Environmental Protection News
Environmental Protection
State of Washington, federal agencies agree on future of tank waste cleanup at Hanford Site Today, the U.S. Department of Energy (USDOE), Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology), and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have announced a significant agreement regarding the cleanup of radioactive and chemical waste at the Hanford Site. The proposed amendments to cleanup agreements will be open for a 60-day public comment period starting on May 30."We have alignment on a plan that lays out a realistic and achievable path forward for Hanford’s tank waste...
Environmental Protection
EPA Issues Consent Order to MAX Environmental Technologies for Compliance at Yukon, PA Facility
PHILADELPHIA (April 29, 2024) - Max Environmental Technologies, Inc. (MAX) has agreed to several actions to ensure compliance with federal and state hazardous waste safeguards at the company’s waste facility in Yukon, PA, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced today. MAX owns and operates a 160-acre facility, surrounded by agricultural and residential properties, about 30 miles southeast of Pittsburgh, PA in Westmoreland County. According to EPA, this site is an area with potential environmental justice concerns.EPA officials inspected the facility in...
Environmental Protection
EPA Salutes Citizen Scientists' Water Quality Monitoring of the Merrimack
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently commended the efforts of citizen scientists involved in monitoring the water quality of the Merrimack River. EPA Regional Administrator David W. Cash praised the collaborative work, stating, "Without good science, how can we protect human health and the environment?"Senator Ed Markey emphasized the importance of citizen science in water quality monitoring, stating, "We can't manage what we don't measure, and we can't treat what we don't know." Markey expressed gratitude to all volunteers for their role in ensuring a...
Environmental Protection
EPA Celebrates Earth Week and Agency Efforts to Prevent Plastic Pollution
WASHINGTON – Today, April 26, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is wrapping up Earth Week by highlighting the work the agency is doing to prevent plastic pollution."Plastic waste is growing and so is the impact it has on public health and the environment," said Cliff Villa, EPA Deputy Assistant Administrator for the Office of Land and Emergency Management. "This Earth Week, I challenge everyone to do their part to reduce plastic waste to protect our health and ensure that future generations can continue to enjoy a safe and healthy planet."The agency's efforts...
Environmental Protection
EPA Settles with Rhode Island Corporation for Hazardous Waste Violations
Interplex Engineered Products, a manufacturer of electrical conductors located in East Providence, Rhode Island, has agreed to pay a fine of $59,044 as part of a settlement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for alleged violations of hazardous waste management laws. EPA New England Regional Administrator David W. Cash emphasized the importance of proper hazardous waste management, stating, "Improper management of these wastes can lead to releases of dangerous chemicals – in this case cyanide waste."According to the EPA, Interplex Engineered Products, Inc....
Environmental Protection
EPA Awards Grant to Children’s Environmental Literacy Foundation for Environmental Justice Initiatives in Houston
DALLAS, TEXAS (April 25, 2024) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded a $425,616 grant to the Children’s Environmental Literacy Foundation (CELF) to support their efforts in promoting environmental justice and sustainability in the Greater Houston area. The grant will fund a project aimed at cultivating a new generation of environmental advocates equipped with Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM) skills to address local environmental challenges through school-community collaboration.Regional Administrator Dr. Earthea Nance...
Environmental Protection
Biden-Harris Administration Implements Rules to Reduce Pollution from Fossil Fuel-Fired Power Plants
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced a suite of final rules aimed at reducing pollution from fossil fuel-fired power plants to protect communities and improve public health. These rules, developed under various authorities including the Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act, are part of the Biden-Harris Administration's commitment to address climate change and environmental justice.EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan expressed the agency's dedication, stating, "Today, EPA is proud to make good on the Biden-Harris Administration’s vision to...
Environmental Protection
Biden-Harris Administration Announces Nearly $1 Billion in Grants to Invest in America’s Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicle Transition
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has unveiled a new grant program aimed at advancing the transition to clean heavy-duty vehicles in America. The Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Grant Program, funded through the Inflation Reduction Act under President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda, will allocate nearly $1 billion to support projects that reduce climate and air pollution from heavy-duty vehicles, create new job opportunities, and enhance air quality in communities across the nation."EPA’s Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Grant Program will slash climate and air...
Environmental Protection
EPA, CalEPA Joint Enforcement Plan Aims to Protect Overburdened California Communities
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA) have unveiled a two-year action plan aimed at addressing environmental justice issues in California through collaborative enforcement efforts. The plan, which is part of a groundbreaking federal-state partnership initiated in 2021, focuses on protecting public health and the environment in overburdened communities across the state.Martha Guzman, the EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator, expressed pride in the ongoing partnership with CalEPA, stating, “We are...
Environmental Protection
EPA Strengthens Chemical Risk Evaluation Process to Safeguard Workers and Communities
On April 23, 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized a rule aimed at enhancing the process for conducting risk evaluations on chemicals under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). The rule is designed to ensure that TSCA risk evaluations comprehensively assess the risks associated with chemicals and provide a solid foundation for protecting public health, particularly workers and communities, from toxic substances.Assistant Administrator for the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention, Michal Freedhoff, emphasized the importance of the...
