DEQ Mission By the end of the decade, Virginians will enjoy cleaner water available for all uses, improved air quality that supports communities and ecosystems, and the productive re- use of contaminated land.

Office of Pollution Prevention Non-regulatory programs Technical assistance Public recognition Web-based information resources Training & workshops Performance based programs

What is the Virginia Environmental Excellence Program? Promotes the use of Environmental Management Systems (EMS) Voluntary “ALL” Virginia facilities Beyond Compliance Public Recognition, Regulatory Flexibility, Fee Reductions Started July, 2000; codified July, 2005

How does a facility become part of VEEP? Must apply at either E2, E3 or E4 level Three year acceptance period Must report annually on progress Must be in compliance Environmental Management System (EMS)

What is an EMS? An EMS is a tool for an organization to: Determine the interactions of its activities and products with the environment To manage them so as to achieve continually improving environmental performance

Elements of an EMS Environmental Policy Statement Evaluation of Environmental Impacts Objectives & Targets Regulatory Requirements Identification/Tracking Roles/Responsibilities Training and Communication Environmental Control and Monitoring Compliance Change Management Corrective and Preventative Actions Records and Recordkeeping Audits and Inspections Management Review

Requirements of VEEP Members Compliance with environmental regulations Performance-based EMSs Pollution prevention Measurement of environmental performance Willingness to have a collaborative relationship with DEQ, other facilities and their communities

VEEP Levels of Participation Levels E2, E3 & E4 Compliance requirement for all levels: No criminal violations within previous 5 years No more than two significant violations within previous 3 years No unresolved notices of violations or potential violations Willing to work cooperatively with DEQ to resolve problems Operate in a manner consistent with environmental stewardship and leadership Annual reporting on environmental metrics

E2 (Environmental Enterprise) For all types of facilities (especially for small businesses, nonprofits, schools, municipal agencies, etc.) Requires that basic EMS components are in place: Environmental policy statement Identification of environmental impacts Establishment of targets Pollution prevention program Reporting on at least one environmental metric

E3 (Exemplary Environmental Enterprise) Fully implemented EMS Documented results EMS self-assessment Procedures for communicating environmental information to the public Reporting on at least two environmental metrics

E4 (Extraordinary Environmental Enterprise) One full EMS cycle completed Third-party EMS audit completed Continuous and sustainable progress Community involvement Reporting on at least three environmental metrics

VEEP Participation More than 550 facilities currently in program.

Why would a facility want to participate in VEEP? All members receive: Positive public recognition Single point-of-contact Reduced annual permit fees Solid waste: E2: 10%; E3 & E4: 20% Hazardous waste: E2: 5%; E3 & E4: 10% Water: E2: 2%; E3 & E4: 5% Alternative compliance methods (E3 & E4 only) Regulatory flexibility Permit and permit amendment review timeframe Reduced or streamlined monitoring requirements

VEEP Recognition

What is the Commonwealth’s interest? Engaging facilities with a new relationship Movement toward environmental sustainability: Reduced total water use by more than 38.5 million gallons Recycled over 2.7 million tons of non- hazardous waste Increased use of reclaimed/recycled water by more than 240,000,000 gallons Increased recycled materials use by 7 tons Over $300,000 in cost savings

Compliance Water & Natural Resources Protection Climate Protection & Energy Efficiency Internal P2/Sustainability Efforts Education & Outreach Environmental Management System (EMS) Environmental Sustainability

Facility Fenceline Track (existing) “Virginia Green Partner” [E1] (proposed) Organization-Wide/ Sustainability Track (proposed) “Virginia Sustainability Leaders” VEEP Future Schematic

PWC Landfill Achievements Joined VEEP (E3) 8/10/07 Moved to E4 2/18/11 Fully implemented and third party certified EMS Years of excellent compliance Excellent working relationship with DEQ Pollution Prevention efforts: Recycling and material reuse on site Landfill gas to energy project Wetlands preservation Researching feasibility of installing windmills

PWC Landfill Achievements continued Various outreach and mentoring efforts to improve environmental awareness Numerous awards for environmental achievement Consistent reporting: In ,276 tons of material reuse on site Since 2007 Particulate Matter air emissions reduced by over 28 tons.

Keith Boisvert Virginia Department of Environmental Quality