U.S. Department of Agriculture Announces Key Staff Appointments
WASHINGTON, October 3, 2023 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced the names of individuals who will hold senior staff positions in Washington, D.C.
Tate Mitchell has been appointed as Chief of Staff for the Office of Communications
Tate Mitchell has been appointed as Chief of Staff for the Office of Communications
QB 24-310 2024 Specialty Sugar Period 1 Results
Commodity:
Specialty Sugar
The tariff rate quota for Specialty Sugar Period 1 opened on Monday October 2, 2023 and over-subscribed at opening moment. The pro rata percentage of 5.97973% or .0597973 was calculated via ACE, a UC message was…
Specialty Sugar
The tariff rate quota for Specialty Sugar Period 1 opened on Monday October 2, 2023 and over-subscribed at opening moment. The pro rata percentage of 5.97973% or .0597973 was calculated via ACE, a UC message was…
Ocean carriers sell US chassis lessor to private equity group
Consolidated Chassis Management is the sole provider of chassis to the newly launched South Atlantic Chassis Pool 3.0, which covers the ports of Jacksonville, Savannah and Wilmington, North Carolina.
FMC dismisses ILA’s claims of price fixing at Southeast ports
While three companies jointly control some operations at marine terminals at Savannah and Charleston, they are not considered marine terminal operators, an FMC judge has ruled.
EPA Celebrates Children’s Health Month
WASHINGTON - This October, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) honors Children’s Health Month by emphasizing the critical importance of safeguarding children, especially those in vulnerable populations, from environmental threats in the places they live, learn, and play.
“Science shows that children are impacted by pollution and long-term environmental challenges like climate change the most,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “As we observe Children’s Health Month, I am proud to reaffirm EPA’s commitment to protecting our children’s health and securing cleaner air, water, and land for future generations.”
Early exposure to environmental pollutants can have lifelong health implications. Children’s developing bodily systems are more sensitive to pollutants and their unique behaviors can often expose them more to environmental hazards. EPA recognizes that children, especially those in under-resourced communities, are often the most vulnerable to environmental harm.
In recent months, EPA has advanced programs to protect children’s health through a variety of actions, including:
A proposal to strengthen lead paint standards will protect against childhood lead exposure.
A new EPA report quantifies the projected health effects associated with extreme heat, air quality, changing seasons, flooding, and infectious diseases, and considers the extent to which these risks disproportionally fall on children from overburdened populations.
New EPA updates to America’s Children and the Environment (ACE) provide trends and statistics to evaluate progress towards children’s environmental health goals.
The establishment of the National Environmental Youth Advisory Council provides an opportunity for young people between the ages of 16 and 29 to provide independent advice and recommendations to EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan on a range of topics that impact their personal and community health and well-being.
The Biden-Harris administration recognizes the crucial role environmental health protection plays in helping our children live healthy lives so they can reach their highest potential. President Biden’s Investing in America agenda is helping build a future where all children can breathe cleaner air, drink clean water, and live in healthy neighborhoods through historic investments in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act. Highlights from EPA’s critical investments in children’s health include:
Funding clean school buses that reduce pollution, save money, and protect health: Thanks to a $5 billion investment from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, EPA is transforming school bus fleets across the nation, while passing on cost savings to districts, improving air quality and reducing climate pollution. Just last week, EPA announced the availability of at least $500 million in funding from the Clean School Bus rebate competition that is transforming school bus fleets across America and protecting children from air pollution. This second round of funding will build on the previous nearly $1 billion investment to further improve air quality in and around schools, reduce greenhouse gas pollution fueling the climate crisis, and help accelerate America’s leadership in developing the clean vehicles of the future.
Removing lead in schools and childcare facilities: EPA has announced $58 million in funding to replace millions of lead piping to protect children from lead in drinking water at schools and childcare facilities. Because of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, activities that remove sources of lead in drinking water are now, for the first time, eligible to receive funding through the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act (WIIN), furthering the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to deliver clean water for all communities, especially children in historically marginalized and low-income communities. This funding can be used to test for lead in drinking water, identify potential sources, and remove those sources to better protect our nation’s children.
Addressing air pollution in schools: Up to $37.5 million for grants and other activities from the Inflation Reduction Act will be on the way this December to help monitor and reduce indoor air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions at schools in low-income and disadvantaged communities. EPA will provide grants to help K-12 schools and school districts serving low-income, disadvantaged, and Tribal communities, to address environmental issues, develop school environmental quality plans, mitigate ongoing air pollution hazards, and improve health and safety for students and staff.
