Wilcox, Jahan[wilcox.jahan@epa.gov]; Konkus, John[konkus.john@epa.gov]; Bowman, Liz[Bowman.Liz@epa.gov]; Graham, Amy[graham.amy@epa.gov]; Ferguson, Lincoln[ferguson.lincoln@epa.gov] From: Freire, JP Sent: Thur 4/27/2017 7:52:53 PM Subject: RE: DRAFT ... To: Weird. This site is restricted to conserve EPA network resources for business activities. From: Wilcox, Jahan Sent: Thursday, April 27, 2017 3:52 PM To: Freire, JP ; Konkus, John ; Bowman, Liz ; Graham, Amy ; Ferguson, Lincoln Subject: FW: DRAFT ... I know huge -- h ://ntknctwork.com/how-scott- ruitt-is-resha in -thc-e a-in-the-first- I 00- days/ How Scott Pruitt is Reshaping the EP in the First 100 Days In a short amount of time, Pruitt has reversed Obama-era regulations and begun serious cleanup efforts across the country ... SierraClubvEPA_3: 18-cv-02372_N.D.Cal. ED _001518K_00000027-00001 April 27, 20 'i 7 3.00 pm As President Trump approaches hiis fiirst 100 days in office, EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt is busy racking up accomplishments that both protect Americans and save millions in taxpayer dollars. Confirmed on February 17, Pruitt has moved quickly on a number of fronts, including: EPA awarded $100 million to upgrade drinking water in Flint, Michigan Pruitt visited lead-contaminated areas in East Chicago and met with local leaders about tile cleanup efforts there. EPA announced it would begiin the second phase of the $43 milllion cleanup of Pompton Lakes, New Jersey, an area contaminated by mercury and lead Trump's executive order returned to the states tile role of regulatiing water by rescinding a 2015 Obama executiive order. Trump also issued an executiive order promoting energy independence and economic growth SierraClubvEPA_3: 18-cv-02372_N.D.Cal. ED _001518K_00000027-00002 To date, President Trump has signed four energy-related resolutions that elimiinate Obama-•era rules and put in place necessary staff to carry out his policies. In a recent New York Post editorial, the board praised Pruitt's efforts: Yes, Pruitt, like the president who appointed him, is determined to end Obama-era excesses, such as the all-pain, trivial-gain Clean Power Plan and the overreaching "Waters of the United States" rule that claimed the right to regulate even puddles. Instead, the new administrator aims to focus the agency on actually finishing work it's been neglecting. That includes btinging more of the nation into full attainment of clean air and clean water standards. And also actually getting Superfund sites cleaned up when many have been stalled for decades. From: Jeff Bechdel [mailto:jbechdel@ntknetwork.com] Sent: Thursday, April 27, 2017 3:41 PM To: Wilcox, Jahan Subject: Re: DRAFT ... We pulled a post together, based on some of this info and other stories out there. Let me know if you have any questions: h ://ntknctwork.com/how-scott- ruitt-is-resha in -thc-e a-in-thc-first100-days/ On Thu, Apr 27, 2017 at 1:28 PM, Wilcox, Jahan wrote: Also below are a few additional bullets ... GEARING UP FOR DAY 100: Energy and environmental issues offer perhaps the most concrete accomplishments for President Donald Trump to point to as he nears the 100-day mark of his presidency. He's signed four energy-related resolutions wiping out Obama-era rules, put in place Cabinet officials dedicated to rolling back other regulations and unleashed a steady stream of executive orders and photo ops designed to reach his promise of U.S. energy independence. But whether any of this turns into a lasting legacy for Trump largely depends on what happens from here. His Cabinet lacks the political staff to follow up on his efforts undo rules like EPA's Clean Power Plan and Waters of the U.S., and there will be years of litigation over every move undoing regulations on the books. And his actions appear to have awoken scores of citizens opposed to his environmental deregulatory agenda (see below). More to come on this front as we near the actual date later this week. (Politico's Morning Energy, 04/24/17) SierraClubvEPA_3: 18-cv-02372_N.D.Cal. ED _001518K_00000027-00003 An executive order was issued to rescind WOTUS. "President Trump and EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt issued an executive order to rescind or revise the 2015 Clean Water Rule: Definition of 'Waters of the United States."' (Press Release, 02/28/17) An executive order was issued to rescind the so-called Clean Power Plan. "Today, at the Environmental Protection Agency surrounded by American energy workers, public employees and members of Congress, President Donald Trump signed the Energy Independence Executive Order to protect thousands of jobs and strengthen energy security, while also ensuring that our policies provide clean air and clean water for all of our citizens." (Press Release, 03/28/17) EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt toured lead-contaminated areas in East Chicago. "During Pruitt's visit, his first to a Superfund site since being appointed administrator, he toured the Calumet neighborhood, met with local, state and federal officials, and talked with residents and community members about how the lead and arsenic contamination has affected their lives. 