EPA is sharing Federal Facilities these enforcement highlights to raise awareness within the federal community of the types of issues that have contributed to non-compliance and EPA enforcement, along with relevant compliance assistance information. Last updated 11/22/2021.

To overcome the difficulties posed by contamination at Federal facilities, the Federal Facilities Restoration and Reuse Office (FFRRO) works with the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), Department of Energy (DOE), and other Federal entities to develop creative, cost-effective solutions to their environmental problems. FFRRO's overall mission is to facilitate faster, more effective, and less costly cleanup and reuse of federal facilities.

WASHINGTON (June 19, 2019) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued the final Affordable Clean Energy (ACE) rule – replacing the prior administration's overreaching Clean Power Plan (CPP) with a rule that restores the rule of law and empowers states to continue to reduce emissions while providing affordable and reliable energy for all Americans.

EPA has finalized an agreement with the Louisiana Department of Environmental (LDEQ), Louisiana Military Department (LMD), and the U.S. Army (Army) to dispose of 15 million pounds of abandoned explosives at Camp Minden, La. Under the final agreement, the Louisiana Military Department will control burn more than 15 million pounds of smokeless propellants in specifically designed burn trays with funding provided by the United States liability fund, on behalf of the Army. EPA and LDEQ will oversee the work and environmental safety

Environmental Protection Agency is announcing the cancellation of all products containing the pesticide dimethyl tetrachloroterephthalate (DCPA or Dacthal) under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). In making this decision, EPA relied on the best available science, which included robust studies demonstrating thyroid toxicity. Unborn babies whose pregnant mothers are exposed to DCPA from handling, entering or working in areas where DCPA has already been applied, could experience changes to fetal thyroid hormone levels. These changes are generally linked to low birth weight, impaired brain development, decreased IQ, and impaired motor skills later in life, some of which may be irreversible. The final cancellation prohibits anyone from distributing, selling or carrying out other similar activities for the remaining pesticide products containing DCPA. It also means that no person can continue using existing stocks of those products. AMVAC has developed a voluntary return program for existing DCPA products. In advance of the cancellation order, AMVAC implemented a plan to identify existing stocks and coordinated a collection process. When the return program concludes in the fall of 2024, EPA will continue monitoring this process to ensure that the collected DCPA products are disposed in a manner in accordance with applicable laws. EPA plans to release additional information about any remaining stocks in the coming months.

EPA finalized amendments to the 2018 Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Fees Rule that will strengthen the agency's ability to successfully implement the law in a sustainable way, will improve the efficiency of EPA's chemical reviews, and ensure these reviews result in necessary health and safety protections. The amendments update how EPA will recover authorized costs of the law's implementation and ensure that collected fees provide the Agency with 25% of authorized costs consistent with direction from Congress. The 2016 amendments to TSCA greatly increased EPA's authority and responsibility to protect people and the environment from toxic chemicals. While Congress provided EPA with new authority to collect fees to offset up to 25% of authorized TSCA implementation costs, the 2018 TSCA Fees Rule resulted in collection of less than half of the costs EPA had the authority to collect, adding to implementation challenges caused by insufficient resources.

EPA has finalized an Administrative Consent Order with the U.S. Department of the Navy and the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) that requires steps to ensure the safe defueling and closure of the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. The Consent Order also includes provisions to ensure that the Navy properly operates and maintains the Joint Base's drinking water system to protect the health and safety of its consumers and the aquifer feeding the system. This is the latest step in EPA's work to oversee the Navy and DOD's response to the November 2021 fuel release at Red Hill and the process following the decision to close Red Hill.

Finalized in November 2013, this slide deck from EPA provides training for Federal procurement of computer desktops, notebooks, integrated systems, thin clients, workstations, displays, televisions, printers, copiers, scanners, fax machines, multifunction devices, digital duplicators and mailing machines that meet the requirements of the IEEE standards.

EPA finalized a rule that streamlines and modernizes the review of permits by the Agency's Environmental Appeals Board (EAB) for the first time in nearly three decades. Additionally, the final rule provides more flexibility to regulated parties, states and tribes, and the public.

WASHINGTON (Dec. 20, 2021) – Today, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is finalizing the most ambitious federal greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions standards for passenger cars and light trucks ever. The final standards, for Model Years (MY) 2023 through 2026, leverage advances in clean car technology to unlock $190 billion in net benefits to Americans, including reducing climate pollution, improving public health, and saving drivers money at the pump. The final rule also delivers more net benefits to consumers than the proposed rule showcasing how zero-emission vehicles are more affordable and more efficient for consumers.

On December 22nd, EPA announced final emission standards under the Clean Air Act for new marine diesel engines with per-cylinder displacement at or above 30 liters (called Category 3 marine diesel engines) installed on U.S.-flagged vessels. The final engine standards are equivalent to those adopted in the amendments to Annex VI to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (a treaty called "MARPOL"). The emission standards apply in two stages: near-term standards for newly-built engines will apply beginning in 2011, and long-term standards requiring an 80 percent reduction in nitrogen dioxides (NOx) will begin in 2016.

EPA announced the agency's final decision to retain the existing National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for particulate matter (PM) set by the Obama-Biden Administration without changes. The decision to retain existing standards set by the Obama-Biden Administration, which applies to the NAAQS for both fine and coarse particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), comes after careful review and consideration of the most recent available scientific evidence and technical information, consultation with the agency's independent scientific advisors, and consideration of more than 60,000 public comments on the proposal.

