EPA Names Top Cities for ENERGY STAR Certified Buildings in 2023
WASHINGTON – Today, May 22, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is announcing its annual “Top Cities” list, spotlighting the cities with the greatest number of ENERGY STAR certified commercial and multifamily buildings last year. Los Angeles leads the pack, with 876 ENERGY STAR certified buildings. In second place is Washington, D.C., with 631 buildings, followed by New York in third place (390 buildings). Atlanta and San Francisco round out the top five.
The energy used by commercial buildings is responsible for 16% of the nation’s greenhouse gas emissions and costs more than $190 billion per year. ENERGY STAR certified buildings use an average of 35% less energy and are responsible for 35% less carbon dioxide emissions than typical buildings.
“Cities and communities play an essential role in fighting the climate crisis and reducing energy use in commercial and multifamily buildings,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “With help from ENERGY STAR, city leaders and building owners are working together to strengthen their economies and businesses, reduce energy bills, and create a healthier environment.”
First released in 2009, the EPA’s annual list of cities with the most ENERGY STAR certified buildings shows how buildings across America are embracing energy efficiency as a simple and effective way to save money and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. To create the annual list, the EPA tallies the number of ENERGY STAR certified buildings within each metropolitan area, as defined by the U.S. Census, and creates separate rankings for mid-sized and small cities. These areas include the city itself as well as surrounding suburbs. This year’s list includes buildings that earned the EPA’s ENERGY STAR during the year 2023. This year’s Top Cities are:
Rank
Metro Area
Building Count
Last Year’s Rank
1
Los Angeles, Calif.
876
1
2
Washington, D.C.
631
2
3
New York, N.Y.
390
5
4
Atlanta, Ga.
373
3
5
San Francisco, Calif.
368
4
6
Dallas, Texas
323
8
7
Denver, Colo.
288
6
8
Houston, Texas
253
11
9
Riverside, Calif.
246
6
10
Austin, Texas
240
15
11
Chicago, Ill.
239
8
12
Boston, Mass.
213
10
13
San Diego, Calif.
209
14
14
Seattle, Wash.
187
13
15
Tampa, Fla.
167
12
16
Minneapolis, Minn.
162
16
17
Phoenix, Ariz.
156
17
18
San Jose, Calif.
140
18
19
Sacramento, Calif.
126
21
20
Provo, Utah
125
n/a
20
Charlotte, N.C.
108
19
22
Miami, Fla.
102
20
23
Philadelphia, Pa.
98
22
24
Detroit, Mich.
89
n/a
25
Orlando, Fla.
82
23
25
Raleigh, N.C.
82
25
Top 10 Mid-Sized Cities
Rank
Metro Area
Building Count
Last Year’s Rank
1
Provo, Utah
125
3
2
Raleigh, N.C.
82
1
3
Louisville, Ky.
55
5
4
Jacksonville, Fla.
53
n/a
5
Tulsa, Okla.
50
n/a
6
Grand Rapids, Mich.
40
4
7
Des Moines, Iowa
38
2
8
Fort Collins, Colo.
36
n/a
9
Albany, N.Y.
34
n/a
10
Salt Lake City, Utah
33
5
Top 10 Small Cities
Rank
Metro Area
Building Count
Last Year’s Rank
1
Jackson, Mich.
34
1
2
San Angelo, Texas
22
n/a
3
Bloomington, Ill.
15
n/a
4
Sebring, Fla.
13
n/a
4
Manhattan, Kan.
13
n/a
6
Bay City, Mich.
12
n/a
6
Dubuque, Iowa
12
4
6
Wheeling, W.Va.
12
n/a
9
Manitowoc, Wis.
11
n/a
9
Carson City, Nev.
11
5
9
Russellville, Ark.
11
n/a
Across the country, more than 8,800 commercial buildings earned the ENERGY STAR last year.
As of the end of 2023, more than 43,000 buildings across America had earned EPA’s ENERGY STAR certification. Together, these buildings have saved nearly $6 billion on energy bills and prevented more than 23 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions — equal to the annual emissions of more than 3 million homes.
To earn the EPA’s ENERGY STAR, a commercial building must earn an ENERGY STAR score of 75 or higher on the EPA’s 1 – 100 scale, indicating that it is more energy efficient than 75% of similar buildings nationwide. A building’s ENERGY STAR score is calculated based on several factors, including energy use, hours of operation, and a variety of other operating characteristics.
About ENERGY STAR
ENERGY STAR® is the government-backed symbol for energy efficiency, providing simple, credible, and unbiased information that consumers and businesses rely on to make well-informed decisions. Thousands of industrial, commercial, utility, state, and local organizations — including nearly 40% of the Fortune 500® — rely on their partnership with the EPA to deliver cost-saving energy efficiency solutions. Together, since 1992, ENERGY STAR and its partners have helped American families and businesses save 5 trillion kilowatt-hours of electricity, avoid more than $500 billion in energy costs, and achieve 4 billion metric tons of greenhouse gas reductions, all through voluntary action. Learn more about ENERGY STAR.
More on ENERGY STAR Top Cities, including this year’s rankings of top small and mid-sized cities, as well as last year’s rankings.
Search for ENERGY STAR certified buildings.
More about earning the ENERGY STAR certification for commercial buildings.
The energy used by commercial buildings is responsible for 16% of the nation’s greenhouse gas emissions and costs more than $190 billion per year. ENERGY STAR certified buildings use an average of 35% less energy and are responsible for 35% less carbon dioxide emissions than typical buildings.
“Cities and communities play an essential role in fighting the climate crisis and reducing energy use in commercial and multifamily buildings,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “With help from ENERGY STAR, city leaders and building owners are working together to strengthen their economies and businesses, reduce energy bills, and create a healthier environment.”
First released in 2009, the EPA’s annual list of cities with the most ENERGY STAR certified buildings shows how buildings across America are embracing energy efficiency as a simple and effective way to save money and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. To create the annual list, the EPA tallies the number of ENERGY STAR certified buildings within each metropolitan area, as defined by the U.S. Census, and creates separate rankings for mid-sized and small cities. These areas include the city itself as well as surrounding suburbs. This year’s list includes buildings that earned the EPA’s ENERGY STAR during the year 2023. This year’s Top Cities are:
Rank
Metro Area
Building Count
Last Year’s Rank
1
Los Angeles, Calif.
876
1
2
Washington, D.C.
631
2
3
New York, N.Y.
390
5
4
Atlanta, Ga.
373
3
5
San Francisco, Calif.
368
4
6
Dallas, Texas
323
8
7
Denver, Colo.
