EPA Air Innovations Conference

August 10, 2004

Chicago, Illinois

SEQL – Origins and Goals• Began in 2001 as the EPA Sustainability Project

• Involved chief elected officials from 26 jurisdictions

• Identified 25 actions for local consideration to improve the environment

• Morphed into SEQL in 2003

• Changes:

• Involves ALL elected officials

• Includes business and environmental group outreach

• Involves over 100 jurisdictions

• Involves local, regional, bi-state, and federal levels

• Focus now shifting from implementation to integration

SEQL Successes to Date

• 65 jurisdictions have signed the SEQL resolution

• A Total of 490 actions taken!

• 206 Air Quality

• 140 Sustainable Growth

• 144 Water Resource

• These represent VOLUNTARY actions.

SEQL Region

Some of What’s Happening:• Local fleets switching to use biodiesel in its fleet

• Local funds being budgeted for diesel retrofits

• Chamber of Commerce hosting of events and involvement in air quality actions for business

• Local and regional public awareness programs

• Best Workplaces for Commuters

• Greenway networks and coordination activities

• Emissions reduction strategies including lawnmower rebates and Truck Stop Electrification

• Increased “smart growth” even in communities that aren’t slated for transit

Key InitiativesIntegrated Planning

Key Initiatives

To pull off Integrated Planning:

• Planners’ networks to promote

multi-jurisdictional communication and planning

• ReVA to educate us about the unintended and cumulative consequences of our local and regional actions

Why SEQL Works—an Elected Official’s View

• Offers a menu of choices

• Is not “one size fits all”

• Is inclusive rather than exclusive

• Focuses on voluntary collaboration

• Focuses on “interest” rather than

“position”

Why SEQL Works

• Brings resources to the

table

• Helps us take off our

“blinders” and think

cross-sectoral/cross-

jurisdictional

• Rewards our successes

• Involves US in setting the

agenda

Lessons Learned

• Don’t make the concept of integrated planning harder than it is—people get it!

• Hire an excellent facilitator

• Find a balance between local and

regional interests

• Include ALL sizes of jurisdictions

More lessons…

• Find a champion

• Share the credit and the spotlight

• Don’t quit!• If at first you don’t succeed, try again—

because what you’re working for is worth it.

Remember, when it comes to the environment—

we’re all in this together.

For more information…www.seql.org

• Leda Belk

• Commissioner, Rowan County Board of Commissioners

• Chairman, Centralina Council of Governments

• 704-372-2416

• Lbelk@carolina.rr.com

• Rebecca Yarbrough

• SEQL Project Manager

• Centralina Council of Governments

• PO Box 35008

• Charlotte, NC 28235

• 704-348-2704

• Ryarbrough@centralina.org