EPA celebrates nearly $35 million in EPA Brownfield Grants for Massachusetts
LOWELL, Mass. (June 10, 2024) – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, met with Congresswoman Lori Trahan, the town leaders of Clinton, Lawrence and Lowell, other stakeholders, to celebrate their awards from the pot of $34,646,400 in grant awards from President Biden's Investing in America agenda to expedite the assessment and cleanup of brownfield sites in Massachusetts while advancing environmental justice.
The town of Clinton received $500,000, the City of Lawrence received $1 million, and the City of Lowell received $5.5 million.
"Brownfields grants are gamechangers—they turn polluted, abandoned sites into thriving community spaces. This isn't just about cleaning up the environment; it's about revitalizing neighborhoods, creating good jobs, and ensuring healthier living for everyone—it's a win-win-win-win-win-win," said EPA Regional Administrator David W. Cash. "This additional funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is helping to transform contaminated properties into valuable community assets, making a real difference for Massachusetts families, especially in the areas that need it most."
"I'm over the moon that we'll be able to invest in our communities, create jobs, and clean up sites across the Commonwealth with this funding," said U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren. "This is a great win for our environment, our communities, and our kids who are going to reap the benefits for generations to come."
"It's simple—we know that Brownfields grants unlock vital funding to free our towns and cities from dangerous pollution and toxic contamination," said U.S. Senator Edward Markey. "This historic investment will bring cleaner water, land, and air to communities across the Commonwealth and deliver a more livable future with green spaces to work, live, and play."
“I voted for the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to make long overdue improvements in communities large and small across the Commonwealth," said Congresswoman Lori Trahan. "This federal funding will give Lowell, Lawrence, Clinton, and the Merrimack Valley Planning Commission the resources necessary to complete revitalization projects that will improve life for hardworking families, create good-paying jobs, and strengthen our local economy for years to come."
“The industrial legacy in the Merrimack Valley has resulted in many sites with contaminated soil and groundwater – especially in historically overburdened areas,” said Undersecretary Stephanie Cooper of the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs. “The Healey-Driscoll Administration is grateful to President Biden and the EPA for providing Massachusetts with increased funding for brownfield cleanups and redevelopments, which will have a transformative benefit in these disadvantaged communities.”
“We are thrilled to announce that the City of Lawrence has been chosen to receive a $1 million dollar grant through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for a Comprehensive Brownfields Multipurpose project,” said Lawrence Mayor Brian A. DePeña. “This grant will enable us to undertake crucial environmental assessments and cleanups, including at important sites like the Bennington Triangle and Florence Street Garage. We are indebted to all our partners and the community for their support and look forward to making this vision a reality."
The Town of Clinton has been selected to receive $500,000 for a Brownfields Cleanup Grant funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Grant funds will be used to clean up the Rockbestos-Surprenant Cable Corp. facility located at 172 Sterling Street. The 8.4-acre cleanup site operated as a mill until the 1910s and then as a wire manufacturing facility until 2006 and is currently unoccupied. It is contaminated with petroleum, heavy metals, chlorinated solvents, and inorganic contaminants. Grant funds also will be used to conduct community engagement activities.
The City of Lawrence has been selected to receive $1 million for a Brownfields Multipurpose Grant funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Grant funds will be used to conduct six Phase I and four Phase II environmental site assessments, prepare four cleanup plans, and conduct community engagement activities. Grant funds also will be used to clean up four sites, including the Bennington Triangle and Florence Street Garage priority sites. The target area for this project is the area surrounding the Lawrence Manchester Rail Corridor in downtown Lawrence, a 1.4-mile former railroad line slated for redevelopment into a rail trail.
The City of Lowell has been selected to receive $500,000 for a Brownfields Assessment Grant and $5 million for a Brownfields Cleanup Grant funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law:
The Brownfields Community-wide Assessment Grant funds will be used to conduct four Phase I and five Phase II environmental site assessments, develop five cleanup plans and five reuse plans, and conduct community engagement activities. Assessment activities will focus on the City of Lowell's JAM Urban Renewal Plan Area and Hamilton Canal Innovation District. Priority sites include five parcels comprised of former mill and manufacturing sites ranging from .5 to 2.4 acres.
The Brownfields Cleanup Grant will be used to clean up the Veterans of Foreign War Highway at the Beaver Brook site at 644 Aiken, 650 Aiken, and 432 W. Sixth Streets. The 5.7-acre cleanup site consists of three contiguous parcels that include a riverfront, vegetated land with a paved pathway, and a single-story vacant building. Historical information indicates the site was built up with contaminated fill to build a flood control system. The site is contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, extractable petroleum hydrocarbons, heavy metals, and coal ash. Grant funds also will be used to conduct community engagement activities.
EPA selected 13 communities in Massachusetts to receive 14 grants totaling $25,646,400 in competitive EPA Brownfields funding through the Multipurpose, Assessment, and Cleanup (MAC) Grant programs. In addition, the agency is announcing $9 million in supplemental funding to four existing, high-performing Brownfields RLF Grant Programs to help expedite their continued work at sites in Massachusetts.
Thanks to the historic $1.5 billion boost from President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, EPA's Brownfields Program is helping more communities than ever before begin to address the economic, social, and environmental challenges caused by brownfields and stimulate economic opportunity, and environmental revitalization in historically overburdened communities.
To see the list of all FY 2024 Multipurpose, Assessment and Cleanup applicants selected for funding, visit EPA's FY 2024 Multipurpose, Assessment and Cleanup Applicants webpage.
Additional Background:
EPA's Brownfields Program began in 1995 and has provided nearly $2.7 billion in Brownfield Grants to assess and clean up contaminated properties and return blighted properties to productive reuse. Prior to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, this program made approximately $60 million available each year. Thanks to the President's historic investments in America through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, EPA has now increased that yearly investment nearly 400 percent. More than half of the funding available for this grant cycle (approximately $160 million) comes from the historic $1.5 billion investment from President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. This investment has also allowed the MAC grants' maximum award amounts to increase significantly from $500,000 to a new maximum of $5 million per award.
For more information on EPA's Brownfields Program, visit EPA's Brownfields webpage.
The town of Clinton received $500,000, the City of Lawrence received $1 million, and the City of Lowell received $5.5 million.
"Brownfields grants are gamechangers—they turn polluted, abandoned sites into thriving community spaces. This isn't just about cleaning up the environment; it's about revitalizing neighborhoods, creating good jobs, and ensuring healthier living for everyone—it's a win-win-win-win-win-win," said EPA Regional Administrator David W. Cash. "This additional funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is helping to transform contaminated properties into valuable community assets, making a real difference for Massachusetts families, especially in the areas that need it most."
"I'm over the moon that we'll be able to invest in our communities, create jobs, and clean up sites across the Commonwealth with this funding," said U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren. "This is a great win for our environment, our communities, and our kids who are going to reap the benefits for generations to come."
