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The Environmental Protection Agency has awarded $46,068 to the Texas Railroad Commission (TX RRC) to protect underground sources of drinking water. The federal Safe Drinking Water Act regulates the underground disposal of hazardous wastes through deep injection wells. The Commission will use the funds to issue permits, monitor the construction and operation of injection wells throughout the state and conduct field surveillance, inspections, investigations and enforcement activities.

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The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency has awarded $350,001 to the City of El Paso. The city will use the funds to enforce federal, state and local air pollution regulations. By implementing a year round fuels program and maintaining the El Paso/Ciudad Juarez air monitoring network, the city will carry out its objective of continuing to meet federal air quality standards in El Paso.

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The Environmental Protection Agency has awarded $45,520 to the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources (LDNR) to protect underground sources of drinking water. The federal Safe Drinking Water Act regulates the underground disposal of hazardous wastes through deep injection wells. LDNR will use the funds to issue permits, monitor the construction and operation of injection wells throughout the state and conduct field surveillance, inspections, investigations and enforcement activities.

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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has awarded $6,555,550 to the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) to administer the state's base water quality program under their Performance Partnership Grant. LDEQ’s program aims to prevent, reduce, and eliminate water pollution through standard-setting, monitoring, permitting and enforcement activities. The funding will also assist in administering the state's environmental management programs which monitor, abate, and control hazardous and solid waste, and air pollution.

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EPA to host 2008 National Corrective Action Conference June 3-4 in New Orleans

The Environmental Protection Agency will host the 2008 National Corrective Action Conference June 3 and 4 in New Orleans.

The event brings together hazardous waste regulators and managers, as well as other stakeholders involved with cleanups to provide a forum for open and frank discussion on corrective action issues and for exchange of information and experiences in streamlining the corrective action process.

“Strategies for Meeting the 2020 Corrective Action Goals” is the theme of this year’s conference. The conference will include 18 concurrent breakout sessions, with topics that include Corrective Action 101 (a basic introduction to the Corrective Action Program); a session on Vapor Intrusion and polychlorinated biphenyls; two sessions on Green Revitalization; Performance-based approaches to remedy selection; Risk-based cleanups/institutional controls; and more. Conference registration is $120.00.

For questions about the conference, contact Nick Stone at 214-665-7226 or email stone.nick@epa.gov, or Karen Tomimatsu at 703-605-0698 or email tomimatsu.karen@epa.gov.

More on the conference and registration: www.epacaconf.com

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Reducing Human Health Risks posed by Contaminants in Indoor Environments

The Environmental Protection Agency’s Region 6 office is accepting applications for eligible entities to conduct projects in the following areas:

• Educating asthmatics and their parents and/or primary care givers concerning environmental triggers through home, daycare, community and school interventions.
• Training healthcare professionals, community workers, and other trained individuals on environmental management of asthma so they can counsel people with asthma.
• Educating parents and care givers on childrens’ exposure to environmental tobacco smoke through home, daycare, and Outreach and training projects that result in effective indoor air quality management practices in schools.

EPA Region 6 will award grants of $5,000 to $50,000 to up to five projects in fiscal year 2008 with a total of approximately $150,000 available for all awards. Eligible applicants include states, local governments, territories, Indian Tribes, and the possessions of the U.S., including the District of Columbia, international organizations, public and private universities and colleges, hospitals, laboratories, and other public or private nonprofit institutions. Proposals must be intended to serve state, local, or tribal communities in EPA Region 6 states of Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma or Texas.

The closing date for applications is May 30, 2008, 11:00 p.m. CDT.

Eligible entities may submit applications by mail to:
Mr. Stacy Murphy (6PD-T)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
1445 Ross Avenue
Dallas, Texas 75202-2733
or apply electronically through www.grants.gov

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Company’s Efforts Are Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Today the Environmental Protection Agency presented the J.C. Penney Company, Inc. with its Energy Star award. At a ceremony unveiling the Energy Star award plaque, the company’s Home Office was certified in the Existing Office Building category. The Plano, Texas, based retailer was recently showcased in a report released by EPA for reducing greenhouse gas emissions through energy efficiency.

“We applaud JCPenney for preserving our environment and our energy resources,” said EPA Regional Administrator Richard E. Greene. “Whether you are running a business, a school, or a household, improving our nation’s environmental and energy outlook just makes sense.”

JCPenney is one of America’s leading retailers with 1,073 stores. At its 1.9 million-square-foot Home Office in Plano, the company has implemented more than 40 energy-saving initiatives over the past five years to reduce consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.

