Federal Independent Agencies
Here's a look at documents from federal independent agencies
Featured Stories
El Salvador and Costa Rica Issue First Digital Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificates With IDB and PAHO Support
WASHINGTON, Nov. 22 -- The Inter-American Development Bank issued the following news release:
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El Salvador and Costa Rica Issue First Digital Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificates with IDB and PAHO Support
El Salvador and Costa Rica have made the Americas the first region in the world to issue digital yellow fever vaccination certificates in accordance with the standards of the World Health Organization's (WHO) Global Digital Health Certification Network. This achievement marks a milestone for the region and reflects its leadership in adopting digital innovations in public health. However,
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WASHINGTON, Nov. 22 -- The Inter-American Development Bank issued the following news release:
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El Salvador and Costa Rica Issue First Digital Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificates with IDB and PAHO Support
El Salvador and Costa Rica have made the Americas the first region in the world to issue digital yellow fever vaccination certificates in accordance with the standards of the World Health Organization's (WHO) Global Digital Health Certification Network. This achievement marks a milestone for the region and reflects its leadership in adopting digital innovations in public health. However,while the WHO completes the consultation processes for the implementation of digital certificates, the international paper certificate continues to be required for travelers entering certain countries, ensuring the continuity and safety of international travel.
Both countries achieved this breakthrough thanks to their commitment to the digital transformation of health and the efforts being made in the region with the Pan American Digital Health Roadmap, an initiative promoted by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). Through programs such as national and regional connectathons and technical support from the Latin American and Caribbean Network for Digital Health (RACSEL), each country has been able to strengthen its capacity to issue digital vaccination certificates in accordance with international standards.
Javier Guzman, chief of the Health, Nutrition, and Population Division at the IDB, said: "This progress shows how regional cooperation and digital infrastructure can transform the way people access health services. At the IDB, we will continue to support countries so that secure and internationally recognized certificates become a reality throughout the region."
Yellow fever certificates -- and polio certificates in some countries -- are the only health documents internationally recognized as an entry requirement under the International Health Regulations (2005) (IHR). The 2024 amendments, which came into force last September, introduced for the first time the possibility of issuing them in digital or paper format, ensuring authenticity, data protection, and international validity.
Marcelo D'Agostino, PAHO's head of information systems and digital health, stressed that "strengthening the digital health infrastructure will allow people to travel throughout the region in the future without the need for duplicate vaccinations or paperwork, representing a step toward more equitable and efficient health care throughout Latin America and the Caribbean."
Digital certificates also contribute to global public health security by enabling governments to obtain quality information in real time, optimize resources, and avoid unnecessary costs by preventing duplication in the administration of vaccines, as well as reducing irregular practices such as the creation of informal markets for health certificates that jeopardize public health.
Yellow fever is a potentially fatal viral disease transmitted by mosquitoes, but it can be prevented with a single dose of vaccine that offers lifelong protection. In Latin America, as of early November 2025, there have been 295 cases in humans and 122 deaths in six countries.
This achievement reflects the spirit of regional cooperation of PH4H, a joint initiative by the IDB, PAHO, and the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean to build more connected, safe, reliable, and resilient health systems in all countries in the region.
Within the Global Digital Health Certification Network, the PH4H initiative established a trust domain to enable member countries to mutually recognize and validate digital health certificates issued according to international standards. El Salvador and Costa Rica are setting the bar for the entire continent and inspiring and motivating other countries to continue advancing toward more connected, safe, and accessible health care systems.
The IDB and PAHO recognized the achievements of El Salvador and Costa Rica during the event Pan American Highway for Digital Health: Driving Innovation and Connection in the Americas, held recently in San Salvador, El Salvador, with the participation of 26 countries in the Americas.
During the meeting, twelve countries formally joined the Global Digital Health Certification Network's PH4H domain, expanding regional cooperation in digital health.
The Pan American Highway for Digital Health is supported by the government of Japan.
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About the IDB
The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), a member of the IDB Group, is devoted to improving lives across Latin America and the Caribbean. Founded in 1959, the Bank works with the region's public sector to design and enable impactful, innovative solutions for sustainable and inclusive development. Leveraging financing, technical expertise, and knowledge, it promotes growth and well-being in 26 countries. Visit our website: https://www.iadb.org/en
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About PAHO
The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) works with the countries of the Americas to improve the health and quality of life of its population. Founded in 1902, it is the world's oldest international public health agency. It serves as the Regional Office of the World Health Organization (WHO) for the Americas and is the specialized health agency of the Inter-American system (OAS). Visit www.paho.org
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Original text here: https://www.iadb.org/en/news/el-salvador-and-costa-rica-issue-first-digital-yellow-fever-vaccination-certificates-idb-and-paho
NASA, Aerospace Corporation Study Sharpens Focus on Ammonia Emissions
PASADENA, California, Nov. 21 (TNSres) -- NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory issued the following news:
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NASA, Aerospace Corporation Study Sharpens Focus on Ammonia Emissions
The pungent gas contributes to fine airborne particulate pollution, which endangers human health when inhaled and absorbed in the bloodstream.