"It's simple—we know that Brownfields grants unlock vital funding to free our towns and cities from dangerous pollution and toxic contamination," said U.S. Senator Edward Markey. "This historic investment will bring cleaner water, land, and air to communities across the Commonwealth and deliver a more livable future with green spaces to work, live, and play."
“I voted for the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to make long overdue improvements in communities large and small across the Commonwealth," said Congresswoman Lori Trahan. "This federal funding will give Lowell, Lawrence, Clinton, and the Merrimack Valley Planning Commission the resources necessary to complete revitalization projects that will improve life for hardworking families, create good-paying jobs, and strengthen our local economy for years to come."
“The industrial legacy in the Merrimack Valley has resulted in many sites with contaminated soil and groundwater – especially in historically overburdened areas,” said Undersecretary Stephanie Cooper of the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs. “The Healey-Driscoll Administration is grateful to President Biden and the EPA for providing Massachusetts with increased funding for brownfield cleanups and redevelopments, which will have a transformative benefit in these disadvantaged communities.”
“We are thrilled to announce that the City of Lawrence has been chosen to receive a $1 million dollar grant through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for a Comprehensive Brownfields Multipurpose project,” said Lawrence Mayor Brian A. DePeña. “This grant will enable us to undertake crucial environmental assessments and cleanups, including at important sites like the Bennington Triangle and Florence Street Garage. We are indebted to all our partners and the community for their support and look forward to making this vision a reality."
The Town of Clinton has been selected to receive $500,000 for a Brownfields Cleanup Grant funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Grant funds will be used to clean up the Rockbestos-Surprenant Cable Corp. facility located at 172 Sterling Street. The 8.4-acre cleanup site operated as a mill until the 1910s and then as a wire manufacturing facility until 2006 and is currently unoccupied. It is contaminated with petroleum, heavy metals, chlorinated solvents, and inorganic contaminants. Grant funds also will be used to conduct community engagement activities.
The City of Lawrence has been selected to receive $1 million for a Brownfields Multipurpose Grant funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Grant funds will be used to conduct six Phase I and four Phase II environmental site assessments, prepare four cleanup plans, and conduct community engagement activities. Grant funds also will be used to clean up four sites, including the Bennington Triangle and Florence Street Garage priority sites. The target area for this project is the area surrounding the Lawrence Manchester Rail Corridor in downtown Lawrence, a 1.4-mile former railroad line slated for redevelopment into a rail trail.
The City of Lowell has been selected to receive $500,000 for a Brownfields Assessment Grant and $5 million for a Brownfields Cleanup Grant funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law:
The Brownfields Community-wide Assessment Grant funds will be used to conduct four Phase I and five Phase II environmental site assessments, develop five cleanup plans and five reuse plans, and conduct community engagement activities. Assessment activities will focus on the City of Lowell's JAM Urban Renewal Plan Area and Hamilton Canal Innovation District. Priority sites include five parcels comprised of former mill and manufacturing sites ranging from .5 to 2.4 acres.
The Brownfields Cleanup Grant will be used to clean up the Veterans of Foreign War Highway at the Beaver Brook site at 644 Aiken, 650 Aiken, and 432 W. Sixth Streets. The 5.7-acre cleanup site consists of three contiguous parcels that include a riverfront, vegetated land with a paved pathway, and a single-story vacant building. Historical information indicates the site was built up with contaminated fill to build a flood control system. The site is contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, extractable petroleum hydrocarbons, heavy metals, and coal ash. Grant funds also will be used to conduct community engagement activities.
EPA selected 13 communities in Massachusetts to receive 14 grants totaling $25,646,400 in competitive EPA Brownfields funding through the Multipurpose, Assessment, and Cleanup (MAC) Grant programs. In addition, the agency is announcing $9 million in supplemental funding to four existing, high-performing Brownfields RLF Grant Programs to help expedite their continued work at sites in Massachusetts.
Thanks to the historic $1.5 billion boost from President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, EPA's Brownfields Program is helping more communities than ever before begin to address the economic, social, and environmental challenges caused by brownfields and stimulate economic opportunity, and environmental revitalization in historically overburdened communities.
To see the list of all FY 2024 Multipurpose, Assessment and Cleanup applicants selected for funding, visit EPA's FY 2024 Multipurpose, Assessment and Cleanup Applicants webpage.
Additional Background:
EPA's Brownfields Program began in 1995 and has provided nearly $2.7 billion in Brownfield Grants to assess and clean up contaminated properties and return blighted properties to productive reuse. Prior to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, this program made approximately $60 million available each year. Thanks to the President's historic investments in America through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, EPA has now increased that yearly investment nearly 400 percent. More than half of the funding available for this grant cycle (approximately $160 million) comes from the historic $1.5 billion investment from President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. This investment has also allowed the MAC grants' maximum award amounts to increase significantly from $500,000 to a new maximum of $5 million per award.
For more information on EPA's Brownfields Program, visit EPA's Brownfields webpage.
EPA Requires Safety Improvements at Chlorine Gas Facility in Saipan
SAN FRANCISCO – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a compliance agreement with the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation (CUC) to resolve claims of Clean Air Act violations at its bulk chlorine storage site in Saipan. Under this agreement, within one year the CUC must meet requirements including updating the facility’s Risk Management Plan (RMP) and addressing all areas of concern identified through prior EPA inspections.
“The CUC needs improvements in its plan for managing potential chemical accidents, to both prevent dangerous chlorine releases and – should an accident happen – be in a position to effectively respond,” said EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator Martha Guzman. “Today’s action will safeguard public health, protecting nearby residents and businesses against potential releases of a very dangerous chemical.”
The storage site was constructed in 2018 in response to a 2009 Stipulated Order to ensure the CUC’s wastewater and drinking water systems were compliant with the Clean Water Act. The facility stores over 2,500 pounds of chlorine gas in 150-lb. metal cylinders that are used for water treatment. Facilities that store 2,500 pounds or more of chlorine must comply with Risk Management Program requirements.
EPA conducted two inspections, one in 2021 and one in 2023, that identified several areas of concern. These included, but were not limited to, failure to:
Register the new storage site’s Risk Management Plan (RMP) with EPA and update the plan once the facility was operational.
Maintain the storage site adequately, to include ensuring effective cooling so that the chlorine was stored correctly and putting into place sealed doors to secure chlorine during an accidental release.
Train personnel on proper use of the chlorine emergency kits and coordinate emergency response with local responders to help minimize releases if they do occur.
Calibrate and fix chlorine sensors.
Test effectiveness of the scrubber media used to filter chlorine during an accidental release.
Section 112(r) of the Clean Air Act requires development and implementation of RMPs to address risks from accidental releases of regulated toxic substances, including chlorine. Chlorine is a gas with a very irritating odor used in the production of thousands of products and for water disinfection. Exposure to low levels of chlorine can result in nose, throat, and eye irritation. At higher levels, breathing chlorine gas may result in changes in breathing rate and coughing, lung damage and potentially even death.
Legally mandated RMPs must identify the potential effects of a chemical accident, steps the facility is taking to prevent an accident, and emergency response procedures should an accident occur. These plans also provide valuable information to local emergency response personnel to prepare for and respond to chemical emergencies in their community.
