Employers ink deal with Montreal port checkers while primary talks languish
Both sides say cargo is leaving Montreal due to the inability to reach a new contract deal with the port’s main longshore union.
USDA Deputy Secretary Torres Small Leads Trade Mission to Angola
WASHINGTON, Feb. 26, 2024 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture today announced that Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small is leading USDA’s first agribusiness trade mission to Luanda, Angola, this week, accompanied by representatives from the Kansas and Wisconsin departments of agriculture, as well as 16 U.S. companies and organizations.
Department of Agriculture, Department of Energy Launch Initiative to Help Farmers Reduce Costs with Underutilized Renewable Technologies as part of President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda
WASHINGTON, Feb. 26, 2024 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today are launching a new initiative to help farmers cut costs and increase income using underutilized renewable technologies including smaller-scale wind projects.
EPA, HUD and HHS announce interagency commitments to more robust collaboration on addressing risks of exposures to lead
WASHINGTON – Today, Feb. 26, 2024, the Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced two complementary agreements to further their “whole of government” approach to strengthen these agencies’ shared work in ensuring that children, especially those at high risk, are not exposed to human health risks from lead hazards.
These two Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) support commitments made in the Lead and Paint Action Plan, EPA’s Strategic Plan , HUD’s Strategic Plan, and HHS’s Strategic Plan, which seek to reduce lead exposures locally with a focus on underserved communities and promote environmental justice through a whole of government approach.
The first MOU expands, updates and reaffirms a 1997 agreement between EPA and HUD to coordinate their enforcement efforts addressing lead-based paint hazards in housing.
“EPA is committed to working with our federal partners to protect children from the harmful effects of lead poisoning, which remains far too prevalent in communities across America,” said David M. Uhlmann, Assistant Administrator for EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. “Today’s agreement demonstrates that EPA and HUD will enforce the law fairly and aggressively to protect children, particularly those living in overburdened and underserved communities, from exposure to lead-based paint in their homes.”
“With this agreement, we will collaborate across the federal government to enforce the laws that aim to ensure the healthy housing future that American children deserve,” said Matthew Ammon, Director of HUD’s Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes. “HUD is proud to join our federal partners at EPA to better align our enforcement efforts and ensure that we are protecting families – especially families with limited resources – from lead-based paint hazards in their home.”
The second MOU, signed by EPA, HUD and CDC launches a pilot program in the agencies’ Region 3, which includes Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia, to facilitate information sharing about communities with high blood lead levels or higher lead exposure risks, to help them focus their respective and collaborative efforts working in communities with the greatest risks. The agencies plan to use the knowledge gained from the pilot to expand the scope of this effort.
“Our three agencies will work together to identify, reach, and assist communities most at risk from exposure to lead,” said EPA Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator Adam Ortiz. “Through this pilot program, we will develop more effective processes for sharing actionable information on lead exposure, with the goal of alleviating the negative health impacts that still burden too many people across our region.”
“HUD is pleased to collaborate with its EPA and CDC partners on this pilot that we hope will provide the basis for an enhanced national framework for sharing and using information on the sources of lead exposures at the community and even neighborhood levels,” said Ammon. “HUD has a particular interest in using the shared data to facilitate its engagement with state and local lead hazard control programs, healthy homes programs, and housing rehabilitation programs, for the purposes of improving its targeting of funding, conducting special projects, or other collaborations.”
“All children deserve to grow up without lead burdening their minds and bodies” said Aaron Bernstein, Director of CDC’s National Center for Environmental Health, “We are committed to working together to leave no child behind and put an end to lead poisoning.”
Over 1 million children in the United States suffer from the irreversible impacts of lead poisoning, including reduced intelligence, behavioral and learning disabilities, and effects on many other body systems; new cases continue to be diagnosed every year. Lead-contaminated dust from chipped or peeling lead-based paint is one of the most common causes of elevated blood lead levels in children. Adults with exposure to lead can develop symptoms such as high blood pressure, memory loss and reduced motor skills. Infants and children are especially vulnerable to lead paint exposure because their growing bodies absorb more lead than adults do, and their brains and nervous systems are more sensitive to the damaging effects of lead. They can be exposed from multiple sources and may experience irreversible and life-long health effects.
More than 34 million homes in the US have lead paint somewhere in the building. About 3.3 million homes in the US have children less than six years of age facing one or more lead-based paint hazards, including over 2 million low-income households.
