U.S. Environmental Protection Agency--Region 2 (NJ, NY, PR, USVI)

10/04/2023

Children's Health Month is here in full swing!

Join us and NY State of Health for a virtual webinar on Tuesday, October 10, to discuss New York's statewide program to improve school environmental health and protect children where they learn. This presentation will describe the NYS School Environmental Health program and the importance of addressing environmental health knowledge among K-12 school personnel and other stakeholders.

Join us on October 10, 2023

Meeting Time: 2PM-3PM

Meeting Link: https://bit.ly/3PJwvRU

10/04/2023

EPAers and Long Island Sound Study got a chance to visit environmental groups and students in the Bronx who have been supported by the Long Island Sound Futures Fund.

Thank to our hosts for helping make this visit happen! We had an enlightening time sharing and learning with everyone.💙💚💛

10/04/2023

📢 Reminder, Newark residents ❗

Tomorrow, Newark Department of Health and Community Wellness is hosting a free virtual Understanding Lead Session. Learn how to protect children from lead exposure.

📅Thursday, October 5, 2023 from 3:00 to 4:30 pm.



Register now ➡️ bit.ly/NewarkLead

10/03/2023

It was an honor to join the Rutgers University—Camden panel on Environmental Justice last week.

We discussed EPA’s actions and policies that support EJ, and heard directly from community leaders on their needs and challenges and shared funding opportunities and resources.

10/03/2023

We’re kicking on Children’s Health month with a virtual webinar focusing on protecting children where they live!

Our discussion on Healthy Homes, Climate, and Health will feature presentations from NYSDOH - New York State Health Department and their work to address lead poisoning and impacts from climate-related extreme weather events.

Join us on October 5, 2023

Meeting Time: 10AM-11AM

Meeting Link: https://bit.ly/3EYaB8o

10/02/2023

📢Heads up, Newark residents! 📢

Newark Department of Health and Community Wellness is hosting a free virtual Understanding Lead Session. Learn how to protect children from lead exposure.

📅Thursday, Oct 5, 2023 from 3:00 to 4:30 pm.

Register now ➡️ bit.ly/NewarkLead

09/30/2023

After a successful public meeting and an opportunity to hear directly from the community, EPA has finalized its cleanup plan to remove contaminated soil from the Olean Well Field site in Cattaraugus County, New York.

Learn more about the cleanup plan here:

09/30/2023

Superfund Milestone Alert! EPA finalized our cleanup plan for the Monitor Devices/Intercircuits Inc. Superfund Site in Wall Township, to clean up contaminated groundwater.

09/30/2023

Exciting News! The EPA is taking the next big step in the environmental cleanup with the finalizing of the CPS/Madison Superfund Site in Old Bridge, NJ.

Let's dive into the details!

09/29/2023

EPA, Long Island Sound Study, and Restore America's Estuaries are working together to provide $1.5 million in grants to communities with environmental justice concerns to improve the quality and accessibility of the Long Island Sound! 🌅⛵🐟📃💰

The Long Island Sound Community Impact Fund is now requesting applications from communities in New York and Connecticut who would be interested in receiving financial and technical assistance with projects that will directly benefit overburdened and underserved communities of Long Island Sound.

If you are interested or would like to learn more, there will be a webinar on October 10 at 10am and October 17 at 2pm for potential applicants with a chance to speak directly with the program director.

To sign up for the webinars, learn more, please visit this link:

In partnership with the Long Island Sound Study (LISS) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Restore America’s Estuaries (RAE) is announcing a request for applications (RFA) for the Long Island Sound Community Impact Fund (LISCIF)

09/29/2023

📢 Nassau County Residents 📢

We have extended the deadline to submit public comment on EPA's proposed clean up plan at the New Cassel/Hicksville Superfund Site.

Read more about the plan and submit comments here:

EPA is proposing a plan to pump out contaminated groundwater from part of the New Cassel/Hicksville Groundwater Contamination Superfund site and treat it at a water treatment facility. EPA is seeking public comments on the proposed cleanup plan. The public comment period is now open and will close o...

09/28/2023

📝📊💧🏝️

Thanks to everyone who joined EPA and the Puerto Rico Department of Natural Resources for our 3-day hybrid seminar on evapotranspiration covers for landfills in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands!