Read more about the Clean Air Act Section 112 (r) Risk Management Program (RMP) Rule.
Learn about the National Enforcement and Compliance Initiative on reducing risks of accidental releases at industrial and chemical facilities.
Learn about EPA’s Pacific Southwest Region. Connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and X.
“The CUC needs improvements in its plan for managing potential chemical accidents, to both prevent dangerous chlorine releases and – should an accident happen – be in a position to effectively respond,” said EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator Martha Guzman. “Today’s action will safeguard public health, protecting nearby residents and businesses against potential releases of a very dangerous chemical.”
The storage site was constructed in 2018 in response to a 2009 Stipulated Order to ensure the CUC’s wastewater and drinking water systems were compliant with the Clean Water Act. The facility stores over 2,500 pounds of chlorine gas in 150-lb. metal cylinders that are used for water treatment. Facilities that store 2,500 pounds or more of chlorine must comply with Risk Management Program requirements.
EPA conducted two inspections, one in 2021 and one in 2023, that identified several areas of concern. These included, but were not limited to, failure to:
Register the new storage site’s Risk Management Plan (RMP) with EPA and update the plan once the facility was operational.
Maintain the storage site adequately, to include ensuring effective cooling so that the chlorine was stored correctly and putting into place sealed doors to secure chlorine during an accidental release.
Train personnel on proper use of the chlorine emergency kits and coordinate emergency response with local responders to help minimize releases if they do occur.
Calibrate and fix chlorine sensors.
Test effectiveness of the scrubber media used to filter chlorine during an accidental release.
Section 112(r) of the Clean Air Act requires development and implementation of RMPs to address risks from accidental releases of regulated toxic substances, including chlorine. Chlorine is a gas with a very irritating odor used in the production of thousands of products and for water disinfection. Exposure to low levels of chlorine can result in nose, throat, and eye irritation. At higher levels, breathing chlorine gas may result in changes in breathing rate and coughing, lung damage and potentially even death.
Legally mandated RMPs must identify the potential effects of a chemical accident, steps the facility is taking to prevent an accident, and emergency response procedures should an accident occur. These plans also provide valuable information to local emergency response personnel to prepare for and respond to chemical emergencies in their community.
Read more about the Clean Air Act Section 112 (r) Risk Management Program (RMP) Rule.
Learn about the National Enforcement and Compliance Initiative on reducing risks of accidental releases at industrial and chemical facilities.
Learn about EPA’s Pacific Southwest Region. Connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and X.
Biden-Harris Administration Highlights $800,000 for Clean School Buses in Ann Arbor, Michigan
CHICAGO (June 10, 2024) — Today, the White House and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recognized Ann Arbor Public Schools in Michigan, as recipient of rebates from EPA's Clean School Bus program. The school district will receive up to $800,000 from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to help purchase four electric school buses for cleaner air in and around the community.
Heather Boushey of the White House’s Council of Economic Advisers, Ali Zaidi the Assistant to the President and National Climate Advisor, EPA Region 5 Administrator Debra Shore, and Congresswoman Debbie Dingell joined state and local officials on a tour of an electric school bus and highlighted how these vehicles will reduce greenhouse gas emissions, save schools money, and better protect children’s health. The investment will also drive demand for American-made batteries and vehicles, boost domestic manufacturing, and create good-paying jobs.
“When we protect children, reduce emissions, and improve air quality, we create stronger communities and foster economic opportunity and growth. Through President Biden’s historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law we are modernizing and electrifying student transportation, our nation’s largest mass transit system, while creating manufacturing jobs across the nation,” said White House Investing in America Chief Economist Heather Boushey.
“Under President Biden’s vision and leadership, the iconic yellow school bus is going green,” said Assistant to the President and National Climate Advisor Ali Zaidi. “Across Michigan and the country, children will jump into a bus that runs clean and no longer pumps toxic chemicals into the air they breathe. This investment from the Biden-Harris Administration, combined with a strong partnership with Congresswoman Dingell and Governor Whitmer, will bolster American manufacturing, create good-paying union jobs, and safeguard the planet for our kids.”
“Thanks to the President’s Investing in America Agenda and EPA’s Clean School Bus program, Ann Arbor Public Schools is providing a healthier environment for its students, bus drivers, and school staff,” said EPA Region 5 Administrator Debra Shore. “Being able to expand their electric school bus fleet is a major win for the Ann Arbor community and will mean reduced air pollution in and around schools.”
“Diesel exhaust from school buses hurts our environment, and the health of our children, teachers, bus drivers, and surrounding communities. I’m proud to have helped secure this funding in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to get diesel buses off the roads, reduce our carbon emissions, and ensure the air our children breathe on the way to school is cleaner and free from dangerous pollutants. And I’m proud Michigan is leading the way in demonstrating what is possible when we prioritize and invest in clean energy technology,” said Rep. Debbie Dingell.
“Electric school buses are making a big difference for schools across Michigan – improving air quality and putting more resources in our classrooms. This important funding is another investment by the Biden Administration in Michigan’s future,” said Sen. Debbie Stabenow.
“Thanks to the bipartisan infrastructure law I helped pass, we are providing safer and more efficient transportation for students in Ann Arbor who ride the bus to school,” said Sen. Gary Peters. “I’m proud that Ann Arbor Public Schools is taking advantage of this EPA program to replace aging school buses with cleaner electric models that will protect both students and staff and improve air quality.”
“These buses are another step toward a clean energy future that protects our children, improves the health of our communities, keeps more dollars in the classroom where they belong, and helps achieve Michigan's MI Healthy Climate Plan goals," said Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy Director Phil Roos. "Prior to the passage of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Michigan had just 17 electric school buses, with this new program we'll soon have nearly 300. I applaud the Biden-Harris Administration and our hardworking congressional delegation for investing in the Clean School Bus Program. Let’s keep working together to lead on clean energy and protect the state’s most precious resources, our children, from harmful air pollution."
“We are grateful to the EPA for providing us with important incentive funding that helps us achieve our environmental sustainability goals at Ann Arbor Public Schools. These Clean Bus rebates specifically support our efforts to add more electric school buses to our fleet, which promotes cleaner and healthier air for our students and campuses. It also contributes to our commitment to, reduce our fossil fuel usage and operating costs, and reduce our carbon emissions. Our experience with electric buses has proven their safety and reliability in transporting students, and we welcome this new addition to our fleet,’’ said Ann Arbor Public Schools Interim Superintendent Jazz Parks.
“Michigan is fortunate to have early adopters, such as Ann Arbor Public Schools, coming back for more and showing that electric school buses work well in Michigan,” said It’s Electric Coordinator Kindra Weid. “The experiences of the original 7 school districts from the ESB pilot project has given our pupil transportation community a wealth of knowledge, and it’s because of their dedication that we are seeing such great success as a state in the EPA’s Clean School Bus Program. We also have our leadership, in Governor Whitmer and our legislature, for prioritizing a clean ride for school children in the 2023 school aid budget. States need both federal and state support, like the Clean Bus Energy Grant, to launch this school bus transition. Michigan is leading the charge by pursuing a cleaner ride for their students, drivers and communities.”
