COMMUNITY GUIDE
TO I PA'S PARTNERSHIP PROGRAMS
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About CARE
The Community Action for a Renewed Environment (CARE) program,
sponsored by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), is a
competitive grant program that offers an innovative way for communities
to take action to reduce toxic pollution. Through CARE, communities
create local collaborative partnerships that implement local solutions to
reduce releases of and minimize exposure to toxic pollutants.
EPA helps CARE communities assess the environmental risks they
face and provides access to voluntary programs to address local
environmental priorities. In addition, EPA offers support for communities
to develop their own approaches to reducing toxics. Examples of some
of the EPA voluntary programs that reduce exposure to toxics and
create safer communities include programs that: reduce emissions
from diesel engines, clean abandoned industrial sites, reduce emissions
from small business operations while reducing costs, improve the indoor
environment in schools, and use pollution prevention to protect drinking
water supplies.
In addition to providing CARE grant recipients with direct technical assistance, the
CARE program serves as a gateway to help communities access the range of tools
and resources available to develop community partnerships, undertake broad-based
risk assessments, and implement actions to reduce risks. This Community Guide to
EBA's Partnership Programs is designed to help communities navigate the range of
EPA programs relevant to communities and find those programs that may be most
useful in addressing local priorities.
Updated annually, this second edition Guide incorporates new EPA
programs that may be of help to communities as they attempt to
minimize risks posed by toxics.
For more information about CARE, please visit www.epa.gov/CARE.
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Table of Contents
Adopt Your Watershed 4
AgSIAR 5
Carpet America Recovery Effort 6
Children's Health Protection 7
Clean Construction USA 8
Clean Ports USA 9
Clean School Bus USA 10
Climate Leaders 11
Coalbed Methane Outreach Program (CMOP) 12
Community-Based Childhood Asthma Programs 13
Community-Based Radon Reduction 15
Design for the Environment (DfE) 16
Energy Star Energy Management & Product Certification 17
Environmental Tobacco Smoke/Smoke-free Homes 18
Green Building Programs 19
Green Power Partnership 20
Green Suppliers Network 21
GreenScapes 22
Indoor Air Quality'Tools for Schools" 23
Integrated Pest Management in Schools 24
Landfill Methane Outreach Program 25
National Clean Diesel Campaign 26
National Nonpoint Source Management Program 27
National Partnership for Environmental Priorities 28
Natural Gas Star 29
Pesticide Environmental Stewardship Program 30
Plug-In To eCycling 31
Schools Chemical Cleanout Campaign and Prevention Program 32
Smart Growth Program 33
SmartWay Transport 34
Source Water Protection Program 35
Voluntary Diesel Retrofit Program 36
Volunteer Water Monitoring Program 37
WasteWise 38
WaterSense.. ..39
Community Guide to EPA's Partnership Programs
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Adopt Your Watershed
www.epa.gov/adopt
Purpose
This program offers a list of resources and other organizations that will
educate and support people to have a sense of stewardship and help them
to protect their local lakes, rivers, streams and other wetland areas and
bodies of water.
Community Application
Any community with ties to a watershed or wetland area will benefit from this
program through increased public involvement and participation.
Program Description
The Adopt Your Watershed campaign came under the spotlight in 2002,
the'Tear of Clean Water." It informs people about the various volunteer
activities in their local watershed that they may participate in to help protect
their local environment. Activities include monitoring, garbage cleanup,
and water snapshots. There are also various forms of financial assistance
available.
The National Zoo in Washington, DC, adopted Rock Creek through the Adopt Your
Watershed program and is attempting to bring it back to a healthy and diverse
ecosystem. Through monitoring and other volunteer activities, they are trying to
bring the bluebackand alewife herrings back to sustainable levels. These fish return
from the Chesapeake Bay annually.The Zoo has also begun removing obstacles
that are prohibiting the herring's migration route.
Contact Information
Patty Scott
Office of Water
(202)566-1292
scott.patty@epa.gov
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AgSTAR
www.epa.gov/agstar
Purpose
AgSTAR is an outreach program designed to reduce methane emissions
from livestock waste management operations by promoting the use of
biogas recovery systems.
Community Application
Any community with confined animal feeding operations wishing to reduce
methane emissions would benefit from this program.
Program Description
The program encourages the use of methane recovery (biogas)
technologies at the confined animal feeding operations that manage
manure as liquids or slurries. These technologies reduce methane emissions
while achieving other environmental benefits. AgSTAR provides an array
of information and tools designed to assist producers in the evaluation
and implementation of these systems including hotlines, conferences, and
collaborating with federal and state renewable energy, agricultural, and
environmental programs.
Since the establishment of the program in 1994, the number of operational digester
systems has doubled. This has produced significant environmental and energy
benefits, including methane emission reductions of approximately 124,000 metric
tons of carbon equivalent and annual energy generation of about 30 million kWh.
Contact Information
Christopher Voell
Office of Air and Radiation
(202) 343-9406
voell.christopher@epa.gov
Community Guide to EPA's Partnership Programs
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Carpet America Recovery Effort
www.carpetrecovery.org
Purpose
Carpet America Recovery Effort is a voluntary initiative of the carpet
industry and government to prevent carpet from burdening landfills.
The program focuses on developing carpet reclamation and recycling
methods.
Community Application
Any community with a need to decrease the volume of waste entering
landfills will benefit from this program.
Program Description
Carpet America Recovery Effort is a joint industry-government effort
to increase the amount of recycling and reuse of post-consumer
carpet and reduce the amount of waste carpet going into landfills. The
program's mission is to foster market-based solutions for recovering value
from discarded carpet to meet specific goals. To accomplish its mission,
the program facilitates, advises, provides resources, and serves as a forum
for the many different stakeholders. Types of assistance include business
development, recovery, and product and market development.
Contact Information
John Glenn
Office of Solid Waste and
Emergency Response
(703)308-0215
glenn.john@epa.gov
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Children's Health Protection
www.epa.gov/ckildren
Purpose
This mission of this program is to make the health protection of children a fundamental
goal of public health and environmental protection in the United States and around the
world.
Community Application
Any community hoping to address environmental health risks to children will benefit
from this program. Children may have greater exposures to environmental toxicants than
adults. In relation to body weight, children drink more water, eat more food, and breathe
more air than adults. Children play close to the ground and place their hands in their
mouths, which increases their exposure to toxicants in dust, soil, and low-lying toxicants
in the air, such as pesticide vapors.
Program Description
The Office of Children's Health Protection builds community capacity to protect children
from environmental health threats by 1) providing citizens and communities with
information and tools, 2) supporting community actions, 3) raising awareness among
health care providers about the risks to children's health, 4) engaging youth in children's
environmental health protection, and 5) working with states to develop children's health
programs.
