Basic Information
The Advance Program ran from 2012 to 2025 and consisted of more than 600 programs to support efforts to attain and maintain the NAAQS. This website serves as a historical record of those plans. EPA is no longer updating program content as of June 12, 2025.
The Advance Program was established by the EPA Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards in 2012. It is a voluntary, collaborative initiative between EPA, state and local governments, tribes, and other organizations to address ground-level ozone and particle pollution in attainment areas.
Program Goals
- Improving public health by reducing ozone and particulate matter emissions and their respective precursor pollutants.
- Ensuring areas currently attaining the ozone and PM2.5 National Ambient Air Quality Standards remain in attainment.
- Integrate this Program's work into:
- Climate Planning, Adaptation, and Mitigation
- Air Toxics and Multi-pollutant Planning
Program Elements
EPA’s Advance Program promotes local actions in attainment areas to reduce ozone and/or fine particle pollution to help these areas continue to maintain the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). The program provides:
- EPA technical assistance
- Information on grants and training, opportunities for collaboration, and other support to states, tribes, and local governments that want to take proactive steps to keep their air clean.
- Advance plans include a range of programs addressing education and outreach; transportation and mobile sources; energy efficiency and renewable energy; innovative finance; wood smoke reduction; stationary sources; green infrastructure, and more.
- Currently, 50 areas with a combined population of 54 million are actively participating in the Advance program.
By participating in the program, Advance Partners can:
- Provide improved air quality and continued health protection for area residents over the long term.
- Take actions to reduce pollutant emissions and help reduce the number of days the area exceeds the NAAQS.
- Engage with stakeholders in the community to identify and implement cost-effective programs and measures that make the most sense for your area.
- Collaborate with other participating organizations and learn about programs and initiatives that have been successful in other communities.
- Achieve multi-pollutant benefits (for example, through actions that may also help reduce air toxics and/or carbon emissions in addition to reducing ozone and particle pollution).