'The reason I'm here is that it's important that we restore confidence to people here in this community that we're going to get it right,' Pruitt said. The EP A's objective is to come in and make sure people's health is protected, and that their land and health are secure in the long run, Pruitt said. 'We're committed to doing that,' Pruitt said." (Chicago Tribune, 04/19/17) The NAACP praised Pruitt for visiting the East Chicago Superfund Site and said they are cautiously optimistic about the EPA's Administrator. "It was the first superfund site EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt has visited -- making a trip there Wednesday -- and the agency said he was the first administrator to visit this particular site. Pruitt visited "to discuss cleanup and hear directly from East Chicago residents affected by contamination in their community," the agency said in a press release. At a press conference, local officials praised Pruitt for visiting the site ... Barbara Bolling-Williams, state president of the Indiana branch of the NAACP, said she is cautiously optimistic following Pruitt's visit." (CNN, 04/19/17) EPA awarded $100 million to upgrade drinking water in Flint, Michigan. "The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today awarded a $100 million grant to the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality to fund drinking water infrastructure upgrades in Flint, Mich." (Press Release, 03/17/l 7) EPA committed additional funds surround the Gold King Mine release, bringing the total to $29 million. "The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has provided over $90,000 in additional reimbursements to five entities in Colorado and Utah for their costs incurred responding to the August 5, 2015, Gold King Mine release." (Press Release, 03/16/17) EPA to reexamine emission standards for cars and light duty trucks. "'These standards are costly for automakers and the American people,' said EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt. 'We will work with our partners at DOT to take a fresh look to determine if this approach is realistic. This thorough review will help ensure that this national program is good for SierraClubvEPA_3: 18-cv-02372_N.D.Cal. ED _001518K_00000027-00004 consumers and good for the environment."' (Press Release, 03/15/17) EPA Administrator seeks additional time to review RMP Rule. "Administrator Scott Pruitt signed a proposed rule this week to further delay the effective date of EPA's Risk Management Program (RMP) Amendments to allow EPA time to complete the process for reconsidering the RMP Amendments issued on January 17, 2017." (Press Release, 03/31/17) EPA extended the comment period on the Hard Rock Mining proposed rule that could cost businesses $171 million annually. "The Environmental Protection Agency today issued a 120-day extension of the comment period related to proposed financial responsibility requirements for the hard rock mining industry. The Agency has received dozens of requests to extend the comment period. EPA estimates predict the implementation of these requirements would cost American businesses up to $171 million a year." (Press Release, 02/24/17) The EPA kicks-off cleanup at the West Oakland Superfund site. "[The EPA] joined local leaders and community members in Oakland to celebrate the installation and start-up of a new groundwater and soil treatment system at the AMCO Chemical Superfund Site." (Press Release, 03/18/17) The EPA will resume cleanup at the East Chicago Superfund site. "The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is preparing to resume cleanup work in zones 2 and 3 of the USS Lead Superfund site in East Chicago in April. EPA has reached an agreement with several potentially responsible parties to fund part of this work valued at an estimated $16 million -- in addition to the $26 million already secured for work under a 2014 consent decree." (Press Release, 03/20/17) EPA set to oversee second phase of $43 million cleanup of Pompton Lake. "The second phase of Pompton Lake cleanup will begin this spring and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is holding a public session to discuss that work." (Press Release, 03/28/17) From: Wilcox, Jahan Sent: Thursday, April 27, 2017 1:20 PM To: 'jbechdel@ntkn ctwork. com' Subject: DRAFT ... Dear Mr. Bechdel - SierraClubvEPA_3: 18-cv-02372_N.D.Cal. ED _001518K_00000027-00005 My name is Jahan Wilcox and I work at the EPA. With the I 00 Days of the Trump Administration coming up, we were curious if Need To Know (NTK) news would like to report on the accomplishments of Scott Pruitt and the EPA? EPA IN ACTION: ACCOMPLISHMENTS WITH PRUITT'S LEADERSHIP ✓ TSCA Implementation: Clearing the backlog of new chemicals that were waiting for approval from EPA, so they can go to market, and companies can create jobs and continue to innovate. ✓ New Source Performance Standards: Reviewing the New Source Performance Standards for coal-fired power plants, which prevents companies from building new plants. ✓ Oil and Gas Methane NSPS: EPA announced a decision to reconsider the Oil and Gas Methane New Source Performance Standards for new and modified sources, delaying a costly compliance requirement. ✓ CPP: Reviewing the so-called Clean Power Plan that threatens over 125,000 U.S. jobs. ✓ Ozone Standard: Requested delay of oral arguments on the ozone standard. ✓ ELG Rule: EPA announced the agency's decision to review and reconsider the final rule that amends the effluent limitations guidelines and standards for the steam electric power generating category under the Clean Water Act (ELG Rule), which costs an estimated $480 million annually, and about $1.2 billion per year in the first five years of compliance. ✓ Hard Rock Mining: EPA extended the comment period on the Hard Rock Mining proposed rule that could cost American businesses $171 million annually. ✓ Coal Combustion Residuals (CCR Rule): EPA expects provide draft guidance to the states on the CCR rule at the end of the month and begin acting on state permit applications this year. CCR rule is estimated to cost power plants between $500 and $745 million -per year. ✓ Energy Independence EO: Following the President's Energy Independence Executive Order, Administrator Pruitt signed three notices to review and, if appropriate, to revise or rescind major, economically significant, burdensome rules the last Administration issued. ✓ CAFE Standards: EPA rescinded an unjustified, premature evaluation of greenhouse gas and fuel economy standards for model year 2022-2025 vehicles, and is working with DOT to conduct a collaborative and robust review of the standards. According to the Auto Alliance, "no agency has ever set emission limits so far into the future," and this puts 1.1 SierraClubvEPA_3: 18-cv-02372_N.D.Cal. ED _001518K_00000027-00006 million jobs at risk and cost the industry $200 billion by 2025 to comply. ✓ WOTUS: EPA is restoring states' important role in the regulation of water by reviewing the "Waters of the U.S." or WOTUS. A rule with a regulatory impact analysis of between $600 million and $1.2 billion. ✓ Flint, Michigan: The Agency is allocating funds for vital environmental projects that go directly to the health of our citizens, such as providing $100 million to upgrade drinking water infrastructure in Flint, Michigan. ✓ Chlorpyrifos: EPA denied a petition from the NRDC and the Pesticide Action Network North America, which was seeking a ban on a pesticides used on 40,000 farms and 50 different crops because there was never enough science to justify the ban. ✓ Methane ICR: We are stopping the methane ICR by telling businesses they no longer have this additional bureaucratic burden, with the cost to American businesses attempting to comply exceeding $42 million. ✓ Regulatory Reform: Launched the EPA Regulatory Reform Task Force to undergo extensive reviews of the misaligned regulatory actions from the past administration. ✓ Risk Management Rule (RMP Rule): EPA delayed the RMP rule to make sure that any additional regulations actually make chemical facilities safer, without duplicating regulations or opening our country up to dangerous national security threats. EPA estimates the RMP rule to cost $131.8 million annually, or $1.3 billion over ten years. ✓ Superfund Sites: We are getting real results at cleaning up Superfund sites, including: East Chicago (IN), West Oakland (CA) and Pompton Lake (NJ). First EPA Administrator to visit East Chicago site. ✓ Water Infrastructure: Opened the application process for EPA' s WIFIA program; a low-risk loan for businesses that will provide $1 billion in credit to finance over $2 billion in water infrastructure investments. ✓ Meetings with National/International Leaders: EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt has consulted 22 bipartisan governors, 10 bipartisan members of congress, three foreign leaders, four state agriculture departments, and over a dozen bipartisan organizations. ✓ EPA Originalism: EPA Administrator Pruitt launched a Back-to-Basics agenda, touring a Pennsylvania coal mine, a Missouri power plant, and visiting a contaminated "Superfund" site in E. Chicago, to discuss how EPA is refocusing the agency on its core mission of protecting the environment through sensible regulations developed in cooperation with state, local and tribal partners. ✓ MATS Rule: Given the broad-reaching economic implications of the Mercury and Air Toxics Rule (MA TS rule), we are reviewing the costs of the rule to determine whether it SierraClubvEPA_3: 18-cv-02372_N.D.Cal. ED _001518K_00000027-00007 complies with our statutory mandate, abides by sound regulatory principles, and is in line with the pro-jobs, pro-growth directives of this Administration. ✓ Clean Air Act/SSM SIP: Asked the court to postpone oral arguments over an Obamaera rule making 36 states rework their Clean Air Act compliance