Providence, Rl, the 2005 Children's Environmental Health Award Winner, has a lead poisoning
rate twice the national average. In 1992, the Childhood Lead Action project was developed to
eliminate childhood lead poisoning in Rhode Island communities through education, parent
support, and advocacy.The project has expanded into four effective initiatives that educate and
increase awareness about lead hazards.The Rhode Island Lead Collaborative is a skills-building
initiative for lead educators dedicated to increasing community capacity for organized prevention
planning. The Lead Hazard Awareness program conducts door-to-door outreach, public and
private presentations, and training in vulnerable communities.The Lead Safe House Party
initiative raises awareness in at-risk neighborhoods. Finally, the Lead-Safe Rl! training program
seeks to train property owners and professionals about lead-safe work practices, community
notification rules, and inspection procedures.
Contact Information
Ted Cooopwood
Office of Children's Health Protection and Environmental Education
(202)564-2197
coopwood.theodore@epa.gov
Community Guide to EPA's Partnership Programs
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Clean Construction USA
www.epa.gov/cleandiesel/construction
Purpose
The goal of Clean Construction USA is to reduce the exposure of the public
to diesel exhaust from diesel construction equipment by encouraging the
replacement or retrofit of in-use equipment with newer emissions control
technologies.
Community Application
Any community wishing to reduce exposure to toxic diesel exhaust from
construction sites and equipment would benefit from this program.
Program Description
The program has a four pronged approach to cut down on pollution
caused by construction equipment. The program aims to do this through
anti-idling policies, fueling equipment with cleaner fuels, retrofitting existing
equipment, and replacing the oldest engines and equipment.There are
grants available at both a state and federal level which will help support
communities attempting to implement these changes. Some communities
and construction projects have also implemented contract specifications to
require the use of cleaner construction equipment.
In November 2005, the EPA Administrator announced the award of more than
$1 Million in grants for retrofitting or repowering diesel construction equipment
and nonroad projects. Nine grants will reduce diesel emissions in construction
equipment and improve air quality while serving as valuable models for future
clean diesel projects in the nonroad sector. For more information about these
grants, go to: http://www.epa.gov/otaq/diesel/awarded-grants.htmttgrants-2005.
Many of the projects involve the installation of diesel oxidation catalysts (DOCs) or
the upgrading or repowering of construction equipment to make them operate
cleaner. Prior success from previous construction equipment in Boston's Big Dig
Tunnel project and the I-95 New Haven Harbor Crossing Improvement Program
helped pave the way.
Contact Information
Monica Beard-Raymond
Office of Air and Radiation
(734)214-4047
beard-raymond.monica@epa.gov
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Clean Ports USA
www.epa.gov/cleandiesel/ports
Purpose
As part of EPA's National Clean Diesel Campaign, the Clean Ports USA
initiative's goal is to voluntarily reduce emissions from existing diesel engines
at ports.
Community Application
Any community wishing to reduce exposure to toxic diesel exhaust from the
2,000 ports in the country would benefit from this program.
Program Description
The program reduces pollution caused by diesel equipment at marine
ports. Clean Ports USA accomplishes this through a variety of cost-effective
strategies, including encouraging ports to use cleaner fuels, retrofit
equipment, and replace the oldest engines with cleaner ones. The program
also promotes operational strategies such as increased reduced idling,
enhanced use of IT to promote efficiency and reduce exhaust, and gate
improvements to avoid truck idling. Grant opportunities and other incentives
are available at both a state and federal level which will help support port
communities.
A terminal operator from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey achieved
35 percent emission reduction over a two year period while increasing operations
by 19 percent and saving 20 percent on fuel usage. This company voluntarily
purchased certified on-highway engines that meet tighter emissions standards and
feature automatic idling shut-offs as the company replaced on-dock equipment.
They have also voluntarily switched their entire operation over to 500 ppm sulfur
on-highway fuel that these new engines require, instead of the 3,000 ppm sulfur
nonroad diesel fuel.
Contact Information
Patricia D. Koman
Office of Transportation and Air Quality
(734)214-4955
koman.trish@epa.gov
Community Guide to EPA's Partnership Programs
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Clean School Bus USA
www.epa.gov/cleanschoolbus
Purpose
The goal of Clean School Bus USA is to reduce both children's exposure to
diesel exhaust and the amount of air pollution created by diesel school
buses.
Community Application
Any community wishing to reduce exposure to toxic diesel exhaust from
outdated school buses would benefit from this program.
Program Description
The program has a three-tiered approach to cut down on pollution caused
by school buses.The program aims to do this through anti-idling policies,
retrofitted buses, and replacement of the oldest vehicles. There are multiple
grants and awards available at both a state and federal level which will
help support communities attempting to implement these changes.
On June 14,2004, two school districts in Michigan were awarded grants totaling
almost $200,000 which will help retrofit the older diesel-fueled buses.The buses
will be retrofitted with diesel oxidation catalysts that use a chemical process to
breakdown pollutants in the exhaust stream into less harmful components.The
catalysts can be installed on any new or used bus and run on regular diesel fuel.
Over 70 grants to communities have been awarded since 2003 for clean school bus
projects.
Contact Information
Jennifer L. Keller
Clean School Bus USA
Office of Air and Radiation
(734)214-4780
CleanSchoolBusUSA@epa.gov
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Climate Leaders
www.epa.gov/climateleaders
Purpose
Climate Leaders is an EPA industry-government partnership that works with companies to
develop long-term, comprehensive climate change strategies. Companies of all sizes and
in all sectors are reducing greenhouse gas emissions through this program.
Community Application
Businesses seeking to do their part in reducing the risks of climate change in their
communities will benefit from joining this program.
Program Description
Partner companies commit to reducing their impact on the global environment by
setting aggressive greenhouse gas reduction goals and reporting their progress to EPA
annually. Through program participation, companies create a credible record of their
accomplishments and recieve EPA recognition as corporate environmental leaders.
The Climate Protection Campaign (CPC) was founded in 2001 to bring together the Sonoma
County, California government, businesses and communities to achieve larger greenhouse
gas emissions reductions than each of these sectors would accomplish by acting alone. CPC
successfully assisted the county in setting the boldest emissions reduction target of any U.S.
community- 25% below 1990levels by 2015. Through a partnership with state-funded energy
efficiency programs, CPC engages local business partners with California's aggressive energy
efficiency improvements goals. Two of these business partners, Sonoma Wone Company and
North Bay Construction, joined the Climate Leaders program to pursue aggressive greenhouse
gas reduction goals and energy efficiencies that will contribute to the overall emissions target of
Sonoma County.
Contact Information
Jim Sullivan
Climate Leaders Program
Office of Air and Radiation
(202) 343-9241
sullivan.jamest@epa.gov
Community Guide to EPA's Partnership Programs
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Coalbed Methane Outreach Program
(CMOP)
www.epa.gov/cmop
Purpose
The mission of this program is to promote the profitable recovery and use of
coal mine methane (CMM), a greenhouse gas more than 20 times as potent
as carbon dioxide.
Community Application
Any community seeking to improve the environmental standard of their coal
mining operations will benefit from this program.
Program Description
By working cooperatively with coal companies and related industries, CMOP
helps to identify and implement methods to use CMM instead of emitting it
into the atmosphere. In turn, these actions mitigate climate change, improve
mine safety and productivity, and generate revenues and cost savings.
