomotives in San Joaquin Valley and Southern California and install a selective catalytic reduction system with a diesel oxidation catalyst capable of meeting Tier 4 emission levels on a line haul locomotive.

Bay Area Air Quality Management District: $1,557,987 to replace 43 heavy-duty drayage trucks that operate at ports around the San Francisco Bay Area. 

Sacramento Air Quality Management District: $1,097,032 to establish a voucher program to replace 200 existing diesel agricultural irrigation pump engines with new electric agricultural pump motors to power agricultural irrigation pumps. 

In addition to the funding announcement, EPA today launched its strategic plan for the Valley which suffers from some of the most pressing issues in the region. The EPA prioritizes air and water quality, enforcement of public health standards and environmental justice. EPA will continue to work with the California Air Resources Board and the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District and will aim to reduce particulate matter 2.5 concentrations by 7% in 2012. To improve water quality, EPA will work closely with other federal agencies to invest in 11 public water systems that need infrastructure improvements and treatment to meet drinking water standards. Under President Obama’s Strong Cities, Strong Communities initiative, EPA has also contributed two full-time federal employees to lead a multi-agency team that will partner with the City of Fresno and local stakeholders to implement a redevelopment vision. As part of the strategic plan, EPA is also dedicated to tracking and reducing environmental hazards, recycling pesticide containers and helping to spur dairy digester projects in the Valley. EPA welcomes public comment on the San Joaquin Strategic Plan. The plan will be finalized in the coming months.

Diesel Emission Reduction Act grants are funded through the West Coast Collaborative, a public-private partnership between leaders from federal, state, and local government, the private sector, and environmental groups committed to reduce diesel emissions throughout western North America. The Collaborative has provided more than $97.5 million of grant funds, with an additional $119 million of leveraged money by its partners since 2008. This translates to emission reductions of approximately 1,725 tons of particulate matter and 38,895 tons of nitrogen oxide for the lifetime of these grant projects.

Cleaning up diesel emissions can also have direct near term climate benefits. For more information, visit:http://yosemite.epa.gov/sab/sabproduct.nsf/fedrgstr_activites/BC%20Report%20to%20Congress?OpenDocument

More information on these grants and to learn more about the West Coast Collaborative, visit:http://www.westcoastcollaborative.org. 

For more information on the National Clean Diesel Campaign, including a list of all grants nation-wide, visit:http://www.epa.gov/cleandiesel

For information about EPA Region 9 Pacific Southwest’s San Joaquin Valley Strategy, visit:http://www.epa.gov/region9/strategicplan/sanjoaquin.html 

Today’s announcement is part of EPA Regional Administrator Jared Blumenfeld’s two day “Whistle Stop Tour” of San Joaquin Valley. For more information on his overall visit, today’s event and photos, pleasehttp://www.epa.gov/region9/mediacenter/sjv-tour/ 

EPA Environmental Justice Grant to Help Farm Workers Reduce Pesticide Risks

Release Date: 01/23/2012
Contact Information: Elias Rodriguez, 212-637-3664, rodriguez.elias@epa.gov

(New York, N.Y.) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is providing a $25,000 grant to the Comite de Apoyo a los Trabajadores Agrícolas (CATA) to reduce exposure to pesticides for farm workers in southern New Jersey. CATA, a Latino-led nonprofit organization, will educate migrant farm workers throughout the counties of Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cumberland, Gloucester and Salem, New Jersey about the risks of pesticide exposure and how to protect their health during field work.

““EPA environmental justice grants provide much needed funds to tackle local pollution problems in low income communities," said Judith A. Enck, EPA Regional Administrator. "Exposure to pesticides can have serious effects on people’s health. The grant to Comite de Apoyo a los Trabajadores Agrícolas will train migrant farm workers in southern New Jersey about steps they can take to better protect their health on the job.”

Pesticides are intended to harm or kill pests and are toxic by design. They can be very harmful to people’s health depending on the toxicity of the pesticide and the level of exposure. According to the Centers for Disease Control, doctors diagnose between 10,000 and 20,000 farm workers with pesticide poisonings each year. Workers can become exposed to toxic levels of pesticides during spills, direct spraying or pesticide drift. In addition, migrant farm workers may not be supplied protective gear needed to protect their health or the equipment they do receive is defective. 

Southern New Jersey has a large population of migrant farm workers. For the past twenty years, CATA has managed an environmental program that provides information on pesticide protection, the reduction of harmful chemicals in the workplace and general health and safety training. The EPA funding to CATA will help farm workers implement worker protection standards and identify training needs. Under the project funded by the grant, the group will survey workers and train them using the We Work with Pesticides curriculum developed by the Farm Worker Health and Safety Institute and approved by the EPA. 

Environmental justice means the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people, regardless of race or income, in the environmental decision-making process. Since 1994, the environmental justice small grants program has provided more than $23 million in funding to community-based nonprofit organizations and local governments working to address environmental justice issues in more than 1,200 communities. The grants further EPA’s commitment to expand the conversation on environmentalism and advance environmental justice in communities across the nation.

More information on the Environmental Justice Small Grants program and a list of grantees:http://www.epa.gov/compliance/environmentaljustice/grants/ej-smgrants.html.

EPA Regions 7 and 8 Meet State Agriculture Directors in Kansas City, Kan.

Release Date: 01/20/2012
Contact Information: Kris Lancaster, (913) 551-7557, lancaster.kris@epa.gov

Environmental News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Kansas City, Kan., Jan. 20, 2012) - Officials from EPA Regions 7 and 8 today hosted a meeting with the directors of state agriculture departments of Iowa, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah and Wyoming. The meeting, held at EPA’s Region 7 building in Kansas City, Kan., provided a forum for dialogue on EPA programs and regulations as well as specific issues, interests and concerns of the agriculture sector.

EPA staff participants in the meeting included: Karl Brooks, Region 7 Administrator; Jim Martin, Region 8 Administrator; Josh Svaty, Region 7 Senior Adviser; Damon Frizzell, Region 7 Agricultural Adviser; Jennifer Schuller, Region 8 Agriculture Adviser; and Howard Cantor, Region 8 Deputy Administrator.

“Agricultural producers deserve credit for taking significant steps to protect the environment while finding innovative ways to feed millions,” said EPA Region 7 Administrator Karl Brooks. “American farmers and ranchers have such broad impacts on everything from daily food prices to widespread environmental impacts to emerging renewable fuel technologies that EPA needs to hear the views of state agriculture directors as part of our decision making process.”

EPA recognizes that agricultural producers are on the frontline of environmental stewardship and are affected by many EPA programs. Frequent meetings with state agriculture directors are a critical way for EPA to provide outreach and receive feedback on current issues and concerns. Specific topics of today’s meeting included air quality standards for particulate matter, renewable fuels, nutrient management, water quality and concentrated animal feeding operations.

Iowa Radon Poster Contest Winners to be Recognized by EPA

Release Date: 01/19/2012
Contact Information: David Bryan, (913) 551-7433, bryan.david@epa.gov; or Chelsey Derks, (913) 551-7240, derks.chelsey@epa.gov

Environmental News

NEWS MEDIA ADVISORY

(Kansas City, Kan., Jan. 19, 2012) - EPA Region 7 will recognize the Iowa Radon Poster Contest winners at an award ceremony at 1:00 p.m. today at Sacred Heart School in Boone, Iowa.

Iowa's First Lady, Chris Branstad, will attend the event, along with representatives of EPA, Iowa Department of Public Health, American Lung Association of Iowa, and Boone County Health Department. The award ceremony is open to the press.


WHAT: Iowa Radon Poster Contest Award Ceremony

WHEN: 1:00 p.m., January 19, 2012

WHERE: Sacred Heart School, 1111 Marshall Street, Boone, Iowa 50036

WHO: Iowa’s First Lady, Chris Branstad; EPA Region 7 Radiation and Indoor Air Specialist Bob Dye; Representatives from Iowa Department of Public Health, American Lung Association of Iowa, and Boone County Health Department

The Iowa Radon Poster Contest was part of the National Radon Poster Contest. This contest takes place as an outreach program to inform the community of the dangers of radon during National Radon Action Month, which occurs every January. About 170 posters were entered from Iowa from 10 different schools.

Radon is an invisible, odorless, tasteless radioactive gas that comes from the natural breakdown of uranium in soil, rock and water. It is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers and kills more than 21,000 people annually. Nearly one out of every 15 homes in the U.S. is estimated to have elevated radon levels.

EPA, New Jersey DEP and Local School Districts Protect Students from Lead in School Drinking Water

Release Date: 01/18/2012
Contact Information: John Martin (212) 637- 3662 martin.johnj@epa.gov

(New York, N.Y.) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, working with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and three New Jersey school districts, has successfully lowered lead in drinking water at elementary schools in Union City, Atlantic City and Weehawken, New Jersey to below EPA-recommended levels. Sampling by EPA initially found elevated lead levels in drinking water at 28 of the 343 school drinking outlets sampled. Parents, teachers and school staff were kept informed throughout the process.

Lead is a toxic metal that can cause damage to a child’s ability to learn and a range of health damage in adults. Even at low levels, lead in children can cause I.Q. deficiencies, reading and learning disabilities, impaired hearing, reduced attention spans, hyperactivity and other behavior problems. Lead exposure can also cause health problems in pregnant women and harm fetuses. The greatest exposure to lead comes from swallowing or breathing in dust from lead-based paint, but lead in drinking water can cause a variety of health problems. Lead is rarely found in source water, but it can enter tap water through the corrosion of lead pipes, solder and plumbing fixtures that contain lead. 

“An unhealthy school environment is a barrier to learning,” said EPA Regional Administrator Judith A. Enck. “With so many children exposed to lead-based paint in their homes, it is especially important to reduce any additional lead that could enter their growing bodies through drinking water. EPA worked closely with NJDEP and the three school districts to identify the lead problem and make sure that the health of students in the affected schools was protected.”

Since the late 1990’s, EPA has been working with school districts to implement voluntary lead reduction strategies. The program, known since 2006 as the 3Ts (Training, Testing, and Telling) Lead in Drinking Water Program, instructs school districts on how to test for lead in drinking water, provides guidance on reporting results to parents, students and staff, and outlines strategies to correct problems if found. 

In June 2010, EPA tested drinking water outlets for lead at nine Union City schools and the day care facility in Union City High School. Of the 166 outlets tested, 17 were found to be dispensing water that contained lead above EPA-recommended levels. The district turned off the outlets and took actions to remediate the sources of lead, including the replacement and installation of filters in the outlets and the cleaning of aerators. The outlets remained out of service pending re-testing by NJDEP in August 2010 and February 2011 to determine if the remediation has been successful. The February results found lead levels above EPA-recommended levels at two outlets. The Union City School District performed additional remediation this past summer, and a final round of testing in August found that both had been brought under EPA-recommended levels for lead.

In June 2010, EPA also tested drinking water outlets for lead in all three schools in the Weehawken school district. Of the 34 outlets tested, results showed three outlets dispensing water that contained lead above EPA-recommended levels. One outlet was permanently turned off and two received new fixtures. Following remediation, the two outlets were re-tested and results indicated that both had been brought under EPA-recommended levels for lead.

In June 2011, EPA tested drinking water outlets for lead at nine Atlantic City schools and the day care facility at Atlantic City High School. Of the 145 outlets tested, eight were found to be dispensing water that contained lead above EPA-recommended levels. The eight outlets were immediately turned off, with seven permanently disconnected. For the remaining outlet, a kitchen sink at Chelsea Heights School, the school district ran a brand new line to the sink from another part of the school. Re-test sample results in September 2011 indicated lead levels from this sink outlet to be below EPA’s recommended levels. The outlet has since been put back into use. 

The Union City and Atlantic City school districts plan to engage in a long-term lead monitoring program that will incorporate schools in the districts that have not yet been tested for lead in drinking water. 

Naval Base Kitsap fails to properly monitor fuel tanks near Puget Sound for leaks

Release Date: 01/17/2012
Contact Information: Hanady Kader, EPA Public Affairs, 206-553-0454, kader.hanady@epa.gov Anne Christopher, EPA Ground Water Unit, 206-553-8293, christopher.anne@epa.gov

Navy corrects violations and settles with EPA for nearly $161,000

(Seattle—Jan. 17, 2012) Naval Base Kitsap Bangor failed to properly monitor pipes and underground fuel storage tanks for leaks on its property in Silverdale, Washington in violation of federal laws that protect groundwater, according to a settlement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The Navy will pay nearly $161,000 in fines.

“EPA is working hard to restore Puget Sound and fuel leaks near the shoreline could seriously set us back,” said Peter Contreras, Manager of the Ground Water Unit in EPA’s Seattle office. “Nearby communities also rely on groundwater for drinking water, so preventing releases protects both Puget Sound and public health.”

The violations occurred between 2006 and 2010. The holding capacity of the inspected tanks ranges between 170 gallons and 45,000 gallons.

The Navy has 53 underground storage tanks on the base it uses for storing diesel, used oil and gasoline. EPA inspectors identified 37 violations including failure to properly monitor the tanks and pipes for leaks; failure to have the proper leak detection equipment installed for the pipes; and failure to provide an adequate alarm system to prevent delivery drivers from overfilling the tanks. 

Leaks from underground storage tanks allow toxic fumes and vapors to escape and collect in areas such as parking garages or basements where they can cause explosion or respiratory illness. Toxic contaminants can also leak into groundwater sources that people depend on for drinking water. Regularly monitoring tanks and pipes minimizes contamination risks.

To detect leaks quickly, underground storage tanks must be monitored monthly and the pipes must be equipped with a leak detector and tested annually or monitored monthly. The Navy had the appropriate monitoring equipment in place at most of the sites, but failed to check the monitors on a monthly basis and document that the tanks and pipes were not leaking.

Since the 2010 EPA inspection of the base, the Navy has corrected the violations. The Navy has agreed to provide EPA with documentation showing it is in compliance with proper monitoring.

The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act and requires owners of underground storage tanks to regularly monitor their tank systems for leaks.

For more information on underground storage tanks, visithttp://yosemite.epa.gov/R10/WATER.NSF/UST/UST+LUST+home

University of Kansas Hospital to be Honored for Reducing Waste

Release Date: 01/13/2012
Contact Information: Kris Lancaster, (913) 551-7557, lancaster.kris@epa.gov

Environmental News

NEWS MEDIA ADVISORY

(Kansas City, Kan., Jan. 13, 2012) - The University of Kansas Hospital of Kansas City, Kan., will be honored next week by EPA for reducing its volume of solid waste through innovative recycling programs. EPA will present a 2011 WasteWise Gold Achievement Award for waste reduction in the workplace.

The hospital has made significant strides in protecting the environment through recycling, waste reduction, environmentally preferable purchasing, education and community involvement. Since 2010, the hospital has diverted more than 540,000 pounds of solid waste from local landfills.

WasteWise is a free, voluntary EPA program that helps businesses reduce their environmental impact and find cost savings through innovative waste reduction and recycling activities. The program provides an online reporting system called Re-TRAC, which allows members to track waste generation and reduction activities, generate customized reports, and calculate their greenhouse gas emission reductions and environmental impacts.

A tour of the University of Kansas Hospital, at 3901 Rainbow Boulevard, in Kansas City, Kan., will be held for news media and public from 12:15 to 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 17. A news conference will follow at 1:00 p.m. at the same location.

WHAT: Recognition of the University of Kansas Hospital

WHEN: 1:00 p.m., January 17, 2012 (Tour of the hospital will begin in the main lobby at 12:15 p.m.)

WHERE: Rieke Auditorium, 39^th Street and Cambridge Avenue, Kansas City, Kan. 66160 (Parking is available at 39^th Street parking garage.)

WHO: EPA Region 7 Deputy Regional Administrator Mark Hague, University of Kansas Hospital President and Chief Executive Officer Bob Page, University of Kansas Hospital Vice President of Operations Dwight Kasperbauer, and Kansas Department of Health and Environment Public Service Liaison Rodney Ferguson

The University of Kansas Hospital is affiliated with the University of Kansas Schools of Medicine, Nursing and Health Professions, and its various research projects. The facility contains 576 staffed beds (plus 24 bassinets) and serves nearly 27,000 inpatients annually.
Learn more about reducing wastes

Settlement to Require Eaton Corporation to Address TCE Contamination at Vehicle Group Plant in Kearney, Neb.

Release Date: 01/12/2012
Contact Information: Dave Bryan, 913-551-7433, bryan.david@epa.gov

Environmental News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Kansas City, Kan., Jan. 12, 2012) - EPA Region 7 and the Eaton Corporation have reached a settlement through which the company has agreed to conduct certain activities to address trichloroethylene (TCE) contamination in groundwater at its Vehicle Group Plant and surrounding areas in Kearney, Neb.

Eaton Corporation has owned the 57-acre site at 4200 Highway 30 East, in Kearney, since 1969. TCE was used as a degreasing agent in the manufacture of automotive and heavy-duty engine valves and gears at the site.

TCE is a colorless liquid which is most commonly used as a solvent for cleaning metal parts. TCE is a known human carcinogen that has been found in concentrations in groundwater at and near the site that exceed the drinking water standard.

According to an administrative order on consent, placed on public notice today by EPA in Kansas City, Kan., TCE contamination in groundwater at the Eaton Corporation Vehicle Group Plant site in Kearney was first detected in 1986, the result of an apparent leak from underground storage tank lines. Since that time, the company has installed and modified a series of systems to extract TCE from groundwater at the site, and monitoring wells to track its movement underground.

Currently, Eaton Corporation operates two groundwater extraction systems – one on-site, another off-site – in an effort to contain the underground TCE plume. Contamination from the site has in the past impacted private drinking water supplies.

EPA’s administrative order on consent requires Eaton to operate and maintain on-site and off-site groundwater extraction systems to contain and reduce TCE contamination in the groundwater at and coming from the site. Operation of the extraction systems will continue as long as needed to prevent significant contaminant plume migration. The order also would require Eaton Corporation to conduct a review of the remedy’s performance after five years, submit a remedy completion report to EPA, and maintain a series of institutional controls at the site.

The proposed settlement is subject to a 30-day public comment period. EPA will consider all comments received, and may modify or withdraw its consent to the settlement if comments disclose facts or considerations indicating the settlement is inappropriate, improper or inadequate. As provided by the federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, commenters may also request a public meeting to be held in the affected area.

Copies of the proposed order will be available for public inspection at the Kearney Public Library, 2020 1^st Avenue, Kearney, Neb., 68847, and at the EPA Region 7 Records Center, 901 North 5^th Street, Kansas City, Kan., 66101. A copy of the proposed settlement may also be obtained from the Regional Docket Clerk, EPA Region 7, 901 North 5^th Street, Kansas City, Kan., 66101. Persons submitting comments should reference EPA Docket Number RCRA-07-2011-0024.
Learn more about trichloroethylene (TCE)

Chinese Manufacturer to Pay $680,000 Penalty to Resolve Violations of the Clean Air Act / Settlement also requires a project to mitigate emissions from more than 7,000 non-compliant recreational vehicles

Release Date: 01/11/2012
Contact Information: Stacy Kika (News Media Only), kika.stacy@epa.gov, 202-564-0906, 202-564-4355

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a settlement with recreational vehicle manufacturers, Loncin (USA), Inc., Longting USA LLC, and Chongqing Longting Power Equipment Co., Ltd., to resolve violations of the Clean Air Act (CAA) related to the importation of 7,115 uncertified recreational vehicles into the United States. Engines that are not certified may be operating without proper emissions controls, which can emit excess carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides and cause respiratory illnesses, aggravate asthma and contribute to the formation of ground level ozone, or smog. 

“EPA is committed to enforcing vehicle emission standards under the Clean Air Act,” said Cynthia Giles, assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. “By taking action to deter the importation and sale of non-compliant engines, EPA is ensuring a level playing field for manufacturers and protecting Americans from illegal air emissions.”

EPA alleges that Loncin (USA), Inc. and Longting USA LLC held certificates of conformity that were voided by EPA following an investigation of MotorScience, Inc., a California-based certification services consulting firm that allegedly used false or incomplete information to certify vehicles under the Clean Air Act for four of its clients, including Loncin. The certificates allowed the importation and sale of more than 24,000 recreational vehicles in the U.S. that did not meet Clean Air Act standards. More than 7,000 of these vehicles were manufactured by Chongqing Longting Power Equipment Co., Ltd. and imported by companies such as The Pep Boys – Manny, Moe & Jack, Baja, Inc., and BMS Motorsports, Inc. 

The Clean Air Act prohibits any vehicle or engine from being imported and sold in the United States unless it is covered by a valid, EPA-issued certificate of conformity indicating that the vehicle or engine meets applicable federal emission standards. The certificate of conformity is the primary way EPA ensures that imported vehicles and engines meet emission standards. This enforcement action is part of an ongoing effort by EPA to ensure that all imported vehicles and equipment comply with the Clean Air Act’s requirements.

Loncin (USA), Inc. and its affiliates have cooperated with EPA in this settlement.

More information on the settlement: http://www.epa.gov/compliance/resources/cases/civil/caa/loncin.html

More information about this enforcement action: EPA Voids Certificates Approving Import of Up to 200,000 Small Recreational Vehicles /Agency may levy penaltieshttp://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/6424ac1caa800aab85257359003f5337/536947c975312e3985257752006

U.S. EPA Orders World’s Largest Metals and Electronics Recycler to Immediately Cease Illegal Discharge of Toxic Pollutants to San Francisco Bay

Release Date: 01/10/2012
Contact Information: Media Contact: Mary Simms, simms.mary@epa.gov

Hold for release: Jan. 10, 2012
Order follows federal inspection of Sims Metal Management’s Port of Redwood City Facility, during which regulators found evidence of discharges of PCBs, Mercury, Lead, and Copper

SAN FRANCISCO -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has ordered Sims Metal Management, located at the Port of Redwood City, Calif., to comply with federal Clean Water Act laws following inspections that found evidence of unlawful discharges of PCBs, mercury, lead, copper and zinc into San Francisco Bay. The South Bay facility is home to one of the largest metal shredders in the Bay Area, and regularly shreds entire cars before exporting the metal overseas. 

