Naval force gives Maersk confidence to resume Suez Canal transits
Maersk decision to resume sailings through the Red Sea reveals confidence on the part of the carrier with they have been told by naval coalition forces about their capabilities and willingness to act in defense of shipping.
USDA Now Accepting Applications for 40 Climate Change Fellows to Help Record Number of Farmers and Rural Small Businesses Access Clean Energy Funds from President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda
WASHINGTON, Dec. 22, 2023 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced that it is hiring 40 Climate Change Fellows to help with the record numbers of applications from farmers, ranchers and rural small businesses seeking funding for clean energy projects under the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP).
USDA Highlights 2023 Successes in Serving Farmers, Families and Communities
WASHINGTON, December 22, 2023 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is marking the end of 2023 by highlighting on-the-ground projects and partnerships that are building economic prosperity for farmers, families, and communities nationwide.
Biden-Harris Administration Selects Texas Southern University to Receive $50,000,000 to Fund Environmental Justice Projects Across Region 6
DALLAS TEXAS (December 22, 2023) – As part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, the Biden-Harris Administration announced the Texas Southern University has been selected to serve as Regional Grantmaker that will receive $50,000,000 under EPA’s Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmaking program that was created by President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, the largest investment in climate action in history. This new grant program, which will make it easier for small community-based organizations to access federal environmental justice funding, responds to community feedback about the need to reduce barriers to federal funds and improve the efficiency of the awards process to ensure communities that have long faced underinvestment can access the benefits of the largest climate investment in history. Communities will be able to apply to Texas Southern University’s Bullard Center for Environmental and Climate Justice for a subgrant to fund a range of different environmental project activities, including (but not limited to) small local clean ups, local emergency preparedness and disaster resiliency programs, environmental workforce development programs for local jobs reducing greenhouse gas emissions, fenceline air quality and asthma related projects, healthy homes programs, and projects addressing illegal dumping.
President Biden is delivering the most ambitious environmental justice agenda in our nation’s history. Vice President Kamala Harris and EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan were joined by Dr. Robert Bullard, a Distinguished Professor of Urban Planning and Environmental Policy at Texas Southern University to announce the historic Grantmaker awards.
“Every person has a right to drink clean water, breathe clean air, and live in a community that is healthy and safe,” said Vice President Kamala Harris. “For too long, however, low-income communities, immigrant communities, Native communities, and communities of color have endured disproportionate levels of air, water, and soil pollution. That is why President Joe Biden and I have put equity at the center of our nation’s largest investment in climate in history. Today’s announcement puts that commitment into action by ensuring critical resources to fund environmental justice projects across the country reach the organizations that know their communities best.”
“For years, community advocates have been calling for federal support and resources to help address our country’s most pressing environmental justice concerns,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “Thanks to President Biden and Vice President Harris’ leadership, we’re responding to these calls by removing barriers that have traditionally held communities and applicants back from accessing these historic investments in America. Together, in partnership with these Grantmakers, we are taking a giant step toward a future where every person in America has equal opportunity to breathe clean air, drink clean water, and live a healthy, productive life.”
“I am grateful to see the Biden-Harris Administration support and recognize the importance of strengthening regional partners like Texas Southern University to help advance environmental justice goals,” said Deputy Regional Administrator Stacey Dwyer. “Texas Southern University, with Dr. Bullard’s leadership, became a pioneer for environmental quality not just in Texas but in the nation. With decades of bringing awareness to environmental quality and for fighting to overcome local pollution obstacles, EPA is proud to call Texas Southern University a Regional Grantmaker. We look forward to working with Texas Southern University and Dr. Bullard to bring federal resources to impacted communities and to help address the region’s most pressing environmental concerns.”
“I am happy to say Texas Southern University is the HBCU that served as the ‘launching pad’ for my environmental justice career way back in 1979—before EJ had a name or initials. And today, 44 years later, TSU was selected to serve as a Regional Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmaker,” says Center Director and Professor Dr. Robert D. Bullard, who is often referred to as the “father of environmental justice.”
Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee (TX-18) said:
“Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee is pleased to announce with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) a major $50 million Environmental Justice Program Grant to Texas Southern University (TSU). TSU is the academic home of Professor Robert D. Bullard, who is known as the ‘Father of Environmental Justice.’ Dr. Bullard's groundbreaking work and pioneering research regarding communities of color expanded beyond academia to establish environmental justice as a national priority.
