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.
EPA New England Provides Tips for a Healthier Heating Season
BOSTON (Dec. 21, 2023) – During the winter, many people seek to avoid high heating costs by turning to wood as a fuel. Unfortunately, many wood heaters are inefficient and emit more pollutants into the air than heating with oil, natural gas or electricity. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) New England regional office is sharing tips to help people enjoy a healthier heating season.
"Now that winter is upon us, if your family is purchasing a new wood-burning heater, be sure to choose an efficient EPA-certified unit," said EPA New England Regional Administrator David W. Cash. "Modern EPA-certified wood-burning appliances burn cleaner and produce less smoke inside and outside your home, meaning your family and neighbors have cleaner air to breathe. Further, efficient wood-burning appliances burn less wood, saving you both time and money."
Older or inefficient wood heaters emit greater amounts of fine particles and other pollutants, including carbon monoxide (CO), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), black carbon, and air toxics, such as benzene. If you smell smoke in your home or consistently see smoke coming out of your chimney, that's an indication that the heater is emitting harmful air pollutants. Exposure to fine particle pollution has been linked to asthma attacks, acute bronchitis, irregular heartbeat, heart attacks, and premature death. Indoor fine-particle pollution levels can affect both your lungs and heart. This may cause breathing problems and exacerbate pre-existing lung conditions. Communities already vulnerable and overburdened are particularly susceptible to indoor wood smoke pollution.
Nationwide, there are about 14 million fireplaces, 12.5 million wood stoves, and 814,000 hydronic heaters (outdoor wood boilers) in use as primary or secondary heat sources. Many of these are older wood-fueled appliances that pollute more than newer units. Use of electric heat pumps is a more energy-efficient method to both heat and cool your home. Heat pump technology has improved in recent years and can perform well even in cold climates such as New England.
The federal Clean Energy Tax Credits for Consumers covers 30 percent of the cost of heat pumps, capped at $2,000 each year, but resets annually so it can be used for other projects. In addition to new federal tax credits, the Inflation Reduction Act includes nearly $9 billion for states and tribes for consumer home energy rebate programs, including point of sale rebates focused on low and middle income consumers. Finally, check to see if your state offers rebates as there may be additional State incentives for switching to heat pumps. Through these programs, communities will be able to electrify home appliances and perform energy efficient retrofits, such as installation of heat pumps.
EPA encourages the use of a heat pump as the primary source of heat. If there is a need for back up heating and you use a wood stove, EPA recommends using an EPA-certified woodstove. To upgrade an old wood stove, see the EPA-certified wood heaters listed at EPA's Burn Wise website. This database also contains information on pellet stoves that are typically the cleanest burning EPA-certified wood heaters and on hydronic heaters, which are generally much less efficient than EPA-certified wood stoves and may produce excessive amounts of smoke that can negatively impact local air quality in your community.
Here are some tips from EPA for a healthier heating season:
Reduce your heating needs and bills by insulating your home; caulking around windows, doors, and pipes; and adding weather-stripping to doors and windows.
When considering the cost of a heater, consider pollution levels and health effects.
Upgrade to a cleaner technology, such as heat pumps as your primary source of heat and use your existing EPA-certified wood stove as a backup or supplemental source.
Store and season your firewood properly. Wood burns hotter and cleaner when dry and seasoned. Consider acquiring a woodshed to protect wood from the elements while allowing air to circulate and moisture to escape. Some simple and inexpensive ideas for building a woodshed are on EPA's Burn Wise website.
Use a moisture meter to check wood-moisture content, which is best at about 20 percent. For the proper use a wood moisture meter, go to EPA's Test Your Wood Moisture Meter webpage.
Check air quality in your area at the AirNow website and, if possible, avoid burning wood during air quality alert days.
Have your heating system inspected by a certified professional annually with particular attention to vents and chimneys.
Outdoor fire pits and fireplaces are also popular during the fall and winter. While these fires are a source for cooking, warmth, and recreation, be aware that these are sources of air pollution that can affect the health of your family, neighbors, and community. Please check your local air quality at airnow.gov for steps to take to protect your health during air quality alert days.
In addition to replacing older wood stoves with EPA-certified models or alternative heat sources such as heat pumps, EPA encourages the use of energy-efficiency incentives whenever possible. Funding assistance or rebates that support renewable energy and energy efficiency in New England, and across the country, can be found in the Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency website.
For more information visit EPA's Burn Wise website.
"Now that winter is upon us, if your family is purchasing a new wood-burning heater, be sure to choose an efficient EPA-certified unit," said EPA New England Regional Administrator David W. Cash. "Modern EPA-certified wood-burning appliances burn cleaner and produce less smoke inside and outside your home, meaning your family and neighbors have cleaner air to breathe. Further, efficient wood-burning appliances burn less wood, saving you both time and money."
