EPA shifts to rolling decisions on initial loan applications, looking to speed the approval process.

Story updated on 6/14/2022 with comments from National Association of Clean Water Agencies.

Updates on projects and companies in the Mountain States region.

Bolstered by new funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the EPA has awarded $254 million in new and supplemental brownfield grants to 265 communities across the country.

EPA plans to spend $1 billion from IIJA to speed cleanups, allowing most key projects in region to be completed by 2030. 

Administrator Michael Regan said some cleanups have awaited federal dollars for give more than five years; new infrastructure bill funding will start work at 49 sites in 24 states.

But it will be weeks until funds are actually released to states.

The agency's long time environmental justice chief relates how planners and developers can address a project's EJ concerns before construction begins and use a digital screening tool to make the process go more smoothly.

Biden's choice to lead US Environmental Protection Agency stressed state and local input and science-based decision making.