Air Quality Programs
General
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https://www.airnow.gov/air-quality-flag-program/
Here's how the Air Quality Flag Program works: each day your organization raises a flag that corresponds to how clean or polluted the air is. The color of the flag matches EPA's Air Quality Index (AQI): green, yellow, orange, red, and purple. On unhealthy days, your organization can use this information to adjust physical activities to help reduce exposure to air pollution, while still keeping people active.
Use the Quick Start Guide or follow these four steps to implement a flag program in your organization:
1. Purchase the flags
A set of 5 flags costs about $100. Here are some flag ordering tips.
2. Educate your organization and the community
Learn about the Air Quality Index colors and read through the Coordinator Handbook and the Fact Sheet.
Use the sample parent letter or employee email and the sample press release to tell people about the program.
Schools may want to check out additional materials specifically for students and teachers, and put up the Air Quality Flag poster in hallways or classrooms to remind everyone what the colors mean.
3. Fly the day's flag
Sign up for a daily email about the air quality forecast or you can download the Flag Program widget to your homepage. The email and the widget tell you which flag to fly each day.
4. Take actions when the air quality is unhealthy
See what actions to take for each color with the activity guides, while still keeping the community active.
Please complete this online registration form when you adopt a flag program. EPA will add your organization to the online list of program participants and to our Story Map.
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AVERT is a free tool with a simple user interface designed to meet the needs of state air quality planners and other interested stakeholders. Anyone can use AVERT to evaluate county, state, and regional changes in emissions from electric power plants and displaced fuel-burning vehicles resulting from energy policies and programs such as energy efficiency, renewable energy, electric vehicles, and energy storage. AVERT is designed to use public data that are accessible and auditable.
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EPA’s Adaptation Resource Center (ARC-X) is an interactive resource to help local governments effectively deliver services to their communities even as the climate changes. Decision makers can create an integrated package of information tailored specifically to their needs. Once users select areas of interest, they will find information about: the risks posed by climate change to the issues of concern; relevant adaptation strategies; case studies illustrating how other communities have successfully adapted to those risks and tools to replicate their successes; and EPA funding opportunities.
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EPA's CO–Benefits Risk Assessment (COBRA) screening model is a free tool that helps state and local governments:
Explore how changes in air pollution from clean energy policies and programs, including energy efficiency and renewable energy, can affect human health at the county, state, regional, or national levels.
Estimate the economic value of the health benefits associated with clean energy policies and programs to compare against program costs.
Map and visually represent the air quality, human health, and health-related economic benefits from reductions in emissions of particulate matter (PM2.5), sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOX), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that result from clean energy policies and programs.
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https://www.epa.gov/statelocalenergy/energy-and-environment-guide-action
A Guide to State Policy Innovations that Deliver Climate, Energy, and Equity Benefits
Overview:
Offers real-world best practices to help states design and implement policies that reduce emissions associated with electricity generation and energy consumption.
Helps state officials leverage other states' policy innovations and implementation experiences to achieve their own climate, energy, environmental, and equity goals.
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EPA has developed a set of values that help state and local government policymakers and other stakeholders estimate the outdoor air quality-related public health benefits of investments in energy efficiency and renewable energy (EE/RE). These monetized values were developed using methods consistent with those EPA uses for health benefits analyses at the federal level. To learn more about the health effects included in the benefits-per-kilowatt-hour (BPK) calculations, please see the 2019 update of the technical report. For examples of how to use the BPK values, see this flyer.
EPA used a peer-reviewed methodology to develop a set of screening-level regional estimates of the dollar benefits (in cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh)) from six different EE/RE strategies:
Uniform Energy Efficiency: Energy efficiency programs, projects, and policies that achieve a constant level of savings over time.
Energy Efficiency at Peak: Energy efficiency programs, projects, and policies that achieve savings during 12 PM – 6 PM when energy demand is high (i.e., peak).
Utility Solar Energy: Programs, projects, and policies that increase the supply of utility solar energy available.
Distributed Solar Energy: Programs, projects, and policies that increase the supply of distributed or rooftop solar energy available.
Onshore Wind Energy: Programs, projects, and policies that increase the supply of onshore wind available (e.g., wind turbines).
Offshore Wind Energy: Programs, projects, and policies that increase the supply of offshore wind available in select parts of the U.S. with actual or proposed wind lease areas.
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Overview
Multi-pollutant control programs can save money and time, and achieve significant health, environmental and economic benefits, while reducing costs and burdens on sources of air pollution.
Many pollution sources (e.g., industrial facilities) emit several different pollutants that directly cause health and environmental impacts or react in the environment to form other harmful pollutants. Some control technologies can reduce emissions of multiple pollutants. It can be more efficient to develop integrated control strategies that address multiple pollutants rather than separate strategies for each pollutant individually.
Air quality managers can consider multiple policy goals in developing an air pollution management plan. Policy goals that could be considered in such a program include: reducing concentrations of ozone, particulate matter, and hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) such as mercury; planning to address transportation and energy needs; mitigating and adapting to climate change.
