A reminder of important FedCenter information and services that FedCenter offers to its federal and partner members.

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 is proposing to add 16 individual per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and 15 PFAS categories representing more than 100 individual PFAS to the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI). It would also designate them as chemicals of special concern so they must meet more robust reporting requirements, including reporting even for small concentrations. This proposed expansion of TRI would advance the commitments of the Administration and EPA's PFAS Strategic Roadmap to address the health and environmental impacts of PFAS by promoting pollution prevention, and informing the public about environmental releases of these so called "forever chemicals." This proposal also advances the Administration's commitment to environmental justice as well as the Administration's commitment to ending cancer as we know it as part of the Biden Cancer Moonshot by helping to connect the public and regulatory agencies with data to help inform decision-making with regard to chemicals with toxicity, including cancer, concerns because people can use TRI data to identify sources of pollution in their communities and ways that facilities can eliminate or reduce such pollution.

HQUSACE Environmental Division distributes ECOP SITREPs for common situation awareness on environmental topics. The report is compiled from SITREPs from around USACE, including Environmental Division, Army Regional Environmental Coordinators, Environmental and Munitions Center of Expertise, divisions, districts, and other HQ directorates and offices. Highlights in this issue include: Artificial intelligence being leveraged to enhance contingency operations; USACE health physicists participate in 24th annual Radiation Safety Support Team meeting; Summer 2024 edition of The Corps Environment available online; and USACE dredge receives annual safety excellence award for outstanding safety record that includes no reportable accidents or injuries in two years.

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.

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

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.

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

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

EPA released a proposed update to the agency's Recommendations of Specifications, Standards and Ecolabels for Federal Purchasing (Recommendations), which help federal government purchasers and other buyers utilize private sector standards and ecolabels to buy products that are more sustainable and climate-friendly and contain safer chemical ingredients. This is the first time in nearly 10 years that EPA has comprehensively evaluated standards and ecolabels to determine whether to add them to the Recommendations. The Recommendations help to identify thousands of products and services across 35 categories that conserve energy or water, include more recycled content, or reduce the use of PFAS and single-use plastics. By helping federal purchasers identify and procure environmentally preferable products and services, the Recommendations can save taxpayers money, reduce climate impacts, and prevent pollution. The Biden-Harris Administration's Executive Order on Catalyzing Clean Energy Industries and Jobs Through Federal Sustainability direct federal agencies to maximize the procurement of sustainable products and services and to prioritize products and services that meet EPA's Recommendations. The update proposes adding 14 standards and ecolabels to the Recommendations across three new product categories, covering healthcare, laboratories, and clothing and uniforms, and expanding the existing food service ware sub-category.

Abstract submissions are now being accepted until November 15th for the Federal Environmental Symposium. The Symposium will be both an in-person and virtual gathering of federal agencies to provide existing and relevant environmental information to Federal representatives. This event was first offered in 2002 and hosted at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) facility. The main purpose is to encourage partnerships, sharing of information, and best practices amongst Federal facilities. NIH will once again host the symposium virtually via MS Teams videoconferencing platform. Go to FedCenter - 2025 Federal Environmental Symposium

In preparation for National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week (NLPPW), observed Oct. 20-26, 2024, the EPA, the CDC, and the HUD have released outreach materials that organizations, governments and individuals can use to plan and implement local events and activities to educate communities about preventing lead exposure. Each year, NLPPW is a call to reduce childhood exposure to lead by increasing lead poisoning prevention awareness. Approximately three million American households with children under six years old -- including more than two million low-income households -- have lead exposure hazards. Childhood lead exposure is preventable, and NLPPW highlights the many steps we can take to reduce the risk of lead exposure through localized outreach and education.

EPA and USDA updated version of the popular AirNow Fire and Smoke Map to provide millions of people in the U.S. with more information they can use to protect themselves from wildfire smoke. The new version of the map allows users to see activity recommendations at a glance – or to expand the information to see more, including more information on actions to take to protect your health, charts showing how air quality has changed over the past week, and whether there are other fires within 30 miles of their locations. The map makes Smoke Outlook alerts more prominent and links to these forecasts, where available, to help the public better understand the possible impacts of smoke over the next several days. The Forest Service-led Interagency Wildland Fire Air Quality Response Program issues Smoke Outlooks for certain large fires.

