EPA Announces $3.65 Million Grant to Rural Community Assistance Partnership to Reduce Lead in Drinking Water
LENEXA, KAN. (OCT. 21, 2022) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the projects selected to receive over $30 million in grant funding under the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation (WIIN) Act, including $3.65 million to the Rural Community Assistance Partnership (RCAP). This grant funding, and additional funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, will help make rapid progress on the goal of addressing lead and removing lead pipes across the country.
“A pillar of our work at EPA is ensuring that every person in every community has safe drinking water,” said EPA Assistant Administrator for Water Radhika Fox. “The science on lead is settled – there is no safe level of exposure. This grant funding will help reduce exposure to lead in drinking water and should be used to support underserved communities that are most at risk for exposure.”
“Region 7 is a rural region and this grant to the Rural Community Assistance Partnership is an important way EPA is investing in reducing childhood lead exposure in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska,” said EPA Region 7 Administrator Meg McCollister.
“RCAP plays a key role in fostering the technical, managerial, and financial capacity for our nation’s small water systems,” said Olga Morales-Pate, CEO of RCAP. “We are pleased to lead and coordinate this project to help small water systems, rural schools, and child care centers overcome systemic lead-related challenges, and we thank EPA for investing in our rural infrastructure and communities.”
Other selected projects are:
National Priority Area 1 – Reduction of Lead Exposure in the Nation’s Drinking Water Systems through Infrastructure and Treatment Improvements
City of Trenton, New Jersey - $5,530,000
City of Fall River, Maine - $10,000,000
Detroit, Michigan, Water and Sewerage Dept. - $5,000,000
National Priority Area 2 – Reduction of Children’s Exposure to Lead in Drinking Water in Schools and Child Care Facilities
Hawaii Dept. of Health - $2,000,000
School District of Philadelphia - $4,999,658
These selected projects will assist disadvantaged communities and schools with removing sources of lead in drinking water. These projects will work to further the goals of the Biden-Harris administration’s Lead Pipe and Paint Action Plan, in addition to the Justice40 Initiative, which seeks to deliver 40% of benefits from certain federal investments to disadvantaged communities in need.
Learn more about this grant and EPA’s WIIN grant programs.
Background
Lead poses serious health risks to both children and adults – children are especially vulnerable. Low-income and other historically underserved communities typically experience high levels of lead in their drinking water because they are disproportionately served by lead service lines. The six new projects selected across the country will receive grant funding under the WIIN Act through the Reducing Lead in Drinking Water grant program.
To date, over 2,400 lead service line replacements have been completed as a result of support from that grant program.
In addition to this announcement of funding availability, the Reducing Lead in Drinking Water WIIN grant program also awarded over $1 million in grant awards toward tribal lead reduction projects coordinated through interagency agreements between Indian Health Services and EPA. Additionally, EPA is working with states, tribes, and territories to award additional grant funding through EPA’s two other drinking water grant programs established by WIIN – the Voluntary Lead Testing in Schools and Child Care grant program and the Small, Underserved and Disadvantaged Communities (SUDC) Grant.
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Learn more about EPA Region 7
View all Region 7 news releases
Connect with EPA Region 7 on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter: @EPARegion7
“A pillar of our work at EPA is ensuring that every person in every community has safe drinking water,” said EPA Assistant Administrator for Water Radhika Fox. “The science on lead is settled – there is no safe level of exposure. This grant funding will help reduce exposure to lead in drinking water and should be used to support underserved communities that are most at risk for exposure.”
“Region 7 is a rural region and this grant to the Rural Community Assistance Partnership is an important way EPA is investing in reducing childhood lead exposure in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska,” said EPA Region 7 Administrator Meg McCollister.
“RCAP plays a key role in fostering the technical, managerial, and financial capacity for our nation’s small water systems,” said Olga Morales-Pate, CEO of RCAP. “We are pleased to lead and coordinate this project to help small water systems, rural schools, and child care centers overcome systemic lead-related challenges, and we thank EPA for investing in our rural infrastructure and communities.”
