USDA Releases Assessment on Agriculture and Forestry in Carbon Markets
Washington, Oct. 23, 2023 – Today, the U.S Department of Agriculture (USDA) released A General Assessment of the Role of Agriculture and Forestry in the U.S. Carbon Markets (PDF, 1.3 MB), a comprehensive look at current market activity, barriers to participation, and opportunities to improve access to carbon markets for farmers and forest landowners.
Trans-Pac ships tapping Lázaro Cárdenas amid Panama draft limits
Mexico’s second-largest port is being added as regular and irregular call to trans-Pacific services due to draft restrictions and increasing availability of intermodal rail.
Biden-Harris Administration Proposes Ban on Trichloroethylene to Protect Public from Toxic Chemical Known to Cause Serious Health Risks
WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a proposal to ban all uses of trichloroethylene (TCE), an extremely toxic chemical known to cause serious health risks including cancer, neurotoxicity, and reproductive toxicity. TCE is used in cleaning and furniture care products, degreasers, brake cleaners, and tire repair sealants, and a variety of safer alternatives are readily available for many uses. This action, taken under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), would protect people from these health risks by banning the manufacture, processing, and distribution of TCE for all uses. EPA’s proposed risk management rule would take effect in one year for consumer products and most commercial uses and would implement stringent worker protections on the limited remaining commercial and industrial uses that would be phased down over a longer period.
The proposal’s expected exposure reductions to prevent cancer before it starts aligns with President Biden’s Cancer Moonshot, a whole-of-government approach to end cancer as we know it. The proposal also advances the President’s historic commitment to environmental justice which seeks to address impacts of underinvestment in communities overburdened by legacy pollution and environmental hazards.
“Today, EPA is taking a vital step in our efforts to advance President Biden’s Cancer Moonshot and protect people from cancer and other serious health risks,” said EPA Deputy Administrator Janet McCabe. “The science is loud and clear on TCE. It is a dangerous toxic chemical and proposing to ban it will protect families, workers, and communities.”
“For far too long, TCE has left a toxic legacy in communities across America. Today, EPA is taking a major step to protect people from exposure to this cancer-causing chemical,” said Assistant Administrator for the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention Michal Freedhoff. “Today’s proposal to end these unsafe, unrestricted uses of TCE will prevent future contamination to land and drinking water and deliver the chemical safety protections this nation deserves.”
“We celebrate the EPA’s proposed ban on all uses of cancer-causing trichloroethylene, we remember the children such as Jimmy Anderson who were killed by corporate pollution, and we dedicate ourselves to cleaning up the air, water, and soil in communities everywhere,” said Senator Ed Markey. “Since Anne and I met in 1980, we have been partners in the effort to clean up Woburn, to get justice for her son, and to save other families from seeing their children fall sick as a result of contamination. Thanks to the advocacy of Anne Anderson and the action of the EPA, the era of corporations using communities like Woburn as dumping grounds for toxic TCE is over.”
EPA’s proposed risk management rule would prohibit most uses of TCE within one year, including TCE manufacture and processing for most commercial and all consumer products. Within this one-year timeframe, most people who are likely be exposed to TCE would be protected, including workers in many sectors, all consumers, and many communities. For the majority of uses of TCE as a solvent, including consumer products, safer alternatives to TCE are readily available. For limited uses of TCE, such as critical Federal Agency uses, battery separators used to make electric vehicle batteries, and the manufacture of certain refrigerants that are being phased down nationally while industry transitions to more climate-friendly refrigerants, the proposal would provide a longer transition period while requiring stringent worker protections to reduce exposures in the near-term.
Further, to support cleanup activities at sites of past TCE contamination (e.g., Superfund sites), EPA is proposing to allow for essential lab use and proper disposal of TCE wastewater to continue for 50 years, also subject to workplace protections.
EPA will accept public comments on the proposed rule for TCE for 45 days following publication in the Federal Register via docket EPA-HQ-OPPT-2020-0642 at www.regulations.gov.