“The Energy Star for our Home Office reflects the foresight that went into the design of the facility when it opened in 1992, as well as our associates’ ongoing commitment to energy efficiency and conservation,” said Michael Theilman, executive vice president, chief human resources and administration officer for JCPenney. “The Energy Star plaque serves as both a sign of our achievements and a reminder that we are continuing to find ways to do more.”

JCPenney’s energy management program has focused on continuous improvement and refining of systems and processes to increase effectiveness. It was the first retailer to earn the Energy Star label for a retail store upon the release of EPA’s energy performance rating for retail in October 2007. The company also is a two-time recipient of Energy Star Partner of the Year recognition.

JCPenney has been particularly successful in helping its staff be part of the solution. Striving to make energy conservation direct, simple, and fun for the company’s 155,000 employees, the company designed an “Energy Captain” Web portal to supplement its online Energy Center. The portal is a one-stop shop for energy reports and support materials, as well as a forum to share ideas.

Energy Star was introduced by EPA in 1992 as a voluntary, market-based partnership to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through increased energy efficiency. Today, in partnership with the Department of Energy, Energy Star offers businesses and consumers energy-efficient solutions to save energy and money, and to help protect the environment for future generations. More than 12,000 organizations are Energy Star partners committed to improving the energy efficiency of products, homes, buildings and businesses.

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Resort will cut mercury as part of national environmental priorities program

The Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center will be recognized by the Environmental Protection Agency for reducing mercury throughout its facility.

As part of the National Partnership for Environmental Priorities (NPEP), the resort will replace the fluorescent light bulbs it currently uses in its 400,000 square feet of hotel and convention space with low-mercury bulbs. It will also recycle the mercury from the bulbs it replaces.

"Protecting public health and the environment is a team effort," said EPA Regional Administrator Richard E. Greene. "EPA is pleased to have the Gaylord Texan join us in making a positive environmental impact by cutting pollution."

Located in Grapevine, the Gaylord Texan is the first hotel in the region’s five-state area to join the NPEP program. EPA will mark the hotel’s entry into the program on April 18 during Earth Day and EarthFest 2008 activities in downtown Dallas.

"Gaylord Texan is proud to be participating in the Environmental Protection Agency's NPEP program," said John Imaizumi, Senior Vice President and General Manager for Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center. "Our team is strongly committed to being an environmental leader in our community."

NPEP is a voluntary program with more than 150 members from private and public organizations nationwide. The goal of the program is the reduction, reuse or recycling of 31 priority chemicals. These priority chemicals have been targeted for reduction by EPA because of their ability to build up in the food chain and cause harm to humans and the ecosystem.

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Teaching others about the environment has earned a Texas teen presidential recognition. Bianca Locke of Pasadena will be honored by President Bush today during a ceremony in Washington, D.C. Locke is part of an elite group of students from across the nation to be presented with the President’s Environmental Youth Award (PEYA), which recognizes youth who help protect local environments and promote environmental awareness.

"Bianca and this year’s other PEYA winners show that environmental champions come in all ages," said EPA Regional Administrator Richard E. Greene. "It is inspiring to see such talented young people taking an active interest in the world around them and doing good things to protect its natural resources."

PEYAs are presented each year to commend young people who become an environmental force, individually or collectively, within their community.

Locke became a recognized environmental leader in her community in May 2006 when her water conservation campaign at the city’s environmental fair won first prize for the "most educational booth." She went on to develop an entire environmental education program that includes books on stormwater and recycling, presentations, activities and posters. Her presentations were designed to reach audiences of all ages and backgrounds and incorporated skits, pictures, scale models and even mascots with costumes to get her messages across. She also recruited other students and city staff to help with her work.

Locke has taken her education program to more than 30 schools, community events and environmental workshops, just to name a few. The high school senior has spoken to groups ranging in size from 5 to 150 people. She plans on continuing her work in the environmental field after college.

The PEYA program is sponsored by the Environmental Protection Agency. Awards have been presented annually since 1971 to honor students in kindergarten through 12th grade. Nomination applications for the regional award program can be submitted through October 31 of each year. Additional information on the President’s Environmental Youth Award and the 2008 winners is available at www.epa.gov/peya

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Guapo Skateboards, LLC, is one of the newest companies to join the Environmental Protection Agency’s national program for reducing priority chemicals.

The Dallas-based company will replace fluorescent bulbs in its warehouse and skateboard park with low-mercury bulbs as part of the National Partnership for Environmental Priorities (NPEP).

