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U.S. Chemical Safety Board Video on Fatal BP-Husky Refinery Fire Surpasses 500,000 Views in Just One Week
WASHINGTON, Oct. 9 -- The U.S. Chemical Safety Board issued the following news release:
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New U.S. Chemical Safety Board Video on Fatal BP-Husky Refinery Fire Surpasses 500,000 Views in Just One Week
Washington, D.C., October 8, 2026 -- A new safety video released just last week by the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) already has been viewed more than 500,000 times since it was posted on the CSB's YouTube channel on September 30.
The new video, titled "Alarming Mistakes, Deadly Decisions: Fatal Fire at BP-Husky", examines the massive September 2022 fire at the BP-Husky
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WASHINGTON, Oct. 9 -- The U.S. Chemical Safety Board issued the following news release:
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New U.S. Chemical Safety Board Video on Fatal BP-Husky Refinery Fire Surpasses 500,000 Views in Just One Week
Washington, D.C., October 8, 2026 -- A new safety video released just last week by the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) already has been viewed more than 500,000 times since it was posted on the CSB's YouTube channel on September 30.
The new video, titled "Alarming Mistakes, Deadly Decisions: Fatal Fire at BP-Husky", examines the massive September 2022 fire at the BP-Huskyrefinery in Oregon, Ohio, that resulted in the deaths of two workers, who were brothers. Through interviews, animation, and investigative findings, the video lays out the cascading and worsening series of events and decisions made on the day of the incident that ultimately led to the deaths of the two brothers. The video also discusses the safety issues identified by the CSB and the recommendations issued by the agency to help prevent a similar incident from happening again.
CSB Chairperson Steve Owens said, "The tremendous response to this new video in such a short time -- and to the CSB's safety videos in general -- shows that people are concerned by the serious chemical incidents that happen throughout this country on a weekly basis and that they want to know how to keep them from happening again."
The BP-Husky video is the latest example of the CSB's continued reach through its safety-video program. During Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 (which just ended on September 30), the CSB released four new safety videos (including the BP-Husky video) that collectively already have been viewed more than 2 million times.
All told, CSB safety videos overall were viewed more than 6.4 million times on YouTube during FY 2026. The CSB's YouTube channel now has more than 429,000 subscribers, and since 2007, when the CSB's channel started, the agency's 106 videos have been viewed more than 76 million times. The CSB's
YouTube channel can be found at https://www.youtube.com/user/USCSB.
CSB safety videos translate the agency's technical investigations into accessible stories that explain what happened, why it happened, and what companies, workers, standard-setting organizations, and other government agencies can do to prevent similar incidents from occurring. The videos are used by industry, safety professionals, labor groups, educators, and others as a resource for learning from catastrophic incidents and improving safety training. By reaching hundreds of thousands of viewers with the lessons from a serious chemical incident, each CSB video helps increase safety for workers in chemical facilities and for the people who live in communities near those facilities.
The CSB is an independent federal agency charged with investigating incidents and hazards that result, or may result, in the catastrophic release of extremely hazardous substances. The agency's core mission activities include conducting incident investigations; formulating preventive or mitigative recommendations based on investigation findings and advocating for their implementation; issuing reports containing the findings, conclusions, and recommendations arising from incident investigations; and conducting studies on chemical hazards.
The agency's board members are appointed by the president subject to Senate confirmation. The Board does not issue citations or fines but makes safety recommendations to companies, industry organizations, labor groups, and regulatory agencies such as OSHA and EPA.
Please visit our website, www.csb.gov. For more information, contact Communications Manager Hillary Cohen at Hillary.Cohen@csb.gov.