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

The DOE announced that it has delivered on Congress's mandate to cut emissions from new or newly renovated federal buildings through the Clean Energy for New Federal Buildings and Major Renovations of Federal Buildings Rule. By meeting the requirements of the Rule, federal buildings will reduce pollution, improve air quality, create good-paying jobs, and take advantage of cost savings from using more energy-efficient equipment. These measures will help advance the adoption of cleaner, more efficient technologies for buildings that will lead the way to achieving President Biden's Federal Sustainability Plan goal of net-zero emissions from all federal buildings by 2045. This Rule, which implements the Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) of 2007, requires federal agencies to phase out fossil fuel usage in new federal building construction or major renovation by achieving a 90% reduction in fossil fuel use for new projects started between fiscal years 2025 and 2029 and completely eliminating on-site fossil fuel usage in new projects beginning in 2030.

In preparation for Pollution Prevention Week (P2 Week), observed Sept.16-20, 2024, the EPA is offering resources to help organizations promote their work in preventing pollution.?This year's theme for P2 Week is "Together We Are One Planet," emphasizing the importance of preventing pollution at home, in communities, in industry and beyond to protect human health and the environment. P2 is essential for protecting public health and improving environmental conditions particularly around disadvantaged communities that have long been overburdened by pollution. P2 Week is an opportunity to spread the word about the importance of P2 and the efforts that P2 practitioners do to help reduce exposure to toxic chemicals, conserve natural resources and reduce cleanup and financial costs for businesses.

EPA , HUD, and HHS announced two complementary agreements to further their "whole of government" approach to strengthen these agencies' shared work in ensuring that children, especially those at high risk, are not exposed to human health risks from lead hazards. These two Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) support commitments made in the Lead and Paint Action Plan, EPA's Strategic Plan , HUD's Strategic Plan, and HHS's Strategic Plan, which seek to reduce lead exposures locally with a focus on underserved communities and promote environmental justice through a whole of government approach. The first MOU expands, updates and reaffirms a 1997 agreement between EPA and HUD to coordinate their enforcement efforts addressing lead-based paint hazards in housing.

The USACE ECOP SITREP for includes discussion on the following: Local cleanup event draws over 100 volunteers to remove debris dumped alongside and in river and build birdhouses to support nesting of native species. New technology represents significant advancement in how USACE maintains its levee and dam relief wells. Off-duty USACE employees assist with oil spill recovery effort in Michigan. Training course explains fundamental concepts of green and sustainable remediation and outlines process for incorporating into USACE environmental remediation. HQUSACE Environmental Division distributes ECOP SITREPs for common situation awareness on environmental topics. The report is compiled from SITREPs from around USACE, including Environmental Division, Army Regional Environmental Coordinators, Environmental and Munitions Center of Expertise, divisions, districts, and other HQ directorates and offices. SEE ATTACHED PDF

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

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

EPA finalized updates to strengthen the Safer Choice and Design for the Environment (DfE) Standard, which identifies the requirements that products and their ingredients must meet to earn EPA's Safer Choice label or DfE logo. These updates strengthen the criteria products must meet to qualify for the voluntary Safer Choice label, supporting the use of safer chemicals in the marketplace. The Safer Choice program makes it easier for consumers and purchasers for facilities like schools and office buildings to find cleaners, detergents and other products made with safer chemical ingredients. Similarly, the DfE program helps people find disinfectants that meet high standards for public health and the environment.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Inspector General is issuing a fraud alert to highlight an increasingly common phishing scam involving fraudulent EPA Notice of Violation letters. In this scam, a fraudster sends a falsified EPA Notice of Violation letter to a target business and requests that the business respond by phone or email.

EPA proposed to designate five chemicals as High-Priority Substances for risk evaluation under the nation's chemical safety law, the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). If EPA finalizes these designations as proposed, the agency would immediately move forward with the risk evaluation process. This step is consistent with a commitment from the Administration to understand and address environmental and toxic exposures to ensure that every community has access to clean air and water, supports the Cancer Moonshot's mission to end cancer as we know it, and bolsters the Administration's efforts to make progress on delivering environmental justice and tackling plastic pollution. The five chemical substances EPA is proposing to designate as High-Priority Substances are: Vinyl Chloride (CASRN 75-01-4), Acetaldehyde (CASRN 75-07-0), Acrylonitrile (CASRN 107-13-1), Benzenamine (CASRN 62-53-3), and 4,4'-methylene bis(2-chloroaniline) (MBOCA) (CASRN 101-14-4).

The USACE ECOP SITREP includes discussion on the Army Deactivated Nuclear Power Plant Program team receives Secretary of the Army Environmental Award. The Chicago Area Waterways Framework Plan wins 2024 Silver Ribbon Award. The Groundbreaking ceremony celebrates start of construction on Kenai River Bluffs Erosion Project in Alaska, and recently published study details practical, low-cost methods for identifying and managing cyanobacteria cells that cause harmful algal blooms. HQUSACE Environmental Division distributes ECOP SITREPs for common situation awareness on environmental topics. The report is compiled from SITREPs from around USACE, including Environmental Division, Army Regional Environmental Coordinators, Environmental and Munitions Center of Expertise, divisions, districts, and other HQ directorates and offices.

