Biden Administration Making Generational Investment to Improve Chesapeake Bay
PHILADELPHIA (September 26, 2023) – A new update from the Chesapeake Bay Program partnership indicates a slight decline in water quality in the Chesapeake Bay, which seems to be a result of the heavy rainfall in the region during the summer of 2018 and 2019, that led to lower water clarity and dissolved oxygen. To achieve the CBP partnership’s water quality goals of improving water quality in the Chesapeake Bay, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is making unprecedented investment into reducing nutrients and pollution from the watershed.
“The water quality standards are a lagging indicator because it does take time for the effects of the flooding that we saw in 2018 and 2019 to be fully felt. However, this slight decrease in water quality underscores the need to build on the progress that we’ve made in the 40 years since the Chesapeake Bay partnership was formed,” said EPA Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator Adam Ortiz.
“Despite the slight decrease in water quality, the story of the past two years is one of tremendous improvement, especially in the agricultural sector. The Biden administration is making a generational investment into the Chesapeake Bay – $238 million through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. That money is going onto the ground in the form of grants and technical assistance, like the recent partnership with EPA, Hershey and Land O’Lakes to improve farm sustainability and water quality in Pennsylvania and ultimately the Bay,” added Ortiz.
EPA is engaging with the Pennsylvania farm community and decisionmakers far more than ever before. Regional Administrator Ortiz and his team have participated in more than 50 meetings, roundtables, and farm tours and connected with more 1,800 members of the agricultural community. That engagement has paid off, and the legislature passed a new Agricultural Conservation Assistance Program, funded at $220 million.
Computer modeling shows that nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment levels have been decreasing annually from the 2009 baseline. Nitrogen has decreased from 297.8 million pounds in 2009 to 255.9 million pounds in 2022; phosphorus decreased from 17.2 million pounds in 2009 to 14.9 million pounds in 2022; and sediment decreased from 18.9 billion pounds in 2009 to just under 18 billion pounds in 2022 and met the 2025 target for reduction.
EPA has also increased inspections and compliance assurance throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed. In Pennsylvania, EPA has begun on-farm visits and increased inspections of point sources of pollution. EPA is also continuing to work with the Maryland Department of the Environment to prevent polluted wastewater from entering the Chesapeake Bay from wastewater treatment facilities.
“There are many challenges facing the Chesapeake Bay watershed and the millions of people that live, work, and play within it,” said Ortiz. “Climate change will bring more and stronger storms that could cause more nutrient runoff and stress the capacity of wastewater treatment plants. By investing now in better infrastructure and sustainable conservation practices, we will be better prepared to handle impacts of climate change in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.”
“The water quality standards are a lagging indicator because it does take time for the effects of the flooding that we saw in 2018 and 2019 to be fully felt. However, this slight decrease in water quality underscores the need to build on the progress that we’ve made in the 40 years since the Chesapeake Bay partnership was formed,” said EPA Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator Adam Ortiz.
“Despite the slight decrease in water quality, the story of the past two years is one of tremendous improvement, especially in the agricultural sector. The Biden administration is making a generational investment into the Chesapeake Bay – $238 million through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. That money is going onto the ground in the form of grants and technical assistance, like the recent partnership with EPA, Hershey and Land O’Lakes to improve farm sustainability and water quality in Pennsylvania and ultimately the Bay,” added Ortiz.
EPA is engaging with the Pennsylvania farm community and decisionmakers far more than ever before. Regional Administrator Ortiz and his team have participated in more than 50 meetings, roundtables, and farm tours and connected with more 1,800 members of the agricultural community. That engagement has paid off, and the legislature passed a new Agricultural Conservation Assistance Program, funded at $220 million.
Computer modeling shows that nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment levels have been decreasing annually from the 2009 baseline. Nitrogen has decreased from 297.8 million pounds in 2009 to 255.9 million pounds in 2022; phosphorus decreased from 17.2 million pounds in 2009 to 14.9 million pounds in 2022; and sediment decreased from 18.9 billion pounds in 2009 to just under 18 billion pounds in 2022 and met the 2025 target for reduction.