plans, or the Start-up, Shutdown and Malfunction (SSM) Emissions requirements set by State Implementation Plans (SIP) issued pursuant to the Clean Air Act and subject to EPA' s federal oversight. EPA ACCOMPLISHMENTS: THE DETAILS TSCA Reform Implementation: Clearing out the backlog of 'new chemical' premanufacture notices (PMNs) that were waiting for EPA approval. Keeps U.S. at the top of chemical innovation • PMNs awaiting a decision by EPA date back to 2015 - well beyond the basic 90-day review period required by the law. • The American Chemistry Council (ACC) said they need new chemicals to be approved quickly so they can "offer new product formulations to help U.S. businesses compete and win globally." • ACC estimates that innovation contributes to 0.19 percentage points to the overall longterm growth rate in real GDP. A one-tenth acceleration in the growth of the stock of chemistry innovation, could result in real GDP being $60.6 billion higher in four years, supporting about 250,000 jobs. NSPS: EPA is reviewing the New Source Performance Standards for Coal-Fired Power Plants. • Industry and states challenged the legality of NSPS targeting the EPA' s assumptions about carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) technology • Challengers argue that NSPS makes it nearly impossible to build a new coal-fired power plant without CCS technology, restraining the industry from adding jobs and growth. • The American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) applauded action to revise burdensome regulations that undermine the competitiveness of U.S. steel manufacturers. AISI said that regulations such as NSPS "disproportionately impact coal-generated electricity have put the affordability and reliability of electricity for steel producers at risk." SierraClubvEPA_3: 18-cv-02372_N.D.Cal. ED _001518K_00000027-00008 EPA is also reviewing the Oil and Gas Methane New Source Performance Standards for new and modified sources. Some argue that this rule is wholly unnecessary due to industry reductions in methane and is duplicative of state regulations. • A notice of review was signed the same day as the Energy Independence Executive Order. • As a follow-up, EPA issued a notice of reconsideration of the Rule and a delay of costly compliance deadlines to prevent unnecessary expenditures by the industry as the agency considers the rule. • According to the American Petroleum Institute, the standards would affect "tens of thousands" of new wells each year, and cost up to $800 million to comply. Energy Independence Executive Order. Administrator Pruitt signed three notices to pull back and review major, economically significant, burdensome rules the last Administration issued, including: the Clean Power Plan the greenhouse gas rule for new power plants, and an rule to curb methane emissions from oil and gas producers. The Administrator also withdrew the proposed federal implementation plan and model trading rule associated with the Clean Power Plan. • Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell penned an op-ed in Fox News praising President Trump's energy executive order that will restore sanity after Obama's failed climate policies. "I commend President Trump for sending this flawed regulatory plan, along with a number of others, back to the drawing board with Tuesday's Energy Independence Executive Order." • In New York, the editorial board at the New York Post writes that Trump's executive order will help restore our constitutional system. "Trump's move not only helps the economy and delivers on a promise, it also takes a step toward restoring America's constitutional system, in which Congress passes laws - not a dictatorial president." CPP: An executive order was issued to review the so-called Clean Power Plan and EPA sent letters to governors with additional guidance on implementing CPP: former President Obama's most disingenuous environmental initiative and the key component of his agenda regarding climate change. • The CPP cost $292 billion to our nation's economy over IO years and double-digit electricity price increase in 40 states, yet will have no impact on climate change. SierraClubvEPA_3: 18-cv-02372_N.D.Cal. ED _001518K_00000027-00009 • CPP kills over 125,000 American jobs. • Using the Obama EPA's own data, CPP results in less than 0.2% reduction in CO2 worldwide and will only prevent sea level rise that is equivalent to the thickness of two sheets of paper. • The National Mining Association (NMA) placed 51 op-eds in 17 states, and conducted about 18 radio interviews in support of the Energy Independence Order. Requested Delay of Oral Arguments on 2015 Ozone Standards: Justice Department attorneys asked the Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia to delay oral arguments scheduled for later this month in a lawsuit challenging the rule while the EPA reviews the regulation. • The U.S. Chamber of Commerce says that this rule results in stymied economic development and lost job creation. • The Chamber says that extending