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.

The Biden Administration through the EPA awarded $254.5 million in Brownfields grants to 265 communities. The grants are supported by President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which provides a total of $1.5 billion to advance environmental justice, spur economic revitalization, and create jobs by cleaning up contaminated, polluted, or hazardous brownfield properties. Brownfield projects can range from cleaning up buildings with asbestos or lead contamination, to assessing and cleaning up abandoned properties that once managed dangerous chemicals. Once cleaned up, former brownfield properties can be redeveloped into productive uses such as grocery stores, affordable housing, health centers, museums, parks, and solar farms. The Brownfields Program advances President Biden's Justice40 Initiative, which aims to deliver at least 40 percent of the benefits of certain government programs to disadvantaged communities. Approximately 86 percent of the communities selected to receive funding as part of today's announcement have proposed projects in historically underserved areas.

The Spring 2022 edition of the DoD Cultural Resources Program newsletter, "Cultural Resources Update," is attached. Highlights include articles on the Archaeological Conservancy, the Coalition for Archaeological Synthesis, the National Museum of the United States Army, current DoD Legacy Resource Management Program project updates, announcements, training, and more. See attached.

EPA and DOE announced the winners of the 2022 ENERGY STAR Awards. These 210 organizations, which represent the top ENERGY STAR partners, are making important contributions in support of America's clean energy transition.

EPA announced a proposed rule that would require comprehensive reporting on asbestos as the agency continues its work to address exposure to the known carcinogen and strengthen the science used to protect people from this dangerous chemical. The proposed rule under section 8(a) of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) would require asbestos manufacturers and processors to report certain use and exposure information, including information pertaining to asbestos-containing articles (including as an impurity). EPA would use data collected through this proposed rule to help inform future actions involving asbestos, including the ongoing risk evaluation for "legacy uses" of asbestos (part two) and potential future risk management activities resulting from that risk evaluation. For example, data collected on asbestos as an impurity could better inform the risk evaluation of the use of asbestos in talc. Additionally, EPA's completed risk evaluation of ongoing asbestos uses (part one) included uses where asbestos may be part of an article, or a component of an end use product, like brake blocks and gaskets. This proposed reporting rule would help identify if there are articles that contain different types of asbestos.

As directed by President Biden's executive order, the Justice Department and EPA developed a strategy that positions the Biden-Harris Administration to leverage all available legal tools to secure protections for communities that have been overburdened by pollution and environmental injustices. This includes restoring Supplemental Environmental Projects (SEPs), which EPA's enforcement program has used to provide environmental and/or public health benefits to communities harmed by environmental violations. In the development of this strategy, EPA and the Justice Department engaged in listening sessions to hear directly from impacted communities and other stakeholders. This feedback was critical in shaping today's EJ announcements. A Supplemental Environmental Project is an enforcement tool that EPA used for more than 30 years until the previous administration brought it to a halt. SEPs are local projects that defendants can agree to undertake as part of an enforcement case settlement to help rectify environmental violations. SEPs help to fulfill the goals of the underlying statutes being enforced and can provide important environmental and public health benefits to communities that have been harmed by environmental violations.

The Department of Defense (DoD) announced the Secretary of Defense Environmental Awards winners for 2022. The awards recognize installations, teams, and individuals for their accomplishments in innovative and cost-effective environmental management strategies supporting mission readiness. Each year since 1962, the Secretary of Defense Environmental Awards have honored service members and civilians across DoD. The nominees' achievements include significant strides to conserve our Nation's natural and cultural resources; protect human health; prevent or eliminate pollution at the source; clean up hazardous substances, pollutants or contaminants, and munitions on DoD sites; and incorporate environmental requirements into weapon systems acquisition. DoD also leverages technology to develop innovative solutions to existing and emerging human health and environmental challenges. In 2022, DoD selected the following 9 winners from a total of 26 nominees.

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

EPA develops an annual report called the Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks (Inventory), that tracks U.S. greenhouse gas emissions and sinks by source, economic sector, and greenhouse gas going back to 1990. EPA has prepared the Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks since the early 1990s. This annual report, provides a comprehensive accounting of total greenhouse gas emissions for all man-made sources in the United States, including carbon dioxide removal from the atmosphere by "sinks," (e.g., through the uptake of carbon and storage in forests, vegetation, and soils) from management of lands in their current use or as lands are converted to other uses. The gases covered by the Inventory include carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, sulfur hexafluoride, and nitrogen trifluoride.

The DOE Building Technologies Office (BTO) has issued a request for information from the public that will inform the program development and execution of Section 40511 of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. This provision makes $225 million available to states, local governments, and partnerships through grants to help them drive the cost-effective implementation of building energy codes for improved efficiency and resilience. The positive impacts from the advancement and effective implementation of energy codes and related building energy policies in states and localities throughout the United States are significant. Model energy codes are projected to deliver $138 billion energy cost savings, 900 MMT of avoided CO2 emissions and 13.5 quads of energy in cumulative benefits to residents across the country from 2010 to 2040. Funding provided through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will help ensure the benefits of energy codes and adjacent building energy policies are realized by American homes and businesses.

