EPA EJ resource page, including: Environmental Justice Considerations In the NEPA Process,Federal Guidance on Environmental Justice, Agency Guidance Related to Environmental Justice and NEPA, Methodologies that Support Environmental Justice Considerations, and other EJ guidance information.

The U.S. Department of Energy is committed to ensuring that the principles of environmental justice are applied to all the DOE's programs, policies, and activities. Learn about the DOE's EJ goals, accomplishments, policies, objectives and events.

Home for the Department of Interior's EJ strategic plan and implementation progress reports.

Home for the U.S. Departement of Health and Human Services' EJ strategic plans and implementation progress reports.

Home for the U.S. Department of Justice's EJ strategy, guidance and implementation progress reports.

Federal, state and other EJ-related funding and support opportunities.

EPA's EJ Collaborative Problem-Solving Cooperative Agreement Program provides funding for eligible applicants for projects that address local environmental and public health issues within an affected community. The EJCPS Program assists recipients in building collaborative partnerships to help them understand and address environmental and public health concerns in their communities

Showcases environmental justice activities, highlights and accomplishments across the 10 EPA regions.

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The Environmental Justice Research Roadmap, dated November 2015, describes the interface between environmental justice and science and outlines opportunities that exist in the link between environmental equity and technology and is a key element in EPA's 2020 EJ Action Agenda.

On this website, you will find information about what federal agencies are doing to advance environmental justice in communities across America. The Environmental Justice Scorecard is the first-ever government-wide assessment of what the federal government is doing to advance environmental justice. The Environmental Justice Scorecard was created to assess the federal government's progress on advancing environmental justice, to provide transparency for the public, and to increase accountability for federal agencies.

This tool uses high resolution maps combined with demographic and environmental data to identify places with potentially elevated environmental burdens and vulnerable populations. EJSCREEN's simple to understand color-coded maps, bar charts, and reports enable users to better understand areas in need of increased environmental protection, health care access, housing, infrastructure improvement, community revitalization, and climate resilience.

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EPA's training page for various EJ-related webinars conducted for state and government entities.

The EJ webinar series for tribes and indigenous peoples seeks to enhance EJ integration, build capacity, raise awareness of EPA and other federal programs and resources, and provide technical assistance to tribes and indigenous peoples on priority environmental, public health, and other EJ concerns. Please note that the webinars are recorded and available at the website a few weeks after the webinar.

Offered by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, this is a general survey course designed for non-attorneys or for attorneys with limited background in environmental law. This is course number 170.

Developed by the Interstate Technology & Regulatory Council (ITRC) and dated February 2005. This document is designed to help range operators, regulators, and others develop a consistent approach to the evaluation and deployment of appropriate practices and technologies at applicable sites.

Members of the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) have developed this handbook which is specifically designed to assist ports in effectively managing their environmental issues.

Supported by the Joint Services, DLA, and the U.S. Coast Guard, this is a collection of EMS policy, case studies, success stories, and FAQs.

An article by Edward A. Boling, Deputy General Counsel for the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ), reprinted with permission from ELR News & Analysis, Environmental Law Institute, Washington, D.C., focusing on the interplay of NEPA and EMS at federal facilities.

This guide is designed to help Federal managers who are considering adopting an environmental management system (EMS).

This guide is designed to explain environmental management system (EMS) concepts and to support and facilitate the development of EMS among small and medium-sized organizations.

This guide is designed to explain environmental management system (EMS) concepts and to support and facilitate the development of EMS among small and medium-sized organizations.

The Executive Summary of a 2 volume in-depth study funded by the EPA Office of Water and Office of Policy, Economics, and Innovation at EPA. This study, was designed to determine if EMSs do in fact improve environmental performance. Baseline information, information on EMS design, and information on changes in performance were collected from each facility over several years. This study was also supported by a number of states, through the Multi-State Working Group on Environmental Management Systems. State managers played a critical role in ensuring data quality and worked closely with a number of facilities involved in the research.

