Los funcionarios de Laredo CBP y HSI aconsejan a los compradores de regalos navideños que eviten productos falsificados y de origen dudoso que representan riesgos para la seguridad del consumidor y la seguridad económica de EE. UU.
LAREDO, Texas – Funcionarios de Investigaciones de Seguridad Nacional y Aduanas y Protección Fronteriza de EE. UU. se reunieron en el Puente del Comercio Mundial de Laredo para un evento ilustrativo para aconsejar al público a través de los medios…
Laredo CBP, HSI officials advise Christmas gift shoppers to avoid counterfeit, dubious origin goods that pose consumer safety, U.S. economic security risks
LAREDO, Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Homeland Security Investigations officials gathered at Laredo’s World Trade Bridge for an illustrative event to advise the public through local media this holiday season to avoid buying goods…
Trade News Snapshot – Volume 5, Issue 9
Contents
I. Office of Trade Activity
CBP, U.S. Chamber of Commerce educate consumers on safe holiday shopping
II. Outreach
CBP hosts trade violation webinars for small- and medium-sized businesses
III. News You Can Use
Article 1: CBP…
I. Office of Trade Activity
CBP, U.S. Chamber of Commerce educate consumers on safe holiday shopping
II. Outreach
CBP hosts trade violation webinars for small- and medium-sized businesses
III. News You Can Use
Article 1: CBP…
USDA Announces Fellowship Applications to Reach Hispanic-Serving Institutions
WASHINGTON, December 7, 2023 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement (OPPE) is accepting applications for the 2024 USDA E. Kika De La Garza Fellowship Program. These fellowships introduce faculty and staff from Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI) and Hispanic-Serving School Districts (HSSD) to the vast array of USDA resources available to them.
The fellowships take place during the summer of 2024, and applications are due by March 4, 2024.
The fellowships take place during the summer of 2024, and applications are due by March 4, 2024.
Heritage-Crystal Clean, LLC to Pay More than $1.1 Million in Penalties and Implement Compliance Measures for Violations of Hazardous Waste Regulations
WASHINGTON – Today, EPA and the U.S. Department of Justice announced a settlement with Heritage-Crystal Clean, LLC (HCC) to resolve pending claims of the United States on behalf of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ), and the State of Indiana for violations of requirements governing management of hazardous waste, as well as a violation of used oil management requirements, at current or former HCC facilities located in Indianapolis, Indiana; Shreveport, Louisiana; Atlanta, Georgia; Fairless Hills, Pennsylvania; and Denver, Colorado. Under the settlement, HCC commits to pay civil penalties totaling $1,162,500 and to implement various measures to ensure that HCC facilities will not treat, store or dispose of parts-washing solvents that qualify as hazardous waste unless and until HCC receives a hazardous waste permit authorizing it to manage hazardous waste. Plaintiffs estimate that the compliance measures required under the settlement will cost at least $1,628,502.
“Companies that manage hazardous wastes for other companies are required to ensure that those wastes are handled properly, which Heritage Crystal Clean repeatedly failed to do,” said Assistant Administrator David M. Uhlmann for EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. “EPA is committed to fair and robust enforcement of our hazardous waste laws to ensure that our communities and the environment are protected from mismanaged hazardous wastes.”
“While federal law encourages responsible recycling of hazardous waste, recyclers must still comply with legal requirements designed to ensure the health and safety of our communities,” said Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD). “This settlement reflects our commitment to ensuring that hazardous waste recycling operations are conducted in accordance with the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act and its regulations.”