EPA is taking action to protect people from asbestos exposure by releasing a proposed rule to prohibit ongoing uses of the only known form of asbestos currently imported into the U.S. This proposed rule is the first-ever risk management rule issued under the new process for evaluating and addressing the safety of existing chemicals under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) that was enacted in 2016. The proposed rule would ban chrysotile asbestos, the only known form of asbestos that's currently imported into the U.S., which is found in products like asbestos diaphragms, sheet gaskets, brake blocks, aftermarket automotive brakes/linings, other vehicle friction products, and other gaskets also imported into the U.S.

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

EPA announced that it is adding 12 sites Superfund National Priorities List (NPL) and is proposing to add another five. These are sites where releases of contamination pose significant human health and environmental risks. Cleaning up contaminated sites is important for the health, safety, and revitalization of communities. Thousands of contaminated sites, from landfills, 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. This historic investment strengthens EPA's ability to tackle threats to human health and the environment, and EPA has already set action in motion to clear the backlog of the 49 contaminated sites which had been awaiting funding to start remedial action.

The Interagency Task Force on Illegal Hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) Trade announced that over the past ten weeks, it has prevented illegal HFC shipments equivalent to approximately 530,000 metric tons of CO2 emissions, the same amount as the emissions from nearly 100,000 homes' electricity use in one year. As of January 1, 2022, when the EPA's HFC Allowance Allocation and Trading program went into effect, the import of HFCs requires allowances. Shipments coming to U.S. ports without proper allowances have been identified, stopped, and re-exported. In September of 2021, the task force was established when EPA issued a final rule initiating a comprehensive program to cap and phase down the production and consumption of climate-damaging HFCs in the United States, potent greenhouse gases commonly used in refrigeration and air conditioning equipment. A global phasedown of HFCs is expected to avoid up to 0.5 °C of global warming by 2100. The HFC phasedown is projected to avoid approximately 4.6 billion metric tons of CO2 from 2022 – 2050 in the United States, or nearly equal to three years' worth of U.S. power sector emissions at 2019 levels. The task force helps ensure the vast environmental benefits of the rule are realized by detecting, deterring, and disrupting any attempts to illegally import HFCs into the United States.

REMINDER: Registration to attend the 2022 Federal Environmental Symposium is now open! Federal employees and sponsored contractors are invited to attend the Symposium, hosted by NIH as a virtual event on March 28-31, 2022. The theme of this year's event is "Mission, Environment and Our Community". The event is FREE and registration will end Friday, March 18, 2022, so mark your calendar and register now. For more information, please see the Symposium website at https://www.fedcenter.gov/fes2022.

EPA reinstated California's authority under the Clean Air Act to implement its own greenhouse gas (GHG) emission standards and zero emission vehicle (ZEV) sales mandate. This action concludes the agency's reconsideration of 2019's Safer Affordable Fuel-Efficient Vehicles Rule Part One: One National Program Rule (SAFE-1) by finding that the actions taken under the previous administration as a part of SAFE-1 were decided in error and are now entirely rescinded. With this action, EPA is also withdrawing the SAFE-1 interpretation of the Clean Air Act that would prohibit other states from adopting the California GHG emission standards. As a result, other states may choose to adopt and enforce California's GHG emission standards in lieu of the Federal standards, consistent with section 177 of the Clean Air Act.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) released a study showing that by 2030, nearly half of medium- and heavy-duty trucks will be cheaper to buy, operate, and maintain as zero emissions vehicles than traditional diesel-powered combustion engine vehicles. Published by the DOE's National Renewable Energy Laboratory, the study finds that continued improvements with zero emission vehicle and fuel technologies will enable clean trucks to become cheaper and more readily available over the next decade. Increased use of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) within the trucking industry will support the decarbonization of America's transportation sector and advance President Biden's goals to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles, address the climate crisis, and bolster domestic manufacturing.

EPA released its 2020 Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) National Analysis, which shows that environmental releases of TRI chemicals by facilities covered by the program declined by 10% between 2019 and 2020. The 2020 TRI National Analysis summarizes TRI chemical waste management activities, including releases, that occurred during calendar year 2020. More than 21,000 facilities report annually on over 800 chemicals they release into the environment or otherwise manage as waste. EPA, states, and tribes receive TRI data from facilities in industry sectors such as manufacturing, mining, electric utilities, and commercial hazardous waste management. EPA is hosting a public webinar on 23 March 2022, highlighting the findings and trends from the 2020 TRI National Analysis and explaining the interactive features of the National Analysis website. Register for the webinar. (https://www.eventbrite.com/e/us-epa-2020-toxics-release-inventory-tri-national-analysis-tickets-277668523027)

This edition highlights fostering sustainability as a way of life, in support of Environmental Operating Principle #1. Content includes commentary from U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Director of Military Programs, Dr. Christine Altendorf, and USACE Director of Civil Works, Mr. Al Lee, discussing our collective climate change adaption and mitigation efforts. This issue also features initiatives from across the Army environmental community that are helping to shape a sustainable environment for current and future generations.