Volumes 1 and 2 of an in-depth study funded by the EPA Office of Water and Office of Policy, Economics, and Innovation at EPA. This study, was designed to determine if EMSs do in fact improve environmental performance. Baseline information, information on EMS design, and information on changes in performance were collected from each facility over several years. This study was also supported by a number of states, through the Multi-State Working Group on Environmental Management Systems. State managers played a critical role in ensuring data quality and worked closely with a number of facilities involved in the research.

EPA Region 1's program to honor those who have exemplified true leadership in protecting public health and New England's environment.

This is a course offered to DoD students to learn the negotiation and communication skills needed to achieve productive agreements with regulators and public stakeholders.

This program offers a complete one-stop introduction to a wide range of environmental issues and decisions that affect small to medium-sized communities. It offers communities the chance to judge their own needs and preferences, and to make informed decisions on their own. Major sections cover:

• Environmental laws and regulations
• Self-assessment
• Planning and comparative risk analysis
• Financial tools and financial self-analysis
• Case studies
• Contact and information directory

Each section includes interactive tools, such as a notebook tool to fill in and save survey forms and keep notes.

EPA memo by EPA Administrator Christine Todd Whitman, May 17, 2002.

EPA's Strategic Sustainability Performance Plan, per EO 13514, Section 8 requirements.

This is a course offered to DoD students to learn proper environmental sampling technique. This include: * basic sampling techniques (grab/composite/multi-increment sampling, avoidance of cross contamination, use of preservatives, etc.) * specific sampling techniques for the following media: soil, potable water, waste water (including storm water), groundwater and hazardous waste * completion of environmental sampling paperwork (e.g. sample container labeling, field log books, chain of custody documentation) * health and safety considerations * field testing techniques (i.e. use of pH meter, conductivity / total dissolved solids meter, temperature indicator and dissolved oxygen meter) * Use of a flow-through cell for micro purging of monitoring wells.

Developed by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the toolkit addresses topics such as: air quality, coastal zone management, community impacts, floodplains, hazardous waste, brownfields, cultural resources, roadside vegetation, wetlands, water quality, drinking water, and wildlife.

U.S. EPA has developed a strategic planning approach called the Data Life Cycle. This cycle includes three phases: Planning, Implementation, and the Assessment. The DQO process contained in the Planning Phases, plans environmental data collection efforts to improve the effectiveness, efficiency, and defensibility of decisions in a resource-effective manner. Use of the DQO approach is intended to ensure that the appropriate type, quantity, and quality of environmental data will be used in decision making with regard to remedial actions and future use/activities at the site. Quality assurance provides quality assurance project plan development (Planning Phases), field data collection and associated quality assurance/quality control activities (Implementation Phases), and data validation and quality control activities (Assessment Phase). This class is ISEERB Approved for all DoD Components. The primary audience is Environmental Restoration Managers, and Environmental Compliance Managers. The course if offered by the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT).

A half-day workshop where local government leaders and EPP experts will discuss the proven benefits and provide practical tips for setting up effective programs.

2006 White House Summit on Federal Sustainable Buildings presentation by Douglas Durst.

This manual identifies, documents, and encourages the use of environmentally sensitive maintenance of dirt and gravel roads. The document provides insight into using natural systems and innovative technologies to reduce erosion, sediment, and dust pollution while more effectively and efficiently maintaining dirt and gravel roads and gives the users a "tool box" full of environmentally sensitive maintenance "tools" and practices.

This EO, dated 13 May 1971, states that Federal agencies shall (1) administer the cultural properties under their control in a spirit of stewardship and trusteeship for future generations, (2) initiate measures necessary to direct their policies, plans and programs in such a way that federally owned sites, structures, and objects of historical, architectural or archaeological significance are preserved, restored, and maintained for the inspiration and benefit of the people, and (3), in consultation with the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (16 U.S.C. 470i), institute procedures to assure that Federal plans and programs contribute to the preservation and enhancement of non-federally owned sites, structures and objects of historical, architectural or archaeological significance.

