Connolly presses EPA on air quality IT with new bill
Connolly presses EPA on air quality IT with new bill Nextgov/FCW
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Rep. Gerry Connolly Introduces Bill to Update EPA’s Legacy IT Systems
Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-Va., has introduced a new bill called “Clean Air in the Cloud” to urge the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to update its legacy IT systems that store air quality data.
Background
The bill is a response to a 2023 Government Accountability Office (GAO) report on the outdated systems, known as the Air Quality System (AQS) and AirNow, which described them as “difficult to maintain, access, and use.”
Importance of the Systems
The EPA relies on the AQS and AirNow systems to manage and report air quality data collected by a network of over 4,000 monitoring sites. These systems gather information about air pollutants regulated by the EPA under the Clean Air Act, such as carbon monoxide.
The data collected is used by the EPA for both facilitating public access to air pollution data and fulfilling its regulatory responsibilities.
Key Recommendations
Connolly’s bill mandates three key recommendations from the GAO report:
- The EPA should identify factors to evaluate whether its technology is ready to be replaced or retired.
- The agency should consider an operational analysis for the systems.
- A business case for a new IT system should be documented.
Statement from Rep. Gerry Connolly
“The federal government is only as good as the IT it utilizes,” said Connolly in a statement about the bill. “It is my hope that, with this legislation, the EPA can resolve the challenges posed by AQS and AirNow to best deliver results for the American people they serve.”
Issues with the Current Systems
The GAO report highlighted several issues with the AQS and AirNow systems:
- The AQS, which is the EPA’s main repository for ambient air quality data, is old and relies on outdated software that is difficult to maintain. The system is also prone to crashes when local air monitoring agencies try to add data to it. Additionally, the age of the software makes it challenging to access or analyze the data it contains.
- AirNow, used to provide the public with current information on ozone and particulate matter, adds to inefficiency and confusion due to the existence of multiple systems.
EPA’s Efforts and Response
The EPA has been considering replacing the AQS and AirNow systems with a single system, but has faced challenges due to competing priorities and resource limitations. The agency has not identified the systems as in need of replacement in recent IT management and oversight processes, nor documented a business case for the project.
While the EPA agreed with two of the GAO recommendations, it disagreed with the call for its Office of Mission Support to determine factors for evaluating system replacement or retirement. The EPA stated that such decisions are delegated to senior information officials, as per CIO policy, and referred to existing directives on EPA tech management decisions.
The EPA has acknowledged that both systems could benefit from redevelopment or replacement and that steps have been taken to examine them for potential replacement.
Conclusion
Rep. Gerry Connolly’s bill aims to address the challenges posed by the outdated AQS and AirNow systems. By implementing the GAO recommendations, the EPA can improve its IT infrastructure and better serve the American people in delivering clean air and meeting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 13: Climate Action | Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning | Indicator not mentioned in the article |
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | Target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination | Indicator not mentioned in the article |
| SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure | Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable, and resilient infrastructure, including regional and transborder infrastructure, to support economic development and human well-being, with a focus on affordable and equitable access for all | Indicator not mentioned in the article |
| SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions | Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable, and transparent institutions at all levels | Indicator not mentioned in the article |
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 13: Climate Action
- SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
- SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
- SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
The issues highlighted in the article are connected to these SDGs because they involve the need for updated IT systems to manage and report air quality data, which is crucial for addressing climate change (SDG 13), protecting public health (SDG 3), developing sustainable infrastructure (SDG 9), and ensuring effective and transparent institutions (SDG 16).
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning
- Target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination
- Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable, and resilient infrastructure, including regional and transborder infrastructure, to support economic development and human well-being, with a focus on affordable and equitable access for all
- Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable, and transparent institutions at all levels
Based on the article’s content, these targets can be identified as relevant to the issues discussed. The need for updated IT systems to manage air quality data aligns with the targets of integrating climate change measures into policies (Target 13.2), reducing deaths and illnesses from air pollution (Target 3.9), developing sustainable infrastructure (Target 9.1), and ensuring effective institutions (Target 16.6).
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
No, the article does not mention or imply any specific indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets. However, indicators related to the availability and accessibility of updated IT systems, reduction in air pollution-related illnesses and deaths, improvements in infrastructure quality and reliability, and transparency and accountability of institutions could be relevant for measuring progress towards these targets.
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Fuente: nextgov.com
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