(Washington, August 31, 2022) Today, the Biden Administration took a major step forward in achieving the goals of President Biden's Federal Sustainability Plan and Executive Order (E.O.) 14057 Catalyzing Clean Energy Industries and Jobs Through Federal Sustainability by issuing E.O. 14057 Implementing Instructions to Federal agencies.

Through President Biden's historic Executive Order 14057 Catalyzing Clean Energy Industries and Jobs Through Federal Sustainability the U.S. Federal Government leads the world by example again – transforming how it builds, buys, and manages to help make America's economy cleaner, more efficient, and more sustainable.

EPA announced the latest actions to phase down climate-damaging hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) under the bipartisan American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act, building on the Biden-Harris Administration's progress in accomplishing an initial 10% reduction and helping achieve an 85% reduction by 2036. The first new action is a final rule to accelerate the ongoing transition to more efficient and climate-safe technologies in new refrigeration, heating and cooling systems and other products by restricting the use of HFCs where alternatives are already available. The second action is a proposed rule to better manage and reuse existing HFCs, including by reducing wasteful leaks from equipment and supporting a growing American industry for HFC recycling and reclamation. Under the AIM Act, the Biden-Harris Administration is phasing down HFCs to achieve a 40% reduction of HFCs starting in 2024 and an 85% reduction by 2036. Today's actions will support the national phasedown, including through an additional $4.5 billion in estimated savings for industry and consumers, while supporting good-paying American manufacturing jobs to produce the next generation of equipment and HFC alternatives.

Agriculture Secretary announced a strategy for how the Biden-Harris Administration, through the U.S. Department of Agriculture, will address a reforestation backlog of four million acres on national forests and plant more than one billion trees over the next decade. With new resources made available through President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, combined with support from state, local, and Tribal governments as well as other partners, the Forest Service aims to eliminate the backlog over the next 10 years and develop the infrastructure, such as nurseries, to keep up with increasing needs. The Forest Service has invested more than $100 million in reforestation this year – more than three times the investment in previous years – thanks to the Repairing Existing Public Land by Adding Necessary Trees (REPLANT) Act made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. These historic investments will help mitigate the impacts of climate change, rebuild in the aftermath of devastating wildfires and strengthen America's forestlands.

Administration announced the recipients of the Presidential Federal Sustainability Awards. The Presidential Federal Sustainability Awards recognize federal agencies and employees who have made transformational efforts to advance sustainability and climate resilience and lead by example to deliver on President Biden's goal to slash emissions from federal operations. Awardees were selected from a pool of over 140 nominations and represent domestic and international facilities or projects spanning 10 federal agencies.

EPA announced more than $100 million from President Biden's Investing in America agenda to expand recycling infrastructure and waste management systems across the country, representing EPA's largest recycling investment in 30 years. EPA has selected 25 communities to receive grants totaling more than $73 million under the newly created Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling funding opportunity. In addition, the agency is making available approximately $32 million for states and territories to improve solid waste management planning, data collection and implementation of plans. The recycling grants for communities will support improvements to waste management systems across the country and will range from $500,000 to $4 million per grant. Selected projects include purchasing new fleets of recycling collection vehicles and bins to provide curbside recycling services for communities currently lacking access; upgrades to material recovery facilities to reduce contamination; enhancements to composting and organics programs and infrastructure; and construction of various types of facilities that improve recycling, composting, and reuse infrastructure for materials such as plastics and food waste.

New report highlights key EPA accomplishments under national strategy to confront PFAS "forever chemicals" in communities across the country. Under the leadership of President Biden and Vice President Harris, the EPA has delivered bold and concrete actions to protect people from PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, in their water and everyday lives while dramatically increasing investments in research and solutions. Specific actions and progress are detailed in EPA's third annual progress report, highlighting the significant achievements the agency has made under its PFAS Strategic Roadmap and the Biden-Harris Administration's whole-of-government strategy to protect communities from the impacts of forever chemicals.

The Biden-Harris administration outlined a vision for how the United States can work collaboratively to conserve and restore the lands, waters, and wildlife that support and sustain the nation. The recommendations are contained in a report outlining a locally led and voluntary nationwide conservation goal to conserve 30 percent of U.S. lands and waters by 2030. The report calls for a decade-long effort to support locally led and voluntary conservation and restoration efforts across public, private, and Tribal lands and waters in order to create jobs and strengthen the economy's foundation; tackle the climate and nature crises; and address inequitable access to the outdoors.

(WASHINGTON, March 14, 2023) Today, the Biden-Harris Administration announced it is proposing the first-ever national drinking water standard for six per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the latest action under President Biden's plan to combat PFAS pollution and Administrator Regan's PFAS Strategic Roadmap. Through this action, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is taking a major step to protect public health from PFAS pollution, leveraging the latest science and complementing state efforts to limit PFAS by proposing to establish legally enforceable levels for six PFAS known to occur in drinking water.

