FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Association of Air Pollution Control Agencies Hold First Mid-Year Meeting in Columbia, South Carolina
May 2016
Lexington, Ky.
From April 28 to 29, the Association of Air Pollution Control Agencies (AAPCA) held its 2016 Spring Meeting in Columbia, South Carolina. This is the first mid-year meeting held by AAPCA since its formation in 2013, and the meeting included nearly 100 attendees from more than 20 state and local environmental agencies as well as senior staff from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
The meeting included presentations and panels on topics ranging from multi-pollutant strategies and the Startup, Shutdown, & Malfunction State Implementation Plan Call to environmental justice and implementation of National Ambient Air Quality Standards for sulfur dioxide, ozone, and other pollutants. Presenters and keynote speakers included EPA Acting Assistant Administrator Janet McCabe, Representative Harold Mitchell Jr. of the South Carolina House of Representatives, and other experts from state agencies, academic institutions, and U.S. EPA’s Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards and Region 4. All presentations can be viewed on AAPCA’s website.
“The robust agenda and strong attendance at AAPCA’s first mid-year meeting demonstrates the value of the Association in bringing together state and local agencies to discuss technical Clean Air Act challenges,” said 2016 AAPCA President Sheila Holman of the North Carolina Division of Air Quality.
According to Vice President Sean Alteri of the Kentucky Division for Air Quality: “AAPCA’s growing state and local membership represents the air quality control officials that are responsible for protecting the health of more than 130 million Americans. Our member agencies are faced with resource-intensive air quality implementation issues, and the ability to have face-to-face interactions with our federal counterparts is invaluable.” Secretary/Treasurer Vivian Aucoin, Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality, stated “AAPCA continues to grow in terms of committee and membership activity, and we look forward to the Association’s progress on goals to ensure that air quality is properly communicated and states have a seat at the table for major Clean Air Act decisions.” “Texas appreciates the opportunity to compare notes with other agencies in a consensus-driven environment,” commented Past President Steve Hagle of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.
AAPCA’s 2016 Annual Business Meeting will be held September 21-23, and more information will be available shortly at: http://www.cleanairact.org.
AAPCA Background
The Association of Air Pollution Control Agencies (AAPCA) is a national, non-profit, consensus-driven organization focused on assisting state and local air quality agencies and personnel with implementation and technical issues associated with the federal Clean Air Act. 18 state environmental agencies currently sit on AAPCA’s Board of Directors.
AAPCA is housed in Lexington, Kentucky as an affiliate of The Council of State Governments. You can find more information about AAPCA at: http://www.cleanairact.org.
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