Parish lawsuit won’t derail new terminal project: Port NOLA CEO
A district attorney for the parish that would be home to the proposed new Louisiana International Terminal alleges the Port of New Orleans has no legal basis to operate there.
Ongoing office worker contract talks the lynchpin to West Coast labor peace
Negotiators for shipping lines and office workers in Los Angeles-Long Beach report that progress is being made in the ILWU Local 63 Office Clerical Unit (OCU) contract negotiations, but the two sides have work to do on the issues of wages, pension benefits and technology.
Ongoing office worker contract lynchpin to West Coast labor peace
Negotiators for shipping lines and office workers in Los Angeles-Long Beach report that progress is being made in the ILWU Local 63 Office Clerical Unit (OCU) contract negotiations, but the two sides have work to do on the issues of wages, pension benefits and technology.
EAPA Action: Notice of Investigation and Interim Measures in EAPA Case 7810 – Chassis and Subassemblies from China
WASHINGTON – On July 31, 2023, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) issued its notification of initiation and interim measures as to evasion by CIMC Intermodal Equipment LLC (CIE Manufacturing) in Enforce and Protect Act (EAPA) investigation…
Vermont Flood-Related Hazardous Materials Collection Site in Middlesex to Close for Good as of Saturday, August 12 at 4 PM
BOSTON (Aug. 9, 2023) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in partnership with the State of Vermont, set up a temporary hazardous materials collection site in Middlesex in response to the historic July flooding event. Residents and businesses can bring their flood-related hazardous materials to the State of Vermont hazardous materials collection site at the former Middlesex Police Barracks at 1078 U.S. Route 2 in Middlesex through this Saturday, August 12, 2023, at 4 PM when this temporary collection facility will be shut down for good.
Flood-related hazardous materials must be a part of a flood clean-out. Hazardous materials can include cleaners, chemicals, paint, paint thinners/strippers, pesticides, gasoline, oil, propane and other gas cylinders, batteries, fluorescent bulbs, mercury thermostats, mercury thermometers, and other dangerous or toxic wastes. This does not include explosives, fireworks, flares, ammunition, sharps, electronics, and non-hazardous flood debris or solid waste. For flood-related explosives, fireworks, flares, and ammunition contact your local fire department or police.
Businesses with hazardous materials can bring up to ten (10) 5-gallon containers of flood-related hazardous materials to the State of Vermont collection site in Middlesex, Vermont, or call local collection locations and events to ask if they are accepting hazardous waste from businesses.
Businesses that generate hazardous waste or that have larger amounts of flood-related hazardous materials should call the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Hazardous Materials Program at (802) 828-1138 for assistance.
Other Tips for Flood Debris Management:
Use gloves, a mask, and eye protection.
Handle household chemicals with care.
Secure materials from children and pets.
If an item is leaking, place the container in a pail.
Do not mix chemicals
Do not pour chemicals on the ground or put them down the drain
Residents and businesses can call the DEC Solid Waste Management Program at 802-828-1138 with questions on flood-related hazardous materials.
More information
Vermont Flood-Related Hazardous Materials Assistance
Vermont Flood Recovery Resources
EPA Flood Recovery Resources
EPA Flood Resilience Guide for Water and Wastewater Utilities
Flood-related hazardous materials must be a part of a flood clean-out. Hazardous materials can include cleaners, chemicals, paint, paint thinners/strippers, pesticides, gasoline, oil, propane and other gas cylinders, batteries, fluorescent bulbs, mercury thermostats, mercury thermometers, and other dangerous or toxic wastes. This does not include explosives, fireworks, flares, ammunition, sharps, electronics, and non-hazardous flood debris or solid waste. For flood-related explosives, fireworks, flares, and ammunition contact your local fire department or police.
Businesses with hazardous materials can bring up to ten (10) 5-gallon containers of flood-related hazardous materials to the State of Vermont collection site in Middlesex, Vermont, or call local collection locations and events to ask if they are accepting hazardous waste from businesses.
Businesses that generate hazardous waste or that have larger amounts of flood-related hazardous materials should call the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Hazardous Materials Program at (802) 828-1138 for assistance.
