EPA Makes nearly $125 Million Investment to Spur Wastewater Infrastructure Improvements Across New Jersey
NEW YORK - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded New Jersey nearly $125 million to support cleaner water across the state, of which over $93 million is funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. New Jersey’s Clean Water State Revolving Fund provides interest-free or low-interest rate financing for wastewater and sewer infrastructure projects to municipalities, utilities, and regional authorities. A variety of projects are eligible for financing, including construction or restoration of sewers and wastewater treatment facilities and piping, stormwater management projects and habitat restoration and protection projects.
“EPA’s investment in New Jersey’s water infrastructure means less pollution and cleaner water in our own local waterways,” said EPA Regional Administrator Lisa F. Garcia. “This critical funding, augmented by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, gives communities the opportunity to continue to modernize infrastructure and reduce water pollution.”
“EPA funding support has been critical to the state’s Water Infrastructure Investment Plan (WIIP), through which the New Jersey Water Bank has provided funding to more than 130 projects totaling $485 million to improve wastewater infrastructure,” said New Jersey Commissioner of Environmental Protection Shawn M. LaTourette. “In addition, because of EPA’s steadfast commitment to water infrastructure, New Jersey is able to invest in a host of projects to improve the safety of drinking water supplies and reduce flooding impacts from stormwater. My DEP colleagues and I thank Administrator Garcia and the Biden Administration for their support in making our state healthier, safer, and more resilient.”
Under the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) program, EPA provides annual grants to all 50 states plus Puerto Rico to capitalize state CWSRF loan programs for a wide range of water quality infrastructure projects, including municipal wastewater facilities, nonpoint source pollution control, decentralized wastewater treatment systems, stormwater runoff mitigation, green infrastructure, estuary protection, and water reuse.
“As the financing partner in the State’s CWSRF program, the I-Bank is pleased to support the NJDEP through the issuance of low-cost loans that facilitate the construction of critical environmental infrastructure for all communities throughout the State, while meeting the Department’s goal of prioritizing financial assistance to overburdened communities,” said New Jersey Infrastructure Bank Executive Director, David Zimmer.
The 51 CWSRF programs function like environmental infrastructure banks by providing low or no interest loans for water infrastructure projects. As money is paid back into the state’s revolving loan fund, the state makes new loans to other recipients for high priority, water quality activities. CWSRF’s may offer a variety of assistance including loans, purchase of debt or refinance and provision of loan guarantees.
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law presents the largest-ever funding opportunity for investing in water infrastructure. Find out more about Bipartisan Infrastructure Law programs and other programs that help communities manage their water resources on EPA's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law page.
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’s investment in New Jersey’s water infrastructure means less pollution and cleaner water in our own local waterways,” said EPA Regional Administrator Lisa F. Garcia. “This critical funding, augmented by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, gives communities the opportunity to continue to modernize infrastructure and reduce water pollution.”
“EPA funding support has been critical to the state’s Water Infrastructure Investment Plan (WIIP), through which the New Jersey Water Bank has provided funding to more than 130 projects totaling $485 million to improve wastewater infrastructure,” said New Jersey Commissioner of Environmental Protection Shawn M. LaTourette. “In addition, because of EPA’s steadfast commitment to water infrastructure, New Jersey is able to invest in a host of projects to improve the safety of drinking water supplies and reduce flooding impacts from stormwater. My DEP colleagues and I thank Administrator Garcia and the Biden Administration for their support in making our state healthier, safer, and more resilient.”
Under the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) program, EPA provides annual grants to all 50 states plus Puerto Rico to capitalize state CWSRF loan programs for a wide range of water quality infrastructure projects, including municipal wastewater facilities, nonpoint source pollution control, decentralized wastewater treatment systems, stormwater runoff mitigation, green infrastructure, estuary protection, and water reuse.
“As the financing partner in the State’s CWSRF program, the I-Bank is pleased to support the NJDEP through the issuance of low-cost loans that facilitate the construction of critical environmental infrastructure for all communities throughout the State, while meeting the Department’s goal of prioritizing financial assistance to overburdened communities,” said New Jersey Infrastructure Bank Executive Director, David Zimmer.
The 51 CWSRF programs function like environmental infrastructure banks by providing low or no interest loans for water infrastructure projects. As money is paid back into the state’s revolving loan fund, the state makes new loans to other recipients for high priority, water quality activities. CWSRF’s may offer a variety of assistance including loans, purchase of debt or refinance and provision of loan guarantees.
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law presents the largest-ever funding opportunity for investing in water infrastructure. Find out more about Bipartisan Infrastructure Law programs and other programs that help communities manage their water resources on EPA's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law page.
