EPA Empowers States To Safely Manage Hazardous Waste; Award Of $213,000 To New Mexico Environment Department

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently awarded $213,511 to the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) for their hazardous waste programs.

“The people of New Mexico know and cherish their land," said Administrator Pruitt. "This grant helps the state run important programs to safely manage hazards while protecting their environment."

“Managing solid and hazardous waste properly prevents contamination and costly cleanups,” said Acting Regional Administrator Sam Coleman. “EPA’s state partners like NMED play an important role in keeping our land, water and air safe.”

The grant provides funding under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), which regulates solid and hazardous waste. The money will support NMED’s RCRA program activities, including enforcement, hazardous waste inspections of facilities, corrective action, granting permits, state authorization, and program management.

RCRA is the federal law that establishes the framework for proper management of solid and hazardous waste. RCRA regulations protect communities by ensuring safe management and cleanup of solid and hazardous waste and encouraging reduction of pollution sources and beneficial reuse of formerly contaminated properties.

For more about EPA grants: https://www.epa.gov/grants

For more about EPA’s work in New Mexico: https://www.epa.gov/nm.