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EPA Air Innovations Conference

EPA Air Innovations Conference. August 10, 2004 Chicago, Illinois. SEQL – Origins and Goals. Began in 2001 as the EPA Sustainability Project Involved chief elected officials from 26 jurisdictions Identified 25 actions for local consideration to improve the environment

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EPA Air Innovations Conference

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  1. EPA Air Innovations Conference August 10, 2004 Chicago, Illinois

  2. SEQL – Origins and Goals • Began in 2001 as the EPA Sustainability Project • Involved chief elected officials from 26 jurisdictions • Identified 25 actions for local consideration to improve the environment • Morphed into SEQL in 2003 • Changes: • Involves ALL elected officials • Includes business and environmental group outreach • Involves over 100 jurisdictions • Involves local, regional, bi-state, and federal levels • Focus now shifting from implementation to integration

  3. 65jurisdictions have signed the SEQL resolution A Total of 490 actions taken! 206Air Quality 140Sustainable Growth 144Water Resource These represent VOLUNTARY actions. SEQL Successes to Date SEQL Region

  4. Some of What’s Happening: • Local fleets switching to use biodiesel in its fleet • Local funds being budgeted for diesel retrofits • Chamber of Commerce hosting of events and involvement in air quality actions for business • Local and regional public awareness programs • Best Workplaces for Commuters • Greenway networks and coordination activities • Emissions reduction strategies including lawnmower rebates and Truck Stop Electrification • Increased “smart growth” even in communities that aren’t slated for transit

  5. Key Initiatives Integrated Planning

  6. Key Initiatives To pull off Integrated Planning: • Planners’ networks to promote multi-jurisdictional communication and planning • ReVA to educate us about the unintended and cumulative consequences of our local and regional actions

  7. Why SEQL Works—an Elected Official’s View • Offers a menu of choices • Is not “one size fits all” • Is inclusive rather than exclusive • Focuses on voluntary collaboration • Focuses on “interest” rather than “position”

  8. Why SEQL Works • Brings resources to the table • Helps us take off our “blinders” and think cross-sectoral/cross-jurisdictional • Rewards our successes • Involves US in setting the agenda

  9. Lessons Learned • Don’t make the concept of integrated planning harder than it is—people get it! • Hire an excellent facilitator • Find a balance between local and regional interests • Include ALL sizes of jurisdictions

  10. More lessons… • Find a champion • Share the credit and the spotlight • Don’t quit! • If at first you don’t succeed, try again— because what you’re working for is worth it.

  11. Remember, when it comes to the environment— we’re all in this together.

  12. Leda Belk Commissioner, Rowan County Board of Commissioners Chairman, Centralina Council of Governments 704-372-2416 Lbelk@carolina.rr.com Rebecca Yarbrough SEQL Project Manager Centralina Council of Governments PO Box 35008 Charlotte, NC 28235 704-348-2704 Ryarbrough@centralina.org For more information… www.seql.org

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