Announcements

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This page highlights information about APTI webinars, conference calls and other events that may be of interest to environmental justice communities.

TOPIC: Community Conference Call

DATE: Wednesday, April 24, 2013

TIME: 1:00pm-2:00pm EST

INTENDED AUDIENCE: Environmental Justice and Tribal Communities or Organizations

REGISTRATION: Register for the call at http://cfpub.epa.gov/oarweb/ejcall/

CONFERENCE LINE: 1-866-299-3188; code: 919-541-5624# (The phone line is limited to 125 participants on a first-come first-served basis)

PURPOSE: To provide more information on upcoming activities in EPA’s Air Programs and foster a dialog with communities on their air quality issues. This call will provide an overview of the following regulations:

NESHAP for Stationary Reciprocating Internal Combustion Engines (RICE)

On January 14, 2013, the Environmental Protection Agency finalized amendments to the National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) for stationary reciprocating internal combustion engines (RICE). In this rulemaking, EPA addressed several petitions for reconsideration, legal challenges and new technical information submitted by stakeholders, including industry and environmental groups, which were brought to the EPA’s attention after publication of the 2010 standards. For more information, please visit: http://www.epa.gov/ttn/atw/rice/ricepg.html

Speaker: Melanie King (king.melanie@epa.gov), (919) 541-2469, Office of Air Quality Planning Standards (OAQPS), Sector Policies and Programs Division (SPPD).

New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) for new residential wood heaters

Later this summer, EPA is scheduled to propose revisions to the New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) for new residential wood heaters. The main objectives of this proposal, includes: updating the 1988 standards to require manufacturers to redesign wood heaters to be cleaner, lower emitting, and better performing, expanding the range of residential wood-heating appliances covered by the regulation to add pellet stoves, single burn-rate stoves, outdoor wood boilers, wood-fired forced air furnaces and masonry heaters, strengthening test methods, and streamlining the process for testing and certifying new model lines.

This proposal does not include any requirements associated with new heaters that are solely fired by gas, oil, or coal. In addition, it does not include any requirements associated with wood heaters or other wood-burning appliances that are already in use. Following publication of the proposal, the rule is open for a 90-day public comment period. The final rule is expected to be published approximately 1 year after proposal.

Speaker: Gil Wood (wood.gil@epa.gov), (919) 541-5272, OAQPS, Outreach and Information Division (OID).

WEBINAR MATERIALS:

Fact Sheet - Final Amendments to the Emission Standards for Reciprocating Internal Combustion Engines (PDF) (5 pp, 31K, January 15, 2013)
Residential Wood Heaters - New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) Draft Proposal (PDF) (15 pp, 94K, April 15, 2013 Working Draft)

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: For more information about the conference call, please contact Lena Epps-Price (epps-price.lena@epa.gov) at (919) 541-5573.

TOPIC: Public Teleconference Meeting - National Environmental Justice Advisory Council

DATE: Wednesday, January 23, 2013

TIME: 2:00pm-4:15pm EST

INTENDED AUDIENCE: Public

REGISTRATION: When registering, please provide your name, organization, city and state, email address, and telephone number for follow up. Please also state whether you would like to be put on the list to provide public comment, and whether you are submitting written comments before the Friday, January 16, 2013, deadline. Non-English speaking attendees wishing to arrange for a foreign language interpreter may also make appropriate arrangements using the email address or telephone number.

Online: Register online at www.epa.gov/environmentaljustice/nejac/meetings.html.
By Email: Send an email to NEJACJan2013Mtg@AlwaysPursuingExcellence.com with "Register for the NEJAC January 2013 Teleconference" in the subject line.
By Phone: Leave a voice message at 877-773-0779.

PURPOSE: The primary topics of discussion will be:

Proposed Recommendations for Fostering Environmental Justice for Tribes and Indigenous Peoples.
Enhancing Public Engagement and Environmental Justice into Permitting.
Revisions to the NEJAC Model Plan for Public Participation.

