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UPDATE:The Federal Environmental Symposium Planning Committee is continuing to accept presentation abstracts THROUGH Friday, June 30th for its 2023 federal environmental conference, to be held in-person and virtually the week of October 23-27, 2023, at the NIH campus in Bethesda, MD. This year's theme for the Symposium is "Environment: A Mission Asset", focuses on the sharing of best practices, success stories, partnerships, and challenges and achievements of the federal practitioner community as they apply to your Agency's mission. The event schedule, registration instructions, call for presentation abstracts, and continuous updates to the event can be found on the Symposium website.

This edition highlights protecting and preserving our environment, in support of Environmental Operating Principle #4. Content includes commentary from Maj. Gen. Kimberly Colloton, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Deputy Commanding General for Military and International Operations, discussing how collaboration is essential to addressing climate change. This issue also features initiatives from across the Army environmental community that are protecting and preserving our environment for current and future generations.

EPA released its annual interactive report tracking America's progress in controlling air pollution. "Our Nation's Air: Trends Through 2022" offers readers an opportunity to learn about the health and environmental impacts of air pollution; track trends in air quality and emissions data, explore efforts to improve visibility in treasured national parks; and explore community-level health impacts of air toxics emissions reported for 2020. EPA examines long-term trends to track the nation's progress toward clean air. The report released today shows that, between 1970 and 2022, the combined emissions of six key pollutants dropped by 78%, while the U.S. economy remained strong -- growing 304% over the same time. The report spotlights the projects selected as part of EPA's Enhanced Air Quality Monitoring Competitive Grants, providing information for each project as of November 2022 when selections were announced. These funds will enhance air quality monitoring in communities across the United States  particularly those that are underserved, historically marginalized, and overburdened by pollution. The report includes interactive graphics that enable citizens, policymakers and stakeholders to view and download detailed information by pollutant, geographic location and year.

The Department of Defense (DoD) announced the nine winners of the 2022 DoD Fire and Emergency Services Awards. The awards recognize the exceptional achievements of Military Service and Defense Agency fire departments, fire officers, and firefighters in emergency response, customer service, public outreach, innovativeness, quality-of-life initiatives, and health and safety initiatives. DoD applaud the winners' heroic commitments to protecting the lives of military personnel and their families, and supporting DoD's mission to safeguard our Nation!

The Administration announced a $51 million Ride and Drive Electric funding opportunity through President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to accelerate the electrification of the nation's transportation sector and spur private sector investments in clean transportation. The administration also announced the launch of the National Charging Experience Consortium to advance rapid, on-the-ground solutions that ensure a convenient, reliable, equitable, and easy-to-use charging experience for all Americans with chargers that are made in America. The Joint Office of Energy and Transportation (Joint Office) will administer the Ride and Drive Electric program and has funded DOE's Idaho National Laboratory to lead the National Charging Experience Consortium. Managed by the DOE and DOT, the Joint Office was created through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to build a national electric vehicle charging network that will spark public confidence in EV adoption and fill charging gaps in rural, disadvantaged, and hard-to-reach locations. The announcements support President Biden's Investing in America agenda to grow the American economy from the bottom up and middle out--rebuilding our nation's infrastructure, creating good paying jobs, and building a clean energy economy that will combat climate change and make our communities more resilient.

EPA proposed amendments to the regulations that govern the Agency's review of new chemicals under the TSCA to improve efficiency and align with the 2016 bipartisan TSCA amendments under the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act. Under TSCA, EPA plays an important gatekeeper role by reviewing the potential risks of new chemicals before they can enter U.S. commerce and, when necessary, putting safeguards in place to protect human health and the environment. Today's proposal also eliminates eligibility for exemptions from the full safety review process for new per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and other persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic (PBT) chemicals.

The EPA has announced the availability of $30 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for restoration projects that advance environmental justice in underserved and overburdened communities across the Great Lakes. Thanks to President Biden's Investing in America Agenda, EPA has published a request for applications for the newly created Great Lakes Environmental Justice Grant Program that will fund implementation of environmental protection and restoration projects that will further the goals of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) in communities with environmental justice concerns. Many communities in the Great Lakes Basin lack the resources needed to apply for, obtain, and oversee the implementation of federal grant projects. EPA's new Great Lakes Environmental Justice Grant Program will ease these administrative barriers by funding "principal recipients" who will help underserved communities effectively access federal funding for important local projects. In addition, this investment will encourage even greater environmental, economic, health, and recreational benefits for underserved Great Lakes communities, including those near severely degraded sites, known as "areas of concern." EPA's Great Lakes Environmental Justice Grant Program was made possible by President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which invests $1 billion in the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) to accelerate Great Lakes restoration and protection.

EPA proposed new carbon pollution standards for coal and natural gas-fired power plants that will protect public health, reduce harmful pollutants and deliver up to $85 billion in climate and public health benefits over the next two decades. The proposal for coal and new natural gas power plants would avoid up to 617 million metric tons of total carbon dioxide (CO2) through 2042, which is equivalent to reducing the annual emissions of 137 million passenger vehicles, roughly half the cars in the United States. Through 2042, EPA estimates the net climate and health benefits of the standards on new gas and existing coal-fired power plants are up to $85 billion. The proposals would also result in cutting tens of thousands of tons of particulate matter (PM2.5), sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxide, harmful air pollutants that are known to endanger people's health, especially in communities that for too long have disproportionally shouldered the burden of high pollution and environmental injustice.