This proposal builds on other key milestones to combat PFAS, including EPA's proposal to designate two PFAS as CERCLA hazardous substances; enhancing data on PFAS under EPA's National PFAS Testing Strategy and through nationwide sampling for 29 PFAS in public drinking water systems; using EPA's Clean Water Act permitting and regulatory programs to reduce PFAS pollution in the environment from industry; and initiating the distribution of $10 billion in funding to address emerging contaminants under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL).

EPA announced the latest action to phase down the use of climate super-pollutant hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), issuing a final rule to implement a 40% reduction below historic levels from 2024 through 2028. The rule aligns with the bipartisan American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act's goals to reduce the production and consumption of these climate-damaging chemicals by 85% by 2036 and help avoid up to 0.5 ?C of global warming by 2100. The final rule builds on the success of the 10% phasedown step implemented for 2022 and 2023, by establishing a similar allowance methodology to provide regulatory certainty to industry and stakeholders, ensuring the most efficient implementation under the ongoing phasedown. The United States began this historic phasedown on January 1, 2022, with a reduction of HFC production and imports to 10% below historic baseline levels. Since then, allowances are needed to import and produce HFCs. Starting in 2024 the phasedown will be 40% below historic levels, a significant decrease in the number of available production and consumption allowances compared to previous years. HFC allowances for calendar year 2024 will be allocated by September 29, 2023. The phasedown schedule under this program is consistent with the schedule laid out in the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, which the United States ratified in October 2022.

The Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Energy, Installations and Environment announces the release of Boots on the Ground: Saving Species, Supporting the Mission--a video that showcases the Department of Defense's (DoD) success in maintaining its national defense and security mission, while conserving military lands and the species that call them home. Filmed at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California this seven-minute video tells a story of the unique balance between the vital military testing, training and operational mission and the extraordinary work, commitment, and dedication of the DoD to the conservation of at-risk species.

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) will accept nominations for any project, process, group, or individual in the public, private, or non-profit sectors that has used FHWA funding sources to make an outstanding contribution to transportation and the environment. The nomination period for the 2015 EEAs will open on August 15th and close on September 15th. Checkout the website for the list of categories and details on the submission process.

The 2013 U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Sustainability Awards strive to continuously recognize teams and individuals for their outstanding sustainability contributions, including accomplishments in managing pollution, waste, energy, water, and vehicle fleets. Winners will be recognized in fall 2013 for their outstanding contributions. Nominations will be accepted through the new DOE Sustainability Awards Database. The deadline for submitting nominations is June 28, 2013. ***Only DOE personnel are eligible to nominate and qualify for this award.

EPA invites nominations of a diverse group of qualified candidates to be considered for appointment to the Good Neighbor Environmental Board (GNEB). Vacancies must be filled by March 2015, but nominations must be received by the end of October 2014 to be included in the candidate pool. The GNEB was created in 1992 by the Enterprise for the Americas Initiative Act, and it is responsible for providing advice to the President on environmental and infrastructure issues and needs within the States contiguous to Mexico. The GNEB consists of representatives from U.S. Government agencies; the states of Arizona, California, New Mexico and Texas; academia; environmental and non-governmental entities; business and industry; and tribal and private organizations. Members are appointed by the EPA Administrator for two-year terms. For information on the board, see http://www.epa.gov/ocem/gneb/index.html. For information on the nomination process, click here.

The U.S. EPA is soliciting award nominations by March 1, 2010, for individuals, teams and organizations that have made significant contributions to ozone layer protection. Nominees must demonstrate one or more of the following criteria: originality and public purpose; leadership and corporate responsibility; global perspective and implication; success in eliminating substances that deplete the ozone layer or in transitioning to alternatives with reduced environmental impact; or leadership in improving awareness of the harmful health effects of overexposure to UV radiation.

This call for nominations is for the newly established USACE Sustainability Awards Program. These awards will recognize the people and outstanding projects contributing toward our goals to increase sustainability across all business lines in six different categories. Nominations should be endorsed by the District Commander or an equivalent level and sent through the Division Commander or equivalent level. Details are in the attachment.

Presentations are being solicited for the 2011 North American Environmental Field Conference on the topics of environmental site characterization, sampling, monitoring and remediation. Abstracts are due 9 July 2010.

The Local Government Commission (LGC), sponsor of the conference, is accepting proposals doe sessions to be held at the 2011 New Partners for Smart Growth Conference. The theme of the conference is "Building Safe, Healthy, and Livable Communities." Session proposal will be accepted until 30 June 2010.

CBP pairs Participants with laboratory researchers and technical experts to provide technical expertise to Participants in the design, construction, and validation of low-energy building designs. Applications are due noon on May 12, 2010.