Other Tips for Flood Debris Management:
Use gloves, a mask, and eye protection.
Handle household chemicals with care.
Secure materials from children and pets.
If an item is leaking, place the container in a pail.
Do not mix chemicals
Do not pour chemicals on the ground or put them down the drain
Residents and businesses can call the DEC Solid Waste Management Program at 802-828-1138 with questions on flood-related hazardous materials.
More information
Vermont Flood-Related Hazardous Materials Assistance
Vermont Flood Recovery Resources
EPA Flood Recovery Resources
EPA Flood Resilience Guide for Water and Wastewater Utilities
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine Releases Peer Review Report of Draft IRIS Formaldehyde Assessment
WASHINGTON — Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the receipt of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine’s (NASEM) external peer review report of the draft Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) Toxicological Review of Formaldehyde (Inhalation). Formaldehyde is a chemical intermediate used in the manufacture of many products, such as plywood adhesives and resins, insulation, and fertilizers. The IRIS assessment of formaldehyde focuses on hazard identification and dose-response assessment of the potential noncancer and cancer human health effects that may result from inhalation exposure to formaldehyde for a lifetime.
“EPA appreciates NASEM’s independent review of the IRIS assessment of formaldehyde,” said Chris Frey, Assistant Administrator in EPA’s Office of Research and Development. “EPA looks forward to evaluating the recommendations provided in the committee’s report to further strengthen the conclusions presented in the assessment.”
EPA commissioned the NASEM to convene a committee to conduct the external peer review of the draft IRIS Toxicological Review of Formaldehyde (Inhalation). The consensus NASEM study report released today acknowledges the substantial improvements made by EPA. The NASEM committee notes that EPA’s draft “follows the advice of prior National Academies reports and that its findings on hazard and quantitative risk are supported by the evidence identified.” The primary recommendation provided by the NASEM committee is focused on improving the clarity and accessibility of the assessment’s methods.
EPA is currently assessing the recommendations provided by the NASEM committee and plans to use the report to revise the draft IRIS formaldehyde assessment prior to finalization. EPA’s program and regional offices intend to use the final assessment as part of the scientific input for developing risk assessments and as scientific information to support future risk management decisions.
Learn more information on the IRIS Formaldehyde Assessment.
View the NASEM report.
Learn more about EPA’s IRIS program.
“EPA appreciates NASEM’s independent review of the IRIS assessment of formaldehyde,” said Chris Frey, Assistant Administrator in EPA’s Office of Research and Development. “EPA looks forward to evaluating the recommendations provided in the committee’s report to further strengthen the conclusions presented in the assessment.”
EPA commissioned the NASEM to convene a committee to conduct the external peer review of the draft IRIS Toxicological Review of Formaldehyde (Inhalation). The consensus NASEM study report released today acknowledges the substantial improvements made by EPA. The NASEM committee notes that EPA’s draft “follows the advice of prior National Academies reports and that its findings on hazard and quantitative risk are supported by the evidence identified.” The primary recommendation provided by the NASEM committee is focused on improving the clarity and accessibility of the assessment’s methods.
EPA is currently assessing the recommendations provided by the NASEM committee and plans to use the report to revise the draft IRIS formaldehyde assessment prior to finalization. EPA’s program and regional offices intend to use the final assessment as part of the scientific input for developing risk assessments and as scientific information to support future risk management decisions.
Learn more information on the IRIS Formaldehyde Assessment.
View the NASEM report.
Learn more about EPA’s IRIS program.
EPA to Host Meeting in Henrico, Virginia, August 23 about Ethylene Oxide and Per-and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)
PHILADELPHIA (August 9, 2023) -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (VADEQ), Virginia Department of Health, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), and Henrico County will host a community meeting to address concerns regarding Ethylene Oxide (EtO) and Per-and Polyfluoralkyl Substances (PFAS) in Henrico, Virginia.
The open house style in-person meeting will take place on Aug. 23 at 6-8 p.m. in the Varina Library located at 1875 New Market Road in Henrico, Virginia.