288
6
8
Houston, Texas
253
11
9
Riverside, Calif.
246
6
10
Austin, Texas
240
15
11
Chicago, Ill.
239
8
12
Boston, Mass.
213
10
13
San Diego, Calif.
209
14
14
Seattle, Wash.
187
13
15
Tampa, Fla.
167
12
16
Minneapolis, Minn.
162
16
17
Phoenix, Ariz.
156
17
18
San Jose, Calif.
140
18
19
Sacramento, Calif.
126
21
20
Provo, Utah
125
n/a
20
Charlotte, N.C.
108
19
22
Miami, Fla.
102
20
23
Philadelphia, Pa.
98
22
24
Detroit, Mich.
89
n/a
25
Orlando, Fla.
82
23
25
Raleigh, N.C.
82
25
Top 10 Mid-Sized Cities
Rank
Metro Area
Building Count
Last Year’s Rank
1
Provo, Utah
125
3
2
Raleigh, N.C.
82
1
3
Louisville, Ky.
55
5
4
Jacksonville, Fla.
53
n/a
5
Tulsa, Okla.
50
n/a
6
Grand Rapids, Mich.
40
4
7
Des Moines, Iowa
38
2
8
Fort Collins, Colo.
36
n/a
9
Albany, N.Y.
34
n/a
10
Salt Lake City, Utah
33
5
Top 10 Small Cities
Rank
Metro Area
Building Count
Last Year’s Rank
1
Jackson, Mich.
34
1
2
San Angelo, Texas
22
n/a
3
Bloomington, Ill.
15
n/a
4
Sebring, Fla.
13
n/a
4
Manhattan, Kan.
13
n/a
6
Bay City, Mich.
12
n/a
6
Dubuque, Iowa
12
4
6
Wheeling, W.Va.
12
n/a
9
Manitowoc, Wis.
11
n/a
9
Carson City, Nev.
11
5
9
Russellville, Ark.
11
n/a
Across the country, more than 8,800 commercial buildings earned the ENERGY STAR last year.
As of the end of 2023, more than 43,000 buildings across America had earned EPA’s ENERGY STAR certification. Together, these buildings have saved nearly $6 billion on energy bills and prevented more than 23 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions — equal to the annual emissions of more than 3 million homes.
To earn the EPA’s ENERGY STAR, a commercial building must earn an ENERGY STAR score of 75 or higher on the EPA’s 1 – 100 scale, indicating that it is more energy efficient than 75% of similar buildings nationwide. A building’s ENERGY STAR score is calculated based on several factors, including energy use, hours of operation, and a variety of other operating characteristics.
About ENERGY STAR
ENERGY STAR® is the government-backed symbol for energy efficiency, providing simple, credible, and unbiased information that consumers and businesses rely on to make well-informed decisions. Thousands of industrial, commercial, utility, state, and local organizations — including nearly 40% of the Fortune 500® — rely on their partnership with the EPA to deliver cost-saving energy efficiency solutions. Together, since 1992, ENERGY STAR and its partners have helped American families and businesses save 5 trillion kilowatt-hours of electricity, avoid more than $500 billion in energy costs, and achieve 4 billion metric tons of greenhouse gas reductions, all through voluntary action. Learn more about ENERGY STAR.
More on ENERGY STAR Top Cities, including this year’s rankings of top small and mid-sized cities, as well as last year’s rankings.
Search for ENERGY STAR certified buildings.
More about earning the ENERGY STAR certification for commercial buildings.
EPA Finalizes Order with California Department of Corrections Regarding San Luis Obispo Treatment Plant
SAN FRANCISCO – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has entered into an Administrative Order on Consent with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation for claims of Clean Water Act violations at the California Men’s Colony wastewater treatment plant in San Luis Obispo, California. The order addresses the plant's unauthorized discharges of filter backwash water to Chorro Reservoir in violation of the Clean Water Act.
“This order ensures that the California Men’s Colony treatment plant will take action to prevent further unauthorized discharges into Chorro Reservoir and protect against the contamination of the state’s water resources,” said EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator Martha Guzman. “With our state partners we will continue to enforce compliance with the Clean Water Act, thereby protecting our public health and environment.”
This is the second Administrative Order on Consent entered into between the EPA and the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation within the past year. In September 2023, EPA and the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation entered into a separate Administrative Order on Consent to address other violations of the Clean Water Act at the California Men’s Colony. Those prior violations included discharges from the prison’s wastewater treatment system with pollutant concentrations exceeding permitted limits, and unpermitted discharges from the prison’s drinking water distribution system.
Filter backwash discharges to the Chorro Reservoir amounted to approximately 35,000 to 70,000 gallons per day during discharge events and contained pollutants such as chlorine and sediment. Under the order being announced today, the California Men’s Colony will be required to submit a compliance plan to EPA for approval describing how it will cease unlawful filter backwash discharges to Chorro Reservoir, how it will dispose of filter backwash fluids, and how it will dispose of filter backwash sludge. The California Men’s Colony will be required to implement the plan upon its approval by EPA, and the plan will become an enforceable part of the Administrative Order on Consent.
Read more about the Clean Water Act and EPA Enforcement.
For more information on reporting possible violations of environmental laws and regulations, visit EPA’s enforcement reporting website.
Learn about EPA’s Pacific Southwest Region. Connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and X.
“This order ensures that the California Men’s Colony treatment plant will take action to prevent further unauthorized discharges into Chorro Reservoir and protect against the contamination of the state’s water resources,” said EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator Martha Guzman. “With our state partners we will continue to enforce compliance with the Clean Water Act, thereby protecting our public health and environment.”
This is the second Administrative Order on Consent entered into between the EPA and the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation within the past year. In September 2023, EPA and the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation entered into a separate Administrative Order on Consent to address other violations of the Clean Water Act at the California Men’s Colony. Those prior violations included discharges from the prison’s wastewater treatment system with pollutant concentrations exceeding permitted limits, and unpermitted discharges from the prison’s drinking water distribution system.
Filter backwash discharges to the Chorro Reservoir amounted to approximately 35,000 to 70,000 gallons per day during discharge events and contained pollutants such as chlorine and sediment. Under the order being announced today, the California Men’s Colony will be required to submit a compliance plan to EPA for approval describing how it will cease unlawful filter backwash discharges to Chorro Reservoir, how it will dispose of filter backwash fluids, and how it will dispose of filter backwash sludge. The California Men’s Colony will be required to implement the plan upon its approval by EPA, and the plan will become an enforceable part of the Administrative Order on Consent.