In January 2022, a 21-count complaint was filed against HCC in federal district court in the Northern District of Illinois under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) and applicable state law. The complaint states that in the course of providing parts-washing services to customers throughout the United States, HCC accepted some used solvent that qualified as hazardous waste, but HCC did not transport and manage those solvents in accordance with applicable hazardous waste management requirements. In particular, the complaint states that HCC (1) transported hazardous waste without required hazardous waste manifests, (2) stored hazardous waste at various HCC facilities without required permits, (3) failed to make required hazardous waste determinations after mixing used solvents from different parts-washing customers, (4) failed to comply with certain requirements for reducing air emissions from certain hazardous waste tanks and equipment, and (5) failed to maintain adequate secondary containment for certain hazardous waste tanks. The complaint alleges that some used solvents managed by HCC were hazardous waste because HCC needed to subject the material to systematic gravity separation to make the used material suitable for resale. Plaintiffs contend HCC evaded hazardous waste requirements by improperly claiming that the unusable solvents were products instead of wastes.
As part of the settlement, HCC must perform compliance measures at multiple HCC facilities to achieve and maintain compliance with RCRA. As one element of the compliance program, the proposed settlement requires HCC to implement measures to ensure one type of used solvent referred to by HCC as “106 solvent” is acceptable for re-use without prior reclamation and that it is legitimately reused. The settlement will also prohibit gravity separation (removing water and solids while recovering the valuable solvent component) of used 106 solvent in order to meet re-use solvent customer product specifications or to otherwise render the material suitable for re-use. Used solvents that are legitimately reused for their solvent properties without prior reclamation are not subject to regulation as hazardous waste.
Another central element of the proposed settlement is a sampling program to determine whether another type of parts-washing solvent—referred to by HCC as “142 solvent”—exhibits hazardous waste characteristics. HCC must promptly remove from its facilities any 142 solvent drums and consolidation containers that exhibit hazardous waste characteristics, and HCC must thereafter manage such characteristic wastes in accordance with applicable hazardous waste management requirements.
The proposed settlement also requires HCC to apply for a RCRA permit at its Indianapolis facility. Pending issuance of the permit and construction of certain hazardous waste management units, the settlement requires HCC to implement specified interim measures at the Indianapolis facility, including frequent inspections of tanks and containers, as well as elimination of open venting of tanks containing used 142 solvent.
Finally, the proposed settlement includes numerous other provisions, including provisions that require HCC to distribute educational materials to parts-washing customers in specified circumstances, and provisions for HCC to retain a third party to conduct audits at designated HCC facilities to ensure future compliance.
The five HCC facilities included in this settlement are recognized by EPA to be located within communities with potential environmental justice concerns. Nearby communities will benefit from the improved controls and new work practices that will be implemented at HCC facilities as required by the consent decree. These new controls and practices will reduce emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and reduce risk of exposure to hazardous wastes managed at these facilities.
The proposed consent decree, lodged in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, is subject to a 30-day federal public comment period and approval by the federal court. The consent decree can be viewed on the Department of Justice consent decrees website.
For more information about this settlement, please visit Heritage-Crystal Clean, LLC RCRA Settlement Information Sheet.
“Companies that manage hazardous wastes for other companies are required to ensure that those wastes are handled properly, which Heritage Crystal Clean repeatedly failed to do,” said Assistant Administrator David M. Uhlmann for EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. “EPA is committed to fair and robust enforcement of our hazardous waste laws to ensure that our communities and the environment are protected from mismanaged hazardous wastes.”
“While federal law encourages responsible recycling of hazardous waste, recyclers must still comply with legal requirements designed to ensure the health and safety of our communities,” said Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD). “This settlement reflects our commitment to ensuring that hazardous waste recycling operations are conducted in accordance with the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act and its regulations.”
In January 2022, a 21-count complaint was filed against HCC in federal district court in the Northern District of Illinois under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) and applicable state law. The complaint states that in the course of providing parts-washing services to customers throughout the United States, HCC accepted some used solvent that qualified as hazardous waste, but HCC did not transport and manage those solvents in accordance with applicable hazardous waste management requirements. In particular, the complaint states that HCC (1) transported hazardous waste without required hazardous waste manifests, (2) stored hazardous waste at various HCC facilities without required permits, (3) failed to make required hazardous waste determinations after mixing used solvents from different parts-washing customers, (4) failed to comply with certain requirements for reducing air emissions from certain hazardous waste tanks and equipment, and (5) failed to maintain adequate secondary containment for certain hazardous waste tanks. The complaint alleges that some used solvents managed by HCC were hazardous waste because HCC needed to subject the material to systematic gravity separation to make the used material suitable for resale. Plaintiffs contend HCC evaded hazardous waste requirements by improperly claiming that the unusable solvents were products instead of wastes.
