Biden-Harris Administration Invests Up to $400 Million to Address Drought, Conserve Water through Production of Water-Saving Commodities
WASHINGTON, Aug. 1, 2024 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will invest $400 million with at least 18 irrigation districts to help farmers continue commodity production while also conserving water across the West.
EPA Announces Partnership with City of Sandusky, Ohio, to Accelerate Replacement of Local Lead Water Pipes and Protect Public Health Through Investing in America Agenda
CHICAGO (Aug. 1, 2024) – Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced a collaboration with the city of Sandusky, Ohio, to help identify drinking water lead pipes, accelerate replacement and protect public health. The city of Sandusky is participating in EPA’s Get the Lead Out Initiative, a program funded entirely by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to help move the nation towards achieving 100% lead service line replacement. The Get the Lead Out initiative will provide technical assistance to approximately 200 communities nationwide.
Lead in drinking water can cause serious health impacts, including irreversible harm to brain development in children. To protect children and families, President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law invests a historic $15 billion to replace lead pipes and deliver clean water. However, many underserved communities lack the resources to plan for lead pipe replacement and access federal investments. The technical assistance provided through the Get the Lead Out initiative will help ensure that no community is left behind in the opportunity to replace lead pipes.
“President Biden’s Investing in America agenda is driving historic levels of funding to replace lead service lines in communities like Sandusky across the country,” said Region 5 Administrator Debra Shore. “EPA is using every tool available, including regulation, funding, and this technical assistance initiative, to get the lead out of the nation’s drinking water once and for all.”
“We appreciate the EPA's partnership and support through the Get the Lead Out Initiative, enabling us to take significant steps towards a healthier, safer Sandusky,” said City of Sandusky Manager John Orzech.
“Glad to see vital funds from the historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law returning home to the people of Sandusky and Erie County. As we deliberated this legislation in Congress, I made sure to fight for dedicated funding for lead pipe remediation to improve health and safety for our citizenry,” said Rep. Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development. “The Get the Lead Out Initiative is a realization of the promise to ensure that every American, no matter where they live, has access to clean, safe, reliable, and affordable drinking water. I will never stop fighting to ensure that all citizens across Northwest Ohio can trust the water from their tap.”
Under the Get the Lead Out initiative, EPA will support the city of Sandusky with some critical first steps to lead pipe replacement including identifying lead pipes and educating the public about lead pipes. As a result, Sandusky is moving quickly to secure a lead-free future for all its residents. As a result of these efforts, the city of Sandusky will move quickly towards President Biden’s goal of 100% lead-free pipes.
Under the Lead and Copper Rule Revisions, all public water utilities are required to prepare and maintain an inventory of service line materials by October 16, 2024, or sooner if required by the state agency. Communities wishing to receive assistance with lead service line replacement can request assistance by completing the WaterTA request form on EPA’s WaterTA website.
Background:
Signed in 2021, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provided a historic $50 billion investment in water and wastewater infrastructure, dedicating more than $15 billion to replacing lead service lines. EPA is committed to ensuring every community, particularly underserved and disadvantaged communities, can access its fair share of this unprecedented investment through a robust portfolio of water technical assistance programs, such as the Get the Lead Out initiative.
As part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s whole-of-government effort to tackle lead exposure, EPA will help communities remove the barriers to lead pipe removal. Working collaboratively, EPA is advancing the President’s Justice40 Initiative to ensure that disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution are protected. Lead exposure disproportionately affects communities of color and low-income families.
EPA is committed to providing meaningful opportunities for community and state support through peer exchange and learning. Through the Get the Lead Out initiative, EPA will develop tools and case studies to share information and best practices between the agency, state and Tribal programs, water system managers, and community leaders.
Lead in drinking water can cause serious health impacts, including irreversible harm to brain development in children. To protect children and families, President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law invests a historic $15 billion to replace lead pipes and deliver clean water. However, many underserved communities lack the resources to plan for lead pipe replacement and access federal investments. The technical assistance provided through the Get the Lead Out initiative will help ensure that no community is left behind in the opportunity to replace lead pipes.
“President Biden’s Investing in America agenda is driving historic levels of funding to replace lead service lines in communities like Sandusky across the country,” said Region 5 Administrator Debra Shore. “EPA is using every tool available, including regulation, funding, and this technical assistance initiative, to get the lead out of the nation’s drinking water once and for all.”
“We appreciate the EPA's partnership and support through the Get the Lead Out Initiative, enabling us to take significant steps towards a healthier, safer Sandusky,” said City of Sandusky Manager John Orzech.