Read more about the Clean Water Act and EPA Enforcement.
For more information on reporting possible violations of environmental laws and regulations, visit EPA’s enforcement reporting website.
Learn about EPA’s Pacific Southwest Region. Connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and X.
EPA and U.S. Bureau Of Indian Affairs Agree on Cleanup Plan for Tuba City Dump
PHOENIX — Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced an agreement with the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) to properly clean up and close the Tuba City Dump site, which is located near the villages of Upper and Lower Moenkopi on the Hopi Reservation and Tuba City on the Navajo Nation. As part of that agreement, the BIA will transfer the wastes off Tribal lands, backfill the site with clean fill material, and provide routine groundwater monitoring. EPA takes this action under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) to ensure that the BIA handles, stores, treats, transports, and disposes of any solid waste that may impact human health or the environment.
“Hopi and Navajo communities have borne the brunt of legacy pollution for too long. This agreement will ensure the Tuba City Dump is properly cleaned, protecting residents’ health and the environment,” said EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator Martha Guzman. “EPA appreciates that, by signing this agreement, the BIA has strongly committed to expending the resources needed for moving the waste off-site and achieving clean closure.”
Tuba City Dump is a solid waste disposal facility that BIA operated as an unregulated open dump for local Tribal communities from the 1950s to 1997. The site covers about 41 acres and holds approximately 307,000 cubic yards of material in its disposal areas. When the BIA stopped receiving waste at the Tuba City Dump site in 1997, it regraded some of the area before placing a temporary soil cover and encircling the site with a fence. EPA determined that the BIA has not complied with closure requirements, groundwater monitoring, recordkeeping, and other requirements of federal law.
Before this agreement was approved, EPA provided the Tribes’ representatives with an opportunity to review and comment on the draft. In addition, EPA will accept public comments on the agreement through June 28, 2024, and will conduct public meetings on May 28 and 29, 2024, to discuss this long-term project further.
For more information on the public comment period and the public meetings, please visit EPA’s Public Notice: Administrative Order on Consent for Removal and Cleanup of the Tuba City Dump; Hopi Reservation and Navajo Nation (Arizona) webpage.
For more information on RCRA, please visit EPA’s Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Laws and Regulations webpage.
For more information on groundwater monitoring, please visit EPA’s Ground Water Monitoring Requirements for Hazardous Waste Treatment, Storage and Disposal Facilities webpage.
Learn more about EPA’s Pacific Southwest Region x. Connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and X.
“Hopi and Navajo communities have borne the brunt of legacy pollution for too long. This agreement will ensure the Tuba City Dump is properly cleaned, protecting residents’ health and the environment,” said EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator Martha Guzman. “EPA appreciates that, by signing this agreement, the BIA has strongly committed to expending the resources needed for moving the waste off-site and achieving clean closure.”
Tuba City Dump is a solid waste disposal facility that BIA operated as an unregulated open dump for local Tribal communities from the 1950s to 1997. The site covers about 41 acres and holds approximately 307,000 cubic yards of material in its disposal areas. When the BIA stopped receiving waste at the Tuba City Dump site in 1997, it regraded some of the area before placing a temporary soil cover and encircling the site with a fence. EPA determined that the BIA has not complied with closure requirements, groundwater monitoring, recordkeeping, and other requirements of federal law.
Before this agreement was approved, EPA provided the Tribes’ representatives with an opportunity to review and comment on the draft. In addition, EPA will accept public comments on the agreement through June 28, 2024, and will conduct public meetings on May 28 and 29, 2024, to discuss this long-term project further.
For more information on the public comment period and the public meetings, please visit EPA’s Public Notice: Administrative Order on Consent for Removal and Cleanup of the Tuba City Dump; Hopi Reservation and Navajo Nation (Arizona) webpage.
For more information on RCRA, please visit EPA’s Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Laws and Regulations webpage.
For more information on groundwater monitoring, please visit EPA’s Ground Water Monitoring Requirements for Hazardous Waste Treatment, Storage and Disposal Facilities webpage.
Learn more about EPA’s Pacific Southwest Region x. Connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and X.
Biden-Harris Administration Announces $225 million to Improve Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure for Tribes and Alaska Native Villages
WASHINGTON – Today, May 22, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, announced over $225 million in funding to improve access to safe and reliable drinking water and wastewater services for American Indian Tribes and Alaska Native Villages. Through President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda, EPA is able to provide one of the largest annual investments in water infrastructure funding to Tribes to help them advance public health and environmental protections, such as identifying and replacing lead service lines, or addressing harmful emerging contaminants in drinking water and wastewater, like PFAS.“The Biden-Harris Administration is committed to ensuring that Tribes across the country have access to clean and safe water, and thanks to the Investing in America Agenda, we are making more progress than ever before,” said Acting Assistant Administrator for Water Bruno Pigott. “With this announcement, Tribes will be able to access funding for critical public health improvements ranging from lead service line replacement to get the lead out of drinking water to installation of wastewater infrastructure to protect public health and improve water quality in lakes, rivers, streams and oceans.”
The FY 2024 funding will be administered through the following programs:
$69.4 million in Clean Water Indian Set-Aside through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and annual appropriation funds.
$133.8 million in Drinking Water Infrastructure Grants Tribal Set-Aside through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and annual appropriation funds.
$19.3 million in Emerging Contaminants in Small or Disadvantaged Communities Tribal Grant Program through Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funds.
$2.85 million in Small, Underserved, and Disadvantaged Communities Tribal Grant Program through annual appropriation funds.
In the past, EPA’s funding to Tribes and Alaska Native Villages have been used for everything from establishing clean, safe wastewater treatment to pesticide reduction to waterways where fish consumption is critical to establishing backup power sources for wastewater systems after extreme weather like the wildfires. And with today’s announcement, Tribes across the country will be able to apply for funding to do more critical water infrastructure work.
Some examples of Tribal Investments made possible by President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda include:
$1,586,000 was awarded the Tohono O’odham Nation to install a new arsenic treatment facility for groundwater wells on the Sells public water system. The system was experiencing rising arsenic levels that are close to the maximum containment level (MCL) of 10 parts per billion. The project will serve 1,014 homes in the Sells and Big Fields communities.
The San Carlos Apache Tribe received $985,778 to construct two new groundwater wells to supply the Bylas community public water system, whose current water source is impacted by E. coli contamination. Construction of the new wells was completed in early 2024.
The $1,787,500 forgivable loan that the Fallon-Paiute-Shoshone Tribe in Nevada received to continue a project to enhance an existing wastewater treatment lagoon and install a lift station resulting in improved sanitation and environmental health.