Content includes:

• USACE Charleston District shares how they are restoring prime nesting grounds for shorebirds and seabirds using dredged material.
• USACE Alaska District discusses how they are promoting sustainable construction practices on the Last Frontier.
• U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center highlights how their ongoing partnership is working to re-establish Gulf oyster habitat.
• USACE New York District shares how construction of the West Point Elementary School is supporting STEAM education for students.
• U.S. Army Environmental Command discusses how a project seeks to treat contaminated groundwater using a novel bioaugmented adsorption treatment system.

The February 2022 issue can be found here.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today announced a commitment from over 90 companies and organizations to reduce their carbon emissions by 50% by 2030 through DOE’s Better Climate Challenge. This national public-private partnership calls on organizations across the country to set bold, portfolio-wide greenhouse gas reduction targets and share their innovative solutions and best practices with partners and across industries. DOE will double down on these commitments by providing technical assistance and convening peer-to-peer exchanges to facilitate solution sharing across their facilities and fleets.

In this fact sheet the Administration is announcing new actions across agencies to support American leadership on clean manufacturing. The industrial sector is also central to tackling the climate crisis, as it is currently responsible for nearly a third of domestic greenhouse gas emissions. By helping manufacturers use clean energy, efficiency upgrades, and other innovative technologies to reduce emissions, the Administration is supporting cleaner industry that can produce the next generation of products and materials for a net-zero economy. These same manufacturing improvements will also protect public health, by reducing releases of air and water pollutants and toxic materials that disproportionately harm low-income households and communities of color.

ITRC's PFAS Team is pleased to announce the release of the updated PFAS-1 Technical and Regulatory Guidance Document! This update includes a broad expansion in the discussion of PFAS in several contexts, including naming conventions, bioaccumulation, treatment technologies and sampling and analytical methods. Other sections of the document have also been selected for additional content, including information in regarding the health effects of PFAS, the mechanisms of fate and transport of PFAS, and the change to fluorine free firefighting foams.

DOD and GSA announced a Request for Information (RFI) to gather market information and capabilities in supplying carbon pollution-free electricity to the federal government. This is an important step forward in transforming how the U.S. government buys and manages electricity, and it puts the nation on a path to achieving a carbon pollution-free electricity sector by 2035. This RFI follows President Biden’s signing of the Executive Order on Catalyzing Clean Energy Industries and Jobs Through Federal Sustainability (EO 14057), which directed the federal government to use 100% carbon pollution-free electricity on a net annual basis by 2030, including 50% on a 24/7 (hourly matching) basis. The objectives of this RFI are to: • Demonstrate the intent to achieve 100 percent carbon pollution-free electricity for federal operations by using a whole-of-government approach; • Understand the ability of industry to supply 24x7 hourly matched carbon pollution-free electricity, and gather pricing information based on scale; and • Gather information from industry on potential approaches to meeting the targets set by the Federal Sustainability Plan. This is a part of the Administration’s larger goal to combat the climate crisis, including working to curb emissions, strengthen resilience, create jobs, protect public health, catalyze private sector investment, spur innovation, expand the economy, and advance equity.

In the first year of the Biden-Harris Administration, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency took significant steps forward in tackling the climate crisis, advancing environmental justice, protecting the health and safety of communities across the country, and restoring scientific integrity.

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has published its 2021 U.S. Geothermal Power Production and District Heating Market Report, which highlights areas where the geothermal power sector is primed for technological innovation. The report identifies significant opportunities for expanding power production through cutting-edge enhanced geothermal systems technology development; new power plant operational paradigms such as hybridization and thermal energy storage; and harnessing vast co-production potential from existing oil and gas infrastructure. Increasing the use of geothermal energy for U.S. heating and cooling can significantly contribute to the Biden-Harris Administration's decarbonization goals to cut U.S. emissions in half by 2030 and achieve a carbon pollution-free electric sector by 2035.

ABSTRACT SUBMITTAL DEADLINE EXTENDED TO FRIDAY JAN. 14th:The Federal sustainability community is cordially invited to attend the 2022 Federal Environmental Symposium, March 28-31, 2022. This year's theme is Mission, Environment, and Our Communities, and will be conducted via webinar-format only. The four day event will focus on Federal sustainability initiatives over the past year while encouraging partnerships, sharing of information, and best practices amongst Federal facilities. The event schedule, registration instructions, call for presentation abstracts (now open until Friday, January 14th), and continuous updates to the event can be found on the Symposium website.

