U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Air and Radiation FY 2009 OAR ACTION PLAN TO INTEGRATE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE OAR EnvironmentalJustice Action Plan Page 1 ------- Table of Contents Page OAR Environmental Justice Contacts 3 Background: Environmental Justice in the Office of Air and Radiation 4 The Office of Air and Radiation's Environmental Justice Policy 8 The Office of Air and Radiation's Environmental Justice Action Plan 9 Section 1: Organizational Infrastructure 9 Section 2: Management Support 10 Section 3: Operational Resources 11 Section 4: Program Support 12 Section 5: Government Performance and Results Act Alignment 18 Section 6: Internal Organizational Engagement 19 Section 7: External Stakeholder Engagement 20 Section 8: Data Collection, Management, and Evaluation 27 Section 9: Professional and Organizational Development 29 Section 10: Environmental Justice Assessment 31 Section 11: Program Evaluation 31 Environmental Justice Strategies and Activities Matrix Appendix OAR Environmental Justice Action Plan Page 2 ------- OAR Environmental Justice Contacts Office of Air and Radiation Environmental Justice Coordinator: J. Wil Wilson Office of Air and Radiation Tribal Coordinator: Barrel Harmon Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards Contacts: Gregory Green Candace Carraway Lena Epps-Price Laura McKelvey Office of Transportation and Air Quality Contacts: Victor R. McMahan Kathryn Sargeant Richard Baldauf Karen Orehowsky Jim Blubaugh Office of Atmospheric Programs Contacts: Brian McLean Erika Wilson Office of Radiation and Indoor Air Contacts: Elizabeth Cotsworth Michael Holloway Anna Duncan OAR Environmental Justice Action Plan Page 3 ------- Background: Environmental Justice in the Office of Air and Radiation For nearly two decades, Office of Air and Radiation (OAR) has been committed to addressing environmental justice issues. In 1992, OAR developed its first Environmental Justice Action Plan which followed the recommendations of the Environmental Equity Work Group in its report to the Administrator entitled, "Environmental Equity: Reducing Risks for All Communities". OAR's efforts to date, have been consistent with the Agency's Environmental Justice Strategy and are characterized by the following four major themes which underscore our environmental justice efforts: 1. Improve assessment methodology (targeted towards populations suffering disproportional impacts) regarding exposure to air pollution Example Activities: Characterization of populations relative to pollutants; Defining and understanding important determinants of exposure, dose, and effect in different populations who are at high risk from air pollution exposure. 2. Expand outreach, communication and consensus building efforts to low income and minority communities Example Activities: Risk communication model; Cooperative outreach and educational programs; Public informational materials, public service advertising; and information collection activities. 3. Support and enhance existing and future regional and community-based environmental justice initiatives Example Activities: Cooperative monitoring sites between the U.S. and Mexico to collect pollutant and meteorological data; The study of air toxics through the Mickey Leland Center 4. Enhance the relationship between OAR and its four adopted institutions in the academic relations program and explore new opportunities to expand this effort Example Activities: Memorandum of Understanding with North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University which assists in curriculum development, strengthening research capability and promotes the development and training of students/faculty; Memorandum of Under standing with Northern Arizona University to strengthen research, training and public service programs focusing on Native American people and their lands. Improvements in public health result from OAR programs to (1) reduce emissions of criteria pollutants (i.e., ozone, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, particulate matter, carbon monoxide, and lead), (2) reduce emissions of air toxics, (3) address issues of climate change, (4) require cleaner vehicles and cleaner fuels, and (5) improve indoor air quality which benefit all citizens (including low income and minority communities and sensitive populations such as those with respiratory illnesses, the elderly, and children). OAR Environmental Justice Action Plan Page 4 ------- Since 1970, steps taken under the Clean Air Act have reduced air pollution in the United States by more than 30 percent, producing dramatic health benefits for all Americans. Many of these emission reductions and health benefits have occurred in both urban and rural areas with environmental justice concerns. Everyday, clean air programs across the nation prevent roughly: 600 premature deaths; 2,000 cases of chronic illness such as asthma and bronchitis; 300,000 cases of minor respiratory illness such as aggravated asthma, and; 75,000 people from missing work. Over the past 35 years, the air has become healthier to breathe in more of our cities. Between 1970 and 2005, gross domestic product increased 195 percent, vehicle miles traveled increased 178 percent, energy consumption increased 48 percent, and U.S. population grew by 42 percent. During the same time period, total emissions of the six principal air pollutants dropped by 53 percent. Since 1991, we have significantly reduced the number of areas not meeting air quality standards. Even though we have made great progress in improving air quality, approximately 122 million people nationwide lived in counties with pollution levels above the National Ambient Air Quality Standards in 2005. Between 1980 and 2005, average ozone levels decreased 28% as measured using 1-hour data and 20% using 8-hour data. For the same years, ambient concentrations of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) dropped by 37% while sulfur dioxide (SO2) concentrations declined by 63%. Between 1990 and 2005, PM10 levels have gone down by an average of 25%.. PM2.5 levels, which we have been tracking since 1999, decreased 7% from 1999-2005. In recent years, EPA has acted to dramatically improve America's air quality by providing national programs that when fully implemented will achieve significant reductions in air emissions, such as the NOX Budget Trading Program. During the 2005 ozone season, NOX emissions were 57% lower than in 2000 (before the program was implemented). The Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR) adopted in 2005 addresses power plant emissions in 29 eastern states plus the District of Columbia. When fully implemented, CAIR will reduce SO2 emissions in these states by over 70 percent and NOX emissions by over 60 percent from 2003 levels. A closely related action is the EPA Clean Air Mercury rule, the first ever federally-mandated requirements that coal-fired electric utilities reduce their emissions of mercury. Together the Clean Air Mercury Rule and the Clean Air Interstate Rule create a multi-pollutant strategy to reduce emissions throughout the United States. The associated air quality benefits will lead to improved health, longevity and quality of life for all Americans Clean Air Act requirements for cleaner vehicles/engines and cleaner fuels are one important reason that the nation's air quality is improving. The average new car is over ninety percent cleaner than in 1990. The Tier II program will allow 120 million Americans now living in areas OAR Environmental Justice Action Plan Page 5 ------- with dangerous pollution levels to enjoy clean air. Other fuel programs already in place provide additional benefits. For example, 30 percent of the gasoline consumed in the U.S., in 18 states, is cleaner-burning reformulated gasoline. Buses, trucks and non-road engines (e.g., bulldozers, locomotives, industrial engines, etc.) also are getting cleaner. Emission standards for locomotives, whose first phase of implementation took effect in 2000-2002, will result in approximately a two-third reduction in NOx emissions (about 650,000 tons per year) and 50 percent reduction in hydrocarbon (HC) and particulate matter emissions. Most of these reductions will be achieved by 2010. In 2002, the Agency promulgated new standards for trucks and buses and diesel fuel, which take effect in 2007. As a result of this program, each new truck and bus will be more than 90 percent cleaner than current models, resulting in a reduction of 2.6 million tons of NOx emissions by 2030. The level of sulfur in highway diesel fuel will be reduced by 97 percent by mid-2006. The Agency recently published regulations to control emissions from a range of unregulated non-road sources, including industrial engines (e.g, forklifts, and generators). The new standards are expected to reduce HC + NOx emissions by approximately 80 percent. In addition, EPA's Clean Air NonRoad Diesel program will reduce emissions from heavy-duty nonroad diesel engines (e.g., agricultural and construction equipment), including new sulfur requirements for non-road diesel fuel. Toxic emissions are of particular interest to the environmental justice community because of the proximity of many low-income and minority communities to the generators of toxic emissions (e.g., industrial facilities, waste transfer stations, roadways, and bus terminals). EPA rules issued since 1990 are expected to reduce toxic emissions by 2.5 million tons a year from chemical plants, oil refineries, aerospace manufacturing and other industries. As for motor vehicles, programs put in place since 1990 will reduce total air toxics from passenger vehicles in 203Oto approximately 80 percent below 1999 levels, as well as reducing pollutants subject to air quality standards. EPA is now working to implement an integrated strategy that is aimed specifically at reducing toxic air pollution in urban areas. To date, the U.S. and other developed countries have virtually ceased production of CFCs and the other chemicals most damaging to the stratospheric ozone layer, which protects us from ultraviolet radiation that causes skin cancers and cataracts. The Clean Air Act also has achieved significant health benefits by cutting annual SO2 emissions more than 5 million tons from the 1980 level, largely through the market-based acid rain program. The 1990 Clean Air Act specified in §301(d) that EPA is authorized to treat tribes as 'states' for the purposes of the Act, and that EPA should promulgate regulations specifying how that would be accomplished. In 1995, EPA provided increased funding to tribes in anticipation of the February 1998 promulgation of the Tribal Authority Rule (TAR). In recognition of the unique status of tribes, regulatory authority for Indian country remains the responsibility of the federal government, but under the TAR can be delegated to tribes requesting such authority. Since 1995, OAR has supported the development of professional and programmatic capacity among tribes to develop and implement air quality management programs to protect resources within the exterior boundaries of the reservation. Tribes have responded with great interest, growing from 7 programs in 1995, to 120 tribes currently receiving grants to develop air programs. In support of those programs, EPA has provided funding to Northern Arizona OAR Environmental Justice Action Plan Page 6 ------- University to develop a tribal training program that has trained more than a 1000 tribal environmental professionals in various aspects of air quality since 1992. All of OAR's program offices have participated in the rapid growth of the tribal program, providing monitors for all kinds of pollutants from acid rain and mercury to ozone and particulate matter, retrofitting diesel buses, providing training and outreach on indoor air and radiation (there are some housing units in the southwest made from uranium mine waste), and by providing extensive technical support and assistance to tribal nations. OAR initiated efforts to support tribes in Indian country to assess and address risk in areas. We have a pilot effort to conduct Woodstove Changeout and monitor exposure changes on the Nez Perce Nez. We are working with Pleasant Point Passaquatry to conduct fish studies exposure. In addition, OAR proposed a rule to support permitting in Indian country. Since 1998, OAR staff has worked closely with the National Environmental Justice Advisory Council's (NEJAC) and other grassroots organizations to ensure the integration of environmental justice into our programs, policies, and activities in a manner which is consistent with existing environmental laws and implementing regulations. Our interaction with the NEJAC has proven to be a valuable learning experience. We have learned, for example, that it is important to develop more straightforward approaches to dealing with the community on toxic issues and we have learned that many environmental justice communities have concerns about diesel emissions, bus and truck idling, and emissions trading programs. As a result, we are becoming more able to address the perceptions and concerns of many environmental justice communities. While we are still learning, we are now better equipped to engage in more meaningful dialogue and work with individuals and communities to address environmental justice issues. Although we have made great strides in improving air quality over the past decade, we realize that additional work must be done to ensure continued public health protection. We are therefore currently pursuing initiatives related to reducing diesel-related emissions, enhancing our diesel retrofit program, reducing mercury emissions, reducing emissions from power plants, reducing air toxics, identifying toxic "hotspots," developing and supporting voluntary programs to reduce emissions, and addressing global climate change. OAR plans to continue our history of developing programs which provide all citizens cleaner air and an opportunity to meaningfully participate in the decision-making processes which may affect their health and well-being. OAR Environmental Justice Action Plan Page 7 ------- The Office of Air and Radiation's Environmental Justice Policy All Americans deserve to be protected from pollution. The Office of Air and Radiation recognizes that, in some instances, minority and low income communities face a higher level of environmental risk than the majority population. OAR is committed to addressing this issue by incorporating environmental justice into its activities and decision-making processes. The goal of the Office is to achieve environmental justice by decreasing the burden of environmental risks to all communities as a result of improved air quality. OAR staff is encouraged to consider environmental justice as a meaningful part of our programs and decisions. As decisions are made about the design of new programs or how to implement existing ones, our policy is to consider environmental justice principles very early in the process. OAR management believes this to be important in the process of ensuring that environmental justice concerns are appropriately addressed. OAR is also committed to increasing the awareness of our staff working on issues which may affect environmental justice communities. All OAR staff is expected to have a basic knowledge of environmental justice and how they can incorporate the principles of environmental justice into their daily work. Our staff is encouraged to participate in the Fundamentals of Environmental Justice workshop developed by the Environmental Justice Training Collaborativea voluntary, multi-stakeholder, national network initiated in the fall of 1999 by EPA Regional Offices and the EPA Office of Environmental Justice. OAR actively participated in the development of this workshop and continues to support the work of the Collaborative by assisting in the development of advanced training modules, facilitating training classes, and continuing to provide resources to support this effort. The Office of Air and Radiation is committed to ensuring good public participation processes. Staff is expected to provide the opportunity for all stakeholder groups which may be affected by our programs to have an opportunity for early and meaningful involvement in the decision-making process. Collaborative efforts to promote the concept of environmental justice are also encouraged. Staff is encouraged to promote effective outreach efforts to communities which may be affected by our regulations, policies and guidance. We attempt to make every effort in identifying areas where minorities and low income populations are being disproportionately exposed to environmental hazards or where there are potential benefits to minority and low income communities (i.e., through transportation and air quality improvements, mass transit policies, and voluntary programs). Once areas of disproportionate impacts are identified, appropriate corrective remedial steps and mitigation procedures should be evaluated. OAR Environmental Justice Action Plan Page 8 ------- The Office of Air and Radiation's Environmental Justice Action Plan The Office of Air and Radiation's Environmental Justice Action Plan is designed to support efforts to develop and implement strategies and activities to integrate environmental justice into existing programs, to further highlight the valuable work we continue to do in the area of environmental justice and to develop a more coordinated environmental justice implementation strategy. The plan addresses the following areas: Section 1: Organizational Infrastructure Section 2: Management Support Section 3: Operational Resources Section 4: Program Support Section 5: Performance and Results Act Alignment Section 6: Internal Organizational Engagement Section 7: External Stakeholder Engagement Section 8: Data Collection, Management, and Evaluation Section 9: Professional and Organizational Development Section 10: Environmental Justice Assessment Section 11: Program Evaluation Appendix A: Environmental Justice Strategies and Activities Matrix Section 1: Organizational Infrastructure How does your organizational structure promote the integration of environmental justice within all program areas? The Office of Air and Radiation (OAR) consists of four major program areas: The Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards (OAQPS), the Office of Atmospheric Programs (OAP), the Office of Radiation and Indoor Air (ORIA) and the Office of Transportation and Air Quality (OTAQ). The Office of Policy Analysis and Review (OPAR) is also an integral part of OAR. OPAR consists of policy staff who undertakes diverse activities to ensure that OAR policies are consistent, effective in protecting health and the environment, and economically efficient. OAR has designated a lead Environmental Justice Coordinator in OPAR. Each of OAR's four program offices has also designated environmental justice points of contact (see list in front of this plan) who are responsible for communicating environmental justice-related information to/from the staff in their perspective offices to the lead Environmental Justice Coordinator. This organizational structure promotes the integration and coordination of environmental justice activities within all four of OAR's program areas. OAR Environmental Justice Action Plan Page 9 ------- Section 2: Management Support How does your Regional/Headquarters office's management communicate expectations about the Environmental Justice Program, review tangible/intangible outcomes, and evaluate performance? OAR management has clearly communicated to staff that environmental justice considerations will be an integral part of our day-to-day work. OAR has developed Environmental Action Plans since 1992. In the past, OAR has conducted annual monitoring of the environmental justice program to ensure that the Office is achieving our environmental justice goals. However, as part of the implementation of this Action Plan, OAR has developed a mechanism to review progress on a more frequent basis. The goal is for the OAR Environmental Justice Coordinator to hold monthly meetings with the Environmental Justice Contacts from each OAR program office to evaluate progress on the projects described in this Action Plan. Furthermore, the OAR Environmental Justice Contacts will brief the Director of the Office of Policy Analysis and Review Air on a quarterly basis on the progress being made in implementing the Action Plan. The Director of the Office of Policy Analysis and Review is an active member of EPA's Environmental Justice Steering Committee. He provides information from these Steering Committee meetings to staff through the lead Environmental Justice Coordinator. Generally, this type of information is communicated through a series of memorandum to staff. OAR's management is committed to ensuring that the goal of environmental justice is achieved. To affirm this commitment, OAR sometimes redirects resources from other projects to projects specifically designed to address environmental justice issues. One example is ORIA's Indoor Environments Program. The Indoor Environments Division (IED) annually issues budget guidance emphasizing the importance of environmental justice by strongly encouraging projects that address this issue. This ongoing guidance includes the following: OPERA TING PRINCIPLES Incorporate the values of environmental justice in our work; make sure we are addressing the needs of those who bear disproportionate risk from indoor air as a result of their socioeconomic status. UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES WORKGROUP This is a new group that will consolidate several activities currently housed in Integrated/Multi-Priority and will facilitate plans and services to underserved communities. These projects would be cross-Divisional and would aim to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of the work done by the Teams to meet the needs of groups who are typically hard to reach with our public-health messages. The Team would be charged with coordinating IED's access to underserved communities, such as Tribes, ethnic minorities, and