The FEMP-funded Smart Labs Toolkit helps lab owners and operators plan and cost-effectively achieve safe, efficient, and sustainable laboratories no matter the size. Ventilation is a big topic in laboratory efficiency as it is one of the largest energy consumers. Smart Labs recently published a case study sharing the results of a new ventilation analysis performed at the USDA Forage Animal Production Research Laboratory. The computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis helped the mechanical engineering teams optimize the mechanical ventilation system of laboratories inside of main campus buildings. Read more about how this USDA lab and other national labs are leveraging CFD analysis.

The White House has just announced the first Climate Resilience Game Changers Assessment , identifying 28 critical technologies, management practices, and institutional and financial tools that can drive transformative positive impacts on our nation's climate resilience.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Environmental Health Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program announced a new Notice of Funding Opportunity, Supporting Communities to Reduce Lead Poisoning (CDC-RFA-EH-23-005). Applications are due by July 31, 2023. The new 3-year, community-based cooperative agreement will fund approximately 10 local organizations for a period of performance from September 1, 2023, to August 31, 2026. Through this cooperative agreement, funded applicants will help families avoid the dangers of lead in their homes through community engagement, prevention education, and family support. An informational call for the new funding opportunity will take place June 14, 2023, 2:00-3:00PM ET.

On April 22, 2024, from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM (Eastern) outside the Whitten Building (1400 Independence Ave. SW Washington, D.C. USDA agencies, People's Garden, Xerces Society, and partners are joining together for an Earth Day celebration! Learn about the USDA Agencies' sustainability initiatives for agriculture and rural communities, connect with community partners, and participate in activities for all ages.

EPA is providing a number of avenues to kickstart your Earth Month/Earth Day celebrations. There are daily tips, twitter feeds, blog posts, and ways you can pledge to improve the environment.

Eleven years ago the U.S. Senate's unanimous approval and designation of a week in June as "National Pollinator Week" marked a necessary step toward addressing the urgent issue of declining pollinator populations. Pollinator Week has now grown into an international celebration of the valuable ecosystem services provided by bees, birds, butterflies, bats and beetles. This year, June 18 – 24, 2018 is the designated week. Check out the Pollinator Partnership website for events and resources.

September 21 – 27, 2015 celebrates 25 years of the Pollution Prevention Act of 1990. Check out the website for ideas on how to celebrate.

EPA is celebrating the 30th anniversary of the launch of its first climate partnership program, Green Lights. Learn more about the legacy and impacts of climate partnership programs at EPA, and be sure to watch the video for a conversation between EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan and former Administrator William Reilly, who launched the Green Lights program in 1991.

The Central Review publishes environmental and energy related developments for DOD/Army leaders and installation staff. Covering the nine states in Federal Regions 6 and 7 the Central Review gives early notice of legislative and regulatory activities relevant to DOD interests. For installations that implement an environmental management system in accordance with ISO 14001 specifications, the content of the Review may help them identify emerging requirements.

The Central Review publishes environmental and energy related developments for DOD/Army leaders and installation staff. Covering the nine states in Federal Regions 6 and 7 the Central Review gives early notice of legislative and regulatory activities relevant to DOD interests. For installations that implement an environmental management system in accordance with ISO 14001 specifications, the content of the Review may help them identify emerging requirements.

The Central Review publishes environmental and energy related developments for DOD/Army leaders and installation staff. Covering the nine states in Federal Regions 6 and 7 the Central Review gives early notice of legislative and regulatory activities relevant to DOD interests. For installations that implement an environmental management system in accordance with ISO 14001 specifications, the content of the Review may help them identify emerging requirements.

The Central Review publishes environmental and energy related developments for DOD/Army leaders and installation staff. Covering the nine states in Federal Regions 6 and 7 the Central Review gives early notice of legislative and regulatory activities relevant to DOD interests. For installations that implement an environmental management system in accordance with ISO 14001 specifications, the content of the Review may help them identify emerging requirements.

The White House Council on Environmental Quality is looking to spotlight energy and sustainability projects that involve the collaboration of multiple federal agencies. GreenGov Spotlight Communities demonstrate how leveraging regional co-location and shared targets are helping agencies achieve the energy and sustainability goals and targets in Executive Order 13514 Federal Leadership in Environmental, Energy and Economic Performance. If your team is working with other federal agencies to reduce your environmental footprint through joint purchasing agreements, fleet sharing, or other Executive Order 13514 projects, you might be eligible to become a GreenGov Spotlight Community. More information, and the online application form, is available here. Applications must be submitted by November 16, 2012.

The White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) is calling on the public and Federal agencies to nominate projects that use innovative approaches to increase the efficiency of environmental reviews under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). As part of CEQ's efforts to modernize and reinvigorate Federal agency implementation of NEPA and encourage innovation, public engagement, and transparency, CEQ will track and publicize the progress of the selected pilot projects to identify and promote more efficient ways to do effective environmental reviews that can be replicated across the Federal Government.

The White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) has released a fact sheet detailing the Obama Administration's new executive actions and series of private and public sector commitments that will improve the management of our natural resources in the context of a changing climate and support investment in green infrastructure.