Since its inception in 1994, CMOP has provided technical assistance to the
coal industry by evaluating CMM recovery technologies and use options
and the project economics for those options. Examples of such assistance
include: providing important outreach services to keep the industry abreast
of important developments through a quarterly newsletter and weekly email
updates, supporting international efforts to reduce CMM emissions through
the Methane to Markets Partnership and the Asia Pacific Partnership, and
supporting the use of innovative technologies to harness ventilation air
methane through a technology demonstration project.
Since CMOP began in 1994, the U.S. coal mining industry has captured and used
over 279 billion cubic feet (10.7 billion cubic meters) of CMM. This is the equivalent
of removing 153 million metric tons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. In 2004,
this provided enough energy to heat 457,000 homes and generated an estimated
$188 million in revenue through gas and power sales.
Contact Information
Pamela Franklin
Office of Air and Radiation
(202) 343-9476
franklin.pamela@epa.gov
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Community-Based Childhood
Asthma Programs
www. epa.gov/asthma
Purpose
This program encourages and supports communities to unite resources and
stakeholders to address environmental pollutants that contribute to the
burden of asthma.
Community Application
Any community seeking to reduce exposure to indoor and outdoor asthma
triggers, including air toxics; to reduce asthma health care costs; and to
improve the quality of life for people with asthma and their families will
benefit from this program.
Program Description
EPA strives to improve the health of people with asthma — in particular
disproportionately impacted populations — by 1) increasing knowledge
about the importance of working with a doctor, developing an asthma
action plan, and identifying personal asthma triggers; 2) fostering acquisition
of new skills and behavior changes to reduce exposure to environmental
asthma triggers; and 3) impacting the type and quality of care provided
to people with asthma.To accomplish this, EPA works directly with people
with asthma as well as with a variety of stakeholders, including health care
providers, commercial and public health insurers, state agencies, child care
and school personnel, community-based organizations and coalitions.
Community Guide to EPA's Partnership Programs
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Community-Based Childhood Asthma Programs—continued
Examples of community asthma programs supported by EPA
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Community Asthma Prevention Program (CAPP):
The CAPP home visit program for children with asthma and their families provides
education and support for trigger management. Children enrolled in this program
have fewer emergency room visits and hospitalizations for asthma (http://www.
epa.gov/iaq/asthma/pdfs/chop.pdf). EPA tools and resources, such as the booklet
Help Your Child Gain Control Over Asthma, are designed to meet the needs of
parents with limited reading skills (http://www.epa.gov/asthma/publications.html).
West Carrollton City OH School District: School officials improved school
environments for all staff and students, including those with asthma, by supporting
good indoor air quality (IAQ) management practices. District officials fostered a
proactive approach, based on EPA's IAQ Tools for Schools program, to address
IAQ complaints and problems. Absenteeism rates have declined nearly 9 percent
district-wide since the program was established, and as much as 12 percent in one
school. The district is now a regional resource and mentor for other schools
(http://www.epa.gov/iaq/schools/iaqtfsawards.html).
Richmond VA Asthma Coalition: Controlling Asthma in the Richmond
MetropolitanArea (CARMA) used the Goldfish Media Campaign to raise awareness
about asthma and to promote the CARMA services available to Richmond
metropolitan area families. The Goldfish Campaign is a collaboration between
EPA and the Ad Council, and it includes public service announcements for radio
and TV, billboard and transit posters, and newspaper and magazine ads, in English
and Spanish. These products are available free of charge (http://www.epa.gov/
asthma/psas.html).
Contact Information
Dave Rowson
Office of Air and Radiation
(202) 343-9449
rowson.david@epa.gov
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Community-Based Radon Reduction
www.epa.gov/radon
Purpose
This program encourages community-based testing for radon, fixing problems
when high radon levels are found in homes and schools, and building new
homes with radon resistant new construction.
Community Application
Communities concerned with exposure to pollutants contributing to cancer
would benefit from this community awareness campaign.
Program Description
EPA has developed a Radon Outreach and Education Materials CD-ROM
(Draft) for local organizations such as state and local governments, non-profit
organizations, and educational institutions.The CD-ROM contains how-
to guides, customizable presentations, sample materials and more.These
materials can be used to connect with local media, businesses, civic groups,
and other organizations. Communities are provided with sample outreach
materials including outreach material templates, slide presentations for
community and special-interest audiences, publications (available through
the national IAQ clearinghouse), and technical support (available through
state radon programs and EPA Headquarters program office). EPA assists
communities in obtaining low-cost radon testing devices and conducting
laboratory analysis of the results. EPA works with communities to identify
strategies for fixing homes with high levels of radon. Many strategies include
the creation of public private partnerships.
Counties like Erie County, N.Y. have developed materials and programs to inform
citizens about the seriousness of radon exposure in their homes. Erie County recently
updated its radon awareness video with the help of Buffalo State College. The video
encourages and instructs viewers on how to use home radon test kits and mitigation
techniques, and also explains contributing factors to the county's radon problems
like Erie County's topography and geography. The VMS and DVD forms of this video
are used at health fairs and throughout the county schools, and are available at
all 52 county public libraries, legislative offices, and by contacting the Erie County
Office of Indoor Air Quality.
Contact Information
Susie Shimek
Office of Air and Radiation
(202) 343-9054
shimek.susie@epa.gov
Community Guide to EPA's Partnership Programs
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Design for the Environment (DfE)
www.epa.gov/dfe
Purpose
DfE provides tools and approaches that allow businesses and communities
to integrate environmental and health considerations into business decisions.
Community Application
Any community seeking to promote the use of alternative processes, safer
product formulations, and emerging innovative technologies in industry in an
effort to reduce chemical emissions and exposures, cut chemical waste, and
improve overall safety will benefit from this program.
Program Description
The DfE Program promotes pollution prevention and risk reduction activities
in industrial sectors and surrounding communities.To accomplish this mission,
DfE forms partnerships with industry and other interested parties to develop
information on environmental and human health impacts, performance,
and cost of cleaner technologies and approaches. The program also
disseminates information to help businesses design and redesign cost-
effective products and processes that are cleaner and safer for workers and
the public. It achieves this goal through technical support and advice.
DfE demonstrated that small business auto refinishing shops adopting best
practices can reduce toxic paint emissions in the shop and community by roughly
30 percent, or over a ton per shop annually, while saving as much as $13,000 per
year. DfE conducts train-the-trainer workshops for vocational technical instructors,
students, trade associations and shops to promote a best practice standard in the
auto refinishing industry. If DfE best practices were implemented at all 50,000 auto
refinishing shops nationwide, hazardous air emissions could be reduced by 86,000
tons per year and shops could save $650 million.
Contact Information
Clive Davies
Office of Prevention, Pesticides
and Toxics
(202)564-3821
davies.clive@epa.gov
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Energy Star Residential and Commercial Programs
http://energystar.gov
Purpose
ENERGY Star is a program managed by EPA and DOE that helps organizations and
individuals protect the environment and save money through superior energy efficiency.