EPA issued a final rule under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program that establishes the biofuel volume requirements for 2023 to 2025. This final rule builds on the RFS program's progress over the previous two years and reflects the Administration's commitment to strengthen the nation's energy independence, advance low-carbon fuels, and support agricultural communities. The final rule strengthens U.S. energy security by reducing reliance on foreign sources of oil by roughly 130,000 to 140,000 barrels of oil per day over the time frame of the final rule, 2023–2025. The final rule also discusses EPA's intent to monitor the ongoing implementation of the RFS program and its impacts on domestic refineries, which have a critical role to play in our energy security. The Set Rule establishes the biofuel volume requirements and associated percentage standards for cellulosic biofuel, biomass-based diesel (BBD), advanced biofuel, and total renewable fuel for 2023–2025. It also completes EPA's response to a court remand of the 2016 annual rule by establishing a supplemental volume requirement of 250 million gallons of renewable fuel for 2023.

EPA finalized regulatory changes that address several key issues in the Polychlorinated Biphenyls Cleanup and Disposal program under the Toxic Substances Control Act. This final rule expands the available options for extraction and determinative methods used to characterize and verify the cleanup of PCB waste, which would greatly reduce the amount of solvent used in PCB extraction processes. EPA also finalized more flexible provisions to facilitate cleanup of waste during emergencies (e.g., hurricanes or floods), strengthened protections for the performance-based disposal option for PCB remediation waste, and made other updates to the regulations. EPA's revisions are based on the emergence of new science and information about PCBs, the advancement of analytical methods and technology, and requests from the regulated community to address concerns and improve the clarity of the regulations.

EPA is announcing a final rule to restore the pesticide Application Exclusion Zone (AEZ) requirements under the 2015 Agricultural Worker Protection Standard (WPS). The AEZ is an area surrounding outdoor pesticide application equipment where people are prohibited while pesticides are applied. This rule finalizes the agency's 2023 proposed rule without change and advances the Administration's commitment to environmental justice, protecting farmworkers, pesticide handlers, their families and agricultural communities. It reinstates AEZ protections, extends protections for neighboring communities, makes requirements easier to understand, and provides flexibilities for family farms without compromising protections. These changes are a critical part of EPA's efforts to protect the health of farmworkers and support the agency's priority to advance equity and justice for all communities. Learn more about EPA's extensive efforts to train, support and enhance safe working conditions for agricultural workers at local, state and national levels on EPA's website.

EPA finalized a rule that improves reporting on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) to the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) by eliminating an exemption that allowed facilities to avoid reporting information on PFAS when those chemicals were used in small concentrations. Often referred to as "forever chemicals," PFAS are used at low concentrations in many products, and as a result of removing this reporting exemption, covered industry sectors such as manufacturing, metal mining, and chemical manufacturing, as well as federal facilities that make or use any of the 189 TRI-listed PFAS, will no longer be able to avoid disclosing the quantities of PFAS they manage or release into the environment.

EPA finalized a rule that will provide EPA, its partners, and the public with the largest-ever dataset of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) manufactured and used in the United States. This rule builds on over two years of progress on the Administration's action plan to combat PFAS pollution, safeguarding public health and advancing environmental justice, and is a key action in EPA's PFAS Strategic Roadmap. PFAS are a category of manufactured chemicals that have been used in industry and consumer products since the 1940s. PFAS have characteristics that make them useful in a variety of products, including nonstick cookware, waterproof clothing, and firefighting foam, as well as in certain manufacturing processes. The reporting rule under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) is a statutory requirement under the FY2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) 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 finalized a rule that strengthens its process for conducting risk evaluations on chemicals under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). These improvements to EPA's processes advance the goals of this important chemical safety law, ensure that TSCA risk evaluations comprehensively account for the risks associated with a chemical, and provide a solid foundation for protecting public health, including workers and communities, from toxic chemicals. The rule also includes changes to enhance environmental protections in communities overburdened by pollution, complementing the Administration's ambitious environmental justice agenda.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released the 15th annual U.S. Greenhouse Gas Inventory Report, which shows a drop in overall emissions of 2.9 percent from 2007 to 2008. The downward trend is attributed to a decrease in carbon dioxide emissions associated with fuel and electricity consumption. The full EPA announcement can be found here. The Report can be found here.

(San Juan, P.R. - August 19, 2008) EPA has issued administrative complaints against three federal government entities over violations related to the management of underground storage tanks (USTs) in Puerto Rico. EPA issued an 11-count complaint to the Puerto Rico National Guard and the Army and Air Force Exchange Service for violations of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act at Camp Santiago in Salinas, P.R. EPA also issued a complaint against the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for alleged violations of the Solid Waste Disposal Act at two facilities in Puerto Rico.

(SAN FRANCISCO, September 24, 2013) - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced their settlement with Department of Interior's Bureau of Indian Affairs including civil penalties of $136,000 for violations of the Safe Drinking Water Act at the Keams Canyon Public Water Supply system.