“The EPA is committed to protecting the Bay by ensuring compliance with environmental permits,” said Jared Blumenfeld, EPA’s Regional Administrator for the Pacific Southwest. “Companies such as Sims Metal Management, engaged in recycling our finite resources, must abide by the Clean Water Act.”

Sims Metal claims to be the world’s largest metals and electronics recycler. According to records provided by the Port of Redwood City, from July 2010 to June 2011, 20 large vessels, picked up and transported an average of 22,000 tons of shredded material from the facility bound for global destinations including China. The largest transport during the specified time period was 35,000 tons of shredded material. 

In March 2011, EPA inspected the facility to determine compliance with their Industrial Storm Water Permit. During the inspection, enforcement officers found evidence at the facility’s shipping and rail receiving areas that pollutants have been discharged to Redwood Creek, a direct tributary to San Francisco Bay. In August 2011, EPA again inspected the facility and took samples of debris and soils in the areas that flow to San Francisco Bay, where the facility conducts shipping and receiving activities. The results of the samples demonstrated elevated PCBs, mercury, lead, copper and zinc.

Sims Metal Management acknowledged received of the U.S. EPA Order on December 21, 2011. The order requires Sims to submit a revised storm water pollution prevention plan and to update monitoring and sampling within 30 days of the order; and to develop and implement storm water pollution counter measures. EPA’s order also requires Sims Metal Management to develop and submit a plan within 90 days to eliminate these discharges to Redwood Creek within one year. The company must: sample storm water discharges monthly throughout the winter and spring; revise their storm water pollution prevention plan to update monitoring and sampling; and develop and implement storm water pollution counter measures for all areas of activity. Sims is working cooperatively with the EPA to address requirements of the order. 

Redwood Creek flows between the Port of Redwood City and the Don Edwards National Wildlife refuge and is a tributary to San Francisco Bay. San Francisco Bay is an impaired water body and is listed on the State’s 303(d) list of impaired waters for pesticides, mercury, PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls), and trash. The Bay is also used by recreational boaters, anglers, windsurfers, and swimmers. 


To view the enforcement order and documents and photos from the inspection please visit:http://www.epa.gov/region9/mediacenter/sims-metal/

For more info on compliance: http://www.epa.gov/region9/water/npdes/compliance.html

EPA, State of Colorado join Children’s Hospital to highlight benefits of new mercury and air toxics standards for power plants

Release Date: 01/10/2012
Contact Information: Lisa McClain-Vanderpool, 303-312-6077

Standards will bring up to $1.1 billion in annual health benefits to Colorado

(Denver, Colo. – January 10, 2012) At a ceremony today at Children’s Hospital Colorado in Aurora, Colo., representatives from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) joined the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Trout Unlimited, and ADA Environmental Solutions, Inc. to highlight the benefits of EPA’s newly issued Mercury and Air Toxics Standards, the first national standards to protect American families from power plant emissions of mercury and toxic pollutants such as arsenic, acid gas, nickel, selenium, and cyanide. The standards will slash emissions of these dangerous pollutants by relying on widely available pollution controls. 

"This long-awaited effort to reduce toxic air pollution from oil and coal-fired power plants means cleaner air and healthier waters for Colorado," said Jim Martin, EPA’s regional administrator in Denver. "The Mercury and Air Toxics Standards will protect Colorado’s families from harmful pollution and will generate health benefits and economic investments that far outweigh the costs of compliance."

EPA estimates the new Mercury and Air Toxics Standards will prevent up to 140 premature deaths and create $1.1 billion in health benefits annually in Colorado beginning in 2016, when the rules become fully effective. Mercury has been shown to harm the nervous systems of children exposed in the womb, impairing thinking, learning and early development. Other pollutants that will be reduced by these standards can cause cancer, premature death, heart disease, and asthma. The standards will apply to generating units at a dozen coal-fired power plants in Colorado and will reinforce the State’s efforts to address air emissions from facilities.

“Children’s Hospital Colorado, as the home of one of the nation’s best pediatric breathing centers, applauds the EPA in becoming a partner with us in our on-going efforts to reduce breathing disorders in children,” said Robin Deterding, MD, medical director, the Breathing Institute at Children’s Hospital Colorado. “By passing new air quality standards that will drastically cut the amount of harmful toxins in our air, our children’s health can only improve, leading to happier and healthier lives.”

The Mercury and Air Toxics Standards will also improve the health of surface waters in Colorado and throughout the West, which are affected by the transport and deposition of mercury from power plant emissions and other sources. When mercury from the air reaches water, microorganisms can change it into methylmercury, a highly toxic form that builds up in fish, waterfowl and mammals. In Colorado, the State has current fish consumption advisories for mercury in place at 22 lakes and reservoirs.

"Colorado has already taken steps to reduce mercury emissions from power plants, and is well poised to implement these new rules,” said Dr. Chris Urbina, executive director and chief medical officer for the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. “Existing Colorado regulations and the Clean Air-Clean Jobs Act will lead to significant reductions of air pollution emissions in Colorado, including mercury."

More than 20 years ago, a bipartisan Congress passed the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments and mandated that EPA require control of toxic air pollutants including mercury. To meet this requirement, EPA worked extensively with stakeholders, including industry, to minimize cost and maximize flexibilities in final standards announced in December. EPA estimates that manufacturing, engineering, installing and maintaining the pollution controls to meet these standards will provide employment for thousands across the U.S., potentially including 46,000 short-term construction jobs and 8,000 long-term utility jobs.

Nationally, the new safeguards will prevent as many as 11,000 premature deaths and 4,700 heart attacks a year. The standards will also help America’s children grow up healthier – preventing 130,000 cases of childhood asthma symptoms and about 6,300 fewer cases of acute bronchitis among children each year.

Power plants are the largest remaining source of several toxic air pollutants, including mercury, arsenic, cyanide, and a range of other dangerous pollutants, and are responsible for half of the mercury and over 75 percent of the acid gas emissions in the United States. Today, more than half of all coal-fired power plants already deploy pollution control technologies that will help them meet these achievable standards. Once final, these standards will level the playing field by ensuring the remaining plants – about 40 percent of all coal fired power plants - take similar steps to decrease dangerous pollutants.

As part of the commitment to maximize flexibilities under the law, the standards are accompanied by a Presidential Memorandum that directs EPA to use tools provided in the Clean Air Act to implement the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards in a cost-effective manner that ensures electric reliability. For example, under these standards, EPA is not only providing the standard three years for compliance, but also encouraging permitting authorities to make a fourth year broadly available for technology installations, and if still more time is needed, providing a well-defined pathway to address any localized reliability problems should they arise.

More information: http://www.epa.gov/mats/

EPA and GSA Recognize Surplus Exchange for Electronics Recycling Certification in Kansas City

Release Date: 01/09/2012
Contact Information: Kris Lancaster, (913) 551-7557, lancaster.kris@epa.gov

Environmental News

NEWS MEDIA ADVISORY

(Kansas City, Kan., Jan. 9, 2012) - Surplus Exchange of Kansas City, Mo., will be recognized by EPA and the General Services Administration (GSA) this week for achieving certification to the e-Stewards Standard for Responsible Recycling and Reuse of Electronic Equipment Program. Surplus Exchange is the first recycling facility in Missouri to attain this prestigious certification.

This event is part of the Obama Administration’s “National Strategy for Electronics Stewardship,” which is a strategy for responsible design, purchasing, management and recycling that promotes sound electronics recycling. Electronic waste from old cell phones, computers and other devices often contains toxic chemicals and heavy metals.

A tour of the Surplus Exchange facility, at 518 Santa Fe, in Kansas City, Mo., will be held for the news media and public from 10:30 a.m. to 10:50 a.m. on Friday, January 13. A news conference will follow at 10:50 a.m. at the same location.

WHAT: Recognition of Surplus Exchange for e-Stewards Electronics Recycling Certification

WHEN: 10:50 a.m., January 13, 2012 (Tour of the facility will begin at 10:30 a.m.)

WHERE: 518 Santa Fe, Kansas City, Mo. 64105

WHO: EPA Region 7 Regional Administrator Karl Brooks, GSA Regional Administrator Jason Klumb, and Surplus Exchange Deputy Director Bob Akers

As a certified e-Steward recycler, Surplus Exchange operates its facility in accordance with the most stringent certification standards in the electronics recycling industry. Surplus Exchange was subject to extensive and rigorous audits conducted by an accredited certifying body to ensure compliance with the e-Stewards Standard. The facility processes nearly 2.2 million pounds of electronics for reuse and recycling annually.

Every year, Americans generate almost 2.5 million tons of used electronics, which are made from valuable resources such as precious metals and rare earth materials, as well as plastic and glass. From computers and cell phones, to portable communication and music devices, the United States will continue to be a global leader in the designing and development of new and improved electronic technologies. The responsible management of electronics provides an opportunity to create economic development and jobs through the development of a strong domestic electronics recycling market while protecting valuable natural resources.

Since 2008, EPA Region 7 has recycled 2,944 pounds of spent batteries and 56,163 pounds of old computers, computer monitors, printers, and other electric/electronic equipment.

As the government’s purchasing and disposal arm, GSA is working to ensure that all electronics used by the federal government meet green electronics standards and are reused or recycled properly.

EPA and GSA seek to encourage other companies to use certified recyclers to help grow the domestic recycling market, create green jobs and educate consumers.

TODAY: EPA Chief and other Obama Administration Officials to Discuss Progress and Plans for Everglades Restoration at Everglades Coalition Conference in Stuart, FL

Release Date: 01/06/2012
Contact Information: Dawn Harris-Young, (404) 562-8421, harris-young.dawn@epa.gov

ATLANTA, GA – Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa P. Jackson will give keynote remarks at the 27th Annual Everglades Coalition Conference. During the conference, she and other government officials will discuss plans for continuing historic progress in Everglades restoration. Business leaders, elected officials and environmentalists will gather to discuss opportunities and challenges for restoring the Everglades’ unique ecosystem.

Who: Lisa P. Jackson, Administrator, Environmental Protection Agency
Nancy Sutley, Chair, White House Council on Environmental Quality
Jo-Ellen Darcy, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works
Rachel Jacobson, Acting Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks, DOI
Ann Mills, Deputy Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment, USDA 

What: 27th Annual Everglades Coalition Conference

When: Friday, January 6, 2012 at 12:30 PM (EST) 

Where: Hutchinson Island Marriott Beach Resort & Marina
555 NE Ocean Boulevard
Stuart, Florida 34996 USA


The Everglades Coalition Conference is the largest annual forum for Everglades conservation and restoration, bringing together the Coalition’s 54 allied organizations with local, state and federal partners. This year’s conference theme is Everglades Restoration: Worth Every Penny. Building on recent successes, panelists and attendees will discuss strategies for advancing Everglades restoration through strengthened and new partnerships.

For additional information, please visit: www.evergladescoalition.org/conference.htm.

Toxic chemical releases increased in 2010 throughout the Pacific Northwest and Alaska

Release Date: 01/05/2012
Contact Information: Kelly Huynh, EPA TRI Unit Manager, 206-553-1679, huynh.kelly@epa.gov; Tony Brown, EPA Public Affairs, 206-553-1203, brown.anthony@epa.gov

(Seattle – Jan. 5, 2012) Recent data from the federal Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) shows that toxic chemical releases rose in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. The 2010 TRI reports how over 600 chemicals on the TRI list were managed, where they ended up, and how 2010 releases compare to 2009. 

The 2010 TRI National Analysis shows that TRI releases rose 16 percent across the nation between 2009 and 2010, reversing a downward trend from recent years. Similarly, toxic chemicals releases rose in all four EPA Region 10 states (Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington) compared to 2009:

· In Alaska, 32 facilities reported a total of 835 million pounds of toxic chemical releases, an increase of 20 percent.
· In Idaho, 95 facilities reported a total of 67 million pounds of toxic chemical releases, an increase of 17 percent.
· In Oregon, 271 facilities reported a total of 18 million pounds of toxic chemical releases, an increase of 20 percent.
· In Washington, 304 facilities reported a total of 20 million pounds of toxic chemical releases, an increase of 27 percent.

Release Date: 01/05/2012
Contact Information: John Martin (212) 637- 3662 martin.johnj@epa.gov

(New York, N.Y.) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today issued its 25^th annual report on the amount of toxic chemicals released in 2010 to the land, air and water by industrial facilities in New York. The Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) report covers 650 New York facilities that are required to report their releases to the EPA. Total releases of chemicals in New York were 15% lower in 2010 than in 2009. Much of this reduction was due to a decrease in the amount of nitrate compounds released into water by Finch Paper Co. of Glens Falls. 

“Transparency is a powerful tool,” said EPA Regional Administrator Judith A. Enck. “The Toxics Release Inventory allows the public and policymakers to better understand the pollutants released to our air, water and land each year and gives them the information they need to take action in their communities. The data that was released is a reminder of how important TRI has been in helping us create a healthier environment, and the work still needed to be done to reduce industrial pollution.”

Last year marked the 25^th Anniversary of the Toxic Release Inventory. In 1986, New Jersey Senator Frank R. Lautenberg authored the legislation that established TRI, which was signed into law as part of the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act. Since that time, TRI data has been provided to the public annually to inform the public about the chemicals present in their local environment and gauge environmental trends over time. The inventory contains the most comprehensive information about chemicals released into the environment reported annually by certain industries and federal facilities. Many of these facilities are required to install and maintain pollution controls to meet the limits on pollution set forth in their permit.

Facilities must report their toxic chemical releases by July 1 of each year. EPA made a preliminary set of data for 2010 available in July 2011, the month the reported data was collected. Nationally, over 20,000 facilities reported on approximately 650 chemicals for calendar year 2010. 

EPA has improved this year’s TRI national analysis report by adding new information on risks, facility efforts to reduce pollution and details about how possible economic impacts could affect TRI data. With this report and EPA’s Web-based TRI tools, the public can access information about the disposals and releases of toxic chemicals into the air, water, and land that occur in their communities. Finally, EPA’s first mobile Web application for accessing TRI data, myRTK, is now available in English and Spanish, as are expanded Spanish translations of national analysis documents and Web pages.

To view an area fact sheet, visit: http://www.epa.gov/triexplorer/statefactsheet.htm 

For program overview, visit: http://www.epa.gov/tri/

For myRTK, visit: http://www.epa.gov/tri/myrtk/

EPA Recognizes National Radon Action Month: Test for Radon Gas to Protect Health/ 21,000 Americans die from radon related lung cancer each year

Release Date: 01/04/2012
Contact Information: Molly Hooven, hooven.molly@epa.gov, 202-564-2313, 202-564-4355; En español: Lina Younes, younes.lina@epa.gov, 202-564-9924, 202-564-4355

· Test: EPA and the U.S. Surgeon General recommend that all homes, both with and without basements, be tested for radon. Affordable Do-It-Yourself radon test kits are available at home improvement and hardware stores and online or a qualified radon tester can be hired.
· Fix: EPA recommends taking action to fix radon levels above 4 Picocuries per Liter (pCi/L). Addressing high radon levels often costs the same as other minor home repairs.
· Save a Life: By testing and fixing for elevated levels of radon in your home, you can help prevent lung cancer while creating a healthier home and community.

Radon is a natural, radioactive gas that comes from the breakdown of uranium in soil, rock and water. It can enter homes through cracks in the foundation or other openings such as holes or pipes. In addition to testing for radon, there now are safer and healthier radon-resistant construction techniques that home buyers can discuss with builders to prevent this health hazard.

In 2011, EPA announced the Federal Radon Action Plan, along with General Services Administration and the Departments of Agriculture; Defense; Energy; Health and Human Services; Housing and Urban Development; Interior; and Veterans Affairs. This action plan will demonstrate the importance of radon risk reduction, address finance and incentive issues to drive testing and mitigation, and build demand for services from industry professionals.

More information on how to Test, Fix, Save a Life, obtain a test kit, or contact your state radon office:http://www.epa.gov/radon or call 1-800-SOS-RADON

More information on the Federal Radon Action Plan: http://www.epa.gov/radon/action_plan.html

EPA Releases Options for Gowanus Canal Superfund Cleanup; Agency Encouraging Public Comment

Release Date: 01/03/2012
Contact Information: Elias Rodriguez, 212-637-3664, rodriguez.elias@epa.gov

(New York, N.Y. - January 3, 2012) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has released a study of the options for cleaning up chemical contamination in the Gowanus Canal in Brooklyn, New York. The Gowanus Canal was added to the Superfund list of the country’s most hazardous waste sites in March 2010. The study builds on an EPA investigation that confirmed the widespread presence of numerous contaminants in the canal and found that exposure to the contaminants poses threats to people’s health and the environment. The newly completed feasibility study evaluates the technologies that could be used to clean up the canal, and will be used to develop a cleanup plan for the Gowanus. EPA is encouraging the public to comment on the study and attend a meeting in January to discuss the cleanup options. The exact date and time of the meeting is pending and will be announced on the Gowanus Canal web page: http://www.epa.gov/region02/superfund/npl/gowanus

“Contamination in the Gowanus Canal continues to pose health risks, especially to people who eat fish or crabs from the canal,” said Judith A. Enck, EPA Regional Administrator. “The study of options for cleaning up the Gowanus Canal is a critical step toward a full-scale cleanup that will protect people’s health and revitalize this urban waterway.”

City of South Bend agrees to improve sewer system to address Clean Water Act violations

Release Date: 12/29/2011
Contact Information: Ryan Holmes (DOJ) 219-937-5666

Settlement Expected to Reduce Annual Raw Sewage Discharges by 95 Percent

Hammond, Indiana- The United States Attorney’s Office and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announced that the City of South Bend, Indiana has agreed to make an estimated $509.5 million worth of improvements to its combined sewer system to significantly reduce overflows of raw sewage to the St. Joseph River, which is a tributary of Lake Michigan. One well-known stretch of the St. Joseph River in South Bend, the East Race, is the site of an annual international kayaking competition and also is where Olympic kayakers and rescue workers periodically train.

The improvements that South Bend will implement to its sewer system under the consent decree announced today will provide major public health and environmental benefits. Currently, South Bend annually discharges into the St. Joseph River a total of over 2 billion gallons of untreated sewage during 80 events. After implementing the improvements required under the settlement, South Bend will reduce the number of raw sewage discharge events by 95 percent to only four during a typical year of rainfall. The reduced discharges will result in preventing over 700,000 pounds of pollutants from entering the St. Joseph River each year. The State of Indiana is a co-plaintiff and a signatory to the proposed consent decree.

South Bend's combined sewer system collects and conveys to South Bend's wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) storm water, sanitary sewage, and other pollutants from the City of South Bend and other portions of St. Joseph County, Indiana, an area covering approximately 14,000 acres of land, with a service population of approximately 107,000 people. South Bend's sewage collection system, consisting of approximately 550 miles of pipe, conveys storm water, sewage, and other pollutants to the city's WWTP. During wet weather events, and during some dry weather time periods, a portion of the sewage that flows through South Bend's combined
sewers is not conveyed all the way to the WWTP; instead the raw sewage is discharged into the St. Joseph River through some or all of 36 outfalls.

Combined sewer systems are designed to transport sewage, industrial wastewater, and storm water runoff in the same pipes to wastewater treatment plants. During periods of heavy rainfall, the volume of wastewater traveling through a combined sewer system can exceed the capacity of the treatment plant. Resulting overflows, called Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs), contain not only storm water but also pollutants such as untreated human and industrial waste, toxic materials, and debris. CSOs pose risks to human health, threaten aquatic habitats and life, and impair the use and enjoyment of the nation's waterways.

The Justice Department and EPA alleged that South Bend's CSOs violated the Clean Water Act because they exceeded limitations and conditions in South Bend's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permits during the relevant time periods. The settlement requires South Bend to pay a civil penalty of $88,200 for those Clean Water Act violations, which will be divided equally between the United States and the State of Indiana. South Bend also has agreed to spend a minimum of $75,000 on a supplemental environmental project to reduce pollutants in Bowman Creek, a tributary of the St. Joseph River.

"By substantially reducing the volume of untreated sewage and pollutants entering the St. Joseph River, this settlement will improve water quality and protect the health of people who use that river," said United States Attorney David Capp. "South Bend is making a major investment in improving its sewage collection and treatment system that will pay off in better protection of public health and a cleaner river."

"This consent decree requires South Bend to prevent the flow of raw sewage into the St. Joseph River," said EPA Region 5 Administrator Susan Hedman. "When the city completes the work required under this settlement, the water will be cleaner and healthier for those who paddle and fish in the river."

"The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) is pleased to have worked with EPA, the U.S. Attorney's Office, the Indiana Attorney General's Office, and the City of South Bend to ensure an effective agreement for dramatically reducing overflows from South Bend's combined sewer system," said IDEM Commissioner Thomas Easterly. "South Bend residents can be proud that the city's action today will result in significantly better protection of local waterways and significant long-term benefits for residents and communities downstream."

