Biden-Harris Administration Seeking Information to Improve Understanding of Domestic Supply Chains as President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda Drives U.S. Manufacturing Growth
WASHINGTON (Nov. 14, 2023) – Today, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a Request for Information (RFI) regarding products used in water infrastructure projects that receive federal financial assistance and are subject to the Build America, Buy America Act (BABA) requirements. EPA, in partnership with the Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB’s) Made in America Office and other federal agencies, is seeking information that will improve understanding of the current domestic supply of products used in drinking water, wastewater and stormwater projects, and agricultural treatment and delivery systems.
“President Biden’s Investing in America agenda is driving a manufacturing and clean energy boom, rebuilding America’s infrastructure and creating good-paying jobs,” said EPA Assistant Administrator for Water Radhika Fox. “This Request for Information will accelerate Federal efforts to expand domestic supply chains for products used in water infrastructure projects by better understanding market trends and product availability, ensuring these crucial projects are delivered on time and on budget.”
EPA and other federal agencies that fund water infrastructure projects, including the U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Department of Transportation, and the Department of the Interior, are interested in information detailing domestic materials sourcing, market readiness, product supply considerations, and whether specific products used in water infrastructure projects or their components are, or can be, manufactured in the United States. Information collected as part of this RFI will be shared between the listed federal agencies.
EPA is committed to advancing Made in America objectives and implementing Build America, Buy America requirements to support long-term investments in domestic production. Using information collected from this RFI, EPA will support efforts to catalyze domestic manufacturing and jobs and support resilient supply chains to successfully deliver a wide range of urgently needed water infrastructure products and projects.
EPA will host a public webinar to provide an overview of the notice on November 21, 2023. To register for the webinar, complete the event registration form. Additionally, EPA will take comments on the notice for 30 days after publication in the Federal Register. To submit your comments, visit the Regulations.gov website: Docket ID Number EPA-HQ-OW-2023-0396.
Background
The Build America, Buy America (BABA) Act is part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. It establishes domestic product sourcing requirements for infrastructure projects across all federal financial assistance programs. These requirements apply to an entire infrastructure project funded by any amount of federal financial assistance and includes those projects funded by EPA.
EPA administers several programs that provide federal financial assistance for water infrastructure, including the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF), the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF), and the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) program. These programs address critical water infrastructure needs through construction, alteration, or repair of water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure, including but not limited to lead service line replacement, water quality improvements, source water protection, treatment of emerging contaminants, and climate resilience.
For more information, visit EPA’s Build America, Buy America Act webpage.
“President Biden’s Investing in America agenda is driving a manufacturing and clean energy boom, rebuilding America’s infrastructure and creating good-paying jobs,” said EPA Assistant Administrator for Water Radhika Fox. “This Request for Information will accelerate Federal efforts to expand domestic supply chains for products used in water infrastructure projects by better understanding market trends and product availability, ensuring these crucial projects are delivered on time and on budget.”
EPA and other federal agencies that fund water infrastructure projects, including the U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Department of Transportation, and the Department of the Interior, are interested in information detailing domestic materials sourcing, market readiness, product supply considerations, and whether specific products used in water infrastructure projects or their components are, or can be, manufactured in the United States. Information collected as part of this RFI will be shared between the listed federal agencies.
EPA is committed to advancing Made in America objectives and implementing Build America, Buy America requirements to support long-term investments in domestic production. Using information collected from this RFI, EPA will support efforts to catalyze domestic manufacturing and jobs and support resilient supply chains to successfully deliver a wide range of urgently needed water infrastructure products and projects.
EPA will host a public webinar to provide an overview of the notice on November 21, 2023. To register for the webinar, complete the event registration form. Additionally, EPA will take comments on the notice for 30 days after publication in the Federal Register. To submit your comments, visit the Regulations.gov website: Docket ID Number EPA-HQ-OW-2023-0396.