This unique grant we are announcing resulted from the work of many of us as Members of Congress on environmental justice issues. Specifically, this grant resulted from the work of the United States Congress and the Biden-Harris Administration on the Inflation Reduction Act, which is the largest investment in climate action relief in our history. I worked on the Inflation Reduction Act as a member of the House Budget Committee.
Through my 18th Congressional District Office, I led in efforts to directly engage the EPA on frontline environmental challenges facing residents of my district. I called a community meeting that brought all sides to a discussion on the creosote contamination of Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens, which led to my work for a cancer study of the impacted area. The study resulted in three reports each revealing a new cancer cluster involving residents of the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens area.
I applaud the work of EPA Administrator Regan and his team for positively receiving communications from my office on the cancer clusters and their effort to focus energy and resources on the environmental problems faced by at-risk communities like Fifth Ward, Kashmere Gardens, and the larger Northeast community along with other communities in the 18th Congressional District. Under Administrator Regan and his team's leadership, EPA is bringing this grant opportunity to the City of Houston.
Throughout my legislative and representational work, I have worked closely with the EPA on addressing environmental concerns impacting communities in my Congressional District. I welcome today's funding and will work with the Administrator and his team to bring this grant opportunity to the City of Houston.”
EPA Grantmakers will work in collaboration with EPA’s Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights to issue subgrants to community-based nonprofit organizations and other eligible organizations representing disadvantaged communities. As a Grantmaker, Texas Southern University will design comprehensive application and submission processes, award environmental justice subgrants, implement tracking and reporting systems, and provide resources and support to communities. The subgrants are expected to become available by summer of 2024.
EPA has selected, the Texas Southern University to receive $50,000,000 as a National Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmaker to provide additional support, coordination, and oversight to the subgrantees, applicants, and the Regional Grantmakers across the southern part of the country. The Bullard Center for Environmental and Climate Justice (“Bullard Center”) at Texas Southern University (TSU)—in partnership with Achieving Community Tasks Successfully (ACTS), a community-based nonprofit organization—will serve as a Regional Grantmaker (RGM) for the purpose of distributing funds to CBOs that are addressing environmental justice issues in disadvantaged and underserved communities. The Bullard Center RGM program builds on decades of experience, expertise and trust earned the past three decades in operating centers, consortia, and collaboratives engaged in regranting to EJ CBOs.
Grantmakers are expected to begin opening competitions and awarding subgrants by summer 2024. Community-based nonprofit organizations and other eligible organizations seeking subgrant funding will be able to apply for subgrants through three concurrent tiers offered by the Grantmakers. Tier One will consist of grants for $150,000 for assessment, Tier Two will consist of grants for $250,000 for planning, and Tier Three will consist of grants for $350,000 for project development. In addition, $75,000 will be available for capacity-constrained community-based organizations through a noncompetitive process during Tier One. Each Grantmaker will design and implement a distribution program best suited for their region and communities.
The Grantmakers program is part of the Federal Interagency Thriving Communities Network and delivers on the Biden-Harris Administration’s Justice40 Initiative which set the goal that 40% of the overall benefits of certain federal investments flow to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution. Grantmakers will work in collaboration with the Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Centers (EJ TCTACs) to create a robust support network to assist eligible entities when applying.
Learn more about the Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmakers.
Background
From day one of their administration, President Biden and Vice President Harris have made achieving environmental justice a top priority. In August 2022, President Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act into law, creating the largest investment in environmental and climate justice in U.S. history. EPA received $3 billion in total to award grants and fund related technical assistance to benefit disadvantaged communities.
EPA has since launched and expanded innovative programs to provide more support than ever before to communities that unjustly bear the burdens of environmental harm and pollution. This includes the $177 million for the creation of 16 EJ TCTACs in partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy to remove barriers to federal resources and help communities pursue funding opportunities like those made available through President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda.
EPA announced nearly $128 million to fund 186 projects across the country that advance environmental justice as part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda. The organizations, which EPA has selected through its Environmental Justice Collaborative Problem Solving Cooperative Agreement and Environmental Justice Government-to-Government programs, will use the funds to ensure disadvantaged communities that have historically suffered from underinvestment have access to clean air and water and climate resilience solutions in alignment with the Biden-Harris Administration’s Justice40 Initiative.
EPA also announced approximately $2 billion in funding available to support community-driven projects that deploy clean energy, strengthen climate resilience, and build capacity for communities to tackle environmental and climate justice challenges last month. The Community Change Grants are the single largest investment in environmental justice going directly to communities in history, and will advance collaborative efforts to achieve a healthier, safer, and more prosperous future for all.
