US retailers upgrade H1 import forecast despite global shipping disruptions
In a sign of confidence in consumer demand, Global Port Tracker expects US imports for the first six months of the year will be up 7.8% compared with the first half of 2023.
Biden-Harris Administration invests nearly $66M to improve roads, trails, and water quality as part of Investing in America Agenda
WASHINGTON, March 8, 2024 – Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced nearly $66 million to improve water quality, roads, trails, bridges and fish habitat on national forests and grasslands nationwide.
USDA Celebrates Second National Biobased Products Day
WASHINGTON, March 8, 2024 – Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is honoring the second annual National Biobased Products Day, a celebration to raise public awareness of biobased products, their benefits and their contributions to the U.S. economy and rural communities. Biobased products offer opportunities for more revenue streams for small and mid-sized farmers while giving consumers more in-demand, clean options for everyday items.
USDA Assists Farmers, Ranchers and Communities Affected by Catastrophic Texas, Oklahoma Wildfires
WASHINGTON, March 7, 2024 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has directed the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to aid recovery efforts for farmers, ranchers and residents affected by recent wildfires in the Texas panhandle and western Oklahoma. To date, around 1.3 million acres have burned across both states. USDA staff are ready to respond with a variety of program flexibilities and other assistance to agricultural producers and communities in need.
Trade News Snapshot – Volume 6, Issue 2
EAC's Message
As we advance into 2024, CBP’s collaborative engagements continue to demonstrate our dedication to trade integrity and to the meticulous enforcement of trade laws. This month, CBP teams traveled domestically and…
As we advance into 2024, CBP’s collaborative engagements continue to demonstrate our dedication to trade integrity and to the meticulous enforcement of trade laws. This month, CBP teams traveled domestically and…
Hazardous Waste Facility in Fredonia, Kansas, Settles Enforcement Case with EPA
LENEXA, KAN. (MARCH 7, 2024) – Systech Environmental Corporation will pay $98,513 in civil penalties to resolve alleged violations of the federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act and the terms of its Hazardous Waste Management Facility Permit.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the company operates as a hazardous waste treatment, storage, and disposal facility in Fredonia, Kansas. EPA inspections in October 2022 revealed the following alleged violations:
Failure to properly store hazardous waste.
Failure to fully close hazardous waste containers.
Tanks that were emitting hazardous pollutants exceeding permit limits.
Failure to mark containers as hazardous waste.
“Facilities that handle hazardous waste have a heightened obligation to protect workers and the surrounding community from releases,” said David Cozad, director of EPA Region 7’s Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Division. “This penalty action demonstrates EPA’s commitment to protecting communities and leveling the playing field for companies that comply with the law.”
EPA says that since the inspections, the company has corrected the violations.
The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) creates the framework for the proper management of hazardous and non-hazardous solid waste.
# # #
Learn more about RCRA
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
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the company operates as a hazardous waste treatment, storage, and disposal facility in Fredonia, Kansas. EPA inspections in October 2022 revealed the following alleged violations:
Failure to properly store hazardous waste.
Failure to fully close hazardous waste containers.
Tanks that were emitting hazardous pollutants exceeding permit limits.
Failure to mark containers as hazardous waste.
“Facilities that handle hazardous waste have a heightened obligation to protect workers and the surrounding community from releases,” said David Cozad, director of EPA Region 7’s Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Division. “This penalty action demonstrates EPA’s commitment to protecting communities and leveling the playing field for companies that comply with the law.”
EPA says that since the inspections, the company has corrected the violations.
The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) creates the framework for the proper management of hazardous and non-hazardous solid waste.
# # #
Learn more about RCRA
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
EPA hosts “Road Show” in Commerce City to help communities access historic Investing in America funding
DENVER (March 7, 2024) – On Tuesday, March 5, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) held the third community event as part of its Community, Equity and Resilience Road Show initiative in Commerce City, Colorado.
More than 90 individuals registered for the event, representing Denver-area environmental justice organizations and community members, local elected officials and nonprofits. As part of the EPA’s Community, Equity and Resiliency (CER) initiative, the Regional Road Shows promote current and upcoming Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) funding opportunities under President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda to support local climate and environmental justice initiatives. The Regional Road Show events serve as an opportunity for community members to come together, learn about the historic funding opportunities and technical assistance available to communities, and develop partnerships to access these resources.
The event kicked off with a welcome from EPA Regional Administrator KC Becker and presentations by the EPA team leading the CER initiative about IRA funding opportunities including Community Change Grants, Grantmakers, and Climate Pollution Reduction Grants, which will collectively invest billions of dollars in community-based projects across the country. Technical assistance providers also presented on the resources that are available to community groups, local governments and others learn about and navigate the grants process.
“President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act represents an unprecedented amount of funding dedicated towards environmental justice initiatives,” said EPA Regional Administrator KC Becker. “EPA is helping communities across the country benefit from these resources and ensuring that community organizations doing critical environmental justice work - like those in Commerce City and North Denver - have the assistance they need to access this historic funding. That’s what this Road Show is all about.”
