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Strategic Objective

Improve Air Quality

Strategic Objective

Improve Air Quality

Achieve and maintain health- and welfare-based air pollution standards and reduce risk from toxic air pollutants and indoor air contaminants.

Lead Office: Office of Air and Radiation

Themes:

Natural Resources and Environment

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Overview
Progress Update

Overview

Taking into account the most current health effects research findings[1], EPA has completed new, more health-protective national ambient air quality standards for particulate matter (December 2012), lead (October 2008), sulfur dioxide (June 2010), nitrogen dioxide (January 2010), and carbon monoxide (August 2011), and is currently reviewing the standard for ozone. Over the next 4 years, we will work with states and tribes to develop and implement plans to achieve and maintain these standards. Our efforts provide the tools and information necessary for EPA, states, and

EPA will work with states and tribes to decrease the emissions that contribute to interstate transport of air pollution. These efforts will help many areas of the country attain the standards and achieve significant improvements in human health. Working with states and tribes, EPA will continue implementing cost-effective multi-state regional programs designed to control the significant contributions of power plant and other stationary source emissions of sulfur dioxide (SO₂) and nitrogen oxide (NO_x) to air quality problems (i.e., nonattainment and interference with maintenance of ozone and PM_2.5NAAQS) in downwind areas. Operating programs in 2014 will include the Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR) or a replacement program for control of transported ozone and PM_2.5pollution[2], in addition to the national acid rain SO₂ and NO_xemission reduction programs.

As we implement national air quality standards, we will seek ways to increase efficiency and maximize results. These efforts include: working with states to improve the state implementation plan approval process, including the use of full-cycle analysis (i.e., identifying specific actions along a time line needed to facilitate the timely issuance of implementation rules and guidelines); modernizing our training program for state, local, and tribal agencies through an e-learning system; and implementation of electronic emission reporting as part of the Agency’s E-Enterprise initiative.

Additionally, EPA will work to ensure that our efforts to improve air quality consider low-income and minority communities that are disproportionately impacted by pollution. The Agency will continue to implement the goals of the Environmental Justice (EJ) 2014 strategy that focus on protecting health in communities overburdened by pollution, empowering communities to take action to improve their health and environment, and establishing partnerships with local, state, tribal, and federal organizations to achieve healthy and sustainable communities.

EPA has finalized a number of air pollution control standards over the last decade that have substantially reduced, and will continue to reduce, PM, NO_x, volatile organic chemicals (VOCs), air toxics, and GHG emissions. These standards will cut emissions from new vehicles and engines by over 90 percent, with an estimated $290 billion in net health benefits by 2030. In addition, EPA partnership programs such as the SmartWay Transport program, are achieving important reductions in emissions from the existing fleet of diesel engines that are not subject to the new standards.[3]

Looking forward, EPA will collect and evaluate mobile source emission data to help guide future program priorities. Other factors to consider include the health and environmental effects of emissions and future advancements in technology that could provide opportunities for further emission reductions.

The Agency also recognizes the importance of fuels work and the critical need to understand the challenges and opportunities this work presents. EPA will continue to coordinate with the Department of Energy (DOE), Department of Agriculture (USDA), and other interagency partners on these issues as appropriate. The Agency plans to focus on streamlining the implementation processes of the renewable fuel standard (RFS) program, including the annual standard-setting process and new fuel pathway approvals. EPA will also strengthen its oversight of industry compliance with RFS standards and core fuels and fuels additive registration mandates through a voluntary third-party quality assurance program to verify that renewable identification numbers (RINs) have been validly generated. In addition, proposed modifications to the exporter provisions of the RFS program will help to ensure that an appropriate number and type of RINs are retired whenever renewable fuel is exported.

Air toxics and other air pollutants can be widespread and/or community specific. They are emitted by large industry, small businesses, motor vehicles, and many other common activities. Although certain chemicals are ubiquitous throughout the country, in some areas of concentrated industrial and/or mobile source activity, concentrations may be significantly greater. To support effective air toxics reduction policies, EPA uses data from our national toxics monitoring network and from national and local assessments to provide key information to better characterize risks and assess priorities. EPA also leverages pollution prevention and green expertise to reduce air toxics emissions and associated risk.

