EPA and OSHA announced a MOU that advances collaboration and communication on EPA's review of new chemicals under the TSCA. This MOU provides a framework for coordination and communication between the two agencies on exposure to new chemicals in the workplace and will help achieve the agencies' shared goal of ensuring workers are protected from potential health and environmental risks. Highlights of the MOU include: Establishing designated staff and management points of contact from each agency to discuss and resolve workplace exposure issues related to EPA's review of new chemicals. Providing OSHA with regular updates on EPA's new chemical determinations, including any necessary worker protection identified during EPA's review. Documenting EPA's role in identifying and notifying OSHA of the need for formal consultation on EPA's review of new chemicals.

Through a settlement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) has certified that five of its facilities in Virginia are currently in compliance with federal and state underground storage tank (UST) regulations. As part of this certification, USPS has corrected violations associated with its failure to conduct release detection testing; line leak detector testing; a line tightness test, and failure to investigate/report a suspected release. The USPS will also pay a civil penalty of $55,258.

On June 29, 2010 the U.S. EPA, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) commemorated the issuance of a "ready for reuse" determination for the former Exell Helium Plant (Exell) in Masterson, Texas. The determination is the first to be issued to a U.S. Department of the Interior facility nationally.

On 15 April 2011 the U.S. EPA announced a settlement with the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) to resolve alleged Clean Air Act violations at 11 of its coal-fired plants in Alabama, Kentucky, and Tennessee. The settlement will require TVA to invest a TVA estimated $3 to $5 billion on new and upgraded state-of-the-art pollution controls that will prevent approximately 1,200 to 3,000 premature deaths, 2,000 heart attacks and 21,000 cases of asthma attacks each year, resulting in up to $27 billion in annual health benefits. TVA will also invest $350 million on clean energy projects that will reduce pollution, save energy and protect public health and the environment.

EPA and the U.S. Army announced today a joint project to conduct sampling and testing of private drinking water wells located near Army installations for the presence of per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). This effort will inform Army remedial actions if results indicate that PFAS is found in drinking water, because PFAS contamination has spread and may potentially be impacting the drinking water wells of nearby residents. The joint EPA-Army sampling and testing project, which is being implemented nationally, has identified a priority list of nine installations out of 235 locations. As initial work is completed, EPA and the Army will evaluate additional installations for expansion of the pilot. EPA and the Army are working in partnership to identify next steps to ensure the public remains safe from exposure to PFAS potentially originating from these installations. This initial joint program is another step in EPA's efforts to protect people from the health risks posed by exposure to "forever chemicals" in communities across the country.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have released an initial assessment of contamination at Tern Island, a remote island in the chain of Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (NWHI). The results show that there have been releases of hazardous substances such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and lead from military wastes buried on the island between World War II and 1979, and further action is warranted.

The EPA and USDA announced the Next Gen Fertilizer Challenges, a joint EPA-USDA partnership and competition to advance agricultural sustainability in the United States. The competition includes two challenges that seek proposals for new and existing fertilizer technologies to maintain or improve crop yields while reducing the impacts of fertilizers on the environment. The first challenge, aims to identify existing Enhanced Efficiency Fertilizers (EEFs) that meet or exceed certain environmental and agro-economic criteria. EEF is a term for new formulations that control fertilizer release or alter reactions that reduce nutrient losses to the environment. The second challenge, aims to generate new concepts for novel technologies that can help address environmental concerns surrounding agriculture practices while maintaining or increasing crop yields. An informational webinar will be held on September 24, 2020 at 10:00 – 11:00 AM ET. More information about the challenges and the webinar is available on the EPA website.

EPA and the U.S. Veterans Administration (VA) won an Environmental Business Journal, Business Achievement Award for developing a region-wide waste tracking system as the supplemental environmental project (SEP) in an EPA enforcement action. The EPA-VA demonstrated "uncommon willingness and ability to treat obstacles as challenges and not barriers" in the development of a system that comprehensively tracks chemical purchase, use, storage and disposal at the VA New England facilities. If successful, the management system could be applied to other VA hospitals and health centers across the country. For more information please go to: http://ebiusa.com/EBJAwards.html.

EPA announced a proposal to ban all uses of trichloroethylene (TCE) an extremely toxic chemical known to cause serious health risks including cancer, neurotoxicity, and reproductive toxicity. TCE is used in cleaning and furniture care products, degreasers, brake cleaners, and tire repair sealants, and a variety of safer alternatives are readily available for many uses. This action, taken under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), would protect people from these health risks by banning the manufacture, processing, and distribution of TCE for all uses. EPA's proposed risk management rule would take effect in one year for consumer products and most commercial uses and would implement stringent worker protections on the limited remaining commercial and industrial uses that would be phased down over a longer period.

On October 23, 2023, EPA announced a new rulemaking effort to improve the recycling and management of end-of-life solar panels and lithium batteries. EPA is developing a proposed rule to add solar panels to the universal waste regulations and to add tailored universal waste standards for lithium batteries. EPA is working on this rulemaking in part in response to a petition submitted by a broad coalition of industry associations to regulate solar panels as universal waste. EPA is also working on adjustments within the universal waste regulations to improve safety standards and reduce fires from mismanaged end-of-life lithium batteries. Read about this effort on our website.

The EPA announced the availability of Multipurpose Grant (MPG) funding to support states, Tribes and territories in addressing high-priority environmental issues, including PFAS, environmental justice and climate change. The multipurpose grants are intended to be used at state and Tribal discretion to complement those programs funded under established environmental laws and regulations. Recognizing that environmental challenges vary from region to region, the funding supports a wide range of initiatives. These may include: addressing contaminants such as PFAS and lead, advancing environmental justice, tackling climate change, improving air and water quality monitoring, testing for radon in schools, and conducting outreach and education activities.

The EPA announced $14.1 million in EJ grant funding for 133 grants selected through the Environmental Justice Small Grants (EJSG) and Collaborative Problem-Solving Cooperative Agreement (EJCPS) programs. Ninety-nine EJ Small Grant recipients have been selected to receive up to $75,000 each, and 34 EJCPS grant recipients have been selected to receive up to $200,000 each, following successful completion of the award process. These ninety-nine projects cover a wide array of environmental justice issues including the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, air monitoring, indoor/outdoor air quality, food access, community planning, water treatment training, community agriculture, green jobs and infrastructure, emergency preparedness and planning, toxic exposures, water quality, and healthy homes projects.