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A recent study led by scientists at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California and the nonprofit Aerospace Corporation shows how high-resolution maps of ground-level ammonia plumes can be generated with airborne sensors, highlighting a way to better track the gas.
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PASADENA, California, Nov. 21 (TNSres) -- NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory issued the following news:
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NASA, Aerospace Corporation Study Sharpens Focus on Ammonia Emissions
The pungent gas contributes to fine airborne particulate pollution, which endangers human health when inhaled and absorbed in the bloodstream.
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A recent study led by scientists at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California and the nonprofit Aerospace Corporation shows how high-resolution maps of ground-level ammonia plumes can be generated with airborne sensors, highlighting a way to better track the gas.A key chemical ingredient of fine particulate matter -- tiny particles in the air known to be harmful when inhaled -- ammonia can be released through agricultural activities such as livestock farming and geothermal power generation as well as natural geothermal processes. Because it's not systematically monitored, many sources of the pungent gas go undetected.
Published (https://acp.copernicus.org/articles/25/11935/2025/) in Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics in October, the study focuses on a series of 2023 research flights that covered the Imperial Valley to the southeast of the Salton Sea in inland Southern California, as well as the Eastern Coachella Valley to its northwest. Prior satellite-based research has identified the Imperial Valley as a prolific source of gaseous ammonia. In the study, scientists employed an airborne sensor capable of resolving ammonia plumes with enough detail to track their origins: Aerospace Corporation's Mako instrument is an imaging spectrometer that observes long-wave infrared light emitted by areas of Earth's surface and atmosphere 6 feet (2 meters) across.
Using the instrument, which can detect ammonia's chemical signature by the infrared light it absorbs, the authors found elevated levels of the gas near several sources, including agricultural fields, livestock feedlots, geothermal plants, and geothermal vents. Measurements in parts of the Imperial Valley were 21/2 to eight times higher than in Coachella Valley's Mecca community, which had ammonia concentrations closer to background levels.
Though not toxic on its own in low concentrations, ammonia is a precursor to particulate matter, also known as aerosol or particle pollution. It reacts with other gases to form solid ammonium salt particles small enough to penetrate the bloodstream from the lungs. Particles under 2.5 micrometers in diameter -- also known as PM2.5 -- are associated with elevated rates of asthma, lung cancer, and cardiovascular disease, among other negative health outcomes.
"Historically, more attention has focused on primary sources of PM2.5, such as auto emissions. But with significant reductions in those emissions and increasingly stringent air quality standards, there is growing interest in understanding secondary sources that form particles in the air from precursor gases," said Sina Hasheminassab, lead author of the paper and a research scientist at JPL. "As an important precursor to PM2.5, ammonia plays a key role, but its emissions are poorly characterized and undermonitored."
Rising ammonia
Previous satellite-based studies have shown rising levels of atmospheric ammonia, both globally and in the continental United States. That research revealed broad trends, but with spatial resolution on the order of tens of miles, the measurements were only sufficient to identify variation over areas of hundreds of square miles or more.
The chemical behavior of ammonia also poses a particular monitoring challenge: Once emitted, it only stays in the atmosphere for hours before reacting with other compounds. In contrast, carbon dioxide can remain in the air for centuries.
Planes and satellites can provide an overview of sources and the geographic distribution of emissions at a given moment. Although satellites offer wider and more recurrent coverage, airborne instruments, being closer to the source, produce higher-resolution data and can focus on specific locations at designated times.
Those proved to be the right capabilities for the recent study. Researchers flew Mako over the Imperial and Eastern Coachella valleys on the mornings and afternoons of March 28 and Sept. 25, 2023, and took concurrent measurements on the ground with both a fixed monitoring station in Mecca operated by the South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) and a mobile spectrometer developed at the University of California, Riverside.
"The goal was to show that this technique was capable of delivering data with the required accuracy that aerosol scientists and potentially even air quality regulatory bodies could use to improve the air quality in those regions," said David Tratt, a senior scientist at Aerospace Corporation and coauthor of the paper. "We ended up with maps that identify multiple sources of ammonia, and we were able to track the plumes from their sources and observe them coalescing into larger clouds."
Distinct plumes
During the flights, the team collected data over the southeastern coast of the Salton Sea, which straddles Riverside and Imperial counties. There, Mako revealed small plumes coming from geothermal fumaroles venting superheated water and steam that react with nitrogen-bearing compounds in the soil, releasing ammonia.
Farther to the southeast, the results showed several geothermal power plants emitting ammonia, primarily from their cooling towers, as part of their normal operations.