EPA recognizes that air toxics pose unique challenges both nationally and at the community level, and we focus on relatively high-risk sources, pollutants, and exposure situations. EPA will continue to set and enforce control technology-based air toxics emissions standards and, where needed, amend those standards to address residual risk and technology advancements. These regulations are aimed at reducing toxic air pollution from stationary sources and targeted priority source categories, reducing pollution in communities, utilizing a more cost-effective “sector-based” approach, and providing tools to help communities and other stakeholders participate in rulemaking. Priority categories include petroleum refining, iron and steel manufacturing, chemical manufacturing, and Portland cement. EPA takes advantage of the natural overlap of certain air toxics and criteria pollutant rules and coordinates the development and implementation of Maximum Achievable Control Technology (MACT) standards and New Source Performance Standards (NSPSs) where appropriate. By coordinating MACT standard development for specific source categories with other rulemaking efforts, EPA can substantially reduce the resources needed to develop standards; provide more certainty and lower cost for industry; simplify implementation for state, local, and tribal agencies; and, enhance cost-effective regulatory approaches. To address unacceptable risks that may remain after implementing national strategies, EPA works with states, tribes, and local agencies and organizations to understand the risks at the local level, target the problem areas, and tailor reduction strategies and approaches to the unique situations in those areas.

To improve indoor air quality, EPA deploys programs that educate the public about indoor air quality concerns, including radon, and promotes public action to reduce potential risks in homes, schools, and workplaces. Included among the people most exposed to indoor air pollutants are those most susceptible to the effects—the young, the elderly, and the chronically ill. In addition, EPA collaborates with state and tribal organizations, environmental and public health officials, housing, energy, and building organizations, school personnel who manage school environments, and health care providers who treat children prone to or suffering disproportionately from asthma. The focus of these efforts is to create, expand, and leverage systems already in place to support community efforts to address indoor air quality health risks.

External Factors and Emerging Issues

External factors that will affect air quality program implementation include the outcome of the appeal of the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR) decision and continuing legal challenges to stationary source rules.[4] Also, impacts from a changing climate may worsen existing indoor environmental problems and introduce new ones as temperatures change and the frequency and/or severity of adverse outdoor events increase. These impacts include increased mold from water damage and more time spent indoors where air may be of poorer quality.

Endnotes:

U.S. EPA, 2006. Air Quality Criteria for Lead (2006) Final Report. EPA/600/R-05/144aF-bF. Available at http://cfpub.epa.gov/ncea/cfm/recordisplay.cfm?deid=158823. U.S. EPA, 2008. Integrated Science Assessment (ISA) for Sulfur Oxides—Health Criteria (Final Report). EPA/600/R-08/047F. Available at http://cfpub.epa.gov/ncea/cfm/recordisplay.cfm?deid=198843. U.S. EPA, 2008. Integrated Science Assessment for Oxides of Nitrogen—Health Criteria (Final Report). EPA/600/R-08/071. Available at http://cfpub.epa.gov/ncea/cfm/recordisplay.cfm?deid=194645.
In 2008, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit remanded CAIR to EPA, but allowed the rule to remain in effect pending replacement by a valid rule. In August 2012, the same court vacated EPA’s replacement rule (CSAPR). The Agency successfully petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to hear an appeal of the D.C. Circuit’s decision, and the Supreme Court is expected to issue its opinion on the merits by June 2014. Depending on the outcome of that appeal, CAIR’s ultimate replacement could be either CSAPR or the product of a new EPA rulemaking effort.
Recent air pollution control standards include the Tier 2 Motor Vehicle Emissions Standards and Gasoline Sulfur Control Requirements (February 2001); the 2007 Heavy-Duty Engine and Vehicle Standards and Highway Diesel Fuel Sulfur Control Highway Rule (January 2001); the Tier 4 Emission Standards (June 2004); and Locomotive Engines and Marine Compression-Ignition Engines rule (June 2008).
In an August 21, 2012 opinion, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit vacated the CSAPR and ordered EPA to continue implementing CAIR pending development of a valid replacement. The Agency successfully petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to hear an appeal of the D.C. Circuit’s decision, and the Supreme Court is expected to issue its opinion on the merits by June 2014. Please see http://www.epa.gov/crossstaterule/ for updates on CSAPR.