“Glad to see vital funds from the historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law returning home to the people of Sandusky and Erie County. As we deliberated this legislation in Congress, I made sure to fight for dedicated funding for lead pipe remediation to improve health and safety for our citizenry,” said Rep. Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development. “The Get the Lead Out Initiative is a realization of the promise to ensure that every American, no matter where they live, has access to clean, safe, reliable, and affordable drinking water. I will never stop fighting to ensure that all citizens across Northwest Ohio can trust the water from their tap.”
Under the Get the Lead Out initiative, EPA will support the city of Sandusky with some critical first steps to lead pipe replacement including identifying lead pipes and educating the public about lead pipes. As a result, Sandusky is moving quickly to secure a lead-free future for all its residents. As a result of these efforts, the city of Sandusky will move quickly towards President Biden’s goal of 100% lead-free pipes.
Under the Lead and Copper Rule Revisions, all public water utilities are required to prepare and maintain an inventory of service line materials by October 16, 2024, or sooner if required by the state agency. Communities wishing to receive assistance with lead service line replacement can request assistance by completing the WaterTA request form on EPA’s WaterTA website.
Background:
Signed in 2021, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provided a historic $50 billion investment in water and wastewater infrastructure, dedicating more than $15 billion to replacing lead service lines. EPA is committed to ensuring every community, particularly underserved and disadvantaged communities, can access its fair share of this unprecedented investment through a robust portfolio of water technical assistance programs, such as the Get the Lead Out initiative.
As part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s whole-of-government effort to tackle lead exposure, EPA will help communities remove the barriers to lead pipe removal. Working collaboratively, EPA is advancing the President’s Justice40 Initiative to ensure that disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution are protected. Lead exposure disproportionately affects communities of color and low-income families.
EPA is committed to providing meaningful opportunities for community and state support through peer exchange and learning. Through the Get the Lead Out initiative, EPA will develop tools and case studies to share information and best practices between the agency, state and Tribal programs, water system managers, and community leaders.
Nervous US shippers have few options in the face of port strike threat
As the clock ticks down toward the expiration of ILA’s current contract, the window for frontloading to the East and Gulf coasts is closing and there’s limited potential for diversions through Canada and Mexico, writes Journal of Commerce Executive Editor Mark Szakonyi.
EPA Announces More Than $2M to West Virginia University to Support U.S. Manufacturing
PHILADELPHIA – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the selection of West Virginia University Research Corporation (WVU) to receive $2,486,224 to support efforts to report and reduce climate pollution from the manufacturing of construction materials. WVU is one of 38 selectees across the country that were announced on July 16, 2024, as part of a $160 million grant rollout.
Billions of tons of concrete, asphalt, steel, glass and other construction materials and products are required to build, maintain, and operate U.S. buildings and infrastructure. The EPA estimates that the construction materials used in buildings and other built infrastructure account for more than 15% of annual global greenhouse gas emissions.
“As America continues to build more and thrive under President Biden’s leadership, cleaner construction materials like concrete and steel are increasingly essential for the nation’s prosperity,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. "These historic investments will expand market access for a new generation of more climate-friendly construction materials, and further grow American jobs that are paving the way to the clean energy economy.”
WVU will provide technical assistance to construction material manufacturers in the region to develop environmental product declarations (EPDs). Their project will support businesses to create comprehensive life cycle assessments that show environmental impacts and enhance their competitiveness in supplying products for federal and institutional construction projects.
“The grant allows us to continue elevating our energy and sustainability research profile and our commitment to serving communities, as the project focuses on lifting small business in rural and disadvantaged areas in West Virginia and neighboring states,” said Fred King, Vice President for Research at WVU. “We are grateful for the Environmental Protection Agency acknowledging and supporting the hard work and trailblazing research happening at West Virginia University, our state's land-grant, flagship, R1 institution.”
The project will leverage existing WVU networks and partnerships with organizations like the West Virginia Manufacturing Extension Partnership and the West Virginia Office of Economic Development.
Environmental Product Declarations
Environmental product declarations (EPDs) show environmental impacts across the life of a product and can catalyze more sustainable purchasing decisions by allowing buyers to compare. Investments in data and tools will make high-quality EPDs available for 14 material categories, which include both new and salvaged or reused materials. These efforts will help standardize and expand the market for construction products with lower greenhouse gas emissions. They will make it easier for federal, state, and local governments and other institutional buyers to ensure the construction projects they fund use more climate-friendly products and materials.
