The Environmental Protection Agency has launched a new website intended to help the public understand and participate in the agency’s rulemaking process. According to EPA, the new Rulemaking Gateway portal will provide “earlier and more concise information” about the agency’s priority rulemakings under development. The website also allows users to search for EPA rules on specific interests, such as environmental justice or state, local, and tribal government. The portal also provides brief overviews of rulemakings that have not yet been proposed and includes links to more comprehensive information on the federal interagency Regulations.gov website. For more information, link to the news release. (2-18-10)

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The Environmental Protection Agency’s annual report on agency enforcement actions finds that in fiscal year 2009 polluters committed to spend over $5 billion on pollution controls, cleanups, and environmental projects that will reduce pollution by an estimated 570 million pounds annually. The agency also announced the development of a new online mapping feature for enforcement actions at approximately 4,600 facilities nationwide. The new interactive mapping tool provides separate maps for civil and criminal enforcement actions and allows users to access specific information about individual facilities, including historic information about the violation and any monetary penalties assessed. For more information, link to EPA’s Compliance and Enforcement Annual Results website. (12-23-09)

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The Environmental Protection Agency has announced the availability of $2 million in 2010 for cooperative agreements to reduce pollution at the local level under its Community Action for a Renewed Environment (CARE) program. The CARE program establishes community-based partnerships among local organizations such as county and local governments, tribes, and nonprofits to assess local pollution risks and implement risk reduction efforts. Webcasts for prospective applicants are scheduled for Feb. 2, 23, and 26, 2010. Applications for CARE grants are due March 9, 2010. For more information, link to the request for proposals and EPA’s CARE program website. (12-18-09)

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The federal interagency eRulemaking Program has upgraded its Regulations.gov website, the federal government’s online source for public access to current and upcoming regulations. The website features new search capabilities and navigation tools and improved access to areas for the public to provide comments on proposed regulations. The Environmental Protection Agency is the managing partner of the eRulemaking program. For more information, link to the EPA news release and the Regulations.gov website. (5-29-09)

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U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood, U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Shaun Donovan, and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson have announced a new interagency partnership to advance policies that improve access to affordable housing, provide more transportation options, and lower transportation costs while protecting the environment. The “Partnership for Sustainable Communities” builds on a joint effort between DOT and HUD on coordinated transportation and housing policies announced in March 2009. The partnership also established six “livability principles” as a foundation for interagency coordination and promotion of sustainable communities. The principles are: provide more transportation choices; promote equitable, affordable housing; enhance economic competitiveness; support existing communities; coordinate policies and leverage investment; and value communities and neighborhoods. For more information, link to the EPA press release and EPA's Partnership for Sustainable Communities Website. (6-16-09)

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