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Progress Update

EPA is on track to meet its strategic targets supporting this objective. By way of context, between 1980 and 2013, gross domestic product increased 145 percent, vehicle miles traveled increased 95 percent, energy consumption increased 25 percent, and the U.S. population grew by 39 percent. During the same period, total emissions of the six principal air pollutants dropped by 62 percent. Environmental indicators related to air toxics show improving outdoor air quality trends,[1] and continued progress in preventing lung cancer deaths from radon exposure and reducing adverse asthma health outcomes. Despite significant progress in improving air quality, in 2013 approximately 75.4 million people nationwide lived in counties with pollution levels above the primary National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) and emissions of air pollutants continued to impact air quality and human health.

In recent years, EPA has acted to dramatically improve America’s air quality by designing and developing national programs that, when fully implemented, will achieve significant gains in human health. These actions include finalizing standards that will improve air quality and save money at the gas pump, implementing health-based ambient air quality standards grounded in the best available scientific research, proposing regulations to ensure that all new wood heaters will emit significantly less particulate matter into communities, and proposing for the first time that refineries monitor emission in such a way that neighboring communities are not being exposed to unintended emissions. EPA also helped reduce risks of indoor air pollution by characterizing the risks to human health, developing techniques for reducing those risks, and educating the public and key sectors about actions they can take to reduce risks from indoor air.

[1] See EPA’s 2014 Report on the Environment for data related to: “Ambient Concentrations of Particulate Matter,” “Ambient Concentrations of Ozone,” and “Air Toxics Emissions.”

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Strategic Goals

Strategic Goal:

Addressing Climate Change and Improving Air Quality

Statement:

Reduce greenhouse gas emissions and develop adaptation strategies to address climate change, and protect and improve air quality.

Strategic Objectives

Address Climate Change

Statement:

Minimize the threats posed by climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and taking actions that help to protect human health and help communities and ecosystems become more sustainable and resilient to the effects of climate change.

Description:

EPA’s strategies to address climate change reflect the President’s call to action in his Climate Action Plan (June 2013), which, among other initiatives, tasks EPA with setting carbon dioxide (CO₂) standards for power plants and applying the Agency’s authorities and other tools to address hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and methane. These strategies support the President's goal to reduce GHG emissions by 17 percent below 2005 levels by 2020.[1] EPA and its partners are developing and implementing approaches to reduce GHG emissions domestically and internationally through cost-effective, voluntary programs while pursuing additional regulatory actions as needed. Our efforts address the following areas:

Mobile Sources

Implementing three sets of GHG standards for vehicles and trucks, including: two sets of GHG standards for light-duty cars and trucks (model years 2012-2016 and 2017-2025); and the first set of standards for medium- and heavy-duty trucks and buses (model years 2014-2018). These emission standards, finalized jointly with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) fuel economy standards, will result in substantial reductions in new vehicle GHG emissions from model years 2012 through 2025. (Reducing greenhouse gas emissions from cars and trucks is an FY 2014-2015 Agency Priority Goal.[2])
Carrying out the next phase of the GHG vehicle emission standards. Consistent with the President’s Climate Action Plan, the Agency plans to propose in March 2015 a second phase of fuel efficiency and greenhouse gas emission standards for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles for model years 2018 and beyond, and plans to finalize the standards in March 2016. This second phase of regulations will build upon the success of the first phase and offer further opportunities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and decrease transportation fuel consumption, and is expected to benefit consumers and business by reducing the cost of transporting goods while spurring job growth and innovation in the clean energy technology sector.
Assessing GHG control options for non-road sources, including evaluating whether and when to commence work on standards setting for GHG emissions from a wide range of non-road equipment, locomotives, marine vessels and aircraft, and transportation fuels.

