Featured Stories
NTSB Calls for Better Protection of Rail Workers During Shoving Movements
WASHINGTON, Sept. 22 -- The National Transportation Safety Board issued the following news release:
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NTSB Calls for Better Protection of Rail Workers During Shoving Movements
WASHINGTON (Sept. 21, 2026) -- The National Transportation Safety Board today issued safety recommendations urging the rail industry to end the practice of requiring workers to ride rail equipment to provide point protection during shoving movements.
The recommendations call on railroads and the Federal Railroad Administration to prohibit the practice, require safer alternatives, and identify hazards before operations
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WASHINGTON, Sept. 22 -- The National Transportation Safety Board issued the following news release:
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NTSB Calls for Better Protection of Rail Workers During Shoving Movements
WASHINGTON (Sept. 21, 2026) -- The National Transportation Safety Board today issued safety recommendations urging the rail industry to end the practice of requiring workers to ride rail equipment to provide point protection during shoving movements.
The recommendations call on railroads and the Federal Railroad Administration to prohibit the practice, require safer alternatives, and identify hazards before operationsbegin.
"Railroad workers deserve a safe workplace and should never have to risk their lives to do their jobs," said NTSB Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy. "Our investigations have repeatedly shown that riding moving rail equipment can have deadly consequences. Railroads have safer alternatives, and they should use them."
During a shoving movement, a locomotive pushes railcars while a worker ensures the track ahead is clear. Some railroads allow workers to perform this task while riding on the lead railcar.
Workers riding railcars face numerous hazards, including falls from moving equipment, being struck by vehicles at highway-railroad grade crossings, and being pinned or crushed during collisions or derailments. Employees can also be thrown from equipment or trapped between railcars and nearby structures.
Since October 2020, the NTSB has investigated 16 accidents involving workers riding rail equipment during shoving movements. Fourteen workers were killed and two were seriously injured. Since August, NTSB has opened two additional investigations.
The NTSB found that federal regulations do not adequately address these risks and do not consistently require crews to identify hazards before work begins. Important risk factors can include limited visibility, close clearances, track and walkway conditions, grade crossings, switches, and derails.
Safer alternatives are available, including providing point protection from the ground, using vehicles, cameras, and other technologies that allow crews to monitor the track ahead without riding rail equipment.
"Repeated accidents that seriously injure or kill railroad workers are unacceptable," said NTSB Vice Chairman Michael Graham. "These recommendations provide a safer path forward by reducing unnecessary exposure to hazards and strengthening pre-job hazard assessments."
The NTSB recommends that railroads conduct and document site-specific hazard assessments before work begins. The assessments should evaluate environmental and operational hazards, available alternatives to riding equipment, and the safest method of providing point protection. Findings should be discussed with employees during pre-job safety briefings.
"Railroads can better protect workers during shoving movements by requiring pre-job hazard assessments, safety briefings and alternatives to riding equipment," said NTSB Board Member Tom Chapman. "These measures will help ensure every rail worker goes home safely."
"This report shows that the same safety issues continue to cause rail worker deaths and injuries," said NTSB Board Member John DeLeeuw. "Moving rail equipment safely should not expose employees to unacceptable risk."
As a result of its investigations, the NTSB recommends that the Federal Railroad Administration and Class I railroads:
* Prohibit workers from riding rail equipment to provide point protection during shoving movements and require safer alternatives.
* Conduct, document, and regularly update site-specific hazard assessments before work begins.
* Share hazard assessment findings with employees performing the work.
* Address identified hazards during pre-job safety briefings.
The NTSB is also recommending that the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association:
* Inform its members about the risks associated with riding rail equipment during shoving movements.
The full report (https://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/AccidentReports/Pages/DCA26SR010.aspx) is available on the NTSB website.
To report an incident/accident or if you are a public safety agency, please call 1-844-373-9922 or 202-314-6290 to speak to a Watch Officer at the NTSB Response Operations Center (ROC) in Washington, DC (24/7).