EPA will also host a public webinar targeted to employers and workers, but useful for anyone looking for an overview of the proposed regulatory action. The date, time and registration information will be announced soon.
BACKROUND
TCE is a solvent used in cleaning and furniture care products, degreasers, and for automotive care such as tire repair and brake cleaners. Commercially, it is also used for vapor degreasing items such as metal parts used in aircraft or other machinery, as an intermediate in the manufacturing of certain refrigerants that are already being phased down nationally, and in the production of battery separators used in electric vehicles and other transportation, security, and defense systems.
For decades, communities have suffered from adverse health effects due to TCE contamination. TCE is commonly found at Superfund sites as a contaminant in soil and groundwater. EPA has worked extensively to clean up TCE contamination, but if rules like the one EPA is proposing today under the reformed 2016 TSCA had been in place decades ago, many of these communities might not have been subjected to harmful TCE exposure in the first place.
EPA found that TCE causes liver cancer, kidney cancer, and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. It also causes damage to the central nervous system, liver, kidneys, immune system, reproductive organs, and is dangerous for fetal development. These risks are present even at very small concentrations of TCE. EPA also found that people living near facilities where TCE is made and used are at higher risk for developing these health conditions.
Learn more about the rule.
The proposal’s expected exposure reductions to prevent cancer before it starts aligns with President Biden’s Cancer Moonshot, a whole-of-government approach to end cancer as we know it. The proposal also advances the President’s historic commitment to environmental justice which seeks to address impacts of underinvestment in communities overburdened by legacy pollution and environmental hazards.
“Today, EPA is taking a vital step in our efforts to advance President Biden’s Cancer Moonshot and protect people from cancer and other serious health risks,” said EPA Deputy Administrator Janet McCabe. “The science is loud and clear on TCE. It is a dangerous toxic chemical and proposing to ban it will protect families, workers, and communities.”
“For far too long, TCE has left a toxic legacy in communities across America. Today, EPA is taking a major step to protect people from exposure to this cancer-causing chemical,” said Assistant Administrator for the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention Michal Freedhoff. “Today’s proposal to end these unsafe, unrestricted uses of TCE will prevent future contamination to land and drinking water and deliver the chemical safety protections this nation deserves.”
“We celebrate the EPA’s proposed ban on all uses of cancer-causing trichloroethylene, we remember the children such as Jimmy Anderson who were killed by corporate pollution, and we dedicate ourselves to cleaning up the air, water, and soil in communities everywhere,” said Senator Ed Markey. “Since Anne and I met in 1980, we have been partners in the effort to clean up Woburn, to get justice for her son, and to save other families from seeing their children fall sick as a result of contamination. Thanks to the advocacy of Anne Anderson and the action of the EPA, the era of corporations using communities like Woburn as dumping grounds for toxic TCE is over.”
EPA’s proposed risk management rule would prohibit most uses of TCE within one year, including TCE manufacture and processing for most commercial and all consumer products. Within this one-year timeframe, most people who are likely be exposed to TCE would be protected, including workers in many sectors, all consumers, and many communities. For the majority of uses of TCE as a solvent, including consumer products, safer alternatives to TCE are readily available. For limited uses of TCE, such as critical Federal Agency uses, battery separators used to make electric vehicle batteries, and the manufacture of certain refrigerants that are being phased down nationally while industry transitions to more climate-friendly refrigerants, the proposal would provide a longer transition period while requiring stringent worker protections to reduce exposures in the near-term.
Further, to support cleanup activities at sites of past TCE contamination (e.g., Superfund sites), EPA is proposing to allow for essential lab use and proper disposal of TCE wastewater to continue for 50 years, also subject to workplace protections.
EPA will accept public comments on the proposed rule for TCE for 45 days following publication in the Federal Register via docket EPA-HQ-OPPT-2020-0642 at www.regulations.gov.
EPA will also host a public webinar targeted to employers and workers, but useful for anyone looking for an overview of the proposed regulatory action. The date, time and registration information will be announced soon.