As part of an ongoing effort to modernize implementation of the National Environmental Policy Act and promote effective and transparent environmental reviews, the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) has released updated draft guidance for Federal agencies on how to consider greenhouse gas emissions and the impacts of climate change in their NEPA analyses, as well as final guidance on conducting programmatic NEPA reviews. These measures will increase the efficiency of environmental reviews and help agencies make informed decisions that are sound investments of taxpayer dollars and good for American communities.

(Washington, DC, January 30, 2015) Across the country, extreme weather and other impacts of climate change are threatening the health, safety, and prosperity of our communities. This month, NOAA and NASA announced that 2014 was the hottest global year on record. And as the planet continues to warm, impacts like rising sea levels, intensified storms, and heavy downpours are contributing to an increased risk of flooding. President Obama is committed to ensuring that American communities thrive in the face of a changing climate. That is why, today, the President signed an Executive Order establishing a flood standard that will reduce the risk and cost of future flood disasters by requiring all Federal investments in and affecting floodplains to meet higher flood risk standards. By requiring that Federally funded buildings, roads and other infrastructure are constructed to better withstand the impacts of flooding, the President's action will support the thousands of communities that have strengthened their local floodplain management codes and standards, and will help ensure Federal projects last as long as intended. See attachment for the full announcement.

This memo provides additional clarifications and instructions on the implementation of the goals laid out in section I.F.2 of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Memorandum M-22-06 (December 8, 2021) (M-22-06) and section 4.4.13 of the Council on Environmental Quality's (CEQ) Implementing Instructions for Executive Order 14057, Catalyzing Clean Energy Industries and Jobs Through Federal Sustainability (August 2022), that call for all leases to be green leases (effective Sept 2023) and for new leases to be in net-zero emissions buildings starting in 2030. This memo and relevant instructions apply to leases for buildings from the private sector, not buildings agencies are leasing from GSA.

(WASHINGTON, DC, March 6, 2012) – The Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) today released final guidance for Federal agencies on improving the efficiency of their environmental reviews under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The guidance, part of CEQ's broader effort to modernize and reinvigorate Federal agency implementation of NEPA, also supports the goals of President Obama's August 31, 2011 Memorandum on "Speeding Infrastructure Development through More Efficient and Effective Permitting and Environmental Review."

The White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) has issued a revised "Guiding Principles for Sustainable Federal Buildings", per Executive Order 13693 "Planning for Federal Sustainability for the Next Decade." This guidance updates and replaces the "High Performance and Sustainable Buildings Guidance", issued by CEQ in December 2008 to:

• reflect the evolution of sustainable building design, construction, and operating practices since 2008,
• incorporate other building-related E.O. 13693 requirements,
• increase the economic and environmental benefits of Federal investments in facilities,
• enhance occupant health, wellness, and productivity,
• include climate resilience in building design, construction, and operations, and protect Federal facilities investments from the potential impacts of climate change, and
• provide information on tracking agency green building performance.

The revised guiding principles are located here and its companion guidance "Determining Compliance with the Guiding Principles for Sustainable Federal Buildings" is located here.

Used to simplify the green procurement process, SFTool has been further enhanced with the following changes: addition of a cafeteria space on how to not only design a more sustainable cafeteria, but also how to operate and stock it with green products; launch of a services module that provides you with information on how to include green purchasing requirements in a variety of service contracts; and a capability to create customized product lists.

More than 3,200 facilities, including federal facilities, are competing to win the EPA's 2013 ENERGY STAR National Building Competition. Check out who is competing and who is winning at this time.

EPA's Office of Air and Radiation recently released its annual AirTrends Report 2016, which tracks air quality data and trends through 2015. This new report is presented through an interactive web app featuring a suite of visualization tools.

This web-based tool will significantly improve access to chemical specific regulatory information developed by EPA and data submitted under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). The ChemView web tool displays key health and safety data in an online format that allows comparison of chemicals by use and by health or environmental effects. The search tool combines available TSCA information and provides streamlined access to EPA assessments, hazard characterizations, and information on safer chemical ingredients. Additionally, the new web tool allows searches by chemical name or Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) number, use, hazard effect, or regulatory action.

Fall 2012 edition of the DoD Chesapeake Bay Program Journal, published quarterly and sponsored by the DOD/Navy Chesapeake Bay Program Office. See attached.

Fall 2013 edition of the DoD Chesapeake Bay Program Journal, published quarterly and sponsored by the DOD/Navy Chesapeake Bay Program Office. See attached.

Spring 2012 edition of the DoD Chesapeake Bay Program Journal, published quarterly and sponsored by the DOD/Navy Chesapeake Bay Program Office. See attached.

Spring 2013 edition of the DoD Chesapeake Bay Program Journal, published quarterly and sponsored by the DOD/Navy Chesapeake Bay Program Office. See attached.