The $2 million for the Clearwater River, Nez Perce Reservation in Idaho to help ensure salmon is healthy for consumption. Thanks to the BIL funding through the Columbia River Basin Restoration Program, the Nez Perce Tribe will use permanent and semi-permanent practices to reduce pesticides that infiltrate waterways in the Clearwater River watershed. Reducing pesticides in waterways benefits all living things that rely on the waters of the Columbia River Basin.
The $600,000 investment to help eight tribes in California fund the sighting and installation of back-up power generators for their wastewater treatment systems. After some of the California wildfires these wastewater systems lost power and this investment will help ensure critical infrastructure is available during extreme weather.
The $989,000 to help the Muscogee (Creek) Nation in Oklahoma address the Reservation’s overloaded wastewater treatment lagoon system. Upgrades will help properly treat wastewater for over 200 homes and help resolve problems with discharges of raw sewage.
Learn more about EPA’s Tribal Water program, EPA's Tribal Drinking Water Funding Programs, and EPA's Clean Water Indian Set-Aside Program.
BackgroundThe Clean Water Indian Set-Aside program was established under the 1987 amendments to the Clean Water Act and provides funding for wastewater infrastructure to American Indian Tribes and Alaska Native Villages. Funds may be used for planning, design, and construction of wastewater collection and treatment systems. The Drinking Water Infrastructure Grants Tribal Set Aside is a longstanding program funded from the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund that provides direct EPA support for Tribal water infrastructure improvements. The Small, Underserved, and Disadvantaged Communities Tribal Grant program was created under the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation (WIIN) Act and provides support for Tribal drinking water. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law builds on successful programs like the WIIN Act’s Grant Programs and the Drinking Water Infrastructure Grants Tribal Set Aside to bring additional public health protections and drinking water improvements to more Tribal communities across the country.
EPA has released guidance on the implementation of Clean Water and Drinking Water Indian Set-Aside funding provided through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to prioritize public health projects including addressing emerging contaminants and lead service line replacement projects. The Alaska Rural and Native Villages (ANV) Grant Program also provides funding for the construction of high priority drinking water and wastewater facilities in rural Alaska as well as training, technical assistance and educational programs in support of sustainable water systems. The FY 2024 allocation for ANV is $39 million.
Infrastructure projects for these programs are primarily implemented in partnership with the Indian Health Service, who are partners with EPA in the Tribal Infrastructure Task Force (ITF).
The FY 2024 funding will be administered through the following programs:
$69.4 million in Clean Water Indian Set-Aside through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and annual appropriation funds.
$133.8 million in Drinking Water Infrastructure Grants Tribal Set-Aside through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and annual appropriation funds.
$19.3 million in Emerging Contaminants in Small or Disadvantaged Communities Tribal Grant Program through Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funds.
$2.85 million in Small, Underserved, and Disadvantaged Communities Tribal Grant Program through annual appropriation funds.
In the past, EPA’s funding to Tribes and Alaska Native Villages have been used for everything from establishing clean, safe wastewater treatment to pesticide reduction to waterways where fish consumption is critical to establishing backup power sources for wastewater systems after extreme weather like the wildfires. And with today’s announcement, Tribes across the country will be able to apply for funding to do more critical water infrastructure work.
Some examples of Tribal Investments made possible by President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda include:
$1,586,000 was awarded the Tohono O’odham Nation to install a new arsenic treatment facility for groundwater wells on the Sells public water system. The system was experiencing rising arsenic levels that are close to the maximum containment level (MCL) of 10 parts per billion. The project will serve 1,014 homes in the Sells and Big Fields communities.
The San Carlos Apache Tribe received $985,778 to construct two new groundwater wells to supply the Bylas community public water system, whose current water source is impacted by E. coli contamination. Construction of the new wells was completed in early 2024.
The $1,787,500 forgivable loan that the Fallon-Paiute-Shoshone Tribe in Nevada received to continue a project to enhance an existing wastewater treatment lagoon and install a lift station resulting in improved sanitation and environmental health.
The $2 million for the Clearwater River, Nez Perce Reservation in Idaho to help ensure salmon is healthy for consumption. Thanks to the BIL funding through the Columbia River Basin Restoration Program, the Nez Perce Tribe will use permanent and semi-permanent practices to reduce pesticides that infiltrate waterways in the Clearwater River watershed. Reducing pesticides in waterways benefits all living things that rely on the waters of the Columbia River Basin.
The $600,000 investment to help eight tribes in California fund the sighting and installation of back-up power generators for their wastewater treatment systems. After some of the California wildfires these wastewater systems lost power and this investment will help ensure critical infrastructure is available during extreme weather.
The $989,000 to help the Muscogee (Creek) Nation in Oklahoma address the Reservation’s overloaded wastewater treatment lagoon system. Upgrades will help properly treat wastewater for over 200 homes and help resolve problems with discharges of raw sewage.
Learn more about EPA’s Tribal Water program, EPA's Tribal Drinking Water Funding Programs, and EPA's Clean Water Indian Set-Aside Program.
BackgroundThe Clean Water Indian Set-Aside program was established under the 1987 amendments to the Clean Water Act and provides funding for wastewater infrastructure to American Indian Tribes and Alaska Native Villages. Funds may be used for planning, design, and construction of wastewater collection and treatment systems. The Drinking Water Infrastructure Grants Tribal Set Aside is a longstanding program funded from the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund that provides direct EPA support for Tribal water infrastructure improvements. The Small, Underserved, and Disadvantaged Communities Tribal Grant program was created under the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation (WIIN) Act and provides support for Tribal drinking water. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law builds on successful programs like the WIIN Act’s Grant Programs and the Drinking Water Infrastructure Grants Tribal Set Aside to bring additional public health protections and drinking water improvements to more Tribal communities across the country.
EPA has released guidance on the implementation of Clean Water and Drinking Water Indian Set-Aside funding provided through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to prioritize public health projects including addressing emerging contaminants and lead service line replacement projects. The Alaska Rural and Native Villages (ANV) Grant Program also provides funding for the construction of high priority drinking water and wastewater facilities in rural Alaska as well as training, technical assistance and educational programs in support of sustainable water systems. The FY 2024 allocation for ANV is $39 million.
Infrastructure projects for these programs are primarily implemented in partnership with the Indian Health Service, who are partners with EPA in the Tribal Infrastructure Task Force (ITF).