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Original text here: https://www.csb.gov/new-us-chemical-safety-board-video-on-fatal-bp-husky-refinery-fire-surpasses-500000-views-in-just-one-week/
Smithsonian Institution: "Mighty Miniatures" Showcases Tiny Artworks From Indigenous Communities Across the Western Hemisphere
WASHINGTON, Oct. 9 -- The Smithsonian Institution issued the following news release:
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"Mighty Miniatures" Showcases Tiny Artworks From Indigenous Communities Across the Western Hemisphere
Exhibition Pulls From More Than 1,300 Miniatures In the Museum's Collection
October 8, 2026
"Mighty Miniatures," an exhibition celebrating the intricate art of miniatures, is on view at the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian in New York Saturday, Nov. 21-Friday, Aug. 20, 2027. Curated by Anya Montiel (Tohono O'odham descent), the exhibition features over 300 pieces of art that showcase
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WASHINGTON, Oct. 9 -- The Smithsonian Institution issued the following news release:
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"Mighty Miniatures" Showcases Tiny Artworks From Indigenous Communities Across the Western Hemisphere
Exhibition Pulls From More Than 1,300 Miniatures In the Museum's Collection
October 8, 2026
"Mighty Miniatures," an exhibition celebrating the intricate art of miniatures, is on view at the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian in New York Saturday, Nov. 21-Friday, Aug. 20, 2027. Curated by Anya Montiel (Tohono O'odham descent), the exhibition features over 300 pieces of art that showcasethe skill of Indigenous weavers, sculptors, carvers and other artists that work on a miniscule scale.
The exhibition includes tiny masterpieces created over a span of nearly two centuries by artists from Indigenous communities from North and South America, as well as Hawai'i and the Caribbean. The selected works of pottery, textiles, carving and basketry demonstrate more than the skills of the artists; they reflect worldviews and cultural expressions, encourage play and transfer intergenerational knowledge.
"'Mighty Miniatures' brings together some of the smallest works in the museum collection, reaching across the Western Hemisphere and spanning nearly 200 years," Montiel said. "It is amazing to see how these miniatures have been made with such skill, ingenuity and detail. This exhibition is a celebration of Indigenous artistry on a small scale and the artists who create them."
The exhibition is divided into six sections:
* Playing with Scale introduces visitors to the concept of miniatures, placing small works alongside their full-sized equivalents.
* Play Is Important! highlights miniatures as essential teaching tools for children to learn about their world and practice adult skills, and includes cradleboards, mother and child figures, dolls and clothing. There are two subsections bringing together various Lakota toys like a model tipi and buffalo, and Arctic toys like an Inuit dogsled team.
* Watercraft shows Indigenous models of canoes, kayaks and other vessels designed to navigate rivers, lakes and oceans across the Americas. Like their large counterparts, the model boats use similar materials of birchbark, animal hide and cedar wood.
* Architecture reflects a diversity of Indigenous housing styles and materials to refute the stereotype that "all Indians live in tipis" with examples from the Northern Cheyenne, Navajo, Zuni, Yupik, Inupiaq and Kichwa peoples.
* Skill and Artistry explains one of the reasons why Indigenous artists make miniatures. It is a way for artists to showcase their mastery of materials and techniques. Some artist families, like the Lonewolf family of Santa Clara Pueblo, are known for specializing in miniatures. This section has some of the smallest works in the show, such as a Pomo miniature basket measuring 0.1 by 0.1 inches.
* Tourism and the Art Market is another section answering why Indigenous artists make miniatures. As more tourists traveled to Indigenous communities, artists responded by creating smaller works that were easier to carry over long distances and market as gifts and souvenirs. Some miniatures have become collectible works of art, like Alaskan ivory carvings and Maine fancy baskets, with people seeking miniatures for their personal collections.
Free Opening Program
A family-friendly opening program is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 12. Multi-disciplinary artist Lance Cardinal (Cree), a finalist on the TV show Best In Miniature, will lead visitors in mini drum making sessions, recommended for ages 6 and up accompanied by an adult caregiver. Sessions will begin at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m.
Gallery tours by Montiel will illuminate the stories behind the objects and discuss how the exhibition came together. Tours begin at noon and 2:30 p.m.
