New Asthma Action Plan!

You are subscribed to It All Starts With Science Blog for U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. New Asthma Action Plan! 05/31/2012 12:00 PM EDT By Sally Perreault Darney, Ph.D.  As asthma awareness month comes to a close, a new window of opportunity for helping children with asthma is opening.  Today EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson, in partnership with senior leaders of the US Departments of Health and Human Services, and of Housing and Urban Development, is rolling out a new [...] You can view or update your subscriptions or e-mail address at any time on your Subscriber Preferences Page. All you will need is your e-mail address. If you have any questions or problems e-mail support@govdelivery.com for assistance.  This service is provided to you at no charge by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.  This email was sent to elmasry.webmaster@gmail.com using GovDelivery, on behalf of: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW · Washington DC 20460 · 202-564-4355

Region 10 News Release

Astoria, Oregon, one of nine cities nationally to share $3.8 million in new EPA Brownfields redevelopment funding   Susan Morales, EPA/Seattle 206-553-7299, morales.susan@epa.gov Mark MacIntyre, EPA/Seattle 206-553-7302, macintyre.mark@epa.gov   (Seattle - May 31, 2011) – Nine communities across America will share $3.8 million in new U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) funding to help cleanup and redevelop of local contaminated properties. The new pilot “Multi-Purpose” grants, funded by EPA’s Brownfields program, will help recipients conduct assessments and cleanups, eliminating delays.   Here in the Pacific Northwest, EPA has selected the City of Astoria for a Brownfields multi-purpose pilot grant. Hazardous substances grant funds will be used to assess and clean up the Heritage Square site located at 1153 Duane Street. Once the site of an auto repair shop, a dry cleaner and later a printer, the Duane Street location will be redeveloped as an outdoor community gathering place with an amphitheater, market plaza, boardwalk and covered pavilions.   EPA believes that by investing in local redevelopment, communities can help clean up America’s land, boost local economies and create jobs while protecting public health. “Investment in the clean up and reuse of contaminated property is a catalyst for improving people’s lives,” said EPA Assistant Administrator Mathy Stanislaus. “This funding will help foster local economic growth and leverage jobs in communities where they are needed most. A revitalized Brownfields site reduces threats to human health and the environment, promotes community involvement, and attracts investment in local neighborhoods.”   A Nod to Local Chinese History   A historic dimension to the Astoria redevelopment project is the Garden of Surging Waves, a non-traditional Chinese Garden that will be a tribute to Astoria's Chinese heritage. Astoria has a rich and diverse social history, populated with a variety of ethnic groups, many of which are honored elsewhere in the community. But until now, Astoria’s early Chinese history has remained obscure. When fishing and fish canneries were two of Astoria’s primary industries, Chinese men were a key part of the cannery workforce.   EPA’s Brownfields Program   There are an estimated 450,000 abandoned and contaminated waste sites in America. EPA’s Brownfields program targets these sites to encourage redevelopment, and help provide the opportunity for productive community use of contaminated properties. Brownfields grants target under-served and low income neighborhoods – places where environmental cleanups and new jobs are most needed. Since inception in 1995, EPA’s Brownfields investments have leveraged more than $18.3 billion in cleanup and redevelopment funding from a variety of public and private sources and have resulted in approximately 75,500 jobs. So far in 2012, EPA has awarded $69.3 million to 245 grantees in 39 states across the country to assess and clean up abandoned industrial and commercial properties.    More information on Brownfields grants by state: http://cfpub.epa.gov/bf_factsheets/ More information on EPA’s Brownfields program: http://www.epa.gov/brownfields/ You can view or update your subscriptions or e-mail address at any time on your Subscriber Preferences Page. All you will need is your e-mail address. If you have any questions or problems e-mail support@govdelivery.com for assistance.  This service is provided to you at no charge by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.    This email was sent to elmasry.webmaster@gmail.com using GovDelivery, on behalf of: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW · Washington DC 20460 · 202-564-4355

