Foreign Currency Exchange Rates
Daily Exchange Rate Multipliers - 10/25/2022
Note: For the official list of countries that are currently using the Euro (EUR), please go to the European Union's website. Starting January 02, 2020 new currency values for the Philippines and Israel…
Note: For the official list of countries that are currently using the Euro (EUR), please go to the European Union's website. Starting January 02, 2020 new currency values for the Philippines and Israel…
USWC contract talks suspended over Seattle jurisdictional dispute: sources
The inability to get past the jurisdictional issue in Seattle has now led some observers to conclude that contract negotiations between the ILWU and longshore employers on the West Coast are unlikely to be resolved this year.
EPA Completes Reviews of 14 Superfund Site Cleanups in New England During 2022
BOSTON (Oct. 25, 2022) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has completed comprehensive reviews of site cleanups at 14 National Priority List Sites (Superfund Sites) in New England, including four federal facilities, by performing required Five-Year Reviews of each site. The Superfund program, a federal program established by Congress in 1980, investigates and cleans up the most complex, uncontrolled or abandoned hazardous waste sites in the country and endeavors to facilitate activities to return them to productive use. In total, there are 123 Superfund sites across New England.
"Steadfast monitoring of Superfund site cleanup work is a priority for EPA, especially in communities overburdened by a legacy pollution," said EPA New England Regional Administrator David W. Cash. "By completing reviews of the cleanups every five years, EPA fulfills its duty to remain vigilant, continuing to protect human health and the environment in these communities."
The Superfund Sites where EPA has completed Five-Year Reviews in Fiscal Year 2022 are below. The links will direct users to each Superfund Site page, where you can find their Five-Year Review report(s).
Completed Five Year Reviews in Fiscal Year 2022
Auburn Road Landfill, Londonderry, New Hampshire
www.epa.gov/superfund/auburnroad
Beede Waste Oil, Plaistow, New Hampshire
www.epa.gov/superfund/beede
Dover Municipal Landfill, Dover, New Hampshire
www.epa.gov/superfund/dover
Gallup's Quarry, Plainfield, Connecticut
www.epa.gov/superfund/gallup
Kellogg-Deering, Norwalk, Connecticut
www.epa.gov/superfund/kellogg
O'Connor Co., Augusta, Maine
www.epa.gov/superfund/oconnor
Peterson/Puritan, Inc., Lincoln/Cumberland, Rhode Island
www.epa.gov/superfund/peterson
Pine Street Canal, Burlington, Vermont
www.epa.gov/superfund/pinestreet
Union Chemical Co. Inc., South Hope, Maine
www.epa.gov/superfund/union
Winthrop Landfill, Winthrop, Maine
www.epa.gov/superfund/winthrop
Federal Facilities
Hanscom Field/Air Force Base, Bedford, Massachusetts
www.epa.gov/superfund/hanscom
Natick Laboratory Army Research, Development, and Engineering Center, Natick, Massachusetts
www.epa.gov/superfund/naticklab
New London Submarine Base, New London, Connecticut
www.epa.gov/superfund/newlondon
Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, Kittery, Maine
www.epa.gov/superfund/portsmouth
Background
Throughout the process of designing and constructing a cleanup at a hazardous waste site, EPA's primary goal is to make sure the remedy will be protective of public health and the environment. At many sites, where the remedy has been constructed, EPA continues to ensure it remains protective by requiring reviews of cleanups every five years. It is important for EPA to regularly check on these sites to ensure the remedy is working properly. These reviews identify issues (if any) that may affect the protectiveness of the completed remedy and, if necessary, recommend action(s) necessary to address them.
There are many phases of the Superfund cleanup process including considering future use and redevelopment at sites and conducting post cleanup monitoring of sites. EPA must ensure the remedy is protective of public health and the environment and any redevelopment will uphold the protectiveness of the remedy into the future.