In 2021, EPA's Office of Research and Development initiated the Wildfire Smoke Air Monitoring Response Technology (WSMART) Pilot, loaning air monitoring technologies to state, local, and tribal air organizations to support supplemental air monitoring in areas affected by wildfire smoke and with observational data coverage gaps. During 2023, this pilot technology loan program will continue to provide several technology types – including stationary air sensor systems and a compact vehicle add-on mobile monitoring system (VAMMS) – to state and local air agency monitoring staff and professional tribal air quality staff members upon request. The equipment is not available for general public use.

EPA announced proposed federal baseline water quality standards for waterbodies on Indian reservations that do not have Clean Water Act standards, ensuring protections for over half a million people living on Indian reservations as well as critical aquatic ecosystems. Fifty years ago, Congress established a goal in the Clean Water Act (CWA) that waters should support fishing and swimming wherever attainable. All states and 47 Tribes have established standards consistent with that goal. However, the majority of U.S. Tribes with Indian reservations lack such water quality standards. This proposal would extend the same framework of water quality protection that currently exists for most other waters of the United States to waters of over 250 Tribes and is the result of decades of coordination and partnership with Tribes.

EPA released the draft "National Strategy to Prevent Plastic Pollution" for public comment, a significant step forward in the Administration's efforts to reduce pollution and build a circular economy for all. EPA's draft strategy includes ambitious actions to eliminate the release of plastic and other waste from land-based sources into the environment by 2040. This is a domestic strategy that identifies strategic objectives and voluntary actions that all U.S. organizations can implement to reduce, reuse, collect, and prevent plastic and other waste from entering the environment.?The actions are not limited to EPA's authority or jurisdiction but are actions where EPA can work collaboratively with entities – non-governmental organizations, governments, tribes, and others – to address plastic pollution. The strategy targets post-consumer materials, especially those items that are expected to make their way through the municipal solid waste stream but are leaked or littered, such as single-use plastics. Additionally, the strategy recognizes the harmful impacts associated with the production, manufacture and transport of plastic products on communities from air and water pollution associated with those processes. The proposed actions under each objective create opportunities for all to reduce the amount of plastic and other pollution in communities, parks, waterways and oceans.

EPA released its 30th annual Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks (GHG Inventory), which presents a national-level overview of annual greenhouse gas emissions from 1990 to 2021. Net U.S. greenhouse gas emissions were 5,586 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent in 2021, a 6% increase in emissions from 2020. The increase is largely due to a rebound in economic activity following the height of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. However, emissions have declined overall since 2005 (17%), which reflects the combined impacts of several factors, including energy market trends, technological changes including energy efficiency improvements, and the carbon intensity of energy fuel choices. For this latest release, EPA has made several important improvements, including updates to estimates for oil and gas and for flooded lands such as hydroelectric and agricultural reservoirs.

Defense.gov news article & recording of the 2023 Pentagon Earth Day Speaker Series -- April 17, 2023, featuring Brendan Owens, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Energy, Installations and Environment.

EPA is issuing an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) asking the public for input regarding potential future hazardous substance designations of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), also known as "Superfund." This request for input and information follows EPA's September 2022 proposed rule to designate two PFAS -- perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and?perfluorooctanesulfonic?acid (PFOS), and their salts and structural isomers -- as hazardous substances under CERCLA. EPA is currently reviewing comments received on this proposed rule.

The Department of Defense (DoD) announced the nine winners of the 2023 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 announced new proposed federal vehicle emissions standards that will accelerate the ongoing transition to a clean vehicles future and tackle the climate crisis. The proposed standards would improve air quality for communities across the nation, especially communities that have borne the burden of polluted air. Together, these proposals would avoid nearly 10 billion tons of CO2 emissions, equivalent to more than twice the total U.S. CO2 emissions in 2022, while saving thousands of dollars over the lives of the vehicles meeting these new standards and reduce America's reliance on approximately 20 billion barrels of oil imports.

The EPEAT (Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool) ecolabel now includes criteria focused on reducing carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gasses from the supply chain for solar panel production. EPEAT was developed using a grant from EPA and is owned and managed by the Global Electronics Council. It is the first global ecolabel to set threshold criteria for embodied carbon in photovoltaics. Embodied carbon refers to the amount of greenhouse gas emissions associated with the extraction, production, transport and manufacturing of materials.

REMINDER: On or about May 15, 2023, FedCenter will be integrating two-factor authentication into its login process. This will be a fundamental change in the way users will log into FedCenter.gov moving forward. It will require use of GSA's Login.gov authentication services, and there are things you need to do now to prepare for this action. Please read the attached information notice for all the details on what this means to you.

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.