"It is important in reaching environmental settlements that the agreement be fair to all sides but most importantly ensure that going forward the public will be protected, which this settlement does. South Bend has agreed to uphold its water quality responsibilities and correct a longstanding problem, and we were pleased to work with our state and federal colleagues to bring this legal process to a conclusion," Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller said.

Today's settlement is the latest in a series of Clean Water Act settlements that will reduce raw sewage discharges into the United States' rivers, streams, and lakes. Keeping raw sewage and contaminated storm water out of the waters of the United States is one of EPA's National Enforcement Initiatives for 2011 to 2013. The initiative focuses on reducing discharges from sewer overflows by obtaining cities' commitments to implement timely affordable solutions to these problems, including the increased use of green infrastructure and other innovative approaches.

This case was handled by the Office of the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Indiana. Wayne Ault, Assistant U.S. Attorney, and Gary Prichard, EPA Associate Regional Counsel, served as counsel for co-plaintiff United States and Elizabeth Admire, an attorney for IDEM, served as counsel for co-plaintiff State of Indiana. The consent decree was lodged in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana. The consent decree will be subject to a 30-day public comment period and subsequent judicial approval, and will be available on the Justice Department website at http://www.usdoj.gov/enrd/Consent_Decrees.html

EPA Finalizes 2012 Renewable Fuel Standards

Release Date: 12/27/2011
Contact Information: Cathy Milbourn (News Media Only) milbourn.cathy@epa.gov 202.564-7849 202-564-4355

WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today finalized the 2012 percentage standards for four fuel categories that are part of the agency’s Renewable Fuel Standard program (RFS2). EPA continues to support greater use of renewable fuels within the transportation sector every year through the RFS2 program, which encourages innovation, strengthens American energy security, and decreases greenhouse gas pollution.

The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA) established the RFS2 program and the annual renewable fuel volume targets, which steadily increase to an overall level of 36 billion gallons in 2022. To achieve these volumes, EPA calculates a percentage-based standard for the following year. Based on the standard, each refiner and importer determines the minimum volume of renewable fuel that it must ensure is used in its transportation fuel.

The final 2012 overall volumes and standards are:

Biomass-based diesel (1.0 billion gallons; 0.91 percent)
Advanced biofuels (2.0 billion gallons; 1.21 percent)
Cellulosic biofuels (8.65 million gallons; 0.006 percent)
Total renewable fuels (15.2 billion gallons; 9.23 percent)

Last spring EPA had proposed a volume requirement of 1.28 billion gallons for biomass-based diesel for 2013. EISA specifies a one billion gallon minimum volume requirement for that category for 2013 and beyond, but enables EPA to increase the volume requirement after consideration of a variety of environmental, market, and energy-related factors. EPA is continuing to evaluate the many comments from stakeholders on the proposed biomass based diesel volume for 2013 and will take final action next year.

Overall, EPA’s RFS2 program encourages greater use of renewable fuels, including advanced biofuels. For 2012, the program is implementing EISA’s requirement to blend more than 1.25 billion gallons of renewable fuels over the amount mandated for 2011.

More information on the standards and regulations: http://www.epa.gov/otaq/fuels/renewablefuels/regulations.htm

More information on renewable fuels: http://www.epa.gov/otaq/fuels/renewablefuels/index.htm

They’re Still Talking About Historic Mercury and Air Toxics Standards

Release Date: 12/22/2011
Contact Information: press@epa.gov

WASHINGTON - Yesterday the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the first national standards to protect American families from power plant emissions of mercury and air toxics like arsenic, acid gas, nickel, selenium, and cyanide. These new Mercury and Air Toxics Standards will slash emissions of these dangerous pollutants by relying on widely available, proven pollution controls that are already in use at more than half of the nation’s coal-fired power plants. 

Today, leaders from across the country are still talking about these historic standards. Here’s what they’re saying about Mercury and Air Toxics Standards:

Larry Schweiger, National Wildlife Federation: 
“Our children and grandchildren will inherit a safer world thanks to the leadership of President Obama and Administrator Jackson. At long last, these prudent and overdue limits on unchecked mercury and toxic air pollution will ensure our fish will be safe to eat, and our children can breathe easier.” 

Gene Karpinski, League of Conservation Voters:
“Today is a historic day for the health and safety of our children. We strongly applaud the Obama administration for setting new limits on mercury and other toxic air pollution from power plants – limits that will save lives, prevent illnesses like asthma and bronchitis and create jobs in pollution control technology.”

PJM:
“PJM and four other RTO/ISOs proposed in comments to the EPA a process to ensure that reliability in our respective regions can be maintained as the final Mercury and Toxics Standards (MATS) Rule is implemented. The final MATS rule will have different degrees of impact in various parts of the country. We at PJM are pleased that the EPA Administrator has included the key elements of our proposed process to preserve reliability into documents accompanying the Final Rule. We at PJM intend to work with EPA, FERC, the states and others to ensure that process can be effectively utilized to address particular reliability challenges and ensure that the reliability of the electric grid is maintained during this critical period.”

Senator Patrick Leahy (Vt.):
“I commend the Environmental Protection Agency for doing the right thing, under tremendous special interest pressure, in standing up for the public’s interest. The Utility Air Toxics Rule to control toxic air pollutants such as mercury is a health and environmental breakthrough for the American people, and especially for Vermonters. Finally, after 20 years of dodging regulation, coal- and oil-fired electric power plants, the largest contributors of these toxics, will be held accountable for the pollution they emit, just as many other industries are.”

Senator Ben Cardin (Md.):
“Clean air is essential for the health of every American and it’s also good business. It’s time for the rest of the country’s electricity generation sector to catch up with Maryland and do what our power producers have been doing for years now to protect children from toxic mercury and air toxics pollution...Mercury is an extremely harmful neurotoxin that our country’s largest source producers, power plants, must act to address. The doomsday scenarios described by our nation’s power companies who irresponsibly continue to operate the nation’s oldest and dirtiest power plants are not based in reality. The rule being finalized today is the result of litigation demanding EPA to comply with the Clean Air Act.”

Senator Tom Carper (Del.):
"With this decision, I believe the Environmental Protection Agency has provided a reasonable and achievable schedule for our dirtiest power plants to reduce harmful air toxic emissions. At the same time, I believe the Environmental Protection Agency has given enough flexibility to industry and states to meet those targets and address any possible local reliability concerns. These clean air investments will be a win-win-win as we save thousands of lives, save billions of dollars in health care costs and work productivity, and create good paying jobs here at home by cleaning up these dirty power plants. In fact, this new rule is expected to produce 46,000 jobs in the near term during the installation of the needed clean air technology, and thousands more for long-term utility jobs.”

Senator Bernie Sanders (Vt.):
"I strongly support the Clean Air Act standards announced today that will slash toxic air pollution, such as mercury and arsenic, from our nation's power plants. We know from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that mercury can cause brain damage and is particularly harmful to infants and young children. We also know that installing the necessary pollution control scrubbers and equipment will create jobs as we update our power plants. This clean air rule is long overdue, and I commend EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson for protecting our families' health and wellbeing."

Frances Beinecke, Natural Resources Defense Council: 
“The magnitude of these health benefits could make this rule one of the biggest environmental accomplishments of the Obama administration. I applaud the administration’s continued leadership in making our air cleaner and safer to breathe.”

U.S. Commerce Secretary John Bryson:
“For business leaders, there are few challenges greater than uncertainty, and by issuing today’s ruling, this Administration has answered definitively a question that has hung over the U.S. energy industry for nearly 20 years,” Bryson said. "These new standards have benefits that far exceed costs, and the flexibility built into their adoption will help guarantee that implementation will proceed in a thoughtful, common-sense way that limits negative impacts on businesses.”

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack:
“By reducing emissions of highly toxic pollutants such as mercury, we are ensuring that our air and water are cleaner and American families are safer. Folks in rural America have a great appreciation for the land and work hard to preserve our environment for future generations. These standards support their efforts by improving millions of acres of polluted ecosystems that will create better habitat for fish and wildlife and provide more recreational opportunities for all Americans to enjoy.” 

Energy Action Coalition:
“Young voters are thrilled that EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson and the Obama Administration are standing up to big polluters to protect our generation’s health and spur job creation in the clean energy economy. This decision shows the Obama Administration’s commitment to stand up to Big Coal and Oil to protect the air we breathe. We hope the Administration will continue to stand up for the health and safety of Americans and the environment in the coming year.” 

Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (R.I.):
“Today, the EPA has taken an important step to protect public health, particularly the health of children. After years of Rhode Island receiving pollution from out-of-state power plants, the largest sources of toxic air pollution will finally be required to reduce emissions of these dangerous chemicals. I applaud our local utility, National Grid, for its support of these new clean air protections.”

Senator John Kerry (Ma.):
“The bottom line is, this will mean fewer heart attacks and asthma attacks, fewer kids exposed to mercury, and thousands of good jobs for the American workers who will build, install, and operate the equipment to reduce these toxic pollutants. Smart health and environmental protections go hand in hand with economic growth and reliable, affordable energy.”

Representative Elijah Cummings (Md.):
“These new standards, which have been twenty years in the making, will safeguard American families and protect our environment from dangerous mercury and toxic air pollution. I commend the EPA for finalizing rules that will prevent thousands of premature deaths and hundreds of thousands of heart attacks and other illnesses. These new national standards will create thousands of American jobs and generate health and economic benefits worth tens of billions of dollars.”

Representative Ed Markey (Mass.):
“This rule to limit mercury and other dangerous toxics is one of those times when you can truly say ‘we’re doing it for the kids. While the Obama administration wants to cut mercury pollution to protect kids and pregnant mothers, Republicans want to knife the MACT, stopping these standards from ever going into effect. The 91 percent reduction in mercury in Massachusetts since 1996 shows that these standards are attainable. The standards will reduce mercury by increasing innovation, as entrepreneurs and inventors will discover new and better ways to cut pollution and move to cleaner forms of energy that produce no pollution at all, like wind and solar power. I commend the Obama administration, EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson, and the staff at the EPA for their dedication to the health and well-being of America’s kids.”

Business Council for Sustainable Energy:
"Uncontrolled toxic air emissions are real and sizeable threats, both to public health and to the economy. Families, companies and investors need certainty on air emissions policy for healthier living and for economic growth. The finalization of the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards provides more certainty on emissions policy and will drive investment in innovative technologies and America’s energy infrastructure. American businesses can keep the lights on and grow the economy while protecting public health. Shifting to lower emissions technologies and resources while upgrading our nation's electric generation infrastructure will help drive economic growth and create jobs." 

Senator Barbara Boxer (Calif.):
“Power plants are not only the nation’s largest source of dangerous mercury emissions, but they also pollute the air we breathe with lead, arsenic, chromium, and cyanide. These hazardous air pollutants are known to cause cancer, harm children’s development, and damage the brain and nervous system of infants. EPA estimates that this new clean air rule will annually prevent up to 11,000 premature deaths, 4,700 heart attacks, 130,000 asthma attacks and many other health benefits. The science and methodology used to determine these benefits have been extensively peer reviewed by EPA’s independent Science Advisory Board and the National Academies of Science. The agency estimates that this clean air rule will also provide up to 46,000 construction jobs and 8,000 long-term jobs in the utility industry. EPA’s action today will generate jobs and protect the health and safety of families across the country.”

Illinois Governor Pat Quinn:
“In Illinois, we have seen the benefits of enacting stringent requirements for reducing mercury emissions over the last several years. As a result, thousands of pounds of harmful mercury emissions have been kept out of our air. The President’s action will protect millions of Americans from these dangerous emissions just like we have been doing in Illinois.”

U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius:
“When the Environmental Protection Agency announced achievable new standards today for mercury and other toxic pollutants from power plants, it took a critical step forward in promoting a safe and healthy environment where all families can raise their children free from dangerous chemical exposure. At the Department of Health and Human Services, we know that people’s health is not just determined by what happens in the doctor’s office. It depends on where we live and work, what we eat and the air we breathe.”

SUPERVALU food recovery efforts garner National Waste Wise Award

Release Date: 12/21/2011
Contact Information: Ashley Zanolli, EPA Office of Air, Waste and Toxics, 206-553-4425, zanolli.ashley@epa.gov Tony Brown, EPA Public Affairs, 206-553-1203, brown.anthony@epa.gov

(Seattle – Dec. 21, 2011) SUPERVALU, Inc. received the 2011 National Waste Wise Award Honorable Mention for the company’s exceptional commitment to food recovery. SUPERVALU, a grocery retail and pharmacy company that includes stores like Albertsons, Shoppers, Jewel-Osco, and Shaw’s, made waste reduction and recycling a priority in 2010. The store added a new full-time position dedicated to implementing a successful waste diversion program for the company.

In 2010, SUPERVALU worked with Feeding America to donate edible, but unsellable, food to food banks, diverting more than 30,000 tons of food from the landfill and avoiding more than $2.5 million in landfill costs. In addition, SUPERVALU continues to provide leadership and make significant steps toward achieving their ambitious waste reduction and sustainability goals. EPA is currently working with SUPERVALU to identify and share best practices across the grocery sector through EPA’s Food Recovery Challenge, which SUPERVALU recently joined.

"SUPERVALU is a demonstrated leader in sustainable food management,” said Jim Werntz, EPA Operations Director for Idaho. “In 2010, the company diverted over 60 million pounds of food that would have gone to landfills, and instead it went to feed hungry Americans. SUPERVALU's efforts towards sustainable food management not only benefit people and the earth, they are good for the company's bottom line."

"SUPERVALU and all its banners are focused on driving toward zero waste to get Triple Bottom Line results--Good for People, Planet and Profits,” said Pete Pearson, SUPERVALU’s Director of Sustainability and National Accounts. “We are proud to have the EPA as a partner to collaborate with in our endeavors to drive culture change throughout our enterprise."

Earlier this year, SUPERVALU was recognized by EPA’s GreenChill program for their efforts to green up refrigeration in their stores. SUPERVALU sought out every opportunity to stop refrigerant leaks and achieve the company’s ambitious voluntary emissions reduction goal.

How much money and food is your organization literally throwing away? 

For more information on how to save money, support your community and protect the environment, join EPA's Food Recovery Challenge: www.epa.gov/foodrecoverychallenge

EPA Issues First National Standards for Mercury Pollution from Power Plants/ Historic ‘mercury and air toxics standards’ meet 20-year old requirement to cut dangerous smokestack emissions

Release Date: 12/21/2011
Contact Information: Enesta Jones (News Media Only,jones.enesta@epa.gov, 202-564-7873, 202-564-4355 Doretta Reaves (Non Press Inquiries), Reaves.doretta@epa.gov, 202-564-7829 En español: Lina Younes, younes.lina@epa.gov, 202-564-9924, 202-564-4355 

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards, the first national standards to protect American families from power plant emissions of mercury and toxic air pollution like arsenic, acid gas, nickel, selenium, and cyanide. The standards will slash emissions of these dangerous pollutants by relying on widely available, proven pollution controls that are already in use at more than half of the nation’s coal-fired power plants. 

EPA estimates that the new safeguards will prevent as many as 11,000 premature deaths and 4,700 heart attacks a year. The standards will also help America’s children grow up healthier – preventing 130,000 cases of childhood asthma symptoms and about 6,300 fewer cases of acute bronchitis among children each year. 

"By cutting emissions that are linked to developmental disorders and respiratory illnesses like asthma, these standards represent a major victory for clean air and public health– and especially for the health of our children. With these standards that were two decades in the making, EPA is rounding out a year of incredible progress on clean air in America with another action that will benefit the American people for years to come," said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson. "The Mercury and Air Toxics Standards will protect millions of families and children from harmful and costly air pollution and provide the American people with health benefits that far outweigh the costs of compliance."

“Since toxic air pollution from power plants can make people sick and cut lives short, the new Mercury and Air Toxics Standards are a huge victory for public health,” said Albert A. Rizzo, MD, national volunteer chair of the American Lung Association, and pulmonary and critical care physician in Newark, Delaware. “The Lung Association expects all oil and coal-fired power plants to act now to protect all Americans, especially our children, from the health risks imposed by these dangerous air pollutants.”

More than 20 years ago, a bipartisan Congress passed the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments and mandated that EPA require control of toxic air pollutants including mercury. To meet this requirement, EPA worked extensively with stakeholders, including industry, to minimize cost and maximize flexibilities in these final standards. There were more than 900,000 public comments that helped inform the final standards being announced today. Part of this feedback encouraged EPA to ensure the standards focused on readily available and widely deployed pollution control technologies, that are not only manufactured by companies in the United States, but also support short-term and long-term jobs. EPA estimates that manufacturing, engineering, installing and maintaining the pollution controls to meet these standards will provide employment for thousands, potentially including 46,000 short-term construction jobs and 8,000 long-term utility jobs.

Power plants are the largest remaining source of several toxic air pollutants, including mercury, arsenic, cyanide, and a range of other dangerous pollutants, and are responsible for half of the mercury and over 75 percent of the acid gas emissions in the United States. Today, more than half of all coal-fired power plants already deploy pollution control technologies that will help them meet these achievable standards. Once final, these standards will level the playing field by ensuring the remaining plants – about 40 percent of all coal fired power plants - take similar steps to decrease dangerous pollutants.

As part of the commitment to maximize flexibilities under the law, the standards are accompanied by a Presidential Memorandum that directs EPA to use tools provided in the Clean Air Act to implement the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards in a cost-effective manner that ensures electric reliability. For example, under these standards, EPA is not only providing the standard three years for compliance, but also encouraging permitting authorities to make a fourth year broadly available for technology installations, and if still more time is needed, providing a well-defined pathway to address any localized reliability problems should they arise.

Mercury has been shown to harm the nervous systems of children exposed in the womb, impairing thinking, learning and early development, and other pollutants that will be reduced by these standards can cause cancer, premature death, heart disease, and asthma. 

The Mercury and Air Toxics Standards, which are being issued in response to a court deadline, are in keeping with President Obama’s Executive Order on regulatory reform. They are based on the latest data and provide industry significant flexibility in implementation through a phased-in approach and use of already existing technologies. 

The standards also ensure that public health and economic benefits far outweigh costs of implementation. EPA estimates that for every dollar spent to reduce pollution from power plants, the American public will see up to $9 in health benefits. The total health and economic benefits of this standard are estimated to be as much as $90 billion annually. 

The Mercury and Air Toxics Standards and the final Cross-State Air Pollution Rule, which was issued earlier this year, are the most significant steps to clean up pollution from power plant smokestacks since the Acid Rain Program of the 1990s. 

Combined, the two rules are estimated to prevent up to 46,000 premature deaths, 540,000 asthma attacks among children, 24,500 emergency room visits and hospital admissions. The two programs are an investment in public health that will provide a total of up to $380 billion in return to American families in the form of longer, healthier lives and reduced health care costs.

More information: http://www.epa.gov/mats/

Delmar’s new state-of-the-art wastewater treatment facility unveiled

Release Date: 12/20/2011
Contact Information: Sara Bynum-King, Town of Delmar, 410, 896-2777; townmgr.delmar@verizon.net Melanie Rapp, DNREC, 302-739-9902; Melanie.Rapp@state.de.us Jay Apperson, MDE, 410- 537-3003; jApperson@mde.state.md.us Terri White, EPA, 215-814-5523; white.terri-a@epa.gov

DELMAR, DE/MD (Dec. 20, 2011) – Delmar’s new state-of-the-art wastewater treatment facility was unveiled today at a ribbon-cutting ceremony that included dignitaries from Delaware, Maryland, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. They were joined by representatives from local construction and engineering companies who worked for more than a year to transform the outdated facility to an innovative, effective wastewater treatment plant that protects the health and safety of families and provides significant clean water benefits for the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.

Delmar Mayor Michael Houlihan (Delaware) was joined by Governor Jack Markell, Senator Tom Carper (D-Del), Senator Chris Coons (D-Del), EPA Regional Administrator Shawn M. Garvin, Maryland Department of the Environment Deputy Secretary for Planning and Policy David A. Costello, Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control Secretary Collin O’Mara and other officials to announce the expansion and upgrades at the facility.

“Here in Delmar, we celebrate efforts by two towns in two states to make clean water a top priority,” said Governor Markell. “Investments made here at the Delmar wastewater treatment facility pay tremendous dividends. They are supporting local jobs and businesses while providing clean water that protects the health of families and helps ensure the water quality of our precious rivers and streams and Chesapeake Bay Watershed.”

Investments at the plant were made possible by EPA funding, the states of Delaware and Maryland, and the town of Delmar. Funding totaling approximately $7.4 million was secured from a $2 million EPA grant to Maryland under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), a Maryland Department of the Environment grant of more than $3.3 million, a Delaware Clean Water State Revolving Fund loan of about $1.3 million, a $480,000 grant from the EPA, and local funds from the Town of Delmar of about $320,000. Delaware’s Clean Water State Revolving Fund investments are supported by EPA capitalization grants and State of Delaware matching funds.

“Supporting infrastructure projects like this one is one way to help protect and preserve our precious natural resources for years to come and is just the kind of project I had in mind when I supported the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act several years ago,” said Senator Tom Carper. “This is a great example of what partnerships between federal, state and local governments can do to keep our environment clean, our communities healthy, and grow our economy.”

“I am proud to work in the U.S. Senate to build communities and create jobs. This federal investment to improve Delmar’s sewage treatment system will do just that,” Maryland Senator Barbara Mikulski said. “Maryland cities and towns need to upgrade their water and sewer infrastructure but they can't do it on their own, and rate payers shouldn't have to bear the full burden. This grant is a double value for the taxpayer dollar, creating jobs while improving health and safety and helping this community grow.”

