News and reports from the Environmental Protection Agency.

Environmental Protection News

Environmental Protection
Last week, lawmakers, water experts, community leaders, and landowners from Texas convened in Alpine for the Water in the Desert conference. The event was hosted by Sul Ross State University with the aim of discussing new challenges and opportunities in west Texas water management.
Environmental Protection

Coalition of food and packaging organizations launches Alliance for Sustainable Packaging for Foods

The National Wooden Pallet and Container Association (NWPCA) has announced the establishment of the Alliance for Sustainable Packaging for Foods (ASPF). This global coalition, composed of non-profit industry and non-governmental organizations, was formed to engage with regulators and governments on sustainable packaging.
Environmental Protection

EPA to set regulations for methane emissions for oil and gas industry

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has indicated that the oil and gas sector will need to reduce methane emissions as part of a new initiative under consideration. This measure is an extension of the Inflation Reduction Act, which encourages industry best practices to decrease pollution through incentives.
Environmental Protection

EPA provides $15.8 million to two Missouri school district to purchase EV school buses

Two school districts in Missouri are set to receive over $15.8 million through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Clean School Bus Program Grants Competition. This initiative aims to enhance air quality by supporting the districts in purchasing new electric school buses, a move backed by the Investing in America Agenda under the Biden administration.
Environmental Protection

City of Ontario, Calif. to receive $3.5 million EPA grant to enhance recycling efforts

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced a $3.5 million grant to the City of Ontario, California, aimed at enhancing recycling efforts through a new digital donation tool. The funding comes from the EPA’s Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling (SWIFR) Grants program, supported by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
Environmental Protection

Texas Southern University receives $50 million for environmental friendly projects

Texas Southern University (TSU) is set to receive a $50 million grant for various environmental projects. The funds, facilitated by the Inflation Reduction Act, represent the largest investment in climate action to date.
Environmental Protection

Kansas-based municipal sanitary landfill operator found to be in violation of Clean Care Act

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has imposed a fine on Hamm Inc., a sanitary landfill operator based in Lawrence, Kansas, to settle claims of violation of the federal Clean Air Act. The company is expected to pay a civil penalty of $4,206 and allocate approximately $30,000 towards monitoring air pollution emissions.
Environmental Protection

Two trucking companies found to be in violation of California rule that requires exhaust regulation

Two interstate trucking companies have agreed to settle with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) over violations related to the California Air Resources Board (CARB) Truck and Bus Regulation. This regulation requires heavy-duty diesel vehicles operating in California to reduce toxic air contaminants emissions from their exhaust. The EPA enforced these violations under the Clean Air Act.
Environmental Protection

Environmental Defense Fund SVP Elizabeth Gore: Concrete ‘contributes significantly to overheating the planet’

Elizabeth Gore, Senior Vice President for Political Affairs at the Environmental Defense Fund, has expressed her support for the Concrete and Asphalt Innovation Act of 2023. This legislation, introduced by U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), aims to fund research and provide alternative methods to assist cement and concrete producers in reducing emissions.
Environmental Protection

EPA gives $500K to program that aims to get underserved Harlem students into environmental job training programs

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will provide a $500,000 grant to the Research Foundation of the City College of New York in support of environmental job training programs. The funds will be allocated from the EPA’s Brownfields Job Training Program, an initiative designed to train workers for rehabilitation at brownfield sites across New York.
Environmental Protection

Environmental services provider to pay over $1.6 million to settle hazardous waste violations

A leading national environmental services provider has reached a settlement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to address violations at multiple facilities across the country. The U.S. Department of Justice also participated in the announcement, accusing Heritage-Crystal Clean, LLC (HCC) of breaching laws related to the disposal of used oil.
Environmental Protection

EPA announces a total of $20 million in grants to improve Long Island Sound

Federal and state environmental agencies, alongside officials from New England and New York, recently collaborated with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to announce that they will provide $12 million in grants aimed at enhancing the Long Island Sound. These funds represent part of an extensive effort to protect and improve the water quality and overall health of this vital estuary.
Environmental Protection

World’s largest producer of biofuel in violation of Clean Air Act

Menlo, Iowa-based bioethanol producer, POET Biorefining – Menlo LLC and its parent company POET LLC, has been fined by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for violations of the Clean Air Act. The world's largest producer of biofuel has been identified as a "major air emission source", with an imposed penalty amounting to $89,860.
Environmental Protection

National ice cream manufacturer to pay fine for violating Clean Air Act

A national ice cream manufacturer will pay $115,849 to settle claims by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that it violated federal laws regulating the handling and storage of ammonia at its facility in Suffield, Conn. The settlement arises from a violation of the Clean Air Act's chemical accident prevention regulations, which puts public health and safety at risk.
Environmental Protection

Artificial turf installation company to pay over $1 million after EPA finds violations of Clean Water Act

Thom Fischer, CEO of Electron Hydro, LLC, will have to pay over a $1 million civil penalty after the U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) found that the company violated the Clean Water Act. The settlement arises from an incident in 2020 involving inappropriate installation of artificial turf at a construction site.
Environmental Protection

Coffeyville, Kansas-based refinery reaches $13 million settlement with EPA

A Coffeyville, Kansas-based refinery has reached a settlement with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Justice for alleged violations of the Clean Air Act. This comes as part of a larger crackdown on industrial companies contributing to air pollution.
Environmental Protection

EPA recognizes eight distilleries for being the first to earn their ENERGY STAR certification

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced that it is recognizing eight distilleries for being the first to earn EPA’s ENERGY STAR certification. This certification is an acknowledgement of their dedication towards energy efficiency and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
Environmental Protection

Cleveland-Cliffs Steel Corp to invest over $100 million in emission reductions at Dearborn facility

The Cleveland-Cliffs Steel Corporation has agreed to resolve ongoing Clean Air Act violations, according to an announcement from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Justice
Environmental Protection

Regan: ‘The science is clear: exposure to lead can cause irreversible and life-long health effects in children’

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has declared that lead emissions from small piston-engine planes pose a public health risk under the Clean Air Act. This determination sets the stage for future regulations to reduce such emissions, aimed at protecting public health and the environment.
Environmental Protection

EPA allocates over $1M for pollution prevention in Oregon and Washington

EPA announces $1.1M in grants to support local environmental justice initiatives, including a major award to Portland State University for aiding Native American businesses.
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