PUBIC COMMENT PERIOD: There will be a public comment period from 3:15 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. Eastern Time. Members of the public are encouraged to provide comments relevant to the topics of the meeting.

Members of the public who wish to attend or to provide public comment must pre-register by 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday, January 16, 2013. Individuals or groups making remarks during the public comment period will be limited to five minutes. To accommodate the large number of people who want to address the NEJAC, only one representative of a community, organization, or group will be allowed to speak. Written comments can also be submitted for the record. The suggested format for individuals providing public comments is as follows: name of speaker; name of organization/community; city and state; and email address; brief description of the concern, and what you want the NEJAC to advise EPA to do.

Written comments received by 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday, January 16, 2013, will be included in the materials distributed to the NEJAC prior to the teleconference. Written comments received after that time will be provided to the NEJAC as time allows. All written comments should be sent to EPA's support contractor, APEX Direct, Inc., via email at NEJACJan2013Mtg@AlwaysPursuingExcellence.com.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: For information about access or services for individuals with disabilities, please contact Ms. Estela Rosas, APEX Direct, Inc., at 877-773-0779 or via email at NEJACJan2013Mtg@AlwaysPursuingExcellence.com.

TOPIC: Webinar: EPA Seeking Public Comment on Working Draft on Policy on Environmental Justice for Tribes and Indigenous Peoples

DATE: Tuesday January 22, 2013, Thursday January 24, 2013 and Thursday January 31, 2013

TIME: 1:30-3:30pm EST (all dates)

INTENDED AUDIENCE: Indigenous stakeholders and the public

PURPOSE: Tribal consultation on the "Working Draft" of the EPA Policy on Environmental Justice and Indigenous Peoples was initiated on November 14, 2012, and ended on December 31. The national tribal government informational webinars and national tribal consultation calls were held on November 27, 2012, November 28, 2012, December 12, 2012, and December 13, 2012. Although the official tribal consultation period ended on December 31, 2012, the tribes may request additional tribal consultation with the Agency on the Working Draft of the policy up through February 15, 2013. The public comment period began on January 3 and will conclude on February 15, 2013.

The primary topics of discussion for webinars will be to discuss the Working Draft of the policy, including:

How EPA is to incorporate EJ into its environmental capacity building and implementation policies and programs for federally-recognized tribes;
How EPA is to incorporate EJ into its direct implementation of federal environmental programs in Indian country;
How EPA is to effectively work with tribal community-based organizations, state-recognized tribes, tribal members, and other indigenous peoples to address their EJ concerns, within or outside Indian country; and
How EPA is to work with other federal agencies to address federally-recognized tribes, state-recognized tribes, tribal community-based organizations, tribal members, or non-members on reservations environmental justice issues.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Information to webinar access can be found at http://www.epa.gov/environmentaljustice/indigenous/index.html.

TOPIC: Public Teleconference Meeting - National Environmental Justice Advisory Council

DATE: Wednesday, November 14, 2012

TIME: 2:00pm-4:00pm EST

INTENDED AUDIENCE: Public

REGISTRATION: When registering, please provide your name, organization, city and state, email address, and telephone number for follow up. Please also state whether you would like to be put on the list to provide public comment, and whether you are submitting written comments before the Friday, November 9, 2012, deadline. Non-English speaking attendees wishing to arrange for a foreign language interpreter may also make appropriate arrangements using the email address or telephone number.

Online: Register online at www.epa.gov/environmentaljustice/nejac/meetings.html.
By Email: Send an email to NEJACNov2012Mtg@AlwaysPursuingExcellence.com with "Register for the NEJAC November 2012 Teleconference" in the subject line.
By Phone: Leave a voice message at 877-773-0779.

PURPOSE: The primary topics of discussion will be:

Proposed Recommendations for Fostering Environmental Justice for Tribes and Indigenous Peoples.
Enhancing Public Engagement and Environmental Justice into Permitting.
Revisions to the NEJAC Model Plan for Public Participation.

PUBIC COMMENT PERIOD: There will be a public comment period from 2:15 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. Eastern Time. Members of the public are encouraged to provide comments relevant to the topics of the meeting.

