Archive: March 23, 2022

GO GREEN!
EPA News You Can Use – October 2019
https://www.epa.gov/newsroom/gogreen

IN THIS ISSUE:
Enviro-Tip of the Month
Recent News
What You Can Do, What You Can Use
En español: Spanish Feature
Multimedia
Upcoming Events and Opportunities
About This Newsletter

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ENVIRO-TIPS OF THE MONTH

October is Children’s Health Month. Children are often more vulnerable to pollutants than adults. Children’s Health Month is a reminder to learn more about children’s health, the environment, and what you can do.
https://www.epa.gov/children

• NEW – read the “Protecting Children’s Health” October 2019 booklet
  https://www.epa.gov/children/protecting-childrens-health-october-2019-booklet
• Does your child have asthma? Learn more about the environmental triggers:
  https://www.epa.gov/asthma/asthma-triggers-gain-control
• Protect children from lead poisoning:
  https://www.epa.gov/lead/protect-your-family-exposures-lead
• Protect your children from other poisons at home:
  https://www.epa.gov/safepestcontrol/reduce-your-childs-chances-pesticide-poisoning

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RECENT NEWS

Trump Administration Announces One National Program Rule on Federal Preemption of State Fuel Economy Standards. The U.S. DOT’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and EPA took an initial step towards finalizing the proposed Safer, Affordable, Fuel-Efficient (SAFE) Vehicles Rule by issuing a final action entitled the “One National Program Rule,” which will enable the federal government to provide nationwide uniform fuel economy and greenhouse gas emission standards for automobiles and light duty trucks.

A top priority for President Trump, when finalized, the proposed SAFE Vehicles Rule standards would establish attainable fuel economy and GHG vehicle emissions standards that will help ensure that more Americans have access to safer, more affordable, and cleaner vehicles that meet their families’ needs. “Today, we are delivering on a critical element of President Trump’s commitment to address and fix the current fuel economy and greenhouse gas emissions standards,” said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler. “One national standard provides much-needed regulatory certainty for the automotive industry and sets the stage for the Trump Administration’s final SAFE rule that will save lives and promote economic growth by reducing the price of new vehicles to help more Americans purchase newer, cleaner, and safer cars and trucks.”
https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/trump-administration-announces-one-national-program-rule-federal-preemption-state-fuel

EPA, U.S. Army Repeal 2015 Rule Defining “Waters of the United States” Ending Regulatory Patchwork. EPA’s Andrew Wheeler and Army Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works R.D. James announced that the agencies are repealing a 2015 rule that impermissibly expanded the definition of “waters of the United States” (WOTUS) under the Clean Water Act – ending a regulatory patchwork that required implementing two competing Clean Water Act regulations, which has created regulatory uncertainty across the United States. “Today, EPA and the Department of the Army finalized a rule to repeal the previous administration’s overreach in the federal regulation of U.S. waters and recodify the longstanding and familiar regulatory text that previously existed,” said Wheeler.
https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-us-army-repeal-2015-rule-defining-waters-united-states-ending-regulatory-patchwork

Administrator Wheeler Signs Memo to Reduce Animal Testing, Awards $4.25 Million to Advance Research on Alternative Methods to Animal Testing. Administrator Wheeler signed a directive to prioritize efforts to reduce animal testing. Administrator Wheeler also announced $4.25 million in funding to five universities to research the development and use of alternative test methods and strategies that reduce, refine, and/or replace vertebrate animal testing. “Today’s memo directs the agency to aggressively reduce animal testing, including reducing mammal study requests and funding 30% by 2025 and completely eliminating them by 2035,” said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler.
https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/administrator-wheeler-signs-memo-reduce-animal-testing-awards-425-million-advance