In May, EPA announced the selection of roughly 530 districts across the country to receive nearly $900 million in rebate funding to support the purchase of over 3,400 clean school buses, 92% of which will be electric. Under the Clean School Bus Program's multiple grant and rebate funding opportunities to date, EPA has awarded almost $3 billion to fund approximately 8,500 school bus replacements at over 1,000 schools. The program delivers on President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative, which aims to deliver 40% of the overall benefits of certain federal investments to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized, underserved and overburdened by pollution.
In Michigan, EPA is awarding almost $24 million to 27 school districts to help purchase 100 clean school buses. Michigan’s legislature also included $125 million for clean school buses in the state’s school aid budget, which will support the transition to cleaner buses across the state improving air quality and the health of Michigan’s school children.
EPA’s $5 billion Clean School Bus Program, created by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, includes both a grant program where selected applicants are awarded funds to purchase buses, and a rebate program that allows selectees to receive awards before purchasing eligible buses that replace existing school buses with clean and zero-emission models. Ann Arbor’s Clean School Bus rebate is among the third round of rebate selections announced for the newly created program.
The EPA will also make selections through additional rounds of funding, as well as through other funding programs. For example, the EPA is currently accepting applications for the 2024 Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Grant Program until 11:59 PM ET on July 25, 2024 – with the EPA offering up to $932 million in available grant funding and anticipates approximately 70% of the available funding to help pay for new, zero-emission Class 6 or 7 school buses. The EPA encourages school districts not selected for the 2023 CSB Rebate Program – and those that did not apply – to participate in currently open funding programs, and future CSB funding rounds.
About the Clean School Bus Program
The Clean School Bus Program funds electric buses, producing zero tailpipe emissions, as well as propane and compressed natural gas (CNG) buses, resulting in lower tailpipe emissions compared to their older diesel predecessors.
The Clean School Bus Program will reduce greenhouse gas emissions, save money for school districts, and produce cleaner air. Air pollution from older diesel engines is linked to asthma and other conditions that harm students’ health and cause them to miss school, particularly in communities of color and Tribal communities. Efforts to minimize the effects of these older diesel engines will ensure cleaner air for students, bus drivers, and school staff working near the bus loading areas, and the communities through which the buses drive each day.
The reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from these bus replacements will also help to address the outsized role of the transportation sector in fueling the climate crisis. The Program will benefit school districts as they upgrade to cost saving and fuel-efficient school bus fleets, by replacing existing buses with brand new zero-emission and clean school buses and freeing up needed resources for schools.
For more information, please email CleanSchoolBus@epa.gov.
View the full list of Clean School Bus Program awards.
###
Heather Boushey of the White House’s Council of Economic Advisers, Ali Zaidi the Assistant to the President and National Climate Advisor, EPA Region 5 Administrator Debra Shore, and Congresswoman Debbie Dingell joined state and local officials on a tour of an electric school bus and highlighted how these vehicles will reduce greenhouse gas emissions, save schools money, and better protect children’s health. The investment will also drive demand for American-made batteries and vehicles, boost domestic manufacturing, and create good-paying jobs.
“When we protect children, reduce emissions, and improve air quality, we create stronger communities and foster economic opportunity and growth. Through President Biden’s historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law we are modernizing and electrifying student transportation, our nation’s largest mass transit system, while creating manufacturing jobs across the nation,” said White House Investing in America Chief Economist Heather Boushey.
“Under President Biden’s vision and leadership, the iconic yellow school bus is going green,” said Assistant to the President and National Climate Advisor Ali Zaidi. “Across Michigan and the country, children will jump into a bus that runs clean and no longer pumps toxic chemicals into the air they breathe. This investment from the Biden-Harris Administration, combined with a strong partnership with Congresswoman Dingell and Governor Whitmer, will bolster American manufacturing, create good-paying union jobs, and safeguard the planet for our kids.”
“Thanks to the President’s Investing in America Agenda and EPA’s Clean School Bus program, Ann Arbor Public Schools is providing a healthier environment for its students, bus drivers, and school staff,” said EPA Region 5 Administrator Debra Shore. “Being able to expand their electric school bus fleet is a major win for the Ann Arbor community and will mean reduced air pollution in and around schools.”
“Diesel exhaust from school buses hurts our environment, and the health of our children, teachers, bus drivers, and surrounding communities. I’m proud to have helped secure this funding in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to get diesel buses off the roads, reduce our carbon emissions, and ensure the air our children breathe on the way to school is cleaner and free from dangerous pollutants. And I’m proud Michigan is leading the way in demonstrating what is possible when we prioritize and invest in clean energy technology,” said Rep. Debbie Dingell.
“Electric school buses are making a big difference for schools across Michigan – improving air quality and putting more resources in our classrooms. This important funding is another investment by the Biden Administration in Michigan’s future,” said Sen. Debbie Stabenow.
“Thanks to the bipartisan infrastructure law I helped pass, we are providing safer and more efficient transportation for students in Ann Arbor who ride the bus to school,” said Sen. Gary Peters. “I’m proud that Ann Arbor Public Schools is taking advantage of this EPA program to replace aging school buses with cleaner electric models that will protect both students and staff and improve air quality.”
“These buses are another step toward a clean energy future that protects our children, improves the health of our communities, keeps more dollars in the classroom where they belong, and helps achieve Michigan's MI Healthy Climate Plan goals," said Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy Director Phil Roos. "Prior to the passage of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Michigan had just 17 electric school buses, with this new program we'll soon have nearly 300. I applaud the Biden-Harris Administration and our hardworking congressional delegation for investing in the Clean School Bus Program. Let’s keep working together to lead on clean energy and protect the state’s most precious resources, our children, from harmful air pollution."
“We are grateful to the EPA for providing us with important incentive funding that helps us achieve our environmental sustainability goals at Ann Arbor Public Schools. These Clean Bus rebates specifically support our efforts to add more electric school buses to our fleet, which promotes cleaner and healthier air for our students and campuses. It also contributes to our commitment to, reduce our fossil fuel usage and operating costs, and reduce our carbon emissions. Our experience with electric buses has proven their safety and reliability in transporting students, and we welcome this new addition to our fleet,’’ said Ann Arbor Public Schools Interim Superintendent Jazz Parks.
“Michigan is fortunate to have early adopters, such as Ann Arbor Public Schools, coming back for more and showing that electric school buses work well in Michigan,” said It’s Electric Coordinator Kindra Weid. “The experiences of the original 7 school districts from the ESB pilot project has given our pupil transportation community a wealth of knowledge, and it’s because of their dedication that we are seeing such great success as a state in the EPA’s Clean School Bus Program. We also have our leadership, in Governor Whitmer and our legislature, for prioritizing a clean ride for school children in the 2023 school aid budget. States need both federal and state support, like the Clean Bus Energy Grant, to launch this school bus transition. Michigan is leading the charge by pursuing a cleaner ride for their students, drivers and communities.”