09/28/2023

📆Mark your calendars for October 19 at 12pm for the popular Let's Talk Lake Ontario series!

Join us, U.S. EPA Region 5 (Great Lakes Region), Environment Ontario, American Farmland Trust | New York & NYS Department of Environmental Conservation to discuss nutrients and algae in Lake Ontario and how you can help.

Register here: bit.ly/lakeontario6

09/27/2023

09/27/2023

🐟👩🏽‍🔬🧪🔬Do you love NYC’s coastal areas and want to learn more about its amazing creatures and ecosystems? Then you won’t want to miss the SUBMERGE Marine Science Festival at Pier 84 in NYC on Sept. 29 & 30.

EPA will be at the event to share how we are working to restore the health of the Hudson River by studying and removing harmful PCBs. PCBs are toxic chemicals that increase in concentration as they move up the food chain, eventually reaching larger animals and people who eat contaminated fish.

You will also get to enjoy a variety of fun and educational activities related to marine science and conservation. Don’t miss this chance to submerge yourself in the wonders of the ocean and the river. For more information, please visit https://hudsonriverpark.org/submerge2023/.

09/27/2023

Good news! We completed our mercury cleanup at the Vo-Toys site in Harrison, New Jersey. 👩‍🔬🧹
After years of hard work, we have mitigated the mercury threats from the Vo-Toys site and ensured the safety of the community.

Today’s announcement marks the end of the cleanup work overseen by EPA, which has successfully removed the risk of mercury exposure from three contaminated buildings. GE will submit a final report on the removal action to EPA as the site is transitioned to oversight for further action to ensure the safe redevelopment and future use of the site.

Read more about the site at www.epa.gov/superfund/vo-toys.

09/27/2023

With the overlapping impacts of heatwaves, wildfire smoke, and transmissible diseases like COVID-19, it's important that we're thinking about indoor air quality now more than ever.

If you work with or care for young people, check out the link below for resources on how we can improve our schools to have cleaner and cooler air not only for students, but for everyone.

09/26/2023

🗓️ Join us tomorrow, September 27, for the Newtown Creek Community Advisory Group meeting. This meeting is an opportunity to learn about ongoing work and to ask questions.

Learn how to join here: https://newtowncreekcag.org/

09/26/2023

🎊Congrats to Bergen Community College on receiving $100K from EPA to engage students as active learners and critical thinkers with a focus on energy and resource conservation, designing for sustainability and how to be better environmental stewards.

The college will use sustainable design challenges to keep the students invested in learning.

By giving students the tools to engage in environmental stewardship, EPA is investing in the next generation.

📰

09/26/2023

🎉EPA has awarded $100K to Rowan University for an Educate, Empower and Employ project to focus on educating future generations about their environment, specifically renewable energy, and climate change.

This project will engage local K-12 students and educators, college students and community members to increase public awareness and knowledge about climate change and renewable energy.

Projects like this get young people engaged in protecting the environment and encourage them to consider careers in science and technology to promote environmental protection.

📰

09/26/2023

🗓️ Join us tonight for the Gowanus Canal Community Advisory Group meeting. This meeting is an opportunity to learn about ongoing work and to ask questions.

Learn how to join here: https://gowanuscag.org/

09/25/2023

As National Preparedness Month comes to close, we want to take a moment to remind everyone of this year's theme, preparing older adults for disaster.

Wildfire season isn't over yet, so make sure that your home has a room that can be prepared to be a "clean room", especially for those particularly vulnerable to wildfire smoke like children and older adults.

Learn more by following the link here: https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/create-clean-room-protect-indoor-air-quality-during-wildfire?utm_content=&utm_medium=email&utm_name=&utm_source=govdelivery&utm_term=

While wildfire smoke may be a new type of disaster we need to prepare for, we cannot forget that it's also hurricane season. Make sure that the older adults in your life have a plan and resources in place if a storm hits.

English flyerhttps://www.ready.gov/sites/default/files/2023-09/ready.gov_older-adults_flyer.pdf

Spanish flyerhttps://www.ready.gov/sites/default/files/2023-09/ready-gov_older-adults_disabilities_spanish.pdf

A good place to start is the FEMA Flood Map, which provides information on the potential flood risk of your home and other helpful tools to start planning for flood-related hazards.