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https://www.epa.gov/statelocalenergy/state-inventory-and-projection-tool
EPA's State Inventory and Projection Tool is an interactive spreadsheet model designed to help states develop greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions inventories and was developed to lessen the time it takes to develop an inventory (collecting data, identifying emission factors, etc.). The tool has two components: the state inventory tool and the projection tool.
Download the State Inventory and Projection Tools (Updated February 2024)
What is the State Inventory Tool?
EPA's State Inventory Tool (SIT) is an interactive spreadsheet model designed to help states develop GHG emissions inventories and provides a streamlined way to update an existing inventory or complete a new inventory. The State Inventory Tool consists of 11 estimation modules applying a top-down approach to calculate GHG emissions, and one module to synthesize estimates across all modules. The SIT gives users the option of applying their own state-specific data or using default data pre-loaded for each state. The default data are gathered by federal agencies and other sources covering fossil fuels, electricity consumption, agriculture, forestry, waste management, and industry. All of the modules examine direct GHG emissions, with the exception of the electricity consumption module which estimates indirect GHG emissions from electricity consumption. The methods used and the sectors covered are the same as those in the U.S. GHG Inventory. EPA also publishes state GHG data consistent with the national Inventory. For a comparison of the state GHG data and the state inventory tool, see EPA's crosswalk between the two.
The goals of the State Inventory Tool
Provide pre-loaded default data but allow for state customization.
Increase and maximize transparency in the inventory process.
Provide estimates for the most recent year of data availability.
Enable sector experts to work simultaneously on different parts of the inventory.
How does the State Inventory Tool work?
Specific instructions for estimating emissions vary by emissions source and SIT module; however, the following basic steps apply for each module:
Select a state and any default variables or emission factors used throughout each module.
Complete calculation worksheets by selecting to use default data or entering state-specific data.
View results in both tabular and graphic formats.
Export results (for use in reports, or to use in the Synthesis module and Projection Tool).
Samples of Analyses and Reports
State CO2 Emissions from Fossil Fuel Combustion
New Jersey Greenhouse Gas Inventory and Updates
Iowa's Annual Greenhouse Gas Inventory Report
What is the Projection Tool?
The Projection Tool allows users to create a simple forecast of emissions through 2050 based on historical emissions (imported from the SIT modules) and projections of future energy consumption, population, and economic factors. A separate energy tool is available to help states project fossil fuel consumption.
Who should use the State Inventory and Projection Tool?
The SIT and Projection Tool calculates U.S. state-level estimates only, and is most appropriate for use by state agencies or other groups seeking to develop a State GHG inventory. The tool provides an aggregated total for each sector at the state-level, and does not include emissions for specific power plants, industrial facilities, other point sources, localities, or other countries.
People interested in emissions from specific facilities should consult EPA's GHG Reporting Program (GHGRP) data set. The data set includes public information from facilities in nine industry groups that directly emit large quantities of GHGs, as well as suppliers of certain fossil fuels and is available on the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Data page.
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https://nationalsbeap.org/states/about
he 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments required states to develop programs to help small businesses comply with air quality regulations. These state programs have three components: a small business compliance assistance program made up of small business environmental assistance providers' programs (SBEAP), a small business ombudsman (SBO) and a compliance advisory panel (CAP). These components work together and are monitored by the U.S. EPA asbestos and small business ombudsman (EPA ASBO).
To better meet the needs of small businesses, many of these state technical assistance programs have expanded their air quality focus to provide technical assistance in other environmental areas. Services provided by these organizations for small businesses include multi-media environmental compliance and pollution prevention (P2). P2 services help businesses reduce emissions at the source, often reducing regulatory burden and sometimes saving money. To access these free, often confidential services and see which ones your state offers, contact your state program. A flyer that describes the programs nationally, can be found here.
In an effort to help encourage better communication around the country between state technical assistance programs and the EPA, a national steering committee (NSC), representing state SBO/SBEAPs, and a national CAP (for state CAPs) have been formed. Through these coordinated efforts, state programs are able to tackle issues relevant to their purpose and share information to help avoid duplication of effort.
The Small Business Environmental Assistance Program website, funded by EPA ASBO, was originally developed in 1996 as a resource for small businesses and state SBEAPs and SBOs, NSC, and state and national CAPs. In 2015, a new version of the website was developed and funded through a cooperative agreement with EPA’s ASBO office, with the objective to provide a “one-stop shop” for small businesses and assistance providers seeking information on a wide range of environmental topics. Read more about the ASBO here.
Please email or call 800-578-8898 to let us know how we may serve you better, what features you like or want to see, and how we can improve.
Development
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https://www.energystar.gov/buildings/building-recognition/building-certification
Certified Buildings Save
ENERGY STAR certified buildings save energy, save money, and help protect the environment by generating fewer greenhouse gas emissions than typical buildings. To be certified as ENERGY STAR, a building must meet strict energy performance standards set by EPA.