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 Honors WaterSense Partners for Helping Consumers Save Water
WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) presented 47 awards to WaterSense partners for their support of WaterSense and water efficiency at the WaterSmart Innovations conference in Las Vegas, Nevada. This year’s award winners made innovative water-efficient products, built homes using 30% less water than typical new construction, made WaterSense labeled products accessible to consumers, and implemented programs to promote water-saving behaviors and fixtures."This year's WaterSense Award Winners are helping American families save money on their water bills while conserving our precious water resources," said EPA Assistant Administrator for Water Radhika Fox. "As climate stress continues to affect communities across the country, prioritizing water efficiency in partnership with manufacturers, homebuilders and families is essential to protecting our water for generations to come."People look for the WaterSense label on plumbing fixtures, homes, and irrigation products and programs, because it means lower water and energy costs and helps save water. People who buy WaterSense products have saved more than 7.5 trillion gallons of water, 880 billion kilowatt-hours of energy, and $171 billion in water and energy bills since the program started in 2006.Award winners include utilities, manufacturers, builders, a retailer, and other organizations that promote, produce, and sell WaterSense labeled products; build WaterSense labeled homes; and operate WaterSense labeled certification programs.2023 Sustained Excellence Award Winners
The Sustained Excellence Awards are the highest level of achievement for WaterSense. This year, WaterSense added three new WaterSense partners to this category.
Athens-Clarke County Public Utilities (Georgia)
Citrus County Utilities (Florida)
City of Charlottesville (Virginia)
City of Durham Water Management (North Carolina)
City of Plano (Texas)
City of Sacramento Department of Utilities (California)
KB Home
Fulton Homes
Kohler Co. (Wisconsin)
Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District
Northern Water (Colorado)
Sonoma-Marin (California) Saving Water Partnership (for certification programs)
Upper San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District (California)
2023 Partner of the Year AwardsPartner of the Year Awards are given to WaterSense partners who have achieved success in all the judging categories—strategic collaboration, education and outreach, and producing or promoting WaterSense labeled products and programs.
Promotional: Harris-Galveston (Texas) Subsidence District; Houston Public Works; Rancho Water (California); Valley Water (Santa Clara Valley, California); Tarrant (Texas) Regional Water District, Vallecitos (California) Water District; and the Sonoma-Marin Saving Water Partnership
Manufacturer: Niagara®
Retailer: The Home Depot
2023 Excellence Award WinnersExcellence Awards recognize WaterSense partners who have excelled in the following areas:
Excellence in Education and Outreach: City of Big Bear Lake Department of Water and Power (California); Irvine Ranch Water District (California); Kearns Improvement District (Utah); and Monte Vista Water District (California)
Excellence in Promotion and Outreach: San Diego County (California) Water Authority
Excellence in Engagement and Outreach: The Toro Company
Excellence in Education, Outreach, and Promoting WaterSense Labeled Products: Sacramento Suburban Water District (California); Cobb County (Georgia) Water System; and Department of Water, County of Kaua‘i (Hawaii)
Excellence in Promoting WaterSense Labeled Products: Alameda County (California) Water District; California Water Service; City of Flagstaff (Arizona) Water Conservation Program; City of Tucson (Arizona)/Tucson Water; Marin Water (California); Metropolitan Council (Minnesota); San Dieguito Water District (California); Tampa Bay (Florida) Water; and Utah Division of Water Resources
Excellence in Promoting WaterSense Labeled Products in the Marketplace: Smart Rain (Utah)
Excellence in Increasing the Visibility of WaterSense Labeled Products: Hunter Industries (California)
Excellence in Strategic Collaboration: Alliance for Water Efficiency; American Water; and G3, Green Gardens Group (Los Angeles)
Excellence in Promoting the EPA Multifamily Water Score: SCV Water (Santa Clarita Valley, California)
Excellence in Certification Program Growth: Metropolitan Water District of Southern California
Background WaterSense, a partnership program sponsored by EPA, is both a label for water-efficient products and a resource for helping consumers and businesses save water. WaterSense seeks to protect the future of the nation’s water supply by offering Americans a simple way to use less water with water-efficient products, homes, and services. WaterSense labeled products are independently certified to use 20% less water and perform as well or better than standard models. The program was launched in 2006, and there are more than 42,000 labeled toilets, faucets/faucet accessories, showerheads, irrigation controllers, and spray sprinkler bodies.Learn more about the 2023 WaterSense Award winners.
The Sustained Excellence Awards are the highest level of achievement for WaterSense. This year, WaterSense added three new WaterSense partners to this category.
Athens-Clarke County Public Utilities (Georgia)
Citrus County Utilities (Florida)
City of Charlottesville (Virginia)
City of Durham Water Management (North Carolina)
City of Plano (Texas)
City of Sacramento Department of Utilities (California)
KB Home
Fulton Homes
Kohler Co. (Wisconsin)
Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District
Northern Water (Colorado)
Sonoma-Marin (California) Saving Water Partnership (for certification programs)
Upper San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District (California)
2023 Partner of the Year AwardsPartner of the Year Awards are given to WaterSense partners who have achieved success in all the judging categories—strategic collaboration, education and outreach, and producing or promoting WaterSense labeled products and programs.
