USDA, USTR Name New Agricultural Trade Advisors
WASHINGTON, Aug. 1, 2024 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai today announced the appointment or reappointment of 55 members to serve on seven agricultural trade advisory committees.
Biden-Harris Administration Invests Up to $400 Million to Address Drought, Conserve Water through Production of Water-Saving Commodities
WASHINGTON, Aug. 1, 2024 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will invest $400 million with at least 18 irrigation districts to help farmers continue commodity production while also conserving water across the West.
EPA Region 7 Completes Oversight of Removal Activities at C6-Zero Site in Marengo, Iowa
LENEXA, KAN. (AUG. 1, 2024) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 7 has completed oversight of removal operations by the potentially responsible party at the C6-Zero Site in Marengo, Iowa.
After the explosion and fire on-site on Dec. 8, 2022, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) maintained the site through an emergency order while providing oversight to contractors, hired by C6-Zero Iowa LLC, to perform the cleanup.
EPA began oversight of removal operations in May 2023 after receiving a request for federal assistance from IDNR in April 2023. C6-Zero and EPA Region 7 entered into an Administrative Settlement Agreement and Order on Consent for Removal Action to formalize response and removal operations with defined time frames and deliverables.
As a result of the explosion and subsequent fire, the primary contaminants of concern associated with the C6-Zero Site included tetrachloroethylene (PCE), cis-1,2-dichlorothene (DCE), naphthalene and related chemicals, lead, and petroleum products, among others.
Removal operations at the site included the categorization, bulking, and disposal of all waste generated on-site, such as contaminated liquids and solids.
After the removal of these materials, contractors operating on behalf of C6-Zero excavated additional areas of the site where bulking and disposal shipping took place. EPA received the final excavation report, and final report for removal activities, after confirmation sampling indicated that no additional soil excavation at the site was warranted.
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Learn more about EPA Region 7
View all Region 7 news releases
Connect with EPA Region 7 on Facebook and Instagram
Follow us on X: @EPARegion7
After the explosion and fire on-site on Dec. 8, 2022, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) maintained the site through an emergency order while providing oversight to contractors, hired by C6-Zero Iowa LLC, to perform the cleanup.
EPA began oversight of removal operations in May 2023 after receiving a request for federal assistance from IDNR in April 2023. C6-Zero and EPA Region 7 entered into an Administrative Settlement Agreement and Order on Consent for Removal Action to formalize response and removal operations with defined time frames and deliverables.
As a result of the explosion and subsequent fire, the primary contaminants of concern associated with the C6-Zero Site included tetrachloroethylene (PCE), cis-1,2-dichlorothene (DCE), naphthalene and related chemicals, lead, and petroleum products, among others.
Removal operations at the site included the categorization, bulking, and disposal of all waste generated on-site, such as contaminated liquids and solids.
After the removal of these materials, contractors operating on behalf of C6-Zero excavated additional areas of the site where bulking and disposal shipping took place. EPA received the final excavation report, and final report for removal activities, after confirmation sampling indicated that no additional soil excavation at the site was warranted.
# # #
Learn more about EPA Region 7
View all Region 7 news releases
Connect with EPA Region 7 on Facebook and Instagram
Follow us on X: @EPARegion7
Biden-Harris Administration Announces $2.6 Million for Clean School Buses in American Samoa as Part of Investing in America Agenda
HONOLULU – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proud to announce the selection of American Samoa’s Department of Education for a $2,555,000 Clean School Bus Program rebate, funded by President Biden’s Investing in America agenda.
This rebate will help the Department of Education purchase seven electric school buses for American Samoa. This investment is a crucial step in American Samoa’s journey towards improving children’s health, tackling harmful air pollution, and replacing older, diesel-fueled school buses linked to student and community health issues.
“EPA is proud to take another step in advancing the rollout of electric school buses in American Samoa, helping create a future where our children can breathe cleaner air,” said EPA’s Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator Martha Guzman. “I’ve seen firsthand the advantages of these electric buses, with the absence of noxious diesel emissions benefiting students, school staff, and neighboring communities. Thanks to these investments, more electric school buses will be on the road in American Samoa.”
“A long-term priority of mine in Congress has been achieving proportional equality with the states in federal funding, so we appreciate this support. Thank you to Administrator Regan and our Region 9 Administrator Martha Guzman, and congratulations to our hardworking local Department of Education. The 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which I supported, has directed millions in new funds to American Samoa in various ways each year since it was passed,” said Representative Aumua Amata Coleman Radewagen.
