EPA Releases Equity Action Plan Alongside Federal Partners to Advance Environmental Justice and Civil Rights

Last week, the Environmental Protection Agency published its Equity Action Plan to fulfill President Biden’s Executive Order (EO) 13985 directing EPA, along with other federal agencies, to assess whether underserved communities and their members face systemic barriers in accessing benefits and opportunities through the federal government. This Equity Action Plan is a critical part of EPA’s efforts to break through those barriers and advance equity and justice across our efforts to ensure clean water, air, and land for all communities.

“This Equity Action Plan is a strong example of how EPA works with our federal partners to deliver on the commitments set forth by the Biden-Harris Administration,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “EPA is working to live up to its promise to protect human health and the environment made to all people in our country more than 50 years ago. We can only do this by acknowledging the adverse effects of policies and regulations that have historically kept too many communities out of the room and leading the way in breaking down the barriers that have stood for far too long.” 

The Equity Action Plan aligns with the Agency’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2022-2026 EPA Strategic Plan, announced March 28, 2022. EPA’s final Strategic Plan includes, for the first time, an unprecedented strategic goal to advance environmental justice and civil rights.

The Equity Action Plan outlines six priority actions:

• Develop a comprehensive framework for considering cumulative impacts in relevant EPA decisions and operationalize that framework in EPA’s programs and activities.
• Build the capacity of underserved communities to provide their experience to EPA and implement community-led projects.
• Develop EPA’s internal capacity to engage underserved communities and implement clear and accountable processes to act based on communities’ input.
• Strengthen EPA’s external civil rights compliance program and ensure that civil rights compliance is an agency-wide responsibility.
• Integrate participatory (community) science into EPA’s research and program implementation.
• Make EPA’s procurement and contracting more equitable.

These priority actions form a critical foundation on which to build meaningful engagement with underserved communities; achieve more equitable and just outcomes, including pollution reductions in communities with environmental justice concerns; and deliver other tangible benefits to underserved communities.

Read the EPA Equity Action Plan.

EPA proposes to reclassify Denver-Metro and North Front Range as “Severe” Clean Air Act nonattainment area for ozone

Following Clean Air Act requirements, EPA is proposing to reclassify the Denver Metro North Front Range area (DMNFR) from a “Serious” to a “Severe” nonattainment area for the 2008 National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) for ground-level ozone, or smog.  EPA is also proposing to reclassify the DMNFR from a “Marginal” to “Moderate” nonattainment area for the 2015 ozone standard.  The proposed reclassifications would require the State of Colorado to apply more stringent air quality measures to sources across the area.  Under the “Severe’” reclassification, these requirements include the use of reformulated gasoline in summer months and a reduction of the threshold requiring control measures on emissions sources from 50 tons per year to 25 tons per year. Ozone-forming emissions include volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and nitrogen oxides.

EPA’s proposed reclassifications are based on a scientific evaluation of certified, publicly-available air quality monitoring data for the years 2018 – 2020 indicating the DMNFR has failed to meet the 2008 and 2015 ozone standards within the timeframes required by the Clean Air Act. Compliance with national air quality standards for ground-level ozone are based on the calculation of a three-year rolling average of the 4^th highest maximum annual concentrations in a geographic area, called a design value under the Clean Air Act. The current design value for the DMNFR area, based on monitored ozone concentrations between 2018-2020, is 81 ppb.   The 2008 ozone standard is 75 parts per billion and the 2015 standard is 70 ppb.   

“Ground-level ozone remains one of the most challenging public health concerns we face, affecting large numbers of Coloradans and their families,” said EPA Regional Administrator KC Becker.  “EPA’s proposed Clean Air Act reclassification for the Denver and North Front Range will make sure we are leveraging all available measures and resources as we move forward to reduce ozone pollution with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and all our partners.”

EPA’s proposed action is part of a set of national determinations regarding whether areas have met the 2008 or 2015 National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for ground-level ozone, or smog.  EPA is proposing determinations regarding the air quality progress of seven nonattainment areas classified as “Serious” for the 2008 ozone NAAQS, while also proposing similar actions for 31 nonattainment areas classified as “Marginal” for the 2015 ozone NAAQS.  For areas not meeting the ozone standards, today’s proposals outline new timeframes and next steps for states to take to improve air quality.

Ground-level ozone is not directly emitted to the air; it forms when pollutants emitted by cars, power plants, a wide range of industries, and other sources chemically react in sunlight. Ozone is most likely to reach unhealthy levels on hot sunny days in urban areas, but it can still reach high levels during colder months. It can also drift long distances and harm air quality in rural areas.

