Photo courtesy of Eric Vance - U.S. National Archives via Picryl. The Environmental Protection Agency started a public engagement effort for proposed policies.
By Catelyn Fitzgerald ’23
Science & Environment Editor
EPA submits a ‘Request for Information’ for new programs
On Nov. 4, 2022, the United States Environmental Protection Agency published a press release announcing “public engagement and input opportunities,” designed to gather feedback from the public on potential climate change and pollution reduction programs. These new programs are part of the Inflation Reduction Act, which was signed into law this past August, according to the press release. The EPA’s public engagement effort is made up of four elements: a “Request for Information,” expert input, a listening session and a webpage dedicated to the new programs, the press release stated. The RFI consists of six public dockets, each of which describes a potential program and has a section for comments. The press release explained that respondents can find the dockets on the Regulation.gov site.
Docket 1: Climate Pollution Reduction Grants
Docket 1 focuses on funding for climate pollution reduction grants. The docket states that $5 billion in funds was allocated to the EPA to “assist states, air pollution control agencies, Tribes and local governments develop and implement strong, local climate pollution reduction strategies.” According to the webpage, the program would create opportunities for entities to apply for grants that would fund the planning and implementation of pollution reduction projects. Questions put forth by the EPA include how the program could best be designed to support underserved communities, what types of technical assistance should be provided as part of the program and how the program can be designed to encourage high-quality job creation.
Docket 2: Transportation Programs
Docket 2 is in relation to programs aimed at reducing transportation-related emissions. $4 billion has been dedicated to the program. $1 billion will go towards replacement of “dirty heavy-duty vehicles” with clean alternatives. The remaining $3 billion will be used to reduce air pollution from ports through the replacement of equipment with emission-free alternatives and the development of strategic emissions-reduction plans. Questions raised on the docket webpage include what Class 6/7 vehicle sectors should be prioritized for funding, how the program could complement and supplement other existing programs and what types of zero-emission technologies should be funded.
Docket 3: Methane Emissions Reductions Program
Docket 3 covers a methane emissions-reduction program. The program has allocated $1.55 billion in funds as well as technical assistance to agencies and individuals for emissions-reduction actions. The program also includes a “waste emissions charge” of $900 to $1,500 per metric ton of emissions on facilities that emit over 25,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide and other “waste emissions,” the docket reports. Questions listed for docket 3 discuss what kind of technical assistance should be provided as part of the program and what issues should be considered when implementing the waste emissions charge.
Docket 4: Funding to Address Air Pollution
Docket 4 centers on funding for air pollution reduction in communities. The program provided over $300 million in funding to improve air pollution monitoring methods and data availability, increasing monitoring in communities and addressing air quality in schools. The funding will be used to create grants and provide technical assistance to applicants. Some of the questions raised in this docket are in regards to how the program can be designed to benefit the communities that are most vulnerable to air pollution, how air pollution data systems can be improved and what emissions-reduction actions should be implemented in schools.
Docket 5: Funding For Implementation of American Innovation and Manufacturing Act
Docket 5 covers the implementation of the American Innovation and Manufacturing Act. The AIM Act “directs the EPA to implement an 85 percent phasedown of the production and consumption of hydrofluorocarbons,” according to the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment & Public Works. Hydrofluorocarbons, or HFCs, are greenhouse gasses that are found in coolants, such as those used in refrigerators, the committee said. The docket includes $38.5 million in funding for the implementation of the AIM act as well as HFC removal and destruction. Questions listed in docket 5 touch on what compliance methods should be used to maximize the impact of the act.
Docket 6: Low Emissions Electricity Program & GHG Corporate Reporting
Docket 6 consists of $87 million in funding for a “wide range of activities” to promote low-emissions electricity production. These activities include education, community partnerships and technical advising. An additional $5 million in funding is allocated to “enhance standardization and transparency of corporate climate action commitments.” Questions raised in Docket 6 include how the EPA can monitor corporate sustainability in a transparent way and what educational resources can be provided to low-income communities to support a transition to low-emissions electricity production.
How to participate in the Request for Information
While each docket lists specific questions that the EPA is particularly interested in receiving feedback on, any comments relevant to the docket are welcome. According to Regulations.gov, comments will be accepted until Jan. 18, 2023. Anyone who wishes to learn more about the dockets and leave a comment can find the press release titled ”EPA Seeks Public Input on Inflation Reduction Act Programs to Fight Climate Change, Protect Health and Advance Environmental Justice,” which contains links to each of the dockets. To read the docket details and full list of questions from the EPA, click on the “Browse Documents” tab within the docket and download the file that contains the name of the docket. To make a comment, click on the “Browse Documents” tab within the docket and click the “Comment” button on the section labeled “Memorandum Opening Docket for Public Access.” Comments can be written directly in the docket or can be uploaded as a separate file.