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

The Administration, through the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), announced $250 million in funding from President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to help federal agencies implement net-zero building projects and set an example in sustainability as the nation works to transition to clean energy and combat climate change. More energy efficient buildings will also save taxpayers money. The funding program--Assisting Federal Facilities with Energy Conservation Technologies (AFFECT)--is part of the Administration's Investing in America agenda that is addressing the climate crisis in a way that creates good-paying jobs, grows industries, and makes the country more economically competitive.

The Presidential Federal Sustainability Awards Program celebrates the extraordinary leadership, innovation, and achievement of Federal agencies and their employees toward the President's charge for Federal climate action and the ambitious sustainability goals established in the Federal Sustainability Plan and Executive Order 14057. Federal programs, projects, project teams, facilities, and individuals are eligible for nomination by their agency.

EPA announced the availability of $16 million for two new grant opportunities to support states and Tribes in providing technical assistance to businesses seeking to develop and adopt pollution prevention (P2) practices that advance environmental justice in underserved communities. EPA has published two Request for Applications for P2 investments, which were made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, including the Pollution Prevention Grant: Environmental Justice in Communities, and the Pollution Prevention Grant: Environmental Justice Through Safer and More Sustainable Products programs.

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

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

The Administration announced it is proposing to strengthen wastewater discharge standards that apply to coal-fired power plants. The EPA proposal follows the latest science and applies EPA's longstanding authority under the Clean Water Act to reduce discharges of toxic metals and other pollutants from these power plants into lakes, streams, and other waterbodies. The proposed rule would help protect our nation's vital water resources that support safe drinking water, agriculture, and healthy communities while providing greater certainty for industry.

Leaders from the DOE and the DHS reaffirmed their joint commitment to collaborate on climate mitigation and adaptation at DHS facilities across the nation, signing a memorandum of understanding to leverage DOE capabilities to cut carbon emissions, increase resilience, and reduce energy usage and spending at DHS facilities across the nation. This agreement will get DHS closer to meeting President Biden's goal of net-zero emissions from Federal operations by 2050, including a 65% reduction by 2030.

The Federal sustainability community is cordially invited to attend the 2023 Federal Environmental Symposium, a hybrid event to be attended October 23-27, 2023 either virtually or in-person. This year's theme for the Symposium "Environment: A Mission Asset" focuses on the sharing of best practices, success stories, partnerships, and challenges and achievements of the federal practitioner community as they apply to your Agency's mission. The event schedule, registration instructions, call for presentation abstracts and continuous updates to the event can be found on the Symposium website at https://www.fedcenter.gov/fes2023.

EPA announced $21,410,211 in grant funding to 16 institutions for community-based research to examine how climate change may compound adverse environmental conditions and stressors for vulnerable populations in underserved communities. The environmental and health effects of climate change are far reaching. Some communities are more vulnerable because they already face greater exposure to pollutants and lack the resources to respond to and cope with environmental stressors. These communities may be more likely to suffer sustained or even permanent damage from the impacts of climate change, further worsening health disparities. Additionally, children, older adults, and people with disabilities or pre-existing health conditions may be more susceptible. These grants will support research projects that will use community-based participatory research approaches that aim to empower the partnering underserved communities with science-based resilience-building solutions to protect their most vulnerable residents.

This edition highlights proactively considering the environment and acting accordingly, in support of Environmental Operating Principle #2. Content includes commentary from Mr. Edward Belk, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Director of Civil Works, sharing how the Civil Works mission is being advanced through environmental considerations and partnerships. This issue also features initiatives from across the Army environmental community that proactively consider the environment to shape a sustainable future for current and future generations.

Every March, the NDCEE program requests that DoD personnel submit proposals of mature technology solutions and processes that address high-priority environmental, safety, occupational health, energy, and climate change challenges. Proposals should enhance readiness, meet sustainability goals, and support warfighters at home and abroad for the DoD. Selected proposals demonstrate, validate and transition commercially available off-the-shelf and recent laboratory innovations for military application at DoD installations. Once the technology has proven to work in its final form and under expected conditions, they are transitioned to the Services, and other federal agencies. NDCEE accepts proposals from academia, private industry, and non-DoD government agencies. However, a DoD agency must serve as the project lead and assist in acquiring a transition partner to ensure the technology is available to the warfighter as quickly as possible.

EPA announced over $2.4 billion from President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for states, Tribes, and territories through this year's Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF). The funding will support communities in upgrading essential water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure that protects public health and treasured water bodies across the nation. Nearly half of this funding will be available as grants or principal forgiveness loans helping underserved communities across America invest in water infrastructure, while creating good-paying jobs. The $2.4 billion is the second wave of funding made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and builds on the Biden-Harris Administration's commitment to invest in America. In May 2022, EPA announced the initial allotment of $1.9 billion from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to states, Tribes and territories through the CWSRF. That money is supporting hundreds of critical water infrastructure projects around the country.

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

WASHINGTON (Feb. 13, 2023) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael S. Regan has announced the availability of $2 billion from President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to address emerging contaminants, like Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in drinking water across the country. This investment, which is allocated to states and territories, will be made available to communities as grants through EPA's Emerging Contaminants in Small or Disadvantaged Communities (EC-SDC) Grant Program and will promote access to safe and clean water in small, rural, and disadvantaged communities while supporting local economies. Administrator Regan announced the water infrastructure investments in Maysville, North Carolina while holding a community roundtable with North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality Secretary Elizabeth S. Biser and other state and local leaders.

