EPA Announces $800K Brownfields Grant to St. Philip’s School and Community Center in South Dallas
DALLAS, TEXAS (September 7, 2023) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett (TX-30) and city of Dallas Councilmember Adam Bazaldua celebrated a grant of $800,000 to St. Philip’s School and Community Center in South Dallas for assessment and cleanup of brownfields sites in the South Dallas Forest District. Funding for the grant comes from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s historic Investing in America agenda. “EPA’s Brownfields grants have transformed neighborhoods across the country, and thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, communities have more money than ever to invest in assessing and cleaning up abandoned properties,” said Regional Administrator Dr. Earthea Nance. “St. Philip’s School and Community Center has leveraged past grants to benefit South Dallas, and they will continue to show how Brownfields funding can help entire communities grow and thrive with this new funding.”
Finally, the federal government, under the direction of President Biden, is recognizing the disproportionate harm of pollution and contamination on disadvantaged communities in America – especially Black communities. For too long, affluent, White communities have been kept clean at the expense of Black neighborhoods – often offloading their garbage and industrial waste to areas seen as less valuable,” said Representative Jasmine Crockett (TX-30). “Brownfield grants like this for Dallas’ St. Philip’s are an important step towards undoing the harm of this policy for current and future generations of Dallas residents. Not only will this grant provide St. Philip’s the resources to remove harmful materials (from nearby buildings with former industrial uses), but it empowers them to reinvest in the community afterwards. Thank you to President Biden, the EPA, and the City of Dallas for helping secure this funding.”
“This grant from the EPA is another monumental step in dismantling decades of environmental injustices that have violated residents of South Dallas,” said Dr. Terry Flowers, Headmaster and Executive Director. “This grant will allow us to eliminate contamination and at the same time transform what were once venues of vice to venues of vibrant community vitality. Thanks, EPA, for a victory in South Dallas!”
"I am proud and excited to see that the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will help improve the quality of life for residents in District 7. This Brownfields grant will be a tremendous step forward in revitalizing our neighborhood,” said City Councilmember Adam Bazaldua, District 7. “St. Philip’s has been a quality school and community leader for many years but has been underinvested in for generations. This funding will not only assist efforts of one of our major learning anchors in South Dallas, but also help bridge the gap between our city's historically underserved residents and the federal government. I look forward to seeing how this grant will be used to help revitalize Sunny South Dallas."
Today’s grant builds on previous brownfields funding that St. Philip’s has used to assess, cleanup and revitalize other sites in the surrounding community. The announcement event was held at the school’s WeCreation Center, a multi-purpose community space that was once a former nightclub and had been contaminated by adjacent dry-cleaner facilities. St. Philip’s used brownfields grants to assess contamination and install ventilation systems to deal with vapor intrusion.
The newest grant will fund more environmental assessments and plans for cleanup and reuse of other sites, including several retail buildings on MLK Blvd in an effort to spur economic development and provide greater opportunity for small business owners to serve the community. It will also fund the design and installation of two vapor-intrustion mitigation systems in other buildings, updating the brownfields inventory, and conducting community engagement activities.
Thanks to the historic $1.5 billion boost from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, EPA’s Brownfields Program is helping more communities than ever before begin to address the economic, social, and environmental challenges caused by brownfields and stimulate economic opportunity, and environmental revitalization in historically overburdened communities.
EPA’s Brownfields Program also advances President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative to direct 40 percent of the overall benefits of certain Federal investments to disadvantaged communities. The Brownfields Program strives to meet this commitment and advance environmental justice and equity considerations into all aspects of its work. Approximately 84 percent of the MARC program applications selected to receive funding proposed to work in areas that include historically underserved communities.
Additional Background
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. EPA’s investments in addressing brownfield sites have leveraged more than $36 billion in cleanup and redevelopment. Over the years, the relatively small investment of federal funding has leveraged, from both public and private sources, nearly 260,000 jobs. Communities that previously received Brownfields Grants used these resources to fund assessments and cleanups of brownfields, and successfully leverage an average of 10.6 jobs per $100,000 of EPA Brownfield Grant funds spent and $19.78 for every dollar.