Check out the map here: https://msc.fema.gov/portal/home

If you want to learn more about how you can prepare for emergencies as an older adult or with an older adult, please visit https://www.ready.gov/older-adults for more info about preparing for every type of natural disaster.

And remember to check in on and provide support to folks in your community before as well as after emergencies!

09/25/2023

Thank you to everyone who came out to the Meeker Avenue Superfund site CAG meeting last week!

Missed it? No problem!

Our presentation is now live on our website: epa.gov/superfund/meeker-avenue-plume

👋 Greenpoint neighbors!

Join us next Tuesday, 9/19 at 5:30PM at the Greenpoint Library for the upcoming Meeker Avenue Plume Superfund site CAG meeting. EPA will present on our work over the summer and upcoming outreach and winter work plans.

09/23/2023

UPDATE: Due to the inclement weather forecast for tomorrow, we will not be at the McGolrick Park Farmers Market on 9/24.

We hope to see you there next Sunday, 10/1!

09/22/2023

📢 Sayreville residents 📢

A proposal to clean up PCB contamination at the Dupont Parlin Landfill site has been released for public comment.

If you are interested in submitting comments, read more about the plan here and submit your comments:

09/21/2023

Thank you to our fantastic speakers and attendees at today's panel discussion on the importance of cutting methane and smog as we continue to work to tackle climate change.

09/21/2023

‼ Reminder! Come see us on Sunday at McGolrick Park in Greenpoint to learn about the Meeker Avenue Plume Superfund site, food recovery, and more.

See you there! 🍎🥬🥕

09/20/2023

Do you know the estimated annual economic value of clean water in the NY-NJ Harbor and Estuary according to a recent New York-New Jersey Harbor & Estuary Program and New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission (NEIWPCC) report?

$1.4 billion dollars!💰

Don't miss out on tomorrow's webinar discussing this report by registering here:

Clean water in the New York-New Jersey Harbor Estuary is key to recreational activities such as safe swimming and boating, environmental safety for shoreline parks and waterfront neighborhoods, and healthy aquatic environments for wildlife. Since the passage and implementation of the federal Clean W...

09/19/2023

📆Mark your calendars for the upcoming Center for Green Schools, U.S. Department of Energy, and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 2023 School Indoor Air Quality Workshop training this October 18-19 in Washington D.C.!

This free, in-person training is for K-12 school staff who are working on improving indoor air quality. It will focus on developing and strengthening indoor air quality management plans and share the most up-to-date best practices for indoor air quality monitoring.

If you are interested in attending, please click the link below to secure your spot. There are also limited number of first-come, first-serve travel stipends available for those who apply by September 22nd, so get started on your application today!

The Center for Green Schools and the U.S. Department of Energy's Efficient and Healthy Schools Campaign, in coordination with the U.S. EPA, are hosting two in-person training events for K-12 school staff working to improve indoor air quality (IAQ), focusing on developing or strengthening district IA...

09/19/2023

Greenpoint neighbors!

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will be tabling at the Down to Earth Markets (McGolrick Park, Brooklyn) on Sunday, 9/24 and 10/1, 9AM-2PM.

Come hear about the Meeker Avenue Plume Superfund site in the neighborhood and ask us any questions!

09/18/2023

📢Calling all New Jersey Education Association affiliated New Jersey schools and school districts!

Apply by 10/1 for $2k and $10k grants to fund sustainability projects for your students.🏫🌱

The 2023 NJEA grant cycle is now open! Consider applying for a Sustainable Jersey for Schools grant that your school or district can use to complete a sustainability project that will help your school complete any of the 100+ Sustainable Jersey for Schools actions.

Applications are due Monday, October 30. To learn more about this opportunity visit: bit.ly/SJSNJEAgrants

funded by the New Jersey Education Association

09/18/2023

This meeting is TOMORROW. We hope to see you at 5:30PM - come learn about EPA's work at the site and our plans for the coming months.

⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️

👋 Greenpoint neighbors!

