The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) prepares the official U.S. Inventory of Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks to comply with existing commitments under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Under decision 3/CP.5 of the UNFCCC Conference of the Parties, national inventories for UNFCCC Annex I parties should be provided to the UNFCCC Secretariat each year by April 15.

In FY 2015, the National Environmental Information Exchange Network (Exchange Network, Network or EN) Grant Program is focusing on Phase 2 of the EN and the incorporation of certain aspects of the E-Enterprise for the Environment (E-Enterprise or EE) initiative into the EN program. The general goals of the EE initiative align with the goals of the EN program, and, for this reason, the incorporation of certain EE initiatives into the EN program will further the goals of Phase 2. The Exchange Network is a partnership that supports better decision-making through improved access to environmental...

Almost 30% of aquatic grasses worldwide are either lost or degraded (Barbier et al, 2011). The Chesapeake Bay is no exception, with levels of submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) remaining below half of the historic levels. This decline is largely attributed to excessive nutrient and sediment loads degrading Bay water quality. SAV provide many important functions to natural ecosystems, many of which are directly beneficial to local residents. To understand the implicit value residents place on SAV and the localized ecosystem services it provides, we undertake a hedonic property value study...

To discuss where probabilistic approaches can aid EPA's decision making, it is important to generally describe the Agency's current decision making processes and how better understanding and improving elements within these processes can clarify where probabilistic approaches might provide benefits. The enhanced use of PRA and characterization of uncertainty would allow EPA decision makers opportunities to use a more robust and transparent process, which may allow greater responsiveness to outside comments and recommendations. Such an approach would support higher quality EPA assessments and...

This guidance provides technical recommendations for protecting underground sources of drinking water (USDWs) from potential endangerment posed by hydraulic fracturing (HF) activities where diesel fuels are used. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) developed this guidance for EPA permit writers to ensure protection of USDWs in accordance with the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) and Underground Injection Control (UIC) regulatory authority. This authority is limited to when diesel fuels are used in fluids or propping agents pursuant to oil, gas and geothermal activities. This document...