Promotional: Harris-Galveston (Texas) Subsidence District; Houston Public Works; Rancho Water (California); Valley Water (Santa Clara Valley, California); Tarrant (Texas) Regional Water District, Vallecitos (California) Water District; and the Sonoma-Marin Saving Water Partnership
Manufacturer: Niagara®
Retailer: The Home Depot
2023 Excellence Award WinnersExcellence Awards recognize WaterSense partners who have excelled in the following areas:
Excellence in Education and Outreach: City of Big Bear Lake Department of Water and Power (California); Irvine Ranch Water District (California); Kearns Improvement District (Utah); and Monte Vista Water District (California)
Excellence in Promotion and Outreach: San Diego County (California) Water Authority
Excellence in Engagement and Outreach: The Toro Company
Excellence in Education, Outreach, and Promoting WaterSense Labeled Products: Sacramento Suburban Water District (California); Cobb County (Georgia) Water System; and Department of Water, County of Kaua‘i (Hawaii)
Excellence in Promoting WaterSense Labeled Products: Alameda County (California) Water District; California Water Service; City of Flagstaff (Arizona) Water Conservation Program; City of Tucson (Arizona)/Tucson Water; Marin Water (California); Metropolitan Council (Minnesota); San Dieguito Water District (California); Tampa Bay (Florida) Water; and Utah Division of Water Resources
Excellence in Promoting WaterSense Labeled Products in the Marketplace: Smart Rain (Utah)
Excellence in Increasing the Visibility of WaterSense Labeled Products: Hunter Industries (California)
Excellence in Strategic Collaboration: Alliance for Water Efficiency; American Water; and G3, Green Gardens Group (Los Angeles)
Excellence in Promoting the EPA Multifamily Water Score: SCV Water (Santa Clarita Valley, California)
Excellence in Certification Program Growth: Metropolitan Water District of Southern California
Background WaterSense, a partnership program sponsored by EPA, is both a label for water-efficient products and a resource for helping consumers and businesses save water. WaterSense seeks to protect the future of the nation’s water supply by offering Americans a simple way to use less water with water-efficient products, homes, and services. WaterSense labeled products are independently certified to use 20% less water and perform as well or better than standard models. The program was launched in 2006, and there are more than 42,000 labeled toilets, faucets/faucet accessories, showerheads, irrigation controllers, and spray sprinkler bodies.Learn more about the 2023 WaterSense Award winners.
EPA Enforcement Helps Protect Children in New York from Lead Paint Hazards
NEW YORK – Two New York housing authorities will face penalties if they don’t address alleged violations of lead-based paint regulations under the federal Toxic Substances Control Act. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has entered into settlements with the Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority (BMHA) and the Syracuse Housing Authority (SHA), which allege that the housing authorities were aware of lead-based paint in some of their properties, but failed to notify tenants of available information and detailing the potential hazards of living with lead-based paint, as required by federal regulations. Historically overburdened communities suffer from higher rates of childhood lead poisoning, and that is often attributed to high levels of lead-based paint and dust in the home.
“If you rent or sell a home or apartment the rule is clear -- you must disclose its lead-based paint history. Notification of potential and actual lead hazards by landlords to tenants is one of the easiest and most effective ways to reduce dangerous lead exposure,” said EPA Regional Administrator Lisa F. Garcia. “Tenants must have the ability to make informed decisions, especially when it comes to protecting their children’s health.”
As part of this enforcement effort, EPA inspected the Frederick Douglass Towers and Shaffer Village Apartments in Buffalo, NY and the James Geddes Row Houses and Pioneer Homes in Syracuse, NY.
Specifically, EPA found that the housing authorities mentioned above did not:
disclose the presence of (or include in lease a statement disclosing the presence of) or indicate no knowledge any lead-based paint or lead-based paint hazards in the housing being leased
provide the lessee with all available records and reports (or include in lease a list of records and reports) pertaining to the presence of lead-based paint or lead-based paint hazards.
include in lease a statement by lessee affirming receipt of information of presence of lead-based paint, list of reports or records of lead-based paint and the lead-based paint information pamphlet.
include signatures of lessors, agents and lessees certifying the accuracy of their statements regarding lead-based paint and/or lead-based paint hazards.
In the case of the Syracuse Housing Authority, EPA also identified that some renovation work was done without properly certified and trained staff using the lead-safe work practices as required by the Toxic Substances Control Act's lead paint Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Rule to prevent exposure to lead dust and debris. BMHA and SHA have already taken some actions, and EPA will monitor whether all the requirements of the settlements are met. BMHA and SHA have both developed and begun to implement EPA reviewed and approved compliance plans to ensure compliance at thousands of units, housing more than 8,300 residents, at which these rules are applicable.
BMHA’s lead disclosure compliance plan states that if a tenant informs the BMHA that their child recently tested positive above a certain blood lead level, the Housing Authority will schedule lead testing in the tenant’s apartment unit and will address the situation if high levels of lead are found in the unit.
Under the terms of the settlements in order to not face the penalties, the two respective housing authorities have to take specific actions. These actions include providing completed Lessor Disclosure Forms and Disclosure Rule Compliance Checklists to EPA for 20 new leases and/or lease renewals each at BMHA and SHA (thus 40 in total) for each quarter; providing to EPA a list of all apartment units where renovation work was conducted during each quarter as well as a description of the work performed, the name of the firm and certified renovator who performed the renovation (including copies of training certificates, completed RRP Rule renovation checklist and completed RRP Rule Forms that show proper performance of the RRP work and post-renovation cleanup. If lead abatement is conducted, the Authorities must provide to EPA the address of each abatement, the reason for the abatement, the name of the EPA –certified lead abatement contractor hired to perform the work (and copy of the certification) and completed lead abatement checklists.
Since the 1970s, the United States has made tremendous progress in lowering children’s blood lead levels. Lead exposure, particularly at higher doses, continues to pose a significant health and safety threat to children, preventing them from reaching the fullest potential of their health, their intellect, and their future. No safe blood lead level in children has been identified.
