EPA Advance Program
Run by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Advance Program supports states, tribes and local governments in attainment areas that want to take proactive steps to keep their air clean by promoting local actions to reduce ozone and/or fine particulate matter (PM2.5) pollution. Established in 2012, the Advance Program also helps these areas continue to maintain the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). On November 16, 2020, Grand Valley Metropolitan Council (GVMC), in coordination with the West Michigan Clean Air Coalition (WMCAC) and the Lower Grand River Organization of Watersheds (LGROW) sent a formal letter to the EPA requesting to join the Advance Program for both ground-level ozone and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) with respect to Kent and Ottawa Counties. GVMC decided to join this program to help preserve and improve air quality in both counties and expects that participation in the program will further air quality efforts by:
Reducing ozone and PM2.5 air pollution, as well as other air pollutants
Achieving continued healthy ozone and PM2.5 levels
Maintaining healthy air quality and the ozone and PM2.5 NAAQS
Helping avoid violations of the NAAQS that could lead to a future nonattainment designation
Increasing public awareness about ozone and PM2.5 as air pollutants
Targeting resources toward actions to address ozone and PM2.5 problems
Kent and Ottawa Counties both currently meet all eligibility requirements for the ground-level ozone and PM2.5 Advance Program.
By joining the Advance program, GVMC committed to writing a Path Forward Plan that describes the action steps they will take, along with the WMCAC and LGROW, to lower emissions that can lead to ground-level ozone and PM2.5 over the next five years. This plan is updated annually to show progress in reducing emissions.
Clean Air Action and Advance
In addition to continuing the work we’ve been doing since 1995 to educate the community about air quality issues, notify the public when Action Days are called, and promote voluntary emission reduction activities, GVMC, in partnership with the West Michigan Clean Air Coalition, will be promoting the Burn Wise program beginning in the fall of 2022. This program educates and encourages the public to practice clean burning techniques. More information about this program is below.
Burn Wise
The Burn Wise program promotes the importance of burning the right wood, the right way, in the right appliance. Adding a Burn Wise educational component to our Clean Air Action program helps enhance and expand the program beyond the spring and summer months, when we typically see the most Action Day activity in West Michigan. While Action Day advisories for PM2.5, which can be elevated at any point during the year, are possible, that has not happened yet in West Michigan. Because burning is a source of PM2.5, practicing clean burning techniques can reduce the amount of this pollutant in the air. The WMCAC will post Burn Wise messages on social media during the fall and winter months and is also giving away free Burn Wise resources, including informational flyers, brochures and posters. A sampling of these materials is below. These materials can be downloaded by clicking on the images, or please contact Andrea Faber to request a free copy.
Below are links to additional educational information and tips for clean burning practices:
Burn Wise Best Practices Videos
Choosing Wood-Burning Appliances
Wood-Burning Installation and Maintenance
Lower Grand River Organization of Watersheds and advance
The Lower Grand River Organization of Watersheds (LGROW) is an agency of GVMC focused on increasing the appreciation of the Grand River and its tributaries. LGROW provides education to communities about what they can do to improve the quality of the Grand River and local waterways. LGROW also helps local watershed groups increase their effectiveness in protecting and improving water quality by building collaborative partnerships for funding opportunities, improving marketing strategies, and creating a central repository for watershed data and information. LGROW’s Strategic Plan has three overarching goals: 1) healthy watersheds, 2) engaged communities, and 3) a robust organization. To accomplish these goals, LGROW has developed programs that focus on green stormwater infrastructure, data collection and management, environmental education, public outreach through social media, and creating a diversified revenue stream. Several of these programs are highlighted in the 2021 Annual Report.
LGROW has committed to participating in the Advance program by focusing on green infrastructure. During 2022, LGROW plans to create a transportation greening campaign through the following activities:
Researching data on air quality changes in transportation corridors due to vegetation
Adding information on the LGROW website and social media
Collaborating with other Urban Waters Federal Partnership Ambassadors who are also doing this work
Future advance activities
Expansion plans for the Clean Air Action program will include continuing the work we have already been doing with the program AND enhancing this work with the resources we have access to through Advance. The same holds true for LGROW, who anticipates increased coordination with GVMC’s Transportation Department in the use of trees and other vegetation along transportation corridors to not only manage stormwater, but also mitigate potential pollution and improve air quality, thereby helping to support the work of the Clean Air Action Program.
For a five-year expansion plan for our work through Advance, please click here.
Tools to monitor program effectiveness
Program effectiveness will be determined by evaluating the following:
Monitoring data
Citizen Awareness and Compliance Survey data
Data derived from a selection of tools from the EPA
Results will be included in our yearly Advance Plan updates. Additional information about this data can be found in our Path Forward Plan.
Questions and more information
For questions, and to learn more about the Advance Program, please click here or contact Andrea Faber.