BACKROUND
TCE is a solvent used in cleaning and furniture care products, degreasers, and for automotive care such as tire repair and brake cleaners. Commercially, it is also used for vapor degreasing items such as metal parts used in aircraft or other machinery, as an intermediate in the manufacturing of certain refrigerants that are already being phased down nationally, and in the production of battery separators used in electric vehicles and other transportation, security, and defense systems.
For decades, communities have suffered from adverse health effects due to TCE contamination. TCE is commonly found at Superfund sites as a contaminant in soil and groundwater. EPA has worked extensively to clean up TCE contamination, but if rules like the one EPA is proposing today under the reformed 2016 TSCA had been in place decades ago, many of these communities might not have been subjected to harmful TCE exposure in the first place.
EPA found that TCE causes liver cancer, kidney cancer, and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. It also causes damage to the central nervous system, liver, kidneys, immune system, reproductive organs, and is dangerous for fetal development. These risks are present even at very small concentrations of TCE. EPA also found that people living near facilities where TCE is made and used are at higher risk for developing these health conditions.
Learn more about the rule.
EPA Announces Winners of the 2023 Green Chemistry Challenge Awards
WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing the winners of the 2023 Green Chemistry Challenge Awards for new and innovative green chemistry technologies. Through the design of chemical products and processes that reduce or eliminate the generation and use of hazardous substances, this year’s winners have developed solutions to significant environmental challenges such as climate change and spur innovation and economic development.
“All of us benefit from advances in green chemistry as part of prevention pollution in communities, especially where residents continue to suffer from disproportionate levels of pollution,” said EPA Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention Deputy Assistant Administrator Jennie Romer. “Green chemistry can play a vital role in protecting human health and the environment by increasing efficiency, avoiding hazardous chemicals and preventing waste while improving the competitiveness of American companies.”
An independent panel of technical experts convened by the American Chemical Society Green Chemistry Institute formally judged the 2023 submissions and made recommendations to EPA. The winners are being recognized at a ceremony today in Washington, D.C.
The 2023 Green Chemistry Challenge Award winners are:
Academic Category: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, for developing new ways to refine common agricultural waste such as rice hulls into materials that can be used in lithium-ion batteries and other products which are important for the transition to green energy. The new processes can replace the energy and carbon intensive methods currently used to obtain silicon metals.
Design of Greener Chemicals: The Clorox Company, Oakland, California, for designing Clorox EcoClean™ Disinfecting Cleaner, a Design for the Environment-certified disinfecting cleaner that can be used without personal protective equipment, is formulated without alcohol and can be used safely on most surfaces without bleaching. The product disinfects 99.999% of illness-causing germs in two minutes or less when used as directed.
Greener Synthetic Pathways: Solugen, Houston, Texas, for developing the Bioforge™, a chemical manufacturing platform that converts plant-derived substances into a range of materials that have historically been made from fossil fuels — without resulting emissions or waste. Materials made in the Bioforge™ include those used for water treatment and detergents.
Greener Reaction Conditions: Captis Aire LLC, East Point, Georgia, for the patent pending CAIRE Technology that captures more than 90% of terpenes, a waste product from the wood manufacturing process, and converts it into valuable chemicals including those used in products such as biofuels, flavors and fragrances. Currently these terpenes can be an air pollutant, an irritant to eyes, lungs and skin, and are commonly burned as waste which releases greenhouse gases.
Small Business Award: Modern Meadow, Nutley, New Jersey, for developing a more efficient textile dyeing process called Bio-FREED™ Powered by Bio-Alloy™ which uses a bio-based protein foam to dye any type of fiber. Compared to traditional dyeing methods, Bio-FREED™ conserves 95% of water, reduces energy consumption by 75%, and utilizes 80% fewer dyes and chemicals. Bio-FREED also does not require a separate step to fix the dye and requires one or even no washes at the end of the dyeing process, compared to 4-7 washes for traditional dyeing.
Specific Environmental Benefit – Climate Change: Air Company, Brooklyn, New York, for developing a technology that mimics photosynthesis to transform the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide into other organic chemicals, producing oxygen as the only byproduct. The technology both removes carbon dioxidefrom the air by using it as a chemical reactant and reduces the need for fossil fuels by transforming it into fuels, including aviation fuels.
