Basic Information
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).