GSA announced more than $300 million in construction and renovation projects funded through the Inflation Reduction Act, which President Biden signed in August. This first set of projects aims to catalyze clean energy innovation and spur domestic clean manufacturing by incorporating emerging technologies and low-carbon materials into construction and renovation projects at federal facilities across America. The funds, the first of $3.4 billion in GSA investments, will also accelerate efforts to achieve President Biden's goal of a net-zero emissions federal building portfolio by 2045.

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

EPA initiated a rulemaking that will consider revisions to the regulations that allow for the open burning and detonation (OB/OD) of waste explosives. The allowance or "variance" to the prohibition on the open burning of hazardous waste was established at a time when there were no safe alternatives to treatment of waste explosives by OB/OD. However, recent findings from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine and EPA determined that safe alternatives are now available for many energetic/explosive waste streams. Because there are safe alternatives in use that capture and treat emissions prior to release, EPA is considering revising regulations to promote the broader use of these alternatives, where applicable.

Section 110(h) of the National Historic Preservation Act establishes the Secretary of the Interior annual award program to recognize the outstanding contributions in historic preservation. The Secretary's award is distinguished from other historic preservation award programs because it: is statutorily mandated as a Cabinet-level recognition; focuses on the accomplishments of individual employees whose work enhanced and/or improved historic preservation in their agency, state, tribal, or local government; and recognizes the contributions of employees at multiple levels of government. The Secretary may present up to four awards annually, one for each level of government participating in the national preservation partnership program (federal, state, Tribal, and local) and each comes with a special citation and $1,000.

The U.S. National Blueprint for Transportation Decarbonization is a landmark interagency framework of strategies and actions to remove all emissions from the transportation sector by 2050.

EPA announced the automatic addition of nine per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) to the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) list. TRI data are reported to EPA annually by facilities in certain industry sectors and federal facilities that manufacture, process, or otherwise use TRI-listed chemicals above certain 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 also helps to support informed decision-making by companies, government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and the public. These nine PFAS were added to the TRI list pursuant to the Fiscal Year 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which provides the framework for the automatic addition of PFAS to TRI each year in response to certain EPA activities involving such PFAS. For TRI Reporting Year 2023 (reporting forms due by July 1, 2024), reporting is required for nine additional PFAS, bringing the total PFAS subject to TRI reporting to 189.

The Winter 2023 edition of the DoD Cultural Resources Program newsletter, "Cultural Resources Update," is attached. Highlights include articles on the Arizona Army National Guard's Integration of Cultural and Natural Resources Management, the Veterans Curation Program, Fort Eustis's Cultural Resources, the 2022 Secretary of Defense Environmental Awards, announcements, training, and more. See attached.

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

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

During fiscal year (FY) 2022, EPA's enforcement and compliance program continued its mission to target the most serious water, air, land, and chemical violations and hazards that impact communities across the country. Their work reduced, treated or eliminated 95 million pounds of pollutants, and required violators to pay over $300 million in penalties fines and restitution. Our primary focus was advancing environmental justice (EJ), rebuilding EPA's national inspector corps, and working to mitigate the effects of climate change, particularly in communities overburdened by pollution. EPAs FY 2022 accomplishments focused on protecting vulnerable communities using the full range of compliance monitoring and enforcement tools, including inspections, technical assistance supported by advanced technologies, and early actions and innovative remedies to ensure high levels of compliance with federal environmental laws and regulations.

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.

EPA released the National Biennial Hazardous Waste Report data for the 2021 calendar year. Federal regulations require large quantity generators and treatment, storage, and disposal facilities to submit reports every two years about the nature, quantities, and disposition of hazardous waste generated at their facilities.

Imagine if a federal agency could more easily find and buy products that are cheaper and better for the environment. That's exactly what's happening through a collaboration between GSA and the Department of Defense's Sustainable Technology Evaluation and Demonstration program, called STED. The STED program, led by Director David Asiello of the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Energy Installations and Environment, helps to streamline the GSA acquisition process. STED connects innovative manufacturers and their products with potential users at military installations. There, users can test products and estimate their likely demand. STED then shares relevant demand and pricing data with GSA's acquisition teams, who can eventually award a Schedule contract. And, in some cases, GSA's acquisition teams can assign a National Stock Number for even faster ordering. More info....

EPA along with other federal agencies, released their annual Sustainability Plans, to mark the first year of Executive Order (EO) 14057 on Catalyzing America's Clean Energy Industries and Jobs Through Federal Sustainability. One year into implementation of the Federal Sustainability Plan, federal agencies have taken swift action to make Federal Government operations cleaner, healthier, and more resilient while growing well-paying clean energy industries, creating jobs, and making the nation more economically competitive.

EPA released its annual Automotive Trends Report, which shows that model year (MY) 2021 vehicle fuel economy remained at a record high while emission levels reached a record low. The report also shows all 14 large automotive manufacturers achieved compliance with the Light-duty Greenhouse Gas (GHG) standards through at least MY2020.