Learn more about environmental justice at EPA.
For up-to-date information on when subgrants will be available, subscribe to the Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights’ listserv by sending a blank email to: join-epa-ej@lists.epa.gov. Follow OEJECR on X (formerly Twitter): @EPAEnvJustice.
Connect with the Environmental Protection Agency Region 6 on Facebook, Twitter, or visit our homepage.
President Biden is delivering the most ambitious environmental justice agenda in our nation’s history. Vice President Kamala Harris and EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan were joined by Dr. Robert Bullard, a Distinguished Professor of Urban Planning and Environmental Policy at Texas Southern University to announce the historic Grantmaker awards.
“Every person has a right to drink clean water, breathe clean air, and live in a community that is healthy and safe,” said Vice President Kamala Harris. “For too long, however, low-income communities, immigrant communities, Native communities, and communities of color have endured disproportionate levels of air, water, and soil pollution. That is why President Joe Biden and I have put equity at the center of our nation’s largest investment in climate in history. Today’s announcement puts that commitment into action by ensuring critical resources to fund environmental justice projects across the country reach the organizations that know their communities best.”
“For years, community advocates have been calling for federal support and resources to help address our country’s most pressing environmental justice concerns,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “Thanks to President Biden and Vice President Harris’ leadership, we’re responding to these calls by removing barriers that have traditionally held communities and applicants back from accessing these historic investments in America. Together, in partnership with these Grantmakers, we are taking a giant step toward a future where every person in America has equal opportunity to breathe clean air, drink clean water, and live a healthy, productive life.”
“I am grateful to see the Biden-Harris Administration support and recognize the importance of strengthening regional partners like Texas Southern University to help advance environmental justice goals,” said Deputy Regional Administrator Stacey Dwyer. “Texas Southern University, with Dr. Bullard’s leadership, became a pioneer for environmental quality not just in Texas but in the nation. With decades of bringing awareness to environmental quality and for fighting to overcome local pollution obstacles, EPA is proud to call Texas Southern University a Regional Grantmaker. We look forward to working with Texas Southern University and Dr. Bullard to bring federal resources to impacted communities and to help address the region’s most pressing environmental concerns.”
“I am happy to say Texas Southern University is the HBCU that served as the ‘launching pad’ for my environmental justice career way back in 1979—before EJ had a name or initials. And today, 44 years later, TSU was selected to serve as a Regional Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmaker,” says Center Director and Professor Dr. Robert D. Bullard, who is often referred to as the “father of environmental justice.”
Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee (TX-18) said:
“Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee is pleased to announce with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) a major $50 million Environmental Justice Program Grant to Texas Southern University (TSU). TSU is the academic home of Professor Robert D. Bullard, who is known as the ‘Father of Environmental Justice.’ Dr. Bullard's groundbreaking work and pioneering research regarding communities of color expanded beyond academia to establish environmental justice as a national priority.
This unique grant we are announcing resulted from the work of many of us as Members of Congress on environmental justice issues. Specifically, this grant resulted from the work of the United States Congress and the Biden-Harris Administration on the Inflation Reduction Act, which is the largest investment in climate action relief in our history. I worked on the Inflation Reduction Act as a member of the House Budget Committee.
Through my 18th Congressional District Office, I led in efforts to directly engage the EPA on frontline environmental challenges facing residents of my district. I called a community meeting that brought all sides to a discussion on the creosote contamination of Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens, which led to my work for a cancer study of the impacted area. The study resulted in three reports each revealing a new cancer cluster involving residents of the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens area.
I applaud the work of EPA Administrator Regan and his team for positively receiving communications from my office on the cancer clusters and their effort to focus energy and resources on the environmental problems faced by at-risk communities like Fifth Ward, Kashmere Gardens, and the larger Northeast community along with other communities in the 18th Congressional District. Under Administrator Regan and his team's leadership, EPA is bringing this grant opportunity to the City of Houston.
Throughout my legislative and representational work, I have worked closely with the EPA on addressing environmental concerns impacting communities in my Congressional District. I welcome today's funding and will work with the Administrator and his team to bring this grant opportunity to the City of Houston.”