EPA's new Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grants program (Community Change Grants) has announced a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for approximately $2 billion dollars in Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) funds in environmental and climate justice activities to benefit disadvantaged communities through projects that reduce pollution, increase community climate resilience, and build community capacity to address environmental and climate justice challenges. These place-based investments will be focused on community-driven initiatives to be responsive to community and stakeholder input. They are designed to deliver on the transformative potential of the IRA for communities most adversely and disproportionately impacted by climate change, legacy pollution, and historical disinvestments.

The Chief Acquisition Officers Council is still accepting submissions for the 2024 Acquisition Excellence Awards. The deadline for nominations is 31 July 2024. These prestigious awards recognize outstanding achievements in federal acquisition, honoring individuals and teams for their excellence, innovation, and best practices. Don't miss this chance to showcase exemplary work and contributions to the acquisition community.

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

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

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

EPA released its 2024-2027 Climate Adaptation Plan, which describes agency actions to address the impacts of climate change and help build a more climate-resilient nation. The plan expands the agency's efforts to ensure its programs, facilities, workforce and operations are increasingly resilient to climate change impacts. EPA plays a central role in the Administration's efforts to tackle the climate crisis and build a climate-resilient nation. The plan builds on work initiated in the 2014 and 2021 EPA Climate Adaptation Plans to incorporate climate adaptation into the agency's programs, policies, rules, enforcement activities and operations. EPA has already made significant strides partnering with other federal agencies, states, Tribes, territories and local governments to promote climate resilience across the nation, placing a particular focus on advancing environmental justice. Nevertheless, more needs to be done given the magnitude of this global challenge.

DOE announced a National Definition of a Zero Emissions Building to advance public and private sector efforts to decarbonize the buildings sector, which is responsible for more than one-third of total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. The definition is intended to provide industry guidance to support new and existing commercial and residential buildings to move towards zero emissions across the entire sector and help the nation achieve President's ambitious climate goals, while cutting home and business energy costs. A standardized definition for zero emissions buildings will help advance next-generation clean energy solutions, drive innovation, and tackle the climate crisis, while supporting workforce development.

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

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.

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.

This edition highlights protecting and preserving our environment, in support of Environmental Operating Principle #4. Content includes commentary highlighting our U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) environmental professionals and also features diverse initiatives focused on protecting and preserving our environment.

EPA finalized a ban on most uses of methylene chloride, a dangerous chemical known to cause liver cancer, lung cancer, breast cancer, brain cancer, cancer of the blood, and cancer of the central nervous system, as well as neurotoxicity, liver harm and even death. Ending most uses of methylene chloride will save lives and complements the President's Cancer Moonshot, a whole-of-government initiative to end cancer as we know it. EPA's final action, also known as a risk management rule under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), will protect people from health risks while allowing key uses to continue safely with a robust new worker protection program. This is the second risk management rule to be finalized using the process created by the 2016 TSCA amendments.

The Army announced the winners of the 2024 Secretary of the Army Environmental Awards Program. The successes outlined in the nominations of these winners are examples of the many environmental successes that can be found throughout the Army environmental program. Army environmental professionals are constantly striving for ways to ensure environmental quality, restoration and conservation that sustain the mission and support the future.

The Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Energy, Installation, and Environment within the Department of Defense (DoD) announced the nine winners of the 2023 DoD Fire and Emergency Services (F&ES) Awards. The annual DoD F&ES Awards honor Military Service and Defense Agency fire departments, fire officers, and firefighters for their exceptional achievements in emergency response, customer service, public outreach, innovativeness, quality-of-life initiatives, and health and safety initiatives.

In this issue, readers will learn about many examples of the adoption of technology and systems that are reducing the Army's environmental footprint. Working closely with industry, the Army is introducing more efficient turbine engines, hybrid electric power plants, alternative energy generating systems, cleaner manufacturing, virtual technologies and other innovations.

FEMP plays a key role in helping agencies understand and meet the federal building energy efficiency standards for agencies' new construction and major renovation projects. These standards include base building efficiency as defined in the CFR by subpart A of 10 CFR 433 and 10 CFR 435, commonly referred to as the "residential" and "commercial" rules, respectively. This also includes the Clean Energy Rule for qualifying projects as defined by subpart B of 10 CFR 433 and 10 CFR 435. The Clean Energy Rule supplements both the base commercial and residential rules, transitioning new buildings and major renovations away from on-site fossil fuel derived energy consumption. Projects meeting the cost thresholds that trigger compliance with the Clean Energy Rule must also comply with both subparts A and B of the energy efficiency standards by first designing an efficient building (per subpart A) and then optimizing the design to reduce or eliminate on-site fossil fuel usage (per subpart B).