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Original text here: https://www.ntsb.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/NR20260921.aspx
NASA Discovery Reveals Complex Water Systems on Early Mars
PASADENA, California, Sept. 22 (TNSjou) -- NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory issued the following news:
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NASA Discovery Reveals Complex Water Systems on Early Mars
Sept. 21, 2026
A new study reveals that Jezero Crater's enigmatic 'Margin Unit' was shaped by a complex sequence of ancient lakes, groundwater systems, and hydrothermal fluids.
When NASA's Perseverance rover reached the inner edge of Mars' Jezero Crater in September 2023, mission scientists were surprised by what they found. Called the "Margin Unit," the geologic area stretches along the shoreline of an ancient Martian lake, so
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PASADENA, California, Sept. 22 (TNSjou) -- NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory issued the following news:
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NASA Discovery Reveals Complex Water Systems on Early Mars
Sept. 21, 2026
A new study reveals that Jezero Crater's enigmatic 'Margin Unit' was shaped by a complex sequence of ancient lakes, groundwater systems, and hydrothermal fluids.
When NASA's Perseverance rover reached the inner edge of Mars' Jezero Crater in September 2023, mission scientists were surprised by what they found. Called the "Margin Unit," the geologic area stretches along the shoreline of an ancient Martian lake, sothey expected sedimentary rocks, which would have formed as layers of sand piled on top of each other over millennia. Composed of clay and silt, sedimentary rocks on Earth are good at preserving past microbial life. The scientists were especially intrigued by strong signals of carbonate minerals detected by Mars orbiters. On Earth, carbonates frequently form in shallow ocean and lake environments capable of supporting life.
Instead, the rover team found igneous rock, which can form deep underground from magma or from volcanic activity at the surface. Igneous rocks are excellent record-keepers, particularly because mineral crystals within them preserve details about the precise moment they formed. In this case, they preserved an astonishingly complex record of water activity on early Mars. In fact, these rocks showed signs of having interacted with water on at least three separate occasions, with each encounter further altering their chemistry and appearance. The findings (https://rdcu.be/AfiPZZe8k18a) were published Monday in the journal Communications Earth & Environment.
The instrument behind the findings is SuperCam, which perches on the rover's mast and determines the mineralogy of geologic features based on the light they reflect. When the science team spots an intriguing rock, they can send commands for SuperCam to fire its laser up to 21 feet (6.5 meters) away. The spectrum of the resulting plasma reveals the target's chemistry. Perseverance has analyzed more than 185 bedrock targets across the unit this way.
"Before we arrived at the Margin Unit, the main hypothesis -- derived from orbital observations -- was that the carbonate seen from orbit formed from interaction with the lake that existed in Jezero Crater," said Candice Bedford, a research scientist at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, and the study's lead author. "But now we know that this location became a sort of crossroads for aqueous systems. The Margin Unit findings are important because Jezero Crater sits inside one of the largest exposures of carbonate on Mars, so what we learn here reaches well beyond this crater."
Slow-cooling underground
Perseverance explored the Margin Unit across approximately 870 feet (265 meters) of elevation. At higher elevations, it found rock that was coarse-grained and crystalline -- hallmarks of the mineral olivine -- with almost no sign that water had ever touched it. Made of magnesium and iron, the area's olivine unit formed in a body of magma deep underground, cooling slowly enough for its grains to grow large, and reached the surface only after the ground above it eroded away. Lower in the unit, on the lakebed, the rock looks transformed, as the olivine grains were fractured with silica between them.
Carbonate and silica minerals are an important signpost in the search for ancient life. When water interacts with olivine on Earth, the reaction can release hydrogen, which can be a food source for some microbes, and it leaves behind carbonate and silica, two minerals that lock in traces of the past existence of those microbes.