Connect with the Environmental Protection Agency Region 6 on Facebook, Twitter, or visit our homepage.
Finally, the federal government, under the direction of President Biden, is recognizing the disproportionate harm of pollution and contamination on disadvantaged communities in America – especially Black communities. For too long, affluent, White communities have been kept clean at the expense of Black neighborhoods – often offloading their garbage and industrial waste to areas seen as less valuable,” said Representative Jasmine Crockett (TX-30). “Brownfield grants like this for Dallas’ St. Philip’s are an important step towards undoing the harm of this policy for current and future generations of Dallas residents. Not only will this grant provide St. Philip’s the resources to remove harmful materials (from nearby buildings with former industrial uses), but it empowers them to reinvest in the community afterwards. Thank you to President Biden, the EPA, and the City of Dallas for helping secure this funding.”
“This grant from the EPA is another monumental step in dismantling decades of environmental injustices that have violated residents of South Dallas,” said Dr. Terry Flowers, Headmaster and Executive Director. “This grant will allow us to eliminate contamination and at the same time transform what were once venues of vice to venues of vibrant community vitality. Thanks, EPA, for a victory in South Dallas!”
"I am proud and excited to see that the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will help improve the quality of life for residents in District 7. This Brownfields grant will be a tremendous step forward in revitalizing our neighborhood,” said City Councilmember Adam Bazaldua, District 7. “St. Philip’s has been a quality school and community leader for many years but has been underinvested in for generations. This funding will not only assist efforts of one of our major learning anchors in South Dallas, but also help bridge the gap between our city's historically underserved residents and the federal government. I look forward to seeing how this grant will be used to help revitalize Sunny South Dallas."
Today’s grant builds on previous brownfields funding that St. Philip’s has used to assess, cleanup and revitalize other sites in the surrounding community. The announcement event was held at the school’s WeCreation Center, a multi-purpose community space that was once a former nightclub and had been contaminated by adjacent dry-cleaner facilities. St. Philip’s used brownfields grants to assess contamination and install ventilation systems to deal with vapor intrusion.
The newest grant will fund more environmental assessments and plans for cleanup and reuse of other sites, including several retail buildings on MLK Blvd in an effort to spur economic development and provide greater opportunity for small business owners to serve the community. It will also fund the design and installation of two vapor-intrustion mitigation systems in other buildings, updating the brownfields inventory, and conducting community engagement activities.
Thanks to the historic $1.5 billion boost from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, EPA’s Brownfields Program is helping more communities than ever before begin to address the economic, social, and environmental challenges caused by brownfields and stimulate economic opportunity, and environmental revitalization in historically overburdened communities.
EPA’s Brownfields Program also advances President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative to direct 40 percent of the overall benefits of certain Federal investments to disadvantaged communities. The Brownfields Program strives to meet this commitment and advance environmental justice and equity considerations into all aspects of its work. Approximately 84 percent of the MARC program applications selected to receive funding proposed to work in areas that include historically underserved communities.
Additional Background
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. EPA’s investments in addressing brownfield sites have leveraged more than $36 billion in cleanup and redevelopment. Over the years, the relatively small investment of federal funding has leveraged, from both public and private sources, nearly 260,000 jobs. Communities that previously received Brownfields Grants used these resources to fund assessments and cleanups of brownfields, and successfully leverage an average of 10.6 jobs per $100,000 of EPA Brownfield Grant funds spent and $19.78 for every dollar.
Connect with the Environmental Protection Agency Region 6 on Facebook, Twitter, or visit our homepage.
EPA Seeks Applicant to Support Tribal Participation in E-Enterprise for the Environment
WASHINGTON –The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced the availability of funds to support tribal participation in E-Enterprise for the Environment, a collaborative partnership through which EPA, states, and Tribes work together through a shared governance model to improve and modernize the business of environmental protection.EPA intends to award up to $1 million over five years through a cooperative agreement to one recipient that is broadly representative of federally recognized Tribes. This cooperative agreement has two areas of focus: supporting Tribes’ participation in E-Enterprise governance and project teams, and providing training and technical assistance to tribes on E-Enterprise efforts.