Other selected projects are:
National Priority Area 1 – Reduction of Lead Exposure in the Nation’s Drinking Water Systems through Infrastructure and Treatment Improvements
City of Trenton, New Jersey - $5,530,000
City of Fall River, Maine - $10,000,000
Detroit, Michigan, Water and Sewerage Dept. - $5,000,000
National Priority Area 2 – Reduction of Children’s Exposure to Lead in Drinking Water in Schools and Child Care Facilities
Hawaii Dept. of Health - $2,000,000
School District of Philadelphia - $4,999,658
These selected projects will assist disadvantaged communities and schools with removing sources of lead in drinking water. These projects will work to further the goals of the Biden-Harris administration’s Lead Pipe and Paint Action Plan, in addition to the Justice40 Initiative, which seeks to deliver 40% of benefits from certain federal investments to disadvantaged communities in need.
Learn more about this grant and EPA’s WIIN grant programs.
Background
Lead poses serious health risks to both children and adults – children are especially vulnerable. Low-income and other historically underserved communities typically experience high levels of lead in their drinking water because they are disproportionately served by lead service lines. The six new projects selected across the country will receive grant funding under the WIIN Act through the Reducing Lead in Drinking Water grant program.
To date, over 2,400 lead service line replacements have been completed as a result of support from that grant program.
In addition to this announcement of funding availability, the Reducing Lead in Drinking Water WIIN grant program also awarded over $1 million in grant awards toward tribal lead reduction projects coordinated through interagency agreements between Indian Health Services and EPA. Additionally, EPA is working with states, tribes, and territories to award additional grant funding through EPA’s two other drinking water grant programs established by WIIN – the Voluntary Lead Testing in Schools and Child Care grant program and the Small, Underserved and Disadvantaged Communities (SUDC) Grant.
# # #
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 –311 2023 Specialty Sugar Period 2 Results
COMMODITY
Specialty Sugar
The tariff rate quota for Specialty Sugar Period 2 opened on Tuesday October 11, 2022 and over-subscribed at opening moment. The pro rata percentage of 38.58049% or .3858049 was calculated via ACE, a UC message was…
Specialty Sugar
The tariff rate quota for Specialty Sugar Period 2 opened on Tuesday October 11, 2022 and over-subscribed at opening moment. The pro rata percentage of 38.58049% or .3858049 was calculated via ACE, a UC message was…
USDA Provides Payments of nearly $800 Million in Assistance to Help Keep Farmers Farming
WASHINGTON, Oct. 18, 2022 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced that distressed borrowers with qualifying USDA farm loans have already received nearly $800 million in assistance, as part of the $3.1 billion in assistance for distressed farm loan borrowers provided through Section 22006 of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). The IRA directed USDA to expedite assistance to distressed borrowers of direct or guaranteed loans administered by USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) whose operations face financial risk.
CBP Publishes Modernized Customs Broker Regulations
WASHINGTON —U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced changes to Part 111, Chapter 19 of the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) will take place October 18, 2022, with the publication of two Final Rules: “Modernization of the Customs…
EPA Cracks Down on Sellers of ‘Defeat Devices’ that Increase Air Pollution
NEW YORK – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announced that two companies, PARTS iD, Inc. and PARTSiD, LLC (PARTSiD), will pay a penalty of nearly $500,000 in response to EPA claims that the companies illegally sold aftermarket products that disable vehicles’ emissions-control systems – known as defeat devices. While these companies are based in Cranbury, N.J., the devices were sold across the country.
"The sale of illegal devices like these is a fast track to a speedy fine and EPA regularly takes action against illegal sales,” said Lisa F. Garcia, Regional Administrator. “Make no mistake, these pollution control disabling devices have real negative health implications for everyone.”