EPA Region 7 Issues Emergency Order on Drinking Water Safety at Colonial Acres of Humboldt Nursing Home and Assisted Living Facility in Humboldt, Nebraska
LENEXA, KAN. (MAY 22, 2024) – On May 20, 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 7 issued an emergency order under the Safe Drinking Water Act to the City of Humboldt, Nebraska, for drinking water at the Colonial Acres of Humboldt Nursing Home and Assisted Living Facility (Colonial Acres).
Colonial Acres has an ongoing Legionella bacterial outbreak in its water system that has resulted in related illnesses and fatalities, with the most recent fatality occurring in March 2024.
Legionella has not been found in Humboldt’s Public Water System outside of Colonial Acres. This order addresses disinfection of water utilized at the Colonial Acres facility and does not require any action by Humboldt residents.
Legionella bacteria can cause sickness and death through two forms of Legionellosis, Pontiac fever and the more severe Legionnaires’ disease, which is a potentially fatal illness involving pneumonia. People and patients in an assisted living facility are at an increased risk for contracting Legionellosis, and also at an increased risk of higher morbidity once contracted.
The emergency drinking water order requires the City of Humboldt to:
Issue a public notice regarding the potential presence and risk of exposure to Legionella at Colonial Acres.
Implement mitigation measures at Colonial Acres to protect against the risk of Legionella and provide a description of the steps taken to EPA.
Install a disinfection treatment system at Colonial Acres that is sufficient to control Legionella contamination.
In fall 2022, the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (NDEE) began working with the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to address the contamination. Prior to that, as early as 2020, DHHS had been working with Colonial Acres and advised the facility to revise their comprehensive Water Management Plan to include ongoing monitoring; flushing; point-of-use filtration devices; increased water temperature; the use of bottled water; temporary shock chlorination, a drinking water treatment used for bacterial contamination; and other measures to mitigate Legionella risks.
Despite efforts to mitigate the contamination, samples collected in March 2024 showed the presence of Legionella in the water throughout the Colonial Acres facility. There is currently no routine disinfection treatment of water used at the facility.
Upon learning about the Legionella contamination at Colonial Acres, EPA Region 7 initiated enforcement to address the contamination at the facility.
Following EPA Region 7’s enforcement action, on May 21, 2024, the Humboldt City Council approved and initiated actions to procure equipment for the installation of a water disinfection system at Colonial Acres. The city must coordinate with NDEE to ensure that the system meets the state’s specifications.
EPA Region 7 will continue immediate work with the City of Humboldt, NDEE, and DHHS to resolve the ongoing contamination issues at Colonial Acres.
Colonial Acres
The City of Humboldt owns Colonial Acres and provides the water supply and service connections to the facility, which has a 49-bed, long-term care unit and 16 assisted living apartments. Colonial Acres also provides in-patient and out-patient physical, occupational, respiratory, and speech therapy.
Legionella Bacteria
Legionella can adversely impact public health. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 8,000 to 18,000 people are hospitalized with Legionnaires’ disease each year in the U.S.
Legionella bacteria are found naturally in the environment worldwide, usually in aquatic environments. The bacteria also occur in distribution systems and premise plumbing. The bacteria can be transported from water to the air by faucets, shower heads, cooling towers, HVAC systems, and nebulizers. Thus, drinking water contaminated by Legionella bacteria poses risks of exposure through showering, bathing, cooking, and respiratory therapy.
In March 2001, EPA issued a Drinking Water Health Advisory for Legionella. Health Advisories offer technical assistance to public health officials, but are not enforceable federal standards.
EPA’s Legionella Drinking Water Fact Sheet
For More Information
EPA has established the Safe Drinking Water Hotline, a toll-free number for further information on drinking water quality, treatment technologies, and for obtaining Health Advisories or other regulatory information.
EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline: 800-426-4791, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (Eastern time), Monday-Friday (excluding holidays)
The Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (NDEE) can be reached at 402-471-2186 or ndee.moreinfo@nebraska.gov.
The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) can be reached at 402-471-3121.
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Colonial Acres has an ongoing Legionella bacterial outbreak in its water system that has resulted in related illnesses and fatalities, with the most recent fatality occurring in March 2024.
Legionella has not been found in Humboldt’s Public Water System outside of Colonial Acres. This order addresses disinfection of water utilized at the Colonial Acres facility and does not require any action by Humboldt residents.
Legionella bacteria can cause sickness and death through two forms of Legionellosis, Pontiac fever and the more severe Legionnaires’ disease, which is a potentially fatal illness involving pneumonia. People and patients in an assisted living facility are at an increased risk for contracting Legionellosis, and also at an increased risk of higher morbidity once contracted.
The emergency drinking water order requires the City of Humboldt to:
Issue a public notice regarding the potential presence and risk of exposure to Legionella at Colonial Acres.
Implement mitigation measures at Colonial Acres to protect against the risk of Legionella and provide a description of the steps taken to EPA.
Install a disinfection treatment system at Colonial Acres that is sufficient to control Legionella contamination.
In fall 2022, the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (NDEE) began working with the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to address the contamination. Prior to that, as early as 2020, DHHS had been working with Colonial Acres and advised the facility to revise their comprehensive Water Management Plan to include ongoing monitoring; flushing; point-of-use filtration devices; increased water temperature; the use of bottled water; temporary shock chlorination, a drinking water treatment used for bacterial contamination; and other measures to mitigate Legionella risks.
Despite efforts to mitigate the contamination, samples collected in March 2024 showed the presence of Legionella in the water throughout the Colonial Acres facility. There is currently no routine disinfection treatment of water used at the facility.
Upon learning about the Legionella contamination at Colonial Acres, EPA Region 7 initiated enforcement to address the contamination at the facility.
Following EPA Region 7’s enforcement action, on May 21, 2024, the Humboldt City Council approved and initiated actions to procure equipment for the installation of a water disinfection system at Colonial Acres. The city must coordinate with NDEE to ensure that the system meets the state’s specifications.
EPA Region 7 will continue immediate work with the City of Humboldt, NDEE, and DHHS to resolve the ongoing contamination issues at Colonial Acres.
Colonial Acres
The City of Humboldt owns Colonial Acres and provides the water supply and service connections to the facility, which has a 49-bed, long-term care unit and 16 assisted living apartments. Colonial Acres also provides in-patient and out-patient physical, occupational, respiratory, and speech therapy.
Legionella Bacteria
Legionella can adversely impact public health. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 8,000 to 18,000 people are hospitalized with Legionnaires’ disease each year in the U.S.