EPA Grantmakers will work in collaboration with EPA’s Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights to issue subgrants to community-based nonprofit organizations and other eligible organizations representing disadvantaged communities. As a Grantmaker, Texas Southern University will design comprehensive application and submission processes, award environmental justice subgrants, implement tracking and reporting systems, and provide resources and support to communities. The subgrants are expected to become available by summer of 2024.
EPA has selected, the Texas Southern University to receive $50,000,000 as a National Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmaker to provide additional support, coordination, and oversight to the subgrantees, applicants, and the Regional Grantmakers across the southern part of the country. The Bullard Center for Environmental and Climate Justice (“Bullard Center”) at Texas Southern University (TSU)—in partnership with Achieving Community Tasks Successfully (ACTS), a community-based nonprofit organization—will serve as a Regional Grantmaker (RGM) for the purpose of distributing funds to CBOs that are addressing environmental justice issues in disadvantaged and underserved communities. The Bullard Center RGM program builds on decades of experience, expertise and trust earned the past three decades in operating centers, consortia, and collaboratives engaged in regranting to EJ CBOs.
Grantmakers are expected to begin opening competitions and awarding subgrants by summer 2024. Community-based nonprofit organizations and other eligible organizations seeking subgrant funding will be able to apply for subgrants through three concurrent tiers offered by the Grantmakers. Tier One will consist of grants for $150,000 for assessment, Tier Two will consist of grants for $250,000 for planning, and Tier Three will consist of grants for $350,000 for project development. In addition, $75,000 will be available for capacity-constrained community-based organizations through a noncompetitive process during Tier One. Each Grantmaker will design and implement a distribution program best suited for their region and communities.
The Grantmakers program is part of the Federal Interagency Thriving Communities Network and delivers on the Biden-Harris Administration’s Justice40 Initiative which set the goal that 40% of the overall benefits of certain federal investments flow to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution. Grantmakers will work in collaboration with the Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Centers (EJ TCTACs) to create a robust support network to assist eligible entities when applying.
Learn more about the Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmakers.
Background
From day one of their administration, President Biden and Vice President Harris have made achieving environmental justice a top priority. In August 2022, President Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act into law, creating the largest investment in environmental and climate justice in U.S. history. EPA received $3 billion in total to award grants and fund related technical assistance to benefit disadvantaged communities.
EPA has since launched and expanded innovative programs to provide more support than ever before to communities that unjustly bear the burdens of environmental harm and pollution. This includes the $177 million for the creation of 16 EJ TCTACs in partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy to remove barriers to federal resources and help communities pursue funding opportunities like those made available through President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda.
EPA announced nearly $128 million to fund 186 projects across the country that advance environmental justice as part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda. The organizations, which EPA has selected through its Environmental Justice Collaborative Problem Solving Cooperative Agreement and Environmental Justice Government-to-Government programs, will use the funds to ensure disadvantaged communities that have historically suffered from underinvestment have access to clean air and water and climate resilience solutions in alignment with the Biden-Harris Administration’s Justice40 Initiative.
EPA also announced approximately $2 billion in funding available to support community-driven projects that deploy clean energy, strengthen climate resilience, and build capacity for communities to tackle environmental and climate justice challenges last month. The Community Change Grants are the single largest investment in environmental justice going directly to communities in history, and will advance collaborative efforts to achieve a healthier, safer, and more prosperous future for all.
Learn more about environmental justice at EPA.
For up-to-date information on when subgrants will be available, subscribe to the Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights’ listserv by sending a blank email to: join-epa-ej@lists.epa.gov. Follow OEJECR on X (formerly Twitter): @EPAEnvJustice.
Connect with the Environmental Protection Agency Region 6 on Facebook, Twitter, or visit our homepage.
EPA Reaches Agreement to Advance the Cleanup of the San German Superfund Site in Puerto Rico
NEW YORK (December 22, 2023) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announced that the United States District Court in Puerto Rico has approved a settlement between the agency and HP Inc., the Puerto Rico Industrial Development Corporation, Wallace Silversmiths of Puerto Rico, Ltd., and Lifetime Brands, Inc. to design and carry out a cleanup at the San German Groundwater Contamination Site in Puerto Rico. The cost of the cleanup is estimated at $7.7 million.
The San German Groundwater Contamination Superfund Site includes the Retiro Industrial Park and adjacent areas. Over 44 nearby industrial sites were part of the EPA's investigation. After discovering the contamination, the Puerto Rico Department of Health ordered three public supply wells to be closed in 2006. Area residents are connected to safe sources of drinking water from other municipal water supplies in the area.