Members of the public who wish to attend or to provide public comment must pre-register by 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday, November 9, 2012. Individuals or groups making remarks during the public comment period will be limited to five minutes. To accommodate the large number of people who want to address the NEJAC, only one representative of a community, organization, or group will be allowed to speak. Written comments can also be submitted for the record. The suggested format for individuals providing public comments is as follows: name of speaker; name of organization/community; city and state; and email address; brief description of the concern, and what you want the NEJAC to advise EPA to do.

Written comments received by 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday, November 9, 2012, will be included in the materials distributed to the NEJAC prior to the teleconference. Written comments received after that time will be provided to the NEJAC as time allows. All written comments should be sent to EPA's support contractor, APEX Direct, Inc., via email at NEJACNov2012Mtg@AlwaysPursuingExcellence.com.

TOPIC: Webinar - Introduction to the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) for Communities

DATE: Thursday, November 8, 2012

TIME: 1:00pm-2:30pm EST

INTENDED AUDIENCE: Community grassroots groups and others who serve as community leaders

REGISTRATION: You must register at https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/406067464. Once you've completed the registration form you will receive an email confirming your registration for the Webinar from Jennifer Major of Ross Strategic, along with the option to add the Webinar information to your Outlook® Calendar.

PURPOSE: The Environmental Council of the States (ECOS) and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) invite you to attend the TRI Fall Webinar, Introduction to the Toxics Release Inventory for Communities. The webinar will provide an introduction on how to access and use EPA's Toxics Release Inventory data. TRI can help address local community concerns about toxic chemical emissions, and associated environmental impacts. Webinar participants will learn about TRI basics, as well as about US EPA's recent pilot project with four communities. Participants will hear from one of the community grassroots groups involved in the EPA pilot projects, which as a result of the pilot project, is now using TRI data to build upon its ongoing efforts to protect the community from industrial pollution. Featured speakers will include:

Shelley Fudge, TRI Community Engagement Initiative lead in US EPA's Washington, DC Office
Lily Lee, the TRI Coordinator for US EPA's San Francisco Office, and
Erin Heaney, Executive Director of the Clean Air Coalition of Western New York.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: For more information on this webinar. please visit http://www.ChemicalRight2Know.org.

TOPIC: Community Conference Call

DATE: Thursday, September 27, 2012

TIME: 2:00pm-3:30pm EST

INTENDED AUDIENCE: Environmental Justice and Tribal Communities or Organizations

REGISTRATION: You must register at http://cfpub.epa.gov/oarweb/ejcall/ for the call.

CONFERENCE LINE: 1-866-299-3188; code: 919-541-5624#
(To participate, please plan to join the call at least 10 minutes prior to the start time. The phone line is limited to 125 participants on a first-come first-served basis)

PURPOSE: To provide more information on upcoming activities in EPA’s Air Programs and foster a dialog with communities on their air quality issues. This call will provide an:

EPA's New Climate Change Adaptation Plan - Joel Scheraga, Office of Policy
Status of the Office of Air and Radiation's (OAR) work on the Fukushima plant - Sara DeCair, OAR, Office of Radiation and Indoor Air
EPA's Air Programs and Regulations: 2008 Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards - Karl Pepple, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards (OAQPS)
OAQPS EJ website redesign of www.epa.gov/oar/ej/ - Candace Carraway, OAQPS

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: For more information about the conference call, please contact Lena Epps-Price (epps-price.lena@epa.gov) at (919) 541-5573.

TOPIC: Technical Assistance Available for EPA's Building Blocks for Sustainable Communities Program

DATE: Friday, Sept. 21, 2012

TIME: 1:00-2:00 Eastern

INTENDED AUDIENCE: Communities interested in technical assistance for smart growth development

PURPOSE: EPA’s Office of Sustainable Communities will provide an overview of free technical assistance available to communities through EPA’s Building Blocks for Sustainable Communities Program. This program provides short-term, targeted technical assistance to help communities implement smart growth development approaches, such as creating a green streets strategy, linking land use to water quality, or conducting a walking audit. This webinar will focus on assistance available directly from EPA and from four EPA grantees: ForTerra, Project for Public Spaces, Smart Growth America, and Global Green.