EPA requires emission controls on vehicles to reduce the harmful air pollutants that they emit and their harmful effects, but aftermarket defeat devices negate those controls. One EPA study found that known sales of defeat devices for certain diesel trucks between 2009 and 2020 resulted in more than 570,000 tons of excess nitrogen oxide (NOx) and 5,000 tons of excess particulate matter (PM) over the lifetime of the trucks. These are pollutants that have serious health effects and are known to trigger or exacerbate asthma attacks. Respiratory issues like asthma disproportionately affect families, especially children, living in underserved communities overburdened by pollution.
Under a legal agreement with EPA, the company has stopped selling the illegal devices and will pay $491,474 for past violations. EPA found that PARTSiD sold hardware and software specifically designed to defeat required emissions controls on vehicles and engines, including aftermarket exhaust pipes; exhaust-related removal kits; and aftermarket computer software that can alter fuel delivery, power parameters, and emissions. These components are part of vehicle emission control systems installed in most automobiles to meet federal emission standards, and typically control more than 90% of the regulated pollutants passing through them.
Learn more about the EPA’s efforts to stop the sale of illegal defeat devices like those sold by PARTSid.
Follow EPA Region 2 on Twitter and visit our Facebook page. For more information about EPA Region 2, visit our web site.
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"The sale of illegal devices like these is a fast track to a speedy fine and EPA regularly takes action against illegal sales,” said Lisa F. Garcia, Regional Administrator. “Make no mistake, these pollution control disabling devices have real negative health implications for everyone.”
EPA requires emission controls on vehicles to reduce the harmful air pollutants that they emit and their harmful effects, but aftermarket defeat devices negate those controls. One EPA study found that known sales of defeat devices for certain diesel trucks between 2009 and 2020 resulted in more than 570,000 tons of excess nitrogen oxide (NOx) and 5,000 tons of excess particulate matter (PM) over the lifetime of the trucks. These are pollutants that have serious health effects and are known to trigger or exacerbate asthma attacks. Respiratory issues like asthma disproportionately affect families, especially children, living in underserved communities overburdened by pollution.
Under a legal agreement with EPA, the company has stopped selling the illegal devices and will pay $491,474 for past violations. EPA found that PARTSiD sold hardware and software specifically designed to defeat required emissions controls on vehicles and engines, including aftermarket exhaust pipes; exhaust-related removal kits; and aftermarket computer software that can alter fuel delivery, power parameters, and emissions. These components are part of vehicle emission control systems installed in most automobiles to meet federal emission standards, and typically control more than 90% of the regulated pollutants passing through them.
Learn more about the EPA’s efforts to stop the sale of illegal defeat devices like those sold by PARTSid.
Follow EPA Region 2 on Twitter and visit our Facebook page. For more information about EPA Region 2, visit our web site.
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EPA awards grant to support Wasted Food Solutions for Denver project
DENVER – Today the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced $23,351 in grant funding to the Center for EcoTechnology (CET) through the agency’s Sustainable Materials Management (SMM) program. CET received EPA funding in 2021, for an initial phase of its project to improve food waste reduction and recovery in Denver.
CET initiated the Wasted Food Solutions’ project in 2021 at the request of the Denver Department of Public Health and Environment to identify barriers and provide solutions to increase food donations in the city. CET is a nongovernmental organization based in Massachusetts that helps cities and states across the country connect with wasted food solutions.
This award allows CET to continue its work with the city and put into action many of the tools and strategies developed last year. Over the course of a year CET will apply findings from the initial phase of this project to implement strategies that increase participation in and adoption of food donation efforts. CET will connect with local food businesses, food banks, food rescue organizations, and local government to capture success stories of donation while honing support materials that spur food recovery. The project will culminate in a campaign that draws on community-based social marketing techniques to inspire new businesses to donate surplus edible food.
“The initial phase of this project demonstrated great success in improving barriers to food recovery in Denver,” said Regional Administrator KC Becker. “By implementing and enhancing food recovery efforts, CET is serving as an example to communities across the country of the important role the food-sector can play in reducing waste, and minimizing environmental impacts of food production and disposal, while also providing nutritious meals to those experiencing food insecurity.”