Governor Lemanu P. S. Mauga stated, “American Samoa knows firsthand the effects of climate change. We face rising sea levels and increasingly powerful storms on a daily basis. While we cannot change the course alone, we can do what we can. To further our environmental efforts, American Samoa sought and will receive seven electric school buses thanks to a $2.5 million allocation from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law under the 2023 Clean School Bus Rebate program. These buses will provide safer, cleaner transportation for our students, significantly improving our territory's environmental quality. This funding signifies our ongoing efforts towards sustainable, zero-emission transportation, benefiting students, staff, and the community by reducing harmful diesel emissions and climate impact."
In September 2023, the EPA announced at least $500 million in available funding nationwide for its 2023 Clean School Bus rebates. After receiving an overwhelming number of applications from school districts nationwide, including from low-income communities, Tribal nations, and U.S. territories, the EPA doubled the initial available funding in this round to nearly $1 billion.
The rebates will help school districts nationwide purchase over 3,400 clean school buses—92% of which will be electric—to accelerate the transition to zero-emission vehicles and produce cleaner air in and around schools and communities. This third funding round will build on almost $2 billion in investment from the 2022 Rebates and 2023 Grants to improve air quality in and around schools, reduce greenhouse gas pollution fueling the climate crisis, and help accelerate America’s leadership in developing clean vehicles of the future. To ensure effective implementation, the EPA is partnering with other federal agencies through the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation to provide school districts with robust technical assistance.
The selections will provide funds to school districts in 47 states, Washington D.C., and several federally recognized Tribes and U.S. territories, including American Samoa. School districts in low-income, rural, and Tribal communities comprise approximately 45 percent of these projects and will receive nearly 67 percent of the total funding. This exceeds President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative goal that at least 40 percent of certain federal investments benefit disadvantaged communities that are marginalized, underserved, and overburdened by pollution.
The EPA will also make selections through future funding rounds and other programs. For example, the EPA is accepting the 2024 Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Grant Program applications until 11:59 PM ET on July 25, 2024. The program offers up to $932 million, 70% of which the EPA anticipates awarding to help fund new, zero-emission Class 6 or 7 school buses.
About the Clean School Bus Program
Created by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the EPA Clean School Bus Program received $5 billion to transform the nation’s school bus fleet. The Program funds electric buses, which produce zero tailpipe emissions, and propane and compressed natural gas buses, which produce lower tailpipe emissions than their older diesel predecessors. The complete list of Clean School Bus Program awards is posted here.
Learn more about EPA’s Pacific Southwest Region on our Instagram, Facebook, X, and website.
This rebate will help the Department of Education purchase seven electric school buses for American Samoa. This investment is a crucial step in American Samoa’s journey towards improving children’s health, tackling harmful air pollution, and replacing older, diesel-fueled school buses linked to student and community health issues.
“EPA is proud to take another step in advancing the rollout of electric school buses in American Samoa, helping create a future where our children can breathe cleaner air,” said EPA’s Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator Martha Guzman. “I’ve seen firsthand the advantages of these electric buses, with the absence of noxious diesel emissions benefiting students, school staff, and neighboring communities. Thanks to these investments, more electric school buses will be on the road in American Samoa.”
“A long-term priority of mine in Congress has been achieving proportional equality with the states in federal funding, so we appreciate this support. Thank you to Administrator Regan and our Region 9 Administrator Martha Guzman, and congratulations to our hardworking local Department of Education. The 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which I supported, has directed millions in new funds to American Samoa in various ways each year since it was passed,” said Representative Aumua Amata Coleman Radewagen.
Governor Lemanu P. S. Mauga stated, “American Samoa knows firsthand the effects of climate change. We face rising sea levels and increasingly powerful storms on a daily basis. While we cannot change the course alone, we can do what we can. To further our environmental efforts, American Samoa sought and will receive seven electric school buses thanks to a $2.5 million allocation from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law under the 2023 Clean School Bus Rebate program. These buses will provide safer, cleaner transportation for our students, significantly improving our territory's environmental quality. This funding signifies our ongoing efforts towards sustainable, zero-emission transportation, benefiting students, staff, and the community by reducing harmful diesel emissions and climate impact."