EPA announced the availability of $2.7 billion for State Revolving Funds (SRFs). This funding assists states, tribes and territories with infrastructure projects that help protect surface water and provide safe drinking water to communities across the United States. In 2020, EPA is providing approximately $1.6 billion in new federal grant funding for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF). This funding is available for a wide range of water infrastructure projects, including modernizing aging wastewater infrastructure, implementing water reuse and recycling and addressing stormwater. EPA is also making available more than $1.07 billion in new federal grant funding for the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF). This funding can be used for loans that help drinking water systems install treatment for contaminants, improve distribution systems by removing lead service lines and improve system resiliency to natural disasters such as floods.

EPA it will provide $50 million dollars for Environmental Justice (EJ) initiatives through funds allocated to EPA under the American Rescue Plan (ARP). In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Congress designated this funding for grants, contracts, and other agency activities that identify and address disproportionate environmental or public health harms and risks in underserved communities through a range of local initiatives. Moving forward, EPA will also work to award an additional $50 million provided under the ARP for enhanced air quality monitoring, including plans to use a portion of these funds to solicit proposals from community groups, state, local and tribal air agencies to conduct monitoring of pollutants of greatest concern in communities with health outcome disparities.

EPA announced a $542 million investment to reduce pollution and plastic waste in our shared oceans. The significant investment is substantially funded by President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. EPA's funding is part of a package totaling $895 million that will address marine pollution through the implementation of 21 commitments undertaken by a number of agencies including EPA, the U.S. Agency for International Development, NOAA, NSF, the Department of State, the DOE and the NIST. EPA's commitments include $350 million in improvements to recycling infrastructure and education, $132 million for the National Estuary Program in infrastructure improvements to reduce pollutant loadings into freshwater ecosystems and the ocean, and an additional $60 million to support Mississippi River states, Ohio and Indiana as they reduce nutrients in our waterways to shrink the size of the dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released its annual enforcement and compliance results for 2010. In fiscal year (FY) 2010, EPA took enforcement and compliance actions that require polluters to pay more than $110 million in civil penalties and commit to spend an estimated $12 billion on pollution controls, cleanup, and environmental projects that benefit communities. These actions when completed will reduce pollution by more than 1.4 billion pounds and protect businesses that comply with regulations by holding non-compliant businesses accountable when environmental laws are violated.

(Washington, Dec. 16, 2015) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today released its annual enforcement and compliance results highlighted by large cases that reduce pollution, level the playing field for responsible companies, and protect public health in communities across the country. In fiscal year 2015, EPA secured record-setting hazardous waste, Clean Air Act, and Superfund settlements, and acted swiftly to win a large criminal plea agreement following a major coal ash spill, among other accomplishments. Additionally, EPA made significant progress on cases that will benefit communities well into the future, by pursuing a final settlement that puts billions of dollars to work restoring the Gulf and helping communities affected by the BP oil spill, and by launching an investigation against Volkswagen for illegally emitting air pollution from diesel vehicles.

In FY 2018, the EPA worked in collaboration with state and tribal programs to assure compliance with federal environmental laws. EPA focused its enforcement and compliance resources in areas that would have a major environmental or human health impact, support the integrity of our environmental regulatory programs, create a deterrent effect, or promote cleanups. A portion of this report covers Federal facilities. To view the results and example cases, click on the link.

In Fiscal Year 2019, the EPA continued to strengthen its collaborative partnership with state and tribal programs to assure compliance with federal environmental laws. EPA continued to focus its resources in areas that will have a major environmental or human health impact, support the integrity of our environmental regulatory programs, create a deterrent effect, or promote cleanups. In FY 2019, EPA also continued to encourage entities to self-disclose and correct violations, resulting in an increase of entities that used this option to return to compliance.

WASHINGTON (August 21, 2019) -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recognizes federal facilities for conserving resources and saving taxpayers' money as part of the Federal Green Challenge (FGC). The challenge is a national effort under the EPA's Sustainable Materials Management Program, which encourages federal agencies to lead by example in reducing the federal government's environmental impact. Read more....

EPA announced 43 Safer Choice Partner of the Year award winners across 20 states and the District of Columbia, recognizing their achievements in the design, manufacture, promotion, selection and use of cleaners, detergents and other products with safer chemicals. The Safer Choice program and label help consumers and purchasers at facilities find cleaning and other products with chemical ingredients that are safer for human health and the environment. Applicants for this year's awards were encouraged to show how their work promotes environmental justice, bolsters resilience to the impacts of climate change, results in cleaner air or water, improves drinking water quality or advances innovation in packaging.

EPA has announced the availability of up to $6 million in grant funding under The Environmental Justice Collaborative Problem-Solving (EJCPS) Cooperative Agreement Program and The Environmental Justice Small Grants (EJSG) Program. EPA will be giving special consideration to the following focus areas: • Addressing COVID-19 concerns faced by low-income communities and communities of color • Climate Change and Natural Disaster Resiliency outreach and planning • New applicants to either opportunity • Ports Initiative to assist people living and working near ports across the country • Small non-profits For more information on environmental justice grants, funding, and technical assistance.

EPA announced the results of a study that estimates the economic benefits of cleaning up facilities under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Corrective Action program. EPA's analyses of 79 cleanups revealed that these facilities support 1,028 on-site businesses, which provide economic benefits including: $39 billion in annual sales revenue; over 82,000 jobs; and $7.9 billion in estimated annual employment income. EPA also developed brief profiles for more than 40 facilities to showcase the economic benefits that can be fostered through RCRA Corrective Action cleanups.

EPA, in accordance with provisions of the Camp Minden Administrative Order, has notified the Louisiana Military Department (LMD) that the Agency will not exercise its right to disapprove any or all contractors and/or subcontractors outlined in the state's April 14 recommendation for the alternative disposal of materials at Camp Minden. EPA continues to support an alternative technology for disposal and is quickly working to conclude efforts necessary in helping the state finalize its plans. On March 18, EPA signed an amended action memo that allowed alternative technologies to be considered in disposing of the materials at the site. The amendment cleared the way for the Louisiana Military Department to review quotes for alternative methods and select a company to dispose of the M6 and CBI.

