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Clean Air Act Advisory Committee Vision and Guiding Principles for the National Air Program. ECOS update September 23, 2009. Briefing Outline. Clean Air Act Advisory Committee Background Vision and Guiding Principles (VGP) Report Background and Summary Proposed CAAAC Follow-up Activities
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Clean Air Act Advisory Committee Vision and Guiding Principles for the National Air Program ECOS update September 23, 2009
Briefing Outline Clean Air Act Advisory Committee Background Vision and Guiding Principles (VGP) Report Background and Summary Proposed CAAAC Follow-up Activities EPA Response to VGP Report Next Steps and Key Decisions
Clean Air Act Advisory Committee Formed after the 1990 Amendments of the Clean Air Act Meets three times annually to advise the agency on Air Quality Policy issues Approximately 40 members Representation from State/Local Government, Environmental/health organizations, Academia, and regulated industries Subject to the Federal Advisory Committee Act Requirements
Vision and Guiding Principles CAAAC issued its final Vision report to EPA in February 2009 Report provides a comprehensive vision, guiding principles, and recommendations for the National Air Program Vision purpose: Guide future deliberations and actions of the CAAAC Foster dialogue and catalyze action among EPA and partners on ways to improve the National Air Program
Vision Background CAAAC Vision report draws on 10+ years of thinking on ways to improve U.S air quality management, including: National Academy of Sciences’ Air Quality Management in the U.S. Report (2004) CAAAC Air Quality Management Phase I & II Recommendations Joint Statement on Vision & Goals for the National Air Program (December 2000)
Vision and Guiding Principles CAAAC VGP Report and deliberations had strong participation and support from the full CAAAC, including government, industry, NGO, and academic members Significant interest in advancing the VGP as a framework for dialogue and action (not just a report) CAAAC members believe EPA must work with the CAAAC to build shared ownership for the VGP report if it is to be successful
Vision for the National Air Program Achieve and maintain air quality that protects and enhances public health, welfare, and the environment
Guiding Principles Establish clear goals and manage for results and accountability Use appropriate tools including innovative approaches Conduct sound research and use information effectively Build capacity among government partners for effective implementation Build a better and broader partnership Educate and involve the public
EPA Response Acknowledgment letter from EPA Administrator to CAAAC (March 26, 2009) Elizabeth Craig memo to OAR Office Directors requesting response to report (April 22, 2009) Greg Green presentation to CAAAC on EPA response to VGP report (May 14, 2009) Compiled responses from OAR offices Gina McCarthy - Upcoming CAAAC meeting
EPA Response – Summary of Input Overall, the vision and guiding principles are on target and are broad enough to encompass issues and strategies Many current EPA and partner activities support the vision and six guiding principles Resources will constrain EPA and partners’ ability to address gaps; efficiency improvements will be important to expanding capacity Success will require collective action by all partners in the National Air Program (not justEPA)
EPA Response – Summary of Input Need to incorporate specific issues and challenges (e.g., indoor air quality) into the VGP framework Need to clarify roles and responsibilities within the National Air Program (e.g., among S/L/T partners) Need to prioritize recommendation areas to focus EPA and partner attention and resources Need to focus on improving measurement systems Need to continue exploration of new approaches (e.g., multi-pollutant air quality planning)
CAAAC Next Steps on the Vision Continue recommendations and assess progress of the National Air Program in achieving the vision and in responding to the guiding principles and recommendation areas Review and update annually the vision, guiding principles and recommendation areas Identify important areas where new recommendations from the CAAAC may be beneficial Work to ensure that future CAAAC efforts consider the vision and guiding principles in discussions and recommendations
For More Information Visit: http://www.epa.gov/air/caaac/vision.html Contact: Pat Childers, USEPA (202) 564-1082, childers.pat@epa.gov