EPA News Release (Region 7): City of Perry, Iowa, to Receive $400,000 for Assessment and Cleanup of Hazardous Substances at Former Rail Yard

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 7 901 N. Fifth St., Kansas City, KS 66101   Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and Nine Tribal Nations   City of Perry, Iowa, to Receive $400,000 for Assessment and Cleanup of Hazardous Substances at Former Rail Yard   Contact Information: Belinda Young, (913) 551-7463, young.belinda@epa.gov Environmental News   FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   (Kansas City, Kan., May 31, 2012) - The City of Perry, Iowa, has been selected to receive $400,000 in EPA brownfields funding to assess and clean up hazardous substances at the former Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Rail Yard in the city’s Spring Valley Township.   The funding is being awarded through an EPA Brownfields Multi-purpose Pilot Grant, which provides funding for site assessment and cleanup in a single grant. Perry was selected from nine communities across the country in need of redevelopment.   “The Brownfields Program helps Region 7 communities clean up local properties for future use," said Region 7 Administrator Karl Brooks.   There are an estimated 450,000 abandoned and contaminated waste sites in America. EPA’s Brownfields Program targets these sites to encourage redevelopment, and help to provide the opportunity for productive community use.   The 101-acre former Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Rail Yard is an abandoned property, contaminated with PCBs, herbicides, heavy metals, and inorganic contaminants. Assessment grant funds will be used to conduct in-depth sampling activities to identify the types and concentrations of contaminants. These funds will also be used to develop cleanup plans, and engage the community and other stakeholders with the project.   Cleanup funds will be used to manage the overall planning and coordination of the project, clean up the site, and prepare a project completion report, which will summarize the cleanup activities performed at the site. The property is expected to be redeveloped as a park and trailhead. It may also be used as a site for the generation of renewable energy.   EPA’s Brownfields Program empowers states, communities, and other stakeholders to work together to prevent, assess, safely clean up, and sustainable reuse brownfields. A brownfields site is real property, the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant.   In 2002, the Small Business Liability Relief and Brownfields Revitalization Act was passed to help states and communities around the country clean up and revitalize brownfields sites. Under this law, EPA provides financial assistance to eligible applicants to assess and clean up brownfields sites.   # # #   Learn more about the EPA Region 7 Brownfields Program   Locate this and other Region 7 news items on the News Where You Live interactive map   Connect with EPA Region 7 on Facebook: www.facebook.com/eparegion7     Note: If a link above doesn't work, please copy and paste the URL into a browser.     View all Region 7 News Releases     You can view or update your subscriptions or e-mail address at any time on your Subscriber Preferences Page. All you will need is your e-mail address. If you have any questions or problems e-mail support@govdelivery.com for assistance.  This service is provided to you at no charge by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.    This email was sent to elmasry.webmaster@gmail.com using GovDelivery, on behalf of: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW · Washington DC 20460 · 202-564-4355

Compliance and Enforcement News Release (HQ): Plastics Producer SABIC Agrees to Reduce Harmful Air Pollution from Leaking Equipment to Resolve Clean Air Act Violations in Indiana and Alabama