In support of the Biden-Harris Administration's commitment to tackling pollution from Per-and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) and protecting human health and the environment, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing important policy shifts in its review of new PFAS before they can enter the market. Due to the scientific complexities associated with assessing PFAS, and the hazard potential associated with various sub-classes of PFAS, it is challenging to conduct an appropriately robust review of low volume exemptions (LVE) requests for PFAS in the 30 days the regulations allow. The regulations provide for the denial of LVE requests when EPA finds the chemical in question may cause serious human health effects or significant environmental effects, or when issues concerning toxicity or exposure require review that can't be completed in 30 days. These policy changes will ensure that if new PFAS are allowed to enter commerce, EPA will have reviewed all intended, known, and reasonably foreseen conditions of use and that these chemicals will not enter commerce absent appropriate and enforceable protections for human health, including that of workers, and the environment.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the District of Columbia, and D.C. Water have joined in a partnership agreement to use green techniques for wet weather pollution control in the District. The "Clean Rivers, Green District" agreement outlines the collaborative steps to support green infrastructure to achieve sustainable stormwater management, more livable communities, and other environmental improvements in the District.

EPA announced that the U.S. Navy has successfully completed a 2011 Federal Facilities Compliance Agreement (FFCA) at Naval Base Guam. For over 12 years and at a cost of $130 million, the Navy carried out significant infrastructure upgrades to the Apra Harbor Wastewater Treatment Plant and sewer system along with modifications to a water plant. In addition, the Navy improved pollution monitoring and completed technical studies. EPA conducted an inspection in February 2023 and verified that the Navy had completed all requirements of the agreement, including: Upgrading the Apra Harbor Wastewater Treatment Plant. Instituting a base-wide pollution prevention program to minimize the release of metals, oils, and other pollutants into the sewer system. Constructing and operating a bilge oily water treatment system to treat ship discharges. Modifying the drinking water plant to curtail the discharge of aluminum-based treatment chemicals into the sewers and to prevent the leaching of copper from household piping. Replacing and rehabilitating over 30 miles of sewer pipes, hundreds of sewer manholes, force mains, and pump stations. Completion of the agreement means the discharge from the Naval Base Guam's Apra Harbor Wastewater Treatment Plant is now meeting Clean Water Act requirements.

EPA is updating its coronavirus website to include new resources for state, local, and tribal agencies and intergovernmental associations. The website contains important information on grants, enforcement and compliance programs, water infrastructure, and a host of other issues important to effective environmental program delivery. These resources will help EPA and its partners continue to provide the environmental protection the nation depends on without interruption during the coronavirus public health emergency.

On May 18th, 2009, EPA announced Energy Star requirements for computer servers that will protect the environment and result in significant energy savings. On average, computer servers that earn the Energy Star label will be 30 percent more energy efficient than standard servers.

EPA announced that it issued eight Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) enforcement orders to federal facilities in Fiscal Year 2019. The SDWA enforcement orders were issued to ensure public health protection through compliance with federal drinking water standards at public water systems operated by federal facilities. EPA issued five orders to federal facilities for violations of the public water system requirements. These orders addressed different violations at each facility and include orders to monitor lead and copper, nitrate and total coliform bacteria; to lower copper levels; and to address system deficiencies. EPA also issued three orders to federal facilities for imminent and substantial endangerment. An order was issued to one facility to address a main water break, to another facility to address an e-coli positive sample; and a third facility to repair and replace piping in imminent danger of failing. EPA continues to work with these federal facilities to address violations of the National Primary Drinking Water Regulations and ensure public health protection. EPA has identified protection of drinking water as a National Compliance Initiative (NCI), indicating that it is an enforcement and compliance priority.

EPA invites environmental justice communities and stakeholders to participate in Environmental Justice Consultations regarding the development of proposed risk management actions under section 6(a) of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) to address unreasonable risks presented by trichloroethylene (TCE) and perchloroethylene (PCE). The environmental justice consultation period will extend through 20 August 2021. The agency will hold identical two consultation webinars, one on 16 June 2021 and the other on 6 July 2021. EPA is offering these repeated sessions to increase opportunities for participation. Both sessions will provide an overview of the TSCA risk management requirements, the findings from the final risk evaluations, the tools available to manage the unreasonable risks from TCE and PCE, and an opportunity for EPA to obtain input on environmental justice concerns. These consultations are open to the public, and EPA is inviting national, local and non-governmental organizations, communities, and other interested stakeholders to participate.

The EPA announced its National Enforcement and Compliance Initiatives for 2024-2027, including for the first time initiatives to mitigate climate change, address exposure to PFAS contamination, and protect communities from cancer-causing coal ash. To advance the Biden-Harris Administration's commitment to protect disadvantaged communities, EPA also will integrate environmental justice considerations into each of its National Enforcement and Compliance Initiatives. Every four years, across administrations, EPA selects enforcement and compliance priorities so that the agency and its state partners can prioritize resources to address the most serious and widespread environmental problems facing the United States. In addition to climate change, PFAS contamination, and coal ash initiatives, EPA is modifying its Clean Air Act initiative to focus on hazardous toxic air pollution in overburdened communities in each EPA region and is continuing its drinking water and chemical accident prevention initiatives that began under prior administrations.

EPA announced its updated Clean Water Act Financial Capability Assessment (FCA) Guidance to help communities ensure public health protections and financial feasibility as they make plans to comply with the Clean Water Act (CWA). The Guidance outlines strategies for communities to follow to support affordable rates while planning investments in water infrastructure essential to protecting our Nation's waters. When discharges from municipal wastewater treatment facilities violate the CWA, EPA sets a schedule for the municipality to implement control measures to address the discharges as soon as possible. When negotiating CWA compliance schedules, EPA considers public health, environmental protection, and a community's financial capability. The FCA Guidance outlines the financial information and formulas used to assess a community's financial ability to make the needed water infrastructure investments essential for CWA implementation. The FCA Guidance is also used to evaluate the economic impacts on public entities of certain water quality standards (WQS) decisions.