Community Application
Any community interested in avoiding local greenhouse gas emissions and reducing
energy costs will benefit from this program.
Program Description
In 1992 EPA introduced ENERGY STAR as a voluntary labeling program designed
to identify and promote cost-effective energy efficient products in order to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions. Over the last 15 years, the program has grown to include
over 50 categories of qualified product categories, labeled new homes, resources
for improving the efficiency of existing homes; and tools and guidance for strategic
energy managementin the commercial and industrial sectors. By choosing Energy Star
consumers save up to 30%-or $600 annually-on their energy bills, many Businesses and
organizations can also save up to 30% through improved energy management and
building upgrades, In 2006, Americans, with tthe help of Energy Star, saved $14 billion
in energy costs while avoiding greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those from 25
million vehicles.
There are mulitple ways communities can participate in the Energy Star program.The ENERGY
STAR Change a Light, Change the World Campaign is a national challenge to encourage every
American to help change the world, one light-one energy saving-- step at a time. You can show
your commitment by pledging to replace atleast one light in your home with one that has earned
the ENERGY STAR. Community organizations can also sponsor pledge drives. Americans have
pledged to change over a million light bulbs! In the commercial sector, the Energy Star challenge
is a call to building owners and operates to reduce the energy use in the building by 10% or more.
More than 500 organizations_including over 150 local governments_have joined the challenge.
Contact Information
Energy Star Hotline
1-888-STARYES (782-7937)
hotline@energystar.gov
www.energystar.gov
Community Guide to EPA's Partnership Programs
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Environmental Tobacco Smoke/
Smoke-free Homes
www.epa.gov/smokefree
Purpose
This program encourages parents, caregivers and others to protect children
from secondhand smoke especially in the home and car.
Community Application
All communities seeking to improve indoor air quality, particularly for children,
will benefit from this program through motivating parents, caregivers, and
others not to smoke in their homes or cars.
Program Description
Making homes and cars smoke-free helps protect children from bronchitis,
pneumonia, more frequent and more severe asthma attacks, respiratory
illnesses, ear infections and even sudden infant death syndrome.The
program offers health information for parents and asks them to take the
Smoke-free Home Pledge to keep their home and car smoke-free. Smoke-
free Home information is available in English and Spanish.
The National Association of Counties (NACo) and the National Association of Black
County Officials (NOBCO) are successful participants in the Smoke-free Homes
Program, having received approximately 20,000 pledges through their outreach
efforts. Through advocacy of county officials, NACo and NOBCO member counties
have participated in national challenges, worked with schools and school districts,
and involved their communities in hands on activities that educate the public on
the health risks of secondhand smoke to children. Parents, caregivers, and other
adults are encouraged to take the Smoke-free Home pledge and, until they can
quit, to smoke outside.
Contact Information
Sheila Brown
Office of Air and Radiation
(202) 343-9439
brown.sheila@epa.gov
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Green Building Programs
www.epa.gov/greenbuilding
Purpose
Green building is the practice of creating healthier and more resource-efficient models
of construction, renovation, operation, maintenance, and demolition. EPA's Green
Building programs together strive for a built environment that protects and enhances of
ecosystems and the public.
Community Application
EPA's Green Building programs provide tools and resources useful to any
community seeking to reduce the environmental impacts of building
and development projects—from homes to shopping centers to religious
establishments to office buildings.
Program Description
Green Building-related programs across the Agency provide tools and
resources covering energy efficiency and renewable energy, water
stewardship, environmentally preferable building materials and specifications,
waste reduction, indoor environmental quality, smart growth, and sustainable
development.
The EPA-sponsored Federal Green Construction Guide for Specifiers
(http://fedgreenspecs.wbdg.org) is a comprehensive guide for procuring green
construction and renovation services. More than 60 model specification sections
are in the Guide covering items from waste management to paint to HVAC.The
Guide provides guide spec language for specifying environmental performance
requirements of materials and installation methods as well as for prescribing the
quality standards of construction procedures to be executed on the project.
Additionally, the Guide lays out the contractors'submittal requirements-key to the
building owners'efforts to measure environmental results. EPA intends the Guide
to be a living document—expanding into new sections and raising the bar as the
green building industry matures.
Contact Information
Ken Sandier
Office of Air and Radiation -
Indoor Environments
(202)343-9607
sandler.ken@epa.gov
Alison Kinn Bennett
Office of Pollution Prevention and
Toxics
(202) 564-8859
kinn.alison@epa.gov
Community Guide to EPA's Partnership Programs
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Green Power Partnership
www.epa.gov/greenpower
Purpose
EPA's Green Power Partnership (GPP) is a voluntary program helping to
increase the demand for renewable energy as a way to reduce the
risk of climate change and the environmental impacts associated with
conventional electricity use. A community-wide green power purchase is
one of the easiest and most effective ways for a community to address its
sustainability and environmental goals.
Community Application
EPA supports communities in the development of community-wide
green power initiatives and provides recognition to those that reach the
Partnership's minimum purchase requirements. Community green power
purchases can serve as an effective way to generate goodwill and pride
among local stakeholder groups, as well as generate local economic
benefits.
Program Description
EPA's Green Power Partnership includes a wide variety of leading
organizations such as Fortune 500 companies, local, state, and federal
governments, trade associations, and colleges and universities. Green
power is electricity generated from environmentally preferable renewable
resources such as solar, wind, geothermal, low-impact biomass and low-
impact hydro. By voluntarily purchasing green power, communities can
help accelerate the development of new, domestic renewable energy
generation facilities. Unlike conventional electricity generation, green power
produces little to no net greenhouse gas emissions and is cleaner for the
environment.
This program includes the use of green tags as one of the incentives. Green tags
allow customers to purchase the renewable attributes of a specific quantity of
renewable energy. Green tags are sold separately from electricity and can be
purchased from locations throughout the U.S. In this way, a customer can choose
green power even if the local utility or marketer does not offer a green power
product. One green tag typically represents the renewable attributes associated
with one megawatt hour of green power. Through the use of green tags, green
power becomes accessible to all.
Contact Information
Matt Clouse
Office of Air and Radiation
(202) 343-9004
clouse.matt@epa.gov
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Green Suppliers Network
www.epa.gov/greensuppliers
Purpose
The Green Suppliers Network provides lean and clean technical assistance to small and
medium-sized manufacturers to help them optimize their resources and improve their
environmental footprint.
Community Application
Green Suppliers Network provides CARE communities with a unique opportunity
to engage small and medium-sized enterprises in their community's long-term
environmental projects. The Green Suppliers Network also provides an economic
incentive for manufacturers who are considering their involvement with CARE, by
identifying cost effective ways of eliminating waste, improving efficiency, and reducing
environmental impacts on the community.
Program Description
The Green Suppliers Network is a partnership program among industry, the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the U.S. Department of Commerce. The
Green Suppliers Network works with large manufacturing companies to engage facilities
and suppliers facilities in low-cost technical reviews that focis on process improvement
and waste minimization. EPA provides program support and some funding.
