Individual SIP revisions are required from each state subject to the ECO requirement even if programs are coordinated with other states. This ECO option allows states or regions within states to assume the responsibility from employers for meeting the ECO requirements. State or regional ECO plans can be developed so that employers are relieved of the need to submit individual plans and so that employers would not be subject to civil suits. A state or regional plan would take the place of individual employer plans and would need to achieve the same level of trip reductions as required under an employer based plan. As the focus for commuting trips, employers could still play an important role in a regional strategy, though they would not be responsible for implementing the plan.
Several strategies are available to states or regions implementing a regional plan.
They include transit incentives, vanpool subsidies, employer tax credits, shuttle service, expanded bus or transit service, parking cash out, public education and marketing tools, rideshare matching, and possibly mixed use development. EPA has accepted that recommendation as a continuation of its existing good faith effort policy. Under this policy, employers who try but fail to meet trip reduction goals need not be penalized as long as they continue their efforts to find effective trip reduction strategies. Individual states determine what constitutes a good faith effort under their plans. Within a state or regional plan, the administering agency would be responsible for demonstrating a good faith effort to implement a plan that convincingly demonstrates that the trip reduction target can be met.