EPA announced a suite of final rules to reduce pollution from fossil fuel-fired power plants in order to protect all communities from pollution and improve public health without disrupting the delivery of reliable electricity. These rules, finalized under separate authorities including the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, will significantly reduce climate, air, water, and land pollution from the power sector, delivering on the Administration's commitment to protect public health, advance environmental justice, and confront the climate crisis.

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.

Executive Order 14906 titled: "Revitalizing Our Nation's Commitment to Environmental Justice for All" included the establishment of an environmental justice (EJ) Clearinghouse. This clearinghouse is to be a public, internet-based, whole-of-government clearinghouse composed of culturally and linguistically appropriate and accessible materials related to environmental justice.The EJ Clearinghouse is a compilation of resources to assist EJ partners. EPA relies on the continued submission of proposed resources to be added to this EJ Clearinghouse. EPA continues to update and enhance this EJ Clearinghouse and welcomes suggestions to improve user experience.

(WASHINGTON, April 22, 2024) The Department of Defense (DoD) announced the nine winners of the 2024 Secretary of Defense Environmental Awards. The awards have honored installations, teams, and individuals each year since 1962 for outstanding achievements in DoD environmental programs. These accomplishments include outstanding conservation activities, innovative environmental practices, and partnerships that improve quality of life and promote efficiencies without compromising DoD's mission success.

EPA is taking another step in its efforts to protect people from the health risks posed by exposure to "forever chemicals" in communities across the country. Exposure to per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) has been linked to cancers, impacts to the liver and heart, and immune and developmental damage to infants and children. This final rule will designate two widely used PFAS chemicals, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), as hazardous substances under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), also known as Superfund, and will help ensure that polluters pay to clean up their contamination. This final action will address PFOA and PFOS contamination by enabling investigation and cleanup of these harmful chemicals and ensuring that leaks, spills, and other releases are reported. In addition to the final rule, EPA is issuing a separate CERCLA enforcement discretion policy that makes clear that EPA will focus enforcement on parties who significantly contributed to the release of PFAS chemicals into the environment, including parties that have manufactured PFAS or used PFAS in the manufacturing process, federal facilities, and other industrial parties.

The Innovative Grid Deployment Liftoff report is focused on identifying pathways to accelerate deployment of key commercially available but underutilized advanced grid solutions on the existing transmission and distribution system to address near-term hotspots and modernize the grid to prepare for a wide range of energy futures.

The Administration issued the first-ever national, legally enforceable drinking water standard to protect communities from exposure to harmful per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as forever chemicals. Exposure to PFAS has been linked to deadly cancers, impacts to the liver and heart, and immune and developmental damage to infants and children. This final rule represents the most significant step to protect public health under EPA's PFAS Strategic Roadmap. The final rule will reduce PFAS exposure for approximately 100 million people, prevent thousands of deaths, and reduce tens of thousands of serious illnesses.

EPA issued a final rule that will significantly reduce toxic air pollution from chemical plants, including ethylene oxide and chloroprene. EPA's action will advance the President's commitment to environmental justice by slashing more than 6,200 tons of toxic air pollution each year, dramatically reducing the number of people with elevated cancer risk due to toxic air pollution in communities surrounding plants covered by the rule. Once implemented, the rule will reduce both EtO and chloroprene emissions from covered processes and equipment by nearly 80%. A requirement for these facilities to conduct fence line monitoring for key toxic chemicals is included, and EPA will make the data publicly available to better inform and safeguard nearby communities.

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

Join the EPA on April 11, 2024, (2:00 -3:30 PM (Eastern)) for a webinar on the availability of nearly $24 million in grants to support states, U.S. territories and Tribes in providing technical assistance to businesses to develop and adopt pollution prevention (P2) practices. The webinar will review information about two Notices of Funding Opportunities (NOFOs) for EPA's P2 program and the grant application process to help potential applicants submit a high-quality application to EPA for consideration. Time will be provided during the webinars for questions from participants.

EPA is announcing the launch of a new website, epa.gov/permits, a centralized web-based platform for information about federal environmental permitting. It highlights EPA's permitting and environmental review programs and shares information on related statutes and environmental justice initiatives. In support of EPA's commitments under Title 41 of the Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act (FAST-41), it also displays the status of EPA permits for large scale infrastructure projects covered by this statute. The website is a resource for the public, permit applicants and federal agency partners.