“Tribal communities often face unique and persistent environmental challenges,” said Faisal Amin, EPA Chief Financial Officer. “By expanding Tribal participation in the E-Enterprise for the Environment program, EPA hopes to help break down barriers, work with Tribes to collaboratively address challenges, and build efficient and effective solutions.”Applications are due Oct. 16, 2023, by 11:59 PM ET, and the Request for Application notice is now posted on www.grants.gov under Funding Opportunity Announcement EPA-OCFO-OEE-23-02.This cooperative agreement will enhance Tribal participation in the E-Enterprise collaborative partnership through which EPA, states, and Tribes work together to improve the way we protect the environment and human health. E-Enterprise relies on three key principles to improve environmental program implementation:
Early and meaningful dialogue with partners who make decisions together,
Streamlined and simplified processes, and
Sharing of technology, where it makes sense, to optimize effectiveness.
EPA will also host an informational webinar for potential applicants on September 20th, 2023, from 1:00-2:30 PM. To register or to learn more about the opportunity, visit: https://www.epa.gov/grants/request-applications-support-tribal-participation-e-enterprise-2024-2029.
“Tribal communities often face unique and persistent environmental challenges,” said Faisal Amin, EPA Chief Financial Officer. “By expanding Tribal participation in the E-Enterprise for the Environment program, EPA hopes to help break down barriers, work with Tribes to collaboratively address challenges, and build efficient and effective solutions.”Applications are due Oct. 16, 2023, by 11:59 PM ET, and the Request for Application notice is now posted on www.grants.gov under Funding Opportunity Announcement EPA-OCFO-OEE-23-02.This cooperative agreement will enhance Tribal participation in the E-Enterprise collaborative partnership through which EPA, states, and Tribes work together to improve the way we protect the environment and human health. E-Enterprise relies on three key principles to improve environmental program implementation:
Early and meaningful dialogue with partners who make decisions together,
Streamlined and simplified processes, and
Sharing of technology, where it makes sense, to optimize effectiveness.
EPA will also host an informational webinar for potential applicants on September 20th, 2023, from 1:00-2:30 PM. To register or to learn more about the opportunity, visit: https://www.epa.gov/grants/request-applications-support-tribal-participation-e-enterprise-2024-2029.
EPA Superfund Program Proposes Four Sites to National Priorities List, Including Lot 46 Valley Gardens TCE in Des Moines
LENEXA, KAN. (SEPT. 7, 2023) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that it is proposing to add four sites to the Superfund National Priorities List (NPL), including the Lot 46 Valley Gardens TCE Site in Des Moines, Iowa.
EPA is proposing the addition of the Lot 46 site to address groundwater contamination associated with trichloroethylene (TCE) and its breakdown products, particularly cis-1,2-dichloroethylene (cis-1,2-DCE) [1,2-dichloroethylene is also called 1,2-dichloroethene].
Drinking water from the Des Moines Water Works (DMWW) meets all Safe Drinking Water Act standards. TCE and cis-1,2-DCE have been detected in water samples collected from the DMWW infiltration gallery along the Racoon River. Only cis-1,2-DCE has been detected in the finished water products. The detections of TCE and cis-1,2-DCE are below their respective Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs). These national drinking water standards protect drinking water quality by limiting the levels of contaminants that can adversely affect public health. DMWW’s 2023 Annual Water Quality Report is available on their website. All public drinking water systems are required to publish consumer confidence reports.
“EPA is committed to cleaning up sites across the country, and adding the Lot 46 site to the NPL helps ensure that federal resources are available for the Superfund cleanup process to begin,” said EPA Region 7 Superfund and Emergency Management Director Bob Jurgens. “EPA representatives will be in Des Moines later this month to provide community members with a site update and answer questions.”
Representatives from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) and DMWW will join EPA for a Community Meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2023. More details about this meeting will be announced shortly. A video recording of the June 20 Public Availability Session is available on EPA Region 7’s YouTube channel.