Environmental Protection
EPA takes action against Bethel, Connecticut company for lead renovation rule violations
BOSTON (April 23, 2024) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently settled with WestFair Painting Corp., a local franchisee of CertaPro Painters in Bethel, Connecticut, for violations of the federal Lead Renovation, Repair, and Painting Rule (RRP Rule). The company agreed to pay a penalty of $13,122 to come into compliance with the RRP Rule."Companies certified under the Lead RRP Rule know the dangers of renovating properties with lead paint hazards and hiring contractors without proper lead training and certification is unacceptable," stated EPA New England...
Environmental Protection
EPA Announces $124M to Deliver Residential Solar, Lowering Energy Costs and Advancing Environmental Justice Across Alaska
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has announced a significant investment in residential solar projects in Alaska, aimed at lowering energy costs and advancing environmental justice. Through the Solar for All grant competition, the Alaska Energy Authority and the Tanana Chiefs Conference have been selected to receive $62,450,000 each to develop long-lasting solar programs for low-income and disadvantaged communities.According to EPA Region 10 Administrator Casey Sixkiller, the funding will be used to "supercharge the deployment of solar power in communities, create...
Environmental Protection
EPA Fines PMI of Baltimore MD $230,000 for Violations of Pollution Laws
PHILADELPHIA (April. 23, 2024) – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced the settlement of a multi-media case against a Maryland oil recycling facility. The penalty of $230,000 imposed on Petroleum Recovery and Remediation Management, Inc. (PMI) is to settle alleged violations of the Clean Air Act, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, and Clean Water Act at its Baltimore, Maryland facility.According to the EPA, PMI will pay the fine for the violations related to the processing, recycling, and disposal of waste oil material, including the operation of...
Environmental Protection
Arkansas' Hope Enterprise Corporation Awarded $62 Million for Residential Solar Projects
The Biden-Harris Administration has announced that the Hope Enterprise Corporation in Arkansas is set to receive over $62 million to deliver residential solar projects, aimed at lowering energy costs and advancing environmental justice. The grant is part of the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, a historic initiative created under President Biden's Inflation Reduction Act.EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan emphasized the significance of this investment, stating, "Today we're delivering on President Biden's promise that no community is left behind by investing $7 billion in...
Environmental Protection
La Oficina de Gerencia y Presupuesto de Puerto Rico Recibirá Más de $156 Millones para Energía Solar
La Oficina de Gerencia y Presupuesto de Puerto Rico ha sido seleccionada para recibir $156.1 millones de la Agencia de Protección Ambiental de Estados Unidos a través del programa de subvenciones Solar for All. Esta iniciativa tiene como objetivo desarrollar programas que beneficien a comunidades desventajadas y de bajos recursos con energía solar a largo plazo.El administrador de la EPA, Michael S. Regan, expresó: “Hoy cumplimos la promesa del Presidente Biden de que ninguna comunidad quede rezagada al invertir $7 mil millones en proyectos de energía solar para más de...
Environmental Protection
EPA Launches Online Environmental Justice Resource Center
WASHINGTON, DC—The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the establishment of the Environmental Justice Clearinghouse today, as part of President Biden's ambitious environmental justice plan. The Clearinghouse aims to assist the public in accessing federal and non-federal resources online to support the administration's environmental justice initiatives."The Environmental Justice Clearinghouse provides groundbreaking resource guides aimed at helping us achieve our shared environmental justice goals across all agencies," stated Theresa Segovia, Chief Deputy of...
Environmental Protection
EPA Announces Oregon Department of Energy to Receive $86M for Residential Solar Program
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has announced that the Oregon Department of Energy (ODOE) will be receiving $86,600,000 to develop long-lasting solar programs for low-income and disadvantaged communities in Oregon. This funding is part of the Solar for All grant competition, which is a component of the $27 billion Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund established under President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act.EPA Region 10 Administrator Casey Sixkiller emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating, "President Biden committed to making the largest investment in...
Environmental Protection
EPA Announces Online Collection of Environmental Justice Resources
WASHINGTON — In a move to enhance access to environmental justice resources, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has unveiled an unprecedented online collection of materials. The Environmental Justice Clearinghouse, as it is called, is part of President Biden's ambitious environmental justice agenda.Theresa Segovia, Assistant Principal Deputy Director of the Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights, emphasized the collaborative effort needed to achieve the administration's environmental justice goals, stating, "Fulfilling the ambitious environmental...
Environmental Protection
Local Environmental Partners Celebrate Earth Week, Declare ‘Trash Free Waters’ Begin With You!
Leaders from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Philadelphia Water Department (PWD), and Partnership for the Delaware Estuary (PDE) came together to celebrate Earth Week and launch the new ad campaign 'Trash Free Waters Begin with YOU!' in Philadelphia. The campaign, featuring artwork by Helen Munnelly, aims to raise awareness about the impact of litter on waterways and engage the community in keeping the environment clean.EPA Deputy Regional Administrator Cathy Libertz emphasized the importance of collaboration in protecting the environment, stating,...
Environmental Protection
Biden-Harris Administration Announces Over $156 Million for Residential Solar in New Mexico
DALLAS, TEXAS (April 23, 2024) - The Biden-Harris Administration has announced that the state of New Mexico will receive over $156 million to deliver residential solar, lower energy costs, and advance environmental justice. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) revealed that the New Mexico Energy, Minerals & Natural Resources Department is the recipient of this significant funding through the Solar for All grant competition.EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan highlighted the importance of this initiative, stating, "Today we’re delivering on President Biden’s...
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