CNCounty News

Environment and economy go hand in hand, EPA administrator says

Image of 2-15-22-DJH_2167.jpg

Key Takeaways

To foster community growth, economic development and environmental restoration, the Environmental Protection Agency needs partners like county officials to help craft meaningful policy, said EPA Administrator Michael Regan, Feb. 15 in an address to NACo members at the Legislative Conference.

“Believe me when I say that I understand that EPA actions can either help or hurt local efforts,” he said, “and it’s critical that we have a shared working relationship. You know your communities better than the federal government ever could and that makes our partnership essential.”

“Environmental protection and economic development are not mutually exclusive; they actually go hand in hand,” he noted.

The EPA is ramping up brownfield restoration funding and projects with an emphasis on community partnerships, he said, emphasizing that partnerships with community leaders is vital to identifying the most critical infrastructure improvements and restoration opportunities. 

“Thanks to the bipartisan infrastructure law, we have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to turn brownfield sites all across this nation into economic engines,” said Regan. “This is a game changer in terms of our ability to empower local communities, large and small, urban and rural, to address the long standing, environmental, economic and health challenges created by brownfields.”

The EPA is creating opportunities for counties to invest further in water infrastructure, he said. Acknowledging the struggles of counties on the frontlines of fighting climate change impacts, lead pipes and crumbling infrastructure, Regan said the EPA will release $7.4 billion in 2022 to state revolving funds and for the next five years to come to help fix water infrastructure. 

Regan heralded Newark, N. J. for their work in partnership with Essex County to remove 100 percent of all known lead pipes, a complicated and expensive undertaking completed in 36 months instead of the original eight-year plan. “We can replicate those efforts in communities all across the country by working together,” Regan said.

Regan and his efforts with the EPA focus heavily on the importance of partnership with communities, educating county leadership on opportunities both currently available and upcoming through funding releases and competitive grants, as well as the importance of making long-lasting investments from American Rescue Plan and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funding. 

“The implementation of the infrastructure law calls for strong partnership,” he said, “and the EPA is not only ready, but we’re excited to work with our local partners to ensure that all communities see the full benefits of this investment.”

Image of 2-15-22-DJH_2167.jpg

Attachments

Related News

Aerial view of drinking water treatment plants for big city from water management
Advocacy

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announces actions to combat PFAS contamination

On April 28, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a new suite of upcoming actions to address contamination from per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). These measures, outlined by EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, aim to strengthen scientific understanding, enhance enforcement and build partnerships with impacted communities, including counties and other local governments.

County Clerk Terry Wilbur Testifying
Advocacy

NACo testifies before Congress on brownfields revitalization

On May 7, Oswego County, N.Y. Clerk Terry Wilbur testifiedon behalf of NACo before the U.S. House Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment at a hearing titled “Cleaning Up the Past, Building the Future: The Brownfields Program”.

Diversity team discussion focused on ESG (environment, social, governance) for net zero goals in a sustainable green office
County News

Podcast: Life after coal for one county

Commissioner Melody Villard and Economic Recovery Corps Fellow Sasha Nelson discuss the transition Moffat County, Colo. planned to diversify its economy after the closure of coal mines and a power plant decimated its property tax revenue.