For more information about EPA's Superfund program, visit www.epa.gov/superfund
"Steadfast monitoring of Superfund site cleanup work is a priority for EPA, especially in communities overburdened by a legacy pollution," said EPA New England Regional Administrator David W. Cash. "By completing reviews of the cleanups every five years, EPA fulfills its duty to remain vigilant, continuing to protect human health and the environment in these communities."
The Superfund Sites where EPA has completed Five-Year Reviews in Fiscal Year 2022 are below. The links will direct users to each Superfund Site page, where you can find their Five-Year Review report(s).
Completed Five Year Reviews in Fiscal Year 2022
Auburn Road Landfill, Londonderry, New Hampshire
www.epa.gov/superfund/auburnroad
Beede Waste Oil, Plaistow, New Hampshire
www.epa.gov/superfund/beede
Dover Municipal Landfill, Dover, New Hampshire
www.epa.gov/superfund/dover
Gallup's Quarry, Plainfield, Connecticut
www.epa.gov/superfund/gallup
Kellogg-Deering, Norwalk, Connecticut
www.epa.gov/superfund/kellogg
O'Connor Co., Augusta, Maine
www.epa.gov/superfund/oconnor
Peterson/Puritan, Inc., Lincoln/Cumberland, Rhode Island
www.epa.gov/superfund/peterson
Pine Street Canal, Burlington, Vermont
www.epa.gov/superfund/pinestreet
Union Chemical Co. Inc., South Hope, Maine
www.epa.gov/superfund/union
Winthrop Landfill, Winthrop, Maine
www.epa.gov/superfund/winthrop
Federal Facilities
Hanscom Field/Air Force Base, Bedford, Massachusetts
www.epa.gov/superfund/hanscom
Natick Laboratory Army Research, Development, and Engineering Center, Natick, Massachusetts
www.epa.gov/superfund/naticklab
New London Submarine Base, New London, Connecticut
www.epa.gov/superfund/newlondon
Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, Kittery, Maine
www.epa.gov/superfund/portsmouth
Background
Throughout the process of designing and constructing a cleanup at a hazardous waste site, EPA's primary goal is to make sure the remedy will be protective of public health and the environment. At many sites, where the remedy has been constructed, EPA continues to ensure it remains protective by requiring reviews of cleanups every five years. It is important for EPA to regularly check on these sites to ensure the remedy is working properly. These reviews identify issues (if any) that may affect the protectiveness of the completed remedy and, if necessary, recommend action(s) necessary to address them.
There are many phases of the Superfund cleanup process including considering future use and redevelopment at sites and conducting post cleanup monitoring of sites. EPA must ensure the remedy is protective of public health and the environment and any redevelopment will uphold the protectiveness of the remedy into the future.
For more information about EPA's Superfund program, visit www.epa.gov/superfund
EPA, Justice Department Announce Flexsteel Industries Agrees to Pay for the Cleanup of the Lane Street Ground Water Contamination Superfund Site in Elkhart, Indiana
CHICAGO (October 25, 2022) – Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Justice announce Flexsteel Industries Inc. has agreed to a consent decree that requires the company to pay $9.8 million for the cleanup of contamination at the Lane Street Ground Water Contamination Superfund site in Elkhart, Indiana, and to reimburse EPA for a portion of its past costs incurred at the site.
According to the complaint filed simultaneously with the proposed consent decree in the Northern District of Indiana, Flexsteel is liable for the cleanup because its former manufacturing operations contributed to contamination at the site. Previously, EPA entered into administrative settlements with two other potentially responsible parties for their alleged contributions to the contamination at the site.
“Groundwater is a drinking water source for wells and public water systems and it also flows to above-ground rivers and streams,” said EPA Regional Administrator Debra Shore. “Through this settlement and others like it, EPA is taking action to protect the health of communities and the environment by holding polluters accountable for groundwater contamination.”
“This settlement ensures that the responsible party and not the taxpayers fund the cleanup of the Lane Street Groundwater Contamination Superfund Site,” said Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. “The cleanup funded by this agreement protects the environment and the health of the surrounding community.”