More than 79 million Americans, including those disproportionately burdened by ozone air pollution and other sources of pollution, live in areas that do not meet national air quality health standards for ground-level ozone, or smog.  Today’s proposals are the latest in a series of actions EPA is taking to improve air quality and public health under the Clean Air Act. EPA recently proposed stronger standards to reduce pollution from heavy-duty vehicles and engines, and also proposed a federal plan to cut pollution from power plants and industrial sources that significantly contribute to unhealthy levels of smog for millions of Americans who live downwind. 

EPA is required to undertake this rulemaking under the Clean Air Act to ensure that smog-affected areas expeditiously meet health-based air quality standards for ozone. For areas being reclassified – for example, from “Marginal” to “Moderate” or from “Serious” to “Severe” – the Clean Air Act requires that states implement additional measures to protect public health and to submit new plans to demonstrate how the area will attain as quickly as possible. Additionally, many areas across the country have had success with localized tools and approaches to improve ozone air quality.  EPA will continue to work collaboratively with its state partners to ensure these measures are implemented to protect clean air for all communities.

New EPA Tool Provides the Public with Customized Updates on Local Enforcement and Compliance Activities

This week the EPA announced the release of a new web tool, called “ECHO Notify,” that empowers members of the public to stay informed about important environmental enforcement and compliance activities in their communities.  Through ECHO Notify, users can signup to receive weekly emails when new information is available within the selected geographic area, such as when a violation or enforcement action has taken place at a nearby facility. 

 

“EPA is committed to empowering communities with the information they need to understand and make informed decisions about their health and the environment,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan.  “We’ve also seen that increased transparency leads to stronger deterrence of environmental violations. As more people play an active role in protecting their neighborhoods from pollution, EPA has developed ECHO Notify so that finding updates on environmental enforcement and compliance activities is as easy as checking your email.”

 

ECHO Notify provides information on all EPA enforcement and compliance activities as well as activities of state and local governments under the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, and the Safe Drinking Water Act.  

EPA Seeks Input on Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements for Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is inviting small businesses, governments, and not-for-profit organizations to participate as Small Entity Representatives (SERs) for a Small Business Advocacy Review (SBAR) Panel. This Panel will focus on the agency’s development of a rule that would require reporting and recordkeeping for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from certain persons who have manufactured (including imported) a PFAS in any year since January 1, 2011.  

In accordance with the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) section 8(a)(7), EPA proposed a rule in June 2021, to require reporting and recordkeeping from manufacturers (including importers) of PFAS. This rule proposed to require certain persons who have manufactured (including imported) a PFAS at any time since 2011 to submit certain information to EPA related to chemical identity, categories of use, volumes manufactured and processed, byproducts, environmental and health effects, worker exposure, and disposal.

The proposed rule would help EPA better understand the sources and quantities of PFAS manufactured in the United States and support the agency’s PFAS research, monitoring, and regulatory efforts under the PFAS Strategic Roadmap. Once finalized, this rule would provide EPA with the most comprehensive dataset of PFAS manufactured in the United States. The public comment period for this proposed rule closed on September 27, 2021.

 

In response to public comments and additional information received during the comment period, EPA is interested in convening an SBAR Panel. 

 

The Panel will include federal representatives from the Small Business Administration (SBA), the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), and EPA. The Panel members ask a selected group of SERs to provide advice and recommendations on behalf of their company, community, or organization to inform the Panel members about the potential impacts of the proposed rule on small entities.  

 

EPA seeks self-nominations directly from the small entities that may be subject to the rule requirements. Other representatives, such as trade associations that exclusively or at least primarily represent potentially regulated small entities, may also serve as SERs.  

 

Self-nominations may be submitted through the link below and must be received by February 16, 2022. 

 

Nominate yourself as a SER: https://www.epa.gov/reg-flex/potential-sbar-panel-tsca-section-8a7-rule-reporting-and-recordkeeping-requirements  

EPA Expands Pesticide Outreach and Education to Better Meet the Needs of Pesticide Applicators, including Farmworkers, and Consumers

In February, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) celebrates National Pesticide Safety Education Month to raise awareness for pesticide safety education and share best practices for using pesticides safely in and around our homes. Throughout the year, EPA provides resources and takes action to protect the well-being of all those who may come in contact with pesticides, from consumers who use disinfectants in their homes to pesticide handlers and farmworkers who work with and around pesticides in the fields.