In September 2023, the EPA announced at least $500 million in available funding nationwide for its 2023 Clean School Bus rebates. After receiving an overwhelming number of applications from school districts nationwide, including from low-income communities, Tribal nations, and U.S. territories, the EPA doubled the initial available funding in this round to nearly $1 billion.
The rebates will help school districts nationwide purchase over 3,400 clean school buses—92% of which will be electric—to accelerate the transition to zero-emission vehicles and produce cleaner air in and around schools and communities. This third funding round will build on almost $2 billion in investment from the 2022 Rebates and 2023 Grants to improve air quality in and around schools, reduce greenhouse gas pollution fueling the climate crisis, and help accelerate America’s leadership in developing clean vehicles of the future. To ensure effective implementation, the EPA is partnering with other federal agencies through the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation to provide school districts with robust technical assistance.
The selections will provide funds to school districts in 47 states, Washington D.C., and several federally recognized Tribes and U.S. territories, including American Samoa. School districts in low-income, rural, and Tribal communities comprise approximately 45 percent of these projects and will receive nearly 67 percent of the total funding. This exceeds President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative goal that at least 40 percent of certain federal investments benefit disadvantaged communities that are marginalized, underserved, and overburdened by pollution.
The EPA will also make selections through future funding rounds and other programs. For example, the EPA is accepting the 2024 Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Grant Program applications until 11:59 PM ET on July 25, 2024. The program offers up to $932 million, 70% of which the EPA anticipates awarding to help fund new, zero-emission Class 6 or 7 school buses.
About the Clean School Bus Program
Created by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the EPA Clean School Bus Program received $5 billion to transform the nation’s school bus fleet. The Program funds electric buses, which produce zero tailpipe emissions, and propane and compressed natural gas buses, which produce lower tailpipe emissions than their older diesel predecessors. The complete list of Clean School Bus Program awards is posted here.
Learn more about EPA’s Pacific Southwest Region on our Instagram, Facebook, X, and website.
EPA penalizes Starbound, LLC $168,000 for Clean Water Act violations off Oregon, Washington, Alaska coasts
SEATTLE – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced today that Starbound, LLC of Seattle, a subsidiary of Aleutian Spray Fisheries, Inc., will pay $168,000 for violations of the Clean Water Act at operations off the coasts of Oregon, Washington and Alaska.
When processing seafood on the fishing vessel, the company generated and discharged gelatinous waste, known as stickwater. The organic components of the waste consume a lot of oxygen as part of the decomposition process, which can result in reduced oxygen levels in the seawaters at the ocean bottom. Low oxygen in water creates what are called ‘dead zones,’ because most marine life either dies, or leaves the area. Low oxygen conditions already exist along the Washington and Oregon coasts.
The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permits required for Starbound and other seafood processing vessels contain limits on what companies can discharge, monitoring and reporting requirements and other provisions to ensure that discharges do not harm water quality or the environment. Between 2020 and 2023, EPA completed reviews of annual reports for Starbound, LLC’s offshore seafood processing permits and found a significant number of violations with permit requirements.
“Companies that don’t accurately report discharge make it difficult for them and EPA to evaluate the potential impacts posed by the seafood processing vessels,” said EPA Region 10 Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Director Ed Kowalski. “Compliance with EPA’s permit for offshore discharges is imperative to protecting our sensitive coastal waters, and disregard for the Clean Water Act will result in a hefty fine.”
Additional details can be found in the Consent Agreement and Final Order.
When processing seafood on the fishing vessel, the company generated and discharged gelatinous waste, known as stickwater. The organic components of the waste consume a lot of oxygen as part of the decomposition process, which can result in reduced oxygen levels in the seawaters at the ocean bottom. Low oxygen in water creates what are called ‘dead zones,’ because most marine life either dies, or leaves the area. Low oxygen conditions already exist along the Washington and Oregon coasts.
The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permits required for Starbound and other seafood processing vessels contain limits on what companies can discharge, monitoring and reporting requirements and other provisions to ensure that discharges do not harm water quality or the environment. Between 2020 and 2023, EPA completed reviews of annual reports for Starbound, LLC’s offshore seafood processing permits and found a significant number of violations with permit requirements.
“Companies that don’t accurately report discharge make it difficult for them and EPA to evaluate the potential impacts posed by the seafood processing vessels,” said EPA Region 10 Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Director Ed Kowalski. “Compliance with EPA’s permit for offshore discharges is imperative to protecting our sensitive coastal waters, and disregard for the Clean Water Act will result in a hefty fine.”