The Administration, through the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), announced a new proposed rule to electrify and cut emissions from new or newly renovated federal buildings. Beginning in 2025, these facilities will be required to reduce their on-site emissions associated with the energy consumption of the building by 90% relative to 2003 levels. In 2030, the standard will fully decarbonize the on-site emissions in new federal buildings and major renovations. These measures will help advance the adoption of cleaner technologies for buildings that are necessary to achieving President Biden's goal of net-zero emissions in all federal buildings by 2045.

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.

EPA proposed a rule that would improve reporting on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) to the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) by, among other proposed changes, 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, this 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 issued a multi-part proposal that will build on the strong foundation for the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program started in the Biden-Harris Administration and seeks to advance the priorities of energy security, less pollution, and consumer protection. The RFS "Set" proposal requests public input on required volumes of biofuel for the next one to three years and on a series of important modifications to strengthen and expand the program. The agency is seeking public input on the proposal to help shape the RFS program in the years ahead. EPA is also proposing new regulations governing the generation of qualifying renewable electricity made from renewable biomass that is used for transportation fuel in electric vehicles. The agency is seeking comment on this new component of the RFS program that would tie electricity generation from renewable biomass into the program for the first time. This proposed rule would increase U.S. energy security by reducing U.S. oil imports by roughly 160,000 to 180,000 barrels of oil per year over the time frame of the proposed rule, 2023 to 2025. The anticipated value of the energy security benefits over the time frame of the proposed rule ranges from $200-$223 million per year.

(Washington, December 2, 2022) The U.S Department of Energy's (DOE) Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) has issued a $13 million solicitation for new energy projects that will help federal facilities improve the efficiency of their operations and reduce their carbon footprint. Through this Federal Agency Call (FAC), entitled, "Assisting Federal Facilities with Energy Conservation Technologies (AFFECT)," DOE will help ensure that the federal government is leading by example in the effort to achieve the Biden Administration's goal of a 100% clean-energy economy and net-zero emissions by 2050.

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

Federal labs represent a huge opportunity to achieve energy savings and emission reductions, which are critical in meeting energy efficiency standards for federal buildings and the decarbonization requirements listed under Executive Order 14057. The establishment of a FEMP-sponsored Federal Lab Working Group will help agencies achieve these requirements, face common challenges, and share joint processes. The group will meet virtually each quarter and may hold annual in-person meetings to coordinate activities and exchange ideas on Smart Labs. Individual agency meetings and technical assistance discussions will be provided by the Smart Labs team at FEMP and NREL. The first working group meeting will be held December 13, 2022 from 1:00 - 2:30 PM (Eastern). For more information, contact Jeff Murrell (Jefferey.Murrell@ee.doe.gov) or Rachel Romero (Rachel.Romero@nrel.gov).

The November 2022 edition of The Corps Environment is now available and can be accessed online at: https://www.dvidshub.net/publication/issues/65712. This edition highlights providing environmental and economic benefits, in support of Environmental Operating Principle #3. Content includes commentary from Col. Matthew F. Kelly, commander of U.S. Army Environmental Command (USAEC), sharing his impressions after taking command and his focus on building upon USAEC's legacy. This issue also features initiatives from across the Army environmental community that are providing enduring environmental benefits around the globe.

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.

This fact sheet provides information on the proposed Federal Supplier Climate Risks and Resilience Rule. This rule is part of the President's leadership to implement the first comprehensive, government-wide strategy to measure, disclose, manage, and mitigate the systemic risks that climate change poses to American families, businesses, and the economy. In addition to protecting federal supply chains, agencies are taking new actions to protect pensions and retirement plans, insurance availability, household savings and credit, state and local government programs, our financial system, and the federal budget from the financial risks of climate change.

The Biden-Harris Administration, through the DOE announced nearly $74 million in funding from President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for 10 projects to advance technologies and processes for electric vehicle (EV) battery recycling and reuse. Since President Biden took office, more than 1.2 million EVs have been sold in America--more than triple the number of EVs on the road before he took office--and the rate of EV adoption continues to grow at a rapid pace. With demand for critical battery minerals, such as lithium and graphite, projected to increase by as much as 4,000% in the coming decades, this latest round of funding supports the recycling and reuse segment of the domestic battery supply chain. This will help accelerate battery production in America, mitigate battery supply chain disruptions and create good-paying jobs. Today's announcement builds on $2.8 billion through President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for domestic battery processing and component manufacturing and supports President Biden's goal to have electric vehicles make up half of all vehicles sales in America by 2030.

EPA issued a supplemental proposed rule modifying and adjusting certain aspects of the fees rule established under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). EPA is publishing these changes to ensure that collected fees provide the Agency with 25% of authorized TSCA costs consistent with direction in the FY 2022 appropriations bill to consider the "full" implementation costs of the law. Updating TSCA fees will strengthen EPA's ability to successfully implement TSCA in a way that's both protective and sustainable and significantly improve on-time performance and quality.

EPA finalized a revision to the risk determination for methylene chloride, finding that methylene chloride, as a whole chemical substance, presents an unreasonable risk of injury to human health when evaluated under its conditions of use. The next step in the process is to develop a risk management rulemaking to identify and apply measures that will manage these risks.