Community members can provide comments about the proposed addition to the NPL by visiting regulations.gov and clicking “comment.” Comments received may be posted without change to regulations.gov, including any personal information provided. All submissions received must include the Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–OLEM–2023–0384 for this site.
Learn more about the Lot 46 Valley Gardens TCE Superfund Site.
Learn more about the Superfund program and the NPL.
# # #
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 is proposing the addition of the Lot 46 site to address groundwater contamination associated with trichloroethylene (TCE) and its breakdown products, particularly cis-1,2-dichloroethylene (cis-1,2-DCE) [1,2-dichloroethylene is also called 1,2-dichloroethene].
Drinking water from the Des Moines Water Works (DMWW) meets all Safe Drinking Water Act standards. TCE and cis-1,2-DCE have been detected in water samples collected from the DMWW infiltration gallery along the Racoon River. Only cis-1,2-DCE has been detected in the finished water products. The detections of TCE and cis-1,2-DCE are below their respective Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs). These national drinking water standards protect drinking water quality by limiting the levels of contaminants that can adversely affect public health. DMWW’s 2023 Annual Water Quality Report is available on their website. All public drinking water systems are required to publish consumer confidence reports.
“EPA is committed to cleaning up sites across the country, and adding the Lot 46 site to the NPL helps ensure that federal resources are available for the Superfund cleanup process to begin,” said EPA Region 7 Superfund and Emergency Management Director Bob Jurgens. “EPA representatives will be in Des Moines later this month to provide community members with a site update and answer questions.”
Representatives from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) and DMWW will join EPA for a Community Meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2023. More details about this meeting will be announced shortly. A video recording of the June 20 Public Availability Session is available on EPA Region 7’s YouTube channel.
Community members can provide comments about the proposed addition to the NPL by visiting regulations.gov and clicking “comment.” Comments received may be posted without change to regulations.gov, including any personal information provided. All submissions received must include the Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–OLEM–2023–0384 for this site.
Learn more about the Lot 46 Valley Gardens TCE Superfund Site.
Learn more about the Superfund program and the NPL.
# # #
Learn more about EPA Region 7
View all Region 7 news releases
Connect with EPA Region 7 on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter: @EPARegion7
Biden-Harris Administration Launches New $19 Million Grant Program to Improve Climate Resilience of Nation’s Drinking Water Infrastructure
WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced $19 million in new grant funding that will work to improve the climate resilience of the nation’s water infrastructure. EPA’s Drinking Water System Infrastructure Resilience and Sustainability grant program will support drinking water systems in underserved, small and disadvantaged communities that are working to prepare for and reduce vulnerability to impacts from climate change ranging from extreme flooding to extreme drought.
“This summer communities have faced worsening climate impacts like extreme heat, flooding and intense storms, which have strained access to the clean drinking water we all deserve. These stressors pose a unique challenge to water systems in vulnerable communities,” said EPA Assistant Administrator for Water Radhika Fox. “These grants will build upon the progress of the Bipartisan infrastructure Law by investing in critical water infrastructure that is resilient and can withstand the oftentimes destabilizing impacts of climate disasters.”
Environmental justice and equity are a central part of EPA’s programs and this action advances progress under President Biden’s EJ Strong Initiative by investing in communities with a legacy of environmental injustice concerns. Through this grant, EPA is seeking applications for projects that will benefit underserved, small, and disadvantaged communities.
This grant will be made available through a competitive Request for Application process. Eligible applicants for this funding opportunity include public water systems, a water system located in an area governed by an Indian Tribe, eligible territories, and states on behalf of communities that are underserved and small or disadvantaged. Eligible activities for funding include planning, design, construction, implementation, operation, or maintenance of a program or project that increases drinking water system resilience to natural hazards. The funding opportunity will remain open for 60 days on the Grants.gov webpage.Background
EPA’s Drinking Water System Infrastructure Resilience and Sustainability grant program was established under the America’s Water Infrastructure Act (AWIA) of 2018. AWIA improves drinking water and water quality, deepens infrastructure investments, enhances public health and quality of life, increases jobs, and bolsters the economy. Learn more about the grant program.