Farther southeast still, the researchers spotted ammonia emissions, a byproduct of animal waste, from cattle farms in the Imperial Valley. During the March 28 flight, a plume from the largest facility in the study area measured up to 1.7 miles (2.8 kilometers) wide and extended up to 4.8 miles (7.7 kilometers) downwind of the source.
'Very large puzzle'
As part of the study, AQMD's Mecca monitoring station recorded seasonal changes in ammonia concentrations. Given the few sources in the area, the researchers surmised that winds during certain months tend to blow the gas from Imperial Valley to the Coachella Valley.
The study underscores the benefits of detailed spatial information about ammonia emissions, and it partly informed the agency's decision in July to expand its ammonia-monitoring network and extend the life of the Mecca station.
As a precursor to PM2.5, ammonia is "one piece of a very large puzzle" that, for Coachella Valley residents, includes vehicle emissions, desert dust, and agricultural activities, said Payam Pakbin, manager of the Advanced Monitoring Technologies Unit at AQMD and a paper coauthor.
"These communities want to know the contributions of these sources to the air quality they're experiencing," he added. "Findings like these help our agency better prioritize which sources require the most attention and ultimately guide our focus toward those that are the highest priority for achieving emission reductions in this community."
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Original text here: https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/nasa-aerospace-corporation-study-sharpens-focus-on-ammonia-emissions/
More Than the CPC Designation is Needed as Violations on Religious Freedom in Nigeria Escalate
WASHINGTON, Nov. 21 -- The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom issued the following news release:
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More Than the CPC Designation is Needed as Violations on Religious Freedom in Nigeria Escalate
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More Than the CPC Designation Is Needed as Violations on Religious Freedom in Nigeria Escalate
Washington, DC - Nearly three weeks since President Trump designated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC), there has been an escalation in violence, highlighting the relevance of the designation. USCIRF calls for the U.S. government to develop a robust plan with the Nigerian
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WASHINGTON, Nov. 21 -- The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom issued the following news release:
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More Than the CPC Designation is Needed as Violations on Religious Freedom in Nigeria Escalate
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More Than the CPC Designation Is Needed as Violations on Religious Freedom in Nigeria Escalate
Washington, DC - Nearly three weeks since President Trump designated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC), there has been an escalation in violence, highlighting the relevance of the designation. USCIRF calls for the U.S. government to develop a robust plan with the Nigeriangovernment to secure freedom of religion or belief (FoRB), hold perpetrators that violate religious freedom to account, and to support efforts to rescue those held captive because of their faith.
" USCIRF strongly condemns the killings and kidnappings at the Christ Apostolic Church in Kwara State," said USCIRF Chair Vicky Hartzler. " It is imperative that the U.S. Government compel the Nigerian government to take immediate steps to prevent such attacks, allowing all Nigerians to safely attend religious services. "
The church attack came just days after bandits abducted 25 girls from a government boarding school in Kebbi State, serving as a stark reminder of the ongoing series of similar school attacks following the abduction of 276 schoolgirls in Chibok in 2014 and 110 in Dapchi in 2018. Violent abductions have broadly plagued religious communities across Nigeria. Recently, gunmen seized over 100 individuals, mostly women and children, from a mosque in Zamfara State in August and three Muslim individuals at a mosque in Kwara State in September.
" Violent attacks against religious communities in Nigeria have become tragically commonplace, affecting Christians, Muslims, practitioners of traditional African religions, and others," said USCIRF Vice Chair Asif Mahmood. " The Nigerian government has not adequately addressed the violence, resulting in a pervasive climate of fear that deters Nigerians of all religious backgrounds from openly practicing their faith."
USCIRF has recommended Nigeria for CPC designation since 2009 for engaging in and tolerating particularly severe religious freedom violations. USCIRF held a hearing in May on "Governance in Nigeria: A Foundation for Securing Freedom of Religion or Belief" and released a podcast episode in June on the impact of blasphemy laws on Nigerian society. In July, USCIRF published a comprehensive country update on religious freedom concerns in Nigeria.
The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is an independent, bipartisan federal government entity established by the U.S. Congress to monitor, analyze, and report on religious freedom abroad. USCIRF makes foreign policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State, and Congress intended to deter religious persecution and promote freedom of religion and belief. To interview a Commissioner, please contact USCIRF at media@uscirf.gov.
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Original text here: https://www.uscirf.gov/news-room/releases-statements/more-cpc-designation-needed-violations-religious-freedom-nigeria-0
Jamaica to Strengthen Public-Sector Efficiency With IDB Support
WASHINGTON, Nov. 21 -- The Inter-American Development Bank issued the following news release:
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Jamaica to Strengthen Public-Sector Efficiency with IDB Support
The Board of Executive Directors of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) approved a loan of up to US$70 million to advance Jamaica's ongoing public sector transformation program. The initiative aims to make public administration more efficient and effective, improving services for both citizens and public servants.