EPA announced that 132 air monitoring projects in 37 states will receive $53.4 million from President Biden's Inflation Reduction Act and American Rescue Plan to enhance air quality monitoring in communities across the United States. The projects are focused on communities that are underserved, historically marginalized, and overburdened by pollution, supporting President Biden's Justice40 Initiative. The air pollution monitoring projects are made possible by more than $30 million in Inflation Reduction Act funds, which supplemented $20 million from the American Rescue Plan and enabled EPA to support 77 additional projects, more than twice the number of projects initially proposed by community-based nonprofit organizations, state and local governments, and Tribal governments.

EPA published the Final Fifth Drinking Water Contaminant Candidate List (CCL 5), which will serve as the basis for EPA's regulatory considerations over the next five-year cycle under the Safe Drinking Water Act. This update includes a substantial expansion of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), an important first step towards identifying additional PFAS that may require regulation under the Safe Drinking Water Act. In addition to a group of PFAS, the Final CCL 5 includes 66 individually listed chemicals, two additional chemical groups (cyanotoxins and disinfection byproducts (DBPs)), and 12 microbes.

(Washington, DC - 11/2/2022) The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has launched a new process to expand the Environmentally Preferable Purchasing (EPP) program's Recommendations of Specifications, Standards and Ecolabels for Federal Purchasing (Recommendations). The Agency is inviting managers of standards development organizations, ecolabel programs, and other similar organizations to apply for potential assessment and inclusion in the Recommendations. EPA is also hosting a webinar on November 15, 2022, from 1–2:30 p.m. EST to answer questions from stakeholders about the expansion of the Recommendations and the process for applying.

WASHINGTON (October 28, 2022) - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released its Strategy to Reduce Lead Exposures and Disparities in U.S. Communities (Lead Strategy), in conjunction with National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week. This first-ever, agency-wide Lead Strategy outlines how EPA will utilize its full suite of authorities, expertise, and resources to reduce lead exposure in communities overburdened by pollution and advance the Biden-Harris Administration's commitment to environmental justice and equity. The efforts outlined in the strategy to protect the public from lead pollution are supported by the historic investments under President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

WASHINGTON (October 27, 2022) -- As part of National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week, EPA has released its 2022 Lead Enforcement Bulletin, which highlights the most notable lead enforcement cases during the past fiscal year. EPA pursued both civil and criminal cases for violations of federal laws to prevent and reduce exposure to lead in paint, drinking water, soils, hazardous waste and other environmental sources. Many of the enforcement actions and activities highlighted in the Lead Enforcement Bulletin address lead exposures in communities disproportionately impacted by lead and areas with environmental justice concerns.

DOE announced the first set of projects funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) to expand domestic manufacturing of batteries for electric vehicles and the electrical grid and for materials and components currently imported from other countries. Twenty companies will receive a combined $2.8 billion to build and expand commercial-scale facilities?in at least 12 states, and the investment will be matched by recipients to leverage a total of more than $9 billion to boost American production of clean energy technology.

WASHINGTON (Oct. 20, 2022) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced additional actions to phase down climate-damaging hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), a crucial component of President Biden's ambitious agenda to combat the climate crisis while advancing American manufacturing and innovation. EPA today issued a proposed rule to implement the next step of the nation's HFC phasedown, an ambitious 40% reduction below historic levels starting in 2024. The proposal follows the Senate's bipartisan approval to ratify the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, a global agreement to phase down HFCs and avoid up to 0.5?C of global warming by the end of this century.

Administration announced new actions by more than 20 agencies to bolster the Federal Government's resilience to the worsening impacts of climate change. These actions are detailed in annual agency adaptation progress reports and highlight an Administration-wide commitment to confronting the climate crisis by integrating climate-readiness across every agency's mission and programs.

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

The Federal Energy and Water Management Awards recognize individuals, groups, and agencies for their outstanding contributions in the areas of energy and water efficiency, resilience, and technology achievements; distributed energy; cybersecurity; and fleet management at federal facilities.

The Biden-Harris Administration announced it has approved Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Deployment Plans for all 50 States, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico ahead of schedule under the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program, established and funded by President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. With this approval, all states now have access to all FY22 and FY23 NEVI formula funding, totaling more than $1.5 billion to help build EV chargers covering approximately 75,000 miles of highway across the country. The NEVI formula funding under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which makes $5 billion available over five years, will help build a convenient, reliable, and affordable EV charging network across the country. President Biden's commitment to making electric vehicles and EV charging accessible to all Americans is critical to fighting the climate crisis and is generating an electric vehicle manufacturing boom across the country.

The Acquisition Regulation Comparator (ARC) provides Acquisition.gov users the ability to compare up to three regulations side-by-side. The results are displayed in a column layout, with regulations compared at the part and subpart level and lined up by sections. FAR, GSAR and Department of Defense acquisition regulations are included in the ARC release, and all civilian agency acquisition regulations will be provided soon.