DOE announced the second cohort of communities selected as part of the Communities Local Energy Action Program (Communities LEAP), a unique technical assistance initiative designed to help disadvantaged communities and those with historical ties to fossil fuel industries take direct control of their clean energy future. The 30 selected communities will receive a total of $18 million worth of technical assistance to create tailored community-wide action plans that reduce local air pollution, increase energy resilience, lower utility costs and energy burdens, and create good paying jobs.

EPA announced a final rule, Multi-Pollutant Emissions Standards for Model Years 2027 and Later Light-Duty and Medium-Duty Vehicles, that sets new, more protective standards to further reduce harmful air pollutant emissions from light-duty and medium-duty vehicles starting with model year 2027. The final rule builds upon EPA's final standards for federal greenhouse gas emissions standards for passenger cars and light trucks for model years 2023 through 2026 and leverages advances in clean car technology to unlock benefits to Americans ranging from improving public health through reducing smog- and soot-forming pollution from vehicles, to reducing climate pollution, to saving drivers money through reduced fuel and maintenance costs. These standards will phase in over model years 2027 through 2032.

EPA announced a final rule to prohibit ongoing uses of chrysotile asbestos, the only known form of asbestos currently used in or imported to the United States. The ban on ongoing uses of asbestos is the first rule to be finalized under the 2016 amendments to the nation's chemical safety law, the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), which received near-unanimous support in both the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate. The action marks a major milestone for chemical safety after more than three decades of inadequate protections and serious delays during the previous administration to implement the 2016 amendments. Exposure to asbestos is known to cause lung cancer, mesothelioma, ovarian cancer, and laryngeal cancer, and it is linked to more than 40,000 deaths in the U.S. each year.

Environmental Protection Agency announced the availability of nearly $24 million in grants to support states, U.S. territories, and Tribes in providing technical assistance to businesses to develop and adopt pollution prevention practices. The funding is available through two Notice of Funding Opportunities (NOFOs) for EPA's Pollution Prevention program, with approximately $14 million in grants available at no cost share/match requirement, thanks to funding made possible by President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

The Climate Pollution Reduction Grants (CPRG) program provides $5 billion in grants to states, local governments, tribes, and territories to develop and implement ambitious plans for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and other harmful air pollution. Authorized under Section 60114 of the Inflation Reduction Act, this two-phase program provides $250 million for noncompetitive planning grants, and approximately $4.6 billion for competitive implementation grants.

On March 12, 2024, EPA announced proposed amendments to the regulations for the open burning and open detonation of waste explosives. The proposed rule would improve implementation of requirements for how facilities must evaluate and use alternative technologies determined to be safe and available for treating waste explosives in lieu of OB/OD. EPA is also proposing changes to the OB/OD requirements for: • Waste analysis and characterization. • Wastes prohibited from OB/OD. • Minimum technical standards for OB/OD units. • Potential de minimis exemption to evaluating and implementing alternative treatment technologies. • Delay of closure applicability to OB/OD units. • Applicability to emergencies. • Timelines for implementing alternative treatment technologies. • Permitting of mobile treatment units. EPA will be taking public comment for 60 days once the proposed rule is published in the Federal Register. During the comment period, EPA will host a public webinar about this proposal and will post that information on this webpage.

The National Defense Center for Energy & Environment (NDCEE) program cordially invites you to our upcoming focus group meeting. This session will feature active projects offering comprehensive overviews, highlighting recent milestones achieved, current project status, and forthcoming deliverables and next steps. Your attendance at this virtual event is highly encouraged. The Safety and Occupational Health projects will occur on March 19th, 2:00 PM ET, with the Energy projects starting at 2:20 PM ET. The Environment-focused projects will occur on March 20th, 2:00 PM ET. Connect to the meeting through Microsoft Teams or a Call in (audio only) option.

The Department of Defense's National Defense Center for Energy and Environment (NDCEE) is excited to announce the opening of proposals for demonstrations of environmental, safety, occupational health, and energy technologies from March 1st to April 1st. They welcome submissions from all DoD Services, inviting innovative technologies, processes, and strategies that enhance energy security, Warfighter protection, military operations efficiency, or reduce environmental impacts. NDCEE wants your help shaping the future of defense through initiatives that bolster national security, safeguard our planet, and contribute to a more robust, greener, and secure tomorrow.

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

Fedcenter.gov will be down between 5p-6p EST TODAY (2/15/24) for system maintenance.

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.