The EPA-HUD Memorandum of Understanding Lead Paint Compliance and Enforcement and the EPA Region 3-HUD-CDC Memorandum of Understanding for sharing of data can both be found on EPA’s Enforcing Lead Laws and Regulations webpage.
You can find out more about identifying and addressing housing health and safety hazards, including those from lead, on HUD’s Healthy Homes Program website.
Learn more about EPA’s efforts to reduce lead exposure and help protect children from lead paint by identifying and reporting lead paint violations to EPA, or identifying and reporting violations, especially in assisted housing to HUD’s lead reporting email. EPA, HUD and HHS are supporting the 2019 Federal Lead Action Plan, which was designed to reduce exposure to lead and improve children’s health.
These two Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) support commitments made in the Lead and Paint Action Plan, EPA’s Strategic Plan , HUD’s Strategic Plan, and HHS’s Strategic Plan, which seek to reduce lead exposures locally with a focus on underserved communities and promote environmental justice through a whole of government approach.
The first MOU expands, updates and reaffirms a 1997 agreement between EPA and HUD to coordinate their enforcement efforts addressing lead-based paint hazards in housing.
“EPA is committed to working with our federal partners to protect children from the harmful effects of lead poisoning, which remains far too prevalent in communities across America,” said David M. Uhlmann, Assistant Administrator for EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. “Today’s agreement demonstrates that EPA and HUD will enforce the law fairly and aggressively to protect children, particularly those living in overburdened and underserved communities, from exposure to lead-based paint in their homes.”
“With this agreement, we will collaborate across the federal government to enforce the laws that aim to ensure the healthy housing future that American children deserve,” said Matthew Ammon, Director of HUD’s Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes. “HUD is proud to join our federal partners at EPA to better align our enforcement efforts and ensure that we are protecting families – especially families with limited resources – from lead-based paint hazards in their home.”
The second MOU, signed by EPA, HUD and CDC launches a pilot program in the agencies’ Region 3, which includes Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia, to facilitate information sharing about communities with high blood lead levels or higher lead exposure risks, to help them focus their respective and collaborative efforts working in communities with the greatest risks. The agencies plan to use the knowledge gained from the pilot to expand the scope of this effort.
“Our three agencies will work together to identify, reach, and assist communities most at risk from exposure to lead,” said EPA Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator Adam Ortiz. “Through this pilot program, we will develop more effective processes for sharing actionable information on lead exposure, with the goal of alleviating the negative health impacts that still burden too many people across our region.”
“HUD is pleased to collaborate with its EPA and CDC partners on this pilot that we hope will provide the basis for an enhanced national framework for sharing and using information on the sources of lead exposures at the community and even neighborhood levels,” said Ammon. “HUD has a particular interest in using the shared data to facilitate its engagement with state and local lead hazard control programs, healthy homes programs, and housing rehabilitation programs, for the purposes of improving its targeting of funding, conducting special projects, or other collaborations.”
“All children deserve to grow up without lead burdening their minds and bodies” said Aaron Bernstein, Director of CDC’s National Center for Environmental Health, “We are committed to working together to leave no child behind and put an end to lead poisoning.”
Over 1 million children in the United States suffer from the irreversible impacts of lead poisoning, including reduced intelligence, behavioral and learning disabilities, and effects on many other body systems; new cases continue to be diagnosed every year. Lead-contaminated dust from chipped or peeling lead-based paint is one of the most common causes of elevated blood lead levels in children. Adults with exposure to lead can develop symptoms such as high blood pressure, memory loss and reduced motor skills. Infants and children are especially vulnerable to lead paint exposure because their growing bodies absorb more lead than adults do, and their brains and nervous systems are more sensitive to the damaging effects of lead. They can be exposed from multiple sources and may experience irreversible and life-long health effects.
More than 34 million homes in the US have lead paint somewhere in the building. About 3.3 million homes in the US have children less than six years of age facing one or more lead-based paint hazards, including over 2 million low-income households.
The EPA-HUD Memorandum of Understanding Lead Paint Compliance and Enforcement and the EPA Region 3-HUD-CDC Memorandum of Understanding for sharing of data can both be found on EPA’s Enforcing Lead Laws and Regulations webpage.
You can find out more about identifying and addressing housing health and safety hazards, including those from lead, on HUD’s Healthy Homes Program website.