EPA is announcing legally mandated changes to the fee requirements under TSCA. TSCA directs EPA to adjust the fees every three years. Accordingly, an adjustment will go into effect on 1 January 2022, and will apply to all TSCA fees. In a separate action, in 2022, EPA plans to propose additional revisions to the 2018 TSCA fees rule to supplement the agency’s proposal from 11 January 2021 to ensure that TSCA fee amounts capture up to 25% of the actual costs of TSCA activities, fees are distributed equitably, and fee payers are identified through a transparent process.

EPA issued the first update on the collaborative implementation of the National Water Reuse Action Plan (WRAP) that was launched on February 27, 2020. The update highlights expeditious and meaningful progress that EPA and its partners across the water user community have made to advance consideration of water reuse and ensure the security, sustainability and resilience of our nation's water resources. The first update on the collaborative implementation of the National Water Reuse Action Plan is available at

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued a new framework to help local governments meet their Clean Water Act obligations. The Integrated Municipal Stormwater and Wastewater Planning Approach Framework assists EPA regional offices, states, and local governments to develop voluntary storm and wastewater management plans and implement effective integrated approaches that will protect public health by reducing overflows from wastewater systems and pollution from stormwater. In developing the framework, the EPA worked in close coordination with a variety of stakeholders, including publicly owned treatment works, state water permitting authorities, local governments, and nonprofit environmental groups. EPA's framework outlines new flexibility to pursue innovative, cost-saving solutions, like green infrastructure, and will help communities as they develop plans that prioritize their investments in storm and wastewater infrastructure.

EPA's Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance (OECA) announced the FY 2022 Annual Environmental Enforcement Results report, highlighting increased inspections in the aftermath of the pandemic, reductions in significant noncompliance under the Clean Water Act, and aggressive actions to target the most serious water, air, land, and chemical violations that impact communities across the country.

EPA announced approximately $23 million in two P2 grant funding opportunities for states and tribes, including almost $14 million provided by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law with no cost share/match requirement. EPA encourages applicants to address environmental justice (EJ) and/or climate pollution in their project(s). Eligible applicants include states, state entities such as universities, U.S. territories and possessions, and federally recognized tribes and intertribal consortia.

It covers a full range of site and building planning topics. It includes the Tribal Green Building Toolkit with checklists and resources to help communities prioritize and update green building efforts.

EPA announced that the State of Florida is the first state in more than 25 years to apply for and receive approval to implement a Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 404 program, joining Michigan and New Jersey as the only states in the country with such authority. This action formally transfers permitting authority under CWA Section 404 from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) to the State of Florida for a broad range of water resources within the State. This action allows the State to more effectively and efficiently evaluate and issue permits under the CWA to support the health of Florida's waters, residents, and economy.

WASHINGTON (Feb. 14, 2023) – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced initial guidance on the design of the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF) program, created by President Biden's Inflation Reduction Act. EPA published two Federal Assistance Listings outlining key parameters of the grant competitions that will ultimately award nearly $27 billion to leverage private capital for clean energy and clean air investments across the country. Federal Assistance Listings are the first public notice requirement to implement a federal grant program.

EPA Administrator signed a proclamation designating the week of June 22 as National Pollinator Week. Administrator Wheeler is the first EPA Administrator to sign such a proclamation – joining leadership from the DOI, the USDA, all 50 Governors and hundreds of governments and organizations around the world.

EPA released a final human health toxicity assessment for GenX chemicals, which are part of the per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) group. The agency's final toxicity assessment represents a key step in advancing the scientific understanding of GenX chemicals and their effects on human health. In certain locations, GenX chemicals have been found in surface water, groundwater, drinking water, rainwater, and the air. EPA's final assessment for GenX chemicals focuses solely on the potential human health effects associated with oral exposure. Issuing the final toxicity assessment gives EPA the opportunity to share and exchange information with the agency's state and Tribal co-regulators who are working with their communities to confront this complex environmental challenge. The agency's final 2021 GenX chemicals assessment uses the state-of-the-art systematic review process, incorporates new data available since 2018, and applies revised uncertainty factors. These changes resulted in a lower, more protective toxicity value for GenX chemicals relative to EPA's 2018 draft toxicity assessment. EPA's release of the final GenX chemicals toxicity assessment is a key step toward developing a national drinking water health advisory for GenX chemicals, which the agency committed to publishing in Spring 2022 as part of the PFAS Roadmap.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced its seven National Enforcement Initiatives for fiscal years 2017-2019, which focus on national pollution challenges where EPA's enforcement efforts will protect public health. For the next cycle starting on October 1, 2016, EPA will retain four of its current National Enforcement Initiatives, add two new initiatives, and expand one to include a new area of focus. The fiscal year 2017-2019 National Enforcement Initiatives are:

1. Keeping Industrial Pollutants Out of the Nation's Waters (new initiative)
2. Reducing Risks of Accidental Releases at Industrial and Chemical Facilities (new initiative)
3. Cutting Hazardous Air Pollutants (expanded initiative) 4. Reducing Air Pollution from the Largest Sources
5. Ensuring Energy Extraction Activities Comply with Environmental Laws
6. Keeping Raw Sewage and Contaminated Stormwater Out of the Nation's Waters
7. Preventing Animal Waste from Contaminating Surface and Ground Water.

EPA is expanding its initiative focused on reducing toxic air pollution by adding large storage tanks and hazardous waste facilities to its work to address public health threats.

WASHINGTON (Dec. 20, 2021) – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized the Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR 5) to establish nationwide monitoring for 29 per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and lithium in drinking water. This action is essential to addressing the public health and environmental risks of PFAS in drinking water and marks a significant milestone in EPA's PFAS Strategic Roadmap.

EPA released four drinking water health advisories for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the latest action under President Biden's action plan to deliver clean water and Administrator Regan's PFAS Strategic Roadmap. EPA also announced that it is inviting states and territories to apply for $1 billion – the first of $5 billion in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law grant funding – to address PFAS and other emerging contaminants in drinking water, specifically in small or disadvantaged communities. These actions build on EPA's progress to safeguard communities from PFAS pollution and scientifically inform upcoming efforts, including EPA's forthcoming proposed National Primary Drinking Water Regulation for PFOA and PFOS, which EPA will release in the fall of 2022.

EPA announced its framework for addressing new and new uses of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The framework outlines EPA's planned approach when reviewing new PFAS and new uses of PFAS to ensure that, before these chemicals are allowed to enter into commerce, EPA will undertake an extensive evaluation to ensure they pose no harm to human health and the environment. The framework supports the Administration's commitment to address the impacts of these forever chemicals and advances EPA's PFAS Strategic Roadmap to confront the human health and environmental risks of PFAS pollution.

