News and reports from the Environmental Protection Agency.

BOSTON (June 5, 2024) – As warmer weather arrives in New England, many residents seek places to cool off and swim. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reminds the public to use the Woonasquatucket River responsibly due to potential health risks from contamination. Residents of North Providence, Johnston, and Providence in Rhode Island should be particularly cautious.

On June 4, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in collaboration with the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), announced that Wellston, Ohio, along with five other communities, will receive technical assistance through the Local Foods, Local Places program. This initiative aims to develop local food systems to promote environmental protection, strengthen local economies, and further sustainability goals.

On June 4, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in collaboration with the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), announced the selection of six communities to receive technical assistance through the Local Foods, Local Places program. This initiative aims to develop local food systems to enhance environmental protection, bolster local economies, and further sustainability goals.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a settlement with Smith Foundry to address alleged violations of the Clean Air Act at its iron foundry in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The company will cease its furnace and casting operations within 12 months and convert to a metal finishing facility, significantly reducing emissions. Additionally, Smith Foundry will pay an $80,000 penalty.

NASHVILLE, TENN. (June 4, 2024) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has fined an automotive aftermarket parts distributor based in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, for allegedly selling illegal “defeat devices” designed to render automobile emission controls inoperative, in violation of the federal Clean Air Act.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a settlement with Thoroughbred Performance Products of Winchester, Kentucky, operating as Thoroughbred Diesel, in response to claims that the company sold thousands of aftermarket products that disable vehicles' emissions control systems, known as 'defeat devices.' As part of the settlement, Thoroughbred Diesel agreed to cease selling defeat devices and pay a civil penalty of $1,250,000.

La Agencia de Protección Ambiental de Estados Unidos (EPA) ha anunciado la asignación de más de $3.4 millones en subvenciones para evaluar y limpiar terrenos contaminados en Puerto Rico. Esta iniciativa forma parte del programa Brownfields, financiado por una inversión de $1,500 millones proveniente de la Ley Bipartidista de Infraestructura del presidente Biden.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced the allocation of over $3.4 million to five selectees in Puerto Rico for the assessment and cleanup of brownfield sites, furthering environmental justice initiatives. This funding is part of a broader $1.5 billion investment from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law aimed at transforming polluted, vacant, and abandoned properties into community assets.

On June 3, 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that Envigo RMS LLC pleaded guilty to conspiring to knowingly violate the Animal Welfare Act, and Envigo Global Services Inc. pleaded guilty to a felony of conspiring to knowingly violate the Clean Water Act. These pleas are connected to a dog breeding facility in Cumberland County, Virginia, from which over 4,000 beagles were surrendered by the Justice Department in 2022.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced an investment of $111 million to address polluted sites and introduce clean school buses across New York State. The funding, primarily sourced from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, will be allocated through two major programs: nearly $96 million via the EPA’s Clean School Bus Rebate program for replacing existing school buses with electric models, and approximately $15 million through the EPA’s Brownfields program for assessing and cleaning up polluted sites.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will commence an investigation into sediment impacts in the Grand Calumet River Area of Concern in Gary, Indiana, next week. The project, which is supported by over $3 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding, is a collaborative effort with United States Steel Corp.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has fined Logan Agri-Service Inc. for allegedly repackaging pesticide products in violation of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act. The Illinois-based pesticide dealer, which operates a branch in Paris, Missouri, will pay a civil penalty of $74,806.

The Biden Administration has reinforced its commitment to reducing food loss and waste, with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) renewing their formal agreement initially established in 2018. This year, the collaboration is further strengthened by the inclusion of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced that the Puerto Rico Department of Education will receive over $7.6 million in rebate funding to purchase 25 clean school buses. This funding is part of the 2023 Clean School Bus Program rebate competition and aligns with the Biden-Harris Administration's Investing in America agenda.

ERIE (May 30, 2024) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator Adam Ortiz joined Erie County Redevelopment Authority President Tina Mengine, Erie Mayor Joe Schember, and Erie County Executive Brenton Davis to celebrate the allocation of $5.5 million in grants designated for the area.