Join us in a celebration of Children’s Health Month. Get involved this October and learn more about children’s environmental health.
“Science shows that children are impacted by pollution and long-term environmental challenges like climate change the most,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “As we observe Children’s Health Month, I am proud to reaffirm EPA’s commitment to protecting our children’s health and securing cleaner air, water, and land for future generations.”
Early exposure to environmental pollutants can have lifelong health implications. Children’s developing bodily systems are more sensitive to pollutants and their unique behaviors can often expose them more to environmental hazards. EPA recognizes that children, especially those in under-resourced communities, are often the most vulnerable to environmental harm.
In recent months, EPA has advanced programs to protect children’s health through a variety of actions, including:
A proposal to strengthen lead paint standards will protect against childhood lead exposure.
A new EPA report quantifies the projected health effects associated with extreme heat, air quality, changing seasons, flooding, and infectious diseases, and considers the extent to which these risks disproportionally fall on children from overburdened populations.
New EPA updates to America’s Children and the Environment (ACE) provide trends and statistics to evaluate progress towards children’s environmental health goals.
The establishment of the National Environmental Youth Advisory Council provides an opportunity for young people between the ages of 16 and 29 to provide independent advice and recommendations to EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan on a range of topics that impact their personal and community health and well-being.
The Biden-Harris administration recognizes the crucial role environmental health protection plays in helping our children live healthy lives so they can reach their highest potential. President Biden’s Investing in America agenda is helping build a future where all children can breathe cleaner air, drink clean water, and live in healthy neighborhoods through historic investments in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act. Highlights from EPA’s critical investments in children’s health include:
Funding clean school buses that reduce pollution, save money, and protect health: Thanks to a $5 billion investment from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, EPA is transforming school bus fleets across the nation, while passing on cost savings to districts, improving air quality and reducing climate pollution. Just last week, EPA announced the availability of at least $500 million in funding from the Clean School Bus rebate competition that is transforming school bus fleets across America and protecting children from air pollution. This second round of funding will build on the previous nearly $1 billion investment to further improve air quality in and around schools, reduce greenhouse gas pollution fueling the climate crisis, and help accelerate America’s leadership in developing the clean vehicles of the future.
Removing lead in schools and childcare facilities: EPA has announced $58 million in funding to replace millions of lead piping to protect children from lead in drinking water at schools and childcare facilities. Because of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, activities that remove sources of lead in drinking water are now, for the first time, eligible to receive funding through the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act (WIIN), furthering the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to deliver clean water for all communities, especially children in historically marginalized and low-income communities. This funding can be used to test for lead in drinking water, identify potential sources, and remove those sources to better protect our nation’s children.
Addressing air pollution in schools: Up to $37.5 million for grants and other activities from the Inflation Reduction Act will be on the way this December to help monitor and reduce indoor air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions at schools in low-income and disadvantaged communities. EPA will provide grants to help K-12 schools and school districts serving low-income, disadvantaged, and Tribal communities, to address environmental issues, develop school environmental quality plans, mitigate ongoing air pollution hazards, and improve health and safety for students and staff.
Join us in a celebration of Children’s Health Month. Get involved this October and learn more about children’s environmental health.
MEDIA ADVISORY: EPA to highlight BIL funding for Westside Superfund Site cleanup and recognize 20 local Superfund Job Training Initiative graduates at Atlanta press event
ATLANTA (October 3, 2023) — On Thursday, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will host a press event highlighting two milestones in the cleanup of the Westside Superfund Site, including an investment of $30 million in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) funds to advance the cleanup and the graduation of 20 local residents who have completed the Superfund Job Training Initiative (SuperJTI) program.
WHAT:
Press event to highlight Westside Superfund Site cleanup progress and job training graduates
WHEN AND WHERE:
Thursday, October 5, 2023
5:15 – 5:30 p.m. EST – Meet at the site of a property that has recently been cleaned up where reporters will have an opportunity to take photos and ask questions
719 Cameron Madison Alexander Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA 30318
5:45 – 7:30 p.m. EST – SuperJTI graduation
New Life Covenant Church, 575 Travis St NW, Atlanta, GA 30318
Reporters will have an opportunity to interview graduates before the 6 p.m. ceremony start
WHO:
EPA Acting Regional Administrator Jeaneanne Gettle
Caroline Freeman, EPA Region 4 Superfund and Emergency Management Division Director
Alexis Rourk Reyes, EPA Superfund Redevelopment Program Manager
Atlanta Councilman Byron Amos (District 3)
Ebony Ford, Director, Corporate and Community Engagement, Quest CDC
Tamikia Shumpert, Housing Case Manage, Quest CDC
Rosemerry Redd, Director of Workforce Readiness, Integrity CDC
Pastor Timothy Rodgers, New Life Covenant Church
*** Interested media must RSVP via email to region4press@epa.gov to confirm your participation by COB Wednesday, October 4, 2023.