Join us next Tuesday, 9/19 at 5:30PM at the Greenpoint Library for the upcoming Meeker Avenue Plume Superfund site CAG meeting. EPA will present on our work over the summer and upcoming outreach and winter work plans.

09/18/2023

EPA joined trainees and their families as they celebrated their graduation from St. Nicks Alliance's Brownfields Job Training Program.

Program graduates are excited to get to work cleaning up their communities and fighting for environmental justice!

The Brownfields Job Training Program provides grant funding to local community organizations from U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to train community members for jobs in environmental fields.

Trainees in St. Nicks Alliance's program spend 7 weeks taking courses like OSHA 30-hour safety training and HAZWOPER to become environmental remediation technicians. After completing the program, St. Nicks helps graduates find employment with environmental consultants, in local unions, and other high-paying jobs cleaning up the environment.

Read more about the Brownfields Job Training Grants here: https://www.epa.gov/brownfields/brownfields-job-training-jt-grants

Congrats, grads! 🎉🎓

09/18/2023

❗EPA is investing billions of dollars (that’s billion with a B!) in advancing environmental justice and tackling the climate crisis! We thank our partners New Jersey Dept. of Environmental Protection for helping us get the word out to municipalities across New Jersey!

Big thanks to New Jersey State League of Municipalities for hosting a great discussion today about 💰from Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act.

To learn more about EPA resources check out:

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law makes historic investments in key programs and initiatives implemented by EPA.

09/15/2023

School is back in session and so is seasonal allergy season! 🍂🤧

Here's how you can help your kids breathe easier in and out of the classroom. ⬇️

To improve asthma health, it takes a variety of people working together to reduce triggers and provide safe and healthy environments for people with asthma. This includes parents and caregivers, community organizations, healthcare providers and schools.

09/15/2023

📢 Perth Amboy residents, cleanup began at the Former Harry Goldberg and Sons Scrap Metal Site across from Wilentz Elementary.

While EPA is working, residents in the neighborhood can expect increased traffic and noise on week days. 🏗️👷

https://response.epa.gov/site/site_profile.aspx?site_id=15817

09/14/2023

Joining us for with Climate Group?📆🤔

EPA is partnering with the Climate & Clean Air Coalition to host a special in-person panel discussion on the importance of tackling methane and smog and how we can get it done.

There will be opening remarks from Alyssa Arcaya, Region 2's Deputy Regional Administrator, followed by an introduction from Rick Duke, the U.S.'s Deputy Special Envoy on Climate. The panel will include scientists from the Climate & Clean Air Coalition and be followed by a Q&A session with participants and end with closing remarks from Martina Otto, the head of the CCAC Secretariat.

The event will be September 21 from 12:30-1:30pm at our offices at 290 Broadway. Spaces are limited and an RSVP is required, so make sure to secure your spot by clicking the link:

What Recent Announcements on Cutting Methane and Smog Mean for Climate Targets and the Plan to Get It Done

09/13/2023

As kids across the country head back to school, EPA wants to highlight the ways in which we are investing in healthier, safer schools.

As kids across the country head back to school, EPA wants to highlight the ways in which we are investing in healthier, safer schools.

09/13/2023

Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced over $100 million in funding for recycling infrastructure programs to:

♻ Improve recycling services nationwide
♻ Keep valuable resources in use instead of in landfills
♻️ Create good-paying jobs

⬇️Check it out ⬇️

Congratulations to Chemung County, NY on their $1.7M grant that will help them continue to develop a comprehensive composting program. We are so excited to watch their program grow and be a model for counties across the country. ♻️
https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/chemung-county-ny-selected-17-million-grant-first-ever-epa-funding-promote-less-waste

Congratulations to Ocean County, NJ on their $1.8M grant that will provide upgrades to their materials recovery facilities. This grant will ensure that Ocean County has the infrastructure it needs to lead the way on sustainability.♻️ https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/ocean-county-new-jersey-selected-19-million-grant-first-ever-epa-funding-promote-less

09/12/2023

👋 Greenpoint neighbors!

Join us next Tuesday, 9/19 at 5:30PM at the Greenpoint Library for the upcoming Meeker Avenue Plume Superfund site CAG meeting. EPA will present on our work over the summer and upcoming outreach and winter work plans.