2019 Safer Choice Partner of the Year Award Winners. At a ceremony in Washington D.C., the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is recognizing 14 Safer Choice Partner of the Year award winners across 12 states and the District of Columbia for outstanding achievement in 2018 for the design, manufacture, selection, and use of products with safer chemicals for use in households and facilities nationwide. The Safer Choice program helps consumers, businesses, and purchasers find products that perform and are safer for human health and the environment. “The 2019 Safer Choice Partner of the Year Awards recognize the leadership contributions of Safer Choice partners and stakeholders who, over the past year, have shown outstanding achievement in the design, manufacture, selection, and use of products with safer chemicals,” said EPA Assistant Administrator Alexandra Dapolito Dunn.
https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-announces-2019-safer-choice-partner-year-award-winners

2019 Gulf Guardian Winners. EPA’s Gulf of Mexico Division announced this year’s Gulf Guardian award winners for projects that help improve water quality, habitat and environmental education in the gulf. “Protecting the Gulf of Mexico requires innovative approaches and proactive measures,” said EPA Region 4 Administrator Mary S. Walker. “The Gulf Guardian award winners are paving the way for ‘out of the box’ thinking and replicable practices.” EPA’s Gulf of Mexico Division facilitates collaborative actions to protect, maintain, and restore the health and productivity of the Gulf of Mexico consistent with the economic well-being of the region.
https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-announces-2019-gulf-guardian-winners-biloxi-mississippi
VIDEOS – ABOUT THE WINNERS: https://www.youtube.com/user/USEPAgov/videos

Read more EPA news: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/search

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WHAT YOU CAN DO, WHAT YOU CAN USE

Now that you’re back in school…

• Students: homework resources to help you with class assignments.
  https://www.epa.gov/students/homework-resources
• Teachers: lessons about the protecting health and the environment.
  https://www.epa.gov/students/lesson-plans-teacher-guides-and-online-resources-educators
• School administrators: resources for environmental health issues in schools.
  https://www.epa.gov/schools

Protecting America’s coral reefs story map. “Protecting America’s Coral Reefs” story map informs users of the importance of coral reefs, where they are located, the issues they face, and what EPA is doing in response. Users can interact with embedded GIS maps, including “Meet America’s Coral Reefs,” “Impacts on Coral Reefs,” and “EPA’s Coral-Related Projects.” Learn what EPA is doing to protect coral reefs and to go to the story map:
https://www.epa.gov/coral-reefs

New car shopping? If you’re shopping for a new-model car this fall, check out and compare the fuel economy of new cars. The fuel economy website provides estimates for hundreds of vehicle makes and models.
http://fueleconomy.gov

Hispanic Heritage Month, September 15 to October 15. Join us in honoring scientists, lawyers, journalists, and many other Hispanics in EPA who inspire and help us to protect our health and our planet. Read more about Hispanics at EPA.
https://www.epa.gov/careers/profiles-hispanics-epa

Upcoming opportunities:

• Campus RainWorks Challenge (due October 15). EPA is launching its eighth annual Campus RainWorks Challenge, a design competition that is open to colleges and universities across the country. EPA seeks to engage with students to design innovative green infrastructure solutions for stormwater management, showcasing the environmental, economic, and social benefits of these practices, and win cash prizes. Registration is open now and closes October 15. Registrants must submit their entries by December 17 and winners will be announced next spring.
  https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epas-campus-rainworks-challenge-invites-students-design-innovative-infrastructure

• Harmful Algal Bloom Video Challenge (due January 3). Do you know high school students in the central or mountain states of the US? EPA’s Regions 7 and 8* announced the launch of the “See a Bloom, Give It Room” High School Video Challenge. The competition is calling for videos from high school students (grades 9-12) that promote public awareness of harmful algal blooms through creative filmmaking, on how to spot harmful algal blooms and how people and their pets should be safe around them. Cash prizes total $6000 divided among the winners. Learn more about this competition, eligibility, and how to enter.
  https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-launches-see-bloom-give-it-room-high-school-video-challenge
  *EPA Regions 7 and 8 include Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, North Dakota, Nebraska, South Dakota, Utah and Wyoming; public, private and tribal high schools, and home school programs.