Multiple episodes
The Perseverance team can determine the sequence of the Margin Unit's interactions with water, but not their age. On the first occasion water reached the rocks of the Margin Unit, carbon-dioxide-rich groundwater reacted with olivine, resulting in ridges of carbonate that run through the fractures in bedrock at low elevations. Today, these carbonate-filled fractures are left standing as the softer rock around them wears away.
The second time water reached the rocks may have been related to the lake that once existed in the crater.
"Some of the Margin Unit rocks also contain silica," said Eleni Ravanis, a planetary scientist at the University of Hawaii at Manoa and a coauthor of the study. "Turning olivine into carbonate can leave silica behind, and we see more of that silica in rocks that sat below the water line."
Last came a water event that generated mineral veins at one location in the eastern part of the Margin Unit, about 10 inches (25 centimeters) thick, creating minerals like calcium sulfate and fluorite. Finding fluorite is an important clue because it typically forms when hot water circulates through volcanic rocks, revealing that this area experienced a later, heated underground-water event.
"If there is one thing I have learned after 10 years working with Mars rovers, it is that Mars constantly throws surprises at you," said Bedford. "It is very rare that things are as we expect them to be from orbital data. I hope this work helps reshape how scientists view the history of water in Jezero Crater and across Mars. Ultimately, I hope it helps planetary scientists reconstruct the changing climate and habitability of early Mars."
More about Perseverance
A key objective of Perseverance's mission on Mars is astrobiology, including the search for signs of ancient microbial life. The rover characterizes the planet's geology and past climate and collects and stores Martian rock and regolith.
Managed for NASA by Caltech, Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California built and manages operations of the Perseverance rover on behalf of the agency's Science Mission Directorate as part of NASA's Mars Exploration Program portfolio. SuperCam is co-led by Purdue University in Indiana, Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico, and IRAP (Research Institute in Astrophysics and Planetology) and CNES (Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales) in Toulouse, France.
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Original text here: https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/nasa-discovery-reveals-complex-water-systems-on-early-mars/
IDB Supports Misiones With $200 Million in Financing for Investments in Urban Development, Connectivity, and Rural Electrification
WASHINGTON, Sept. 22 -- The Inter-American Development Bank issued the following news release:
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IDB Supports Misiones with $200 Million in Financing for Investments in Urban Development, Connectivity, and Rural Electrification
September 21, 2026
WASHINGTON -- The Board of Executive Directors of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) approved three operations totaling $200 million to promote improvements to Routes 17 and 14, expand access to electricity in rural areas, and improve urban services and housing policy in Misiones, Argentina, thereby contributing to the province's development.
The
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WASHINGTON, Sept. 22 -- The Inter-American Development Bank issued the following news release:
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IDB Supports Misiones with $200 Million in Financing for Investments in Urban Development, Connectivity, and Rural Electrification
September 21, 2026
WASHINGTON -- The Board of Executive Directors of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) approved three operations totaling $200 million to promote improvements to Routes 17 and 14, expand access to electricity in rural areas, and improve urban services and housing policy in Misiones, Argentina, thereby contributing to the province's development.
Theoperations reflect the joint efforts of the IDB, the national government, and the provinces to address local development priorities and achieve concrete improvements in the population's quality of life. These projects are part of the IDB Group's Country Strategy with Argentina 2025-2028, which includes among its priorities promoting sustained and resilient economic growth, improving connectivity and competitiveness, and supporting the most vulnerable populations.
"These investments reflect the importance of working in coordination with the provinces to provide solutions to the specific needs of each locality," said Viviana Alva Hart, the IDB Group's representative in Argentina. "In Misiones, we are supporting a comprehensive agenda that combines infrastructure, production and urban development to improve connectivity, create opportunities for the development of regional economies, and contribute to a better quality of life for its residents," she added.
"We are deeply grateful to the IDB and its technical teams for their trust in our province, seriousness in our joint work and sensitivity in understanding the priorities of our people. This support allows us to move forward with concrete projects that improve the lives of the people of Misiones," said Hugo Passalacqua, Governor of the province of Misiones.