On December 18th, EPA announced the new validated Method 533 for testing additional short chain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in drinking water. Method 533 measure PFAS by isotope dilution anion exchange solid phase extraction and liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The lowest concentration minimum reporting levels (LCMRLs) for the method analytes are provided in a table and range from 1.4 to 16 nanograms/L ((ng/L) or parts per trillion (ppt)). The combination of this new method and existing EPA methods can now measure 29 different PFAS compounds in drinking water.

(WASHINGTON, Dec. 14, 2012) - In response to a court order, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today finalized an update to its national air quality standards for harmful fine particle pollution (PM2.5), including soot, setting the annual health standard at 12 micrograms per cubic meter. By 2020, ninety-nine percent of U.S. counties are projected to meet revised health standard without any additional actions. Today's announcement has no effect on the existing daily standard for fine particles or the existing daily standard for coarse particles (PM10), which includes dust from farms and other sources), both of which remain unchanged.

EPA announced a broad public engagement and outreach effort to discuss how the agency will approach the rulemaking process to address unreasonable risks found in the final Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) chemical risk evaluations. After issuing the first two final risk evaluations, methylene chloride and 1-bromopropane, EPA is moving into the risk management phase and is hosting a robust process to gain important feedback from stakeholders on the options for managing those risks. EPA is holding two public webinars in September 2020 to kick off this outreach effort. Each will provide an overview of the TSCA risk management process and the tools available to manage the unreasonable risks. The first webinar, scheduled for 16 September 2020, will feature a discussion of the findings from the final risk evaluation for methylene chloride. The second webinar, scheduled for 30 September 2020, will include a discussion of the findings from the final risk evaluation for 1-bromopropane. Under TSCA, there are several actions EPA can take to address unreasonable risks including banning a chemical, restricting the manufacturing, processing, distribution or use, warning labels /testing, and requiring manufacturers to notify distributors of any unreasonable risks. EPA has up to one year after issuing a final risk evaluation to propose and take public comments on any risk management actions.

EPA announced important policy changes surrounding risk evaluations issued under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) by the previous administration and the path forward for the first 10 chemicals to undergo risk evaluation. After agency review to ensure these risk evaluations follow science and the law, EPA announced actions to ensure these chemicals are used safely and all communities are protected. This review was done in accordance with the Biden-Harris Administration's Executive Orders and other directives, including those on environmental justice, scientific integrity, and regulatory review.

EPA announced a proposal to revise the federal water quality standards regulations to better protect Tribal rights under the Clean Water Act (CWA). With this action, EPA is working to ensure that state and federal water quality standards will protect tribal rights such as the right to fish or gather aquatic plants--that are reserved through treaties, statutes, executive orders, or other sources of federal law. This proposal, once final, would create a regulatory framework that would be applied on a case-specific basis to help ensure that water quality standards protect resources reserved to tribes, such as fish and wild rice. Additionally, the proposed regulatory framework would provide transparency and predictability for tribes, states, regulated parties, and the public.

EPA's new label helps you identify products with safer chemical ingredients, without sacrificing quality or performance. When you see a product with this new label, it means that every ingredient in the product has been evaluated by EPA scientists against our stringent health and safety standards. Look for products with the Safer Choice label in stores later this spring. Major producers and retailers like Clorox, Walmart, Jelmar/CLR, Earth Friendly Products, Bissel, Wegmans, and hundreds of others have agreed to start putting Safer Choice products on the shelves this year. Learn about the label and find a list of safer products.

WASHINGTON (August 22,2011) -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announced a comprehensive settlement with the Department of the Interior (DOI) to address alleged violations of waste, water, air, toxics and community right-to-know laws at schools and public water systems in Indian Country owned, operated, or the legal responsibility of DOI's Indian Affairs Office. The settlement will protect students' health and the health of communities in Indian Country by reducing potential exposure to environmental hazards.

As part of President Biden's National COVID-19 Preparedness Plan, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is releasing the "Clean Air in Buildings Challenge," a call to action and a concise set of guiding principles and actions to assist building owners and operators with reducing risks from airborne viruses and other contaminants indoors. The Clean Air in Buildings Challenge highlights a range of recommendations and resources available to assist with improving ventilation and indoor air quality, which can help to better protect the health of building occupants and reduce the risk of COVID-19 spread.

This rule amends certain aspects of the hazardous waste manifest regulations under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, specifically about the e-Manifest system. A manifest accompanies shipments of hazardous waste. This rule is intended to reduce the reporting burden on industry and states, increase information availability, improve compliance monitoring, and prepare for future potential integration with biennial reporting requirements. EPA aims to modernize and streamline the manifest process, increasing expected benefits of the e-Manifest system and encouraging further adoption of electronic manifests through increased utility of the system

EPA announced the winners of the seventh annual National Federal Facility Excellence in Site Reuse?Awards. These awards highlight the accomplishments of federal agencies, states, Tribes, local partners, communities and developers in restoring and reusing contaminated land at federal facilities. ?The 2024 Federal Facility Excellence in Site Reuse winners are: • Superfund National Priorities List Award: Oak Ridge Reservation, Tennessee (Department of Energy – Office of Environmental Management). • Base Realignment and Closure Award:?Former Norton Air Force Base, California (Air Force). Under the Base Realignment and Closure Act, the former Air Force base closed in 1994. • Superfund Non-National Priorities List Award:?Tuba City Disposal Site, Arizona (Department of Energy – Office of Legacy Management). EPA has ongoing cleanup and property transfer responsibilities at nearly 2,400 federal facility sites, including 175 federal facilities on the Superfund National Priorities List. The agency promotes innovative, cost-effective cleanups at other federal facilities by working with federal agencies, state, Tribal, and local governments, communities, and developers to ensure that facilities meet environmental standards and undergo redevelopment for both public and private-sector reuse.