”CET is looking forward to working with project partners to highlight existing activities that redistribute safe, edible food, while increasing these critical partnerships.” Said Ashley Muspratt, President of The Center for EcoTechnology. “Surplus happens, and we want to work with businesses to foster relationships with community partners that can help redistribute it, positively impacting our communities, our environment, and businesses' bottom lines."
SMM is a systemic approach to using materials more productively and finding new opportunities to reduce environmental impacts, conserve resources and reduce costs over a product's life cycle. EPA’s SMM program supports efforts to help build community health by reducing the use, release, and exposure to toxic chemicals; using life-cycle approaches to reduce the health and environmental impacts of materials use; and employing upstream solutions that reduce the need for and cost of environmental cleanup and pollution management.
Source reduction is an approach aimed at sustainably managing materials by reducing the amount or toxicity of garbage generated through the design, manufacture, purchase, or use of materials (such as products and packaging). Source reduction can help reduce waste disposal and handling charges because the costs of recycling, municipal composting, landfilling, and combustion are avoided. Source reduction conserves resources and reduces pollution.
Click here for more information on the Sustainable Materials Management program.
CET initiated the Wasted Food Solutions’ project in 2021 at the request of the Denver Department of Public Health and Environment to identify barriers and provide solutions to increase food donations in the city. CET is a nongovernmental organization based in Massachusetts that helps cities and states across the country connect with wasted food solutions.
This award allows CET to continue its work with the city and put into action many of the tools and strategies developed last year. Over the course of a year CET will apply findings from the initial phase of this project to implement strategies that increase participation in and adoption of food donation efforts. CET will connect with local food businesses, food banks, food rescue organizations, and local government to capture success stories of donation while honing support materials that spur food recovery. The project will culminate in a campaign that draws on community-based social marketing techniques to inspire new businesses to donate surplus edible food.
“The initial phase of this project demonstrated great success in improving barriers to food recovery in Denver,” said Regional Administrator KC Becker. “By implementing and enhancing food recovery efforts, CET is serving as an example to communities across the country of the important role the food-sector can play in reducing waste, and minimizing environmental impacts of food production and disposal, while also providing nutritious meals to those experiencing food insecurity.”
”CET is looking forward to working with project partners to highlight existing activities that redistribute safe, edible food, while increasing these critical partnerships.” Said Ashley Muspratt, President of The Center for EcoTechnology. “Surplus happens, and we want to work with businesses to foster relationships with community partners that can help redistribute it, positively impacting our communities, our environment, and businesses' bottom lines."
SMM is a systemic approach to using materials more productively and finding new opportunities to reduce environmental impacts, conserve resources and reduce costs over a product's life cycle. EPA’s SMM program supports efforts to help build community health by reducing the use, release, and exposure to toxic chemicals; using life-cycle approaches to reduce the health and environmental impacts of materials use; and employing upstream solutions that reduce the need for and cost of environmental cleanup and pollution management.
Source reduction is an approach aimed at sustainably managing materials by reducing the amount or toxicity of garbage generated through the design, manufacture, purchase, or use of materials (such as products and packaging). Source reduction can help reduce waste disposal and handling charges because the costs of recycling, municipal composting, landfilling, and combustion are avoided. Source reduction conserves resources and reduces pollution.
Click here for more information on the Sustainable Materials Management program.
EPA celebrates 50th Anniversary of the Clean Water Act on the banks of the Cuyahoga River
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael S. Regan, White House Council on Environmental Quality Chair Brenda Mallory, and Assistant Administrator for Water Radhika Fox, along with national and local environmental leaders, gathered in Cleveland to recognize the 50th Anniversary of the Clean Water Act on the banks of the Cuyahoga River. Administrator Regan and others discussed the progress made under the Clean Water Act and its amendments, transforming waters that were once polluted into boatable, fishable, and even swimmable treasures.
