News Releases from Region 09

EPA awards $23 million to California to manage and reduce hazardous waste

SAN FRANCISCO — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has awarded $22.94 million to the California Department of Toxic Substances Control to support their hazardous waste management and reduction activities.  

 “Hazardous waste must be managed safely from the moment it is created to its final disposal,” said EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt. “We look forward to continuing to work with California to successfully control and reduce hazardous waste, and keep people safe.”  

The three-year grant provides funding under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, which regulates solid and hazardous waste. The money will support DTSC’s program activities, such as cleaning contaminated sites, reducing hazardous waste generation, encouraging the manufacture of chemically safer products, and enforcing hazardous waste laws.

“We greatly appreciate U.S. EPA’s continued support of DTSC’s programs and the opportunity to continue to partner with U.S. EPA on vital hazardous waste management programs,” said Department of Toxic Substances Control Director Barbara Lee. “The funding provided by U.S. EPA, coupled with California’s own substantial investment in its hazardous waste program, supports DTSC’s vital work protecting Californians and their environment from the harmful effects of toxics.”

Since 1995, EPA’s RCRA program has awarded California more than $180 million to support hazardous waste monitoring and enforcement, permitting, contaminated site cleanup, pollution prevention, border initiatives, and program management.

RCRA regulations protect communities by ensuring safe management and cleanup of solid and hazardous waste, while encouraging reduction of pollution sources and beneficial reuse of formerly contaminated properties.

For more about EPA’s RCRA program:  https://www.epa.gov/rcra/resource-conservation-and-recovery-act-rcra-overview

For more about EPA’s work in California: https://www.epa.gov/ca