EPA is committed to ensuring that public housing complies with the federal lead-based paint regulations, as is reflected by these recent cases and a similar enforcement case against the Housing Authority of the City of Passaic.
Lead-contaminated dust from chipped or peeling 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 paint exposure because their growing bodies absorb more lead than adults do, 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. Unborn children are also vulnerable to these effects. Lead dust can be generated when lead-based paint deteriorates or is disturbed.
For more information about lead paint and federal regulations about it, please visit:
Lead Paint RRP Rule
Lead Paint Disclosure Rule
Lead Paint Enforcement
October is National Children’s Health Month. Children are often more vulnerable to pollutants than adults due to differences in behavior and biology, and these differences can lead to greater exposure and/or unique windows of susceptibility.
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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“If you rent or sell a home or apartment the rule is clear -- you must disclose its lead-based paint history. Notification of potential and actual lead hazards by landlords to tenants is one of the easiest and most effective ways to reduce dangerous lead exposure,” said EPA Regional Administrator Lisa F. Garcia. “Tenants must have the ability to make informed decisions, especially when it comes to protecting their children’s health.”
As part of this enforcement effort, EPA inspected the Frederick Douglass Towers and Shaffer Village Apartments in Buffalo, NY and the James Geddes Row Houses and Pioneer Homes in Syracuse, NY.
Specifically, EPA found that the housing authorities mentioned above did not:
disclose the presence of (or include in lease a statement disclosing the presence of) or indicate no knowledge any lead-based paint or lead-based paint hazards in the housing being leased
provide the lessee with all available records and reports (or include in lease a list of records and reports) pertaining to the presence of lead-based paint or lead-based paint hazards.
include in lease a statement by lessee affirming receipt of information of presence of lead-based paint, list of reports or records of lead-based paint and the lead-based paint information pamphlet.
include signatures of lessors, agents and lessees certifying the accuracy of their statements regarding lead-based paint and/or lead-based paint hazards.
In the case of the Syracuse Housing Authority, EPA also identified that some renovation work was done without properly certified and trained staff using the lead-safe work practices as required by the Toxic Substances Control Act's lead paint Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Rule to prevent exposure to lead dust and debris. BMHA and SHA have already taken some actions, and EPA will monitor whether all the requirements of the settlements are met. BMHA and SHA have both developed and begun to implement EPA reviewed and approved compliance plans to ensure compliance at thousands of units, housing more than 8,300 residents, at which these rules are applicable.
BMHA’s lead disclosure compliance plan states that if a tenant informs the BMHA that their child recently tested positive above a certain blood lead level, the Housing Authority will schedule lead testing in the tenant’s apartment unit and will address the situation if high levels of lead are found in the unit.
Under the terms of the settlements in order to not face the penalties, the two respective housing authorities have to take specific actions. These actions include providing completed Lessor Disclosure Forms and Disclosure Rule Compliance Checklists to EPA for 20 new leases and/or lease renewals each at BMHA and SHA (thus 40 in total) for each quarter; providing to EPA a list of all apartment units where renovation work was conducted during each quarter as well as a description of the work performed, the name of the firm and certified renovator who performed the renovation (including copies of training certificates, completed RRP Rule renovation checklist and completed RRP Rule Forms that show proper performance of the RRP work and post-renovation cleanup. If lead abatement is conducted, the Authorities must provide to EPA the address of each abatement, the reason for the abatement, the name of the EPA –certified lead abatement contractor hired to perform the work (and copy of the certification) and completed lead abatement checklists.
Since the 1970s, the United States has made tremendous progress in lowering children’s blood lead levels. Lead exposure, particularly at higher doses, continues to pose a significant health and safety threat to children, preventing them from reaching the fullest potential of their health, their intellect, and their future. No safe blood lead level in children has been identified.
EPA is committed to ensuring that public housing complies with the federal lead-based paint regulations, as is reflected by these recent cases and a similar enforcement case against the Housing Authority of the City of Passaic.
Lead-contaminated dust from chipped or peeling 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 paint exposure because their growing bodies absorb more lead than adults do, 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. Unborn children are also vulnerable to these effects. Lead dust can be generated when lead-based paint deteriorates or is disturbed.
For more information about lead paint and federal regulations about it, please visit:
Lead Paint RRP Rule
Lead Paint Disclosure Rule
Lead Paint Enforcement
October is National Children’s Health Month. Children are often more vulnerable to pollutants than adults due to differences in behavior and biology, and these differences can lead to greater exposure and/or unique windows of susceptibility.
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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Savannah working through unexpected backlog of anchored vessels
While shippers say the situation, which could linger through mid-November, is less than ideal, many noted there have been no real impacts yet.
USDA Announces $27.6 Million to Support Underserved and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers through the 2501 Program
WASHINGTON, Oct. 4, 2023 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced $27.6 million in grants to provide training, outreach and technical assistance to underserved and veteran farmers, ranchers, and foresters to help them own and operate successful farms, ranches, and forest lands. Funding is made through USDA’s 2501 Program. The 2501 program is administered by the USDA Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement (OPPE).