EPA officials, along with federal, state, and local environmental and health partners, will be available to address questions and comments from the public, and will share information about health risks associated with PFAS and EtO in Henrico, Virginia.
Visit EPA’s website to learn more information about Ethylene Oxide (EtO) and Per-and Polyfluoralkyl Substances (PFAS).
The open house style in-person meeting will take place on Aug. 23 at 6-8 p.m. in the Varina Library located at 1875 New Market Road in Henrico, Virginia.
EPA officials, along with federal, state, and local environmental and health partners, will be available to address questions and comments from the public, and will share information about health risks associated with PFAS and EtO in Henrico, Virginia.
Visit EPA’s website to learn more information about Ethylene Oxide (EtO) and Per-and Polyfluoralkyl Substances (PFAS).
EPA Extends Public Comment Period on Re-evaluation of the Cleanup Plan for Woodbrook Road Dump Superfund Site
NEW YORK - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has extended the public comment period for its proposed changes to address contaminated soil and debris at the Woodbrook Road Dump Superfund site in South Plainfield, New Jersey to September 13, 2023. EPA held a public meeting at the South Plainfield Township Courtroom on July 27, 2023, to explain the proposed changes to the public.
The proposed changes that are being announced today document that the estimated cost of the selected cleanup rose from $45.4 million in 2018 to $70 million in 2023 due in part to inflation and increased construction costs. In addition, in 2021, New Jersey created the Peter J. Barnes III Wildlife Preserve which includes the Woodbrook Road Dump site.
In 2020, EPA reviewed the selected cleanup plan for the site. The results of EPA’s review, carried out in coordination with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, confirmed that the 2013 selected cleanup plan remains the best option.
EPA’s cleanup plan for the site was originally documented in a 2013 Record of Decision and modified in a 2018 Explanation of Significant Differences. The cleanup plan includes:
Removing an estimated 4,000 cubic yards of soil and debris that contains capacitors, capacitor parts and PCB-contaminated soil and debris with PCB concentrations greater than 100 parts per million (ppm) to an approved off-site disposal facility.
Removing an estimated 143,000 cubic yards of soil and debris that contains PCBs at concentrations greater than 1.1 ppm to an approved off-site disposal facility.
Written comments on the proposed Explanation of Significant Differences may be mailed or emailed to Diane Salkie Sharkey, Remedial Project Manager, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 290 Broadway – 18th Floor, New York, NY 10007, Email: salkie.diane@epa.gov.
For additional background and to see all of the changes in the proposed Explanation of Significant Differences, visit the Woodbrook Road Dump Superfund site profile page.
Follow EPA Region 2 on Twitter and visit our Facebook page. For more information about EPA Region 2, visit our website.
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The proposed changes that are being announced today document that the estimated cost of the selected cleanup rose from $45.4 million in 2018 to $70 million in 2023 due in part to inflation and increased construction costs. In addition, in 2021, New Jersey created the Peter J. Barnes III Wildlife Preserve which includes the Woodbrook Road Dump site.
In 2020, EPA reviewed the selected cleanup plan for the site. The results of EPA’s review, carried out in coordination with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, confirmed that the 2013 selected cleanup plan remains the best option.
EPA’s cleanup plan for the site was originally documented in a 2013 Record of Decision and modified in a 2018 Explanation of Significant Differences. The cleanup plan includes:
Removing an estimated 4,000 cubic yards of soil and debris that contains capacitors, capacitor parts and PCB-contaminated soil and debris with PCB concentrations greater than 100 parts per million (ppm) to an approved off-site disposal facility.
Removing an estimated 143,000 cubic yards of soil and debris that contains PCBs at concentrations greater than 1.1 ppm to an approved off-site disposal facility.
Written comments on the proposed Explanation of Significant Differences may be mailed or emailed to Diane Salkie Sharkey, Remedial Project Manager, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 290 Broadway – 18th Floor, New York, NY 10007, Email: salkie.diane@epa.gov.
For additional background and to see all of the changes in the proposed Explanation of Significant Differences, visit the Woodbrook Road Dump Superfund site profile page.
Follow EPA Region 2 on Twitter and visit our Facebook page. For more information about EPA Region 2, visit our website.
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