low-education/low-income families. The group will serve as a central resource to consider strategy and tactics for including such communities in our outreach as a Division. The work group will consider the needs of each community from the recipient's perspective. This will help the Division, to the extent reasonable, approach each OAR Environmental Justice Action Plan Page 10 ------- community with a cohesive plan or strategy and not as multiple teams with differing messages on multiple occasions. IED has identified the following groups to receive initial attention: Tribal/Native American Head Start WIC (Women Infant Children) Ethnic-specific events (i.e. Congressional black Caucus, Hispanic Heritage Month) This budget guidance was also distributed to all regional offices. Section 3: Operational Resources Identify the aggregate full-time equivalents (FTE) in your Regional/Headquarters office that specifically focus on environmental justice issues. If responsibilities and duties are parceled out as collateral duties to one or more employees, please compute what the FTE equivalent would be. What are the functions and day-to-day responsibilities of your Environmental Justice coordinator(s) and/or team? Approximately six (6) full-time equivalents (FTEs) in OAR specifically focus on environmental justice issues. Most of these FTEs are performing environmental justice-related work as a collateral duty. The primary responsibility of the OAR environmental justice contacts is to ensure that environmental justice is being considered in all of the work we do and to maximize the use of OAR's statutory authority under the Clean Air Act to address environmental justice issues. Specifically, OAR's lead Environmental Justice Coordinator: Serves as the office's representative during Office of Environmental Justice Monthly Coordinator meetings. Develops and manages a multi-disciplinary approach for the Office of Air and Radiation's Environmental Justice Program; provides broad administrative, technical, and program direction and guidance to all environmental justice staff; plans and directs the flow of work for the Environmental Justice Program; assigns priorities and makes work arrangements in response to critical work activities; and develops teams to address the various issues as they are presented. In coordination with other programs and offices, develops and implements an Environmental Justice Program which focuses on communication to management and staff of environmental justice issues; communication with internal and external stakeholders; consultation, advocacy, and problem-solving activities; and, OAR Environmental Justice Action Plan Page 11 ------- coordinating activities with the other environmental justice contacts in OAR to provide the most effective program feasible. In conjunction with other offices, develops and implements strategies for achieving the Agency's environmental justice goals. Develops and recommends to the senior management, budgets and staffing plans to meet the resource needs of the Environmental Justice Program. Represents the headquarters and regional offices in a variety of settings to communicate Environmental Justice Program activities; participates on national environmental justice workgroups; serves as the focal point on coordination of Environmental Justice issues; represents the office in highly visible and controversial discussions with a diverse public; facilitates the maintenance of effective relationships between the Environmental Justice Program and the diverse stakeholders impacted by implementation of OAR regulations and guidance. Each of the four program offices in OAR has also identified environmental justice contact persons (see list at front of plan). These contacts make up the Environmental Justice Coordinating Council (EJCC) for the Office of Air and Radiation. The mission of the Coordinating Council is to provide cogent and practical recommendations to senior management on how OAR can incorporate environmental justice into day-to-day operations and programmatic responsibilities. The OAR lead Environmental Justice Coordinator will have the responsibility of chairing the EJCC. The responsibilities of the members of the EJCC include, but are not limited to: (1) disseminating information to staff on environmental justice-related issues, (2) ensuring that rules which may affect an environmental justice community are highlighted and that the appropriate staff are assigned to address any issues which may arise, (3) ensuring that citizens have early and meaningful involvement in the decision-making process, (4) promoting the integration of environmental justice, (5) providing consultation and assistance to promote and implement this Action Plan in OAR; and (6) gathering, analyzing, interpreting and providing an environmental justice perspective on relevant information associated with activities conducted by our program office. Section 4: Program Support Does your Regional/Headquarters office have any ongoing mechanisms for focusing on environmental justice issues, such as teams and workgroups? If yes, please list and describe. Also, state how these mechanisms are tied to other programs and activities in your regional/Headquarters office. Are there any specific programs/initiatives for which environmental justice are (or should be) listed as a funding priority? If yes, please list or attach. OAR staff are actively involved in a number of activities designed to make progress in achieving our environmental justice goals. For example, OAR is assisting in (1) the development of better tools to conduct environmental justice analyses, (2) the development of tribal air OAR Environmental Justice Action Plan Page 12 ------- programs, and (3) the development of environmental justice training. In addition, OAR provides technical and financial support to the National Environmental Justice Advisory Council's Air and Water Subcommittee. Below is a list of the teams and workgroups serviced by OAR staff which focus on environmental justice-related issues: Atmospheric Mercury Initiative Mercury is a neurotoxin that is emitted from many sources domestically and internationally. The primary exposure pathway is through fish consumption, putting tribal members and subsistence fishermen at potential risk from elevated mercury levels. Publicly accessible mercury monitoring data is an important part of helping people better understand the atmospheric contributions to mercury problems in their communities. EPA is collaborating with the National Atmospheric Deposition Program (NADP) membership of federal agencies, states, tribes, and other organizations, and the broader mercury research community to establish a new atmospheric mercury monitoring network. In addition, as part of this effort, EPA and NADP are collaborating with the Cherokee Nation to establish a new mercury monitoring site on tribal lands. ENERGY STAR Residential Programs EPA's Office of Atmospheric Programs has numerous ENERGY STAR outreach programs and has collaborated with other agencies and organizations to help provide low income families with energy savings and opportunities for energy efficiency through the ENERGY STAR residential programs and other partnerships. For example, EPA provides funding to support a workgroup consisting of the Ford Foundation as well as state energy offices and housing finance agencies. This workgroup is developing a new energy efficient mortgage that will offer a subsidized interest rate to low income homeowners to allow them to purchase an energy efficient home or finance efficiency improvements to their existing home. EPA has also provided funding for outreach and analytical support to state housing finance agencies (HFAs) to help them in their decision to incorporate ENERGY STAR-related measures as part of their criteria for evaluating applications for public funds to develop affordable rental housing for low income families. As of the end of 2007 ENERGY STAR had contacted 30 state HFAs. Nine state HFAs have awarded extra points to projects that meet ENERGY STAR's guidelines for new construction, and five state HFAs have made ENERGY STAR guidelines a threshold requirement to qualify for low income housing tax credit funding. There were about 7,700 ENERGY STAR qualified homes built in FY07 using some form of public funding either from HUD, other Federal agencies, state/local agencies, or tax-exempt bond proceeds. EPA has also partnered with Habitat for Humanity's (HFH) U.S. affiliates to promote the construction of ENERGY STAR qualified homes. ENERGY STAR's residential construction standards have been included as part of HFH's U.S. construction standards. To date there are 75 HFH affiliates OAR Environmental Justice Action Plan Page 13 ------- that have become ENERGY STAR partners. Together, HFH affiliates have built more than 3,500 ENERGY STAR qualified homes. In 2007, as a result of more targeted EPA outreach to the manufactured homes industry, there was a 17% increase from 2006, and a 66% increase from 2005 in the number of ENERGY STAR qualified manufactured homes produced and completed in the U.S. In total there are over 26,000 ENERGY STAR qualified manufactured homes. EPA works with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in helping them implement their Energy Action Plan, which has the main goal of reducing energy use in all HUD funded housing. Part of this effort has included developing a benchmarking tool to allow developers of affordable housing to measure the energy efficiency of their housing projects. Finally, EPA conducts presentations about the ENERGY STAR residential programs at conferences sponsored by affordable housing groups such as Neighborworks, the Miami-Dade Housing Finance Agency, and the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority. Tribal Air Monitoring Service (TAMS) EPA participates on the TAMS Climate Change Subcommittee in order to raise awareness within the TAMS community of the interaction of climate change and air quality issues. Climate Change Tribal Impacts, Communication and Outreach Cooperative Agreement The cooperative agreement entitled "Climate Change Tribal Impacts, Communication & Outreach" has been awarded to the Arizona Board of Regents for and on behalf of Northern Arizona University, Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals (ITEP). The goal of the cooperative agreement is to communicate climate change impacts on, and adaptive responses in Indian Country, and develop a communications plan for transmitting the information to tribes, policy makers and the public. OAR Tribal Workgroups: OAR has supported the National Tribal Air Association (NTAA), a tribal air quality organization dedicated to ensuring that tribes set priorities and determine mechanisms for interacting with other governments on air issues. The mission of the NTAA is to collectively advance air quality management policies and programs, consistent with the needs, interests, and unique legal status of American Indian Tribes, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians. The NTAA policies include cooperation with other tribal organizations and workgroups on air-related policies and issues. In addition, OAQPS has provided support to tribes in applying for CARE grants. And, in conjunction with ORD, OAR is supporting efforts with the Pleasant Point Passamaquoddy Tribe and the Sprit Lake Tribe to conduct risk assessments and develop template guidance for other tribes in conducting risk assessments OAR's Office of Radiation and Indoor Air staff work closely with representatives from the Navajo Nation to develop a strategy for identifying homes with elevated radiation levels. Some homes may have been built using uranium mill tailings in the mortar, or uranium bearing rocks or OAR Environmental Justice Action Plan Page 14 ------- building materials from the abandoned mines. When completed, we expect to distribute this strategy for promotion and possible adoption by other tribal nations with similar issues. Additionally, ORIA works cooperatively with the Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals (ITEP) at Northern Arizona University. ITEP is developing and implementing outreach and educational efforts to improve community knowledge about radiation science, the hazards of exposure to radiation, and the potential risks associated with abandoned uranium mines. Office of Environmental Justice Workgroups: A number of OAR staff participates on workgroups formed by the Office of Environmental Justice. These include the Clean Air Act Permitting Training Module Workgroup, the Environmental Justice Coordinator's Workgroup and the newly formed Environmental Justice Coordinating Council. OAR also provides funding for a number of specific projects which have environmental justice-related issues (refer to matrix in back of plan for more details): Baltimore Region Environmental Justice and Transportation Project. EPA's Office of Transportation and Air Quality (OTAQ), the Baltimore Urban League, Baltimore Metropolitan Council, and Morgan State University propose to identify and develop practices and tools to undertake a comprehensive analysis of environmental justice and transportation-related issues in the Baltimore region. The goal of this project is to integrate environmental justice into transportation planning as an on-going and daily activity with meaningful community involvement throughout the process. Hotspot Exposure Assessment Program. OAR's Office of Transportation and Air Quality, Air Toxics Center has participated in a number of studies that specifically investigated impacts from mobile sources in select microenvironments , including environmental justice communities. These projects included: (1) Fresno Asthmatic Children's Environment Study, (2) Baltimore Traffic Study, and (3) Los Angeles School Bus Exposure Assessment. This and other research has helped quantify impacts from mobile source-generated toxics (for example , in the context of the national mobile source air toxics rule ) Ongoing research in other parts of EPA will continue to inform model development and the application of assessment tools (see item immediately below) Predicting Localized Toxics Impacts of Transportation Projects: OTAQ is developing guidance on how to use models to predict the concentrations of toxic pollutants in the immediate vicinity of proposed transportation projects. This would provide a planning tool for communities and the public when selecting among transportation alternatives and developing mitigation for proposed transportation facilities. Air Toxics Community-based projects: OAQPS is continuing to assist Regions with the implementation of community-based air toxics programs. The goal is to work with the community, our state and local partner agencies, and other stakeholders to identify OAR Environmental Justice Action Plan Page 15 ------- solutions to toxic hotspot issues. Since 2000, OAR has provided funds for over 40 community-based projects that are led by the EPA Regional offices. Many of these projects have been used to assess the problems and develop plans for reducing emissions within minority and low-income communities. For example, Oakland, California, is an environmental justice community which is adversely affected by multiple factors, including truck traffic to and from a nearby port, and multiple stationary sources including one major source which produces yeast. Funding was provided to study the communities' issues and produce a mitigation strategy. In addition, the State and port have also provided funding for mitigating some of the problems in the area. The community has been actively involved in determining priorities for these initiatives. Community Action for a Renewed Environment (CARE): CARE is a new initiative, founded in OAR, involving cross-Agency collaborative partnerships. In December 2006, the Office of Air and Radiation transferred Agency management lead for the CARE program to the Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics Substances. OAR Immediate Office staff members, Larry Weinstock and Marva King, continue to lead CARE activities on the cross-Agency headquarters administrative team. Through CARE's community- based, community-driven, multiple environmental pollutant cooperative agreement program to reduce toxics, EPA works with state, local and tribal government agencies and various local organizations, including non-profits, citizens, businesses, and schools helping create collaborative partnerships to address toxics in their local environment. CARE empowers communities to improve their environment through local action, providing technical support and federal funding directly to these collaborative partnerships working at the local level. Through CARE, EPA solicits proposals for two different types of competitive grants to tribal and local governments, community organizations, and NGOs. The smaller grants support the development of community based stakeholder groups to assess local toxics risks. The larger grants are for communities that have already organized and assessed risks and are ready to select risk reduction activities. From 2005-2006, the CARE program awarded twenty-nine community projects and held two annual national training workshops. In 2007, the program anticipates awarding between ten to fifteen community projects and holding its third annual national training workshop. Twenty-seven of the twenty-nine CARE projects are located in economically distressed project areas. Guidance to Reduce Toxics in Local Communities. EPA has also produced a draft guidance which describes a method that State, Tribal and Local governments can use to work with their communities in developing a plan that lays out multimedia sources of pollution (air, water and hazardous waste), specific activities and goals for reducing pollution and a framework for strong public participation. OAR and OSWER are currently funding a pilot project in Phoenix, Arizona to demonstrate the use of the guidance. Region 9, Arizona Department of Environmental Quality and multiple local organizations have developed a stakeholder group of all interested parties to discuss their issues and how to best address them. In addition, the State and EPA have conducted inspections at facilities of concern in the community and are working on pollution prevention options for several industries. OAR Environmental Justice Action Plan Page 16 ------- National Clean Diesel Campaign. OAR will continue to support diesel retrofit programs as a cost-effective solution for lowering emissions from diesel exhaust in communities across the nation. This Program is a non-regulatory, incentive based, innovative program designed to pursue reductions in hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, and paniculate matter from existing diesel vehicles and equipment by the installation of pollution-reducing technology. As part of this program, OAR and the regions have established diesel retrofit projects in hundreds of communities nationwide. In addition, EPA's Clean School Bus USA program, started in 2003, has addressed school bus fleets across the nation, including many located in areas of disproportional environmental impacts. These programs promote the use of advanced emission control equipment reducing pollution from existing fleets. Congress has provided approximately $30 million for clean diesel projects from FY 2003 through FY 2006. In addition, it is expected that FY 2007 funds (approximately $12 million) will result in similar clean diesel projects; the vast majority will benefit children and other sensitive populations. A menu of tribal options for grants is also being developed to stimulate proposals from tribal organizations for funding projects. Competitive proposals for funding which address environmental justice issues in the areas served by the projects are required. Thirty-five Clean School Bus (CSB) grants and 10 NCDC projects were awarded with FY 2005 funds. All (100%) of the CSB projects targeted children. Thirty (86%) of those CSB projects involved areas with higher than average poverty levels for children less than 18 and/or were in areas in non-attainment for PM and/or Ozone. 