The program, financed by the IDB, will enhance the management of human, financial, and organizational resources
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WASHINGTON, Nov. 21 -- The Inter-American Development Bank issued the following news release:
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Jamaica to Strengthen Public-Sector Efficiency with IDB Support
The Board of Executive Directors of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) approved a loan of up to US$70 million to advance Jamaica's ongoing public sector transformation program. The initiative aims to make public administration more efficient and effective, improving services for both citizens and public servants.
The program, financed by the IDB, will enhance the management of human, financial, and organizational resourcesby strengthening core government functions, streamlining institutional structures, and modernizing civil service systems.
Financing will support measures such as implementing shared corporate across government, rationalizing public bodies, and modernizing civil service management systems and processes. These actions are designed to reduce duplication, improve coordination, and strengthen human resource practices.
These reforms are expected to improve coordination, increase effectiveness, and lower costs across government operations. By optimizing procurement, payroll, and financial management processes, the program will help Jamaica use public resources more efficiently and improve policy coordination.
The loan, under the Specific Investment Loan modality, has a repayment term of 23.5 years, a grace period of seven years, and an interest rate based on SOFR. The total financing for the program amounts to US$78.5 million, including US$8.5 million in local counterpart funding.
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About the IDB
The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), a member of the IDB Group, is devoted to improving lives across Latin America and the Caribbean. Founded in 1959, the Bank works with the region's public sector to design and enable impactful, innovative solutions for sustainable and inclusive development. Leveraging financing, technical expertise, and knowledge, it promotes growth and well-being in 26 countries. Visit our website: https://www.iadb.org/en.
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Original text here: https://www.iadb.org/en/news/jamaica-strengthen-public-sector-efficiency-idb-support
Fannie Mae Publishes November 2025 Economic and Housing Outlook
WASHINGTON, Nov. 21 -- Fannie Mae issued the following news release:
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Fannie Mae Publishes November 2025 Economic and Housing Outlook
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WASHINGTON, DC - Fannie Mae's (FNMA/OTCQB) monthly economic and housing outlook, published by the Economic and Strategic Research (ESR) Group, is now available. The forecast files, which contain the ESR Group's expectations for mortgage rates, single-family and multifamily originations, and real GDP growth, among other data points, can be found here.
Opinions, analyses, estimates, forecasts, beliefs, and other views of Fannie Mae's Economic and Strategic
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WASHINGTON, Nov. 21 -- Fannie Mae issued the following news release:
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Fannie Mae Publishes November 2025 Economic and Housing Outlook
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WASHINGTON, DC - Fannie Mae's (FNMA/OTCQB) monthly economic and housing outlook, published by the Economic and Strategic Research (ESR) Group, is now available. The forecast files, which contain the ESR Group's expectations for mortgage rates, single-family and multifamily originations, and real GDP growth, among other data points, can be found here.
Opinions, analyses, estimates, forecasts, beliefs, and other views of Fannie Mae's Economic and StrategicResearch (ESR) Group included in these materials should not be construed as indicating Fannie Mae's business prospects or expected results, are based on a number of assumptions, and are subject to change without notice. How this information affects Fannie Mae will depend on many factors. Although the ESR Group bases its opinions, analyses, estimates, forecasts, beliefs, and other views on information it considers reliable, it does not guarantee that the information provided in these materials is accurate, current, or suitable for any particular purpose. Changes in the assumptions or the information underlying these views could produce materially different results. The analyses, opinions, estimates, forecasts, beliefs, and other views published by the ESR Group represent the views of that group as of the date indicated and do not necessarily represent the views of Fannie Mae or its management.
About the ESR Group
Fannie Mae's Economic and Strategic Research Group, led by Chief Economist Mark Palim, studies current data, analyzes historical and emerging trends, and conducts surveys to provide forecasts and analyses on the economy, housing, and mortgage markets.
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Original text here: https://www.fanniemae.com/newsroom/fannie-mae-news/fannie-mae-publishes-november-2025-economic-and-housing-outlook
El Salvador to Modernize Its International Airport With IDB Support
WASHINGTON, Nov. 21 -- The Inter-American Development Bank issued the following news release:
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El Salvador to Modernize Its International Airport with IDB Support
The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) Board of Executive Directors has approved a $195 million loan to finance the modernization of El Salvador International Airport (AIES).
This operation, approved under the Specific Investment Loan (ESP) modality, will boost the country's economic development, tourism, and air connectivity for passengers using the San Oscar Arnulfo Romero y Galdamez International Airport.
The plan aims
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Nov. 21 -- The Inter-American Development Bank issued the following news release:
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El Salvador to Modernize Its International Airport with IDB Support
The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) Board of Executive Directors has approved a $195 million loan to finance the modernization of El Salvador International Airport (AIES).