With the help of a Green Suppliers Network Lean and Clean review, H&L Advantage has begun to
transform the way they do business. H&L Advantage is a small injection molding manufacturer
located in Grandville, Michigan. With sixty employees and forty years in the business, H&L
Advantage knows what it takes to compete. When they were nominated to participate in Green
Suppliers by their largest customer, they viewed participation as an opportunity to rise above
the rest.Through the Green Suppliers Network review process, H&L Advantage worked on-site
with Michigan's Department of Environmental Quality and The Right Place, West Michigan's
360vu center. These experts in Lean and Clean manufacturing techinques helped H&L Advantage
identify over a dozen improvement opportunities in August 2004.
Contact Information
Kristin Pierre
Office of Prevention, Pesticides
and Toxic Substances
(202) 564-8837
Pierre.Kristin@epa.gov
Community Guide to EPA's Partnership Programs
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GreenScapes
www.epa.gov/greenscapes
Purpose
The purpose of GreenScapes is to promote sustainable, environmentally
beneficial landscape practices across the nation.
Community Application
Any organization, agency, community, or individual with green space would
benefit from this program.
Program Description
GreenScapes is designed to provide cost-efficient and environmentally
friendly solutions for landscape design, construction, and maintenance
- large and small. The goal is to preserve natural resources and prevent
waste and pollution by encouraging organizations and individuals to make
more holistic decisions regarding their landscape practices and purchases.
GreenScapes promotes practices and products that meet the users needs
but have a better environmental profile than current methods.
Compost made from the food scraps of more than 1,500 food related businesses
and thousands of residents in San Francisco is being used on vineyards throughout
Northern California's wine country to enhance the quality of the soil. More than
300 tons of food scraps are sent to Jepson Prairie Organics composting facility
each day, and 12 vineyards are currently using Jepson's compost.This project
is one example of'closing the loop"— organics are taken from San Francisco
tables, composted, put back into the soil, and returned to San Francisco
restaurants as wine. Chris Choate, regional manager for compost facilities, says,
"San Francisco likes the program because it shows how restaurants can do their
part to divert waste from the landfills." Linda Hale, vineyard manager at Madrone
Vineyards, thought using Jepson's compost was a great opportunity/'Farmers
are environmental stewards and must be careful with the soil,"she notes. Using
compost produced with food scraps allows the vineyard to help both the soil
and the environment."Participating in this program is a win-win situation,"agrees
DarekTrowbridge, vineyard manager at Everett Ridge Vineyards and Winery. The
partnership between Jepson and local vineyards continues to thrive because it is
beneficial to the growers and the environment.There are no additional costs for
growers, people are seeing the farm and city connection, and the program is in line
with U.S. trends towards sustainable and organic agriculture.
Contact Information
Jean Schwab
GreenScapes Program Manager
(703) 308-8669
schwab.jean@epa.gov
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Indoor Air Quality "Tools for Schools"
www.epa.gov/iaq/schools
Purpose
This program aims to help schools improve indoor air quality through
inexpensive methods with the aid of an extensive guidance and support kit.
Community Application
Any community seeking to improve the indoor air quality of their schools will
benefit from this program.
Program Description
The Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Tools for Schools Kit shows schools how to carry
out a practical plan of action to improve indoor air problems at little or
no cost using straightforward activities and in-house staff.The voluntary
guidance in IAQ Tools for Schools can save schools time and money so that
attention can be directed to educating children. It contains activities for
both staff and students.
Burlington School District of Burlington, Vermont, has overcome a tight budget and
aging facilities to become a statewide leader and mentor in promoting good IAQ
for students and staff. Burlington emphasized broad cooperation, clever, low-cost
fixes, and good communication.The district implemented an anti-idling policy and
employed direct communication and cooperation with vendors, which helped
solve IAQ problems created by an air intake location near two schools' loading
docks. Burlington utilized multiple grants to purchase HEPA vacuum cleaners and to
make improvements in several school HVAC systems. A new emergency response
system enables school or community members to report IAQ concerns by writing
a simple ticket, establishing a detailed tracking system and allowing the district to
respond quickly to concerns. The effects have been remarkable, demonstrated by
a drop in one school's annual absenteeism rates among asthmatic students from 31
days to 2 days in just one year.
Contact Information
David Rowson
Office of Air and Radiation
(202) 343-9449
rowson.david@epa.gov
Community Guide to EPA's Partnership Programs
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Integrated Pest Management in Schools
www.epa.gov/pesticides/ipm
Purpose
This program builds partnerships with universities, who are developing
training programs, school districts doing Integrated Pest Management
(IPM) pilot programs, and non-profit organizations developing IPM models
and certification programs. The overall goal is to get schools to adopt IPM
practices to control pests in their facilities.
Community Application
All communities have schools. Implementing school IPM provides a segue for
healthier homes and an overall safer environment for us all.
Program Description
IPM in Schools is a voluntary program that forms partnerships with
organizations that have the goal of protecting public health and providing
a safe environment. Two virtual IPM Centers for Schools and Day Cares
- Purdue University (1 -877-668-8476) and Texas A&M University (1 -877-747-
6872) - were funded by EPA to enhance adoption of IPM. These and other
partnerships continue to leverage dollars from many different sources to
continue their work in schools.
IPM Institute of North America, Inc. is working to increase the adoption of IPM
in schools nationwide.The Institute has created IPM Star, a school certification
program, and helped to implement the program in several school districts,
including: Newton, MA; Anne Arundel County, MD; New York City, NY; Kyrene, AZ;
Auburn, AL; Buffalo, NY and Pittsburgh, PA. For more information, visit their website at:
http://www.ipminstitute.org/school.htm
The Monroe IPM Model is a 22 step process reliant on intensive communication
and partnership and based on sound pest management as practiced by national
experts. For more information, visit their website at: http://www.mccsc.edu/
~mccscipm/html/reg/ipmodel/ipmodel_steps.htm
Contact Information
Sherry Click
Office of Prevention, Pesticides
and Toxic Substances
(702) 784-8276
glick.sherry@epa.gov
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Landfill Methane Outreach Program
www.epa.gov/lmop
Purpose
The U.S. EPA's landfill Methane Outreach Program (LMOP) is a voluntary asistance program
that helps to reduce methane emissions from landfills by encouraging the recovery and
use of landfill gas as an energy resource.
Community Application
Any community wishing to utilize an alternative, renewable, green energy
source will benefit from this program.
Program Description
LMOP forms partnerships with communities, landfill owners, utilities, power marketers,
states, project developers, tribes, and non-profit organizations to help partners overcome
barriers to project development. Program assistance includes helping partners assess
project feasibility, find financing, and market the benefits of project development to the
community.
In the year 2006,425 operational LFG energy projects in 40 states prevented the release of over 22
million metric tons of carbon equivalent, since the program has began in 1994, LMOP has assisted
in the development of over 330 LFG utilization projects that have reduced methane emissions
24 mmtce.This reduction is the carbon equivalent of removing the emissions from 16 million
vehicles on the road or planting over 20 million acres of forest for one year.
