News and reports from the Environmental Protection Agency.

On May 20, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced $3,150,770 in grant awards as part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda. The grants aim to expedite the assessment and cleanup of brownfield sites in South Carolina while advancing environmental justice. These investments through EPA’s Brownfields Multipurpose, Assessment, and Cleanup (MAC) Grant Programs and Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) Grant Programs are intended to transform polluted, vacant, and abandoned properties into community assets, creating jobs and spurring economic revitalization in...

On May 20, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced $8,387,710 in grant awards from President Biden’s Investing in America agenda to expedite the assessment and cleanup of brownfield sites in Florida. These investments through EPA’s Brownfields Multipurpose, Assessment, and Cleanup (MAC) Grant Programs and Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) Grant Programs aim to transform polluted, vacant, and abandoned properties into community assets while creating jobs and spurring economic revitalization.

On May 24, the Friday before Memorial Day weekend, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention marked the 16th annual "Don't Fry Day." This initiative aims to encourage Americans to take steps to protect their skin and eye health while outdoors. Overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun can increase the risk of developing skin cancer and cataracts.

The Biden-Harris Administration has announced $2.79 million in grants through the Investing in America agenda to expedite the assessment and cleanup of brownfield sites in Louisiana, aiming to advance environmental justice and create healthier communities. This initiative is funded by a $1.5 billion investment from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced the allocation of $1,333,883 to expedite the assessment and cleanup of brownfield sites in Cherokee Nation. This funding is part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, aimed at addressing legacy pollution, advancing environmental justice, and fostering healthier communities.

On May 23, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued its final decision to deny Alabama’s application to manage coal ash landfills and impoundments through a federally approved state permit program. The EPA's review concluded that Alabama’s proposed program is significantly less protective of people and waterways than federal law mandates.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a series of enforcement actions to address safety plan deficiencies at eight facilities in Arizona, California, and Nevada that store or use certain chemicals. The Clean Air Act mandates these facilities to develop risk management plans outlining the potential effects of chemical accidents, preventive measures, and emergency response procedures.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the allocation of $2.2 million in grants from President Biden’s Investing in America agenda to accelerate the assessment and cleanup of brownfield sites in Texas, while promoting environmental justice. These investments, through EPA’s Brownfields Multipurpose, Assessment, and Cleanup (MAC) Grant Programs and Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) Grant Programs, aim to transform polluted, vacant properties into community assets, fostering job creation and economic revitalization.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced $5.5 million in grants from President Biden’s Investing in America agenda to expedite the assessment and cleanup of brownfield sites in Houston, Texas. These investments, funded by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, aim to address legacy pollution, advance environmental justice, and create healthier communities.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced that the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) will receive $18.9 million to assess and address emerging contaminants, including per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), in public water systems and disadvantaged communities. The funding is part of President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, aimed at tackling significant pollution issues nationwide.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced $4 million in grants from President Biden’s Investing in America agenda to expedite the assessment and cleanup of brownfield sites in Arkansas, advancing environmental justice. These investments through EPA’s Brownfields Multipurpose, Assessment, and Cleanup (MAC) Grant Programs and Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) Grant Programs aim to transform polluted, vacant, and abandoned properties into community assets while creating jobs and spurring economic revitalization.

On May 23, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Justice announced a settlement valued at over $310 million with Norfolk Southern Railway Company to address the damages caused by the February 3, 2023, train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio. Pending approval by the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, Norfolk Southern will be required to enhance rail safety measures, fund health monitoring and mental health services for affected communities, support long-term environmental monitoring, pay a $15 million civil penalty, and...

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced a $500,000 grant to expedite the assessment and cleanup of brownfield sites in Raton, New Mexico. This funding is part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, which aims to address legacy pollution, advance environmental justice, and create healthier communities through the EPA’s Brownfields Multipurpose, Assessment, and Cleanup (MAC) Grant Programs and Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) Grant Programs.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has finalized an Administrative Order on Consent with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation concerning Clean Water Act violations at the California Men’s Colony wastewater treatment plant in San Luis Obispo, California. The order addresses unauthorized discharges of filter backwash water into Chorro Reservoir.

On May 22, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced over $225 million in funding to enhance access to safe and reliable drinking water and wastewater services for American Indian Tribes and Alaska Native Villages. This funding, part of President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda, represents one of the largest annual investments in water infrastructure for Tribes. It aims to advance public health and environmental protections by addressing issues such as lead service lines and emerging contaminants like PFAS.