EPA’s GreenChill Program Celebrates Achievements in Environmentally Friendly Refrigerant Management Across the Supermarket Industry
BALTIMORE, MD. – Today, in a ceremony at the FMI – The Food Industry Association’s Energy and Store Development Conference, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) GreenChill Program recognized 12 food retail companies and one manufacturer of advanced refrigeration systems for their exceptional achievements to reduce the use of ozone-depleting substances and/or climate-damaging refrigerants.
“Participants in the GreenChill Partnership and Store Certification Programs have been leading the industry in environmentally friendly refrigeration practices, and EPA annually honors their achievements at both the corporate and individual store certification level,” said Paul Gunning, Director of EPA’s Office of Atmospheric Protection. “These companies’ efforts show that it is possible to keep food cool while protecting our Earth’s ozone layer and climate system by setting and achieving ambitious goals year after year.”
GreenChill Partners commit to reducing refrigerant emissions and decreasing their impact on the environment. On average, GreenChill food retailers maintain emissions rates that are approximately half the industry average, resulting in a significant benefit to the environment. Over the past 16 years, GreenChill Partners have avoided emissions of around 599 metric tons of ozone-depleting substances and almost 110 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent. This is roughly equivalent to the greenhouse gas emissions from consuming over 12 billion gallons of gasoline.
This year, EPA is proud to recognize the following GreenChill Partner companies:
Best Emissions Rate
Ashland Food Co-Op (Ashland, Ore.)
Meijer (Grand Rapids, Mich.)
Most Improved Emissions Rate
Brookshire Grocery Company (Tyler, Texas)
Superior Goal Achievement
Ashland Food Co-Op (Ashland, Ore.)
Brookshire Grocery Company (Tyler, Texas)
Food Lion (Salisbury, N.C.)
The GIANT Company (Carlisle, Pa.)
Hannaford (Scarborough, Maine)
King Kullen (Bethpage, N.Y.)
Weis Markets (Sunbury, Pa.)
Exceptional Goal Achievement
Ashland Food Co-Op (Ashland, Ore.)
Food Lion (Salisbury, N.C.)
GreenChill’s Store Certification Program recognized stores for meeting strict performance criteria including refrigeration systems with minimal potential impacts on the ozone layer and climate system. This year’s GreenChill Store Certification recognitions honor:
Store Leadership
Kwik Trip in La Crosse, Wis., is being honored as the first convenience store to receive a GreenChill Certification.
Store Certification Excellence
ALDI (Batavia, Ill.) earned recognition for certifying 628 GreenChill Certified Stores over the past year, more stores than any supermarket chain has previously achieved, all of which were at the highest Platinum-Level Certification.
Hillphoenix (Conyers, Ga.) achieved this recognition for the 11th consecutive year as the commercial systems manufacturer with the most systems installed in GreenChill Certified Stores in the last year.
Store Recertification Excellence
ALDI – A total of 109 locations across California, Connecticut, Georgia, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Virginia, and Wisconsin achieved GreenChill Store Certification for five consecutive years.
Hannaford – The Turner, Maine, store achieved GreenChill Store Certification for 10 consecutive years.
Meijer – The Marysville, Ohio, store achieved GreenChill Store Certification for five consecutive years.
Publix Super Markets – Five locations in Alabama, North Carolina, and South Carolina achieved five-year recertifications.
Target – Two stores in Florida and Illinois achieved GreenChill Store Certification for five consecutive years.
Weis Markets – The Danville, Pennsylvania, store achieved GreenChill Store Certification for five consecutive years.
About the GreenChill Program
GreenChill’s Partnership is a voluntary program for food retailers committed to leading the transition out of ozone-depleting refrigerants, reducing refrigerant emissions, and adopting improved refrigeration management practices and technologies. The goals of the GreenChill Partnership are to provide food retailers and other industry stakeholders with information and assistance to transition to environmentally friendlier refrigerants, lower refrigerant charge sizes, eliminate refrigerant leaks, implement best environmental practices, and adopt green refrigeration technologies.
Since GreenChill launched in 2007, many food retailers have joined the Corporate Emissions Reduction Program (the Partnership) with the number of stores nearly tripling from 4,500 to more than 13,000 stores today in all 50 states. The Partnership represents more than one-third of the U.S. food retail industry.
GreenChill’s Store Certification Program for food retailers continues to grow. In 2022, there were nearly 900 GreenChill Certified Stores throughout the nation. Since it began in 2008, the GreenChill Store Certification Program has issued more than 4,400 annual certifications to over 1,300 individual stores.
Learn more about GreenChill and today’s recognition recipients.
“Participants in the GreenChill Partnership and Store Certification Programs have been leading the industry in environmentally friendly refrigeration practices, and EPA annually honors their achievements at both the corporate and individual store certification level,” said Paul Gunning, Director of EPA’s Office of Atmospheric Protection. “These companies’ efforts show that it is possible to keep food cool while protecting our Earth’s ozone layer and climate system by setting and achieving ambitious goals year after year.”
GreenChill Partners commit to reducing refrigerant emissions and decreasing their impact on the environment. On average, GreenChill food retailers maintain emissions rates that are approximately half the industry average, resulting in a significant benefit to the environment. Over the past 16 years, GreenChill Partners have avoided emissions of around 599 metric tons of ozone-depleting substances and almost 110 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent. This is roughly equivalent to the greenhouse gas emissions from consuming over 12 billion gallons of gasoline.
