“EPA’s FY 2014 budget reflects our firm commitment to keeping American communities across our country healthy and clean, while also taking into consideration the difficult fiscal situation and the declining resources of state, local and tribal programs,” said EPA Acting Administrator Bob Perciasepe.

Fiscal Year 2014 budget highlights include:

• E-Enterprise to Assist Businesses and Improve EPA and States’ Access to Data. E-Enterprise, a $60 million initiative will enable EPA to begin developing tools and expanding systems designed to reduce the reporting burden on regulated entities and provide EPA and state regulators with easier access to and use of environmental data.

• Supporting state and tribal partners.  The FY 2014 budget includes a total of $1,135.8 million in categorical grants, an increase of $47 million over FY 2012 levels. EPA remains committed to supporting our state and tribal partners, the primary implementers of environmental programs, remains a priority of the EPA. Funding to states and tribes in the State and Tribal Assistance Grants (STAG) account continues to be the largest percentage of the EPA’s budget request, at nearly 40% in FY 2014.

• Climate Change. EPA is proposing $176.5 million for the agency’s work with partners and stakeholders to provide information and tools to cut greenhouse gas emissions. These funds will support reducing emissions in the U.S. and abroad through careful, cost-effective rulemaking and voluntary programs that focus on the largest entities while also encouraging businesses and consumers to limit unnecessary greenhouse gas emissions.

• Enforcement and Compliance. EPA’s budget proposal requests $625 million to maintain the strength of core national enforcement and compliance assurance programs and for the Next Generation Compliance Initiative.

• Improving Air Quality. The agency’s proposal requests $175 million to support its work to meet its court-ordered deadlines to develop, implement and review statutorily mandated ambient air quality standards and guidance and air toxics regulations. In addition, EPA will continue to provide support to its state, local and Tribal partners to implement these rules by providing analytical tools for emissions and quality assurance, as well as air quality systems to house and exchange data and technology.

What this means to you

EPA is taking a 3.5 percent budget reduction from its 2012 budget.  Even so, its priority activities remain largely focused on air quality emission reduction, reporting, compliance and enforcement

How MIRATECH can help

Contact MIRATECH to discuss emission compliance options and solutions for your operation.