Additional details can be found in the Consent Agreement and Final Order.
EPA Announces Partnership with City of Sandusky, Ohio, to Accelerate Replacement of Local Lead Water Pipes and Protect Public Health Through Investing in America Agenda
CHICAGO (Aug. 1, 2024) – Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced a collaboration with the city of Sandusky, Ohio, to help identify drinking water lead pipes, accelerate replacement and protect public health. The city of Sandusky is participating in EPA’s Get the Lead Out Initiative, a program funded entirely by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to help move the nation towards achieving 100% lead service line replacement. The Get the Lead Out initiative will provide technical assistance to approximately 200 communities nationwide.
Lead in drinking water can cause serious health impacts, including irreversible harm to brain development in children. To protect children and families, President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law invests a historic $15 billion to replace lead pipes and deliver clean water. However, many underserved communities lack the resources to plan for lead pipe replacement and access federal investments. The technical assistance provided through the Get the Lead Out initiative will help ensure that no community is left behind in the opportunity to replace lead pipes.
“President Biden’s Investing in America agenda is driving historic levels of funding to replace lead service lines in communities like Sandusky across the country,” said Region 5 Administrator Debra Shore. “EPA is using every tool available, including regulation, funding, and this technical assistance initiative, to get the lead out of the nation’s drinking water once and for all.”
“We appreciate the EPA's partnership and support through the Get the Lead Out Initiative, enabling us to take significant steps towards a healthier, safer Sandusky,” said City of Sandusky Manager John Orzech.
“Glad to see vital funds from the historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law returning home to the people of Sandusky and Erie County. As we deliberated this legislation in Congress, I made sure to fight for dedicated funding for lead pipe remediation to improve health and safety for our citizenry,” said Rep. Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development. “The Get the Lead Out Initiative is a realization of the promise to ensure that every American, no matter where they live, has access to clean, safe, reliable, and affordable drinking water. I will never stop fighting to ensure that all citizens across Northwest Ohio can trust the water from their tap.”
Under the Get the Lead Out initiative, EPA will support the city of Sandusky with some critical first steps to lead pipe replacement including identifying lead pipes and educating the public about lead pipes. As a result, Sandusky is moving quickly to secure a lead-free future for all its residents. As a result of these efforts, the city of Sandusky will move quickly towards President Biden’s goal of 100% lead-free pipes.
Under the Lead and Copper Rule Revisions, all public water utilities are required to prepare and maintain an inventory of service line materials by October 16, 2024, or sooner if required by the state agency. Communities wishing to receive assistance with lead service line replacement can request assistance by completing the WaterTA request form on EPA’s WaterTA website.
Background:
Signed in 2021, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provided a historic $50 billion investment in water and wastewater infrastructure, dedicating more than $15 billion to replacing lead service lines. EPA is committed to ensuring every community, particularly underserved and disadvantaged communities, can access its fair share of this unprecedented investment through a robust portfolio of water technical assistance programs, such as the Get the Lead Out initiative.
As part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s whole-of-government effort to tackle lead exposure, EPA will help communities remove the barriers to lead pipe removal. Working collaboratively, EPA is advancing the President’s Justice40 Initiative to ensure that disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution are protected. Lead exposure disproportionately affects communities of color and low-income families.
EPA is committed to providing meaningful opportunities for community and state support through peer exchange and learning. Through the Get the Lead Out initiative, EPA will develop tools and case studies to share information and best practices between the agency, state and Tribal programs, water system managers, and community leaders.
Lead in drinking water can cause serious health impacts, including irreversible harm to brain development in children. To protect children and families, President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law invests a historic $15 billion to replace lead pipes and deliver clean water. However, many underserved communities lack the resources to plan for lead pipe replacement and access federal investments. The technical assistance provided through the Get the Lead Out initiative will help ensure that no community is left behind in the opportunity to replace lead pipes.
“President Biden’s Investing in America agenda is driving historic levels of funding to replace lead service lines in communities like Sandusky across the country,” said Region 5 Administrator Debra Shore. “EPA is using every tool available, including regulation, funding, and this technical assistance initiative, to get the lead out of the nation’s drinking water once and for all.”
“We appreciate the EPA's partnership and support through the Get the Lead Out Initiative, enabling us to take significant steps towards a healthier, safer Sandusky,” said City of Sandusky Manager John Orzech.