Summer 2011 edition of the DoD Chesapeake Bay Program Journal, published quarterly and sponsored by the DOD/Navy Chesapeake Bay Program Office.

Winter 2012/2013 edition of the DoD Chesapeake Bay Program Journal, published quarterly and sponsored by the DOD/Navy Chesapeake Bay Program Office. See attached.

Winter 2013 edition of the DoD Chesapeake Bay Program Journal, published quarterly and sponsored by the DOD/Navy Chesapeake Bay Program Office. See attached.

The Clean Air Act has resulted in significant health benefits, improved air quality, cleaner cars and trucks, reduction of industrial toxic air pollution, and a reduction in skin cancer in its 40-year history.

This year's award recipients represent achievements in five categories: clean air technology, community action, education/outreach, regulatory policy innovations, and outstanding individual achievement.

Clean Cities Now is the official biannual newsletter of Clean Cities, an initiative designed to reduce petroleum consumption in the transportation sector by advancing the use of alternative and renewable fuels, fuel economy improvements, idle-reduction measures, and new technologies, as they emerge.

Released on 3 August 2015, the Clean Power Plan establishes the first-ever national standards to limit carbon pollution from power plants.

This interactive site provides basic information about smaller Clean Water Act direct dischargers. Information includes: how many permits have been issued; how frequently sampling data is reviewed to determine if violations occurred; and frequency of violations.

On 9 October 2015 the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit stayed the Clean Water Rule nationwide pending further action of the court.

Lawmakers want to know how to budget for environmental clean-ups of military installations, but Defense leaders insist it's going to be a drawn-out process. In a hearing for the Defense Environmental Restoration Program (DERP) this week, officials from the services and the Pentagon told the House Appropriations subcommittee on Defense where DoD stands on removing hazardous Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) chemicals and unexploded ordinances from military bases. DERP addresses two categories of sites: The Installation Restoration Program manages the cleanup of chemicals released to the environment, including PFAS, while the Military Munitions Response Program addresses former military range sites known or suspected to contain unexploded ordinances, discarded military munitions, or munitions constituents.

The EPA and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts have reached another cleanup decision regarding a former military training and contractor testing area at Camp Edwards on the Massachusetts Military Reservation (MMR). This decision marks a final cleanup strategy for MMR's J1 Range and its two affiliated "northern and southern" groundwater plumes. Three plumes and multiple soil areas on Camp Edwards await final cleanup decisions.

(WASHINGTON, February 13, 2015) – As part of President Obama's Climate Action Plan Virtual Climate Resilience Toolkit, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced the release of the Climate Adjustment Tool for EPA's Stormwater Management Model – a widely-used, downloadable online stormwater simulation model. The Climate Adjustment Tool allows engineers and planners to evaluate the performance of water infrastructure while considering future climate change projections, such as more frequent high-intensity storms and changes in evaporation rates of seasonal precipitation, to determine the benefits of resiliency decisions to reduce local economic burden and protect communities.

EPA report that shows the most severe harms from climate change fall disproportionately upon underserved communities who are least able to prepare for, and recover from, heat waves, poor air quality, flooding, and other impacts. EPA's analysis indicates that racial and ethnic minority communities are particularly vulnerable to the greatest impacts of climate change. This report is one of the most advanced environmental justice studies to date that looks at how projected climate change impacts may be distributed across the American public.

EPA has released its Climate Change Indicators in the United States 2012 report. This report updates the Agency's initial climate-indicators report, which was published in 2010. It contains information about 26 key indicators that together show what climate change looks like in the United States. The report also highlights some of the public health and environmental impacts that are already happening today.

The Climate Ready Estuaries program (CRE) works with the National Estuary Programs and the coastal management community to assess climate change vulnerabilities, develop and implement adaptation strategies, and engage and educate stakeholders. Recently added resources to the CRE website address how much the sea has risen, how much it might rise, and what the impacts might be.

EPA's Climate Ready Estuaries, a program that works with the National Estuary Programs and coastal management community on assessing climate change vulnerabilities and developing and implementing adaptation strategies, has redesigned their website. Resources are now easier to find and webpages are now searchable. New features include interactive maps of Climate Ready Estuary projects, king tides, and more.

The Climate Resilience and Adaptation Funding Toolbox (CRAFT) is a user-friendly resource for technical assistance providers working with federal funding applicants and recipients to develop, apply for and implement climate-resilient investments. The website provides simple, easy-to-understand resources that can help users consider climate adaptation and resilience before, during and after applying for EPA funding opportunities.

The Coast Guard Academy came in #1 in the "Per Capita Classic" category (total pounds of recyclables collected per person over 10 weeks).

U.S. EPA is launching a new on-line tool for scientific collaboration and knowledge sharing that was built by Purdue University with support from EPA. The Integrated Environmental Modeling Hub (iemHUB) allows environmental researchers to analyze environmental problems and combine environmental models so that a better understanding of the environment can be developed - everything from keeping beaches clean to predicting climate effects. The iemHUB is being released by the EPA-supported Community of Practice for Integrated Environmental Modeling (CIEM).