Older or inefficient wood heaters emit greater amounts of fine particles and other pollutants, including carbon monoxide (CO), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), black carbon, and air toxics, such as benzene. If you smell smoke in your home or consistently see smoke coming out of your chimney, that's an indication that the heater is emitting harmful air pollutants. Exposure to fine particle pollution has been linked to asthma attacks, acute bronchitis, irregular heartbeat, heart attacks, and premature death. Indoor fine-particle pollution levels can affect both your lungs and heart. This may cause breathing problems and exacerbate pre-existing lung conditions. Communities already vulnerable and overburdened are particularly susceptible to indoor wood smoke pollution.
Nationwide, there are about 14 million fireplaces, 12.5 million wood stoves, and 814,000 hydronic heaters (outdoor wood boilers) in use as primary or secondary heat sources. Many of these are older wood-fueled appliances that pollute more than newer units. Use of electric heat pumps is a more energy-efficient method to both heat and cool your home. Heat pump technology has improved in recent years and can perform well even in cold climates such as New England.
The federal Clean Energy Tax Credits for Consumers covers 30 percent of the cost of heat pumps, capped at $2,000 each year, but resets annually so it can be used for other projects. In addition to new federal tax credits, the Inflation Reduction Act includes nearly $9 billion for states and tribes for consumer home energy rebate programs, including point of sale rebates focused on low and middle income consumers. Finally, check to see if your state offers rebates as there may be additional State incentives for switching to heat pumps. Through these programs, communities will be able to electrify home appliances and perform energy efficient retrofits, such as installation of heat pumps.
EPA encourages the use of a heat pump as the primary source of heat. If there is a need for back up heating and you use a wood stove, EPA recommends using an EPA-certified woodstove. To upgrade an old wood stove, see the EPA-certified wood heaters listed at EPA's Burn Wise website. This database also contains information on pellet stoves that are typically the cleanest burning EPA-certified wood heaters and on hydronic heaters, which are generally much less efficient than EPA-certified wood stoves and may produce excessive amounts of smoke that can negatively impact local air quality in your community.
Here are some tips from EPA for a healthier heating season:
Reduce your heating needs and bills by insulating your home; caulking around windows, doors, and pipes; and adding weather-stripping to doors and windows.
When considering the cost of a heater, consider pollution levels and health effects.
Upgrade to a cleaner technology, such as heat pumps as your primary source of heat and use your existing EPA-certified wood stove as a backup or supplemental source.
Store and season your firewood properly. Wood burns hotter and cleaner when dry and seasoned. Consider acquiring a woodshed to protect wood from the elements while allowing air to circulate and moisture to escape. Some simple and inexpensive ideas for building a woodshed are on EPA's Burn Wise website.
Use a moisture meter to check wood-moisture content, which is best at about 20 percent. For the proper use a wood moisture meter, go to EPA's Test Your Wood Moisture Meter webpage.
Check air quality in your area at the AirNow website and, if possible, avoid burning wood during air quality alert days.
Have your heating system inspected by a certified professional annually with particular attention to vents and chimneys.
Outdoor fire pits and fireplaces are also popular during the fall and winter. While these fires are a source for cooking, warmth, and recreation, be aware that these are sources of air pollution that can affect the health of your family, neighbors, and community. Please check your local air quality at airnow.gov for steps to take to protect your health during air quality alert days.
In addition to replacing older wood stoves with EPA-certified models or alternative heat sources such as heat pumps, EPA encourages the use of energy-efficiency incentives whenever possible. Funding assistance or rebates that support renewable energy and energy efficiency in New England, and across the country, can be found in the Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency website.
For more information visit EPA's Burn Wise website.
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QB 24-112 USMCA TPL Canada
Commodity:
Certain Cotton, Wool and Man-made Fiber textile products, as provided for in Chapter 98, Sub-chapter XXIII, US Note 11 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States.
Quota Period:
January 1, 2024, through December 31, 2024…
Certain Cotton, Wool and Man-made Fiber textile products, as provided for in Chapter 98, Sub-chapter XXIII, US Note 11 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States.
Quota Period:
January 1, 2024, through December 31, 2024…
USDA Appoints New Members to the Federal Advisory Committee for Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production
WASHINGTON, Dec. 20, 2023 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack appointed four new members to the Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production Federal Advisory Committee (Committee). The new members are replacing four members whose terms are expiring and rotating off the Committee. The Committee is part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) efforts to support urban agriculture and innovative production, creating a network for feedback.