“Each new partner that joins the effort to reduce pollution is helping create a cleaner, healthier environment,” said EPA Regional Administrator Richard E. Greene. “By joining this program, Guapo Skateboards is helping change our environment for the better, while also inspiring other companies to do the same.”

Guapo Skateboards is the first skateboard company in the country to join the NPEP program. EPA will recognize the company’s efforts to reduce pollution on April 18 during Earth Day and EarthFest 2008 activities in downtown Dallas.

“Guapo Skateboard Company is committed to reducing our environmental impact,” said Al Coker, CEO and owner of Guapo. Our goal is to give back to the community and to enhance skate boarding’s image. We are committed to enhancing our ‘green’ involvement on all levels and to promoting a safe and healthy environment. It is important to our customers and the community.”

The NPEP program promotes the voluntary reduction of 31 priority chemicals. Through work with EPA, both public and private organizations identify activities that will reduce the use of these chemicals, preventing their ability to accumulate in the environment and cause harm to humans and the ecosystem.

More than 150 organizations nationwide have joined the NPEP program, which has set a goal of reducing the use or release of four million pounds of priority chemicals by 2011.

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Groups working on solutions to local environmental and public health issues can apply for grants from the Environmental Protection Agency and its Environmental Justice Small Grants program.

Nonprofits, cities, counties and federally recognized tribes can submit grant proposals until June 30, 2008.

The EJSG program provides funding for eligible applicants working on or planning a project that addresses an environmental and public health issue within an affected community. Projects should increase understanding of issues, identify ways to address these issues at the local level, and educate and empower the community. Grant recipients can receive up to $20,000 to help with their projects.

Interested applicants can get more information on the Environmental Justice Small Grants program and how to apply for grants by contacting Shirley Quinones at (214) 665-2713 or visiting www.epa.gov

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Armed with the most money ever appropriated for emissions reduction grants, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) is calling on all applicants to submit their application packages no later than Friday, April 11, at 5 p.m.

The Texas Emissions Reduction Program (TERP) is offering $110 million in grants to offset the incremental costs associated with reducing emissions of nitrogen oxide (NOx) from heavy-duty diesel engines. NOx is one of the primary components of ground-level ozone, or smog. The grant amounts vary, depending on the amount of NOx reductions each project can achieve.

EPA challenged local leaders to use the TERP financial incentive to clean up approximately 4,500 heavy-duty diesel engines operating in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, which could reduce ozone-forming pollution by 14 tons of NOx per day. Local businesses have already received over $9 million in first-come first-served rebates and helped reduce a total of 931 tons of NOx over the next seven years. Since 2001, the TCEQ has awarded $506.2 million in TERP grants and rebates, covering 7,000 vehicles and pieces of equipment, for a total NOx reduction of over 125,000 tons.

TERP applications must be submitted to the TCEQ no later than 5 p.m. CDT, April 11, 2008. Applications submitted on April 11 should be dropped off at the TCEQ, Room 2202, second floor of building F, at 12100 Park 35 Circle, Austin, Texas 78753.

TERP serves as a national model for replacing and retrofitting older diesel engines. The Environmental Protection Agency supports local efforts to encourage participation in TERP as a way to improve air quality in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

For more information, interested applicants can visit www.terpgrants.org or for immediate assistance call (800) 919-8377.

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Cleaner skies are coming to North Texas thanks to the robust participation of local businesses in the Texas Emissions Reduction Program (TERP).

TERP has awarded over $9 million in rebates to upgrade or replace 113 of the dirtiest heavy-duty diesel engines and diesel-powered equipment in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. The participation of a wide array of individuals and businesses from the agricultural, construction, hauling, trucking and related sectors will make it possible for North Texans to breathe cleaner air by preventing 931 tons of nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions.

“North Texas is currently not meeting federal air quality standards, so every diesel engine or diesel- powered equipment that operates cleaner can make a difference to anyone who suffers from respiratory problems such as asthma,” said Leslie Rauscher, EPA Project Manager. “The state is making this financial opportunity available and local businesses are responding, which is very encouraging.” So far Texas has awarded $30 million in rebates state-wide, and is making another $110 million available in grants, but time to apply is running out.

TERP applications must be submitted by April 11, 2008. Individual application assistance will be available until April 10 at Community Help Desks in Dallas and Denton. For more information, interested applicants can visit www.terpgrants.org or for immediate assistance call (800) 919-8377.

TERP is managed by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and serves as a national model for replacing or retrofitting older diesel engines. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) supports local efforts to encourage participation in TERP as a way to improve air quality in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

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North Texas farms and agricultural businesses are reaping the economic and environmental benefits of greening their hauling fleets, thanks to the Texas Emissions Reduction Program (TERP).

