EPA Priorities and Initiative

Cheryl Seager

Deputy Regional Counsel for 

Enforcement 

“Protecting human health and the environment.”
Meeting the Challenges Ahead 

EPA’s Themes

• Making a Visible Difference in Communities across 

Country

• Addressing Climate Change and Improving Air Qua• Taking Action on Toxics and Chemical Safety• Protecting Water: A Precious, Limited Resource• Launching a New Era of State, Tribal and Local 

Partnerships

• Working Toward a Sustainable Future• Embracing EPA as a High Performing OrganizationJune 2014 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 6
8/1&2/2013 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 6 

2014-2016 National Enforcement Ini

• Keeping Raw Sewage and 

Contaminated StormwaterOut of Our Nation’s Waters

• Preventing Animal Waste 

from Contaminating Surface and Ground Waters

• Cutting Toxic Air Pollution 

that Affects Communities’ Health
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2014-2016 National Enforcement Ini

• Reducing Widesprea

Pollution from the LaSources, especially tfired Utility, Cement, and Acid Sectors 

• Reducing Pollution f

Mineral Processing Operations

• Assuring Energy Ext

Sector Compliance wEnvironmental Laws
Region 6 Priorities

• Environmental Justice Communities• Government Partnerships ‐ Tribes/State/Lo

• Sustainable Industrial Growth

– Oil & Gas Industry (Energy) Sector– Chemical Sector

June 2014 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 6
8/1&2/2013 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 6 

2014 Regional Enforcement Prior

1. Protect Communities from 

the Risks of Hazardous Chemicals (RMP)

2. Swiftly Address Accidental 

Releases (GDC)

3. Ensure Flares are Operating 

Efficiently
8/1&2/2013 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 6 

2014 Regional Enforcement Prior

4. Ensure Safe and 

Waste Managem

5. Ensure everyon

Water is Safe to 

6. Address Bacter

Impairment 
8/1&2/2013 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 6 

Next Generation Compliance

• More effective rules• Advanced monitoring 

technology

• Electronic reporting• Increases transparency• Innovative enforcement

Effective 

Rules

Elec

Rep

Transparency

Innovative 

Enforcement
8/1&2/2013 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 6 

Recent Case Highlights

– Shell Deer Park– C– San Antonio Water Sys

CD entered

– Cabot Corporation – C– Flint Hills – CD lodged– Valero/Port Arthur Hea

CD Modification 

– Baton Rouge – CD Mo– New Orleans – CD Mo
Clean Power Plan

• EPA’s Clean Power Plan for existing power pla

was announced on June 3

• Currently no national limits on carbon pollution 

• With the Clean Power Plan, EPA is proposing 

guidelines that build on trends already underwstates and the power sector to cut carbon pollufrom existing power plants, making them more efficient and less polluting

June 2014 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 6 
Clean Power Plan

• Shaped by public input, present trends, proven 

technologies, and common sense, our Plan aimcut energy waste and leverage cleaner energy sources by doing two things

– Setting achievable, enforceable state goals to cut ca

pollution per megawatt hour of electricity generated.

– Laying out a national framework that gives states the 

flexibility to chart their own, customized path to meegoals. 

• •. June 2014 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 6 
Clean Power Plan

• By 2030, the steps EPA is taking :

– Cut carbon emissions from the power sector by 30% 

nationwide below the 2005 levels, which is equal to 

emissions from powering more than half the homes US for one year

– Cut particle pollution, nitrogen oxides, and sulfur dio

more than 25% as a co-benefit

June 2014 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 6 
Clean Energy Plan

• In addition, by taking this step, we will:

– Avoid up to 6,600 premature deaths, up to 

150,000 asthma attacks on children, and up 490,000 missed work or school days – provup to $93 billion in climate and public health benefits

– Shrink electricity bills roughly 8% by increas

energy efficiency and reducing demand in telectricity system 

June 2014 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 6 
Clean Energy Plan

• Each state will have different emission reductio

goals because each state has different energy 

• In addition to different energy mixes, states ha

different and unique ways in addressing their oissues. Therefore, the Plan gives states the fleto develop their own plans to meet the standar

June 2014 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 6 
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• States can choose from a variety of options to 

the goal such as:

– Demand-side energy efficiency programs– Renewable energy standards– Efficiency improvements at plants– Co-firing or switching to natural gas– Transmission efficiency improvements– Energy storage technology– Retirements– Expanding renewables or nuclear– Market-based trading programs– Energy conservation programs
Clean Energy Plan

• We’re proposing a two-part goal structure: an 

goal” that a state must meet on average over tyear period from 2020-2029 and a “final goal” state must meet at the end of that period in 20thereafter.

• All states must submit initial or complete plans 

June 30, 2016, with the option to use a two-steprocess for submitting final plans if more time needed.

June 2014 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 6 
Clean Energy Plan

• We’d like to receive more input. There’s 

120 day comment period on the proposClean Power Plan and I encourage eveto submit their comments so the best plenacted.

June 2014 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 6 
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Questions

Cheryl Seager

Deputy Regional Counsel for Enforce

Office of Regional Counsel

EPA Region 6

seager.cheryl@epa.gov

(214) 665-3114