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About the Museum
In partnership with Native peoples and their allies, the National Museum of the American Indian fosters a richer shared human experience through a more informed understanding of Native peoples. The museum in New York is located at 1 Bowling Green. For information about the museums, including hours and directions, visit americanindian.si.edu. Follow the museum on social media @SmithsonianNMAI.
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Original text here: https://www.si.edu/newsdesk/releases/mighty-miniatures-showcases-tiny-artworks-indigenous-communities-across-western
National Museum of American History Commemorates 250 Years of the Gunboat Philadelphia
WASHINGTON, Oct. 9 (TNSxrep) -- The Smithsonian Institution issued the following news release:
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National Museum of American History Commemorates 250 Years of the Gunboat Philadelphia
Conservation Updates and New Research Findings
October 8, 2026
The Smithsonian's National Museum of American History is the home of the gunboat Philadelphia, a rare surviving intact American revolutionary war fighting vessel that was part of a small American fleet. The Philadelphia sank on Lake Champlain during the Battle of Valcour Island 250 years ago Oct. 11, 1776, but the small fleet was successful in
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WASHINGTON, Oct. 9 (TNSxrep) -- The Smithsonian Institution issued the following news release:
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National Museum of American History Commemorates 250 Years of the Gunboat Philadelphia
Conservation Updates and New Research Findings
October 8, 2026
The Smithsonian's National Museum of American History is the home of the gunboat Philadelphia, a rare surviving intact American revolutionary war fighting vessel that was part of a small American fleet. The Philadelphia sank on Lake Champlain during the Battle of Valcour Island 250 years ago Oct. 11, 1776, but the small fleet was successful indelaying the advancing British troops.
The Philadelphia is currently undergoing a multi-year conservation treatment, on view to the public in the "The Gunboat Philadelphia Preservation Project" exhibition, and the museum will mark the 250th anniversary of the historic battle with updates about the conservation treatment and new historical research into the boat's construction and time afloat. The findings are the result of work by curators from the museum's Division of Military and Society and a team of underwater archeologists and maritime conservators from Texas A&M's Nautical Archaeology Program, working under contract with the Smithsonian. These new discoveries have informed a detailed treatment plan that will help the museum ensure the survival of the Philadelphia for generations to come.
"The gunboat Philadelphia remains a powerful symbol of the earliest days of the Revolutionary War and emergence of the new nation," said Anthea M. Hartig, the museum's Elizabeth MacMillan Director. "Coinciding with the nation's 250th celebration, this is an ideal time to spotlight and share the rich history of this National Historic Landmark."
The gunboat Philadelphia was constructed in the summer of 1776, when the Americans mobilized some 11,000 people to come to the southern end of Lake Champlain to quickly build fortifications and a fleet that could stop a British invasion from Canada. Over the course of just a few months, the Patriots pieced together a small fleet that battled the British at the Battle of Valcour Island. British cannon fire sank the Philadelphia on the first day of that engagement, Oct. 11. Although defeated, the fleet succeeded in delaying the British. Meanwhile, the Philadelphia sank to the bottom of Lake Champlain where it remained until a salvage team led by Lorenzo Hagglund found and raised it in 1935. On view in the Lake Champlain region until 1961, the gunboat and its original equipment, as well as the cannon ball that issued the ship's fatal blow, were moved to the new National Museum of History and Technology (the museum's original name) before the completion of the museum's construction and opening to the public Jan. 23, 1964.
The museum opened "The Gunboat Philadelphia Preservation Project" exhibition in August 2025 to allow visitors to follow the work to clean and stabilize the vessel in real time, through viewing windows. In fall 2025, the gunboat team dry cleaned the vessel with small brushes, discovering items from the mid-1900s and evidence of rodents, most likely from the ship's time in a barn on the shore of Lake Champlain, prior to coming to the museum. During the winter months, the conservators diligently removed sediment from Lake Champlain from the bottom interior of the boat, amounting to 174 pounds of debris. When cleaning was completed, the team moved to work on the cannons and the anchor, removing old lacquer that was placed on all the iron fittings in the 1930s to protect them from rusting. Using pads soaked in acetone, the lacquer was disintegrated to make way for modern conservation techniques and materials that will inhibit further deterioration of the iron.