Background
The Build America, Buy America (BABA) Act is part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. It establishes domestic product sourcing requirements for infrastructure projects across all federal financial assistance programs. These requirements apply to an entire infrastructure project funded by any amount of federal financial assistance and includes those projects funded by EPA.
EPA administers several programs that provide federal financial assistance for water infrastructure, including the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF), the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF), and the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) program. These programs address critical water infrastructure needs through construction, alteration, or repair of water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure, including but not limited to lead service line replacement, water quality improvements, source water protection, treatment of emerging contaminants, and climate resilience.
For more information, visit EPA’s Build America, Buy America Act webpage.
Regional Tribes receive over $4M in EPA Climate Pollution Reduction Grants
DENVER – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently awarded a total of $4,027,500 to eleven Tribes in EPA’s Mountains and Plains (Region 8) states – Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah and Wyoming – to help fund climate pollution reduction action plans.
Authorized under the Inflation Reduction Act, EPA’s Climate Pollution Reduction Grants (CPRGs) program provides $25 million in Tribal grants nationwide through the first of two funding phases. CPRG Phase 1 includes noncompetitive funding for Tribes and U.S. territories to design greenhouse gas reduction plans across all sectors of their economies. EPA Region 8 finalized its CPRG Phase 1 Tribal grant allocations last month.
“EPA is focused on helping our Tribal partners plan for and address increasingly harmful effects of climate change,” said KC Becker, EPA Regional Administrator. “This CPRG funding will accelerate greenhouse gas reductions and advance environmental justice efforts in Tribal communities across the Mountains and Plains region.”
Ten Tribes in the EPA Mountains and Plains region each received $371,750 in CPRG planning grants: Blackfeet Nation; Chippewa Cree Tribe; Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation; Northern Arapaho Tribe; Northern Cheyenne Tribe; Northwest Band of the Shoshone Nation; Rosebud Sioux Tribe; Southern Ute Indian Tribe; Spirit Lake Nation; and Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. The Fort Peck Tribe requested and received a $310,000 CPRG planning grant.
Phase 1 of the CPRG program supports Tribes regardless of where they are in their climate planning and implementation process. Planning grant recipients will use the funding to design action plans to reduce emissions in economic sectors such as electricity generation, industry, transportation, buildings, waste management and agriculture/natural and working lands.
The second CPRG phase is open through May 1, 2024, and involves competitions for grants to help Tribes and territories implement their climate action plans.
More information about the CPRG Phase 1 planning grants for Tribes and territories and a national list of all grantees are available online.
Authorized under the Inflation Reduction Act, EPA’s Climate Pollution Reduction Grants (CPRGs) program provides $25 million in Tribal grants nationwide through the first of two funding phases. CPRG Phase 1 includes noncompetitive funding for Tribes and U.S. territories to design greenhouse gas reduction plans across all sectors of their economies. EPA Region 8 finalized its CPRG Phase 1 Tribal grant allocations last month.
“EPA is focused on helping our Tribal partners plan for and address increasingly harmful effects of climate change,” said KC Becker, EPA Regional Administrator. “This CPRG funding will accelerate greenhouse gas reductions and advance environmental justice efforts in Tribal communities across the Mountains and Plains region.”
Ten Tribes in the EPA Mountains and Plains region each received $371,750 in CPRG planning grants: Blackfeet Nation; Chippewa Cree Tribe; Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation; Northern Arapaho Tribe; Northern Cheyenne Tribe; Northwest Band of the Shoshone Nation; Rosebud Sioux Tribe; Southern Ute Indian Tribe; Spirit Lake Nation; and Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. The Fort Peck Tribe requested and received a $310,000 CPRG planning grant.
Phase 1 of the CPRG program supports Tribes regardless of where they are in their climate planning and implementation process. Planning grant recipients will use the funding to design action plans to reduce emissions in economic sectors such as electricity generation, industry, transportation, buildings, waste management and agriculture/natural and working lands.
The second CPRG phase is open through May 1, 2024, and involves competitions for grants to help Tribes and territories implement their climate action plans.