WHAT:
Press event to highlight Westside Superfund Site cleanup progress and job training graduates
WHEN AND WHERE:
Thursday, October 5, 2023
5:15 – 5:30 p.m. EST – Meet at the site of a property that has recently been cleaned up where reporters will have an opportunity to take photos and ask questions
719 Cameron Madison Alexander Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA 30318
5:45 – 7:30 p.m. EST – SuperJTI graduation
New Life Covenant Church, 575 Travis St NW, Atlanta, GA 30318
Reporters will have an opportunity to interview graduates before the 6 p.m. ceremony start
WHO:
EPA Acting Regional Administrator Jeaneanne Gettle
Caroline Freeman, EPA Region 4 Superfund and Emergency Management Division Director
Alexis Rourk Reyes, EPA Superfund Redevelopment Program Manager
Atlanta Councilman Byron Amos (District 3)
Ebony Ford, Director, Corporate and Community Engagement, Quest CDC
Tamikia Shumpert, Housing Case Manage, Quest CDC
Rosemerry Redd, Director of Workforce Readiness, Integrity CDC
Pastor Timothy Rodgers, New Life Covenant Church
*** Interested media must RSVP via email to region4press@epa.gov to confirm your participation by COB Wednesday, October 4, 2023.
EPA Announces nearly $700,000 in Settlements for Clean Air Act Violations with Companies in the San Juan Basin
DALLAS, TEXAS (October 3, 2023) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is announcing administrative penalty settlements with three companies in the San Juan Basin in New Mexico: Logos Operating, LLC, DJR Operating, LLC, and Enduring Resources, LLC. In addition to each company paying a civil penalty, they will perform corrective actions estimated to result in a combined reduction of over 105,000 pounds of volatile organic compound (VOCs) emissions. VOCs contribute to the formation of ozone (smog), which can result in health problems such as asthma, lung infections, bronchitis, and cancer. There also are climate change co-benefits achieved through these settlements in the form of an estimated combined reduction of over 377,000 pounds of methane emissions. Methane is a potent climate pollutant that also impacts human health. The combined penalty amount of the settlements is $695,546.
“The flyovers continue to be a critical component in holding companies accountable to Clean Air Act standards and for safeguarding the air quality of nearby communities,” said Regional Administrator Dr. Earthea Nance. “The reduction of VOC’s and methane is an achievement and is consistent with previous flyover settlements. These settlements and the flyovers demonstrate EPA’s commitment to ensure companies are complying with environmental laws which are imperative to protecting human health.”
The three Consent Agreements and Final Orders address violations identified using optical gas imaging technology during helicopter flyovers conducted by an EPA contractor in September and October 2020. The settlements require that each facility undergo a facility review, complete site-specific corrective actions, and conduct monthly OGI inspections.
In addition to these actions, Logos Operating, LLC, will conduct site-specific tank pressure and vapor recovery unit (VRU) monitoring and pay a civil penalty of $84,546 for unauthorized emissions from storage tanks at two facilities.
DJR Operating, LLC will conduct site-specific tank pressure monitoring and pay a civil penalty of $426,000 for unauthorized emissions from storage tanks at 12 facilities.
Enduring Resources, LLC will conduct site-specific tank pressure monitoring, combustion control device monitoring, and VRU monitoring and pay a civil penalty of $185,000 for unauthorized emissions at five facilities from storage tanks and a combustor.
EPA’s helicopter flyovers of oil and gas facilities in the Permian Basin and San Juan Basin have been instrumental in reducing emissions from oil and gas facilities. By using state of the art optical gas imaging technology, EPA has been able to identify unauthorized emissions from facilities and take enforcement actions to address these emissions.
Connect with the Environmental Protection Agency Region 6 on Facebook, Twitter, or visit our homepage.