Technical Assistance
EPA is also announcing expanded technical assistance opportunities to businesses, the federal government, and other organizations across America. EPA will initially offer EPD development support and direct businesses to resources to help them measure and reduce the embodied carbon associated with their materials, such as those provided by the ENERGY STAR Industrial program. Federal agencies and their suppliers will be able to compare the climate impact of various materials to drive near-term greenhouse gas emissions reductions. Robust EPD data will be further strengthened by a new label program under development that will identify low carbon construction materials for the growing Buy Clean marketplace.
Inflation Reduction Act
Together, the grants and technical assistance programs will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and support American jobs. These programs are made possible by the Biden Administration’s Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, which creates significant investments aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions associated with the extraction, transport and manufacturing of construction materials and products. The Inflation Reduction Act also provides more than $2 billion to the General Services Administration to use low embodied carbon materials in the construction and renovation of federal buildings and $2 billion to the Federal Highway Administration to incentivize or reimburse the use of low embodied carbon construction materials in certain transportation projects.
Selections are contingent upon completion of legal and administrative requirements and grantees are tentatively expected to receive their funding in late summer.
Learn more about EPA’s Grant Program for Reducing Embodied Greenhouse Gases in Construction Materials and Products.
Learn more about the Biden-Harris Administration’s Federal Buy Clean Initiative.
Billions of tons of concrete, asphalt, steel, glass and other construction materials and products are required to build, maintain, and operate U.S. buildings and infrastructure. The EPA estimates that the construction materials used in buildings and other built infrastructure account for more than 15% of annual global greenhouse gas emissions.
“As America continues to build more and thrive under President Biden’s leadership, cleaner construction materials like concrete and steel are increasingly essential for the nation’s prosperity,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. "These historic investments will expand market access for a new generation of more climate-friendly construction materials, and further grow American jobs that are paving the way to the clean energy economy.”
WVU will provide technical assistance to construction material manufacturers in the region to develop environmental product declarations (EPDs). Their project will support businesses to create comprehensive life cycle assessments that show environmental impacts and enhance their competitiveness in supplying products for federal and institutional construction projects.
“The grant allows us to continue elevating our energy and sustainability research profile and our commitment to serving communities, as the project focuses on lifting small business in rural and disadvantaged areas in West Virginia and neighboring states,” said Fred King, Vice President for Research at WVU. “We are grateful for the Environmental Protection Agency acknowledging and supporting the hard work and trailblazing research happening at West Virginia University, our state's land-grant, flagship, R1 institution.”
The project will leverage existing WVU networks and partnerships with organizations like the West Virginia Manufacturing Extension Partnership and the West Virginia Office of Economic Development.
Environmental Product Declarations
Environmental product declarations (EPDs) show environmental impacts across the life of a product and can catalyze more sustainable purchasing decisions by allowing buyers to compare. Investments in data and tools will make high-quality EPDs available for 14 material categories, which include both new and salvaged or reused materials. These efforts will help standardize and expand the market for construction products with lower greenhouse gas emissions. They will make it easier for federal, state, and local governments and other institutional buyers to ensure the construction projects they fund use more climate-friendly products and materials.
Technical Assistance
EPA is also announcing expanded technical assistance opportunities to businesses, the federal government, and other organizations across America. EPA will initially offer EPD development support and direct businesses to resources to help them measure and reduce the embodied carbon associated with their materials, such as those provided by the ENERGY STAR Industrial program. Federal agencies and their suppliers will be able to compare the climate impact of various materials to drive near-term greenhouse gas emissions reductions. Robust EPD data will be further strengthened by a new label program under development that will identify low carbon construction materials for the growing Buy Clean marketplace.
Inflation Reduction Act
Together, the grants and technical assistance programs will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and support American jobs. These programs are made possible by the Biden Administration’s Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, which creates significant investments aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions associated with the extraction, transport and manufacturing of construction materials and products. The Inflation Reduction Act also provides more than $2 billion to the General Services Administration to use low embodied carbon materials in the construction and renovation of federal buildings and $2 billion to the Federal Highway Administration to incentivize or reimburse the use of low embodied carbon construction materials in certain transportation projects.
Selections are contingent upon completion of legal and administrative requirements and grantees are tentatively expected to receive their funding in late summer.
Learn more about EPA’s Grant Program for Reducing Embodied Greenhouse Gases in Construction Materials and Products.
Learn more about the Biden-Harris Administration’s Federal Buy Clean Initiative.