“This summer communities have faced worsening climate impacts like extreme heat, flooding and intense storms, which have strained access to the clean drinking water we all deserve. These stressors pose a unique challenge to water systems in vulnerable communities,” said EPA Assistant Administrator for Water Radhika Fox. “These grants will build upon the progress of the Bipartisan infrastructure Law by investing in critical water infrastructure that is resilient and can withstand the oftentimes destabilizing impacts of climate disasters.”
Environmental justice and equity are a central part of EPA’s programs and this action advances progress under President Biden’s EJ Strong Initiative by investing in communities with a legacy of environmental injustice concerns. Through this grant, EPA is seeking applications for projects that will benefit underserved, small, and disadvantaged communities.
This grant will be made available through a competitive Request for Application process. Eligible applicants for this funding opportunity include public water systems, a water system located in an area governed by an Indian Tribe, eligible territories, and states on behalf of communities that are underserved and small or disadvantaged. Eligible activities for funding include planning, design, construction, implementation, operation, or maintenance of a program or project that increases drinking water system resilience to natural hazards. The funding opportunity will remain open for 60 days on the Grants.gov webpage.Background
EPA’s Drinking Water System Infrastructure Resilience and Sustainability grant program was established under the America’s Water Infrastructure Act (AWIA) of 2018. AWIA improves drinking water and water quality, deepens infrastructure investments, enhances public health and quality of life, increases jobs, and bolsters the economy. Learn more about the grant program.
EPA Region 7 to Cohost Regional Lead Summit in Kansas City, Missouri
LENEXA, KAN. (SEPT. 7, 2023) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 7 is cohosting a regional lead (Pb) summit, How to Reduce Exposures Together, on Sept. 12 and 13, 2023, at the Kauffmann Foundation Conference Center, 4801 Rockhill Rd., Kansas City, Missouri.
The 2023 Region 7 Lead Summit was planned jointly by local, state, and federal partners from Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska to give health professionals, community stakeholders, nonprofits, and governmental staff the opportunity to:
· Discuss effective strategies to address childhood lead poisoning, including expanding partnerships and collaboration.
· Identify strategies for how organizations can acquire funding to reduce lead exposures.
· Understand the importance of leveraging community engagement and methods to involve community stakeholders.
“Parents, caregivers, and medical professionals of Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska need to be aware that children are at a higher risk of elevated blood lead levels, which can have lifelong impacts," warns EPA Region 7 Administrator Meg McCollister. “Cohosting and participating in the Region 7 Lead Summit underscores EPA’s commitment to reducing childhood lead exposure in our families, neighborhoods, and communities.”
Visit the summit website to learn more about this free event.
Register to attend virtually or the available in-person slots by clicking the “get tickets” button.
Learn more about how to protect your family from sources of lead.
# # #
Learn more about EPA Region 7
The 2023 Region 7 Lead Summit was planned jointly by local, state, and federal partners from Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska to give health professionals, community stakeholders, nonprofits, and governmental staff the opportunity to:
· Discuss effective strategies to address childhood lead poisoning, including expanding partnerships and collaboration.
· Identify strategies for how organizations can acquire funding to reduce lead exposures.
· Understand the importance of leveraging community engagement and methods to involve community stakeholders.
“Parents, caregivers, and medical professionals of Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska need to be aware that children are at a higher risk of elevated blood lead levels, which can have lifelong impacts," warns EPA Region 7 Administrator Meg McCollister. “Cohosting and participating in the Region 7 Lead Summit underscores EPA’s commitment to reducing childhood lead exposure in our families, neighborhoods, and communities.”
Visit the summit website to learn more about this free event.
Register to attend virtually or the available in-person slots by clicking the “get tickets” button.
Learn more about how to protect your family from sources of lead.
# # #
Learn more about EPA Region 7
EPA Region 7 to Cohost Regional Lead Summit Sept. 12-13 in Kansas City, Missouri
LENEXA, KAN. (SEPT. 7, 2023) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 7 is cohosting a regional lead (Pb) summit, How to Reduce Exposures Together, on Sept. 12 and 13, 2023, at the Kauffmann Foundation Conference Center, 4801 Rockhill Rd., Kansas City, Missouri.