"Today’s announcement demonstrates EPA’s progress in ensuring that the communities of San German are protected from the potential risk of exposure to chemical contamination,” said Regional Administrator Lisa F. Garcia. “EPA will continue to hold companies responsible and require them to conduct the work necessary to clean up contaminated sites which in turn helps to protect public health and our environment.”
The site is located in the municipality of San German in the southwestern part of Puerto Rico. The EPA placed the site on the Superfund program’s National Priorities List in 2008. The site includes three public water supply wells in the municipality of San German that functioned as an independent, interconnected water supply system. In 2006, the Puerto Rico Department of Health closed the three supply wells after sampling revealed the presence of elevated concentrations of volatile organic compounds, including tetrachloroethylene and trichloroethylene. Investigations indicated that the Retiro Industrial Park, located near the affected supply wells, is the source of the contamination. Several buildings in the park, currently occupied by active businesses, were investigated during a remedial investigation.
In 2015, the EPA decided on a plan to clean up the soil at two lots located within the Retiro Industrial Park where contamination was found, known as the Wallace Lot and the CCL Lot. The cleanup is being addressed in two phases. The first phase, which is the subject of the agreement, focuses on contaminated soils and shallow, highly contaminated groundwater. The second phase, which is currently ongoing, involves further investigations of larger, less contaminated groundwater plume.
The agreement requires the parties to address conditions related to the first phase by cleaning up the soil and shallow, highly contaminated groundwater through the use of processes called soil vapor extraction and dual-phase extraction and treatment in place. Soil vapor and dual-phase extraction treatment systems are used to reduce the volatile organic compounds in the soil and groundwater. These methods remove harmful chemicals from the soil and groundwater in the form of vapor by applying a vacuum. The parties have agreed to monitor the area long-term to ensure that the cleanup is effective.
For more information about this superfund site, please visit San German Ground Water Contamination Site.
Follow EPA Region 2 on X and visit our Facebook page. For more information about EPA Region 2, visit our website.
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The San German Groundwater Contamination Superfund Site includes the Retiro Industrial Park and adjacent areas. Over 44 nearby industrial sites were part of the EPA's investigation. After discovering the contamination, the Puerto Rico Department of Health ordered three public supply wells to be closed in 2006. Area residents are connected to safe sources of drinking water from other municipal water supplies in the area.
"Today’s announcement demonstrates EPA’s progress in ensuring that the communities of San German are protected from the potential risk of exposure to chemical contamination,” said Regional Administrator Lisa F. Garcia. “EPA will continue to hold companies responsible and require them to conduct the work necessary to clean up contaminated sites which in turn helps to protect public health and our environment.”
The site is located in the municipality of San German in the southwestern part of Puerto Rico. The EPA placed the site on the Superfund program’s National Priorities List in 2008. The site includes three public water supply wells in the municipality of San German that functioned as an independent, interconnected water supply system. In 2006, the Puerto Rico Department of Health closed the three supply wells after sampling revealed the presence of elevated concentrations of volatile organic compounds, including tetrachloroethylene and trichloroethylene. Investigations indicated that the Retiro Industrial Park, located near the affected supply wells, is the source of the contamination. Several buildings in the park, currently occupied by active businesses, were investigated during a remedial investigation.
In 2015, the EPA decided on a plan to clean up the soil at two lots located within the Retiro Industrial Park where contamination was found, known as the Wallace Lot and the CCL Lot. The cleanup is being addressed in two phases. The first phase, which is the subject of the agreement, focuses on contaminated soils and shallow, highly contaminated groundwater. The second phase, which is currently ongoing, involves further investigations of larger, less contaminated groundwater plume.
The agreement requires the parties to address conditions related to the first phase by cleaning up the soil and shallow, highly contaminated groundwater through the use of processes called soil vapor extraction and dual-phase extraction and treatment in place. Soil vapor and dual-phase extraction treatment systems are used to reduce the volatile organic compounds in the soil and groundwater. These methods remove harmful chemicals from the soil and groundwater in the form of vapor by applying a vacuum. The parties have agreed to monitor the area long-term to ensure that the cleanup is effective.
For more information about this superfund site, please visit San German Ground Water Contamination Site.
Follow EPA Region 2 on X and visit our Facebook page. For more information about EPA Region 2, visit our website.