Since the inception of the awards more than a quarter century ago, EPA and the American Chemical Society, which co-sponsors the awards, have received more than 1,800 nominations, and presented awards to 139 technologies that decrease hazardous chemicals and resources, reduce costs and protect public health. Winning technologies are responsible for reducing the use or generation of nearly one billion pounds of hazardous chemicals, saving over 20 billion gallons of water, and eliminating nearly eight billion pounds of carbon dioxide equivalents released to the air.
EPA is currently accepting nominations for the 2024 Green Chemistry Challenge Awards, from companies or institutions that have developed a new green chemistry process or product that helps protect human health and the environment. Nominations are due to EPA by Friday, Dec. 8, 2023.
Visit EPA online to learn more about the 2023 winners and EPA’s Green Chemistry Challenge.
“All of us benefit from advances in green chemistry as part of prevention pollution in communities, especially where residents continue to suffer from disproportionate levels of pollution,” said EPA Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention Deputy Assistant Administrator Jennie Romer. “Green chemistry can play a vital role in protecting human health and the environment by increasing efficiency, avoiding hazardous chemicals and preventing waste while improving the competitiveness of American companies.”
An independent panel of technical experts convened by the American Chemical Society Green Chemistry Institute formally judged the 2023 submissions and made recommendations to EPA. The winners are being recognized at a ceremony today in Washington, D.C.
The 2023 Green Chemistry Challenge Award winners are:
Academic Category: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, for developing new ways to refine common agricultural waste such as rice hulls into materials that can be used in lithium-ion batteries and other products which are important for the transition to green energy. The new processes can replace the energy and carbon intensive methods currently used to obtain silicon metals.
Design of Greener Chemicals: The Clorox Company, Oakland, California, for designing Clorox EcoClean™ Disinfecting Cleaner, a Design for the Environment-certified disinfecting cleaner that can be used without personal protective equipment, is formulated without alcohol and can be used safely on most surfaces without bleaching. The product disinfects 99.999% of illness-causing germs in two minutes or less when used as directed.
Greener Synthetic Pathways: Solugen, Houston, Texas, for developing the Bioforge™, a chemical manufacturing platform that converts plant-derived substances into a range of materials that have historically been made from fossil fuels — without resulting emissions or waste. Materials made in the Bioforge™ include those used for water treatment and detergents.
Greener Reaction Conditions: Captis Aire LLC, East Point, Georgia, for the patent pending CAIRE Technology that captures more than 90% of terpenes, a waste product from the wood manufacturing process, and converts it into valuable chemicals including those used in products such as biofuels, flavors and fragrances. Currently these terpenes can be an air pollutant, an irritant to eyes, lungs and skin, and are commonly burned as waste which releases greenhouse gases.
Small Business Award: Modern Meadow, Nutley, New Jersey, for developing a more efficient textile dyeing process called Bio-FREED™ Powered by Bio-Alloy™ which uses a bio-based protein foam to dye any type of fiber. Compared to traditional dyeing methods, Bio-FREED™ conserves 95% of water, reduces energy consumption by 75%, and utilizes 80% fewer dyes and chemicals. Bio-FREED also does not require a separate step to fix the dye and requires one or even no washes at the end of the dyeing process, compared to 4-7 washes for traditional dyeing.
Specific Environmental Benefit – Climate Change: Air Company, Brooklyn, New York, for developing a technology that mimics photosynthesis to transform the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide into other organic chemicals, producing oxygen as the only byproduct. The technology both removes carbon dioxidefrom the air by using it as a chemical reactant and reduces the need for fossil fuels by transforming it into fuels, including aviation fuels.
Since the inception of the awards more than a quarter century ago, EPA and the American Chemical Society, which co-sponsors the awards, have received more than 1,800 nominations, and presented awards to 139 technologies that decrease hazardous chemicals and resources, reduce costs and protect public health. Winning technologies are responsible for reducing the use or generation of nearly one billion pounds of hazardous chemicals, saving over 20 billion gallons of water, and eliminating nearly eight billion pounds of carbon dioxide equivalents released to the air.