Wright Farms of Farmersville received over $106,000 to replace an old haul truck with a cleaner, more efficient model that will reduce 10.6 tons of nitrogen oxide (NOx) pollution. Melissa-based Stoney Point AgriCorp will also replace a haul truck with more than $107,000 in rebates and prevent 10.7 tons of NOx emissions. By upgrading to a cleaner model, Mitchell & Bourland of Terrell will reduce 11 tons of pollutants with a rebate of nearly $111,000. The combined benefits add up to over $324,000 in financial assistance and 32 tons of pollution prevented.

There are only three days remaining to apply for TERP grants. Applications must be submitted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) no later than 5:00 p.m. CDT, April 11, 2008. Applications submitted on April 11 should be dropped off at the TCEQ, Room 2202, second floor of building F at 12100 Park 35 Circle, Austin, Texas 78753.

Individual application assistance is still available at Community Help Desks in Arlington, Dallas, Denton and Fort Worth until April 10 to help applicants with questions. For more information, interested applicants can visit www.terpgrants.org or for immediate assistance call (800) 919-8377.

TERP is managed by the TCEQ and serves as a national model for replacing and retrofitting older diesel engines. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) supports local efforts to encourage participation in TERP as a way to improve air quality in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

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Today the Environmental Protection Agency, in collaboration with the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality, announced that it has approved a new air quality plan for the Tulsa area under its 8-hour Ozone Flex program.

The ozone flex program allows communities that are currently meeting the national standard for ozone to implement proactive, voluntary measures that will reduce emissions of ozone-causing pollutants to improve air quality and stay within federal requirements.

“EPA and the 8-hour Ozone Flex program are helping communities achieve cleaner air sooner,” said EPA Regional Administrator Richard E. Greene. “We are pleased to have cities like Tulsa working with EPA, state and industry groups to develop better solutions for a better environment.”

Tulsa’s ozone flex agreement will involve implementing five projects over the next year, including a Metropolitan Tulsa Transit Authority Clean Diesel Retrofit Project. The clean diesel project will retrofit 26 buses and reduce nitrogen oxide emissions by about 4.5 tons per year. Nitrogen oxide combines with volatile organic compounds and sunlight to form ground-level ozone, or smog.

In addition to the clean diesel project, Terra Nitrogen, a manufacturer of nitrogen fertilizer products northeast of Tulsa, will voluntarily install ultra-low nitrogen oxide burners on one of its ammonia reformers. The $2 million project is planned for 2009 and is expected to cut nitrogen oxide emissions by 425 tons per year. Numerous other measures, including a City of Tulsa energy conservation project, will provide additional reductions in emissions of nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds.

The Tulsa metro area has been an ozone attainment area since 1990 and currently has an ozone design value of 0.080 ppm. EPA approved a more protective 8-hour ozone standard of 0.075 parts per million (ppm) on March 12. The 8-O3Flex plan will remain in effect until 2013, unless the area is reclassified under the new ozone standard.

Oklahoma will recommend which areas should be classified as in nonattainment of the new standard in 2009, and EPA will finalize those designations in 2010. The 8-O3Flex agreement will not prevent the region from being designated as a nonattainment area under the new standard. However, the plan is expected to help the area reduce ozone and reach the revised standard sooner.

Additional information on the 8-hour ozone flex program is available at www.epa.gov/region6/6pd/air/pd-l/index.htm

To learn more about activities in EPA Region 6, please visit www.epa.gov/region6

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The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency has awarded $75,000 to the Texas Transportation Institute at Texas A&M University. The institute will use this grant to study the impact of emissions from older light duty vehicles imported into Mexico. The study will be performed at the El Paso-Ciudad Juarez border in partnership with the city of Juarez and Instituto Municipal De Investigacion Y Planeacion. Study activities include quantifying the number and types of vehicles crossing the U.S.-Mexico border on a daily basis, estimating their emissions, and quantifying their emissions impact.

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The construction industry is turning a shade of green this spring thanks to the participation of local companies in the state’s Texas Emissions Reduction Program, or TERP. This is good news for Dallas-Fort Worth, which is the fastest-growing metropolitan area in the country.

David Copeland Sand & Gravel was awarded $253,000 in rebates to reduce 26.3 tons of pollution from their hauling and dumping operations. Other recipients include Plano-based Chavez Construction and Southlake’s Tri Dal, Ltd., with a combined award of over $128,000 and a pollution reduction of 12.8 tons.

