Transcript The Centers at 10 Years: Where Do we Go From Here? An EPA

Environmental Compliance
Assistance in the United States
Catherine McCabe
Deputy Assistant Administrator
Office of Enforcement and Compliance
Assurance
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
December 2007
Topics
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Overview of Compliance Assistance in the U.S.
Key Facts about Compliance Assistance Centers
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History of the Centers Program
Center Management: Staffing, Funding
Features
Center Models
Lessons Learned/ Results
Compliance Assistance Resources
Overview of Compliance Assistance in
the United States
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Compliance Assistance is one “tool” used to address
environmental problems. The other tools are:
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Compliance Monitoring (inspections, self-reporting)
Compliance Incentives (audits)
Enforcement
Voluntary, Non-regulatory Programs
Often used together as “integrated strategies” to
solve problems
Compliance Assistance – What is It?
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Activities, tools or technical assistance which provide
clear and consistent information for two key groups:
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The regulated community – to help them understand and
meet obligations under environmental laws
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Compliance assistance providers – who help the regulated
community in complying with environmental regulations
Tools include web sites, plain-language guides, fact
sheets, and training
Compliance Assistance Providers
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EPA
State government
Local government
Trade associations
Non-government Organizations (NGOs)
Academia
…….Working in Partnership
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EPA and its Partners Work Together to:
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Develop and deliver assistance resources
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Maintain a repository of information on assistance
resources
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Consistently measure results of assistance
Why Do Compliance Assistance?
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Regulated entities need education – particularly
small businesses and local government (over 80,000
local government units & 20 million small
businesses in U.S.)
– Often, staff is not dedicated to the oversight of
their environmental obligations
– Environmental requirements continually change
EPA cannot provide direct on-site assistance to more
than a fraction of the regulated entities
What are the Benefits of Providing
Compliance Assistance?
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Prevents violations from occurring
Simplifies compliance requirements
Information can be targeted to industry and
business sectors (EPA has aimed primarily at
small and medium-sized businesses
 Reaches large audiences (as compared to caseby-case approach of enforcement)
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EPA-Sponsored Compliance
Assistance Centers
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The Centers are internet websites
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Centers provide comprehensive, easy to understand
compliance information for a specific industry or
government sector
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Managed through partnership between governmental
and nongovernmental groups
Key Center Facts
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The Centers:
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15 Centers currently operating
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Act as “first-stop” information source
Identify the federal environmental regulations that apply
to sector
Provide guidance on how to comply with regulations
Identify pollution prevention approaches that can save
money
Two new Centers coming on line in 2008/2009
Development of the Centers Program
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First Centers created in 1996
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U.S. legislature provided initial funding to establish
a few Centers
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Creating a central Centers “Platform” saved money
and allowed new Centers to come on-line more
efficiently.
Compliance Assistance Centers
Services
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Border Center
Agriculture
Automotive Service and
Repair
Automotive Recycling
Health Care
Paints and Coatings
Printing
Transportation
Education Sector (pending)
Manufacturing
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Government
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Metal Finishing
Printed Wiring Board
Construction
Chemical Manufacturing
Food processing (pending)
Local Government
Federal Facilities
Tribes
Center Management: Funding
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Government funding for most Centers is granted
through competitive process
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5-year grant to applicant with best project proposal for
sector specific center
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Over time, gradual reduction in funding for individual
Centers until a base level of funding is reached
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Dollars saved are used to fund new Centers
Center Management:
Other revenue sources
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Subscription fees
Content development for commercial
websites
Training
Web-based advertisement
Center Management: Staffing
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Centers are staffed by grantees/ contractors
EPA provides support and oversight primarily
with Grant Management staff (2-3 people)
Additional EPA staff available to provide
technical expertise on as-needed basis
EPA staff holds quarterly calls and annual
meetings with “Center team”
Center Models
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Most Centers managed by trade
associations; colleges/universities or other
nongovernmental organizations
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Exceptions are 3 EPA-owned and operated
Centers
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Agriculture Center
FedCenter (for federal agencies)
Tribal Center
Agriculture Center Model
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Web-based Center but
- managed and funded by EPA
- supported by 2 EPA staff who are located in
geographic area with many farms
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Evolution of Centers’ Features:
From Links to Streaming Videos
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Center features; evolving over time:
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Virtual Plant Tours
On-line Training
Emissions Calculators
Selected Compliance & Environmental
News
Discussion Groups
On-Line “Ask the Expert”
Email Update Service
Lessons Learned
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Strong enforcement program helps
assistance
Active assistance program helps
enforcement
Use assistance with other tools
Measure outcomes of assistance
EPA Compliance Assistance
Resources on the Internet
www.epa.gov/compliance/assistance
www.epa.gov/clearinghouse
www.assistancecenters.net
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