Voluntary Partnership Programs

National Links

EPA's voluntary partnership programs are often maintained through mutual agreements between the various programs and their members. The criteria and benefits for participating in each of the programs vary from program to program. To view a list of EPA Region 5's voluntary programs, visit the links below, or click on the environmental area of interest for a list of related programs. To view of list of all EPA's voluntary programs.

Air Quality

Indoor Radon Abatement Act (IRAA)

Establishes a long-term goal that indoor air be as free from radon as the ambient air outside buildings. The law authorize funding for radon-related activities at the state and federal levels. Additional Radon information

Contact: Michael Murphy
Tel: (312) 353 - 6686
E-mail: murphy.michael@epa.gov

Pollution

Regulatory Innovation

Voluntary mercury stewardship by U.S. chlor-alkali factories

In 1997, U.S. factories that manufacture chlorine and sodium or potassium hydroxide via a production technology that employs mercury launched a voluntary program to reduce consumption of mercury. Through 2004, nine factories have reduced consumption by 88 percent. In absolute terms, mercury consumption by this industrial sector has fallen from 160 tons per year during the mid-1990s to 14 tons during 2004, with some reduced consumption of mercury attributable to closure of five factories owing to economic factors. View progress reports.

In March 2003, then EPA Administrator Christine Todd Whitman commended the Chlorine Institute for progress under this program.

Contact:
Frank Anscombe
Tel: (312) 353 - 0201
E-mail: anscombe.frank@epa.gov

Alexis Cain
Tel: (312) 886 - 7018
E-mail: cain.alexis@epa.gov