Contact Information
Brian Guzzone
Landfill Methane Outreach Program
(202) 343-9248
guzzone.brian@epa.gov
Community Guide to EPA's Partnership Programs
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National Clean Diesel Campaign
www.epa.gov/cleandiesel
Purpose
This program offers information, technical support, and assistance funding
to help communities reduce exposure to diesel exhaust from both new and
existing diesel engines.
Community Application
Any community aiming to reduce toxic emissions through diesel retrofits
would benefit from this program.
Program Description
The National Clean Diesel Campaign promotes the reduction of emissions
through a variety of cost-effective and innovative strategies, including
switching to cleaner fuels, retrofitting, repairing, repowering, replacement
and idle reduction, among others.The program also verifies emissions
reductions of retrofit technologies. A network of Regional Collaborates
provides support to local efforts. The Energy Policy Act and SAFETEA-LU
transportation legislation provide new incentives for emission reductions.
There are approximately 220 cleaner diesel projects nationwide, located in 44
States and the District of Columbia. Over 500 partners are participating in the
projects. These partners'contributions have leveraged federal funds by over 2:1. In
addition, over 20 States and the District of Columbia are using ultra-low sulfur diesel
fuel well ahead of EPA's 2006 mandate as a result of the National Clean Diesel
Campaign.
Contact Information
Jim Blubaugh
Office of Air and Radiation
(202) 343-9244
blubaugh.jim@epa.gov
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National Nonpoint Source Management
Program
www.epa.gov/owow/nps
Purpose
This program aims to help communities reduce nonpoint source pollution or
polluted runoff entering local rivers, streams, lakes and wetlands.
Community Application
Any community wanting to decrease nonpoint source pollutants will benefit
from this program.
Program Description
Nonpoint source pollution is caused by rainfall or snowmelt moving over
and through the ground. As the runoff moves, it picks up and carries away
natural and human-made pollutants, finally depositing them into lakes, rivers,
wetlands, coastal waters, and even our underground sources of drinking
water. This program, authorized under Section 319 of the Clean Water Act,
offers financial assistance and outreach materials to prevent and clean up
pollution.
California's major water supply reservoirs are located on rangeland, and eight of
the state's major drainage basins are dominated by commonly grazed vegetation.
Most of this rangeland is in private ownership. The water quality problems associated
with this grazing include nutrients and pathogens, erosion, and sedimentation. Some
of the more serious impacts have threatened the state's drinking water supply with
bacterial contamination and caused significant declines in the state's cold-water
salmon and steelhead trout fishery. With funding from EPA, the University of California
Cooperative Extension, in cooperation with the California Cattlemen's Association
and others, has developed and is presenting a voluntary Ranch Water Quality
Planning Short Course. In the course, ranchers receive information to assist them
in making an assessment of nonpoint source pollution on their land and to help
them determine the extent to which their operation might be contributing to water
quality problems.
Contact Information
DovWeitman
Office of Water
(202)566-1207
weitman.dov@epa.gov
Community Guide to EPA's Partnership Programs
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National Partnership for Environmental
Priorities
www.epa.gov/minimize/partnership.htm
Purpose
The goal of the program is to encourage the elimination or minimization of
hazardous and industrial wastes, particularly those waste streams containing
one or more of the 31 priority chemicals.
Community Application
Any community seeking to reduce the amount of waste generated and
lower the toxicity and persistence of those wastes that are unavoidable will
benefit from this program.
Program Description
EPA's National Partnership for Environmental Priorities (NPEP) focuses efforts
on reducing 31 Priority Chemicals found in our nation's products and wastes
by finding solutions that eliminate or substantially reduce the use of Priority
Chemicals in production, or on recovering or recycling these chemicals
where they cannot easily be eliminated or reduced at the source. This is
done through partnerships with public and private organizations.These
partnerships offer recognition and technical support to recipients.
Shell developed arrangements that now enable spent lead oxide catalyst to be
recycled to recover the lead value instead of sending it to land disposal. In the last
year, this resulted in sending 65 tons of spent catalyst to be recycled, recovering the
12 tons of lead that it contained. Lead recovery was chosen as a goal because
it was the last sizeable hazardous waste stream that was routinely disposed. Since
it contained lead, a Priority Chemical, it was a good fit for participation in the
National Partnership for Environmental Priorities.The lead is recovered by using it
as feedstock to secondary lead smelting, the same process that is used to recover
lead from automobile batteries.
Contact Information
Newman Smith
Office of Solid Waste and
Emergency Response
(703)308-8871
smith.newman@epa.gov
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Natural Gas Star
www.epa.gov/gasstar
Purpose
This program aims to reduce methane emissions from natural gas operations
by identifying and promoting the implementation of mitigation technologies
and management practices.
Community Application
All communities with oil and natural gas production facilities within the
community that wish to reduce greenhouse gas emissions will benefit from
this program.
Program Description
The Natural Gas STAR Program is a flexible, voluntary partnership between
EPA and the oil and natural gas industry.Through the Program, EPA works
with companies that produce, process, transmit and distribute natural gas to
identify and promote the implementation of cost-effective technologies and
practices to reduce emissions of methane, a potent greenhouse gas.
Now in its 14th year, the Natural Gas STAR Program continues to achieve great
successes. Gas STAR partners have eliminated more than 577 billion cubic feet
(Bcf) of methane emissions through the implementation of more than 120 cost-
effective technologies and practices. For calendar year 2006, Gas STAR partners
reported emissions reductions of approximately 85.9 Bcf. These emission reductions,
voluntarily undertaken by Natural Gas STAR partner companies, have cross-cutting
benefits on domestic energy supply, industrial efficiency, revenue generation and
greenhouse gas emission reductions. The 2006 voluntary emissions reductions are
equivalent to additional revenue of more than $600 million in natural gas sales
(assumes 2006 average gas price of $7.00 per thousand cubic feet), and the
global warming equivalent of removing approximately 7.5 million cars from the
road for one year or 28.9 million acres of pine or fir forests storing carbon for one
year.
Contact Information
Roger Fernandez
Office of Air and Radiation
(202) 343-9386
fernandez.roger@epa.gov
Community Guide to EPA's Partnership Programs
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Pesticide Environmental Stewardship Program
www.epa.gov/oppbppdl/PESP
Purpose
This program aims to reduce risk from the use of pesticides and to go
beyond regulatory requirements to a higher level of environmental
stewardship for pest management.
Community Application
All communities aiming to reduce pesticide risks within the community will
benefit from this program.
Program Description
The Pesticide Environmental Stewardship Program (PESP) is a voluntary
program that forms partnerships with pesticide users to reduce the health
and environmental risks associated with pesticide use and implement
pollution prevention strategies. EPA started the program in 1994. Grants are
available to assist with risk reduction. Each PESP Partner and Supporter is
provided an EPA Liaison, from the Office of Pesticide Programs or an EPA
Regional Office, who works with the member to provide information and
assistance in developing and implementing their strategy. The EPA Liaisons
are these organizations'single-point customer service representatives at EPA.
They provide information on EPA activities, assist in developing the strategy,
and provide information on funding opportunities to support strategy
implementation.