(New York, N.Y. - 02/23/2010) The U.S. Army and the Army and Air Force Exchange Service failed to comply with critical environmental laws related to underground tanks used to store diesel fuel, gasoline and used oil at the West Point Garrison in New York, according to a complaint issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Both military branches failed to monitor, test and keep records for their underground petroleum storage tanks. Leaking underground storage tanks pose significant threats to soil, surface water and ground water across the nation. EPA is requiring the two parties to comply with regulations and is seeking a $167,116 penalty.

(New York, N.Y.) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued a complaint to the Puerto Rico Air National Guard, part of the U.S. Air Force, for improperly managing underground tanks used to store diesel fuel and gasoline at its facility in Toa Baja. Leaking underground storage tanks pose significant threats to soil, surface water and ground water. EPA cited the Puerto Rico Air National Guard for failing to properly monitor its storage tanks for leaks and maintain records of release detection for two underground storage tank systems; the Agency is seeking a civil penalty of $154,353.

Under the first step to its' phase-in approach to GHG permitting, EPA issued a final decision that no stationary sources will be required to get Clean Air Act permits that cover greenhouse gases (GHGs) before January 2011.

EPA released its Fiscal Year 2020 Environmental Justice Progress Report highlighting the agency's progress in advancing environmental justice for minority, low-income, tribal, and indigenous communities across the country. The FY 2020 Report describes how the Agency is working to promote a cleaner, healthier environment, more effective partnerships, and greater certainty, compliance and effectiveness to meet the needs of vulnerable communities to address disproportionate environmental impacts, health disparities and economic distress.

EPA is announcing a two-year grant competition cycle to support two-year P2 assistance agreements. EPA anticipates awarding approximately $7.94 million in federal P2 grant funding ($3.97 million in FY 2016 and $3.97 million in FY 2017) to state entities, federally-recognized tribes and intertribal consortia that propose to deliver P2 technical assistance and/or training to businesses. EPA will not issue a P2 request for proposal (RFP) in FY 2017. Grant funds may be used to support state and tribal-led P2 programs or projects that measurably reduce the environmental footprints of local and regional businesses. Achievements in this regard involve adopting new or expanding existing environmental strategies or solutions that significantly reduce or eliminate pollution from air, water and/or land prior to relying on recycling or waste clean-up. P2 awards may be funded in the form of grants or cooperative agreements and will be issued and managed through EPA's Regional P2 Program Offices. The amount of grant funding released each year is dependent upon Congressional appropriation and the quality of proposals received. The submission deadline is May 9, 2016. A webinar will be given by EPA's P2 Program on Tuesday, March 22, 2016 at 11AM to 1230PM PDT and will include discussion of the P2 grant RFP, among other program information.

EPA's cases resulted in $163 million in combined federal administrative, civil judicial penalties, and criminal fines. Other results include: reductions of an estimated 141 million pounds of air pollutants, including 6.7 million pounds of air toxics; reductions of approximately 337 million pounds of water pollutants; and clean up of an estimated 856 million cubic yards of contaminated water/aquifers.

The program funds two-year Pollution Prevention (P2) assistance agreements for projects expected to be performed in each EPA region that provide technical assistance and/or training to businesses/facilities to help them adopt source reduction approaches (also known as P2).

EPA developed this program to help those communities and non-profit organizations identify financial assistance opportunities for their environmental-oriented development programs. This program was developed to make it easier for applicants to produce more competitive grant applications.

Every year, EPA awards more than $4 billion in funding for grants and other assistance agreements. From small non-profit organizations to large state governments, EPA works to help many visionary organizations achieve their environmental goals. With countless success stories over the years, EPA grants remain a chief tool to protect human health and the environment.

On June 30, 2009, EPA granted a waiver of Clean Air Act preemption to California for its greenhouse gas emission standards for motor vehicles beginning with the 2009 model year.

WASHINGTON (October 13, 2010) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today waived a limitation on selling fuel that is more than 10 percent ethanol for model year 2007 and newer cars and light trucks. The waiver applies to fuel that contains up to 15 percent ethanol – known as E15 – and only to model year 2007 and newer cars and light trucks. This represents the first of a number of actions that are needed from federal, state and industry towards commercialization of E15 gasoline blends. EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson made the decision after a review of the Department of Energy's (DOE's) extensive testing and other available data on E15's impact on engine durability and emissions.

EPA is issuing a decision that grants two requests for waivers of preemption regarding four California Air Resource Board (CARB) regulations related to California's heavy-duty vehicle and engine emission standards. Under the Clean Air Act, California is afforded broad discretion to adopt emissions requirements to meet their significant air quality challenges, but they must seek waivers from EPA for new motor vehicle emission standards. In this instance, CARB requested two waivers for regulations relating to heavy duty vehicles and engines. After reviewing the technical information provided by CARB, reviewing comments submitted by the public, and applying the limited authority for review under section 209 of the Clean Air Act, EPA determined it appropriate to grant the waiver and authorization requests.

This final document, EPA/100/K-09/003, was developed by EPA's Council for Regulatory Environmental Modeling (CREM) to improve the practices associated with the development, evaluation, and application of models for environmental decision making.

This guidance, issued by the Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance (OECA) will increase the use of EMSs in civil settlements and explains how they will be used to address the root causes of violations and the risks they pose to communities and ecosystems. In addition, EPA is working with the U.S. Department of Justice to seek EMSs in appropriate criminal plea agreements to achieve beneficial outcomes for the environment. EPA also has issued a memorandum, Expanding the Use of Supplemental Environmental Projects (SEPs), to encourage and expand their use in enforcement settlements and in community involvement. The EMS guidance is an extension of EPA’s May 2002 Position Statement on EMSs, in which the agency committed to promote EMS use and emphasize the adoption of EMSs to achieve improved environmental performance and compliance and pollution prevention through source reduction.

