From epa.gov

Release date: 04/26/2010

Contact Information: Latisha Petteway, petteway.latisha@epa.gov, 202-564-3191, 202-564-4355

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today awarded more than $1 million in grants to 14 college teams across the country who participated in the 6^th Annual National Sustainable Design Expo on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. The P3 award competition and National Sustainable Design Expo was held at EPA’s 40^th anniversary celebration of Earth Day, April 23-26. Winners of the EPA’s People, Prosperity and the Planet (P3) awards developed sustainable projects and ideas that protect the environment, encourage economic growth and use natural resources more efficiently.

“Sustainable innovations like the ones created by our P3 Award winners are the environmental and economic future of our nation. In fields from agriculture to architecture to energy production, sustainability is the true north on the path ahead,” said Paul T. Anastas, assistant administrator for the EPA’s Office of Research and Development. “Innovations like these keep our country competitive and healthy. Congratulations to our winners, and to everyone who participated, for their efforts to create scientific and technological innovations that will lead us into a sustainable future.”

The national P3 award competition encourages college students to create sustainable solutions to worldwide environmental problems through technological innovation. Each P3 award winner receives up to $75,000 to further develop a design, implement it in the field, or move it to the marketplace.

Winners of this year’s awards are Harvard University, Clemson University, Texas A&M University, Humboldt State University, Appalachian State University, Clarkson University (two teams), Cornell University, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Roger Williams University, Virginia Tech, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University and Drexel University.

The P3 award competition and National Sustainable Design Expo was held at EPA’s 40^th anniversary celebration of Earth Day, April 23-26. Each year, the expo showcases innovative, cutting-edge technologies designed by student teams along with sustainable policies and technologies developed and implemented by government and state agencies, businesses, and nonprofit organizations.

Support for the competition includes more than 40 partners in the federal government, industry, and scientific and professional societies. This year’s expo was co-sponsored by the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE).

More information on the P3 Award competition: http://www.epa.gov/P3

More information on EPA’s sustainability research program: http://www.epa.gov/sustainability

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From epa.gov

Release date: 04/23/2010

Contact Information: Dale Kemery kemery.dale@epa.gov 202-564-7839 202-564-4355
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 23, 2010

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced that renovations and repairs of pre-1978 housing must now be conducted using safe practices to protect children and pregnant women from exposure to lead-based paint. Almost a million children have elevated blood lead levels as a result of exposure to lead hazards, which can lead to lower intelligence, learning disabilities, and behavior issues. Adults exposed to lead hazards can suffer from high blood pressure and headaches. Children under six years old are most at risk.

“Our lead-safe program will protect children and families from lead-based paint hazards associated with renovation and repair activities in houses built before 1978,” said Steve Owens, assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention. “This rule requires contractors to follow some simple and effective lead-safe work practices to prevent children’s exposure to dangerous levels of lead. Lead poisoning is completely preventable.”

EPA proposed the Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule, which requires contractors to be trained and certified in lead-safe work practices, in 2006. In 2008, EPA finalized the rule and set April 22, 2010 as the implementation date. To date, EPA has certified 204 training providers who have conducted more than 6,900 courses, training an estimated 160,000 people in the construction and remodeling industries to use lead-safe work practices.

EPA will continue to provide support and assistance to states, industry and communities on all aspects of implementing this rule. Recognizing the large number of contractors and homes subject to the rule, EPA is increasing its outreach efforts and providing guidance to facilitate compliance and ease the transition period following the rule’s effective date. This guidance can be obtained at: http://www.epa.gov/lead. EPA has an 800 number to respond to inquiries about the new requirements: 1-800-424-LEAD (5323).

In addition to the rule becoming effective, EPA has issued three additional actions:

• • A final rule to apply lead-safe work practices to all pre-1978 homes, effectively closing an exemption that was created in 2008. The rule will become effective 60 days after publication in the Federal Register.
  • A notice of proposed rulemaking to require dust-wipe testing after most renovations and provide the results of the testing to the owners and occupants of the building. For some of these renovations, the proposal would require that lead dust levels after the renovation be below the regulatory hazard standards. EPA will take comment on the proposal for 60 days. The agency expects to finalize the rule by July 2011.
  • An advance notice of proposed rulemaking to announce EPA’s intention to apply lead-safe work practices to renovations on public and commercial buildings. The advance notice also announces EPA’s investigation into lead-based paint hazards that may be created by renovations on the interior of these public and commercial buildings. If EPA determines that lead-based paint hazards are created by interior renovations, EPA will propose regulations to address the hazards.

In addition, EPA is working with the Ad Council on a public-outreach campaign that will raise awareness among parents and caregivers of young children about the dangers of childhood lead poisoning from paint. EPA is jointly sponsoring the Ad Council campaign with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the non-profit Coalition to End Childhood Lead Poisoning. The campaign has developed a series of public service announcements in English and Spanish for use in radio, TV and print publications.

The federal government banned lead-based paint from housing in 1978. If a home was built before 1978, there is a likelihood that it contains lead-based paint. The 2008 rule requires contractors working in pre-1978 housing and child-occupied facilities to take the proper precautions to work lead-safe, including minimizing dust, containing the work area, and conducting a thorough cleanup to reduce the potential exposure associated with disturbing lead-based paint.