EPA has ongoing cleanup and property transfer responsibilities at nearly 2,400 federal facility sites including 175 federal facilities on the Superfund National Priorities List, which are some of the largest and most complex cleanup sites in the U.S. The Agency also promotes innovative, cost-effective cleanups at other federal facilities by working with federal agencies, Tribes, state and local governments, and community representatives to ensure that facilities meet environmental standards and undergo redevelopment for both public and private-sector reuse. To recognize outstanding collaborative outcomes at federal facility sites, EPA created the National Federal Facility Excellence in Site Reuse award. The 2023 Federal Facility Excellence in Site Reuse Award winners are: Middlesex Sampling Plant, Middlesex, New Jersey (Department of Energy – Office of Legacy Management) and Former Bannister Federal Complex, Kansas City, Missouri (Department of Energy - National Nuclear Security Administration).

University of Central Florida (UCF) is the winner of EPA's 2011 Energy Star National Building Competition: Battle of the Buildings. In its second year, the competition featured teams from 245 buildings across the country in a head-to-head battle to save energy, reduce costs, and protect people's health and the environment.

EPA is recognizing landmark green chemistry technologies developed by industrial pioneers and leading scientists that are contributing to the use of chemicals and products that are safer for people's health and the environment. The Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Awards are presented in five categories: academic, small business, greener synthetic pathways, greener reaction conditions and designing greener chemicals.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is recognizing landmark green chemistry technologies developed by industrial pioneers and leading scientists that turn potential environmental issues into business opportunities, spurring innovation and economic development. The Green Chemistry Challenge Award winners will be honored on June 12 at a ceremony in Washington, DC. Find out more about the winners and their innovative technologies at this website.

EPA announced the winners of the 2022 Green Chemistry Challenge Awards which recognize new and innovative green chemistry technologies that provide solutions to significant environmental challenges and spur innovation and economic development. In support of the Biden-Harris Administration's commitment to tackle the climate crisis, EPA added a new award category this year that recognizes technology that reduces or eliminates greenhouse gas emissions.

EPA is announcing the winners of the 2023 Green Chemistry Challenge Awards for new and innovative green chemistry technologies. Through the design of chemical products and processes that reduce or eliminate the generation and use of hazardous substances, this year's winners have developed solutions to significant environmental challenges such as climate change and spur innovation and economic development. An independent panel of technical experts convened by the American Chemical Society Green Chemistry Institute formally judged the 2023 submissions and made recommendations to EPA.

EPA is announcing the winners of the 2023 Green Chemistry Challenge Awards for new and innovative green chemistry technologies. Through the design of chemical products and processes that reduce or eliminate the generation and use of hazardous substances, this year's winners have developed solutions to significant environmental challenges such as climate change and spur innovation and economic development.

EPA announced winners of the 2024 Regional Pollution Prevention Recognition Awards. EPA Regions 4, 5, 8, 9 and 10 are recognizing 17 businesses that have demonstrated leadership in innovative pollution prevention practices which reduce, eliminate, or prevent pollution at its source prior to recycling, treatment, or disposal. The United States produces billions of pounds of pollution each year and spends billions of dollars per year controlling it. Preventing pollution at the source rather than managing waste afterwards is an important way to support American businesses while reducing exposure to toxic chemicals in communities and conserving natural resources. These practices are essential for protecting health, improving environmental conditions–including in and around disadvantaged communities–and preserving natural resources like wetlands, groundwater sources, and other critical ecosystems. This year's winners represent a broad range of companies, from large corporations to small businesses. These companies stand out for their work preventing pollution by having reduced their use of water or energy, substituted high-risk chemicals with safer alternatives and cut their creation of hazardous waste.

For the 15th year, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has recognized pioneering chemical technologies developed by leading researchers and industrial innovators who are making significant contributions to pollution prevention in the United States. The Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Awards recognize and promote green chemistry technologies, including cleaner processes; safer raw materials; and safer, better products. They also highlight the environmental and economic benefits of novel green chemistry.

The U.S. EPA Region 4 today has approved the Tennessee Valley Authority's (TVA) selected cleanup plan for the next phase of coal ash removal at the TVA Kingston site in Roane County, Tenn. The cleanup plan, one of three alternatives proposed to the public earlier this year, requires TVA to permanently store on site all of the ash being removed from the Swan Pond Embayment, which includes land and bodies of water adjacent to the TVA coal ash disposal area. The embayment area will then be restored to conditions that protect human health and the environment. The cleanup plan approved by EPA in a signed Action Memorandum (AM) was chosen above the others because of its protectiveness, ease of implementation and cost effectiveness. POC is Davina Marraccini, (404) 562-8293, marraccini.davina@epa.gov.

This month, as part of its 50th anniversary commemoration, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance (OECA) is highlighting the historic contributions of its programs. Ensuring compliance with environmental laws is a central part of EPA's Strategic Plan to protect human health and the environment. During the month of November, EPA social media posts will highlight historic enforcement policies and cases and compliance achievements. The posts will include landmark cases of civil, criminal, Superfund, and federal facility enforcement. These cases represent important milestones in the Agency's efforts to hold violators accountable, increase compliance with environmental regulations and clean up contaminated sites. The posts also will highlight the significant contributions of the enforcement and compliance assurance programs.

EPA's Office of Wetlands, Oceans and Watersheds (OWOW) has announced the availability of a new 11-minute video, "Building Green: A Success Story in Philadelphia," which highlights innovative efforts by green builders in Philadelphia who are helping protect and restore environmental quality and beautify the city. By installing cisterns, green roofs, porous pavers, solar panels, and Energy Star appliances, the builders are capturing rainwater, reducing stormwater runoff, and saving energy. A high resolution Digital Betacam version is also available upon request.

The Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Awards recognize innovative technologies that are making chemicals and chemical processes safer, more efficient, or cleaner. EPA is seeking nominations from companies and institutions that have developed safer chemical processes and products that may reduce the generation and use of chemicals that are hazardous to people's health and the environment. Nominations for innovative technologies that feature the design of greener chemicals/products, greener chemical synthesis, or greener chemical reactions are due by April 30, 2014. Information on past award winners and how to submit entries can be found at: http://www2.epa.gov/green-chemistry.