Legionella bacteria are found naturally in the environment worldwide, usually in aquatic environments. The bacteria also occur in distribution systems and premise plumbing. The bacteria can be transported from water to the air by faucets, shower heads, cooling towers, HVAC systems, and nebulizers. Thus, drinking water contaminated by Legionella bacteria poses risks of exposure through showering, bathing, cooking, and respiratory therapy.
In March 2001, EPA issued a Drinking Water Health Advisory for Legionella. Health Advisories offer technical assistance to public health officials, but are not enforceable federal standards.
EPA’s Legionella Drinking Water Fact Sheet
For More Information
EPA has established the Safe Drinking Water Hotline, a toll-free number for further information on drinking water quality, treatment technologies, and for obtaining Health Advisories or other regulatory information.
EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline: 800-426-4791, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (Eastern time), Monday-Friday (excluding holidays)
The Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (NDEE) can be reached at 402-471-2186 or ndee.moreinfo@nebraska.gov.
The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) can be reached at 402-471-3121.
# # #
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
Los Angeles Ranks First in the Nation for ENERGY STAR Certified Buildings
SAN FRANCISCO – California cities lead the nation as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announces its annual ENERGY STAR “Top Cities” list, spotlighting the cities with the greatest number of ENERGY STAR certified commercial and multifamily buildings last year. Los Angeles leads the pack, with 876 ENERGY STAR certified buildings. To earn the EPA’s ENERGY STAR, a commercial building must have a score of 75 or higher on the EPA’s 1 – 100 scale, indicating that it is more energy efficient than 75% of similar buildings nationwide.
San Francisco ranks fifth in the country with 368 certified buildings and Riverside is ninth with 246. San Diego (13th), San Jose (18th) and Sacramento (19th) all rank in the top 20 for ENERGY STAR certified buildings for 2023.
“EPA is proud to recognize cities across California like Los Angeles, San Francisco and Riverside that are leading the way to cut energy costs while increasing efficiency and reducing emissions,” said EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator Martha Guzman. “ENERGY STAR-certified buildings use significantly less energy than typical buildings, which helps tackle climate change, improve sustainability and protect air quality.”
“As we continue to be faced with an ever changing climate, we must adapt and build a greener Los Angeles. I’m so proud that for the second year in a row, Los Angeles continues to be the top city in building sustainable and energy efficient buildings,” said Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass. “It’s crucial that our infrastructure not only thrives, but also does so efficiently with our climate goals in mind. Thank you to the Department of Building and Safety and LADWP for their continued efforts to ensure our city remains a leader in confronting the climate crisis.”
About ENERGY STAR
The energy used by commercial buildings is responsible for 16% of the nation’s greenhouse gas emissions and costs more than $190 billion per year. ENERGY STAR certified buildings fight climate change and air pollution by using an average of 35% less energy and producing 35% less carbon dioxide emissions than typical buildings.
First released in 2009, the EPA’s annual list of cities with the most ENERGY STAR certified buildings shows how energy efficiency is being embraced as a simple and effective way to save money and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. To create the annual list, the EPA tallies the number of ENERGY STAR certified buildings within each metropolitan area, as defined by the U.S. Census, and creates separate rankings for mid-sized and small cities. These areas include the city itself as well as surrounding suburbs. The 2023 Top Cities are:
Rank Metro Area Building Count Last Year’s Rank
1 Los Angeles, Calif. 876 1
2 Washington, D.C. 631 2
3 New York, N.Y. 390 5
4 Atlanta, Ga. 373 3
5 San Francisco, Calif. 368 4
6 Dallas, Texas 323 8
7 Denver, Colo. 288 6
8 Houston, Texas 253 11
9 Riverside, Calif. 246 6
10 Austin, Texas 240 15
11 Chicago, Ill. 239 8
12 Boston, Mass. 213 10
13 San Diego, Calif. 209 14
14 Seattle, Wash. 187 13
15 Tampa, Fla. 167 12
16 Minneapolis, Minn. 162 16
17 Phoenix, Ariz. 156 17
18 San Jose, Calif. 140 18
19 Sacramento, Calif. 126 21
20 Provo, Utah 125 n/a
20 Charlotte, N.C. 108 19
Across the country, more than 8,800 commercial buildings earned the ENERGY STAR last year. As of the end of 2023, more than 43,000 buildings across America had earned EPA’s ENERGY STAR certification. Together, these buildings have saved nearly $6 billion on energy bills and prevented more than 23 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions—equal to the annual emissions of more than 3 million homes.
ENERGY STAR® is the government-backed symbol for energy efficiency, providing simple, credible, and unbiased information that consumers and businesses rely on to make well-informed decisions. Thousands of industrial, commercial, utility, state, and local organizations—including 40% of the Fortune 500®—rely on their partnership with the EPA to deliver cost-saving energy efficiency solutions. Together, since 1992, ENERGY STAR and its partners have helped American families and businesses save 5 trillion kilowatt-hours of electricity, avoid more than $500 billion in energy costs, and achieve 4 billion metric tons of greenhouse gas reductions, all through voluntary action.
More on ENERGY STAR Top Cities, including this year’s rankings of top small and mid-sized cities, as well as last year’s rankings: www.energystar.gov/topcities
Search for ENERGY STAR certified buildings: www.energystar.gov/buildinglocatorMore about earning the ENERGY STAR certification for commercial buildings: www.energystar.gov/buildingcertification
Learn about EPA’s Pacific Southwest Region. Connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and X.
San Francisco ranks fifth in the country with 368 certified buildings and Riverside is ninth with 246. San Diego (13th), San Jose (18th) and Sacramento (19th) all rank in the top 20 for ENERGY STAR certified buildings for 2023.
“EPA is proud to recognize cities across California like Los Angeles, San Francisco and Riverside that are leading the way to cut energy costs while increasing efficiency and reducing emissions,” said EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator Martha Guzman. “ENERGY STAR-certified buildings use significantly less energy than typical buildings, which helps tackle climate change, improve sustainability and protect air quality.”
“As we continue to be faced with an ever changing climate, we must adapt and build a greener Los Angeles. I’m so proud that for the second year in a row, Los Angeles continues to be the top city in building sustainable and energy efficient buildings,” said Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass. “It’s crucial that our infrastructure not only thrives, but also does so efficiently with our climate goals in mind. Thank you to the Department of Building and Safety and LADWP for their continued efforts to ensure our city remains a leader in confronting the climate crisis.”
About ENERGY STAR
The energy used by commercial buildings is responsible for 16% of the nation’s greenhouse gas emissions and costs more than $190 billion per year. ENERGY STAR certified buildings fight climate change and air pollution by using an average of 35% less energy and producing 35% less carbon dioxide emissions than typical buildings.