Participants will learn about the types of assistance available and how to apply. EPA’s call for letters of interest will be released the day before this webinar. This round, EPA will be offering assistance to help local governments and community organizations support equitable development. Assistance recipients will learn about locally relevant approaches to provide housing and transportation choices for residents of all income levels, preserve and strengthen diverse local businesses, enhance access to jobs, and ensure that revitalization is fair and inclusive.

WEBINAR INFORMATION: No pre-registration is required. Connect to webinar at https://epa.connectsolutions.com/epasmartgrowth. For audio, call in number is 1-888-850-4523. Participant passcode: 719661. This conference has a maximum audio capacity of 299 callers, so participants may wish to share lines.

Please test your computer prior to attending the meeting at http://admin.adobeconnect.com/common/help/en/support/meeting_test.htm
The Connection Test checks your computer to make sure all system requirements are met. If you pass the first three steps of the test, then you are ready to participate in a meeting.
If you do not pass the test, perform the suggested actions and run the test again.

TOPIC: June 2012 Proposal to Revise the PM NAAQS – General Overview

DATE: August 9, 2012

TIME: 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm Eastern Time

INTENDED AUDIENCE: Environmental Justice Communities

PURPOSE:The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will present an overview of the proposed revisions to the national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) for particulate matter (PM). Also, the EPA will outline:

Proposed updates to PM monitoring requirements, including a proposed requirement for near-road PM2.5 measurements
Proposed revisions to the prevention of significant deterioration (PSD) permitting program with respect to the proposed revisions in the standards
Expected implementation timeline for the proposed standards

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: EPA will answer clarifying questions. Note that although the EPA is hosting the webinar during the public comment period, the webinar is not a means of providing comment on the proposed rule. For complete proposal information, including fact sheets, tables and maps, a list of issues on which EPA is specifically requesting comment, and technical support documents, see: http://www.epa.gov/air/particlepollution/actions.html.

For questions, please contact Regina Chappell (chappell.regina@epa.gov) at (919) 541-3650.

MATERIALS from August 9 webinar: Proposal to Revise the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for Particulate Matter (PM) (PDF) (19 pp, 236K, August 9, 2012);

OTHER MATERIALS: Air Pollution Training Institute (APTI) videos: Proposal to Revise NAAQS for Particle Polltuion Webinar (July 12, 2012); PM 2.5 Implemenation Webcast (September 26, 2007)

TOPIC: Conference Call: EPA Seeks Public Comment on Proposals for Promoting Public Participation in Permitting

DATE/TIME: Thursday, July 12, 2012 (2:30-4:00pm EST) and Wednesday, August 1, 2012 (4:00-5:30pm EST)

PURPOSE: EPA is hosting two calls to discuss the details of the proposed guidelines and best practices. To attend a call, please RSVP to ejpermitting@epa.gov indicating which call(s) you wish to attend and you will receive a reply with call-in information.

The proposed guidelines and best practices are intended to help integrate environmental justice considerations in EPA-issued permits and will inform the development of regional implementation plans to provide opportunities for overburdened communities to participate meaningfully in the permitting process for priority permits. EPA is also encouraging permit applicants to make an effort to meaningfully involve overburdened communities in the permitting process. These efforts are important initiatives under Plan EJ 2014, EPA's road map for carrying out the Administrator's priority on environmental justice.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: You can view and comment on the "Notice Of Availability Of Proposed Regional Actions To Promote Public Participation In The Permitting Process And Draft Best Practices For Permit Applicants Seeking EPA-Issued Permits; Request For Comments" on Regulations.gov (Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2012-0452). If you have questions about the federal register notice or calls that EPA is hosting, please submit your questions to ejpermitting@epa.gov.

This effort is part of the Considering Environmental Justice in Permitting Initiative of Plan EJ 2014.