17 (49%) of the CSB projects are in areas with higher than average poverty levels for children. Nine (9) of the 10 (90%) NCDC projects targeted areas in ozone and/or PM non-attainment areas or had a higher than the national average poverty rate for children less than 18 years old. 70% of the NCDC projects were in areas with either PM or Ozone non-attainment concerns. For FY 2008 and beyond, as provisions in the Energy Policy Act of 2005 are implemented, priorities for clean diesel projects will include alleviating disproportional environmental impacts on sensitive populations. Clean School Bus USA In April 2003, EPA launched "Clean School Bus USA," a children's health program aimed at reducing air pollution from school buses. This program is part of EPA's National Clean Diesel Campaign. Across the country, 25million children ride school buses spending between 20 minutes and several hours per day on these vehicles. Unfortunately, older school buses can pollute up to sixty times more than the newest buses using clean technology. Children are especially vulnerable to the effects of diesel emissions which can cause respiratory OAR Environmental Justice Action Plan Page 17 ------- disease and exacerbate long term conditions such as asthma. Reducing pollution from school buses will help improve local air quality and reduce children's exposure to diesel exhaust. Children in environmental justice areas who suffer from asthma caused by diesel exhaust will benefit by the removal of one more asthma trigger. Clean School Bus USA has three primary goals: Reduce unnecessary school bus idling 100% by 2010. Retrofit and upgrade 100% of the existing 1990-2003 diesel school buses by 2010. Replace 100% of pre-1990 school buses with new clean buses. To financially support this effort, Congress provided almost $25 million from FY 2003- FY 2006 for a cost-shared grant program designed to assist school districts in upgrading their bus fleets. Congress also included $7 million in EPA's FY 2007 budget for clean school bus projects. In solicitations for Clean School Bus USA projects, disproportional environmental impacts on the local population is listed as one of the factors that EPA considers in evaluating proposals. OAR strongly indicated that one of our goals is to improve the health of communities that are considered low-income, have high asthma rates, and/or receive a disproportionate amount of pollution from diesel vehicles. OAR is also working directly with tribes to reduce children's exposure to diesel exhaust from their commute to school on buses. For example, OAR awarded a grant to the Puyallup tribe in the state of Washington to establish a clean diesel retrofit project. This project involved installing advanced emission control technologies on their school bus fleet that will reduce particulate levels of the bus's exhaust by over 90 percent. An objective of this project was to address the disproportionate exposure risk for minority children that live in this tribal community. SmartWay Transport Partnership. The movement of goods or freight involves the use of large diesel engines and areas with high concentrations of diesel truck and engine activity can have significant concentrations of air pollutants. The goal of EPA's SmartWay Transport Partnership is to create incentives for the transportation industry to adopt cleaner and more fuel efficient vehicles. We accomplish this goal through a variety of methods. For example, we: o Recruit shipping companies (e.g., Ikea) to commit to ship 50% or more of their goods on SmartWay qualifying trucking companies o Recruit trucking companies to adopt technologies and strategies that will achieve greater fuel economy and reduce emissions o Award grants to evaluate and deploy technologies and strategies that assist partners with achieving their goals OAR Environmental Justice Action Plan Page 18 ------- o Provide public recognition and brand/logo recognition for cleaner and more efficient transportation o Educate the public and transportation industry about methods to save money and improve air quality When it comes to identifying and improving air quality in areas with potential environmental justice-related concerns, the SmartWay program has two strategies. First, we issue grant awards to evaluate and deploy technologies that will reduce emissions and conserve fuel. Our solicitations for proposals typically include a ranking or general consideration of environmental and compliance-related factors to assist in making fair and efficient decisions. Based on the proposals received, we apply all ranking factors and considerations in our selection of grant recipients. In many cases, we have awarded projects in communities with potential environmental justice related concerns.1 However, grant awards are subject to EPA appropriations and may not occur every year. The second strategy, and mainstay of the program, is deploying "SmartWay Upgrade Kits" on trucks and promoting the "SmartWay Truck." The SmartWay Upgrade Kit and Truck involve converting a truck into a cleaner and more energy efficient vehicle. The upgrade kit consists of an idle reduction device (e.g., auxiliary power unit), wide-based tires, tractor-trailer aerodynamics, and an emissions control device. Combined, these components will achieve up to a 19% reduction in oxides of nitrogen and a 50-80% reduction in particulate matter. The SmartWay Truck is similar, in that, we have created a certification for a truck that meets specific fuel saving and emission reduction criteria. To deploy the SmartWay Upgrade Kit or Truck, we create financial opportunities for truck owners to purchase these technologies. For example, working with the Small Business Administration, US Department of Agriculture, and others, we have created various loan packages for truck owners. The loan packages all provide lower cost loans. The USDA program involves working with community development banks to assist trucking companies located in rural areas, defined as having a population less than 25,000 which may also include low income or minority areas. SmartWay selects pilot projects that bring together certain key components. Availability of lower cost loans through community development banks, as determined by the banks ability and willingness to participate in the SmartWay program. Presence of truck dealerships and service centers capable and willing to install SmartWay Upgrade Kits Counties designated by EPA as nonattainment or maintenance for ozone and/or particulate matter, and 1 In FY 05 and '06, EPA awarded several grants that benefit EJ areas. For example, EPA awarded $60K to a project (total project cost with partner support - $200K) to evaluate idle reduction equipment on 7 locomotive engines in a low-income, minority neighborhood in Chicago. OAR Environmental Justice Action Plan Page 19 ------- Other relevant environmental and compliance related factors, including an analysis of relevant potential EJ-related concerns and demographic information. Taking the four components identified above, SmartWay will be better able to enact a uniform, fair and efficient plan to recruit truck owners who reside in areas with: (1) readily available funding mechanisms, (2) nonattainment/maintenance designation and other relevant environmental and compliance factors, (3) proximity to truck dealerships and service centers, and (4) a consideration of potential environmental justice-related concerns. SmartWay is also developing a program to reduce diesel emissions from drayage and regional trucking operations. These trucks are frequently older, travel through areas with potential EJ-related concerns and emit higher levels of emissions. Again, SmartWay is working in public and private partnerships to develop low cost financing options to help small and medium sized trucking companies purchase trucks equipped with after- treatment exhaust devices. OTAQ expects to use some of the funds authorized by Congress as part of the Diesel Emission Reduction (DERA) program to help leverage some of these options. SmartWay is also developing an assessment tool that can be used by marine and rail terminals to estimate local drayage emissions. This tool will allow for the evaluation of different operational strategies, like improved gate operations and chassis pools, that can help reduce truck idling and total vehicle miles driven. EPA's SmartWay Transport Program includes an initiative to reduce air pollution and Conserve fuel from idling trucks and locomotives. As part of this program, OTAQ is organizing a regional coalition of communities, state and local governments, and trucking and truck stop companies to install idle reduction systems along major interstate corridors, (such as 1-65 in the Midwest and 1-95 in the Northeast). The criteria for identifying locations include areas with low-income, minority populations in proximity to a disproportionate number of facilities. Two such locations include a large truck stop in Gary, Indiana which received a $125,000 grant for the installation of truck stop electrification infrastructure, and a locomotive switch yard which received a $60,000 grant for anti-idling devices. Major and Minor New Source Review (a.k.a Tribal NSR rule). On August 21, 2006, OAR proposed the Tribal NSR rule to address significant regulatory gaps in the protection of air quality in Indian country. The Tribal NSR rule will address new and modifying stationary major and minor air pollution sources. Currently, minor sources in Indian country are unregulated. In addition, we do not currently have a permitting mechanism for major sources in non-attainment areas in Indian country. Tribes have expressed concerns about the potential for cumulative impacts and un-level playing fields for economic development. This a pilot project for tribal consultation. OAR hopes to develop this new rule with sensitivity to the needs and culture of tribes and with attention to the impact of our actions on tribal sovereignty. After proposal, we held a number of outreach activities on the content of the proposal including web training and face-to-face OAR Environmental Justice Action Plan Page 20 ------- meetings in Chicago, Phoenix, Temecula CA, and Seattle. We expect to complete the rulemaking this fall. Asthma Initiative. Since indoor environmental pollutants are important asthma triggers, it is the goal of OAR's indoor environmental asthma initiative to integrate indoor environmental management into medical and health care asthma management practices. This initiative is targeted to reach nearly 7 million children living with asthma, particularly those in low income families that are disproportionately affected by the disease. The initiative establishes a national public education and prevention program in response to the asthma epidemic in the United States. The goal of the education and prevention program is to raise public awareness of indoor environmental asthma triggers (e.g., secondhand smoke, dust mites, mold, pet dander, and cockroaches) and recommend actions that can be taken to reduce children's exposure to the triggers in homes, schools and child care settings. OAR is working to insure that environmental management is fully incorporated into all asthma education and disease management programs. In New Haven, CT, OAR funded the Community Clean Air Initiative, which is co- managed by the New Haven Health Department and the City Plan Department. The project developed and implemented a risk reduction strategy for prioritized air toxics sources. The local inventory provided credibility and a firm basis for the workgroup to focus on areas of concern in a 3-prong approach: transportation, industrial sources such as surface coaters, and degreasers, and fossil fuel reduction and indoor air sources. Specific projects include the purchase of ultra low sulfur diesel fuel for the entire municipal fleet of about 120 school buses, garbage trucks, maintenance equipment and fire trucks; pollution prevention workshops for surface coaters and degreasers; a Smoke Outside asthma reduction initiative that focused on school and public health nurses, health and day care centers OAR funded a monitoring study and risk assessment which found unacceptable screening levels of air toxics in Jefferson County, Kentucky, which relied on collaboration among the community (including industry), local and state air agencies, University of Louisville, and EPA. This led to negotiations between the greatest sources of some of the most serious pollutants and the local government (mayor's office and air program) to reduce those emissions. It has also supported the development of risk based air toxics regulations for Jefferson County, Kentucky. The St. Louis Community Air Project is a broad-based collaborative effort that has focused on 1) indoor air toxics 2)diesel emission reductions 3) improved emissions inventory and pollution prevention assistance for small businesses and 4) efforts to focus on "greener buildings" by working with the St. Louis Chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council. Early successes included retrofitting diesel school buses, an idling reduction initiative, and community capacity building on air toxics reduction practices. OAR Environmental Justice Action Plan Page 21 ------- The Great American Woodstove Change-out is primarily a voluntary partnership approach that addresses the challenge of motivating homeowners and communities to replace their old, polluting woodstoves with new, safer, more efficient and cleaner burning technology (e.g., EPA-certified woodstove) and to educate them to burn more cleanly. The project furthers both of the Agency's National Environmental Justice Priorities by reducing the number of asthma attacks caused by exposure to particulate matter and reducing exposure to air toxics. Along with EPA Region 8, OAR partnered with, Lincoln County, MT, Hearth Patio and Barbecue Association (HPBA), and the State of Montana to begin replacing up to 1200 woodstoves with cleaner burning hearth appliances in the Libby, Montana area. As part of the larger EPA-led Great American Woodstove Change-out campaign, this partnership has worked to garner resources and to educate the public about clean wood burning techniques and about the importance of proper woodstove and chimney maintenance. The Libby, Montana woodstove change-out campaign was kicked off in June of 2005. We expect that by the end of the 2007, there will be 950 change-outs. The partners developed replacement criteria and a program schedule, and the industry jumpstarted the program by contributing $1 million in woodstoves, chimneys and installation - enough to replace old stoves for about 300 low-income Libby families. Other resources were leveraged from EPA, the state of Montana and Congress. Monitors for both PM2.5 and air toxics were purchased and installed along existing monitors. Additional outcomes include: improved indoor air quality as new stoves will be properly vented and sealed, a 50% improvement in energy efficiency, use of 1/3 less wood, and a reduction of the risk of chimney fires due to a cleaner burn and less creosote build-up. Water quality will likely improve because of lower pollutant deposition (benzo(a)pyrene) into nearby waters, including the Kali spell River. Section 5: Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) Alignment (link to mission and priorities): How is your Regional/Headquarters office's environmental justice program linked to your Regional/Headquarters office's main GPRA priorities? How are your Regional/Headquarters office's environmental justice strategies and activities integrated into specific programmatic areas/functions? (e.g., permitting, community outreach, etc.) Does your Regional/Headquarters office utilize Performance Partnership Agreements (PPAs) and Performance Partnership Grants (PPGs) to specifically address environmental justice issues? If yes, please list and describe. The Office of Air and Radiation does not have GPRA goals which separately address environmental justice. OAR's current GPRA goals focus on protecting human health and the environment through implementation of our criteria pollutant and toxics programs. Consistent with the information provided in this plan, OAR's goal is to provide clean air for everyone, regardless of their race or socioeconomic background. Therefore, environmental justice OAR Environmental Justice Action Plan Page 22 ------- considerations are an integral part of all of OAR's GPRA goals. The following three examples illustrates OAR's efforts to integrate environmental strategies into our ongoing programmatic activities. Under one of OAR's current GPRA goals, ORIA is responsible for overseeing the safe disposal in the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) of radioactive waste from approximately 20 sites around the country. The Department of Energy (DOE) manages waste disposal operations related to the WIPP. The removal of waste from surface storage, and its isolation in a single, underground location, will facilitate the cleanup and closure of DOE sites contaminated with radioactive materials. ORIA is sensitive to the interests and concerns of communities affected by WIPP, and have taken action to solicit input from communities and minority groups. This helps address many of the environmental justice-related concerns associated with the placement and operation of DOE sites. ORIA's Las Vegas laboratory facility provides direct support toward increasing the number of indoor radon gas measurements in the homes of economically-disadvantaged residents. ORIA's laboratory provides a large supply of no-cost home radon test kits to individuals and/or organizations that work with targeted populations in local communities. Under this program, ORIA assists with the laboratory analysis of the home radon tests, sends final test results, and maintains a database on the number and location of kits that were analyzed during each fiscal year. To better assist tribes, OAR is working to provide technical assistance and program support to build tribal capacity in addressing indoor and outdoor air concerns. OAR is working to develop federally based programs which would enable EPA to address air quality problems of Indian Nations where tribes may be unable to do so themselves. Section 6: Internal Organizational Engagement Does your Regional/Headquarters office's environmental justice program have any ongoing mechanisms to communicate with, receive input from, and otherwise consistently engage with other programs in your Regional/Headquarters office? If yes, please list and describe. Has your Regional/Headquarters office developed any related guidance to the staff regarding the integration of environmental justice in areas such as authorization/delegation, environmental education, grants and contracts, inspection, enforcement and compliance assistance, permitting, performance partnership, public participation, waste site cleanup/brownfields, etc.? If yes, please list and describe. Staff from the Office of Air and Radiation engages in frequent meetings with staff from the Office of Environmental Justice to ensure that OAR's environmental justice program is consistent with Agency policy and direction. Because the Agency is moving toward a multi- media approach to addressing environmental issues, OAR consistently collaborates with other OAR Environmental Justice Action Plan Page 23 ------- media offices to ensure that our program goals are consistent when issues related to air pollution are raised. Specific issues/projects may require more frequent communications with other programs. Listed below are a number of collaborative efforts in which OAR staff are involved: EPA's Children's Health Initiative Agency Asthma Initiatives; Community for a Renewed Environment (CARE) Program Policies on mercury emissions; The National Environmental Justice Training Collaborative. Through the work of the collaborative, OAR is kept up-to-date on the latest environmental justice training initiatives; Regularly scheduled meetings with other Headquarters and Regional EJ Coordinators; Involvement with the EPA Environmental Justice Steering Committee Policies on near-roadway exposure assessment (this includes work with the Office of Federal Activities on NEPA Policy as well as coordination with the North American Commission for Environmental Cooperation). OAR proactively pursues opportunities to integrate environmental justice into our program. This expectation has been consistently communicated to staff through our action plans and memorandums. OAR Environmental Justice Action Plan Page 24 ------- Section 7: External Stakeholder Engagement Does your Regional/Headquarters office have any processes in place to receive input on environmental justice issues from external stakeholders, such as workgroups, advisory bodies, or listening sessions? If yes, please describe the process and explain how the input gathered may be (or has been) used by your Regional/Headquarters office. Does your Regional/Headquarters office have any ongoing mechanisms to share information to external groups regarding environmental justice such as websites, faxback system, printed outreach materials, etc.? If yes, please list and describe. Also please mention the specific stakeholder group(s) which benefit from these outreach mechanisms. How does your Regional/Headquarters office identify stakeholders who could benefit from increased awareness about environmental justice and being more engaged in the collaborative problem-solving process? How does your Regional/Headquarters office promote collaborative problem- solving among stakeholders? Does your Regional/Headquarters office have any special initiatives or provisions to address issues for persons with limited English proficiency? If yes, please describe or attach. In the course of your environmental justice outreach, does your Regional/Headquarters office utilize any informational materials translated in languages other than English? If yes, please list and describe. Are there any specific grant programs for which environmental justice was listed as funding priority? Please list and describe. The Clean Air Act requires that the public have the opportunity to participate in the regulatory process. Therefore, OAR staff meets frequently with external stakeholders who may be affected by or who may have a vested interest in the rules and guidance the Office develops. With respect to environmental justice groups, OAR works closely with Office of Environmental Justice staff to identify such stakeholders. This interaction with external stakeholders may take many forms including, but, not limited to the following: (1) a meeting with industry or an environmental group, (2) a public hearing or public listening session, (3) through the public comment period required for all rulemakings, or (4) through workgroups formed under the Federal Advisory Council Act (FACA). OAR also engages in dialogue with groups such as the Northeast States for Coordinated Air Use Management and the National Association of Clean Air Agencies, to get a better understanding of how states and local air quality control agencies may be affected by the actions of our office. OAR works closely with two Federal Advisory Groups, the National Environmental Justice Advisory Council (NEJAC) and the Clean Air Act Advisory Committee (CAAAC). Staff is always present at NEJAC meetings and provides support as needed. When appropriate, OAR also brings environmental justice related issues to the attention of the Clean Air Act Advisory Committee (CAAAC). The Office of Air and Radiation is sensitive to the public health and environmental concerns of affected tribal and other communities through its radiation activities. OAR Environmental Justice Action Plan Page 25 ------- For example, two of ORIA's regulatory programs are the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) and Yucca Mountain. Both of these facilities are designed, owned, and operated by the Department of Energy. ORIA develops the public health and safety standards for WIPP, conducts audits and inspections, and serves as the regulator for WIPP. Public