EPA has also increased inspections and compliance assurance throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed. In Pennsylvania, EPA has begun on-farm visits and increased inspections of point sources of pollution. EPA is also continuing to work with the Maryland Department of the Environment to prevent polluted wastewater from entering the Chesapeake Bay from wastewater treatment facilities.
“There are many challenges facing the Chesapeake Bay watershed and the millions of people that live, work, and play within it,” said Ortiz. “Climate change will bring more and stronger storms that could cause more nutrient runoff and stress the capacity of wastewater treatment plants. By investing now in better infrastructure and sustainable conservation practices, we will be better prepared to handle impacts of climate change in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.”
Biden-Harris Administration Announces $235 Million Investment to Assess and Clean up Brownfield Sites Across America
WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the availability of $235 million in grants from President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, a key pillar of Bidenomics, to assess and clean up polluted brownfield sites across the country. The new grants through EPA’s Brownfields Multipurpose, Assessment, and Cleanup (MAC) program will advance environmental justice and help transform what were once polluted, vacant, and abandoned properties into community assets while spurring economic revitalization in underserved communities.
Thanks to the historic boost from the President’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, EPA anticipates awarding approximately 200 grants nationwide this cycle at amounts ranging from $500,000 to $5 million per award. This is the third wave of funding supported by this law, which provides $1.5 billion to EPA’s Brownfields Program and is helping more communities than ever before begin to address the economic, social, and environmental challenges caused by the legacy pollution at brownfield sites.
“President Biden’s Investing in America agenda is continuing to supercharge EPA’s efforts to clean up legacy brownfield pollution in communities all across the country,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “Today we’re building on this work with the latest multi-million dollar investment in removing longstanding barriers to brownfields redevelopment, all while spurring economic growth in underserved communities.”
EPA’s Brownfields Program advances President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative to direct 40% of the overall benefits of certain Federal investments to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized and overburdened by pollution and underinvestment. The Brownfields Program will strive to meet this commitment and advance environmental justice and equity considerations in all aspects of its work.
EPA’s Brownfields Program began in 1995 and has provided nearly $2.37 billion in Brownfield Grants to assess and clean up contaminated properties and return blighted properties to productive reuse. Prior to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, this program made approximately $60 million available each year. Thanks to the President’s historic investments in America through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, EPA has now increased that yearly investment four times over.
Applications for the Brownfields Multipurpose, Assessment, and Cleanup (MAC) grants are due by November 13, 2023, via grants.gov. The Notices of Funding Opportunity are posted on grants.gov.
A copy of the FY24 Guidelines and other application resources are available on the Multipurpose, Assessment, RLF, and Cleanup (MARC) Grant Application Resources webpage. The Office of Brownfields and Land Revitalization will also host outreach webinars on September 26, 2023, and September 27, 2023, to explain the guidelines for interested applicants and to address commonly asked questions. Prior registration is not required.
Link for the Multipurpose and Assessment grants webinar at noon on September 26.
Link for the Cleanup grants webinar at 1:00pm on September 27.
Read more on EPA’s Brownfields Multipurpose, Assessment, and Cleanup (MAC) opportunities.
Thanks to the historic boost from the President’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, EPA anticipates awarding approximately 200 grants nationwide this cycle at amounts ranging from $500,000 to $5 million per award. This is the third wave of funding supported by this law, which provides $1.5 billion to EPA’s Brownfields Program and is helping more communities than ever before begin to address the economic, social, and environmental challenges caused by the legacy pollution at brownfield sites.
“President Biden’s Investing in America agenda is continuing to supercharge EPA’s efforts to clean up legacy brownfield pollution in communities all across the country,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “Today we’re building on this work with the latest multi-million dollar investment in removing longstanding barriers to brownfields redevelopment, all while spurring economic growth in underserved communities.”