WASHINGTON (Dec. 28, 2021) -- In 2021, under the new leadership of the Biden-Harris Administration and Administrator Michael S. Regan, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency took significant steps forward in tackling the climate crisis, advancing environmental justice, protecting the health and safety of communities across the country, and restoring scientific integrity.

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

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

The DOE announced $13 million in funding for 17 projects to implement energy and water efficiency, renewable energy, and climate resilience technologies at federal facilities across the country. These projects will lower energy costs and enhance resilience to climate events of all federal energy-management systems. The projects will use energy performance contracts at no additional up-front cost to the government and will lower energy and water utility bills by more than $30 million annually while reducing greenhouse gas emissions by over 200,000 metric tons. As the single largest energy consumer in the nation, reducing the carbon footprint of the federal government is critical to achieving President Biden's goal of a net zero-emission economy by 2050.

U.S. Secretary of Energy and U.S. Secretary of Transportation signed a memorandum of understanding to create a Joint Office of Energy and Transportation to support the deployment of $7.5 billion from the President’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to build out a national electric vehicle charging network that can build public confidence, with a focus on filling gaps in rural, disadvantaged, and hard-to-reach locations. This is a critical component of the President’s plan to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles, address the climate crisis and support domestic manufacturing jobs. President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law directs both agencies to collaborate on new programs and initiatives, including the new joint office, that will support the transition of the nation’s transportation systems, which currently accounts for 29% of all U.S. carbon pollution, to electric vehicles and other zero-carbon technologies.

(12/08/2021) President Biden has signed an executive order that demonstrates how the United States will leverage its scale and procurement power to lead by example in tackling the climate crisis. The executive order will reduce emissions across federal operations, invest in American clean energy industries and manufacturing, and create clean, healthy, and resilient communities. The President is building on his whole-of-government effort to tackle the climate crisis in a way that creates well-paying jobs, grows industries, and makes the country more economically competitive.

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

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

The EPA announced that up to $3 million in funding for locally-focused environmental education grants is now available under the 2021 Environmental Education (EE) Local Grant Program. EPA will award grants in each of EPA's 10 Regions, for no less than $50,000 and no more than $100,000 each, for a total of 30-40 grants nationwide. Applications are due 6 December 2021, and the Request for Application (RFA) notice is now posted on www.grants.gov.

The EPA has announced that its Draft Fiscal Year (FY) 2022-2026 EPA Strategic Plan has been published in the Federal Register and is available for public comment through 12 November 2021. The Strategic Plan communicates and provides a roadmap to achieve EPA's and the Biden-Harris Administration's priorities over the next four years. For the first time, EPA's Strategic Plan includes a strategic goal focused solely on addressing climate change and a strategic goal to advance environmental justice and civil rights. A cross-agency strategy on strengthening partnerships discusses our planned activities for early, meaningful involvement with Tribes and states and on-the-ground engagement with communities. The Draft Plan also includes a suite of measures that will help EPA monitor progress and hold the Agency accountable for achieving its priorities to protect human health and the environment.

EPA outlined plans to initiate the rulemaking process for two new actions under the hazardous waste law, reflecting the agency's focus on using best available science and leveraging authorities to combat this shared challenge. EPA is announcing the initiation of two rulemakings. First, the agency will initiate the process to propose adding four PFAS chemicals as RCRA Hazardous Constituents under Appendix VIII, by evaluating the existing data for these chemicals and establishing a record to support such a proposed rule. The four PFAS chemicals EPA will evaluate are: PFOA, PFOS, PFBS, and GenX. Adding these chemicals as RCRA Hazardous Constituents would ensure they are subject to corrective action requirements and would be a necessary building block for future work to regulate PFAS as a listed hazardous waste. The second rulemaking effort will clarify in our regulations that the RCRA Corrective Action Program has the authority to require investigation and cleanup for wastes that meet the statutory definition of hazardous waste, as defined under RCRA section 1004(5). This modification would clarify that emerging contaminants such as PFAS can be cleaned up through the RCRA corrective action process. These actions build on EPA's broader strategy to comprehensively address PFAS pollution across the country.

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

The Fall 2021 edition of the DoD Cultural Resources Program newsletter, "Cultural Resources Update," is attached. Highlights include the Carlisle Barracks Disinterment Project, DoD Plan of Action on Tribal Consultation, the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers (USACE) Climate Action Team on detail to the DoD, an introduction to the new Legacy Program Analyst, announcements, training, and more.

