New EPA Air Quality Planning Resources for State, Tribal and Local Air Agencies

July 6, 2012
EPA

EPA has released a new Roadmap to help state, tribal, and local air agencies include emission reductions from energy efficiency and renewable energy in State and Tribal Implementation Plans (SIPs/TIPs) to improve air quality. The Roadmap focuses on emissions benefits from energy efficiency/renewable energy policies and programs in the electric power sector. It reflects input received from a number of stakeholders, including state and local energy and air quality agencies.

Now is a great time to include energy efficiency/renewable energy strategies in SIPs and TIPs. First, many states have substantially increased their commitment to energy efficiency/renewable energy policies and programs over the last 10 years. The emissions impacts from these policies and programs are already happening: this manual outlines the latest tools, information, and approaches to quantifying those impacts. Second, emissions reductions from energy efficiency/renewable energy policies and programs can help states and tribes comply with National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) at a lower cost than traditional control measures. Third, this information could be very helpful for areas participating in the Ozone Advance Program. Finally, these resources can help state, tribal, and local agencies estimate potential emissions reductions and determine whether they want to reflect those reductions in their SIPs/TIPs.

To accompany the Roadmap, EPA is providing:

• A webinar on the Roadmap.
• Draft tool for quantifying the emissions impacts of state, tribal, and local energy efficiency/renewable energy policies and programs.
• Online training for air quality planners on the electric energy sector.
• Data on the projected energy impacts of existing state energy efficiency/renewable energy policies to help states and tribes account for policies not reflected in Energy Information Administration's Annual Energy Outlook 2010.