One operation, worth $113 million, will support investments under the Strategic Corridors and Route Management Program on Provincial Route No. 17 and National Route No. 14, two critical roads for provincial connectivity. This transaction will also strengthen the management of the Provincial Highway Authority by incorporating criteria for efficiency and resilience.
This operation is part of South Connection, the IDB Group's regional program aimed at strengthening trade, integration and growth in South America.
The second operation--a $40 million loan allocated to the Agricultural Services Program--will finance expanded access to electricity and improved power supply quality in rural areas, as well as upgrades to traffic conditions on Provincial Route 205, thereby facilitating access to Fachinal and strengthening key infrastructure for the economic development of its rural areas.
This is the second individual loan under a Conditional Credit Line for Investment Projects (CCLIP) aimed at improving agricultural productivity and the income of rural households in Argentina.
The latest $47 million operation is destined to the Urban Development and Habitat Improvement Program and will finance investments in public water, energy, and sanitation services; road and pedestrian networks; community facilities and public spaces; the development of experimental and scalable housing prototypes; and the design and implementation of an integrated land management system.
With these three operations, the IDB is deepening its work with Argentina and its subnational governments through an agenda that integrates connectivity, productive development, infrastructure and housing, to create better conditions for economic growth and improving the population's quality of life.
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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/idb-supports-misiones-200-million-financing-investments-urban-development-connectivity-and-rural
IDB Group Convenes Heads of State and Technology Leaders to Advance AI Agenda
WASHINGTON, Sept. 22 -- The Inter-American Development Bank issued the following news release:
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IDB Group Convenes Heads of State and Technology Leaders to Advance AI Agenda
September 21, 2026
* New IDB analysis estimates that broad AI adoption could raise the GDP of Latin America and the Caribbean by 5.1% in a decade.
* With worker mobility, wages could increase by up to 5.3%, while without it, wages could fall by as much as 20.9%.
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NEW YORK -- The Inter-American Development Bank Group (IDB Group) today convened heads of state and government officials from The Bahamas, Bolivia,
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WASHINGTON, Sept. 22 -- The Inter-American Development Bank issued the following news release:
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IDB Group Convenes Heads of State and Technology Leaders to Advance AI Agenda
September 21, 2026
* New IDB analysis estimates that broad AI adoption could raise the GDP of Latin America and the Caribbean by 5.1% in a decade.
* With worker mobility, wages could increase by up to 5.3%, while without it, wages could fall by as much as 20.9%.
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NEW YORK -- The Inter-American Development Bank Group (IDB Group) today convened heads of state and government officials from The Bahamas, Bolivia,Brazil, Chile, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Guyana, Panama, Paraguay, Suriname, and Uruguay, alongside senior executives from Google, Anthropic, Microsoft, and Nvidia, to advance a shared roadmap for broad and safe adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) in Latin America and the Caribbean and help unlock productivity across the region.
Held on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, leaders called for the development of a regional mechanism that would embed a common strategy and joint investment guidelines.
They also addressed the foundations required for successful and responsible AI adoption, including institutions and regulation, talent and skills, digital infrastructure and data systems, dissemination of technology across governments, firms, and workers, and potential risks.
The urgency of the discussion was informed by the findings of the forthcoming IDB flagship report, "From Digitalization to Artificial Intelligence: Turning Promises into Productivity," to be published in November. The report is the 2026 edition of the Development in the Americas (DIA) series.
According to the report, broad adoption of AI and large labor-productivity effects could raise regional GDP by 5.1% after a decade. With limited adoption and small productivity effects, GDP would rise by only 0.3%.
The study also examines how worker mobility can shape the distribution of AI's benefits. Wages could increase by 2.3% to 5.3% over a decade if workers move into expanding job areas, but could fall by 13.5% to 20.9% if they cannot, underscoring the importance of policies that help workers adapt.