EPA is currently accepting nominations for the 2024 Green Chemistry Challenge Awards, from companies or institutions that have developed a new green chemistry process or product that helps protect human health and the environment. Nominations are due to EPA by Friday, Dec. 8, 2023.
Visit EPA online to learn more about the 2023 winners and EPA’s Green Chemistry Challenge.
Biden-Harris Administration Announces $76 Million WIFIA Loan to Strengthen Climate Resilience in Northern Monterey County, California
WASHINGTON – Today, at an event near Marina, California, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Assistant Administrator for Water Radhika Fox joined City of Monterey Mayor Tyller Williamson and other local officials to announce a Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) loan to Monterey One Water. This $76 million loan will expand existing water reuse capacity from 5 million gallons per day to 7.6 million gallons per day while ensuring residents and businesses in the surrounding areas have a climate resilient water supply.
Since its creation, EPA’s WIFIA program has announced $19 billion in financing to support 113 projects that are strengthening drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure and creating tens of thousands of jobs.
“Congratulations to Monterey One Water for securing this $76 million WIFIA loan to expand water reuse. This project will provide vital drinking water and strengthen nearby water resources—including the Carmel River and the Seaside Groundwater Basin—while creating family-supporting jobs,” said EPA Assistant Administrator for Water Radhika Fox. “With EPA’s WIFIA loan, additional funding from President Biden’s historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and investments by the State of California, this project exemplifies how federal, state, and local partnership can benefit communities.”
EPA’s WIFIA loan will save Monterey One Water approximately $15 million while construction and operation are estimated to create 650 jobs. Additionally, Monterey One Water and Monterey Peninsula Water Management District have secured a combined $42 million in state and federal grants, including over $10 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which they estimate represents all construction-related costs for this project.
“Following years of historic drought, it is imperative that treatment plants like Monterey One Water have the resources they need to provide clean water and protect the public health of thousands of California residents and businesses,” said Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif). “I applaud today’s significant EPA loan to Monterey One Water, which will allow the plant to safely reuse and reintroduce 50 percent more water in order to bolster the region’s climate resilient water supply.”
“Congratulations to Monterey One Water for the impressive accomplishment of providing half of its drinking water supply from recycled water to benefit the community and to help restore steelhead in the Carmel River,” said Senator Laphonza Butler (D-Calif). “I also appreciate EPA’s approval of a low-interest loan which makes funding this project possible.”
“Our water sources across our 19th Congressional District are very vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and droughts,” said Rep. Jimmy Panetta (CA-19). “Through this sizable federal loan to Monterey One Water, we are ensuring that the federal government plays its part by investing in our local infrastructure to bolster our water supply and enhance our sustainability efforts. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act provided historic investments in our nation’s water resiliency, and I will continue to fight for the funding that our community deserves to ensure a diversity of sustainable water sources.”
“Monterey One Water is proud to be the first potable reuse producer in northern California and to be optimizing local resources to create sustainable and cooperative water solutions,” said Paul Sciuto, General Manager of Monterey One Water. “Purified recycled water will represent more than 50% of a local water supply and will help create a more climate resilient community.”
With this funding, Monterey One Water will increase production capacity at its Advanced Water Purification Facility and groundwater injection well site with additional treatment technology and infrastructure. Together, these upgrades will ensure a drought-proof supply of potable water and help protect the local aquifer from saltwater intrusion.
Learn more about EPA’s WIFIA Program and water infrastructure investments under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
Background
Established by the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act of 2014, the WIFIA program is a federal loan program administered by EPA. The WIFIA program’s aim is to accelerate investment in the nation’s water infrastructure by providing long-term, low-cost supplemental credit assistance for regionally and nationally significant projects. The WIFIA program has an active pipeline of pending applications for projects that will result in billions of dollars in water infrastructure investment and thousands of jobs.