Stationary Sources

Using authority under Section 111(b) of the Clean Air Act, EPA issued a new proposal on September 20, 2013 for GHG performance standards for new power plants and will subsequently finalize that rule after consideration of public comment as appropriate. Using authority under Sections 111(b) and 111(d) of the Act, EPA will issue proposed GHG standards, regulations, or guidelines, as appropriate, for modified, reconstructed, and existing power plants by June 1, 2014, and finalize these standards, regulations, or guidelines by June 1, 2015.
Collecting and publishing high-quality GHG emissions data from large direct emitters and suppliers of GHGs through the greenhouse gas reporting program to inform the public and support sound, data-driven, policy decisions on climate change.
Implementing permitting requirements for facilities that emit large amounts of GHGs to encourage design and construction of more sustainable, efficient, and advanced processes that will contribute to a clean energy economy.
Applying the Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) program to promote the use of low global warming potential HFCs and similar chemicals.

International and Other Efforts

Implementing proven voluntary programs that maximize GHG reductions through the greater use of technologies, products, and practices that promote energy efficiency, and renewables programs and policies that benefit the environment and human health.
Identifying and assessing substitute chemical and ozone-depleting substances and processes for their global warming potential.
Collaborating with countries and other international partners to reduce methane emissions and deliver clean energy to markets around the world through the Global Methane Initiative.
Collaborating with international partners to reduce short-lived climate pollutants, including methane, black carbon, and hydrofluorocarbons, through the Climate and Clean Air Coalition.
Educating the public about a changing climate and actions people can take to reduce GHG emissions.
Collaborating with state, local, and tribal governments on regulatory and policy initiatives, technical assistance, and voluntary programs related to climate change mitigation and adaptation.

Adaptation

Much of EPA’s work is sensitive to weather and climate. Consequently, the various actions EPA takes to meet its obligations and achieve its goals, including promulgating regulations and implementing programs, take these variables into consideration. For example, potential increases in ground-level ozone due to a changing climate could make attainment or maintenance of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) more challenging. Similarly, attaining water quality standards will become more difficult as water temperatures increase in response to climate change.

EPA must adapt and plan for future changes in climate to continue fulfilling its statutory, regulatory, and programmatic requirements. The Agency will implement its Climate Change Adaptation Plan, and consider where it is appropriate to integrate and mainstream considerations of a changing climate into the full range of its programs to ensure they are effective under future climatic conditions. EPA will work with state, tribal, and local partners to enhance their capacity to adapt to a changing climate. Each of the EPA national programs and ten regional offices will implement new climate adaptation implementation plans to carry out the work called for in the Agency’s Climate Change Adaptation Plan. EPA will also continue to collaborate with the U.S. Global Change Research Program and the Council on Climate Change Preparedness and Resilience to support the development and implementation of climate change adaptation plans by all federal agencies.[3]

Adaptation initiatives undertaken by EPA national programs and regional offices will carry out key elements of the President’s Climate Action Plan (June 2013) and aim to increase the resilience of communities and ecosystems to climate change by increasing their ability to anticipate, prepare for, respond to, and recover from the impacts of a changing climate. EPA is encouraging and supporting smarter, more resilient investments by integrating considerations of climate change impacts and adaptive measures into major grant, loan, contract, and technical assistance programs, consistent with existing authorities. For example, EPA is integrating climate adaptation criteria into the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Funds and grants for brownfields cleanup. EPA is also partnering with states, tribes, and urban and rural communities to integrate climate change data, models, information, and other decision-support tools into their planning processes in ways that empower them to anticipate, prepare for, and adapt to a changing climate. As an example, EPA developed a stormwater calculator that will enable users to evaluate the effectiveness of alternative strategies for limiting stormwater runoff that can overwhelm sewer systems and spill into rivers and streams, and to identify strategies that ensure the systems are effective under future climatic conditions.

External Factors and Emerging Issues

External influences on EPA’s efforts to improve air quality and address climate change issues include the evolution of state and local transportation and energy-related policies and the impacts of a changing climate, such as changes in rainfall amount and intensity, shifting weather and seasonal patterns, and increases in flood plain elevations and sea levels. Some of these external influences present significant challenges to the EPA’s work, whereas others, such as the growth of alternative energy sources and increased investments in energy efficiency, can improve local air quality and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Endnotes:

