- EPA identifies greener cleanup BMPs frequently used at PCB-contaminated sites
- New CLU-IN area focuses on non/minimally invasive geophysical methods for site characterization
- Finding EPA-verified technologies for diesel engine retrofits to reduce offroad and onroad air emissions
- Pacific Institute releases new stakeholder engagement guide for nature-based solutions
- $3.5 billion in BIL funding to accelerate remediation at Superfund sites
- News archives...
- February 7 ITRC webinar on optimizing injection strategies
- March 5-8 WateReuse Symposium in Atlanta
- March 14-16 EPA training in New York City on best practices for site characterization
- March 27-30 Native Seed Conference in Alexandria, Virginia
- More on the calendar...
The U.S. EPA analyzed cleanup completion reports for 50 sites contaminated by polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and documented best management practices (BMPs) that were implemented at the sites in accordance with the ASTM Standard Guide for Greener Cleanups (E2893-16). The analysis identified 22 BMPs that are frequently used for PCB cleanups across the nation. Each BMP addresses one or more core elements established in the U.S. EPA Principles for Greener Cleanups. Collectively, the BMPs address all nine of the cleanup activity categories outlined in the standard guide, such as power and fuel; surface water and stormwater; and vehicles and equipment. The findings and related case studies are detailed in Greener Cleanups Best Management Practices: PCB Cleanups.
The fall meeting of the Federal Remediation Technologies Roundtable (FRTR) focused on remedy protectiveness and climate resilience in site cleanups. View the session 1 and session 2 presentations of this virtual event and explore related links such as the FRTR-compiled summary of related policies, guidance and implementation tools.
The latest stage of implementing an award-winning green remediation strategy at the Elizabeth Mine Superfund site in Vermont has involved constructing and operating a passive treatment system to address the site's mining-influenced water. The system comprises an anoxic limestone drain, settling pond, vertical flow pond and polishing wetlands through which leachate from a capped area sequentially flows via gravity feed. This nature-based solution eliminates the need for electricity or other forms of extrinsic energy and reduces the cost of long-term remedy maintenance. *Update*
Six acres of freshwater wetlands created during RCRA corrective action at the Pharmacia-Upjohn site help manage stormwater while providing critical plant and animal habitat.
At Camp Lejeune Military Reservation, a solar array directly powers a pump that recirculates groundwater in a subsurface biogeochemical reactor containing soybean oil and mulch.
More than 81 million gallons of groundwater treated at the Phoenix-Goodyear Airport site each year is stored for irrigation use by the City of Goodyear.
Nearly 2,300 cubic yards of concrete was salvaged during cleanup at the Curtis Bay Coast Guard Yard in Baltimore and re-used onsite as infill for excavated areas.
A subgrade biogeochemical reactor at Travis Air Force Base in California contains waste cooking oil serving as a carbon-rich food source for contaminant-degrading microorganisms.
Operation of wind turbines at the Continental Steel Corp. site in Kokomo, Indiana, offsets up to 60% of the grid electricity used to extract contaminated groundwater from 16 wells.
Use of a continuous one-pass trencher for remedy construction at the Altus Air Force Base in Altus, Oklahoma, reduced fuel consumption while minimizing disturbance to ground surfaces and vegetation.
Integration of a bioreactor to degrade contaminants in groundwater at the Re-Solve Inc. site in North Dartmouth, Massachusetts, resulted in an 86 percent reduction in processed chemical usage.
A groundwater treatment building for the Lawrence Aviation Industries site in Port Jefferson Station, New York, was built to meet selected LEED criteria for green building.
Onsite solar energy is used to power skimming pumps that recover hydrocarbons from groundwater at the former St. Croix Alumina Plant in Kingshill, U.S. Virgin Islands.
About 500,000 tons of byproduct from a local industrial plant was used to stabilize 85 acres of mine-impacted lands at the De Sale Restoration Area in Butler County, Pennsylvania.
Restoration of the Pemaco Superfund site in Mayfield, California, included establishing greenspace that promotes rainwater infiltration and minimizes stormwater runoff.
- Excavation and Surface Restoration (PDF) (5 pp, 286K) *Update*
- Site Investigation and Environmental Monitoring (PDF) (4 pp, 179K) *Update*
- Pump and Treat Systems (PDF) (6 pp, 673K) *Update*
- Bioremediation (PDF) (4 pp, 493K) *Update*
- Soil Vapor Extraction & Other Air-Driven Systems (PDF) (4 pp, 457K) *Update*
- Clean Fuel & Emission Technologies for Site Cleanup (PDF) (10 pp, 354K)
- Integrating Renewable Energy (PDF) (6 pp, 840K) *Update*
- Sites with Leaking Underground Storage Tanks (PDF) (4 pp, 216K) *Update*
- Landfill Cover Systems & Energy Production (PDF) (6 pp, 465K)
- Mining Sites (PDF) (6 pp, 535K)
- Implementing In Situ Thermal Technologies (PDF) (6 pp, 249K)
- Materials and Waste Management (PDF) (4pp, 397K)
GR Technology Primer (PDF) (56 pp, 814K):
Incorporating Sustainable Environmental Practices into Remediation of Contaminated Sites
Community Guide to Greener Cleanups (PDF) (2 pp, 1.4MB)
- Executive Order 14072: Strengthening the Nation's Forests, Communities, and Local Economies
This April 22, 2022, E.O. sets forth federal policy to deploy climate-smart forestry and other nature-based solutions to improve resilience of lands, waters, wildlife and communities in the face of disturbances and stress arising from climate impacts. The solutions include actions that protect coasts and critical marine ecosystems, reduce flooding, moderate extreme heat, replenish groundwater sources, capture and store carbon dioxide, and conserve biodiversity. Cleanup at Port Hadlock's Site 10 North End Landfill illustrates how such solutions can be planned and implemented at Superfund sites in coastal settings.
Executive Order 14057: Catalyzing Clean Energy Industries and Jobs Through Federal Sustainability
This December 8, 2021, E.O. sets forth federal policy to lead by example in order to achieve a carbon pollution-free electricity sector by 2035 and net-zero emissions economy-wide by no later than 2050.
Executive Order 14008: Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad
This January 27, 2021, E.O. sets forth policy and initiatives to advance our transition to clean energy and reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. Use of greener cleanup strategies in the U.S. EPA's Superfund and other site cleanup programs helps meet the policy goals by integrating renewable energy, deploying clean fuel and emission technologies, protecting water, sequestering carbon, conserving land, protecting critical ecosystems and biodiversity, and using nature-based solutions.
- Design, construction, & operations
- Renewable energy applications
- System optimization
- Contracts and administrative materials *Coming 2023*
Learn about footprint assessment tools and view comprehensive reports on footprint evaluations conducted at sites undergoing cleanup. EPA's universal greener cleanup metrics provide a uniform and transparent approach to quantifying the environmental footprint associated with materials, wastes, water or energy that are used or generated during a cleanup. EPA's Spreadsheets for Environmental Footprint Analysis (SEFA) tool is available to help evaluate the environmental footprint of a cleanup project at a detailed level.
Aligning with National Goals
Learn about executive orders, requirements, and guidance on energy and water management, green purchasing, and environmental stewardship