“Glad to see vital funds from the historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law returning home to the people of Sandusky and Erie County. As we deliberated this legislation in Congress, I made sure to fight for dedicated funding for lead pipe remediation to improve health and safety for our citizenry,” said Rep. Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development. “The Get the Lead Out Initiative is a realization of the promise to ensure that every American, no matter where they live, has access to clean, safe, reliable, and affordable drinking water. I will never stop fighting to ensure that all citizens across Northwest Ohio can trust the water from their tap.”
Under the Get the Lead Out initiative, EPA will support the city of Sandusky with some critical first steps to lead pipe replacement including identifying lead pipes and educating the public about lead pipes. As a result, Sandusky is moving quickly to secure a lead-free future for all its residents. As a result of these efforts, the city of Sandusky will move quickly towards President Biden’s goal of 100% lead-free pipes.
Under the Lead and Copper Rule Revisions, all public water utilities are required to prepare and maintain an inventory of service line materials by October 16, 2024, or sooner if required by the state agency. Communities wishing to receive assistance with lead service line replacement can request assistance by completing the WaterTA request form on EPA’s WaterTA website.
Background:
Signed in 2021, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provided a historic $50 billion investment in water and wastewater infrastructure, dedicating more than $15 billion to replacing lead service lines. EPA is committed to ensuring every community, particularly underserved and disadvantaged communities, can access its fair share of this unprecedented investment through a robust portfolio of water technical assistance programs, such as the Get the Lead Out initiative.
As part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s whole-of-government effort to tackle lead exposure, EPA will help communities remove the barriers to lead pipe removal. Working collaboratively, EPA is advancing the President’s Justice40 Initiative to ensure that disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution are protected. Lead exposure disproportionately affects communities of color and low-income families.
EPA is committed to providing meaningful opportunities for community and state support through peer exchange and learning. Through the Get the Lead Out initiative, EPA will develop tools and case studies to share information and best practices between the agency, state and Tribal programs, water system managers, and community leaders.
Nervous US shippers have few options in the face of port strike threat
As the clock ticks down toward the expiration of ILA’s current contract, the window for frontloading to the East and Gulf coasts is closing and there’s limited potential for diversions through Canada and Mexico, writes Journal of Commerce Executive Editor Mark Szakonyi.
EPA Announces More Than $2M to West Virginia University to Support U.S. Manufacturing
PHILADELPHIA – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the selection of West Virginia University Research Corporation (WVU) to receive $2,486,224 to support efforts to report and reduce climate pollution from the manufacturing of construction materials. WVU is one of 38 selectees across the country that were announced on July 16, 2024, as part of a $160 million grant rollout.
Billions of tons of concrete, asphalt, steel, glass and other construction materials and products are required to build, maintain, and operate U.S. buildings and infrastructure. The EPA estimates that the construction materials used in buildings and other built infrastructure account for more than 15% of annual global greenhouse gas emissions.
“As America continues to build more and thrive under President Biden’s leadership, cleaner construction materials like concrete and steel are increasingly essential for the nation’s prosperity,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. "These historic investments will expand market access for a new generation of more climate-friendly construction materials, and further grow American jobs that are paving the way to the clean energy economy.”
WVU will provide technical assistance to construction material manufacturers in the region to develop environmental product declarations (EPDs). Their project will support businesses to create comprehensive life cycle assessments that show environmental impacts and enhance their competitiveness in supplying products for federal and institutional construction projects.
“The grant allows us to continue elevating our energy and sustainability research profile and our commitment to serving communities, as the project focuses on lifting small business in rural and disadvantaged areas in West Virginia and neighboring states,” said Fred King, Vice President for Research at WVU. “We are grateful for the Environmental Protection Agency acknowledging and supporting the hard work and trailblazing research happening at West Virginia University, our state's land-grant, flagship, R1 institution.”
The project will leverage existing WVU networks and partnerships with organizations like the West Virginia Manufacturing Extension Partnership and the West Virginia Office of Economic Development.
Environmental Product Declarations
Environmental product declarations (EPDs) show environmental impacts across the life of a product and can catalyze more sustainable purchasing decisions by allowing buyers to compare. Investments in data and tools will make high-quality EPDs available for 14 material categories, which include both new and salvaged or reused materials. These efforts will help standardize and expand the market for construction products with lower greenhouse gas emissions. They will make it easier for federal, state, and local governments and other institutional buyers to ensure the construction projects they fund use more climate-friendly products and materials.