health and safety standards were also developed for Yucca Mountain. ORIA's laboratories have performed public consultation and developed a communications needs assessment to understand 1) what the public's concerns were about the WIPP project, 2) what their informational needs were, and 3) how best to communicate with them. Notices advertising the public hearings were placed in English and Spanish newspapers. Additionally, the services of a Spanish translator were provided at WIPP public hearings. During the development of our Yucca Mountain standards, ORIA met with state and local representatives and representatives from many Native American tribes to explain roles and regulations and listen to public concerns. Currently, the Office of Transportation and Air Quality (OTAQ) and the NEJAC are undertaking a collaborative effort to examine the impacts to communities from the transportation of freight - also known as goods movement. Freight transportation, the movement of goods using trucking, rail and ships, is an integral part of the U.S. economy. However, freight movement involves the use of large diesel engines which are a major source of air pollutants including oxides of nitrogen (NOx), paniculate matter (PM), greenhouse gas emissions, and fuel use. OTAQ employs several innovative public private efforts to address freight issues including the SmartWay Transport Partnership (SWT) and National Clean Diesel Campaign (NCDC). OTAQ's goal is to achieve reductions of up to 19% in NOx 50-80% in PM, and by 2012, reduce CO2 emissions by 33-66 million metric tons and save 150 million barrels of oil (equal to 12 million cars off the road). Since an initial meeting in September 2007, OTAQ and the NEJAC are forming a working group with representatives from various interests including business, science, and community to examine how to further facilitate current and identify innovative ways to address the complex issues involved in the movement of goods. For example, SmartWay Transport is working closely with the NEJAC to identify and expand financial and market-based incentives that challenge the freight industry to improve its environmental performance while reducing operating cost and providing greater energy security. SmartWay Transport's goal is to develop sustainable financing strategies to provide truck companies and owner-operators access to financing options to help pay for technologies that not only reduce fuel use and air pollution but also subsequent impacts to communities. Upgraded trucks financed with SmartWay's low interest program are less expensive and more environmentally efficient than the same truck not upgraded and many of these trucks are drayage and regional trucks which are frequently older, emit more air pollutants, and often driven by low-income and minority drivers. As the result of a nationwide grants competition, ORIA's Indoor Environments Division funds many formal cooperative agreement partnerships with external stakeholders which are focused on one-on-one public education regarding asthma and other indoor air issues in low-income communities. The competition guidance required applicants to address environmental justice in their proposals. The guidance criteria that were issued clearly stated: OAR Environmental Justice Action Plan Page 26 ------- "EPA strives to improve indoor air quality (IAQ) and reduce associated human health risks (such as asthma attacks) posed by pollutants in indoor environments/building types. This is accomplished by increasing awareness and understanding of indoor air quality principles and risks as well as by promoting appropriate voluntary practices and risk reduction actions to improve indoor air quality by the public and key stakeholders. EPA is also committed to working with disproportionately impacted populations and tribes to reduce risks from poor IAQ." ORIA's Indoor Environments Division (IED) has recognized the need to reach diverse audiences in order to effectively reduce health risks and uses a wide variety of approaches and techniques including the following: All major publications are translated bilingually, including Spanish and other major languages. The IED home page contains a "Recursos en Espanol" button that can be "clicked," and directs the user to all available Spanish publications. The national media campaigns are developed and aired bilingually in both Spanish and English languages The development of low literacy and bilingual educational and resource brochures for national distribution. In addition to the activities listed above, ORIA works with a wide variety of other federal partners and public national organizations that have extensive regional and local networks and share mutual goals with the program such as the protection of public health and establishment of local efforts to stimulate public action through media and grassroots efforts. ORIA supports national organizations with extensive regional and local networks to help establish local environmental justice outreach programs. This support is accomplished by encouraging involvement with organizations that have the unique ability to reach special populations. OAR meets regularly with these groups in order to create new opportunities for achieving significant risk reduction. Funding is provided to cooperative partners in support of developing new tools for building community-based programs that are flexible enough to be responsive to the needs of residents in local communities. Some examples of activities include the following: National Safety Council - work with low-income homeowners to make discounted radon test kits available. Association of Clinicians for the Underserved - provide asthma education to low income families Intertribal Council of Arizona - "Circuit rider" to do asthma education National Association Inter-Tribal Council of Michigan - educate Native American mothers and caregivers to reduce second hand smoke exposure to children Wake Forest University-train health educators to work with migrant and seasonal workers and educate Head Start families OAR Environmental Justice Action Plan Page 27 ------- Center for Ecological Technologies - collaborate with health care professionals and social service providers to educate low-income or economically- disadvantaged parents to reduce children's incidence of asthma U.S. HHS Office of Head Start - conduct national campaign to educate parents of children enrolled in Head Start and Early Head Start programs about reducing children's exposure to secondhand smoke and asthma triggers. Thousands of urban and rural schools have implemented indoor air management plans as a result of OAR's Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools program resulting in thousands of students and staff working and attending school classrooms each day with improved indoor air quality. Furthermore, OAR staff has worked with other organizations and developed and piloted courses for school officials and facility managers which help explain the benefits of Performance Contracting in improving building conditions and reducing energy use by improving indoor air quality. As a result of the work of OAR's radon risk reduction program - there are about 788 thousand homes with an operating mitigation system and about 1.5 million homes have been built with radon-reducing features. OAR continues to support tribal programs in many ways by including tribal representatives on policy groups like the CAAC and the National Monitoring Strategy Workgroup, ensuring that they are involved in ongoing Regional Planning Organizations to address regional haze and other issues. Notably, where tribes choose not to participate, OAR takes seriously its obligation to implement federal programs on reservations where it is necessary and appropriate to protect human health and the environment. OAR has recognized the need to both educate and inform the public on the work we are doing to improve public health and the environment. To this end, OAR has developed outreach materials geared toward informing communities of many of the programs that are underway. A number of our informational brochures have also been translated to Spanish. Copies of most of these materials can be found through the EPA website at www.epa.gov. Below is a list of some of the environmental justice-related outreach resources which are available: National Radon Hotline [l-SOO-SOS-RADON (1-800-767-7236)1 and National Hispanic Indoor Air Quality Hotline 866-528-3187 The Office of Radiation and Indoor Air (ORIA) is providing a grant to the National Safety Council to reach culturally-diverse populations through the staffing and operation of the bilingual hotlines which respond to public requests for IAQ information and referrals. The hotlines supports increasing radon testing and mitigation in Hispanic communities through follow-up with consumers requesting the radon test kit coupons, and providing information about many other indoor air quality health issues (e.g. mercury, secondhand smoke exposure to children, etc.). Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools Website (http://www.epa.gov/iaq/schools/) OAR Environmental Justice Action Plan Page 28 ------- The Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools website is designed to strengthen and expand EPA's national outreach program that is designed to create healthier indoor environments for children in our nation's schools by providing tools and resources to spur the use of the Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools Kit. Asthma Website (http://www.epa.gov/iaq/asthma/). ORIA' s Indoor Environments Division has launched a national public and prevention program in response to the asthma epidemic in the United States. The website is designed to raise public awareness of indoor environmental asthma triggers and actions that can be taken to reduce children's exposure in homes, schools and child care settings. The website provides public information about tools and resources, primary contacts, asthma triggers, and answers to other frequently asked questions. Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) National Information Hotline. Based on feedback from stakeholders ORIA has addressed the communications needs of culturally-diverse communities by developing a toll-free (1-800) information line. The general public can access the line 24 hours per day and 7 days per week to hear recorded messages about current and planned EPA activities and opportunities for public involvement. Because New Mexico and other affected states have a large Hispanic population, the WIPP Information Line message is available in both English and Spanish. Many of our public information brochures and materials are also available in both English and Spanish. Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) National Website (www.epa.gov/radiation/wipp) and (www.epa.gov/radiation/yucca). The ORIA website provides the general public with access to important information about WIPP and Yucca Mountain. TribalAIR Website (http://www.epa.gov/oar/tribal/airprogs.html) The TribalAIR web site is designed to strengthen EPA and Tribal air quality programs in Indian Country by: providing timely and user-friendly access to key information; promoting the exchange of ideas; and making available relevant documents to all environmental professionals who live and work in Indian Country. The TribalAir Newsletter is a quarterly newsletter produced by OAR's Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards as one of our tools to make Tribal air professionals aware of our air pollution control activities early enough allow tribes to participate in their development. This newsletter provides information on upcoming activities (e.g., workshops and training) as well as, a place to report progress. Air Quality Index Booklet and Air NOW Website (http://www.epa.gov/airnow). OAR is working to make information about air quality as available to the public as information about the weather. A key tool in this effort is the Air Quality Index (AQI). EPA and local officials use the AQI to provide the public with timely and easy-to-understand information on local air quality and whether air pollution levels pose a health concern. The AQI booklet tells you about the AQI and how it is used to provide air quality information. It also tells you about the possible health effects of major air pollutants at OAR Environmental Justice Action Plan Page 29 ------- various levels and suggests actions the public can take to protect their health when pollutants reach unhealthy concentrations. The AQI focuses on health effects that can happen within a few hours or days after breathing polluted air. ENERGY STAR Website (http://www.energystar.gov) The ENERGY STAR website has a large number of tools for consumers and ENERGY STAR partners. It includes a webpage dedicated to energy efficiency in affordable housing: http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=bldrs lenders raters.pt affordable housing In 2007, EPA launched the Recourses en Espagnol portion of the website. This section provides Spanish language resources for homeowners, renters, small businesses, and congregations. In addition, it has several "How We Saved" stories which profile Latino families around the country who have saved energy through the ENERGY STAR program. Acid Rain Website (http://www.epa.gov/acidrain/) EPA's Acid Rain Website provides background information on acid rain as well as educational resources and links to the Acid Rain kids site. All portions of the Acid Rain website are available in Spanish. Data and Maps Website (http://camddataandmaps.epa.gov/gdm/) EPA's Data and Maps website is a publicly accessible portal to a variety of data including national power plant information, acid deposition and air quality data, and emissions and allowance data to query and download by a particular source, state and time period. Climate Change Website (http://epa.gov/climatechange/) EPA's Climate Change website offers comprehensive information on the issue of climate change in a way that is accessible and meaningful to all parts of society - communities, individuals, business, states and localities, and governments. [[edit Sunwise section as follows]] SunWise ToolKit and Website (www.epa.gov/sunwise/es/home.html) The Sun Wise program was developed several years ago to educate and inform communities about ozone depletion and its adverse effects on the environment and health. The SunWise Tool Kit is an educational activity kit aligned with national education standards that has been adopted by more than 18,000 schools and provides sun protection information to protect school children from excessive UV exposure and cancer risk. The SunWise website includes an overview of ozone depletion, its causes and what we can do to address the issue. Its primary focus is on preventing and minimizing adverse health effects. The website is translated into Spanish. Section 8: Data Collection, Management, and Evaluation List your Regional/Headquarters office 's main data sets - the ways in which you collect environmental justice information. Also, describe how this information is utilized by your Regional/Headquarters office (e.g., environmental justice assessment, program tracking/evaluation, etc.). Does your Regional/Headquarters office have a method of identifying and highlighting best practices and lessons learned? If yes, please describe. OAR Environmental Justice Action Plan Page 30 ------- As part of the analysis of the annual National Awareness of ENERGY STAR survey, EPA monitors the public awareness of the ENERGY STAR brand across the U.S. Census demographic groups and income levels. In the most recent survey (2007) there were no statistically significant differences in awareness levels amongst those groups. EPA also tracks media stories mentioning ENERGY STAR in Spanish language print and television outlets. EPA maintains a quarterly reporting process that tracks the number of ENERGY STAR qualified manufactured homes built, and the number of homes built by Habitat for Humanity affiliates. We also receive annual reports from HUD regarding the number of ENERGY STAR qualified homes built using public funds. In addition, we keep track of outreach efforts to state housing finance agencies. Air Quality Trends "Fact Book" and Website (http://www.epa.gov/air/airtrends). Shows air quality trends in metropolitan areas using the latest data. Tier 2 Brochure Tier 2/Gasoline Sulfur Brochure ("Refineries and Cleaner Fuels: reducing sulfur to improve the air"). OAR has developed a brochure designed to educate communities living around refineries. The brochure describes the environmental benefits of the Tier 2/gasoline sulfur program, why refineries may need to get permits to make changes needed to reduce gasoline sulfur levels, and how community members can get involved in the permitting process. It All Adds Up to Cleaner Air (http://www.italladdsup.gov) is a unique public education and partnership-building initiative developed collaboratively by several federal agencies to help regional, state and community efforts to reduce traffic congestion and air pollution. It All Adds Up emphasizes simple, convenient actions people can take to improve air quality and reduce congestion. The voluntary initiative is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT) Federal Highway Administration, OAR's Office of Transportation and Air Quality, and DOT's Federal Transit Administration. Mobile Source Outreach Assistance Competition. Each year, OAR's Office of Transportation and Air Quality (OTAQ) manages a competition for state and local air agencies which is designed to provide "seed" funding for innovative outreach projects which can be replicated in like communities nationwide. Environmental Justice is one of the primary areas of emphasis in the annual Request for Proposal. OAR has also consistently promoted, supported, and provided resources to enhance regional, state, and local environmental justice initiatives. Unlike the projects listed in Section 4: Program Support, OAR is not the lead for the projects listed below. However, OAR has decided to support these efforts to build relationships and to foster a collaborative atmosphere to more effectively achieve desired environmental results. OAR has found these efforts to be tremendously successful partnerships. Some examples are: OAR Environmental Justice Action Plan Page 31 ------- Environmental Justice Training Collaborative. OAR continues to support efforts to centralize the continued implementation and further development of environmental justice training in the Agency. Reducing Air Emissions at Airports. Many of the nation's busiest airports are located in urban areas which struggle to meet air quality standards. EPA shares concerns about how airport-related emissions impact surrounding communities and recognizes the challenges that airport activities pose on state and local efforts to achieve and maintain healthy air quality. OAR is providing both technical support and financial resources to ensure that air emissions from airports are being properly addressed and reduced. OAR staff is currently participating as advisors for an activity appropriately characterized as a federal-city partnership to enhance the lives of the residents of Los Angeles. EPA has convened several interagency meetings to dialogue with organizations having responsibility, authority, and technical expertise concerning issues involving airport operations in order to develop the framework for a comprehensive study to determine the contribution of air emissions from Los Angeles World Airport (LAX) to the surrounding communities. However, airport-related environmental justice issues are not unique to Los Angeles; this study also provides the opportunity for Federal interagency cooperation to develop methodologies and guidance that could serve as a model for future studies throughout the country. OAR Environmental Justice Action Plan Page 32 ------- Air Quality and Source Apportionment Study of the Area Surrounding Los Angeles International Airport The Air Quality and Source Apportionment Study of the Area Surrounding LAX, a technically complex, comprehensive study unprecedented in scope, involves numerous issues of great importance to EPA and would not only benefit stakeholders in the Los Angeles area, but would produce data to be used in future assessments at other airports nationwide. The air toxics component of the air emissions generated by airport-related activities is of particular importance in this proposed study, and the results would also better position EPA and other relevant agencies to respond constructively to airport-related health and environmental concerns expressed by communities throughout the country. Components of the study plan including the Technical Workplan, Emission Inventory Protocol, Fuel Sampling Protocol, and Pilot Study Quality Assurance Project Plan have been developed in draft by consultants contracted by LAX with oversight and technical assistance provided by representatives of EPA, the California Air Resources Board, and South Coast Air Quality Management District. OAR staff is also providing guidance to LAX concerning development of a meaningful community involvement plan, formation of a public advisory committee, and related matters. Maricopa County Risk Assessment. This is a partnership between the three tribes located in the Phoenix area and the State of Arizona to identify and address air toxics risks. This project will also address environmental justice-related issues for both minority and disadvantaged communities within the Phoenix city limits. Section 8: Data Collection, Management, and Evaluation List your Regional/Headquarters office's main data sets - the ways in which you collect environmental justice information. Also, describe how this information is utilized by your Regional/Headquarters office (e.g., environmental justice assessment, program tracking/evaluation, etc.). Does your Regional/Headquarters office have a method of identifying and highlighting best practices and lessons learned? If yes, please describe. Traditionally, OAR does not collect environmental