The Administration is launching coordinated actions to develop new floating offshore wind platforms, an emerging clean energy technology that will help the United States lead on offshore wind. This action will position the U.S. to lead the world on floating offshore wind technology. Globally, only 0.1 GW of floating offshore wind has been deployed to date, compared with over 50 GW of fixed-bottom offshore wind. America will seize this opportunity to be a frontrunner on floating offshore wind technologies, as part of President Biden's plan for a clean energy economy built by American workers.

The Biden-Harris Administration announced more than two-thirds of Electric Vehicle (EV) Infrastructure Deployment Plans from states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico have been approved ahead of schedule under the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program. With this early approval, these states can now unlock more than $900 million in NEVI formula funding from FY22 and FY23 to help build EV chargers across approximately 53,000 miles of highway across the country. The NEVI formula funding under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which makes $5 billion available over five years, will help build a convenient, reliable, and affordable EV charging network across the country. Faster adoption of electric vehicles is a critical part of the nation's climate goals as transportation currently accounts for more than a quarter of all emissions.

This EO lists the administration's eight goals to guide implementation of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and authorizes the new White House Office on Clean Energy Innovation and Implementation to coordinate that process.

The Federal Energy and Water Management Awards recognize individuals, groups, and agencies for their outstanding contributions in the areas of energy and water efficiency, resilience, and technology achievements; distributed energy; cyber security; and fleet management at federal facilities.

EPA announced that it is adding five sites to the Superfund National Priorities List and is proposing to add another two where releases of contamination pose significant human health and environmental risk. Thousands of contaminated sites, from landfills and processing plants to manufacturing facilities exist nationally due to hazardous waste being dumped, left out in the open, or otherwise improperly managed. President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will accelerate EPA's work to help communities clean up these contaminated sites with a $3.5 billion investment in the Superfund Remedial Program and reinstates the Superfund chemical excise taxes, making it one of the largest investments in American history to address legacy pollution. With this Superfund National Priorities List update, the Biden-Harris Administration is following through on its commitment to update the Superfund National Priorities List twice a year, as opposed to once per year. By pledging to add sites more regularly to the Superfund National Priorities List, EPA is taking action to protect the health of communities across the country while cleaning up and returning blighted properties to safe and productive reuse in areas where environmental cleanup and jobs are needed most.

EPA's FY 2022-2026 Strategic Plan communicates the Agency's priorities and provides the roadmap for achieving its mission to protect human health and the environment. In this Strategic Plan, the Agency renews its commitment to four principles which are: follow the science, follow the law, be transparent, and advance justice and equity.

A new report by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) examines the types of clean energy technologies and the scale and pace of deployment needed to achieve 100% clean electricity, or a net-zero power grid, in the United States by 2035. This would be a major stepping stone to economy-wide decarbonization by 2050. The study, done in partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy and with funding support from the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, is an initial exploration of the transition to a 100% clean electricity power system by 2035--and helps to advance understanding of both the opportunities and challenges of achieving the ambitious goal. Overall, NREL finds multiple pathways to 100% clean electricity by 2035 that would produce significant benefits, but the exact technology mix and costs will be determined by research and development (R&D), manufacturing, and infrastructure investment decisions over the next decade.

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

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

The August 2022 edition of The Corps Environment is now available and can be accessed online at: https://www.dvidshub.net/publication/issues/64976. This edition highlights employing an open and transparent process, in support of Environmental Operating Principle #7. Content within this issue recognizes our U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) environmental and sustainability champions and features initiatives from across the Army environmental community that are providing environmental benefits across the globe.

(Honolulu, August 11, 2022) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced a Federal Facility Compliance Agreement with the U.S. Marine Corps to make improvements related to stormwater discharges at the Marine Corps Base Hawaii (MCBH) located on the Mokapu Peninsula of Kaneohe, Oahu.

The 2021 Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) preliminary dataset contains data about chemical releases, waste management and pollution prevention activities that took place during 2021 at more than 20,000 federal and industrial facilities across the country. The TRI preliminary dataset is available each July through September, giving the public access to the most recent TRI information, prior to EPA finalizing the National Analysis dataset in October. EPA publishes the National Analysis report, based on the October dataset, early the following calendar year.

The Administration, through the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), launched new initiatives to connect families to more reliable clean energy, lower electricity bills, and create good-paying jobs in the domestic solar industry. DOE, in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS), announced that five states and Washington, D.C. will support the pilot of the Community Solar Subscription Platform to connect families to solar energy and lower electricity bills through the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and other low-income assistance programs. DOE also announced $10 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to jump-start solar energy careers in underserved communities.

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

The Joint Office of Energy and Transportation announced a $1.5 million award to National Association of State Energy Officials (NASEO) and the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) that will foster collaboration in the development and deployment of a national electric vehicle (EV) charging network that will benefit all Americans. The partnership will convene stakeholders across local, state, and federal government to ensure that EV charging station infrastructure investments are made in a strategic, coordinated, efficient, and equitable manner with public and private-sector partners. The work will be critical to the Joint Office's role in EV infrastructure investments made under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

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

The Chief Acquisition Officers Council is accepting nominations for the Acquisition, Program Management and Small Business Excellence Awards until 30 June 2022. These awards recognize acquisition professionals who have contributed to improvements in acquisition, particularly for efforts responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. Nominations are being solicited for Federal employees engaged in team or individual activities that led to excellent results. See website for award categories. The awards will be presented at Imagine Nation ELC 2022, 15-23 October.