As part of the settlement, HCC must perform compliance measures at multiple HCC facilities to achieve and maintain compliance with RCRA. As one element of the compliance program, the proposed settlement requires HCC to implement measures to ensure one type of used solvent referred to by HCC as “106 solvent” is acceptable for re-use without prior reclamation and that it is legitimately reused. The settlement will also prohibit gravity separation (removing water and solids while recovering the valuable solvent component) of used 106 solvent in order to meet re-use solvent customer product specifications or to otherwise render the material suitable for re-use. Used solvents that are legitimately reused for their solvent properties without prior reclamation are not subject to regulation as hazardous waste.
Another central element of the proposed settlement is a sampling program to determine whether another type of parts-washing solvent—referred to by HCC as “142 solvent”—exhibits hazardous waste characteristics. HCC must promptly remove from its facilities any 142 solvent drums and consolidation containers that exhibit hazardous waste characteristics, and HCC must thereafter manage such characteristic wastes in accordance with applicable hazardous waste management requirements.
The proposed settlement also requires HCC to apply for a RCRA permit at its Indianapolis facility. Pending issuance of the permit and construction of certain hazardous waste management units, the settlement requires HCC to implement specified interim measures at the Indianapolis facility, including frequent inspections of tanks and containers, as well as elimination of open venting of tanks containing used 142 solvent.
Finally, the proposed settlement includes numerous other provisions, including provisions that require HCC to distribute educational materials to parts-washing customers in specified circumstances, and provisions for HCC to retain a third party to conduct audits at designated HCC facilities to ensure future compliance.
The five HCC facilities included in this settlement are recognized by EPA to be located within communities with potential environmental justice concerns. Nearby communities will benefit from the improved controls and new work practices that will be implemented at HCC facilities as required by the consent decree. These new controls and practices will reduce emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and reduce risk of exposure to hazardous wastes managed at these facilities.
The proposed consent decree, lodged in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, is subject to a 30-day federal public comment period and approval by the federal court. The consent decree can be viewed on the Department of Justice consent decrees website.
For more information about this settlement, please visit Heritage-Crystal Clean, LLC RCRA Settlement Information Sheet.
EPA Update on Sequential Sampling Study, Next Steps to Address Lead in Drinking Water in St. Croix
NEW YORK - As part of its continuing partnership with the U.S. Virgin Islands government to address lead identified in the water distribution system of St. Croix, today EPA is announcing that it has concluded its sequential sampling study and made a series of preliminary recommendations to its partners. Initial samples taken in September by EPA, the Department of Planning and Natural Resources (DPNR), the University of the Virgin Islands and the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority (WAPA) at water distribution meters showed alarming levels of lead, but subsequent sampling data analyzed by EPA experts indicate the levels of lead at household taps are far lower than those found at the distribution meters. EPA has developed a preliminary list of recommended actions that the U.S. Virgin Islands government should take, including educating residents on steps they themselves can take at home to reduce exposure to lead, as well as improving the water system’s corrosion control treatment and replacing components that contain lead in the distribution system. A final report on the sequential sampling study will be available by mid-December.
Of the 119 samples collected for the sequential sampling study at the 11 homes, three samples showed levels above the EPA’s 15 parts per billion (ppb) Lead Action Level. Two of those samples were from the first draw closest to the tap (28.8 ppb; 18.4 ppb); the third was from water closer to the meter (23.2 ppb). The two first-draw results, closest to the tap, indicate the lead is likely stemming from the local plumbing within the faucet or the aerator; the third result, closer to the distribution meter, indicates the lead is likely stemming from the lead plumbing components in and around the distribution meter. The home with elevated lead closer to the distribution meter had a stagnation time of four days, versus the other homes with a six-hour stagnation, which may account for the lead levels in that sample.