AI has the potential to transform the region's economies, but any potential gains will depend on policy decisions made today and countries' ability to scale adoption across the public and private sectors, the report argues. AI is already delivering measurable results, including reducing exclusion errors in social protection programs, improving public safety outcomes, and increasing worker productivity.
Participants included the heads of state of Chile, Jose Antonio Kast; the Dominican Republic, Luis Abinader; Guyana, Irfaan Ali; Panama, Jose Raul Mulino; Paraguay, Santiago Pena; Suriname, Jennifer Geerlings-Simons; and Uruguay, Yamandu Orsi, as well as Colombian Vice President Jose Manuel Restrepo; Bahamian Minister of Innovation, Sebastian Bastia; Bolivian Minister of the Presidency Fernando Aramayo; Brazilian Minister of Management and Innovation Esther Dweck; and Guatemalan Minister of Planning and Programming Carlos Mendoza Alvarado.
The discussion, organized in partnership with the Americas Society/Council of the Americas and Bicycle Capital, also included Ruth Porat, president and CIO of Alphabet and Google; Kevin Martin, VP and head of global policy of Meta; Mariano-Florentino "Tino" Cuellar, chief global affairs officer of Anthropic; Lisa Monaco, president of Microsoft Global Affairs; Bruce Andrews, chief external affairs officer of Nvidia; Marcelo Claure, co-chair of Brightstar Capital Partners; Shu Nyatta, co-founder and managing partner of Bicycle Capital; Sebastian Kurz, co-founder and co-CEO of Dream; and Garth Sheldon-Coulson, founder and CEO of Panthalassa.
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About the IDB Group
The Inter-American Development Bank Group (IDB Group) is the leading source of financing and knowledge for improving lives in Latin America and the Caribbean. It comprises the IDB, which works with the region's public sector and enables the private sector; IDB Invest, which directly supports private companies and projects; and IDB Lab, which spurs entrepreneurial innovation.
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Original text here: https://www.iadb.org/en/news/idb-group-convenes-heads-state-and-technology-leaders-advance-ai-agenda
Fannie Mae Announces Winners of its Latest Non-Performing Loan Sale
WASHINGTON, Sept. 21 -- Fannie Mae issued the following news release:
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Fannie Mae Announces Winners of its Latest Non-Performing Loan Sale
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WASHINGTON, DC - Fannie Mae (FNMA/OTCQB) today announced the results of its twenty-eighth non-performing loan sale transaction. The transaction, announced on August 19, 2026, included the sale of 919 loans totaling $203,303,314 in unpaid principal balance (UPB), offered in one pool. The winning bidder was Residential Credit Opportunities Trust IX-D. The transaction is expected to close by November 4, 2026. The pool was marketed with BofA Securities,
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Sept. 21 -- Fannie Mae issued the following news release:
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Fannie Mae Announces Winners of its Latest Non-Performing Loan Sale
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WASHINGTON, DC - Fannie Mae (FNMA/OTCQB) today announced the results of its twenty-eighth non-performing loan sale transaction. The transaction, announced on August 19, 2026, included the sale of 919 loans totaling $203,303,314 in unpaid principal balance (UPB), offered in one pool. The winning bidder was Residential Credit Opportunities Trust IX-D. The transaction is expected to close by November 4, 2026. The pool was marketed with BofA Securities,Inc. as advisor.
* The pool awarded in this most recent transaction includes 919 loans with an aggregate UPB of $203,303,314; average loan size of $221,222; weighted average note rate of 4.31%; and weighted average broker's price opinion (BPO) loan-to-value ratio of 48%.
The cover bid, which is the second highest bid for the pool, was 100.375% of UPB (48.56% of BPO).
All purchasers are required to honor any approved or in-process loss mitigation efforts at the time of sale, including loan modifications. In addition, purchasers must offer delinquent borrowers a waterfall of loss mitigation options, including loan modifications, which may include principal forgiveness, prior to initiating foreclosure on any loan, not secured by property which is vacant or condemned at the time of closing. In the event a foreclosure cannot be prevented, the owner of the loan must market the property to owner-occupants and non-profits first, similar to Fannie Mae's FirstLook(r) program.