“Improving water quality, protecting public health and creating jobs are just a few of the many benefits of Delmar’s new state-of-the-art wastewater treatment facility,” said Senator Chris Coons. “This project demonstrates the importance of infrastructure improvements and how two states and various levels of government came together for the common good. The upgrades at the facility translate into a brighter future for those served by the plant and for our treasured Chesapeake Bay.”

“We in Maryland know the value of clean water, from our local streams to the Chesapeake Bay. But our nation’s water infrastructure is reaching a tipping point and the increasing dysfunction of our systems pose risks to human health and safety and environmental quality,” Maryland Senator Ben Cardin, Chairman of the Senate Water and Wildlife Subcommittee, said. “Especially in today’s economy, the projected economic benefits of water infrastructure investment and the job opportunities associated with repairing and upgrading our water infrastructure are substantial. Regional projects like the Delmar Wastewater Treatment Facility make a positive difference in the daily functioning of so many families and local businesses.”

“The new wastewater facility unveiled today is the type of investment we need to create jobs and strengthen the economy while also protecting the environment,” said Congressman John Carney (D-Del). “The partnership that helped create this facility resulted in jobs for Delaware workers, cleaner water for the entire community, and improvements to the Chesapeake Bay Watershed that will help preserve it for generations to come.”

Located in Maryland, Delmar’s wastewater treatment facility serves 2,900 residents who live in Maryland and the almost 1,500 residents who live on the Delaware side of town. Originally built in the mid-1980s, the plant was expanded to treat 30 percent more wastewater than the old treatment facility – a total of 850,000 gallons of wastewater per day – meeting the capacity needs of Delmar now and into the future.

The facility employs cutting-edge clean water technologies that meet stringent pollution control limits set by the State of Maryland and the Chesapeake Bay ‘pollution diet’ or TMDL. Last year, EPA and the seven jurisdictions in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed put in place the TMDL. The TMDL, or Total Maximum Daily Load, is the maximum amount of a pollutant that a body of water can receive and still meet water quality standards that protect humans and aquatic life. The watershed’s TMDL will substantially reduce nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment pollution entering our streams and rivers flowing to the Bay, improving the health of the Chesapeake, our nation’s largest estuary and one of strongest contributors to the region’s economy.

“I’m proud of this regional collaboration and EPA’s role in providing more than $3.4 million that was successfully leveraged for these long-needed upgrades to Delmar’s wastewater treatment plant,” said EPA Regional Administrator Shawn M. Garvin. “This water infrastructure project is helping improve the health of local waterways and ultimately will benefit the Chesapeake Bay by substantially reducing this plant’s loadings of nitrogen and phosphorus pollution by as much as 85 percent.”

Last week, Maryland, Delaware and the other Bay jurisdictions submitted draft localized plans to implement the Bay TMDL. For the first time in the history of regional and federal cooperation to restore the Chesapeake Bay, local governments have the opportunity to ensure that restoration efforts meet local constituent needs. The reductions in pollution from Delmar’s wastewater treatment plant will help Maryland meet its state-wide nutrient pollution limits. 

"Maryland is working with our local municipalities and counties on the most detailed plan yet to improve the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. Upgrading our largest wastewater treatment plants is a critical part of that effort," Maryland Department of the Environment Secretary Robert M. Summers said. "Improved and restored waterways directly and positively impact our drinking water, are vital to public health and our quality of life, and these efforts create and support jobs."

“Across Delaware strategic investments in clean water infrastructure are creating construction jobs, improving water quality, and building stronger and healthier communities,” said Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control Secretary Collin O'Mara. "By ensuring that our local rivers and streams are drinkable, fishable, and swimmable, we will improve our state's economic and environmental health today and leave a legacy of environmental stewardship for the betterment of future generations.”

“This upgrade project was very significant to Towns of Delmar as it will have a major impact on our contribution to protecting the watershed. We are grateful for the collaborative efforts of federal, state (MD/DE) and local funds that made this major upgrade to the Wastewater Plant possible,” said Delmar Mayor Michael Houlihan (Delaware).

The facility was upgraded to include the addition of biological and enhanced nutrient removal systems that effectively reduce pollutants – nitrogen and phosphorus loadings from entering the waterways that drain into the Chesapeake Bay. An outdated chlorine disinfection system was replaced with a new ultra violet (UV) disinfection system, reducing the hazards of chlorine to the public, the operators and the environment. Other upgrades include a state-of-the-art screen and grit removal system, new influent and effluent pumps that increase the reliability of plant operations, new waste activated return and sludge pumps, and a power backup generation system. 

Idaho, Oregon, and Washington manufacturers failed to notify authorities about chemical releases

Release Date: 12/20/2011
Contact Information: Graham Kirn, EPA Toxics Release Inventory Program, 206-553-1603, kirn.graham@epa.gov; Tony Brown, EPA Public Affairs, 206-553-1203, brown.anthony@epa.gov

(Seattle – Dec. 20, 2011) Three northwest businesses violated federal community right-to-know reporting requirements by failing to report releases of toxic chemicals on time to the federal Toxics Release Inventory. According to three separate settlements with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Frazier Industrial Company, Formula Corp, and McClure Industries, Inc. will pay nearly $12,000 in combined penalties.

“Companies that use industrial chemicals have a responsibility to surrounding communities to run safe and transparent operations,” said Kelly Huynh, manager of the Inspection and Enforcement Management Unit at EPA in Seattle. “That includes reporting about the chemicals they use and release at their facilities.”

Under the federal TRI Program, companies that use certain toxic chemicals are required to report annually about releases, transfers, and waste management activities involving toxic chemicals at their facilities. Most companies, including Frazier Industrial Company, Formula Corp, and McClure Industries, report toxic chemicals releases that result from routine manufacturing operations at their facilities.

The Toxic Release Inventory is a national database of chemical data from over 23,000 facilities and is a public resource available to any citizen. The TRI Program falls under the Emergency Planning and Community-Right-to-Know Act, which aims to inform communities and citizens of chemical hazards in their neighborhoods. 

Frazier Industrial Company
Frazier Industrial Company, located in Pocatello, Idaho, failed to report on time for releases of 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene at its facility during calendar year 2009 and will pay a $4,100 penalty.

Frazier Industrial Company is a manufacturer of structural steel storage rack systems.

1,2,4-trimethylbenzene is often used as a gasoline additive, a solvent, or as a paint and lacquer thinner. 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene exposure can impact the respiratory and nervous systems.

Formula Corp
Formula Corp, located in Auburn, Washington, failed to report on time for releases of glycol ethers at its facility during calendar year 2009 and will pay a $3,800 penalty.

Formula Corp is a manufacturer of custom chemicals used in personal care, sanitary maintenance, and industrial cleaning markets.

Glycol ethers are an inhalation hazard and may affect the blood, kidneys, and liver.

McClure Industries, Inc.
McClure Industries, Inc., located in Portland, Oregon, failed to report on time for releases of styrene at its facility during calendar year 2009 and will pay a $3,800 penalty.

McClure Industries, Inc. is a manufacturer of specialty carts for a variety of applications, including recycling and garbage containers, washroom and linen carts, and bio-waste storage.

Styrene is a respiratory hazard that can affect the nervous system and cause fatigue, slowed reaction time, and difficulty concentrating. 

For more information on the TRI Program, visit http://www.epa.gov/tri/ 

Environmental Justice Grant Awarded to Howardville, Mo., Community Betterment Committee for West End Hermondale

Release Date: 12/19/2011
Contact Information: Benjamin Washburn, (913) 551-7364, washburn.ben@epa.gov

Environmental News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Kansas City, Kan., Dec. 19, 2011) - EPA has awarded a $25,000 Environmental Justice Grant to Howardville Community Betterment Committee of Howardville, Mo.

The grant will address stormwater runoff and flooding by assessing infrastructure needs of the West End Hermondale community, as well as help build community partnerships. Howardville Community Betterment will disseminate information on the Safe Drinking Water Act, distribute EPA educational materials, and develop a survey to help determine the effectiveness of its community outreach efforts.

“Working for environmental justice is one of the seven priorities of EPA and Administrator Lisa P. Jackson,” said EPA Region 7 Administrator Karl Brooks. “This grant will allow the community to begin to tackle local environmental concerns that otherwise may have gone unaddressed.”

EPA’s environmental justice efforts aim to ensure equal environmental and health protections for all Americans, regardless of race or socioeconomic status. The grants enable non-profit, faith-based, or tribal organizations to conduct research, provide education, and develop solutions to local health and environmental issues in communities overburdened by harmful pollution.

While announcing the awarding of its 2011 grants, EPA has also launched its 2012 grant solicitation. EPA will award $1 million in Environmental Justice Grants in 2012. Applicants must be incorporated non-profit, faith-based, or tribal organizations working to educate, empower, and enable their communities to understand and address local environmental and public health issues. EPA will host three pre-application teleconference calls to help applicants understand the requirements. The dates of the teleconference calls are January 12, 2012, February 1, 2012, and February 15, 2012. The deadline to apply for the 2012 grants is February 29, 2012.

Information about the Environment Justice Small Grants 2012 Request for Applications and a schedule of pre-application teleconference calls is available online (47 pp, 636K, About PDF).

Environmental justice means the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people, regardless of race or income, in the environmental decision-making process. Since 1994, the environmental justice small grants program has provided more than $23 million in funding to community-based nonprofit organizations and local governments working to address environmental justice issues in more than 1,200 communities. The grants represent EPA’s commitment to expand the conversation on environmentalism and advance environmental justice in communities across the nation.

Texas Oil Company Sentenced to Pay $12 Million for Clean Air Act Violations and Obstruction Crimes in Louisiana / Sentence is the largest ever criminal fine in Louisiana for air pollution

Release Date: 12/16/2011
Contact Information: Stacy Kika, Kika.stacy@epa.gov, 202-564-0906, 202-564-4355

WASHINGTON — Pelican Refining Company LLC, was sentenced to pay $12 million for felony violations of the Clean Air Act and to obstruction of justice charges in federal court in Lafayette, La. announced Cynthia Giles, assistant administrator for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance, and Ignacia S. Moreno, assistant attorney general of the Environment and Natural Resources Division of the Department of Justice.

“Facilities have a responsibility to protect their employees and local residents by following our nation’s environmental laws,” said Cynthia Giles, assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. "Corporations that choose to cut corners and ignore these critical safeguards will face significant consequences.” 

“This corporation operated without even the most basic requirements of an environmental compliance plan and endangered the public and its own employees by implementing unsafe practices in violation of its permit and reporting requirements,” said Ignacia S. Moreno, assistant attorney general for the Environment and Natural Resources Division of the Department of Justice. “Today's plea demonstrates that the Justice Department will continue to vigorously prosecute those who violate environmental and workplace safety laws.”‬ 

Pelican was sentenced to pay a $12 million penalty, which includes a $10 million criminal fine and $2 million in community service payments that will go toward various environmental projects in Louisiana, including air pollution monitoring. The criminal fine is the largest ever in Louisiana for violations of the Clean Air Act. Pelican is also prohibited from future operations unless it implements an environmental compliance plan, which includes independent quarterly audits by an outside firm and oversight by a court-appointed monitor. 

In a joint factual statement filed in court, Pelican, headquartered in Houston, Texas, admitted that the company had knowingly committed criminal violations of its operating permit at the refinery located in Lake Charles, La. The violations were discovered during a March 2006 inspection by the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which identified numerous unsafe operating conditions. Pelican also pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice for submitting materially false deviation reports to LDEQ, the agency that administers the federal Clean Air Act in Louisiana.

Pelican admitted to the following:

• Pelican had no company budget, no environmental department and no environmental manager;

• In order to comply with a permit issued under the Clean Air Act, the refinery was required to use certain key pollution prevention equipment, but that equipment was either not functioning, poorly maintained, improperly installed, improperly placed into service and/or improperly calibrated;

• It was a routine practice for over a year to use an emergency flare gun to re-light the flare tower at the refinery designed to burn off toxic gasses and provide for the safe combustion of potentially explosive chemicals; because the pilot light was not functioning properly, employees would take turns trying to shoot the flare gun to relight the explosive gasses;

• Sour crude oil was stored in a tank that was not properly placed into service and remained in the tank after the roof sank;

• A caustic scrubber designed to remove hydrogen sulfide from emissions was bypassed; 

• A continuous emission monitoring system (CEMS) designed to measure the hydrogen sulfide levels in refinery emissions was not working properly, and

• Pelican provided false information to the State of Louisiana and the State of Texas concerning the laboratory testing of asphalt. 

Byron Hamilton, the Pelican vice-president who oversaw operations at the Lake Charles refinery since 2005 from an office in Houston, Texas pleaded guilty on July 6, 2011, to negligently placing persons in imminent danger of death and serious bodily injury as a result of negligent releases at the refinery. Hamilton faces up to one year in prison and a $200,000 fine for each of the two Clean Air Act counts. On Oct. 31, 2011, Pelican’s former asphalt facilities manager, Mike LeBleu, also pleaded guilty to a negligent endangerment charge under the Clean Air Act. 

The government’s investigation of the Pelican Refinery continues. Under the Crime Victims’ Rights Act, crime victims are afforded certain statutory rights, including the opportunity to attend all public hearings and provide input to the prosecution. Any person adversely impacted is encouraged to learn more about the case and the Crime Victims’ Rights Act or contact the Victim Witness Coordinator for the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Western District of Louisiana. 

The criminal investigation is being conducted by the EPA Criminal Investigation Division in Baton Rouge and the Louisiana State Police, with assistance from the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality. The case is being prosecuted by U.S. Attorney Stephanie Finley, Richard A. Udell, Senior Trial Attorney of the Environmental Crimes Section of the Environment and Natural Resources Division of the U.S. Department of Justice, Trial Attorney Christopher Hale with the Environmental Crimes Section.

More information on EPA’s criminal enforcement program:
http://www.epa.gov/compliance/criminal/index.html

Read the joint factual statement: http://www.epa.gov/compliance/criminal/investigations/pelican-jfs-10-21-11.pdf

Photos: http://www.epa.gov/compliance/criminal/investigations/pelican-exhibits.pdf

DuPont Settles Hazardous Waste Violations at Deepwater, N.J. Facility

Release Date: 12/16/2011
Contact Information: Donna Heron 215-814-5113 / heron.donna@epa.gov

PHILADELPHIA (December 16, 2011) -- In settlement papers filed in federal court by the U.S. Department of Justice, E.I. DuPont de Nemours, Inc. (DuPont) agreed to pay a $250,000 civil penalty to settle alleged violations of hazardous waste regulations at the company’s wastewater treatment facility in Deepwater, N.J., the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced today. DuPont also agreed to several improvements to its New Jersey facility’s hazardous waste safeguards.

DuPont’s Secured Environmental Treatment (SET) facility in Deepwater, N.J., is a hazardous waste treatment facility operating under a Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) permit from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP). The facility accepts truck and rail shipments from hazardous waste generators and transporters. This facility is the largest RCRA-permitted waste water treatment operation on the East Coast, with the capacity to treat 40 million gallons of wastewater daily. 

EPA’s investigation of DuPont’s facility was prompted by a separate enforcement matter involving GEO Specialty Chemicals, Inc. of Cleveland, Ohio. GEO operated a production line in Franklin, Va., from 2001 through 2009. According to EPA, from 2001 through at least 2008, GEO transported highly caustic waste slurry by railcar from its Virginia facility to DuPont’s facility in New Jersey. These railcars were left on a rail siding outside the DuPont facility for up to 45 days.

The complaint filed with the proposed consent decree alleged violations of RCRA, the federal law governing the treatment, storage, and disposal of hazardous waste. The alleged violations include:

· Unpermitted storage of hazardous waste in railcars outside the New Jersey facility;
· Storage of hazardous waste without adequate “secondary containment” to hold spills and discharges of hazardous waste until cleanup. 
· Improperly returning hazardous waste to GEO's Virginia plant by failing to completely empty railcars used by GEO to transport hazardous waste to DuPont’s New Jersey facility.
· Failure to comply with an EPA information request. According to the complaint, during an April 2006 EPA inspection of the New Jersey facility, DuPont inaccurately described the method used to empty railcars of hazardous waste or provided EPA with an unrepresentative sample from a purportedly emptied railcar.

EPA orders Douglas drinking water system to reduce arsenic

Release Date: 12/15/2011
Contact Information: Margot Perez-Sullivan, 415.947.4149 perezsullivan.margot@epa.gov

SAN FRANCISCO – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ordered the Monte Vista Water Company to reduce arsenic levels in their drinking water system or face penalties of up to $37,500 per day for each violation. 

The EPA’s order requires the system, serving over 150 residents northwest of downtown, to develop and meet a schedule to comply with the federal Safe Drinking Water Act’s arsenic standard of 10 parts per billion.  Arsenic is a naturally occurring mineral found primarily in groundwater.

“Clean, safe drinking water is a basic need for every Arizonan,” said Jared Blumenfeld, EPA’s Regional Administrator for the Pacific Southwest. “We’ll continue to take action against public drinking water systems to ensure they all comply with all Safe Drinking Water Act standards.”

In January 2001, the federal government lowered the arsenic standard in drinking water from 50 ppb to 10 ppb and gave systems 5 years to come into compliance with the new standard. The Monte Vista Water Company failed to meet the deadline and is out of compliance. The order requires Monte Vista Water Company to submit a plan in November and comply with the arsenic standard by 2013. 

The EPA does not anticipate collecting penalties if Monte Vista Water Company complies with the order.  Statewide approximately 80 small water purveyors are currently out of compliance with a variety of federal drinking water standards from monitoring and reporting requirements to exceedances of contaminant limits.  Small systems often struggle to keep current with ongoing monitoring and reporting requirements. 

Arsenic is a known carcinogen. Drinking high levels of arsenic over many years can increase the chance of lung, bladder, liver and skin cancers, as well as heart disease, diabetes and neurological damage. Arsenic inhibits the body’s ability to fight off cancer and other diseases.

For more information on the EPA’s drinking water programs, go to: http://www.epa.gov/region9/water/drinking/

For more information on Arizona’s drinking water programs, go to: http://www.azdeq.gov/environ/water/dw/

Augusta County Twice Honored by EPA For Protecting Waters

Release Date: 12/15/2011
Contact Information: David Sternberg (215) 814-5548 sternberg.david@epa.gov

(PHILADELPHIA - December 15, 2011) - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has awarded two prestigious awards to the Augusta County Service Authority, in Augusta County, Va.; the Source Water Protection Award for protecting existing and potential drinking water sources and the PISCES award recognizing leadership and innovation in utilizing clean water infrastructure funds.

“Drinking water is a finite and precious resource, and we commend Augusta County’s leadership in protecting it,” said EPA Regional Administrator Shawn M. Garvin. “Other municipalities would be well-served to follow their example in adopting source water protection ordinances.” 

The Augusta County Service Authority coordinated the development of one of the strongest source water protection zoning ordinances in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The ordinance, passed in February 2011, helps to protect ground water sources of drinking water from adverse impacts such as contamination from hazardous materials or petroleum products, or loss of water in underground aquifers which supply drinking water in the County. 

“We’ve invested a lot of resources in establishing our drinking water supply,” said Augusta County Service Authority Executive Director Ken Fanfoni. “The ordinance will help to prevent it being jeopardized by careless actions or unforeseen events.”

The Source Water Protection Award recognizes organizations and communities that take steps to protect drinking water sources in EPA’s mid-Atlantic region. For more information on source water protection, visit:http://www.epa.gov/reg3wapd/drinkingwater/swp/

EPA also presented the 2010 PISCES Award to the Authority. The PISCES award stands for 
P erformance and Innovation in the State Revolving Fund Creating Environmental Success. 

The Augusta County Service Authority is recognized for performance and innovation in utilizing Clean Water infrastructure funds. The PISCES award highlights projects that successfully further the goal of clean and safe water with exceptional planning, management, and financing. 

The Augusta County Service Authority is making use of Clean Water State Revolving Fund Loans to fund projects that reduce the amount of nitrogen and phosphorus discharged to tributaries of the Potomac, Shenandoah and Chesapeake Bay watersheds. Projects were initiated at several wastewater treatment plants to enhance nutrient removal and increase energy efficiency. These projects will increase the sustainability and effectiveness of the wastewater treatment process protecting local waterways and the Chesapeake Bay.

U.S. Clean Water Act Settlement in Chicago to Reduce Sewage Overflows

Release Date: 12/14/2011
Contact Information: Anne Rowan, 312-353-9391,rowan.anne@epa.gov Phillippa Cannon, 312-353-6218, cannon.phillippa@epa.gov

Settlement with Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago to reduce pollution from stormwater runoff and protect public health

CHICAGO (Dec. 14, 2011) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Department of Justice (DOJ), and the State of Illinois announced a Clean Water Act (CWA) settlement with the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD) to resolve claims that untreated sewer discharges were released into Chicago area waterways during flood and wet weather events. The settlement will safeguard water quality and protect people’s health by capturing stormwater and wastewater from the combined sewer system, which services the city of Chicago and 51 communities.

“This consent decree requires MWRD to invest in green roofs, rain gardens and other green infrastructure to prevent basement flooding in the neighborhoods that are most severely impacted by sewer overflows,” said EPA Region 5 Administrator Susan Hedman. “The enforceable schedule established by this consent decree will also ensure completion of the deep tunnel and reservoir system to control untreated sewage releases into Chicago area rivers and Lake Michigan.”

