US+Environmental+Protection+Agency

Sustainability-(y)

Independence-(y)

Mandates-(y)

Incentives-(y)

__Todd Roberson__ United States. Environmental Protection Agency. “Clean Construction USA.” 20 June 2007. 20 June 2007. 

This is a voluntary program that promotes the reduction of diesel exhaust emissions from construction equipment and vehicles by encouraging operators to properly maintain their equipment and use emission-reducing technologies and cleaner fuels. The Environmental Protection Agency awarded $800,000 in 2005 to projects that reduce diesel emissions through this program.

United States. Environmental Protection Agency. “Clean Fuel Fleet Program (CFFP).” 6 March 2006. 20 June 2007. 

The Clean Fuel Fleet Program (CFFP) is an initiative implemented by the EPA in response to the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990. Under the CAAA, states were given the option to adopt the CFFP or a substitute program that achieves equivalent or better emissions reductions. If a state opts in to CFFP, fleets in cities with significant air quality problems must incorporate vehicles that will meet clean fuel emissions standards. The program is fuel-neutral, requires all vehicles to achieve the low emission vehicle rating, and applies to vehicles with a loaded weight up to 26,000 lb.

United States. Environmental Protection Agency. “Clean Ports USA.” 7 June 2007. 20 June 2007. 

Clean Ports USA reduces emissions by encouraging port authorities and terminal operators to retrofit and replace older diesel engines with new technologies and use cleaner fuels. The program also provides economic incentives to ports that partner with less polluting tenants and contractors. The EPA offers assistance to port authorities and terminal operators to help them overcome barriers that impede the adoption of cleaner diesel technologies and strategies.

United States. Environmental Protection Agency. “Clean School Bus USA.” 2 May 2007. 20 June 2007. 

Clean School Bus USA reduces operating costs and children's exposure to harmful diesel exhaust by limiting bus idling, implementing pollution reduction technology, improving route logistics, and switching to biodiesel. In 2005, the program offered $7.5 million in cost-shared grants to help school districts upgrade their diesel fleets. The Energy Bill of 2005 utilizes this EPA program to grant up to 50% cost share (depending on the age and emissions of original bus) to replace school buses with ones that operate on alternative fuels or low-sulfur diesel, or up to 100% for retrofit projects.

United States. Environmental Protection Agency. “High Occupancy Vehicle Exemption Proposed Rule.” 24 May 2007. 20 June 2007. 

EPA is proposing criteria for certifying vehicles as clean and energy efficient in order to qualify for access to high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes, even when the vehicles have just one occupant. The proposed criteria is designed to spur the purchase and use of vehicles that are better for the environment and energy security. The proposal applies to cars, SUVs, vans and trucks below 8,500 pounds. To be eligible for the HOV exemption, these vehicles would be required to meet specifications for both low emissions and energy efficiency. To be rated as low emission, EPA proposes that a vehicle would have to be certified to either the stringent federal Tier 2 bin 5 standard or the equally stringent California LEV II standards. To be considered energy efficient, EPA proposes that a vehicle would have to be either a dedicated alternative fuel vehicle, or a hybrid vehicle achieving 50 percent or better in-city fuel economy or 25 percent or better in combined city/highway fuel economy compared to a similar gasoline fueled vehicle

United States. Environmental Protection Agency. “Tier 2 Vehicle & Gasoline Sulfur Program.” 6 March 2006. 20 June 2007. 

The Tier 2 Vehicle and Gasoline Sulfur Program is introducing increasingly stringent vehicle emissions standards between 2004 and 2009. This program marks the first time that all passenger vehicles, including SUVs and other light-duty trucks, must meet the same emissions requirements. The emissions standards are fuel-neutral, which encourages the use of clean-burning fuels as a means of compliance.

United States. Environmental Protection Agency. “Transportation and Air Quality Program.” 16 Aug 2006. 20 June 2007. 

This program, known as Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 Section 105 grants, assists state and municipal agencies in planning, developing, establishing, improving, and maintaining adequate programs for prevention and control of air pollution or implementation of national air quality standards. Current projects emphasize alternative fuels, car care, environmental justice, and transportation choices to reduce vehicle miles traveled. State, local, and tribal governments may receive up to 60% federal funds to implement their plans.

M. Garmon 7/10/07 5. “Clean Air Markets: Cap and Trade”, Environmental Protection Agency, 6/19/07 [|www.epa.gov/airmarkets/cap-trade/index.html]

This article defines what a cap and trade policy is. A cap and trade program sets a limit on emissions in the form of allowances for the participants in the program. Allowances can be purchased or sold to other participants who anticipate exceeding emissions standards. A cap and trade program provides an economic disincentive to agencies which would exceed emissions limits.