Businesses interested in greening their fleets still have time to apply for TERP grants by the April 11, 2008, deadline. Individual application assistance is available at Community Help Desks in Arlington, Dallas, Denton and Fort Worth until April 10 to help applicants with questions. For more information, interested applicants can visit www.terpgrants.org or for immediate assistance call (800) 919-8377.

TERP is managed by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and serves as a national model for replacing and retrofitting older diesel engines. The Environmental Protection Agency supports local efforts to encourage participation in TERP as a way to improve air quality in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

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They have been the muscle behind manufacturing and warehousing for decades, and now forklifts are powering North Texas efforts to clean the air.

Deford Lumber, Ltd., of Dallas is one of several companies helping forklifts become the newest “vehicles” for clean air as part of the Texas Emissions Reduction Program (TERP). The company received more than $130,000 from the state-run program to replace the aging diesel engines in four of its forklifts and two haul trucks with cleaner, less-polluting models. In doing so, Deford will prevent more than 13 tons of nitrogen oxide from polluting North Texas air.

Other grant recipients from the Dallas-Fort Worth area include Land Lumber Co., Inc.; Mitchell and Bourland; Pam Heart; Neal Gay; James O. Worley; Robert Boyer; Bret Sapp; and Wayne Carroll. Together, their individual grants total more than $718,000 towards new engines for haul, cement, and dump trucks. They will also prevent the release of more than 71 tons of nitrogen oxide, one of the main contributors to ground-level ozone, or smog.

Businesses interested in greening their fleets still have time to apply for TERP grants by the April 11, 2008, deadline. Individual application assistance is available at Community Help Desks in Arlington, Dallas, Denton and Fort Worth until April 10 to help applicants with questions. For more information, interested applicants can visit www.terpgrants.org or for immediate assistance call (800) 919-8377.

TERP is managed by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and serves as a national model for replacing and retrofitting older diesel engines. The Environmental Protection Agency supports local efforts to encourage participation in TERP as a way to improve air quality in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

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The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency has awarded $163,076 to the Inter-Tribal Environmental Council for its Superfund program in Oklahoma. This award of $163,076 is the first award for fiscal year 2008 and consists of $97,850 for the Preliminary Assessment /Site Investigation program and $65,226 for the Core program. The PA/SI program includes pre-Superfund screening, preliminary assessments, site inspections, and preparation of National Priority List ranking packages. The Core program involves administrative and non-site specific activities. All activities supported by this grant are aimed at remediating hazardous waste sites and restoring land to safe and productive use.

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Seven small businesses based in Dallas will soon be operating newer haul trucks to help clear the air of 69 tons of nitrogen oxide pollutants, thanks to nearly $700,000 in rebates awarded by the state. Over $110 million in grants through the Texas Emissions Reduction Plan (TERP) is available to help other local businesses like these replace or upgrade older heavy-duty equipment and vehicles. This funding is available only for a limited time and applications must be submitted by April 11.

Grant recipients included Cima Transportation, Saturino Rodriguez, Sandra Hernandez, Morris Hyman, David Gonzalez, Robert Earl Jones, and Donald Ray Jackson were awarded from $42,269 to over $111,000.

To help last minute applicants, a TERP assistance session will be held on April 7 from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the North Central Texas Council of Governments located in Arlington at 616 Six Flags Drive. Assistance is also available by calling the hotline at (800) 919-TERP (8377).

The TERP serves as a national model for replacing and retrofitting older diesel engines and is managed by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) supports local efforts to encourage participation in TERP as a way to improve air quality in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

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More than $5 million in brownfields funding awarded across region

Several groups in Oklahoma will be working to transform polluted properties into community assets with the help of $2.6 million in brownfields grants from the Environmental Protection Agency.

The grants were announced today by EPA to support cleanup efforts by the Absentee Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma, Cherokee Nation, Latino Community Development Agency, Love Link Ministries, Inc., and Oklahoma City Empowerment Zone.

“EPA continues to use the brownfields program to stimulate environmental and economic success in our communities,” said EPA Regional Administrator Richard E. Greene. “This program is a great example of how EPA, tribes and local groups can work together to turn contaminated properties into viable developments.”

Brownfields are vacant, abandoned or under-used properties with redevelopment potential that suffer from known or perceived environmental contamination. More than $5 million in brownfields grants were announced today across EPA Region 6, which includes Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas.

