Environment and economy go hand in hand, EPA administrator says

Michael Regan addresses county officials Feb. 15 at the NACo Legislative Conference. Photo by Denny Henry
Error message
In order to filter by the "in queue" property, you need to add the Entityqueue: Queue relationship.-
County NewsEPA Administrator Michael Regan: Believe me when I say that I understand that EPA actions can either help or hurt local efforts, and it’s critical that we have a shared working relationship.Environment and economy go hand in hand, EPA administrator saysFebruary 15, 2022February 15, 2022, 1:15 am to February 16, 2022, 1:15 am
-
County News Article
Environment and economy go hand in hand, EPA administrator says
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.”
EPA Administrator Michael Regan: Believe me when I say that I understand that EPA actions can either help or hurt local efforts, and it’s critical that we have a shared working relationship.2022-02-15County News Article2022-02-16
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.”

-
Video
2022 NACo Legislative Conference Tuesday General Session
Tuesday, February 15 at 9:30 a.m. EST
-
County News
Atmospheric rivers offer opportunity for Sonoma County reservoirs
A nearly decade-long partnership with the Scripps Institution of Oceanography has helped Sonoma County, Calif. understand atmospheric rivers, which allows the county to match its reservoir levels against increasingly confident forecasts. -
Blog
EPA proposes National Primary Drinking Water Regulations for PFAS
On March 14, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced a new proposed National Primary Drinking Water Regulation for six per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). -
Webinar
BRECC National Network: Shaping your Coal Community’s Approach to Economic Diversification
Mar. 23, 2023 , 3:00 pm – 4:00 pmUnable to attend? Watch the recording here. -
Blog
House passes joint resolution of disapproval under the Congressional Review Act of WOTUS Rule
On March 9, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.J. Res 27, a joint resolution of disapproval under the Congressional Review Act of the Biden administration’s waters of the U.S. (WOTUS), by a vote of 227-198. -
Press Release
National Association of Counties Responds to Congressional Challenge to WOTUS Rule
NACo today issued a statement in response to the U.S. House of Representatives passing a Congressional Review Act (CRA) joint resolution of disapproval challenging the Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule issued in December 2022. -
Blog
EPA announces first phase of $5 billion Climate Pollution Reduction Grants Program
On March 1, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced the first phase of the new $5 billion Climate Pollution Reduction Grants Program.
-
Basic page
Environment, Energy & Land Use Steering Committee
Responsible for all matters pertaining to air, water, energy, and land use, including water resources/management, stormwater, pesticides, air quality standards, solid, hazardous, and nuclear waste handling, transport, and disposal, national energy policy, renewable/alternative energy, alternative fuel vehicles, energy facility siting, electricity utility restructuring, pipeline safety, oil spills, superfund/brownfields, eminent domain, land use, coastal management, oceans, parks and recreation.pagepagepage<p>Responsible for all matters pertaining to air, water, energy, and land use, including water resources/management, stormwater, pesticides, air quality standards, solid, hazardous, and nuclear waste handling, transport, and disposal,
-
Reports & Toolkits
Implementing Infrastructure Investments at the County Level: The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (P.L. 117-58)
As intergovernmental partners, counties play a key role in ensuring the successful interpretation and implementation of the BILReports & Toolkitsdocument100710:00 amReports & Toolkits<table border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" style="width:100%" summary="call-out transparent jump">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>
Related Resources
-
County News
Atmospheric rivers offer opportunity for Sonoma County reservoirs
A nearly decade-long partnership with the Scripps Institution of Oceanography has helped Sonoma County, Calif. understand atmospheric rivers, which allows the county to match its reservoir levels against increasingly confident forecasts. -
Blog
EPA proposes National Primary Drinking Water Regulations for PFAS
On March 14, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced a new proposed National Primary Drinking Water Regulation for six per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). -
Blog
House passes joint resolution of disapproval under the Congressional Review Act of WOTUS Rule
On March 9, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.J. Res 27, a joint resolution of disapproval under the Congressional Review Act of the Biden administration’s waters of the U.S. (WOTUS), by a vote of 227-198.
-
Press Release
National Association of Counties Responds to Congressional Challenge to WOTUS Rule
NACo today issued a statement in response to the U.S. House of Representatives passing a Congressional Review Act (CRA) joint resolution of disapproval challenging the Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule issued in December 2022. -
Reports & Toolkits
Legislative Analysis for Counties: The Inflation Reduction Act
The IRA offers counties the opportunity to pursue clean energy initiatives and reduce emissions through new competitive grant programs, local resiliency investments and clean energy tax credits. -
Policy Brief
Urge Congress and EPA to Consult with Counties on any Future Regulations on PFAS
Advocate for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other federal agencies to study the health and environmental impacts of PFAS compounds and to work closely with state and local governments throughout the rule-making process.
More From
-
Legislative Analysis for Counties: The Inflation Reduction Act
The IRA offers counties the opportunity to pursue clean energy initiatives and reduce emissions through new competitive grant programs, local resiliency investments and clean energy tax credits.
Learn More