“These much needed upgrades to Chicago’s sewer infrastructure will reduce combined sewage overflows and the public’s exposure to harmful pathogens,” said Ignacia S. Moreno, assistant attorney general for the Environment and Natural Resources Division of the Department of Justice. “The use of innovative green infrastructure in the city’s urban core will reduce runoff and flooding, and improve the quality of the environment where people live.”‬ 

“This settlement mandates that MWRD make critical structural changes to improve the quality of Chicago’s waterways,” said Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan. “By requiring green infrastructure projects, the agreement will also help reduce runoff and flooding for Chicago area residents.”

Under the settlement, the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) will work to complete a tunnel and reservoir plan to increase its capacity to handle wet weather events and address combined sewer overflow discharges. The project will be completed in a series of stages in 2015, 2017 and 2029. The settlement also requires MWRD to control trash and debris in overflows using skimmer boats to remove debris from the water so it can be collected and properly managed, making waterways cleaner and healthier. MWRD is also required to implement a green infrastructure program that will reduce stormwater runoff in areas serviced by MWRD by distributing rain barrels and developing projects to build green roofs, rain gardens, or use pervious paving materials in urban neighborhoods. MWRD has also agreed to pay a civil penalty of $675,000.

Raw sewage contains pathogens that threaten public health, leading to beach closures and public advisories against fishing and swimming. This problem particularly affects older urban areas, where minority and low-income communities are often located. Keeping raw sewage and contaminated stormwater out of the waters of the United States is one of EPA’s National Enforcement Initiatives for 2011 to 2013. The initiative focuses on reducing discharges from sewer overflows by obtaining cities’ commitments to implement timely, affordable solutions to these problems, including the increased use of green infrastructure and other innovative approaches.

More information on settlement: http://www.epa.gov/compliance/resources/cases/civil/cwa/mwrd.html

U.S. Clean Water Act Settlement in Chicago to Reduce Sewage Overflows / Settlement with Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago to reduce pollution from stormwater runoff and protect public health

Release Date: 12/14/2011
Contact Information: Stacy Kika, Kika.stacy@epa.gov, 202-564-0906, 202-564-4355

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Department of Justice (DOJ), and the State of Illinois announced a Clean Water Act (CWA) settlement with the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD) to resolve claims that untreated sewer discharges were released into Chicago area waterways during flood and wet weather events. The settlement will safeguard water quality and protect people’s health by capturing stormwater and wastewater from the combined sewer system, which services the city of Chicago and 51 communities.

“Today’s settlement will prevent polluted stormwater runoff from flowing through Chicago area neighborhoods and into local waterways,” said Cynthia Giles, assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. “Combining innovative stormwater management practices, like rain gardens, with necessary infrastructure overhauls will protect peoples’ health and provide area residents with improved recreational opportunities.”

“These much needed upgrades to Chicago’s sewer infrastructure will reduce combined sewage overflows and the public’s exposure to harmful pathogens,” said Ignacia S. Moreno, assistant attorney general for the Environment and Natural Resources Division of the Department of Justice. “The use of innovative green infrastructure in the city’s urban core will reduce runoff and flooding, and improve the quality of the environment where people live.”‬ 

“This settlement mandates that MWRD make critical structural changes to improve the quality of Chicago’s waterways,” said Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan. “By requiring green infrastructure projects, the agreement will also help reduce runoff and flooding for Chicago area residents.”

Under the settlement, the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) will work to complete a tunnel and reservoir plan to increase its capacity to handle wet weather events and address combined sewer overflow discharges. The project will be completed in a series of stages in 2015, 2017 and 2029. The settlement also requires MWRD to control trash and debris in overflows using skimmer boats to remove debris from the water so it can be collected and properly managed, making waterways cleaner and healthier. MWRD is also required to implement a green infrastructure program that will reduce stormwater runoff in areas serviced by MWRD by distributing rain barrels and developing projects to build green roofs, rain gardens, or use pervious paving materials in urban neighborhoods. MWRD has also agreed to pay a civil penalty of $675,000.

Raw sewage contains pathogens that threaten public health, leading to beach closures and public advisories against fishing and swimming. This problem particularly affects older urban areas, where minority and low-income communities are often located. Keeping raw sewage and contaminated stormwater out of the waters of the United States is one of EPA’s National Enforcement Initiatives for 2011 to 2013. The initiative focuses on reducing discharges from sewer overflows by obtaining cities’ commitments to implement timely, affordable solutions to these problems, including the increased use of green infrastructure and other innovative approaches.

More information on settlement: http://www.epa.gov/compliance/resources/cases/civil/cwa/mwrd.html

Nisqually Estuary restoration receives national award for outstanding coastal protection

Release Date: 12/12/2011
Contact Information: Hanady Kader, EPA Public Affairs, 206-553-0454, kader.hanady@epa.gov

(Seattle—Dec. 10, 2011) The Nisqually Estuary Restoration Team received national accolades for outstanding efforts to restore and protect the coastal environment as a recipient of the Coastal America Partnership Award. This is the only award of its kind presented by the Obama Administration for on-the-ground environmental restoration partnership projects.

Federal, regional, tribal, and non-profit officials met at the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge for a tour and award ceremony to recognize the restoration of over 900 acres of tidal habitat in the Nisqually Delta.

“The restoration of the Nisqually Estuary and delta system is striking,” said Virginia Tippie, Coastal America Director. “It is an example of an opportunity that resulted from critical community needs and the development of key partnerships.”

The 15-year long project was led by a partnership of federal, state, tribal, non-profit, and local scientists and officials who worked together to return the Nisqually Delta to a more natural state. A one-mile long boardwalk trail allows visitors to explore the delta, view wildlife and observe the estuary. 

Officials from the U.S. Department of Interior, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Nisqually Indian Tribe, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Ducks Unlimited, and the Nisqually River Council were in attendance, as were representatives of all 17 partners on the team. 

In October 2009, the Brown Farm Dike was removed after a century of blocking tidal flow, allowing the tides to return to over 760 acres of the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge. Along with 190 acres of wetlands restored by the Nisqually Indian Tribe, the Nisqually Delta represents the largest estuary restoration project in the Pacific Northwest to assist in recovery of Puget Sound salmon and wildlife populations.

Over the past decade, the refuge and close partners, including the tribe and Ducks Unlimited, have reconnected more than 35 kilometers of the historic tidal slough systems and floodplains with the tides of Puget Sound, which could increase salt marsh habitat in the southern reach of Puget Sound by 55 percent. This partnership effort was an important step in the recovery of Puget Sound. 

For more information on the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge, visit: http://www.fws.gov/Nisqually/

EPA Proposes Plan for Next Phase of Cleanup at Crown Cleaners Superfund Site in Herrings, New York; Agency Encouraging Public Comment

Release Date: 12/12/2011
Contact Information: Mike Basile, 716-551-4410, basile.michael@epa.gov

(New York, N.Y.) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has proposed a plan to demolish a building, dig up contaminated soil and sediment, and treat the ground water at the Crown Cleaners of Watertown, Inc. Superfund site in Herrings, New York. The soil, sediment and ground water are contaminated with volatile organic compounds and polyaromatic hydrocarbons from past operations at the former laundry and dry-cleaning facility. Volatile organic compounds can evaporate into the air and potentially impact people’s health. Polyaromatic hydrocarbons are a group of chemicals that are formed during the incomplete burning of coal, oil, gas, wood, garbage or other organic substances. Exposure to these contaminants can have serious health impacts and increase the risk of cancer. 

EPA is encouraging the public to comment on the plan through January 17, 2012 and plans a public meeting on January 3, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. at the Village of Herrings Town Hall, 35983 NYS Route 3 in Herrings, New York.

“The cleanup plan for the Crown Cleaners Superfund site is another milestone in EPA’s efforts to protect the health of people who live or work near this abandoned facility,” said EPA Regional Administrator Judith A. Enck. “We encourage the public to comment on the plan and learn more about it at a January 3 meeting in Herrings.”

EPA is proposing to demolish the main building on the nine-acre property and dig up contaminated soil, debris and sediment from a wetland around the building. EPA will use two approaches to address the contaminated soil due to differences in the two types of pollution. All of the excavated soil that is contaminated with volatile organic compounds will be sent to a licensed off-site facility to prevent it from further contaminating the ground water. Soil that is contaminated with volatile organic compounds has the ability to move down through the soil and contaminate the ground water. Polyaromatic hydrocarbons remain bound to soil and are not impacting the aquifer, so they will be properly managed on-site. All excavated areas will be filled and covered with clean soil.

EPA plans to treat the contaminated ground water using chemicals called oxidants. Any wetlands that are disturbed will be restored. The plan also requires restrictions that will prevent activities that could disturb the cleaned up areas and will prohibit any future residential construction on-site. EPA will carefully oversee operations and monitor future activities on the site.

From 1890 until the 1960s, the site was used by the St. Regis Paper Company to produce paper bags. In the late 1970s, the property was purchased by Crown Cleaners of Watertown, Inc. and was operated until 1991 as a dry cleaning and laundry facility. Wastewater was discharged through the foundation walls into the ground. Used dry cleaning machine filters were dumped on the site property. In 1991, the state of New York discovered that the village of Herrings’ public water supply well was contaminated and subsequently installed a treatment system for the village drinking water well to protect public health. In 2001, to address the immediate problems posed by the site, EPA removed numerous sources of contamination inside the main building, including 5,000 gallons of waste oil and asbestos-containing material. Additional work to address the ground water contamination and remaining sources of contamination beneath the building were needed and the site was added to the Superfund list in 2002.

Comments should be mailed or emailed to: 
Pamela Tames, P.E., Remedial Project Manager 
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
290 Broadway, 20th Floor
New York, New York 10007-1866
(212) 637-4255
tames.pam@epa.gov

The EPA has a web page about the site at http://www.epa.gov/region2/superfund/npl/0204284c.pdf

$1,455,000 Grant to Lee’s Summit, Mo., for Sewer Project

Release Date: 12/09/2011
Contact Information: Kris Lancaster, (913) 551-7557, lancaster.kris@epa.gov (news media only)


(Kansas City, Kan., Dec. 9, 2011) - EPA has awarded $1,455,000 to the City of Lee’s Summit, Mo., for improvements to its sewer system. The project is expected to be completed by the summer of 2014.

EPA Region 7 Administrator Karl Brooks said, “The grant will improve aging water infrastructure and spearhead new projects that will benefit the environment and economy. These water infrastructure funds will partially fund a construction project which is estimated to cost $2.3 million.”

The purpose of the project is to construct a segment of the Cedar Creek project, which will eliminate sewer overflows and ground water contamination from leaks in the existing deteriorating pipe. The new sewer will provide adequate capacity for both current and anticipated future flows.

The project will include the installation of approximately 9,800 feet of sewer pipe and 32 manholes.

EPA oversees the protection of water quality and public health. The Agency is working with community leaders and the public to meet the growing needs and demands of limited water resources. EPA remains committed to developing innovative and sustainable solutions for managing and financing infrastructure with public and private partners.

Release Date: 12/08/2011
Contact Information: Josh Singer, 312-353-5069, singer.joshua@epa.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE No. 11-OPA114

CHICAGO – Dec. 8, 2011) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today released its annual enforcement and compliance results. Nationwide, EPA enforcement actions eliminated more than 1.8 billion pounds of harmful pollution during the past year, including 300 million pounds of pollution in the Great Lakes region.

EPA’s enforcement and compliance program protects human health and improves the quality of the nation’s air, land and water by stopping illegal pollution. EPA’s civil and criminal enforcement actions focus on violations that pose serious risks to health and the environment. 

EPA Region 5 oversees enforcement efforts in the Great Lakes states of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin. A few of the region's recent major cases are highlighted below. 

• Clean Water Settlement in Northeast Ohio: EPA and the Department of Justice settled a Clean Water Act suit with the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District. The settlement will keep untreated sewage out of Cleveland-area waterways and Lake Erie.

• Clean Air Settlement to Protect Public Health by Reducing Emissions: EPA reached a Clean Air Act settlement with Northern Indiana Public Service Co. in January 2011. NIPSCO is required to install state-of- the-art pollution control technology at four coal-fired power plants, which will reduce harmful air emissions by more than 68,000 tons per year.

• Illinois Company Pleads Guilty to Illegal Storage of Hazardous Waste: Honeywell International Inc. was sentenced in March 2011 to pay a criminal fine of $11.8 million for knowingly storing hazardous waste without a permit – a violation of the federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. 

More information on EPA’s FY 2011 enforcement and compliance activities:http://www.epa.gov/compliance/resources/reports/endofyear/eoy2011/index.html

EPA and New York State Announce Ban on Dumping Sewage from Boats into Lake Ontario

Release Date: 12/08/2011
Contact Information: Contact: John Martin (212) 637- 3662 martin.johnj@epa.gov

(New York, N.Y. – December 8, 2011) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation today announced that a 3,675 square mile area of Lake Ontario is now a “no discharge zone,” which means that boats are completely banned from discharging sewage into the water. EPA reviewed DEC’s proposal to establish a no discharge zone for the lake and determined that there are adequate facilities in the area for boats to pump out their sewage. Boaters must now dispose of their sewage at one of the lake’s 37 specially-designated pump-out stations. This action is part of a joint EPA and New York State strategy to eliminate the discharge of sewage from boats into the state’s waterways. 

“Clean water is one of New York’s most valuable assets, and pumping sewage from boats into local waters is a practice that is both harmful and completely unnecessary,” said EPA Regional Administrator Judith A. Enck. “Lake Ontario provides drinking water to hundreds of thousands of New York residents. Establishing a no discharge zone for the lake is an important step in cleaning up New York’s treasured water bodies.”

"The designation of Lake Ontario as a 'no discharge zone' by the EPA strengthens New York's efforts to improve water quality in the Great Lakes by stopping pollution from boaters," said DEC Commissioner Joe Martens. "We will continue to work with the EPA, Environmental Facilities Corporation, Department of State and other partners to reach our common goal of swimmable, drinkable and fishable Lake Ontario waters to support our health, economy and quality of life.” 

Discharges of sewage from boats can contain harmful levels of pathogens and chemicals such as formaldehyde, phenols and chlorine, which have a negative impact on water quality, pose a risk to people’s health and impair marine life. EPA reviewed public comments on its tentative determination for the establishment of a no discharge zone, which was proposed in May 2011.

The no discharge zone encompasses the New York portion of Lake Ontario, including the waters of the Lake within the New York State boundary, stretching from the Niagara River (including the Niagara River up to Niagara Falls) in the west, to Tibbetts Point at the Lake’s outlet to the Saint Lawrence River in the east. The no discharge zone encompasses approximately 3,675 square miles and 326 shoreline miles, including the navigable portions of the Lower Genesee, Oswego, Black Rivers and numerous other tributaries and harbors, embayments of the Lake including Irondequoit Bay, Sodus Bay, North/South Ponds, Henderson Bay, Black River Bay and Chautmont Bay, and an abundance of formally designated habitats and waterways of local, state, and national significance.

For centuries, Lake Ontario has played an important role in the history of New York State and several Indian Nations. In addition to being a place of great natural beauty, the Lake serves as an economic engine for the region, and is a source of drinking water for seven hundred and sixty thousand people. The lake’s water quality is designated as “Class A,” which means that it’s recommended for drinking, swimming, fishing, and in the commercial processing of food. 

To read EPA’s final determination or for more information about no discharge zones, go tohttp://www.epa.gov/region02/water/ndz/index.html 

EPA To Provide Nearly $2 Million to Revitalize U.S. Urban Waters

Release Date: 12/07/2011
Contact Information: Enesta Jones, jones.enesta@epa.gov, 202-564-7873, 202-564-4355

WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announced it will provide up to $1.8 million for projects across the country to protect Americans’ health and help restore urban waters by improving water quality and supporting community revitalization. The funding is part of EPA’s Urban Waters program, which supports communities in their efforts to access, improve and benefit from their urban waters and the surrounding land. Urban waters are canals, rivers, lakes, wetlands, aquifers, estuaries, bays and oceans.

Many urban waterways have been polluted for years by sewage, runoff from city streets and contamination from abandoned industrial facilities. Healthy and accessible urban waters can help grow local businesses and enhance educational, recreational, employment and social opportunities in nearby communities. By promoting public access to urban waterways, EPA will help communities become active participants in restoration and protection. 

The goal of EPA’s urban waters small grants is to fund projects, training and research that will advance restoration of urban waters by improving water quality and community access. These activities will also support community revitalization and improving public health, social and economic opportunities, general livability and environmental justice for residents. Examples of projects eligible for funding may include:

- Education and training for water quality improvement or green infrastructure jobs
- Public education about ways to reduce water pollution
- Local water quality monitoring programs
- Engaging diverse stakeholders to develop local watershed plans
- Innovative projects that promote local water quality and community revitalization goals

Funding proposals must be received by EPA by January 23, 2012. EPA will hold two web-based seminars on this funding opportunity on December 14, 2011 and January 5, 2012. EPA expects to award the grants in summer 2012. 
EPA’s Urban Waters program supports the goals and principles of the Urban Waters Federal Partnership, a partnership of 11 federal agencies working to reconnect urban communities with their waterways by improving coordination among federal agencies and collaborating with community‐led revitalization efforts to improve the nation’s water systems and promote their economic, environmental and social benefits. 

The Urban Waters Federal Partnership closely aligns with and advances the work of the White House’s place‐based efforts, including the Partnership for Sustainable Communities, to revitalize communities, create jobs and improve the quality of life in cities and towns across the nation. The Urban Waters Federal Partnership also advances the work of President Obama’s America’s Great Outdoors Initiative.

Information about urban waters small grants and registration for the webinars:http://www.epa.gov/urbanwaters/funding

Information on EPA’s Urban Waters program: http://www.epa.gov/urbanwaters/index.html

Information on the Urban Waters Federal Partnership: http://urbanwaters.gov/

Fertilizer Company Agrees to Pay $1.8 Million Penalty to Resolve Hazardous Waste Violations

Release Date: 12/07/2011
Contact Information: Dave Bary or Joe Hubbard at 214-665-2200 or r6press@epa.gov 

(DALLAS – December 7, 2011) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announced that Agrifos, a former phosphoric acid and phosphate fertilizer producer, has agreed to pay a $1.8 million dollar penalty and conduct an environmental project to resolve alleged violations of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) and the Clean Air Act. Violations include processing and disposing of hazardous wastewater without a permit and the improper routing of effluent from a scrubber through a cooling tower. The settlement will protect public health and the environment by reducing possible releases of hazardous wastewater into area waterways. Agrifos currently produces sulfuric acid and ammonium sulfate fertilizers. 

“EPA is committed to protecting the public from releases of hazardous wastewater at phosphoric acid plants,” said Cynthia Giles, assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. “Today’s settlement will significantly reduce the amount of contaminated runoff flowing from the Agrifos facility into local waterways, including the Houston Ship Channel.” 

Under the agreement, Agrifos will spend $600,000 to implement a supplemental environmental project. The project involves the construction of a stormwater collection and containment barrier around its fertilizer production unit to eliminate or minimize impact on the environment. The containment structure will contain all spills and leaks from the fertilizer production unit and collect contaminated stormwater runoff from wet weather events for reuse in the production process. Based on the average rainfall at the facility, the containment barrier is expected to capture more than one million gallons of contaminated stormwater annually for reuse. 

“When a company fails to control pollution, the EPA will vigorously enforce our environmental laws,” said EPA Regional Administrator Al Armendariz. “This case not only brings about penalties but also requires corrective action to prevent reoccurrence that would threaten our state's waterways.”

There have been four enforcement actions related to the Agrifos site in the last three years. In September 2010, Agrifos paid a $535,206 civil penalty to EPA for Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know (EPCRA), Superfund, and Clean Air Act violations at its facility. In November 2010, a settlement for $1.485 million was reached with Air Products, an adjacent chemical facility, to resolve violations which included the exchange of contaminated waste acid from Air Products to Agrifos. In September 2010, a settlement with ExxonMobil requires ExxonMobil to conduct extensive closure and cleanup work on the phosphogypsum stacks system at the Agrifos facility, which was previously owned by ExxonMobil. ExxonMobil also agreed to pay a $100,000 civil penalty. And, in September of 2008, RCRA and Superfund orders were issued to ExxonMobil and Agrifos to address the release of contaminated wastewater from the gypsum stacks at the Agrifos site into the Houston Ship Channel.

The settlement is part of EPA’s enforcement initiative to reduce pollution from mineral processing operations. EPA has focused on ensuring compliance in the phosphoric acid industry because of the high risk of releases of acidic wastewaters at these facilities. 

More information on the settlement is available at www.epa.gov/compliance/resources/cases/civil/rcra/agrifos.html 

More information on EPA’s National Enforcement Initiatives is available athttp://intranet.epa.gov/oecaftp/compliance/data/planning/initiatives/index.html 

Southeast Facilities Ordered to Comply with Clean Water Act; Penalties Total More Than $180,000

Release Date: 12/06/2011
Contact Information: Southeast Facilities Ordered to Comply with Clean Water Act; Penalties Total More Than $180,000

(ATLANTA – Dec. 6, 2011) Over the past fiscal year (Oct. 1, 2010 to Sept. 30, 2011), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 4 issued Consent Agreements and Final Orders (CA/FOs) against 25 entities throughout the Southeast for violations of the Clean Water Act (CWA). As part of the settlements, the responsible parties in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee agreed to come into compliance and pay $184,317 in civil penalties. Additionally, these entities will spend an estimated $284,791 to come into compliance. 

"By taking these enforcement actions, we are sending a strong message about the importance of protecting rivers, lakes and streams,” said Gwen Keyes Fleming, Regional Administrator. “By addressing the violations noted in our inspections, these entities will prevent millions of pounds of pollution from entering the environment, in addition to protecting the quality of life for families across the Southeast.”