It's another year and time for another walk to help raise awareness and learn more about water issues worldwide and here at home in D.C.! This year's walk is on Thursday, 2 June 2016, at noon. This is part of the Department of State's worldwide Green Race initiative, which uses outdoor activities to raise awareness and stimulate action to help surmount environmental challenges. The walk starts at NOON outside at 2201 C St NW. Walkers follow the Potomac River to the House of Sweden in Georgetown, where environmental nonprofits will be sharing information and have interactive booths. All are welcome – don't miss the fun! Please RSVP at bit.ly/6kwalkforwater so State has a head count and can also reach you in the case of any changes. You can also get updates from Twitter (@StateGDI and #6kwaterwalk).

EPA released this final version of the strategy which charts a path for meeting the nation's clean water strategic plan goals over the next several years.

The National Capital Planning Commission is accepting comments from Federal partners on the Federal Environmental Element for the National Capital Comprehensive Plan until March 15th, 2012. The Environment Element seeks to provide leadership in maximizing efficiency and increase sustainability by encouraging improved environmental design, development practices, and minimize the federal government's impact on the environment. The plan sets guidelines for facilities in the National Capitial region including the District of Columbia, and sections of Virginia and Maryland. Comments may be sent to Gene Keller eugene.keller@ncpc.gov.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE or the Department) seeks to develop a voluntary National Asset Rating Program for Commercial Buildings (AR Program). The AR Program would establish an Asset Rating system for commercial buildings based on a national standard and would evaluate the physical characteristics and as-built energy efficiency of these buildings. It would also identify potential energy efficiency improvements. The goal is to facilitate cost-effective investment in energy efficiency and reduce energy use in the commercial building sector. DOE seeks comments and information related to the development of the AR Program. POC is Mr. Cody Taylor, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Building Technologies Program, EE-2J, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585-0121. Telephone: 202-287-5842. E-mail: Cody.Taylor@ee.doe.gov (Federal Register: August 8, 2011 [Notices], 48152-48158).

EPA's Office of Air and Radiation's (OAR) Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards (OAQPS) is hosting a community conference call about updates to several rules. January 2015 Conference Call Topics: Clean Power Plan; Ozone NAAQS; and the Methane Strategy. January 28, 2015

EPA Region 3 podcast that reviews the mercury hazards associated with CFLs and whether or not the energy benefits outweigh the mercury hazard.

The sortable table below contains links to Compliance Advisories and Enforcement Alerts issued by the Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance since September 1, 2019, as well as a subset of historic Compliance Advisories, Compliance Alerts and Enforcement Alerts. These historic documents are included here because they may still contain some useful information.

Protecting people from lead in drinking water is a longstanding priority of the EPA. Accordingly, enforcing the Safe Drinking Water Act's Lead and Copper Rule will help reduce the public's exposure to lead. This Compliance Advisory is directed to public water systems that are classified as either community water systems or non-transient non-community water systems (collectively, water systems). This Compliance Advisory describes how the EPA intends to monitor compliance and enforce the key provisions of the 2021 Lead and Copper Rule Revisions that will remain in place after the issuance of the final Lead and Copper Rule Improvements in October 2024.

Here are links to compliance assistance information for the four FY18 focus areas for EPA's federal facilities enforcement and compliance assurance program. The links include EPA websites, FedCenter links, and sector-specific compliance assistance centers funded by EPA grants. Many of the EPA sites have links to upcoming training, including webinars, so it is worthwhile to check them often. Several also have information on new regulatory developments with helpful responses to frequently-asked questions. At the end are FedCenter.gov links to more general compliance assistance information applicable to a broad range of issues. We hope these will help you ensure your facilities comply with all applicable environmental requirements.

The EPA released a compliance guide for the 2024 methylene chloride risk management rule issued under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). The compliance guide will help industry, workers and other interested stakeholders understand and comply with the new regulations to prevent injuries, long-term illnesses and deaths. In April 2024, EPA finalized a ban on most uses of methylene chloride, a dangerous chemical known to cause liver cancer, lung cancer, breast cancer, brain cancer, cancer of the blood, and cancer of the central nervous system, as well as neurotoxicity, liver harm and even death. This regulation will protect people from health risks while allowing key uses to continue safely with a robust Workplace Chemical Protection Program (WCPP).

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) modified the hazardous waste management regulations under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) to conditionally exclude solvent-contaminated wipes from hazardous waste regulations provided that businesses clean or dispose of them properly. Wipes are used in conjunction with solvents for cleaning and other purposes by tens of thousands of facilities in numerous industrial sectors, such as printers, automobile repair shops and manufacturers of automobiles, electronics, furniture and chemicals.