“The Inflation Reduction Act continues to help our state confront climate change and lead the clean energy transition. We need to do everything we can to help communities throughout Colorado access this historic funding,” said Senator Michael Bennet. “I’m pleased the EPA is working with local leaders to ensure these investments reach every corner of our state."
"The Regional Roadshow is a welcome event in Denver and a great way to connect communities and stakeholders across EPA’s Region 8, which includes Colorado, to vital resources and funding opportunities,” said Representative Diana DeGette. “Thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act, millions of dollars are flowing to communities so that we can have cleaner air and water, lower energy costs, and lead the world in the clean energy revolution. I’m glad the Biden Administration has consistently worked to ensure that everyone knows how to get the most out of the investments Congress has made in America and our future.”
"Thanks to the EPA and their affiliates for bringing their Regional Roadshow to Commerce City and putting on a very informative and in-depth presentation,” said State Representative Manny Rutinel. “Commerce City faces many environmental justice challenges that require significant resources. It was great to hear about the many opportunities offered by the Community Change Grants that will help us address those concerns and protect vulnerable children and families."
About the Regional Road Show
The Regional Roadshow is a part of EPA’s Community, Equity & Resiliency initiative – a new effort to support communities navigate unprecedented Inflation Reduction Act funding opportunities. Through this initiative, EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation and Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights is providing spaces for communities to develop new or deeper community-based partnerships. Regional Roadshow attendees learned about historic funding opportunities and technical assistance through programming that is designed to be especially helpful for overburdened communities and organizations. These events are designed to help community members confront the climate crisis and advance environmental justice locally as they learn, connect, and cultivate ideas on how to access these resources.
Learn more about this initiative by visiting the Community, Equity and Resiliency webpage.
More than 90 individuals registered for the event, representing Denver-area environmental justice organizations and community members, local elected officials and nonprofits. As part of the EPA’s Community, Equity and Resiliency (CER) initiative, the Regional Road Shows promote current and upcoming Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) funding opportunities under President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda to support local climate and environmental justice initiatives. The Regional Road Show events serve as an opportunity for community members to come together, learn about the historic funding opportunities and technical assistance available to communities, and develop partnerships to access these resources.
The event kicked off with a welcome from EPA Regional Administrator KC Becker and presentations by the EPA team leading the CER initiative about IRA funding opportunities including Community Change Grants, Grantmakers, and Climate Pollution Reduction Grants, which will collectively invest billions of dollars in community-based projects across the country. Technical assistance providers also presented on the resources that are available to community groups, local governments and others learn about and navigate the grants process.
“President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act represents an unprecedented amount of funding dedicated towards environmental justice initiatives,” said EPA Regional Administrator KC Becker. “EPA is helping communities across the country benefit from these resources and ensuring that community organizations doing critical environmental justice work - like those in Commerce City and North Denver - have the assistance they need to access this historic funding. That’s what this Road Show is all about.”
“The Inflation Reduction Act continues to help our state confront climate change and lead the clean energy transition. We need to do everything we can to help communities throughout Colorado access this historic funding,” said Senator Michael Bennet. “I’m pleased the EPA is working with local leaders to ensure these investments reach every corner of our state."
"The Regional Roadshow is a welcome event in Denver and a great way to connect communities and stakeholders across EPA’s Region 8, which includes Colorado, to vital resources and funding opportunities,” said Representative Diana DeGette. “Thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act, millions of dollars are flowing to communities so that we can have cleaner air and water, lower energy costs, and lead the world in the clean energy revolution. I’m glad the Biden Administration has consistently worked to ensure that everyone knows how to get the most out of the investments Congress has made in America and our future.”
"Thanks to the EPA and their affiliates for bringing their Regional Roadshow to Commerce City and putting on a very informative and in-depth presentation,” said State Representative Manny Rutinel. “Commerce City faces many environmental justice challenges that require significant resources. It was great to hear about the many opportunities offered by the Community Change Grants that will help us address those concerns and protect vulnerable children and families."
About the Regional Road Show
The Regional Roadshow is a part of EPA’s Community, Equity & Resiliency initiative – a new effort to support communities navigate unprecedented Inflation Reduction Act funding opportunities. Through this initiative, EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation and Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights is providing spaces for communities to develop new or deeper community-based partnerships. Regional Roadshow attendees learned about historic funding opportunities and technical assistance through programming that is designed to be especially helpful for overburdened communities and organizations. These events are designed to help community members confront the climate crisis and advance environmental justice locally as they learn, connect, and cultivate ideas on how to access these resources.
Learn more about this initiative by visiting the Community, Equity and Resiliency webpage.
Biden-Harris Administration Invests $2.3 Billion in Projects to Expand Affordable, Reliable, Clean Power in Rural Communities Through Investing in America Agenda
SAN ANTONIO, March 6, 2024 – As part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced at the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s PowerXchange annual meeting in San Antonio, Texas that USDA is moving forward on clean energy investments in 23 states to reduce pollution and strengthen rural America’s power grid. Today’s announcement includes the first five awards totaling $139 million under the Powering Affordable Clean Energy (PACE) program.