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La EPA llega a un acuerdo para avanzar en la limpieza de Lugar Superfondo en San Germán, Puerto Rico
NUEVA YORK – La Agencia Federal de Protección Ambiental de Estados Unidos (EPA, por sus siglas en inglés) anunció hoy que el Tribunal de Distrito de los Estados Unidos en Puerto Rico aprobó un acuerdo entre la Agencia y HP Inc.; la Corporación de Fomento Industrial de Puerto Rico; Wallace Silversmiths of Puerto Rico, Ltd. y Lifetime Brands, Inc. para diseñar y remediar las aguas subterráneas en el Lugar Superfondo San Germán Groundwater, en Puerto Rico. El costo de la limpieza se estima en $7.7 millones.
El Lugar incluye el Parque Industrial Retiro y áreas adyacentes. Más de 44 áreas industriales aledañas fueron parte de la investigación de la EPA. Después de descubrir la contaminación, el Departamento de Salud de Puerto Rico ordenó el cierre de tres pozos en 2006. Los residentes de la zona están conectados a fuentes seguras de agua potable de otros suministros municipales de agua en el área.
“El anuncio de hoy demuestra el progreso de la EPA para asegurar que las comunidades de San Germán estén protegidas del riesgo potencial de exposición a contaminación química”, señaló la administradora regional Lisa F. García. “La EPA continuará responsabilizando a las empresas y exigiéndoles que realicen el trabajo necesario para limpiar los lugares contaminados, lo que a su vez ayuda a proteger la salud pública y nuestro medioambiente”.
El Lugar está ubicado en el municipio de San Germán en el suroeste de Puerto Rico. La EPA colocó al Lugar en la Lista Nacional de Prioridades (NPL, por sus siglas en inglés) del programa Superfondo en 2008. Este incluye tres pozos públicos de suministro de agua en el municipio de San Germán, que funcionaban como un sistema de suministro de agua independiente e interconectado. En 2006, el Departamento de Salud de Puerto Rico cerró los tres pozos de abastecimiento, después de que el muestreo revelara la presencia de concentraciones elevadas de compuestos orgánicos volátiles (VOC, por sus siglas en inglés), incluyendo tetracloroetileno (PCE) y tricloroetileno (TCE). Las investigaciones indicaron que el Parque Industrial Retiro, ubicado cerca de los pozos de suministro afectados, es la fuente de la contaminación. Varios edificios del parque, actualmente ocupados por negocios activos, fueron incluidos en una investigación de remedio.
En 2015, la EPA seleccionó un plan para remediar el suelo en dos lotes ubicados dentro del Parque Industrial Retiro conocidos como el Lote Wallace y el Lote CCL, en los cuales se encontró contaminación. La limpieza se lleva a cabo en dos fases. La primera fase, que es objeto del acuerdo, se centra en los suelos contaminados y en las aguas subterráneas poco profundas y altamente contaminadas. La segunda fase, que está en curso, implica nuevas investigaciones de columnas de agua subterránea más grandes y menos contaminadas.
El acuerdo requiere que las partes atiendan las condiciones relacionadas con la primera fase remediando el suelo y las aguas subterráneas poco profundas y altamente contaminadas mediante el uso de procesos de extracción de vapor del suelo y extracción y tratamiento de doble fase en el Lugar. Esto, con el propósito de reducir los VOCs en el suelo y las aguas subterráneas. Estos métodos eliminan los productos químicos nocivos del suelo y de las aguas subterráneas en forma de vapor, mediante la aplicación de una aspiradora. Las partes acordaron monitorear el área a largo plazo para garantizar la efectividad del remedio.
Para obtener más información sobre este Lugar Superfondo, visite Sitio de Contaminación de Aguas Subterráneas de San Germán.
Siga a la Región 2 de la EPA en X y visite nuestra página en Facebook. Para obtener más información sobre la Región 2 de la EPA, visite nuestro sitio web.
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El Lugar incluye el Parque Industrial Retiro y áreas adyacentes. Más de 44 áreas industriales aledañas fueron parte de la investigación de la EPA. Después de descubrir la contaminación, el Departamento de Salud de Puerto Rico ordenó el cierre de tres pozos en 2006. Los residentes de la zona están conectados a fuentes seguras de agua potable de otros suministros municipales de agua en el área.
“El anuncio de hoy demuestra el progreso de la EPA para asegurar que las comunidades de San Germán estén protegidas del riesgo potencial de exposición a contaminación química”, señaló la administradora regional Lisa F. García. “La EPA continuará responsabilizando a las empresas y exigiéndoles que realicen el trabajo necesario para limpiar los lugares contaminados, lo que a su vez ayuda a proteger la salud pública y nuestro medioambiente”.