For the first time, Pollution Prevention and Source Reduction Assistance Grants (between 2011 and 2022) have topped the one-billion-pound mark for reductions in hazardous materials and pollutants. In addition, cost savings of $2.3 billion resulted from companies buying fewer hazardous materials and shipping less hazardous waste, reducing regulated air emissions, treating less wastewater and buying less water, fuel and energy. Further success from these grants includes 20.8 million metric tons of greenhouse gas reductions and 31.9 billion kilowatt hour savings achieved mostly through energy efficiency and reduced use of energy.

Facilities that need to submit SDSs or the list of hazardous chemicals under Section 311, also need to submit an annual inventory report for the same chemicals (EPCRA Section 312). This inventory report must be submitted to the State or Tribal Emergency Response Commission (SERC or TERC), Local or Tribal Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC or TEPC), and the local fire department by March 1 of each year. Most States require the Tier II form. Tier II forms require basic facility identification information, employee contact information for both emergencies and non-emergencies, information about chemicals stored or used at the facility, and additional data elements which would be useful to local planners and responders.

EPA announced the latest efforts to protect communities and the environment from the health risks posed by certain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). PFAS are widely used, long-lasting chemicals that break down very slowly over time, and they have been used in many different consumer, commercial and industrial products. Scientific studies show that some PFAS exposure is linked to harmful health effects. EPA is proposing two rules that would add to the agency's comprehensive approach to tackling PFAS pollution across the country. EPA is proposing to modify the definition of hazardous waste as it applies to cleanups at permitted hazardous waste facilities. This modification would assure that EPA's regulations clearly reflect EPA's and authorized states' authority to require cleanup of the full range of substances that the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) intended. Currently, the regulations do not clearly and accurately reflect the full authorities granted to EPA by Congress. EPA is also proposing to amend its RCRA regulations to add multiple PFAS compounds as hazardous constituents. These PFAS would be added to the list of substances identified for consideration in facility assessments and, where necessary, further investigation and cleanup through the corrective action process at hazardous waste treatment, storage and disposal facilities.

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

The formation of battery recycling working sessions alongside experts from state governments, manufacturers, recyclers, and environmental groups. The entire working group session is presented. Speakers include EPA Senior Advisor for Implementation for the Office of Land and Emergency Management, and the Director of EPA's Resource Conservation and Sustainability Division they highlighted the Agency's leading role in battery recycling efforts.

Funding from Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Supports Energy Conservation Measures at 31 Facilities, Saving Taxpayers $29 Million in the First Year and Drastically Reducing the Federal Carbon Footprint. DOE announced $104 million for energy conservation and clean energy projects at 31 Federal facilities--the latest step in President Biden's strategy to reestablish the Federal Government as a sustainability leader. The funding represents the first of three disbursements from the historic $250 million in funding for the program in President's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

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

This letter summarizes the recommendations of the Green Building Advisory Committee (the Committee), based on the third phase of work of its Federal Building Decarbonization Task Group (FBDTG).

GSA's Green Proving Ground and the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) published LED lighting and controls guidance for Federal buildings. This guidance is in support of the BRIGHT Act. The material explains the decision flow chart, as well as the many elements for Federal agencies to take into consideration when selecting the most cost-effective and energy-efficient lighting systems available.

EPA announced the automatic addition of seven per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) to the list of chemicals covered by the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI). 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 set quantities. The data include quantities of such chemicals that were 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 Adminstration commitments to ensuring environmental justice through improved accountability and transparency for families, workers, and communities across the country. The addition of these seven PFAS helps to further the Administration's commitment to address the impacts of these forever chemicals, and advances EPA's PFAS Strategic Roadmap to confront the human health and environmental risks of PFAS.

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.

The Administration announced $600 million for 11 selected Grantmakers under EPA's Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmaking program, created by President Biden's Inflation Reduction Act, the largest investment in climate action in history. This new grant program, which will make it easier for small community-based organizations to access federal environmental justice funding, responds to community feedback about the need to reduce barriers to federal funds and improve the efficiency of the awards process to ensure communities that have long faced underinvestment can access the benefits of the largest climate investment in history. Communities will be able to apply to a Grantmaker for a subgrant to fund a range of different environmental project activities, including (but not limited to) small local clean ups, local emergency preparedness and disaster resiliency programs, environmental workforce development programs for local jobs reducing greenhouse gas emissions, fenceline air quality and asthma related projects, healthy homes programs, and projects addressing illegal dumping.