“EPA takes seriously any instance of lead or potential for lead in drinking water, and I commend the U.S. Virgin Islands government and WAPA for taking immediate action to advise people not to consume the water, to collect more samples, begin replacing components in the system and develop a voucher program,” said EPA Regional Administrator Lisa F. Garcia. “What we initially saw from samples collected in September showed very high levels of lead. While those samples were not from a part of the water system that is normally sampled, EPA and the Virgin Islands government had a responsibility to take decisive action and investigate the situation further.”
Garcia added, “The levels of lead we have been seeing in subsequent sampling, including our detailed sequential sampling study, are much lower than those initial samples. But they do show some lead. This confirms the need to ensure that proper steps are being taken by the water provider and by consumers to protect people and reduce the potential exposure to lead.”
As part of its work with the USVI government to better understand the contents of the red and brown water seen coming out of household taps on St. Croix, EPA analyzed samples taken at distribution meters to determine their metal content. These results showed high levels of lead and copper, prompting immediate action from both EPA and the U.S. Virgin Islands government.
After examining the results of a November sequential sampling study and considering data generated from sampling since September, EPA is working closely with the Virgin Islands government to lay a path to lift the recommendation that people on St. Croix not consume WAPA water from the distribution system.
“EPA has been working with the U.S. Virgin Islands from the very beginning to narrow down our understanding of what the sources of the high levels of lead were, and we feel we have sufficient information to guide the next steps,” Regional Administrator Garcia added.
Levels of lead that were found at the private home taps during EPA’s sampling study are consistent with levels seen in other communities across the country. While no level of lead is safe, there are practical steps that people can take to reduce their exposure to lead from their household water. These include flushing their pipes before consuming water, regularly cleaning their aerators (faucet screen) to remove sediment and debris, and properly using and maintaining a water filter certified to remove lead.
Before residents begin to consume water from the WAPA distribution system again, EPA is requesting that USVI regulatory agencies and WAPA develop and implement a comprehensive plan to educate the public about steps they can take to reduce their exposure to lead in drinking water. Implementation of this plan will help reduce the risk of lead in the drinking water and allow residents to resume consumption of the water if they follow guidelines provided in the educational campaign.
EPA also recommends that WAPA address the lead from the distribution system, including optimizing corrosion control on St. Croix and replacing components containing lead in the distribution system. The U.S. Virgin Islands is already beginning to undertake EPA’s recommendations.
The local and subsequent federal emergency declarations are focused on lead. While the red/brown discoloration issues with the water may not indicate an immediate health threat, EPA recognizes that these issues are still serious and need attention. Some of the measures being undertaken to reduce lead both by consumers and by the system may also help the red and brown discoloration and EPA will continue to consult with the U.S Virgin Islands to address that problem.
EPA will hold a hybrid public meeting to update the public and will post the details of this meeting on its website. For more information about EPA’s work regarding U.S. Virgin Islands drinking water and for further updates, please visit our U.S. Virgin Islands drinking water website.
Follow EPA Region 2 on Twitter now known as X, and visit our Facebook page. For more information about EPA Region 2, visit our website.
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Of the 119 samples collected for the sequential sampling study at the 11 homes, three samples showed levels above the EPA’s 15 parts per billion (ppb) Lead Action Level. Two of those samples were from the first draw closest to the tap (28.8 ppb; 18.4 ppb); the third was from water closer to the meter (23.2 ppb). The two first-draw results, closest to the tap, indicate the lead is likely stemming from the local plumbing within the faucet or the aerator; the third result, closer to the distribution meter, indicates the lead is likely stemming from the lead plumbing components in and around the distribution meter. The home with elevated lead closer to the distribution meter had a stagnation time of four days, versus the other homes with a six-hour stagnation, which may account for the lead levels in that sample.