Interested bidders can register for ongoing announcements, training, and other information here. Fannie Mae will also post information about specific pools available for purchase on that page.
Media Contact
Kelly Antonacci
202-752-0524
TOPICS
* Single Family
* Capital Markets
* Whole Loan Sales
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Original text here: https://www.fanniemae.com/newsroom/fannie-mae-news/winner-twenty-eighth-non-performing-loan-sale
EPA Announces Record of Decision Amendment to Implement Stricter Lead Cleanup Level and Expand Lead Soil Testing to Thousands of Additional Properties in Butte
WASHINGTON, Sept. 21 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release:
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EPA Announces Record of Decision Amendment to Implement Stricter Lead Cleanup Level and Expand Lead Soil Testing to Thousands of Additional Properties in Butte
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BUTTE, Mont. (Sept. 21, 2026) \-Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized a Record of Decision Amendment (RODA) that dramatically lowers the existing residential soil-lead cleanup level in the Butte Priority Soils Operable Unit (BPSOU) from 1,200 parts per million (ppm) to 456 ppm. The action also expands the Residential
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WASHINGTON, Sept. 21 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release:
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EPA Announces Record of Decision Amendment to Implement Stricter Lead Cleanup Level and Expand Lead Soil Testing to Thousands of Additional Properties in Butte
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BUTTE, Mont. (Sept. 21, 2026) \-Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized a Record of Decision Amendment (RODA) that dramatically lowers the existing residential soil-lead cleanup level in the Butte Priority Soils Operable Unit (BPSOU) from 1,200 parts per million (ppm) to 456 ppm. The action also expands the ResidentialMetals Abatement Program (RMAP) area by approximately 3,627 acres, qualifying over 7,000 more properties for assessment and, if needed, cleanup.
The new decision marks a major step forward in Butte's Superfund cleanup and illustrates the Trump EPA's commitment to protecting human health and the environment.
"Today's announcement is loud and clear: a new chapter is beginning in Butte," said EPA Regional Administrator Cyrus Western. "Since I began this role, I promised that long-overdue progress was a top priority in Butte and at sites across the region. I am proud of the site team and our partners at every level for their hard work to deliver on that promise."
"We are encouraged that EPA's decision regarding BPSOU greatly increases the number of properties eligible for cleanup," said Montana Department of Environmental Quality Director Sonja Nowakowski. "We appreciated participating in the thorough review process and will work with EPA to ensure the work done in Butte is protective."
The amendment follows a public process that began June 1, when EPA released a proposed plan to lower the cleanup level, expand the BPSOU, and complete cleanup activities within 15 years. After a 30-day public comment period, a public meeting, and review of public input, EPA finalized the RODA.
The 2026 RODA modifies the Selected Remedy outlined in the 2006 Record of Decision (ROD) (which was later modified by the 2011 Explanation of Significant Differences (ESD) and the 2020 ROD Amendment (2020 RODA)). Under the Selected Remedy, properties are divided into decision units (e.g., front yard, back yard, play area, driveway, etc.), sampled, and any decision units that exceed 456 ppm will be excavated, removed, and replaced with clean fill. Properties previously sampled but not warranting cleanup under the former 1,200 ppm cleanup level will be reevaluated to determine if cleanup is needed. Sampling, evaluation, and any necessary cleanup of residential properties within the expanded RMAP area is anticipated to take approximately 15 years from 2026.
Residential yard cleanups are one part of the broader, ongoing Superfund cleanup in Butte. Additional projects are also addressing contaminated stormwater, protecting surface water quality, and reducing risks to people and the environment. Residents can expect to see construction crews at the Diggings East area this fall, with additional corridor projects expected in coming field seasons. Cleanups of lead contaminated soil on residential properties and other high impact areas, combined with the education and action of individuals, communities and government partners, have proven to be an effective part of the Agency's overall strategy of providing layers of protection to reduce blood-lead levels in children.