“This is an excellent settlement that funds necessary cleanup of a contaminated groundwater plume in Elkhart, Indiana,” said U.S. Attorney Clifford Johnson for the Northern District of Indiana. “This cleanup will protect the drinking water and health of Elkhart residents.”
“Indiana proudly works with our federal partners and industries across our state to make sure the health of Hoosiers and our environment is protected,” said Brian Rockensuess, Commissioner of the Indiana Department of Environmental Management. “This settlement is great news for the people of Elkhart and will help ensure the cleanup of long-standing water contamination.”
The site consists of approximately 65 acres of residential and light industrial properties in Elkhart, Indiana, impacted by a groundwater plume contaminated primarily with solvents and degreasers such as trichloroethene and tetrachloroethene. In 2016, EPA issued its record of decision for the site that selected a remedy for treating the groundwater plume by breaking down the contamination into harmless compounds. The proposed consent decree funds implementation of the selected remedy.
The consent decree is subject to a 30-day public comment period and final court approval and will be available for public review on the Department of Justice website.
More information about the site is available on the Lane Street Ground Water Contamination website.
###
According to the complaint filed simultaneously with the proposed consent decree in the Northern District of Indiana, Flexsteel is liable for the cleanup because its former manufacturing operations contributed to contamination at the site. Previously, EPA entered into administrative settlements with two other potentially responsible parties for their alleged contributions to the contamination at the site.
“Groundwater is a drinking water source for wells and public water systems and it also flows to above-ground rivers and streams,” said EPA Regional Administrator Debra Shore. “Through this settlement and others like it, EPA is taking action to protect the health of communities and the environment by holding polluters accountable for groundwater contamination.”
“This settlement ensures that the responsible party and not the taxpayers fund the cleanup of the Lane Street Groundwater Contamination Superfund Site,” said Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. “The cleanup funded by this agreement protects the environment and the health of the surrounding community.”
“This is an excellent settlement that funds necessary cleanup of a contaminated groundwater plume in Elkhart, Indiana,” said U.S. Attorney Clifford Johnson for the Northern District of Indiana. “This cleanup will protect the drinking water and health of Elkhart residents.”
“Indiana proudly works with our federal partners and industries across our state to make sure the health of Hoosiers and our environment is protected,” said Brian Rockensuess, Commissioner of the Indiana Department of Environmental Management. “This settlement is great news for the people of Elkhart and will help ensure the cleanup of long-standing water contamination.”
The site consists of approximately 65 acres of residential and light industrial properties in Elkhart, Indiana, impacted by a groundwater plume contaminated primarily with solvents and degreasers such as trichloroethene and tetrachloroethene. In 2016, EPA issued its record of decision for the site that selected a remedy for treating the groundwater plume by breaking down the contamination into harmless compounds. The proposed consent decree funds implementation of the selected remedy.
The consent decree is subject to a 30-day public comment period and final court approval and will be available for public review on the Department of Justice website.
More information about the site is available on the Lane Street Ground Water Contamination website.
###
EPA Opens Public Comment Period on Proposed Cleanup Plan at Former Radio Material Corp. Site in Attica, Indiana
Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced a 30-day public comment period on a proposed plan to clean up the Radio Materials Corp. site at 1095 E. Summit St., Attica, Indiana. The plan proposes long-term groundwater monitoring and restrictions on groundwater and land uses to protect people from the remaining contamination.
EPA will host an in-person informational meeting on Wednesday, November 2, 5-6 p.m., at Attica City Hall, 305 E. Main St. Agency experts will present more detailed information about the proposed plan and be available to answer questions. A formal public hearing, where residents are invited to provide on-the-record comments, follows from 6-7 p.m.
Radio Materials manufactured electronics from 1948 to 2000 and released volatile organic compounds which contaminated groundwater and soil at the site and beyond the fence line. EPA-approved treatment systems are now operating to stabilize and clean up contaminated areas on-site, and to prevent VOCs from affecting drinking water and to stop soil vapors from seeping into local homes.