justice information in an isolated manner. However, there are a number of air quality-related data resources which this Office maintains and which are used to better characterize and assess the air quality in local communities. This information is also used to evaluate program effectiveness and to identify areas where additional attention may be needed. OAR Environmental Justice Action Plan Page 3 3 ------- The AirData Web site provides access to yearly summaries of United States air pollution data, taken from EPA's air pollution databases. The data include all fifty states in addition to the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U. S. Virgin Islands. AirData contains information about pollution sources and monitoring levels. Air quality data can mainly be found in the AIRS, National Emissions Trends, and the National Emission Inventory for Hazardous Air Pollutants Databases. As a result of best practices and lessons learned, OAR: Established a new cooperative agreement with the University Of Michigan School Of Public Health that will result in a broad review of community-based indoor environmental asthma interventions to determine the best and most effective practices in local communities around the country. Section 9: Professional and Organizational Development Does your Regional/Headquarters office plan to provide training on environmental justice? If yes, please list and describe. What methods do you utilize to promote shared learning, such as best practices and lessons learned among staff? If yes, please list and describe. OAR is offering voluntary training on the fundamentals of environmental justice to its entire staff on a periodic basis. Personnel involved in permitting, urban air toxic initiatives, community based initiatives, and those evaluating cumulative risk from toxic emissions are the primary target audience. OAR management believes this is an important training which can benefit all staff including OAR managers. OAR staff is also assisting the OEJ in providing the fundamentals course to other internal and external constituents. In order to identify new methods to help promote shared learning and best practices in local communities, ORIA's Indoor Environments Division (IED) continues to fund a number of projects that are targeted at diverse and under served populations. The objective is to create a system for identifying new methods in a consistent and most effective manner. Section 10: Environmental Justice Assessment Does your Regional/Headquarters office have a process by which an environmental justice assessment is conducted? If yes, please describe. OAR Environmental Justice Action Plan Page 34 ------- Does your Regional/Headquarters office rely on any information resources with which to conduct an environmental justice assessment, such as the Environmental Justice Mapper, Environmental Justice Toolkit, etc.? If yes, please list and describe. To date, OAR's environmental justice assessments have generally consisted of a review of demographic data (including socioeconomic status, minority populations and educational background) and the generation of GIS maps of the area of impact. Radiation Ambient Monitoring Systems (ERAMS) Project. This initiative (also entitled the National Radiation Monitoring Program) supports the provision of emergency response in the event of a large scale national incident (such as that of a Chernobyl or similar incident). Major goals of the initiative are to provide good baseline data and to generate good decision making data to help protect public health. Some specially selected sites, for example, with respect to tribes in Prairie Island, Minnesota have been in place for several years. These air sites help to provide ongoing special monitoring for tribal lands. The project is being implemented on population basis, whereby NAREL is adding air monitoring stations in many communities which include EJ-related communities. Section 11: Program Evaluation Each Program Office and Region will identify 1-2 activities for EJ reviews and establish a schedule for this first round of reviews in their FY09 EJ Action Plans. The EJ reviews should be described in the Program Evaluation Section of the Narrative as well as documented in the performance measures matrix. EPA's Office of Atmospheric Programs conducted an environmental justice assessment of its Acid Rain Program in 2005. This was the first EPA EJ review of a program in EPA and analyzed the impacts of the Acid Rain Program (ARP) on people of different races, ethnicities and income levels. This staff analysis showed that at full implementation of the program in 2010, each racial, ethnic, and income-level group studied received similar average improvement in PM2.5 in the eastern U.S. (where the vast majority of the emission reductions took place) as a result of the ARP. No disproportionately high and adverse human health or environmental effects of the Acid Rain Program were found for any minority, low-income, or other population. Building on this staff analysis of the environmental justice impacts of the ARP, EPA will develop the format and analytical questions to periodically assess the impact of the Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR), with implementation starting in 2009, on EJ communities. In FY2009, OAR will conduct an environmental justice review of the Major and Minor New Source Review (described in Section 4) using the Agency's Protocol for Conducting Environmental Justice Reviews for the Standard Setting and Rulemaking/Regulatory Development Function. The purpose of the review will be to highlight achievements, lessons OAR Environmental Justice Action Plan Page 3 5 ------- learned, and potential improvements of the manner in which OAR has integrated environmental justice considerations in the rulemaking process. Success with OAR Environmental Justice initiatives is measured by the extensive number of ongoing projects and their effectiveness in addressing far reaching issues which are important to the environmental justice community. As mentioned earlier in this Action Plan, OAR plans to review progress on implementing the Environmental Justice Action Plan on a frequent basis. If OAR management determines that sufficient progress is not being made in a timely manner, a determination will be made on how to strengthen or improve the Office's performance. Key personnel, with specific responsibility to coordinate environmental justice-related issues for the Office, have performance measures which are specifically related to environmental justice. OAR Environmental Justice Action Plan Page 36 ------- OFFICE OF AIR AND RADIATION FY 2009 Environmental Justice Action Plan Section 2: Performance Measures Matrix Definitions of terms used in the Performance Measures Matrices: Goal - any of the 5 major goals identified in the EPA Strategic Plan FY 2006-2011 and the Cross Cutting Strategy. Objectives - any of the 8 national environmental justice priorities or other priorities identified by the Headquarters Program Office or Region to accomplish a goal. Activity - any action undertaken in order to address an Objective. Please list each activity only one time even if it applies to multiple Objectives or consider including it under Cross Cutting Strategies. Output - the direct results of an Activity. "Output measures" answer, quantitatively, the question: What will be accomplished under each activity? Outcome - description of the impacts (i.e., changes in condition) resulting from an Activity. "Outcome measures" answer the question: What impacts will the output/activities make relevant to public health and/or the environment? Note that in identifying outcomes you will need to establish a baseline (i.e., starting point) from which progress is measured. If the starting point or baseline condition is unknown, state an assumption and provide a short rationale supporting your assumption. As identified by the Office of Policy Economics and Innovation's Evaluation As identified by the Office of Policy Economics and Innovation's Evaluation Support Division, outcomes can be: Short-term (awareness) - changes in learning, knowledge, attitude skills, understanding Intermediate (behavior) - changes in behavior, practice or decisions Long-term (condition) - changes in condition1 Office of Policy, Economics and Innovation. National Center for Environmental Innovation. Evaluation Support Division, "Introduction to Performance Measurement." ------- OFFICE OF RADIATION AND INDOOR AIR (ORIA) 2009 Environmental Justice Action Plan Section 1: Performance Measures Matrix Highlights FY 2009 Robust-Results Oriented Activity Description: ASTHMA PROGRAM STRATEGY Asthma is a serious, sometimes life-threatening respiratory disease that affects the quality of life for millions of Americans. Over 22 million people, including 6.8 million children, have asthma and prevalence is higher among families with lower incomes. African-Americans continue to have higher rates of emergency department visits, hospitalizations, and deaths than do Caucasian-Americans. Approximately 2 million Hispanic- Americans have asthma and Puerto Ricans are disproportionately impacted. The rate is 125% higher than non-Hispanic Caucasian-Americans. Native Americans have more symptoms and more severe symptoms than other groups. Although there is no cure yet, asthma can be controlled through medical treatment and management of environmental triggers. Some common triggers include dust mites, molds, cockroaches, pet dander, secondhand smoke, and ozone and particle pollution. The Asthma Program Strategy outlines EPA's effort to help reduce or prevent asthma-related deaths and morbidity, including asthma attacks, resulting from exposure to indoor and outdoor air pollutants and reach our long term goal: "By 2012, 6.5 million people will be taking essential actions to manage environmental triggers. We will make progress toward this goal by mobilizing and equipping communities to deliver quality asthma care." Activities/ Resources/ /Partners Output Short-term (awareness) Applicable Outcome Measure Intermediate (behavior) Long-term (condition) Point of Contact Raise Awareness -fund partnership with Ad Council to deliver the Goldfish Public Service Advertising Campaign, no attacks hotline and no attacks website; - support Asthma Awareness Month activities nationwide. Educate parents and caregivers of children with - New media campaign materials; Regional media trainings and outreach to urban communities; Quarterly newsletter to website viewers Cooperative partners educating thousands of children, parents and -Increased public awareness as measured by Ad Council tracking studies, web hits and hotline calls. -Increased understanding of parents and caregivers about asthma health risks and prevention actions. - State, regional, and community coalitions will adopt campaign and provide local education and outreach. More parents and caregivers taking essential actions to manage trigger exposures, estimated Children with asthma have fewer asthma attacks, and other improved asthma health outcomes, including reduced ER visits, reduced hospitalizations, increased symptom- free days, and other quality-of-life improvements, as Dave Rowson Indoor Environments Division (IED) Tel: 202-343-9449 E-mail: rowson.david@epa. gov ------- Activities/ Resources/ /Partners Output Applicable Outcome Measure Short-term (awareness) Intermediate (behavior) Long-term (condition) Point of Contact asthmaincluding health care professionals- (gather knowledge, develop and promote educational brochures, fund partnerships to deliver validated educational programs) Support comprehensive Community based asthma care (- Gather knowledge, Develop & promote tools & guidance materials; hold National Asthma Forum; run Awards and Recognition Program; host online Network; fund partnerships to provide health care provider training, and regional pacing events. caregivers about asthma management and triggers in homes, schools, child care centers; and training health care professionals about environmental controls. State-of-the art best practices housed online; web-based assessment tool; knowledge transfer through webinars and discussion forums led by peer faculty and mentors. - National Asthma Forum and Awards Program - Regional pacing events for community- based programs - Increased knowledge of health professionals about effective education and prevention approaches, as documented by National Environmental Leadership in Asthma Award applications and Exemplary Award applications; training program assessments. - Increased number of Community programs accessing best practices through online Network, as measured by number of programs registered on Network, number of representatives attending the National Asthma Forum and webinars. from national indicators of asthma morbidity. -Increased number of community programs implementing effective strategies into their asthma programs as measured by number of programs using the online assessment tools. measured through national indicators of asthma prevalence, morbidity and mortality. ------- OAP Environmental Justice Action Plan Section 1: Performance Measures Matrix Highlights FY09 Robust-Results Oriented Activities Description: ENERGY STAR Residential Program Energy efficiency has been proven to be a very cost effective strategy for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and combating the problems related to global climate change, in addition to improving our energy security and reducing our energy bills. Since 1992 the ENERGY STAR program has helped consumers and businesses find cost-effective, energy-efficient solutions. To address the fact that much of the U.S.'s greenhouse gas emissions are generated by the residential sector, ENERGY STAR formed the ENERGY STAR Residential Program. This program forms voluntary partnerships with groups like homebuilders and utilities to leverage resources and provide whole-house solutions for improving the energy-efficiency of new and existing homes. ENERGY STAR offers energy-efficiency guidelines for builders who want to construct ENERGY STAR qualified homes. For existing homes there is Home Performance with ENERGY STAR, which is a systems-based, whole-house approach to assessing and improving an existing home's energy efficiency. A component of ENERGY STAR'S efforts in the residential sector is focused on improving access to energy-efficient homes for lower-income families, whose household income is often disproportionately spent on paying for utilities compared to upper-income families. Activities/ Resources/ /Partners Output Short-term (awareness) Applicable Outcome Measure Intermediate (behavior) Long-term (condition) Point of Contact Activities - Promote ENERGY STAR residential new construction guidelines to affordable housing stakeholders - Promote Home Performance with ENERGY STAR - Promote energy efficiency financing - Promote ENERGY STAR construction guidelines for manufactured housing -Coordination with HUD and its implementation of its Energy Action Plan - Outreach to state housing finance agencies -Outreach to and partnership building with Habitat for Humanity and their affiliates - Technical assistance - Through the existing weatherization program - More state housing finance agencies will recognize energy efficiency as a desirable component of new affordable housing. - More HUD grantees will be aware of ENERGY STAR for homes and add ENERGY STAR as a voluntary component to their HUD grant application requirements. - More affordable housing 1 - More state housing finance authorities (HFA) will award points in the competitive process for allocating low income housing tax credits to housing projects that include an energy efficiency component. States that currently offer points for efficiency components will increase their level of commitment to efficiency in new, state- funded affordable housing - Greater comfort, health, and income savings for residents - Reduced energy consumption - Greater value given to homes that are energy efficient - Reduced GHG emissions David Lee, Chief ENERGY STAR Residential Branch (202) 343- 9131 Lee.davidf(@,e pa.gov ------- Activities/ Resources/ /Partners Output Short-term (awareness) Applicable Outcome Measure Intermediate (behavior) Point of Contact Long-term (condition) - Promote use of ENERGY STAR Bulk Purchasing Tool Resources Incorporation of ENEGY STAR related measures as part of existing Federal, State, and Private Funding Programs (i.e. HUD grant programs, state low income housing tax credits, foundation funding) Partnerships: State housing finance agencies, HUD, Habitat for Humanity affiliates, housing authorities, community development corporations, affordable housing unit owners, foundations, lenders, energy efficiency program sponsors (such as utilities, states, municipalities, and non-profit organizations), and other affordable housing stakeholders infrastructure, bring the benefits of the whole house retrofit approach of Home Performance with ENERGY STAR - EPA, working with the Ford Foundation and others, is developing and piloting a new energy efficient mortgage that will monetize the value of energy savings so that low income families can own energy efficient homes or afford to make efficiency improvements to their current home, thereby reducing the cost of homeownership. - Outreach to energy efficiency program sponsors (such as utilities, states, municipalities, and non- profit organizations). This includes providing sponsors with online access to an EPA-developed guidebook (http: //www .energy star, gov/ index.cfm?c=home improv ementhpwes sponsors dev elop step2) which contains information on how program sponsors can develop and implement special financial programs targeted at low income families that are in need of efficiency improvements to stakeholders such as state housing authorities and community development corporations will recognize energy efficiency as a desirable and necessary component of existing affordable housing. - More owners of affordable housing units will have access to energy efficiency services and products, especially those who aren't poor enough to qualify for weatherization services and aren't wealthy enough to purchase efficiency services and products on the open market. - Greater access to energy efficiency financing products for low-income homeowners and renters. - More lower-income homebuyers have greater access to energy efficient homes and products. projects. - More efficient affordable housing projects will be constructed - More low income homeowners and renters will be able to secure funding (loans, grants, rebates, etc.) for efficiency improvements. - Existing homes will be retrofitted to be more efficient. - Increased production and sale of ENERGY STAR qualified manufactured homes. ------- Activities/ Resources/ /Partners Output Short-term (awareness) Applicable Outcome Measure Intermediate (behavior) Point of Contact Long-term (condition) their homes. - Targeted EPA outreach to the manufactured homes industry ------- EJ ACTION PLAN PERFORMANCE MEASURES MATRIX Office of Transportation and Air Quality Environmental Justice Action Plan Section 1: Performance Measures Matrix Highlights FY09 Robust-Results Oriented Activities Description: National Clean Diesel Campaign / SmartWay Transport Program Reducing emissions from diesel engines is one of the most important air quality challenges facing the country. Even with EPA's more stringent heavy-duty highway and nonroad engine standards set to take effect over the next decade, millions of diesel engines already in use will continue to emit large amounts of nitrogen oxides, particulate matter and air toxics, which contribute to serious public health problems. These emissions are linked to thousands of premature deaths, hundreds of thousands of asthma attacks, millions of lost work days, and numerous other health impacts every year. Diesel engines impact environmental justice areas because many such areas are located near major highways, truck terminals, truck stops, ports and construction sites where substantial diesel traffic and diesel idling occur. The National Clean Diesel Campaign aims to reduce emissions from existing diesel engines by retrofitting them with emission control devices and by reducing idling. Additionally, EPA's SmartWay Transport Program works to reduce air pollution by specifically helping shippers and freight companies reduce fuel consumption. Reducing idling emissions is a key component of the SmartWay program. OTAQ's National Clean Diesel Campaign and SmartWay Transport Program outline a strategy for reaching the goal of reduced asthma attacks in areas where low-income and/or minority groups are exposed disproportionately to diesel emissions. These two programs provide a robust strategy, involving regulatory and voluntary efforts and partnerships with industry, agencies, and communities to help achieve EPA's EJ goals and objectives including reducing the number asthma attacks, exposure to air toxics and collaborative problem-solving to address environmental justice issues. ------- Activities/ Resources/ /Partners Output Short-term (awareness) Applicable Outcome Measure Intermediate (behavior) Long-term (condition) Point of Contact Activities - Enhance outreach & education to existing stakeholder groups including state agencies, municipalities, MPOs, and construction, port, agriculture and trucking sectors to promote opportunities to reduce emissions in areas where low-income and minority populations are particularly impacted by diesel exhaust. - Develop additional materials including relevant success stories. - Fund clean diesel grant proposals Resources - Potential FY09 DERA Funding $49.2 million - State and municipal bonds - Private sector financing Building Partnerships: OAQPS, NEJAC, American Lung Association, National Association of Clean Air Agencies, Environmental Defense, NRDC, Office of - Summary of EJ- related projects implemented from National Clean Diesel Database - Emissions reductions achieved calculated by the Diesel Emissions Quantifier - Enhancements made to NCDC Website with EJ focus - Participate in stakeholder meetings to discuss the