More information on the rule: http://www.epa.gov/lead
More information on the lead outreach campaign: http://www.leadfreekids.org

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From epa.gov

Release date: 04/20/2010

Contact Information: Emily Smith, 919-541-5556, 919-328-0490 (cell), smith.emily@epa.gov

(ATLANTA – April 20, 2010) On Thursday, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will celebrate the 40th anniversary of Earth Day on its Research Triangle Park campus. Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., a visionary environmental business leader, author and advocate, will be the keynote speaker.

Kennedy serves as senior attorney for the Natural Resources Defense Council and was named one of TIME magazine’s “Heroes for the Planet” for his success in helping Riverkeeper, a nonprofit environmental organization, lead the fight to restore the Hudson River. He is a clinical professor at Pace University School of Law’s Environmental Litigation Clinic. Among Kennedy’s published books are the New York Times bestseller Crimes Against Nature (2004) and The Riverkeepers (1997).

Other speakers at the celebration include Jim Turner, president and CEO of Duke Energy’s U.S. franchised electric and gas business. Turner will participate in a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new solar panels installed at EPA’s childcare center. The EPA has partnered with Duke Energy to install solar photovoltaic panels atop our child care center. These panels serve as a small power plant producing electricity which will be sent back to the electrical grid. Additional speakers at the Earth Day festivities include EPA Assistant Administrators for the agency’s Office of Research and Development; the Office of Administration and Resources Management; and Acting Regional Administrator for Region 4 of the EPA. More than 1,000 scientists and staff from EPA and the National Institute for Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), along with 36 students from local high schools, are expected to join the festivities.

WHO: Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., environmental business leader, author and advocate; Paul Anastas, EPA Assistant Administrator, Office of Research and Development; Craig E. Hooks, EPA Assistant Administrator, Office of Administration and Resources Management; Stan Meiburg, EPA Acting Regional Administrator, EPA Region 4; Jim Turner, president and CEO of Duke Energy’s U.S. franchised electric and gas business; and Students from Southern, Northern, Jordan and Hillside high schools in Durham
WHAT: 40th Earth Day celebration at EPA’s RTP campus with Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.

WHEN: Thursday, April 22, 2010, 10:00 to 11:30 a.m.

WHERE: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 109 T.W. Alexander Dr., Research Triangle Park, N.C. Campus directions: www.epa.gov/rtp/campus/location/location.htm

*** Please note: Visitors will need to show a government I.D. (license) to receive a visitor’s parking pass at the front gate. If entering our buildings, visitors will need to go through a security check point, similar to those used at airports.

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from epa.gov

Release date: 04/19/2010

Contact Information: Latisha Petteway, petteway.latisha@epa.gov,202-564-3191,202-564-4355, Enesta Jones, jones.enesta@epa.gov, 202-564-7873, 202-564-4355; Contacto en español; Lina Younes, younes.lina@epa.gov, 202-564-9924, 202-564-4355

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced today that it has selected $78.9 million in brownfields grants to communities in 40 states, four tribes, and one U.S. Territory. This funding will be used for the assessment, cleanup and redevelopment of brownfields properties, including abandoned gas stations, old textile mills, closed smelters, and other abandoned industrial and commercial properties.

The brownfields program encourages redevelopment of America’s estimated 450,000 abandoned and contaminated waste sites. As of March 2010, EPA’s brownfields assistance has leveraged more than $14 billion in cleanup and redevelopment funding, and 61,277 jobs in cleanup, construction, and redevelopment. These investments and jobs target local, under-served and economically disadvantaged neighborhoods – places where environmental cleanups and new jobs are most needed. Cleaning up our communities is one of EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson’s priorities, which leads not only to health and environmental benefits but also economic development and prosperity.

“To strengthen our economy, we must first strengthen our communities,” said Administrator Jackson. “Cleaning up and revitalizing these contaminated sites opens doors to new businesses, new homes and new jobs for American workers while making our environment cleaner and the community healthier. This shows that what is right for the environment is right for the economy.”

In total, EPA is selecting 304 grants through the Brownfields Assessment, Revolving Loan Fund, and Cleanup Grants programs:

· 188 assessment grants, totaling $42.56 million, will conduct site assessment and planning for cleanup at one or more brownfields sites as part of a community-wide effort.

· 17 revolving loan fund grants, totaling $17 million, will provide loans and subgrants for communities to begin cleanup activities at brownfields sites. Revolving loan funds are generally used to provide low interest loans for brownfields cleanups. · 99 cleanup grants, totaling $19.36 million, will provide funding for grant recipients to carryout cleanup activities at brownfield sites they own.

Since the beginning of the brownfields program in 1995, EPA has awarded 1,702 assessment grants totaling $401 million, 262 revolving loan fund grants totaling more than $256.7 million, and 655 cleanup grants totaling $129.4 million. As part of Administrator Jackson’s commitment to this program, the 2011 proposed budget includes an increase to $215 million for brownfields with a focus on planning, cleanup, job training and redevelopment.

In 2002, the Small Business Liability Relief and Brownfields Revitalization Act was passed. The brownfields law expanded the definition of what is considered a brownfield, so communities may now focus on mine-scarred lands, sites contaminated by petroleum, or sites contaminated as a result of manufacturing and distribution of illegal drugs (e.g. meth labs). More information on the FY 2010 grant recipients: http://www.epa.gov/brownfields/

More information on EPA’s brownfields program: http://www.epa.gov/brownfields/

Brownfields success stories: http://www.epa.gov/brownfields/success/index.htm

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