EPA’s Local Government Advisory Committee Adopts Infrastructure Recommendations (Pa.)

 U.S. EPA News Release:

EPA’s Local Government Advisory Committee Adopts Infrastructure Recommendations (Pa.)

PHILADELPHIA (Feb. 18, 2022) – EPA’s Local Government Advisory Committee (LGAC) adopted recommendations yesterday to present to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael S. Regan on the agency’s implementation of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The committee was asked for input on how to implement the historic infrastructure investments in a way that achieves the Administration’s climate and environmental justice goals and meets the needs of local governments.

“EPA is committed to maximizing the impact of this historic investment in communities across the country to cut pollution where it’s needed most, improve climate resilience, and create good-paying jobs,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “To achieve this vision, we must depend on the wisdom and expertise of our local, state, Tribal, and territorial partners. I thank the members of the LGAC for providing their thoughtful and meaningful input as EPA takes our next steps to deploy these transformational resources.”

“I am thrilled by the LGAC’s adoption of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Legislation guidance letter today,” said Philadelphia City Councilmember Katherine Gilmore Richardson. “As Vice Chair of the Environmental Justice Working Group of the LGAC, I am hyper focused on ensuring that EPA holds itself and its state and local partners accountable to achieving the goals of the Justice 40 initiative. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is a once in a lifetime opportunity to not only address historic environmental injustices, but also an important chance to rebuild trust with communities and prevent future harm. I want to thank my colleagues on the LGAC for their hard work and dedication, especially my fellow LGAC Executive Committee members including our Environmental Justice Committee chair, Mayor Deana Holiday Ingraham, and the EPA staff who helped us achieve this first milestone so quickly.”

Recognizing the importance of infrastructure investments to local communities, the LGAC devoted the last seven weeks to reviewing and developing cross-cutting advice across many of EPA’s infrastructure programs. Key recommendations include:

• Expanding the technical assistance available to help local governments access funding, upgrade their infrastructure, and ensure climate and equity are incorporated into their projects.
• Providing training and education at every level of government on environmental justice and encouraging the use of available tools and data to make informed, equitable decisions.
• Issuing guidance to encourage infrastructure projects that do not contribute to climate pollution.
• Encouraging state partners to engage with communities, solicit project ideas from local governments, and include them in decision-making processes.
• Adding flexibility in allowable costs to enable investments in workforce development, community outreach, and the development of regional partnerships.

The Committee’s full letter of recommendation, voted out today, will be posted to EPA’s website once signed by the LGAC leadership.

The LGAC is comprised of 35 members including 17 women, 16 people of color, and representation from 30 different states, Tribal nations, and U.S. territories, representing a diverse cross-section of cities, counties, towns, and communities across the United States. The Administrator appointed 34 new members to the Committee last year, as well as 16  members to the LGAC’s Small Communities Advisory Subcommittee.

Background

Chartered in 1993 under the Federal Advisory Committee Act, the Local Government Advisory Committee provides independent and objective policy advice to the EPA Administrator on a broad range of issues affecting local governments. The Small Community Advisory Subcommittee was established by EPA in 1996 to advise the Administrator on environmental issues of concern to the residents of smaller communities.

LGAC members represent counties, cities, small communities, tribes, states and territories and bring diverse views and perspectives from around the country. The LGAC’s initial work is conducted in its Small Communities Advisory Subcommittee and four workgroups: Air and Climate, America’s Waters and Water Infrastructure, Healthy Communities, and Environmental Justice. Visit EPA’s website: Local Government Advisory Committee (LGAC) | US EPA for more information.