CONTACT: Stacy Kika Kika.stacy@epa.gov 202-564-0906 202-564-4355 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 31, 2012 Plastics Producer SABIC Agrees to Reduce Harmful Air Pollution from Leaking Equipment to Resolve Clean Air Act Violations in Indiana and Alabama WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Justice announced today SABIC Innovative Plastics US LLC, and its subsidiary, SABIC Innovative Plastics Mt. Vernon, LLC, have agreed to pay an approximately $1 million civil penalty and improve leak detection and repair practices to settle alleged violations of the Clean Air Act (CAA) at chemical manufacturing facilities in Mt. Vernon, Ind. and Burkville, Ala. Emissions of hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) from leaking equipment may cause serious health effects including cancer, reproductive issues and birth defects.  “Communities near large industrial facilities depend on EPA to protect public health and the environment by enforcing our nation’s environmental laws,” said Cynthia Giles, assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. “Today’s settlement with SABIC will reduce the potential for future violations and protect residents in Indiana and Alabama from emissions of hazardous air pollutants.” “This compliance program continues our efforts to control fugitive emissions and will require SABIC to upgrade its monitoring and maintenance practices to help prevent future violations,” said Robert G. Dreher, principal deputy assistant attorney general for the Environment and Natural Resources Division at the Department of Justice. In addition to paying a penalty, SABIC will implement a comprehensive program to reduce emissions of HAPs from leaking equipment such as valves and pumps. The emissions, known as “fugitive” emissions because they are not discharged from a stack but rather leak directly from equipment, are generally controlled through work practices, like monitoring and repairing leaks. The settlement requires SABIC to implement enhanced work practices, including more frequent leak monitoring, better repair practices, and innovative new efforts designed to prevent leaks. The program also requires SABIC to replace valves with new “low emissions” valves or valve packing material, designed to significantly reduce the likelihood of future leaks of HAPs. In response to EPA’s inspection of the Mt. Vernon facility, SABIC engineered HAP emission controls for hundreds of drains and trenches and the settlement further requires SABIC to control similar emissions from an oil/water separator. The estimated cost of these controls is almost $4 million. SABIC will also invest an additional $1.3 million to control HAP emissions from certain process vents as a supplemental environmental project. The compliance program and engineered controls will reduce HAP emissions by up to 136.7 tons per year. According to the 15-count complaint, filed simultaneously with the settlement today in the Southern District of Indiana, SABIC allegedly violated CAA requirements to monitor and repair leaking equipment, demonstrate compliance with regulations applicable to chemical plants, and report known violations to EPA.  The consent decree is subject to a 30 day comment period and final approval by the court. More information on the settlement: http://www.epa.gov/compliance/resources/cases/civil/caa/sabic.html R097 Note: If a link above doesn't work, please copy and paste the URL into a browser.   View all news releases related to compliance and enforcement   You can view or update your subscriptions or e-mail address at any time on your Subscriber Preferences Page. All you will need is your e-mail address. If you have any questions or problems e-mail support@govdelivery.com for assistance.  This service is provided to you at no charge by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.    This email was sent to elmasry.webmaster@gmail.com using GovDelivery, on behalf of: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW · Washington DC 20460 · 202-564-4355

News Release: Atlanta Will Get More Time to Complete Sewer Upgrades

Atlanta Will Get More Time to Complete Sewer Upgrades City, state and federal government reach proposed agreement to extend the deadline to 2027   Contact Information: Davina Marraccini, (404) 562-8293, marraccini.davina@epa.gov   (ATLANTA – May 31, 2012) The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) today proposed an amendment to a 1999 Consent Decree that would give the City of Atlanta additional time to complete the limited remaining repairs needed to eliminate sanitary sewer overflows and ensure Clean Water Act compliance. The untreated sewage from these overflows can contaminate rivers and streams, causing serious water quality problems. It can also back-up into residences and businesses, causing property damage and threatening public health.   Atlanta has already completed the majority of the work required under the 1999 Consent Decree to address water quality violations, reducing sanitary sewer overflows by an estimated 97 percent since 2004 at a cost of $1.5 billion. Today’s proposal would extend the deadline to complete the estimated $445 million in remaining work from July 1, 2014 to July 1, 2027. The proposed extension would reduce the financial burden on Atlanta ratepayers who are already paying some of the highest rates in the country, and allow the City to simultaneously address competing priorities to improve its drinking water system.   Atlanta has also completed all work required under a 1998 Consent Decree to address combined sewer overflows, which discharge excess wastewater directly into waterways during wet weather events. This work was completed by the 2009 deadline at a cost of an additional $760 million, and included separating portions of the sewer system, building large underground tunnels to capture stormwater for treatment, and disinfecting combined sewer overflows. As part of the 1998 Consent Decree, Atlanta also successfully implemented a $25 million Supplemental Environmental Project to acquire and preserve greenway areas surrounding waterways in metro Atlanta.   The proposed modification to the 1999 Consent Decree will be lodged with the U.S. District Court in Atlanta and is subject to a 30-day public comment period. After considering and responding to comments received, the United States will determine whether to proceed with the proposed extension and, if so, move to enter it with the Court. Court approval is required before any modification would be effective.   More about the 1999 consent decree: http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/d0cf6618525a9efb85257359003fb69d/1d9bf67474410410852567bd0073d60c!OpenDocument&Highlight=2,City,of,Atlanta   More information about EPA’s national enforcement initiative: http://www.epa.gov/compliance/data/planning/initiatives/2011sewagestormwater.html You can view or update your subscriptions or e-mail address at any time on your Subscriber Preferences Page. All you will need is your e-mail address. If you have any questions or problems e-mail support@govdelivery.com for assistance.  This service is provided to you at no charge by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.    This email was sent to elmasry.webmaster@gmail.com using GovDelivery, on behalf of: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW · Washington DC 20460 · 202-564-4355