EPA Issues Fuel Waiver for Four States Impacted by ExxonMobil Refinery Shutdown
WASHINGTON – Today, Aug. 1, as part of the federal government’s response to tornadoes that caused the emergency shutdown of the ExxonMobil Refinery in Joliet, Illinois, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael S. Regan issued an emergency fuel waiver to help alleviate fuel shortages in four states whose supply of gasoline has been impacted by the refinery shutdown.
EPA has waived the federal regulations and federally enforceable State Implementation Plan requirements for the low Reid vapor pressure (RVP) and reformulated gasoline (RFG) requirements in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Wisconsin to facilitate the supply of fuel in these areas. This waiver will continue through Aug. 20, 2024.
The Clean Air Act allows Administrator Regan, in consultation with the Department of Energy (DOE), to waive certain fuel requirements to address shortages. As a result of the ExxonMobil refinery shutdown, Administrator Regan determined that extreme and unusual fuel supply circumstances exist and has granted a temporary waiver to help ensure that an adequate supply of gasoline is available in the affected areas until normal supply to the region can be restored.
As required by law, EPA and DOE evaluated the situation and determined that granting a short-term waiver was consistent with the public interest. EPA and DOE are continuing to actively monitor the fuel supply situation resulting from the ExxonMobil refinery shutdown and considering additional measures to alleviate the impact.
To mitigate any impacts on air quality, the Clean Air Act provides strict criteria for when fuel waivers may be granted and requires that waivers be limited as much as possible in terms of their geographic scope and duration.
For more information, please visit the EPA Fuel Waiver Page.
Please visit the Contact Us page to ask a question, provide feedback or report a problem.
EPA has waived the federal regulations and federally enforceable State Implementation Plan requirements for the low Reid vapor pressure (RVP) and reformulated gasoline (RFG) requirements in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Wisconsin to facilitate the supply of fuel in these areas. This waiver will continue through Aug. 20, 2024.
The Clean Air Act allows Administrator Regan, in consultation with the Department of Energy (DOE), to waive certain fuel requirements to address shortages. As a result of the ExxonMobil refinery shutdown, Administrator Regan determined that extreme and unusual fuel supply circumstances exist and has granted a temporary waiver to help ensure that an adequate supply of gasoline is available in the affected areas until normal supply to the region can be restored.
As required by law, EPA and DOE evaluated the situation and determined that granting a short-term waiver was consistent with the public interest. EPA and DOE are continuing to actively monitor the fuel supply situation resulting from the ExxonMobil refinery shutdown and considering additional measures to alleviate the impact.
To mitigate any impacts on air quality, the Clean Air Act provides strict criteria for when fuel waivers may be granted and requires that waivers be limited as much as possible in terms of their geographic scope and duration.
For more information, please visit the EPA Fuel Waiver Page.
Please visit the Contact Us page to ask a question, provide feedback or report a problem.
Nervous US shippers have few options in the face of port strike threat
As the clock ticks down toward the expiration of ILA’s current contract, the window for frontloading to the East and Gulf coasts is closing and there is limited potential for diversions through Canada and Mexico, writes Journal of Commerce Executive Editor Mark Szakonyi.
EPA Region 7 Performs Removal Operations near Hillsboro, Missouri
LENEXA, KAN. (AUG. 1, 2024) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 7 performed removal operations at a private property near Hillsboro, Missouri, last week after receiving a Request for Federal Action from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MoDNR).
On July 25, EPA Region 7 deployed an on-scene coordinator (OSC) along with contractors to stabilize and secure over 30 abandoned drums on a rural undeveloped property west of Hillsboro. The drums were reportedly dumped on the property, and responders observed puncture holes and nearby soil staining, which indicated the drums may have been drained on the property.
The drums were sampled and secured, impacted soil was excavated, and observed liquid waste in a concrete cellar was collected.
At this time, there are no known impacts beyond the incident location. EPA is currently arranging for the safe and secure disposal of the materials recovered during its removal operations.
Individuals can report suspected environmental violations to EPA Region 7 via phone at 913-281-0991 or through an online form.
If you suspect a potential environmental violation may be an environmental emergency that poses an immediate threat to public health and the environment, call the National Response Center at 1-800-424-8802.
# # #
Learn more about EPA Region 7
View all Region 7 news releases
Connect with EPA Region 7 on Facebook and Instagram
Follow us on X: @EPARegion7
On July 25, EPA Region 7 deployed an on-scene coordinator (OSC) along with contractors to stabilize and secure over 30 abandoned drums on a rural undeveloped property west of Hillsboro. The drums were reportedly dumped on the property, and responders observed puncture holes and nearby soil staining, which indicated the drums may have been drained on the property.