“EPA takes seriously any instance of lead or potential for lead in drinking water, and I commend the U.S. Virgin Islands government and WAPA for taking immediate action to advise people not to consume the water, to collect more samples, begin replacing components in the system and develop a voucher program,” said EPA Regional Administrator Lisa F. Garcia. “What we initially saw from samples collected in September showed very high levels of lead. While those samples were not from a part of the water system that is normally sampled, EPA and the Virgin Islands government had a responsibility to take decisive action and investigate the situation further.”
Garcia added, “The levels of lead we have been seeing in subsequent sampling, including our detailed sequential sampling study, are much lower than those initial samples. But they do show some lead. This confirms the need to ensure that proper steps are being taken by the water provider and by consumers to protect people and reduce the potential exposure to lead.”
As part of its work with the USVI government to better understand the contents of the red and brown water seen coming out of household taps on St. Croix, EPA analyzed samples taken at distribution meters to determine their metal content. These results showed high levels of lead and copper, prompting immediate action from both EPA and the U.S. Virgin Islands government.
After examining the results of a November sequential sampling study and considering data generated from sampling since September, EPA is working closely with the Virgin Islands government to lay a path to lift the recommendation that people on St. Croix not consume WAPA water from the distribution system.
“EPA has been working with the U.S. Virgin Islands from the very beginning to narrow down our understanding of what the sources of the high levels of lead were, and we feel we have sufficient information to guide the next steps,” Regional Administrator Garcia added.
Levels of lead that were found at the private home taps during EPA’s sampling study are consistent with levels seen in other communities across the country. While no level of lead is safe, there are practical steps that people can take to reduce their exposure to lead from their household water. These include flushing their pipes before consuming water, regularly cleaning their aerators (faucet screen) to remove sediment and debris, and properly using and maintaining a water filter certified to remove lead.
Before residents begin to consume water from the WAPA distribution system again, EPA is requesting that USVI regulatory agencies and WAPA develop and implement a comprehensive plan to educate the public about steps they can take to reduce their exposure to lead in drinking water. Implementation of this plan will help reduce the risk of lead in the drinking water and allow residents to resume consumption of the water if they follow guidelines provided in the educational campaign.
EPA also recommends that WAPA address the lead from the distribution system, including optimizing corrosion control on St. Croix and replacing components containing lead in the distribution system. The U.S. Virgin Islands is already beginning to undertake EPA’s recommendations.
The local and subsequent federal emergency declarations are focused on lead. While the red/brown discoloration issues with the water may not indicate an immediate health threat, EPA recognizes that these issues are still serious and need attention. Some of the measures being undertaken to reduce lead both by consumers and by the system may also help the red and brown discoloration and EPA will continue to consult with the U.S Virgin Islands to address that problem.
EPA will hold a hybrid public meeting to update the public and will post the details of this meeting on its website. For more information about EPA’s work regarding U.S. Virgin Islands drinking water and for further updates, please visit our U.S. Virgin Islands drinking water website.
Follow EPA Region 2 on Twitter now known as X, and visit our Facebook page. For more information about EPA Region 2, visit our website.
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EPA Enforcement Program Seeks Public Ideas for Supplemental Environmental Projects
WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a new effort to support the public in sharing their ideas for environmentally beneficial projects that could potentially be included in future enforcement settlements. These voluntary environmentally beneficial projects, called Supplemental Environmental Projects (SEPs), bring environmental and public health benefits beyond those required by law to communities impacted by a violation of an environmental law or regulation.
“We want to hear from communities scarred by pollution about what projects best address the public health and environmental harms they have endured,” said Assistant Administrator David M. Uhlmann for EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. “While supplemental environmental projects must be tied to the risk or harm caused by the violation, public engagement regarding possible projects should lead to better outcomes, particularly in environmental justice communities.”
