EMS, VEEP, Performance Track, … - Voluntary Programs – What’s In It For Me and What’s In it For You?

Characteristics of Participating Facilities Usually the facilities are well run and have environmental (EMS) other management systems (safety, quality, financial, etc.) 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. Generally have progressive programs and good compliance history. Often involved in “beyond compliance” activities Often involved in “beyond compliance” activities Participate in voluntary environmental, health and safety programs (VEEP, Performance Track, VPP Star) Participate in voluntary environmental, health and safety programs (VEEP, Performance Track, VPP Star) Employee engagement and management support Employee engagement and management support Reducing environmental impacts becomes everyone’s job, not just the ESH staff Reducing environmental impacts becomes everyone’s job, not just the ESH staff

How does VEEP relate to DEQ staff? Facilities within VEEP are the “good guys” Facilities within VEEP are the “good guys” May expect to be treated with more trust and respect 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. 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 “waste” DEQ time inspecting facilities that are in compliance?

Why does a facility participate? (What’s In It For Me?) Recognition Recognition Community and Employees Community and Employees Regulators Regulators Corporate Management Corporate Management Environmental, Safety and Health Staff Environmental, Safety and Health Staff ESH viewed as an asset by plant management ESH viewed as an asset by plant management  Plant managers usually hear only problems, we bring good news and positive recognition

Participation (Cont.) Improved communication with regulators Improved communication with regulators Opportunity to “show off” Opportunity to “show off” It’s enjoyable working with other facilities on their EMS goals It’s enjoyable working with other facilities on their EMS goals Potential regulatory relief Potential regulatory relief 180 RCRA Waste Storage 180 RCRA Waste Storage MACT reporting reductions MACT reporting reductions More pending with EPA More pending with EPA Improved image with Customers Improved image with Customers Cost Savings Cost Savings Low cost of participation Low cost of participation

How Can Virginia Agencies Benefit? (What’s in it for You?) Less regulatory maintenance required for the facility Less regulatory maintenance required for the facility Opportunity to learn best practices Opportunity to learn best practices Potential to allocate resources to problems instead of process Potential to allocate resources to problems instead of process Measurable environmental progress beyond regulation Measurable environmental progress beyond regulation Facilities can be a resource for training, mentoring Facilities can be a resource for training, mentoring Facilities more often willing to work on State environmental priorities Facilities more often willing to work on State environmental priorities Reducing Nutrient loading in Chesapeake Bay Reducing Nutrient loading in Chesapeake Bay Voluntary air emissions reductions in non-attainment areas Voluntary air emissions reductions in non-attainment areas Serving on TMDL development teams Serving on TMDL development teams

Desirable Features of Good Incentives Easy to understand, implement and verify Easy to understand, implement and verify Will save time and money for both industry and government Will save time and money for both industry and government Result in measurable environmental improvements (preferably at lower cost) Result in measurable environmental improvements (preferably at lower cost) Attractive enough to encourage membership of other companies including small to medium size businesses 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) Improve the environment faster than otherwise expected (can also reduce non-point source pollution or releases of non-regulated pollutants)

Practical Experience Implementing Incentives Facility unique priorities Facility unique priorities Every facility seems to have their own issues and priorities making the selection of a broad based incentive difficult Every facility seems to have their own issues and priorities making the selection of a broad based incentive difficult Regulatory change is hardest Regulatory change is hardest Non-regulatory changes are the most likely to succeed Non-regulatory changes are the most likely to succeed Culture Change has been slow Culture Change has been slow Many people and organizations accept the inefficiencies of the existing regulatory structure and are uncomfortable with change 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 Change will come slowly to those willing to invest time and effort and some changes have been happening lately

Examples of Performance Commitments 1 2 3

Reduce SO2 emissions by 50 tons/year Reduce SO2 emissions by 50 tons/year Increase amount of wood waste burning, backing out coal burning in boilers Increase amount of wood waste burning, backing out coal burning in boilers Reduce groundwater withdrawal by 600,000 gallons/day Reduce groundwater withdrawal by 600,000 gallons/day Reclaim water sent to sewers and reuse instead of groundwater Reclaim water sent to sewers and reuse instead of groundwater Increase energy efficiency by 26,000 MMBTU’s Increase energy efficiency by 26,000 MMBTU’s Upgrade process equipment to be more energy efficient Upgrade process equipment to be more energy efficient Reduce particulate emissions by 1780 lb/year Reduce particulate emissions by 1780 lb/year Re-route gases from shared precipitator to stand-alone, more efficient precipitator Re-route gases from shared precipitator to stand-alone, more efficient precipitator

Examples of Performance Commitments Reduce Class 1 ODC in Refrigeration Systems by 10% Reduce Class 1 ODC in Refrigeration Systems by 10% Replaced 4 chillers with non-ODC equipment Replaced 4 chillers with non-ODC equipment Eliminated 2,640 pounds of CFC-11 Eliminated 2,640 pounds of CFC-11 Increase Scrap Metal and Wood Recycling Rate Increase Scrap Metal and Wood Recycling Rate Changed recycling container size Changed recycling container size Doubled the recycling rate Doubled the recycling rate