Learn more about EPA’s efforts to reduce lead exposure and help protect children from lead paint by identifying and reporting lead paint violations to EPA, or identifying and reporting violations, especially in assisted housing to HUD’s lead reporting email. EPA, HUD and HHS are supporting the 2019 Federal Lead Action Plan, which was designed to reduce exposure to lead and improve children’s health.
EPA Settles Safe Drinking Water Act Claims with California Resources Corporation and Elk Hills Power
SAN FRANCISCO – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a settlement with California Resources Corporation (CRC) and Elk Hills Power LLC, a subsidiary of CRC, for Safe Drinking Water Act violations at the Elk Hills Power Plant in Tupman, California. CRC and Elk Hills Power have agreed to pay a penalty of $109,000 for permit violations of the Underground Injection Control Program. In addition to paying a penalty, CRC and Elk Hills Power will implement a supplemental environmental project with the local Buttonwillow County Water District valued at a minimum of $282,000.
"Facilities that include underground injection in their operations must comply with all permit conditions in order to protect underground sources of drinking water,” said EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator Martha Guzman.“ Failure to adhere to all permit requirements by owners and operators risks damage to vital groundwater resources.”
Injection wells are used to place fluid underground into porous geologic formations for storage or disposal. EPA’s Underground Injection Control Program works with underground injection well owners and operators to ensure their practices do not impact underground sources of drinking water. EPA conducts regular inspections to verify injection well operations comply with the injection well permits and applicable requirements.
EPA classifies injection wells into one of six types. Elk Hills Power holds an Underground Injection Control permit to dispose of non-hazardous wastewater into the Upper Tulare Formation, an underground source of drinking water, via two Class V injection wells.
Under the order, CRC and Elk Hills Power have agreed to take actions necessary to resolve exceedances of their maximum allowable injections pressure (MAIP). These actions include:
Reduce the injection rate when the injection pressure of any injection well approaches the MAIP;
Cease injection into any well that reaches the MAIP;
Increased reporting;
Submit and implement a compliance plan.
This enforcement action helps ensure continued operation at the Elk Hills Power Plant complies with its underground injection control permit and avoids potential contamination of underground sources of drinking water.
The supplemental environmental project agreed to by CRC and Elk Hills Power will benefit the Buttonwillow County Water District and the local community. Project work includes plugging of a standby drinking water well, demolition of a deteriorating 40,000-gallon metal tank, and installation of a back-up generator and power supply at an active drinking water well.
Read the public notice for the proposed settlement here.
Learn about EPA’s Underground Injection Control Program.
Read how to report possible violations of environmental laws and regulations.
Learn about EPA enforcement and supplemental environmental projects.
Learn about EPA’s Pacific Southwest Region. Connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and X.
"Facilities that include underground injection in their operations must comply with all permit conditions in order to protect underground sources of drinking water,” said EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator Martha Guzman.“ Failure to adhere to all permit requirements by owners and operators risks damage to vital groundwater resources.”
Injection wells are used to place fluid underground into porous geologic formations for storage or disposal. EPA’s Underground Injection Control Program works with underground injection well owners and operators to ensure their practices do not impact underground sources of drinking water. EPA conducts regular inspections to verify injection well operations comply with the injection well permits and applicable requirements.
EPA classifies injection wells into one of six types. Elk Hills Power holds an Underground Injection Control permit to dispose of non-hazardous wastewater into the Upper Tulare Formation, an underground source of drinking water, via two Class V injection wells.
Under the order, CRC and Elk Hills Power have agreed to take actions necessary to resolve exceedances of their maximum allowable injections pressure (MAIP). These actions include:
Reduce the injection rate when the injection pressure of any injection well approaches the MAIP;
Cease injection into any well that reaches the MAIP;
Increased reporting;
Submit and implement a compliance plan.
This enforcement action helps ensure continued operation at the Elk Hills Power Plant complies with its underground injection control permit and avoids potential contamination of underground sources of drinking water.
The supplemental environmental project agreed to by CRC and Elk Hills Power will benefit the Buttonwillow County Water District and the local community. Project work includes plugging of a standby drinking water well, demolition of a deteriorating 40,000-gallon metal tank, and installation of a back-up generator and power supply at an active drinking water well.
Read the public notice for the proposed settlement here.
Learn about EPA’s Underground Injection Control Program.