EPA has released the "Guidance for Conducting Risk Management Program Inspections under Clean Air Act Section 112(r)" (EPA 550-K-11-001, January 2011). This document updates and supersedes the "Guidance for Auditing Risk Management Plans/Programs under CAA Sect. 112(r)" of August 1999. The new document includes updated EPA policy on involvement of facility employees and employee representatives in EPA and delegated state agency on-site compliance inspections. Additionally, the guidance reflects the Agency's focus on inspections as a means of facility oversight, and provides additional information on CAA Section 112(r) inspection procedures. EPA's interim policy on involvement of employees and employee representatives in CAA Section 112(r) on-site compliance evaluations established in the Agency's April 2, 2010 memo is hereby superseded.

EPA provides information to homeowners and assistance to state and local governments to improve the management of septic systems to prevent failures that could harm human health and water quality.

This memorandum, dated 25 January 2018, withdraws the "once in always in" policy for the classification of major sources of hazardous air pollutants under section 112 of the Clean Air Act. With the new guidance, sources of hazardous air pollutants previously classified as "major sources" may be reclassified as "area" sources at any time, provided the facility limits its potential to emit below major source thresholds.

EPA in conjunction with the Pesticide Educational Resources Collaborative (PERC) is making available a guide to help users of agricultural pesticides comply with the requirements of the 2015 revised federal Worker Protection Standard. You should read this manual if you employ agricultural workers or handlers, are involved in the production of agricultural plants as an owner/manager of an agricultural establishment or a commercial (for-hire) pesticide handling establishment, or work as a crop advisor.

EPA's detailed guidance document on how recycling and disposal of hand sanitizer is regulated and safety considerations to keep in mind. The purpose of this memo is to provide details about how RCRA hazardous waste regulations and exemptions apply to different scenarios for recycling excess alcohol-based sanitizer.

The TSCA Inventory is a list of all existing chemicals manufactured, processed or imported in the U.S. This biannual update to the public TSCA Inventory is part of EPA's regular posting of non-confidential TSCA Inventory data. This update coincides with the 2024 Chemical Data Reporting?(CDR) cycle submission period beginning 1 June 2024. Manufacturers (including importers) should refer to the latest TSCA Inventory to help them determine what chemicals to report on under the CDR rule. The next regular update of the TSCA Inventory is planned for early 2025. The TSCA Inventory now contains 86,770 chemicals of which 42,377 are active in U.S commerce. Other updates to the TSCA Inventory include updates to commercial activity data and regulatory flags (e.g., significant new use rules). Additional substances continue to be listed with their specific chemical identities after having been moved from the confidential portion of the TSCA Inventory to the public portion as part of EPA's ongoing TSCA confidential business information review efforts. Since the TSCA Inventory was last updated in February 2024, EPA has moved the identities of approximately 133 chemicals to the public portion from the confidential portion.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Mexico's Ministry of Environment along with thirty-six other countries, the European Commission, the Asian Development Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank launched a new Global Methane Initiative that urges stronger international action to address near-term climate change.

EPA released "A Year of Progress Under EPA's PFAS Strategic Roadmap," which underscores key actions taken by the agency during the first year of implementing the PFAS Roadmap. EPA is implementing a whole-of-agency approach, advancing science, and following the law to safeguard public health, protect the environment, and hold polluters accountable.

EPA will hold 11 public listening sessions across the country throughout October and November to solicit ideas and input from the public and stakeholders about the best Clean Air Act approaches to reducing carbon pollution from existing power plants. The feedback from these 11 public listening sessions will play an important role in helping EPA develop smart, cost-effective guidelines that reflect the latest and best information available. The agency will seek additional public input during the notice and comment period once it issues a proposal by June 2014.

Executive Order 13563 requires each agency to develop a plan to periodically conduct a retrospective review of its regulations, and determine if they are ineffective, insufficient, or overly burdensome, and then revise or repeal as warranted. EPA is developing a review plan and a list of candidate regulations for potential review, and are soliciting feedback on both the plan and the candidate list of regulations. Two listening sessions to be held on March 14th, 2011, and March 17th, 2011.

(SAN FRANCISCO, 06/17/2014)– At a meeting of federal agencies in Phoenix, Ariz. the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recognized Grand Canyon National Park for its efforts to reduce energy use with its prestigious Federal Green Challenge Award. EPA's Regional Administrator for the Pacific Southwest, Jared Blumenfeld, presented the award to Tim Jarrell, Chief of the Park's Facilities Management Division. "At the Grand Canyon National Park, greenhouse gas emissions were slashed when energy consumption was cut by 32 percent," said Regional Administrator Blumenfeld. "Federal agencies participating in the Pacific Southwest program saved over $31.8 million by reducing waste, water, and energy use over the past two years."

The Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Awards promote the environmental and economic benefits of developing and using novel green chemistry. These prestigious annual awards recognize chemical technologies that incorporate the principles of green chemistry into chemical design, manufacture, and use. EPA's Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention sponsors the Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Awards in partnership with the American Chemical Society Green Chemistry Institute® and other members of the chemical community including industry, trade associations, academic institutions, and other government agencies. View summaries of the award winning efforts on the website.