“The flyovers continue to be a critical component in holding companies accountable to Clean Air Act standards and for safeguarding the air quality of nearby communities,” said Regional Administrator Dr. Earthea Nance. “The reduction of VOC’s and methane is an achievement and is consistent with previous flyover settlements. These settlements and the flyovers demonstrate EPA’s commitment to ensure companies are complying with environmental laws which are imperative to protecting human health.”
The three Consent Agreements and Final Orders address violations identified using optical gas imaging technology during helicopter flyovers conducted by an EPA contractor in September and October 2020. The settlements require that each facility undergo a facility review, complete site-specific corrective actions, and conduct monthly OGI inspections.
In addition to these actions, Logos Operating, LLC, will conduct site-specific tank pressure and vapor recovery unit (VRU) monitoring and pay a civil penalty of $84,546 for unauthorized emissions from storage tanks at two facilities.
DJR Operating, LLC will conduct site-specific tank pressure monitoring and pay a civil penalty of $426,000 for unauthorized emissions from storage tanks at 12 facilities.
Enduring Resources, LLC will conduct site-specific tank pressure monitoring, combustion control device monitoring, and VRU monitoring and pay a civil penalty of $185,000 for unauthorized emissions at five facilities from storage tanks and a combustor.
EPA’s helicopter flyovers of oil and gas facilities in the Permian Basin and San Juan Basin have been instrumental in reducing emissions from oil and gas facilities. By using state of the art optical gas imaging technology, EPA has been able to identify unauthorized emissions from facilities and take enforcement actions to address these emissions.
Connect with the Environmental Protection Agency Region 6 on Facebook, Twitter, or visit our homepage.
EPA settlement with XTO Energy resolves Safe Drinking Water Act injection well violations in Utah
Fort Duchesne, Utah – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announced a settlement with Texas-based XTO Energy Inc., a subsidiary of Exxon-Mobil, resolving alleged violations of the federal Safe Drinking Water Act’s Underground Injection Control program (UIC) at three injection wells within the Uintah & Ouray Indian Reservation in Utah’s Uinta Basin.
The settlement was filed on September 29 and requires the company to pay a civil penalty of $19,718.08 for its violations of UIC requirements. XTO failed to timely provide the agency with all information necessary to transfer the permits from XTO to Utah Gas Corp and failed to notify the Agency of the loss of mechanical integrity for one of its wells and to take prompt action to repair the well. The wells are in Uintah County and are used for disposal of brine produced from nearby gas production wells that were also operated by XTO.
“This settlement demonstrates that EPA takes compliance with the UIC program seriously,” said Suzanne Bohan, Director of EPA Region 8's Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Division. “As the nation’s drinking water aquifers diminish in quantity, it is increasingly important that regulations to protect aquifers are adhered to, especially in historically disadvantaged communities like those within Indian Reservations.”
Injection wells are required to maintain mechanical integrity to ensure they remain free of significant leaks that cause unwanted fluids to impact drinking water aquifers. EPA’s UIC program regulates injection activities to prevent contamination of underground sources of drinking water; the program relies on timely and accurate reporting by the regulated community.
Today’s action aligns with the federal government’s efforts to ensure environmental protection in tribal communities.
The settlement and order requiring its compliance are available for viewing at: Consent Agreement and Final Order.
The settlement was filed on September 29 and requires the company to pay a civil penalty of $19,718.08 for its violations of UIC requirements. XTO failed to timely provide the agency with all information necessary to transfer the permits from XTO to Utah Gas Corp and failed to notify the Agency of the loss of mechanical integrity for one of its wells and to take prompt action to repair the well. The wells are in Uintah County and are used for disposal of brine produced from nearby gas production wells that were also operated by XTO.
“This settlement demonstrates that EPA takes compliance with the UIC program seriously,” said Suzanne Bohan, Director of EPA Region 8's Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Division. “As the nation’s drinking water aquifers diminish in quantity, it is increasingly important that regulations to protect aquifers are adhered to, especially in historically disadvantaged communities like those within Indian Reservations.”
Injection wells are required to maintain mechanical integrity to ensure they remain free of significant leaks that cause unwanted fluids to impact drinking water aquifers. EPA’s UIC program regulates injection activities to prevent contamination of underground sources of drinking water; the program relies on timely and accurate reporting by the regulated community.
Today’s action aligns with the federal government’s efforts to ensure environmental protection in tribal communities.
The settlement and order requiring its compliance are available for viewing at: Consent Agreement and Final Order.