EPA published the 2023 Mercury Inventory Report on the supply, use, and trade of mercury in the U.S. This is the second inventory report published after finalizing the 2018 mercury inventory reporting rule, adding to the suite of completed mandates related to elemental mercury and mercury compounds per the 2016 amendments to the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). The 2023 report is the first report that reflects the January 1, 2020, effective date of the 2016 TSCA amendment to prohibit the export of five mercury compounds. The data in the 2023 report will further assist the U.S. in its implementation of the Minamata Convention on Mercury, a global treaty to protect human health and the environment from the adverse effects of mercury. High exposure to mercury can cause kidney damage, respiratory failure, and death. Other health effects include difficulty breathing, headaches, muscle weakness, memory loss, and mood swings. Additionally, mercury does not biodegrade and can build up in the environment.

The Department of Defense (DoD) has launched a cohort of prototype projects to demonstrate treatment technologies for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS)-impacted media. PFAS are very stable in the environment, due to their unique chemical structure, and are relatively resistant to natural breakdown processes. Spread across three DoD-identified installations, these efforts will demonstrate new technologies targeting these chemicals through a partnership with the DoD's Environmental Security Technology Certification Program (ESTCP), the Air Force, the Navy, and the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU). Ten companies have been awarded prototype contracts under this effort. The ESTCP and DIU Environmental Remediation & Restoration from PFAS Initiative combines and compares methods that concentrate and destroy PFAS both on and off-site. The selected projects consist of three discrete actions for PFAS-impacted media: water source remediation, soil treatment, and PFAS destruction.

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

On November 9, 2023, EPA hosted a webinar about the "Alternate PCB Extraction Methods and Amendments to PCB Cleanup and Disposal Regulations" final rule. For those who missed it, you can now access the webinar recording and presentation slides on our website.

This compendium draws on information from several sources, including completed alternative technology evaluations and RCRA permits for alternative technologies. It serves as a technical resource for permit agencies, facility owners and operators, and others when evaluating potential alternative treatment options for explosive hazardous wastes.

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 issued for public comment a draft memorandum that would provide guidance to EPA Regions, states, and territories on when and how to consider potential adverse climate change impacts in the hazardous waste permitting process under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. This draft guidance includes expectations for conducting climate change vulnerability screenings and assessments for treatment, storage, and disposal facilities to determine whether there are climate vulnerabilities that hazardous waste permits should address. The memo's recommendations would ensure that controls provide long-term effectiveness through resilience to adverse climate change impacts into the future. EPA welcomes comment on the memorandum through 26 January 2024.?? ?

These advice letter summarizes the recommendations of the Green Building Advisory Committee and are based on the third phase of work of its Federal Building Decarbonization Task Group (FBDTG) and the diligent efforts of its Green Leasing Task Group (GLTG). The letters are titled: Federal Building Decarbonization: Integrated Electrification Solutions and Recommendations for Achieving EO 14057 Green Lease Targets.

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

EPA announced a proposal to strengthen its Lead and Copper Rule that would require water systems across the country to replace lead service lines within 10 years. EPA is also proposing additional improvements to protect public health, such as lowering the lead action level and improving sampling protocols utilized by water systems. The Administration is using every tool available to help communities and water systems Get the Lead Out--including investing a historic $15 billion through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to replace lead service lines, providing technical assistance to communities, and supporting the development of a national inventory of lead service lines. The Lead and Copper Rule Improvements are central to the whole of government approach detailed in the Administration's Lead Pipe and Paint Action Plan. Once the proposed rule is published in the Federal Register, EPA will accept comments for 60 days. The agency will also hold a virtual public hearing on 16 January 2024, at which time the public will be invited to provide EPA with verbal comments. For more information about the proposed rule visit the proposed rule webpage.

The U.S. Global Change Research Program (USGCRP) is pleased to announce the release of the Fifth National Climate Assessment (NCA5). Led by USGCRP and its 14 member agencies, NCA5 draws on the expertise of nearly 500 authors and 250 contributors from every state, as well as Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. NCA5 is the most up-to-date and comprehensive assessment of climate change in the United States, providing authoritative, decision-relevant information on how people across the country are experiencing climate change, the risks we face now and in the future, and actions underway to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and build resilience. USGCRP is providing a series of webinars led by the authors of key chapters of this report. These chapter webinars are an opportunity for you to hear about the findings of a particular chapter from the authors themselves. Each virtual one-hour event is expected to include some time for Q&A.

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.

GSA announced a new MOU between GSA and Southern Company to develop carbon pollution-free electricity (CFE) options for federal facilities in Southern Company's service territories. The MOU documents the intent of GSA and Southern Company to collaborate on development of a roadmap that, when executed, will lead to federal agencies in that region buying more CFE and achieving reliability and resiliency objectives outlined in Executive Order 14057.

This edition highlights fostering sustainability as a way of life, in support of Environmental Operating Principle #1. Content includes commentary from Mr. Pete Perez, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Engineering and Construction Division chief, discussing how USACE is engineering solutions to address a changing climate. This issue also features initiatives from across the Army environmental community that are providing sustainable solutions that support our environment and the global communities we serve.