“The Clean Water Act has played a transformational role in protecting people’s health and safeguarding our natural resources for the enjoyment of future generations,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “From establishing legal policy to driving technological innovation, the Clean Water Act has led to landmark standards, regulations, and protections for waterways across this country. Combined with other key initiatives and historic resources flowing to EPA, the Clean Water Act will continue to reduce pollution, restore and protect precious waters throughout the United States.”
“Water shapes our lives. 50 years ago, our nation came together and passed the Clean Water Act – a monumental piece of legislation,” said Assistant Administrator for Water Radhika Fox. “While we’ve made incredible progress, we need to continue to move forward, focusing the ‘North Star’ for the Clean Water Act towards ensuring every community has access to fishable, swimmable bodies of water.”
“President Biden believes every person deserves access to clean water. When the Cuyahoga River burned fifty years ago, people from all backgrounds came together with one voice to demand action,” said Council on Environmental Quality Chair Brenda Mallory. “Today the Clean Water Act ensures healthier rivers and waters, opening up new possibilities for communities nationwide. Building on the progress of the last 50 years, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act make unprecedented investments in our nation’s water infrastructure so that we can protect clean water for generations to come.”
“Clean and affordable water is a basic human right that I have been working for since I was elected, and that John Dingell recognized long before many others did. The 50th anniversary of the Clean Water Act serves as a reminder of all the good that can get done when we work together to protect our most precious, life-sustaining resources, and an opportunity to recommit to that critical work,” Congresswoman Debbie Dingell. “When John and his colleagues finalized the Clean Water Act more than five decades ago, it was widely criticized, and even vetoed by the president before becoming law. Still today we must work to strengthen the Clean Water Act for the future and defend it from those who seek to undermine it and roll back its protections. I thank EPA Administrator Regan and everyone else who has joined us in this fight for their efforts to protect clean and safe water for generations to come.”
In the 1960s, the Cuyahoga River infamously caught fire more than a dozen times, prompting environmental action and advocacy that, in part, inspired the creation of the EPA and the eventual passage of the Clean Water Act. Under the Clean Water Act, EPA has worked with partners across the country to implement vital programs that have reduced pollution, made our waterbodies safer and cleaner, and ensured businesses that rely on clean water can thrive. Since the Clean Water Act was passed in 1972, waterways around the country have been transformed into national treasures and economic engines.
Today, under President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, EPA has a historic level of resources flowing to the agency to support the work under the Clean Water Act. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provides $50 billion dedicated to water infrastructure projects, investing through EPA’s State Revolving Funds and through the Agency’s geographic programs and National Estuary Program to protect and restore treasured national waters. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is the single-largest investment in water infrastructure in U.S. history to replace lead pipes, tackle emerging contaminants like PFAS, build resilient drinking water and wastewater systems, and continue to protect one of earth’s most precious and essential resources.
To commemorate the anniversary, President Biden issued a Presidential Proclamation to reaffirm the nation’s commitment to safeguarding and restoring our waters and commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Clean Water Act. It calls upon communities across the country to observe this milestone and to recognize the significant contribution the Clean Water Act has made to restore our Nation’s waters and to consider the crucial part clean water plays in each of our lives.
Background
The Clean Water Act (CWA) establishes the basic structure for regulating discharges of point source pollutants into the waters of the United States and requires water quality standards for surface waters. The CWA made it unlawful to discharge any pollutants from a point source into navigable waters unless a permit was obtained. The EPA's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program contains limits on what a facility can discharge, monitoring and reporting requirements, and other provisions to ensure that the discharge does not hurt water quality and, therefore, aquatic life or human health.
Learn more about the clean water progress EPA has made over the past 50 years by checking out our new StoryMap.
“The Clean Water Act has played a transformational role in protecting people’s health and safeguarding our natural resources for the enjoyment of future generations,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “From establishing legal policy to driving technological innovation, the Clean Water Act has led to landmark standards, regulations, and protections for waterways across this country. Combined with other key initiatives and historic resources flowing to EPA, the Clean Water Act will continue to reduce pollution, restore and protect precious waters throughout the United States.”