To date, there are well over 150 program members and supporters throughout the
country. Members submit a strategy outlining their plan for pesticide risk reduction
which is posted online for public viewing.
Contact Information
Stephen Morrill
Office of Prevention, Pesticides
and Toxic Substances
(703)308-8319
morrill.stephen@epa.gov
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Plug-In To eCycling
www.plugintorecycling.org
Purpose
The aim of the program is to increase the number of convenient and low-
cost opportunities for citizens to recycle their old electronics, and to increase
awareness and desire to recycle these products
Community Application
All communities with a desire to recycle electronics will benefit from this
program.
Program Description
Plug-In To eCycling is a consumer electronics campaign working to increase
the number of electronic devices collected and safely recycled in the United
States. Launched in January 2003, Plug-In To eCycling is one component
of EPA's Resource Conservation Challenge. Plug-In To eCycling focuses on
three major areas: providing the public with information about electronics
recycling and increasing opportunities to safely recycle old electronics;
facilitating partnerships with communities, electronics manufacturers, and
retailers to promote shared responsibility for safe electronics recycling; and
establishing pilot projects to test innovative approaches to safe electronics
recycling.
Staples, Inc partnered with the Product Stewardship Institute (PSI) to conduct a six-
week pilot program to measure the success of retail-based electronics recycling.
This pilot tested and measured the reverse distribution process as a unique strategy
for transporting old computers and other business equipment from consumers to
recyclers. This process uses the same channels that provide the new products to
customers to collect and transport the old electronics to the distribution centers.
In the summer of 2004, Plug-In partner Staples tested the two-pronged approach
to its reverse-distribution system. Delivery trucks transported old electronics from 14
small business customers and 27 retail stores in New England to distribution centers,
where the electronics were gathered for recycling. Staples, the Product Stewardship
Institute, 10 partnering manufacturers and Envirocycle, Inc. recycled over 115,000 Ibs.
of unwanted electronic equipment during the six-week pilot.
Contact Information
Katharine Kaplan Osdoba
Office of Solid Waste and
Emergency Response
(703) 308-8659
osdoba.katharine@epa.gov
Community Guide to EPA's Partnership Programs
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Schools Chemical Cleanout Campaign and
Prevention Program (SC3)
www.epa.gov/sc2>
Purpose
The goal of the Schools Chemical Cleanout Campaign and Prevention
Program (SC3) is to improve the learning environment in K-12 schools by
reducing chemical exposures to staff and students and improving chemical
management. Adopting safer chemical management practices, as
promoted by SC3, will likely result in fewer school days lost and healthier
students and faculty.
Community Application
Any community with an interest in healthy school environments and
protecting children from exposure to unnecessary, dangerous, mismanaged
chemicals would benefit from the SC3 program.
Program Description
The Schools Chemical Cleanout Campaign provides information to
schools and communities regarding the potential dangers of chemical
accumulations in K-12 schools as well as steps to facilitate chemical
cleanouts and prevent future chemical management problems. Successful
chemical management programs are tailored to meet an individual
school's needs, but all share some common elements, including: on-site
technical assistance, education and awareness training for staff, and forming
partnerships with external organizations. EPA is working with partners (federal
agencies, teacher associations, chemical suppliers, among others) to
develop partnerships that work toward meeting SCS's goals and establishing
a national SC3 program that will make clean-out and prevention available
to every school in the country.
Rhode Island (Rl) formed the Chemical Safe Schools Committee, which includes Rl
Departments of Health, Labor, Education and Environmental Management; Brown
University; Rl Committee on Occupational Safety and Health; Community College
of Rhode Island; and Miriam Hospital. They are working together to help schools
minimize the health, safety and environmental risks associated with chemicals in
schools. Through the efforts of this committee more than 800 hazardous chemicals
are no longer allowed in schools.The committee created a handbook on
laboratory safety, reviewed chemical inventories, conducted training, and helped
clean out a number of schools.
Contact Information
Kristina Meson
Office of Solid Waste
(703) 308-8488
meson.kristina@epa.gov
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Smart Growth Program
www.epa.gov/smartgrowtk and
www.smartgrowtly.org
Purpose
The Smart Growth Program aims to help states and communities better
understand the impacts of development patterns, and realize the
environmental, economic, community and public health benefits of smart
growth.
Community Application
Most development decisions are made at the local level. Communities
wishing to make more informed decisions about growth and development
may take advantage of the information and resources provided by EPA's
Smart Growth Program and by the Smart Growth Network.
Program Description
The Smart Growth Program provides information and technical assistance to
help communities implement successful development strategies. Additional
assistance is also available through the Smart Growth Network, a group of
diverse organizations who work together to create and promote innovative
smart growth tools.
Davidson, NC was a Winner of EPA's 2004 National Award for Smart Growth
Achievement. To preserve and enhance Davidson's character, the town adopted
the Davidson Land Plan in 1995 and an innovative Planning Ordinance in 2001.
The ordinance seeks significant public involvement, a critical component for
any community that wants to plan where and how it will grow. The town requires
pedestrian, bicycle, and street circulation plans for all new development. Streets are
designed to discourage cars from speeding, making it easier for Davidson's 7,800
residents to walk and bicycle around the town. To further encourage walking, the
town requires narrow, tree lined streets with on-street parking and sidewalks on both
sides of the street. Recognizing that housing prices can sometimes increase when
a community creates great places to live, the town requires that 12.5 percent of all
new housing be affordable to families making less than the county's median family
income. Davidson's plan and ordinance have allowed the town to build on its
strengths while accommodating new growth.
Contact Information
Development, Community and
Environment Division
Office of Policy Economics and
Innovation
(202) 566-2878
smartgrowth@epa.gov
Community Guide to EPA's Partnership Programs
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SmartWay Transport
www. epa.go v/smar tway
Purpose
The goal of the SmartWay Transport program is to create low emission, high
fuel efficient freight vehicles, and improve the environmental performance
and fuel efficiency of the US freight sector. The program uses a voluntary
market incentive system that encourages retailers/end users to choose
freight companies that are environmental leaders in their respective industry
segments.
Community Application
All communities with shipping needs will benefit from this program.
Program Description
SmartWay Transport Partners represent commercial, industrial, and public
sector organizations that commit to improve fuel efficiency, reduce
greenhouse gas emissions, and air pollution of their ground freight
transportation. EPA provides Partners with benefits and services that
include fleet management and emissions modeling tools, technical
support, information, public recognition, and, for exceptional environmental
performers, use of the SmartWay Transport Partner logo.
Since the program's inception, SmartWay projects that its program activities will
eliminate more than 3.2 million tons of CO2 and reduce diesel fuel consumption by
nearly 300 million gallons annually.There are currently over 430 companies signed
on as partners.These companies have all committed to improve the environmental
performance of their freight operations and go beyond compliance in their
environmental planning. The list of participating companies is available online at
www.epa.gov/smartway/partners.htm.