This EO, dated 21 May 1996, states that the Federal Government shall utilize and maintain, wherever operationally appropriate and economically prudent, historic properties and districts, especially those located in central business areas.

This EO, dated 24 May 1996, addresses the accommodation of sacred sites. Each executive branch agency with statutory or administrative responsibility for the management of Federal lands is required, to the extent practicable, permitted by law, and not clearly inconsistent with agency functions, accommodate access to and ceremonial use of Indian sacred sites by Indian religious practitioners. They shall also avoid adversely affecting the physical integrity of the sacred sites. Where appropriate, agencies will maintain the confidentiality of sacred sites.

The intent of this EO, dated 6 November 2000, is to establish regular and meaningful consultation and collaboration with tribal officials in the development of Federal policies that have tribal implications, to strengthen the United States government-to-government relationships with Indian tribes, and to reduce the imposition of unfunded mandates upon Indian tribes.

This EO, dated 3 March 2003, states that it is the policy of the Federal Government to provide leadership in preserving America's heritage by actively advancing the protection, enhancement, and contemporary use of the historic properties owned by the Federal Government, and by promoting intergovernmental cooperation and partnerships for the preservation and use of historic properties.

This EO, dated 4 February 2004, establishes the Federal Real Property Council to develop guidance for, and facilitate the success of, each agency's asset management plan. The Council is to be composed exclusively of all agency Senior Real Property Officers, the Controller of OMB, the Administrator of General Services, and any other full-time or permanent part-time Federal officials or employees as deemed necessary by the Chairman of the Council. EO 13327 was amended by E.O. 13423, Strengthening Federal Environmental, Energy, and Transportation Management.

Provided for reference, EO 13423 "Strengthening Federal Environmental, Energy, and Transportation Management" required the widespread use of Environmental Management Systems as the framework in which to manage and continually improve sustainable practices. It was revoked by EO 13693.

Reports are available from 7 Federal agencies concerning the restoration and protection of the Chesapeake Bay. Public comment on these reports is requested. The reports were prepared pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13508 of May 12, 2009, Chesapeake Bay Protection and Restoration. The E.O. required that a draft strategy be published for public review and comments together with the final reports prepared by the federal agencies. The draft strategy was made available on 9 November 2008 for comment. Comments on the seven Section 202 reports must be submitted on or before 8 January 2010.

In 2010, GSA formed and led a cross-agency working group (Section 13 Interagency Working Group) to address the feasibility questions outlined in Section 13. Membership included representatives from GSA, Department of Agriculture (USDA), Department of Commerce (DOC), Department of Defense (DOD), Department of Energy (DOE), Department of the Interior (DOI), Defense Logistics Agency (DLA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Federal Trade Commission (FTC), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Small Business Administration (SBA) and the US Postal Service (USPS). The Working Group addressed the feasibility questions raised in Section 13 in a series of meetings where members provided expertise and experience from their agencies' programs and procurement activities. GSA paired the Working Group meetings with additional research activities including interviews with experts, industry, and other Federal Government representatives.

On 10 July 2013 the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) issued "Implementing Instructions: Federal Agency Implementation of Water Efficiency and Management Provisions of Executive Order 13514." These instructions establish guidelines for accounting for Federal water uses as well as measurement and verification methods, and offer strategies for water conservation and reuse. They also provide instructions for prioritizing projects and direct agencies to pursue the most beneficial and cost-effective opportunities first.

The new implementing instructions, dated 10 June 2015, provides Federal Executive departments and agencies with clarifying instructions for implementing EO 13693.

An overview of EO 13834.

The Office of Federal Sustainability has posted a website with resources related to the implementation of EO 13834.

Overview of EO 14057.

The Implementing Instructions for EO 14057, issued August 2022, provides instructions to Federal agencies regarding the implementation of EO 14057 including agency planning, reporting requirements, and accountability.