the deadline for implementing the 2015 Ozone Standards would be the most effective way to address implementation problems and would provide immediate relief to businesses, state and localities. EPA announced the agency's decision to review and reconsider the final rule that amends the effluent limitations guidelines and standards for the steam electric power generating category under the Clean Water Act (ELG Rule). • EPA estimates the ELG rule costs an estimated $480 million annually, with an average cost of $1.2 billion per year during the first five years of compliance. • This is one of the most consequential rules affecting power plants and risks putting coal companies out of business. • According to the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association these standards would especially burden small and medium sized power plants, and the cost of compliance has been significantly underestimated. Mining Financial Assurance Rule: EPA extended the comment period on the Hard Rock Mining proposed rule that costs American businesses $171 million annually. SierraClubvEPA_3: 18-cv-02372_N.D.Cal. ED _001518K_00000027-00010 • Following dozens of requests, EPA issued a I20-day extension of the comment period related to proposed financial responsibility requirements for the hard rock mining industry. According to the National Association of Manufachirers (NAM), the rnle could require billions of dollars of additional financial assurances for miners of things like gold, silver, iron and copper-critical materials for countless manufactured products. They say this represents billions of dollars that cannot be used for R&D or for economic growth and new jobs. • Three House committee chairs sent a letter requesting the extended comment period to provide more time to digest the rnle given that it contains more than 2,300 technical documents and, the chairs argued, was crafted with no input from states, industry experts or stakeholders. • CCR (Coal Combustion Residuals): EPA expects to issue the draft guidance to the states at the end of the month and begin acting on state permit applications this year. • EPA estimates the cost of the CCR rnle to be between $500 and $745 million annually. • Leading Senators on the Environment and Public Works Committee have applauded states having their own permitting programs for recycling and reusing coal ash. This provides "needed certainty to industry and businesses, while ensuring the health and safety of families and communities," according to Senator Shelley Moore Capito R-W.Va. EPA rescinded a premature evaluation of greenhouse gas and fuel economy standards for model year 2022-2025 vehicles, and is working with DOT to conduct a collaborative and robust review of the standards. • These standards are costly for automakers and the American people. This thorough review will help ensure that this national program is good for consumers and good for the environment. • U.S. Rep Joe Barton (R-Texas) said, "You can make a good intellech1al case to repeal CAFE and let the market handle it. If Mr. Trnmp is president ... we'll be back." And Committee Chairman Fred Upton, R-Mich., said "If done wrong," the 2025 standards will hurt consumers and carmakers "big time." • According to the Auto Alliance, "no agency has ever set emission limits so far into the fuhire," and this puts I. I million jobs at risk and cost the industry $200 billion by 2025 to comply. SierraClubvEPA_3: 18-cv-02372_N.D.Cal. ED_001518K_00000027-00011 EPA is restoring states' important role in the regulation of water by reviewing, and if appropriate, revising or rescinding WOTUS. • The Regulatory Impact Analysis (RIA) for WOTIJS is anywhere between $600 million and $1.2 billion. • The American Farm Bureau Federation says this action will help provide transparency for America's farmers and ranchers. • EPA will propose as a first step to withdraw the WOTUS rule, reverting as an interim measure to familiar 2008 guidance (which represents the status quo due to the court stay of WOTUS). EPA will then, in the second step of this two-step process, promulgate a replacement rule. EPA has recently begun federalism/stakeholder outreach to explain this process to the public, states, trade groups, and other organizations. EPA is making decisions based on public data and science by denying a petition to ban the pesticide chlorpyrifos. • EPA denied a petition from the NRDC and the Pesticide Action Network North America, which was asking EPA to ban one of the most widely-used pesticides in the world because there was never enough science to justify the ban. • Chlorpyrifos is used today at about 40,000 farms on about 50 different types of crops, ranging from almonds to apples. • USDA said the decision was based on sound science and will provide Americans with access to a full range of fruits and vegetables. Stopping Methane ICR: The EPA sent 15,000 letters to American energy producers telling them they no longer have to respond a letter that EPA sent back in November 2016 at the direction