This year, EPA is proud to recognize the following GreenChill Partner companies:
Best Emissions Rate
Ashland Food Co-Op (Ashland, Ore.)
Meijer (Grand Rapids, Mich.)
Most Improved Emissions Rate
Brookshire Grocery Company (Tyler, Texas)
Superior Goal Achievement
Ashland Food Co-Op (Ashland, Ore.)
Brookshire Grocery Company (Tyler, Texas)
Food Lion (Salisbury, N.C.)
The GIANT Company (Carlisle, Pa.)
Hannaford (Scarborough, Maine)
King Kullen (Bethpage, N.Y.)
Weis Markets (Sunbury, Pa.)
Exceptional Goal Achievement
Ashland Food Co-Op (Ashland, Ore.)
Food Lion (Salisbury, N.C.)
GreenChill’s Store Certification Program recognized stores for meeting strict performance criteria including refrigeration systems with minimal potential impacts on the ozone layer and climate system. This year’s GreenChill Store Certification recognitions honor:
Store Leadership
Kwik Trip in La Crosse, Wis., is being honored as the first convenience store to receive a GreenChill Certification.
Store Certification Excellence
ALDI (Batavia, Ill.) earned recognition for certifying 628 GreenChill Certified Stores over the past year, more stores than any supermarket chain has previously achieved, all of which were at the highest Platinum-Level Certification.
Hillphoenix (Conyers, Ga.) achieved this recognition for the 11th consecutive year as the commercial systems manufacturer with the most systems installed in GreenChill Certified Stores in the last year.
Store Recertification Excellence
ALDI – A total of 109 locations across California, Connecticut, Georgia, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Virginia, and Wisconsin achieved GreenChill Store Certification for five consecutive years.
Hannaford – The Turner, Maine, store achieved GreenChill Store Certification for 10 consecutive years.
Meijer – The Marysville, Ohio, store achieved GreenChill Store Certification for five consecutive years.
Publix Super Markets – Five locations in Alabama, North Carolina, and South Carolina achieved five-year recertifications.
Target – Two stores in Florida and Illinois achieved GreenChill Store Certification for five consecutive years.
Weis Markets – The Danville, Pennsylvania, store achieved GreenChill Store Certification for five consecutive years.
About the GreenChill Program
GreenChill’s Partnership is a voluntary program for food retailers committed to leading the transition out of ozone-depleting refrigerants, reducing refrigerant emissions, and adopting improved refrigeration management practices and technologies. The goals of the GreenChill Partnership are to provide food retailers and other industry stakeholders with information and assistance to transition to environmentally friendlier refrigerants, lower refrigerant charge sizes, eliminate refrigerant leaks, implement best environmental practices, and adopt green refrigeration technologies.
Since GreenChill launched in 2007, many food retailers have joined the Corporate Emissions Reduction Program (the Partnership) with the number of stores nearly tripling from 4,500 to more than 13,000 stores today in all 50 states. The Partnership represents more than one-third of the U.S. food retail industry.
GreenChill’s Store Certification Program for food retailers continues to grow. In 2022, there were nearly 900 GreenChill Certified Stores throughout the nation. Since it began in 2008, the GreenChill Store Certification Program has issued more than 4,400 annual certifications to over 1,300 individual stores.
Learn more about GreenChill and today’s recognition recipients.
EPA Region 7 to Host Public Availability Session on Radium in Silex, Missouri, Public Water System
LENEXA, KAN. (OCT. 4, 2023) – U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 7 and partner agencies will host a Public Availability Session at the Silex R-1 School District Gymnasium in Silex, Missouri, on Oct. 5. The team will share information and answer community members’ questions about the presence of radium in water from the Silex Public Water System (PWS).
The EPA Region 7 representatives will be available to answer questions from community members during the session from 6 to 7 p.m., followed by a presentation starting at 7 p.m. The representatives also will be available to answer questions after the presentation.
Details are below:
Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023
Public Availability Session: 6 to 7 p.m.
Presentation: 7 to 8 p.m.
Silex R-1 School District Gymnasium
64 State Hwy UU
Silex, MO 63377
Background
The public water supply in the city of Silex has previously exceeded the Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) for radium in drinking water established under the Safe Drinking Water Act. The naturally occurring Radium is present in the groundwater that supplies the Silex PWS. Data from August 2023 indicates an average concentration of radium in drinking water of 5.75 picocuries per liter (pCi/L), compared to the MCL, or federal regulatory maximum allowed standard, of 5 pCi/L. The Safe Drinking Water Act requires the Silex PWS to notify the public of all MCL exceedances.
The level of radium in drinking water served by the Silex PWS does not pose an immediate threat to public health. EPA is concerned that consistent, long-term consumption of Silex’s drinking water may lead to an increased risk of negative health impacts over time.
EPA encourages members of the Silex community to use alternative sources of drinking water, such as bottled water, for drinking and cooking as the level of radium in drinking water served by the Silex PWS has frequently exceeded the federal regulatory standard for a number of years.
EPA is working with the city and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources to ensure that a permanent, long-term solution is implemented as quickly as possible, and that interim measures are put in place to provide drinking water to the community that meets the regulatory standards until a permanent solution is in place.