On August 26, 2010 EPA hosted an initial workshop on C & D Material Diversion and Reuse and the EO 13514 requirements for C & D waste. This event provided an overview of C & D issues, available tools and resources, and lessons learned. It also kicked off an effort to establish a fed-wide "Community of Practice" for C & D issues.

EPA has hired a contractor to help in the required inspections of USTs. This contractor may visit some federal facilities to conduct an inspection. They may or may not be accompanied by a state or EPA regulator.

PHILADELPHIA (September 16, 2009) -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's mid-Atlantic region announced 10 winners of its second annual environmental achievement awards including two from Maryland – the Solid Waste Management Division of Cecil County government and the National Security Agency facility in Fort Meade.

EPA is now accepting applications for a total of $9 million in grants to fund about 24 Great Lakes Restoration Initiative projects to address stormwater runoff pollution from land into water bodies. The funding is made possible by the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.

(November 8, 2006) In a settlement with the U.S. EPA, McGuire Air Force Base in New Hanover Township, New Jersey has agreed to comply with federal requirements to prevent leaks of underground storage tank (UST) systems at the base. The U.S. Air Force, New Jersey Air National Guard and the Army and Air Force Exchange Service will also pay a penalty of $115,000 for the violations.

EPA announced an update to its Drinking Water Treatability Database with new treatment options and scientific references for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The database update will further help states, tribes, and local governments, as well as water utilities, make better decisions to manage PFAS in their communities.

EPA updated the Safer Chemical Ingredients List (SCIL), a living list of chemicals organized by functional-use class that EPA's Safer Choice program has evaluated and determined meet Safer Choice criteria. This update is part of an effort to expand and maintain the SCIL. With this update, there are a total of 1,064 chemicals listed on the SCIL. In this update, EPA added nine chemicals to the SCIL. To expand the number of chemicals and functional-use categories on the SCIL, EPA encourages manufacturers to submit their safer chemicals to EPA for review and listing on the SCIL. The addition of chemicals to the SCIL incentivizes further innovation in safer chemistry, which can promote environmental justice, bolster resilience to the impacts of climate change, and improve water quality. Chemicals on the SCIL are among the safest for their functional use.

This is the text of a speech that was given on 9 October 2014 to the American Bar Association (ABA).

EPA announced the agency's comprehensive Strategic Roadmap to confront PFAS contamination nationwide. The Roadmap is the result of a thorough analysis conducted by the EPA Council on PFAS that Administrator Regan established in April 2021. EPA's Roadmap is centered on three guiding strategies: Increase investments in research, leverage authorities to take action now to restrict PFAS chemicals from being released into the environment and accelerate the cleanup of PFAS contamination.

WASHINGTON (April 23, 2021) -- Today, in conjunction with President Biden's Leaders Summit on Climate, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael S. Regan announced three significant initiatives to support community-driven solutions in North America and in many countries around the world. Through cooperation and partnership, the United States can catalyze meaningful international climate action to reduce greenhouse gas pollution while also unleashing economic opportunities, creating good jobs, and advancing environmental justice. Read more about the 3 initiatives...

To help deliver on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) mission to protect human health and the environment, today Administrator Michael S. Regan issued a memorandum to EPA's senior leadership calling for the creation of 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. The ECP's work will build on the important steps the Biden-Harris Administration has already taken to address these chemicals, including pulling down and updating a PFBS toxicity assessment that had been politically compromised and issued a new assessment backed by career scientists. EPA has also taken action to begin to develop a national primary drinking water regulation, to collect new data critically needed to improve EPA's understanding of 29 PFAS, and to solicit data on the presence and treatment of PFAS in wastewater discharges. The agency also strongly supports President Biden's American Jobs Plan, which calls for investing billions of dollars to monitor and treat PFAS in drinking water.