“Water shapes our lives. 50 years ago, our nation came together and passed the Clean Water Act – a monumental piece of legislation,” said Assistant Administrator for Water Radhika Fox. “While we’ve made incredible progress, we need to continue to move forward, focusing the ‘North Star’ for the Clean Water Act towards ensuring every community has access to fishable, swimmable bodies of water.”
“President Biden believes every person deserves access to clean water. When the Cuyahoga River burned fifty years ago, people from all backgrounds came together with one voice to demand action,” said Council on Environmental Quality Chair Brenda Mallory. “Today the Clean Water Act ensures healthier rivers and waters, opening up new possibilities for communities nationwide. Building on the progress of the last 50 years, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act make unprecedented investments in our nation’s water infrastructure so that we can protect clean water for generations to come.”
“Clean and affordable water is a basic human right that I have been working for since I was elected, and that John Dingell recognized long before many others did. The 50th anniversary of the Clean Water Act serves as a reminder of all the good that can get done when we work together to protect our most precious, life-sustaining resources, and an opportunity to recommit to that critical work,” Congresswoman Debbie Dingell. “When John and his colleagues finalized the Clean Water Act more than five decades ago, it was widely criticized, and even vetoed by the president before becoming law. Still today we must work to strengthen the Clean Water Act for the future and defend it from those who seek to undermine it and roll back its protections. I thank EPA Administrator Regan and everyone else who has joined us in this fight for their efforts to protect clean and safe water for generations to come.”
In the 1960s, the Cuyahoga River infamously caught fire more than a dozen times, prompting environmental action and advocacy that, in part, inspired the creation of the EPA and the eventual passage of the Clean Water Act. Under the Clean Water Act, EPA has worked with partners across the country to implement vital programs that have reduced pollution, made our waterbodies safer and cleaner, and ensured businesses that rely on clean water can thrive. Since the Clean Water Act was passed in 1972, waterways around the country have been transformed into national treasures and economic engines.
Today, under President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, EPA has a historic level of resources flowing to the agency to support the work under the Clean Water Act. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provides $50 billion dedicated to water infrastructure projects, investing through EPA’s State Revolving Funds and through the Agency’s geographic programs and National Estuary Program to protect and restore treasured national waters. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is the single-largest investment in water infrastructure in U.S. history to replace lead pipes, tackle emerging contaminants like PFAS, build resilient drinking water and wastewater systems, and continue to protect one of earth’s most precious and essential resources.
To commemorate the anniversary, President Biden issued a Presidential Proclamation to reaffirm the nation’s commitment to safeguarding and restoring our waters and commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Clean Water Act. It calls upon communities across the country to observe this milestone and to recognize the significant contribution the Clean Water Act has made to restore our Nation’s waters and to consider the crucial part clean water plays in each of our lives.
Background
The Clean Water Act (CWA) establishes the basic structure for regulating discharges of point source pollutants into the waters of the United States and requires water quality standards for surface waters. The CWA made it unlawful to discharge any pollutants from a point source into navigable waters unless a permit was obtained. The EPA's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program contains limits on what a facility can discharge, monitoring and reporting requirements, and other provisions to ensure that the discharge does not hurt water quality and, therefore, aquatic life or human health.
Learn more about the clean water progress EPA has made over the past 50 years by checking out our new StoryMap.
EPA Announces Settlement with Maine-based TV Show to Resolve Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule Violations, Raise Awareness of Lead-Safe Work Practices
WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced it has reached a settlement with Kennebec Property Services, LLC of Manchester, Maine, resolving alleged violations of the Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Rule and requiring Kennebec to provide information about compliance with lead safety rules on its cable TV program “Maine Cabin Masters” which is broadcast on the Warner Bros. Discovery Network.
“Lead exposure for children is extremely dangerous and is entirely preventable. Complying with federal lead paint laws is essential to protect children across the country and is a top priority for EPA,” said Larry Starfield, Acting Assistant Administrator for EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. “Television shows that demonstrate home remodeling have a special responsibility to model lead-safe work practices and help their viewers understand common-sense measures to protect themselves and their children from lead hazards.”