Oklahoma’s brownfields recipients include the following:

• Oklahoma City - $2.2 million to assess sites in the city’s Empowerment Zone, conduct community outreach, and provide funds to support cleanup activities. Former oil and gas exploration, scrap metal facilities, and chemical companies have left hazardous substances in several areas. Once cleanups are complete, the city plans to focus on residential, commercial and mixed-use redevelopment in its urban core.
• Latino Community Development Agency (LCDA) - $200,000 to clean up the former JC Penney building in the Capitol Hill District of Oklahoma City. The site is contaminated with metals and drums of unidentified substances. Future plans for the property include locating LCDA offices at the site, which will allow the agency to expand its child, social, and education services to the city’s Latino residents.
• Absentee Shawnee Tribe - $156,466 to clean up the seven-acre Old Lillard Pipe Supply site in Tecumseh. The site is contaminated with metals and drums of unidentified substances. Redevelopment plans include space for two businesses and an expanded tribal environmental training center.
• Cherokee Nation - $104,000 to clean up the Saline Courthouse site locate near Rose. The property is contaminated with metals. Cleanup of the site is expected to increase tourism and stimulate the local economy; and
• Love Link Ministries, Inc. - $37,130 to clean up a vacant building on Linwood Boulevard in Oklahoma City. The site is contaminated with inorganic substances. Once cleanup is complete, Love Link plans to construct a landscaped parking facility at the site, which will enhance its ability to provide social services such as counseling, recovery programs, and an after-school youth program.

Since the beginning of the program in 1995, EPA’s south central region has leveraged $2.3 billion in brownfields cleanup and redevelopment, helped create 10,700 jobs and supported the assessment of 750 properties. The brownfields program encourages redevelopment of America's estimated 450,000 abandoned and contaminated waste sites. Nationally, brownfields assistance has attracted more than $11.3 billion in private investment, helped create more than 48,000 jobs and resulted in the assessment and cleanup of nearly 12,000 properties.

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More than $5 million in brownfields funding awarded across region

Several groups in Louisiana will be working to transform polluted properties into community assets with the help of $800,000 in brownfields grants from the Environmental Protection Agency.

The grants were announced today by EPA to support cleanup efforts in the cities of Alexandria, Lake Charles and New Orleans.

“EPA continues to use the brownfields program to stimulate environmental and economic success in our communities,” said EPA Regional Administrator Richard E. Greene. “This program is a great example of how federal and local groups can work together to turn contaminated properties into viable developments.”

Brownfields are vacant, abandoned or under-used properties with redevelopment potential that suffer from known or perceived environmental contamination. More than $5 million in brownfields grants were announced today across EPA Region 6, which includes Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas.

Louisiana’s brownfields recipients include the following:

• City of New Orleans - two brownfields grants totaling $400,000 to assess sites with hazardous substances and potential petroleum contamination and conduct community outreach. The city has identified 267 brownfields sites and 177 closed service stations. Redevelopment plans for the sites include housing and greenspaces.
• Jericho Road Episcopal Housing Initiative, LLC - $200,000 to clean up the Saratoga Street

Incinerator site in New Orleans. Soil at the site is contaminated with volatile organic compounds, metals, polychlorinated biphenyls, and dioxins. Once cleanup is complete, the property with be used for single-family residences and a community garden.

• City of Lake Charles - $200,000 to clean up the former Sears and Roebuck retail store on Ryan Street. The 30-year-old structure covers about four acres and is contaminated with metals, inorganic contaminants, and other hazardous substances. Future plans include redeveloping the property into a hotel with retail and office space.
• City of Alexandria - $200,000 to set up a geographic information system inventory of sites, conduct assessments, and support community outreach. Former refinery, chemical, and manufacturing activities have left hazardous substances in several areas. Assessment of these brownfields sites is expected to spur community improvements.

Since the beginning of the program in 1995, EPA’s south central region has leveraged $2.3 billion in brownfields cleanup and redevelopment, helped create 10,700 jobs and supported the assessment of 750 properties. The brownfields program encourages redevelopment of America's estimated 450,000 abandoned and contaminated waste sites. Nationally, brownfields assistance has attracted more than $11.3 billion in private investment, helped create more than 48,000 jobs and resulted in the assessment and cleanup of nearly 12,000 properties.

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More than $5 million in brownfields funding awarded across region

The City of Houston will be working to transform polluted properties into community assets with the help of $400,000 in brownfields grants from the Environmental Protection Agency.

More than $5 million in brownfields grants were announced today across EPA Region 6, which includes Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas.

“EPA continues to use the brownfields program to stimulate environmental and economic success in our communities,” said EPA Regional Administrator Richard E. Greene. “This program is a great example of how EPA and the City of Houston can work together to turn contaminated properties into viable developments.”

Brownfields are vacant, abandoned or under-used properties with redevelopment potential that suffer from known or perceived environmental contamination.