EPA’s Brownfields Program advances President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative to direct 40% of the overall benefits of certain Federal investments to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized and overburdened by pollution and underinvestment. The Brownfields Program will strive to meet this commitment and advance environmental justice and equity considerations in all aspects of its work.
EPA’s Brownfields Program began in 1995 and has provided nearly $2.37 billion in Brownfield Grants to assess and clean up contaminated properties and return blighted properties to productive reuse. Prior to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, this program made approximately $60 million available each year. Thanks to the President’s historic investments in America through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, EPA has now increased that yearly investment four times over.
Applications for the Brownfields Multipurpose, Assessment, and Cleanup (MAC) grants are due by November 13, 2023, via grants.gov. The Notices of Funding Opportunity are posted on grants.gov.
A copy of the FY24 Guidelines and other application resources are available on the Multipurpose, Assessment, RLF, and Cleanup (MARC) Grant Application Resources webpage. The Office of Brownfields and Land Revitalization will also host outreach webinars on September 26, 2023, and September 27, 2023, to explain the guidelines for interested applicants and to address commonly asked questions. Prior registration is not required.
Link for the Multipurpose and Assessment grants webinar at noon on September 26.
Link for the Cleanup grants webinar at 1:00pm on September 27.
Read more on EPA’s Brownfields Multipurpose, Assessment, and Cleanup (MAC) opportunities.
EPA Awards Grant to Los Angeles County for Research into Boosting Water Supplies and Improving Water Security
SAN FRANCISCO – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded $7,837,196 in funding to four institutions, including the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works, to research the use and risks of enhanced aquifer recharge (EAR) to improve groundwater availability and quality.
“Groundwater is an essential and increasingly scarce commodity in arid regions such as Southern California. Through this award, Los Angeles County will move forward with timely and innovative studies to help secure precious groundwater resources and protect water quality,” said EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator Martha Guzman. “This research will help conserve and maximize the availability of groundwater into the future. We are proud to support efforts that help states, agencies, and communities become more water resilient."
“Capturing and conserving stormwater is an integral part of Los Angeles County’s strategy to ensure all residents have access to safe, clean, reliable water resources,” said Mark Pestrella, Director of Los Angeles County Public Works and Chief Engineer of the Los Angeles County Flood Control District. “This grant from the EPA will allow LA County Public Works to continue its exploration of sustainable stormwater capture in the face of climate change—one of the most critical challenges we face as a region.”
Enhanced Aquifer Recharge (EAR), often interchangeably referred to as artificial recharge or aquifer storage, has tremendous potential as a process to augment water supplies, replenish groundwater, and restore streamflow in the face of increasing populations, urban development, and climate change. EAR can be accomplished using surface water or treated wastewater. While EAR implementation and management has been an active topic of research for many years, significant knowledge gaps remain. This research will help address some of these gaps related to best practices in design, location, performance, maintenance, and monitoring of EAR in different land use and hydrogeologic settings.
“As climate change and increasing demand diminish the availability of groundwater, identifying innovative solutions for EAR is an important step in protecting our water resources,” said Chris Frey, Assistant Administrator of EPA’s Office of Research and Development. “This research will provide the knowledge needed to help improve water supplies for communities experiencing increased intensity, frequency, and duration of drought and extreme heat.”
With the Science to Achieve Results (STAR) research funding from the EPA announced this week, investigators will assist communities throughout the United States in evaluating whether and how to invest in safe and sustainable EAR strategies for many goals including enhancing water supplies, protecting water quality, maintaining aquatic ecosystems, reducing sinking land and avoiding sea water intrusion. This research will enable state, Tribal, and local water quality managers to adopt safe EAR practices while understanding the risks, benefits, and consequences from using different source waters and given differing subsurface geology and groundwater end use.
The following institutions are receiving awards:
Los Angeles County Public Works, Alhambra, Calif., to explore the long-term, regional potential for groundwater recharge through urban best management practices and develop a free and open-source user-friendly tool for evaluation of performance of EAR practices.
Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Okla., to test the effectiveness and impacts of rural EAR structures and determine if they can be deployed for rural land management strategies to safely increase groundwater supplies.
Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pa., to increase EAR adoption by better understanding the potential mobilization of contaminants and their risks to water quality in key aquifer systems across the U.S.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Blacksburg, Va., to develop a web-based decision support tool to guide communities, agencies, and practitioners to design safe and sustainable implementation of EAR in the U.S. Coastal Plain and in regions with similar hydrogeology.
Learn more about these grant awards.
Learn more about EPA research grants.
Learn more about EPA’s Pacific Southwest Region. Connect with us on Facebook and X.
“Groundwater is an essential and increasingly scarce commodity in arid regions such as Southern California. Through this award, Los Angeles County will move forward with timely and innovative studies to help secure precious groundwater resources and protect water quality,” said EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator Martha Guzman. “This research will help conserve and maximize the availability of groundwater into the future. We are proud to support efforts that help states, agencies, and communities become more water resilient."
“Capturing and conserving stormwater is an integral part of Los Angeles County’s strategy to ensure all residents have access to safe, clean, reliable water resources,” said Mark Pestrella, Director of Los Angeles County Public Works and Chief Engineer of the Los Angeles County Flood Control District. “This grant from the EPA will allow LA County Public Works to continue its exploration of sustainable stormwater capture in the face of climate change—one of the most critical challenges we face as a region.”
Enhanced Aquifer Recharge (EAR), often interchangeably referred to as artificial recharge or aquifer storage, has tremendous potential as a process to augment water supplies, replenish groundwater, and restore streamflow in the face of increasing populations, urban development, and climate change. EAR can be accomplished using surface water or treated wastewater. While EAR implementation and management has been an active topic of research for many years, significant knowledge gaps remain. This research will help address some of these gaps related to best practices in design, location, performance, maintenance, and monitoring of EAR in different land use and hydrogeologic settings.
“As climate change and increasing demand diminish the availability of groundwater, identifying innovative solutions for EAR is an important step in protecting our water resources,” said Chris Frey, Assistant Administrator of EPA’s Office of Research and Development. “This research will provide the knowledge needed to help improve water supplies for communities experiencing increased intensity, frequency, and duration of drought and extreme heat.”
With the Science to Achieve Results (STAR) research funding from the EPA announced this week, investigators will assist communities throughout the United States in evaluating whether and how to invest in safe and sustainable EAR strategies for many goals including enhancing water supplies, protecting water quality, maintaining aquatic ecosystems, reducing sinking land and avoiding sea water intrusion. This research will enable state, Tribal, and local water quality managers to adopt safe EAR practices while understanding the risks, benefits, and consequences from using different source waters and given differing subsurface geology and groundwater end use.
The following institutions are receiving awards:
Los Angeles County Public Works, Alhambra, Calif., to explore the long-term, regional potential for groundwater recharge through urban best management practices and develop a free and open-source user-friendly tool for evaluation of performance of EAR practices.
Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Okla., to test the effectiveness and impacts of rural EAR structures and determine if they can be deployed for rural land management strategies to safely increase groundwater supplies.
Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pa., to increase EAR adoption by better understanding the potential mobilization of contaminants and their risks to water quality in key aquifer systems across the U.S.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Blacksburg, Va., to develop a web-based decision support tool to guide communities, agencies, and practitioners to design safe and sustainable implementation of EAR in the U.S. Coastal Plain and in regions with similar hydrogeology.
Learn more about these grant awards.
Learn more about EPA research grants.
Learn more about EPA’s Pacific Southwest Region. Connect with us on Facebook and X.
Biden-Harris Administration Announces $16 Million WIFIA Loan for Water System Reliability in Oregon
WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a $16 million Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) loan to Oregon City, Oregon. This funding will modernize century-old infrastructure to meet the drinking water needs of the city’s 37,000 residents while better preparing the community for wildfires. Since its creation, EPA’s WIFIA program has announced $19 billion in financing to support 110 projects that are strengthening drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure while creating over 60,000 jobs.