In May, EPA announced the selection of roughly 530 districts across the country to receive nearly $900 million in rebate funding to support the purchase of over 3,400 clean school buses, 92% of which will be electric. Under the Clean School Bus Program's multiple grant and rebate funding opportunities to date, EPA has awarded almost $3 billion to fund approximately 8,500 school bus replacements at over 1,000 schools. The program delivers on President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative, which aims to deliver 40% of the overall benefits of certain federal investments to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized, underserved and overburdened by pollution.
In Michigan, EPA is awarding almost $24 million to 27 school districts to help purchase 100 clean school buses. Michigan’s legislature also included $125 million for clean school buses in the state’s school aid budget, which will support the transition to cleaner buses across the state improving air quality and the health of Michigan’s school children.
EPA’s $5 billion Clean School Bus Program, created by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, includes both a grant program where selected applicants are awarded funds to purchase buses, and a rebate program that allows selectees to receive awards before purchasing eligible buses that replace existing school buses with clean and zero-emission models. Ann Arbor’s Clean School Bus rebate is among the third round of rebate selections announced for the newly created program.
The EPA will also make selections through additional rounds of funding, as well as through other funding programs. For example, the EPA is currently accepting applications for the 2024 Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Grant Program until 11:59 PM ET on July 25, 2024 – with the EPA offering up to $932 million in available grant funding and anticipates approximately 70% of the available funding to help pay for new, zero-emission Class 6 or 7 school buses. The EPA encourages school districts not selected for the 2023 CSB Rebate Program – and those that did not apply – to participate in currently open funding programs, and future CSB funding rounds.
About the Clean School Bus Program
The Clean School Bus Program funds electric buses, producing zero tailpipe emissions, as well as propane and compressed natural gas (CNG) buses, resulting in lower tailpipe emissions compared to their older diesel predecessors.
The Clean School Bus Program will reduce greenhouse gas emissions, save money for school districts, and produce cleaner air. Air pollution from older diesel engines is linked to asthma and other conditions that harm students’ health and cause them to miss school, particularly in communities of color and Tribal communities. Efforts to minimize the effects of these older diesel engines will ensure cleaner air for students, bus drivers, and school staff working near the bus loading areas, and the communities through which the buses drive each day.
The reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from these bus replacements will also help to address the outsized role of the transportation sector in fueling the climate crisis. The Program will benefit school districts as they upgrade to cost saving and fuel-efficient school bus fleets, by replacing existing buses with brand new zero-emission and clean school buses and freeing up needed resources for schools.
For more information, please email CleanSchoolBus@epa.gov.
View the full list of Clean School Bus Program awards.
###
EPA Releases Information that States and Tribes Can Use to Protect Local Fish from Toxic Tire Chemicals
WASHINGTON – Today, June 10, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency published water quality screening values under the Clean Water Act related to short-term concentrations of 6PPD and 6PPD-quinone (6PPD-q). These chemicals have been found in freshwater ecosystems and linked to runoff from automotive tire dust and debris. Once in freshwater, these chemicals are known toxins that can quickly cause fish-kill events. The EPA’s non-regulatory and non-binding screening values provide information that Tribes, states, and local governments can use to monitor their waterways and help protect aquatic life from these harmful pollutants.
“Achieving clean water that protects aquatic life and supports commercial, recreational, and cultural fishing practices takes partnership at all levels of government,” said EPA Acting Assistant Administrator for Water Bruno Pigott. “6PPD and 6PPD-q can be lethal to fish, so it’s important we know where it’s polluting waterways. The EPA’s screening values provide important information that our partners can use to protect fish populations—especially coho salmon on the Pacific coast. Solutions like stormwater treatment and green infrastructure are effective at reducing concentrations of these chemicals in freshwater ecosystems.”
This is the latest in a series of EPA actions to better understand and reduce freshwater aquatic life exposure to these harmful chemicals. In November 2023, the agency committed to consider establishing regulations prohibiting the manufacturing, processing, use and distribution of 6PPD in tires and also announced its intent to publish an advanced notice of proposed rulemaking under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). The EPA also announced plans to finalize a rule to require manufacturers (including importers) of 6PPD to report lists and copies of unpublished health and safety studies to the agency. In January 2024, the EPA announced the publication of a draft testing method to help Tribes, states, and key stakeholders determine where and when 6PPD-q is present in local stormwater and surface waters. In March 2024, the agency announced investments in the state of Washington to help treat and control stormwater runoff that can contain 6PPD and 6PPD-q.
The EPA’s screening values are based on the latest scientific knowledge about the short-term toxicity of 6PPD and 6PPD-q to freshwater aquatic life. Based on current science, the agency believes that concentrations of 6PPD and 6PPD-q at or below these screening values are likely to protect freshwater aquatic life. The EPA’s recommended screening values are not regulations and they do not impose any legally binding requirements.
Learn more about the EPA’s screening values for 6PPD and 6PPD-q and other work on 6PPD-q.
“Achieving clean water that protects aquatic life and supports commercial, recreational, and cultural fishing practices takes partnership at all levels of government,” said EPA Acting Assistant Administrator for Water Bruno Pigott. “6PPD and 6PPD-q can be lethal to fish, so it’s important we know where it’s polluting waterways. The EPA’s screening values provide important information that our partners can use to protect fish populations—especially coho salmon on the Pacific coast. Solutions like stormwater treatment and green infrastructure are effective at reducing concentrations of these chemicals in freshwater ecosystems.”
This is the latest in a series of EPA actions to better understand and reduce freshwater aquatic life exposure to these harmful chemicals. In November 2023, the agency committed to consider establishing regulations prohibiting the manufacturing, processing, use and distribution of 6PPD in tires and also announced its intent to publish an advanced notice of proposed rulemaking under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). The EPA also announced plans to finalize a rule to require manufacturers (including importers) of 6PPD to report lists and copies of unpublished health and safety studies to the agency. In January 2024, the EPA announced the publication of a draft testing method to help Tribes, states, and key stakeholders determine where and when 6PPD-q is present in local stormwater and surface waters. In March 2024, the agency announced investments in the state of Washington to help treat and control stormwater runoff that can contain 6PPD and 6PPD-q.
The EPA’s screening values are based on the latest scientific knowledge about the short-term toxicity of 6PPD and 6PPD-q to freshwater aquatic life. Based on current science, the agency believes that concentrations of 6PPD and 6PPD-q at or below these screening values are likely to protect freshwater aquatic life. The EPA’s recommended screening values are not regulations and they do not impose any legally binding requirements.
Learn more about the EPA’s screening values for 6PPD and 6PPD-q and other work on 6PPD-q.