Read how to report possible violations of environmental laws and regulations.
Learn about EPA enforcement and supplemental environmental projects.
Learn about EPA’s Pacific Southwest Region. Connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and X.
EPA takes action against three New England companies for Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act violations
BOSTON (Feb.26, 2024) – Three New England-based companies have agreed to pay penalties to settle claims by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that they violated federal law for failure to file required annual pesticide production reports.
Recently, EPA Region 1 filed Settlement Agreements involving three companies; Seaman Paper Company of Massachusetts, Inc., from Gardner, Mass.; Ferti Technologies CT Corp, from Wallingford, Conn.; and Exoban, LLC, from Thomaston, Conn.for alleged violations of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), the law that regulates pesticide production and use in the United States.
The three companies all failed to file production reports for the reporting year 2021, and were issued Notice of Warnings; however, all three companies again failed to file production reports for the reporting year 2022, which led to these enforcement actions and penalties. The assessed penalties were based, in part, on the size of the respective company and were as follows: Seaman $1,400; Ferti $1,000; and Exoban $500.
EPA requires that companies which produce pesticides, active ingredients, or devices submit annual production reports by March 1 for the preceding calendar year. EPA uses these reports for compliance, risk assessment, and risk reduction activities which are important for protecting human health and the environment.
Background
EPA regulates all pesticide products used in the U.S. to ensure that uses described on product labels can be used without harming people's health or the environment. The settlements agreed to with each company address alleged violations of FIFRA for failure to file or timely file annual pesticide production report(s) in connection with each registered establishment. Without annual production reports, EPA cannot determine where and in what manner pesticidal products are being produced, sold, and distributed. FIFRA Section 7 reporting requirements are enforced federally and are not delegated to the states.
More information:
Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act Section 7(c) Expedited Settlement Agreement Program (pdf) (2.7 MB): https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2019-09/documents/finalfifra7cesaprogram.pdf Enforcement Response Policy for FIFRA Section 7(c) Establishment Reporting Requirements (pdf) (142 KB): https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/documents/fifra-erp-section7-051910.pdfEPA Pesticide Registration Process: https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-registration/about-pesticide-registration
Recently, EPA Region 1 filed Settlement Agreements involving three companies; Seaman Paper Company of Massachusetts, Inc., from Gardner, Mass.; Ferti Technologies CT Corp, from Wallingford, Conn.; and Exoban, LLC, from Thomaston, Conn.for alleged violations of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), the law that regulates pesticide production and use in the United States.
The three companies all failed to file production reports for the reporting year 2021, and were issued Notice of Warnings; however, all three companies again failed to file production reports for the reporting year 2022, which led to these enforcement actions and penalties. The assessed penalties were based, in part, on the size of the respective company and were as follows: Seaman $1,400; Ferti $1,000; and Exoban $500.
EPA requires that companies which produce pesticides, active ingredients, or devices submit annual production reports by March 1 for the preceding calendar year. EPA uses these reports for compliance, risk assessment, and risk reduction activities which are important for protecting human health and the environment.
Background
EPA regulates all pesticide products used in the U.S. to ensure that uses described on product labels can be used without harming people's health or the environment. The settlements agreed to with each company address alleged violations of FIFRA for failure to file or timely file annual pesticide production report(s) in connection with each registered establishment. Without annual production reports, EPA cannot determine where and in what manner pesticidal products are being produced, sold, and distributed. FIFRA Section 7 reporting requirements are enforced federally and are not delegated to the states.
More information:
Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act Section 7(c) Expedited Settlement Agreement Program (pdf) (2.7 MB): https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2019-09/documents/finalfifra7cesaprogram.pdf Enforcement Response Policy for FIFRA Section 7(c) Establishment Reporting Requirements (pdf) (142 KB): https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/documents/fifra-erp-section7-051910.pdfEPA Pesticide Registration Process: https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-registration/about-pesticide-registration
EPA Invests $1 Million in New York State Communities Through UAlbany-Led Community Air Monitoring Projects
ALBANY, N.Y. – Communities in New York’s Capital District and in other areas of New York will get valuable data from two air monitoring projects funded by $1 million from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under its efforts to invest in communities across America. EPA recently awarded the money to the University at Albany (UAlbany) for two community air quality monitoring projects that will measure and reduce exposure to air pollutants that affect public health. The funding is part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s historic investment of $53.4 million in 132 air monitoring projects in 37 states, funded by the American Rescue Plan and the Inflation Reduction Act, to enhance air quality monitoring in communities that are underserved and overburdened by pollution.