of the previous EPA Administrator. • EPA estimated that the cost to American businesses for Pt 1 of the ICR was $17 .9 million and the cost for Pt 2 of the ICR was $24.5 million, for a total of $42.4 million. EPA would also have a $800K annual burden. • EPA businesses they no longer have this additional bureaucratic burden, so these companies and the public can save money and move closer, faster to capturing any methane from escaping into the air. SierraClubvEPA_3: 18-cv-02372_N.D.Cal. ED _001518K_00000027-00012 Launched EPA Regulatory Reform Task Force: We are undergoing extensive reviews of the misaligned regulatory actions from the past administration. • Industry groups such as the American Coal Council have applauded the administration's efforts to "restore balance and fairness to the regulatory process, support job creation, strengthen energy independence and lay the foundation for rebuilding and sustaining our nation's vital coal industry." • Our Regulatory Task Force has scheduled stakeholder meetings and consultations in all major program offices and areas to solicit input on rules that should be revisited or rescinded and those meetings are underway. We have issued a notice soliciting public comment in the Federal Register allowing the general public to weigh in on this process. Delayed Risk Management Plan (RMP Rule). EPA delayed the RMP rule to ensure that any expansion of the RMP program is necessary to make chemical facilities safer, and doesn't subject facilities to even more burdensome, duplicative and needless regulation. • RMP rule estimated to cost $131.8 million annually, or $1.3 billion over ten years, according to EPA's own estimates in the-"----"'-'"'--"'-'--""'-'"-"--""="-"'--'---"""'=== (pg. 4597) • Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry, leading a coalition of 11 states, filed a Petition for Reconsideration on the RMP rule, explaining "This ill-advised decision subjects facilities to even more burdensome, duplicative, and needless regulation; but it also makes all of us more vulnerable to security threats." • According to a petition filed on behalf of the RMP Coalition, consisting of relevant industry groups, this rule undermines safety, creates significant security risks, and does nothing to further prevent criminal acts that threaten facilities. Getting real results at Superfund sites. • Kicked-off cleanup at West Oakland (CA) Superfund site; celebrated the start-up and installation of a groundwater and soil treatment system at the AMCO Chemical Superfund site. • "It is hard to put up with something harmful being there underground, close to your home. It is a relief to know it is going to be gone for good," said Oakland resident Queen Thurston, who was among a group of protestors that staged rallies calling for an investigation into the environmental condition of the area in the 1990s. • Resuming cleanup and removal of contaminated soil from residences at the East SierraClubvEPA_3: 18-cv-02372_N.D.Cal. ED _001518K_00000027-00013 Chicago (IN) Superfund site. Reached an agreement with several potentially responsible parties to fund part of the work valued at an estimated $16 million - in addition to the $26 million already secured for work under a 2014 consent decree. Worked with State of Indiana to provide funding under State Revolving Loan Fund for drinking water upgrades, water filters, and bottled water. • Overseeing the second phase of $43 million cleanup of Pompton Lake (NJ). Allocating funds for vital environmental projects that go directly to the health of our citizens. • EPA awarded $100 million to upgrade drinking water in Flint, Michigan. • Flint Mayor Karen Weaver expressed gratitude for the funding. "The City of Flint being awarded a grant of this magnitude in such a critical time of need will be a huge benefit," she said. • Committed additional funds surrounding the Gold King Mine release, bringing the total investment to $29 million. • Awarded $380,000 to Dine College for an abandoned uranium mine study in Arizona. • Awarded a $1.09 million Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) grant to the historic Gees Bend Ferry in Wilcox County, Alabama. Provides partial funding to develop the first zero-emission passenger/vehicle ferry of this type in the U.S., and the second in the world. Opened the application process for EPA's WIFIA program; a low-risk loan for businesses that will provide $1 billion in credit to finance over $2 billion in water infrastructure investments. • This program helps private companies and commercial developers update infrastructure and invest in local economies, adding jobs through a public-private partnership. • The program was so popular, we received 43 letters of interest, seeking $5 .4 billion in credit assistance. • American Water Works Association members stressed that WIFIA, which makes available low-interest federal loans for large water projects, represents the perfect balance between federal assistance and local responsibility. WIFIA is being funded for the