This operation, approved under the Specific Investment Loan (ESP) modality, will boost the country's economic development, tourism, and air connectivity for passengers using the San Oscar Arnulfo Romero y Galdamez International Airport.
The plan aimsto improve the quality of airport services and strengthen institutional capacity for planning, operating, and managing air transport.
This IDB-supported program is part of its America en el Centro initiative and contributes to implementing the productivity and economic integration pillar through the development of sustainable regional infrastructure. It will directly benefit 7.7 million passengers expected to use the new airport infrastructure annually by 2030 and generate benefits for more than 518,000 people directly or indirectly linked to tourism, as well as for over 1.8 million people indirectly.
Currently, El Salvador has opportunities to improve its air connectivity, which, if strengthened, would enhance competitiveness and boost tourism growth. A modern, efficient, and well-connected airport system would open new possibilities to fully leverage the economic and social benefits offered by this sector.
The country's air connectivity is concentrated almost entirely at AIES, which currently handles 99.8% of operations and all international flights. This scenario represents a valuable opportunity to strengthen the quality of airport services and enhance the planning, management, and operational capacities of the Autonomous Port Executive Commission (CEPA), thus driving more dynamic and sustainable development of air transport in the country.
The program includes the construction of the second phase of the passenger terminal expansion, as well as the expansion of the aircraft apron at AIES. It will also include the construction of a Foxtrot taxiway, a vehicle parking building, and a Rescue and Firefighting Service (RFFS) building.
The $195 million loan has a repayment term of 23 years, a grace period of 7.5 years, and an interest rate based on SOFR.
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About the IDB
The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), a member of the IDB Group, is devoted to improving lives across Latin America and the Caribbean. Founded in 1959, the Bank works with the region's public sector to design and enable impactful, innovative solutions for sustainable and inclusive development. Leveraging financing, technical expertise, and knowledge, it promotes grow and well-being in 26 countries. Visit our website: https://www.iadb.org/en.
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Original text here: https://www.iadb.org/en/news/el-salvador-modernize-its-international-airport-idb-support
EPA Delivers Additional 100 Top Environmental Accomplishments, 300 Environmental Wins Now Highlighted Since President Trump Took Office in January
WASHINGTON, Nov. 21 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release:
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EPA Delivers Additional 100 Top Environmental Accomplishments, 300 Environmental Wins Now Highlighted Since President Trump Took Office in January
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Region 2 Projects Contribute to National Progress on Delivering Clean Air, Land and Water
New York, N.Y. \- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin shared 100 additional environmental accomplishments EPA has achieved in the last 100 days, recognizing 300 days of fulfilling the agency's statutory obligations, and delivering
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WASHINGTON, Nov. 21 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release:
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EPA Delivers Additional 100 Top Environmental Accomplishments, 300 Environmental Wins Now Highlighted Since President Trump Took Office in January
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Region 2 Projects Contribute to National Progress on Delivering Clean Air, Land and Water
New York, N.Y. \- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin shared 100 additional environmental accomplishments EPA has achieved in the last 100 days, recognizing 300 days of fulfilling the agency's statutory obligations, and deliveringclean air, land, and water for all Americans under President Donald Trump's leadership.
This progress includes announcing a proposed rule today that establishes a clear, durable, common-sense definition of "waters of the United States" (WOTUS), completing 100 days of "pressure testing" Tijuana-San Diego wastewater projects from the July 2025 U.S.-Mexico Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and accelerating timelines by nine months, secured our border from dangerous illegal pesticides through enforcement action, led emergency response efforts and cleanup efforts in communities across the nation, and so much more.
These 100 actions build on Administrator Zeldin's list of 100 pro-environmental actions taken by the agency during President Trump's First 100 Days in office and another 100 pro-environmental actions highlighted at the 200-day milestone to total 300 featured accomplishments.
"We are thrilled to announce another 100 top accomplishments from the last 100 days in our mission to meet our statutory duties and defend human health and environmental quality," said EPA Administrator Zeldin. "The Trump EPA is showing that we can be exceptional environmental stewards while Powering the Great American Comeback. 300 days, 300 major environmental wins - this is the energy that propels us forward and the pace that motivates us. We will keep working tirelessly to secure success after success for America's environment and families nationwide."
This snapshot represents the great work done by the agency on a daily basis as EPA continues to fulfill its core mission of protecting human health and the environment, while committing to commonsense policies that drive down prices, unleash American energy, advance permitting reform and cooperative federalism, make America the AI capital of the world, and revitalize the auto industry.
1. Announced a proposed rule that establishes a clear, durable, common-sense definition of WOTUS under the Clean Water Act.
2. Completed 100 days of "pressure testing" Tijuana-San Diego wastewater projects following the July 2025 U.S.-Mexico MOU, accelerating timelines by nine months while advancing funding discussions with Mexico that will contribute to permanently ending the flow of raw sewage from Mexico into the United States.