EPA Announces More Than $5 Million to Fund Environmental Justice Projects Across Southern Lake Michigan Communities in Illinois and Indiana
CHICAGO – Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced the selection of Alliance for the Great Lakes to receive $5,597,824 to fund projects advancing environmental justice in underserved and overburdened communities in the Chicago River region of Chicago, and Calumet regions of northwest Indiana. Through EPA’s newly created Great Lakes Environmental Justice Grant Program, made possible by President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda, Alliance for the Great Lakes will develop and oversee its own subgrant competition to fund environmental protection and restoration projects that safeguard our nation’s largest fresh surface water resources.
“These new grant programs will ease administrative barriers and help underserved communities in Illinois and Indiana more effectively access federal funding for local projects,” said EPA Region 5 Administrator Debra Shore. “Thanks to an all-of-government approach and the unprecedented federal funding from the Biden Administration’s Investing in America agenda, we are one step closer to creating a cleaner Lake Michigan for all.”
“An investment of this magnitude with a new focus on environmental justice is not just humbling -- but empowering. Over $5.5 million in Great Lakes restoration funding will reduce pollution and restore lands and waters for historically disinvested communities in the Southern Lake Michigan basin. Community-based organizations and agencies will have more resources they need to expand their critical work. For that, the Alliance is grateful and excited to begin implementation with our partners,” said Joel Brammeier, President, and CEO of Alliance for the Great Lakes.
Using funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Alliance for the Great Lakes will work in a coalition with four regional advocacy organizations: the Calumet Collaborative, Friends of the Chicago River, Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission and Faith in Place. Together, Alliance for the Great Lakes and its coalition partners will establish an environmental justice grant program in the southern Lake Michigan watershed. The grant program will include outreach to environmental justice organizations to identify needs and will provide technical and managerial support to potential applicants throughout the granting process.
The Alliance for the Great Lakes joins the four applicants who previously received more than $35 million to fund projects advancing environmental justice in underserved and overburdened communities across the Great Lakes.
EPA anticipates finalizing all the awards once all legal and administrative requirements are satisfied. Funding opportunities are expected to be made available to communities within the first year of selectees receiving the funds announced today.
Many communities in the Great Lakes Basin lack the resources needed to apply for, obtain, and oversee the implementation of federal grant projects. Cities, states, Tribes and nonprofit organizations representing underserved communities will be able to apply directly to the selected grant programs to fund a range of environmental protection and restoration projects in underserved communities that will further the goals of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. These programs will also provide technical assistance to organizations in underserved communities to increase their organizational capacity. This investment will also encourage even greater environmental, economic, health, and recreational benefits for underserved Great Lakes communities.
EPA’s Great Lakes Environmental Justice Grant Program was created under President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which invests $1 billion in the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative to accelerate Great Lakes restoration and protection. The program also delivers on the Biden-Harris Administration’s Justice40 Initiative, which set the goal that 40% of the overall benefits of certain federal investments flow to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution.
Additional Background Since 2010, EPA’s Great Lakes Restoration Initiative has funded more than 8,000 restoration and protection projects totaling more than $4 billion.
Read more about the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.
Sign up for the Great Lakes News email list to get information about funding opportunities to support Great Lakes environmental work and get updates about Great Lakes environmental projects.
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“These new grant programs will ease administrative barriers and help underserved communities in Illinois and Indiana more effectively access federal funding for local projects,” said EPA Region 5 Administrator Debra Shore. “Thanks to an all-of-government approach and the unprecedented federal funding from the Biden Administration’s Investing in America agenda, we are one step closer to creating a cleaner Lake Michigan for all.”
“An investment of this magnitude with a new focus on environmental justice is not just humbling -- but empowering. Over $5.5 million in Great Lakes restoration funding will reduce pollution and restore lands and waters for historically disinvested communities in the Southern Lake Michigan basin. Community-based organizations and agencies will have more resources they need to expand their critical work. For that, the Alliance is grateful and excited to begin implementation with our partners,” said Joel Brammeier, President, and CEO of Alliance for the Great Lakes.
Using funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Alliance for the Great Lakes will work in a coalition with four regional advocacy organizations: the Calumet Collaborative, Friends of the Chicago River, Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission and Faith in Place. Together, Alliance for the Great Lakes and its coalition partners will establish an environmental justice grant program in the southern Lake Michigan watershed. The grant program will include outreach to environmental justice organizations to identify needs and will provide technical and managerial support to potential applicants throughout the granting process.
The Alliance for the Great Lakes joins the four applicants who previously received more than $35 million to fund projects advancing environmental justice in underserved and overburdened communities across the Great Lakes.
EPA anticipates finalizing all the awards once all legal and administrative requirements are satisfied. Funding opportunities are expected to be made available to communities within the first year of selectees receiving the funds announced today.
Many communities in the Great Lakes Basin lack the resources needed to apply for, obtain, and oversee the implementation of federal grant projects. Cities, states, Tribes and nonprofit organizations representing underserved communities will be able to apply directly to the selected grant programs to fund a range of environmental protection and restoration projects in underserved communities that will further the goals of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. These programs will also provide technical assistance to organizations in underserved communities to increase their organizational capacity. This investment will also encourage even greater environmental, economic, health, and recreational benefits for underserved Great Lakes communities.
EPA’s Great Lakes Environmental Justice Grant Program was created under President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which invests $1 billion in the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative to accelerate Great Lakes restoration and protection. The program also delivers on the Biden-Harris Administration’s Justice40 Initiative, which set the goal that 40% of the overall benefits of certain federal investments flow to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution.
Additional Background Since 2010, EPA’s Great Lakes Restoration Initiative has funded more than 8,000 restoration and protection projects totaling more than $4 billion.
Read more about the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.
Sign up for the Great Lakes News email list to get information about funding opportunities to support Great Lakes environmental work and get updates about Great Lakes environmental projects.
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EPA Region 7 Celebrates with Superfund Job Training Initiative Graduates in Joplin, Missouri
EPA Region 7 Administrator Meg McCollister provides remarks at the SuperJTI graduation ceremony for the Tri-State Mining District in Joplin, Missouri, on June 6, 2024. SuperJTI graduates (front) Steven Schiernbeck, (back from left) Bryan Fetters, Lawrence Haflich, and Patrick Landis look on. (Photo by U.S. EPA)LENEXA, KAN. (JUNE 7, 2024) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 7 Administrator Meg McCollister joined county officials to congratulate 10 graduates of the EPA Superfund Job Training Initiative (SuperJTI) program for the Tri-State Mining District. The graduation ceremony was held at the Joplin Elks Lodge #501 on Thursday evening, June 6.
“I am honored to celebrate these graduates of the Superfund Job Training Initiative here in Joplin,” McCollister said. “These graduates are now empowered with the certifications and skills needed to perform environmental remediation at Superfund sites across the country, and here locally in the Tri-State Mining District.”
SuperJTI is a job readiness program that provides training and employment opportunities for people living in communities affected by Superfund sites.
Graduates of the SuperJTI program in the Tri-State Mining District (TSMD) underwent a training program to prepare for environmental contracting jobs in their community. The courses were tailored to the cleanup needs at sites within the TSMD and included 40-hour Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) training and EPA Lead Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) certification.