DOE published the "2023 Better Buildings Initiative Progress Report," which summarizes the achievements of DOE's Better Buildings public and private sector partners since the initiative's inception in 2011. The report shows that partnering entities, including more than 900 businesses, state and local governments, utilities, housing authorities, and other public and private organizations, to date have collectively saved $18.5 billion through efficiency improvements and cut harmful carbon dioxide emissions by nearly 190 million metric tons-- an amount roughly equivalent to combined annual emissions of 24 million homes. This report also includes the results of the Better Climate Challenge, an initiative that challenges major building portfolio owners and industrial partners to cut their greenhouse gas emissions by 50% within 10 years. In year one of the Challenge, partners have reported on nearly 1 billion square feet of buildings and 1,500 industrial plants. Through the Better Buildings Initiative, DOE aims to improve energy efficiency in the commercial, industrial, and residential sectors and accelerate cost-effective decarbonization solutions across the economy--supporting the Administration's efforts to lower energy costs for American families and businesses while addressing the climate crisis.

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.

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

EPA 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 is issuing a supplemental proposed rule to reduce the spread of invasive species that occurs with normal operation of large marine vessels. Following public input on EPA's 2020 proposed rule--including meetings with states, Tribes, and other stakeholders--the agency is now issuing a Supplemental Notice to share new data and control options raised by stakeholders. This supplemental proposal will bolster the development of a final rule to stem the spread of invasive species and better protect our nation's aquatic ecosystems.

This year's Safer Choice Partner of the Year award winners come from 15 states and the District of Columbia. They were recognized for achievements in the design, manufacture, and the selection and use of cleaners, detergents and other products with safer chemicals. Applicants for this year's awards were encouraged to show how their work promotes environmental justice, bolsters resilience to the impacts of climate change, results in cleaner air or water, improves drinking water quality or advances innovation in packaging.

EPA announced the selection of 24 recipients across the country that will collectively receive nearly $16 million in pollution prevention grants through the Investing in America agenda. The funding, made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, will support two grant programs for states and state-sponsored colleges to provide businesses with technical assistance to develop and adopt practices that prevent pollution at the source in local communities. The Environmental Justice in Communities grant program will provide pollution prevention technical assistance to businesses to improve human health and the environment in disadvantaged communities. The Environmental Justice Through Safer and More Sustainable Products grant program will assist businesses to increase the supply, demand, and use of safer and more sustainable products, such as those certified by EPA's Safer Choice program, or that conform to EPA's Recommendations for Specifications, Standards and Ecolabels for Federal Purchasing.

The Land Use and Green Infrastructure Scorecard guides municipalities through a review of local plans, policies, and municipal practices to illuminate opportunities to better protect water resources. The goal of the scorecard is to help municipalities protect water resources while maximizing the additional community benefits available through green infrastructure, including flood mitigation, public health, and climate resilience. Local government staff can use the Scorecard to improve their understanding of how local plans, policies, and practices impact water resources and ecosystem services. The Scorecard cuts across multiple departments and scales within a jurisdiction (municipal, neighborhood, and site), to ensure that these plans, policies, and practices work together to protect water resources.

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

The innovative NASA Langley Research Center team developed and piloted a Section 889 compliance tool to help acquisition professionals verify compliance before purchase card transactions or contract awards. Because it could affect federal acquisitions, NASA and GSA made the Section 889 Compliance Tool governmentwide. This compliance tool supports effective implementation of Section 889, paragraphs (a) (1)(A) (Part A) and (a)(1)(B) (Part B) of the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (Pub. L. 115- 232), Prohibition on Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment. The remarkable and practical results of the Section 889 Compliance Tool include: 1) simplifying the process of verifying vendor compliance with Section 889, Parts A & B; 2) delivering fast and dependable confirmation of a vendor's adherence to Section 889; 3) eliminating the need for acquisition professional/other users to navigate the complexities of DUNS numbers or sift through extensive FAR clauses/reps & certs on SAM.gov; 4) reducing market research time; and 5) minimizing risks associated with awarding to noncompliant vendors or contractors.

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.

EPA is adding 10 chemicals to the Safer Chemical Ingredients List (SCIL). The SCIL is a living list of chemicals that EPA's Safer Choice program has evaluated and determined meet Safer Choice criteria. With this update, there are a total of 1,071 chemicals on the SCIL, which are among the safest for their functional use. The SCIL provides increased transparency in safer chemistry, helps companies find safer chemical alternatives and increases innovation and growth of safer products. In support of the Administration's goals, 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.