A SEP is an environmentally beneficial project or activity that is not required by law, but that a defendant voluntarily agrees to undertake as part of a settlement of an enforcement action. As it is tied to the settlement of violations, a SEP must reduce the risk or adverse impact to public health or the environment that the violations contributed to or reduce the likelihood of similar violations in the future.
SEPs help secure real public health and environmental benefits for communities harmed by environmental violations that result in an enforcement action. SEPs help address the disproportionate burden felt in many overburdened and underserved communities around the country by providing on the ground health benefits to address the harm caused by neighboring polluters. As a result, SEPs have been an important component of EPA’s enforcement program for decades. Over the past three decades, SEPs have been a part of over 2,800 settlements, bringing projects valued at over $860 million to communities and the environment.
EPA has long encouraged defendants to reach out to the communities affected by their violations to discuss SEP ideas. In addition, if the Agency is aware of projects with community support, EPA can provide such information to defendants, upon request, for their consideration. However, the method for how the public could share potential SEP ideas with EPA has not been consistent or centralized over the years in part because the public cannot participate in confidential settlement discussions. EPA’s enforcement program is piloting the use of an email inbox to accept ideas from the public for potential environmental and public health projects that could be discussed during settlement negotiations. Anyone can submit an idea through this email address.
Ideas for SEPs can be submitted to EPA at SEPideas@epa.gov. The following type of information would be useful to EPA and/or a defendant when evaluating a project idea:
Short Title
Detailed Description
Public Health and/or Environmental Benefits
Information about the Location
Cost Information
In addition, the email inbox will allow a person to provide contact information, if so desired, in the event a defendant or settling party wishes to learn more about a proposed project idea.
More information about how to submit a SEP idea can be found on EPA’s SEP webpage.
In the past, SEPs in EPA settlements have been used to support projects that bring significant benefits to communities, including projects that (1) abate lead paint hazards in housing by removing and replacing windows and doors coated with lead-based paint; (2) reduce emissions from diesel engines through retrofits or replacement with cleaner engines (e.g., electric vehicles); and (3) enhance the emergency response capabilities of local fire departments or hazardous emergency response teams through donation of critical equipment. Going forward, defendants who are interested in implementing a SEP as part of a settlement to resolve violations of environmental laws will have an additional resource to find suggestions for SEPs that may be appropriate for both the risk or adverse impact of the violation and the community impacted.
Please keep in mind that a SEP project has to meet all the requirements of the Agency’s SEP Policy before it could be considered as part of a settlement, including that the defendant or settling party voluntarily agrees to do the project and the proposed project has a connection to the underlying violations, for example, fenceline air monitors to address Clean Air Act violations at a facility.
More information about SEPs, including EPA’s SEP Policy, Facts About SEPs and information about prior settlement agreements that include SEPs is available on EPA’s Supplemental Environmental Projects (SEPS) web page.
“We want to hear from communities scarred by pollution about what projects best address the public health and environmental harms they have endured,” said Assistant Administrator David M. Uhlmann for EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. “While supplemental environmental projects must be tied to the risk or harm caused by the violation, public engagement regarding possible projects should lead to better outcomes, particularly in environmental justice communities.”
A SEP is an environmentally beneficial project or activity that is not required by law, but that a defendant voluntarily agrees to undertake as part of a settlement of an enforcement action. As it is tied to the settlement of violations, a SEP must reduce the risk or adverse impact to public health or the environment that the violations contributed to or reduce the likelihood of similar violations in the future.
SEPs help secure real public health and environmental benefits for communities harmed by environmental violations that result in an enforcement action. SEPs help address the disproportionate burden felt in many overburdened and underserved communities around the country by providing on the ground health benefits to address the harm caused by neighboring polluters. As a result, SEPs have been an important component of EPA’s enforcement program for decades. Over the past three decades, SEPs have been a part of over 2,800 settlements, bringing projects valued at over $860 million to communities and the environment.