To celebrate the awards, EPA joined U.S. Rep. Paul Tonko, Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan and other local stakeholders at Giffen Memorial Elementary School, a future air monitoring site in Albany’s South End. UAlbany researchers displayed an example of a low-cost air monitor and led a demonstration of their mobile air monitoring van.
“Air pollution is a serious threat to the health and well-being of millions of Americans, especially those who live in communities that are disproportionately exposed to harmful emissions. The Biden-Harris Administration is committed to investing in community-based solutions that help improve air quality, protect public health, and advance environmental justice,” said EPA Regional Administrator Lisa F. Garcia. “These air monitoring projects are examples of how we can partner with local stakeholders to support communities with data and tools they need to address their air quality challenges and achieve their environmental goals.”
Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos said, “DEC applauds the Biden-Harris Administration, EPA Administrator Michael Regan, and Regional Administrator Lisa Garcia for their continued commitment to improving air quality, combating climate change, and prioritizing environmental justice. The $1 million announced today will complement ongoing efforts like DEC’s successful Community Air Monitoring Initiative to obtain localized data that will help assess the air quality in neighborhoods here in Albany and across the state.”
“I’m thrilled to celebrate this major federal investment that will enable the University at Albany to conduct critical community air quality monitoring projects here in our Capital Region and across New York State,” Congressman Paul Tonko said. “Ever since I welcomed EPA Administrator Regan to speak with residents and community leaders at Albany’s South End about the importance of addressing inequities and environmental injustice, we’ve been committed to helping alleviate those burdens and build healthier communities. These awards are an example of taking in those important conversations and transforming them into meaningful action. Thanks to our American Rescue Plan and our Inflation Reduction Act, we are making significant strides to ensure that our families have clean air to breathe. I’m grateful to EPA for recognizing this need and taking steps to meet it, and I look forward to the tremendous positive impact these projects will have on our Capital Region communities.”
Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan said, "When I first became Mayor, I worked tirelessly to secure air monitoring in Albany's South End through a partnership with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. That study showed that our South End neighbors are disproportionately impacted by particulates from truck traffic. The information gleaned from that study was one of the ways we were able to convince large-volume vehicle operators to change their route away from Ezra Prentice and to advocate for a replacement of the Port of Albany road so we can eventually ban truck traffic from Pearl Street. This effort led by Biden-Harris Administration and the EPA in conjunction with SUNY University at Albany and the Albany City School District will help us understand whether our past efforts are still working and identify what additional pollutants - both outdoors and indoors - are present in one of our most historically underserved communities. I applaud President Biden, Vice President Harris, Congressman Tonko, and our state and local partners for engaging in this important project."
“The University at Albany is proud to partner on the EPA’s largest investment for community air monitoring in its history,” said Thenkurussi (Kesh) Kesavadas, UAlbany Vice President for Research & Economic Development. “Air quality is a serious problem that is expected to worsen through climate change. These two projects, led by faculty at our nationally renowned Atmospheric Sciences Research Center and College of Nanotechnology, Science, and Engineering, will play a key role in helping inform policy decisions and protecting vulnerable populations, including those in underserved communities who often experience higher pollution exposure levels.”
"We're excited to be part of this important work that's happening in our community and in the South End in particular," said City School District of Albany Superintendent Joseph Hochreiter. "We're also grateful to the EPA, UAlbany, and our partners in city, state and federal government for their focus on improving air quality for all of us."
In August 2021, Congressman Tonko hosted EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan during a visit to the Capital Region to highlight a number of key priorities the EPA has championed, including clean water infrastructure and environmental justice. During this tour, the Administrator and Congressman held an environmental justice discussion at Ezra Prentice Homes, where they heard insights from residents and pledged federal action and support for investments in public health protections and pollution reductions in the communities that need them most.
Today’s announcement highlights EPA awards of nearly $500,000 each to two UAlbany projects. The goal of the projects, led by researchers at UAlbany, is to improve air quality and public health across underserved neighborhoods across New York State.