EPA will continue to keep the community informed of site updates and progress through our newsletters, website, and other outreach.
Background
In October 2025, EPA released the Residential Soil Lead Directive for CERCLA Sites and RCRA Hazardous Waste Cleanup Facilities (2025 Lead Directive). The 2025 Lead Directive streamlined response actions by setting a single regional screening level of 200 ppm and a single target blood-lead level of 5 micrograms per deciliter (ug/dL), enabling faster decisions that are built to quickly address risks posed by lead in residential soil and interior dust. The 2025 Lead Directive evaluates and incorporates site-specific conditions to develop and select protective cleanup levels, which will help accelerate cleanups and deliver health and environmental protections to communities.
Cleanups of lead-contaminated soil on residential properties and other high impact areas, combined with the education and action of individuals, communities and government partners, have proven to be an effective part of the Agency's overall strategy for reducing blood-lead levels in children. The updated approach outlined in this Directive formalizes the use of these layers of protection to encourage early response in areas of greatest concern and to leverage the expertise and resources of state and local partners for long-term protection that provides greater certainty to communities and other stakeholders.
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Original text here: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-announces-record-decision-amendment-implement-stricter-lead-cleanup-level-and
EPA Advances Cosmo Specialty Fibers Cleanup Work, Continues Treatment Operations
WASHINGTON, Sept. 21 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release:
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EPA Advances Cosmo Specialty Fibers Cleanup Work, Continues Treatment Operations
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SEATTLE-U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's time-critical removal action at the Cosmo Specialty Fibers site in Cosmopolis, Washington, has reached multiple milestones over the past two weeks, including the completion and commissioning of a chemical treatment plant designed to neutralize corrosive waste before it is shipped for disposal. To date, over 222,000 gallons of acidic waste have been treated, and over
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Sept. 21 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release:
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EPA Advances Cosmo Specialty Fibers Cleanup Work, Continues Treatment Operations
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SEATTLE-U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's time-critical removal action at the Cosmo Specialty Fibers site in Cosmopolis, Washington, has reached multiple milestones over the past two weeks, including the completion and commissioning of a chemical treatment plant designed to neutralize corrosive waste before it is shipped for disposal. To date, over 222,000 gallons of acidic waste have been treated, and over180,000 gallons have been shipped off-site. EPA anticipates removing over 1 million gallons of waste from the site.
"The Trump EPA remains firmly committed to advancing this removal action safely while keeping the local community informed as work continues at the Cosmo Specialty Fibers site," said EPA Regional Administrator Emma Pokon. "This effort shows our commitment to clean air, land, and water, and to a safe, transparent cleanup process for all Americans."
EPA began site mobilization in early August, coordinating with local fire, law enforcement, emergency management, and environmental health officials. The removal action is a proactive measure intended to safely eliminate potential environmental hazards and reduce future risk to the surrounding community. EPA's work at the site is expected to be completed this calendar year.
"We are making steady progress at the Cosmo Specialty Fibers site, and the treatment system is now fully operational," said EPA On-Scene Coordinator Thomas Vroman. "By treating waste on site before shipment, we are improving safety and lowering disposal costs."
For the past two years, EPA and Washington State Department of Ecology have worked closely to assess conditions at the non-operational facility and identify actions needed to reduce potential risks to the community and the environment. In April 2026, the Department of Ecology, the long-term lead agency for the site, requested EPA assistance with the removal of the remaining chemicals in tanks and containers.
For additional information, visit:
* Cosmo Specialty Fibers Time Critical Removal Action
* EPA's Removal Action Memorandum (pdf) \- June 2, 2026
Members of the public with questions regarding the cleanup effort are encouraged to contact the EPA Region 10 Press Team at R10_Press_Team@epa.gov.
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Original text here: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-advances-cosmo-specialty-fibers-cleanup-work-continues-treatment-operations
