Clean Air Minnesota participates in EPA program

Environmental Initiative is participating in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Advance Program as convener and administrator of Clean Air Minnesota, alongside the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.

The EPA’s program supports states, tribes, and local governments that want to take steps to reduce ozone and/or fine particle pollution by providing resources designed to help governments develop robust programs. Tools available through the Advance Program include technical assistance, training resources, and opportunities to develop partnerships with others who are working to improve air quality and human health. The program’s goal is to help places like Minnesota proactively reduce emissions, stay in compliance with federal air quality standards, and protect public health. More than 46 areas with a combined population of 54 million are actively participating in the program.

“Being involved in the Advance Program provides Minnesota with information about grants, training, and opportunities for collaboration for cleaner air. We also learn about emission reduction activities that are working in other parts of the country,” said Bill Droessler, Partnership Development Officer, who serves on the Advance Program advisory group. “There are lots of benefits of being involved, “he added.

To participate, governments must conduct stakeholder meetings to identify priority emission reduction activities. Clean Air Minnesota serves as the MPCA’s stakeholder group as part of the state being in the Advance program. Together, Environmental Initiative and MPCA can quantify and share all the voluntary emission reduction work happening because of and through the Clean Air Minnesota partnership.

Through the Advance Program, the EPA is compiling information from groups like Clean Air Minnesota whose members are working to proactively improve air quality. The information will be put into a clearinghouse of emission reduction work on the program’s website.