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The EPA Region 7 representatives will be available to answer questions from community members during the session from 6 to 7 p.m., followed by a presentation starting at 7 p.m. The representatives also will be available to answer questions after the presentation.
Details are below:
Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023
Public Availability Session: 6 to 7 p.m.
Presentation: 7 to 8 p.m.
Silex R-1 School District Gymnasium
64 State Hwy UU
Silex, MO 63377
Background
The public water supply in the city of Silex has previously exceeded the Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) for radium in drinking water established under the Safe Drinking Water Act. The naturally occurring Radium is present in the groundwater that supplies the Silex PWS. Data from August 2023 indicates an average concentration of radium in drinking water of 5.75 picocuries per liter (pCi/L), compared to the MCL, or federal regulatory maximum allowed standard, of 5 pCi/L. The Safe Drinking Water Act requires the Silex PWS to notify the public of all MCL exceedances.
The level of radium in drinking water served by the Silex PWS does not pose an immediate threat to public health. EPA is concerned that consistent, long-term consumption of Silex’s drinking water may lead to an increased risk of negative health impacts over time.
EPA encourages members of the Silex community to use alternative sources of drinking water, such as bottled water, for drinking and cooking as the level of radium in drinking water served by the Silex PWS has frequently exceeded the federal regulatory standard for a number of years.
EPA is working with the city and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources to ensure that a permanent, long-term solution is implemented as quickly as possible, and that interim measures are put in place to provide drinking water to the community that meets the regulatory standards until a permanent solution is in place.
# # #
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 $6.3M grant to Salmon-Safe expands agricultural certification program across Columbia Basin
SEATTLE (Oct. 4, 2023) -- The Environmental Protection Agency announced today that Portland-based Salmon-Safe will receive a $6.3 million grant from the Columbia River Basin Restoration Program to expand its conservation program in the Yakima Valley and Columbia Basin.
Salmon-Safe works around the Pacific Northwest to incentivize the transition to farming practices and urban development that protect water quality, maintain watershed health and restore habitat. Salmon-Safe is one of the nation’s leading environmental certification programs with more than 100,000 acres of farm and urban lands certified in Oregon, Washington, Idaho and British Columbia.
“Salmon-Safe is doing innovative work to grow our agricultural economy and expand voluntary efforts for a cleaner, healthier environment for fish and for people,” said EPA Region 10 Administrator Casey Sixkiller. “Consumers are seeking food products they can trust are supporting salmon recovery and the health of our river systems. EPA is proud to fund an expansion of this critical effort.”
The grant will scale up Salmon-Safe's work to engage new farmers, ranchers, developers and other land managers in voluntary actions to protect water quality, reduce toxics and enhance climate resiliency in the Columbia Basin.
Salmon-Safe will provide subawards to partners across the Columbia Basin—from conservation districts working with farmers in the Yakima Valley, to Tribal partners working to transition leased land to practices more protective of water quality and conservation organizations working on agricultural stream restoration projects in upper Snake River tributaries. These partners will deliver outreach, certification and technical assistance to over 5,000 farmers and other land managers in key Columbia River tributaries.
“The grant accelerates a market-based movement of partnering organizations and conservation districts and Tribes working together to inspire water quality protection actions and climate resiliency efforts far into the future,” said Dan Kent, Salmon-Safe co-founder and executive director.
Farmers, growers and ranchers benefit from Salmon-Safe certification through expanded connections to higher-value markets in return for reduced polluted runoff, improved habitat and increased water quality.
“Roy Farms is committed to the health of the Yakima River,” said Michael Roy, president and CEO. “Salmon-Safe provides us with the science-backed framework to ensure that we’re doing our part to protect water quality and downstream fish. And we appreciate that the craft breweries that our customers value and seek out Salmon-Safe certified hops.”
Grants to Yakama Nation
EPA also announced $4 million in grants from the Columbia River Basin Restoration Program to the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation. “Cleanup of our rivers is critical to protecting tribal treaty resources and human health,” said Sixkiller. “EPA is proud to fund efforts by the Yakama Nation to address contamination and restore fishing grounds that have been used for generations.”
The Tribe will use the funds to remove waste materials from two separate locations - a 12-mile reach of the Yakima River and the Lyle Falls traditional tribal fishing area on the Klickitat River. The projects will help improve community health, protect ‘First Foods’ and traditional medicines.
The cleanup projects will identify impacts to human health, remove garbage and support salmon recovery.
"Since Time Immemorial, Yakama oral traditions teach us that the ‘choosh’ (water) is the blood of our Mother, the Land. That in order for all things to grow healthy as the Creator had intended, especially our Sacred First Foods, choosh must be pure of any harmful effects for everything, including ourselves as human beings. The river clean-up moves in that direction of a healthy river for all living things," said Davis “Yellowash” Washines, Elder of Klickitat Tribe of the Yakama Nation.
About the Columbia River Basin Restoration Program
Congress amended the Clean Water Act in 2016 to establish EPA’s Columbia River Basin Restoration Program to engage tribal and underserved communities in efforts to identify and reduce threats to their environment and community health. EPA developed a voluntary, competitive grant program to fund environmental protection and restoration projects throughout the Basin. Eligible entities include state, Tribes, and local governments, regional water pollution control organizations, nongovernmental organizations, and soil and water conservation districts.