The drums were sampled and secured, impacted soil was excavated, and observed liquid waste in a concrete cellar was collected.
At this time, there are no known impacts beyond the incident location. EPA is currently arranging for the safe and secure disposal of the materials recovered during its removal operations.
Individuals can report suspected environmental violations to EPA Region 7 via phone at 913-281-0991 or through an online form.
If you suspect a potential environmental violation may be an environmental emergency that poses an immediate threat to public health and the environment, call the National Response Center at 1-800-424-8802.
# # #
Learn more about EPA Region 7
View all Region 7 news releases
Connect with EPA Region 7 on Facebook and Instagram
Follow us on X: @EPARegion7
EPA Celebrates the 2024 Winners of the President’s Environmental Youth Award and the Presidential Innovation Award for Environmental Educators
WASHINGTON – Today, August 1, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, in partnership with the White House Council on Environmental Quality, celebrated the 2024 President’s Environmental Youth Award (PEYA) and the Presidential Innovation Award for Environmental Educators (PIAEE) Awards Ceremony. This ceremony marks an annual recognition of outstanding youth who are dedicated to environmental stewardship and impressive teachers who have contributed significantly to environmental education.
“Educators and students across our country make remarkable contributions every day to protect the environment, and it’s an honor to celebrate them today,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “These awardees set the gold standard for environmental education as they implement innovative approaches to protect human health and tackle climate change.”
“Environmental stewardship often begins in the classroom with young people and educators who are taking our planet’s most pressing climate change and environmental justice challenges head on,” said White House Council on Environmental Quality Chair Brenda Mallory. “This year’s awardees represent passionate and dedicated leaders who are tackling the climate crisis, improving public health, and delivering a more equitable future for all.”
Since 1971, the President of the United States has joined with EPA to recognize young people for protecting our nation's air, water, land, and ecology. The PEYA program recognizes outstanding environmental stewardship projects developed by K-12 youth. This program honors and brings to light a wide variety of projects developed by these young students, school classes and clubs, youth camps, and youth organizations to promote environmental awareness and action in their schools and communities. The PEYA program promotes awareness of our nation's natural resources and encourages positive community involvement.
Established by the 1990 National Environmental Education Act, the PIAEE program supports, encourages, and nationally honors outstanding educators who integrate environmental and place-based, experiential learning into school curricula and school facility management across the country. The PIAEE program supports the outstanding environmental projects performed by these innovative teachers who go beyond textbook instruction to incorporate methods and materials that utilize creative experiences and enrich student learning. The program recognizes elementary and secondary (K-12) education teachers, school administrators and their local education agencies, and provides funding to help support those educators in their environmental education work.
To read about the winning projects in detail, visit: President’s Environmental Youth Award winners and Presidential Innovation Award for Environmental Educators winners.
“Educators and students across our country make remarkable contributions every day to protect the environment, and it’s an honor to celebrate them today,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “These awardees set the gold standard for environmental education as they implement innovative approaches to protect human health and tackle climate change.”
“Environmental stewardship often begins in the classroom with young people and educators who are taking our planet’s most pressing climate change and environmental justice challenges head on,” said White House Council on Environmental Quality Chair Brenda Mallory. “This year’s awardees represent passionate and dedicated leaders who are tackling the climate crisis, improving public health, and delivering a more equitable future for all.”
Since 1971, the President of the United States has joined with EPA to recognize young people for protecting our nation's air, water, land, and ecology. The PEYA program recognizes outstanding environmental stewardship projects developed by K-12 youth. This program honors and brings to light a wide variety of projects developed by these young students, school classes and clubs, youth camps, and youth organizations to promote environmental awareness and action in their schools and communities. The PEYA program promotes awareness of our nation's natural resources and encourages positive community involvement.
Established by the 1990 National Environmental Education Act, the PIAEE program supports, encourages, and nationally honors outstanding educators who integrate environmental and place-based, experiential learning into school curricula and school facility management across the country. The PIAEE program supports the outstanding environmental projects performed by these innovative teachers who go beyond textbook instruction to incorporate methods and materials that utilize creative experiences and enrich student learning. The program recognizes elementary and secondary (K-12) education teachers, school administrators and their local education agencies, and provides funding to help support those educators in their environmental education work.
To read about the winning projects in detail, visit: President’s Environmental Youth Award winners and Presidential Innovation Award for Environmental Educators winners.