Week 1 at the EPA

Written by UNC MPA

Greetings from Research Triangle Park! My first week at the Environmental Protection Agency was incredible, and I am so thankful for the opportunity to be working here. The RTP headquarters houses over 2,000 EPA employees and 15 different offices, including the Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards (OAQPS) where I am employed–an aerial photo of the RTP headquarters can be seen below! Within OAQPS, I work in the State and Local Programs Group in the Air Quality Policy Division. My group works directly with the 10 different Regional EPA Offices across the country to ensure that states are meeting the National Ambient Air Quality Standards established by the Clean Air Act.

This week, I spent a lot of time meeting new people as well as seeing some familiar faces, including Jenny Noonan and Jackie Ashley, two UNC MPA alums! I shadowed my new coworkers and sat in on numerous meetings related to air quality policy and regulation. There are THOUSANDS of acronyms within the EPA, so it is possible to sit through an entire meeting without knowing what anyone is talking about! Fortunately, my coworkers are incredibly kind and helpful and take the time to answer all of my questions about SSM SIP call actions and the PM 2.5 NAAQS (see what I mean?)

Most of my work this summer will be with the EPA Advance Program, which supports states, tribes, and local governments to take proactive steps to keep their air clean by promoting local actions to reduce ozone and/or fine particle pollution. While most of the OAQPS is focused on regulatory action, this program encourages voluntary commitments and actions to improve air quality. I am very excited about this opportunity to work with various levels of governments and stakeholders on environmental issues.

Perhaps the most exciting part of my new job is that I have my own office WITH a window! It’s pretty fulfilling to turn around in my chair and see a Carolina blue sky, reminding me of the natural resources and environment we’re all working to protect. In addition, there is a large lake and walking trails surrounding campus that employees are free to utilize and enjoy!