In summer 2026, the conservation team focused on the stabilization of the gunboat hull timbers, paying specific attention to the interior planking called ceiling planks, by removing compacted soil and other matter that had collected on the surface over 60 years of continuous display in the museum. With brushes and formulated solutions, the team gently removed the debris from the wood surfaces at the rate of approximately one board foot per hour. By the end of September, the ceiling planks were completed, and the conservation team has begun to focus on the decking inside the hull and the raised midship gun platforms.
New research in historical records have brought to light the names and stories of the individuals and companies among the 11,000 Americans who worked to build and sail the gunboat. The roster spans the breadth of American society at the time, including men and women who labored cutting down trees, sawing them into boards, working 24/7 at a local iron forge to craft fittings for the fleet, assembling the vessels, manning them, and cooking, cleaning and caring for nearly one-third of the force that was sick at any one time that summer. The Patriots came from all along the East Coast, from Philadelphia up to Maine and Canada, and included French Canadians, Indigenous Americans, free and enslaved African Americans and people of Iberian, English, Scottish, Irish and Dutch heritage.
In his self-published pamphlet about the raising, "A Page from the Past," Hagglund notes that portions of an arm bone, a skull fragment and teeth came up with the vessel. When the Smithsonian acquired the Philadelphia from Hagglund's widow after he died in 1960, it also received dozens of artifacts that came up with the gunboat, including three teeth. In addition to the teeth that came to Smithsonian, three other teeth belonged to a collection of material from the Philadelphia that Hagglund gave to the funder of his expedition, brewer J. Rupert Schalk. When Schalk died in 1962, his Philadelphia collection ultimately went to Rear Adm. John E. Kirkpatrick, who was deeply interested in naval history. His collections became a foundation of the Oklahoma Science and Arts Foundation in Oklahoma City, now known as Science Museum Oklahoma, a Smithsonian Affiliate.
In addition, the Smithsonian and Science Museum Oklahoma teams have worked together with the U.S. Army Human Resources Command to plan the military burial of human remains that came up with the Philadelphia in 1935, an interment that will take place at Saratoga National Cemetery in Schuylerville, New York, Tuesday, Oct. 13, as part of commemorations recognizing the 250th anniversary of the Battle of Valcour Island.
Through incomparable collections, rigorous research and dynamic public outreach, the National Museum of American History seeks to empower people to create a more just and compassionate future by examining, preserving and sharing the complexity of our past. The museum, located on Constitution Avenue N.W., between 12th and 14th streets, is open daily except Dec. 25, between 10 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Admission is free. The doors of the museum are always open online and the virtual museum offers always expanding access to online exhibitions, PK-12 educational materials and programs. The public can follow the museum on social media on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. For more information, visit the museum's website. For Smithsonian information, the public may call (202) 633-1000.
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Original text here: https://www.si.edu/newsdesk/releases/national-museum-american-history-commemorates-250-years-gunboat-philadelphia
Inter-American Development Bank: Suriname Completes Landmark $150 Million External Debt Conversion Into Local Currency Loan
WASHINGTON, Oct. 9 -- The Inter-American Development Bank issued the following news release:
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Suriname Completes Landmark $150 Million External Debt Conversion Into Local Currency Loan
October 08, 2026
* New fixed-rate obligation in Surinamese dollars reduces exposure to exchange-rate and interest-rate volatility through 2044.
* The conversion was enabled by the IDB's risk-management tools and an 18-year hedge provided by TCX
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WASHINGTON - The government of Suriname has completed the country's first conversion of external debt into Surinamese dollars, transforming a $150 million
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WASHINGTON, Oct. 9 -- The Inter-American Development Bank issued the following news release:
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Suriname Completes Landmark $150 Million External Debt Conversion Into Local Currency Loan
October 08, 2026
* New fixed-rate obligation in Surinamese dollars reduces exposure to exchange-rate and interest-rate volatility through 2044.