This Strategic Plan furthers the agency's commitment to protecting human health and the environment for all people, with an emphasis on historically overburdened and underserved communities. EPA's final Plan includes a strategic goal focused exclusively on addressing climate change, as well as an unprecedented strategic goal to advance environmental justice and civil rights. The Strategic Plan outlines seven goals and four cross-agency strategies. The strategies articulate essential ways of working to accomplish EPA's goals and mission outcomes. The Plan also includes a suite of measures that will help the Agency monitor progress and ensure accountability for achieving its priorities to protect human health and the environment for all Americans.

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

EPA is taking a critical first step forward to expand the scope of TRI reporting requirements to include certain contract sterilization facilities that are not currently reporting on ethylene oxide (EtO) releases. Under EPCRA, the EPA Administrator has discretionary authority to extend TRI reporting requirements to specific facilities based on a chemical's toxicity, the facility's proximity to other facilities that release the chemical or to population centers, any history of releases of the chemical at the facility, or other factors that the Administrator deems appropriate.

October 13-15, 2021 The Climate Leadership Conference is excited to welcome EPA Administrator, Michael Regan, to its virtual stage to explore the intersection of environment, economy and equity and share why the Biden Administration's commitment to environmental justice is crucial to addressing climate change and how it paves the way for economic revitalization, job creation, and healthier communities. He will be joined in a moderated discussion with Ebony Thomas, Racial Equity and Economic Opportunity Initiatives Executive at Bank of America. The annual Climate Leadership Conference is North America's premier event dedicated to addressing the climate crisis through policy, innovation, and business solutions.

EPA is launching a new training initiative, Enhancing Lead-Safe Work Practices through Education and Outreach (ELSWPEO), to raise awareness about childhood lead exposure and protect environmentally overburdened and underserved communities across the United States from lead exposure. Many homes, apartments and child-care facilities built before 1978 contain lead-based paint. When disturbed, lead-based paint can release toxic lead dust and cause lead exposure, which is particularly harmful to children. While lead is dangerous to all children, lead exposure disproportionately impacts low-income families and their communities, making the free trainings offered by ELSWPEO an important step toward achieving environmental justice. ELSWPEO aims to serve local communities and advance environmental justice by increasing both the number of renovation, repair and painting (RRP) certified firms and consumer demand for lead-safe work practices.

This notice announces the competition for the 2022 Clean Air Excellence Awards Program. EPA established the Clean Air Excellence Awards Program (CAEAP) in February 2000. The intent of the program is to recognize and honor outstanding, innovative efforts that help to make progress in achieving cleaner air. The CAEAP is open to both public and private entities. Entries are limited to efforts related to air quality in the United States. There are five general award categories: (1) Clean Air Technology; (2) Community Action; (3) Education/Outreach; (4) State/Tribal/Local Air Quality Policy Innovations; and (5) Transportation Efficiency Innovations. There are also two special award categories: (1) Thomas W. Zosel Outstanding Individual Achievement Award; and (2) Gregg Cooke Visionary Program Award. All submissions of entries for the Clean Air Excellence Awards Program must be postmarked by 30 November 2021. Additional information on this awards program, including the entry form, can be found on EPA's Clean Air Act Advisory Committee (CAAAC) website.

This award is given to recognize efforts to ensure mission accomplishment and protection of human health through implementation of environmental management systems, pollution prevention, and environmental compliance that promotes sustainability in the areas of environmental planning, waste management, and land, air and water resource protection. These are annual awards celebrating the previous years' accomplishments/innovations. Nominations are typically accepted until March and the awards given in June.

The DOE released the Solar Futures Study detailing the significant role solar will play in decarbonizing the nation’s power grid. The study shows that by 2035, solar energy has the potential to power 40% of the nation’s electricity, drive deep decarbonization of the grid, and employ as much as 1.5 million people—without raising electricity prices. The study’s findings call for massive and equitable deployment of clean energy sources, underscoring the Biden Administration’s efforts to tackle the climate crisis and rapidly increase access to renewable power throughout the country.

EPA report that shows the most severe harms from climate change fall disproportionately upon underserved communities who are least able to prepare for, and recover from, heat waves, poor air quality, flooding, and other impacts. EPA's analysis indicates that racial and ethnic minority communities are particularly vulnerable to the greatest impacts of climate change. This report is one of the most advanced environmental justice studies to date that looks at how projected climate change impacts may be distributed across the American public.

Congress.gov allows users to search the legislation records for specific bills introduced in Congress since 1973. Bills may be searched by number or keyword from the search bar. After results are returned, one can narrow the set by selecting additional criteria from the filters. Filters available for legislation include: Congress, Bill Type, Status of Legislation, Subject – Policy Area, and others.

The latest TSCA Inventory is now available. The TSCA Inventory is a list of all existing chemical substances 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. The next regular update of the Inventory is planned for winter 2022. The Inventory contains 86,607 chemicals of which 41,953 are active in U.S commerce. Other updates to the TSCA Inventory include new chemical substance additions, commercial activity data and regulatory flags, such as polymer exemptions, TSCA section 4 test orders and TSCA section 5 significant new use rules (SNURs).