first time in 2017 at a level of $20M, which can leverage $1B in loans. SierraClubvEPA_3: 18-cv-02372_N.D.Cal. ED _001518K_00000027-00014 Since sworn in on February 17, Administrator Pruitt has met with 21 bipartisan governors, seven bipartisan Members of Congress, three leaders from other countries and over a dozen bipartisan and nonprofit organizations. • "Canada and the U.S. can work together on a continental approach to energy and the environment that focuses on technological innovation like CCS and clean coal initiatives without tax and regulatory policies that cost jobs," said Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall. • "[Administrator Pruitt] clearly understands the EPA' s proper role in government educating and empowering, not proscribing and punishing. It's also refreshing to have a federal agency actually listen to a state's concerns," said Idaho Governor Butch Otter. EPA Administrator Pruitt launched a Back-to-Basics agenda, touring a Pennsylvania coal mine, a Missouri power plant, and visiting a contaminated Superfund site in E. Chicago. • As first EPA Administrator to visit the USS Lead Superfund site in East Chicago, which was listed on the National Priorities List of the worst contaminated sites in the country in 2009. • Barbara Bolling-Williams, state president of the Indiana branch of the NAACP, said she is cautiously optimistic following Pruitt's visit to E. Chicago. • "This is a historic event for the state of Missouri and electric cooperatives. This is the first time that an administrator of the [EPA] has actually come to one of our energy plants in Missouri to view some of the things that we've done as electric cooperatives as far as our environmental stewardship record," says Barry Hart with the Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives (AMEC). • "We welcome Administrator Pruitt to Southwestern Pennsylvania and are very encouraged by the new Administration's commonsense approach in balancing the need for environmental protection, energy development and economic growth," said Jimmy Brock, CEO of CNX Coal Resources. Given the broad-reaching economic implications of the Mercury and Air Toxics Rule (MATS rule), we are reviewing the costs of the rule to determine whether it is in line with the pro-jobs, pro-growth directives of this Administration. • States and energy companies will no doubt celebrate the EPA' s reviewing of MA TS, seeing it as the next step in the Trump administration's plan to cut most federal regulations imposed during the Obama administration ... MA TS has probably had the biggest impact on coal-fired power plants of any EPA regulation. A record nearly 14 gigawatts of coalfired power was shut down in 2015 - the first year MA TS went into effect. SierraClubvEPA_3: 18-cv-02372_N.D.Cal. ED _001518K_00000027-00015 • Industry groups such as the National Mining Association have long opposed the rule, saying that it has been responsible for shutting down numerous coal-fired power plants and eliminating jobs. "The Mercury and Air Toxics Standards has already had far-reaching and costly impacts not only on our industry but on many states and their citizens whose assurance of reliable electricity supply has been cast in doubt by this rule," the group has argued. "EPA' s rule reflects a stunningly unbalanced approach to regulation. The agency decided to impose expensive standards for certain emissions that it never found posed a threat to public health." Asked the court to postpone oral arguments over an Obama-era rule making 36 states rework their Clean Air Act compliance plans, or the Start-up, Shutdown and Malfunction (SSM) Emissions requirements set by State Implementation Plans (SIP) issued pursuant to the Clean Air Act and subject to EPA's federal oversight. • The 2015 rule, SSM SIP call, made 36 states rewrite their plans to comply with the Clean Air Act, to remove shields for power plants and refineries emitting extra pollutants during startup, shutdown or malfunctions. • Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi said that the EPA's final rule is a "heavy-handed federal overreach [that] threatens to upend a system that the EPA has approved multiple times." She said that the EPA' s "imprudent rush to settle the matter has led the agency to adopt an illegal final rule that is in conflict with the Clean Air Act and imposes on Florida's right to determine the most effective strategy for achieving air quality standards." • In an opening brief, filers said the agency is improperly attempting to expand its authority. The brief was filed by a broad coalition of energy companies, utilities and industry organizations, along with several states and state agencies asking the D.C. Circuit to strike down an Obama-EPA requirement that 36 states revise emissions exemptions related to startup, shutdown and malfunction events. Jahan Wilcox EPA Strategic Cornrn11nications Advisor Work Cell: 202.309.0934 Work Email: wilcox.jahan@epa.gov SierraClubvEPA_3: 18-cv-02372_N.D.Cal. ED _001518K_00000027-00016