The Centers at 10 Years: Where Do we Go From Here? An EPA Perspective Jim Edward, Director Compliance Assistance Division/OECA US EPA

A Brief History of the Centers Program: When Past is Prologue First Centers in 1996: automotive service & repair, metal finishing, printingFirst Centers in 1996: automotive service & repair, metal finishing, printing Result of Congressional Add-onResult of Congressional Add-on –Developed compliance assistance centers for several sectors Ten Centers launched in first 5 years; 4 more over next 5 years; 4 more in early 2000’s.Ten Centers launched in first 5 years; 4 more over next 5 years; 4 more in early 2000’s. The coming of the Centers Platform; bringing new Centers on-line cost effectively and efficiently.The coming of the Centers Platform; bringing new Centers on-line cost effectively and efficiently.

Evolution of Centers’ Features: From Links to Streaming Videos Center features; evolving over time:Center features; evolving over time: –Virtual Plant Tours –On-line Training –Webinars –Emissions Calculators –Selected Compliance & Environmental News –On-Line Discussion Groups –On-Line Ask the Expert – Update Service

Evolution of Centers’ Features: From Links to Streaming Videos What features or technical advances does the future hold for the centers?What features or technical advances does the future hold for the centers? What tools/resources could be developed and made available through the Center Platform for use by other providers?What tools/resources could be developed and made available through the Center Platform for use by other providers? What are your needs?What are your needs?

Measuring Success of the Centers: The Need to Show Environmental Results In FY 2005:In FY 2005: –Centers were visited over 1,443,000 times by their target audiences, assistance providers, government and the public –Centers received requests for over 3 million web pages and targeted compliance documents Since 1998, the Centers have realized over 5 million user sessionsSince 1998, the Centers have realized over 5 million user sessions

Building On Results

Measuring Success of the Centers: The Need to Show Environmental Results 84% of the regulated community respondents agreed that the Centers helped them understand applicable environmental requirements.84% of the regulated community respondents agreed that the Centers helped them understand applicable environmental requirements. 77% of the regulated entity respondents improved their environmental management practices as a result of Center use. 77% of the regulated entity respondents improved their environmental management practices as a result of Center use. 46% of the regulated entity respondents reported that they reduced, treated, or eliminated pollution as a result of Center use.46% of the regulated entity respondents reported that they reduced, treated, or eliminated pollution as a result of Center use.

FY 05 Improved Management Practices: Regulated Community

FY 05 Environmental Benefits: Regulated Community

Measuring Success of the Centers: The Need to Show Environmental Results What more can we do to measure results?What more can we do to measure results? –Case studies –Testimonials How can we better reach the target audience to get results?How can we better reach the target audience to get results? Can we administer a statistically valid survey to assess Center use?Can we administer a statistically valid survey to assess Center use? –Target audience?

Sectors Addressed by the Centers: Who’s Next or Are There Enough? Services  Border Center  Automotive Service and Repair  Automotive Recycling  Health Care  Paints and Coatings  Printing  Transportation  Education Sector (pending) Manufacturing  Agriculture  Metal Finishing  Printed Wiring Board  Construction  Chemical Manufacturing Government  Local Government  Federal Facilities

Sectors Addressed by the Centers: Who’s Next or Are There Enough? Center Candidate Evaluation Criteria: – –impacts on human health & environment – –prevalence of national problem – –patterns of noncompliance – –impacts of new regulations – –subject to multiple regulations /statutes – –impacts to small businesses – –lack of comprehensive compliance assistance program – –determination that compliance assistance is an appropriate “tool” to address the problem Center Candidate Suggestions ???

Future Funding for the Centers: Proven Results But at What Cost? Over $21 million in funding for Centers Program since 1996.Over $21 million in funding for Centers Program since Centers Funding Strategy developed in 2001; Implemented in FY02-06.Centers Funding Strategy developed in 2001; Implemented in FY –Gradual reduction in funding for existing Centers to a base level funding amount. –Dollars “freed up” to fund new Centers

Future Funding for the Centers: Proven Results But at What Cost? Centers will soon reach their base-level funding identified in the 2001 funding strategy. – –minimal (if any) savings will be available to reinvest in new Center development. To ensure that the Centers program remains strong while allowing for expansion, EPA needs to adjust its Centers funding strategy.

The Centers and Other Online Tools Is it Time for a New Relationship? EPA's CA Clearinghouse primarily directed to other CA providers CA Clearinghouse primarily directed to other CA providers Linking the P2Rx & Compliance Assistance CentersLinking the P2Rx & Compliance Assistance Centers –Content Sharing –News Sharing –More to do! Business Gateway e-gov InitiativeBusiness Gateway e-gov Initiative So may resources – can we seamlessly integrate this information for the business sector?So may resources – can we seamlessly integrate this information for the business sector?

Recent and Upcoming Developments: Continuing to Move Forward Developing new Center for the Education SectorDeveloping new Center for the Education Sector Expanding Border Center to Canada and launching “Waste Watcher” toolExpanding Border Center to Canada and launching “Waste Watcher” tool Creating new entry page for the 14 State Resource LocatorsCreating new entry page for the 14 State Resource Locators Identifying new Center candidates in Fall 2006Identifying new Center candidates in Fall 2006

Border Center……

Closing Thoughts From EPA: More Questions than Answers… Centers have demonstrated positive environmental results over the last 10 years! BUT…Centers have demonstrated positive environmental results over the last 10 years! BUT… Are they still meeting the needs of their clients?Are they still meeting the needs of their clients? Have they continued to keep pace with new technologies and software developments?Have they continued to keep pace with new technologies and software developments? Are the Centers reaching their target audiences?Are the Centers reaching their target audiences?

Closing Thoughts From EPA: More Questions than Answers… Can we afford to keep funding new Centers under the current approach?Can we afford to keep funding new Centers under the current approach? How can the Centers improve their measurement of real environmental outcomes?How can the Centers improve their measurement of real environmental outcomes? Do we develop more traditional Centers or design new Centers that are more fluid and changing?Do we develop more traditional Centers or design new Centers that are more fluid and changing? C’mon….Lets Talk!!!