EPA recently made the 7th round of WIFIA financing available and is currently accepting letters of interest for WIFIA and SWIFIA loans. $6.5 billion is available through WIFIA, and $1 billion is available through SWIFIA, which is a loan program exclusively for State infrastructure financing authority borrowers. EPA is currently accepting letters of interest for WIFIA and SWIFIA loans. Learn more about submitting a letter of interest for a WIFIA loan.In addition to WIFIA loans, there are many federal funding resources available for communities and utilities to improve vital water and wastewater resources. President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is a once-in-a-generation investment in our nation’s infrastructure and competitiveness. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provides a historic $50 billion investment in upgrading critical water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure.
Since its creation, EPA’s WIFIA program has announced $19 billion in financing to support 113 projects that are strengthening drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure and creating tens of thousands of jobs.
“Congratulations to Monterey One Water for securing this $76 million WIFIA loan to expand water reuse. This project will provide vital drinking water and strengthen nearby water resources—including the Carmel River and the Seaside Groundwater Basin—while creating family-supporting jobs,” said EPA Assistant Administrator for Water Radhika Fox. “With EPA’s WIFIA loan, additional funding from President Biden’s historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and investments by the State of California, this project exemplifies how federal, state, and local partnership can benefit communities.”
EPA’s WIFIA loan will save Monterey One Water approximately $15 million while construction and operation are estimated to create 650 jobs. Additionally, Monterey One Water and Monterey Peninsula Water Management District have secured a combined $42 million in state and federal grants, including over $10 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which they estimate represents all construction-related costs for this project.
“Following years of historic drought, it is imperative that treatment plants like Monterey One Water have the resources they need to provide clean water and protect the public health of thousands of California residents and businesses,” said Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif). “I applaud today’s significant EPA loan to Monterey One Water, which will allow the plant to safely reuse and reintroduce 50 percent more water in order to bolster the region’s climate resilient water supply.”
“Congratulations to Monterey One Water for the impressive accomplishment of providing half of its drinking water supply from recycled water to benefit the community and to help restore steelhead in the Carmel River,” said Senator Laphonza Butler (D-Calif). “I also appreciate EPA’s approval of a low-interest loan which makes funding this project possible.”
“Our water sources across our 19th Congressional District are very vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and droughts,” said Rep. Jimmy Panetta (CA-19). “Through this sizable federal loan to Monterey One Water, we are ensuring that the federal government plays its part by investing in our local infrastructure to bolster our water supply and enhance our sustainability efforts. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act provided historic investments in our nation’s water resiliency, and I will continue to fight for the funding that our community deserves to ensure a diversity of sustainable water sources.”
“Monterey One Water is proud to be the first potable reuse producer in northern California and to be optimizing local resources to create sustainable and cooperative water solutions,” said Paul Sciuto, General Manager of Monterey One Water. “Purified recycled water will represent more than 50% of a local water supply and will help create a more climate resilient community.”
With this funding, Monterey One Water will increase production capacity at its Advanced Water Purification Facility and groundwater injection well site with additional treatment technology and infrastructure. Together, these upgrades will ensure a drought-proof supply of potable water and help protect the local aquifer from saltwater intrusion.
Learn more about EPA’s WIFIA Program and water infrastructure investments under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
Background
Established by the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act of 2014, the WIFIA program is a federal loan program administered by EPA. The WIFIA program’s aim is to accelerate investment in the nation’s water infrastructure by providing long-term, low-cost supplemental credit assistance for regionally and nationally significant projects. The WIFIA program has an active pipeline of pending applications for projects that will result in billions of dollars in water infrastructure investment and thousands of jobs.
EPA recently made the 7th round of WIFIA financing available and is currently accepting letters of interest for WIFIA and SWIFIA loans. $6.5 billion is available through WIFIA, and $1 billion is available through SWIFIA, which is a loan program exclusively for State infrastructure financing authority borrowers. EPA is currently accepting letters of interest for WIFIA and SWIFIA loans. Learn more about submitting a letter of interest for a WIFIA loan.In addition to WIFIA loans, there are many federal funding resources available for communities and utilities to improve vital water and wastewater resources. President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is a once-in-a-generation investment in our nation’s infrastructure and competitiveness. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provides a historic $50 billion investment in upgrading critical water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure.