“Through our WIFIA loan program, the Biden-Harris Administration is making critical investments in water infrastructure in communities across the country,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “Oregon City – like other cities that have received WIFIA funding – is prioritizing upgrading outdated water infrastructure and securing its water system against threats such as cyber-attacks and wildfires, ensuring clean, safe, and reliable access to water for generations to come.”
Located in a wildfire-prone region, Oregon City currently relies on infrastructure that is over 100 years old to meet local demand. This WIFIA loan accelerates investment to modernize aging, high-risk water pipes, some of which are lined with cast iron and asbestos. By improving this infrastructure, the city will be able to meet peak demands that meet the fire department’s water pressure and flow needs. Additionally, this loan is enabling the city to enhance the water system’s cybersecurity through a new computer system. By completing these projects, the city will improve the reliability and resiliency of its drinking water service to meet the everyday needs of its residents and be more prepared for wildfires and other potential service disruptions.
“I created the WIFIA program to invest in water infrastructure projects and job creation after hearing from local Oregon leaders that water infrastructure is one of the top issues facing their communities,” said Senator Jeff Merkley. “This WIFIA funding through the EPA will help Oregon City improve their water infrastructure and strengthen the city’s resilience to wildfire. WIFIA continues to be a great model for delivering results through local and federal collaboration.”
“With voter approval combined with federal grant funds made available from the American Rescue Act, the City was able to pursue and secure a loan through the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA),” said Special Projects Senior Engineer and Project Manager for the City and the WIFIA Program Manager Patty Nelson. “Funding will allow the city to address cyber security, rehabilitate and replace aging infrastructure and improve water transmission in the system to better serve its customers now and in the future.”
“The voters of Oregon City also get the credit for making this project possible,” said Oregon City Mayor Denyse McGriff. “If it weren’t for their approval, we wouldn’t have been able to take advantage of the WIFIA program.”
Through the WIFIA program, Oregon City is accelerating investment in its water system while saving rate payers money. The city will increase capital investment in the next two years by 300% and save approximately $3 million. Investing in water infrastructure will create nearly 200 construction and operation jobs.
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 announced the availability of an additional $7.5 million in WIFIA funding for 2023. This new funding builds off the success of previous WIFIA funding rounds, totaling $33 billion, and will allow EPA to finance even more high priority water infrastructure projects. The Agency is currently accepting letters of interest for WIFIA and SWIFIA loans on a rolling basis. 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 the nation’s infrastructure and competitiveness. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provides a historic $50 billion investment in upgrading critical water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure.
“Through our WIFIA loan program, the Biden-Harris Administration is making critical investments in water infrastructure in communities across the country,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “Oregon City – like other cities that have received WIFIA funding – is prioritizing upgrading outdated water infrastructure and securing its water system against threats such as cyber-attacks and wildfires, ensuring clean, safe, and reliable access to water for generations to come.”
Located in a wildfire-prone region, Oregon City currently relies on infrastructure that is over 100 years old to meet local demand. This WIFIA loan accelerates investment to modernize aging, high-risk water pipes, some of which are lined with cast iron and asbestos. By improving this infrastructure, the city will be able to meet peak demands that meet the fire department’s water pressure and flow needs. Additionally, this loan is enabling the city to enhance the water system’s cybersecurity through a new computer system. By completing these projects, the city will improve the reliability and resiliency of its drinking water service to meet the everyday needs of its residents and be more prepared for wildfires and other potential service disruptions.
“I created the WIFIA program to invest in water infrastructure projects and job creation after hearing from local Oregon leaders that water infrastructure is one of the top issues facing their communities,” said Senator Jeff Merkley. “This WIFIA funding through the EPA will help Oregon City improve their water infrastructure and strengthen the city’s resilience to wildfire. WIFIA continues to be a great model for delivering results through local and federal collaboration.”