A collection of all the Hotlines and Clearinghouses hosted by the US EPA.

Starting today, EPA will reject a certain type of confidentiality claim, known as Confidential Business Information (CBI), on the identity of chemicals. The chemicals that will be affected by this action are those that are submitted to EPA with studies that show a substantial risk to people's health and the environment and have been previously disclosed on the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Chemical Inventory.

EPA's website on EMS includes information and resources related to EMS for small businesses and private industry, as well as local, state and federal agencies.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a new review of the Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) to ensure the standards reflect the most current, relevant science and protect people's health from these harmful pollutants. EPA Administrator Michael Regan reached this decision after carefully considering advice provided by the independent Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee (CASAC). In October 2021, EPA announced a reconsideration of the previous Administration's decision to retain the NAAQS for ozone. EPA is incorporating the ongoing reconsideration into the review announced today and will consider the advice and recommendations of the CASAC in that review. The Agency will move swiftly to execute this new review of the underlying science and the standards – prioritizing transparency, scientific integrity, inclusive public engagement, and environmental justice.

EPA is considering two possible modifications to existing regulations: (1) establishing standard National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit conditions for publicly owned treatment works (POTWs) permits that specifically address sanitary sewer collection systems and SSOs; and (2) clarifying the regulatory framework for applying NPDES permit conditions to municipal satellite collection systems. EPA will hold public listening sessions and the public can submit written comments. EPA will accept written comments on the potential rule until 60 days after publication in the Federal Register.

EPA is announcing the release of an interim report, Evaluation of Combined Heat and Power Technologies for Wastewater Facilities, which serves as a planning-level tool for wastewater professionals and provides an examination of commonly used and emerging combined heat and power (CHP) technologies for converting anaerobic digester gas to electrical power and process heat.

EPA is hosting three informational webinars on the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) expected to be issued under the Inflation Reduction Act's Environmental and Climate Justice (ECJ) Grant Program in 2023. These webinars will provide information on the NOFO and the ECJ Grant Program including who is eligible for the grants, eligible projects, and more. The Agency is seeking public input on the NOFO during the webinars and hopes to hear ideas on potential projects and the types of resources applicants may need.?These webinars are intended for potential applicants and other interested parties.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), this document announces that EPA is planning to submit a request) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to renew an existing approved Information Collection Request (ICR) concerning the standardized permit for RCRA hazardous waste management facilities. This ICR is scheduled to expire on January 31, 2012. Before submitting the ICR to OMB for review and approval, EPA is soliciting comments on specific aspects of the proposed information collection as described below. POC is Jeff Gaines, Office of Resource Conservation and Recovery, (5303P), Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460; telephone number: 703-308-8655; fax number: 703-308-8617; e-mail address: gaines.jeff@epa.gov(Federal Register: August 9, 2011 [Notices], Pages 48857-48859).

WASHINGTON (October 4, 2010) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is issuing a Clean Water and Drinking Water Infrastructure Sustainability Policy with the goal of increasing the sustainability of water and wastewater infrastructure in the United States. Communities across the country are facing challenges in making costly upgrades and repairs to their aging water infrastructure, which include sewer systems and treatment facilities. Making this infrastructure last longer while increasing its cost-effectiveness is essential to protecting human health and the environment, and maintaining safe drinking water and clean water bodies. The new policy is part of EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson's priority to protect America's waters.

EPA issued a draft memorandum for public comment that communicates EPA's approach on when and how to consider potential adverse climate change impacts in the PCB approval process under the Toxic Substances Control Act. This memorandum would clarify that, for PCB cleanup, storage, and disposal approvals, our determination of no unreasonable risk is to be inclusive of not only current but future conditions at sites and facilities vulnerable to potential adverse climate change impacts. We identify measures that strengthen the resilience of PCB cleanup, storage, and disposal controls to climate change impacts, ensuring the protection of human health and the environment over time. EPA welcomes comment on the memorandum through 26 January 2024.?

EPA released its draft risk evaluation for the flame retardant Tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP) (CASRN 115-96-8) under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) for public comment. EPA has used the best available science to preliminarily determine that this chemical poses unreasonable risk to human health and the environment. This is the first draft risk evaluation EPA has released for the 20 High-Priority Substances prioritized in 2019. EPA has incorporated improvements to the risk evaluation process announced in 2021 into this risk evaluation including an assessment of exposure to potentially exposed and susceptible subpopulations like workers, children, and subsistence fishers.

EPA has established health advisories for perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) based on the agency's assessment of the latest peer-reviewed science to provide drinking water system operators, and state, tribal and local officials who have the primary responsibility for overseeing these systems, with information on the health risks of these chemicals, so they can take the appropriate actions to protect their residents. EPA is committed to supporting states and public water systems as they determine the appropriate steps to reduce exposure to PFOA and PFOS in drinking water. As science on health effects of these chemicals evolves, EPA will continue to evaluate new evidence.