The Green Electronics Council (GEC), the organization that manages the EPEAT ecolabel, announced the 2020 EPEAT Purchaser Award winners during a virtual event showcasing winner-submitted acceptance videos and photos. Seventy-five* (75) organizations, including cities, states, U.S. Federal agencies, healthcare systems, universities, K-12 school systems, and companies from around the globe were celebrated for their decision to purchase sustainable electronic products.

Congress.gov allows users to search the legislation records for specific bills introduced in Congress since 1973. Bills may be searched by number or keyword from the search bar. After results are returned, one can narrow the set by selecting additional criteria from the filters. Filters available for legislation include: Congress, Bill Type, Status of Legislation, Subject – Policy Area, and others.

EPA finalized changes to the effluent limitations guidelines and standards for the Construction and Development point source category. These changes are being promulgated pursuant to a settlement agreement to resolve litigation. This final rule withdraws the numeric discharge standards, which are currently stayed, and changes several of the non-numeric provisions of the existing rule. This final rule is effective on 5 May 2014.

U.S. Senator Kay R. Hagan (D-NC) sent a letter to Acting United States Secretary of the Navy BJ Penn, asking him to help close information gaps in the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry's (ATSDR) 1997 public health assessment. New information about the levels of benzene, TCE and PCE in Camp Lejeune's water supply recently invalidated sections of the public health assessment.

WASHINGTON – The White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) today released Guidance on Federal Greenhouse Gas Accounting and Reporting that establishes Governmentwide requirements for measuring and reporting greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with Federal agency operations. The Guidance serves as the Federal Government's official Greenhouse Gas Protocol and will be used by Federal agencies to develop their first GHG inventories. Federal agencies will submit GHG inventories annually beginning in January of 2011, as called for in the Executive Order on ederal Leadership in Environmental, Energy and Economic Performance (Executive Order 13514) signed by President Obama on October 5, 2009. The press release can be found here. The guidance can be found here.

On March 4, 2011, CEQ issued a set of implementing instructions for Federal Agency Adaptation Planning. The Instructions will inform agencies on how to integrate climate change adaptation into their planning, operations, policies, and programs, as recommended by the Interagency Climate Change Adaptation Task Force in its October 2010 Progress Report to the President. A Companion Support Document has also been issued.

EPA is announcing a temporary policy regarding EPA enforcement of environmental legal obligations during the COVID-19 pandemic. This policy will apply retroactively beginning on 13 March 2020. Authorized states or tribes may take a different approach under their own authorities. The EPA will exercise the enforcement discretion specified in the this memo for noncompliance covered by this temporary policy and resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, if regulated entities take the steps applicable to their situations, as set forth in this policy.

The Decarbonizing the U.S. Economy by 2050: A National Blueprint for the Buildings Sector, is a comprehensive plan to reduce GHG emissions from buildings by 65% by 2035 and 90% by 2050. DOE led the Blueprint's development in collaboration with the HUD, the EPA, and other federal agencies. The Blueprint is the first sector-wide strategy for building decarbonization developed by the federal government.

The NETI Training Bulletin announces upcoming EPA environmental enforcement training opportunities (e-Learning, Classroom, and Webinar courses) for federal, state, tribal and local government environmental enforcement professionals.

January edition of the Defense Operational Energy Highlights newsletter, published by the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Operational Energy Plans and Programs. This month's newsletter includes:

• ASD Burke Talks Arctic, Climate and Energy on Fed News Radio
• Marine Corps Releases Tactical Energy Harvesting, Waste Heat RFI
• OEPP Partners with Georgia Tech, National Labs to support FOB's
• The Quadrennial Energy Review is Under Way!
• 2013 revision to Joint Publication 4-0 Codifies "Operational Energy"
• Tri-Agency Letter Advocates for Competitive Biofuels Industry
• Travels with ASD Burke: Port Harcourt and Abuja, Nigeria
• Tweet of the Month

Read more.

March/April (Spring) edition of the Defense Operational Energy Highlights newsletter, published by the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Operational Energy Plans and Programs. This edition includes: • ASD Burke Resigns • DoD Releases Comprehensive Energy Policy • Energy and Climate in the 2014 Quadrennial Defense Review • ASD Burke Testifies Before Congress • Chairman Dempsey Discusses Operational Energy with Rep. Scott Peters • Travels with ASD Burke: CERA Week in Houston, TX • OEPP Launches Partnership with Power Africa • Tweet of the Month Read more.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announces the deletion of one site and partial deletion of three sites from the Superfund National Priorities List (NPL). The NPL, created under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) of 1980, as amended, is an appendix of the National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan (NCP). The EPA and the States, through their designated State agencies, have determined that all appropriate response actions under CERCLA have been completed. However, this deletion does not preclude future actions under Superfund. The document is effective 5 March 2025. For POC and additional information refer to provided link.

The U.S. Army at Fort Wainwright in Fairbanks, Alaska has paid the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency a stipulated penalty of $87,000 for failure to complete the terms of a signed Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, Consent Agreement and Final Order (CAFO).