More information about the CPRG Phase 1 planning grants for Tribes and territories and a national list of all grantees are available online.
EPA Penalizes Home Renovators in Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska for Lead-Based Paint Violations
LENEXA, KAN. (NOV. 14, 2023) – Five Midwest home renovation companies have agreed to pay over $38,000 collectively in penalties to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to resolve alleged violations of the federal Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA).
EPA has found that the following companies failed to comply with regulations that reduce the hazards of lead-based paint exposure during renovations:
Astoria Design Build LLC in Mission, Kansas
CAM Home Contracting LLC in St. Louis, Missouri
DRS Contracting LLC in Springfield, Missouri
Davis Contracting LLC in Omaha, Nebraska
Dynasty Restoration Inc. in Omaha, Nebraska
According to EPA, among other alleged violations, each of the companies performed renovations on properties built prior to 1978 without an EPA-certified renovator, as required by federal law.
“Certification is a key requirement to ensure the use of safe work practices when dealing with lead-based paint,” said David Cozad, director of EPA Region 7’s Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Division. “Reducing exposure to lead – especially among children and pregnant women and in communities already overburdened with pollution exposure – is a top priority for EPA.”
Lead-contaminated dust from disturbed lead-based paint in homes built prior to 1978 is one of the most common causes of elevated blood lead levels in children. Infants and children are especially vulnerable to lead-based paint exposure because their growing bodies absorb more lead than adults, and their brains and nervous systems are more sensitive to the damaging effects of lead. They can be exposed from multiple sources and may experience irreversible and lifelong health effects. Lead dust can be generated when lead-based paint is disturbed by renovation work such as window installation, demolishing painted surfaces such as walls or porches, and scraping and repainting of homes.
Companies and individuals that perform home renovations or hire subcontractors to perform renovations on pre-1978 housing are required to comply with regulations under EPA’s Lead Renovation, Repair, and Painting Program (RRP). The regulations include requirements to train employees in proper work practices, obtain certification from EPA prior to performing renovations, as well as compliance with lead safety practices, records retention, and notification to homeowners about the hazards of renovation-related lead exposure.
Learn more about EPA’s Lead-Based Paint RRP Rule.
Learn more about EPA’s Lead-Based Paint Disclosure Rule.
Find a Lead-Safe Certified Firm.
Apply for Lead-Safe Certification.
Report Lead-Based Paint Complaints, Tips and Violations.
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Learn more about EPA Region 7
View all Region 7 news releases
Connect with EPA Region 7 on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter: @EPARegion7
EPA has found that the following companies failed to comply with regulations that reduce the hazards of lead-based paint exposure during renovations:
Astoria Design Build LLC in Mission, Kansas
CAM Home Contracting LLC in St. Louis, Missouri
DRS Contracting LLC in Springfield, Missouri
Davis Contracting LLC in Omaha, Nebraska
Dynasty Restoration Inc. in Omaha, Nebraska
According to EPA, among other alleged violations, each of the companies performed renovations on properties built prior to 1978 without an EPA-certified renovator, as required by federal law.
“Certification is a key requirement to ensure the use of safe work practices when dealing with lead-based paint,” said David Cozad, director of EPA Region 7’s Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Division. “Reducing exposure to lead – especially among children and pregnant women and in communities already overburdened with pollution exposure – is a top priority for EPA.”
Lead-contaminated dust from disturbed lead-based paint in homes built prior to 1978 is one of the most common causes of elevated blood lead levels in children. Infants and children are especially vulnerable to lead-based paint exposure because their growing bodies absorb more lead than adults, and their brains and nervous systems are more sensitive to the damaging effects of lead. They can be exposed from multiple sources and may experience irreversible and lifelong health effects. Lead dust can be generated when lead-based paint is disturbed by renovation work such as window installation, demolishing painted surfaces such as walls or porches, and scraping and repainting of homes.