EPA issued an enforcement alert for the lead Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) Rule. There is no safe level of lead exposure, particularly for children. In children, lead can severely harm mental and physical development, slow down learning, and irreversibly damage the brain. In adults, lead can cause increased blood pressure, heart disease, decreased kidney function, and may cause cancer. If someone is impacted by lead exposure, there is no known antidote, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This enforcement alert contains information on the wide range of enforcement tools the EPA can use to deter and penalize violators, including violations by franchises, general and sub-contractors, and people who provide residential improvements. It also explains how renovating, repairing, and painting can expose vulnerable infants and children to dangerous lead-based paint hazards and how EPA acts to ensure environmental justice and enforce the RRP Rule requirements. EPA's enforcement alert includes information about how contractors, who play a critical role in preventing lead exposure, can ensure they are properly trained and certified.

EPA issued an enforcement alert for the lead Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) Rule. There is no safe level of lead exposure, particularly for children. In children, lead can severely harm mental and physical development, slow down learning, and irreversibly damage the brain. In adults, lead can cause increased blood pressure, heart disease, decreased kidney function, and may cause cancer. If someone is impacted by lead exposure, there is no known antidote, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This enforcement alert contains information on the wide range of enforcement tools the EPA can use to deter and penalize violators, including violations by franchises, general and sub-contractors, and people who provide residential improvements. It also explains how renovating, repairing, and painting can expose vulnerable infants and children to dangerous lead-based paint hazards and how EPA acts to ensure environmental justice and enforce the RRP Rule requirements. EPA's enforcement alert includes information about how contractors, who play a critical role in preventing lead exposure, can ensure they are properly trained and certified.

WASHINGTON (June 18, 2020) -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued a final action regarding the regulation of perchlorate under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). Considering the best available science and the proactive steps that EPA, states and public water systems have taken to reduce perchlorate levels, the agency has determined that perchlorate does not meet the criteria for regulation as a drinking water contaminant under the SDWA. Therefore, the agency is withdrawing the 2011 regulatory determination and is making a final determination to not issue a national regulation for perchlorate at this time.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) continues to make addressing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the environment an active and ongoing priority. As part of these efforts, today, EPA is issuing a final guidance document that outlines which imported articles are covered by the agency's July 2020 final rule that prohibits companies from manufacturing, importing, processing, or using certain long-chain PFAS without prior EPA review and approval. There are no significant changes between the final guidance document and the draft document, which was released for public comment in December.

EPA is issuing a final rule to update the list of chemicals subject to Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) reporting to include seven additional per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) for Reporting Year 2024. TRI data is reported to EPA annually by facilities in designated industry sectors and federal facilities that manufacture, process or otherwise use TRI-listed chemicals above specific quantities. The data includes quantities of listed chemicals released into the environment or otherwise managed as waste. Information collected through TRI allows communities to learn how facilities in their area are managing listed chemicals. The data collected is available online and helps to support informed decision-making by companies, government agencies, non-governmental organizations and the public, and advances the Biden-Harris commitments to ensuring environmental justice through improved accountability and transparency for families, workers and communities across the country.

EPA is issuing a final rule to update the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) chemical list to identify nine additional PFAS subject to reporting requirements. TRI data are reported to EPA annually by facilities in certain industry sectors, including federal facilities, that manufacture, process, or otherwise use TRI-listed chemicals above certain quantities. The data collected help to support informed decision-making by companies, government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and the public. The data collected also help inform EPA's efforts to better understand the listed substances. As part of EPA's PFAS Strategic Roadmap, the Agency also proposed a rule in December 2022 to enhance PFAS reporting to TRI by eliminating an exemption that allows facilities to avoid reporting information on PFAS when those chemicals are used in small, or de minimis, concentrations. Because PFAS are used at low concentrations in many products, that rule would ensure that covered industry sectors and federal facilities that make or use TRI-listed PFAS will no longer be able to rely on the de minimis exemption to avoid disclosing their PFAS releases and other waste management quantities for these chemicals

EPA announced a final rule to restore the fundamental authority granted by Congress to states, territories, and Tribes to protect water resources that are essential to healthy people and thriving communities. The agency's final CWA Section 401 Water Quality Certification Improvement Rule will support clear, efficient, and focused water quality reviews of infrastructure and development projects that are key to economic growth. Clean Water Act Section 401 enables states, territories, and authorized Tribes to protect their water quality from adverse impacts of construction or operation of federally permitted projects. Under Section 401 of the Act, a federal agency may not issue a license or permit to conduct any activity that may result in any discharge into a water of the US, unless the appropriate state, territory, or authorized Tribe issues a CWA Section 401 water quality certification or waives certification. EPA's 2023 rule realigns the scope of Section 401 certification with decades of established practice and restores and strengthens the role of states, territories, and authorized Tribes. The rule enhances certification review and provides regulatory certainty to advance federally permitted projects. The rule emphasizes that states, territories, and Tribes may only consider the adverse water quality-impacts from the activity. The rule also provides a clear approach to defining the required contents in a request for certification.

(WASHINGTON, December 21, 2011) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards, the first national standards to protect American families from power plant emissions of mercury and toxic air pollution like arsenic, acid gas, nickel, selenium, and cyanide. The standards will slash emissions of these dangerous pollutants by relying on widely available, proven pollution controls that are already in use at more than half of the nation's coal-fired power plants.

The Plan identifies the measurable environmental and human health outcomes the public can expect over the next four years and describes how we intend to achieve those results.

The U.S. EPA is making available guidance and tools to help state and local air permitting authorities identify cost-effective pollution reduction options for greenhouse gases (GHGs) under the Clean Air Act.