NY Capital District Communities Air Quality Measurement Network. Working closely with local partners, UAlbany researchers will use low-cost sensors to measure the air quality inside and outside five community schools, such as the Giffen Memorial School, and use a mobile lab to provide accurate measurements. The researchers will analyze the data to estimate people’s exposure to air pollution inside and outside their homes and suggest ways to make the air cleaner and healthier. The project partners are Healthy Schools Network and the City School District of Albany. The project covers five areas: Northeast Albany, South Albany, Northwest Albany, North Troy, and East Schenectady. The air monitors will measure carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, ozone, fine particles and volatile organic compounds.
Promoting Sustainable Air Quality at Underserved Neighborhoods in New York State. UAlbany researchers will use low-cost sensors to measure the air quality inside and outside people’s homes in underserved neighborhoods in the Capital District, Hudson Valley and Harlem. The researchers will work with community leaders to understand and improve the air quality and public health. The project covers seven areas: South End in Albany, Schenectady, Cohoes, Kingston, Poughkeepsie, Newburgh, and Harlem in Manhattan. The air monitors will measure black carbon, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide, ozone, nitrogen oxides, fine particles, volatile organic compounds, and other air toxics.
Learn more about these and other winners on EPA’s American Rescue Plan’s Enhanced Air Quality Monitoring Competitive Grant webpage.
Air Monitoring and Air Quality Sensors Grants under the Inflation Reduction Act
The funding EPA announced today is one piece of the overall Inflation Reduction Act approach to improving air monitoring across the country. On Feb. 16, EPA announced the availability of an additional $81 million in funding for eligible air agencies to expand and upgrade the nation’s air quality monitoring networks, as well as approximately $2 million in funding to support state, local, territorial and Tribal agencies in the deployment and operation of air quality sensors in low-income and disadvantaged communities across the United States. Together, these investments will provide critical resources to ensure the sustainability of national air quality monitoring networks, helping protect human health and the environment and ensuring Americans are breathing cleaner air.
EPA encourages eligible entities to apply for funding as soon as possible and no later than April 8, 2024. Details about the application process are available on EPA’s Air Quality and Air Quality Sensors Grants website.
Find out more by visiting EPA’s Air Grants and Funding webpage.
Follow EPA Region 2 on X and visit our Facebook page. For more information about EPA Region 2, visit our website.
To celebrate the awards, EPA joined U.S. Rep. Paul Tonko, Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan and other local stakeholders at Giffen Memorial Elementary School, a future air monitoring site in Albany’s South End. UAlbany researchers displayed an example of a low-cost air monitor and led a demonstration of their mobile air monitoring van.
“Air pollution is a serious threat to the health and well-being of millions of Americans, especially those who live in communities that are disproportionately exposed to harmful emissions. The Biden-Harris Administration is committed to investing in community-based solutions that help improve air quality, protect public health, and advance environmental justice,” said EPA Regional Administrator Lisa F. Garcia. “These air monitoring projects are examples of how we can partner with local stakeholders to support communities with data and tools they need to address their air quality challenges and achieve their environmental goals.”
Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos said, “DEC applauds the Biden-Harris Administration, EPA Administrator Michael Regan, and Regional Administrator Lisa Garcia for their continued commitment to improving air quality, combating climate change, and prioritizing environmental justice. The $1 million announced today will complement ongoing efforts like DEC’s successful Community Air Monitoring Initiative to obtain localized data that will help assess the air quality in neighborhoods here in Albany and across the state.”
“I’m thrilled to celebrate this major federal investment that will enable the University at Albany to conduct critical community air quality monitoring projects here in our Capital Region and across New York State,” Congressman Paul Tonko said. “Ever since I welcomed EPA Administrator Regan to speak with residents and community leaders at Albany’s South End about the importance of addressing inequities and environmental injustice, we’ve been committed to helping alleviate those burdens and build healthier communities. These awards are an example of taking in those important conversations and transforming them into meaningful action. Thanks to our American Rescue Plan and our Inflation Reduction Act, we are making significant strides to ensure that our families have clean air to breathe. I’m grateful to EPA for recognizing this need and taking steps to meet it, and I look forward to the tremendous positive impact these projects will have on our Capital Region communities.”
Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan said, "When I first became Mayor, I worked tirelessly to secure air monitoring in Albany's South End through a partnership with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. That study showed that our South End neighbors are disproportionately impacted by particulates from truck traffic. The information gleaned from that study was one of the ways we were able to convince large-volume vehicle operators to change their route away from Ezra Prentice and to advocate for a replacement of the Port of Albany road so we can eventually ban truck traffic from Pearl Street. This effort led by Biden-Harris Administration and the EPA in conjunction with SUNY University at Albany and the Albany City School District will help us understand whether our past efforts are still working and identify what additional pollutants - both outdoors and indoors - are present in one of our most historically underserved communities. I applaud President Biden, Vice President Harris, Congressman Tonko, and our state and local partners for engaging in this important project."
“The University at Albany is proud to partner on the EPA’s largest investment for community air monitoring in its history,” said Thenkurussi (Kesh) Kesavadas, UAlbany Vice President for Research & Economic Development. “Air quality is a serious problem that is expected to worsen through climate change. These two projects, led by faculty at our nationally renowned Atmospheric Sciences Research Center and College of Nanotechnology, Science, and Engineering, will play a key role in helping inform policy decisions and protecting vulnerable populations, including those in underserved communities who often experience higher pollution exposure levels.”
"We're excited to be part of this important work that's happening in our community and in the South End in particular," said City School District of Albany Superintendent Joseph Hochreiter. "We're also grateful to the EPA, UAlbany, and our partners in city, state and federal government for their focus on improving air quality for all of us."
In August 2021, Congressman Tonko hosted EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan during a visit to the Capital Region to highlight a number of key priorities the EPA has championed, including clean water infrastructure and environmental justice. During this tour, the Administrator and Congressman held an environmental justice discussion at Ezra Prentice Homes, where they heard insights from residents and pledged federal action and support for investments in public health protections and pollution reductions in the communities that need them most.
Today’s announcement highlights EPA awards of nearly $500,000 each to two UAlbany projects. The goal of the projects, led by researchers at UAlbany, is to improve air quality and public health across underserved neighborhoods across New York State.
NY Capital District Communities Air Quality Measurement Network. Working closely with local partners, UAlbany researchers will use low-cost sensors to measure the air quality inside and outside five community schools, such as the Giffen Memorial School, and use a mobile lab to provide accurate measurements. The researchers will analyze the data to estimate people’s exposure to air pollution inside and outside their homes and suggest ways to make the air cleaner and healthier. The project partners are Healthy Schools Network and the City School District of Albany. The project covers five areas: Northeast Albany, South Albany, Northwest Albany, North Troy, and East Schenectady. The air monitors will measure carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, ozone, fine particles and volatile organic compounds.
Promoting Sustainable Air Quality at Underserved Neighborhoods in New York State. UAlbany researchers will use low-cost sensors to measure the air quality inside and outside people’s homes in underserved neighborhoods in the Capital District, Hudson Valley and Harlem. The researchers will work with community leaders to understand and improve the air quality and public health. The project covers seven areas: South End in Albany, Schenectady, Cohoes, Kingston, Poughkeepsie, Newburgh, and Harlem in Manhattan. The air monitors will measure black carbon, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide, ozone, nitrogen oxides, fine particles, volatile organic compounds, and other air toxics.
Learn more about these and other winners on EPA’s American Rescue Plan’s Enhanced Air Quality Monitoring Competitive Grant webpage.
Air Monitoring and Air Quality Sensors Grants under the Inflation Reduction Act
The funding EPA announced today is one piece of the overall Inflation Reduction Act approach to improving air monitoring across the country. On Feb. 16, EPA announced the availability of an additional $81 million in funding for eligible air agencies to expand and upgrade the nation’s air quality monitoring networks, as well as approximately $2 million in funding to support state, local, territorial and Tribal agencies in the deployment and operation of air quality sensors in low-income and disadvantaged communities across the United States. Together, these investments will provide critical resources to ensure the sustainability of national air quality monitoring networks, helping protect human health and the environment and ensuring Americans are breathing cleaner air.
EPA encourages eligible entities to apply for funding as soon as possible and no later than April 8, 2024. Details about the application process are available on EPA’s Air Quality and Air Quality Sensors Grants website.
Find out more by visiting EPA’s Air Grants and Funding webpage.
Follow EPA Region 2 on X and visit our Facebook page. For more information about EPA Region 2, visit our website.
FMC’s new rules to prevent truckers from being hit with D&D bills
Under final guidelines for detention and demurrage billing, only the shipper or consignee can be on the hook for such charges and bills must be sent within 30 days.