See http://unfccc.int/files/meetings/cop_15/copenhagen_accord/application/pdf/unitedstatescphaccord_app.1.pdf.
FY 2014-2015 Agency Priority Goal: Reduce greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles and trucks: Through September 30, 2015, EPA in coordination with Department of Transportation’s fuel economy standards program will be implementing vehicle and truck greenhouse gas (GHG) standards that are projected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 6 billion metric tons and reduce oil consumption by about 12 billion barrels over the lifetime of the affected vehicles and trucks.
The U.S. Global Change Research Program coordinates and integrates federal research on changes in the global environment and the implications of these changes for society, as mandated in the Global Change Research Act of 1990 (P.L. 101-606) (http://www.globalchange.gov/about/global-change-research-act.html). In 2009, the White House Council on Environmental Quality, the Office of Science and Technology Policy, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration initiated the Interagency Climate Change Adaptation Task Force. When the President signed Executive Order 13514, Federal Leadership in Environmental, Energy, and Economic Performance, in October 2009, he called on the Task Force to develop federal recommendations for adapting to climate change impacts both domestically and internationally. Executive Order 13514 is available at http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/President-Obama-signs-an-Executive-Order-Focused-on-Federal-Leadership-in-Environmental-Energy-and-Economic-Performance.

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FY 16-17 Priority Goal: Reduce greenhouse gas emissions from cars and trucks.

Statement:

Through September 30, 2017, EPA, in coordination with Department of Transportation’s fuel economy and fuel consumption standards programs, will implement vehicle and commercial truck greenhouse gas standards with a focus on industry compliance to ensure the significant reductions in greenhouse gases and oil consumption called for under the standards are realized. The light-duty and heavy-duty standards for model years 2012-2025 are projected to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by more than 6.3 billion metric tons and reduce U.S. oil consumption by more than 12.5 billion barrels over the lifetime of the affected vehicles and commercial trucks.

Description:

Combined with DOT’s fuel efficiency standards, EPA’s vehicle GHG standards enable historic progress to be made in reducing carbon pollution and addressing climate change which threatens the public health and welfare of the American people. These standards will cut GHG emissions by about 6 billion metric tons and reduce U.S. oil consumption by about 12 billion barrels while saving consumers more than $1.7 trillion at the gas pump over the lifetime of the light-duty vehicles for model year 2012-2025. For commercial trucks, the estimated combined standards will reduce CO2 emissions by about 270 million metric tons and save about 530 million barrels of oil over the life of model year 2014 to 2018.

For the passenger vehicle GHG and fuel economy standards, individual consumers will save an estimated $8,000 on fuel over the lifetime (i.e., approximately 200,000 average vehicle miles traveled (VMT)) of a model year (MY) 2025 vehicle. For the heavy-duty truck standards, the average operator of a semi-truck can pay for the technology upgrades in under a year, and have net savings of up to $73,000 over the lifetime of the truck

This FY 2016-2017 APG builds upon the successes of the related FY 2014-2015 and FY 2012-2013 Agency Priority Goals related to reducing greenhouse gas emissions from transportation activities. The FY 2012-2013 APG focused on the implementation of the first light-duty vehicle standards (MY 2012-2016) and preparing for the implementation of heavy-duty standards (MY 2014-2018The FY 2014-2015 APG focused on incorporating the light-duty GHG standards for model years 2017-2025 (finalized in August 2012) and transitioning from the voluntary early credit earning phase (i.e., credit banking/trading, off-cycle credits, air-conditioning improvement credits) to full implementation of the 2014-2018 heavy-duty rule.

The focus of the FY 2016-2017 APG will be on manufacturer compliance with the standards, the natural progression as the programs mature. EPA will continue to track issuing certificates and confirmatory testing but will also track new reporting metrics to capture compliance activities.

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FY 14-15 Priority Goal: Reduce greenhouse gas emissions from cars and trucks.

Statement:

Reduce greenhouse gas emissions from cars and trucks. Through September 30, 2015, EPA, in coordination with Department of Transportation’s fuel economy standards program, will be implementing vehicle and truck greenhouse gas standards that are projected to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 6 billion metric tons and reduce oil consumption by about 12 billion barrels over the lifetime of the affected vehicles and trucks.