Houston was awarded two brownfields grants, which will be used to inventory sites with hazardous substances and potential petroleum contamination, conduct assessments, and conduct community outreach.

Since the beginning of the program in 1995, EPA’s south central region has leveraged $2.3 billion in brownfields cleanup and redevelopment, helped create 10,700 jobs and supported the assessment of 750 properties. The brownfields program encourages redevelopment of America's estimated 450,000 abandoned and contaminated waste sites. Nationally, brownfields assistance has attracted more than $11.3 billion in private investment, helped create more than 48,000 jobs and resulted in the assessment and cleanup of nearly 12,000 properties.

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More than $5 million in brownfields funding awarded across region

The City of Clovis will be working to transform a polluted property into a community asset with the help of $200,000 in brownfields grants from the Environmental Protection Agency.

More than $5 million in brownfields grants were announced today across EPA Region 6, which includes Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas.

“EPA continues to use the brownfields program to stimulate environmental and economic success in our communities,” said EPA Regional Administrator Richard E. Greene. “This program is a great example of how federal and local groups can work together to turn contaminated properties into viable developments.”

Brownfields are vacant, abandoned or under-used properties with redevelopment potential that suffer from known or perceived environmental contamination.

Clovis will use its grant clean up the former Hotel Clovis property on North Main Street. The site is contaminated with inorganic substances. Once the cleanup is complete, the city plans to redevelop the property into an affordable, senior housing complex with ground-floor retail space.

Since the beginning of the program in 1995, EPA’s south central region has leveraged $2.3 billion in brownfields cleanup and redevelopment, helped create 10,700 jobs and supported the assessment of 750 properties. The brownfields program encourages redevelopment of America's estimated 450,000 abandoned and contaminated waste sites. Nationally, brownfields assistance has attracted more than $11.3 billion in private investment, helped create more than 48,000 jobs and resulted in the assessment and cleanup of nearly 12,000 properties.

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More than $5 million in brownfields funding awarded across region

Several groups in Arkansas will be working to transform polluted properties into community assets with the help of $800,000 in brownfields grants from the Environmental Protection Agency.

EPA announced the grants today to support cleanup efforts by the Camden Port Authority, City of Pine Bluff, and Riverfront Baring Cross Neighborhood Renewal Organization.

“EPA continues to use the brownfields program to stimulate environmental and economic success in our communities,” said EPA Regional Administrator Richard E. Greene. “This program is a great example of how federal and local groups can work together to turn contaminated properties into viable developments.”

Brownfields are vacant, abandoned or under-used properties with redevelopment potential that suffer from known or perceived environmental contamination. More than $5 million in brownfields grants were announced today across EPA Region 6, which includes Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas.

Arkansas’ brownfields recipients include the following:

• City of Pine Bluff - $400,000 to inventory sites with hazardous substances and potential petroleum contamination, conduct assessments, and support community outreach. Assessment of the city’s brownfields properties is expected to spur real estate development.
• Riverfront Baring Cross Neighborhood Renewal Organization - $200,000 to clean up the Full Counsel site on River Road in North Little Rock. The site was used previously to dispose of demolition materials and for public dumping. Once cleanup is complete, the organization plans to incorporate the site into Rockwater Village, a planned neighborhood development.
• Camden Port Authority - $200,000 to clean up the Moore/Buck site on Adams Avenue in Camden. The site was once used as a stave mill and auto repair center and is contaminated with benzene, toluene, and other petroleum products. Future plans for the property include redevelopment into business space, warehouses, and a riverfront park.

Since the beginning of the program in 1995, EPA’s south central region has leveraged $2.3 billion in brownfields cleanup and redevelopment, helped create 10,700 jobs and supported the assessment of 750 properties. The brownfields program encourages redevelopment of America's estimated 450,000 abandoned and contaminated waste sites. Nationally, brownfields assistance has attracted more than $11.3 billion in private investment, helped create more than 48,000 jobs and resulted in the assessment and cleanup of nearly 12,000 properties.

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Texas recently awarded over $526,000 in rebates to four trucking companies based in North Texas. The Texas Emissions Reduction Program provides financial assistance to help replace or upgrade older heavy-duty equipment and vehicles that emit higher levels of nitrogen oxide pollutants. This funding opportunity is only available until April 11.

Denton Brothers Trucking of Collinsville will replace three aging haul trucks in their fleet with newer, cleaner models. TA Services based in Midlothian will use the rebate to replace two forklifts. RD West Trucking of Godley and Valentine Trucking of Burleson will replace one haul truck and one dump truck respectively. These trucking companies benefited from financial assistance to help improve the efficiency of their fleets and equipment, while preventing 59 tons of NOx from polluting the air. Only nine days remain for North Texas businesses, local governments and others to apply for TERP assistance. Help with the application process is available by calling the hotline at (800) 919-TERP (8377).