Ten entities were cited for alleged stormwater-related violations of the CWA. Polluted stormwater runoff is a leading cause of impairment to the nearly 40 percent of surveyed U.S. water bodies which do not meet water quality standards. Over land or via storm sewer systems, polluted runoff is discharged, often untreated, directly into local water bodies. The settlements and associated penalties include:

· Port of Mobile, for violations at its Buchanan Lumber Mobile, Inc. in Mobile, Ala. (civil penalty of $4,400)
· The Allen Company, for violations at the Barnes Mill Road Improvement in Richard, Ky. (civil penalty of $7,200)
· Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, for violations at its US 421 Widening PCN 09-1121 in Frankfort, Ky. (civil penalty of $8,000)
· Mississippi Department of Transportation, for violations at its State Route 19 in Collinsville, Miss. (civil penalty of $44,000)
· South East Development of NC, LLC, for violations at its Sierra Heights subdivision Phase 2 in Clayton, N.C. (civil penalty of $5,000)
· Marion Retail Investments, LLC, for violations at its construction site Grandview Station in Marion, N.C. (civil penalty of $9,000)
· YDV, Incorporated, for violations at its construction sites Compass Pointe Phase 2 and Compass Pointe Phase 3 in Leland, N.C. (civil penalties totaling $14,000)
· City of Memphis, for violations at its Appling/I-40 Northwest Planned Development in Memphis, Tenn. (civil penalty of $2,000)
· Shelby County, for violations at the Houston Levee Road Improvement in Memphis, Tenn. (civil penalty of $37,500)
· Shelby County Schools, for violations at its Shelby County Schools Administration Building in Arlington, Tenn. (civil penalty of $10,000)

· Mayer Dairy Farms, Newberry, S.C. (civil penalty of $2,717)

· Alabaster, Ala. (civil penalty of $1,800)
· Sheffield, Ala. (civil penalty of $900)
· Clewiston, Fl. (civil penalty of $900)
· Plantation, Fl. (civil penalty of $900)
· Lake City, Fl. (civil penalty of $900)
· Starke, Fl. (civil penalty of $900)
· Cartersville, Ga. (civil penalty of $2,000)
· Greensboro, Ga. (civil penalty of $900)
· Monroe, Ga. (civil penalty of $900)
· Pembroke, N.C. (civil penalty of $900)
· Knox County, Tenn. (civil penalty of $12,000)
· Loudon Utilities, Tenn. (civil penalty of $5,000) 
· Newport Utilities, Tenn. (civil penalty of $7,500) 
· Springfield, Tenn. (civil penalty of $5,000)

EPA Proposes to Remove State Marine of Port Arthur and Palmer Barge Line Superfund Sites from its Superfund List

Release Date: 12/06/2011
Contact Information: Dave Bary or Joe Hubbard at 214-665-2200 or r6press@epa.gov 

(DALLAS – December 6, 2011) All cleanup work has been successfully completed at the State Marine of Port Arthur and Palmer Barge Line Superfund sites, and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to remove the sites from its National Priorities List (NPL). EPA has consulted on its decision with the State of Texas and is taking public comment on its proposal. 

“Finishing the cleanup of these sites is an important step in EPA's commitment to addressing industrial contamination around the Port Arthur area,” said EPA Regional Administrator Al Armendariz. “EPA has assured this property no longer poses a threat to people's health and will continue to work for environmental justice throughout the Port Arthur community.” 

The State Marine of Port Arthur Superfund site is a former barge-cleaning operation and municipal landfill which occupied a 17-acre industrial tract of land located approximately 4.5 miles east-northeast of the City of Port Arthur on Old Yacht Club Road on Pleasure Islet. State Marine cleaned barges used to transport petroleum products and other chemicals. Sampling results indicated the presence of organic and inorganic contaminants buried in surface impoundments and contaminated soils adjacent to the shoreline of Sabine Lake. 

The Palmer Barge Line Superfund site, located in the same area as the State Marine of Port Arthur Superfund site, was a marine vessel service and maintenance facility which operated from 1982 until July 1997. Palmer Barge Line degreased engines and pressure-steamed vessel holds, engines and boilers. Analysis of samples taken on-site revealed the presence of heavy metals, pesticides and other organic compounds. 

EPA will seek public comment on deleting the State Marine of Port Arthur and Palmer Barge Line Superfund sites from the NPL for 30 days. Comments will be considered as the agency completes the final deletion process. Copies of site related documents are available for public review at the Port Arthur Library in Port Arthur, Texas. 

EPA’s proposal is available on the Federal Register website at http://www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/ 

More information about activities in EPA Region 6 is available at http://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/region6.html 

EPA audio file is available at http://www.epa.gov/region6/6xa/podcast/dec2011.html 

Task Force Established by President Obama Releases Final Strategy for Reversing Deterioration of Gulf Ecosystem/USDA $50 million financial assistance for restoration projects announced as Task Force efforts shift from planning to action

Release Date: 12/05/2011
Contact Information: Alisha Johnson, Johnson.alisha@epa.gov, 202-564-4373, Jody Fagan, USDA Gulf of Mexico Initiative, (202) 720-3210

WASHINGTON – The Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Task Force today released its final strategy for long term ecosystem restoration for the Gulf Coast, following extensive feedback from citizens throughout the region. EPA Administrator and Task Force Chair Lisa P. Jackson, partnering with Task Force Co-Chair Garret Graves, made the announcement today during keynote remarks at the 2011 State of the Gulf of Mexico Summit in Houston. Administrator Jackson was joined by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Administrator Jane Lubchenco, Council on Environmental Quality Chair Nancy Sutley, USDA Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment Harris Sherman and several other Task Force members.

The Task Force delivered the final strategy on Friday, Dec. 2 to President Barack Obama, who established the Task Force by executive order, to continue the Administration’s ongoing commitment to the Gulf region. The group is made up of representatives from the five Gulf States and 11 federal agencies, including the Environmental Protection Agency, White House Council on Environmental Quality, Department of Agriculture, Department of Commerce, Department of Defense, Department of the Interior, Department of Justice, Department of Transportation, Office of Management and Budget, Office of Science and Technology Policy and White House Domestic Policy Council. 

The strategy is the first restoration blueprint ever developed for the Gulf to include input from states, tribes, federal agencies, local governments and thousands of involved citizens and organizations across the region. The plan represents a commitment by all parties to continue to work together in an unprecedented collaboration to prepare the Gulf region to transition from response to recovery and address the decades-long decline that the Gulf’s ecosystem has endured.

“After the Deepwater Horizon disaster, this Task Force brought together people from across the Gulf Coast in unparalleled ways to talk about how we tackle both the immediate environmental devastation, as well as the long-term deterioration that has for decades threatened the health, the environment and the economy of the people who call this place home. It has all come to this moment – when we move from planning and researching to supporting real, homegrown actions aimed at restoring this vital ecosystem,” said Administrator Jackson.

With the release of the final strategy today, the Task Force marks the beginning of the implementation phase of the strategy by announcing new initiatives, including $50 million in assistance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service to help agricultural producers in seven Gulf Coast river basins improve water quality, increase water conservation and enhance wildlife habitat.

USDA's multi-year environmental restoration effort, known as the Gulf of Mexico Initiative, or GoMI, represents a 1,100% increase in financial assistance for Gulf priority watersheds.

“Restoring the Gulf Coast ecosystem needs to begin immediately and USDA’s assistance is an important first step in placing the Task Force strategy into action”, said USDA Under Secretary Harris Sherman. “This collaborative voluntary effort will leverage contributions and commitments from farmers, communities, and all levels of government to improve water quality. A healthy water supply is not only vital for the people of the Gulf, but also for the estuaries, fisheries, and wildlife that are the foundation of the local economy.”

The Task Force has also begun reviewing existing policy, program and regulatory issues that are slowing down restoration progress, particularly in the habitat restoration area. The Task Force will continue to explore innovative ways to implement restoration, measure success and support the restoration with science.

Additionally, the Task Force will also open a local office, headed by Task Force Executive Director John Hankinson, in the Gulf Coast in mid-December.

Representatives from across the Gulf voiced their support for the work of the Task Force. 

“To ensure the future health of the Gulf, its economy, and its residents, the nation must start the work of creating a sustainably healthy and productive landscape and seascape – not only stopping the ongoing degradation but beginning the process of reversing that which has already occurred” said Senator Bob Graham and William K. Reilly, Co-Chairs of the National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling. “Working with the people of the Gulf, the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Task Force has undertaken the challenge of developing an ecosystem restoration strategy to guide the long term collaboration necessary to reverse the trend of environmental degradation in the Gulf. The country needs to make the commitments called for. And it needs to make them now."

“The Task Force went to great lengths to involve local leaders in the fact finding process leading up to the release of the report” said Mayor Randy Roach of Lake Charles, Louisiana. “When you read the report it is obvious that they listened to what they heard and addressed our concerns in a very straightforward manner. This report is an important document that outlines the challenges of recovery and the opportunities we have to develop a true intergovernmental approach to address the needs and interests of the people of the Gulf Coast region.” 

“The Task Force’s Strategy clearly recognizes the critical importance of the Gulf natural resources to our regional economy and workforce,” said Michael Hecht, President and CEO of Greater New Orleans, Inc. “In partnership with all Gulf Coast states and several federal agencies and with full input from key parties throughout the region the Task Force has detailed a specific list of coastal restoration priorities that protects the businesses and individual livelihoods along the coast and across the country, in the fishing, shipping, energy production and tourism industries, that are reliant upon a vital Gulf coast.”

“For the first time in man’s history on earth, what we do, can and will determine the fate of one of the world’s great treasures. The choice is ours”, said Dr. Larry McKinney, Executive Director of the Harte Research Institute in Corpus Christi, Texas.

The natural resources of the Gulf’s ecosystem are vital to many of the region’s industries that directly support economic progress and job creation, including tourism and recreation, seafood production and sales, energy production and navigation and commerce. Among the key priorities of the strategy are:

1) Stopping the Loss of Critical Wetlands, Sand Barriers and Beaches
The strategy recommends placing ecosystem restoration on an equal footing with historic uses such as navigation and flood damage reduction by approaching water resource management decisions in a far more comprehensive manner that will bypass harm to wetlands, barrier islands and beaches. The strategy also recommends implementation of several congressionally authorized projects in the Gulf that are intended to reverse the trend of wetlands loss.

2) Reducing the Flow of Excess Nutrients into the Gulf
The strategy calls for working in the Gulf and upstream in the Mississippi watershed to reduce the flow of excess nutrients into the Gulf by supporting state nutrient reduction frameworks, new nutrient reduction approaches, and targeted watershed work to reduce agricultural and urban sources of excess nutrients. 

3) Enhancing Resiliency among Coastal Communities
The strategy calls for enhancing the quality of life of Gulf residents by working in partnership with the Gulf with coastal communities. The strategy specifically recommends working with each of the States to build the integrated capacity needed through effective coastal improvement plans to better secure the future of their coastal communities and to implement existing efforts underway.

The final strategy was developed following more than 40 public meetings throughout the Gulf to listen to the concerns of the public. To review the final strategy, please visit: www.epa.gov/gulfcoasttaskforce

EPA Funding to Reduce Air Pollution From Trucks Operating in Port of San Juan, Puerto Rico

Release Date: 12/05/2011
Contact Information: Elias Rodriguez, (212) 637-3664, rodriguez.elias@epa.gov or Brenda Reyes, (787) 977-5869, reyes.brenda@epa.gov

(New York, N.Y.) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is helping to reduce air pollution in and around the Port of San Juan, Puerto Rico by providing the Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico with $886,095 to install pollution reduction technology on 72 heavy-duty trucks and replace 10 old heavy-duty trucks with 2010 or newer less polluting models. The university will also raise awareness about the environmental impacts of diesel air pollution through educational outreach. Older diesel engines generate significant amounts of fine particles, nitrogen oxide and carbon monoxide, which are released into the air and can make people sick. The grant will help pay for clean diesel projects that will improve air quality in an urban area of Puerto Rico where asthma rates are high. 

“Reducing air pollution from diesel engines helps decrease asthma attacks, respiratory problems, lost work days due to illness and premature death,” said Judith A. Enck, EPA Regional Administrator. “EPA’s support of clean diesel programs is eliminating tons of particulate matter and nitrogen oxides and is providing enormous health benefits.”

The particles in diesel exhaust can penetrate deep into the lungs and pose serious health risks, including increasing the risk of cancer and aggravating the symptoms of asthma and other respiratory problems. In addition, diesel exhaust contributes to already unhealthy levels of smog, which are formed when chemicals released by vehicles, power plants and industrial boilers react in sunlight. 

Nationwide, diesel engines emit 7.3 million tons of smog-forming nitrogen oxides and 333,000 tons of fine particles annually. While EPA's standards significantly reduce emissions from newly manufactured engines, the clean diesel projects funded through these grants address older diesel engines that are still in use and continue to emit higher levels of harmful pollution.

Nationally, EPA has taken steps to ensure that the diesel engines manufactured now and in the future will be significantly cleaner than those operating today; however, diesel engines are very durable and older models will continue to be used and can pose health and environmental problems for decades. Repowering existing diesel engines with newer, cleaner engines is a relatively simple and cost effective way to reduce diesel pollution. 

EPA’s efforts to reduce air pollution are ongoing. Last year, EPA announced tougher tailpipe emission standards for cars and light-duty trucks for model years 2012-2016, which will result in cleaner vehicles - ultimately requiring an average fuel economy standard of 35 mpg in 2016. This will result in increased fuel economy of five percent every year, reduce greenhouse gas pollution by nearly 950 million metric tons and save the average car buyer more than $3,000 in fuel costs. 

To learn more about EPA’s clean diesel efforts and the Northeast Diesel Collaborative visit: 
http://www.epa.gov/cleandiesel/index.htm#voluntary
http://www.northeastdiesel.org

U.S. EPA: City of East Palo Alto Cleans up Cooley Landing Toxic Dump to Create Bayfront Nature Park

Release Date: 12/05/2011
Contact Information: Shannon Alford (650) 853-3166, salford@cityofepa.org \ MROSD: Leigh Ann Gessner (650) 691-1200, lgessner@openspace.org \ U.S. EPA: Mary Simms (415) 947-4270, simms.mary@epa.gov

Project will create East Palo Alto’s first direct access to San Francisco Bay, support economic development, public health

SAN FRANCISCO -- Today the City of East Palo Alto, together with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC), and Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District will participate in a groundbreaking to clean up and restore an eighty-year old toxic burn dump to create a new nine-acre bayfront nature park.

Soil in the project area is contaminated with mercury, arsenic, polycyclic biphenyls (PCB's), lead, DDT, dioxins, and a host of other chemicals.

"This community-based cleanup and redevelopment project will provide the residents of East Palo Alto with direct access to healthy, safe open space near the largest pristine wetland in San Francisco Bay,” said Jane Diamond, EPA's Superfund Division Director for the Pacific Southwest. “This coordinated investment will transform an empty, toxic dump into a precious natural resource, serving families as well as the City’s economic development goals."

Through the cleanup, the former dump will be transformed into source of community pride, serving families and the City’s jobs and economic development goals in the Ravenswood Business District. 

East Palo Alto now has 16 acres of parkland (0.5 acres/1000 persons). Once Cooley Landing opens to the public, it will increase that by 72% toward the State of California’s goal of 3 acres/1000 persons. The new project will provide outdoor recreation opportunities to promote healthy lifestyles and environmental and historic education opportunities, especially for youth. 

East Palo Alto Mayor Carlos Romero said, “This project is so important because we’ll actually have a place right here in our backyards where our kids can connect to nature. Ultimately, if we want to save our planet, they need to have that connection.” 

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is providing $800,000 in Brownfields funding to remediate the site and has provided more than $2.4 M in funding to address job training and environmental contamination to the City of East Palo Alto since 1996. The Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District and many other partners have also contributed to make this project possible. Funders such as the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, EPA/California Department of Toxic Substances Control, Cal Recycle, California Coastal Conservancy/San Francisco Bay Trail Project, Forest and Lands Stewardship Council, and many others have also contributed to a community planning process, permitting, design, and – now finally — cleanup. 

Future phases not yet funded will renovate the site's historic wooden boat works building to create a nature and history education center that will demonstrate green technology and gather together East Palo Alto’s multicultural residents. The City also seeks funding to fulfill the community’s vision for outdoor nature and history interpretive displays and water overlooks.

The new Cooley Landing Park will support infill economic development and jobs creation in the nearby Ravenswood Business District, a former industrial area. The District’s property owner's association supports this project because it will attract future developers as an amenity for new employees and residents. It beautifies the neighborhood and shows the City’s capacity to transform this District, as it already has transformed other parts of town. It will create local jobs, reducing the need for commuting; this project will reuse existing brownfields, thus sparing pristine greenfields. 

For more information please visit: http://www.epa.gov/region9/superfund/cooley/
and http://www.cooleylanding.org

EPA and JCDH to host a public meeting on North Birmingham, AL Air Quality

Release Date: 12/05/2011
Contact Information: Dawn Harris-Young, (404) 562-8421, harris-young.dawn@epa.gov

(Atlanta, Ga. – Dec. 5, 2011) – On Monday, Dec. 12, 2011, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Jefferson County Department of Health (JCDH) will conduct a public meeting to discuss air quality issues in the North Birmingham area. 

The meeting will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. CST with doors opening at 5:30 p.m. at the Hudson K-8 School. The school is located at 3300 F.L. Shuttlesworth Drive in Birmingham, Ala.

Brief presentations will be made concerning sources of air toxics and opportunities for community involvement in the process of permitting air pollution sources. The meeting will also provide an update concerning the ongoing air toxics monitoring project in the Fairmont, Collegeville, Harriman Park, and North Birmingham communities; offer a 2012 calendar for air toxics presentations of interest to residents; and distribute answers to questions posed at an earlier meeting held August 1, 2011. 

These presentations will be followed by breakout sessions at which the community will be encouraged to share views on these topics. 

Community members interested in obtaining additional information are encouraged to contact Ms. Barbara Newman with JCDH at 205-930-1254. 


 

BP to Pay $426,500 Penalty and Secure Funds to Properly Close Facilities and Clean Up Contaminated Sites

Release Date: 11/29/2011
Contact Information: Stacy Kika, Kika.stacy@epa.gov, 202-564-0906, 202-564-4355

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announced that several subsidiaries of BP America Inc. have agreed to pay a $426,500 penalty and ensure that more than $240 million in funds are secured to resolve violations of hazardous waste, drinking water and Superfund financial assurance requirements. Financial assurance protects public health and the environment by ensuring that companies have the financial resources available to properly close facilities and clean up pollution at contaminated industrial sites.

“Financial assurance protects taxpayers from having to foot the bill for costly cleanups,” said Cynthia Giles, assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. “Today’s settlement will ensure that BP’s subsidiaries have the funds available to cover any necessary cleanup costs today and into the future.”

BP produces, refines and markets oil and gas. Upon receipt of information from the California Department of Toxic Substances Control and BP, EPA determined that between 2006 and 2010 BP Exploration (Alaska) Inc., BP Products North America Inc., and BP West Coast Products LLC failed to meet their Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) and Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) financial assurance requirements.

On July 14, 2010, EPA sent notices of violation to BP notifying the companies that they were not in compliance with applicable financial assurance requirements and that they needed to obtain qualifying financial assurance for these obligations.

As part of the two administrative agreements, BP has obtained replacement financial assurance instruments in the form of letters of credit, standby trusts, and insurance policies for more than $149.1 million in obligations. Specifically, BP has provided assurances covering $129.8 million for its RCRA hazardous waste facilities and $19.2 million to address the closure, plugging, and abandonment of underground injection control wells under the SDWA. BP has also agreed to pay a civil penalty of $411,500 and has agreed to maintain compliance with the financial assurance requirements under RCRA and SDWA.

EPA found that financial assurance provided by BP subsidiaries, Atlantic Richfield Company and BP Products North America Inc., at several Superfund sites was also inadequate. BP has resolved these issues by providing compliant financial assurance mechanisms covering $98.8 million in Superfund obligations and agreeing to pay a penalty of $15,000.

BP also had inadequate financial assurance coverage for RCRA facilities covered by state orders and regulations and for SDWA wells for which the states have primary enforcement responsibility. EPA worked with its state partners to obtain from BP a total of $76.4 million in compliant financial assurance coverage for these obligations.

More information on the settlement: http://www.epa.gov/compliance/resources/cases/civil/rcra/bpalaskainc.html


 

Kent hazardous waste company sparks fires, pays EPA penalty

Release Date: 11/29/2011
Contact Information: Hanady Kader, EPA Public Affairs, 206-553-0454, kader.hanady@epa.gov; Kevin Schanilec, EPA Office of Compliance and Enforcement, 206-553-1061, schanilec.kevin@epa.gov

(Seattle—Nov. 29, 2011) A Kent, Washington, hazardous waste management facility has agreed to pay the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency a $275,000 penalty for violating state and federal hazardous waste management laws. According to EPA, workers at Burlington Environmental caused two fires by mishandling hazardous waste and failing to comply with basic facility safety rules.

“Improper hazardous waste handling can lead to dangerous situations,” said Jeff Kenknight, manager of EPA’s Hazardous Waste Compliance Unit in Seattle. “Facilities need to follow basic rules to run facilities safely and protect surrounding neighborhoods.”

According to EPA documents related to the case, improper processing of lead-contaminated firing range filters and fertilizers started two fires at the facility in July 2009. The company was also cited for failing to store hazardous waste containers properly; storing incompatible wastes next to each other; faulty safety equipment and inadequate signage.

