By Brett Rosenberg
August 9, 2004

The Federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is currently accepting entries for the 2004 Clean Air Excellence Awards to honor those who have undertaken the risks of innovation, served as pioneers in their fields, and have helped to improve air quality. Mayors are welcome and encouraged to enter their cities- initiatives. Contest categories include Clean Air Technology; Community Development/Redevelopment, Education/Outreach, Regulatory/Policy Innovations, and Transportation Efficiency; criteria for each category are listed below. The EPA will hold an awards ceremony in Washington next spring to officially recognize award winners in each category. Entries must be postmarked by September 17, 2004. For more information, contest rules and registration material, see the EPA Website at www.epa.gov/air/caaac/clean_award.html. Information and registration materials are also available through the Clean Air Mayors Program: call (202) 861-6782 or e-mail Brett Rosenberg at brosenberg@usmayors.org.

h the Clean Air Mayors Program: call (202) 861-6782 or e-mail Brett Rosenberg at brosenberg@usmayors.org.

Clean Air Technology

• The technology is commercially viable and can be widely applied.
• The technology is cost-effective relative to other air pollution control technologies that already exist.
• The technology is developed at the prototype stage or beyond.

Community Development /Redevelopment

• The development would result in increased access to employment centers, services, amenities, and other destinations by means other than private vehicles (such as walking, biking, or transit).
• The development would reduce energy usage.
• The development would provide additional housing, commercial, retail, or other services with less impact on energy, environmental, or transportation resources than a typical like project.
• The development is at least in the design stage.

Education/Outreach

• The education/outreach program increases public awareness about the importance of clean air.
• The education/outreach program improves access to information on clean air issues.
• The education/outreach program reaches a wide number of stakeholders.
• Development of the education/outreach program is completed or substantially underway.

Regulatory/Policy Innovations

• The regulation or policy encourages actions that go beyond compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
• The regulation or policy provides flexibility to the regulated community.
• The development process for the regulation or policy has included a stakeholder (e.g., public) involvement component.
• The regulation or policy has been put into effect.

Transportation Efficiency

• The project or program increases the number of available transportation options, and thus is likely to reduce VMT and/or vehicle trips.
• The project or program improves travel convenience and reduces travel time and costs.
• Development of the project or program is completed or substantially underway.