El Lugar está ubicado en el municipio de San Germán en el suroeste de Puerto Rico. La EPA colocó al Lugar en la Lista Nacional de Prioridades (NPL, por sus siglas en inglés) del programa Superfondo en 2008. Este incluye tres pozos públicos de suministro de agua en el municipio de San Germán, que funcionaban como un sistema de suministro de agua independiente e interconectado. En 2006, el Departamento de Salud de Puerto Rico cerró los tres pozos de abastecimiento, después de que el muestreo revelara la presencia de concentraciones elevadas de compuestos orgánicos volátiles (VOC, por sus siglas en inglés), incluyendo tetracloroetileno (PCE) y tricloroetileno (TCE). Las investigaciones indicaron que el Parque Industrial Retiro, ubicado cerca de los pozos de suministro afectados, es la fuente de la contaminación. Varios edificios del parque, actualmente ocupados por negocios activos, fueron incluidos en una investigación de remedio.
En 2015, la EPA seleccionó un plan para remediar el suelo en dos lotes ubicados dentro del Parque Industrial Retiro conocidos como el Lote Wallace y el Lote CCL, en los cuales se encontró contaminación. La limpieza se lleva a cabo en dos fases. La primera fase, que es objeto del acuerdo, se centra en los suelos contaminados y en las aguas subterráneas poco profundas y altamente contaminadas. La segunda fase, que está en curso, implica nuevas investigaciones de columnas de agua subterránea más grandes y menos contaminadas.
El acuerdo requiere que las partes atiendan las condiciones relacionadas con la primera fase remediando el suelo y las aguas subterráneas poco profundas y altamente contaminadas mediante el uso de procesos de extracción de vapor del suelo y extracción y tratamiento de doble fase en el Lugar. Esto, con el propósito de reducir los VOCs en el suelo y las aguas subterráneas. Estos métodos eliminan los productos químicos nocivos del suelo y de las aguas subterráneas en forma de vapor, mediante la aplicación de una aspiradora. Las partes acordaron monitorear el área a largo plazo para garantizar la efectividad del remedio.
Para obtener más información sobre este Lugar Superfondo, visite Sitio de Contaminación de Aguas Subterráneas de San Germán.
Siga a la Región 2 de la EPA en X y visite nuestra página en Facebook. Para obtener más información sobre la Región 2 de la EPA, visite nuestro sitio web.
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Port NOLA gets federal funds to launch construction of mega-terminal
The proposed 2-million-TEU container terminal would be situated downriver from New Orleans where ships won’t face the air-draft restrictions of the Crescent City Connection bridge that spans the Mississippi River.
EPA Moved Further and Faster Than Ever Before in 2023
WASHINGTON – In 2023, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) moved further and faster than ever before to deliver on its mission and protect human health and the environment. Thanks to the Biden-Harris Administration’s historic investments in America and the President’s ambitious climate and environmental agenda, EPA took significant steps over the last year to tackle climate change, advance environmental justice, and protect the health and safety of communities across the country.
“President Biden believes every person in this country deserves clean air to breathe, clean water to drink and the opportunity to lead a healthy life, and EPA is central to making that belief a reality. After a year of significant unparalleled accomplishments, I couldn’t be prouder of EPA’s driven and dedicated workforce,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “From standing up rules to cut harmful pollution and bring clean, reliable energy to communities that need it most, to deploying billions of dollars in resources, EPA has never been in a stronger position to make people’s lives better and we’re not slowing down now.”
In 2023, Administrator Regan traveled to communities in all 10 EPA regions where he met with residents, interested parties, and elected leaders to advance the Biden-Harris Administration’s ambitious environmental agenda. Administrator Regan and agency officials also signed more than 50 rules. The agency is also delivering more than $16 Billion in investments from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and more than $41 Billion from the Inflation Reduction Act to reduce pollution, build a clean energy economy, lower costs for American households and businesses, create good-paying jobs, and advance environmental justice across the country.
Highlights of EPA’s 2023 Accomplishments:
EPA’s final rule on methane is set to prevent the equivalent of more than a billion tons of carbon emissions, marking a major step in combating climate change, while reducing other harmful pollution.
The agency introduced new technology standards for power plants and the transportation sector, representing some of the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S.
The agency proposed the Lead and Copper Rule Improvements and a rule to regulate six PFAS in drinking water, demonstrating its leadership in safeguarding drinking water.