The Department of Energy's (DOE) Office of Environment, Health, Safety and Security has announced the winners of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2014 GreenBuy Awards. The following sites were recognized for demonstrating leadership in sustainable acquisition: • Gold Level Award Winners:    o Argonne National Laboratory;    o Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory; and    o National Renewable Energy Laboratory (for the fourth year in a row!) • Silver Level Award Winners:    o Ames Laboratory; and    o Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant. For more information on DOE's GreenBuy Awards Program, click here.

On 7 July 2020, the DOE announced a solicitation for energy and water saving contracts to private-sector companies that will help improve the efficiency and address the infrastructure needs of federal facilities. DOE's will award IDIQ ESPC to multiple vendors.

The Department of Energy's FEMP congratulates the 27 winners of the 2020 Federal Energy and Water Management and the two winners of the FEMP Directors Award. Through the annual Federal Energy and Water Management Awards competition, FEMP recognizes outstanding achievements in energy and water efficiency, resilience, technology, distributed energy, cybersecurity, and fleet management across the federal government. The Federal Energy and Water Management Awards recognize individuals, teams and organizations that have taken initiatives to cut energy waste, reduce costs, optimize performance, and advance Americas progress towards energy independence, resilience, and security. This year's Federal Energy and Water Award winners represent a broad spectrum of agencies across the federal government: U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Army, U. S. Marine Corps, U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force, and Defense Logistics Agency; U.S. Department of Agriculture; U.S. Department of Commerce; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; U.S. Department of Homeland Security; U.S. Department of Transportation; U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Office of Personnel Management; National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Congratulations to the 2020 winners for demonstrating innovation and leadership! The award winners offer a rich opportunity to learn from examples and models and replicate successful strategies across the federal government.

U.S Department of Energy (DOE) Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) issued a $13 million solicitation for new energy projects that will help federal facilities improve the efficiency of their operations and reduce their carbon footprint. Through this Federal Agency Call (FAC), entitled, "Assisting Federal Facilities with Energy Conservation Technologies (AFFECT),” DOE will help ensure that the federal government is leading by example in the effort to achieve the Biden Administration’s goal of a 100% clean-energy economy and net-zero emissions by 2050.

(March 27, 2007) EPA Region 10 (Seattle) has calculated stipulated penalties totaling $1.14 million against the U.S. Department of Energy for violations of the Hanford cleanup agreement.

These honorary awards recognize outstanding efforts towards achieving DHS sustainability goals in the areas of energy conservation, water and resource protection, greenhouse gas reduction, waste minimization, recycling and pollution prevention. Out of a total of eleven submittals, there was one winner from the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC), two from the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), and three from the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP).

DOE has awarded $2.85 million in funding for four projects that will advance the development of renewable energy technologies at facilities across the federal government. FEMP Assisting Federal Facilities with Energy Conservation Technologies (AFFECT) funding will support two main technology areas: photovoltaic and biomass generation. Cost shared with industry, the total investment is nearly $75 million. For details, see the website.

The White House Office of Domestic Climate Policy (Climate Policy Office), through the U.S. Department of Energy, seeks to create a standardized, verifiable basis for defining a zero emissions building. A broadly accepted common minimum definition for a zero emissions building, as well as a pathway for verification, is foundational to efforts by public and private entities to transition the building sector to zero emissions. The definition may serve as a framework that users can achieve through multiple pathways to influence the design and operation of buildings to substantially reduce building sector emissions.

EPPNet is sponsoring a webinar on July 29, 2-009 as part of the effort to look for volunteers to help develop environmental criteria for ranking imaging equipment and televisions and their related equipment. To register for the webinar, please email sue@ceh.org. Include your name, title and the name of the organization you represent.

DHS is committed to sustainability and each year recognizes the most significant contributions to greener government. During a Sept. 5 ceremony, the Acting Under Secretary for Management and Chief Readiness Support Officer honored members of the DHS team who made the most significant contributions to improving the environment, business operations, efficiency and economy.

At a White House Forum on Energy Security On July 27, U.S. Deputy Secretary of Energy Daniel Poneman announced a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Department of Defense to accelerate clean energy innovation and enhance national energy security. The MOU, signed by Deputy Secretary Poneman and U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense William Lynn, covers efforts in the areas of energy efficiency, renewable energy, water efficiency, fossil fuels, alternative fuels, efficient transportation technologies and fueling infrastructure, grid security, smart grid, storage, waste-to-energy, basic science research, mobile/deployable power, small modular reactor nuclear energy, and related areas. The attached MOU builds on already strong cooperation between the Department of Energy and the Department of Defense, and will broaden collaboration on clean energy technology research, development, and demonstration. For more information read the full press release at http://www.energy.gov/news/9278.htm and visit the White House blog to watch the proceedings http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2010/07/28/clean-energy-and-national-security.