3. Issued an Interim Final Rule to cut red tape on the temporary-use Commercial and Industrial Solid Waste Incinerators (CISWI) for natural disaster debris removal, providing state, local and Tribal governments with the ability to quickly and effectively clean up their communities
4. Issued guidance directing regional offices to work with local, state, Tribal, and federal partners to remove barriers in State Implementation Plans (SIPs) that discourage prescribed fires.
5. Established orders under Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Section 5(e) for 68 new chemicals that may present unreasonable risk.
6. Proposed 144 and finalized 170 significant new use rules (SNURs) under TSCA for chemicals approved in the new chemicals program, ensuring these chemicals do not pose unreasonable risks to human health or the environment.
7. Decreased the backlog of pesticide submissions under review by over 5,200 from the start of the Administration to the beginning of November, ensuring growers and other users have the tools they need to protect our food supply, combat pests and respond to other public health and environmental issues.
8. Hosted a webinar for almost 400 building code officials covering lead hazards, EPA lead-safe work certification requirements, and protective practices during home renovations.
9. Streamlined review processes for over 3,000 company chemical risk notifications (including PFAS and pesticides), distributing 900+ to improve regulatory decisions protecting human health and the environment.
10. Issued vital guidance needed for publishing bilingual labels to better protect farmworkers and other users from pesticide exposures and ensure proper use.
11. Held a webinar attended by 882 participants aimed at training farmers, applicators, and other users on how to comply with Endangered Species Act label mitigations.
12. Secured U.S. border from dangerous pesticides and chemicals through enforcement actions resulting in 13 total defendants, $6.3 million in financial penalties, and 29 months imprisonment.
13. Concluded 1,778 enforcement cases, which will reduce, treat, or eliminate nearly 86 million pounds of air, chemical, and water pollution.
14. Concluded 41 enforcement cases totaling more than $714.4 million for past and future Superfund cleanup work addressing more than 58.8 million cubic yards of contaminated soil and water.
15. Conducted 6,457 inspections and 3,807 offsite compliance monitoring activities.
16. Issued the Residential Lead Directive for CERCLA Sites and RCRA Hazardous Waste Cleanup Program Facilities.
17. Announced the selection of 25 communities to receive assistance through the Recreation Economy for Rural Communities.
18. Distributed $86.2 million in supplemental Hurricane Helene recovery funds to support debris removal, management, and property reuse evaluation.
19. Hosted the biennial Brownfields conference with over 2,600 stakeholders, offering 185 sessions and eight workshops focused on sharing best practices for contaminated property remediation and redevelopment.
20. Signed 10 Clean Air Act regulatory actions in New England including 5 final State Implementation Plan (SIP) rulemakings.
21. Issued nine TSCA PCB Cleanup and Disposal Approvals to support New England infrastructure and redevelopment.
22. Finalized a consent order requiring removal of PFAS foam and system cleaning at Brunswick Executive Airport in Maine.
23. Signed Interim Record of Decision for the Tinkham Garage Superfund Site in New Hampshire to address contamination in drinking water.
24. Signed an Action Memo to mobilize cleanup efforts of PCBs and lead in a Dartmouth, Massachusetts, residential neighborhood.
25. Completed decision document for cleanup at Lower Neponset River Superfund Site in Massachussetts to remove contaminated soil and sediment, stabilize and restore riverbanks.
26. Conducted outreach on the Renovation, Repair, and Painting Rule (RRP) to 689 companies and individuals in Maine with lapsed certifications, sponsored training, and approved training provider accreditation.
27. Approved revised Clean Water Act Section 320 Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan to protect and restore Great Bay and Hampton-Seabrook estuary watersheds in New Hampshire.
28. Installed 108 Point of Entry Treatment water systems to address PFAS contamination and sampled over 350 wells and provided bottled water to almost 200 residents near the Route 31 Sludge Superfund removal site in New Jersey.
29. Finalized agreement with NRGY Development, LLC, requiring asbestos contamination removal to secure the former Goudey Power Station Site in New York.
30. Issued a Clean Water Act National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit for EcoElectrica, a company that produces about 15% of Puerto Rico's electricity.
31. Reached settlement with the Newark Housing Authority requiring lead testing and abatement across 11 pre-1978 properties housing about 5,500 residents in New Jersey.
32. Issued a Safe Drinking Water Act order to the City of Syracuse, New York, requiring improvements and public education to address lead in the water.
33. Issued a Unilateral Administrative Order under Superfund law requiring Messer LLC to perform vapor intrusion mitigation for the Cinnaminson Groundwater Contamination Superfund Site in New Jersey.
34. Responded to a serious fire in Gorham, New York, establishing air monitoring and developing plans to address flareups while working to remove hazardous substances (primarily expired hand sanitizer).
35. Completed removal of approximately 100,000 gallons of expired hand sanitizer and 30 cubic yards of contaminated soil from Niagara Falls, New York.