TOPIC: NEJAC Meeting

DATE: July 24-25, 2012

TIME: 9am - 5pm

WHERE: Crystal City, VA

PURPOSE: Meeting agenda includes:

Plan EJ 2014 Updates
NEJAC Science and Research Work Group Update
NEJAC Indigenous Peoples Work Group Update
NEJAC Permitting Work Group Update

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: If you are planning to provide a public comment, you must signup in advance. Register at http://www.epa.gov/environmentaljustice/nejac/register.html

TOPIC: EPA Announces Two Public Hearings on Proposed Revisions to the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Particle Pollution

DATE: July 17, 2012, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and July 19, 2012, in Sacramento, California

PURPOSE: EPA holds two public hearings on the proposed revisions to the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for particle pollution. More information about the public hearings can be found on the Particulate Matter (PM) regulatory Actions page http://www.epa.gov/pm/actions.html.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Please contact Alan Rush (rush.alan@epa.gov) at 202-564-1658 if you would like to speak at either of the hearings.

TOPIC: Community Conference Call

DATE: Wednesday, June 27, 2012

TIME: 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM ET

INTENDED AUDIENCE: Environmental Justice and Tribal Communities or Organizations

PURPOSE: To provide more information on upcoming activities in EPA’s Air Programs and foster a dialog with communities on their air quality issues. This call will provide an:

National Environmental Justice Advisory Council (NEJAC) Meeting scheduled for July 24-25, 2012
Federal Action Plan to Reduce Racial and Ethnic Asthma Disparities
New features of the Ultraviolet Index and how it differs from EPA’s Air Quality Index
Air emissions and associated health impacts as a result of shale gas drilling, fracturing and production
EPA’s Air Programs and Regulations
1. Federal Implementation Plan and Revisions to Regional Haze
2. Particulate Matter National Ambient Air Quality Standards (PM NAAQS)
3. Portland Cement-Amendments in Response to Reconsideration
4. Polyvinyl Chloride and Copolymers Production (PVC) NESHAP

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: For more information about the conference call, please contact Lena Epps-Price (epps-price.lena@epa.gov) at (919) 541-5573.

TOPIC: EPA Environmental Justice in Action Blog at http://blog.epa.gov/ej/

PURPOSE: EPA's Office of Environmental Justice (OEJ) has officially launched its new Environmental Justice in Action Blog. The blog will feature stories on advances in environmental justice across the country. It is a great resource for environmental justice advocates and organizations.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Posts will be added every Thursday at 10 a.m. Eastern Time starting tomorrow, April 19th. Make sure to add your name to the RSS feed on the right side of the blog to receive our future posts directly to your email. Also, hit the "like" button above the link to let your friends know about this great resource.

TOPIC: Community Conference Call

DATE: Tuesday, April 24, 2012

TIME: 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM ET

INTENDED AUDIENCE: Environmental Justice and Tribal Communities or Organizations

PURPOSE: To provide more information on upcoming activities in EPA’s Air Programs and foster a dialog with communities on their air quality issues. This call will provide an:

Overview of funding availability for Clean Diesel Projects. Connie Ruth (ruth.connie@epa.gov) of EPA's Office of Transportation and Air Quality (OTAQ) will discuss the current funding opportunities for reducing diesel emissions. EPA anticipates releasing a Request for Proposals (RFP) very soon. Information about the RFP will be posted at: http://www.epa.gov/cleandiesel/prgnational.htm
Introduction to the work of the Small Community Advisory Subcommittee which was established in 1996 by EPA to advise the Administrator on environmental issues of concern to the residents of smaller communities
Overview of the May 2012 National Asthma Awareness Month community tools and indoor air resources
Update on EPA’s Air programs and regulation

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: For more information about the conference call, please contact Lena Epps-Price (epps-price.lena@epa.gov) at (919) 541-5573.

TOPIC: Webinar on U.S. EPA's Proposed Rule to Reduce Emissions from Chromium Electroplating and Anodizing Facilities

DATE: Wednesday, February 29, 2012

TIME: 2:30 to 3:30 PM ET

INTENDED AUDIENCE: Environmental justice and tribal community members or organizations, though others are welcome to participate.