benefits of clean diesel and reduced idling - Identify top priority areas to target diesel emissions reduction efforts - Increase awareness of all stakeholders regarding solutions available for reducing emissions from diesel engines through retrofit and idle reduction - Partners/stakeholders are more aware of opportunities to implement diesel emission reduction activities in areas where low-income and minority populations are particularly impacted by diesel exhaust. - Actions taken to reduce diesel emission include: Diesel equipment replacements, retrofits, repowers, idle reduction implementation, and early use of ULSD fuel Health of targeted populations is improved as measured by reduction in number and severity of asthma incidents reported in areas with low-income and minority populations Connie Ruth: Tel: 734-214-4815 E-mail: ruth.connie@epa.go v ------- Activities/ Resources/ /Partners Output Short-term (awareness) Applicable Outcome Measure Intermediate (behavior) Long-term (condition) Point of Contact Children's Health Protection Advisory Committee, State and City Governments, Community Groups, Academic Institutions, Clean Diesel Collaboratives, American Trucking Association. ------- OFFICE OF AIR QUALITY PLANNING AND STANDARDS 2009 ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ACTION PLAN Section 1: Performance Measures Matrix Highlights Robust-Results Oriented Activity Description: COLLISION RERPAIR CAMPAGIN AND AUTOBODY RULEMAKING EPA developed the Collision Repair Campaign to focus on meaningful risk reduction in the Collision Repair source sector to complement our ongoing community air toxics work and attain reductions at a faster rate. The Campaign will also serve as an opportunity for shops to work towards early compliance with the auto body rule. These shops are widespread in nature and tend to be clustered in minority, immigrant, and low income neighborhoods. Through implementing best practices, which include installing and maintaining control equipment and using safer paints and solvents, toxic exposures are expected to be reduced by 90%. It is estimated that utilizing best practices in 1,000 shops will reduce HAP and VOC emissions by 3.5 million pounds annually. Activities Output Applicable Outcome Measure Short-term Intermediate Long-term (awareness) (behavior) (condition) Point of Contact Enhance capacity of overburdened communities to identify and address issues of exposure to air toxics by supporting the Collision Repair Campaign Improvements to Collision Repair Campaign website and outreach brochures translated to Spanish DVD on the Paint Stripping Rule for small repairs shop owners Raise awareness of all stakeholders, particularly autobody shop owners and staff about toxics exposure (measure persons briefed or trained) Autobody shop owners implement best practices Emission reductions from autobody shops (track emission reductions where feasible) Holly Wilson OAR/OAQPS 919-541-5624 Wilson.holly@epa.g ov ------- OFFICE OF RADIATION AND INDOOR AIR FY 2009 Environmental Justice Action Plan Section 2: Performance Measures Matrix Goal 1: Objective: Clean Air and Global Climate Change Reduction in number of asthma attacks (e.g., reduce asthma triggers such as particulate matter) Activities Output Applicable Outcome Measure Short-term (awareness) Intermediate (behavior) Long-term (condition) Point of Contact Support the Regional Tribal Effective Asthma Management Project (TEAM) which is a program designed to increase tribal capability in assessing, understanding, and reduce exposure to environmental triggers of asthma. Recent asthma prevalence studies have shown some tribes within EPA Regions have asthma rates up to 2.5 times higher than the national average The TEAM Project will respond to tribal needs with direct training, outreach, education that is culturally specific and designed to reduce the deleterious health impacts of asthma to Native American communities using a focused, systematic, multi-disciplinary asthma service, designed to coordinate and optimize the delivery of asthma care. Increase awareness of at-risk populations by updating the Asthma Register - the Register is used to identify the patient population for asthma clinic services. The Asthma Register system is a component of the Indian Health Service resource and patient management system. Increase the number of asthma action plans created; and the number of IAQ mitigations made in the home environment. Home visit referrals will be made to "survey" to determine if any asthma triggers are present and track clusters of occurrences. Through training and education, adults and children with asthma, (particularly from tribal/underserved communities) will experience fewer asthma attacks and have improved quality of life and result in a decrease in the number of missed school days and in emergency room visits. Chris Griffin Indoor Environments Division (IED) Tel: (202) 343-9421 E-mail: griffin. chris@,epa. gov ------- Activities Output Applicable Outcome Measure Short-term (awareness) Intermediate (behavior) Long-term (condition) Point of Contact Support partnership with Association of Clinicians for the Underserved (ACU) to work on reducing indoor asthma triggers for pediatric asthma patients by improving clinicians' ability to integrate the assessment of environmental factors into a comprehensive asthma management plan and standards of care. The ACU will target underserved communities which demonstrate the need for access to affordable, quality, transdisciplinary health care, and culturally-competent health care professionals. ACU will work with other organizations including the National Environmental Education Foundation and the American College of Preventive Medicine to integrate health care provider training into their professional development programs. Train 600 health care professionals on environmental management of asthma triggers. Complete curriculum on asthma and indoor air quality. The curriculum is continuously reviewed and improved to meet the cultural and special population needs of the audiences receiving this information. Increased awareness of 600 primary care clinicians and health care teams who serve low-income, uninsured, under- insured, and culturally diverse patients. An estimated increase of 25% of trained health care professionals will incorporate strategies for environmental management of indoor asthma triggers into clinical practice and standards of care for patients. The health care professionals will potentially impact an estimated 110,000 pediatric asthma patients in low-income, culturally-diverse communities. Support EPA's Goal 1: Clean Air and Global Climate Change; Objective 1.2 Healthier Indoor Air; Sub- objective 1.1.1- More People Breathing Cleaner Air By 2012, 6.5 million people with asthma will be taking all essential actions to reduce exposures to their indoor asthma triggers (thereby preventing about 90,000 ER visits annually and producing other positive health outcomes. David Rowson Indoor Environments Division (IED) Tel: (202) 343-9449 E-mail: rowson.david@epa.gov ------- Activities Output Applicable Outcome Measure Short-term (awareness) Intermediate (behavior) Long-term (condition) Point of Contact Support partnership with U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Head Start (OHS) to provide Early Head Start and Head Start grantees and delegate agencies with information, education, training tools, and resources to help reduce children's health effects from environmental asthma triggers and secondhand smoke. Head Start programs provide comprehensive child development services to nearly one million low-income families (including children from birth to five and pregnant women). The outputs will promote effective interventions for reduction of secondhand smoke exposure environmental asthma triggers on children and will: (1) create and promote education materials; (2) increase access to EPA's websites, hotlines and other resources; (3) provide technical assistance; (4) track and share results Workshops at Head Start conferences Educational tools and resources and technical assistance to parents and staff Support of National Head Start Association to reach grantees and delegate agencies. ETS training to Head Start staff and parents. Smoke-free homes pledges and active asthma management plans for children By December 2009, an increase of at least 500 Head Start grantees will gain greater knowledge about ways to prevent health risks from exposure to secondhand smoke and asthma triggers in their centers and family home environments, as measured by post evaluations, pledges, and feedback. By December 2009, Head Start centers and families representing at least 3,000 to 5,000 children will actively participate to keep their homes and vehicles smoke- free and/or will maintain a management plan to reduce asthma triggers in their home environments, as measured by pre- and post- activity evaluations and reports from participating Head Start grantees. Support EPA's Goal 1: Clean Air and Global Climate Change; Objective 1.2 Healthier Indoor Air; Sub- objective 1.1.1- More People Breathing Cleaner Air By 2012, 6.5 million people with asthma will be taking all essential actions to reduce exposures to their indoor asthma triggers (thereby preventing about 90,000 ER visits annually and producing other positive health outcomes By 2012, reduce the percent of low-income and minority children aged 6 and under regularly exposed to secondhand smoke in the home to be equivalent with rates in the general population (estimated to be 11% in 2003) Mike Holloway Indoor Environments Division (IED) Tel: (202) 343-9426 E-mail: holloway.mike@epa.go 10 ------- Activities Childhood Asthma Public Service Campaign Implement "Goldfish" childhood asthma media campaign targeted to parents from underserved communities (i.e. low-income, under- represented, and medically- underserved families) and inner-city pediatric asthma patients. The media campaign is designed to raise awareness about asthma and generate behavior change toward the management of childhood asthma. Output Conduct 2-3 regional media training events for community coalitions and community asthma programs. Distribute campaign materials to media markets serving urban populations and distribute campaign materials to media markets serving Hispanic and Tribal populations. Applicable Outcome Measure Short-term (awareness) Increase awareness in the number of parents of children with asthma and their capability to manage asthma triggers at home as measured by: a) Goldfish media campaign awareness at or above 20 %; b) additional 250,000 unique web hits (www.noattacks.org) c) increase in donated media time for Goldfish campaign; d) two communities will localize the media campaign Intermediate (behavior) As a result of the Childhood Asthma Public Service Campaign, more parents caring for children with asthma are taking more action to manage their child's triggers and reduce attacks. Long-term (condition) Children with asthma will experience fewer asthma attacks and have improved quality of life. Point of Contact David Rowson Indoor Environments Division (IED) Tel: (202) 343-9449 E-mail: rowson.david@epa.gov 11 ------- Activities Communities in Action for Asthma Friendly Environments Initiative Implement a two day Asthma Forum. Develop communication and outreach tools to promote the Forum, recruit participants (particularly from programs providing care to low- income, under-represented, tribal and other medically underserved communities), manage logistics and conduct follow-up with attendees. Support on-line Network of Communities to foster real time learning and information exchange year round. Implement a national awards program highlighting outstanding programs providing quality care to underserved groups. Output 1) Implement a Forum event in Washington, DC (May 1-2, 2008; 2009 dates TBD) 2) Support the Asthma Community on-line Network by hosting web site, marketing, training, and educational opportunities through the Network, and posting unique tools and resources. 3) Recognize quality care efforts through national awards program. Applicable Outcome Measure Short-term (awareness) Annually, representatives of 100 community based asthma programs will have increased knowledge and take action to reduce exposure to environmental asthma triggers in communities disproportionately impacted by asthma. Up to 4 community programs serving people with asthma, will deliver quality 4-1, asthma care as benchmarked by Exemplary Award criteria. Two programs will be recognized with National Leadership Awards. Intermediate (behavior) 250 community- based asthma programs participating in Communities in A ction for Asthma Friendly Environments Initiative will deliver quality asthma care that includes environmental interventions, and improve asthma outcomes for those they serve., as measured by the number of participating communities Long-term (condition) Adults and children with asthma, (particularly from low- income, under-represented, and other medically underserved communities) will have decreased exposures and will experience fewer asthma attacks and have improved quality of life. Point of Contact David Rowson Indoor Environments Division (IED) Tel: (202) 343-9449 E-mail: rowson.david@epa.gov 12 ------- Activities Support the partnership with the Aberdeen Area Tribal Chairmen's Health Board to collaborate with multiple partners within and across regional boundaries in order to provide environmental asthma trigger management education and to promote the capability and development of tribal healthcare professionals to assist their patients identify and mitigate asthma triggers in the home. Output Aberdeen's Board will implement a Tribal Asthma Prevention Campaign which provides education on the management and prevention of environmental asthma triggers to a population of almost 200,000 tribal members residing on seventeen reservations and in two urban Indian service areas in North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, and Iowa. Applicable Outcome Measure Short-term (awareness) The activity will increase awareness and education by merging evidenced- based practices with culturally -competent approaches. In addition, increased knowledge of in-home asthma triggers and methods of trigger mitigation among American Indian tribal members and health professionals. Intermediate (behavior) An increased number of healthcare programs will commit to conducting in- home asthma assessments, as evidenced by a 25% increase in the rate of in-home assessments conducted by healthcare programs. Long-term (condition) This project will contribute to EPA's strategic goal: by 2012; 6.5 million people with asthma will be taking all essential actions to reduce exposures to their indoor asthma triggers (thereby preventing about 90,000 ER visits annually and producing other positive health outcomes. Point of Contact Chris Griffin \^-lllll3 VJ1J_L_L111 Indoor Environments Division (IED) Tel: (202) 343-9421 E-TTlflil ' llldll . griffin.chris@epa.gov 13 ------- OFFICE OF RADIATION AND INDOOR AIR FY 2009 Environmental Justice Action Plan Section 2: Performance Measures Matrix Goal 1: Clean Air and Global Climate Change Objective: Reduce exposure to air toxics (e.g., reduce releases of mercury) Activities Output Short-term (awareness) Applicable Outcome Measure Intermediate Long-term (behavior) (condition) Point of Contact Support the partnership with tribes and Northern Arizona University Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals (ITEP) to increase the capability of Tribal Nations to address various environmental health and other concerns on federally- recognized tribal lands (i.e. the capability to develop and implement air monitoring networks). This activity will be implemented in partnership with OAQPS and will continue providing technical training through the Tribal Air Monitoring (TAMS) Center. Deliver 10 air monitoring training courses to approximately 100 tribal air professionals. Course topics include: paniculate matter (PM), quality assurance project plans, data management, ozone, meteorological stations, air toxics, PM related databases and radiation. Provide direct technical assistance via equipment loans and gravimetric laboratory services. Increase awareness in: (a) designing and implementing appropriate air monitoring networks, (b) improving data quality and, (c) improving ability to include air data in EPA national databases. Also, assure that air professionals are properly trained in network planning, data handling, quality assurance, and technical implementation. Assist tribal representatives in implementing air monitoring networks that provide high quality data. Assist in building the capability to provide this data to EPA's air quality databases such that tribal air data that is used to implement tribal implementation plans for improving air quality. By 2011, improve air quality in an additional 50 tribal communities by assisting the tribes, via training, to implement air monitoring networks and have this data included in EPA's air quality databases Emilio Braganza Radiation & Indoor Environments National Laboratory (R&IE) Tel: 702-784-8280 Email: braganza.emilio(@.ep a.gov 14 ------- Activities Output Short-term (awareness) Applicable Outcome Measure Intermediate (behavior) Point of Contact Long-term (condition) (1) Continue indoor radon testing support to residents of economically - disadvantaged communities. (2) Continue support to the Erie County (NY) Tribal Community- Toxics Air Pollutants Project. (Project and budget periods continue until 09/30/08) Provide no-cost home radon test kits and analysis from the EPA R&IE Laboratory to partner groups and organizations (i.e., Tribes, nonprofit organizations, and national coalitions) that work directly with residents from low- income and/or tribal communities. Increase awareness of indoor radon exposure risk by providing radon test kits and analysis from EPA to low income and/or tribal populations. Radon test kit distributed within one week of initial request; and analysis upon receipt of exposed test kits to the R&IE Laboratory. Increase the number of residents actively taking appropriate action to reduce elevated radon levels by providing test results to partner groups and organizations that ultimately meet and provide follow-up education directly to the target audience. By 2009, continue to reduce lung cancer risks associated with exposure to elevated radon levels through increased awareness and action in the number of low-income and/or tribal homes. Increase the number of homes to be tested through partner groups and organizations working within economically - disadvantaged and/or tribal communities (as measured by number and source of test kit requests) Baseline: 1714 homes Evelyn Conerly Radiation and Indoor Environments National Laboratory (R&IE) Tel: 702-798-2324 E-mail: Conerly.evelyn(@,epa. gov 15 ------- Activities Output Short-term (awareness) Applicable Outcome Measure Intermediate Long-term (behavior) (condition) Point of Contact Support the implementation of EPA led activities in 5 year federal agency plan submitted to Congress designed to assist the Navajo Nation to address protection from exposures to uranium mine wastes and uranium/radium contaminated drinking water on Navajo lands. A separate effort will be led to provide training on radiation protection for occupational workers at Navajo drinking water plants which process source water containing radionuclides above the MCLs. Uranium and radium wastes result in direct exposures to radiation and radon (including indoor environment exposure) throughout the reservation. This activity will a)identify ways in which EPA could assist in a) lessening impacts of abandoned uranium mines and uranium/radium contaminated drinking water wells; b) plan for implementing additional culturally-appropriate educational materials for adults and children on uranium mine wastes, uranium/radium contaminated drinking water, and radiation protection basics in Navajo and English languages. As a result of the efforts: 1) a more comprehensive plan will be developed on how the Navajo agencies and EPA will work together to alleviate problems associated with uranium mine wastes and houses constructed with uranium mine waste; 2) assistance will have been provided to the Navajo Nation on developing methods to alleviate health impacts associated with unregulated uranium/radium contaminated drinking water sources; and 3) planning for health and safety training of occupational workers at Navajo drinking water treatment plants which process radionuclide contaminated drinking water will have been undertaken. By the end of 2009, the Navajo Nation will 1) identify responsible parties for locating funding sources and procedures to mitigate financial and other issues associated with uranium contaminated houses; 2) a measurable outreach effort will have been established to advise the Navajo public on the dangers of drinking from unregulated water sources contaminated with uranium/radium; 3) training materials will have been developed for health and safety of occupational workers which process source water containing radionuclides above the MCLs. By end of 2010, the Navajo Nation and EPA will help reduce health and environmental impacts of abandoned uranium mines and uranium/radium contaminated drinking water on Tribal members as measured by the: (a) Tribe's remediation of contaminated houses; (b) completion of educational and other outreach materials for children and adult members of the Tribe on uranium and radiation protection basics including avoiding contaminated sources of drinking water. The success of this effort will be measured by the number of follow-up activities for successfully remediating houses, reduced numbers of members of the Navajo public using unregulated drinking water sources, and training of occupational workers at Navajo drinking water treatment plants in radiation health and safety practices. Loren Setlow Radiation Protection Division Tel: 202-343-9445 E-mail: setlow. lorenfgepa. go v 16 ------- Activities Output Short-term (awareness) Applicable Outcome