(WASHINGTON, September 15, 2011) - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is adding 15 hazardous waste sites that pose risks to people's health and the environment to the National Priorities List (NPL) of Superfund sites. EPA is also proposing 11 sites to be added to the list. Superfund is the federal program that investigates and cleans up the most complex, uncontrolled or abandoned hazardous waste sites in the country with the goal of protecting people's health and the environment through long-term and short-term cleanup activities.

WASHINGTON (August 15, 2011) – After a careful review of the science, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is affirming the current national air quality standards for carbon monoxide (CO). The science shows that the current standards protect public health, including those who are most susceptible, and the environment. Since 1980, levels of CO in the air have fallen by 80 percent, mostly as a result of motor vehicle emissions controls.

WASHINGTON (Jan. 7, 2020) -- Aggressively addressing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) is an active and ongoing priority for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Read more ....

(Kansas City, Kan., April 26, 2010) - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 7 announced it is going to reassess the entire Bannister Federal Complex for possible inclusion on the National Priorities List (NPL). The NPL is EPA's list of the most serious hazardous waste sites identified for possible long-term remedial response under Superfund.

This EPA page provides links to information about alternative fuel conversions, vehicle standards and regulations, emission and fuel economy test data, certification procedures, and guidance letters.

EPA and Department of the Army announced their intent to revise the definition of "waters of the United States" (WOTUS) to better protect our nation's vital water resources that support public health, environmental protection, agricultural activity, and economic growth. As described in an EPA declaration requesting remand of the 2020 Navigable Waters Protection Rule, a broad array of stakeholders--including states, Tribes, local governments, scientists, and non-governmental organizations--are seeing destructive impacts to critical water bodies under the 2020 rule. As a result of these findings, today, the Department of Justice is filing a motion requesting remand of the rule. Today's action reflects the agencies' intent to initiate a new rulemaking process that restores the protections in place prior to the 2015 WOTUS implementation, and anticipates developing a new rule that defines WOTUS and is informed by a robust engagement process as well as the experience of implementing the pre-2015 rule, the Obama-era Clean Water Rule, and the Trump-era Navigable Waters Protection Rule.

The final version of the long awaited revision of the regulations which protect from pollution and degradation the streams and wetlands that form the foundation of the nation's water resources has been issued. According to the EPA and Army Corps, the final Clean Water Rule ensures that waters protected under the Clean Water Act are more precisely defined and predictably determined, making permitting less costly, easier, and faster for businesses and industry. The rule is grounded in law and the latest science, and is shaped by public input. The rule does not create any new permitting requirements for agriculture and maintains all previous exemptions and exclusions. Read EPA's press release here.

EPA and the Army Corps have jointly released a proposed rule to clarify protection under the Clean Water Act for streams and wetlands that form the foundation of the nation's water resources. The proposed rule clarifies protection for streams and wetlands. The proposed definitions of waters will apply to all Clean Water Act (CWA) programs. It does not protect any new types of waters that have not historically been covered under the Clean Water Act and is consistent with the Supreme Court's more narrow reading of Clean Water Act jurisdiction. EPA has provided detailed explanations of the impact of the proposed rule on its' website.

WASHINGTON (December 30, 2022) – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of the Army (the agencies) announced a final rule establishing a durable definition of "waters of the United States" (WOTUS) to reduce uncertainty from changing regulatory definitions, protect people's health, and support economic opportunity. The final rule restores essential water protections that were in place prior to 2015 under the Clean Water Act for traditional navigable waters, the territorial seas, interstate waters, as well as upstream water resources that significantly affect those waters. As a result, this action will strengthen fundamental protections for waters that are sources of drinking water while supporting agriculture, local economies, and downstream communities.

EPA and the Army are proposing a new definition of "waters of the United States" that clarifies federal authority under the Clean Water Act. This new definition, when finalized, would replace the 2015 definition. The agencies will take comment on the proposal for 60 days after publication in the Federal Register. EPA and the Army will also hold an informational webcast on 10 January 2019, and will host a listening session on the proposed rule in Kansas City, KS, on 23 January 2019. When published, the link to the Federal Register official version of the proposed definition will be found in the "Regulatory Watch" section of Fedcenter.gov.