EPA has announced the availability of funds and solicits applications from eligible entities, including nonprofit organizations, to deliver Brownfields Job Training (JT) programs that recruit, train, and place local, unemployed and under-employed residents with the skills needed to secure full-time employment across a spectrum of brownfield-related activities. The application submission deadline is 5 October 2021.

This August 2021 edition of The Corps Environment highlights considering the environment when employing a risk management and systems approach, in support of Environmental Operating Principle #5. Content includes commentary from Mr. Richard Kidd, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense (Environment and Energy Resilience), and highlights initiatives across the Army environmental community. Content includes:

U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) discusses their formation of a tiger team to tackle climate change

U.S. Army Environmental Command highlights how the Army's commitment to endangered species is enhancing training lands

USACE Far East District shares how they are leading biodiversity efforts for American forces in Korea

USACE Omaha District discusses how they are leveraging an innovative approach to clean up and restore a formerly used defense site

ERDC highlights how USACE and its partners received an international award for the Tyndall Coastal Resilience Study.

EPA is celebrating the 30th anniversary of the launch of its first climate partnership program, Green Lights. Learn more about the legacy and impacts of climate partnership programs at EPA, and be sure to watch the video for a conversation between EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan and former Administrator William Reilly, who launched the Green Lights program in 1991.

WASHINGTON – (August 16, 2021) Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing expanded efforts to drive energy efficiency improvements among U.S. data centers. Through its ENERGY STAR program, EPA has launched an updated specification for ENERGY STAR certification of data storage products, unveiled a brand-new website experience designed to serve as the go-to place for data center energy efficiency resources, and will be updating its 1-100 ENERGY STAR score for data centers.

EPA added 36 chemicals to the Safer Chemical Ingredients List (SCIL). The SCIL is a living list of chemicals, by functional-use class, that EPA's Safer Choice program has evaluated and determined meet Safer Choice criteria. Chemicals on the SCIL are among the safest for their functional use. The addition of chemicals to the SCIL enables further innovation in safer chemistry, which can promote environmental justice, bolster resilience to the impacts of climate change, and improve water quality. EPA is committed to updating the SCIL with safer chemicals on a regular basis. This SCIL is a critical resource that can be used by many different stakeholders: product manufacturers use the SCIL to help them make high-functioning products that contain safer ingredients; chemical manufacturers use this list to promote the safer chemicals they manufacture; retailers use the list to help shape their sustainability programs; and environmental and health advocates use the list to support their work with industry to encourage the use of the safest possible chemistry.

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

DOD conducted an evaluation to determine what are needed to identify, mitigate, and remediate contamination from perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) at DoD installations; and identify populations exposed to PFAS at DoD installations and inform them of the associated health and safety concerns. DOD is recommending that the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment revise DoDI 4715.18 to include requirements for Emerging Chemical Program officials to initiate proactive risk management actions based on measurable risks to the DoD areas of concern to mitigate contaminant effects of emerging chemicals at DoD installations, develop risk management options and initiate proactive risk management actions which may be warranted to identify and mitigate the contaminant effects of emerging chemicals as early as possible in the Emerging Chemical Process, regardless of whether an emerging chemical is on the Emerging Chemical Watch List or the Emerging Chemical Action List; and formally inform DoD users of emerging chemicals and of their status in the Emerging Chemical Process.

On Thursday, July 29, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is hosting a webinar to demonstrate the "Power Plants and Neighboring Communities" web resource. This webpage includes interactive maps and supporting materials that combine information on air pollution emitted by fossil fuel-fired power plants with key demographical data on nearby communities. The Power Plants and Neighboring Communities web resource advances the Biden-Harris Administration's commitment to environmental justice by empowering the public and policymakers with information and tools to better understand the disproportionate impacts of air pollution in overburdened communities. EPA officials and Office of Air and Radiation staff will announce this new web resource and provide a detailed visual briefing via webinar.

FedCenter has added 2 new program areas to its lineup of environmental topics. The newly released Environmental Justice program area includes information on federal efforts to integrate environmental justice into all policies, programs, and activities. PFAS Resources consolidates information on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) for federal agencies. This page includes information from federal, state, local and tribal governments, and non-governmental and private organizations, regarding health effects on people, regulatory actions being taken, scientific research being conducted, and its effects on the environment.