Measure Intermediate (behavior) Point of Contact Long-term (condition) Prepare the public access portion of RadNet data in bilingual Spanish/English language format. This activity will target audiences with limited English proficiency. This activity will provide public access of information to residents with limited English proficiency about ambient and incident levels of airborne radioactive material. Bilingual information will be available to both Spanish and English speaking citizens. A higher percentage of the general public will be informed about potential radiation risks and educated on background radiation levels. N/A The health risks associated with ambient and incident levels of airborne radioactive material will be reduced to both Spanish and English speaking citizens, as measured by information request. Rhonda Sears National Air and Radiation Environmental Laboratory (NAREL) 334-270-3413 Sears.Rhonda @epa.gov 17 ------- Activities Output Short-term (awareness) Applicable Outcome Measure Intermediate (behavior) Point of Contact Long-term (condition) Support partnership with Wake Forest University School of Medicine (WFUSM) and the East Coast Migrant Head Start Program (ECMHSP) to train health educators to work with families of migrant farm workers to increase their knowledge and change behaviors that will reduce the impact of secondhand smoke related disease among children in the ECMHSP Head Start centers. The ECMHSP Head Start centers are located in eleven states along the east coast and services approximately 8,500 infants, toddlers and preschoolers. (Budget and Project Periods continue until 9/30/09) Complete six Focus Groups with a total of ninety participants. Develop educational materials for ECMHSP core staff, teachers, and parents. Implement training program. Provide Train-the-Trainer module to ECMHSP staff at 50 Centers. In turn, staff will train teachers and parents and all will incorporate an educational, outreach, and training program aimed at reducing the risk of exposure to residential indoor air pollution among Head Start children. Increased awareness among ECMHSP core staff, teachers and parents. The program would become part of ECMHSP's standard staff training and standard health disability services coordinator health programs. Baseline: Estimates of baseline from data provided by ECMHSP for 2005 - 0% of core staff, teachers, and parents trained in residential ETS. Because it is possible that some core staff and teachers will have obtained training in environmental health prior to program start, updated data will be obtained. An estimated increase of 30% of parents will more knowledge on the dangers of secondhand smoke exposure to children; (2) more knowledge on ways to prevent secondhand smoke exposure to children and; (3) actively commit to creating a smoke-free environment for their children. By 2012, reduce the percent of low-income and minority children aged 6 and under regularly exposed to secondhand smoke in the home to be equivalent with rates in the general population (estimated to be 11% in 2003) Sheila Brown Indoor Environments Division (IED) Tel: (202) 343-9439 E-mail: brown.sheila@epa.go 18 ------- Activities Output Short-term (awareness) Applicable Outcome Measure Intermediate (behavior) Point of Contact Long-term (condition) Center for Ecological Technologies (CET) will collaborate with health care professionals and social service providers to educate parents (especially new mothers from low- income or economically - disadvantaged backgrounds) to protect their children from environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure and potentially reduce the incidence of asthma through prevention, education, training, and outreach. CET will provide environmental health assessment training to health care professionals on how to assess homes and lifestyles for ETS risks. The health care professionals will counsel parents about practical approaches to reduce their children's risks to ETS exposure. Budget and budget periods continue until 9/30/09. CET will develop an environmental health assessment tool, educational materials, and resource books. CET will train nurses, other health care professionals and social service providers on how to use the environmental health assessment tool to access and counsel parents and caregivers on behaviors and lifestyles that can reduce their children's incidence of exposure to ETS and asthma episodes. Increase awareness of health care professionals and social service providers on how to assess homes and lifestyles for ETS risks and how to counsel parents on practical approaches to reduce their children's risks from ETS exposure. Nurses, health care professionals and social service providers will provide ETS management education, training, and outreach to over 600 families utilizing the environmental health assessment and other resources provided. Reduce the percentage of low-income and/or minority children (aged 6 and under) who are regularly exposed to health risks associated with secondhand smoke in their homes. Increase (by 30%) parental knowledge on (a) children's health risks to ETS; (b) ways to prevent exposure to children and; (c) creating a smoke-free environment for their children. Sheila Brown Indoor Environments Division (IED) Tel: (202) 343-9439 E-mail: brown.sheila@epa.go 19 ------- Activities Output Short-term (awareness) Applicable Outcome Measure Intermediate (behavior) Point of Contact Long-term (condition) Support partnership with the Inter- Tribal Council of Michigan (ITCM) to develop and implement environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) training materials, program curriculum and assessment tools in accordance with current EPA materials. (Project and budget periods continue until 09/30/09) The project will make accessible outreach materials and tools that are designed to train parents and caregivers of children enrolled in Tribal Head Start programs (including Head Start staff) on the dangers of ETS by providing specific and culturally- competent ETS-related information By the end of year two, increase (by 75%) the number of parents and caregivers of children enrolled in the Tribal Head Start programs with knowledge of the dangers of environmental tobacco smoke in each of the eight tribal communities, as measured by training agendas and pre/post assessments. By the end of year three, increase (by 25%) the percentage of Head Start parents who implement new smoke-free homes policies, within the eight tribal communities, as measured by post follow up Head Start parent assessments. By the end of the project period in September 2009, the project will reduce the total number of children regularly exposed to environmental tobacco smoke, within the Native American homes of eight tribal communities. Chris Griffin Indoor Environments Division (IED) Tel: (202) 343-9421 E-mail: griffin.chris(@,epa. go v 20 ------- OFFICE OF RADIATION AND INDOOR AIR FY 2009 Environmental Justice Action Plan Section 2: Performance Measures Matrix Cross Cutting Strategies: Objective: Collaborative problem-solving to address environmental justice issues Activities Output Applicable Outcome Measure Point of Contact Short-term (awareness) Intermediate (behavior) Long-term (condition) Build knowledge and capability of tribal representatives on indoor air health risk reduction through providing hands-on indoor air training to tribal environmental professionals and by working cooperatively with nonprofit partners including the American Lung Association of Minnesota and Northern Arizona University's Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals (ITEP). Deliver 11 courses to increase capability in targeting ASHRAE climatic zones. Courses focus on 1) investigating indoor air problems in homes and building science; 2) remediation and; 3) establishing an IAQ program. Training will be for approximately 220 environmental professionals. Build tribal knowledge and awareness of IAQ health related issues through hands-on training. Provide two Tech I/II courses in Hot and Hot/Humid climates in FY07. Provide environmental professionals with the resources and training to develop, implement, and maintain an IAQ program within tribal communities, thereby enabling them to determine the level of contamination and remediation which may be required. By 2009, reduce indoor air quality (IAQ) health risks in tribal communities by increasing the number of individuals trained and educated on assessing and remediating IAQ problems in homes, and increasing the number of IAQ community programs. (No baseline identified) Alejandra Baer Radiation and Indoor Environments National Laboratory (R&IE) Tel: 702-784-8281 E-mail: baer.alejandra@epa.gov 21 ------- Office of Transportation and Air Quality FY09 Environmental Justice Action Plan Section 2: Performance Measures Matrix Goal 1: Clean Air and Global Climate Change Objective: Reduction in number of asthma attacks (e.g., reduce asthma triggers such as particulate matter) Reduce exposure to air toxics Activities Output Applicable Outcome Measure Point of Contact Short-term (awareness) Intermediate (behavior) Long-term (condition) 22 ------- Activities -Enhance outreach & education to existing stakeholder groups: state agencies, municipalities, MPOs, and construction, port, agriculture, freight and trucking sectors to promote opportunities to reduce emissions in areas where low-income and minority populations are particularly impacted by diesel exhaust. - Develop additional materials including relevant success stories. - Fund clean diesel grant proposals - Promote anti-idling education, policies, strategies and projects -Promote innovative financing tools and strategies to help owners retrofit their trucks with emission and idling reduction devices. - Summary of EJ projects implemented from National Clean Diesel Database - Enhancements made to NCDC Website with EJ focus -Case studies of benefits of anti-idling strategies - Increase awareness of all stakeholders regarding solutions available for reducing emissions from diesel engines through retrofit and idle reduction. - Partners and stakeholders are more aware of opportunities to implement diesel emissions reduction activities in areas where low-income and minority populations are particularly impacted by diesel exhaust. - Actions taken to reduce diesel emission include: Diesel equipment replacements, retrofits, re powers, idle reduction implementation, and early ULSD fuel use Health of targeted populations is improved as measured by reduction in number and severity of asthma incidents reported in areas with low-income and minority populations. -Emissions reductions achieved calculated by the Diesel Emissions Quantifier Connie Ruth: Tel: 734-214-4815 E-mail: ruth.connie@epa.gov 23 ------- Office of Transportation and Air Quality FY09 Environmental Justice Action Plan Performance Measures Matrix Cross Cutting Strategies: Objective: Collaborative problem-solving to address environmental justice issues Activities Coordinate among stakeholders including: OAQPS, NEJAC, American Lung Association, National Association of Clean Air Agencies, Environmental Defense, NRDC, Office of Children's Health Protection Advisory Committee, State and City Governments, Community Groups, Academic Institutions, Clean Diesel Collaborative, American Trucking Association and other organizations of freight and shipping companies Output - Participate in stakeholder meetings to identify opportunities for coordinated effort to reduce diesel emissions including idling emissions in low-income and/or minority areas. -Identify top priority areas to target diesel emissions reduction efforts Applicab Short-term (awareness) Increased awareness of opportunities to coordinate environmental justice and diesel emissions reductions efforts. le Outcome Measure Intermediate (behavior) An increase occurs in number of coordinated efforts undertaken to reduce diesel emissions including idling emissions that disproportionately impact low income and minority populations. Long-term (condition) The health of low-income and minority populations impacted by diesel emissions is improved as demonstrated by reduction in number and severity of asthma incidents in areas where coordinated efforts have been implemented. Point of Contact Connie Ruth: Tel: 734-21 4-481 5 E-mail: ruth.connie@epa.gov 24 ------- OFFICE OF AIR QUALITY PLANNING AND STANDARDS FY 2009 ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ACTION PLAN Section 2: Performance Measure Matrix Goal 1: Clean Air and Global Climate Change Objective: Reduction in number of asthma attacks (e.g., reduce asthma triggers such as paniculate matter) Activities Output Applicable Outcome Measure Point of Contact Short-term (awareness) Intermediate (behavior) Long-term (condition) Provide regulatory mechanism and implement permit programs for minor stationary sources located in Indian country and for major sources located in areas of Indian country not attaining the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) OAQPS will complete an EJ review of the proposed Tribal/New Source Review (NSR) rule using the Agency's Standard Setting and Rulemaking/Regulatory Development protocol final Tribal/New Source Review (NSR) permit rules training for permit writers and Regions on final rule and evaluation of training Tribal training on NSR rules Model delegation package for Tribes to facilitate delegation of the federal program Tribes, Regional Offices and stakeholders increase their knowledge of NSR permitting process (measure number of persons briefed or trained) Regulated entities learn who is responsible for issuing permits Regional offices and Tribes issue permits in a timely manner consistent with regulations (measure permits issued, measure number of Tribes that issue permits) Industry complies with permits Emissions are reduced and level playing field is created due to regulatory gap being filled by this program Jessica Montanez OAR/OAQPS 919-541-3407 montanez.jessica@epa.go 25 ------- Activities Output Applicable Outcome Measure Point of Contact Short-term (awareness) Intermediate (behavior) Long-term (condition) Incorporate distributional analysis into the rulemaking process for selected regulations Identify and determine the additional capabilities required to enhance and refine BenMap or other resources to more accurately perform impact analysis Analysis of projected air quality impacts and associated distributions for selected OAQPS regulations Enhanced BenMAP software which incorporates additional socioeconomic and demographic variables (e.g. mortality rates by race, and other CIS enhancements to facilitate analysis and display of exposure distributions) (PENDING RECEIPT of ADDITIONAL FUNDING) Rule development teams and decision makers have better information about impacts of rules and rules options on related population distributions Decision makers consider distributional implications during option selection. Distributional analysis results considered as a part of the rule development process. Lillian Bradley OAR/OAQPS (919)541-5694 bradley.lillian@epa.gov 26 ------- Activities Output Applicable Outcome Measure Point of Contact Short-term (awareness) Intermediate (behavior) Long-term (condition) Continue to support states/locals/tribes in their efforts to minimize exposure to wood smoke, through education/outreach and wood stove changeouts, including low income and tribal communities educational outreach materials (e.g., Burn Clean fact sheet, posters), program support, trainings/workshops for states/local/tribes trying to address wood smoke indoors and out doors EJ community professionals/leader s (e.g., Tribal officials) increase awareness on health effects of wood smoke and options for addressing the problem (measure the number of EJ community professionals/leader s that receive information about the program) low income or disproportionately effected communities engage in education and outreach and/or implement wood stove changeouts, (measure number of communities involved) households learn to burn smarter and cleaner and changeout their old, dirty wood stove to a cleaner, more energy efficient wood stove. (Measure number of households and number of estimated tons of emission reductions from changeouts) Larry Brockman, OAR/OAQPS 919-541-5398 Brockman.larry @epa.gov Develop white paper on how States can use SIPs and related programs to encourage emission reductions in overburdened communities Regulated community increases awareness of emissions standards and requirements white paper that focuses on how States can use SIPs and related programs to encourage emission reductions in overburdened communities Increase awareness of regulatory partners and stakeholders of best practices States explore/adopt targeted strategies for reducing emissions in overburdened communities (measure number of states exploring/adopting these strategies) Risk or emissions reductions in overburdened communities (measure reductions to the extent feasible) Nancy Mayer OAR/OAQPS 919-541-5390 Maver.nancv@epa.gov 27 ------- Activities Output Applicable Outcome Measure Point of Contact Short-term (awareness) Intermediate (behavior) Long-term (condition) Identify areas violating the new 2006 24-hr PM2.5 NAAQS and the new 2008 ozone NAAQS finalized designations for Pm2.5 NAAQS by Dec 2009 proposed designations for ozone NAAQS by December 2009 assistance to Regions in providing nonattainment status information to affected communities and Tribes Increased awareness of Tribal areas and overburdened communities of their attainment status and State plans for improving air quality Residents in Tribal areas and overburdened communities participate in State rule making process with respect to ozone and PM2.5 Increased effectiveness of participation by residents of Tribal areas and overburdened communities in state planning process Amy Vasu 919-541-0107 OAR/OAQPS vasu.amy@epa.gov Carla Oldham OAR/OAQPS 919-541-3347 oldham.carla@epa.gov Work with Regions to support tribal governments in effectively participating in development of SIPs one or more Tribal trainings to improve technical capacity to assess off-reservation sources and participate in SIP implementation Tribes are more aware of how they can participate in SIP process and assess impacts of off-reservation sources (track number of people trained) Tribes identify opportunities to work with State partners in planning process (track number of Tribes engaging in State planning process) Increased effectiveness of Tribal participation in state planning process Kimber Scavo OAR/OAQPS 919-541-3354 scavo.kimber@epa.gov Melissa McCullough OAR/OAQPS 919-541-5646 Mccullough.melissa@epa. gov 28 ------- Activities Output Applicable Outcome Measure Point of Contact Improve internal capacity to respond appropriately to EJ issues EJ fundamentals course tailored to OAQPS needs Presentations from EJ community members and EJ advocates initial screening tool that identifies rules that need a more detailed EJ review staff training on use of screening tool Short-term (awareness) Increased awareness of OAQPS staff regarding EJ policy and perspectives of EJ communities (measure number of participants) Increase understanding of rule development teams regarding when an action requires a more detailed EJ review (measure number of employees briefed or trained on use of screening tool) Intermediate (behavior) Integration of OAQPS EJ policy and affected community perspectives into analysis of new and existing projects Staff applies screening to all actions and identifies rules that require a more detailed analysis (measure number of rules that go through screening process) Long-term (condition) Lena Epps-Price OAR/OAQPS 919-541-5573 Epps-price.lena@epa.gov Nancy Mayer OAR/OAQPS 919-541-5390 Mayer.nancy@epa.gov 29 ------- OAQPS FY09 Environmental Justice Action Plan Performance Measures Matrix Goal 1: Clean Air and Global Climate Change Objective: Reduce exposure to air toxics (e.g., reduce releases of mercury) Activities Output Applicable Outcome Measure Short-term Intermediate Long-term (awareness) (behavior) (condition) Point of Contact Enhance capacity of overburdened communities to identify and address issues of exposure to air toxics by supporting the Collision Repair Campaign Improvements to Collision Repair Campaign website and outreach brochures translated to Spanish DVD on the Paint Stripping Rule for small repairs shop owners Raise awareness of all stakeholders, particularly autobody shop owners and staff about toxics exposure (measure persons briefed or trained) Autobody shop owners implement best practices Emission reductions from autobody shops (track emission reductions where feasible) Holly Wilson OAR/OAQPS 919-541-5624 Wilson.holly@epa.g ov 30 ------- Activities Output Short-term (awareness) Applicable Outcome Measure Intermediate (behavior) Point of Contact Long-term (condition) Enhance capacity of overburdened communities to identify and address issues of exposure to air toxics by improving communication with communities on air issues, developing a community air monitoring portal, encouraging Sustainable Skylines projects to address overburdened communities, co-sponsoring a conference/workshop for communities, providing permit training, improvements to EJAIR website Community-friendly Agency websites on air toxics and community air monitoring Periodic Community- driven conference calls on air toxics and other air pollution issues EJ Criteria for Sustainable Skylines project selection Community workshop on multi-media impacts for overburdened communities (pending available funding) Training for communities on how to participate effectively in the permitting process (pending available funding) 5-10 new information pages on EJAir website for use by EPA staff, community members, and air quality planners increased marketing and visibility of EJAir website which will result in increased use of site Communities are more aware of resources for toxics assessments and strategies for addressing toxics that have worked on the ground Sustainable Skylines stakeholders are more aware of options for targeting emissions reductions in overburdened