News Release: EPA Announces $650,000 Grant to Clean Up Contaminated Sites in Southeast Michigan; State to Receive a Total $3.2 Million in Grants and Loans

CONTACT: Francisco Arcaute, 312-886-7613, arcaute.francisco@epa.gov FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   No. 12-OPA040 EPA Announces $650,000 Grant to Clean Up Contaminated Sites in Southeast Michigan; State to Receive a Total $3.2 Million in Grants and Loans  (CHICAGO – May 31, 2012) U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Regional Administrator Susan Hedman today joined Mayor John B. O’Reilly at the Dearborn City Building to announce a $650,000 grant to redevelop contaminated properties, create jobs and protect public health in Southeast Michigan. This EPA 2012 “brownfield” grant will be awarded to the Downriver Community Conference to continue and expand its work to assess and clean up abandoned industrial and commercial properties.    Since 1997, EPA has provided $2.6 million in grants to the Downriver Community Conference to assess brownfield sites. This EPA funding led to 25 cleanups and 50 redevelopment projects, leveraging more than $300 million in private and public investment. So far, more than 3,300 jobs and 75 acres of green space have been created. “EPA’s 2012 grant to the Downriver Community Conference will continue to spur redevelopment in Southeast Michigan,” said EPA Region 5 Administrator Susan Hedman. “EPA’s brownfield grants throughout Michigan will help prepare contaminated properties for productive uses.” Downriver will use the 2012 grant to assess: • Former automotive facilities in Monroe and Ypsilanti. • The former McLouth Steel Products site in Trenton. • A former engine manufacturing plant in Tecumseh. • A former paper mill in Monroe.  Since 2005, Downriver also has used $10 million from EPA’s brownfield revolving loan fund program for at least 15 more projects, leveraging more than $160 million in redevelopment.  “The EPA’s Revolving Loan Fund Brownfield Program has a tremendous economic impact to our region,” said Tom Russow, Chairman of the Downriver Community Conference Brownfield Consortium. “We have brought sites that had no value to value added through the creation of the several hundred jobs in manufacturing and service industries.” “The City of Dearborn has benefitted from the EPA’s funding to the Downriver Community Conference’s Brownfield Consortium in the past through the development of the successful Dearborn Town Center,” said Mayor John B. O’Reilly, Jr.  “In these difficult budget times, additional resources from the EPA for our area are welcome.” Nationwide, EPA will provide $69.3 million for brownfield grants and loans this year. Michigan will receive a total of $3.2 million to be distributed as follows: o Battle Creek will receive a $650,000 Revolving Loan Fund grant to clean up contaminated sites.  o The Lansing Brownfield Redevelopment Authority will receive a $400,000 award for up to 28 environmental assessments. o Mecosta County will receive a $400,000 assessment award for 20 environmental assessments cleanup plans. o Mt. Pleasant will receive a $200,000 cleanup grant for the former Mt. Pleasant Regional Center.  o Jackson will receive a $400,000 Revolving Loan Fund grant. o Wayne County will be receiving $500,000 RLF grant. See a list of all awarded brownfield grants by state: http://cfpub.epa.gov/bf_factsheets/ More information on EPA’s brownfields program: www.epa.gov/brownfields/ More information on brownfields success stories: www.epa.gov/brownfields/success/index.htm You can view or update your subscriptions or e-mail address at any time on your Subscriber Preferences Page. All you will need is your e-mail address. If you have any questions or problems e-mail support@govdelivery.com for assistance.  This service is provided to you at no charge by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.    This email was sent to elmasry.webmaster@gmail.com using GovDelivery, on behalf of: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW · Washington DC 20460 · 202-564-4355