Contact Information
Ann Kee
Office of Transportation and
Air Quality
(202)343-9218
kee.annie@epa.gov
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Source Water Protection Program
www.epa.gov/safewater/protect.html
Purpose
This program aims to prevent the contamination of source water -- the
untreated water from streams, rivers, lakes or underground aquifers which is
the supply of private wells and public drinking water.
Community Application
Protecting source water makes sense for any community. It makes good
public health sense, good economic sense, and good environmental sense.
Program Description
Preventing contamination of drinking water supplies is an important
mission within EPA's Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water. The Source
Water Protection Program provides basic information about the water
used for drinking water and the federal, state and local programs that
assess and manage potential public health risks, including a Web Guide
— an annotated guide to EPA source water resources. Resources include
assessement information, training resources, information about funding
sources, and local case studies.
In remote parts of Alaska, native villagers continue to choose traditional water
supplies — snow melt, roof catchments, surface waters and natural springs — over
available treated supplies.To assess and communicate the health impacts of
traditional water use, a steering committee of local community and tribal members
as well as university and government professionals, developed a statewide survey
of water sources and distribution sites. The steering committee used traditional
communication methods — including dances and skits — at popular potluck
celebrations in three pilot communities. Similarly, the committee combined videos
and traditional storytelling to share test results at operator workshops throughout
Alaska. Next steps include recommendations for improved access and water use
options for families and continued research on treatment alternatives that meet
local needs.
Contact Information
Roy Simon
Office of Water
(202) 564-3867
simon.roy@epa.gov
Community Guide to EPA's Partnership Programs
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Voluntary Diesel Retrofit Program
www.epa.gov/cleandiesel
Purpose
This program, which is a part of EPA's National Clean Diesel Campaign, offers
information and technical support on retrofitting diesel engines to cut down
toxic emissions.
Community Application
Any community aiming to reduce toxic emissions through diesel retrofits
would benefit from this program.
Program Description
The program helps fleet owners and operators, state and local government
air quality planners, and retrofit and engine manufacturers to understand
diesel retrofits and obtain information they need to create effective retrofit
projects.There is technical support as well as grants and other tools to
expedite the retrofit process. In addition, the program works with industry to
introduce verified technologies to the market as cost effectively as possible,
while providing customers with confidence that verified technologies will
provide emissions reductions as advertised.
On February 23,2005, EPA announced the award of $1.6 million to grantees for
projects designed to demonstrate effective emissions reduction stratgies for diesel
fleets.The grantees are state and local governmental organizations, including
air agencies and port authorities, and non-governmental organizations. Each
demonstration project reduces the impacts of pollution on a population that is
especially susceptible to the effects of diesel exhaust, including children, the elderly
and the chronically ill.The 18 recipients will utilize funding to retrofit a variety of
diesel vehicles, including construction, agricultural and port equipment, refuse
haulers, fire trucks, ambulances and locomotives. Criteria for selection included
evaluation of each proposal's implementation plan, air quality benefits, diversity of
technology application, vehicle type and geographic location, originality, and the
likelihood of success of the project.
Contact Information
Dennis Johnson
Office of Air and Radiation
(202) 343-9278
Johnson.dennis@epa.gov
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Volunteer Water Monitoring Program
www.epa.gov/owow/monitoring/volunteer
Purpose
The goal of the Volunteer Water Monitoring Program is to encourage support of
volunteers throughout the country who are trained to monitor water quality conditions
(physical, chemical, and biological). Volunteer monitoring programs may share their data
with local and state governments, and often become involved in watershed stewardship
and education.
Community Application
Any community with concerns about the quality of water in their rivers and
streams will benefit from this program.
Program Description
The program offers tools and assistance for volunteers interested in
monitoring their local water quality. EPA offers guidelines and instructions for
monitoring various bodies of water. They also provide lists of local monitoring
groups and suggestions on how to start a new group. Many of the volunteer
groups work closely with staffers from local and state environmental
agencies.They offer advice and disseminate the data collected.
Alabama Water Watch is a citizen volunteer monitoring program that is
coordinated from Auburn University. Our goal is to educate citizens of Alabama,
and shared watersheds of neighboring states, about water issues, train them to
measure water quality, and work with citizens to improve environmental quality
and policy. Since the inception of the AWW Prog ram in late 1992,200 groups have
sampled 1,400 sites on 500 water bodies and submitted 17,000 chemistry and 8,000
bacteria data forms. All data received is analyzed, summarized, charted, graphed,
and presented to the monitors, policy makers, media, and other interested citizens
through a semi-annual newsletter, video presentations, and report series on
particular water bodies monitored.
Contact Information
Alice Mayio
Office of Water
(202)566-1184
mayio.alice@epa.gov
Community Guide to EPA's Partnership Programs
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WasteWise
www.epa.gov/wastewise
Purpose
This program aims to assist and challenge businesses, institutions, and
governments to find savings and increase efficiency through innovative
waste reduction activities.
Community Application
All communities seeking to reduce solid waste will benefit from this program.
Program Description
WasteWise is a free, voluntary, EPA program through which organizations
eliminate costly municipal solid waste and select industrial wastes, benefiting
their bottom line and the environment. WasteWise is a flexible program
that allows partners to design their own waste reduction programs tailored
to their needs. The benefits, apart from the immediate financial savings,
include technical support, public recognition and access to forums and
conferences.
Following a competitive selection process, WasteWise named 12 "Partners of the
Year" in 2004. WasteWise Partners of the Year are those partners who achieved
and reported the most impressive waste reduction results for 2003. WasteWise
also recognized 15 Program Champions and 16 Honorable Mentions who made
noteworthy accomplishments in waste prevention, recycling collection, and buying
or manufacturing recycled-content products in 2003. WasteWise also inducted
two new members into its Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame recognizes partners
that continually excel in waste reduction efforts, provide ongoing support to the
WasteWise program, and serve as role models for other partners. Awards are given
annually.
Contact Information
Terry Grist
Office of Solid Waste and
Emergency Response
(703) 308-7257
grist.terry@epa.gov
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WaterSense
www.epa.gov/watersense
Purpose
The mission of Watersense is to protect the future of our nation's water supply by
promoting and enhancing the market for water-efficient products and programs.
Community Application
Using water more efficiently makes sense for sonsumers, communities, and the
environemnt. Water efficiency measures, as part of broader conservation efforts, can
help reduce water and wastewater infrastructure costs and conserve resources for future
generations. Local governments can partner with WaterSense to promote the value of
water and help consumers and other water users mae smart choices regarding water the
use and water-using products.
Program Description
WaterSense seeks to promote water efficiency and enhance the market for water-
efficient products and services. The program labels water-efficient products thereby
helping consumers identify those products in the marketplace, while ensuring product
performance and encouraging innovation in manufacturing. The goal of WaterSense is
to decrease indoor and outdoor water use through high-efficiency products and simple
practices.
Contact Information
Virginia Lee
Office of Wastewater Management
(866) 987-7367
watersense@epa.gov
Community Guide to EPA's Partnership Programs
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For more information please visit the CARE web site at www.
epa.gov/CARE.
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
CARE Program
(8001 A)
EPA400-K-09-001
June 2010
www.epa.gov/CARE
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