Environmental Education (EE)

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NNEMS Project 2010-104

Category:
Environmental Policy, Regulation, and Law

Preferred Project Period:
5/10/10 - 9/1/10

Desired Education Level(s):

• Graduate Student
• Ph.D. Student

Project Title:
Using Voluntary Programs for Regulatory Requirements

Sponsoring Office:
Office of Air and Radiation, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards, Outreach and Information Division

Project Overview:
EPA has been encouraging state and local air quality managers to use voluntary programs to reduce air pollution in nonattainment areas under the Sustainable Skylines Initiative (SSI). EPA has also developed guidance and policies on how to use emission reductions that result from implementation of voluntary programs to meet regulatory requirements, such as attainment and maintenance plans required under the Clean Air Act for various criteria pollutants. Communities have difficulty in applying the national, general guidance to their particular situation. Under this project, the fellow will research Clean Air Act criteria pollutant program requirements and community voluntary programs. The fellow will work with staff in the Outreach and Information Division as they develop and apply program-specific guidance for voluntary programs being implemented under the SSI that will allow these communities to use the emission reductions achieved under the SSI for regulatory purposes. Although these will be pilot projects, the guidance developed by the Outreach and Information Division will assist many other areas of the country to use these voluntary programs to meet their regulatory obligations.

Project Goals:
The fellow will gain critical insight into the Clean Air Act criteria pollutant program requirements and community voluntary programs. The fellow will have the opportunity to develop technical skills applicable to legal requirements as well as skills needed to advance program guidance that would have national applications.

Final Product of the Project:
The fellow will develop a final report based on his or her research on Clean Air Act criteria pollutant program requirements and community voluntary programs.

Project Location:
EPA Headquarters, Research Triangle Park, NC

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Project Officer Information

Yvonne Johnson
Office of Air and Radiation, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards, Outreach and Information Division

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Office Mission/Responsibility

The Outreach and Information Division serves as the principal focus for management and transfer of air pollution control information; outreach to states, local governments, tribes, industry, small business, and the public; and voluntary and innovative approaches to reduce air pollution. In carrying out these functions, the division manages design, development, maintenance, and evaluation of outreach programs and information systems (including hardware and software) to distribute key air pollution control information to government and non-government clients and the public at large. The division also develops voluntary and innovative approaches to encourage pollution prevention and superior environmental performance over traditional regulatory approaches.

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