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

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

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

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

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

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

On 4 December 2019, EPA published its Sodium Cyanide Interim Registration Review Decision ("Interim Decision"). The Interim Decision established necessary label changes under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) for sodium cyanide devices, also known as M-44s, which are restricted-use pesticides used for controlling coyotes and other wild predators. FIFRA requires applicators of restricted-use pesticides to be trained and certified. Only the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the state agriculture departments of South Dakota, Texas, Montana, Wyoming, and New Mexico hold registrations for sodium cyanide products. In addition to registration and applicator certification requirements, federal agencies are reminded that they--as with all M-44 users--must follow EPA's revised requirements for the use of sodium cyanide devices as directed by the product labels. Revisions to the label include requirements that sodium cyanide devices not be placed within 600 feet of residences unless specific criteria are met and that the applicator notify occupants of all residences within a 0.5-mile radius prior to device placement. The revised labels also include several modified use restrictions, which now require that devices be placed at least 300 feet from public roads and pathways and that two elevated signs facing the most likely directions of approach be erected within 15 feet of the device.

Lawmakers want to know how to budget for environmental clean-ups of military installations, but Defense leaders insist it's going to be a drawn-out process. In a hearing for the Defense Environmental Restoration Program (DERP) this week, officials from the services and the Pentagon told the House Appropriations subcommittee on Defense where DoD stands on removing hazardous Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) chemicals and unexploded ordinances from military bases. DERP addresses two categories of sites: The Installation Restoration Program manages the cleanup of chemicals released to the environment, including PFAS, while the Military Munitions Response Program addresses former military range sites known or suspected to contain unexploded ordinances, discarded military munitions, or munitions constituents.

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

Program will close on 1 June 2021.Approximately 100 projects under the EJSG program for up to $75,000 for one-year projects and 46 EJCPS projects for up to $200,000 for two-year projects can potentially be awarded nationwide. Potential additional funding is specifically targeted for additional air quality and safe drinking water workforce training projects and will be added to the approximately $6 million of EJ funding detailed in the original funding announcements. Applicants interested in either funding opportunity must submit grant proposal packages by 1 June 2021 to be considered for the available funding. Applicants should plan for projects to begin on 1 October 2021.

DOE in partnership with the National Alliance for Water Innovation (NAWI), announced a $6.5 million request for proposals (RFP) to develop new technologies for purifying non-traditional water sources. The advancements in desalination technologies will help propel the modernization of America's water infrastructure, increase access to clean, potable water and move the country towards net-zero emissions by 2050.

EPA issued an interim final rule to rescind the previous administration's rule entitled "Increasing Consistency and Transparency in Considering Benefits and Costs in the Clean Air Act Rulemaking Process," also known as the Benefit-Cost Rule. In response to President Biden's Executive Order 13990, "Protecting Public Health and the Environment and Restoring Science To Tackle the Climate Crisis," EPA reviewed the Benefit-Cost Rule and found that it imposed procedural restrictions and requirements that would have limited EPA's ability to use the best available science in developing Clean Air Act regulations, and would be inconsistent with economic best practices.

The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) released its final toxicological profile for several per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). There twelve perfluoroalkyl compounds discussed in the profile. The perfluoroalkyls discussed in the profile primarily consist of perfluorinated aliphatic carboxylic acids and perfluorinated aliphatic sulfonic acids.

The Biden-Harris administration outlined a vision for how the United States can work collaboratively to conserve and restore the lands, waters, and wildlife that support and sustain the nation. The recommendations are contained in a report outlining a locally led and voluntary nationwide conservation goal to conserve 30 percent of U.S. lands and waters by 2030. The report calls for a decade-long effort to support locally led and voluntary conservation and restoration efforts across public, private, and Tribal lands and waters in order to create jobs and strengthen the economy's foundation; tackle the climate and nature crises; and address inequitable access to the outdoors.

EPA invites Environmental Justice (EJ) advocates to participate in the second National Environmental Justice Community Engagement Call taking place on 19 May 2021 from 2:00 – 4:00 PM (Eastern). These calls are free and open to the public. The purpose of these calls is to inform the community and other stakeholders about EPA's EJ work and enhance opportunities to maintain an open dialogue with EJ advocates. The calls first began in 2010 and were a valuable tool for EPA to learn about EJ needs in communities around the country. The first re-launched call was held on 17 February 2021 and had nearly 700 participants.

EPA is proposing its first rule under the American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act of 2020 to phase down the production and consumption of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), highly potent greenhouse gases commonly used in refrigerators, air conditioners, and many other applications. The AIM Act directs EPA to sharply reduce production and consumption of these harmful pollutants by using an allowance allocation and trading program. This phasedown will decrease the production and import of HFCs in the United States by 85% over the next 15 years. A global HFC phasedown is expected to avoid up to 0.5 °C of global warming by 2100. The AIM Act is among the most significant environmental laws from the U.S. Congress in recent years – co-sponsored and passed with strong, bipartisan support. Backed by a broad coalition of industry and environmental groups, it provides regulatory certainty across the United States for phasing down HFCs and ushers in the use of more climate friendly and efficient alternatives that will save consumers money while improving the environment. American companies are at the forefront of developing HFC alternatives and the technologies that use them, and the AIM Act allows these companies to continue to lead and innovate internationally. EPA will accept comments on this proposal for 45 days after publication in the Federal Register and hold a public hearing. The agency plans to finalize this rule later this year.