EPA and U.S. Department of the Army announced a proposed rule to re-establish the pre-2015 definition of "waters of the United States" (WOTUS) which had been in place for decades, updated to reflect consideration of Supreme Court decisions. This action advances the agencies' goal of establishing a durable definition of WOTUS that protects public health, the environment, and downstream communities while supporting economic opportunity, agriculture, and other industries that depend on clean water. This proposed rule would support a stable implementation of "waters of the United States" while the agencies continue to consult with states, Tribes, local governments, and a broad array of stakeholders in both the implementation of WOTUS and future regulatory actions. The proposed rule would maintain the longstanding exclusions of the pre-2015 regulations as well as the exemptions and exclusions in the Clean Water Act on which the agricultural community has come to rely.

EPA and USCG have signed a MOU stating that they will that jointly enforce U.S. and international air pollution requirements for vessels operating in U.S. waters. The requirements establish limits on nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions and require the use of fuel with lower sulfur content, protecting people's health and the environment by reducing ozone-producing pollution, which can cause smog and aggravate asthma. The most stringent requirements apply to ships operating within 200 nautical miles of the coast of North America. Under the MOU, both the USCG and EPA will perform inspections and investigations, and will take appropriate enforcement actions if a violation is detected.

U.S. EPA has signed an inter-agency agreement with the Department of Defense to remediate the Fort Detrick Area B Groundwater Superfund Site in Frederick, Md. In 2009, EPA listed Ft. Detrick Area B Groundwater on the Superfund National Priorities List (NPL), which required EPA and DoD to sign a federal facility agreement governing the cleanup. Under the Superfund law, the agreement grants EPA final authority over cleanup decisions.

EPA, DOE, and industry leaders have made an agreement on energy efficiency measurements, metrics, and reporting conventions for data center facilities. The new agreement provides guiding principles for data center operators to gauge energy use and create opportunities for improved energy performance.

These settlements stem from what EPA determined was improper demolition work performed at the DOE Hanford Site. In August 2012, in response to complaints from Hanford workers, EPA inspected several demolition sites dating back to 2007. Samples collected by EPA showed remaining debris from the demolitions contained regulated asbestos waste.

The Consent Agreement and Final Order, signed by EPA and US DOE today, addresses two independent Resource Conservation and Recovery Act violations, which occurred in 2013. In the first case, EPA alleged that US DOE moved 136 fifty-five gallon drums of hazardous waste from a permitted area to an unpermitted area, without seeking or obtaining the required permit authorization. In the second case, US DOE submitted a closure plan (in October, 2013) for eight storage units that lacked all the required information as required under an earlier settlement. The plan did not detail how and when any remaining waste and contamination would be removed and disposed of as the project was completed. US DOE is now working with the Washington Department of Ecology to amend the plan to include the needed closure information. As part of this agreement, US DOE will pay a $44,722 penalty.

EPA, in collaboration with the U.S. Department of the Interior and NOAA, have recognized four collaborative landscape partnerships across the country where federal agencies will focus efforts with partners to conserve and restore important lands and waters and make them more resilient to a changing climate. Building on existing collaborations, the Resilient Lands and Waters partnerships located in southwest Florida, Hawaii, Washington, and the Great Lakes region will help build resilience in regions vulnerable to climate change and related challenges. They will also showcase the benefits of landscape-scale management approaches and help enhance the carbon storage capacity of these natural areas.

EPA Region 7 and GSA Heartland have signed an Environmental Working Agreement that outlines a plan to further investigate and manage environmental conditions at GSA-managed facilities within the Bannister Federal Complex in Kansas City, Mo. As part of the combined effort to improve environmental management at the Bannister Federal Complex, EPA and GSA also announced the activation of a community advisory panel which will provide input to a newly created Interagency Environmental Leadership Council on environmental and redevelopment issues.

