April—June 2024 Newsletter

Investing in the Pacific Southwest

EPA’s priorities under the Biden-Harris Administration’s Investing in America agenda include increasing the use of solar energy nation-wide, making electric and clean school buses the American standard, improving water infrastructure, and funding the safe cleanup and sustainable reuse of formerly contaminated properties.

Under the $7 billion Solar for All program, EPA is supporting the creation and expansion of new and existing low-income solar programs, which will enable over 900,000 households in disadvantaged communities to benefit from distributed solar energy. The Clean School Bus Program is providing $5 billion over five years to replace existing school buses with zero-emission and clean school buses. EPA’s Brownfields grants will help transform polluted and abandoned properties into community assets, while helping to create good jobs and spur economic revitalization in overburdened communities. EPA has also invested $37 million in improving the stormwater system in San Diego, California.

Daily Breeze: Carson Gets $500K to Repurpose Desolate Properties
CBS News Bay Area: California School Districts Get $91 Million to Buy Electric Buses
San Diego Tribune: San Diego gets $37 million to Upgrade Stormwater Infrastructure
Hawai'i Public Radio: Solar Programs in Hawaii to Get $62 Million in Funding Boost
Nevada Current: Grant Will Make Community Solar in Nevada a Reality
EPA Investing in America

Supporting Maui’s Recovery from the Wildfires of 2023

Restoring Drinking Water on Maui

EPA recently completed drinking water testing in the wildfire-impacted areas of Lahaina. As requested by the County of Maui and under the direction of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, EPA tested drinking water quality in the lateral service lines that connect water mains to properties with burned structures. If contamination was detected, or if a lateral was too damaged to be sampled, the line will be isolated from the main distribution line and marked for future replacement. To prepare for testing the lateral lines, EPA also sampled the main drinking water distribution lines at hydrants to ensure they were clear of contaminants. The completion of sampling marks a significant step in helping the County of Maui restore drinking water services. EPA will continue working with the County of Maui to isolate lines for eventual replacement. In addition, EPA staff will continue to engage with the community and work with government partners on a variety of recovery initiatives.

The Conversation: Rebuilding Maui Infrastructure
EPA’s Response to the Maui Wildfires

Enforcement Update

Protecting Public Health in the San Francisco Bay Area

The Department of Justice, on behalf of EPA, and the Attorney General of California, on behalf of the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board, recently filed a civil complaint in federal court against the City and County of San Francisco for claims of Clean Water Act violations spanning the last decade. San Francisco failed to operate its combined sewer systems in a manner that keeps untreated sewage out of San Francisco Bay and its tributaries, streets, beaches and other areas with risk of human contact.

“Protecting San Francisco Bay, the Pacific Ocean and public health are critical priorities for EPA, and this complaint is a major step to improve how the San Francisco sewer system is managed. EPA and our partners are committed to ensuring San Francisco comes into compliance with the Clean Water Act to protect clean water and local communities,” said EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator Martha Guzman.

San Francisco Examiner: Sewage Spilling Into Bay is Due to SF Failures

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EPA’s Pacific Southwest Region serves Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, the Pacific Islands, and 148 Tribal Nations.

Reducing Food Loss and Waste

In June, the White House, along with EPA, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration released the "National Strategy for Reducing Food Loss and Waste and Recycling Organics." The strategy also seeks to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, save households and businesses money, and build cleaner, healthier communities.

Environmental Justice and Enforcement Action Plan

In April, EPA and Cal EPA announced a renewed Action Plan, under a Memorandum of Understanding, to continue their collaborative efforts to advance environmental justice in regulatory enforcement across the state.

Public Involvement

EPA in the Pacific Southwest encourages public engagement in addressing environmental issues through public meetings, events and other opportunities for public participation.
Public Notices, Meetings and Events