Epa Voluntary Programs To Survive Despite Performance Track Halt

摘要

Despite the Obama EPA's recent decision to halt its voluntary Performance Track program amid concerns from several stakeholders about the program's merits, the Obama administration is likely to continue a slew of other voluntary agency programs that have proven much more successful, sources say. The agency's water efficiency program WaterSense continues to draw broad praise and one Capitol Hill source says Democratic lawmakers may seek to codify the program. Further, EPA's March 16 decision to halt Performance Track "doesn't have to mean the end of voluntary programs" at the agency, a key environmentalist says, citing the Green Lights and Energy Star efficiency programs as other positive examples. EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson said in her announcement halting Performance Track that the agency is undertaking a broad review of its voluntary programs, but several sources say that Performance Track was unique given the high-level criticism it received from lawmakers, activists and others.