 

“EPA is pleased to participate in National Pesticide Safety Education Month because providing tailored resources for farmworkers and other pesticide applicators is critical for ensuring that pesticides are responsibly used,” said Ya-Wei (Jake) Li, EPA Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention Deputy Assistant Administrator for Pesticide Programs. “Additionally, EPA continues to provide education and outreach on pesticide safety, particularly on disinfectants, to help consumers choose the right product for their needs and use that product safely.”

 

EPA’s Agricultural Worker Protection Standard (WPS) aims to prevent and reduce pesticide poisonings and injuries among agricultural workers and pesticide handlers, an effort propelled by making pesticide safety information accessible in several languages. Through a producer and syndicator of Spanish-language educational content, EPA developed public service announcements to help farmworkers reduce take-home pesticide exposure. EPA now offers a Spanish-language video (available in two lengths) that is based on learning from focus groups comprised of migrant and seasonal farm workers. The videos emphasize the importance of handwashing when working in agricultural areas where pesticides may be used. The videos have already been viewed more than 89,000 times and have reached over 82,000 users on social media. Watch the videos: El Factor Invisible and El Factor Invisible – Extended Version.

 

EPA is also proud to support numerous successful efforts and programs that help the public every day, including:

 

• Responding to the COVID-19 public health emergency – EPA continues to provide helpful consumer tips and outreach on the best cleaning and disinfectant practices. These efforts included an informative video on how to use EPA’s List N: Disinfectants for Coronavirus to find approved products for use against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. The Agency has successfully reviewed and approved more than 500 surface disinfectant products to ensure American businesses, families, schools, and other organizations have as many tools as possible to disinfect surfaces during the pandemic.
• Increasing access to pesticide safety information – EPA supports programs like the National Pesticide Information Center (NPIC), which provides objective, science-based information about pesticides and pesticide-related topics to enable people to make informed decisions. NPIC addresses current and emerging pesticide-related issues through their pesticides hotline with pesticide specialists answering calls from the public in over 240 languages. The site, which provides free federal, state, and local resources, receives around 8 million views per year.
• Creating culturally relevant resources – EPA uses focus group research to produce a variety of creative, multicultural, language outreach materials. These include radio spots, newsletter ads, posters, and more that raise awareness of worker protection under the WPS. The radio spots have reached farmworkers and their families in more than 75 geographical markets across the U.S., reaching an audience of approximately 25 million people. These radio messages included information on how farmworkers and pesticide handlers can reduce occupational exposure to pesticides, what to do if exposed, and how to mitigate illness and injury.
• Supporting Pesticide Safety Education Programs (PSEPs) – PSEPs teach pesticide safety across the country to workers and target communities. EPA supports PSEPs to provide workshops and educational tools to approximately 825,000 certified pesticide applicators in a variety of languages and help them meet certification requirements. PSEPs reach an additional 2 million people, including pesticide educators, farmworkers, and inner-city and rural communities. Find a program near you.
• Furthering pesticide-related outreach – EPA funds several projects that advance pesticide safety education. Most recently, EPA awarded a five-year cooperative agreement to the University of California-Davis, in partnership with Oregon State University, for the second phase of the Pesticide Educational Resources Collaborative (PERC). PERC coordinates development of pesticide-related educational resources that meet national needs. Many new resources were launched through this cooperative agreement including multilingual manuals, pamphlets, webpages, videos and guides for different targeted audiences on how to work with or around pesticides safely. More than 47,000 materials have been distributed.

The Agency also expects to release another grant opportunity later this month to increase the reach and scope of pesticide safety educational programs. Learn more today about pesticide safety by visiting: https://www.epa.gov/pesticides.

La Región 8 de la EPA ofrece una sesión pública de escucha el 1 de marzo sobre la Estrategia preliminar para reducir la exposición al plomo y las disparidades en las comunidades estadounidenses

Hoy, la Agencia de Protección Ambiental de los EE. UU. (EPA, por sus siglas en inglés) anunció una serie de sesiones públicas de escucha sobre la Estrategia preliminar para reducir la exposición al plomo y las disparidades en las comunidades estadounidenses (Estrategia sobre el plomo), de tal modo que las comunidades y los interesados puedan aportar sus comentarios acerca del plan de la Agencia. La exposición constante al plomo en el medioambiente presenta un riesgo para la salud de muchas personas en todo el país. Los niveles muy bajos de plomo en la sangre de los niños han demostrado estar relacionados con efectos adversos en el intelecto, la concentración y los logros académicos. La Estrategia preliminar sobre el plomo define enfoques para fortalecer las protecciones de la salud pública, abordar la contaminación existente por plomo en las comunidades que tienen la mayor exposición y promover la justicia ambiental.