State of Alaska, Fairbanks North Star Borough receive $10M EPA grant to improve air quality
Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency awarded $10 million in Targeted Airshed Grant funding to the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to help the Fairbanks North Star Borough improve air quality in the nonattainment area.
EPA’s Targeted Airshed Grants are used to support local clean air projects in areas facing the highest levels of ground-level ozone and fine particulate matter, commonly known as smog and soot. Since Alaska’s first Targeted Airshed Grant in 2017, the EPA has provided nearly $42 million to help the State and Borough improve air quality.
The borough will use the grant funds to reduce direct fine particulate matter emissions in the Fairbanks North Star Borough nonattainment area through multiple projects: removing and replacing solid-fueled heating devices, replacing oil heating appliances with natural gas or propane, and expanding the availability of natural gas to underserved communities via mainline extensions. This is the first time that Targeted Airshed Grant funding has been awarded to expand access to natural gas.
“The state, the borough, and local leaders are making progress on improving air quality for local communities,” said EPA Region 10 Administrator Casey Sixkiller. “We are all working together to develop the right approach to get to healthier air, and this round of EPA’s Targeted Airshed Grant funding will further bolster the community's efforts to reduce wood smoke pollution and improve air quality in the Borough.”
Wood smoke remains the largest source of fine particle pollution in the Fairbanks North Star Borough. The borough’s existing woodstove conversion program has removed or converted 464 woodstove or other solid fuel-fired heating devices in the non-attainment area. This grant is estimated to remove or convert an additional approximately 335 solid-fueled heating devices and oil heating appliances to natural gas or propane.
DEC is partnering with the Interior Gas Utility in order to extend its natural gas distribution lines to more areas within the nonattainment area with a priority focus on communities with environmental justice concerns. This expansion will broaden the depth of eligible applicants for solid fuel burning appliances and oil to gas conversion and further assist in the reductions of PM2.5 and SO2.
Criteria for determining where to extend natural gas main lines will include location within an environmental justice area, distance from the existing main line, and concentration of consumer interest. A combination of these factors will ensure that the main lines that are extended as a result of the grant funding will reach residents who are ready to switch to natural gas. It will also focus expansion to serve communities with environmental justice concerns.
“All Alaskans deserve clean air and warm homes, and this funding can help our Interior residents achieve both,” said Representative Peltola. “This $10 million grant will help the Fairbanks-North Star Borough continue the progress they have made in tackling this issue and shows what can happen when the federal government works with Alaskans rather than against us. I’m grateful for this partnership that is focused on helping our communities achieve shared goals rather than punishing Alaskans for relying on the fuels we have available. That’s also why I am especially glad to see $5 million dedicated for supporting natural gas hookups in the community. Alaska’s natural gas resources could play a major role in both decreasing the cost of energy and reducing pollution from particulate matter, and I will continue to push for affordable, Alaska-made energy solutions to benefit our communities.”
“While this grant targets natural gas and fuel oil, funding remains from prior grant awards for switching out current woodstoves for more efficient woodstoves. DEC's Division of Air Quality has worked diligently to produce a list of approved clean burning woodstoves to inform the Fairbanks North Star Borough Wood Stove Change Out Program,” said Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation Acting Commissioner Emma Pokon. “We appreciate the support for the FNSB community and our air quality team to produce solutions that allow Alaskans to affordably heat their homes and achieve healthier air for all.”
Borough Mayor Bryce J. Ward said, “The support and aid of the Environmental Protection Agency and the State of Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation are greatly appreciated as we continue to navigate this complex journey to attain the national PM2.5 standard and have cleaner air for all borough residents. This award of the Targeted Airshed Grant will continue to help reduce emissions in the Fairbanks non-attainment area by assisting homeowners to upgrade existing home heating devices to gas-fired ones.”
EPA’s Targeted Airshed Grants are used to support local clean air projects in areas facing the highest levels of ground-level ozone and fine particulate matter, commonly known as smog and soot. Since Alaska’s first Targeted Airshed Grant in 2017, the EPA has provided nearly $42 million to help the State and Borough improve air quality.