TERP serves as a national model for replacing and retrofitting older diesel engines and is managed by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. The Environmental Protection Agency supports local efforts to encourage participation in TERP as a way to improve air quality in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

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Through the Federal Clean Diesel Program, the Environmental Protection Agency will award grants of more than $4 million to assist eligible partners within the ten Blue Skyways Collaborative states to achieve voluntary emission reductions more quickly than will be accomplished through new regulations that do not affect older but still viable diesel engines. The program is expected to improve air quality and protect public health.

Eligible applicants are U.S. regional, state, local, tribal or port agencies with jurisdiction over transportation or air quality, and nonprofit organizations or institutions that represent or provide pollution reduction or educational services to persons or organizations that operate diesel fleets, or have as their principal purpose the promotion of transportation or air quality. School districts, federally recognized Indian tribes, municipalities, metropolitan planning organizations, cities and counties are all eligible applicants under this program.

“Reducing emissions from diesel engines is one of the most important air quality challenges facing the country,” said EPA Regional Administrator Richard E. Greene. “Even with EPA’s more stringent heavy duty highway and non-road engine standards set to take effect over the next decade, more diesel emission reductions are needed.”

The following types of fleets qualify for funding: Buses, medium or heavy-duty trucks, marine engines, locomotives or non-road engines, stationary engines, or vehicles used in construction, handling of cargo, including at a port or airport, agriculture, mining, or energy production.

At least half the national funds will be for the benefit of public fleets. This includes private fleets contracted or leased for public purpose, such as private school buses, refuse haulers, or equipment at public ports. For more information visit: www.epa.gov/cleandiesel

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Today the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Design for the Environment Program recognized Continental Airlines for using a non-chromium surface pretreatment when painting its aircraft. The product, PreKote, is produced by Pantheon Chemical, a recognized partner in EPA’s DfE program, and uses chemistry that is safer for the environment and human health.

Continental Airlines is the first commercial airline to test the technology using PreKote that is free of hexavalent chromium, which eliminates toxins used in the pretreatment of aircraft before repainting. In addition, the process used on Continental aircraft eliminated hazardous chemicals, improved worker health and safety conditions and reduced waste water.

“We applaud Continental Airlines for its leadership in health and environmental stewardship,” said EPA Regional Administrator Richard E. Greene. “This is an important national effort to safeguard human health and protect the environment.”

EPA’s Design for the Environment Program works in partnership with a broad range of stakeholders to reduce risk to people and the environment by preventing pollution. DfE focuses on industries that combine the potential for chemical risk reduction and improvements in energy efficiency with a strong motivation to make lasting, positive changes. EPA’s DfE program has reached more than 200,000 business facilities and approximately two million workers.

"Continental is pleased to be acknowledged by EPA for our part in using a more environmentally friendly product,” said Mark Moran, Continental’s Executive VP Operations. “Continental is always looking for ‘green’ alternatives, which not only support our commitment to the environment, but also to ensure our employees have a great place to work.”

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With diesel prices hitting record highs near four dollars per gallon, replacing or upgrading older heavy-duty vehicles makes economic and environmental sense. Newer, cleaner models use fuel more efficiently, which can translate to lower costs at the pump and reduced emissions of unhealthy nitrogen oxide pollutants.

Eligible local governments, school districts, nonprofits and businesses in the Dallas-Fort Worth area can apply for grants to cover up to 80 percent of the replacement costs of new engines depending on how much NOx is reduced by acquiring a newer model. Interested applicants can receive individual assistance by calling a hotline and speaking with an advisor who can help them figure out exactly how much money they may be eligible to apply for.

In addition, Community Help Desks will remain open until April 10 to provide one-on-one assistance. he help desk at Dallas City Hall will be open Mondays and Wednesdays from 10 am to 3 pm. On Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 am to 3 pm, staff is available at the North Central Texas Council of Governments office in Arlington and at the Denton County courthouse. The Fort Worth help desk is available on Tuesdays at the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality regional office. To request an appointment simply call the hotline at (800) 919-8377 and select option four on the menu. Walk-ins are also welcome. The deadline to apply is April 11.

The Texas Emissions Reduction Program (TERP) serves as a national model for replacing and retrofitting older diesel engines and is managed by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) supports local efforts to encourage participation in TERP as a way to improve air quality in DFW.