(WASHINGTON, January 11, 2011) – Several weeks ago, EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson committed to address hexavalent chromium (also known as chromium-6) in drinking water by issuing guidance to all water systems on how to assess the prevalence of the contaminant. Today, the agency is delivering on that promise and has issued guidance recommending how public water systems might enhance monitoring and sampling programs specifically for hexavalent chromium. The recommendations are in response to emerging scientific evidence that chromium-6 could pose health concerns if consumed over long periods of time.

This guidance explains technical and policy approaches available to states, territories and authorized tribes that are adopting the water quality criterion for methylmercury into their water quality standards. As states, territories and authorized tribes adopt these criterion, federal facilities will become subject to the criterion. This is EPA document # 823-R-10-001.

This guidance document, issued November 2010, provides information on flexible tools and techniques that may help a public water system (PWS) tailor a program to meet its water loss prevention needs and maintain its infrastructure to deliver clean, safe drinking water to customers.

EPA has released updated enforcement discretion guidance regarding the treatment of tenants concerned about CERCLA liability at contaminated and potentially contaminated sites in an effort to support redevelopment opportunities nationwide. As part of the new guidance package, EPA also released model comfort letters specific to renewable energy.

This guide provides federal agencies with information to help them identify and replace mercury-containing non-fever thermometers in their facilities with mercury-free non-fever thermometers.

EPA released a memorandum to states that provides direction on how to use the nation's bedrock clean water permitting program to protect against per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The guidance outlines how states can monitor for PFAS discharges and take steps to reduce them where they are detected, is part of the Agency's holistic approach to addressing these harmful forever chemicals under EPA's PFAS Strategic Roadmap. This action is a critical step in EPA's efforts to restrict PFAS at their source, which will reduce the levels of PFAS entering wastewater and stormwater systems and ultimately lower people's exposure to PFAS through swimming, fishing, drinking and other pathways.

The data in this report was gathered through the Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) database. The report summarizes the data collected for 2007. Federal facilities are listed separately in Section C, beginning on page C-27 of the report.

These standards, issued through EPA's Vessel Incidental Discharge National Standards of Performance final rule, address discharges that occur with normal operation of large vessels. EPA's final rule will help address harmful pollutants, including bacteria, pathogens, oil, grease, and metals while reducing the spread of invasive species that can damage ecosystems and infrastructure. EPA's Vessel Incidental Discharge National Standards of Performance final rule applies primarily to non-recreational, non-Armed Forces vessels 79 feet or longer (such as commercial, research and emergency rescue vessels) and ballast water from fishing vessels and non-recreational, non-Armed Forces vessels less than 79 feet long. Discharges can happen during normal operation of these vessels while operating equipment and systems onboard, such as oil from machinery and wastewater from showers and sinks. Through best management practices and treatment standards, the EPA's final rule addresses 20 discharges and their associated pollutants.

The policy commits the Agency to work with states, tribes, and local communities to increase their resilience to extreme weather events and prepare for the impacts of climate change. The policy is an update of the EPA policy first issued in June 2011.

Working with the states, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is moving forward with its plan to call on certain states to update their Clean Air Act implementation plans to cover greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. These changes will ensure that beginning in January 2011 the largest industrial GHG emissions sources can receive permits. This action is part of EPA's common sense approach to GHG permitting outlined in the spring 2010 tailoring rule. EPA has identified 13 states that need to make changes to their plans, allowing them to issue permits that include GHG emissions. These states include: Ariz., Ark., Calif., Conn., Fla., Idaho, Kan., Ky., Neb., Nev., Ore., Texas, and Wyo.

PHILADELPHIA (August 27, 2007) - Today the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ordered the Department of the Army to move forward with the cleanup of 14 hazardous waste sites on the Fort George G. Meade military base in Anne Arundel County, MD, and adjacent property previously transferred by the Army to the U.S. Department of Interior and now part of the Patuxent Research Refuge.

(DALLAS, TX – March 18, 2014) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued an order to the U.S. Department of the Army to address 15 million pounds of abandoned explosives and propellant stored on the grounds of Camp Minden in Minden, LA.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is issuing a new permit, in accordance with the Clean Water Act, that will provide streamlined permitting to thousands of construction operators, while protecting our nation's waterways from discharges of polluted stormwater from construction sites. Stormwater discharges from construction sites can contain harmful pollutants, such as nutrients, that contaminate waters, increase drinking water treatment costs, and damage aquatic ecosystems. The new permit was shaped by important input from the public and stakeholders to ensure that it provides important protections for waterways, while also providing flexibility to operators.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued its plan for establishing greenhouse gas (GHG) pollution standards under the Clean Air Act in 2011. The agency looked at a number of sectors and is moving forward on GHG standards for fossil fuel power plants and petroleum refineries-two of the largest industrial sources, representing nearly 40 percent of the GHG pollution in the United States.

The final "Policy to Mitigate the Acute Risk to Bees from Pesticide Products," describes methods for addressing acute risks to bees from pesticides. Applications of acutely toxic pesticides would be prohibited under certain conditions when bees are most likely to be present. While the restrictions focus on managed bees, EPA believes that these measures will also protect native bees and other pollinators that are in and around treatment areas.