communities (measure persons briefed or trained) Communities have better understanding of best practices for addressing multi- media environmental issues and how to participate in air permitting process (measure customer satisfaction and number of participants) Community members and others have better access to web resources on EJ via EJAir website (measure hits on website) Communities implement improved strategies for addressing toxics and multi-media impacts Sustainable Skylines cities target emission reduction strategies in overburdened communities (measure number of cities that adopt targeted strategies) Communities use workshop and training information to implement best practices and to improve comments and participation in permit programs Ingrid Ward OAR/OAQPS 919-541-0300 Ward.ingrid@epa.g ov Lena Epps-Price OAR/OAQPS 919-541-5573 Epps- price.lena@epa.gov Nancy Mayer OAR/OAQPS 919-541-5390 Mayer. nancy@epa. gov Yvonne Johnson OAR/OAQPS 919-541-3921 Johnson.yvonnew @epa.gov Tom Link OAR/OAQPS 919-541-5456 link.tom@epa.gov 31 ------- Activities Output Applicable Outcome Measure Short-term Intermediate Long-term (awareness) (behavior) (condition) Point of Contact Continue to implement a risk- based air toxics program for stationary sources by promulgating area source rules Complete development of all area sources rules (except 2 rules that are under litigation) Emission reductions in areas affected by new area source rules Continue to implement a risk- based air toxics program for stationary sources by promulgating residual risk rules Continued development of residual risk (RR) rules Regulated community increases awareness of RR emission standards and requirements. Regulated community complies with air toxics RR emission standards Emissions are reduced from applicable source categories to provide an ample margin of safety to protect public health John Bosch OAR/OAQPS (919)541-5583 Bosch.john@epa.g ov David Solomon OAR/OAQPS (919)541-5375 Solomon.david@ep a.gov 32 ------- Activities Output Applicable Outcome Measure Short-term Intermediate Long-term (awareness) (behavior) (condition) Point of Contact Develop and refine analytical tools for performing EJ analysis Aggregate air quality trends (Ozone and PM2.5) in EJ Communities (using air monitoring data and/or the CDC-PHASE project's fused model- monitor ambient concentration surfaces at the 12 km scale in the Eastern US, along with Census data) EJ analysis of the results of the Detroit MultiPollutant Study OAQPS staff develops expertise in developing new approaches for presenting and analyzing information relevant to EJ communities OAQPS adds to and refines its available analytical approaches Phil Lorang OAR/OAQPS 919-541-5463 Lorang.phil@epa.g ov 33 ------- OAQPS FY09 Environmental Justice Action Plan Performance Measures Matrix Cross Cutting Strategies: Objective: Collaborative problem-solving to address environmental justice issues Activities Output Applicable Outcome Measure Short-term Intermediate (awareness) (behavior) Point of Contact Long-term (condition) Encourage Air Quality Management Plan (AQMP) pilot areas to develop strategies for addressing EJ concerns Framework for developing AQMP plans provided to AQMP pilots, which includes identification of EJ concerns Workshop for pilot areas on potential EJ initiatives increase knowledge of AQMP pilot teams and stakeholders on options for improving public involvement and addressing EJ issues (measure number of persons briefed or trained) OAQPS AQMP pilot project leads consider and promote initiatives to address EJ issues, including meaningful public involvement (measure number of pilots that consider and/or pursue EJ initiatives) By end of FY 09, EJ strategies are integrated into conceptual models for AQMP pilot projects Liz Naess OAR/OAQPS 919-541-1892 Naess.liz@epa.gov Leigh Herrington OAR/OAQPS 919-541-0882 Herrington.leigh@epa.gov 34 ------- Activities Output Applicable Outcome Measure Point of Contact Short-term (awareness) Intermediate (behavior) Long-term (condition) Implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding with North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (NC A&T SU) Provide students with information about careers at EPA Provide support to the university staff Provide learning opportunities to students through the annual intern program EPA will visit NC A&T SU twice per year to provide information to students about careers at EPA EPA will offer 2 to 3 lectures per year to NC A&T SU classes on various environmental issues, including environmental justice specifically EPA will teach one class per year on environmental issues EPA will provide internship opportunities to10-15NCA&TSU students per year Increase awareness of environmental careers to NC A&T SU students Increase awareness of environmental issues, including environmental justice, to students at NC A&T SU Increase awareness of EPA, its mission, and the mission of the Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards (OAQPS) to students at NC A&T SU Increase the number of students from NC A&T SU who can articulate various environmentally related career opportunities Increase the number of students at NC A&T SU who can comprehensively articulate various environmental issues. Increase the number of students at NC A&T SU who can comprehensively articulate the EPA mission and the mission of OAQPS Increase the number of NC A&T SU students who seek, get offered, and accept employment with EPA (measure number of students who seek, get offered and accept employment) Phyllis Wright OAR/OAQPS 919-541-5369 Wright.phvllis@epa.gov 35 ------- Office of Atmospheric Programs Fiscal Year 2009 Goal 1: Clean Air and Global Climate Change Objective 1.1 Healthier Outdoor Air, Ozone andPM2.s (e.g., reduce asthma triggers such asparticulate matter) Activities Output Outcome Short-term Intermediate Long-term Contact Development of Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR) Environmental Justice Assessment Questions Building on existing staff analysis of the environmental justice impacts of the Acid Rain Program, EPA will develop the format and analytical questions to periodically assess the impact of CAIR (implementation starting in 2009) on EJ communities. One or more assessment concepts to present and evaluate available data on emissions, air quality, and/or health effects of SO2, NOX, andorPM25 emissions from power plants on EJ communities. NA These analyses will be periodically included in EPA program progress reports and will enable us to determine how our programs are affecting air quality in the East. Rick Haeuber, Chief Assessment and Communications Branch (202) 343-9250 haeuber. richard(@,epa. gov Continue to implement the Acid Rain Program (ARP) SO2 program By 2011, reduce national annual emissions of sulfur dioxide (SO2) from utility electrical power generation sources by approximately 8.45 million tons from the 1980 level of 17.4 million tons, achieving and maintaining the Acid Rain statutory SO2 emissions cap of 8.95 million tons. NA NA Analysis has shown that all people, regardless of race, color, national origin or income receive health benefits from the Acid Rain Program. Continuing to implement the ARP SO2 Program will reduce emissions of pollutants that form fine particles and cause human health problems for many communities, including environmental justice communities. Rick Haeuber, Chief Assessment and Communications Branch (202) 343-9250 Haeuber.richard(@,epa. gov 36 ------- Activities Output Outcome Short-term Intermediate Long-term Contact Continue to implement the NOX Budget Trading Program (NBP) and NOX SIP Call By 2011, reduce total annual average nitrogen deposition and mean total ambient nitrate concentration by 15 percent from 1990 monitored levels of up to 11 kilograms per hectare for total nitrogen deposition and 4.0 micrograms per cubic meter for mean total ambient nitrate concentration. NA NA Continuing to implement the NBP and NOX SIP Call will reduce emissions of pollutants that form fine particles and ozone which cause human health problems for many communities, including environmental justice communities. Rick Haeuber, Chief Assessment and Communications Branch (202) 343-9250 Haeuber.richard@,epa. gov Provide Spanish language information on the CAMD website Translate portions of the CAMD website, including the the Acid Rain website and the section on cap and trade, into Spanish. NA NA Translating informational portions of the updated website into Spanish will broaden access to the data and background on acid rain, air quality, health and ecological benefits, as well as information on cap and trade programs and current and future regulations. Rick Haeuber, Chief Assessment and Communications Branch (202) 343-9250 Haeuber.richard(q),epa. gov Data and Maps website and databases The Clean Air Markets Division's Data and Maps website is a publicly accessible portal to a variety of data including national power plant information, acid deposition and air quality data, and emissions and allowance data to query and download by a particular source, state and time period. Maintain Data and Maps website and the several databases housed within. NA NA Access to the data in the Data and Maps portal is free and allows all people to better understand the air quality and emissions data in their communities. Janice Wagner, Chief Market Operations Branch (202)343-9118 Wagner.i anice(fl),epa. gov 37 ------- Goal 1: Clean Air and Global Climate Change Objective 1.3 Protect the Ozone Layer Activities Output Outcome Short-term Intermediate Long-term Point of Contact Re-translation of the SunWise Program Tool Kit into Spanish The SunWise Tool Kit is an educational curriculum aligned with national education standards that has been adopted by more than 18,000 schools and provides sun protection information to protect school children from excessive UV exposure and cancer risk. The Spanish version was last printed in 2002. Since that time, the English version of the Kit has been updated. Through this activity and if resources allow, the Kit would be re-translated into Spanish so it includes the updated material found in the English Kit. More activities will be provided in Spanish, and facts will be updated from 2002, increasing awareness of the importance of sun protection among Spanish speakers. NA Reduced UV exposure and cancer risk among Spanish speakers. Ross Brennan, Chief Stratospheric Program Implementation Branch (202) 343-9226 Brennan.ross(@.epa. gov Development of a sun safety fact sheet for individuals with darker skin A fact sheet providing sun safety information for individuals with darker skin types will be developed if resources allow. Individuals with darker skin, who may mistakenly think they are not at risk, will have access to an easy-to-understand fact sheet that describes pertinent information on skin cancer, cataracts and the other health effects from UV radiation. NA Reduced UV exposure and cancer risk among individuals with darker skin. Ross Brennan, Chief Stratospheric Program Implementation Branch (202) 343-9226 Brennan.ross(g),epa.gov 38 ------- Activities Output Outcome Short-term Intermediate Long-term Point of Contact Proposed rule on N-Propyl Bromide The proposed rule will protect users of spray adhesives containing N-propyl bromide, a substitute for ozone-depleting substances. EPA is currently seeking comment on two proposed approaches to addressing exposure to n-propyl bromide by either 1) banning use of n-propyl bromide and requiring an alternative adhesive or 2) requiring users to reduce exposure to acceptable levels of n-propyl bromide and to monitor exposure of workers. Spray adhesives containing N- propyl bromide are used by several industries. Most workers in these industries are low-wage hourly workers, many of whom are Hispanic and female. NA NA The proposed N-Propyl Bromide rule will affect approximately 12,000 people, reducing their exposure to this harmful solvent. Many of the affected industry workers are Hispanic and female. Jeff Cohen, Chief Alternatives and Emissions Reduction Branch (202) 343-9005 Cohen.ieff(@,epa.gov 39 ------- Goal 1: Clean Air and Global Climate Change Objective 1.5 Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions Activities Output Outcome Short-term Intermediat e Long-term Contact 40 ------- Activities Output Outcome Short-term Intermediat e Long-term Contact Promote ENERGY STAR residential new construction guidelines to affordable housing stakeholders More state housing finance authorities (HFA) will award points in the competitive process for allocating low income housing tax credits to housing projects that include an energy efficiency component. States that currently offer points for efficiency components will increase their level of commitment to efficiency in new, state-funded affordable housing projects. As of the end of 2007 ENERGY STAR had contacted 30 state HFAs. Nine state HFAs have awarded extra points to projects that meet ENERGY STAR'S guidelines for new construction, and five state HFAs have made ENERGY STAR guidelines a threshold requirement to qualify for low income housing tax credit funding. There were about 7,700 ENERGY STAR qualified homes built in FY07 using some form of public funding either from HUD, other Federal agencies, state/local agencies, or tax-exempt bond proceeds. In addition, to date, 75 Habitat for Humanity Affiliates are partners in the ENERGY STAR program. EPA will continue to maintain these partnerships and will work to expand the program. More state housing authorities will recognize energy efficiency as a desirable component of new affordable housing. More HUD grantees will be aware of ENERGY STAR for new homes and add ENERGY STAR as a voluntary component to their HUD grant application requirements. NA In the long term, more efficient affordable housing projects will be constructed, resulting in greater comfort and income savings for residents and reduced energy consumption. David Lee, Chief ENERGY STAR Residential Branch (202)343-9131 Lee.davidf(@,epa.gov 41 ------- Activities Home Performance with ENERGY STAR Output More owners of affordable housing units will have access to energy efficiency services and products, especially those who aren't poor enough to qualify for weatherization services and aren't wealthy enough to purchase efficiency services and products on the open market. EPA is exploring how to bring the benefits of the whole house retrofit approach of Home Performance with ENERGY STAR through existing weatherization program infrastructure Outcome Short-term More affordable housing stakeholders such as state housing authorities and community development corporations will recognize energy efficiency as a desirable and necessary component of existing affordable housing. Intermediat e NA Long-term In the long term, more owners of existing affordable housing units will use energy efficiency services, resulting in greater comfort and income savings for residents and reduced energy consumption. Contact David Lee Chief ENERGY STAR Residential Branch (202)343-9131 Lee, davidf @epa. gov 42 ------- Activities Output Outcome Short-term Intermediat e Long-term Contact Promote energy efficiency financing More low income homeowners and renters will be able to secure funding (loans, grants, rebates, etc.) for efficiency improvements. EPA, working with the Ford Foundation and others, is developing and piloting a new energy efficient mortgage that will monetize the value of energy savings so that low income families can own energy efficient homes or afford to make efficiency improvements to their current home, thereby reducing the cost of homeownership. Provide access online to an EPA- developed guidebook (http://www.energystar.gov/index. cfm?c=home improvement.hpwe s sponsors develop step2) for energy efficiency program sponsors which contains information on how program sponsors can develop and implement special financial programs targeted at low income families that are in need of efficiency improvements to their homes. Greater access to energy efficiency financing products for low-income homeowners and renters, leading to greater energy efficiency and increased housing affordability. NA In long term, existing homes will be retrofitted to be more efficient, resulting in greater comfort and income savings for residents and reduced energy consumption. David Lee, Chief ENERGY STAR Residential Branch (202)343-9131 Lee.davidf(@,epa.gov 43 ------- Activities Output Outcome Short-term Intermediat e Long-term Contact ENERGY STAR construction guidelines for manufactured housing The production and sale of more ENERGY STAR qualified manufactured homes. In 2007, as a result of more targeted EPA outreach to the manufactured homes industry, there was a 17% increase from 2006 and a 66% increase from 2005 in the number of ENERGY STAR qualified manufactured homes produced and completed in the U.S. In total there are over 26,000 ENERGY STAR qualified manufactured homes. EPA will continue to conduct targeted outreach out to the manufactured homes industry to increase the number and sale of ENERGY STAR qualified manufactured homes. NA NA More energy efficient manufactured homes means lower-income homebuyers have greater access to efficient homes David Lee, Chief ENERGY STAR Residential Branch (202)343-9131 Lee.davidf(@,epa.gov Provide ENERGY STAR Resources in Spanish Continue to support the recently launched Recourses en Espagnol portion of the ENERGY STAR website which provides Spanish language tools and resources for homeowners, renters, small businesses and congregations. Continue to highlight the "Tell Us How You Saved" profiles of Latino families around the country who have used ENERGY STAR tools to save energy and money. More Spanish-speaking families and businesses around the country will be able to save energy, lower their energy costs, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by utilizing ENERGY STAR resources Karen Schneider (202) 343-9752 Schneider.karen@epa.go 44 ------- Activities Translation of documents related to international capacity building Climate Change Wildlife and Wildlands Toolkit Cooperative agreement on tribal impacts and outreach Participation in various tribal conferences Sea Level Rise Output Translation of several documents into Chinese. A revision of the kit will include several case studies that highlight how native cultures in the U.S. will be affected by climate change and what measures are being taken to help them adapt. The cooperative agreement entitled "Climate Change Tribal Impacts, Communication & Outreach" has been awarded to the Arizona Board of Regents for and on behalf of Northern Arizona University, Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals (ITEP). Presentations at the National Tribal Conference on Tribal Environmental Management and the EPA Region 5 Climate Change Symposium for Great Lakes Tribes. Current activities include contributions to a report on sea level rise along the mid- Atlantic coast. Outcome Short-term NA NA The goal of the cooperative agreement is to communicate climate change impacts on and adaptive responses in Indian Country and develop a communications plan for transmitting the information to tribes, policy makers and the public. Raise awareness among native tribes and organizations that serve their needs about the issues they face due to climate change. NA Intermediat e NA NA NA NA NA Long-term Providing documents in Chinese will broaden access to climate change information and ensure that more people understand the issue of climate change. Providing information on how native cultures will be affected by climate change will help those cultures prepare for the effects of climate change and help educate others about this increasingly important EJ issue. Information will be useful to tribes as they develop strategies to address climate change impacts in their communities. Information will be useful to tribes as they develop strategies to address climate change impacts in their communities. Information will be useful to and by potentially vulnerable coastal communities. Contact Susan Wickwire, Chief International Capacity Building Branch (202) 343-9155 wickwire . susan@.epa. gov Rona Birnbaum, Chief Climate Science and Impacts Branch (202) 343-9076 birnbaum rona@epa gov Rona Birnbaum, Chief Climate Science and Impacts Branch (202) 343-9076 birnbaum. rona(@,epa. gov Rona Birnbaum, Chief Climate Science and Impacts Branch (202) 343-9076 birnbaum. rona@epa. gov Rona Birnbaum, Chief Climate Science and Impacts Branch (202) 343-9076 birnbaum.rona(@.epa. gov 45 ------- Goal 1: Clean Air and Global Climate Change Objective 1.6 Enhance Science and Research Activities The Atmospheric Mercury Initiative Tribal Air Monitoring Service (TAMS) Output EPA is collaborating with the National Atmospheric Deposition Program (NADP) membership of federal agencies, states, tribes, and other organizations, and the broader mercury research community to establish a new atmospheric mercury monitoring network. Participation in the climate change subcommittee of TAMS. Outcome Short-term As part of this effort, EPA and NADP are collaborating with the Cherokee Nation to establish a new mercury monitoring site on tribal lands. Atmospheric deposition is a major contributor of mercury to inland water bodies. Tribes are particularly interested in mercury monitoring because the primary method of mercury exposure is through fish consumption. Raise awareness within the TAMS community of the interaction of climate change and air quality issues. Intermediat e NA Long-term When fully implemented, the NADP Atmospheric Mercury Initiative will offer high quality, high resolution monitoring data from different locations around the country. Establishing an atmospheric mercury monitoring site on tribal lands also enhances a tribes' ability to develop and run their own environmental programs that help to protect their communities and environment NA Contact Rick Haeuber, Chief Assessment and Communications Branch (202) 343-9250 Haeuber.richard(@,epa.go V Rona Birnbaum, Chief Climate Science and Impacts Branch (202) 343-9076 birnbaum.rona@,epa. gov 46 ------- |