U.S Department of Energy (DOE) Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) 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.

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

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

As directed in President Biden's Executive Order 13990 on "Protecting Public Health and the Environment and Restoring Science to Tackle the Climate Crisis," and in response to requests by states and other stakeholders, today the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is seeking public input on its reconsideration of the Agency's 2019 action titled The Safer Affordable Fuel-Efficient Vehicles Rule Part One: One National Program Rule (SAFE-1) for the purposes of rescinding the action taken by the prior administration.

(WASHINGTON, April 22, 2021) The Department of Defense (DoD) announced the eight winners of the 2021 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.

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

The Spring 2021 edition of the DoD Cultural Resources Program newsletter, "Cultural Resources Update," highlights include the DoD Climate Assessment Tool, Streamlined Determinations of Eligibility (DOEs) for Historic Farmsteads and Ranches, Bellwood-Richmond Quartermaster Historic District and Elk Herd, an introduction to the new FPO, announcements, training, and more.

WASHINGTON (April 16, 2021) Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland today issued two Secretarial Orders to prioritize action on climate change throughout the Department and to restore transparency and integrity in the Department's decision-making processes. SO 3399 establishes a Climate Task Force to coordinate work across the Department, including accelerating renewable energy development and identifying actions to foster investments in energy communities. SO 3398 revokes a series of Secretarial Orders issued in recent years that are inconsistent with the Department's commitment to protect public health; conserve land, water, and wildlife; and elevate science.

EPA released its 28th 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 2019. Net U.S. greenhouse gas emissions were 5,769 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent in 2019, a 1.7 percent decrease in emissions between 2018 and 2019. While many long-term and short-term factors influence annual greenhouse gas emissions in recent years, the downward GHG emissions trend can be largely attributed to falling emissions in the electric power sector. The GHG Inventory covers seven key greenhouse gases: carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, sulfur hexafluoride, and nitrogen trifluoride. In addition to tracking U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, the inventory also calculates carbon dioxide that is removed from the atmosphere through the uptake of carbon in forests and other vegetation. Public review of this year's report occurred from 12 February to 15 March 2021 and comments received are posted to the docket EPAHQ-OAR-2021-0008. Responses to comments will be posted to EPA's website within 2-4 weeks following publication of this report.

Register now for the U.S. Department of Energy's annual Better Buildings, Better Plants Summit taking place May 17-20, 2021. This engaging, interactive virtual symposium brings together energy, finance, and sustainability professionals in the commercial, public, industrial, and residential building sectors. Industry leaders who partner with DOE will share their insights, expertise, and approaches for achieving organizational goals around energy efficiency, resilience, workforce development, low-carbon targets, and more.

EPA released an improved web-based app to help communities identify potential sources of pollution to recreational waters. This science-based and data-informed tool empowers communities and supports engagement in local decisions in protecting the health of swimmers and recreators from contaminants at lakes, rivers, and beaches while supporting the vitality of water-based economies. EPA's new Sanitary Survey App for Marine and Fresh Waters is designed to help protect swimmers and other recreators while improving management decisions that can help keep recreational waters open for use. EPA recognizes the role of community participation in supporting robust water quality datasets. This tool can help citizen scientists provide data on sources of pollution in a watershed and information on potential harmful algal blooms in surface waters that public health officials need to protect a community. These efforts can also ultimately promote safe public access to urban waterways and lead to aquatic ecosystem restoration.

EPA released an updated toxicity assessment for perfluorobutane sulfonic acid (PFBS), a member of a larger group of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). PFBS assessment is part of EPA's commitment to restore scientific integrity to all of the agency's actions and increase the amount of research and information available to the public on PFAS chemicals. EPA, federal agencies, states, tribes, and local communities can use the PFBS toxicity assessment, along with specific exposure and other relevant information, to determine if and when it is necessary to take action to address potential health risks associated with human exposures to PFBS under appropriate regulations and statutes.

The Urban Waters Program works with urban and metropolitan areas, particularly those that are under-served and economically distressed, connect with their watersheds and work to improve them. Environmental justice remains a central principal of the program by ensuring community-based organizations and non-profits working in underserved and under-resourced communities are connected to our federal partnership locations and online resources. EPA Urban Waters is pleased to share the latest Progress Report from the Urban Waters Federal Partnership. The progress report summarizes the accomplishments and significant milestones of the Urban Waters Federal Partnership (UWFP) which carries out this critical work through location Ambassadors, local coordinators. Ambassadors facilitate on-the-ground collaboration working to improve water quality, revitalize local communities and provide education and outreach.

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