US Environmental Protection Agency. MIT DC Internship Program 2015

Transcription

1 US Environmental Protection Agency MIT DC Internship Program 2015

2 History The EPA was established on December 2, 1970 following President Richard Nixon's 'Reorganization Plan No. 3' issued in July The formation combined multiple areas of federal action such as research, monitoring, standard-setting, and enforcement policies into on agency. Since its establishment, it has worked to create a clean and health environment for the American population

3 Clean Air Act of 1970 Originally published in 1963, the act was restructure by Congress in 1970 with major revisions in 1977 and 1990 The act was written to target recognized air pollution problems such as acid rain and damage to the stratospheric ozone layer that inflicted on human health. The Clean Air Act requires EPA to establish national ambient air quality standards for certain common and widespread pollutants based on the latest science; including, ozone, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, and lead. It also require states to adopt plans and strategies to achieve these pollution standards.

4 Next steps April 30, 1971 Administrator Ruckelshaus announces national standards on six common pollutants: sulfur oxides, particulate matter, carbon monoxide, photochemical oxidants, nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons. Four years ahead of the regulation deadline set by the Clean Air Act. Later that year, air pollution levels were set for 5 common pollutants at which public health would be in danger 1977 Amendments to the Clean Air Act by President Carter Started the development of scrubber technology to remove air pollution from coal-fired power plants December 1979 Bubble Policy by the EPA gave industries flexibility to manage their own pollution in innovative and effective ways

5 More discoveries, More actions 1985, the Ozone hole was discovered 1989, the Montreal Protocol was signed by the international leaders including the US to take actions to protect the ozone layer Throughout the years, it has been strengthened and refined 1993, the beginning of ending production of all ozone depleting materials 1997, and again in 2007, more air quality standards for smog and soot are defined and strengthened 2009, Greenhouse gases are found to be a threat to human health by the EPA and therefore, can be limited and regulated under the Clean Air Act 2013, President Obama announces Comprehensive Plan for Climate Change and detailing the protection and support needed

6 Gina McCarthy Current administrator of the EPA, nominated by President Obama in 2013 Previously, appointed in 2009 as Assistant Administrator for EPA s Office of Air and Radiation Previously, Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection and had 30 years of experience in the field of environmental policy Bonus, she lives in the Boston area when not in DC

7 Seven themes for the Future Making a Visible Difference in Communities across the Country Addressing Climate Change and Improving Air Quality Taking Action on Toxics and Chemical Safety Protecting Water: A Precious, Limited Resource Launching a New Era of State, Tribal and Local Partnerships Embracing EPA as a High Performing Organization Working Toward a Sustainable Future

8 Proposed FY 2016 Budget $8.6 Billion for improvement in air and water quality, protection of public health form toxic chemicals, and supporting and creating sustainable communities

9 How do they regulate EPA was established as part of the executive branch Work is reviewed by federal and judicial branches Resources are used with legislative branch When Congress writes an environmental law, we implement it by writing regulations. Often, we set national standards that states and tribes enforce through their own regulations. If they fail to meet the national standards, we can help them. We also enforce our regulations, and help companies understand the requirements.

10 US EPA National Headquarters Office of Administration and Resources Management Office of Air and Radiation Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention Office of the Chief Financial Officer Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Office of Environmental Information Office of General Counsel Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards (OAQPS) Office of Atmospheric Programs (OAP) Office of Transportation and Air Quality (OTAQ) Office of Radiation and Indoor Air (ORIA) Clean Air Markets Division Climate Protection Partnership Division Stratospheric Protection Division Climate Change Division Office of Inspector General Office of International and Tribal Affairs Office of Research and Development Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response Office of Water

11 Office of Air and Radiation The Office of Air and Radiation (OAR) develops national programs, policies, and regulations for controlling air pollution and radiation exposure. OAR is concerned with: pollution prevention and energy efficiency indoor and outdoor air quality industrial air pollution pollution from vehicles and engines Radon acid rain stratospheric ozone depletion climate change radiation protection Office of Atmospheric Programs OAP protects the ozone layer, addresses climate change, and improves regional air quality. Climate Change Indicators Report in the Climate Change Division

12 Climate Change Indicators Report

13 Format of the Report With help from many organization, the EPA is collecting data and have complied a third edition of the Climate Change Indictor Report This report observes long term trends associated with climate changes Open to all audiences Trends are associated with the causes and effects of climate change as well as the trends associated with human-induced climate change The indictors are per-reviewed, publically shown and used by various government agencies, institutions, and organizations

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16 Areas of work Track the policies made in response to the finding of this report Observe the effects on the science and trends due to these policies Issue of more trends and how they can be related to potential policy changes Observe the use of the report in the political and policy fields In depth profile of targeted areas, such as public health in order to gain media and mass support of policy changes Create state to state indictors that could result in the initiation of policy Help set establish necessary regulations based on the finding of the report Occurs in multiple branches of the EPA