Description:

This Priority Goal advances the Strategic Plan objective to address climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions and the strategic measure to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from light duty vehicles and is a continuation of the FY 2012/2013 Priority Goal. The FY 2012/2013 Priority Goal focused on the implementation of the first light-duty vehicle standards (Model Years (MY) 2012-2016) and heavy-duty standards (MY 2014-2018) to address greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) from transportation activities, which accounted for 27% of U.S. GHG emissions in 2010, with the largest source being from passenger cars, light-duty trucks and freight trucks. The National Academy of Sciences (NAS) report, “Adapting to the Impacts of Climate Change,” indicates that climate change is associated with increased flooding, prolonged drought, more severe heat waves, more frequent wildfires, and changes in wetland, forest, and grassland habitats. These events result in substantial economic consequences through the contamination of drinking water resources, impaired air and water quality and reduced capacity of ecosystems to provide the services to society that we depend upon.

It is important to continue this APG because both the light-duty (MY 2012-2016) and heavy-duty vehicle rules are in the early stages of implementation, and the real benefits of these rules will not be realized until later years. For light-duty rules, the implementation for vehicles started in 2012, and will ramp up each year until 2025. For the heavy-duty rule, EPA is in the early credit earning phase, and will start in 2014/2015 to implement the first standards and assess compliance for the 2014 model year. The next phase includes incorporating the GHG standards in the light-duty vehicle rule for model years 2017-2025 (finalized in August 2012) and transitioning from the voluntary early credit earning phase (i.e., credit banking/trading, off-cycle credits, air-conditioning improvement credits) of the heavy-duty rule to the implementation phase of the 2014 model year standards.

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Improve Air Quality

Statement:

Achieve and maintain health- and welfare-based air pollution standards and reduce risk from toxic air pollutants and indoor air contaminants.

Description:

External Factors and Emerging Issues

Endnotes:

U.S. EPA, 2006. Air Quality Criteria for Lead (2006) Final Report. EPA/600/R-05/144aF-bF. Available at http://cfpub.epa.gov/ncea/cfm/recordisplay.cfm?deid=158823. U.S. EPA, 2008. Integrated Science Assessment (ISA) for Sulfur Oxides—Health Criteria (Final Report). EPA/600/R-08/047F. Available at http://cfpub.epa.gov/ncea/cfm/recordisplay.cfm?deid=198843. U.S. EPA, 2008. Integrated Science Assessment for Oxides of Nitrogen—Health Criteria (Final Report). EPA/600/R-08/071. Available at http://cfpub.epa.gov/ncea/cfm/recordisplay.cfm?deid=194645.
In 2008, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit remanded CAIR to EPA, but allowed the rule to remain in effect pending replacement by a valid rule. In August 2012, the same court vacated EPA’s replacement rule (CSAPR). The Agency successfully petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to hear an appeal of the D.C. Circuit’s decision, and the Supreme Court is expected to issue its opinion on the merits by June 2014. Depending on the outcome of that appeal, CAIR’s ultimate replacement could be either CSAPR or the product of a new EPA rulemaking effort.
Recent air pollution control standards include the Tier 2 Motor Vehicle Emissions Standards and Gasoline Sulfur Control Requirements (February 2001); the 2007 Heavy-Duty Engine and Vehicle Standards and Highway Diesel Fuel Sulfur Control Highway Rule (January 2001); the Tier 4 Emission Standards (June 2004); and Locomotive Engines and Marine Compression-Ignition Engines rule (June 2008).
In an August 21, 2012 opinion, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit vacated the CSAPR and ordered EPA to continue implementing CAIR pending development of a valid replacement. The Agency successfully petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to hear an appeal of the D.C. Circuit’s decision, and the Supreme Court is expected to issue its opinion on the merits by June 2014. Please see http://www.epa.gov/crossstaterule/ for updates on CSAPR.

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Restore and Protect the Ozone Layer

Statement:

Restore and protect the earth's stratospheric ozone layer and protect the public from the harmful effects of ultraviolet (UV) radiation.

Description:

EPA will implement programs that reduce and control ozone-depleting substances (ODS), enforce rules on their production, import, and emission, and facilitate the transition to alternative products that reduce GHG emissions and save energy. EPA’s contributions to the Multilateral Fund for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol will help to continue support for cost-effective projects designed to build capacity and eliminate ODS production and consumption in over 60 developing countries. EPA will also continue partnership programs that educate the public about the importance of protection from harmful ultraviolet radiation.