EPA has long encouraged defendants to reach out to the communities affected by their violations to discuss SEP ideas. In addition, if the Agency is aware of projects with community support, EPA can provide such information to defendants, upon request, for their consideration. However, the method for how the public could share potential SEP ideas with EPA has not been consistent or centralized over the years in part because the public cannot participate in confidential settlement discussions. EPA’s enforcement program is piloting the use of an email inbox to accept ideas from the public for potential environmental and public health projects that could be discussed during settlement negotiations. Anyone can submit an idea through this email address.
Ideas for SEPs can be submitted to EPA at SEPideas@epa.gov. The following type of information would be useful to EPA and/or a defendant when evaluating a project idea:
Short Title
Detailed Description
Public Health and/or Environmental Benefits
Information about the Location
Cost Information
In addition, the email inbox will allow a person to provide contact information, if so desired, in the event a defendant or settling party wishes to learn more about a proposed project idea.
More information about how to submit a SEP idea can be found on EPA’s SEP webpage.
In the past, SEPs in EPA settlements have been used to support projects that bring significant benefits to communities, including projects that (1) abate lead paint hazards in housing by removing and replacing windows and doors coated with lead-based paint; (2) reduce emissions from diesel engines through retrofits or replacement with cleaner engines (e.g., electric vehicles); and (3) enhance the emergency response capabilities of local fire departments or hazardous emergency response teams through donation of critical equipment. Going forward, defendants who are interested in implementing a SEP as part of a settlement to resolve violations of environmental laws will have an additional resource to find suggestions for SEPs that may be appropriate for both the risk or adverse impact of the violation and the community impacted.
Please keep in mind that a SEP project has to meet all the requirements of the Agency’s SEP Policy before it could be considered as part of a settlement, including that the defendant or settling party voluntarily agrees to do the project and the proposed project has a connection to the underlying violations, for example, fenceline air monitors to address Clean Air Act violations at a facility.
More information about SEPs, including EPA’s SEP Policy, Facts About SEPs and information about prior settlement agreements that include SEPs is available on EPA’s Supplemental Environmental Projects (SEPS) web page.
EPA Regional Administrator, Local Leaders Highlight How $500,000 Grant Will Advance Environmental Justice in South Bend, Indiana
SOUTH BEND, INDIANA (Dec. 7, 2023) – Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 5 Administrator Debra Shore met with representatives of the city of South Bend and a local grantee, enFocus, to discuss its plan to use EPA’s recent $500,000 Environmental Justice Community Problem Solving (EJCPS) grant to provide five historically underserved, disadvantaged neighborhoods with job training, better access to clean air and water, and to foster climate resiliency. This grant – one of 186 announced nationwide in October – is part of President Biden’s ‘Investing in America’ agenda.
EPA’s funding empowers enFocus to partner with the city and key community stakeholders to address environmental inequality in historically marginalized neighborhoods. First, enFocus will engage and enroll residents into the Greener Homes Initiative and the Upskill SB Climate Action Program which promote energy efficiency, conservation and cost-saving at home. enFocus will also offer residents job training and certifications to help them pursue careers in the green workforce. And enFocus will work to expand the tree canopy in these neighborhoods which are more likely to be affected by extreme heat, poor air quality, and stormwater flooding.
“The Biden-Harris Administration recognizes that in order to advance our environmental justice goals, we must empower and support local partners,” said EPA Region 5 Administrator Debra Shore. “This Administration has made historic investments in environmental justice grant programs so that organizations like enFocus can continue to do incredible work in their community.”
"enFocus is both grateful and humbled to be one of just 186 national selectees for this award,” said Gillian Shaw, enFocus Vice President of Projects. “We vow to use these dollars in a manner that drives equitable and sustainable change by collaborating across neighborhoods and stakeholders."
