In September, partners across the Exchange Network and E-Enterprise community convened in Kansas City, Missouri for the Environmental Information and Innovation Meeting (E2i). Representatives of EPA, States, and Tribes gathered to present and discuss how agencies are using data and innovative techniques to improve productivity and responsiveness in environmental protection. The meeting attracted more than 350 in-person and virtual attendees for three days of sharing best practices in environmental information management, applications for advanced technologies, and more.
EPA Region 7 Administrator Meg McCollister welcomed attendees with opening remarks highlighting a range of environmental achievements and investments in her region. In an inspirational keynote address, George Hawkins reflected on strategies he has used to foster a culture of innovation in public sector agencies. Hawkins, who formerly headed DC Water and the District of Columbia’s Department of Energy & Environment, now heads Moonshot Missions, a group advising water utilities, especially in underserved communities. In her final weeks as EPA Deputy Administrator, Janet McCabe also headlined the meeting, sharing insights on the importance of data and innovation in the work that E-Enterprise partners do to protect the environment and human health.
E2i hosted working sessions where attendees explored the future of the Exchange Network. Participants emphasized the need to modernize environmental data sharing and ensure that the Exchange Network evolves to meet the current and future data needs of environmental protection agencies (see related story below).
Attendees were also treated to a sampling of ECOS State Innovation Videos highlighting state agency initiatives in Arizona, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Tennessee, and Washington. The state-produced videos emphasize E-Enterprise aligned initiatives in technology and information.
Speaker slides and recordings from selected E2i sessions are available for download and viewing on the E2i meeting website. For more information on the meeting, contact Kurt Rakouskas of ECOS or Alex O’Neill of EPA.