Background
The Tri-State Mining District spans 2,500 square miles across Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma and was one of the world’s leading zinc and lead mining areas, producing over 400 million tons of crude ore between 1850 and 1970.
In EPA Region 7, the TSMD contains three Superfund sites on EPA’s National Priorities List: Cherokee County Site in Kansas; and Newton County Mine Tailings and Oronogo-Duenweg Mining Belt sites in Missouri.
EPA Region 7 also works to remediate waterways in the TMSD watershed, which includes the Neosho and Spring rivers.
Learn more about the Tri-State Mining District.
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Learn more about EPA Region 7
Connect with EPA Region 7 on Facebook and Instagram
Follow us on X: @EPARegion7
“I am honored to celebrate these graduates of the Superfund Job Training Initiative here in Joplin,” McCollister said. “These graduates are now empowered with the certifications and skills needed to perform environmental remediation at Superfund sites across the country, and here locally in the Tri-State Mining District.”
SuperJTI is a job readiness program that provides training and employment opportunities for people living in communities affected by Superfund sites.
Graduates of the SuperJTI program in the Tri-State Mining District (TSMD) underwent a training program to prepare for environmental contracting jobs in their community. The courses were tailored to the cleanup needs at sites within the TSMD and included 40-hour Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) training and EPA Lead Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) certification.
Background
The Tri-State Mining District spans 2,500 square miles across Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma and was one of the world’s leading zinc and lead mining areas, producing over 400 million tons of crude ore between 1850 and 1970.
In EPA Region 7, the TSMD contains three Superfund sites on EPA’s National Priorities List: Cherokee County Site in Kansas; and Newton County Mine Tailings and Oronogo-Duenweg Mining Belt sites in Missouri.
EPA Region 7 also works to remediate waterways in the TMSD watershed, which includes the Neosho and Spring rivers.
Learn more about the Tri-State Mining District.
# # #
Learn more about EPA Region 7
Connect with EPA Region 7 on Facebook and Instagram
Follow us on X: @EPARegion7
La EPA y las autoridades de Puerto Rico anuncian fondos para mejorar la planta de tratamiento de aguas sanitarias de Bayamón
NUEVA YORK – Hoy, en una importante inversión para mejorar la infraestructura de agua en Puerto Rico, la Agencia Federal de Protección Ambiental de Estados Unidos (EPA), junto con las autoridades locales, anunciaron fondos para comenzar mejoras en la Planta de Tratamiento de Aguas Sanitarias de Bayamón. Las mejoras de $22.7 millones, financiadas por la Ley Bipartidista de Infraestructura (BIL), modernizará la instalación con tecnología avanzada para asegurar el tratamiento efectivo de las aguas usadas para las comunidades atendidas por la segunda planta de tratamiento de aguas sanitarias más grande de Puerto Rico.
“La modernización de la Planta de Tratamiento de Aguas Residuales de Bayamón, posible gracias a la Ley Bipartita de Infraestructura, no es sólo una mejora de las instalaciones; es una inversión en la salud y el futuro de más de 260.000 residentes,” señaló la subadministradora de la EPA, Janet McCabe. “Este proyecto de 22,7 millones de dólares, que incluye mejoras cruciales para el funcionamiento de la planta, refleja el compromiso de la Administración Biden-Harris y de la EPA para salvaguardar la salud medioambiental y reforzar la economía.”
“El compromiso de la EPA de proteger la salud ambiental se extiende por todo el país, incluyendo los ecosistemas vitales de Puerto Rico”, señaló la administradora regional Lisa F. García. “Los fondos para estas mejoras a la planta de Bayamón son un testimonio de nuestra dedicación y trabajo en equipo con los gobiernos locales para proporcionar a las comunidades servicios de agua limpia que sean confiables.”
La subadministradora de la EPA, Janet McCabe, y la administradora regional, Lisa F. García, anunciaron los fondos en una ceremonia con la presidente de la Autoridad de Acueductos y Alcantarillados de Puerto Rico (AAA), Doriel Pagán, y la secretaria del Departamento de Recursos Naturales y Ambientales (DRNA), Anaïs Rodríguez. Los funcionarios se reunieron en el lugar donde se llevarán del proyecto de modernización, que promete mejorar significativamente las operaciones de la planta.
El proyecto, financiado por una inversión de $22.7 millones de la Ley Bipartidista de Infraestructura (BIL) y administrado por el DRNA a través del Fondo Rotatorio Estatal de Agua Limpia, incluye la sustitución de pasarelas, rejillas y seis bombas de entrada que dan acceso para el mantenimiento y las inspecciones. Además, se actualizarán o reemplazarán seis bombas de entrada, cruciales para el movimiento de agua dentro de la planta. También habrá mejoras en el edificio de cribado, las cribas mecánicas, el sistema de cinta transportadora y otras partes clave de la instalación. Se espera que estas mejoras beneficien a aproximadamente 260 mil residentes en el Municipio de Bayamón.
La Planta de Tratamiento de Aguas Sanitarias de Bayamón, que opera desde mayo de 1983, está diseñada para tratar un promedio de 40 millones de galones por día (MGD), con una capacidad máxima de 68 MGD. Es la segunda planta de tratamiento de aguas residuales más grande de Puerto Rico y sirve a los municipios de Bayamón, Guaynabo, Cataño, Toa Baja y Toa Alta. Los residuos tratados se fusionan con los productos de otras plantas regionales antes de ser liberados en el Océano Atlántico, lo que enfatiza la importancia de la planta y de este proyecto de mejora. Este proyecto forma parte de una iniciativa más amplia según la Ley Bipartidista de Infraestructura, que refleja un enfoque renovado en las inversiones en infraestructura crítica en los Estados Unidos y Puerto Rico. Las mejoras no solo trabajarán con la contaminación, sino que también mejorarán la calidad de vida de los residentes y crearán oportunidades de empleo.
Siga a la Región 2 de la EPA en X y visite nuestra página en Facebook. Para obtener más información sobre la Región 2 de la EPA, visite nuestro sitio web.
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“La modernización de la Planta de Tratamiento de Aguas Residuales de Bayamón, posible gracias a la Ley Bipartita de Infraestructura, no es sólo una mejora de las instalaciones; es una inversión en la salud y el futuro de más de 260.000 residentes,” señaló la subadministradora de la EPA, Janet McCabe. “Este proyecto de 22,7 millones de dólares, que incluye mejoras cruciales para el funcionamiento de la planta, refleja el compromiso de la Administración Biden-Harris y de la EPA para salvaguardar la salud medioambiental y reforzar la economía.”
“El compromiso de la EPA de proteger la salud ambiental se extiende por todo el país, incluyendo los ecosistemas vitales de Puerto Rico”, señaló la administradora regional Lisa F. García. “Los fondos para estas mejoras a la planta de Bayamón son un testimonio de nuestra dedicación y trabajo en equipo con los gobiernos locales para proporcionar a las comunidades servicios de agua limpia que sean confiables.”
