Trade Engagements

December 2012:

From December 11-13, EPA partnered with the Department of Commerce's International Buyer Program to highlight EPA’s export promotion strategy at Power Gen, the largest conference in the world for the power generation sector.

Air emissions from power generation can lead to smog, acid rain, and haze. Mercury and NOx emissions in power generation, non-road diesel emissions, and air emissions in the oil and gas industry are focus areas under the EPA export promotion strategy.

At the conference, EPA discussed its analysis of multi-pollutant control strategies for the power generation sector and the agency’s international engagements in air pollution control. EPA also met with companies and worked with Commerce’s Commercial Service Energy Team to highlight the value of U.S. environmental technologies exports and how EPA’s export promotion strategy can contribute to growth in this area.

October 2012:

On October 1, EPA addressed Department of Commerce Commercial Service Officers as part of a training session for Commerce's environmental technologies team. EPA's presentation focused on the agency's export promotion strategy and the broad importance of U.S. environmental technologies exports.

The Commercial Service is the trade promotion arm of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration. It is comprised of trade professionals in over 100 U.S. cities and in more than 75 countries working to help U.S. companies export to international markets. The training session took place in New Orleans, LA during WEFTEC, the annual conference of the Water Environment Federation .

July 2012:

On July 20, OGAP Deputy Director Martin Dieu participated in training for State Department Environment, Science, Technology, and Health (ESTH) officers. He discussed EPA’s export promotion efforts and their applicability to State's ESTH goals as a part of a session on the importance of environmental technologies exports.

State ESTH officers work in U.S. Embassies around the world to leverage diplomacy to advance environmental stewardship, encourage economic growth and promote social development. They cover issues including climate change, toxic chemical management, clean energy development, and environmental law collaboration and development.

June 2012:

Administrator Jackson and Trade Representative Ambassador Ron Kirk at TEPAC meeting, June 2012.

On June 11th, Administrator Jackson co-hosted a meeting of the Trade and Environment Policy Advisory Committee (TEPAC) with U.S. Trade Representative Ambassador Ron Kirk. TEPAC includes a broad range of representatives from non-governmental organizations, the private sector, and academia. It provides policy advice on issues relating to trade and the environment.

Administrator Jackson reported on EPA’s export promotion strategy, the Technology Market Summit, and work in the North American Commission on Environmental Cooperation.

Ambassador Kirk provided updates on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations, trade agreements with Korea, Colombia, and Panama, and recent developments in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum.

May 2012:

EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson and Commerce Secretary John Bryson announced joint efforts to increase U.S. exports of environmental products and services. The two agencies will work together to couple EPA’s scientific, technical, and regulatory information with Commerce's export support infrastructure.

This fall, EPA and Commerce will launch a new web-based Environmental Technologies Exporters Portal to offer U.S. companies market research, scientific analysis, finance options, and other U.S. government support mechanisms. The agencies will also partner with environmental industry trade associations to highlight international market opportunities.

These efforts support the President’s National Export Initiative. Read the press release.

May 2012:

EPA Assistant Administrator for International and Tribal Affairs, Michelle DePass, joined Department of Commerce Assistant Secretary for Manufacturing and Services, Nicole Lamb-Hale in leading a meeting of the Environmental Trade Working Group (ETWG) on May 7.

The ETWG is part of the Trade Promotion Coordinating Committee (TPCC). It was created by the Export Enhancement Act of 1992 to coordinate and expand export promotion and finance efforts with regard to U.S. environmental technologies.

April 2012:

Walker Smith, Director of EPA's Office of Global Affairs and Policy, addressed participants of the Water and Wastewater Equipment Manufacturers Association's (WWEMA's) Washington Forum on April 26, 2012. Smith highlighted the role of international action in addressing environmental issues, EPA international activities relevant to the water sector, and the importance of water and other environmental technologies sectors to the U.S. economy.

WWEMA is a non-profit trade association representing the interests of companies that manufacture products and offer services to the potable water and wastewater treatment industries. The theme of the 2012 Washington Forum was "understanding our future and expectations of growth."