“With voter approval combined with federal grant funds made available from the American Rescue Act, the City was able to pursue and secure a loan through the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA),” said Special Projects Senior Engineer and Project Manager for the City and the WIFIA Program Manager Patty Nelson. “Funding will allow the city to address cyber security, rehabilitate and replace aging infrastructure and improve water transmission in the system to better serve its customers now and in the future.”
“The voters of Oregon City also get the credit for making this project possible,” said Oregon City Mayor Denyse McGriff. “If it weren’t for their approval, we wouldn’t have been able to take advantage of the WIFIA program.”
Through the WIFIA program, Oregon City is accelerating investment in its water system while saving rate payers money. The city will increase capital investment in the next two years by 300% and save approximately $3 million. Investing in water infrastructure will create nearly 200 construction and operation jobs.
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 announced the availability of an additional $7.5 million in WIFIA funding for 2023. This new funding builds off the success of previous WIFIA funding rounds, totaling $33 billion, and will allow EPA to finance even more high priority water infrastructure projects. The Agency is currently accepting letters of interest for WIFIA and SWIFIA loans on a rolling basis. 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 the nation’s infrastructure and competitiveness. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provides a historic $50 billion investment in upgrading critical water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure.
EPA Updates Plan to Address Contaminated Groundwater Monitor Devices, Inc./Intercircuits, Inc. Superfund Site in Wall Township, New Jersey
NEW YORK - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has updated its original cleanup plan for the groundwater at the Monitor Devices, Inc./Intercircuits, Inc. Superfund Site in Wall Township, New Jersey. Under the update, a process called chemical oxidation will be used to clean up 1,4- dioxane contamination that was discovered in groundwater at the site after the original groundwater cleanup plan was developed.
“This updated plan will address the contamination we found in the groundwater. It will also ensure ongoing monitoring to make sure our actions are safe and effective,” said EPA Regional Administrator Lisa F. Garcia. “These actions will build on the progress we have already made. Most importantly, the public water supply is not impacted by the contamination.”
The Monitor Devices/Intercircuits site is the former location of a manufacturing facility that produced and assembled printed circuit boards from 1977 to 1980. The operations polluted the groundwater with volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and 1,4-dioxane. 1,4-dioxane can increase the risk of cancer. VOCs can cause health problems such as headaches, nausea, and liver damage.
In 2005, EPA chose a cleanup method called in-situ bioremediation to break down the VOCs in the groundwater by injecting non-hazardous additives into the groundwater to help bacteria degrade the VOCs. The system was installed and have been operating since 2010. It will continue to operate until cleanup goals are achieved, which is anticipated in 2025. However, this cleanup method does not work for 1,4-dioxane, which EPA discovered at the site after the cleanup began in 2010.
Under the final cleanup plan contractors will remove 1,4-dioxane from the groundwater using a method called in-situ (in place) chemical oxidation with permeable reactive barriers. An underground wall made of a treatment material will destroy the 1,4-dioxane contamination as groundwater flows through it. Groundwater samples will be collected and analyzed to ensure that the technology is effective. EPA will monitor the groundwater for several years after the 1,4-dioxane cleanup goals have been met to ensure that the groundwater quality has been restored.
For additional background and to see the final cleanup plan, visit the Monitor Devices, Inc./Intercircuits, Inc. Superfund site profile page including EPA’s responses to the public comments that were received.
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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“This updated plan will address the contamination we found in the groundwater. It will also ensure ongoing monitoring to make sure our actions are safe and effective,” said EPA Regional Administrator Lisa F. Garcia. “These actions will build on the progress we have already made. Most importantly, the public water supply is not impacted by the contamination.”
The Monitor Devices/Intercircuits site is the former location of a manufacturing facility that produced and assembled printed circuit boards from 1977 to 1980. The operations polluted the groundwater with volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and 1,4-dioxane. 1,4-dioxane can increase the risk of cancer. VOCs can cause health problems such as headaches, nausea, and liver damage.