External Factors and Emerging Issues

Protection of the ozone layer is a global problem that cannot be solved by domestic action alone—all nations must also phase out the use of ODS. Much remains to be done in the U.S. and in the global community at large before the ozone layer will be considered safe for current and future generations. Critical emerging issues include the need to ensure that:

Ozone depleting substances are replaced by alternatives that reduce overall risk to human health and the environment;
Use of the agricultural fumigant methyl bromide is phased out in a manner that provides continued control of pests that threaten food supplies and other economically important products traded internationally by the U.S.[14]; and,
Remaining ODS phaseout, including the 2013 and 2015 developing-country ODS reduction requirements, is appropriately supported in a manner that is both cost effective and climate friendly.[1]

Endnotes:

All countries that are Parties to the Montreal Protocol have agreed to phase out their production and consumption of ozone depleting substances (ODS). The Multilateral Fund was set up by agreement among the Parties, and the Fund’s purpose is to assist developing countries to comply with these obligations. Contributions are made to the Multilateral Fund by developed countries, also referred to as donor countries under the Treaty.

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Minimize Exposure to Radiation

Statement:

Minimize releases of radioactive material and be prepared to minimize exposure through response and recovery actions should unavoidable releases occur.

Description:

Recognizing the potential hazards of radiation, Congress charged EPA with the primary responsibility for protecting people and the environment from harmful and avoidable exposures. In fulfilling this responsibility, the Agency will review and update its radiation protection regulations and guidance and operate RadNet, the Agency’s national environmental radiation monitoring system. EPA will also maintain personnel expertise, capabilities, and equipment readiness of the radiological emergency response program, including the Agency’s Radiological Emergency Response Team. In addition, EPA will provide regulatory oversight of DOE’s Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP), inspect WIPP waste generator facilities, and evaluate DOE’s compliance with EPA’s radioactive waste disposal standards and applicable environmental laws and regulations.

External Factors and Emerging Issues

There are several emerging issues and external factors that will have an impact on how we carry out our radiation program, including new designs and technologies for nuclear power plant facilities as well as new uranium extraction and processing technologies.

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Agency Priority Goals

FY 14-15: Reduce greenhouse gas emissions from cars and trucks.

Statement:

Description:

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FY 14-15: Improve environmental outcomes and enhance service to the regulated community and the public.

Statement:

By September 30, 2015 reduce reporting burdens to EPA by one million hours through streamlined regulations, provide real-time environmental data to at least two communities, and establish a new portal to service the regulated community and public.

Description:

Environmental regulators face ever growing needs to share information within and across agencies, reduce staff burden of data entry, reduce regulatory reporting burdens, and improve environmental and human health protection. There is also an increasing expectation from the public and regulated community for the use of on-line systems and the desire for data transparency and personalized access. Both federal and state agencies recognize that easier access to and use of environmental data will facilitate better environmental protection and decision-making while also increasing overall data transparency.

Consistent with the 2012 White House Digital Government Strategy and Executive Order 13563, EPA seeks to transform the way business is conducted. E-Enterprise for the Environment is a joint initiative of states and EPA to improve environmental outcomes and enhance service to the regulated community and the public by maximizing the use of advanced monitoring and information technologies, optimizing operations, and increasing transparency. E-Enterprise will enable new environmental management approaches by modernizing EPA programs and regulations while streamlining and improving existing business processes. E-Enterprise will use the transformational capabilities of information and advanced monitoring technologies to identify and implement programmatic and service improvements.

These improvements will include “smart” tools and services that guide the regulated community in understanding and fulfilling their federal, state and, local regulatory reporting obligations, offer basic validations and error checking of entered information, and support electronic signature submissions. E-Enterprise projects that take advantage of tools and practices such as advanced monitoring technology and streamlined data collection will also expand the ability of the government, regulated entities, and the public to see and measure pollutant discharges, emissions and environmental conditions. A fundamental premise of E-Enterprise is that providing a more complete and integrated (cross media - air, water, and land) view of environmental data can support greener behavior of the public and regulated entities. For example, broad availability of high-speed internet allows real-time reporting of emissions and provides unprecedented opportunities for transparency and public involvement in matters affecting local environmental conditions. These technological advances will allow better tracking of environmental progress. Innovative technology can also help regulators improve compliance with environmental laws.

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