First released in 2009, the EPA’s annual list of cities with the most ENERGY STAR certified buildings shows how energy efficiency is being embraced as a simple and effective way to save money and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. To create the annual list, the EPA tallies the number of ENERGY STAR certified buildings within each metropolitan area, as defined by the U.S. Census, and creates separate rankings for mid-sized and small cities. These areas include the city itself as well as surrounding suburbs. The 2023 Top Cities are:
Rank Metro Area Building Count Last Year’s Rank
1 Los Angeles, Calif. 876 1
2 Washington, D.C. 631 2
3 New York, N.Y. 390 5
4 Atlanta, Ga. 373 3
5 San Francisco, Calif. 368 4
6 Dallas, Texas 323 8
7 Denver, Colo. 288 6
8 Houston, Texas 253 11
9 Riverside, Calif. 246 6
10 Austin, Texas 240 15
11 Chicago, Ill. 239 8
12 Boston, Mass. 213 10
13 San Diego, Calif. 209 14
14 Seattle, Wash. 187 13
15 Tampa, Fla. 167 12
16 Minneapolis, Minn. 162 16
17 Phoenix, Ariz. 156 17
18 San Jose, Calif. 140 18
19 Sacramento, Calif. 126 21
20 Provo, Utah 125 n/a
20 Charlotte, N.C. 108 19
Across the country, more than 8,800 commercial buildings earned the ENERGY STAR last year. As of the end of 2023, more than 43,000 buildings across America had earned EPA’s ENERGY STAR certification. Together, these buildings have saved nearly $6 billion on energy bills and prevented more than 23 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions—equal to the annual emissions of more than 3 million homes.
ENERGY STAR® is the government-backed symbol for energy efficiency, providing simple, credible, and unbiased information that consumers and businesses rely on to make well-informed decisions. Thousands of industrial, commercial, utility, state, and local organizations—including 40% of the Fortune 500®—rely on their partnership with the EPA to deliver cost-saving energy efficiency solutions. Together, since 1992, ENERGY STAR and its partners have helped American families and businesses save 5 trillion kilowatt-hours of electricity, avoid more than $500 billion in energy costs, and achieve 4 billion metric tons of greenhouse gas reductions, all through voluntary action.
More on ENERGY STAR Top Cities, including this year’s rankings of top small and mid-sized cities, as well as last year’s rankings: www.energystar.gov/topcities
Search for ENERGY STAR certified buildings: www.energystar.gov/buildinglocatorMore about earning the ENERGY STAR certification for commercial buildings: www.energystar.gov/buildingcertification
Learn about EPA’s Pacific Southwest Region. Connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and X.
EPA Announces Two Awards Totaling $2 Million to Santo Domingo Pueblo for Waste Management
DALLAS, TEXAS (May 22, 2024) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is announcing a community grant for $1.5 million and an Environmental Justice Government to Government Award for $539,452 to Santo Domingo Pueblo, totaling $2,039,452. The $1.5 million grant is for planning and engineering design activities associated with improvements to the Domingo, Galisteo, and Main Village lift stations as part of the comprehensive Santo Domingo wastewater distribution system project. The $539,452 grant will educate residents on the dangers of open dumps and remove several open dumps within Tribal lands.
“This funding puts into action President Biden’s commitment to addressing clean water and environmental justice issues on Tribal lands,” said Regional Administrator Dr. Earthea Nance. “Santo Domingo Pueblo will use these grants to develop critical long-term wastewater management strategies and tackle local pollution issues affecting Tribal communities. We look forward to working with Santo Domingo Pueblo on these environmental issues.”
“Every person deserves access to clean and safe drinking water. Improving wastewater infrastructure and waste management is an important part of that. I’m proud to have secured over $2 million through the Inflation Reduction Act and the Appropriations process for the Santo Domingo Pueblo to build a wastewater treatment plant and remove open dump sites. This new investment will help leaders of the Pueblo address pollution, make their communities safer, and protect the health and well-being of families,” said U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich, member of the Senate Appropriations Committee.
“I’m proud to welcome this critical investment of more than $2 million to the Santo Domingo Pueblo to improve wastewater infrastructure throughout their community and help safeguard their environment. This funding will help clean up the land and help educate residents on how to better remove waste to keep their community safe,” said U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján. “Critically, I’m pleased that $1.5 million of this funding will be used to install an efficient wastewater system that will benefit the Santo Domingo Pueblo and the surrounding areas for generations to come.”
Santo Domingo Pueblo identified the need for a long-term and efficient wastewater system to manage wastewater across Pueblo lands. With this $1.5 million grant funding, the Pueblo will plan and design a centralized wastewater treatment plant that will improve wastewater infrastructure across the territory. The estimated duration of this project is 14 months.
With the Environmental Justice Government to Government grant, Santo Domingo Pueblo plans to clean up 11 non-hazardous waste open dump sites and conduct six free trash weeks, three tire amnesty events, and two open dump community workshops. The grant will also fund outreach efforts to 2,000 community members to ensure residents understand proper waste disposal methods and the hazards of open dump sites, including soil and water contamination, to eliminate the practice of open dumping.
Both of these grants’ objectives align with goals set in the EPA FY 2022- FY2026 Strategic Plan, ensuring underserved communities have clean and safe drinking water and maintain crucial water infrastructure.
Connect with the Environmental Protection Agency Region 6 on Facebook, X (formerly known as Twitter), or visit our homepage.
“This funding puts into action President Biden’s commitment to addressing clean water and environmental justice issues on Tribal lands,” said Regional Administrator Dr. Earthea Nance. “Santo Domingo Pueblo will use these grants to develop critical long-term wastewater management strategies and tackle local pollution issues affecting Tribal communities. We look forward to working with Santo Domingo Pueblo on these environmental issues.”
“Every person deserves access to clean and safe drinking water. Improving wastewater infrastructure and waste management is an important part of that. I’m proud to have secured over $2 million through the Inflation Reduction Act and the Appropriations process for the Santo Domingo Pueblo to build a wastewater treatment plant and remove open dump sites. This new investment will help leaders of the Pueblo address pollution, make their communities safer, and protect the health and well-being of families,” said U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich, member of the Senate Appropriations Committee.
“I’m proud to welcome this critical investment of more than $2 million to the Santo Domingo Pueblo to improve wastewater infrastructure throughout their community and help safeguard their environment. This funding will help clean up the land and help educate residents on how to better remove waste to keep their community safe,” said U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján. “Critically, I’m pleased that $1.5 million of this funding will be used to install an efficient wastewater system that will benefit the Santo Domingo Pueblo and the surrounding areas for generations to come.”