* The conversion was enabled by the IDB's risk-management tools and an 18-year hedge provided by TCX
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WASHINGTON - The government of Suriname has completed the country's first conversion of external debt into Surinamese dollars, transforming a $150 millionInter-American Development Bank (IDB) floating-rate loan into a fixed-rate loan in Surinamese dollars. The transaction will help Suriname shield its debt-service payments from foreign exchange rate and interest rate volatility through 2044.
As part of the operation, the government activated the currency and interest-rate conversion options available under the IDB's Flexible Financing Facility. To support the conversion, TCX provided the IDB with an 18-year non-deliverable cross-currency swap, a long-term financial hedge that protects the transaction from future exchange-rate movements, allowing the loan to remain effectively denominated in Surinamese dollars through 2044.
"Completing our first external debt conversion into Surinamese dollars, and our first currency conversion in nearly three decades, represents a major strategic milestone for Suriname. Converting $150 million of foreign debt into fixed Surinamese dollars allows us to shield our public finances from exchange rate and interest rate volatility through 2044. This transaction stabilizes our debt-service obligations and ensures greater fiscal predictability as we manage our national budget and pursue sustainable economic growth", said Charlene Soentik, Administrator-General of the Suriname Debt Management Office, and Adelien Wijnerman, Minister of Finance and Planning of Suriname.
"Suriname has taken an important step to better protect its public finances from foreign-exchange fluctuations while fostering the development of its local-currency market. Through the Client Financial Hub, the IDB is bringing together its financial capabilities to help countries make fuller use of the conversion and risk-management options available in their loan agreements, and develop solutions that respond to their broader financial needs. This is how we can strengthen debt sustainability and increase the impact of development financing," said Gabriel Yorio, IDB Vice President for Finance and Administration.
The transaction is part of the IDB's efforts to help member countries strengthen public debt management through access to sophisticated risk-management instruments. In Suriname's case, the operation enabled access to a long-term local-currency hedge that private markets cannot currently provide. The country's financial market lacks both long-term local-currency benchmarks and hedging instruments to manage fluctuations between the U.S. dollar and the Surinamese dollar, making the transaction a significant step toward reducing debt-service volatility.
Flexible Financing Options
Under the IDB's Flexible Financing Facility, borrowers can change the currency or interest-rate basis of a loan after approval, depending on market conditions. These options can apply to outstanding balances or future disbursements.
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About the Inter-American Development Bank
The Inter-American Development Bank is devoted to improving lives in Latin America and the Caribbean. Established in 1959, the IDB works with the region's public sector to design and enable impactful, innovative solutions for sustainable and inclusive development.
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About TCX
The Currency Exchange Fund (TCX) is a development finance institution specializing in currency-risk management in emerging and frontier markets. TCX provides long-term swaps and forward contracts in currencies where commercial hedging solutions are limited or unavailable, enabling international lenders and their borrowers to reduce currency mismatches and support sustainable local-currency financing.
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Original text here: https://www.iadb.org/en/news/suriname-completes-landmark-150-million-external-debt-conversion-local-currency-loan
Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas Expands Acceptance of Digital Notes as Collateral
DALLAS, Texas, Oct. 9 -- The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas, a district bank in the Federal Home Loan Bank System, issued the following news release:
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Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas Expands Acceptance of Digital Notes as Collateral
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The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (Bank) is pleased to announce that it is expanding the types of real estate-related loans evidenced by digitally signed promissory notes that are eligible to be pledged as collateral to the Bank.
In addition to residential one- to four-family first mortgages and amortizing second mortgages that are currently accepted
... Show Full Article
DALLAS, Texas, Oct. 9 -- The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas, a district bank in the Federal Home Loan Bank System, issued the following news release:
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Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas Expands Acceptance of Digital Notes as Collateral
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The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (Bank) is pleased to announce that it is expanding the types of real estate-related loans evidenced by digitally signed promissory notes that are eligible to be pledged as collateral to the Bank.