Companies and individuals that perform home renovations or hire subcontractors to perform renovations on pre-1978 housing are required to comply with regulations under EPA’s Lead Renovation, Repair, and Painting Program (RRP). The regulations include requirements to train employees in proper work practices, obtain certification from EPA prior to performing renovations, as well as compliance with lead safety practices, records retention, and notification to homeowners about the hazards of renovation-related lead exposure.
Learn more about EPA’s Lead-Based Paint RRP Rule.
Learn more about EPA’s Lead-Based Paint Disclosure Rule.
Find a Lead-Safe Certified Firm.
Apply for Lead-Safe Certification.
Report Lead-Based Paint Complaints, Tips and Violations.
# # #
Learn more about EPA Region 7
View all Region 7 news releases
Connect with EPA Region 7 on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter: @EPARegion7
Seaboard Marine includes Wilmington in new Central America service
The direct service that kicks off at the end of the month will add further options to transport apparel, textiles, poultry, pork and agricultural products between Central America and the US East Coast.
USDA Nutrition Incentives Improve Access to Healthy Food
WASHINGTON, Nov. 13, 2023 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture today announced an investment of more than $52 million to improve dietary health and access to fresh fruits and vegetables for eligible families.
Keep Risky Habits Out of the Kitchen this Thanksgiving
WASHINGTON, Nov. 13, 2023 – America’s biggest food holiday is almost here, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) wants to remind consumers to avoid habits that increase the risk of harmful bacteria in their Thanksgiving meal.
EPA Settlement Requires Action be Taken to Prevent Leaks, Secures Nearly $300,000 Penalty to Settle Alleged Clean Air Act Violations at Peerless Oil and Chemicals Inc. in Puerto Rico
NEW YORK – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has reached a settlement with Peerless Oil and Chemicals Inc for alleged violations of the Clean Air Act (CAA) at its Peñuelas, Puerto Rico facility. The settlement requires Peerless to inspect its gasoline storage tanks and monitor for potential emissions of hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) using an infrared camera for the next 12 months. In addition, Peerless must pay $287,756 in penalties.
“The settlement requires the company to regularly monitor for and stop the release of any major hazardous air pollutants, protecting communities near this facility,” said EPA Regional Administrator Lisa F. Garcia. “Residents will breathe cleaner air as a result of the upgrades and long-term monitoring that were done at this facility under this settlement.”
During inspections in 2018 and 2019, EPA found that Peerless had violated the CAA by not controlling HAPs from its petroleum storage and loading terminal in Peñuelas, Puerto Rico. EPA detected elevated levels of HAPs and other harmful gases called volatile organic compounds (VOCs) at the facility and identified problems with pollution control equipment for gasoline storage tanks such as faulty seals and seal gaps, and problems with the operation of the flare at the gasoline truck loading station.
In response to the EPA’s investigation, Peerless did extensive maintenance and repair work to upgrade its gasoline truck loading station flare and ensure compliance with emission control requirements for its internal floating roof and external floating roof gasoline storage tanks.
As part of the investigation, Peerless purchased a specialized infrared (IR) camera and a tablet capable of converting camera observations into parts per million (ppm) concentration values. The IR camera will be used as a screening tool to identify leaking components at storage tanks, enabling prompt corrective action and compliance with applicable regulations.
The settlement includes innovative approaches, such as requiring Peerless to conduct monthly tank inspections with the IR camera for a 12-month period, taking corrective action if any emissions are observed.
Peerless has developed a Standard Operating Procedure for operating the IR camera, a tank inspection checklist for camera operators, and has trained additional employees to use the IR camera. Peerless agreed to pay a civil penalty and inspect its gasoline storage tanks monthly using an infrared (IR) camera to ensure compliance and prevent future emissions.
Follow EPA Region 2 on Twitter and visit our Facebook page. For more information about EPA Region 2, visit our website.
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“The settlement requires the company to regularly monitor for and stop the release of any major hazardous air pollutants, protecting communities near this facility,” said EPA Regional Administrator Lisa F. Garcia. “Residents will breathe cleaner air as a result of the upgrades and long-term monitoring that were done at this facility under this settlement.”