Burlington Environmental is a subsidiary of Philip Services Corporation.

The company violated provisions of its permit under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act.

For more information on RCRA, visit:
http://www.epa.gov/compliance/cleanup/rcra/index.html


 

Lafarge North America Inc. Agrees to Pay $740,000 Penalty to Resolve Clean Water Act Violations in Five States / Ready-mix concrete producer agrees to invest an estimated $8 million to improve environmental compliance at 189 facilities in the U.S.

Release Date: 11/29/2011
Contact Information: Stacy Kika, Kika.stacy@epa.gov, 202-564-0906, 202-564-4355

WASHINGTON — Lafarge North America Inc., one of the largest suppliers of construction materials in the United States and Canada, and four of its U.S. subsidiaries have agreed to resolve alleged Clean Water Act violations. The violations include unpermitted discharges of stormwater at 21 stone, gravel, sand, asphalt and ready-mix concrete facilities in Alabama, Colorado, Georgia, Maryland, and New York. Stormwater flowing over concrete manufacturing facilities can carry debris, sediment and pollutants, including pesticides, petroleum products, chemicals and solvents, which can have a significant impact on water quality.

“EPA is committed to protecting America’s waters from polluted stormwater runoff,” said Cynthia Giles, EPA Assistant Administrator for the Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. “Today’s settlement will improve stormwater management at facilities across the nation, preventing harmful pollutants from being swept into local waterways.”

“Owners and operators of industrial facilities must take the necessary measures to comply with stormwater regulations under the Clean Water Act, which protects America’s rivers, lakes, and sources of drinking water from harmful contamination,” said Ignacia S. Moreno, Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. “The system-wide management controls and training that this settlement requires from Lafarge and its subsidiaries will result in better management practices and a robust compliance program at hundreds of facilities throughout the nation that will prevent harmful stormwater runoff.”

Lafarge will implement a nationwide evaluation and compliance program at 189 of its similar facilities in the United States to ensure they meet Clean Water Act requirements. Lafarge will also pay a penalty of $740,000 and implement two supplemental environmental projects, in which the company will complete conservation easements to protect approximately 166 acres in Maryland and Colorado. The value of the land has been appraised at approximately $2,95 million. Lafarge will also implement one state environmentally beneficial project valued at $10,000 to support environmental training for state inspectors.

The comprehensive evaluation will include a compliance review of each facility’s permit, an inventory of all discharges to U.S. waters, and identification of all best management practices in place. In addition, Lafarge must identify an environmental vice president, responsible for coordinating oversight of compliance with stormwater requirements, at least two environmental directors, to oversee stormwater compliance at each operation, and an onsite operations manager at each facility. The U.S. estimates that Lafarge will spend approximately $8 million over five years to develop and maintain this compliance program.

The company will also develop and implement an extensive management, training, inspections, and reporting system to increase oversight of its operations and compliance with stormwater requirements at all facilities that it owns or operates.

The complaint, filed in federal court with the settlement, alleges a pattern of violations since 2006 that were discovered after several federal inspections at the company’s facilities. The alleged violations included unpermitted discharges, violations of effluent limitations, inadequate management practices, inadequate or missing records and practices regarding stormwater compliance and monitoring, inadequate discharge monitoring and reporting, inadequate stormwater pollution prevention plans, and inadequate stormwater training.

The Clean Water Act requires that industrial facilities, such as ready-mix concrete plants, sand and gravel facilities and asphalt batching plants, have controls in place to prevent pollution from being discharged with stormwater into nearby waterways. Each site must have a stormwater pollution prevention plan that sets guidelines and best management practices that the company will follow to prevent runoff from being contaminated by pollutants.

Since being notified of the violations by EPA, the company has made significant improvements to its stormwater management systems.

The settlement is the latest in a series of federal enforcement actions to address stormwater violations from industrial facilities and construction sites around the country. The states of Maryland and Colorado are co-plaintiffs and have joined the proposed settlement.

Lafarge is required to pay the penalty within 30 days of the court’s approval of the settlement.

More information on the settlement: http://www.epa.gov/compliance/resources/cases/civil/cwa/lafargenorthamerica.html


 

Four Groups in EPA Region 6 Receive More than $3.1 Million to Reduce Diesel Emissions

Release Date: 11/29/2011
Contact Information: Dave Bary or Joe Hubbard at 214-665-2200 or r6press@epa.gov

(DALLAS – November 29, 2011) More than $3.1 million in Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) funds have been granted to four organizations in EPA Region 6 to aid in diesel emissions reductions. The organizations are the Houston-Galveston Area Council, Railroad Research Foundation, Leonardo Academy and Port of Houston Authority. The funds are part of $50 million allocated nationwide through the National Clean Diesel Program’s DERA grant program.

“Reducing diesel emissions is an effective way to improve air quality and protect public health,” said EPA Regional Administrator Al Armendariz. “These projects will help improve our economy, our health and our environment.”

Diesel engines emit 7.3 million tons of smog-forming nitrogen oxides (NOx) and 333,000 tons of soot annually. Diesel pollution is linked to thousands of premature deaths, hundreds of thousands of asthma attacks and millions of lost work days.

Through DERA, EPA provides support for retrofits, engine upgrades, vehicle replacements, idle reduction, cleaner fuels and financing for clean technologies for trucks, buses, marine vessels, railroad switch engines and non-road equipment. Overall, the improvements funded by these grants consist of EPA-verified and certified technologies to assist in the reduction of diesel emissions.

The Houston-Galveston Area Council has been selected to receive $991,041 in DERA funds. This project will repower three marine vessels operating throughout the Houston-Galveston and Corpus Christi areas. Seven engines on three old tug boat and harbor craft will be repowered with new, cleaner engine technology.

The Railroad Research Foundation will receive $265,807 in federal funds to install EPA-verified automatic engine start-stop devices on 40 switch engines assigned to key locations in Shreveport, Louisiana. These engines operate all year around the clock, each consuming an average of 50,000 gallons of diesel fuel annually. Idle reduction technology will reduce fuel consumption by about 7,000 gallons per engine per year or about 280,000 gallons per year for the project.

The Leonardo Academy has been selected to receive $971,090 in DERA funds for clean diesel projects involving Class 8 delivery trucks fleets in Louisiana, Texas and Missouri. Conventional Class 8 tractors will be replaced with new trucks equipped with hybrid-electric or Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) Systems. It is anticipated this project will save 50,000 gallons of diesel fuel per year and reduce emissions by more than 20 percent. This project will be focused on 40 diesel engines within EPA Regions 6 and 7, with an anticipated improvement in regional and national air quality and increased public health benefits. (EPA Region 7 includes Kansas, Missouri, Iowa and Nebraska and nine tribal nations. EPA Region 6 includes Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas and 66 tribal nations).

The Port of Houston Authority will receive $943,413 in DERA funds. This is a public/private partnership for “fuel-switching,” which substitutes one type of fuel for a more environmentally friendly fuel, with CMA CGM and the Port of Houston Authority. CMA CGM is a global carrier operating on all the world’s oceans and headquartered in Marseille, France. Marine engines typically operate on bunker fuel with a sulfur content of 2.7 percent. The project will utilize distillate marine diesel fuel with a sulfur content less than or equal to 0.2 percent. It will be used at and within 24 nautical miles of the Texas coast. The project will accelerate the adoption of fuel switching for ocean going vessels in the Gulf of Mexico and will be a significant incentive for reducing emissions in the Houston-Galveston area.

From 2008 to 2010, EPA has awarded nearly $470 million to more than 350 grantees across the nation under the DERA grant program. The grant-supported clean diesel projects have cleaned or replaced more than 50,000 vehicles and equipment nationwide.

More information on the National Clean Diesel Campaign, including a list of grantees is available at http://www.epa.gov/cleandiesel


 

EPA Releases Formerly Confidential Chemical Information

Release Date: 11/28/2011
Contact Information: Dale Kemery (News Media Only), kemery.dale@epa.gov, 202-564-7839, 202-564-4355, Latisha Petteway (News Media Only), petteway.latisha@epa.gov, 202-564-3191, 202-564-4355

WASHINGTON – As part of Administrator Lisa P. Jackson’s commitment to enhance the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s chemicals management program and increase transparency, the agency is making available to the public hundreds of studies on chemicals that had been treated as confidential business information (CBI). The move is part of EPA's plan to make public the chemicals that are not entitled to CBI status. Releasing the data will expand the public’s access to critical health and safety information on chemicals that are manufactured and processed in the U.S. Newly available information can be found using EPA’s Chemical Data Access Tool.

“EPA is increasing the availability of critical health and safety studies on chemicals that children and families are exposed to every day. We are making important progress in making this information public and giving the American public easy access to it,” said Steve Owens, assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention. “Over the next year, we expect to review several thousand additional studies on industrial chemicals and make many of these more accessible to the public.”

Since 2009, 577 formerly confidential chemical identities are no longer confidential and more than 1,000 health and safety studies are now accessible to the public that were previously unavailable or only available in limited circumstances. In 2010 EPA issued new guidance outlining the agency’s plans to deny confidentiality claims for chemical identities in health and safety studies under the federal Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) that are determined to not be entitled to CBI status. EPA has been reviewing CBI claims in new and existing TSCA filings containing health and safety studies.

Consistent with the guidance, the agency will request that the submitter voluntarily relinquish the CBI claims and make the newly available studies available to the public. EPA also challenged the chemical industry to make available information that was previously classified as CBI. To date, more than 35 companies have agreed to review previously submitted filings containing health and safety studies and determine if any CBI claims may no longer be necessary. The newly available information can be found under a new “declassified tab” using the Chemical Data Access Tool, launched in December 2010 to assist the public in retrieving chemical health and safety information submitted to EPA under TSCA.

For additional information, please visit: http://www.epa.gov/oppt/existingchemicals/pubs/transparency.html

Eldo W.R.M.S., Inc., to Pay $23,900 Civil Penalty for Hazardous Waste Violations at Salvage Goods Facility in Grandview, Mo.

Release Date: 11/23/2011
Contact Information: Chris Whitley, 913-551-7394, whitley.christopher@epa.gov

Environmental News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Kansas City, Kan., Nov. 23, 2011) - Eldo W.R.M.S., Inc., a commercial goods salvage wholesale and retail business, has agreed to pay a $23,900 civil penalty to the United States to settle a series of hazardous waste violations at its facility in Grandview, Mo.

According to an administrative consent agreement filed by EPA Region 7 in Kansas City, Mo., an EPA representative conducted a compliance evaluation inspection at the company’s Grandview facility in February 2010, and noted several violations of the federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), which regulates hazardous waste.

Those violations included failure to perform hazardous waste determinations on multiple waste streams, storing hazardous wastes without a RCRA permit, and offering hazardous waste for transport without a hazardous waste manifest.

More specifically, the violations involved the storage of at least seven types of waste pharmaceuticals and several containers, pails and drums of paint, adhesives, ink and printing chemicals. The facility was storing approximately 17,750 pounds of hazardous wastes, not including the waste pharmaceuticals, at the time of EPA’s inspection.

The EPA inspection also noted that the facility had on multiple occasions shipped hazardous waste pharmaceuticals to a medical waste incinerator for disposal, without using a required hazardous waste manifest.

By agreeing to the settlement with EPA, Eldo W.R.M.S., Inc., has certified that it is now in compliance with all requirements of the RCRA regulations

Douglas Products and Packaging of Liberty, Mo., to Pay $6,237 Civil Penalty for Failure to File Notice of Imported Pesticide

Release Date: 11/21/2011
Contact Information: Chris Whitley, 913-551-7394, whitley.christopher@epa.gov

Environmental News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Kansas City, Kan., Nov. 21, 2011) - Douglas Products and Packaging LLC, an agrichemical company in Liberty, Mo., has agreed to pay a $6,237 civil penalty to the United States for failing to provide EPA with a required notice that it had imported a nearly 25-ton shipment of pesticide from China.

According to an administrative consent agreement filed by EPA Region 7 in Kansas City, Kan., the Agency was notified on May 19, 2011, that a 49,537-pound shipment of Drex-PH3 Aluminum Phosphide Fumigant Pellets was being held at the U.S. Customs Port of Entry at Kansas City, Mo., because Douglas Products and Packaging had not filed a Notice of Arrival (NOA) with EPA prior to its importation.

Under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), importers of pesticides must file NOAs with EPA prior to importation of pesticides. Violation of the FIFRA regulation impacts EPA’s ability to track potentially hazardous and toxic pesticide products.

The pesticide involved in this case, aluminum phosphide, is highly toxic. It is commonly used as a fumigant for stored grains.

As part of its settlement with EPA, Douglas Products and Packaging has certified that it is presently in compliance with FIFRA and its regulations.
 

EPA and U.S. Department of Energy to Develop Renewable Energy on the Price's Pit Landfill

Release Date: 11/21/2011

Contact Information: John Martin (212) 637- 3662 martin.johnj@epa.gov

(New York, N.Y.) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory are evaluating the feasibility of developing solar power production on the Price’s Pit Landfill in Pleasantville and Egg Harbor, New Jersey. The assessment is part of the RE-Powering America’s Land Initiative through which EPA will help revitalize abandoned sites, clean up the environment and lay the groundwork for renewable energy and job creation.

“America faces serious environmental and economic challenges caused by our over reliance on fossil fuels,” said Judith A. Enck, EPA Regional Administrator. “Part of the solution is to use previously contaminated land to generate clean energy. This strategy will revitalize communities, cut air pollution and create new jobs.”

The Price’s Pit Landfill property consists of 26 acres that had functioned as a sand and gravel excavating operation from the early 1960s until 1968. In 1969, the site became a commercial solid waste landfill and it began accepting both drummed and bulk liquid waste. Landfill operations were stopped in 1976. As part of an ongoing Superfund cleanup, EPA and DOE will assess the potential for solar power production at the site. Because the site will be level with sparse vegetation once the cap is installed, it may be a good candidate.

EPA and DOE selected 26 sites across the country where wind, solar, biomass, or geothermal energy production may be possible. EPA and DOE will determine the potential energy generating capacity of the sites, the optimal location for placement of the renewable energy technology on the sites, the return on the investment, and the economic feasibility of the renewable energy projects.

For more information about these projects of about the RE-Powering America’s Land initiative, visit: http://www.epa.gov/renewableenergyland/.

 

EPA Proposes Plan to Remove Contaminated Sediment from Bottom of Pompton Lake; Public Hearing Slated for January 5

Release Date: 11/21/2011

Contact Information: David Kluesner, (212) 637-3653, kluesner.dave@epa.gov

(New York, N.Y.) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is encouraging members of the public to comment on its proposal to dredge approximately 68,000 cubic yards of mercury contaminated sediment from the bottom of a 26-acre area of Pompton Lake in the Borough of Pompton Lakes, New Jersey and remove 7,800 cubic yards of contaminated soil from a one-acre area adjacent to the lake. Mercury in the sediment and soil can build up in the tissue of fish and other wildlife and pose a threat to people who eat them. Exposure to mercury can damage people’s nervous system and harm the brain, heart, kidneys, lungs and immune system.

The proposed cleanup is designed to remove 100% of the mercury contamination in the near shore sediment in the Acid Brook Delta of Pompton Lake and clean up soil in the adjacent area to levels that meet stringent standards to protect people and the environment. All of the removed sediment and soil will be sent to a licensed disposal facility. EPA will hold a public hearing on the proposal on January 5, 2012 at 7 PM at the Pompton Lakes High School, 44 Lakeside Avenue in Pompton Lakes. Those who cannot attend the hearing can submit written comments by the January 13, 2012 deadline. After the close of the public comment period, EPA will consider the comments and decide whether to finalize its decision and issue a proposed modified permit for the cleanup of the Acid Brook Delta.

The E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Company, Inc. operated the Pompton Lakes Works facility, located at 2000 Cannonball Road, from 1902 to April 1994. Products manufactured at the facility included explosive powder containing mercury and lead, detonating fuses, electric blasting caps, metal wires and aluminum and copper shells. The manufacturing operations and waste management practices contaminated soil, sediment, and ground water both on and off-site. Lead and mercury from its operations were released into Acid Brook, which flows through the eastern part of the facility and discharges into the Acid Brook Delta of Pompton Lake. The proposed cleanup of the Acid Brook Delta is the specific focus of the proposed cleanup plan, which requires a permit modification under the federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. Once EPA’s proposal is final, it will be reflected in the modified permit that legally requires DuPont to fund and perform the work. Cleanup will be performed under EPA oversight and is expected to begin in spring 2012.

DuPont’s operations also contaminated the ground water with chlorinated volatile organic compounds, such as tetrachloroethylene, trichloroethylene, cis 1,2-dichloroethylene, and vinyl chloride. Plans to clean up the remaining areas of contamination will be the subject of future proposed permit modifications when investigations have been completed and reviewed by EPA and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. Opportunities for public participation will continue to be provided through regular updates, public notices and public meetings.

The proposed permit modification and relevant documents are available at EPA’s project Web site at http://www.epa.gov/region02/waste/dupont_pompton/index.html. The public also can review documents related to the proposed permit modification and cleanup proposal at:
Pompton Lakes Public Library
333 Wanaque Avenue, Pompton Lakes, New Jersey
(973) 835-0482
http://www.pomptonlakeslibrary.org/index.htm and legal documents related to the proposed cleanup, including the existing permit and proposed permit modification, can be reviewed Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 4 PM at:
EPA RCRA Records Center
290 Broadway, 15th Floor, Room 1538
New York, NY 10007-1866
(212) 637-3043

Technical

Danbury Conn. Reaches Settlement for Clean Water Violations

Release Date: 11/18/2011
Contact Information: Dave Deegan, (617) 918-1017

(Boston, Mass. – November 18, 2011) - The City of Danbury, Conn. will pay a $30,000 fine and perform a Supplemental Environmental Project (SEP) at a cost of approximately $48,000 to resolve federal Clean Water Act (CWA) violations related to the operation of its wastewater collection and conveyance system.

The case stems from an inspection of the City’s Collection System in the spring of 2009. The inspection revealed many instances of releases of untreated sewage. As a result of these releases (aka “bypasses”), sewage backed up into the basements of private homes and businesses, and poured through manhole openings into streets.

Such bypasses of the Collection System are prohibited by the permit issued to the City by the Conn. Dept. of Energy & Environmental Protection (CTDEEP) under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program. In some instances, the City violated requirements that these bypasses be verbally reported to CTDEEP within two hours, and written reports provided within five days.
EPA alleged in its complaint that the City of Danbury failed at least 27 times to notify CTDEEP of such bypasses. In addition, untreated sewage entered storm water drainage systems, and flowed into nearby streams at least 15 times in Danbury, according to EPA’s complaint.

EPA also alleged that the City lacked a structured record-keeping and reporting program, which compromised the accuracy and reliability of its compliance with permit requirements, particularly those related to reporting bypasses to CT DEEP. EPA issued a compliance order to the City in Sept. 2009, requiring correction of these deficiencies and implementation of measures to prevent future bypasses.
Releases of untreated sewage from any municipal system represent a risk to nearby bodies of water. Sewage backups into homes and other structures can also damage property and threaten the public health.

EPA also alleged in its complaint that the City of Danbury failed to fully implement a Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasure plan at its Department of Public Works complex. These plans lay out specific measures for preventing and responding to spills at facilities that store oil above threshold amounts and help ensure that a tank failure or oil spill does not lead to oil reaching bodies of water. EPA penalized Danbury in 2007 for similar violations at the same facility.

In addition to paying a $30,000 penalty, the City will perform a Supplemental Environmental Project. The SEP will consist of habitat restoration work along Lake Kenosia, in Danbury. The City will spend $48,000 to remove invasive species and plant native species to help slow down “eutrophication,” which occurs when runoff from human development, such as fertilizer, increases the rate of aging of a lake by causing excessive plant growth in the lake, causing it to fill in more quickly than under natural conditions. The SEP will also result in the enhancement of habitat for birds, fish and other wildlife.

More Information:

EPA's Clean Water Enforcement in New England (epa.gov/region1/enforcement/water)
 

 

Columbus Steel Castings to Pay $825,000 and Install Monitoring Equipment as Sentence for Violating Clean Air Act

Release Date: 11/18/2011
Contact Information: Stacy Kika, Kika.stacy@epa.gov, 202-564-0906, 202-564-4355

WASHINGTON – Columbus Steel Castings Company, Inc., located on the south side of Columbus, Ohio, was sentenced today to pay $825,000 and install additional devices to prevent air pollution after pleading guilty on July 28, 2011 to six counts of violating the Clean Air Act. The violations include failing to operate air pollution controls, failing to report violations, failing to perform required monitoring, and failing to conduct stack testing to demonstrate compliance with the Clean Air Act.

“EPA is committed to protecting communities from illegal air pollution that threatens people’s health,” said Cynthia Giles, assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. “Today’s sentence will benefit the local community and shows that companies that fail to operate the necessary air pollution controls will be held accountable.”

“This sentence helps safeguard against further violations,” U.S. Attorney Carter M. Stewart said. “It also provides for environmental education and health care services for residents who live near the plant.”

The company admitted that between 2004 and 2007 it failed to operate air pollution controls for four different emission sources at the plant for varying periods of time. The company also failed to report malfunctions of air pollution control equipment. Daily visual emission checks, designed to determine if the plant was emitting excess dust or smoke, were not conducted on weekends while the facility was operating. Stack tests, which are necessary to ensure compliance with the Clean Air Act, were not conducted as required by the company’s air permit. The company also failed to submit accurate annual compliance certifications.

