Basic Information about Advance
EPA’s Advance Program, established in 2012, promotes local actions in attainment areas to reduce ozone and/or fine particle pollution (PM2.5) 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, more than 40 areas with a combined population of 45 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).
Please contact your EPA Regional office or the EPA Headquarters Advance Program team (Rich Damberg, damberg.rich@epa.gov; Mia South, south.mia@epa.gov; or ADVANCE@epa.gov) if you have questions about becoming an Advance program partner.
For more information:
- Sign-up for the EPA Advance Program newsletter at Advance@epa.gov
- EPA Advance Program website: https://19january2021snapshot.epa.gov/advance
- See also: Advance Fact Sheet, Ozone Advance Guidance, PM Advance Guidance.