Greenbytes: March 26, 2003 Edition

Greetings from EPA New England. We hope you find this edition of Greenbytes useful and we encourage you to give us feedback: wintrob.paul@epa.gov

Feature: EPA NE Seeking Employers to Join Commuter Choice Program

Did you know that more than one million Boston area workers use their cars to reach work and that the vast majority of them drive alone? This collective action has severe economic, environmental and public health impacts on the region, including:

• Traffic congestion cost the Boston region nearly $1.6 billion and 136 million gallons of wasted fuel in 2000, according to the Texas Transportation Institute.

• Massachusetts had more than 25 days last summer when smog levels were unhealthy. These high-ozone days pose serious health risks for the public, especially children, the elderly and people with respiratory ailments. Cars and trucks cause about 40 percent of this pollution.

To reduce gridlock and air pollution, EPA and the US Department of Transportation have launched a voluntary program to foster innovative solutions to commuting challenges. This national program, known as the Commuter Choice Leadership Initiative (CCLI), recognizes employers that offer outstanding commuter benefits such as generously subsidizing mass transit expenses, vanpool costs and active telecommuting programs. Employers that qualify earn the designation "Commuter Choice Employer” – a mark of excellence that distinguishes environmentally and employee-friendly organizations from their peers.

More than 30 companies and organizations, employing over 57,000 people, have already joined the program in New England. Now we are looking for new partners.

This spring, EPA is planning a recognition event to:

• Publicly recognize Commuter Choice Employers for their important contributions to reducing traffic congestion and improving air quality.

• Encourage other New England employers to provide a high level of commuter benefits and reduce employee single-occupancy-vehicle trips.

• Kick-off a regional campaign/challenge to triple the number of New England companies qualifying as Commuter Choice Employers.

• Educate the business community and the public about the importance of commuter benefits and the environmental and public health benefits of reducing single occupancy commuting.

If your company or organization wants to set up a comprehensive benefits package for employees, consider attending a one-day training, "Developing and Implementing a Commuter Choice Program: Best Practices for Best Results" at the State Transportation Building in Boston on May 16. Co- sponsored by EPA, CARAVAN for Commuters Inc. and the American Management Association, the seminar is designed to help companies develop commuter benefits packages. Participants will learn the nuts and bolts of effective commuter programs, including tax incentives, ridesharing, telecommuting and transit benefits.

Whether you already offer outstanding commuter benefits or are interested in adding them to your organization’s benefits package, CCLI has the tools and support you need to make your program a success. Join CCLI by April 30 and EPA will recognize your organization and its contributions to clean air.

For more information, visit the CCLI website at www.commuterchoice.gov or contact EPA’s Lucy Edmondson at 617-918-1004.

Press Releases

EPA To Fight Fires And Test Air Quality At Green Hill Road Landfills in Johnston, R.I.

EPA to Hold Public Info Meeting on the Callahan Mine Superfund Site in Brooksville, ME

EPA and VT DEC Announce Emergency Actions to Stabilize Tailing Pile in Vermont

EPA Orders Charlton, Mass. Facility to Cease Wastewater Discharges

EPA Seeks $1 Million Fine for Pesticide Violations by Rhode Island Company

U.S. Enters into Settlement for Re-Solve, Inc. Superfund Site

Fitchburg: Air Monitoring at Cleanup Site Found No Asbestos Contamination

Events and conferences are not archived. Please refer to the Regional Calendar for upcoming events and conferences.

Beede Superfund Site - new page on primary contaminants at the site

CEIT - stormwater edits

Connecticut State Unit - additions to significant epa actions & activities section

Environmental Justice - new content

Lead Enforcement - site updated

Lead Paint - site reorganized

Long Island Sound Dredge Material Disposal - new reports

Maine State Unit - updated contacts

Mercury - site reorganized

New Hampshire State Unit - updated contacts

Regional Lab - updated quality management plan

"In The News" is a free daily service that provides links to today's top newspaper stories about the New England environment and links to related EPA New England information.

In The News Email Service: As soon as today's edition of "In The News" has been posted we will email you a listing of the day's environmental news.