During inspections in 2018 and 2019, EPA found that Peerless had violated the CAA by not controlling HAPs from its petroleum storage and loading terminal in Peñuelas, Puerto Rico. EPA detected elevated levels of HAPs and other harmful gases called volatile organic compounds (VOCs) at the facility and identified problems with pollution control equipment for gasoline storage tanks such as faulty seals and seal gaps, and problems with the operation of the flare at the gasoline truck loading station.
In response to the EPA’s investigation, Peerless did extensive maintenance and repair work to upgrade its gasoline truck loading station flare and ensure compliance with emission control requirements for its internal floating roof and external floating roof gasoline storage tanks.
As part of the investigation, Peerless purchased a specialized infrared (IR) camera and a tablet capable of converting camera observations into parts per million (ppm) concentration values. The IR camera will be used as a screening tool to identify leaking components at storage tanks, enabling prompt corrective action and compliance with applicable regulations.
The settlement includes innovative approaches, such as requiring Peerless to conduct monthly tank inspections with the IR camera for a 12-month period, taking corrective action if any emissions are observed.
Peerless has developed a Standard Operating Procedure for operating the IR camera, a tank inspection checklist for camera operators, and has trained additional employees to use the IR camera. Peerless agreed to pay a civil penalty and inspect its gasoline storage tanks monthly using an infrared (IR) camera to ensure compliance and prevent future emissions.
Follow EPA Region 2 on Twitter and visit our Facebook page. For more information about EPA Region 2, visit our website.
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EPA Region 7 and Harris-Stowe State University in St. Louis Establish Five-Year Environmental Partnership
LENEXA, KAN. (NOV. 13, 2023) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 7 and Harris-Stowe State University in St. Louis have established a partnership to provide scientific collaboration, outreach, and career opportunities for students.
A five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) formalizing the partnership was signed on Monday, Nov. 13 at an event held on the Harris-Stowe campus by EPA Region 7 Administrator Meg McCollister and Harris-Stowe President Dr. LaTonia Collins Smith. Following the ceremony, McCollister and Smith met with university student groups to discuss environmental concerns and opportunities outlined in the MOU.
“This partnership is incredibly important for EPA Region 7,” McCollister said. “Through the opportunities presented in this MOU, students of Harris-Stowe State University have the potential to become future leaders in the areas of human health and the environment. Additionally, the MOU will allow EPA to leverage the university’s Institute for Social Justice, enhancing our approach to fair and equitable policies across our region.”
"Harris-Stowe State University is most appreciative and excited to partner with EPA to expand learning experiences and opportunities for our students and faculty," Collins Smith said. "There has never been a more crucial time to educate and inspire students to become the next generation of environmental leaders.”
The MOU outlines five areas for collaboration and partnership between EPA Region 7 and Harris-Stowe:
Joint Research Projects – Harris-Stowe and EPA Region 7 will coordinate on a regular basis to identify mutually beneficial research priorities.
Faculty Research Participation – Harris-Stowe and EPA Region 7 will encourage and facilitate visits of faculty, staff, scientists, and students to each other’s facilities for consultations, meetings, workshops, short courses, tours, and research participation.
Student Internships and Employment – EPA Region 7 will share information regarding programs that are designed for student employment, participation, and training. Harris-Stowe will facilitate the participation of students and staff in EPA internship outreach opportunities, such as inviting EPA to speak to classes, facilitating USAJOBS computer workshops, and inviting EPA to relevant job fairs and career fairs.
Technical Assistance/Mini-Courses/Lectures/Seminar Speakers – EPA Region 7 and Harris-Stowe will consider opportunities to work together on consultations, meetings, workshops, and seminars.