In addition to residential one- to four-family first mortgages and amortizing second mortgages that are currently acceptedas eNotes, the Bank is expanding Digital Note acceptance to the following collateral categories:
* Multifamily
* Commercial real estate
* Land
* Residential construction
* Home equity/HELOC
The Bank will refer to electronically created, signed and stored promissory notes as Digitally Executed Promissory Notes (DEPNs). Requirements will vary by collateral type and digital note structure.
These steps are fully outlined in the DEPNs Collateral Requirements and Guidelines, which outlines the Bank's criteria for accepting DEPNs as collateral. You may also refer to the following resources:
Please note that for loans originally executed with a wet-signature, the original wet-signed promissory note must be available for the related loan to be considered eligible collateral. The Bank cannot accept scanned or imaged copies. This requirement does not apply to promissory notes executed using an approved digital signature.
If you are ready to start pledging DEPNs or if you have any questions, please contact Collateral Services at 800.541.0597 or enotes@fhlb.com.
Sincerely,
Gustavo Molina
Executive Vice President and Chief Banking and Digital Transformation Officer
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Original text here: https://www.fhlb.com/library/bulletins/2026/federal-home-loan-bank-of-dallas-expands-acceptanc
Factory Floor Fridays: Chairman Jovanovic Tours Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, Talks with Industry Leaders on Future of U.S. Aviation
WASHINGTON, Oct. 9 -- The Export-Import Bank of the U.S. issued the following news release:
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Factory Floor Fridays: Chairman Jovanovic Tours Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, Talks with Industry Leaders on Future of U.S. Aviation
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FORT WORTH, TX. -- Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) Chairman John Jovanovic visited Lockheed Martin Aeronautics' Fort Worth facility as part of its Factory Floor Fridays initiative. Factory Floor Fridays tell the story of the American Dream through the eyes of the companies and workers building the next generation of American industry, proving with
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Oct. 9 -- The Export-Import Bank of the U.S. issued the following news release:
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Factory Floor Fridays: Chairman Jovanovic Tours Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, Talks with Industry Leaders on Future of U.S. Aviation
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FORT WORTH, TX. -- Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) Chairman John Jovanovic visited Lockheed Martin Aeronautics' Fort Worth facility as part of its Factory Floor Fridays initiative. Factory Floor Fridays tell the story of the American Dream through the eyes of the companies and workers building the next generation of American industry, proving withthe right tools and support, U.S. innovation can compete and win anywhere in the world.
During the visit, Chairman Jovanovic toured Lockheed Martin Aeronautics' F-35 assembly facility, met with the plant's leaders and workers, and discussed the importance of keeping America dominant in the industries of the future. The company employs more than 30,000 highly-skilled professionals around the world and is responsible for the development of high-tech systems that shape the future of U.S. aviation.
"U.S. EXIM is focused on ensuring our advanced manufacturing supply chains are secure, and it all starts with mining," said Chairman Jovanovic. "Lockheed Martin continues to support America's mines through strong partnerships. You can't build the warplane of the future without the critical minerals used to power them. We're proud to work with them to strengthen supply chains, revitalize manufacturing, and keep future generations of Americans safe."
"America's security and economic strength are built on factory floors like this one in Fort Worth," said Jim Taiclet, Chairman, President and CEO of Lockheed Martin. "We appreciate Chairman Jovanovic's focus on strengthening U.S. manufacturing, building a resilient industrial base and ensuring America maintains its leadership in aerospace and defense technology."
"American manufacturers are the backbone of our economic security," Jovanovic added. "Factory Floor Fridays give everyday Americans the opportunity to hear from businesses large and small--which account for nearly 90 percent of our transactions--and ensure they have the financing tools they need to compete, grow, and win in global markets."
When EXIM was founded 92 years ago, its mission was simple: support America's economic recovery from the Great Depression by creating well-paying jobs and rebuilding the nation's manufacturing base. Under President Trump's leadership, EXIM is once again a frontline economic tool to revitalize America's economy and define a future led by U.S. innovation.
