EPA Tackles Border Sewage, Batteries, and Research Office Shake-Up

Big news out of Washington this week as the Environmental Protection Agency and its Mexican counterpart have just announced a landmark agreement to end the decades-long sewage crisis plaguing the Southern border. The centerpiece: the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant will see its capacity boosted from 25 to 35 million gallons a day— and what was originally set as a two-year construction timeline is now being compressed into just 100 days, with completion due by August 28. This collaboration, secured after Administrator Zeldin’s visit to the site in April, comes with a promise of a dozen new actions outlined in a forthcoming agreement by year’s end. According to EPA officials, these efforts aim to deliver what they call a “permanent, long-term, and durable solution” for both sides of the border. For local communities long affected by cross-boundary wastewater spills, this move could mean improved public health and environmental quality— and for regional businesses and fisheries, more reliable and cleaner coastal waters.

On another front, the EPA reached a milestone in California, reaching an agreement with Vistra Corp for the urgent cleanup of damaged lithium-ion batteries at the Moss Landing energy storage facility. After a major fire earlier this year, Vistra will now oversee the safe removal of hazardous batteries under EPA supervision, aiming to significantly reduce fire risks and protect the nearby community. EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator Josh F.W. Cook called it “a major step toward protecting the community,” and a newly launched website offers updates and ways for the public to stay involved.

But not all the headlines are hopeful. According to reporting from Science and Chemistry World, the EPA has begun dismantling its Office of Research and Development, with expert warnings that this could undermine future public health protections and erode scientific capacity nationwide. Conservationists and many in the scientific community argue that research is the backbone of smart regulation, and this organizational shake-up will likely spur debate in Congress and among the states.

Meanwhile, businesses and states are adjusting to volatility on climate and energy policy. Following recent EPA actions advancing deregulation, the Trump administration, as covered by Politico, is moving to roll back key greenhouse gas regulations, including a legal challenge to the requirement that the EPA act on climate. Industry groups argue these moves could lower costs and boost U.S. energy production— but environmental advocates warn of heightened health and climate risks, as the U.S. remains the world’s second-largest polluter.

As we look ahead, listeners should watch for new details on the border wastewater deal and for the official finalization of changes to the EPA’s research office. You can find public engagement opportunities, updates, and data on the EPA website, and those affected by the Moss Landing incident can subscribe for alerts and participate in upcoming community forums.

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