The 2023 Region 7 Lead Summit was planned jointly by local, state, and federal partners from Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska to give health professionals, community stakeholders, nonprofits, and governmental staff the opportunity to:
Discuss effective strategies to address childhood lead poisoning, including expanding partnerships and collaboration.
Identify strategies for how organizations can acquire funding to reduce lead exposures.
Understand the importance of leveraging community engagement and methods to involve community stakeholders.
“Parents, caregivers, and medical professionals in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska need to be aware that children are at a higher risk of elevated blood lead levels, which can have lifelong impacts," warned EPA Region 7 Administrator Meg McCollister. “Cohosting and participating in the Region 7 Lead Summit underscores EPA’s commitment to reducing childhood lead exposure in our families, neighborhoods, and communities.”
Visit the summit website to learn more about this free event.
Register to attend virtually or for the available in-person slots by clicking the “Get tickets” button.
Learn more about how to protect your family from sources of lead.
# # #
Learn more about EPA Region 7
View all Region 7 news releases
Connect with EPA Region 7 on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter: @EPARegion7
The 2023 Region 7 Lead Summit was planned jointly by local, state, and federal partners from Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska to give health professionals, community stakeholders, nonprofits, and governmental staff the opportunity to:
Discuss effective strategies to address childhood lead poisoning, including expanding partnerships and collaboration.
Identify strategies for how organizations can acquire funding to reduce lead exposures.
Understand the importance of leveraging community engagement and methods to involve community stakeholders.
“Parents, caregivers, and medical professionals in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska need to be aware that children are at a higher risk of elevated blood lead levels, which can have lifelong impacts," warned EPA Region 7 Administrator Meg McCollister. “Cohosting and participating in the Region 7 Lead Summit underscores EPA’s commitment to reducing childhood lead exposure in our families, neighborhoods, and communities.”
Visit the summit website to learn more about this free event.
Register to attend virtually or for the available in-person slots by clicking the “Get tickets” button.
Learn more about how to protect your family from sources of lead.
# # #
Learn more about EPA Region 7
View all Region 7 news releases
Connect with EPA Region 7 on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter: @EPARegion7
QB 23-303 2024 Raw Sugar Cane Allocations
Commodity:
Raw Cane Sugar as provided for in Chapter 17, Additional U.S. Note 5
Quota Period:
October 1, 2023, through September 30, 2024
Opening Date:
Monday, October 2, 2023
Allocations
Country
Restraint Level
UOM
Conversion…
Raw Cane Sugar as provided for in Chapter 17, Additional U.S. Note 5
Quota Period:
October 1, 2023, through September 30, 2024
Opening Date:
Monday, October 2, 2023
Allocations
Country
Restraint Level
UOM
Conversion…
EPA Proposes Adding Berks County, PA Site to Superfund National Priorities List
EPA Proposes Adding Berks County, PA Site to Superfund National Priorities List
PHILADELPHIA (SEPTEMBER 6, 2023) - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is proposing to add the area surrounding the former Exide Technologies Laureldale facility in Berks County, Pennsylvania to the Superfund National Priorities List (NPL) on September 7. The NPL is the list of hazardous waste sites in the United States eligible for cleanup, financed under the federal Superfund Program.
"Adding sites to the National Priorities List is the best and quickest way to bring the necessary attention and resources to these areas,” said EPA Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator Adam Ortiz. “With each new site added, we continue to invest in the America we all deserve – one with clean soil, air, and water.”
Historic emissions from lead-acid battery manufacturing and recycling, primarily in years prior to the installation of emission control systems at the Exide facility, caused the deposition of lead and other contaminants in the surrounding area including surface soils on commercial and residential properties, water bodies and sediments.
Following Exide Technologies’ 2020 bankruptcy, EPA stepped in to remove hazardous substances remaining on the facility to mitigate immediate threats posed to public health and welfare. In 2022, the Agency expanded its work to include decontamination of additional process equipment, containers, and other highly contaminated areas as well as taking over operations of on-site wastewater and storm water treatment systems to ensure that water released from the facility meets appropriate standards.
