The Environmental Protection Agency is gearing up to work more closely with the energy industry under a new program it has dubbed “Smart Sectors,” which has the primary focus of reducing regulations.
EPA’s Office of Policy quietly launched the new program in a Federal Register notice published Tuesday.
“EPA’s Smart Sectors program will re-examine how EPA engages with industry in order to reduce unnecessary regulatory burden, create certainty and predictability, and improve the ability of both EPA and industry to conduct long-term regulatory planning while also protecting the environment and public health,” according to the EPA.
The list of energy-intensive industries that EPA wants to engage will include: Aerospace, agriculture, automotive, cement and concrete, chemical manufacturing, construction, electronics and technology, forestry and paper products, iron and steel, mining, oil and gas, ports and marine, and utilities and power generation.
“Sectors were selected based on each sector’s potential to improve the environment and public health,” the EPA said.
The agency explained that the program will designate EPA industry experts as points of contact. “These individuals will act as liaisons among industry trade associations and companies, EPA program and regional offices, state and local governments, and other stakeholder groups,” the program announcement notice read.
These “sector liaisons” will be focused on three primary areas of concern: “building relationships and improving customer service to sectors; developing additional expertise in each industry’s operations and environmental performance; and informing the planning of future policies, regulations, and agency processes.”