The Columbia River Basin Restoration Program received $79 million in the Biden Administration’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in 2021. This increase in competitive grants throughout the Basin will help reduce toxics in fish and water using agricultural best management practices, green stormwater infrastructure, pollution prevention, contaminated sites cleanup and community education and engagement.
The Columbia River Basin covers 260,000 square miles in Idaho, Oregon, Washington and Montana; and smaller portions of Wyoming, Nevada and Utah, including lands of 16 federally recognized Tribes. Human activities contributed toxic contaminants to the environment that pose a risk to human health and threaten important species and habitats in the Basin. Toxics in fish are a primary health concern for Tribal people in the Columbia River Basin and other high fish consumers.
EPA Region 10 (Pacific Northwest) - Serving Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington and 271 Tribal Nations. Visit us online, follow us on Twitter and Facebook, and subscribe to our RSS feed.
Salmon-Safe works around the Pacific Northwest to incentivize the transition to farming practices and urban development that protect water quality, maintain watershed health and restore habitat. Salmon-Safe is one of the nation’s leading environmental certification programs with more than 100,000 acres of farm and urban lands certified in Oregon, Washington, Idaho and British Columbia.
“Salmon-Safe is doing innovative work to grow our agricultural economy and expand voluntary efforts for a cleaner, healthier environment for fish and for people,” said EPA Region 10 Administrator Casey Sixkiller. “Consumers are seeking food products they can trust are supporting salmon recovery and the health of our river systems. EPA is proud to fund an expansion of this critical effort.”
The grant will scale up Salmon-Safe's work to engage new farmers, ranchers, developers and other land managers in voluntary actions to protect water quality, reduce toxics and enhance climate resiliency in the Columbia Basin.
Salmon-Safe will provide subawards to partners across the Columbia Basin—from conservation districts working with farmers in the Yakima Valley, to Tribal partners working to transition leased land to practices more protective of water quality and conservation organizations working on agricultural stream restoration projects in upper Snake River tributaries. These partners will deliver outreach, certification and technical assistance to over 5,000 farmers and other land managers in key Columbia River tributaries.
“The grant accelerates a market-based movement of partnering organizations and conservation districts and Tribes working together to inspire water quality protection actions and climate resiliency efforts far into the future,” said Dan Kent, Salmon-Safe co-founder and executive director.
Farmers, growers and ranchers benefit from Salmon-Safe certification through expanded connections to higher-value markets in return for reduced polluted runoff, improved habitat and increased water quality.
“Roy Farms is committed to the health of the Yakima River,” said Michael Roy, president and CEO. “Salmon-Safe provides us with the science-backed framework to ensure that we’re doing our part to protect water quality and downstream fish. And we appreciate that the craft breweries that our customers value and seek out Salmon-Safe certified hops.”
Grants to Yakama Nation
EPA also announced $4 million in grants from the Columbia River Basin Restoration Program to the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation. “Cleanup of our rivers is critical to protecting tribal treaty resources and human health,” said Sixkiller. “EPA is proud to fund efforts by the Yakama Nation to address contamination and restore fishing grounds that have been used for generations.”
The Tribe will use the funds to remove waste materials from two separate locations - a 12-mile reach of the Yakima River and the Lyle Falls traditional tribal fishing area on the Klickitat River. The projects will help improve community health, protect ‘First Foods’ and traditional medicines.
The cleanup projects will identify impacts to human health, remove garbage and support salmon recovery.
"Since Time Immemorial, Yakama oral traditions teach us that the ‘choosh’ (water) is the blood of our Mother, the Land. That in order for all things to grow healthy as the Creator had intended, especially our Sacred First Foods, choosh must be pure of any harmful effects for everything, including ourselves as human beings. The river clean-up moves in that direction of a healthy river for all living things," said Davis “Yellowash” Washines, Elder of Klickitat Tribe of the Yakama Nation.
About the Columbia River Basin Restoration Program
Congress amended the Clean Water Act in 2016 to establish EPA’s Columbia River Basin Restoration Program to engage tribal and underserved communities in efforts to identify and reduce threats to their environment and community health. EPA developed a voluntary, competitive grant program to fund environmental protection and restoration projects throughout the Basin. Eligible entities include state, Tribes, and local governments, regional water pollution control organizations, nongovernmental organizations, and soil and water conservation districts.
The Columbia River Basin Restoration Program received $79 million in the Biden Administration’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in 2021. This increase in competitive grants throughout the Basin will help reduce toxics in fish and water using agricultural best management practices, green stormwater infrastructure, pollution prevention, contaminated sites cleanup and community education and engagement.
The Columbia River Basin covers 260,000 square miles in Idaho, Oregon, Washington and Montana; and smaller portions of Wyoming, Nevada and Utah, including lands of 16 federally recognized Tribes. Human activities contributed toxic contaminants to the environment that pose a risk to human health and threaten important species and habitats in the Basin. Toxics in fish are a primary health concern for Tribal people in the Columbia River Basin and other high fish consumers.
EPA Region 10 (Pacific Northwest) - Serving Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington and 271 Tribal Nations. Visit us online, follow us on Twitter and Facebook, and subscribe to our RSS feed.