The borough will use the grant funds to reduce direct fine particulate matter emissions in the Fairbanks North Star Borough nonattainment area through multiple projects: removing and replacing solid-fueled heating devices, replacing oil heating appliances with natural gas or propane, and expanding the availability of natural gas to underserved communities via mainline extensions. This is the first time that Targeted Airshed Grant funding has been awarded to expand access to natural gas.
“The state, the borough, and local leaders are making progress on improving air quality for local communities,” said EPA Region 10 Administrator Casey Sixkiller. “We are all working together to develop the right approach to get to healthier air, and this round of EPA’s Targeted Airshed Grant funding will further bolster the community's efforts to reduce wood smoke pollution and improve air quality in the Borough.”
Wood smoke remains the largest source of fine particle pollution in the Fairbanks North Star Borough. The borough’s existing woodstove conversion program has removed or converted 464 woodstove or other solid fuel-fired heating devices in the non-attainment area. This grant is estimated to remove or convert an additional approximately 335 solid-fueled heating devices and oil heating appliances to natural gas or propane.
DEC is partnering with the Interior Gas Utility in order to extend its natural gas distribution lines to more areas within the nonattainment area with a priority focus on communities with environmental justice concerns. This expansion will broaden the depth of eligible applicants for solid fuel burning appliances and oil to gas conversion and further assist in the reductions of PM2.5 and SO2.
Criteria for determining where to extend natural gas main lines will include location within an environmental justice area, distance from the existing main line, and concentration of consumer interest. A combination of these factors will ensure that the main lines that are extended as a result of the grant funding will reach residents who are ready to switch to natural gas. It will also focus expansion to serve communities with environmental justice concerns.
“All Alaskans deserve clean air and warm homes, and this funding can help our Interior residents achieve both,” said Representative Peltola. “This $10 million grant will help the Fairbanks-North Star Borough continue the progress they have made in tackling this issue and shows what can happen when the federal government works with Alaskans rather than against us. I’m grateful for this partnership that is focused on helping our communities achieve shared goals rather than punishing Alaskans for relying on the fuels we have available. That’s also why I am especially glad to see $5 million dedicated for supporting natural gas hookups in the community. Alaska’s natural gas resources could play a major role in both decreasing the cost of energy and reducing pollution from particulate matter, and I will continue to push for affordable, Alaska-made energy solutions to benefit our communities.”
“While this grant targets natural gas and fuel oil, funding remains from prior grant awards for switching out current woodstoves for more efficient woodstoves. DEC's Division of Air Quality has worked diligently to produce a list of approved clean burning woodstoves to inform the Fairbanks North Star Borough Wood Stove Change Out Program,” said Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation Acting Commissioner Emma Pokon. “We appreciate the support for the FNSB community and our air quality team to produce solutions that allow Alaskans to affordably heat their homes and achieve healthier air for all.”
Borough Mayor Bryce J. Ward said, “The support and aid of the Environmental Protection Agency and the State of Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation are greatly appreciated as we continue to navigate this complex journey to attain the national PM2.5 standard and have cleaner air for all borough residents. This award of the Targeted Airshed Grant will continue to help reduce emissions in the Fairbanks non-attainment area by assisting homeowners to upgrade existing home heating devices to gas-fired ones.”
Export rebound, manufacturing imports keeping Gulf Coast volumes afloat
Amid a down year overall, Gulf Coast port volumes are holding up thanks to petrochemical exports, as well as growing imports related to energy projects and specialized manufacturing in the region.
USDA Announces 2024 Tribal Scholarships and Fellowships
WASHINGTON, Oct. 20, 2023 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced two tribal higher education opportunities to train the next generation of agricultural professionals and strengthen ties with tribal higher education institutions. The USDA 1994 Tribal Scholars Program offers a fast-track career path with USDA, and the Terra Preta do Indio Tribal Faculty Fellowship engages tribal college faculty with USDA resources and research.