General Conformity Training Module 2.5: Proactive Role for Federal Agencies

• Module II:
  Key Concepts
• 2.1 Applicability
  Process
• 2.2 Emissions
  and Review
• 2.3 Demonstrating
  Conformity
• 2.4 Review
  Process
• 2.5 Proactive Role for
  Federal Agencies

EPA recommends that Federal agencies take a proactive role in working with State and local air agencies, and Tribal governments, to ensure the applicable implementation plan (AIP) considers potential future emissions caused by their activities.  Federal agencies that propose Federal actions that include activities that would be subject to the General Conformity regulations should evaluate the existing emissions sources within the affected area and the potential for emission reductions from those sources, and how the proposed action fits within the State and Tribal offices' plans to prevent and control air pollution. During the General Conformity process, Federal agencies should provide the State and local air agencies, and the Tribal governments, with information about their potential future project activities, and consider both individual and facility wide emissions. Such efforts will allow the States and local air agencies, and Tribal governments, to include the relevant Federal facilities and activities into the AIP.

Taking a proactive role will allow Federal agencies to coordinate more effectively with States and Tribes in developing and approving the various General Conformity provisions that will assist in demonstrating conformity, such as the Early Emissions Reduction Credits (EERC) program and the facility-wide emissions budget programs.