La subadministradora de la EPA, Janet McCabe, y la administradora regional, Lisa F. García, anunciaron los fondos en una ceremonia con la presidente de la Autoridad de Acueductos y Alcantarillados de Puerto Rico (AAA), Doriel Pagán, y la secretaria del Departamento de Recursos Naturales y Ambientales (DRNA), Anaïs Rodríguez. Los funcionarios se reunieron en el lugar donde se llevarán del proyecto de modernización, que promete mejorar significativamente las operaciones de la planta.
El proyecto, financiado por una inversión de $22.7 millones de la Ley Bipartidista de Infraestructura (BIL) y administrado por el DRNA a través del Fondo Rotatorio Estatal de Agua Limpia, incluye la sustitución de pasarelas, rejillas y seis bombas de entrada que dan acceso para el mantenimiento y las inspecciones. Además, se actualizarán o reemplazarán seis bombas de entrada, cruciales para el movimiento de agua dentro de la planta. También habrá mejoras en el edificio de cribado, las cribas mecánicas, el sistema de cinta transportadora y otras partes clave de la instalación. Se espera que estas mejoras beneficien a aproximadamente 260 mil residentes en el Municipio de Bayamón.
La Planta de Tratamiento de Aguas Sanitarias de Bayamón, que opera desde mayo de 1983, está diseñada para tratar un promedio de 40 millones de galones por día (MGD), con una capacidad máxima de 68 MGD. Es la segunda planta de tratamiento de aguas residuales más grande de Puerto Rico y sirve a los municipios de Bayamón, Guaynabo, Cataño, Toa Baja y Toa Alta. Los residuos tratados se fusionan con los productos de otras plantas regionales antes de ser liberados en el Océano Atlántico, lo que enfatiza la importancia de la planta y de este proyecto de mejora. Este proyecto forma parte de una iniciativa más amplia según la Ley Bipartidista de Infraestructura, que refleja un enfoque renovado en las inversiones en infraestructura crítica en los Estados Unidos y Puerto Rico. Las mejoras no solo trabajarán con la contaminación, sino que también mejorarán la calidad de vida de los residentes y crearán oportunidades de empleo.
Siga a la Región 2 de la EPA en X y visite nuestra página en Facebook. Para obtener más información sobre la Región 2 de la EPA, visite nuestro sitio web.
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EPA and Puerto Rico Authorities Announce Funding to Enhance Bayamon’s Wastewater Treatment Plant
NEW YORK – Today, in a significant investment to improve water infrastructure in Puerto Rico, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), alongside local authorities, announced funding to begin a major upgrade project at the Bayamon Wastewater Treatment Plant. The $22.7 million upgrade, funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, will modernize the facility with advanced technology to ensure the effective treatment of wastewater for the communities served by the second largest wastewater treatment plant in Puerto Rico.
"The modernization of the Bayamon Wastewater Treatment Plant, made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, is not just an upgrade of facilities; it’s an investment in the health and future of over 260,000 residents," said EPA Deputy Administrator Janet McCabe. "This $22.7 million project, which includes crucial upgrades to the plant’s operations, reflects the commitment of the Biden-Harris Administration and EPA to safeguarding environmental health and bolstering the economy."
“EPA’s commitment to safeguarding environmental health spans across the nation, including the vital ecosystems of Puerto Rico,” said Regional Administrator Lisa F. Garcia. “The funding for these enhancements to the Bayamon plant are a testament to our dedication to partnering with local governments to provide communities with reliable and clean water services.”
EPA Deputy Administrator Janet McCabe and Regional Administrator Lisa F. Garcia announced the funding at a ceremony with Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority (PRASA) President Doriel Pagán and Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources (DNER) Secretary Anais Rodriguez. The officials gathered at the site of the modernization project, which promises to significantly improve the plant’s operations.
The project, funded by a $22.7 million investment from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and administered by the DNER through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund, includes the replacement of catwalks, gratings, and six inflowing pumps which provide access for maintenance and inspections, will be replaced. Additionally, six inflowing pumps, crucial for water movement within the plant, will be upgraded or replaced. There will also be upgrades to the screening building, the mechanical screens, belt conveyor system and other key parts of the facility. These improvements are expected to benefit approximately 260,000 residents in the Municipality of Bayamon.
The Bayamon Wastewater Treatment Plant, operational since May 1983, is designed to treat an average of 40 million gallons per day (MGD), with a peak capacity of 68 MGD. It is the second largest wastewater treatment plant in Puerto Rico and serves the municipalities of Bayamon, Guaynabo, Cataño, Toa Baja, and Toa Alta. The treated waste merges with outputs from other regional plants before being released into the Atlantic Ocean, emphasizing the importance of the plant and this upgrade project. This project is part of a broader initiative under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, reflecting a renewed focus on critical infrastructure investments across the United States and Puerto Rico. The upgrades will not only address pollution but also enhance the quality of life for residents and create job opportunities.
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"The modernization of the Bayamon Wastewater Treatment Plant, made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, is not just an upgrade of facilities; it’s an investment in the health and future of over 260,000 residents," said EPA Deputy Administrator Janet McCabe. "This $22.7 million project, which includes crucial upgrades to the plant’s operations, reflects the commitment of the Biden-Harris Administration and EPA to safeguarding environmental health and bolstering the economy."
“EPA’s commitment to safeguarding environmental health spans across the nation, including the vital ecosystems of Puerto Rico,” said Regional Administrator Lisa F. Garcia. “The funding for these enhancements to the Bayamon plant are a testament to our dedication to partnering with local governments to provide communities with reliable and clean water services.”
EPA Deputy Administrator Janet McCabe and Regional Administrator Lisa F. Garcia announced the funding at a ceremony with Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority (PRASA) President Doriel Pagán and Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources (DNER) Secretary Anais Rodriguez. The officials gathered at the site of the modernization project, which promises to significantly improve the plant’s operations.
The project, funded by a $22.7 million investment from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and administered by the DNER through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund, includes the replacement of catwalks, gratings, and six inflowing pumps which provide access for maintenance and inspections, will be replaced. Additionally, six inflowing pumps, crucial for water movement within the plant, will be upgraded or replaced. There will also be upgrades to the screening building, the mechanical screens, belt conveyor system and other key parts of the facility. These improvements are expected to benefit approximately 260,000 residents in the Municipality of Bayamon.
The Bayamon Wastewater Treatment Plant, operational since May 1983, is designed to treat an average of 40 million gallons per day (MGD), with a peak capacity of 68 MGD. It is the second largest wastewater treatment plant in Puerto Rico and serves the municipalities of Bayamon, Guaynabo, Cataño, Toa Baja, and Toa Alta. The treated waste merges with outputs from other regional plants before being released into the Atlantic Ocean, emphasizing the importance of the plant and this upgrade project. This project is part of a broader initiative under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, reflecting a renewed focus on critical infrastructure investments across the United States and Puerto Rico. The upgrades will not only address pollution but also enhance the quality of life for residents and create job opportunities.
Follow EPA Region 2 on X and visit our Facebook page. For more information about EPA Region 2, visit our website.
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