Technical Assistance
EPA is also announcing expanded technical assistance opportunities to businesses, the federal government, and other organizations across America. EPA will initially offer EPD development support and direct businesses to resources to help them measure and reduce the embodied carbon associated with their materials, such as those provided by the ENERGY STAR Industrial program. Federal agencies and their suppliers will be able to compare the climate impact of various materials to drive near-term greenhouse gas emissions reductions. Robust EPD data will be further strengthened by a new label program under development that will identify low carbon construction materials for the growing Buy Clean marketplace.
Inflation Reduction Act
Together, the grants and technical assistance programs will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and support American jobs. These programs are made possible by the Biden Administration’s Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, which creates significant investments aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions associated with the extraction, transport and manufacturing of construction materials and products. The Inflation Reduction Act also provides more than $2 billion to the General Services Administration to use low embodied carbon materials in the construction and renovation of federal buildings and $2 billion to the Federal Highway Administration to incentivize or reimburse the use of low embodied carbon construction materials in certain transportation projects.
Selections are contingent upon completion of legal and administrative requirements and grantees are tentatively expected to receive their funding in late summer.
Learn more about EPA’s Grant Program for Reducing Embodied Greenhouse Gases in Construction Materials and Products.
Learn more about the Biden-Harris Administration’s Federal Buy Clean Initiative.
Billions of tons of concrete, asphalt, steel, glass and other construction materials and products are required to build, maintain, and operate U.S. buildings and infrastructure. The EPA estimates that the construction materials used in buildings and other built infrastructure account for more than 15% of annual global greenhouse gas emissions.
“As America continues to build more and thrive under President Biden’s leadership, cleaner construction materials like concrete and steel are increasingly essential for the nation’s prosperity,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. "These historic investments will expand market access for a new generation of more climate-friendly construction materials, and further grow American jobs that are paving the way to the clean energy economy.”
WVU will provide technical assistance to construction material manufacturers in the region to develop environmental product declarations (EPDs). Their project will support businesses to create comprehensive life cycle assessments that show environmental impacts and enhance their competitiveness in supplying products for federal and institutional construction projects.
“The grant allows us to continue elevating our energy and sustainability research profile and our commitment to serving communities, as the project focuses on lifting small business in rural and disadvantaged areas in West Virginia and neighboring states,” said Fred King, Vice President for Research at WVU. “We are grateful for the Environmental Protection Agency acknowledging and supporting the hard work and trailblazing research happening at West Virginia University, our state's land-grant, flagship, R1 institution.”
The project will leverage existing WVU networks and partnerships with organizations like the West Virginia Manufacturing Extension Partnership and the West Virginia Office of Economic Development.
Environmental Product Declarations
Environmental product declarations (EPDs) show environmental impacts across the life of a product and can catalyze more sustainable purchasing decisions by allowing buyers to compare. Investments in data and tools will make high-quality EPDs available for 14 material categories, which include both new and salvaged or reused materials. These efforts will help standardize and expand the market for construction products with lower greenhouse gas emissions. They will make it easier for federal, state, and local governments and other institutional buyers to ensure the construction projects they fund use more climate-friendly products and materials.
Technical Assistance
EPA is also announcing expanded technical assistance opportunities to businesses, the federal government, and other organizations across America. EPA will initially offer EPD development support and direct businesses to resources to help them measure and reduce the embodied carbon associated with their materials, such as those provided by the ENERGY STAR Industrial program. Federal agencies and their suppliers will be able to compare the climate impact of various materials to drive near-term greenhouse gas emissions reductions. Robust EPD data will be further strengthened by a new label program under development that will identify low carbon construction materials for the growing Buy Clean marketplace.
Inflation Reduction Act
Together, the grants and technical assistance programs will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and support American jobs. These programs are made possible by the Biden Administration’s Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, which creates significant investments aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions associated with the extraction, transport and manufacturing of construction materials and products. The Inflation Reduction Act also provides more than $2 billion to the General Services Administration to use low embodied carbon materials in the construction and renovation of federal buildings and $2 billion to the Federal Highway Administration to incentivize or reimburse the use of low embodied carbon construction materials in certain transportation projects.
Selections are contingent upon completion of legal and administrative requirements and grantees are tentatively expected to receive their funding in late summer.
Learn more about EPA’s Grant Program for Reducing Embodied Greenhouse Gases in Construction Materials and Products.
Learn more about the Biden-Harris Administration’s Federal Buy Clean Initiative.