36. Gained full accreditation to perform a sophisticated analysis for toxic volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the air in Region 2.
37. Expedited evaluation of Maryland's Animal Feeding Operations Discharge Permit in just 27 days, reducing permit review time by 70%.
38. Conducted extensive sampling at Atlantic Wood Industries Superfund Site in Virginia, analyzing over 1,500 oysters to evaluate remedial success.
39. Hosted over 60 federal and state stakeholders for collaborative training on environmental remediation, groundwater investigation, and radon risk reduction in Region 3.
40. Strengthened multi-agency preparedness with training on train derailments, radiological security, oil spills, and hazardous materials emergency planning and response.
41. Advanced clean water protections through approved selenium criteria in Virginia and new sediment total maximum daily limits.
42. Completed oyster reef recovery in 10 target tributaries and restored more than 2,900 acres of habitat with Chesapeake Bay partners.
43. Forged first-ever Agriculture Memorandum of Understanding with Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to expand collaboration on agricultural practices that benefit the environment, regulatory and compliance programs, training, communication, and education.
44. Launched a new macroinvertebrate subsampling station at Fort Mifflin in Pennsylvania to strengthen regional Clean Water Act monitoring.
45. Removed 1,815 pounds of contamination at Southern Solvents Superfund Site in Tampa, Florida, and achieved the Remedial Action goal.
46. Sampled 515 residential properties, remediated 161 properties, and disposed of more than 30,000 tons of contaminated material to safeguard residents from lead exposure at the Southside Chattanooga Lead Superfund Site in Tennessee.
47. Completed a $1.98 million cleanup at Continental Cleaners Superfund Site in Miami, Florida, that protects the Biscayne aquifer, Miami-Dade's sole source of drinking water.
48. Provided Risk Assessment training to 40 state project managers in Columbia, South Carolina.
49. Finalized a report on particulate Action Levels related to metal emissions from lithium-ion battery fires to enhance and guide protective actions.
50. Enhanced EPA's partnership with Citrus County, Florida, to advance $1.2 million for the Septic-to-Sewer program.
51. Distributed $685 million for recovery in partnership with FEMA and local officials, resulting in 122 pre-application projects in 59 communities for flood risk reduction and resiliency enhancement, as we recently marked the first anniversary since the devastation of Hurricane Helene.
52. Worked to collect 54,000 gallons of oil-water mix, stabilize nearby waterways and drinking water sources, and prevent further contamination following the UPS Flight 2976 crash in Louisville, Kentucky.
53. Collaborated with Department of Energy (DOE) on the first land lease in the nation under the Hall Amendment for beneficial site redevelopment with lease of 100-acre parcel of Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant Superfund site.
54. Completed two-year residential cleanup project addressing PCB-contaminated soil at 56 properties on the Ten Mile Drain Superfund site in Kentucky.
55. Approved Michigan's regional haze state implementation plan revisions, addressing pollution that causes visibility issues at national parks and wilderness areas.
56. Completed a time-critical cleanup of a former balloon factory to remove hundreds of containers of hazardous materials in Malvern, Ohio.
57. Excavated more than 5,000 tons of PCB-contaminated soil discovered by the city of Detroit during construction of the Joe Louis Greenway.
58. Cleaned up properties contaminated by a fire at a Newburgh, Indiana, manufacturing facility which spread caustic ash over a large part of the community.
59. Removed Muskegon Lake, Michigan, from the list of the most environmentally degraded areas in the Great Lakes.
60. Reached a settlement to resolve alleged lead-paint renovation violations in South Bend, Indiana.
61. Reached settlement for alleged violations of the Clean Air Act requiring company to reduce lead and particulate matter emissions.
62. Sailed more than 8,000 miles, sampled 382 sites and hosted hundreds of students and visitors during EPA research vessel Lake Guardian's 2025 survey of Great Lakes water quality.
63. Collaborated with the state of Ohio and numerous local partners to begin the long-anticipated process to remove Cuyahoga River's Gorge Dam.
64. Removed more than 2,100 tons of spilled asphalt from the Chicago Ship and Sanitary Canal.
65. Led emergency response at Smitty Supply explosion and fire in Louisiana deploying 464 EPA employees and contractors to conduct air monitoring and recover 7,622,181 gallons of oily waste and 3,769,668 gallons of CERCLA waste from the Tangipahoa River.
66. Signed final Clean Air Act Minor New Source Review permit for Texas GulfLink Deepwater Port, the first use of an offshore support vessel to house VOC vapor control technology.
67. Conducted oversight of the depressurization of four flanged tritium waste containers at Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico.
68. Signed proposed approval of Oklahoma SIP Revisions for New Source Review permitting and general SIP updates, addressing 13 SIP submittals.
69. Provided expedited sample results for 61 indoor air samples for volatile organic compounds from 16 residential properties in the CCI Superfund site in Kansas.
