Other Approaches to Air Quality Management - Voluntary Programs

The transformation to a new way of thinking is a joint effort between EPA, businesses and communities. Through a voluntary commitment, we can improve public health and the environment. Some of the voluntary programs sponsored by EPA and other federal agencies include:

• The Natural Gas STAR Program is a flexible, voluntary partnership between EPA and the oil and natural gas industry. Through the Program, EPA works with companies that produce, process, and transmit and distribute natural gas to identify and promote the implementation of cost-effective technologies and practices to reduce emissions of methane, a potent greenhouse gas. Since its inception in 1993, the Natural Gas STAR Program has grown to represent almost 65 percent of the U.S. natural gas industry. Gas STAR partner companies have reported emission reductions of more than 275 billion cubic feet (Bcf) of methane, valued at over $825 million. This is enough natural gas to heat more than 4 million homes for one year, and is equivalent to removing over 24 million cars from the nation's highways for one year, or planting more than 33 million acres of trees.
• The SmartWay Transport Partnership is a collaborative voluntary program between EPA and the freight industry that will increase the energy efficiency and energy security of our country while significantly reducing air pollution and greenhouse gases. The Partnership creates strong market-based incentives that challenge companies shipping products, and the truck and rail companies delivering these products, to improve the environmental performance of their freight operations. SmartWay Transport partners improve their energy efficiency, save money, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality. By 2012, this initiative aims to reduce between 33 - 66 million metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and up to 200,000 tons of nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions per year. At the same time, the initiative will result in fuel savings of up to 150 million barrels of oil annually. There are three primary components of the program: creating partnerships, reducing all unnecessary engine idling, and increasing the efficiency and use of rail and intermodal operations.
• Climate Leaders is a voluntary industry-government partnership that encourages companies to develop long-term comprehensive climate change strategies and set greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction goals.
• Climate VISION is a voluntary partnership between the federal government and industry organizations representing thousands of companies from 12 energy-intensive economic sectors. Climate VISION works with industry to identify and pursue cost-effective solutions to reduce emissions using existing technologies; develop tools to calculate and report emission intensity reductions; speed the commercial adoption of advanced technologies; and develop strategies to reduce emissions intensity in other economic sectors.
• Best Work Places for Commuters is a new business/government voluntary initiative offering innovative solutions to commuting challenges faced by employers and employees. Established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), this program is designed to address limited or expensive parking, reduce traffic congestion, improve employee recruiting and retention, and minimize the environmental impacts associated with drive-alone commuting. Participating companies earn the designation "Best Work Places for Commuters"- a mark of excellence for environmentally and employee-friendly organizations.
• Clean School Bus USA brings together partners from business, education, transportation, and public health organizations to work toward these goals: encouraging policies and practices to eliminate unnecessary public school bus idling, upgrading ("retrofitting") buses that will remain in the fleet with better emission control technologies and/or fueling them with cleaner fuel, and replacing the oldest buses in the fleet with new, less polluting buses.

More information on voluntary programs can be found at:
http://www.epa.gov/otaq/voluntary.htm