"The City of South Bend is honored to partner with enFocus to launch and advance equitable environmental justice initiatives across our City's neighborhoods,” said Caleb Bauer, City of South Bend, executive Director of Community Investment. “This investment brings South Bend one step closer to achieving our carbon neutral goals."
enFocus is a nonprofit organization in the South Bend-Elkhart region that serves as a catalyst for civic and industry innovation. The enFocus two-year fellowship program develops the next generation of community and business leaders. Since inception, enFocus has engaged over 1,300 young professionals to work on more than 450 business, technology, and entrepreneurial projects across Northern Indiana. These collaborations not only deliver innovative solutions for local organizations, they inspire young professionals to stay in the region.
EPA’s EJCPS program provides financial assistance to eligible organizations working to address local environmental or public health issues in their communities. The program builds upon President Biden’s Executive Orders 13985 and 14008, creating a designation of funds exclusively for small nonprofit organizations, which are defined as having five or fewer full-time employees, thus ensuring that grant resources reach smaller organizations that historically struggled to receive federal funding.
Additional Background:
From day one of his administration, President Biden has made achieving environmental justice a top priority. And in August 2022, Congress passed, and 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 appropriations to provide grants and technical assistance for activities advancing environmental and climate justice.
Under the Inflation Reduction Act, EPA has 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 Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Centers (EJ TCTACs) 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 has also launched and will award funds through the $550 million Thriving Communities Grantmaking Program before the end of 2023.
To learn more about environmental justice at EPA, visit our website. To learn more about open grant opportunities, please visit the Inflation Reduction Act Community Change Grant Program website.
EPA’s funding empowers enFocus to partner with the city and key community stakeholders to address environmental inequality in historically marginalized neighborhoods. First, enFocus will engage and enroll residents into the Greener Homes Initiative and the Upskill SB Climate Action Program which promote energy efficiency, conservation and cost-saving at home. enFocus will also offer residents job training and certifications to help them pursue careers in the green workforce. And enFocus will work to expand the tree canopy in these neighborhoods which are more likely to be affected by extreme heat, poor air quality, and stormwater flooding.
“The Biden-Harris Administration recognizes that in order to advance our environmental justice goals, we must empower and support local partners,” said EPA Region 5 Administrator Debra Shore. “This Administration has made historic investments in environmental justice grant programs so that organizations like enFocus can continue to do incredible work in their community.”
"enFocus is both grateful and humbled to be one of just 186 national selectees for this award,” said Gillian Shaw, enFocus Vice President of Projects. “We vow to use these dollars in a manner that drives equitable and sustainable change by collaborating across neighborhoods and stakeholders."
"The City of South Bend is honored to partner with enFocus to launch and advance equitable environmental justice initiatives across our City's neighborhoods,” said Caleb Bauer, City of South Bend, executive Director of Community Investment. “This investment brings South Bend one step closer to achieving our carbon neutral goals."
enFocus is a nonprofit organization in the South Bend-Elkhart region that serves as a catalyst for civic and industry innovation. The enFocus two-year fellowship program develops the next generation of community and business leaders. Since inception, enFocus has engaged over 1,300 young professionals to work on more than 450 business, technology, and entrepreneurial projects across Northern Indiana. These collaborations not only deliver innovative solutions for local organizations, they inspire young professionals to stay in the region.
EPA’s EJCPS program provides financial assistance to eligible organizations working to address local environmental or public health issues in their communities. The program builds upon President Biden’s Executive Orders 13985 and 14008, creating a designation of funds exclusively for small nonprofit organizations, which are defined as having five or fewer full-time employees, thus ensuring that grant resources reach smaller organizations that historically struggled to receive federal funding.
Additional Background:
From day one of his administration, President Biden has made achieving environmental justice a top priority. And in August 2022, Congress passed, and 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 appropriations to provide grants and technical assistance for activities advancing environmental and climate justice.
Under the Inflation Reduction Act, EPA has 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 Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Centers (EJ TCTACs) 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 has also launched and will award funds through the $550 million Thriving Communities Grantmaking Program before the end of 2023.
To learn more about environmental justice at EPA, visit our website. To learn more about open grant opportunities, please visit the Inflation Reduction Act Community Change Grant Program website.