The company was sentenced to pay a $660,000 fine and a total of $165,000 to two different Columbus charitable organizations, Grange Insurance Audubon Center and Physicians Free Clinic, which serve residents who live near the plant. One project will fund a program that provides environmental education to students. The other project will provide medical services, medications, and transportation services for residents of the south side of Columbus with ailments, including, asthma, and treatments, including medications, related to respiratory illnesses.

The judge also ordered the company to install interlock devices designed to shut down emission sources when the associated air pollution control equipment is not in operation.

The case was investigated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Ohio EPA and the Ohio Attorney General’s Office. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Ohio and the U.S. EPA prosecuted the case.

More information on EPA’s criminal enforcement program: http://epa.gov/compliance/criminal/index.html

 

EPA and U.S. Department of Energy to Develop Renewable Energy on Previously Contaminated Sites; Two Sites in Buffalo Area Among Those to be Assessed for Renewable Energy Projects

Release Date: 11/18/2011
Contact Information: John Martin (212) 637- 3662 martin.johnj@epa.gov; or Michael Basile (716) 551-4410 basile.michael@epa.gov

(Lackawanna, New York) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory are evaluating the feasibility of developing wind or solar power production on three previously contaminated sites in New York State. EPA Regional Administrator Judith A. Enck today visited the community near the former Bethlehem Steel plant in Lackawanna, one of two Buffalo area sites that will be evaluated, to announce the New York sites chosen for assessments. The assessments are part of the RE-Powering America’s Land Initiative through which EPA will help revitalize abandoned sites, clean up the environment and lay the groundwork for renewable energy and job creation. The Lackawanna site will be evaluated for either solar or wind power. The EPA and DOE will evaluate sites in 20 states including Lackawanna, South Buffalo and Ulster, New York.

“America faces serious environmental and economic challenges caused by our over reliance on fossil fuels,” said Judith A. Enck, EPA Regional Administrator. “Part of the solution is to use previously contaminated land to generate clean energy. This strategy will revitalize communities, cut air pollution and create new jobs.”

EPA and DOE selected 26 sites across the country where wind, solar, biomass, or geothermal energy production may be possible. The EPA and DOE will determine the potential energy generating capacity of the sites, the optimal location for placement of the renewable energy technology on the sites, the return on the investment, and the economic feasibility of the renewable energy projects.

The New York sites to be assessed are:

The ArcelorMittal Tecumseh Redevelopment, Inc. property, Lackawanna, New York
The ArcelorMittal Tecumseh property consists of 1,100 acres located on the shores of Lake Erie in Lackawanna, New York. The site once housed the Bethlehem steel plant. The site is located next door to the nationally known 2.5 mega-watt Steel Winds wind turbine project. EPA and DOE will assess the potential for either wind or solar power production on the site. New energy production could build on the success of the Steel Winds facility and aid the community in addressing the impacts of massive job losses from the de-industrialization of the Great Lakes region.

South Buffalo/Buffalo River industrial area, Buffalo, New York
This 3,500-acre area is within two state-designated brownfield areas, known as South Buffalo and Buffalo River. Historic uses of these sites include steel operations, iron production, grain production, and production of dye and organic chemicals. EPA and DOE will assess the area for wind or solar power production potential. The large areas of vacant land present an opportunity for the construction of numerous renewable energy facilities in the project area. There has already been significant public and private investment and stakeholder interest in renewable energy production in this part of the city.

TechCity, Ulster County, New York
The 256-acre TechCity site is the largest industrial site in the town of Ulster, New York. The site is already being redeveloped, with millions already invested. The EPA and DOE will examine the potential for solar power production on this site. The existing redevelopment plan already leaves 50 acres open for ground-mount solar and calls for rooftop photovoltaic cells on large buildings. Renewable energy manufacturing businesses are currently manufacturing materials for solar power, LED lighting and energy efficient roofing materials at the site. Bringing solar energy production to the site could further bolster the efforts of these green businesses.

For more information about these projects of about the RE-Powering America’s Land initiative, visit:
http://www.epa.gov/renewableenergyland/.
 

EPA Awards 45 Universities with Grants to Help Design Sustainable Technologies

Release Date: 11/18/2011
Contact Information: Terri A. White, 215-814-5523 white.terri-a@epa.gov
 

PHILADELPHIA (Nov. 18, 2011) - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency awarded the People, Prosperity and the Planet (P3) Phase I grants for the 2011-2012 school year. A team from University of Delaware in Newark is one of 45 teams of college and university students across the country that won funding to design creative solutions to sustainability challenges in the developed and developing world.
 

The University of Delaware students will use their $15,000 P3 grant to design and develop apparel and accessories using natural, renewable, and locally grown materials such as wool, mohair, chicken feather, and natural dyes. The apparel products will be made to appeal to the University’s students. The team will produce most of the materials in the University’s College of Agriculture and Natural Resources and Department of Fashion and Apparel Studies.

Their project aims to show how the use of locally grown materials for manufacturing apparel can reduce environmental pollution, improve the health of industry employees and nearby community residents, and serve as a viable income source for local farmers.

“EPA’s P3 grant to University of Delaware’s team of students represents an investment in our nation’s young innovators, the health of our communities, and the planet’s health,” said Shawn M. Garvin, EPA mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator. “I commend the students for their enthusiasm in designing a sustainable solution that has potential to support the growth and stability of our nation’s future.”

EPA’s P3 grants challenge students, working together on interdisciplinary teams, to design and build sustainable technologies that improve quality of life, promote economic development and protect the environment. The annual competition begins with Phase I grant awards of $15,000 to student teams that then work on projects in a range of categories including water, energy, agriculture, built environment, and materials and chemicals.

After working on the project for eight months, the teams will bring their designs to the 8^th Annual National Sustainable Design Expo on the National Mall in Washington, D.C around Earth Day. At the expo, the projects will be judged by a panel of experts. A few teams will be selected for Phase II grants up to $90,000 for students to improve their designs, implement them in the field, or move them to the marketplace.

Applications are being accepted through Dec. 22, 2011, for the next round of Phase I awards for the 2012-2013 school year. In addition to the categories above, teams can also propose innovative ideas for green infrastructure and designing clean cookstoves.

More information on the P3 Phase I grant awards: http://www.epa.gov/ncer/p3/current

More information on applying for a 2012-2013 Phase I P3 award: http://www.epa.gov/ncer/p3/apply
 

EPA Seeks Nominations for New Science Advisory Board Committee

Release Date: 11/18/2011
Contact Information: Latisha Petteway (News Media Only), petteway.latisha@epa.gov, 202-564-3191, 202-564-4355

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announced that it is requesting public nominations of scientific experts for appointment to EPA’s Science Advisory Board (SAB) Chemical Assessment Advisory Committee. The primary purpose of this new committee is to review chemical assessments. The exact number for new committee members has not yet been determined. EPA will also consult with the committee on questions regarding the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) Program. This action continues the agency’s efforts to further strengthen the IRIS program. IRIS is a publicly available online database that provides high quality science-based human health assessments used to inform the agency’s decisions on protecting public health and the environment.

“Science is the cornerstone of the EPA’s work, and ensuring the highest standards of scientific integrity and credibility is an ongoing priority for EPA and the IRIS Program,” said Paul Anastas, assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Research and Development. “EPA plans to request advice from the Chemical Assessment Advisory Committee on a variety of issues, including how we implement recommendations from the National Academy of Sciences related to the development of IRIS assessments.”

In July 2011, EPA announced plans to improve IRIS as part of an ongoing effort initiated in 2009 to strengthen the IRIS program. Today’s announcement is a demonstration of the EPA’s commitment to scientific integrity.

More information on the Federal Register Notice: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2011-11-18/pdf/2011-29916.pdf

More information about the SAB: http://www.epa.gov/sab

More information about IRIS: http://www.epa.gov/iris/

Federal Partners Unite to Help Rural Communities with Environmental and Economic Goals

Release Date: 11/17/2011
Contact Information: Latisha Petteway (News Media Only), petteway.latisha@epa.gov, 202-564-3191, 202-564-4355

WASHINGTON – U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Deputy Administrator Robert Perciasepe and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan spent the day in rural North Carolina discussing the Obama Administration’s work to strengthen rural economies. Perciasepe and Merrigan hosted a White House Rural Council meeting with local officials, community organizations, and businesses to discuss the benefits the American Jobs Act can have on rural communities and share a new report highlighting how small towns and rural places across the country are using federal resources to enhance economic vitality and protect the environment.

Developed by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), and EPA Partnership for Sustainable Communities in cooperation with USDA, the Supporting Sustainable Rural Communities report is the Obama Administration’s latest effort to better coordinate federal programs for rural communities. The report discusses federal programs that help rural America, presents sample funding mechanisms and technical assistance opportunities and performance measures rural communities can use, and includes case studies showcasing rural accomplishments.

“The Obama Administration is committed to supporting economic development in rural communities through its landmark Partnership for Sustainable Communities report and through multiple provisions in the American Jobs Act,” said EPA Deputy Administrator Perciasepe. “Strategic use of federal programs, like those detailed in the report released today, can help strengthen these communities and revitalize their economies while preserving their rural heritage.”

“By working together, HUD, DOT, EPA, and USDA are making it easier for rural communities to access federal funding and use it to implement local and regional priorities,” said USDA Deputy Secretary Merrigan. “Coordinating federal investments achieves better results on the ground, meeting multiple economic, environmental, and community objectives with each dollar spent.”

"All of us at HUD are excited for the release of this report because it gives us an opportunity to share what we already know: small towns and rural communities around the country are using the federal resources from our Partnership for Sustainable Communities in exciting and innovative ways to create jobs for American workers and spur economic growth for American families," said Acting HUD Deputy Secretary Estelle Richman.

“This report illustrates the many successfully federally supported programs that help achieve the Obama Administration's vision for livability," said Deputy Secretary of Transportation John Porcari. "By building sustainable communities in rural areas and connecting these communities through greener transportation, we are helping provide a brighter future for ourselves and our children.”

Deputies Perciasepe and Merrigan unveiled the report in Brevard, N.C., a small community that is creating jobs and improving quality of life for its residents by building on its natural resources, traditional downtown, and experience with agriculture and manufacturing. Brevard and the region have used federal investments to enhance economic vitality in a way that is sustainable and homegrown. Supporting Sustainable Rural Communities contains case studies of 12 other rural communities and regions that are using federal resources to achieve their economic and land use visions, including:

· Grand Canyon National Park, Ariz.
· Lake Village, Ark.
· Waverly, Iowa
· Greensburg, Kan.
· Bowling Green, Ky.
· Hancock County, Maine
· North Central Montana
· Maupin, Ore.
· Howard, S.D.
· Pine Ridge Reservation, S.D.
· Rural Tennessee
· Ranson and Charles Town, W.Va.

The Partnership for Sustainable Communities is a joint effort of HUD, DOT, and EPA to coordinate federal actions on housing, transportation, and environmental protection. USDA is working with the partnership to help serve rural communities.

At the White House Rural Council Meeting, Deputies Perciasepe and Merrigan discussed the benefits the American Jobs Act would have in North Carolina. The Act will provide a tax cut for over 170,000 businesses, support the jobs of 13,400 teachers and first responders and immediately provide a job for over 10,400 construction workers through infrastructure improvements. A typical household in North Carolina will receive a tax cut of around $1,300.

More information on Supporting Sustainable Rural Communities: http://www.epa.gov/smartgrowth/publications.htm#huddotepa

More information on the Partnership for Sustainable Communities and to read the report: http://www.sustainablecommunities.gov

More information on the American Jobs Act in North Carolina: http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/THE_AMERICAN_JOBS_ACT_Impact_NC.pdf
 

EPA and GSA Team Up to Promote Energy Efficiency in Federal Facilities in Boston and New England

Release Date: 11/17/2011
Contact Information: US EPA, David Deegan, (617) 918-1017 GSA, Patrick Sclafani, (617) 565-5112
 

(Boston, Mass. – Nov. 17, 2011) – The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the General Services Administration (GSA) have joined forces to promote the Federal Green Challenge Initiative in New England federal facilities.

The Federal Green Challenge Initiative is a voluntary program designed to help federal agencies improve operating efficiency and reduce their environmental footprint. GSA’s goal is to reduce the environmental footprint of New England federal facilities by at least five percent annually in a minimum of two of the following areas: waste, electronics, purchasing, transportation, water and energy.

EPA and GSA are also “walking the talk,” leading by example with the management of the John M. McCormack building in downtown Boston, which is a federally-owned and managed building. The McCormack building, built in 1933 and which underwent a complete renovation and restoration project completed in 2009, was recently awarded an ENERGY STAR rating for superior energy efficiency.

“It’s extremely important that we at EPA help shine a light on how environmentally-friendly decisions can result in a comfortable and healthy workplace,” said Curt Spalding, regional administrator of EPA’s New England office. “EPA’s home in Boston boasts increased energy-efficiency and other environmentally-preferable features, housed in a historically-significant building that retains its unique character and charm.”

“We have an obligation to the taxpayers of today and tomorrow. By working to ensure federal buildings are as efficient as possible, we're saving money and promoting a healthier environment for ourselves and our children,” said Bob Zarnetske, regional administrator of GSA’s Region 1 office in Boston.

During its renovation, completed in 2009, the McCormack building was designed to meet ENERGY STAR and energy efficiency improvements through the careful use of insulation; double-paned, low-e windows; capturing daylight; lighting upgrades with motion sensors and daylight dimmers; variable speed drives for fans and pumps; and high efficiency chillers. The building's energy operations have earned an ENERGY STAR label with an energy efficiency rating of 75. This means that the building's energy efficiency is better than 75 percent of all other office buildings in the U.S. The building’s renovations also earned a LEED certification of Gold. The building also features a green roof and water conservation measures.

The Federal Green Challenge Initiative being championed by EPA and GSA supports President Obama’s Executive Order on Federal Leadership in Environmental, Energy and Economic Performance. By joining, federal facilities will receive hands-on technical support, purchasing and facility management assistance from EPA and GSA. Other federal agencies in the New England region are encouraged to join the program by December 5.

Buildings use a lot of energy, between lighting, climate control, office equipment, etc. Nearly 20 percent of the energy consumed in the U.S., at a cost of more than $100 billion a year, occurs in buildings other than houses and other dwellings. Further, nearly a third of that energy goes to waste.

Energy Star was started by EPA in 1992 as a market-based partnership to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through energy efficiency. Today, the Energy Star label can be found on more than 60 products as well as new homes and commercial and industrial buildings that meet strict energy-efficiency specifications set by the EPA. Last year alone, Americans, with the help of Energy Star, saved $18 billion on their energy bills while reducing the greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those of 33 million vehicles.

More Information:

- Federal Green Challenge: (http://www.epa.gov/fgc/ )

- McCormack Building in downtown Boston: (http://www.epa.gov/oaintrnt/facilities/boston-hq.htm )



 

EPA Releases Guidelines to Ensure Healthy Indoor Air during Home Energy Upgrades/ New protocols protect indoor air quality while enhancing home energy efficiency

Release Date: 11/17/2011
Contact Information: Molly Hooven, hooven.molly@epa.gov, 202-564-2313, 202-564-4355

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its Healthy Indoor Environment Protocols for Home Energy Upgrades to better integrate health protections into energy efficiency programs. This first-of-its-kind guidance will provide the home energy industry the ability to identify, manage, and reduce health risks during home energy upgrades, retrofits or remodeling.

"These protocols will help the home energy retrofit industry deliver high quality work while protecting the health of families," said Gina McCarthy, EPA Assistant Administrator for the Office of Air and Radiation. "Homeowners, occupants, and the energy services industry will benefit greatly from this simple and clear guidance for addressing critical indoor air quality risks during home energy upgrades. Following these protocols will help families save money on utilities while safeguarding their health.”

EPA’s new protocols describe a step-by-step process for conducting assessments to evaluate indoor air conditions and the potential for risks that may arise during residential energy upgrades. The protocols include recommended minimum specifications and best practices to maintain or improve indoor air quality.

The protocols serve as a companion document to the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) guidelines for Home Energy Professionals. The DOE guidelines are intended to foster the growth of a skilled work force that will increase the homeowner’s confidence in the retrofit industry and increase the demand for home energy retrofits. Together, the DOE guidelines and EPA protocols will help facilitate increased home energy efficiency, improve the quality of work performed and provide healthier homes for America.

By working with the home energy upgrade industry, other federal agencies, industry standard organizations, and state and local programs to implement these protocols, EPA and its partners will help improve indoor air quality and energy efficiency in homes around the country. The protocols were announced today at the Weatherization Plus Health Regional Conference in San Diego, Calif.

U.S. Department of Energy’s Guidelines for Home Energy Professionals: http://www1.eere.energy.gov/wip/retrofit_guidelines.html
EPA's Healthy Indoor Environment Protocols for Home Energy Upgrades: http://www.epa.gov/iaq/homes/retrofits.html



 

EPA Recognizes Staples and State Street as One of Nation’s Top Green Power Partners

Release Date: 11/17/2011
Contact Information: David Deegan, (617) 918-1017
 

(Boston, Mass. – Nov. 17, 2011) – Staples, Inc., based in Framingham, Mass., and State Street Corporation based in Boston, Mass., have recently been recognized by EPA as one of the nation’s leading purchasers of Green Power for 2011.

EPA, through the Green Power Partnership, works with more than 1,300 partner organizations that voluntarily use more than 21 billion kilowatt-hours of green power annually to reduce the environmental impacts of conventional electricity use. This is equivalent to avoiding the carbon dioxide emissions from the electricity use of over 1.8 million average American homes for a year. Green power is electricity generated from renewable resources such as solar, wind, geothermal, biogas, and low-impact hydro and produces no net increase of greenhouse gas emissions.

Staples currently purchases renewable energy certificates (RECs), and direct renewable power through various utility programs and hosts more than 30 on-site roof-top solar installations producing approximately 1.8 million kilowatt-hours of clean electricity every year. These purchases are equivalent to the amount of electricity needed to power 30,000 average American homes every year. This is a repeat honor for Staples as they received a Green Power Leadership Award in 2006, was a Partner of the Year in 2004 and 2007, and is consistently included in the Green Power Partnership top partner lists, including the Top 20 Retail and National Top 50.

State Street, as a part of its Corporate Sustainability Program commitment, is reducing its greenhouse gas emissions and meeting approximately 58% of its electricity demand from renewable resources. As part of the program, State Street has set goals to lower GHG emissions and committed to purchasing certified renewable power. State Street's green power purchase has helped establish the corporation be a leader among U.S. financial services companies, and demonstrates its commitment to sustainability to all of its stakeholders around the world.

“Staples and State Street Corporation as well as EPA’s other Green Power Purchasers are driving the development of new renewable energy sources and demonstrating that green power makes good environmental and business sense,” said EPA New England Regional Administrator Curt Spalding. “We applaud their efforts and hope that other organizations follow their lead.”

More information on EPA’s Green Power Partnership can be found at: http://epa.gov/greenpower
 

TODAY: We Can’t Wait: Transportation Secretary LaHood and EPA Administrator Jackson to Discuss Historic Proposed Fuel Economy Standards/ National program for light duty vehicles will save consumers $1.7 trillion at the pump, $8,000 per vehicle by 2025

Release Date: 11/16/2011
Contact Information: Enesta Jones, jones.enesta@epa.gov, 202-564-7873, 202-564-4355 Cathy Milbourn, milbourn.cathy@epa.gov, 202-564-7849, 202-564-4355

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Transportation (USDOT) Secretary Ray LaHood and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lisa P. Jackson will hold a telephone press briefing at 2:30 p.m. EDT, today, Wednesday, November 16, to discuss the next phase in the Obama Administration’s national program to improve fuel economy and curb pollution. The proposal issued by USDOT and EPA today will set stronger fuel efficiency and greenhouse gas pollution standards for model year 2017-2025 passenger cars and light trucks.

When combined with other historic steps this administration has taken to increase energy efficiency, today’s announcement will save Americans more than $1.7 trillion at the pump and an average of more than $8,000 per vehicle by 2025; reduce America’s dependence on oil by an estimated 12 billion barrels and reduce oil consumption by 2.2 million barrels per day by 2025 (enough to offset almost a quarter of the current level of our foreign oil imports); and slash 6 billion metric tons in greenhouse gas emissions over the life of the programs.

Former Lupton, Ariz. truck stop owners to pay $80,000 penalty for violating hazardous waste laws

Release Date: 11/15/2011
Contact Information: Margot Perez-Sullivan, perezsullivan.margot@epa.gov, 415.947.4149

SAN FRANCISCO – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency fined the former owners and operators of Speedy’s Truck Stop $80,000 for violating federal hazardous waste and community right-to-know laws.

The violations at the Lupton, Ariz. facility were found following a series of inspections by Navajo Nation EPA, the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality and the U.S. EPA in 2004. Inspectors uncovered violations of federal standards governing the handling and storage of hazardous waste. Among the violations were mislabeled, unlabeled hazardous waste, including benzene-contaminated wastewater, inadequate record keeping of a hazardous waste storage facility, failure to obtain a permit, mismanagement of used oil, failure to properly train employees and failure to comply with community right-to-know laws. The defendants in the complaint were Mark Nicholson, Brian Nicholson, the Dale A. Nicholson Trust, the Nicholson Children Trust, Speedy’s Convenience Inc., and Native American Energy LLC.

In 2004, EPA emergency responders were on site to oversee the removal of approximately 1,900 cubic yards of petroleum contaminated soil along with the removal of approximately 23,000 gallons of benzene-contaminated wastewater.

Under the U.S. EPA’s Resource Conservation and Recovery Act program, hazardous substances must be stored, handled and disposed of using measures that safeguard public health and the environment.