News Release: EPA Forms First Advisory Board On Great Lakes Issues

MEDIA CONTACT:     Peter Cassell, 312-886-6234, cassell.peter@epa.gov FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                No. 12-OPA41 EPA Forms First Advisory Board On Great Lakes Issues CHICAGO (May 31, 2012) - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today announced the creation of an advisory board to support federal agencies with the implementation of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative and the updated Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement.    The new board, the federal government’s first advisory committee on Great Lakes issues, will provide advice and recommendations to EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson in her capacity as federal Interagency Task Force chair.  EPA will consider candidates from a broad range of interests including environmental groups, businesses, agricultural groups, funders/foundations, environmental justice groups, youth groups, academia and state, local and tribal representatives as needed. Nominees will be solicited through a second Federal Register notice in the coming weeks. EPA anticipates that board will be established this summer. "The health of the Great Lakes affects the health of millions of people. These waters also play a vital role in the historical, cultural, educational and economic progress of this region," said EPA Administrator and Task Force Chair Lisa P. Jackson. “As we work to set a new standard of care for these waters, it's important that we hear from experts and stakeholders who can strengthen our efforts. By providing insight from those who know these waters best, the Great Lakes Advisory Board will ensure the continued success of the work already underway, and help move us into the next phases of Great Lakes restoration and protection." The Great Lakes provide more than 30 million Americans with drinking water and underpin a multi-billion dollar economy.  In February 2009, President Obama proposed and Congress funded the GLRI, the largest investment in the Great Lakes in two decades. The Interagency Task Force is made up of 16 federal agencies and departments.  In 2010 they developed an action plan to implement the president’s historic initiative.  It calls for aggressive efforts in five areas: •    Cleaning up toxics and toxic hot spot Areas of Concern. •    Combating invasive species. •    Promoting near-shore health by protecting watersheds from polluted runoff. •    Restoring wetlands and other habitats. •    Raising public awareness, tracking progress, and working with partners. The plan also establishes annual benchmarks for success and progress. For more on the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, see www.glri.us. To view a copy of the Federal Register notice announcing EPA’s intent to establish the advisory board see https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2012/05/31/2012-13186/establishment-of-the-great-lakes-advisory-board-glab. You can view or update your subscriptions or e-mail address at any time on your Subscriber Preferences Page. All you will need is your e-mail address. If you have any questions or problems e-mail support@govdelivery.com for assistance.  This service is provided to you at no charge by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.    This email was sent to elmasry.webmaster@gmail.com using GovDelivery, on behalf of: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW · Washington DC 20460 · 202-564-4355

Protecting Human Health: That Explains It!

You are subscribed to It All Starts With Science Blog for U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. Protecting Human Health: That Explains It! 05/31/2012 09:30 AM EDT By Elizabeth Erwin This past December, I had the opportunity to attend the annual Society for Risk Analysis (SRA) meeting in Charleston, SC. One of my responsibilities was to cover a symposium on EPA's Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) chaired by Becki Clark, Acting Director of my EPA office, the National Center for Environmental Assessment [...] You can view or update your subscriptions or e-mail address at any time on your Subscriber Preferences Page. All you will need is your e-mail address. If you have any questions or problems e-mail support@govdelivery.com for assistance.  This service is provided to you at no charge by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.  This email was sent to elmasry.webmaster@gmail.com using GovDelivery, on behalf of: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW · Washington DC 20460 · 202-564-4355