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Original text here: https://www.exim.gov/news/factory-floor-fridays-chairman-jovanovic-tours-lockheed-martin-aeronautics-talks-industry
EPA Deputy Administrator Fotouhi Wraps Two-Day Swing in Virginia, Joins Representative Kiggans to Announce Over $90 Million for Chesapeake Bay Program
WASHINGTON, Oct. 9 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release:
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EPA Deputy Administrator Fotouhi Wraps Two-Day Swing in Virginia, Joins Representative Kiggans to Announce Over $90 Million for Chesapeake Bay Program
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WASHINGTON -- Last week, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Deputy Administrator David Fotouhi was joined by U.S. Representative Jen Kiggans (R-VA-02) to announce more than $90 million in funding for 83 projects in Smithfield, Va. The funding coming from Small Watershed Implementation and Innovative Nutrient and Sediment Reduction grants
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Oct. 9 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release:
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EPA Deputy Administrator Fotouhi Wraps Two-Day Swing in Virginia, Joins Representative Kiggans to Announce Over $90 Million for Chesapeake Bay Program
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WASHINGTON -- Last week, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Deputy Administrator David Fotouhi was joined by U.S. Representative Jen Kiggans (R-VA-02) to announce more than $90 million in funding for 83 projects in Smithfield, Va. The funding coming from Small Watershed Implementation and Innovative Nutrient and Sediment Reduction grantsand matching funds, will help to improve water quality and reduce nutrient and sediment pollution throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed. The pair got to see firsthand the impact the funding can have during a tour of the living shoreline at Windsor Castle Park, a key project providing a tangible example of how federal investments support practical, on-the-ground restoration and coastal resilience.
"My visit to Virginia was yet another example of why it's so important to meet with state and local leaders and speak directly to them about how EPA can best support their communities," said EPA Deputy Administrator Fotouhi. "Our announcement on Friday to provide tens of millions of dollars in additional funding to the Chesapeake Bay program proves how the Trump Administration is investing in improving water quality, reducing nutrients and sediment entering the watershed, and keeping our ecosystems healthy for generations to come."
The announcement was part of a two-day swing in Virginia where he met with state and local leaders to discuss how the Trump EPA can continue advancing cooperative federalism with the state to protect human health and the environment. On Thursday, Deputy Administrator Fotouhi met with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Norfolk District following the completion of the Norfolk Harbor and Thimble Shoal Channel deepening project. Port-related activity like this supports more than 570,000 jobs and approximately $63 billion in Virginia gross state product annually. As the port continues to expand its infrastructure, Deputy Administrator Fotouhi and USACE focused on how efficient permitting and coordination among federal agencies can help ensure these projects continue.
Next, Deputy Administrator Fotouhi traveled to Virginia Beach to meet with Mayor Bobby Dyer and City Manager Patrick Duhaney. Mayor Dyer is a newly appointed member of EPA's Local Government Advisory Committee (LGAC), an advisory group comprised of state and local officials who help advance the agency's core mission while Powering the Great American Comeback. Their discussion focused on local infrastructure priorities and the federal-local partnership.
Deputy Administrator Fotouhi ended his trip with a visit at the Atlantic Wood Industries Superfund Site. This site is a 50-acre industrial waterfront property along the Southern Branch of the Elizabeth River, where EPA has led a multi-phase cleanup addressing contaminated soil, groundwater and more than 30 acres of river sediment, including the dredging of approximately 360,000 cubic yards of contaminated sediment. The visit highlighted progress of the cleanup and ongoing efforts to measure its impact on the health of the Elizabeth River ecosystem, including through tissue sampling of oysters and other aquatic species. The Trump EPA's Superfund Solutions initiative aims to expedite cleanups at sites across the country so that they can return to productive reuse in their communities.
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Original text here: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-deputy-administrator-fotouhi-wraps-two-day-swing-virginia-joins-representative