Because contamination from the former Exide facility also impacted surrounding residential and commercial properties, the site qualifies for the Superfund NPL so that the contamination can be further assessed and remediated. The first step in the NPL process is a formal proposal to the NPL, followed by a 60-day public comment period from Sep. 7 to Nov. 6. During this time, EPA will hold two public information sessions, one virtual on October 4 and the other in-person in the community on September 28. Upon completion of the comment period and review of the public comments, EPA will determine whether to officially list the site to the NPL. A final decision would be expected for Spring 2024.
The proposed NPL site does not include the Exide facility itself. Future cleanup of remaining contamination at the former Exide facility will be overseen by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) in coordination with EPA’s Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) program.
For more information on this site, including details on the public information sessions and how to submit comments, visit: www.epa.gov/superfund/exide-laureldale.
For the Federal Register notice and supporting documents for this proposal, visit: New Proposed and New Superfund National Priorities List Sites.
Background on Superfund and the National Priorities List
Nationwide, thousands of contaminated sites, from landfills to processing plants to manufacturing facilities, exist due to hazardous waste being dumped, left out in the open, or otherwise improperly managed. President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law accelerates EPA’s work to clean up this pollution with a $3.5 billion investment in the Superfund Remedial Program. This historic investment strengthens EPA’s ability to tackle threats to human health and the environment at Superfund National Priorities List sites. The law also reinstates the Superfund chemical excise taxes, making it one of the largest investments in American history to address legacy pollution.
PHILADELPHIA (SEPTEMBER 6, 2023) - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is proposing to add the area surrounding the former Exide Technologies Laureldale facility in Berks County, Pennsylvania to the Superfund National Priorities List (NPL) on September 7. The NPL is the list of hazardous waste sites in the United States eligible for cleanup, financed under the federal Superfund Program.
"Adding sites to the National Priorities List is the best and quickest way to bring the necessary attention and resources to these areas,” said EPA Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator Adam Ortiz. “With each new site added, we continue to invest in the America we all deserve – one with clean soil, air, and water.”
Historic emissions from lead-acid battery manufacturing and recycling, primarily in years prior to the installation of emission control systems at the Exide facility, caused the deposition of lead and other contaminants in the surrounding area including surface soils on commercial and residential properties, water bodies and sediments.
Following Exide Technologies’ 2020 bankruptcy, EPA stepped in to remove hazardous substances remaining on the facility to mitigate immediate threats posed to public health and welfare. In 2022, the Agency expanded its work to include decontamination of additional process equipment, containers, and other highly contaminated areas as well as taking over operations of on-site wastewater and storm water treatment systems to ensure that water released from the facility meets appropriate standards.
Because contamination from the former Exide facility also impacted surrounding residential and commercial properties, the site qualifies for the Superfund NPL so that the contamination can be further assessed and remediated. The first step in the NPL process is a formal proposal to the NPL, followed by a 60-day public comment period from Sep. 7 to Nov. 6. During this time, EPA will hold two public information sessions, one virtual on October 4 and the other in-person in the community on September 28. Upon completion of the comment period and review of the public comments, EPA will determine whether to officially list the site to the NPL. A final decision would be expected for Spring 2024.
The proposed NPL site does not include the Exide facility itself. Future cleanup of remaining contamination at the former Exide facility will be overseen by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) in coordination with EPA’s Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) program.
For more information on this site, including details on the public information sessions and how to submit comments, visit: www.epa.gov/superfund/exide-laureldale.
For the Federal Register notice and supporting documents for this proposal, visit: New Proposed and New Superfund National Priorities List Sites.
Background on Superfund and the National Priorities List
Nationwide, thousands of contaminated sites, from landfills to processing plants to manufacturing facilities, exist due to hazardous waste being dumped, left out in the open, or otherwise improperly managed. President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law accelerates EPA’s work to clean up this pollution with a $3.5 billion investment in the Superfund Remedial Program. This historic investment strengthens EPA’s ability to tackle threats to human health and the environment at Superfund National Priorities List sites. The law also reinstates the Superfund chemical excise taxes, making it one of the largest investments in American history to address legacy pollution.