Air News Briefs: (1) EPA Retrofit Guidance Will Help States Calculate Air Quality Benefits; (2) Public Workshop June 27 to Discuss Review of National Air Quality Standards
*News Briefs *If you need more information on any of these subjects, call the listed Press Officer. For Release: (Washington, D.C. -- Tuesday, June 13, 2006)* * *(1) EPA Retrofit Guidance Will Help States Calculate Air Quality Benefits *Contact: John Millett, (202) 564-4355 / millett.john@epa.gov EPA has issued guidance to states on how retrofit projects can be used in state plans to meet federal air quality standards and conformity determinations. Diesel retrofit technologies can reduce pollution from the existing diesel engine fleet by up to 50 percent for nitrogen oxides and up to 90 percent for both particulate matter and volatile organic compounds. The Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct) mandated EPA to develop the guidance. Further, the president's FY07 budget request includes $49.5 million to support EPAct's Diesel Emissions Reduction provision. The guidance also complements last year's Transportation Act (SAFETEA-LU). For the first time, the Act directs states and metropolitan planning organizations to give priority funding to diesel retrofits and other cost-effective mobile strategies under the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program. Information about "Diesel Retrofits: Quantifying and Using Their Benefits in SIPs and Conformity - Guidance for State and Local Air and Transportation Agencies": http://www.epa.gov/otaq/stateresources/transconf/policy.htm [ http://www.epa.gov/otaq/stateresources/transconf/policy.htm ] *(2) Public Workshop June 27 to Discuss Review of National Air Quality Standards *Contact: John Millett, (202) 564-4355 / millett.john@epa.gov EPA will hold a public workshop Tuesday, June 27, 2006 to discuss the process the agency uses to review its National Ambient Air Quality Standards. The agency is examining the process to determine whether it can be strengthened and streamlined. In April, an agency workgroup issued recommendations for improving the process used to review the standards. The workshop will provide the public the opportunity to present their views on the review process, and to discuss the process with EPA officials. This workshop will not cover issues related to the ongoing review of any specific air quality standard. WHERE: U.S. EPA - Research Triangle Park Auditorium C 111-A 109 T.W. Alexander Drive Research Triangle Park, N.C. 27711 WHEN: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, June 27, 2006 NOTE: Anyone attending the meeting will need photo identification to enter the EPA campus. EPA also will accept written comments on the review process until June 23, 2006. Detailed instructions for submitting comments are in the Federal Register notice: http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-MEETINGS/2006/June/Day-12/m9043.htm [ http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-MEETINGS/2006/June/Day-12/m9043.htm ] April 3, 2006, EPA working group report on the NAAQS review process: http://epa.gov/ttn/naaqs/ [ http://epa.gov/ttn/naaqs/ ] The notice also includes questions for workshop participants to consider in advance. R181 View all news releases related to air issues [ http://service.govdelivery.com/service/edition.html?code=USAEPA_16&format=Web&email_type=bulletin ] You can update or cancel your subscription at any time [ https://www.govdocs.com/service/user.html?code=USAEPA ]. You need only your e-mail address (and your password if you have selected one). This service is provided free of charge by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. If you have any questions or problems about this service, please contact help@govdelivery.com [ mailto:help@govdelivery.com ] for assistance. Sent by the the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency . 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW . Washington DC 20460 . 202-564-4355