70. Awarded task order contract that reduces mobilization time by approximately 280 days for the Superfund Removal and Remedial Program in Region 7.
71. Awarded $148,000 to the City of Cambridge, Nebraska, for rehabilitation of Cambridge's Wastewater Treatment Plant.
72. Collected fish tissue samples at four locations near Montrose, Missouri, to address potential concerns with the Montrose facility and fly ash storage.
73. Signed a final action to approve revisions to the Missouri SIP to resolve a discrepancy between federal and state requirements.
74. Signed a final action to approve revisions to the Kansas SIP to redesignate the Salina Area from nonattainment to attainment for the 2008 Lead (Pb) NAAQS.
75. Collected and analyzed bacterial samples at 48 sites on the Maquoketa and upper Iowa River watersheds in northeast Iowa.
76. Finalized agreement with liable parties for cleanup of a 15,000-ton pile of elemental sulfur in Peru, Kansas, resulting in site cleanup at no taxpayer cost.
77. Approved an aquifer exemption for the Lisbon Valley Mine Project in Utah to include underground recovery of copper, expanding current mining operations with less surface disturbance.
78. Signed North Dakota's Coal Combustion Residuals (CCR) final rule, allowing the state to permit CCR disposal in surface impoundments and landfills.
79. Signed a proposed rule approving a SIP revision for Montana, addressing regional haze and visibility requirements related to the 2015 ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standard.
80. Approved revisions to Montana's water quality standards in House Bill 664, maintaining narrative criteria to protect against harmful effects of nutrient pollution.
81. Signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the Blackfeet Tribe in Montana and Idaho to create NPDES permitting efficiencies for the Clean Water Act Section 401 Process.
82. Supported Colorado's efforts in a chemical removal action at Otero County schools, with over 3,400 containers added to collection efforts.
83. Reached a settlement with Kennecott Utah Copper requiring the mining company to monitor wetlands, study groundwater contamination, and pay oversight costs at the Kennecott North Zone Superfund Site near Salt Lake City, Utah.
84. Hosted Proposed Plan public meeting in Billings, Montana, with record attendance, identifying EPA's Preferred Alternative for addressing contaminated indoor air detected in homes, schools, and commercial buildings in the downtown area.
85. Paved the way toward cleanup at the Northeast Church Rock site near Gallup, New Mexico, by concluding a consent decree to remove approximately one million cubic yards of uranium mine waste.
86. Completed removal of approximately 150,000 pounds of illegally stored fireworks, nitrous oxide gas, and hand sanitizer at a warehouse in Commerce, California.
87. Completed Dededo waste piles removal action in Guam, removing approximately 31,000 cubic yards of contaminated soil and installing new fencing to prevent future dumping.
88. Concluded an agreement with owners of a supermarket chain to remove multiple unregistered pesticides illegally sold throughout Arizona, California, and Nevada.
89. Completed four PFAS treatment systems to safeguard drinking water in southern California's Irvine Ranch and Orange County Water Districts to protect over 9,500 households from PFAS.
90. Began oversight of unprecedented lithium-ion battery removal from the Moss Landing, California, energy storage facility damaged in a January 2025 fire.
91. Completed transfer of almost one million tons of Maui wildfire debris to permanent disposal two months ahead of schedule, transitioning to the restoration phase.
92. Issued five orders to drinking water systems in Arizona, California, and Nevada for failing to complete lead service line inventories and customer notifications.
93. Completed remediation of 413,000 cubic yards of mine wastes and restoration of 17 acres Bunker Hill Superfund Site's Tamarack Complex project in northern Idaho and eastern Washington.
94. Completed the Gray's Meadow Remedial Action in Idaho restoring 695 acres of former agricultural land to clean wetland habitat.
95. Approved Alaska's Air Quality Plan for Fairbanks North Star Borough, providing cleaner air while saving Alaskans from costly provisions.
96. Issued Cooperative Agreements to advance cleanup of contaminated Alaska Native Corporation lands, with 296 sites remaining to be verified out of nearly 1,200.
97. Remobilized to the Cosmo Specialty Fibers site in Washington to conduct an expanded removal evaluation assessing risks to nearby fish-bearing waters from hundreds of thousands of gallons of chemicals remaining in over 47 above-ground storage tanks after mill closure.
98. Awarded the City of Seattle $3 million to help implement their South Park Drainage Improvements Project, that will manage stormwater, reduce flooding, and protect Seattle residents, property, and public infrastructure from contaminants like BETX, VOCs, and various metals.
99. Awarded a $965,000 Community Grant to the Town of Washtucna in Washington State to design and construct a new community well and pump station, bolstering the reliability of a safe drinking water supply for the community.
100. Approved Texas SIP for SO2 interstate transport requirements.
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Original text here: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-delivers-additional-100-top-environmental-accomplishments-300-environmental-wins-1
