Fact Sheet: National Energy Policy - EPA Directives

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) May 18 issued a fact sheet summarizing the initiatives it will undertake to fulfill the goals outlined by President Bush in the National Energy Policy.

EPA will be developing new regulatory standards for pollution reduction, promoting greater energy conservation and efficiency, and streamlining its permitting process for new refineries.

The following terms are used in the fact sheet:

DOE: U.S. Department of Energy

Energy Star: This U.S. government program, jointly administered by DOE and EPA, provides the public with information about energy efficiency ratings for a variety of consumer goods in order to promote wider usage of products that exceed minimum standards for efficiency.

Following is the text of the EPA fact sheet:

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

May 18, 2001

EPA Directives in the President's National Energy Policy Report

Multi-pollutant legislation -- EPA is directed to propose legislation and work with Congress to establish mandatory reduction targets for sulfur, nitrogen oxide and mercury. The legislation should include a reasonable phase in period, regulatory certainty for utilities, and market based incentives.

Energy Star -- The Energy Star program should be expanded to include schools, retail buildings, health care facilities, and homes.

Combined Heat and Power (CHP) -- EPA should work with local and state governments to promote the use of well-designed CHP and other clean power generation at brownfield sites and to clarify any liability issues that may be raised. In addition, guidance should be drafted to shorten the time needed to obtain CHP permits and provide certainty to industry through consistent implementation. CHP should be promoted through flexibility in environmental permitting.

Energy Efficiency -- EPA is directed to develop and implement a strategy to increase public awareness of the sizable savings that energy efficiency offers to homeowners.

Renewable Energy Partnership Program -- EPA is directed to develop a new renewable energy partnership program to help companies and consumers more easily buy renewable energy, and companies receive recognition for their contributions to the environment.

New Source Review (NSR) -- EPA shall conduct a 90-day study, in consultation with the Department of Energy (DOE) and other agencies, of the impact of NSR regulations on investment in new utility and refinery generation capacity, energy efficiency, and environmental protection.

Streamlining of Refinery Permitting -- EPA and DOE are directed to work together to ensure that America has adequate refining capacity by streamlining the permitting process where possible, adopting comprehensive regulations, and considering the rules' cumulative impacts and benefits, without compromising environmental protection.

Boutique Fuels -- EPA is directed to study opportunities, in consultation with DOE and other agencies, to maintain or improve the environmental benefits of state and local "boutique" fuels program while exploring ways to increase the flexibility of the fuels distribution infrastructure, improve fungibility, and provide added gasoline market liquidity.

Truck Idling -- EPA and the Department of Transportation (DOT) are directed to work with the trucking industry to establish a program to reduce emissions and fuel consumption from long-haul trucks at truck stops by implementing alternatives to idling, such as electrification and auxiliary power units at truck stops along interstate highways.

Nuclear Energy -- To support nuclear energy as a major component of our national energy policy, the best science should be used to provide a deep geologic repository for nuclear waste and EPA and DOE are directed to work together to assess the potential of nuclear energy to improve air quality.

General Directives in the National Energy Policy Report

Statements in Regulatory Actions -- The President should issue an Executive Order to direct all federal agencies to include in any regulatory action that could significantly and adversely affect energy supplies, distribution, or use, a detailed statement on the energy impact of the proposed action, any unavoidable adverse energy effects of implementation, and alternatives to the proposed action.

Energy Production Permitting -- The President should issue an Executive Order directing federal agencies to expedite permits and other federal actions necessary for energy-related project approvals on a national basis. The President is directing the Council on Environmental Quality to establish a task force to coordinate federal agencies actions.

Energy Conservation -- The heads of executive departments and agencies are directed to take appropriate actions to maximize the conservation of energy use at their facilities, particularly during peak demand for facilities in regions where electricity shortages are possible. Agencies should report to the President, through the Secretary of Energy, within 30 days on the conservation actions taken.

Technological Advances -- All agencies are directed to use technological advances to better protect our environment. Specifically, the Administration remains committed to investing in Intelligent Transportation Systems and remains committed to DOT's fuel-cell-powered transit bus program and the Clean Buses program.

Global Climate Change -- All agencies are directed to support continued research into global climate change. Agencies should work domestically and in cooperation with allies to develop technologies, market-based incentives, and other innovative approaches to address the issue of global climate change.

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