In 2005, EPA chose a cleanup method called in-situ bioremediation to break down the VOCs in the groundwater by injecting non-hazardous additives into the groundwater to help bacteria degrade the VOCs. The system was installed and have been operating since 2010. It will continue to operate until cleanup goals are achieved, which is anticipated in 2025. However, this cleanup method does not work for 1,4-dioxane, which EPA discovered at the site after the cleanup began in 2010.
Under the final cleanup plan contractors will remove 1,4-dioxane from the groundwater using a method called in-situ (in place) chemical oxidation with permeable reactive barriers. An underground wall made of a treatment material will destroy the 1,4-dioxane contamination as groundwater flows through it. Groundwater samples will be collected and analyzed to ensure that the technology is effective. EPA will monitor the groundwater for several years after the 1,4-dioxane cleanup goals have been met to ensure that the groundwater quality has been restored.
For additional background and to see the final cleanup plan, visit the Monitor Devices, Inc./Intercircuits, Inc. Superfund site profile page including EPA’s responses to the public comments that were received.
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 and U.S. Senator Tom Carper Announce Historic Investments Advancing Environmental Justice for Underserved Communities
PHILADELPHIA (September 26, 2023) – U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Regional Administrator Adam Ortiz and U.S. Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.) today announced the award of $12 million to the National Wildlife Federation (NWF), partnering with the University of Maryland (UMD), to help underserved and overburdened communities in the Mid-Atlantic Region access funds from President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, including historic investments to advance environmental justice.
NWF is among 16 Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Centers (EJ TCTACs) across the country that are receiving $177 million from EPA in partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).
“I’m thrilled to have the National Wildlife Federation and the University of Maryland Center for Community Engagement as our partners in this historic endeavor,” said EPA Regional Administrator Ortiz. “For many years, environmental justice leaders have called for a system of support, including access to technical assistance and funding to build community capacity from the ground up. Through the Biden-Harris Administration's Justice40 Initiative, this critical need will be met.”
“In the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act, we secured unprecedented funding to address pollution, expand clean water access, and build safer, more equitable infrastructure. Now, we have a moral obligation to ensure that these investments reach those communities with the greatest need,” said Senator Carper, Chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. “I am delighted that EPA is awarding the National Wildlife Federation and its partner organizations $12 million to help underserved and historically disadvantaged communities across our region access the technical assistance they need to better navigate the process of securing federal funding.”
For the first time in the nation’s history, the federal government set a goal that 40 percent of the overall benefits of certain federal investments flow to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized, underserved, and overburdened by pollution.
“This community-led and community-driven effort will assist communities suffering environmental and energy injustices that have been revictimized by being unable to access federal grants, to compete equitably for federal dollars,” said Adrienne Hollis, vice president of environmental justice, public health, and community revitalization at the National Wildlife Federation, and co-director of the EPA Mid-Atlantic Region EJ TCTAC. “It also will help communities access the technical assistance they need to address the root causes and effects of systemic racism.”
“Many communities in the Mid-Atlantic region have experienced decades of toxic trauma, being used as sacrifice zones, health inequities, and economic inequality due to racial and economic segregation, the lack of investment, and structural poverty,” said Dr. Sacoby Wilson, Director, Community Engagement, Environmental Justice, and Health at the University of Maryland. “This new center will act as infrastructure to help 'inpower' frontline and fenceline communities impacted by environmental and energy injustice issues; provide technical assistance to help build their capacity to secure funding from federal and non-federal sources; and collaborate with governmental agencies at the local and state level and businesses in the clean energy sector to actualize their vision of a just, healthy, and environmentally safe community.”
EJ TCTACs will provide training and other assistance to build capacity for navigating federal grant application systems, writing strong grant proposals, and effectively managing grant funding. In addition, these centers will guide community engagement, facilitation, and translation and interpretation services for limited English-speaking participants, removing barriers and improving accessibility for communities.