EPA is now accepting nominations for the 2024 Green Chemistry Challenge Awards from companies or institutions that have developed a new green chemistry process or product that helps protect human health and the environment. EPA's efforts to speed the adoption of this revolutionary and diverse discipline have led to significant environmental benefits, innovation, and a strengthened economy. The awards program highlights green chemistry that helps prevent pollution before it is even created, making it a preferred approach for providing solutions to some of the nation's most significant environmental challenges. Nominations are due to EPA by Dec. 8, 2023. An independent panel of technical experts convened by the American Chemical Society Green Chemistry Institute will formally judge the 2024 nominations and make recommendations to EPA for the 2024 winners. EPA anticipates giving awards to outstanding green chemistry technologies in six categories in fall 2024. Additionally, EPA is announcing a webinar to be held on Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023, from 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. EDT, to educate stakeholders on the Green Chemistry Challenge Awards and the nomination process.

Environmental Protection Agency announced it is now accepting nominations for the 2025 Green Chemistry Challenge Awards from companies or institutions that have developed a new green chemistry process or product that helps protect human health and the environment. EPA's efforts to speed the adoption of this revolutionary and diverse discipline have led to significant environmental benefits, innovation and a strengthened economy. The awards program highlights green chemistry that helps prevent pollution before it is even created, making it a preferred approach for providing solutions to some of the nation's most significant environmental challenges.

The EPA celebrates 50 years of protecting human health and the environment in the United States, on tribal lands, and around the world. As part of the 50th anniversary commemoration, EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler hosted an event at EPA's headquarters in Washington, D.C., where he unveiled the new Ruckelshaus Conference Center in honor of EPA's first administrator, the late William D. Ruckelshaus, and highlighted the many accomplishments of the EPA over the past 50 years. Since 1970, EPA has made significant progress in protecting the nation's water, cleaning up our air and land, and safeguarding human health. Historic milestones include setting the nation's air quality standards to protect human health, regulating the quality of public drinking water, creating the Superfund program to clean up hazardous waste sites, protecting children from exposure to lead-based paint, and recently, launching the first ever United States Federal Strategy for Addressing the Global Issue of Marine Litter and new, modern National Recycling Goal of 50% by 2030.

New as of 18 March 2021, EPA's Climate Change website will guide the public to a range of information, including greenhouse gas emissions data, climate change impacts, scientific reports, and existing climate programs within EPA and across the federal government.

(Boston, Mass. – Oct. 17, 2012) – EPA, in consultation with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) has completed its assessment and final cleanup decisions for the Former A Range, Former K Range and Gun and Mortar Positions located on the northern portion of the Massachusetts Military Reservation (MMR) on Cape Cod. The results of the site investigations concluded that limited actions are necessary at Former A Range including land use controls and site monitoring. EPA determined that no further actions were necessary at the Former K and Gun and Mortar Positions.

EPA is issuing the final series of actions that will ensure that the largest industrial facilities can get Clean Air Act permits that cover greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions beginning in January 2011. The first set of actions will give EPA authority to permit GHGs in seven states (Ariz., Ark., Fla., Idaho, Kan., Ore., and Wyo.) until the state or local agencies can revise their permitting regulations to cover these emissions. EPA is taking additional steps to disapprove part of Texas' Clean Air Act permitting program and the agency will also issue GHG permits to facilities in the state. These actions will ensure that large industrial facilities will be able to receive permits for greenhouse gas emissions regardless of where they are located. In the second set of actions, EPA has issued final rules that will ensure that there are no federal laws in place that require any state to issue a permit for GHG emissions below levels outlined in the tailoring rule.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has published a new compliance advisory titled Federal Facility Compliance with the Asbestos NESHAP. The Asbestos NESHAP requirements protect the public by minimizing the release of asbestos fibers during building renovations and demolitions. This compliance advisory reminds federal facilities of their compliance obligations under the Asbestos NESHAP and the Clean Air Act during building renovations and demolitions, even when those activities are performed by contractors.

The purpose of this advisory is to assist hazardous waste handlers in reducing data quality issues in the e-Manifest system and to support their compliance with the law.

This advisory is intended to notify federal facilities with NPDES permits about an EPA-State enforcement and compliance initiative focused on improving permit compliance and to help permittees with compliance problems achieve or maintain compliance.

View a listing of chemicals that are monitored by EPA's Major Program Systems: Air (AFS), Water (PCS), Hazardous Waste (RCRIS),Superfund (CERCLIS) and Toxics Release Inventory (TRIS).

To help deliver on the EPA commitment to help reduce the potential risks to the public from per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), the agency is announcing three important actions that will better protect all communities from pollution. The Agency's actions include issuing a proposed rule that is designed to gather comprehensive data on more than 1,000 PFAS manufactured in the United States, withdrawing guidance that weakened EPA's?July 2020 Significant New Use Rule (SNUR) restricting certain long-chain PFAS, and publishing a final rule that officially incorporates three additional PFAS into the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI).

EPA memorandum to create a new "EPA Council on PFAS" that is charged with building on the agency's ongoing work to better understand and ultimately reduce the potential risks caused by these chemicals.

EPA has an interpretive statement in response to questions raised about Clean Water Act (CWA) permitting requirements for the application of pesticides to or over the nation's waters. The statement reflects EPA’s belief that a CWA permit is not required where application of a particular pesticide to or over water is consistent with requirements under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). However, EPA is reinforcing for local officials, resource managers, agricultural producers, and other pesticide users the importance of applying pesticides in accordance with their label directions.

This website provides best management practices, tools, research, and cybersecurity resources for water infrastructure. Implementing cybersecurity best practices is critical for water and wastewater utilities. The resources on this website can bring utilities one step closer to cyber resilience.

This letter transmits the EPA Administrator Jackson's decision in the CERCLA federal Facility Agreement related to the former Naval Ammunition Depot in Hasting, NE.

The 6 January 2012 letter from the EPA Assistant Administrator for Enforcement and Compliance Assurance transmitted the EPA Administrator's decision in a Federal Facility Agreement formal dispute initiated by the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) that affirmed the EPA Position issued by the EPA Region 4 Regional Administrator and found the ARARs table developed by EPA and NASA for the OU-12 ROD at the Marshall Space Flight Center had the appropriate level of specificity, and was consistent with CERCLA, the NCP, and EPA guidance. The EPA Position rejected ADEM's assertions that the ROD's ARARs tables should cite broadly to various Alabama statutes and regulations, which would have included administrative provisions and others that were not related to the selected remedy.

