Transcript Results from: Environmental Management System

EMS, VEEP,
Performance Track, …
Voluntary Programs – What’s
In It For Me and What’s In it
For You?
Characteristics of Participating Facilities
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Usually the facilities are well run and have
environmental (EMS) other management systems
(safety, quality, financial, etc.)
Generally have progressive programs and good
compliance history.
Often involved in “beyond compliance” activities
Participate in voluntary environmental, health and
safety programs (VEEP, Performance Track, VPP Star)
Employee engagement and management support
Reducing environmental impacts becomes everyone’s
job, not just the ESH staff
How does VEEP relate to DEQ staff?
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Facilities within VEEP are the
“good guys”
May expect to be treated with
more trust and respect
Often willing to consider
alternative approaches that make
sense for the company, the
environment, DEQ and others.
Why “waste” DEQ time inspecting
facilities that are in compliance?
Why does a facility participate?
(What’s In It For Me?)
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Recognition
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Community and Employees
Regulators
Corporate Management
Environmental, Safety and
Health Staff
ESH viewed as an asset
by plant management
 Plant managers usually hear only problems, we bring good
news and positive recognition
Participation (Cont.)
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Improved communication with
regulators
Opportunity to “show off”
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Potential regulatory relief
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It’s enjoyable working with other
facilities on their EMS goals
180 RCRA Waste Storage
MACT reporting reductions
More pending with EPA
Improved image with Customers
Cost Savings
Low cost of participation
How Can Virginia Agencies Benefit?
(What’s in it for You?)
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Less regulatory maintenance required for the facility
Opportunity to learn best practices
Potential to allocate resources to problems instead of
process
Measurable environmental progress beyond regulation
Facilities can be a resource for training, mentoring
Facilities more often willing to work on State
environmental priorities
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Reducing Nutrient loading in Chesapeake Bay
Voluntary air emissions reductions in non-attainment areas
Serving on TMDL development teams
Desirable Features of Good Incentives
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Easy to understand, implement and verify
Will save time and money for both industry and
government
Result in measurable environmental improvements
(preferably at lower cost)
Attractive enough to encourage membership of
other companies including small to medium size
businesses
Improve the environment faster than otherwise
expected (can also reduce non-point source pollution or
releases of non-regulated pollutants)
Practical Experience Implementing
Incentives
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Facility unique priorities
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Regulatory change is hardest
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Every facility seems to have their own issues and priorities
making the selection of a broad based incentive difficult
Non-regulatory changes are the most likely to succeed
Culture Change has been slow
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Many people and organizations accept the inefficiencies of the
existing regulatory structure and are uncomfortable with change
Change will come slowly to those willing to invest time and effort
and some changes have been happening lately
Examples of Performance Commitments
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Examples of Performance
Commitments
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Reduce SO2 emissions by 50 tons/year
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Reduce groundwater withdrawal by 600,000
gallons/day
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Reclaim water sent to sewers and reuse instead of groundwater
Increase energy efficiency by 26,000 MMBTU’s
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Increase amount of wood waste burning, backing out coal
burning in boilers
Upgrade process equipment to be more energy efficient
Reduce particulate emissions by 1780 lb/year
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Re-route gases from shared precipitator to stand-alone, more
efficient precipitator
Examples of Performance Commitments
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Reduce Class 1 ODC in Refrigeration Systems by
10%
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Replaced 4 chillers with non-ODC equipment
Eliminated 2,640 pounds of CFC-11
Increase Scrap Metal and Wood Recycling Rate
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Changed recycling container size
Doubled the recycling rate