EPA will deliver these resources in collaboration with the DOE, whose funding allows the centers to provide support for identifying community opportunities for clean energy transition and financing options, including public-private partnerships, workforce development and outreach opportunities that advance energy justice.
The centers will provide comprehensive coverage for the entire United States through a network of partners including community-based organizations, additional academic institutions, and Environmental Finance Centers, so that more communities can access federal funding opportunities.
Among the categories of investment that Justice40 includes are climate change, clean energy and energy efficiency, clean transit, affordable and sustainable housing, training and workforce development, remediation and reduction of legacy pollution, and the development of critical clean water and wastewater infrastructure.
Learn more about the selectees, their partners, and the EJ TCTAC program
Learn more about environmental justice at EPA
NWF is among 16 Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Centers (EJ TCTACs) across the country that are receiving $177 million from EPA in partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).
“I’m thrilled to have the National Wildlife Federation and the University of Maryland Center for Community Engagement as our partners in this historic endeavor,” said EPA Regional Administrator Ortiz. “For many years, environmental justice leaders have called for a system of support, including access to technical assistance and funding to build community capacity from the ground up. Through the Biden-Harris Administration's Justice40 Initiative, this critical need will be met.”
“In the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act, we secured unprecedented funding to address pollution, expand clean water access, and build safer, more equitable infrastructure. Now, we have a moral obligation to ensure that these investments reach those communities with the greatest need,” said Senator Carper, Chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. “I am delighted that EPA is awarding the National Wildlife Federation and its partner organizations $12 million to help underserved and historically disadvantaged communities across our region access the technical assistance they need to better navigate the process of securing federal funding.”
For the first time in the nation’s history, the federal government set a goal that 40 percent of the overall benefits of certain federal investments flow to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized, underserved, and overburdened by pollution.
“This community-led and community-driven effort will assist communities suffering environmental and energy injustices that have been revictimized by being unable to access federal grants, to compete equitably for federal dollars,” said Adrienne Hollis, vice president of environmental justice, public health, and community revitalization at the National Wildlife Federation, and co-director of the EPA Mid-Atlantic Region EJ TCTAC. “It also will help communities access the technical assistance they need to address the root causes and effects of systemic racism.”
“Many communities in the Mid-Atlantic region have experienced decades of toxic trauma, being used as sacrifice zones, health inequities, and economic inequality due to racial and economic segregation, the lack of investment, and structural poverty,” said Dr. Sacoby Wilson, Director, Community Engagement, Environmental Justice, and Health at the University of Maryland. “This new center will act as infrastructure to help 'inpower' frontline and fenceline communities impacted by environmental and energy injustice issues; provide technical assistance to help build their capacity to secure funding from federal and non-federal sources; and collaborate with governmental agencies at the local and state level and businesses in the clean energy sector to actualize their vision of a just, healthy, and environmentally safe community.”
EJ TCTACs will provide training and other assistance to build capacity for navigating federal grant application systems, writing strong grant proposals, and effectively managing grant funding. In addition, these centers will guide community engagement, facilitation, and translation and interpretation services for limited English-speaking participants, removing barriers and improving accessibility for communities.
EPA will deliver these resources in collaboration with the DOE, whose funding allows the centers to provide support for identifying community opportunities for clean energy transition and financing options, including public-private partnerships, workforce development and outreach opportunities that advance energy justice.
The centers will provide comprehensive coverage for the entire United States through a network of partners including community-based organizations, additional academic institutions, and Environmental Finance Centers, so that more communities can access federal funding opportunities.
Among the categories of investment that Justice40 includes are climate change, clean energy and energy efficiency, clean transit, affordable and sustainable housing, training and workforce development, remediation and reduction of legacy pollution, and the development of critical clean water and wastewater infrastructure.
Learn more about the selectees, their partners, and the EJ TCTAC program
Learn more about environmental justice at EPA
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