Outreach Program – EPA Region 7 will make best efforts to attend college-sponsored career fairs and other outreach events, as appropriate, and Harris-Stowe will work to provide notice to EPA Region 7 of relevant outreach activities. EPA Region 7 will make best efforts to participate in University Career Forums and events and host environmental justice programming. Harris-Stowe may request Black History Month programming each year.
Background
This partnership supports EPA’s efforts to align with Executive Order 14041, White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity Through Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs); HBCU PARTNERS Act; EPA’s Fiscal Year 2022-2026 Strategic Plan, which includes the Agency’s Strategic Plan to Advance Diversity Equity Inclusion Accessibility in the Federal Workforce; and EPA Administrator Regan’s pledge to fortify HBCUs and Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) into the future.
The newly signed MOU will develop students as environmental leaders in underserved communities and increase outreach and recruitment opportunities for EPA, enhancing inclusion and opportunities for HBCUs/MSIs, in support of the Agency’s mission of protecting human health and the environment.
# # #
Learn more about EPA Region 7
View all Region 7 news releases
Connect with EPA Region 7 on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter: @EPARegion7
A five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) formalizing the partnership was signed on Monday, Nov. 13 at an event held on the Harris-Stowe campus by EPA Region 7 Administrator Meg McCollister and Harris-Stowe President Dr. LaTonia Collins Smith. Following the ceremony, McCollister and Smith met with university student groups to discuss environmental concerns and opportunities outlined in the MOU.
“This partnership is incredibly important for EPA Region 7,” McCollister said. “Through the opportunities presented in this MOU, students of Harris-Stowe State University have the potential to become future leaders in the areas of human health and the environment. Additionally, the MOU will allow EPA to leverage the university’s Institute for Social Justice, enhancing our approach to fair and equitable policies across our region.”
"Harris-Stowe State University is most appreciative and excited to partner with EPA to expand learning experiences and opportunities for our students and faculty," Collins Smith said. "There has never been a more crucial time to educate and inspire students to become the next generation of environmental leaders.”
The MOU outlines five areas for collaboration and partnership between EPA Region 7 and Harris-Stowe:
Joint Research Projects – Harris-Stowe and EPA Region 7 will coordinate on a regular basis to identify mutually beneficial research priorities.
Faculty Research Participation – Harris-Stowe and EPA Region 7 will encourage and facilitate visits of faculty, staff, scientists, and students to each other’s facilities for consultations, meetings, workshops, short courses, tours, and research participation.
Student Internships and Employment – EPA Region 7 will share information regarding programs that are designed for student employment, participation, and training. Harris-Stowe will facilitate the participation of students and staff in EPA internship outreach opportunities, such as inviting EPA to speak to classes, facilitating USAJOBS computer workshops, and inviting EPA to relevant job fairs and career fairs.
Technical Assistance/Mini-Courses/Lectures/Seminar Speakers – EPA Region 7 and Harris-Stowe will consider opportunities to work together on consultations, meetings, workshops, and seminars.
Outreach Program – EPA Region 7 will make best efforts to attend college-sponsored career fairs and other outreach events, as appropriate, and Harris-Stowe will work to provide notice to EPA Region 7 of relevant outreach activities. EPA Region 7 will make best efforts to participate in University Career Forums and events and host environmental justice programming. Harris-Stowe may request Black History Month programming each year.
Background
This partnership supports EPA’s efforts to align with Executive Order 14041, White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity Through Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs); HBCU PARTNERS Act; EPA’s Fiscal Year 2022-2026 Strategic Plan, which includes the Agency’s Strategic Plan to Advance Diversity Equity Inclusion Accessibility in the Federal Workforce; and EPA Administrator Regan’s pledge to fortify HBCUs and Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) into the future.
The newly signed MOU will develop students as environmental leaders in underserved communities and increase outreach and recruitment opportunities for EPA, enhancing inclusion and opportunities for HBCUs/MSIs, in support of the Agency’s mission of protecting human health and the environment.
# # #
Learn more about EPA Region 7
View all Region 7 news releases
Connect with EPA Region 7 on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter: @EPARegion7