Office of Air and Radiation

1
Office of Air and Radiation

• Progress, Challenges,
• and Opportunities
• July 2006

2
Innovative Programs

• Trading and economic incentives
• CAIR, CAMR
• Acid Rain/NOx Budget Program
• Voluntary Partnerships
• Energy Star, Climate Leaders,
• Tools for Schools,
• Clean Schoolbus USA, Smart Way,
• Community-based programs, CARE (e.g. Charlotte,
  Cleveland)
• Information-based programs -- e.g. AIRNOW,
  E-GRID, Green Vehicle Guide, PSAs
• Early use of advanced technology -- e.g. low
  sulfur fuels, diesel retrofits, fuel cells,
  renewables
• Regulatory flexibility e.g., Early Action
  Compacts, Banking and Trading programs for engine
  manufacturers

3
The Air Radiation Program The Federal Role

• Economic, air quality, and policy analysis
• Set national standards with states/locals/tribes
  implementing
• e.g., NAAQS, toxic air pollutants
• Help states/locals/tribes attain standards with
  national programs
• e.g., vehicle emission standards, acid rain
  program
• Partner with Indian Tribes
• e.g., CAA treats tribes like states
• Provide tools for states, locals, tribes, and
  others
• e.g., emission models, guidance, grants
• Global program
• e.g., stratospheric ozone, climate

4
Economic Growth and Emissions Decline
5
Power Plants are Significant Contributors to
Public Health and Environmental Challenges
Nitrogen Oxides
Sulfur Dioxide
Electric Power (22)
Electric Power (63)
Mercury
Electric Power (37)
Electric power
Industrial Processing
Transportation
Other stationary combustion
Other stationary combustion includes
residential and commercial sources.
6
Clear Skies Act Caps and Timing
7
Major Reductions in SO2 Emissions and Acid Rain
Actual Emissions
SO2 emissions from power plants down by 5.5
million tons since 1990
Final Cap
17.3
Million Tons of SO2
15.7
11.9
11.2
10.2
8.95
10.2
Acid rain reduced by 25 40
Wet Sulfate Deposition
Wet Sulfate Deposition
Average 1989 - 1991
Average 2000 2002
8
Air Toxic Emissions 1990-2007
9
Mercury Challenges

• Nationally
• 60 of the mercury falling on the U.S. is coming
  from current U.S. man-made sources
• Internationally
• Mercury is transported regionally and globally
• Reducing deposition in the U.S. to acceptable
  levels requires collaboration between the U.S.
  and other countries to reduce emissions

10
Ozone Layer Protection Progress

• On track to save 6.3 M US lives and avoid 299 M
  non-fatal skin cancer and 27.5 M cataract
  incidences

11
Climate Change EPA Programs Produce Results
Critical to Meeting Presidents Goal

• Presidents goal to improve GHG intensity by 18
  by 2012 (GHG intensity tons of GHG/GDP)
• EPA's programs contribute
• 45 mmtce annually to intensity improvement
  goal by 2012
• An additional 75 mmtce from sustained growth
  programs as reflected in the Administrations
  baseline

MMTCE million metric tons of carbon equivalent
12
WSSD Partnership for Clean Indoor Air

• Launched by EPA and partners at WSSD in 2002
• 3.2 billion people use solid fuels for energy --
  growing
• Over 1.6 million deaths per year
• 4th worst health risk in poor developing
  countries (11 overall)
• PCIA now has over 120 global partners
• 10 Pilot Projects in Asia, Africa, and Latin
  America
• Reduce indoor smoke by 50-80
• Reduce fuel use by 50 or more
• Demonstrate effective approaches, share lessons,
  and scale up

13
WSSD Partnership for Clean Fuels and Vehicles

• WHO estimates urban air pollution leads to
  800,000 premature deaths/year
• In 2002, 88 countries still used lead in gasoline
• Vehicles often contribute over 50 of urban air
  pollution.
• PCFV now has over 80 partners from 32 countries
• China working with SEPA, Beijing EPB others
• Low sulfur fuels policy
• Beijing diesel retrofit project
• Advanced technologies and compliance strategies
• Also active in Africa, Mexico, and Central
  America
• Sub-Saharan Africa is has now phased out leaded
  gasoline
• Sharing information and technologies
• with 81 countries

14
Recently Enacted Legislation

• Energy Bill
• Address MTBE issue
• Establish an EPA implemented Renewable fuels
  program
• Clean school bus program
• Anti-truck idling program
• Transportation Bill
• Re-authorizes CMAQ Program
• New flexibility on transportation conformity