The purpose of the webinar is to provide information to participants about selected aspects of the proposed rulemaking, which will reduce emissions of hazardous air pollutants from chromium electroplating and anodizing facilities. Please note this will not be an opportunity to provide EPA with comments on the rule itself, but instead provides community and tribal audiences with an opportunity to better understand the proposed rule so they can submit more detailed comments for the official record.

MATERIALS: Understanding Chromium Electroplating Risk and Technology Review (PDF) (18 pp, 166K, February 29, 2012)

TOPIC: Community Conference call

DATE: Wednesday, February 1, 2012

TIME: 1:00pm-2:00pm EST

INTENDED AUDIENCE: Environmental Justice and Tribal Communities and Organizations

PURPOSE: To provide more information on upcoming activities in EPA's Air Programs and foster a dialog with communities on their air quality issues. This call will provide:

Updates on several EPA's Air Rules including Commercial, Industrial, Solid Waste Incinerators/Industrial Boilers Mercury and Air Toxics Standards for Power Plants Chromium Electroplating
Overview of the new Greenhouse Gas Reporting Rule Data Tool
http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/0/8890DDDC08B1B82785257982005CCACD
Feedback on Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards (OAQPS) plans for Air permits training Communicating Effectively with Government Decision-makers

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: For questions, please contact Lena Epps-Price (epps-price.lena@epa.gov) at (919) 541-5573.

MATERIALS: Reconsideration Proposal for Boilers, Process Heaters and Solid Waste Incinerators (PDF) (16 pp, 485K, December 2, 2011)

TOPIC: Webinar on U.S. EPA's Proposed Rule - National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants from the Pulp and Paper Industry

DATE: Tuesday, January 31, 2012

TIME: 2:30 – 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time

INTENDED AUDIENCE: Environmental justice and tribal community members or organizations, though others are welcome to participate.

PURPOSE: EPA invites tribal and environmental justice advocates and others to participate in a webinar on EPA's proposed amendments to the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants from the Pulp and Paper Industry. The purpose of the webinar is to provide information to participants about selected aspects of the proposed rulemaking, which will address the results of the residual risk and technology review that EPA is required to conduct under sections 112(d)(6) and (f)(2) of the Clean Air Act.

MATERIALS: Recorded Webinar; Overview of Pulp & Paper Risk and Technology Review (PDF) (20 pp, 693K)

TOPIC: Video of EPA EJ Luncheon

DATE: August 2011

PURPOSE: A Working Lunch: A Conversation with Heroes of the Movements for Civil Rights and Environmental Justice with Opening Remarks by Program Moderator: Donele Wilkins (Greendoor Initiative)

MATERIALS: EPA EJ Luncheon with Bunyan Bryant and Grace Lee Boggs, August 2011 Detroit, MI - YouTube Video (15:15)

TOPIC: Webinar on Petroleum Refineries Risk and Technology Review and New Source Performance Standard Rulemaking

DATE: Tuesday, October 18, 2011;

TIME: 4:00 – 5:30 pm Eastern Time

INTENDED AUDIENCE: Environmental Justice Communities and Organizations

PURPOSE: Webinar will provide community members a better understanding of the refinery industry and how the industry is regulated under the Clean Air Act. The webinar will provide an opportunity for communities, particularly environmental justice communities, to understand the process and provide input.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: For questions, please contact Candace Carraway (carraway.candace@epa.gov) at (919) 541-3189.

MATERIALS: Addressing Air Emissions from the Petroleum Refinery Sector (PDF) (52 pp, 632K)

TOPIC: Community Conference call

DATE: Thursday, June 30, 2011

TIME: 2:00 - 3:00 pm Eastern Time

INTENDED AUDIENCE: Environmental Justice and Tribal Communities and Organizations

PURPOSE: To provide more information on upcoming activities in EPA's Air Programs and foster a dialog with communities on their air quality issues. This call will provide an:

Overview of the upcoming air rule for the Pulp and Paper Industry and other air quality rules
Discussion of the purpose and process for developing the Environmental Justice Community Learning Center
Opportunity for community members to ask questions regarding the topics discussed

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: For questions, please contact Lena Epps-Price (epps-price.lena@epa.gov) at (919) 541-5573..