EPA will make its cleanup plan final after reviewing all comments received through November 24. Comments can be submitted online, by confidential voicemail at 312-886-7613, by email to Francisco Arcaute (arcaute.francisco@epa.gov), or by mail to Francisco Arcaute (U.S. EPA Region 5, RE 19 J, 77 W. Jackson Blvd. Chicago, IL 60604-3590).
For more information please visit EPA’s website.
EPA will host an in-person informational meeting on Wednesday, November 2, 5-6 p.m., at Attica City Hall, 305 E. Main St. Agency experts will present more detailed information about the proposed plan and be available to answer questions. A formal public hearing, where residents are invited to provide on-the-record comments, follows from 6-7 p.m.
Radio Materials manufactured electronics from 1948 to 2000 and released volatile organic compounds which contaminated groundwater and soil at the site and beyond the fence line. EPA-approved treatment systems are now operating to stabilize and clean up contaminated areas on-site, and to prevent VOCs from affecting drinking water and to stop soil vapors from seeping into local homes.
EPA will make its cleanup plan final after reviewing all comments received through November 24. Comments can be submitted online, by confidential voicemail at 312-886-7613, by email to Francisco Arcaute (arcaute.francisco@epa.gov), or by mail to Francisco Arcaute (U.S. EPA Region 5, RE 19 J, 77 W. Jackson Blvd. Chicago, IL 60604-3590).
For more information please visit EPA’s website.
EPA awards $195,000 to Ohio University for project to reuse waste from food and brewery sectors
Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced a $195,736 grant to Ohio University in Athens to fund a project that expands the use of anaerobic digesters to divert food waste from landfills and reduce methane emissions. Ohio University’s Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Service will use the funding to promote anaerobic digestion in the food and brewery sectors which generate large quantities of organic waste.
“As food breaks down, it produces methane -- a major contributor to climate change,” said EPA Regional Administrator Debra Shore. “Anaerobic digesters can help cut food waste, reduce methane emissions from landfills and aid in the fight against climate change.”
Anaerobic digesters use microorganisms to break down organic materials such as food scraps, manure and sewage sludge. The process produces a nutrient-rich product used for fertilizer and biogas which can be captured and used to produce energy.
“There are many opportunities for renewable biogas generation from organic wastes, and we are working to identify the most beneficial designs for microbrewery operations,” said Sarah Davis, principal investigator for Ohio University. “We are fortunate to have a partnership with an innovative microbrewery that prioritizes sustainability and look forward to highlighting their integrated farming-brewery-restaurant operations as a model for others.”
Ohio University will also work with local restaurants to quantify the potential for waste diversion at microbreweries. They will estimate the biogas and fertilizer yield from an anaerobic digestion system at these businesses. The model, system designs and prototypes will be transferable to other microbreweries.
More information:
Anaerobic Digestion
Resources and Funding Opportunities Related to the Food System
“As food breaks down, it produces methane -- a major contributor to climate change,” said EPA Regional Administrator Debra Shore. “Anaerobic digesters can help cut food waste, reduce methane emissions from landfills and aid in the fight against climate change.”
Anaerobic digesters use microorganisms to break down organic materials such as food scraps, manure and sewage sludge. The process produces a nutrient-rich product used for fertilizer and biogas which can be captured and used to produce energy.
“There are many opportunities for renewable biogas generation from organic wastes, and we are working to identify the most beneficial designs for microbrewery operations,” said Sarah Davis, principal investigator for Ohio University. “We are fortunate to have a partnership with an innovative microbrewery that prioritizes sustainability and look forward to highlighting their integrated farming-brewery-restaurant operations as a model for others.”
Ohio University will also work with local restaurants to quantify the potential for waste diversion at microbreweries. They will estimate the biogas and fertilizer yield from an anaerobic digestion system at these businesses. The model, system designs and prototypes will be transferable to other microbreweries.