Lead can cause irreversible and life-long health effects, including decreasing IQ, focus, and academic achievement in children. While lead is dangerous to all children, not all children are equally exposed to lead, nor do they suffer the same consequences of exposure. The harmful impacts of lead disproportionately impact environmentally overburdened, low-income families and their communities.
In a Consent Agreement and Final Order, EPA alleged that Kennebec performed five renovations in 2020 at residential properties constructed prior to 1978 without complying with applicable RRP Rule requirements. Specifically, EPA alleged that Kennebec failed to: obtain recertification before beginning renovations, assign a certified renovator to each renovation, provide the owner of each unit with the EPA-approved lead hazard information pamphlet, and maintain records showing their compliance with RRP measures.
Since being contacted by EPA, the company has obtained RRP firm certification, certified it is complying with the RRP Rule and agreed to comply with the RRP Rule in all future renovation activities. Kennebec has paid a $16,500 penalty.
Further, under the settlement Kennebec has agreed to help raise awareness about the EPA Lead RRP program by providing information about compliance with the RRP Rule in at least three episodes of their upcoming season of Maine Cabin Masters and on the program’s web site, and by producing an episode of their podcast “From the Wood Shed” that focusses on EPA lead safety measures.
EPA has designated the reduction of childhood lead exposures as a high priority. The action announced today support the agency’s continuing commitment to implement the Federal Action Plan to Reduce Childhood Lead Exposures and Associated Health Impacts.
EPA has settled several other RRP enforcement cases with programs that air on HGTV / Discovery, the same network that airs Maine Cabin Masters, including Two Chicks and a Hammer, Magnolia Homes, Texas Flip N Move, and Rehab Addict and Bargain Mansions.
More information about EPA’s Lead RRP Rule.
“Lead exposure for children is extremely dangerous and is entirely preventable. Complying with federal lead paint laws is essential to protect children across the country and is a top priority for EPA,” said Larry Starfield, Acting Assistant Administrator for EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. “Television shows that demonstrate home remodeling have a special responsibility to model lead-safe work practices and help their viewers understand common-sense measures to protect themselves and their children from lead hazards.”
Lead can cause irreversible and life-long health effects, including decreasing IQ, focus, and academic achievement in children. While lead is dangerous to all children, not all children are equally exposed to lead, nor do they suffer the same consequences of exposure. The harmful impacts of lead disproportionately impact environmentally overburdened, low-income families and their communities.
In a Consent Agreement and Final Order, EPA alleged that Kennebec performed five renovations in 2020 at residential properties constructed prior to 1978 without complying with applicable RRP Rule requirements. Specifically, EPA alleged that Kennebec failed to: obtain recertification before beginning renovations, assign a certified renovator to each renovation, provide the owner of each unit with the EPA-approved lead hazard information pamphlet, and maintain records showing their compliance with RRP measures.
Since being contacted by EPA, the company has obtained RRP firm certification, certified it is complying with the RRP Rule and agreed to comply with the RRP Rule in all future renovation activities. Kennebec has paid a $16,500 penalty.
Further, under the settlement Kennebec has agreed to help raise awareness about the EPA Lead RRP program by providing information about compliance with the RRP Rule in at least three episodes of their upcoming season of Maine Cabin Masters and on the program’s web site, and by producing an episode of their podcast “From the Wood Shed” that focusses on EPA lead safety measures.
EPA has designated the reduction of childhood lead exposures as a high priority. The action announced today support the agency’s continuing commitment to implement the Federal Action Plan to Reduce Childhood Lead Exposures and Associated Health Impacts.
EPA has settled several other RRP enforcement cases with programs that air on HGTV / Discovery, the same network that airs Maine Cabin Masters, including Two Chicks and a Hammer, Magnolia Homes, Texas Flip N Move, and Rehab Addict and Bargain Mansions.
More information about EPA’s Lead RRP Rule.