MATERIALS: Recorded Webinar; Pulp & Paper Update (PDF) (11 pp, 1.7MB, June 30, 2011)

TOPIC: Webinar on EPA's Proposed Mercury and Air Toxics Standards for Power Plants

DATE: Monday, May 2, 2011

TIME: 2:30 pm - 4:00 pm Eastern Time

INTENDED AUDIENCE: Environmental Justice and Tribal Community Members and Organizations

PURPOSE: The webinar provided an overview of the health impacts and benefits of the proposed Mercury and Air Toxics Standards, the proposed requirements, and procedures for public comment and public hearings. On March 16, 2011, EPA issued the proposed Mercury and Air Toxics Standards, which would reduce emissions of toxic air pollutants from new and existing coal‐ and oil‐fired electric utility steam generating units. This rule would reduce emissions of heavy metals (including mercury, arsenic, chromium, and nickel) and acid gases (including hydrogen chloride and hydrogen fluoride). At the same time, EPA also proposed to revise the new source performance standards (NSPS) for electric utility steam generating units. The proposed NSPS would set new standards for particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxides.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: For questions, please contact Regina Chappell (chappell.regina@epa.gov) at (919) 541-3650.

MATERIALS: Reducing Toxic Pollution from Power Plants (PDF) (29 pp, 697K, May 2, 2011)

TOPIC: Webinar on Air Pollution Prevention and Control (Clean Air Act 101 Training)

DATE: February 25, 2011

TIME: 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm Eastern Time

INTENDED AUDIENCE: Environmental Justice and Tribal Community Members and Organizations

PURPOSE: The webinar was designed for community members who would like a better understanding of the Clean Air Act and the roles of state, local, and tribal agencies and EPA in air quality management. Clean Air Act 101 covers topics such as:

How agencies plan and manage air pollution
How commonly found pollutants are regulated
How toxic air pollutants are regulated
Opportunities for public involvement

WEBINAR MATERIALS: Recorded Webinar Clean Air Act 101 Training; Air Pollution Prevention and Control under the Clean Air Act (with pictures) (PDF) (27 pp, 865K, February 25, 2011); Air Pollution Prevention and Control under the Clean Air Act (without pictures) (PDF) (27 pp, 214K)

TOPIC: EPA seeks feedback on the Concept Paper for EJ Community Learning Center

DATE: February 9, 2011 (Deadline for comments on Concept Paper are due by March 10, 2011)

PURPOSE: The Office of Air and Radiation proposes to partner with another organization through a competitive grant process. This competition is to seek applicants capable of designing and managing a training program and resource center for members of minority, low-income and indigenous communities who seek to address environmental issues that are impacting their communities.

MATERIALS: Concept Paper for Environmental Justice Community Learning Center (PDF) (4 pp, 39K, February 8, 2011)

TOPIC: Community Conference Call

DATE: December 9, 2010

TIME: 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm Eastern Time

INTENDED AUDIENCE: Environmental Justice and Tribal Community Members and Organizations

PURPOSE: To provide information about upcoming air program activities. This call will:

Discuss grant and partnership opportunities for Gulf Spill communities
Role communities should play during the August 2011 EJ Air Conference
Discuss first steps for EPA's Petroleum Refinery rules
Identify points of contact for specific EPA projects and rules
Identify methods to improve public participation in the permitting process
Discuss future Clean Air Act 101 webinar(s)

WEBINAR MATERIALS: Connecticut EJ Public Participation Plan (PDF) (7 pp, February 8, 2012, DEP-EJ-PLAN-001) ; Connecticut EJ Public Participation Guidelines (PDF)(9 pp, February 8, 2012, DEEP-EJ-GUID-001)

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