News and reports from the Environmental Protection Agency.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently directed two additional sampling events, with a third now underway at the Smurfit-Stone Mill Site, a former paper and pulp mill located 11 miles west of Missoula, Montana.

On July 31, at the United Negro College Fund’s UNITE 2024 Summit, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael S. Regan unveiled new initiatives aimed at enhancing engagement with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). These actions include a $2.5 million competitive grant opportunity, the appointment of a permanent HBCU Outreach and Engagement Liaison within the Administrator’s Office, and the establishment of EPA’s first-ever HBCU-MSI Federal Advisory Council.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a proposed rule under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) on July 31, aimed at protecting public health by regulating the use of 1-bromopropane (1-BP). This chemical has been linked to serious health effects, including various cancers and damage to vital organs and reproductive systems. If finalized, the rule would ban all but one consumer use of 1-BP and some workplace uses.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has selected three organizations in Iowa, Kansas, and Missouri to receive a total of $280,000 in Environmental Education Grants. These projects are part of a national selection of 38 organizations set to receive over $3.6 million through EPA's Environmental Education Grants program.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently finalized a settlement with Fann Contracting, Inc., emphasizing the importance of compliance with the Clean Air Act. The company was found to be operating a portable hot mix asphalt plant on the Navajo Nation near Kayenta, Arizona, without a Tribal Minor New Source Review (NSR) permit to control air pollutants. As part of the settlement, the company will pay a civil penalty of $72,128.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that Parker Hannifin Corporation, formerly Helac Corporation, will pay $63,984 for Clean Water Act violations at its facility in Enumclaw, Washington.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is inviting public input on a proposed update to the 2008 cleanup plan for the Emmell’s Septic Landfill Superfund Site in Galloway Township, Atlantic County, New Jersey. The updated plan aims to address soil contamination that continues to affect groundwater quality.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced today that it has ordered Chagrin Valley Soap & Salve, located in Solon, Ohio, to cease the sale, use, or removal of eight unregistered pesticide products. The EPA cited violations of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced the allocation of $34,403,346 to support environmental and climate justice projects in Alabama and Tennessee. This funding is part of President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, representing the largest single investment in environmental justice to date. The Community Change Grants Program aims to reduce pollution, enhance community climate resilience, and build community capacity through projects informed by stakeholder engagement.

On July 26, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Army announced a joint project to sample and test private drinking water wells near Army installations for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). This initiative aims to inform remedial actions if PFAS is detected in drinking water, as contamination may affect nearby residents.