November—December 2022 Newsletter

Clean School Buses to Strengthen Children’s Health, Fight Climate Change

EPA Regional Administrator Martha Guzman in front of a new clean school bus in Modesto, California. — *Regional Administrator Martha Guzman with an electric school bus.*

Regional Administrator Martha Guzman recently celebrated EPA’s new Clean School Bus program in Modesto, California. The initiative is providing $5 billion over the next five years to replace existing school buses with zero-emission and low-emission buses. The funding was allocated through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to support cleaner air for communities across the country. So far, 250 electric and 30 propane school buses have been funded.

Video: Regional Administrator Martha Guzman at a Clean School Bus event in Modesto, California
The Center Square, Nevada: EPA awards Clark County School District $9.8 million
Clean School Bus Program

Funding for Safe Water from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law

EPA Regional Administrator Martha Guzman in Keyes, CA — *Regional Administrator Martha Guzman (right) tours a Keyes Community Services District facility.*

Regional Administrator Martha Guzman recently visited a community water system in Keyes, California, to announce funding for water infrastructure improvements. The Keyes Community Services District was awarded $10.4 million to improve drinking water quality at four groundwater wells that serve disadvantaged communities in the area. Overall, California is receiving over $609 million in federal funding for safe, clean water in communities across the state. “With the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, nearly half of the additional State Revolving Funds will now be grants or fully forgivable loans, making access to these critical water resources easier for small, rural and disadvantaged communities such as the community here in Keyes, California,” said Guzman.

Turlock Journal: Grants Help Keep Keyes Water Safe to Drink
Martha Guzman in Keyes, CA
News Release: EPA Awards California $609 Million in Historic Federal Funding to Improve Water Quality

America Recycles

America Recycles Day is celebrated in November but EPA recognizes the importance and impact of recycling all year long – EPA recently recognized zero waste achievements in American Samoa, Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands. Nationally, the recycling rate has increased from less than seven percent in 1960 to the current rate of 32 percent. An EPA study found that recycling and reuse activities in the United States accounted for 681,000 jobs and $37.8 billion in wages. The recycling efforts of communities and businesses throughout the United States have helped with this success and growth. To build on our progress, EPA encourages every American to contribute by recycling right. Recycling right means checking with your local provider to know what they will accept in your recycling bin.

Enforcement Update

Protecting Water Quality for Hawaii Communities

EPA has taken an enforcement action against American Savings Bank to close an illegal, pollution-causing sewage cesspool at the bank’s former branch in Kealakekua. The settlement includes a supplemental environmental project (SEP). A SEP is a project or activity, agreed to by the parties of an enforcement settlement, that provides tangible environmental health benefits to communities. SEPs go beyond what could legally be required of the defendant and secure environmental and/or public health benefits in addition to those achieved by compliance with the law. American Savings Bank will select three Big Island single-family homes for closure of their cesspools. These homes must be located in areas where the median household income is less than $75,000 per year, in an area with a high density of cesspools, and in close proximity to surface or coastal waters. American Savings Bank will replace the cesspools with state-approved, individual wastewater systems by the end of 2024. This SEP is one of the first to be agreed upon since EPA’s authority to use SEPs was restored earlier this year.

Pacific Business News: American Savings Bank fined $30K for illegal cesspool
Large Capacity Cesspools

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

Environmental Justice Update

EPA is committed to collaborating with communities in the U.S.-Mexico border region to address their unique environmental concerns. Regional Administrator Martha Guzman recently participated in an Environmental Justice Roundtable in Brawley, California. She also participated in a Farmworkers Breakfast to discuss pesticide safety.

Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Report

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Year One Anniversary Report highlights how EPA is working with state, local, and Tribal partners to transform communities. The law provides EPA with more than $60 billion over five years for a wide range of environmental programs that will bring much-needed funding to America’s water infrastructure, environmental cleanups, and clean air protections, while also advancing environmental justice and combatting climate change.
Read the Report

Public Involvement

EPA’s Pacific Southwest office encourages public engagement in addressing environmental issues through public meetings, events and other opportunities for public participation.