 

“Las comunidades marginadas y sobrecargadas a menudo se ven expuestas desproporcionadamente al plomo, lo cual puede causar efectos negativos de por vida”, señaló Carlton Waterhouse, subadministrador suplente de la EPA para la Oficina de Tierras y Manejo de Emergencias. “Hoy, invitamos a todas las comunidades expuestas al plomo y a otros interesados a compartir sus perspectivas de modo que la EPA pueda asegurar que nuestra Estrategia preliminar para reducir la exposición al plomo y las disparidades en las comunidades estadounidenses resulte ser lo más integral que sea posible.”

 

“La opinión del público es un elemento esencial de la importante labor que realizamos en la EPA para asegurar que las comunidades tengan ambientes libres de plomo”, indicó KC Becker, administrador regional de la EPA. “Alentamos a las personas que asistan el 1 de marzo y aporten comentarios públicos de tal modo que juntos podamos colaborar para reducir la exposición al plomo en nuestras comunidades.”

 

Se realizarán sesiones públicas virtuales de escucha en las 10 oficinas geográficas de la EPA. La Región 8 de la EPA, que abarca Colorado, Montana, Dakota del Norte, Dakota del Sur, Utah, Wyoming y 28 Naciones Tribales, efectuará una sesión de escucha el 1 de marzo desde las 6:00 p.m. hasta las 9:00 p.m., hora local de montaña. Se requerirá inscribirse para asistir al evento. Encontrará los enlaces para inscripciones en cada una de las sesiones regionales de escucha en el sitio web de la EPA: https://www.epa.gov/lead/draft-strategy-reduce-lead-exposures-and-disparities-us-communities. Se ofrecerá interpretación y apoyo para facilitar el acceso a discapacitados.

Durante este evento, los miembros inscritos del público tendrán la oportunidad de compartir sus comentarios sobre la Estrategia preliminar sobre el plomo de la EPA con los funcionarios sénior y gerentes de la EPA. Quienes se interesen en hablar pueden inscribirse para tener 3 minutos asignados en el momento de la inscripción.

Se aconseja a los miembros del público que no puedan asistir a este evento que asistan a cualquiera de las 10 sesiones de escucha o que presenten comentarios mediante el expediente en: http://www.regulations.gov,  ID del expediente: EPA-HQ-OLEM-2021-0762 hasta el 16 de marzo de 2022.

Para conocer detalles sobre la Estrategia preliminar sobre el plomo, las sesiones virtuales de escucha o cómo aportar comentarios del público, visite: https://www.epa.gov/lead/draft-strategy-reduce-lead-exposures-and-disparities-us-communities.

EPA Region 8 hosting public listening session March 1 on the Draft Strategy to Reduce Lead Exposures and Disparities in U.S. Communities

Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a series of upcoming public listening sessions on the Draft Strategy to Reduce Lead Exposures and Disparities in U.S. Communities (Lead Strategy), so communities and stakeholders can provide their comments on the Agency’s plan. Ongoing exposures to lead in the environment present a health risk to too many people nationwide. Very low levels of lead in children’s blood have been linked to adverse effects on intellect, concentration and academic achievement. The draft Lead Strategy lays out approaches to strengthen public health protections, address legacy lead contamination for communities with the greatest exposures and promote environmental justice.

 

“Communities of color and low-income communities are often disproportionately exposed to lead, which can cause life-long negative effects,” said Carlton Waterhouse, EPA deputy assistant administrator for the Office of Land and Emergency Management. “Today, we are inviting all communities exposed to lead and other stakeholders to share their perspectives so that EPA can ensure that our Draft Strategy to Reduce Lead Exposures and Disparities in U.S. Communities is as comprehensive as possible.”

 

“Public input is an essential element of the important work we do at EPA to make sure communities have lead-free environments,” said EPA Regional Administrator KC Becker. “We encourage people to attend on March 1 and provide public comment so that together we can work to reduce lead exposure in our communities.”

 

Virtual public listening sessions will be held in all 10 of EPA’s geographic offices. EPA Region 8, which serves Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, Wyoming and 28 Tribal Nations, will hold a listening session on March 1 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. mountain standard time. Registration will be required to attend the event. Registration links to each regional listening session can be found on EPA’s website at: https://www.epa.gov/lead/draft-strategy-reduce-lead-exposures-and-disparities-us-communities. Interpretation and disability access support will be provided.

During this event, registered members of the public will have an opportunity to share their comments on EPA’s draft Lead Strategy with EPA senior officials and managers. Those interested in speaking may sign up for a 3-minute speaking slot at the time of registration.