More information:
Anaerobic Digestion
Resources and Funding Opportunities Related to the Food System
EPA to propose requiring Wrangell wastewater plant to disinfect sewage discharges
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is proposing stricter limits on the amount of pollution Wrangell’s wastewater treatment plant will be allowed to release to Zimovia Strait.
The discharges from the Wrangell facility are not consistently disinfected, contain high levels of fecal coliform and enterococcus bacteria, and require large mixing areas to meet Alaska’s water quality standards for bacteria.
The new EPA permit will contain more stringent bacteria limits that will require upgrades to the existing plant. The plant will have five years to comply with the new requirements.
About waivers under Section 301(h) of the Clean Water Act
Most municipal wastewater treatment plants in the U.S. are required to conduct “secondary” treatment, which is a combination of physical and biological treatment requirements; the effluent quality for secondary treatment is defined in terms of biological oxygen demand, total suspended solids, and pH.
However, in limited circumstances, Section 301(h) of the Clean Water Act authorizes EPA -- with concurrence from the state -- to issue discharge permits requiring less than secondary treatment.
Congress mandated that the last year communities could apply for a waiver from secondary treatment requirements under Section 301(h) was 1982, with re-application required every five years. To qualify for renewal of a 301(h) waiver, applicants must satisfy specific criteria designed to maintain and protect the receiving water and ensure compliance with state water quality standards.
Since the 1980s, EPA has issued permits modified by 301(h) waivers for several other southeast facilities, including Haines, Ketchikan, Petersburg, Sitka, and Skagway. The permits were last reissued between 2000 and 2002.
Over the next several months EPA also will propose new Clean Water Act permits for Haines, Ketchikan, Petersburg, Sitka, and Skagway that would require their treatment plants to also significantly reduce releases of bacteria to local waters within five years.
For more information, please view the public notice at: https://www.epa.gov/npdes-permits/proposed-permit-wrangell-wastewater-treatment-plant-alaska
The discharges from the Wrangell facility are not consistently disinfected, contain high levels of fecal coliform and enterococcus bacteria, and require large mixing areas to meet Alaska’s water quality standards for bacteria.
The new EPA permit will contain more stringent bacteria limits that will require upgrades to the existing plant. The plant will have five years to comply with the new requirements.
About waivers under Section 301(h) of the Clean Water Act
Most municipal wastewater treatment plants in the U.S. are required to conduct “secondary” treatment, which is a combination of physical and biological treatment requirements; the effluent quality for secondary treatment is defined in terms of biological oxygen demand, total suspended solids, and pH.
However, in limited circumstances, Section 301(h) of the Clean Water Act authorizes EPA -- with concurrence from the state -- to issue discharge permits requiring less than secondary treatment.
Congress mandated that the last year communities could apply for a waiver from secondary treatment requirements under Section 301(h) was 1982, with re-application required every five years. To qualify for renewal of a 301(h) waiver, applicants must satisfy specific criteria designed to maintain and protect the receiving water and ensure compliance with state water quality standards.
Since the 1980s, EPA has issued permits modified by 301(h) waivers for several other southeast facilities, including Haines, Ketchikan, Petersburg, Sitka, and Skagway. The permits were last reissued between 2000 and 2002.
Over the next several months EPA also will propose new Clean Water Act permits for Haines, Ketchikan, Petersburg, Sitka, and Skagway that would require their treatment plants to also significantly reduce releases of bacteria to local waters within five years.
For more information, please view the public notice at: https://www.epa.gov/npdes-permits/proposed-permit-wrangell-wastewater-treatment-plant-alaska
CBP Seizes Over 5K lbs in Cosmetics
New Orleans - U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Port of New Orleans seized nearly 130,000 eye shadow sticks that lacked the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) required ingredients list.
The 10-pallet, 5666 lb. shipment,…
The 10-pallet, 5666 lb. shipment,…