On Friday, September 25th, a Federal Register Notice was published announcing EPA's issuance of Recommendations for Specifications, Standards, and Ecolabels For Federal Procurement. These Recommendations were issued per direction given to the EPA in the Executive Order 13693 Implementing Instructions. The Federal Register Notice explains this direction, the approach used to develop the Recommendations, the process for continually updating these Recommendations, and more.

The link to the Federal Register Notice and the Recommendations are located here.

Please note that this website will be replaced with a vastly improved version this week, so please check back later to see the new improved version. For now, to get to the FR Notice and the Recommendations, please go to the top box at http://www.epa.gov/greenerproducts, titled "EPA Recommendations of Standards and Ecolabels". The Recommendations are also being added to the GSA's Green Procurement Compilation.

Please feel free to reach out to Holly Elwood at Elwood.holly@epa.gov with any questions.

Algal toxins are a growing problem in the US. Harmful algal blooms (HABs) produce algal toxins that can cause fish kills and contaminate drinking water supplies. This EPA plan outlines actions to address algal toxins in drinking water.

EPA announced a new action to better protect American children from the dangers of lead. This final rule will lower the clearance levels for the amount of lead that can remain in dust on floors and window sills after lead removal activities, known as abatement. These new clearance levels will reduce lead dust-related risks to children in pre-1978 homes and childcare facilities where lead abatement activities take place. After actions are taken to remove lead from a building, those buildings must then be tested to make sure that the cleaning activities were successful. These "clearance levels" indicate that lead dust was effectively removed at the end of the abatement work. EPA's new clearance levels are 10 micrograms (µg) of lead in dust per square foot (ft2) for floor dust and 100 µg/ft2 for window sill dust, significantly lower than the previous levels of 40 µg/ft2 for floor dust and 250 µg/ft2 for window sill dust.

This handout provides a list of tools and descriptions of their uses which are available to state, tribal, and local governments and others to adapt their clean water and drinking water programs to a changing climate.

EPA issued two enforcement alerts addressing regulatory requirements and associated compliance issues at municipal solid waste landfills (MSW landfills). The alerts address Clean Air Act requirements that control the release of landfill gases (LFG), particularly methane, a climate super pollutant from MSW landfills. The alerts provide an overview of the Clean Air Act regulatory requirements related to landfill air emissions and are intended to help address the climate crisis and ensure that landfill owners, operators, and contractors comply with the law and take the necessary steps to avoid potential EPA enforcement actions.

The intent of these revisions is to strengthen the 1988 federal underground storage tank (UST) regulations by increasing emphasis on properly operating and maintaining UST equipment. The revisions will help prevent and detect UST releases, which are a leading source of groundwater contamination. The revisions will also help ensure all USTs in the United States, including those in Indian country, meet the same minimum standards. This is the first major revision to the federal UST regulations since 1988.

EPA released an update to a report highlighting the economic benefits of recycling. By converting waste materials into valuable raw materials, recycling creates jobs, builds more competitive manufacturing industries, and significantly contributes to the U.S. economy. EPA released the most recent Advancing Sustainable Materials Management: Facts and Figures data on national municipal solid waste (MSW) and construction and demolition debris for the year 2018. The Agency began analyzing data on waste and materials recycling more than three decades ago, and EPA has data tables that go back to the 1960s. The combined recycling and composting rate increased from less than 10 percent of generated MSW (trash) in 1980 to 35 percent in 2017, but then dipped to 32 percent, as measured in 2018. Specifically, in 2018, 292.4 million tons of MSW were generated. About 93.9 million tons of MSW were recycled and composted, resulting in a 32 percent recycling rate. An additional 17.7 million tons were managed through other food management pathways. For the Facts and Figures data, EPA enhanced its food measurement methodology to more fully account for all the ways in which wasted food is managed throughout the food system. Finally, EPA added construction and demolition debris management data, so both generation and management of construction and demolition debris are included.

EPA is joining state and local partners to launch SepticSmart Week 2023, a week-long annual campaign to educate homeowners and renters on how to properly maintain their septic systems. When septic systems are well-functioning, the health of the nation's communities and ecosystems is better protected. By being SepticSmart, homeowners can also avoid thousands of dollars in unnecessary repairs. Running from September 18 through September 22 this year, SepticSmart week is a partnership between EPA, state, Tribal, and local officials, wastewater professionals, and homeowners.

EPA has launched the 2013 Energy Star National Building Competition: Battle of the Buildings. Teams from more than 3,000 buildings (include Federal facilities) across the country are competing to see who can most reduce their buildings' energy use. Check out the website for a list of competitors and their progress.

Database of EPA's frequently asked questions.

This new site emphasizes protection and conservation of aquatic ecosystems. The site also provides information on tools to identify and protect healthy watersheds and their components while providing critical information for making strategic decisions to both protect and restore our nation's waters.

Nationwide, more than 6,500 buildings and 125 teams are competing to reduce their energy and water use. In support of President Obama's Climate Action Plan, which calls for businesses to cut waste and become 20 percent more energy efficient by 2020, the competition targets wasted energy in commercial buildings and motivates organizations to improve energy efficiency, reduce harmful carbon pollution and save money. This year's teams hail from supermarket, retail, government, school, banking and many other types of organizations.

The Web site allows the public to stay tuned to key developments, draft work products, schedules of public meetings and events, and have questions answered about the process.