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EN ESPAÑOL: SPANISH FEATURE

Octubre es el Mes de la Salud Infantil. Los niños son frecuentemente más vulnerables a los contaminantes que los adultos. El Mes de la Salud Infantil es un recordatorio para aprender más acerca de la salud de los niños, el medioambiente y lo que usted puede hacer.
https://espanol.epa.gov/espanol/como-proteger-los-ninos-de-los-riesgos-ambientales

• ¿Su hijo es asmático? Infórmese sobre los desencadenantes ambientales del asma:
  https://espanol.epa.gov/cai/acerca-del-asma
• Proteja a los niños del envenenamiento por plomo:
  https://espanol.epa.gov/espanol/plomo
• Proteja a sus hijos de envenenamientos en su hogar:
  https://espanol.epa.gov/espanol/prevenga-los-envenenamientos-en-su-hogar

Aprenda más en español: https://espanol.epa.gov/

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MULTIMEDIA & MORE

VIDEOS – September

EPA Announces One National Program Rule on Federal Preemption of State Fuel Economy Standards. DOT, EPA issued a final action enabling the federal government to provide nationwide uniform fuel economy and greenhouse gas emission standards for automobiles and light duty trucks.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=da70BwSzePQ

Getting the Lead Out of Drinking Water by Replacing Residential Lead Service Lines. How two communities in New England are using creative ways to finance the removal of lead service lines.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmaAyUDwzfs

Gulf Guardian Award Winners. Individuals and groups recognized for their efforts to help improve water quality, habitat and environmental education in the Gulf of Mexico:

• Celebrate the Gulf Marine Education Festival
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=amTz7Kt498M
• Gulf Coast National Heritage Area Nature Based Tourism Plan
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sF4YZ27uRiM
• Land Trust for the Mississippi Coastal Plains Training Program
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jbDYTnpXa4
• Videos about the winners and other projects:
  https://www.youtube.com/user/USEPAgov/videos

BLOG POSTS – September

Celebrating Pollution Prevention Week
by Alexandra Dapolito Dunn, Assistant Administrator for the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention
https://blog.epa.gov/2019/09/16/celebrating-pollution-prevention-week

Senior Administration Officials Connect with Southern California Water Projects that Highlight Water Reuse Solutions
https://blog.epa.gov/2019/09/13/senior-administration-officials-connect-with-southern-california-water-projects-that-highlight-water-reuse-solutions

More on the EPA blog: https://blog.epa.gov

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UPCOMING EVENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES

October

Day

7, National Child Health Day

Week

20-26, National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week
https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/national-lead-poisoning-prevention-week
23-27, Stormwater Awareness Week

Month

Children’s Health Month, https://www.epa.gov/children
Rule your Attic (EnergyStar), http://Energystar.gov/ruleyourattic
Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15 – Oct. 15)

Read more at EPA’s history site: https://www.epa.gov/history

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ABOUT THIS NEWSLETTER

Americans want to help protect and improve the nation’s land, water, and air. “GoGreen” is a monthly newsletter from the US EPA summarizing our recent news and info you can use to make a difference in your home, community, or workplace.

Want more news? Read EPA news releases on topics that interest you.
https://www.epa.gov/newsroom

Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/EPA
Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EPA
Follow us on Instagram: http://instagram.com/epagov
Read about EPA science: https://www.epa.gov/sciencematters
Recent additions to EPA’s web site: https://www.epa.gov/home/recent-additions-epas-website

Contact: [email protected]

EPA Approves Virginia Plan to Improve Water Quality

PHILADELPHIA (October 2, 2019) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today announced it has approved and helped fund a $100 million plan by Virginia to implement key water infrastructure projects, including upgraded wastewater treatment plants to better serve residents, increase efficiency and reduce pollution.

Virginia’s Intended Use Plan includes a $32.5 million grant from EPA’s Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF), $6.5 million state matching funds, repayments from prior CWSRF loans, and interest earnings.