The Joint Office of Energy and Transportation announced it is accepting nominations for committee members that will make up the Federal Advisory Committee Act Electric Vehicle (EV) Working Group, which aims to make recommendations regarding EV development, adoption, and integration across the United States. The office seeks nominations for individuals representing EV manufacturers, labor organizations, public utilities and regulators, tribal governments, the trucking industry, and other groups. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law authorized the creation of the EV Working Group to make recommendations on a broad range of EV topics including how the federal, state, and local governments and industry can prepare the U.S. workforce for more EVs on the road; supporting U.S. competitiveness in EV charging and infrastructure; and ensuring sustainable EV integration into the electric grid.

The DOE selected 19 projects, with a total funding of $6 million, that will pursue innovative, targeted, early-stage ideas in solar energy research and development. These projects, representing 13 different U.S. states, will support President Biden's goal of addressing the climate crisis by driving innovation and speeding clean energy deployment to achieve a carbon-free electricity sector by 2035 and net-zero emissions energy sector by 2050. The projects were selected through the Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) Small Innovative Projects in Solar (SIPS) 2022 Funding Program. SIPS projects focus on novel, high-risk, or high impact ideas that can produce significant results within the first year of performance, quickly validating new concepts and laying the foundation for continued research. SIPS is an ongoing SETO program that has funded more than 100 projects since it began in 2015.

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

The Biden-Harris Administration is authorizing the use of the Defense Production Act (DPA) to accelerate domestic production of clean energy technologies. Specifically, the President is authorizing the Department of Energy to use the DPA to rapidly expand American manufacturing of five critical clean energy technologies: Solar panel parts like photovoltaic modules and module components; Building insulation; Heat pumps, which heat and cool buildings super efficiently; Equipment for making and using clean electricity-generated fuels, including electrolyzers, fuel cells, and related platinum group metals; and Critical power grid infrastructure like transformers.

DPA Invocation Will Boost American Production of the Critical Technologies Necessary to Lower Energy Costs, Support the Clean Energy Economy, and Strengthen National Security. President Biden today issued presidential determinations providing the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) with the authority to utilize the Defense Production Act (DPA) to accelerate domestic production of five key energy technologies: (1) solar; (2) transformers and electric grid components; (3) heat pumps; (4) insulation; and (5) electrolyzers, fuel cells, and platinum group metals. The DPA determinations are part of the Biden-Harris Administration's plan to lower energy costs for families, strengthen national security, and achieve lasting American energy independence that reduces demand for fossil fuels and bolsters our clean energy economy.

The U.S. Department of Energy announced $8 million in funding to support projects that will improve the flexibility of the U.S. hydropower fleet and enhance electric grid reliability. Hydropower is a flexible resource, meaning it can supply electricity immediately or store it to meet real-time demand. By improving flexibility, these projects will strengthen hydropower's ability to support an evolving electric grid that includes an increasing amount of variable renewable energy sources.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today selected Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) to receive up to $6?million to help expand the deployment of geothermal heating and cooling technology at federal sites. The federal government is the nation’s largest energy user, consuming nearly 1% of all end-use energy in the United States. Installing these carbon-free heating and cooling systems at federal sites will support President Biden’s goal to make the federal government carbon-neutral and help demonstrate the benefits and potential of this technology.

The DOE awarded $3.6 million to 18 groups and organizations through the Inclusive Energy Innovation Prize -- a first-of-its-kind competition designed to support entrepreneurship and innovation in communities historically underserved in federal climate and energy technology funding. The selected projects are helping develop the next wave of diverse clean energy business owners, executives and workforce that are creating bottom-up solutions for sustainable development. The Inclusive Energy Innovation Prize supports the Biden-Harris Administration's Justice40 initiative to put environmental and economic justice at the center of America's transition to a net-zero economy by 2050.

This edition highlights protecting and preserving our environment, in support of Environmental Operating Principle #4. Content includes commentary from U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Environmental Community of Practice leadership, discussing how our actions are directly connected to the environment and shaping a sustainable future. This issue also features initiatives from across the Army environmental community that are protecting and preserving our environment for current and future generations.
Included in this issue:
– U.S. Army Environmental Command highlights the recipients of the Secretary of the Army and Secretary of Defense environmental awards.
– USACE Honolulu District shares how they removed thousands of unexploded ordnances in Saipan.
– USACE St. Paul District discusses progress being made under the Upper Mississippi River Restoration program.
– USACE Charleston District highlights a day in the life of a USACE regulatory project manager.
– U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center shares how they are working to address energy and water resiliency.
– USACE Far East District discusses how their stormwater pollution prevention measures are keeping waterways clean.

All presentations and webinar recordings from the 2022 Federal Environmental Symposium that have been approved for public release are now available on FedCenter at https://www.fedcenter.gov/fes2022-proceedings. We thank all those who participated in and helped to make this year's event a very successful one. Our next Symposium will be held in October 2023 and we look forward to having you join us once again.