Santo Domingo Pueblo identified the need for a long-term and efficient wastewater system to manage wastewater across Pueblo lands. With this $1.5 million grant funding, the Pueblo will plan and design a centralized wastewater treatment plant that will improve wastewater infrastructure across the territory. The estimated duration of this project is 14 months.
With the Environmental Justice Government to Government grant, Santo Domingo Pueblo plans to clean up 11 non-hazardous waste open dump sites and conduct six free trash weeks, three tire amnesty events, and two open dump community workshops. The grant will also fund outreach efforts to 2,000 community members to ensure residents understand proper waste disposal methods and the hazards of open dump sites, including soil and water contamination, to eliminate the practice of open dumping.
Both of these grants’ objectives align with goals set in the EPA FY 2022- FY2026 Strategic Plan, ensuring underserved communities have clean and safe drinking water and maintain crucial water infrastructure.
Connect with the Environmental Protection Agency Region 6 on Facebook, X (formerly known as Twitter), or visit our homepage.
Poor Air Quality Expected for parts of Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, and New Hampshire on May 22, 2024
BOSTON (May 22, 2024) – New England state air quality forecasters are predicting air quality that is unhealthy for sensitive groups, due to elevated ground-level ozone. Sensitive groups include people with lung disease such as asthma, older adults, children and teenagers, and people who are active outdoors. The areas that are predicted to exceed the Federal air quality standard for ozone on Wednesday, May 22 are:
Westernmost parts of Connecticut, Massachusetts (Central and Eastern, including Boston), Southern New Hampshire, and higher elevations of Acadia National Park in Maine.
These locations are subject to change, so please refer to EPA New England's AQI Air Quality Index (AQI) for current air quality conditions and forecasts across New England.
With hot, summery weather, EPA and state air quality forecasters predict areas of unhealthy air quality in several areas of New England tomorrow. EPA and the medical community advise people to limit any strenuous outdoor activity when poor air quality is expected. Exposure to elevated ozone levels can cause breathing problems, aggravate asthma and other pre-existing lung diseases, and make people more susceptible to respiratory infection. When ozone levels are elevated, people should refrain from strenuous outdoor activity, especially sensitive populations such as children and adults with respiratory problems. Due to climate change, these kinds of air quality events may increase in frequency and those communities already vulnerable and overburdened, may be impacted by unhealthy air quality.
Ground-level ozone forms when volatile organic compounds and oxides of nitrogen (ozone precursors) interact in the presence of strong sunshine. Cars, trucks, and buses emit most of the pollution that creates ozone. Emissions from powerplants, industrial solvents and chemical manufacturing, gasoline stations, paints, insecticides, household cleaners, as well as lawn and garden equipment also add to the ozone formation. The sun's direct ultraviolet rays convert these emissions into ground-level ozone, which is unhealthy to breathe.
Also, everyone can take steps to reduce air pollution during air quality alert days. When ozone is forecast to be unhealthy for sensitive groups, members of the public are encouraged to help limit emissions and reduce ozone formation by:
using public transportation, if possible;
combining errands and carpooling to reduce driving time and mileage; and
avoiding the use of small gasoline-powered engines, such as lawn mowers, string trimmers, chain saws, power-washers, air compressors, and leaf; and
filling your gas tank in the early morning or at night during hot weather; and
avoiding out burning, including leaf burning and use of firepits and campfires.
During poor air quality events, it is also important to reduce household energy usage, such as setting air conditioners to a higher temperature, turning off unnecessary lights, equipment, and appliances.
EPA's ENERGY STAR Program also provides trusted guidance and online tools to help homeowners make smart decisions about improving the energy efficiency of their existing homes.
The current ozone standard is 0.070 parts per million (ppm).
More information:
Real-time ozone data and air quality forecasts EPA New England's AQI Air Quality Index (AQI)
National real-time air quality data (free iPhone and Android apps)AirNow
Air Quality Alerts EnviroFlash
EPA's ENERGY STAR Program
Westernmost parts of Connecticut, Massachusetts (Central and Eastern, including Boston), Southern New Hampshire, and higher elevations of Acadia National Park in Maine.
These locations are subject to change, so please refer to EPA New England's AQI Air Quality Index (AQI) for current air quality conditions and forecasts across New England.
With hot, summery weather, EPA and state air quality forecasters predict areas of unhealthy air quality in several areas of New England tomorrow. EPA and the medical community advise people to limit any strenuous outdoor activity when poor air quality is expected. Exposure to elevated ozone levels can cause breathing problems, aggravate asthma and other pre-existing lung diseases, and make people more susceptible to respiratory infection. When ozone levels are elevated, people should refrain from strenuous outdoor activity, especially sensitive populations such as children and adults with respiratory problems. Due to climate change, these kinds of air quality events may increase in frequency and those communities already vulnerable and overburdened, may be impacted by unhealthy air quality.
Ground-level ozone forms when volatile organic compounds and oxides of nitrogen (ozone precursors) interact in the presence of strong sunshine. Cars, trucks, and buses emit most of the pollution that creates ozone. Emissions from powerplants, industrial solvents and chemical manufacturing, gasoline stations, paints, insecticides, household cleaners, as well as lawn and garden equipment also add to the ozone formation. The sun's direct ultraviolet rays convert these emissions into ground-level ozone, which is unhealthy to breathe.
Also, everyone can take steps to reduce air pollution during air quality alert days. When ozone is forecast to be unhealthy for sensitive groups, members of the public are encouraged to help limit emissions and reduce ozone formation by:
using public transportation, if possible;
combining errands and carpooling to reduce driving time and mileage; and
avoiding the use of small gasoline-powered engines, such as lawn mowers, string trimmers, chain saws, power-washers, air compressors, and leaf; and
filling your gas tank in the early morning or at night during hot weather; and
avoiding out burning, including leaf burning and use of firepits and campfires.
During poor air quality events, it is also important to reduce household energy usage, such as setting air conditioners to a higher temperature, turning off unnecessary lights, equipment, and appliances.
EPA's ENERGY STAR Program also provides trusted guidance and online tools to help homeowners make smart decisions about improving the energy efficiency of their existing homes.
The current ozone standard is 0.070 parts per million (ppm).
More information:
Real-time ozone data and air quality forecasts EPA New England's AQI Air Quality Index (AQI)
National real-time air quality data (free iPhone and Android apps)AirNow
Air Quality Alerts EnviroFlash
EPA's ENERGY STAR Program