EPA announced a direct final rule to delay the reporting period for the October 2023 final rule requiring companies to report on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). The reporting period was scheduled to begin on 12 November 2024, but the final rule delays the beginning of the reporting period until July 2025 due to resource constraints. The reporting rule under section 8(a)(7) of TSCA is a statutory requirement established by the FY2020 National Defense Authorization Act that requires all manufacturers (including importers) of PFAS and PFAS-containing articles in any year since 2011 to report information related to chemical identity, uses, volumes made and processed, byproducts, environmental and health effects, worker exposure, and disposal to EPA.

The EPA announced that in FY 2020 the Agency deleted all or part of 27 sites from the Superfund National Priorities List (NPL). EPA deletes sites or parts of sites from the NPL when no further cleanup is required to protect human health or the environment. Years, and sometimes decades, of complex investigation and cleanup work have gone into getting these sites to where they are today. While EPA encourages site reuse throughout the cleanup process, deletions from the NPL can help revitalize communities and promote economic growth by signaling to potential developers and financial institutions that cleanup is complete. Over the past several years, the EPA has placed special emphasis on deleting sites and portions of sites to demonstrate to communities that cleanup is complete

EPA has designated 31 locations across the country as not meeting the agency's daily standards for fine particle air pollution (PM 2.5), or particulate matter.

The EPA Office of Sustainable Communities recently released a report entitled, "Enhancing Sustainable Communities with Green Infrastructure," to help communities better manage stormwater while achieving other environmental, public health, social, and economic benefits. The report aims to help local governments, water utilities, nonprofit organizations, neighborhood groups, and other stakeholders integrate green infrastructure strategies into plans that can transform their communities. This report can help stakeholders create a vision for how green infrastructure can enhance their communities beyond reducing stormwater runoff. It also directs readers to other resources that provide more detailed information that can be tailored to communities' specific climate, goals, and circumstances. To access the report, visit: http://www.epa.gov/smartgrowth/green-infrastructure.html. To view the related blog post, visit: http://blog.epa.gov/epaconnect/2014/10/green-infrastructure-helping-to-transform-neighborhoods-in-cleveland-and-across-the-nation/.

The EPA is hosting a quarterly webinar series to highlight challenges and successes in lead service line identification and replacement programs at utilities and states across the country. These webinars will feature case studies from water systems and states who have implemented or are in the process of implementing lead service line replacement programs. Presentations will include: best practices, lessons learned, challenges, funding, procedures, and available resources.

ECHO Notify provides weekly email notifications of changes to enforcement and compliance data in ECHO. Notifications are tailored to the geographic locations, facility IDs, and notification options that you select. ECHO Notify provides information on all EPA enforcement and compliance activities as well as activities of state and local governments under the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, and the Safe Drinking Water Act.

EPA today announced over 100 federal enforcement actions completed over the last year that require entities like renovation contractors, landlords and property managers to protect communities and public health from exposure to lead. Lead paint is the main way people are exposed to lead in the United States, and lead exposure can cause a range of health problems, from behavioral disorders and learning disabilities to seizures and death, putting young children and their developing nervous systems at the greatest risk. From October 2015 through September 2016, EPA entered into 123 settlements for alleged violations of one or more of the three lead-based paint rules--the Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Rule; the Lead Disclosure Rule; and the Lead-based Paint Activities Rule for abatements--and filed six complaints for ongoing actions. Each settlement requires that the alleged violator return to compliance and, in most cases, pay civil penalties. Collectively, the settlements require violators to pay $1,046,655 in penalties.

Presentation for FES 2022 environmental compliance webinar.

EPA has announced an agreement with the U.S. Army to close four illegal large capacity cesspools on Oahu and eight on the Big Island. The Army will pay a $100,000 fine, the first time EPA has imposed a civil penalty against a federal government facility for operating banned cesspools.

EPA launched enhancements to an online search tool for its Recommendations of Specifications, Standards, and Ecolabels for Federal Purchasing. The search tool makes it easier to view and sort standards and ecolabels that EPA recommends U.S. federal government purchasers use to meet sustainable acquisition goals and mandates. It allows users to identify the types of products or services covered by an ecolabel or standard, provides information on product and supplier availability, and links to product registries. The tool also includes a new feature to highlight how the standards and ecolabels address per- or polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and plastics reduction. Consistent with the federal government's goal to avoid procurement of products containing any type of PFAS, EPA will no longer highlight ecolabels or standards that only address individual chemicals like PFOA and/or PFOS. These enhancements are an important step in the federal government's ongoing efforts to address PFAS in products and procurement and underscores the accelerated priority to combat PFAS. EPA's Recommendations for federal purchasing are an important resource for implementing the Biden-Harris Administration's Federal Sustainability Plan, which directs federal agencies to maximize the procurement of sustainable products and services and follow EPA's Recommendations.

The Environmental Justice and Civil Rights in Permitting FAQs provides information to EPA, federal, tribal, state, and local environmental permitting programs on how to integrate EJ into their permitting processes. It also outlines how recipients of EPA financial assistance are obligated to comply with federal civil rights statutes, including Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, in their permitting processes.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced an extension of the public comment period on the Administrative Record for the Administrative Order and Agreement on Consent (AOC) entered into between EPA and the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) regarding the TVA Kingston Fossil Fuel Plant Release Site, in Roane County, Tenn. The Administrative Record file includes the AOC itself, as well as the documents which support the AOC. All interested persons are encouraged to review and comment on the documents.

EPA announced an interim final rule to extend the dates of the reporting period for data submitted on the manufacture of perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). This extension will allow EPA to further develop and test the software being used to collect the data from manufacturers, thereby providing critical feedback to EPA, including what additional guidance would be useful for the reporting community. Under section 8(a)(7) of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), EPA finalized a rule in October 2023 requiring anyone who has manufactured (including imported) a PFAS in any year from 2011 through 2022 to submit information to EPA regarding manufacturing, use, disposal, byproducts, worker exposures, and environmental and health effects of those PFAS. This interim final rule delays the start of the submission period by nine months, from 11 July 2025 to 13 April 2026. Submissions will now be due by 13 October 2026, for most manufacturers, and by 13 April 2027, for small manufacturers reporting exclusively as article importers. https://www.federalregister.gov/public-inspection/2025-08168/perfluoroalkyl-and-polyfluoroalkyl-substances-data-reporting-and-recordkeeping-under-the-toxic