The EPA delivered the largest single investment in environmental justice in history, launched the Thriving Justice Grantmakers Program, and developed Environmental Justice Technical Guidelines.
EPA made significant progress implementing the 2016 amendments to strengthen our nation’s chemical safety law after years of mismanagement and delay, advancing rules to better protect communities from harmful chemicals like TCE and methylene chloride.
The EPA enhanced its consultation policy with Indian Tribes and agreed with Canada and the Ktunaxa Nation to develop a joint initiative to tackle transboundary water pollution, showcasing its commitment to collaborative environmental solutions.
The agency deployed $1 billion in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding to expedite Superfund cleanup activities at 100 Superfund sites, and began cleanup of 22 additional Superfund sites.
The EPA’s 24th consecutive clean financial audit opinion highlights the agency's commitment to responsible and transparent financial management.
EPA made significant contributions in PFAS research, air quality standards, and climate adaptation strategies, underlining the agency’s role in leading environmental science.
Enforcement has been revitalized, with significant increases in on-site inspections, new criminal investigations, civil settlements, and cleanup enforcement.
EPA carried out emergency response efforts across the country, including East Palestine, Ohio, and on Maui, Hawaii.
Administrator Regan established a first-of-its-kind National Environmental Youth Advisory Council.
As the agency looks to 2024, it remains committed to building on these achievements, delivering on the Biden-Harris Administration’s climate and environmental agenda, and ensuring all people benefit equally from the historic economic opportunity and environmental progress ahead.
“President Biden believes every person in this country deserves clean air to breathe, clean water to drink and the opportunity to lead a healthy life, and EPA is central to making that belief a reality. After a year of significant unparalleled accomplishments, I couldn’t be prouder of EPA’s driven and dedicated workforce,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “From standing up rules to cut harmful pollution and bring clean, reliable energy to communities that need it most, to deploying billions of dollars in resources, EPA has never been in a stronger position to make people’s lives better and we’re not slowing down now.”
In 2023, Administrator Regan traveled to communities in all 10 EPA regions where he met with residents, interested parties, and elected leaders to advance the Biden-Harris Administration’s ambitious environmental agenda. Administrator Regan and agency officials also signed more than 50 rules. The agency is also delivering more than $16 Billion in investments from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and more than $41 Billion from the Inflation Reduction Act to reduce pollution, build a clean energy economy, lower costs for American households and businesses, create good-paying jobs, and advance environmental justice across the country.
Highlights of EPA’s 2023 Accomplishments:
EPA’s final rule on methane is set to prevent the equivalent of more than a billion tons of carbon emissions, marking a major step in combating climate change, while reducing other harmful pollution.
The agency introduced new technology standards for power plants and the transportation sector, representing some of the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S.
The agency proposed the Lead and Copper Rule Improvements and a rule to regulate six PFAS in drinking water, demonstrating its leadership in safeguarding drinking water.
The EPA delivered the largest single investment in environmental justice in history, launched the Thriving Justice Grantmakers Program, and developed Environmental Justice Technical Guidelines.
EPA made significant progress implementing the 2016 amendments to strengthen our nation’s chemical safety law after years of mismanagement and delay, advancing rules to better protect communities from harmful chemicals like TCE and methylene chloride.
The EPA enhanced its consultation policy with Indian Tribes and agreed with Canada and the Ktunaxa Nation to develop a joint initiative to tackle transboundary water pollution, showcasing its commitment to collaborative environmental solutions.
The agency deployed $1 billion in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding to expedite Superfund cleanup activities at 100 Superfund sites, and began cleanup of 22 additional Superfund sites.
The EPA’s 24th consecutive clean financial audit opinion highlights the agency's commitment to responsible and transparent financial management.
EPA made significant contributions in PFAS research, air quality standards, and climate adaptation strategies, underlining the agency’s role in leading environmental science.
Enforcement has been revitalized, with significant increases in on-site inspections, new criminal investigations, civil settlements, and cleanup enforcement.
EPA carried out emergency response efforts across the country, including East Palestine, Ohio, and on Maui, Hawaii.
Administrator Regan established a first-of-its-kind National Environmental Youth Advisory Council.
As the agency looks to 2024, it remains committed to building on these achievements, delivering on the Biden-Harris Administration’s climate and environmental agenda, and ensuring all people benefit equally from the historic economic opportunity and environmental progress ahead.