Specifically, to be eligible for ENERGY STAR certification, a building must earn an ENERGY STAR score of 75 or higher on EPA’s 1 – 100 scale, indicating that it performs better than at least 75 percent of similar buildings nationwide. This 1 – 100 ENERGY STAR score is based on the actual, measured energy use of a building and is calculated within EPA’s ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager tool. The score accounts for differences in operating conditions, regional weather data, and other important considerations. Learn more about how the 1 – 100 ENERGY STAR score is calculated.
Certification Is Annual and Verified by a Third-Party
Certification is given on an annual basis, so a building must maintain its high performance to be certified year to year. And the information submitted in the certification application must be verified by a licensed Professional Engineer (PE) or Registered Architect (RA) to be eligible for approval.
Ready to apply?
How to apply for ENERGY STAR certification
Tips for low-cost verifications
Do you own or manage an industrial plant? Learn more about ENERGY STAR certification for plants.
Oil and Gas
Schools
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https://www.epa.gov/schools/idle-free-schools-toolkit-healthy-school-environment
The Idle-Free Schools Toolkit includes information needed to run an effective idling reduction campaign at a school to reduce student exposure to toxic vehicle exhaust. The Toolkit also provides the resources to make this a student-run science or community involvement project, providing students with the opportunity to learn how to run a public service campaign while expanding their science and math skills.
Idling vehicles contribute to air pollution and emit air toxins, which are pollutants known or suspected to cause cancer or other serious health effects. Monitoring at schools has shown elevated levels of benzene, formaldehyde, acetaldehyde and other air toxics during the afternoon hour coinciding with parents picking up their children. Children’s lungs are still developing, and when they are exposed to elevated levels of these pollutants, children have an increased risk of developing asthma, respiratory problems and other adverse health effects. Limiting a vehicle’s idling time can dramatically reduce these pollutants and children’s exposure to them.
Supply Chain
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https://www.epa.gov/smm/comprehensive-procurement-guideline-cpg-program
The Comprehensive Procurement Guideline (CPG) program is part of EPA's Sustainable Materials Management initiative that promotes a system approach to reducing materials use, associated greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change, and the other environmental impacts over the materials’ entire life cycle.
The CPG program is authorized by Congress under Section 6002 of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) (42 U.S. Code 6962).
CPG continues the effort to promote the use of materials recovered from the municipal solid waste stream. Buying products made with recovered materials ensures that the materials collected in recycling programs will be used again in the manufacture of new products. There are 61 products designated in eight categories.
EPA designated products that are or can be made with recovered materials, and recommended practices for buying these products. Once a product is designated, procuring agencies are required to purchase it with the highest recovered material content level practicable. EPA published recommended recycled-content levels in a Recovered Materials Advisory Notice (RMAN) in the Federal Register. Further information on the regulatory background of CPGs and the RMANs is on the regulatory background page.
Transportation
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A Congestion Management Process (CMP) is a systematic process used to identify, evaluate, respond to and alleviate traffic congestion. This CMP identifies specific strategies for locations in the Oklahoma City Area Transportation Study (OCARTS) region to minimize traffic congestion and enhance the ability of people and goods to reach their destinations in a timely manner. The CMP was prepared for the Association of Central Oklahoma Governments
(ACOG) by Olsson Associates and Cambridge Systematics. An ad hoc committee called the CMP Work Group, comprised of transportation and planning professionals from local governments, the Oklahoma Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration provided input and guidance throughout the update.
The CMP advances the goals developed as part of Encompass 2040, the Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP) for the
OCARTS region. The CMP also works to strengthen the connection between projects identified in the long-range transportation plan and the projects that are ultimately implemented through the short-range Transportation Improvement Program (TIP).
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https://encompass-2045-acog.hub.arcgis.com/
Encompass 2045 is the Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP) for Central Oklahoma. It functions as a responsible guide for maintaining and improving the current transportation system in the region, and identifies priority transportation projects and investments for the next 30 years.
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This document provides a step-by-step guide for using TEAM to assess the potential of on-road travel efficiency strategies to change travel behavior and reduce criteria pollutant and greenhouse gas emissions. This document is intended for use by state, tribal, and local agencies, non-governmental organizations, and other interested in reducing transportation-related emissions. This document explores the process of selecting strategies of interest, estimating changes in vehicle miles traveled (VMT) using a sketch planning tool and off-model tools, and estimating the emissions benefits using EPA’s Motor Vehicle Emission Simulator (MOVES) model.
Travel Efficiency Assessment Method (TEAM) User Guide Analyzing Passenger Travel Impacts and Emission Reductions from Travel Efficiency Strategies (pdf) (75 pp, 2.5 MB, September 2021, EPA-420-B-21-036)
EPA's Travel Efficiency Assessment Method (TEAM) User Guide Training Webinar (pdf) (3 MB) (71 pp, 3 MB, August 2022)
This presentation, given in August 2022, explores EPA's TEAM User Guide, a document detailing how to use the TEAM approach for examining the potential for travel efficiency strategies (such as transit, road and parking pricing, land use changes, and bike and pedestrian infrastructure) to reduce emissions of criteria pollutants and greenhouse gases. In this webinar, EPA provided an overview of the TEAM analytical process, the travel efficiency strategies included in TEAM, and a demonstration of conducting a TEAM analysis. -
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