Under the terms of a consent agreement, GSA will bring the facilities into compliance with federal regulations, either by upgrading or permanently closing and replacing old systems with new ones. In addition, GSA has agreed to voluntarily provide release detection for tanks that store fuel solely for use by emergency power generators and pay a $70,000 penalty.

The EPA and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a joint letter to governors to encourage state and local governments to use federal funding to reduce and remove lead in drinking water in early care and education settings, like elementary schools and daycare facilities. EPA and HHS are delivering on the White House's Lead Pipe and Paint Action Plan by encouraging federal, state, and local governments to use every tool to deliver clean drinking water, replace lead pipes, and remediate lead paint. Funding for this collaborative initiative can come from the American Rescue Plan and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, among other federal resources. President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is dedicating $15 billion to remove lead from drinking. States can also take administrative measures to support the health and safety of children in early care and education settings by establishing or strengthening licensing and monitoring requirements or improving blood lead screening programs. In addition, states can provide technical assistance and resources to meet lead testing and remediation requirements, including use of the EPA 3Ts (Training, Testing, and Taking Action) voluntary program to help schools and childcare facilities in reducing lead in drinking water

On October 17 and 18, 2023, the EPA and HUD will hold a virtual public workshop to receive stakeholder input on the detection, measurement and characterization of lead-based paint to support efforts to reduce lead exposure. EPA and HUD will use information received during the workshop to inform their joint effort to revisit the federal definition of lead-based paint and propose and finalize a revised definition, if necessary. The workshop will cover several topics related to low levels of lead in existing paint, including the potential health effects, the relationship between lead-based paint and dust-lead, possible exposure pathways (e.g., renovation and maintenance, deteriorating paint and direct ingestion), and emerging detection and measurement technologies used to quantify lead in paint. Additionally, EPA and HUD also seek any available new information on lead-based paint characteristics and medical evidence related to low levels of lead in paint to help with EPA and HUD's reevaluation of the definition of lead-based paint. The information shared will increase awareness of exposure pathways that must be considered, inform models that examine the exposure to lead at various concentrations and provide greater context for the impacts a lower definition may have.

The U.S. EPA announced 21 Sep 2011 that it has signed an agreement with the DOD to remediate Joint Base Andrews (formerly Andrews Air Force Base) located in Clinton, Md. The federal facility agreement ensures that cleanup actions proceed with EPA oversight within an enforceable framework, in a manner that protects the community and the environment. The agreement will also give the EPA and the Air Force the framework for investigating new and evolving contamination at the base as it is discovered.

(Boston, Mass. – Sept. 6, 2012) – On Aug. 30, 2012, EPA issued a Consent Agreement and Final Order with the Massachusetts National Guard to resolve EPA allegations of violations of operations and maintenance requirements by the Guard in managing three firing ranges at Camp Edwards. Camp Edwards is located on the northern portion of the Massachusetts Military Reservation (MMR) a 22,000-acre property that has been used for military training activities since 1935. The base is located over an aquifer that is the sole source of drinking water for residents of Cape Cod.

(January 26, 2007) The U.S. EPA reached an agreement with the U.S. Navy that will govern all current and future environmental cleanup work at the former Naval Station Roosevelt Roads base in San Juan, Puerto Rico, which closed in March 2004. The agreement follows a process in which EPA and the Navy held a public meeting and received and responded to multiple public comments.

EPA and NOAA will partner with local governmental entities to improve the sustainability of waterfront communities and protect coastal ecosystems, including anticipating and reducing impacts of climate change. EPA and NOAA will provide technical assistance and training to implement more sustainable construction and land use practices, develop Innovative, web-based tools to better provide the public and local government with essential scientific and technical information, collaborate on the development of the National Coastal Condition Assessment and Reports which depict the condition of the nation's coastal waters based on data collected and analyzed by state agencies, and support place-based projects focused on equitable development and climate adaptation in coastal urban watersheds.

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.

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.