“The revolving fund program is essential to providing all Americans the clean and safe water they deserve,” said EPA Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator Cosmo Servidio. “EPA is proud to support Virginia’s plan and remains committed to helping communities with infrastructure improvements that protect their water resources”

Some of the projects targeted for funding in the state’s CWSRF plan include:

• $5.7 million to the City of Covington for a storage tank and equipment that will help the wastewater treatment plant during wet weather events. Wet weather events can contribute to flows that exceed the capacity of the plant and thus lead to potential discharge violations. These improvements will help ensure there are no overflows to the Jackson River and improve the capacity and operations at the treatment plant.
• $10.6 million to the Town of Tazewell to rehabilitate one of the town’s wastewater treatment plants that has operated beyond its expected service life. This improvement will allow the plant to treat two million gallons of wastewater a day.
• $37.5 million to the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Regional Sewer Authority for upgrades to its system that will allow for wastewater treatment facilities to improve operation during wet weather events.
• $20.1 million to The Nature Conservancy to purchase a conservation easement on property in the Clinch River Watershed. The easement will protect tens of thousands of acres of working forests and hundreds of miles of streams and rivers, as well as significant habitats, scenic views, and historic features.
• $2.7 million to James City County for a shoreline stabilization project at Chickahominy Waterfront Park and James City County Marina. The project will create a living shoreline to counter riverbank erosion and ultimately improve the water quality of downstream waterways.

A full list of CWSRF projects to be funded can be found at: https://www.deq.virginia.gov/Programs/Water/CleanWaterFinancingAssistance.aspx

The CWSRF program provides low interest loans for the construction of wastewater treatment facilities and other projects vital to protecting and improving water quality in rivers, lakes and streams for drinking water, recreation and natural habitat. The loans help communities keep water and sewer rates more affordable while addressing local water quality problems.

For more information about EPA’s Clean Water State Revolving Fund Program: https://www.epa.gov/cwsrf

Contact: [email protected]

EPA Approves Maryland Plan to Improve Water Quality

PHILADELPHIA (October 2, 2019) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today announced it has approved and helped fund a $297 million plan by Maryland to implement key water infrastructure projects, including upgraded wastewater treatment plants and stormwater control measures to better serve residents, increase efficiency and reduce pollution.

Maryland’s Intended Use Plan includes a $38.4 million grant from EPA’s Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF), $7.7 million state matching funds, repayments from prior CWSRF loans, and interest earnings.

“The revolving fund program is essential to providing all Americans the clean and safe water they deserve,” said EPA Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator Cosmo Servidio. “EPA is proud to support Maryland’s plan and remains committed to helping communities with infrastructure improvements that protect their water resources”

Some of the projects targeted for funding in the state’s CWSRF plan include:

• $11.7 million to Talbot County for a sewer line extension project to serve more than 600 properties, including many that are currently served by failing septic systems that lead to wastewater discharges into waterways that flow into the Chesapeake Bay. This project will help prevent tens of thousands of pounds of pollution from entering the Bay.
• $1.7 million to the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission to repair and replace sewer lines in Prince George’s County to help minimize and eliminate sewage overflows.
• $35.9 million to Baltimore City and $50.5 million to Baltimore County for upgrades to the Back River Wastewater Treatment Plant. Funding will support electrical improvements and replacement of five substations. The upgraded power capabilities will protect the plant’s treatment processes from wet weather flows, helping to ensure untreated flows go into storage tanks, rather than into local waterways.
• $35 million to the Urban Stormwater Retrofit Program Public-Private Partnership in Prince George’s County. This project involves the planning, design and construction of multiple projects to store or treat stormwater runoff to reduce pollutants from entering local waterways and the Chesapeake Bay. Projects range from installing small rain gardens to large urban retrofit solutions, such as pond retrofits and green streets.

A full list of CWSRF projects to be funded can be found at: https://mde.maryland.gov/programs/water/WQFA/Pages/index.aspx

The CWSRF program provides low interest loans for the construction of wastewater treatment facilities and other projects vital to protecting and improving water quality in rivers, lakes and streams for drinking water, recreation and natural habitat. The loans help communities keep water and sewer rates more affordable while addressing local water quality problems.

For more information about EPA’s Clean Water State Revolving Fund Program: https://www.epa.gov/cwsrf