Environmental Protection News
Environmental Protection
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced an emergency suspension of all registrations for the pesticide dimethyl tetrachloroterephthalate (DCPA or Dacthal) under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). This marks the first time in nearly 40 years that the EPA has taken such action, following extensive efforts by the Biden-Harris Administration to address the risks posed by this pesticide.

Environmental Protection
EPA awards $1 million grant to Grand Rapids Community College
WASHINGTON (Aug. 6, 2024) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Acting Assistant Administrator for Water Bruno Pigott joined Congresswoman Hillary Scholten at an event hosted by Grand Rapids Community College in Michigan to celebrate their selection for a $1 million Innovative Water Workforce Development Grant. This EPA grant program supports career opportunities in the drinking water and wastewater utility sectors and expands public awareness about these utilities.

Environmental Protection
EPA enhances Indoor AirPlus home labeling program for better indoor air quality
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced enhancements to its Indoor AirPlus home labeling program on August 5, aimed at improving indoor air quality protection and expanding market accessibility.

Environmental Protection
EPA reaches settlement with RBL Products over unregistered pesticides
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a settlement with RBL Products Inc., based in Detroit, Michigan, for allegedly selling unregistered pesticide products. The company, located at 6040 Russell St., will pay a $584,000 penalty and has ceased production and sales of the implicated products.

Environmental Protection
EPA announces $171M loan for Birmingham's drinking water infrastructure improvements
Birmingham, Ala. (August 5, 2024) – On Wednesday, August 7, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. CST, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Birmingham Water Works will hold a press event to announce a $171 million EPA Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) loan aimed at improving drinking water infrastructure in Birmingham, Alabama.

Environmental Protection
EPA Region 7 hosts informational session on environmental justice grants in Omaha
The Aug. 8 outreach event will provide information about Inflation Reduction Act grants

Environmental Protection
EPA awards nearly $2 million for clean school buses in Cedar Hill ISD
DALLAS, TEXAS (August 5, 2024) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that Cedar Hill Independent School District is receiving $1,945,000 through EPA’s Clean School Bus Rebate Competition. This award, made possible through President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, will help the school district purchase 10 electric emission-free school buses to replace diesel-operated school buses. EPA Regional Administrator Dr. Earthea Nance joined Representative Jasmine Crockett (TX-30), Superintendent Dr. Gerald Hudson, Board President of Cedar Hill ISD Gayle Sims...

Environmental Protection
Soldotna students win national award for wildfire prevention project
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in collaboration with the White House Council on Environmental Quality, recently celebrated the 2024 President’s Environmental Youth Award (PEYA) ceremony, recognizing exceptional youth dedicated to environmental stewardship.

Environmental Protection
EPA begins critical cleanup at contaminated JH Baxter facility in Eugene
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the commencement of a time-critical removal action at the JH Baxter facility in West Eugene, Oregon. This initiative aims to address wood-preserving chemicals left on-site after operations ceased in 2022. Over 500,000 gallons of hazardous substances remain at the location.

Environmental Protection
EPA partners with Kewanee on local lead pipe replacement initiative
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a collaboration with the city of Kewanee, Illinois, to identify and replace drinking water lead pipes as part of the Get the Lead Out Initiative. This initiative is fully funded by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and aims to achieve 100% lead service line replacement nationwide. Approximately 200 communities will receive technical assistance through this program.

Environmental Protection
EPA partners with Niles on lead pipe replacement under infrastructure law
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a collaboration with the city of Niles, Ohio, to identify and replace drinking water lead pipes, aiming to protect public health. This initiative is part of EPA’s Get the Lead Out program, funded by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which seeks to achieve 100% lead service line replacement nationwide. The program will provide technical assistance to approximately 200 communities across the country.

Environmental Protection
EPA issues emergency fuel waiver for four states following refinery shutdown
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued an emergency fuel waiver in response to tornadoes that led to the shutdown of the ExxonMobil Refinery in Joliet, Illinois. This action aims to address fuel shortages affecting Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin.

Environmental Protection
EPA Region 7 removes over 30 abandoned drums near Hillsboro
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 7 conducted removal operations at a private property near Hillsboro, Missouri, last week following a Request for Federal Action from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MoDNR).

Environmental Protection
EPA partners with Sandusky on lead pipe replacement under bipartisan infrastructure law
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a collaboration with the city of Sandusky, Ohio, to identify and replace drinking water lead pipes, aiming to protect public health. This initiative is part of EPA’s Get the Lead Out Initiative, funded by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which seeks to achieve 100% lead service line replacement nationwide. The program will provide technical assistance to approximately 200 communities across the country.

Environmental Protection
EPA fines Starbound $168K for Clean Water Act violations off Northwest coasts
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced that Starbound, LLC of Seattle, a subsidiary of Aleutian Spray Fisheries, Inc., will pay $168,000 for violations of the Clean Water Act at its operations off the coasts of Oregon, Washington, and Alaska.

Environmental Protection
EPA celebrates winners of 2024 youth and educator environmental awards
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in partnership with the White House Council on Environmental Quality, celebrated the 2024 President’s Environmental Youth Award (PEYA) and the Presidential Innovation Award for Environmental Educators (PIAEE) Awards Ceremony today, August 1. This annual event recognizes outstanding youth dedicated to environmental stewardship and teachers who have significantly contributed to environmental education.

Environmental Protection
EPA settles with All American Asphalt over reporting failures
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has reached a settlement with All American Asphalt over allegations that the company failed to provide complete and accurate reports of its releases of polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs) from its asphalt manufacturing plant in Irvine, California, during 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021. These releases have been deemed permitted but must still be reported accurately under federal environmental law. The company will pay a $53,115 penalty.

Environmental Protection
EPA awards over $2M grant to WVU under Inflation Reduction Act
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced the selection of West Virginia University Research Corporation (WVU) to receive $2,486,224 in funding. This grant is part of a broader initiative under President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act aimed at reducing climate pollution from the manufacturing of construction materials. WVU is among 38 selectees across the nation, with the announcement made on July 16, 2024, as part of a $160 million grant rollout.

Environmental Protection
Biden-Harris administration allocates $2.6M for clean school buses in American Samoa
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced the selection of American Samoa’s Department of Education for a $2,555,000 Clean School Bus Program rebate. This funding, part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, will facilitate the purchase of seven electric school buses for American Samoa.

Environmental Protection
EPA completes oversight of C6-Zero site cleanup in Marengo
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 7 has concluded its oversight of removal operations at the C6-Zero Site in Marengo, Iowa. This follows an explosion and fire on December 8, 2022, which initiated a multi-agency investigation and cleanup effort.

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